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This week’s stories span gender justice, culture, music and global innovation. They range from the criminalisation of sexual-harassment survivors in India to historic wins and losses shaping popular culture and science.
Here are the top stories you should know.
- After Man’s Suicide, India Police Arrest his Survivor of Sexual Abuse
Kerala Police arrested Shimjitha Musthafa, 35, on January 22, 2026, after she posted a video accusing a man of touching her inappropriately on a bus. The arrest followed a complaint by the man’s family after he died by suicide on January 18, 2026. Police charged Musthafa with abetment to suicide under a non-bailable provision, making her a scapegoat for his death despite her exercising her right to report sexual harassment in a country where such incidents are rampant.
- Hilda Baci Secures Third GWR for Largest Rice Serving
Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has become a three-time Guinness World Records (GWR) holder, after Guinness officially recognised her for achieving the largest serving of rice overall, in addition to her previous jollof rice milestone.
The recognition followed a review of her record attempt with food brand Gino in Lagos. On September 12, 2025, at Victoria Island, Hilda Baci and her team prepared a massive 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lbs, 9 oz) of rice. While the attempt initially aimed to break the record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, Guinness later confirmed that the feat also qualified as the largest serving of rice overall.
- Bemi Orojuogun, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage and Others Earn 2026 MOBO Nominations
Nigerian women took centre stage in the 2026 MOBO nominations, with media personality Bemi Orojuogun and music stars Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage among those recognised as the awards head to Manchester for the first time.
The nominations were announced on January 15, 2026, as organisers unveiled contenders across 20 categories ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for March 26, 2026, at Co-op Live in Manchester. The 2026 edition makes it the first time the MOBO Awards will be hosted in Manchester and coincides with the organisation’s 30th anniversary.
- Dr Gladys West, Mathematician whose work made GPS Possible, Dies at 95
Dr Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the Global Positioning System (GPS), has passed away at the age of 95. She died on January 17, 2026, at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, surrounded by family and friends, according to a statement from her family posted on social media on January 18, 2026.
- Ayotomide Labinjo Slams Davido’s Father over Son’s Paternity Controversy
Ayotomide Labinjo, the mother of Anuoluwapo Michelle Adeleke, has refuted and challenged billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke’s statement over the renewed paternity controversy of her daughter. She stated that she will not be intimidated or threatened, and insisted that Davido address her directly. She posted her response on Instagram on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Anuoluwapo is the 12-year-old alleged daughter of superstar Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke. According to the mother, she met the singer at GQclub in Ibadan in February 2013, where she worked as a waitress. She noted that Davido was just an up-and-coming artist at the time and was in town for a show. She alleged that they had a brief sexual encounter following an after-party, which resulted in her pregnancy.
