Rihanna virtually accepts Icon Award at Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2025, Ayra Starr and Tems to perform at Wembley Stadium for the first time, Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso gives Kylian Mbappe injury update. 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. Rihanna virtually accepts the Icon Award at Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2025
Rihanna accepts the “Icon Award” at the #KidsChoiceAwards. pic.twitter.com/CjmAqoGRgm
— 𝖌𝖆𝖇 (@gabgonebad) June 22, 2025
Rihanna made a surprise virtual appearance at the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday, June 21, to accept the prestigious Icon Award. Introduced by host and fellow pop sensation Tyla, the 37-year-old multi-hyphenate was celebrated for her enduring impact on music, fashion, beauty, and culture. “She inspires so many like myself,” Tyla said, before leading the audience in cheering for the Barbadian superstar. Rihanna appeared in a pre-recorded video set against a whimsical Smurfs village background, a nod to her upcoming Smurfs movie, to deliver a heartfelt acceptance speech.
“Thank you all so much for this incredible award,” Rihanna said. “This is obviously a big deal for me, and I just want to take this moment to remind all of you that wherever you are right now is significant and crucial to where you are about to go.” She urged fans to “own your space in this world,” ending her message with words of gratitude and inspiration. In true Nickelodeon fashion, Rihanna had one final surprise: “Oh, and one more thing before I go,” she teased, just before the crowd was hilariously slimed in bright blue slime, tying her iconic moment to her latest animated project.
2. Ayra Starr and Tems to perform at Wembley Stadium for the first time
Coldplay has announced Tems and Ayra Starr as special guests for their “Music of the Spheres” UK tour.
The girls are moving different this year🧏🏾 pic.twitter.com/0fTt2BEY7s
— The NATIVE (@NativeMag) June 20, 2025
Nigerian music stars Ayra Starr and Tems are set to make history as the first female Nigerian artists to perform at Wembley Stadium. The two Afrobeats powerhouses have been announced as special guest performers on Coldplay’s UK leg of their Music of the Spheres world tour, with shows scheduled at the iconic Wembley Stadium and Crown Park in 2025. This marks Ayra Starr’s second time touring with the Grammy-winning band, and Tems’ debut on the global stage with Coldplay.
The announcement signals a groundbreaking cultural milestone, showcasing the rising global presence of African music, particularly the influence of Afrobeats. Known for its innovative and inclusive concert experiences, Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour continues to spotlight international talent, and by featuring Ayra Starr and Tems, it further emphasizes the genre’s growing impact worldwide. Fans across the UK can look forward to a vibrant fusion of sound and culture when the artists join forces at one of the world’s most legendary concert venues.
3. U.S. launches strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 21, 2025
President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that the U.S. carried out precision airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—calling it a “spectacular military success.” The operation, dubbed Midnight Hammer, involved B-2 bombers dropping bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles, aiming to cripple Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Defense officials confirmed all aircraft returned safely, and Trump warned Iran against retaliation, stating any response would be met with “far greater force.”
Iran condemned the strikes as “brutal aggression,” with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowing a response. Regional tensions have spiked, and global leaders, including Russia, criticized the move as a dangerous escalation. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the strikes, U.S. lawmakers were divided, with some criticizing Trump for acting without congressional approval.
4. Amaarae confirms release date for upcoming album
BREAKING: Amaarae will release her third studio album “Black Star” on Friday, August 8. 📀🇬🇭
— The 12-Track album includes new single “S.M.O”. pic.twitter.com/DZny6RQPhV
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) June 19, 2025
Ghanaian-American artist Amaarae has officially announced that her upcoming album, Black Star, will be released on August 8 via Interscope Records. The new project marks her first full-length release since the critically acclaimed Fountain Baby in 2023, which catapulted her into global stardom and earned a spot on Pitchfork’s list of “100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far.” Known for her fearless fusion of Afropop, soul, and alternative sounds, Amaarae continues to push musical boundaries with Black Star, an album expected to showcase her genre-blending artistry and cultural storytelling further.
Leading the rollout is the highlife-inspired single “S.M.O.,” an energetic anthem that celebrates Black femininity and bold self-expression. Drawing sonic inspiration from Ghanaian ’80s icon Ata Kak, Detroit’s underground club scene, and nostalgic zouk melodies, the track reflects Amaarae’s deep-rooted love for fusion music. In a statement, she called it one of her most confident and dynamic songs to date. The music video, shot in Ghana and directed by Omar Jones, is already generating excitement online. Fans can pre-order Black Star now, with anticipation building for what promises to be one of the most innovative releases of the year.
5. Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso gives Kylian Mbappe injury update
🗣️🇪🇸 Xabi Alonso donne des nouvelles rassurantes concernant Kylian Mbappé :
“Il va mieux ! Nous sommes de plus en plus optimistes pour sa participation au match contre le RB Salzbourg.”
( 🎥 @beinsports_FR )pic.twitter.com/hdQu3OIjx3
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) June 22, 2025
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has provided an update on Kylian Mbappe’s condition as the French star continues his recovery from acute gastroenteritis. Mbappe has yet to feature in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, having missed the opening 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal after being hospitalized due to illness. While there was initial hope that the forward could return for Madrid’s second group stage match against Pachuca, Alonso has now indicated that Mbappe’s involvement remains doubtful. “He’s better. It’s been two days since he came back from hospital,” Alonso said. “He’s recovering, and day by day we’re increasingly optimistic about him for the next match.”
The Spanish coach’s cautious optimism comes at a crucial time for Los Blancos, who must secure a win against the Mexican champions to keep their hopes of advancing alive. Madrid’s underwhelming start to the tournament has raised concerns, and the absence of their talismanic forward has only added to the pressure. Mbappe, who ended the domestic season in top form and carried that momentum into the Nations League, was expected to be a key figure for Madrid in the competition. His return could be a major boost ahead of their final group stage showdown with RB Salzburg on Friday.
Featured image: @badgalriri/Instagram
Our Weekday News Digest summarizes five of the hottest news topics worldwide–including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2025.
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