Coco Jones is engaged to NBA star Donovan Mitchell, Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” debuts at #1 on Nigerian Apple Top Albums Chart, Lionel Messi extends MLS record with double Miami win. 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 Jones is engaged to NBA star Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell reveals he is engaged to Coco Jones ❤️
(via @spidadmitchell, 📸: mynameiscourtney/IG) pic.twitter.com/MIh2BPqFdb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 11, 2025
Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell are officially engaged! The Grammy-winning R&B singer announced the big news on Friday (July 11) with a radiant sunset photo capturing the moment that marked a new dimension of her and Mitchell’s love story. Dressed in a white gown, Jones looked every bit the glowing bride-to-be as she kissed her fiancé against a golden sky. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard reportedly popped the question after more than a year of dating, marking his most important shot yet. The post quickly attracted a flood of congratulatory messages from friends and fellow stars like Ciara, Angel Reese, Jaylen Brown, Lady London, and Jessie Reyez.
While the couple kept their relationship mostly under wraps, Jones confirmed they were an item back in March during an interview on Club Shay Shay. “I’m happy,” she told Shannon Sharpe, explaining that while she shares pieces of her story through her music, some parts of her life remain private. “I don’t want to feel like I have to be somebody’s secret,” she added. Now, with the engagement out in the open, fans are counting down to Coco’s walk down the aisle. Both stars are having standout years—Mitchell just wrapped an NBA All-Star season, while Jones continues her music ascent with the release of her debut album Why Not More? in April.
2. Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” debuts at #1 on Nigerian Apple Top Albums Chart
🚨 Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” peaks at #1 on the NG Apple Top Albums Chart 📈🔥 pic.twitter.com/e1gAjm5d7g
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) July 11, 2025
Burna Boy has once again proven his dominance in the music industry with the release of his eighth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness,” which debuted at #1 on the Nigerian Apple Top Albums Chart on July 11—the very day it dropped. The highly anticipated project quickly soared past major releases like BNXN’s “CAPTAIN” and Olamide’s “Olamidé,” reaffirming Burna Boy’s unrivaled influence in the Nigerian music scene and his continued global relevance.
The 16-track album features genre-blending collaborations with international stars including Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, Stromae, and Shaboozey. Its immediate success is credited to a meticulously crafted rollout strategy, from a months-long teaser campaign to single drops that built anticipation. With his “No Sign of Weakness” Tour set to kick off this November, highlighted by a landmark headlining performance at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Burna Boy’s latest chart-topping release signals yet another milestone in a career that continues to redefine African music’s place on the world stage.
3. Chris Brown pleads not guilty to additional charges in London nightclub assault case
R&B singer Chris Brown has denied further charges following an alleged bottle attack in a London nightclub.
Sky’s @Mollie_Malone1 reports live from Southwark Crown Courthttps://t.co/Q8QnzhjJqU
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/CLQmk0suSk
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 11, 2025
Grammy-winning artist Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to two additional charges in a London courtroom on Friday, July 11, in connection with an alleged assault at a Mayfair nightclub in 2023. Appearing at Southwark Crown Court dressed in a light brown suit, the 36-year-old singer denied accusations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon, a bottle, during a brief hearing. These charges follow Brown’s earlier not guilty plea to a more serious count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, entered in June.
The charges stem from an incident on February 19, 2023, at Tape, an exclusive nightclub, where music producer Abraham Diaw claims he was struck multiple times with a bottle, then chased, punched, and kicked. Brown’s co-defendant, 38-year-old Omololu Akinlolu, has also pleaded not guilty. Approximately 20 supporters attended Friday’s proceedings, with audible gasps as the “Go Crazy” hitmaker entered the courtroom. Despite the ongoing case, Brown continues to perform on his international tour, having recently played in Cardiff. He remains free on conditional bail after posting a £5 million bond, and the trial is scheduled to begin in October.
4. Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is dead
INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJI’UN
The family has announced the passing of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, this afternoon, in a clinic in London.
May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.
Signed.
Garba Shehu
13 July 2025— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) July 13, 2025
Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82. Buhari passed away on Sunday at a hospital in London where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. His longtime spokesperson, Garba Shehu, confirmed the news in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “The family of the former president has announced the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, had been battling health issues for several weeks before his death. Known for his anti-corruption stance and leadership during a challenging period in Nigeria’s history, his passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian politics. Tributes have begun pouring in from political leaders and citizens across the country, mourning a figure who shaped the national conversation for decades.
5. Lionel Messi extends MLS record with double Miami win
Lionel Messi continues to enjoy himself in the USA! 🇺🇸
He has extended the MLS record for scoring multiple goals in successive games to five ⚽🙌 pic.twitter.com/PIDxSV5730
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 13, 2025
Lionel Messi continued his blistering form in Major League Soccer by extending his record of scoring multiple goals in five consecutive league games. The 38-year-old Argentine superstar netted twice as Inter Miami secured a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, matching Nashville’s Sam Surridge at the top of the MLS scoring chart with 16 goals in 16 appearances. Messi has now recorded two goals in each of his last five league outings, a streak that began in May with wins over Montreal and Columbus, briefly paused during his Club World Cup duties, and resumed with further doubles against Montreal, New England, and now Nashville.
Messi opened the scoring in Fort Lauderdale with a low free-kick that pierced through the Nashville wall in the 17th minute. Although Hany Mukhtar equalized for the visitors early in the second half, Messi capitalized on a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Joe Willis to score the decisive goal in the 62nd minute. The win keeps Inter Miami in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but they now sit just five points behind leaders Philadelphia with three games in hand, boosting hopes of a strong title challenge in the second half of the season.
Featured image: George Chinsee/Rahim Fortune
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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