Coco Gauff, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and more Black athletes make Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports Class of 2026, Wizkid announces December homecoming concert in Lagos, Terence Crawford stripped of WBC title over unpaid sanctioning fees. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. Coco Gauff, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley lead Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports Class of 2026
Trinity Rodman and Coco Gauff also make the Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports list. pic.twitter.com/QfZ1iTgTzS
— Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) December 2, 2025
Tennis superstar Coco Gauff, along with NFL standouts Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, headline the Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports Class of 2026, a lineup that showcases some of the most influential young talents shaping the future of global athletics. Released each December, the list highlights the rising power of the next generation, and this year’s selection places a strong spotlight on young Black athletes redefining excellence both on and off the field. Gauff, now 21 and already a multi–Grand Slam champion, leads the group alongside Hurts and Barkley, whose leadership, professionalism, and cultural impact continue to elevate them beyond their positions with the Philadelphia Eagles. They are joined by WNBA star Aaliyah Boston, NBA sensation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, softball phenom Nijaree Canady, and soccer trailblazer Trinity Rodman, each recognized not only for athletic dominance but also for business influence, advocacy, and brand-building.
Gauff’s ascent from prodigy to global tennis force reinforces her status as one of the most marketable young athletes in the world, while Hurts and Barkley exemplify the modern NFL star whose reach extends far beyond the gridiron. Boston and Rodman continue pushing women’s sports further into the mainstream, commanding respect and investment across leagues. Gilgeous-Alexander’s smooth, high-efficiency style has made him both an NBA leader and a cultural figure, and Canady’s inclusion highlights the growing recognition of elite talent in collegiate women’s sports. Together, the seven honorees reflect a generation using its platforms to influence culture, business, and social impact—proving once again that the 2026 class of Forbes 30 Under 30 athletes represents the future of sports and the evolving power of Black excellence.
2. Wizkid announces December homecoming concert in Lagos
Lagos!! See you soon ❤️🦅 pic.twitter.com/7WDmmlTihS
— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) December 2, 2025
Wizkid has officially announced a highly anticipated homecoming concert in Lagos this December, marking his first major headline show in the city in years. The global superstar revealed the event on social media on Tuesday, December 2, confirming that he will return to perform a show titled “GOAT: The Greatest of All Time Experience” on Sunday, December 28, at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Marina. The announcement immediately sparked excitement among fans across Nigeria and beyond, many of whom have been eagerly awaiting the singer’s return to the Lagos stage. Tickets for the event are already available on Future Fest’s website, prompting early demand as concertgoers rush to secure seats for what is expected to be a packed festive-season performance.
The Lagos show comes after a year in which Wizkid spent significant time touring across Europe and North America, making the December homecoming even more anticipated. His last major concert in Lagos drew massive crowds and dominated social media conversations for weeks, and fans are predicting an even bigger turnout this year due to the artist’s global reach and the city’s busy holiday entertainment calendar. Organizers have promised a world-class production for the TBS performance, though Wizkid has yet to reveal details about guest artists or surprises planned for the night. As anticipation builds, promotional activities are expected to intensify across the city. For now, the Grammy winner’s message remains clear: he is coming home, and thousands of fans are preparing to welcome him back for a landmark music experience.
3. Nawat Itsaragrisil sues Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch for ‘false accusations’
Official Statement: Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil has formally filed a criminal complaint against Ms. Fatima Bosch Fernandez in Thailand on 12 November 2025. #MissUniverse2025 #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/xWGLddKoVf
— Yashael 👑❣️📸 (@Dainsleif_10) December 3, 2025
Miss Universe Thailand National Director Nawat Itsaragrisil has filed a criminal complaint against reigning Miss Universe 2025 winner Fatima Bosch, accusing her of making false public statements that damaged his reputation. According to a four-page police incident report released on the official Miss Universe Thailand page, Itsaragrisil took legal action on November 12 after Bosch repeatedly claimed he called her a “dumbhead” during a pre-pageant event. The organization insisted the allegation is untrue, stating that audio recordings circulating online clearly show he used the word “damage,” not an insult, during the exchange. The group emphasized that Bosch made the accusation immediately after leaving the room and continued to repeat it in multiple interviews, including after becoming Miss Universe.
The controversy escalated further following Bosch’s recent interview on ABC’s Nightline, where she described feeling humiliated during the encounter and alleged that Itsaragrisil attempted to demean her in front of others. Miss Universe Thailand countered these statements, accusing the beauty queen of misrepresenting the incident “seemingly for personal gain” throughout the competition. They warned that additional legal action will be taken if Bosch continues making statements they view as defamatory. The dispute adds to a turbulent year for the Miss Universe pageant, which has already faced allegations of rigging and behind-the-scenes conflicts. As of now, Bosch has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.
4. Jada Pinkett Smith faces $3M lawsuit
Jada Pinkett Smith is being sued by a former friend of Will Smith, Bilaal Salaam, over alleged threats she made against him following a 2021 altercation at the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ star’s birthday. pic.twitter.com/Z5CaMAlJqb
— E! News (@enews) December 3, 2025
Jada Pinkett Smith is facing a $3 million lawsuit filed by Will Smith’s longtime friend and former assistant, Bilaal Salaam, who alleges that she threatened him over information he made public about the family. According to court documents obtained, Salaam claims he was confronted on September 25, 2021, in the lobby of the Regency Calabasas Commons, where Pinkett Smith, accompanied by several associates, allegedly issued threats and insisted he sign a nondisclosure agreement. The filing states that tensions intensified months later, following Will Smith’s highly publicized Oscars altercation, when Salaam was allegedly pressured through intermediaries to assist with damage control. After refusing, he says he became the target of a retaliatory campaign, which escalated further once Pinkett Smith’s circle discovered he was writing a memoir about his experiences.
The lawsuit outlines additional friction stemming from Salaam’s interviews, including a 2023 appearance on the show “Unwine Tasha K,” where he claimed to have witnessed compromising behavior involving the couple, allegations Pinkett Smith later dismissed as “ridiculous” during an interview on “The Breakfast Club” with host Charlamagne tha God. Salaam is seeking damages for emotional distress and lost business opportunities, asserting he was subjected to threats from individuals connected to both actors. Representatives for the Smith family have not publicly commented on the accusations.
5. Terence Crawford stripped of WBC title over unpaid sanctioning fees
Terence “Bud” Crawford has been stripped of his WBC super middleweight title, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announced
According to Sulaiman, Crawford failed to pay sanctioning fees for his fight against Canelo Alvarez, and his previous fight against Israil Madrimov
(via… pic.twitter.com/4GmiJ0pmQ0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 3, 2025
Terence Crawford’s landmark victory over Canelo Álvarez has taken an unexpected turn after the WBC officially stripped him of the super-middleweight title on December 3. The American star, who shocked the boxing world in September by moving up two weight classes to defeat Álvarez and become undisputed champion at 168 pounds, was ruled ineligible to retain the belt due to unpaid sanctioning fees. According to the WBC, Crawford failed to pay fees for both the Álvarez fight and his 2024 bout against Israil Madrimov, abruptly ending his brief reign as undisputed champion in a third weight division.
In the wake of the ruling, the WBC confirmed that interim champion Christian Mbilli will now face Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant title, though a date for the matchup has yet to be announced. Mbilli, who drew with Lester Martinez on the Crawford–Álvarez undercard, enters the fight with a 29-0-1 record, while Sheeraz brings a 22-0-1 record highlighted by a recent knockout of Edgar Berlanga. Martinez, currently 19-0-1, has been elevated to the division’s No. 1 contender. Crawford’s next steps remain unclear, especially after a potential middleweight unification bout fell apart when Zhanibek Alimkhanuly withdrew from his fight with Erislandy Lara due to a positive drug test. Lara will instead defend his WBA middleweight title against Johan Gonzalez, leaving Crawford’s future path uncertain.
Featured image: Arielle Bobb-Willis for The New York Times
Our Weekday News Digest brings you a curated selection of the most compelling stories from around the globe. This week, we delve into the latest celebrity headlines, from Hollywood to Nollywood, explore trending global news, and highlight the most exciting sports developments of 2025.
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