The English Premier League title race intensified as Manchester United shocked league leaders Arsenal with a 3–2 home victory. Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest also secured wins in their respective matches. Villa defeated Newcastle United 2–0, Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3–1, and Nottingham overcame Brentford 2–0. The results reshaped the standings, with Manchester United moving to fourth place on 38 points, Chelsea rising to fifth with 37, and Aston Villa matching Manchester City’s points but remaining third on goal difference.

In Spain’s La Liga, Barcelona regained the top spot after a commanding 3–0 win over bottom-ranked Real Oviedo. Goals from Olmo, Raphinha, and Yamal sealed the victory for the Catalan side. With this result, Barcelona now lead the table with 52 points from 21 matches, one point ahead of Real Madrid, while Real Oviedo remain last with 13 points.

The weekend’s outcomes tightened both the Premier League and La Liga title races, setting up an intense second half of the season.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to participate due to security concerns in India. The decision, revealed in an ICC statement on Saturday, has sparked widespread debate and criticism over alleged favoritism toward India. Bangladesh’s withdrawal led to a reshuffle in Group C, with Scotland now set to face West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal when the tournament begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi and former Australian player Jason Gillespie publicly criticized the ICC’s handling of the issue. Afridi expressed disappointment on social media, accusing the ICC of inconsistency for accepting India’s security concerns in Pakistan in 2025 but rejecting Bangladesh’s similar request. He urged the ICC to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all member nations. Gillespie questioned the transparency of the decision, recalling that India had previously been allowed to play the Champions Trophy in Dubai instead of Pakistan.

The controversy has raised questions about the ICC’s impartiality and its approach to member nations’ security concerns ahead of the upcoming global tournament.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos last Thursday. Lula said Trump is attempting to create a “new United Nations” under his own control rather than reforming the existing UN. He refused to join the initiative, which requires a $1 billion payment for permanent membership and places Trump as chairman.

According to the report, 19 countries’ leaders and representatives signed the founding charter of the Board of Peace. Although initially described as a body to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, its charter suggests a broader scope that could rival the UN. Lula emphasized multilateral cooperation and warned against the use of power in global politics, echoing a recent phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who urged maintaining the UN’s central role.

France and the United Kingdom, both close U.S. allies, have expressed doubts about the plan. London objected to Russia’s inclusion due to the Ukraine war, while Paris said the council’s charter conflicts with its international commitments and UN membership obligations.

Global oil prices rose sharply on January 23, 2026, following reports that a large US naval fleet was moving toward Iran and after recent remarks by President Donald Trump. The West Texas Intermediate crude price climbed to nearly 60 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude futures increased by about 0.9 percent to 64.61 dollars. The developments triggered investor concerns over potential military escalation in the Middle East and possible disruptions to oil supply.

In a statement, President Trump confirmed that a powerful US fleet had departed for Iran but expressed hope that it would not need to be used. He also warned Tehran against targeting protesters or resuming its nuclear program. Unnamed US officials said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers could reach the region within days, with additional air defense systems under consideration to protect US bases.

Analysts attributed the price increase to geopolitical tensions and a weaker dollar. Although the International Energy Agency had forecast an oil supply surplus for 2026, Trump’s tougher stance has cast uncertainty over that outlook.

South Africa and New Zealand have made changes to their squads for the upcoming T20 World Cup starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. South Africa dropped Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira due to injuries, replacing them with Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs. New Zealand suffered a major setback as key pacer Adam Milne was ruled out with a torn left hamstring, sustained during the SA20 league. Kyle Jamieson has been named as his replacement.

Rickelton’s inclusion follows his outstanding form in the SA20 tournament, where he scored consecutive centuries for MI Cape Town and against Joburg Super Kings. New Zealand coach Rob Walter expressed sympathy for Milne, noting his hard work and strong performances before the injury.

South Africa, placed in Group D, will begin their campaign on February 9 against Canada in Ahmedabad, while New Zealand will face Afghanistan on February 8 in their opening match.

West Indies ended their three-match T20 series against Afghanistan with a consolation victory in Dubai on January 23, 2026. After losing the first two matches and conceding the series, the Caribbean side won the final game by 15 runs, powered by Shamar Springer’s hat-trick. Batting first, West Indies posted 151 for 7 in 20 overs, led by captain Brandon King’s 47 runs and late contributions from Matthew Forde and Springer. Afghanistan replied with 136 for 8, falling short despite Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 71-run innings.

Afghanistan had been well placed at 72 for no loss after 10 overs, but Springer’s decisive spell turned the match. He dismissed Gurbaz, Rashid, and Shahidullah in consecutive deliveries to complete his hat-trick, becoming the third West Indian bowler to achieve the feat in T20 internationals. Springer finished with figures of 4 for 20 and was named Player of the Match, while Afghanistan’s Darwish Rasooli was named Player of the Series as his team claimed the series 2–1.

The result gave West Indies a morale-boosting finish to the series despite their earlier defeats.

European leaders have expressed doubts about the effectiveness and objectives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed Peace Board. Following a summit in Brussels on Friday, European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU is ready to work with the United States and the new board to establish peace in Gaza, but raised concerns about the board’s scope, governance, and alignment with the United Nations Charter.

The Peace Board was launched on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where leaders and representatives from 19 countries signed its charter. Trump announced that countries seeking permanent membership must contribute one billion dollars. Although the board was initially intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, its charter extends authority beyond Palestinian territories, prompting speculation that it aims to rival the United Nations.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his country declined an invitation to join the board. France and the United Kingdom, both close U.S. allies, also voiced skepticism, with London expressing concern over the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin. France stated that the board’s current framework conflicts with its international commitments and UN membership obligations.

The film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the movie recounts the true story of Hind Rajab, who was shot dead by Israeli forces in January 2024 while fleeing Gaza City with her family.

According to the report, Hind and her relatives were attacked while trying to escape Israeli bombardment. All passengers in the car, including her cousins and aunt and uncle, were killed. During the incident, Hind contacted Gaza’s Red Crescent volunteers for help. The film incorporates the real audio of her prolonged phone call with rescuers, who tried to comfort her as she remained trapped among her family’s bodies. Two rescuers later sent to save her were also killed by Israeli fire.

Earlier, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, marking international recognition for its portrayal of the Gaza tragedy.

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health has warned that the world has entered an era of 'global water bankruptcy,' as freshwater reserves are being depleted faster than they can be replenished. The report highlights severe water crises already unfolding in cities such as Tehran and Kabul, as well as in many African and Asian countries where natural disasters have damaged sources of safe drinking water.

According to the report, 75 percent of the global population lives in countries where water is unsafe or severely insecure, and around two billion people reside in regions where groundwater levels have dropped so low that land subsidence is occurring. Researcher Professor Kaveh Madani noted that many human-made water supply systems have already reached post-crisis collapse, with several key systems effectively bankrupt. Climate change, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events are accelerating the problem by reducing water storage and intensifying droughts and floods.

The report warns that billions of people will be affected as the crisis deepens, though it remains unclear when the global water system might fully collapse.

Eight countries from the Middle East and Asia have announced plans to join United States President Donald Trump’s “board of peace” in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the goal of achieving a permanent ceasefire in the war-torn enclave. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar made the announcement in a joint statement on Wednesday, reaffirming support for Trump’s peace efforts. The board’s mission includes consolidating a lasting ceasefire, supporting Gaza’s reconstruction, and advancing a peace process based on Palestinian self-determination and statehood under international law.

The announcement follows the White House’s recent unveiling of the board’s composition, part of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza. The board includes senior Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and will oversee a Palestinian technocratic committee managing daily affairs in Gaza. However, Palestinians and observers have expressed doubts about the mechanism’s effectiveness and criticized the inclusion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 466 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October.

Real Madrid returned to form under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa with a commanding 6-1 victory over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe scored twice against his former club, while Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Franco Mastantuono added one each, with another coming from an own goal. The win brought Real Madrid closer to securing a place in the round of 16, standing second in the table with 15 points from seven matches.

Arsenal continued their perfect run with a seventh consecutive win, defeating Inter Milan 3-1. Gabriel Jesus netted twice and substitute Viktor Gyokeres added another, maintaining Arsenal’s 100% record and taking them to 21 points. Meanwhile, Manchester City suffered a shock 3-1 loss to Norwegian side Bodo, with Pep Guardiola’s team now facing uncertainty over qualification. Guardiola admitted the team struggled with several small issues that went against them.

Defending champions PSG also endured a disappointing night, losing 2-1 to Sporting CP despite marking their 300th European match milestone. Colombian forward Luis Suarez scored both goals for Sporting, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted PSG’s only goal.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting is underway to address the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The meeting, attended by directors from all full member nations, aims to resolve the ongoing deadlock between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over security concerns raised by Bangladesh regarding matches scheduled in India.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCB President Aminul Islam, BCCI Secretary Debajit Saikia, and other top cricket officials from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, and other member nations are participating. ICC’s senior management, including CEO Sanjog Gupta and Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, are also present. The ICC’s anti-corruption head, Andrew Feggreave, who recently met BCB officials in Dhaka, is attending as well. ESPNcricinfo reported that Pakistan’s cricket board has expressed support for Bangladesh’s position through a formal letter to the ICC.

According to the same report, venue or schedule changes remain unlikely, as both ICC and BCB have maintained firm stances. The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh’s matches currently scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai.

U.S. President Donald Trump has shared on social media screenshots of messages purportedly sent by French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. According to Reuters, a source close to Macron confirmed the authenticity of Macron’s message. In the message, Macron questioned Trump’s activities in Greenland and proposed holding a G7 meeting after the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Macron also suggested inviting Russia to the proposed G7 meeting, noting that the country had been expelled from the G8 in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea. Trump additionally posted another screenshot showing a message from NATO chief Mark Rutte, who thanked Trump for his work in Syria and expressed commitment to finding a way forward in Greenland.

The posts have drawn attention due to their references to Greenland and the potential inclusion of Russia in future G7 discussions, though no further official responses were mentioned in the report.

China has confirmed receiving an invitation from the United States to join President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Peace Board’. The announcement was made in Beijing on Tuesday by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing. Guo stated that China had received the invitation but did not clarify whether Beijing would accept it.

The board was initially conceived to oversee the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza region. However, its charter does not specify whether its activities will be limited to Palestinian-controlled areas. According to available information, Washington has invited leaders from several countries to join the initiative. Under the proposed structure, President Donald Trump would serve as the board’s chair, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney among its members.

Guo Jiakun also commented on China–U.S. relations, noting that despite fluctuations over the past year, ties have remained relatively stable. He emphasized that cooperation benefits both nations, while conflict harms both sides.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join the ‘Board of Peace,’ a new initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee global conflict resolution and Gaza’s governance and reconstruction. The invitation was reported on January 19 by Al Jazeera. The move comes as uncertainty deepens over the end of the Ukraine war, which continues despite Trump’s earlier pledge to halt it within 24 hours of taking office.

According to White House sources, the board will be chaired by Trump and include influential leaders and figures from around the world. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin received the invitation and said Moscow is discussing the proposal’s details with Washington, though he did not comment on whether Putin intends to participate. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has also reportedly been invited.

The ‘Board of Peace’ is part of Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending Israel’s war in Gaza and establishing a post-war governance structure. Analysts have criticized the initiative for allegedly giving top roles to controversial figures like Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, while limiting Palestinians to lower-level administrative positions.