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    Venus Williams Awarded Australian Open Wildcard

    NigeriaNewzBy No Comments7 Mins Read


    Venus Williams awarded Australian Open wildcard, DDG claims Nigeria just isn’t as harmful because the US, Chelsea confirms 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 international information tales you might want to compensate for, saving you time and power. Take into account it your each 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 closing ladies’s wildcard for the Australian Open predominant draw. The American legend will make her first Australian Open look since 2021 and her first aggressive outing exterior the US since 2023. Williams, who mounted a formidable 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 acquired a wildcard alongside fellow main champions Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu.

    At 45, Williams is ready to turn out to be the oldest lady to compete in an Australian Open predominant 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 type final 12 months, together with a tour-level win in Washington, D.C., and a three-set battle with Karolina Muchova on the US Open. “I’m excited to be again in Australia and searching ahead to competing through the Australian summer time,” Williams stated, because the Australian Open 2026 predominant draw will get underway on January 18.

    2. DDG Claims Nigeria just isn’t as Harmful because the US

    American rapper and YouTuber Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., popularly referred to as DDG, has pushed again towards what he described as “faux” Western media narratives about Nigeria, insisting the nation just isn’t as harmful as it’s usually portrayed. Talking whereas holidaying in Lagos, the hip-hop star stated Nigeria is “nowhere close to” as unsafe as the US, arguing that America faces extra extreme points with gun violence and gangsterism. DDG inspired foreigners to go to Nigeria and expertise the nation firsthand relatively 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 just isn’t dominated by violence in the way in which it may be in elements of the U.S. He additionally addressed misconceptions about Nigerian meals and dwelling circumstances, revealing he had been warned towards native meals and suggested to boil water earlier than ingesting. Based on 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 destructive 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 town’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born mayor, and the primary to make use of Islam’s holy textual content through the swearing-in. The oath was administered in a long-closed subway station beneath Metropolis Corridor, with Mamdani later delivering a daring inaugural deal with 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, incessantly 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 through 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 stated, 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 identified 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 pricey pal and consumer Isiah Whitlock Jr. In case you knew him — you really liked him,” Liebman wrote in a press release, calling Whitlock “an excellent actor and an excellent higher individual.” Information of his loss of life 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 appearing 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 turning into a popular culture fixture via 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 equivalent to Veep, Your Honor, and most not too long ago, 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 towards 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 stated that “Enzo and the membership consider a change offers the crew the most effective likelihood of getting the season again on observe,” stopping in need of explicitly describing the transfer as a dismissal.

    Whereas poor type performed a task, 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 closing 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 selections, together with the substitution of Cole Palmer. Chelsea have but to verify who will take cost on an interim foundation for the Metropolis match. Underneath-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 number of probably the most compelling tales from across the globe. This week, we delve into the most recent movie star headlines, from Hollywood to Nollywood, discover trending international information, and spotlight probably the most thrilling sports activities developments of 2026.

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