Venus Williams Awarded Australian Open Wildcard

Venus Williams awarded Australian Open wildcard, DDG claims Nigeria shouldn’t be as harmful because the US, Chelsea verify Enzo Maresca‘s exit amid poor Premier League run. Keep within the know with our Rave Information Digest, which summarizes 5 of the most popular world information tales you could make amends for, saving you time and vitality. Think about it your day by day information repair. 

Here’s a rundown of 5 of the most popular information subjects…

1. Venus Williams awarded Australian Open wildcard

Venus Williams will return to Melbourne Park in 2026 after being awarded the eighth and last ladies’s wildcard for the Australian Open principal draw. The American legend will make her first Australian Open look since 2021 and her first aggressive outing exterior the USA since 2023. Williams, who mounted a powerful comeback in July 2025 following surgical procedure for uterine fibroids, will tune up for the season on the Hobart Worldwide, the place she has additionally obtained a wildcard alongside fellow main champions Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu.

At 45, Williams is ready to turn into the oldest girl to compete in an Australian Open principal draw, surpassing the mark beforehand held by Kimiko Date. A two-time finalist in Melbourne in 2003 and 2017, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion loved a notable return to kind final 12 months, together with a tour-level win in Washington, DC, and a three-set battle with Karolina Muchova on the US Open. “I’m excited to be again in Australia and looking out ahead to competing throughout the Australian summer season,” Williams mentioned, because the Australian Open 2026 principal draw will get underway on January 18.

2. DDG Claims Nigeria shouldn’t be as harmful because the US

American rapper and YouTuber Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., popularly referred to as DDG, has pushed again in opposition to what he described as “faux” Western media narratives about Nigeria, insisting the nation shouldn’t be as harmful as it’s typically portrayed. Talking whereas holidaying in Lagos, the hip-hop star mentioned Nigeria is “nowhere close to” as unsafe as the USA, arguing that America faces extra extreme points with gun violence and gangsterism. DDG inspired foreigners to go to Nigeria and expertise the nation firsthand fairly than counting on stereotypes.

In a video shared on-line, DDG acknowledged that Nigeria has its personal safety challenges however maintained that on a regular basis life shouldn’t be dominated by violence in the best way it may be in components of the US. He additionally addressed misconceptions about Nigerian meals and dwelling circumstances, revealing he had been warned in opposition to native meals and suggested to boil water earlier than ingesting. In keeping with the rapper, his expertise proved in any other case, as he discovered Nigerian meals to be wholesome, singling out jollof rice as a standout and dismissing long-held damaging perceptions as unfounded.

3. Zohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC Mayor, offers daring inaugural speech

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York Metropolis’s mayor simply after midnight on January 1, taking the oath of workplace on a centuries-old Quran in a ceremony that marked a number of historic firsts. The 34-year-old Democrat grew to become the town’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born mayor, and the primary to make use of Islam’s holy textual content throughout the swearing-in. The oath was administered in a long-closed subway station beneath Metropolis Corridor, with Mamdani later delivering a daring inaugural handle that emphasised affordability, inclusion, and his dedication to governing a metropolis outlined by its range.

Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and rose to prominence as a democratic socialist, has been open about his Muslim religion all through his political ascent, steadily campaigning in mosques throughout the 5 boroughs. In his speech, he underscored his refusal to downplay his id amid criticism and Islamophobic backlash that intensified throughout the race. “I can’t change who I’m, how I eat, or the religion that I’m proud to name my very own,” he mentioned, framing his inauguration as each a private milestone and a mirrored image of New York Metropolis’s evolving political and cultural panorama.

4. Veteran actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. dies at 71

Veteran character actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., greatest recognized for his scene-stealing flip as corrupt state senator Clay Davis on HBO’s The Wire, has died on the age of 71. Whitlock handed away on December, 30, 2025, following a brief sickness, his supervisor Brian Liebman confirmed. “It’s with large unhappiness that I share the passing of my expensive buddy and shopper Isiah Whitlock Jr. Should you knew him — you liked him,” Liebman wrote in a press release, calling Whitlock “a superb actor and a fair higher individual.” Information of his demise sparked an outpouring of tributes from followers and colleagues who celebrated his heat, impeccable timing, and unforgettable display screen presence.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock started performing after faculty with San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater and made his display screen debut in 1987 on Cagney & Lacy. He went on to construct a prolific profession spanning almost 4 a long time, showing throughout all 5 seasons of The Wire, and changing into a popular culture fixture by Clay Davis’ famously drawn-out catchphrase. A frequent collaborator of Spike Lee, Whitlock appeared in seven of the director’s movies, together with twenty fifth Hour, BlacKKKlansman, and Da 5 Bloods, whereas additionally showcasing his vary in sequence similar to Veep, Your Honor, and most lately, The Residence. Revered as a beneficiant collaborator and deeply revered performer, Whitlock leaves behind a physique of labor that continues to resonate throughout tv, movie, and theater.

5. Chelsea verify Enzo Maresca’s exit amid poor Premier League run

Chelsea have confirmed that Enzo Maresca has departed the membership following a disappointing run of Premier League outcomes, with the choice coming forward of Sunday’s conflict in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. The 45-year-old’s 18-month spell at Stamford Bridge ends after only one win in seven league video games, a sequence that left Chelsea fifth within the desk. In a quick 99-word assertion launched on Thursday, the membership mentioned that “Enzo and the membership imagine a change offers the workforce one of the best probability of getting the season again on observe,” stopping wanting explicitly describing the transfer as a dismissal.

Whereas poor kind performed a job, sources indicated the first issue behind Maresca’s exit was a breakdown in his relationship with Chelsea’s hierarchy, amid rising concern over his more and more public dissent towards possession. His last match in cost was Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth, after which he was booed off by supporters and confronted chants questioning his choices, together with the substitution of Cole Palmer. Chelsea have but to substantiate who will take cost on an interim foundation for the Metropolis match, although Beneath-21s head coach Calum McFarlane is scheduled to deal with the media, because the membership weighs longer-term choices following Maresca’s sudden departure.

Featured picture: @venuswilliams/Instagram

Our Weekday Information Digest brings you a curated choice of probably the most compelling tales from across the globe. This week, we delve into the most recent celeb headlines, from Hollywood to Nollywood, discover trending world information, and spotlight probably the most thrilling sports activities developments of 2026.

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