Rihanna is pregnant with her third child with A$AP Rocky, Ayra Starr’s “Rush” gets platinum UK certification, Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. Rihanna is pregnant with her third child with A$AP Rocky
Rihanna announces she is pregnant with her third child 💖 pic.twitter.com/zhFSoHnyp7
— FentyStats (@FentyStats) May 5, 2025
Rihanna is pregnant and expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, making a stunning reveal at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City. The 37-year-old music and fashion icon showcased her baby bump in the rain, with her photographer Miles Diggs sharing the first photo on Instagram ahead of her red carpet appearance. Rihanna and Rocky are already proud parents to sons Riot Rose, 21 months, and RZA Athelston, who turns three this month. The couple’s growing family reflects Rihanna’s previously expressed openness to having “as many [kids] as God wants me to have.”
In a December 2023 interview, Rihanna spoke about how parenthood has deepened her love for Rocky, describing him as a patient, loving, and devoted father. “I love him differently as a dad,” she said, adding that his leadership and connection with their children is “major” and even a “turn on.” As fans celebrate the joyful news, Rihanna’s journey into motherhood continues to inspire, blending her iconic career with a growing family rooted in love and unity.
2. Ayra Starr’s “Rush” gets platinum UK certification
🚨 Ayra Starr’s “Rush” has now been certified platinum in the UK 👏🏽🔥
— It becomes her 1ST song to achieve this milestone in the region 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ogXCRmRXqT
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) May 2, 2025
Ayra Starr has reached a major career milestone as her breakout hit, “Rush,” has officially been certified platinum in the United Kingdom. The certification, awarded by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), signifies over 600,000 combined sales and streams across the UK—a remarkable achievement for the Nigerian singer. This marks her first-ever platinum certification in the UK and highlights her expanding influence beyond the African continent, signaling her growing status as a global music force.
Originally released in 2022, “Rush” captured fans worldwide with its infectious blend of Afrobeats, pop, and R&B, paired with confident, relatable lyrics. The song gained massive traction across streaming platforms and social media, particularly TikTok, contributing to its international success. From dominating African charts to earning a spot on the global stage, “Rush” has played a pivotal role in Ayra Starr’s rise. This new accolade cements her place among the leading voices of a new generation of African artists reshaping the global music landscape.
3. Tyla to drop new single “Bliss” on May 9
South African pop sensation Tyla is set to release her highly anticipated new solo single, “Bliss,” on May 9. The announcement came on Friday, May 2, marking her first solo release since her self-titled debut album “Tyla” and its deluxe edition, which achieved significant success by reaching No. 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 24 on the Billboard 200. Fans got an early taste of “Bliss” during her energetic Coachella performance last month. In the time since, Tyla has also made waves with her feature on WizTheMc’s “Show Me Love” remix, which climbed to No. 11 on Billboard’s Global Excl. US chart.
Beyond the music, Tyla continues to expand her influence across fashion and philanthropy. She recently unveiled a Bliss-inspired Erewhon smoothie in collaboration with nonprofit 18twenty8, supporting the empowerment of young women. As a member of the 2024 Met Gala host committee, she stands alongside stars like Usher and Janelle Monáe, solidifying her presence in the global spotlight. With “Bliss” on the horizon and hints of a new album later this year, Tyla is clearly stepping into a bold new era of sound and style.
4. Jussie Smollett and City of Chicago settle infamous hate crime hoax lawsuit
Jussie Smollett has reached settlement with the city of Chicago following his racial hoax attack.
The city sued Smollett in 2019, after he faked a racist attack in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood.
They have now reached a settlement.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 2, 2025
Jussie Smollett and the City of Chicago have reached a settlement in the long-standing $130,000 lawsuit stemming from his 2019 hate crime hoax. The former Empire actor was found guilty of filing a false police report after claiming he was assaulted by two MAGA-supporting attackers in a racist and homophobic attack—allegations that quickly fell apart under scrutiny. The Osundairo brothers later testified that Smollett had orchestrated the entire incident, even paying them to carry out the fake assault. Despite the dramatic fallout and legal consequences, including five felony convictions for disorderly conduct, Smollett has continued to insist on his innocence.
While the specific terms of the settlement are confidential, both Jussie Smollett and the City of Chicago have indicated that more time is needed to finalize the agreement, according to NBC. The city’s lawsuit aimed to recover the costs of police resources used for the investigation and highlighted public frustration over false reporting. Although Cook County State Attorney Kimberly Foxx dropped the charges initially, they were later revived due to public outcry. The Illinois Supreme Court eventually overturned Smollett’s conviction on Fifth Amendment grounds, leaving a lasting impact on his career and the discourse around truth and accountability.
5. Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool exit
After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.
This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this… pic.twitter.com/emAw5RvXq0
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 5, 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, ending his 20-year journey with the club. In a heartfelt social media message, the 25-year-old full-back revealed that his contract will not be renewed as he seeks a new challenge. He expressed deep gratitude to the club, coaches, teammates, and fans, calling the decision the hardest of his life and noting his silence this season was to respect Liverpool’s successful title push.
The England international is set to join La Liga giants Real Madrid, where he will reunite with national teammate Jude Bellingham. According to reports, Alexander-Arnold has agreed to a five-year deal with the Spanish club, marking a major move in his career as he seeks to test himself outside the Premier League. While Liverpool fans prepare to bid farewell to a player who rose through their academy ranks and became a key figure in their recent successes, Alexander-Arnold assured them that his love for the club will endure forever. The Reds still have three matches left this season, giving supporters one last chance to see him in Liverpool red before he embarks on his new journey in Spain.
Featured Image: V. Nina Westervelt via @nytstyle/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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