The entire executive committee of Malaysia's Football Association has resigned due to a scandal involving foreign-born players in the national team. FIFA accused the association of faking citizenship documents so that seven foreign-born athletes could play for Malaysia. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has temporarily lifted the players' suspension while it reviews the case.
Key Facts
The Football Association of Malaysia's executive committee resigned over a scandal with foreign-born players.
FIFA accused the Malaysian association of falsifying citizenship documents for these players.
The scandal involves seven foreign-born players who participated in the Malaysian national team.
FIFA fined the players, suspended them for 12 months, and fined the association 350,000 Swiss francs.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport lifted the players' suspension, allowing them to play until a final decision.
FAM claimed the document issues were due to an "administrative error."
FIFA overturned results of three matches, awarding 3-0 defeats against Malaysia.
A final verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected in late February.
Parts of Africa are experiencing severe weather due to climate change. In Kenya, there is a serious drought affecting people's lives and livestock. Meanwhile, Mozambique and South Africa have been hit by heavy rains causing floods.
Key Facts
Kenya is facing a severe drought, particularly in areas like Mandera County by the Kenya-Somalia border.
Livestock in Kenya are dying due to lack of water and food caused by the drought.
The Kenya Red Cross Society is helping by bringing water to affected communities.
Some areas in Kenya receive water deliveries only once or twice a week.
Mozambique and South Africa are experiencing heavy rain and floods.
Floodwaters in Mozambique have submerged homes, impacting residents' lives.
There has been little international media coverage on the floods in Mozambique compared to South Africa.
Indian officials announced that they have contained a recent Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal by confirming two cases and monitoring contacts. Neighboring countries have increased health screenings for travelers from India to prevent further spread. The Nipah virus is deadly and spread through animals and close human contact.
Key Facts
India confirmed two cases of the Nipah virus in West Bengal and stated the outbreak is contained.
The Indian health ministry tracked and tested 196 people connected to these cases, all tested negative.
The Nipah virus is transmitted through fruit bats, pigs, and close human contact and has a high death rate.
Neighboring Asian countries introduced health checks at airports and borders for travelers arriving from India.
Key actions by these countries include temperature checks and health declarations at entry points.
The virus was first noted in humans in 1998 in Malaysia and Singapore from infected pigs, causing over 100 deaths.
Nipah has caused outbreaks in countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and India, especially in Kerala since 2018.
Israeli settlers set fire to three villages in Masafer Yatta, a region in the occupied West Bank. The United Nations reports that attacks against Palestinians and their property in this area are happening more than ever before.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers targeted three villages in Masafer Yatta.
These villages are located in the occupied West Bank.
The United Nations is monitoring the situation.
It reports that violence against Palestinians and their property is at very high levels.
The context is part of a larger conflict in the region between Israeli settlers and Palestinians.
South Sudan's army has launched a major military operation against opposition forces after losing territory. The operation, called Operation Enduring Peace, urges civilians and aid groups to evacuate certain areas. The situation in South Sudan has raised fears of increased violence and civilian harm.
Key Facts
South Sudan's army announced Operation Enduring Peace against opposition forces.
Civilians in three counties in Jonglei state were told to leave immediately.
Aid groups were given 48 hours to evacuate.
The army aims to recapture towns taken by opposition forces.
The government said the country is not at war, but rather stopping opposition advances.
A senior army commander encouraged violence against civilians, causing international criticism.
Opposition forces, including those loyal to Riek Machar, have taken government positions.
There are claims that charges against Machar are politically driven, conflicting with a peace agreement.
A new indoor virtual golf league for women is set to start in Florida, backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. World number two Nelly Korda expressed disappointment that the league will not be mixed-gender like the men's league happening in the same venue. The women's competition is planned to launch in the winter of 2026-27.
Key Facts
Nelly Korda is the world number two female golfer.
A new women's indoor virtual golf league will start in Florida.
The league is backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The men's league, TGL, is already ongoing at the same venue.
Korda believes not combining the men's and women's events is a missed opportunity.
The women's league will occur in the winter of 2026-27, but details are still pending.
The league features golf played with simulators and a rotating green for various shots.
Korda has not yet decided to enter the competition.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Australian Open semifinals after Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury. Musetti was leading by two sets when he had to stop playing because of a leg injury.
Key Facts
Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open semifinals.
Lorenzo Musetti retired due to a leg injury while leading by two sets.
Musetti withdrew with the score at 6-4, 6-3, 1-3.
Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic's win set a new record of 103 singles wins at Melbourne Park, surpassing Roger Federer.
Djokovic will play either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in the semifinals.
Djokovic has reached 54 Grand Slam semifinals in his career.
The Football Association of Malaysia's entire executive committee resigned due to a scandal involving foreign-born players using forged documents. FIFA had suspended seven players and fined the association $400,000. The players' suspensions are temporarily lifted as the appeal is reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Key Facts
The executive committee of the Football Association of Malaysia resigned over a document forgery scandal involving foreign-born players.
FIFA suspended seven foreign-born players for a year and fined the Malaysian football association $400,000.
The controversy sparked intense scrutiny of Malaysia's football governance.
The players involved come from Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Spain.
FIFA overturned the results of three Malaysian matches due to player ineligibility.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport paused the FIFA-imposed player bans during the appeal process.
The scandal led to criticism from fans and lawmakers in Malaysia.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to announce ways to strengthen the country's nuclear forces at an upcoming party meeting. This news follows a recent missile test that was conducted under his supervision. Kim has called for the expansion and modernization of missile production to enhance North Korea's strategic deterrent.
Key Facts
Kim Jong Un will present plans to improve North Korea's nuclear capabilities at a party meeting.
This announcement comes after a missile test that aimed to enhance North Korea's defense strategy.
The planned meeting is the first of its kind since 2021, where a five-year defense and economic plan will be revealed.
Kim described the recent missile test as a significant step in advancing their strategic deterrence.
The launched missiles successfully hit a target over 358.5 kilometers (222.7 miles) away in the Sea of Japan.
Japan reported that two missiles landed outside North Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
South Korea detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched from North Korea.
Analysts suggest that the missiles may use a new system to avoid interference with their navigation during flight.
Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned against a US attack on Iran and proposed that the US and Iran resolve their issues through diplomacy. He pointed out that Iran is open to negotiating its nuclear program again and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation. President Donald Trump has shown military strength in the region while indicating a willingness for diplomatic talks.
Key Facts
Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan advised against a US attack on Iran, suggesting diplomatic solutions.
Fidan mentioned that Iran is ready to discuss its nuclear program again.
The US has increased its military presence in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
President Trump has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf and acknowledged military strength.
Trump indicated support for Iranian antigovernment protesters and suggested help might come.
Fidan recommends dealing with Iran's nuclear issues separately from other topics like missiles or regional influence.
Regional cooperation and understanding are emphasized by Fidan as vital for stability.
President Donald Trump said Alex Pretti shouldn't have had a gun, though Pretti was legally allowed to carry one. Pretti was shot by a federal agent during an immigration raid in Minneapolis, and President Trump promised a fair investigation.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump commented on the shooting of Alex Pretti.
Alex Pretti was shot by a federal agent during an immigration raid.
The incident happened in Minneapolis.
President Trump said Pretti shouldn't have had a gun, even though it was legal.
He described the event as a 'very unfortunate incident.'
President Trump promised an 'honest' investigation into Pretti's death.
Newcastle United is struggling to win games when playing away from their home stadium. They have only won three away games this season and need to improve quickly, especially with challenging matches ahead.
Key Facts
Newcastle United has won only one of their previous nine away games in Europe against French teams.
This season, Newcastle has won three away games in all competitions.
Their win rate at home is 62%, but only 21% in away games this season.
They scored an average of 1.2 goals per game away, compared to 2 goals per game at home.
Defensive player Sven Botman stated it's difficult to determine why their away performance is poor.
Player Nick Woltemade has not scored in his last nine games.
Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa, and Bruno Guimaraes have scored few goals away this season.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Andy Burnham about Labour's decision to block Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Burnham was not informed earlier that he would be blocked. The Labour Party's panel blocked Burnham due to the potential costs of a subsequent mayoral election.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the issue with Andy Burnham after Labour blocked him from the by-election.
Labour's decision was based on concerns about the cost of finding a new mayor if Burnham left his current position.
Starmer denied claims that Burnham was told beforehand about being blocked.
Labour's National Executive Committee, including Starmer, voted to bar Burnham from candidacy.
The decision has led to 50 Labour MPs signing a letter asking for a reconsideration.
Reform UK has selected Matt Goodwin as their candidate for the by-election.
The by-election became necessary after MP Andrew Gwynne resigned for health reasons.
Labour had a significant lead in the previous election in the Gorton and Denton area.
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for accepting bribes from the Unification Church. The court cleared her of other charges, including stock price manipulation. Kim denied the charges but apologized for her actions.
Key Facts
Kim Keon Hee was a former First Lady of South Korea.
She was found guilty of taking bribes from the Unification Church.
The bribes included luxury items, such as Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace.
A South Korean court sentenced her to one year and eight months in jail.
She was cleared of charges related to stock manipulation and political funds.
Her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, is serving a five-year prison sentence.
Kim denied the bribery charges but later apologized for causing trouble.
The Dior bag scandal involved footage of her receiving a $2,200 luxury handbag.
Novak Djokovic advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired due to injury. Musetti was leading the match when a leg injury forced him to stop playing. Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title.
Key Facts
Novak Djokovic moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open when Lorenzo Musetti retired because of an injury.
Musetti was ahead with two sets but couldn't continue due to a thigh injury.
Djokovic aims to win his 25th Grand Slam title, which would be a record.
Musetti required help to leave the court after his injury.
Djokovic had earlier received treatment for blisters during the match.
Djokovic experienced a similar situation in the fourth round when his opponent withdrew with an injury.
Djokovic previously struggled with errors, losing the first set, but advanced after Musetti's retirement.
During a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, US Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid by a man. She was not hurt, and the police arrested the man for assault.
Key Facts
Ilhan Omar is a US Representative from Minnesota.
She was attacked with an unknown liquid at a public meeting.
The incident happened in Minneapolis.
Omar was unharmed during the attack.
Police arrested the attacker on charges of third-degree assault.
Omar was speaking about abolishing the immigration agency ICE when the incident occurred.
South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, received a 20-month jail sentence for taking bribes from the Unification Church. The court also demanded she return a diamond necklace and repay a sum of money. This is the first time a former South Korean presidential couple has faced convictions at the same time.
Key Facts
Kim Keon Hee is the wife of a former South Korean president.
She was sentenced to 20 months in jail for accepting bribes.
The Unification Church gave her gifts, including a diamond necklace.
Kim was cleared of stock price manipulation charges.
The court ordered her to return the necklace and repay some money.
Her husband, a former president, is already serving jail time.
This is the first time both a former president and first lady in South Korea were convicted together.
Paris St-Germain (PSG) is facing challenges this season, having lost several matches in both the French league and the Champions League. Injuries, defensive mistakes, and ineffective finishing have contributed to their inconsistent performance, despite having a lot of the ball and creating chances.
Key Facts
PSG has lost two games in the French league and two in the Champions League this season.
They had a significant amount of possession and shots but lost a recent match to Sporting in the Champions League.
Injuries to key players like Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Nuno Mendes, and Achraf Hakimi affected their performance.
Last season, PSG's successful performance included a variety of goals and strong performances in away games.
This season, their attack has struggled with consistency compared to last year's dynamic play.
Despite problems, PSG is at the top of Ligue 1 and among the top eight in the Champions League.
The team has been promoting younger players, who are still adjusting to top-level football.
Key player Dembele is returning to fitness, influencing games when available.
A model of Claudia Winkleman has been displayed on artist Sharon Kulesa's garden fence in Stowmarket, Suffolk. Kulesa creates life-sized models of celebrities and characters using simple materials, and her work has become popular with the local community.
Key Facts
The model of Claudia Winkleman was inspired by the TV series "The Traitors."
Sharon Kulesa started making these models during the coronavirus pandemic.
Her past models have included Queen Elizabeth II and Ed Sheeran.
The models are made from mannequins, stuffed tights, and heads crafted from newspaper, kitchen foil, and masking tape.
Kulesa uses second-hand materials from charity shops and websites like Vinted.
The community enjoys the models, with many locals reacting positively on social media.
Kulesa is considering creating a model of Winnie-the-Pooh for its 100th anniversary.
Spain plans to grant legal status to about 500,000 migrants living without documentation. This decision is different from the stricter immigration policies in other countries like the United States, Denmark, Germany, and Austria. The move aims to help fill workforce gaps and support Spain's aging population.
Key Facts
Spain plans to give legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants.
This decision breaks from strict immigration policies in other Western countries.
Migrants will be able to work in any job and any region in Spain.
Spain’s plan aims to fill job shortages and help balance an aging population affecting pensions and welfare.
The Spanish government hopes regularizing migrants will benefit society and boost contributions to taxes and social security.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez supports migration for economic reasons.
Migrant organizations and NGOs find Spain's policy a positive contrast to anti-migrant sentiment elsewhere.
