Venus Williams confirms she is engaged to actor Andrea Preti, Burna Boy becomes the first Nigerian to have five projects on the Billboard 200, Marcus Rashford arrives Barcelona headquarters to complete loan transfer. 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. Venus Williams confirms she is engaged to actor Andrea Preti
Venus Williams on her fiancées support after getting 1st singles win since 2023
“My fiancée is here. He really encouraged me to keep playing. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s 9 to 5 except you’re running the whole time” 😭😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 23, 2025
Venus Williams is engaged. The 45-year-old tennis icon confirmed her engagement to Italian actor Andrea Preti following her stunning comeback victory at the DC Open on Tuesday night (July 22). After defeating Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4, and becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match, Williams revealed the news during a courtside interview with ESPN’s Rennae Stubbs. When asked how Preti contributed to her return to tennis, Williams responded with a smile: “My fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing.” She described the emotional and physical toll of her journey, crediting Preti’s support for helping her push through.
Williams and Preti, 37, were first spotted together in July on a romantic getaway in Italy, sparking relationship rumors. By February, eagle-eyed fans noticed a diamond ring on her left hand, prompting engagement speculation. The announcement comes as a surprise, especially given Williams’ past remarks about enjoying her single life and resisting societal pressure to settle down. In interviews from 2021 and 2022, she openly expressed her contentment with independence, saying she wasn’t in a rush to change her status. Now, with a major tennis win and an engagement in the same week, Williams is clearly embracing a new chapter.
2. Burna Boy becomes the first Nigerian to have five projects on the Billboard 200
🚨 Burna Boy breaks the record for most charting albums on the Billboard 200 among Nigerian artists (5) 🦍
He breaks the tie with Wizkid (4) 👏🏽🔥 pic.twitter.com/kRocHgsDki
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) July 21, 2025
Burna Boy has once again etched his name in history as the first Nigerian artist to have five projects chart on the Billboard 200. His latest album, No Sign of Weakness, debuted at No. 200 after selling 8,800 units in its opening week in the United States. This milestone further cements Burna Boy’s dominance as Nigeria’s most commercially successful music export to the U.S., with all of his last five albums earning placements on the prestigious chart.
The Grammy-winning star continues to enjoy strong momentum in the States. Earlier this year, Burna Boy secured his third RIAA platinum certification with “On The Low,” joining “YE” and “Last Last” in his growing list of U.S. accolades. Altogether, he now boasts seven RIAA-certified records—a remarkable feat for an African artist. With No Sign of Weakness featuring high-profile collaborations, such as with Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, Shaboozey, and Stromae, Burna Boy is set to build on his international acclaim as he kicks off his North American tour in support of the new project.
3. The US leaves the UN cultural body UNESCO
The US has announced it has left UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel. https://t.co/2YynzxFP83
— DW News (@dwnews) July 23, 2025
The United States has officially withdrawn from UNESCO, citing the organization’s alleged bias against Israel and promotion of “divisive” global causes. Announced Tuesday by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, the decision marks a renewed retreat from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Bruce accused UNESCO of advancing a “globalist, ideological agenda” and taking an anti-Israel stance, particularly over its recognition of Palestine as a member state. “Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States,” she stated.
This is not the first time the U.S. has distanced itself from UNESCO. President Donald Trump first initiated the withdrawal in 2017, only for President Joe Biden to rejoin the organization during his term. The latest move reflects ongoing political disagreements over UNESCO’s priorities, including its focus on sustainability and cultural inclusion. The agency, known for designating and preserving world heritage sites such as the Pyramids of Egypt and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, maintains its mission of fostering global cooperation in education, science, and culture.
4. Tems receives Spotify recognition for a major streaming milestone
🚨 New Plaque from Spotify for Tems in recognition of “Wait For U” crossing 1 BILLION streams 🔥👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/OvwEYfO0gE
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) July 22, 2025
Tems has received a Spotify plaque after her collaborative hit track “Wait For U” surpassed 1 billion streams, marking a monumental achievement in her career. The song, which features American rap giants Future and Drake, was originally released as part of Future’s I Never Liked You album and has since become a global sensation. Fusing Tems’ soulful Afrobeats vocals with Drake’s melodic flow and Future’s introspective lyricism, “Wait For U” struck a chord with audiences worldwide for its emotional resonance and genre-blending appeal.
This milestone underscores Tems’ meteoric rise as one of Africa’s most influential musical exports. As only a few African artists have reached the billion-stream mark on Spotify, the recognition cements her status as a trailblazer on the global music scene. With this latest accolade, Tems continues to shatter records and elevate the profile of Afrobeats and African artistry on the world stage.
5. Marcus Rashford arrives Barcelona headquarters to complete loan transfer
Our new number 14: Marcus Rashford 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/HPBX7HzEsF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 23, 2025
Marcus Rashford has been spotted arriving at Barcelona’s headquarters ahead of his highly anticipated move to the Catalan club. Dressed in a suit and accompanied by his family, the Manchester United forward was seen greeting fans and sharing a moment with his mother before heading inside. Rashford is expected to join Barça on a loan deal with an option to buy, following the club’s failed attempt to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club.
The move signals Rashford’s intent to secure regular first-team football after a brief loan spell at Aston Villa during the second half of the 2024–25 season. While the deal has reportedly been finalized, questions remain about whether the 26-year-old can be immediately registered, due to Barcelona’s ongoing financial constraints. An official announcement from the club is expected soon, as fans await the arrival of their newest star.
Featured image: @venuswilliams @andreapreti88/Instagram
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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