*Evening News Round-up: Thursday 31 January 2025* *Headlines* *545 Zimbabweans Set To Be Deported As Trump Administration Cranks Up Fight On Illegal Immigrants* *Take Seriously Your Responsibility For The Health Of Your People: US Tells Zim As Trump Halts Foreign Aid Programs* *Volatile Exchange Rates Push Monthly Inflation To 11,5pc* *Government To Implement Measures For Formal & Informal Sectors* *Police Vows Action Against Corrupt Officers Aiding Lawlessness On Roads* *Chivayo Fires Back Amid Zanu PF Factional Tensions* *Kagame Lashes Out At Ramaphosa Over DRC Conflict* *Zuma's Daughter Faces Terrorism Charges Over South Africa Riots* *WHO Cites Reports Saying 45 Dead In Congo Fighting, Warns Of Disease Risks* *Uganda Confirms Outbreak Of Ebola In Capital Kampala, One Dead* *Sorrow, Elation As Palestinians Witness The Release Of Israeli Captives* *More Than 60 Dead In Washington After Jet Hits Helicopter, Crashes Into River* *West Africa Bloc Announces Formal Exit Of Three Junta-led States* *Meta To Pay $25 Million To Settle Trump's 2021 Lawsuit Over Suspended Accounts* *Kalisto Pasuwa Appointed Malawi National Team Coach* *Man City Avoid Champions League Combustion As Real Or Bayern Await* *Arsenal Charged Over Players' Reaction To Myles Lewis-Skelly Red Card* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *545 Zimbabweans Set To Be Deported As Trump Administration Cranks Up Fight On Illegal Immigrants* SOME 545 Zimbabweans might be deported from America as newly inaugurated President, Donald Trump’s administration cranks up its fight against illegal immigrants. The Zimbabweans add to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) list of 1,445,549 noncitizens who were delegated for removal last November. Trump’s return to office has seen American authorities intensifying raids on immigrants across the country, with over 500 illegals being detained daily. His ‘America First’ mantra has seen him cut off billions in government spending on third-world Africa and initiated a round of deportations whose end seems not yet in sight. Zimbabwe’s 545 citizens appeared on a list that had 379 South Africans, 174 Zambians, 15 Mozambicans and only 12 BaTswana. All of these are on its non-detained docket. “ICE works to remove undocumented noncitizens from the United States once they are subject to final orders of removal in a timely manner,” read a statement from the ICE. The statement urged countries to receive their citizens, a day after Colombia refused a US plane carrying 201 of its deported citizens, authority to land. A tiff which followed the move, in which Trump threatened sanctions, has since been resolved according to media reports. Added the statement: “The U.S. Government believes every country is obligated to accept the return of its citizens and nationals who are ineligible to remain in the United States. “Lack of cooperation from the foreign government delays and, in many cases, inhibits the removal process. “The US Government requests foreign governments take appropriate steps to confirm the citizenship of noncitizens suspected to be their nationals, which include conducting interviews, issuing travel documents in a timely manner, and accepting the physical return of their nationals by scheduled commercial or charter flights consistent with ICE and/or foreign government removal guidelines. “Lack of cooperation from countries in accepting the return of their nationals may lead to ICE classifying those countries as uncooperative or at-risk of non-compliance.” According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2021, over 80,000 Zimbabweans were living in America. Most, if not all, moved there for better opportunities as compared to Zimbabwe’s waning market. Tens of thousands more have fled Zimbabwe for Europe, Canada, parts of Asia, New Zealand and Australia. *NewZW* *Take Seriously Your Responsibility For The Health Of Your People: US Tells Zim As Trump Halts Foreign Aid Programs* THE United States has told Zimbabwe to take responsibility for its people’s health and urgently take over health programs it immensely contributed towards over the past years. The U.S. government has since the country’s independence provided over US$5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance to the Zimbabwean people, including more than $1 billion in the past three years alone. U.S. has so far remained the largest provider of development and humanitarian assistance, including through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the Feed the Future hunger and food security initiative. Donald Trump administration’s America First Agenda suspended donor support across the globe, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was currently working towards strengthening its programs on health, development, and cultural exchange among others. In a statement against a background of ongoing developments, the US Embassy in Zimbabwe said consistent with Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review. The mission said Rubio is initiating a review of all foreign assistance programs to ensure they are efficient and consistent with U.S. foreign policy under the America First agenda. “At this moment, in order to do a thorough review, all programs and grants without a waiver approved by the Secretary of State using foreign assistance funding are paused. It is time for Zimbabwe to take seriously its responsibility for the health of its people. “For HIV, Zimbabwe has hit the 95/95/95 targets. They urgently need to be focused on buying ART and getting nurses in clinics. They can do this,” the US mission said. *NewZW* *Volatile Exchange Rates Push Monthly Inflation To 11,5pc* BOTH legal currencies, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) and the US$ succumbed to significant inflationary pressures in January 2025, signifying the fact that the local economy remains in deep-seated problems. Data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistic Agency (Zimstat) Tuesday shows that the Weighted month-on-month inflation rate was 11,5% in January 2025, gaining 10.5 percentage points on the December 2024 rate of 1.1 percent. “The US$ month-on-month inflation rate was 11.5%t in January 2025, gaining 10,9% on the December 2024 rate of 0,6%.On the other hand, the ZWG month-on-month inflation rate was 10,5% in January 2025, gaining 6,8% on the December 2024 rate of 3,7%,” said Zimstat. The statistics agency said the year-on-year inflation rate (annual percentage change) for January 2025 as measured by the all-items USD Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 14,6 %. For January 2025, the Weighted CPI for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages contributed mostly to the month-on-month change in index (inflation rate) by a magnitude of 4.7%, followed by Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels with a magnitude of 3.9%. Experts attribute the current surge of month-on-month inflation to exchange rate volatility which has seen formal retailers adjusting US$ prices to cover the gap created by the formal exchange rate which is lagging behind the widely used parallel market rates. Currently, the formal exchange rate stand at US$1:ZWG26 as opposed to about US$1:ZWG38 obtaining on the parallel market. To make matters worse, formal retailers do not always stick to the exact parallel market rate as they peg it much higher to hedge against uncertainties. Zimstat believes government spending could have a positive impact as it meant more money would be poured into various projects, which would stimulate economic growth in the months ahead. *NewZW* *Government To Implement Measures For Formal & Informal Sectors* The government is set to introduce measures aimed at ensuring the survival of the formal sector while enforcing compliance among informal traders, Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said. This move follows growing concerns from retailers who argue that the unregulated informal sector enjoys an unfair advantage by selling goods at lower prices without adhering to statutory obligations such as taxation, registration, licensing, and labor laws. Speaking in Harare yesterday, Prof Ncube acknowledged the pressure on formal retailers, attributing it to the increasing informalization of the economy and rampant smuggling. “The informal sector is really squeezing out the formal sector, and as Government, we are going to embark on an accelerated programme to make sure that the informal sector complies with whatever requirements they should—be it licensing, taxes, or selling goods in designated areas,” he said. The minister stressed the need to formalize informal traders, ensuring they operate under regulations similar to those governing established businesses. In addition to tackling informal trading, the government has intensified efforts to curb smuggling, which Prof Ncube said was exacerbating the challenges faced by formal retailers. He revealed that authorities had launched a crackdown at the country’s borders to stop the illegal importation of goods. “We also stand ready as Government to support formal retailers to withstand this fierce competition from the informal sector. We will be announcing and implementing measures to support them while ensuring the informal sector begins complying with tax, licensing, and registration requirements,” he said. Already, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has seized goods worth approximately US$2.4 million in a multi-agency operation targeting smugglers and unethical businesses. The operation has led to the confiscation of illicit foodstuffs, second-hand clothing, and the impounding of cross-border buses, haulage trucks, and other vehicles used for smuggling. Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) president Mr. Tapiwa Karoro welcomed the government’s plans, emphasizing the need for policies that balance competition between the formal and informal sectors. “The growth of the informal sector, where vendors sell groceries in front of supermarkets and clothes outside retailers like Edgars, undermines formal businesses. These traders operate with fewer regulatory costs, putting formal players at a disadvantage,” he said. ZNCC is advocating for policy reforms that include liberalizing the goods market, easing exchange rate restrictions, reducing tax burdens, and providing affordable financing options for formal businesses. *Police Vows Action Against Corrupt Officers Aiding Lawlessness On Roads* THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned that it will take decisive action against corrupt elements within its ranks who are colluding with unruly public transport operators on the roads. This follows several reported cases of corruption which include viral videos of some police officers taking bribes to allow unfit vehicles to operate. In a statement Tuesday, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged passengers and the travelling public not to board rundown or dilapidated kombis, including those without registration plates or with windows or windscreens covered by cardboard boxes or other materials. “The ZRP command is taking decisive action against corrupt elements within the force. This includes some unregistered kombi operators who are colluding with unruly individuals to perpetuate corrupt activities on the roads. “In this regard, no unregistered kombis or pirate taxis will be permitted to operate as public service vehicles. “The Police urges all kombi owners to set an example by ensuring that anyone intending to run a public service vehicle business fully complies with the country’s road rules and regulations. “In other words, all kombis operating on the roads must be registered and licensed through the relevant government authorities,” Nyathi added. Nyathi also said the public should assist in promoting public safety by avoiding boarding or waiting for transport at undesignated points, as such practices disrupt the smooth flow of traffic. The police also warned kombis from Chitungwiza against dropping off passengers from the Chitungwiza route before Seke Bridge. “The Police is also taking strong action against unregistered kombis operating on the Chitungwiza-Harare Central Business District route and dropping passengers before the Seke Bridge. “The Commissioner-General of Police, Stephen Mutamba, has directed Police Commanders to ensure that duly registered and compliant kombis are allowed passage at Police checkpoints without unnecessary inconvenience,” Nyathi said. Cases of armed hit-and-run accidents, robberies, kidnappings and rape, are on the rise and in most instances perpetrators use unregistered vehicles. *NewZW* *Chivayo Fires Back Amid Zanu PF Factional Tensions* Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has hit back at critics, labeling them “failed politicians” in what is widely seen as a direct response to Acting President Constantino Chiwenga. This latest exchange marks a deepening rift within the ruling Zanu PF party, where factional tensions between loyalists of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chiwenga continue to escalate. The tensions flared following Chiwenga’s remarks at the burial of former Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Justin Mupamhanga, at the National Heroes Acre on Monday. In his speech, Chiwenga took aim at corrupt elements within the ruling party, accusing them of amassing wealth through illicit means, leading to what he described as their "big bellies." Political observers believe these comments were directed at high-profile business figures, commonly referred to as “mbingas,” including Chivayo. In a defiant response posted on his X account on Wednesday, Chivayo reaffirmed his allegiance to President Mnangagwa and dismissed any attempts to intimidate him. "I will always support President E.D. Mnangagwa and ZANU PF's vision, and no individual, Big or Small, can instill fear in me to decide otherwise. I will neither be moved by nor shaken by any veiled threats from failed politicians," he wrote. Chivayo’s statement has fueled speculation that his remarks were a direct rebuttal to Chiwenga’s speech, intensifying the already fraught political landscape. The controversy is unfolding against the backdrop of leaked letters circulating on social media, purportedly showing Chivayo requesting local banks to allow him to withdraw up to US$20 million per month for various transactions. Chivayo has denied any connection to the alleged documents, dismissing them as fabrications. Further evidence of Zanu PF’s internal divisions was on display at Mupamhanga’s burial, where rival factions openly clashed. ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera was seen leading chants perceived as critical of Chiwenga, highlighting the growing discord within the ruling party. *Kagame Lashes Out At Ramaphosa Over DRC Conflict* Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has lashed out at President Cyril Ramaphosa. He accuses him of lies, deliberate attacks and distorting their conversation on the DRC conflict. Thirteen SANDF troops died while battling M23 rebels in eastern DRC. But, Kagame claims Ramaphosa confirmed to him they were killed by the DRC armed forces. In a strongly worded statement on X, Kagame says South Africa is in no position to play a peacemaker or mediator role. Kagame brands SADC's peacekeepers as belligerent forces engaging in offensive combat to help the DRC government. Kagame is warning that if South Africa wants confrontation, Kigali will respond accordingly. *eNCA* *Zuma's Daughter Faces Terrorism Charges Over South Africa Riots* The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has appeared in court on terrorism charges over her alleged involvement in the 2021 riots that left more than 300 people dead. Violence, chaos, and fear ripped through the port city of Durban, then spread to Gauteng, after Zuma's jailing sparked intense protests over four years ago. Zuma-Sambudla, a controversial figure in her own right, was accused of sharing incendiary social media posts that fuelled the civil unrest. The arrest comes as a "result of a meticulous investigation" said spokesperson for the Hawks elite police unit, Brig Thandi Mbambo. Zuma-Sambudla handed herself in to Durban Central police station on Thursday morning to face charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act and incitement to commit violence, police said. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the investigation had taken such a long time because the case was "complex" and "unique". "It is the first time that the NPA is charging a person based on content posted on what we call X, which was previously known as Twitter, for content that we consider to amount to incitement to commit terrorism," the News24 site quotes him as saying. Zuma-Sambudla told the court that she intended to plead not guilty to the charges. She also said that there was no evidence linking her to the riots. The case has been postponed to March for trial in the Durban High Court and she has been released on bail. Supporters of her father's party uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK), of which she is a senior member, gathered at the courtroom to rally behind her. Zuma was also present and gave a speech. "They are now arresting my child because they don't like her, nor do they like her father, or the party that he leads. Are we going to keep quiet?" he said. He added: "We are here for nothing. I was also arrested for nothing." This is not the first time Zuma-Sambudla's name has been brought up in connection to the 2021 riots, which are considered one of the bloodiest episodes in post-apartheid South Africa. *BBC* *WHO Cites Reports Saying 45 Dead In Congo Fighting, Warns Of Disease Risks* The World Health Organization said on Thursday that over 2,000 people have been wounded by fighting in and around Congo's city of Goma and 45 people have died, citing unnamed reports. "There are reports of 2,029 wounded in health facilities and other points of care, and 45 dead across 3 health zones in North Kivu," the U.N. health agency said in a statement. It also warned that displacement had increased the risk of the spread of diseases like mpox, cholera and measles. *Reuters* *Uganda Confirms Outbreak Of Ebola In Capital Kampala, One Dead* Uganda has confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the capital Kampala with the first confirmed patient dying from it on Wednesday, the health ministry said on Thursday. It is the East African country's ninth outbreak since it recorded its first infection of the viral disease in 2000. The patient, a male nurse at the Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, had initially sought treatment at various facilities, including Mulago, as well as with a traditional healer, after developing fever-like symptoms. "The patient experienced multi-organ failure and succumbed to the illness at Mulago National Referral Hospital on Jan. 29. Post-mortem samples confirmed the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (strain)," the ministry said in a statement. Forty-four contacts of the deceased man have been listed for tracing, including 30 health workers, the ministry said. However, contact tracing could be challenging as Kampala, where the latest Ebola infection cropped up, is a crowded city of over 4 million people and a crossroads for traffic to South Sudan, Congo, Rwanda and other countries. The highly infectious hemorrhagic fever is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissue. Symptoms include headache, vomiting of blood, muscle pains and bleeding. Ugandan authorities have used capacity built up over years, such as laboratory testing, patient care know-how, contact tracing and other skills, to bring recent Ebola outbreaks under control in relatively short order. Uganda last suffered an outbreak in late 2022 and that was declared over on Jan. 11, 2023 after nearly four months in which it struggled to contain the viral infection. The last outbreak killed 55 of the 143 people infected and the dead included six health workers. The patient had also sought treatment at a public hospital in Mbale, 240 km (150 miles) east of Kampala near the border with Kenya, the ministry said. Vaccination against Ebola for all contacts of the deceased will begin immediately, the ministry said. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain of Ebola, though Uganda received some trial vaccine doses during the last outbreak. An outbreak of Marburg, a cousin of Ebola, was declared in neighbouring Tanzania last week. Uganda also borders Rwanda, which has just emerged from a Marburg outbreak, and Congo where outbreaks of Ebola are common. *Reuters* *Sorrow, Elation As Palestinians Witness The Release Of Israeli Captives* Around Abu Yusuf, thousands of people have gathered amid a sea of green Hamas flags and the black banners of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. There were also portraits of Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader killed by Israel, images of Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Houthis, and Fathi Shaqaqi, the late founder of the Islamic Jihad. “I’m proud to see these prisoners released in exchange for countless Palestinians who have remained in Israeli prisons for decades,” said Abu Yusuf. The releases are part of a high-stakes ceasefire agreement aimed at ending months of war that began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas fighters launched a deadly attack on Israel. Under the deal that took effect on January 19, Hamas is set to release 33 Israeli captives over a six-week period. In return, up to 1,650 Palestinian prisoners could be freed from Israeli jails. Thursday’s exchange, the third since the ceasefire began, started with Hamas releasing 20-year-old soldier Agam Berger in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, followed by the release of civilians Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses in addition to five Thai nationals in Khan Younis in a handover overseen by Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, al-Quds Brigades. Later in the day, Israeli authorities released 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 32 serving life sentences and 30 minors. As armoured pick-up trucks rolled by carrying fighters clad in combat gear and black balaclavas, Abu Yusuf gestured towards them with pride. “The resistance fighters are still here, alive, and capable of striking back,” he said. “This whole exchange is a reminder that the occupation has failed to break us.” Along Khan Younis’s crowded Fifth Street where the handover took place and where Sinwar’s home stood, people waved banners as they came to witness what many in the crowd saw as “a symbolic victory”. Dozens of protesters clambered onto the remains of flattened homes to witness the handover. The two-hour delay did little to dampen the crowd’s fervour as people filmed on smartphones and chanted celebratory slogans. The two Israeli captives, flanked by masked al-Quds Brigades fighters, were heavily guarded as they were moved through the crowd and towards representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Bystanders surged forward to take photos and young men close to the captives jeered as they were led away. Among the onlookers, people described feeling elation and sorrow following a war that has killed at least 47,035 Palestinians and wounded 111,091. Cries of “Allah Akbar!”, a phrase often heard during Eid celebrations, rang through the streets, the sounds of jubilation at odds with the destruction all around. Khan Younis’s homes lie in ruins, the farmland has been stripped bare by bulldozers and the remaining olive trees are charred husks. *Aljazeera* *More Than 60 Dead In Washington After Jet Hits Helicopter, Crashes Into River* More than 60 people were dead after an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday and crashed into the frigid Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport. "At this point we do not believe there were any survivors," District of Columbia fire chief John Donnelly said at a Thursday press conference. Donnelly said 28 bodies had been recovered from the river so far, in what was shaping up to be the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than 20 years. "We will work to find all the bodies and reunite them with their loved ones," he said. American Airlines said 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the jet, while U.S. officials said the helicopter was carrying three soldiers on a training flight. Officials told Reuters that helicopter flights had been paused for the Army unit involved in the incident. Passengers on the flight included ice skaters, family and coaches returning from events in Wichita, Kansas, including Russian-born former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. "We have been told that there are no survivors. We mourn with all those who have been impacted," Wichita mayor Lily Wu said at a news conference. The mid-air collision occurred as the passenger jet was approaching to land at Reagan. Radio communications showed the helicopter crew knew the plane was in the vicinity. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said both the helicopter and the airplane had been flying standard flight patterns, and there had been no breakdown in communication. "Everything was standard in the lead-up to the crash," he said. "Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely." Airspace is frequently crowded in the U.S. capital region, home to three commercial airports and several major military facilities, and officials have raised concerns about busy runways at Reagan National Airport, just across the river from Washington. There have been several near-miss incidents that have sparked alarm, including a near-collision in May 2024. Daniel Driscoll, President Donald Trump's nominee for Army Secretary, said the military might rethink training operations in the region. "This seems to be preventable," he said at a Senate confirmation hearing. The helicopter was flown by a "fairly experienced crew" that was wearing night-vision goggles on an annual proficiency training flight, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a video statement. ""We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas," President Donald Trump said at the White House. He blamed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for lowering standards for air traffic controllers and complained about government diversity efforts. "We have to have our smartest people," he said. "They have to be naturally talented geniuses." Trump had earlier questioned the actions of the helicopter crew and air traffic controllers. Over the last two years, a series of near-miss incidents have raised concerns about U.S. aviation safety and the strain on understaffed air traffic control operations. American Eagle Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700, was operated by PSA Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the pilot had about six years of flying experience. Air traffic control recordings appear to capture the final attempted communications with the helicopter, call sign PAT25, before it collided with the jet. "PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ," an air traffic controller says at 8:47 p.m. (0147 GMT) on Wednesday, according to a recording on liveatc.net. Seconds later, another aircraft calls in to air traffic control, saying, "Tower, did you see that?" - apparently referring to the crash. An air traffic controller then redirects planes heading to runway 33 to go around. "I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven't seen anything since they hit the river," an air traffic controller says. Webcam video of the crash showed the collision and an explosion lighting up the night sky. John Potter, head of the regional airport authority, said flights would resume at Reagan National at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time (1600 GMT). Washington DC fire chief Donnelly said conditions were cold and windy, making the operation "extremely rough" for the 300 responders on the scene. CBS News reported that a dive team had recovered one of the two data recorders, the so-called black boxes, from the plane. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin told Reuters that the bodies of most of those involved in the collision had been recovered. "Everything was routine up to the point of the accident," he said. "Something went wrong." *Reuters* *Meta To Pay $25 Million To Settle Trump's 2021 Lawsuit Over Suspended Accounts* Meta Platforms on Wednesday said it has agreed to pay about $25 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump over the company's suspension of his accounts after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol. Trump filed lawsuits against Twitter Inc, now known as X, Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, as well as their chief executives in July 2021, alleging they unlawfully silence conservative viewpoints. Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended after his supporters launched an assault on the U.S. Capitol following a speech by him repeating false claims that his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud. Out of the settlement amount, $22 million will go towards a fund for Trump's presidential library, and the rest to legal fees and other plaintiffs in the case. Facebook parent Meta filed a notice regarding the settlement in a federal court in San Francisco. Discussions about the lawsuit, which had not gotten very far since the fall of 2023, started again after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago club for a dinner with him in November, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news. The Zuckerberg-led social media giant has been attempting to mend relations with a leader who has railed against its political content policies and threatened its CEO with imprisonment. In a departure from its past practice, Meta in December announced a $1 million contribution to Trump's inaugural fund. Meta ended its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in January, and also scrapped its U.S. fact-checking program and reduced curbs on discussions around contentious topics such as immigration and gender identity. It named prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as its chief global affairs officer and elected Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and close friend of Trump, to its board. *Reuters* *Kalisto Pasuwa Appointed Malawi National Team Coach* Former Dynamos and Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa has been confirmed as the substantive head coach of the Malawi national team. Pasuwa who had a successful stint with Nyasa Big Bullets was recommended by the Football Association of Malawi’s Technical Sub-Committee. The successful coach who won five consecutive league titles with Nyasa Big Bullets and was in charge of the Flames on an interim basis, will now lead the team on a permanent basis. Before his latest appointment, Pasuwa led Malawi to a draw against Burundi and a three-nil win over Burkina Faso in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The win over Burkina Faso was ironically the Flames’ first in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. Pasuwa will have the freedom to select his backroom staff, with his compatriot Michael Ngore, whom he worked with at Nyasa Big Bullets, likely to join him. The former Dynamos coach’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Flames, who parted ways with Patrick Mabedi in October last year. *ZBC* *Man City Avoid Champions League Combustion As Real Or Bayern Await* Manchester City's Champions League campaign could have gone the same way as the merchandise stand outside Etihad Stadium that went up in flames before kick-off - but a firefighting act on the pitch meant they scraped into the play-offs. Even City manager Pep Guardiola sensed the bad omens, saying: "When I saw the fire before the game I thought 'the journalists have their headlines already'." Thankfully, no-one was hurt in that pre-match drama, while City were also able to finally emerge unscathed from a night of tension and nerves, displaying more of the fragility that has characterised their season. It's Real Madrid or Bayern Munich next - a scenario that might send shudders down the spine of the most ardent City follower. City's final placing of 22nd in the new Champions League opening phase after Wednesday's 3-1 win against Club Brugge should be a source of embarrassment to a club of such high ambition, winners of this tournament in 2023. And yet, for a short while, it look like it was going to be a lot worse as Guardiola's side faced the humiliation of not even making the play-offs. Apart from one noisy corner occupied by Brugge fans, you could have heard a pin drop when Raphael Onyedika's low drive right on half-time left City needing two goals to score the win they required. A play-off spot would have been viewed as an unlikely consolation prize at the start of the season. When even that began to fade from view, this season's sense of crisis was heightening. City were vulnerable at the back, with weakness out wide once more, and blunt in attack. This was only the second time a team managed by Guardiola failed to have a first-half shot on target, following on from a game against Borussia Dortmund in September 2022. Those home fans inside the stadium were subdued. City had given their supporters nothing to ease their growing concerns. Guardiola had gone through agonies in his technical area, clutching his head in anguish on several occasions as City were hit on the break, also aiming a wild kick at a drinks box, although he laughed this off afterwards with a reminder about his stellar playing career at Barcelona. In the wider context, this was City's season on the line - European ambitions threatened while languishing 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, their hold on that crown loosened. It is to City's credit that they responded, helped by Guardiola's effective change of Savinho for Ilkay Gundogan at half-time, meaning the manager avoided the fate of failing to reach the knockout stage for the first time in his silver-lined career. If City had gone out, it would have ended a run of 11 successive seasons in which they have reached the knockout stage - anything else would have been a severe body blow to the pride and status of a club who cherish their place at Europe's top table. City survived what would have been their biggest embarrassment under Guardiola, but on current form a play-off against either Real or Bayern to reach the last 16 cannot be approached with confidence. It was only when the unfortunate Joel Ordonez turned Josko Gvardiol's cross into his own net to give City the lead that Brugge's threat was finally extinguished, their supporters also celebrating at the final whistle as they sneaked into the play-offs in 24th place. The home side got there in the end, but this campaign has so far offered nothing to suggest there should be any fears for either Madrid's elder statesman boss Carlo Ancelotti or for the City legend who is now Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany. "We deserve it," said Guardiola of City's play-off fate. "I don't know if they are happy to play against us but it is what it is. No complaints. We're going to face them - one is the king of the competition, the other is the second or third." The defeats City suffered against Juventus, Sporting and Paris St-Germain, along with the collapse against Feyenoord to draw after leading 3-0 with 16 minutes left, will offer all the encouragement their next opponents need. And even if these formidable hurdles are overcome, City will then face Diego Simeone's nuggety Atletico Madrid or Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16. Easier? Not by much. Even in victory here, City were too often vulnerable on the counter-attack, with too many spaces in midfield for Club Brugge to exploit, but they dug deep when it mattered and clawed themselves out of the hole they were in. City will somehow have to fashion a vast improvement in the short period between this win and the play-offs if they are not to slip out at that stage. This was unthinkable at the start of the season given their pedigree, but it has become very thinkable in recent weeks, especially after the fearful going over they got when losing 4-2 in Paris. Guardiola, relieved as well as pleased, is hoping City will soon be in a stronger position, able to call on new forward Omar Marmoush among others, while history is littered with teams who turned early struggles into Champions League triumph. John Stones made a welcome return, while Guardiola is hoping others such as Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake could be back, along with Oscar Bobb, while Kevin de Bruyne can acquire more minutes and fitness. Guardiola can also call on the memories of beating Bayern and Real on their way to Champions League final victory against Inter Milan in Istanbul in 2023. "It might seem impossible today, but tomorrow the mindset, the vibes will change," Guardiola said. "We will try against Real or Bayern. We will create problems. These players have something special. We will try to do it." It was almost the talk of an underdog, rarely Manchester City's station in recent years. This is where they stand now in this tournament - but when a team of proven quality have a fighting chance, then can defy the odds. City, however, will have to climb several levels if this painful, tortuous Champions League journey is to continue in the last 16. *BBC* *Arsenal Charged Over Players' Reaction To Myles Lewis-Skelly Red Card* Arsenal have been charged by the Football Association after players confronted referee Michael Oliver following Myles Lewis-Skelly's controversial dismissal in the 1-0 win against Wolves. Oliver showed Lewis-Skelly a straight red card in the first half after the teenager fouled Matt Doherty, with the referee ruling it was serious foul play. The Gunners appealed against the decision and the 18-year-old's three-match ban was overturned earlier this week. Arsenal have until 3 February to respond to the FA charge. Police have been investigating "threats and abuse" directed at Oliver, said referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited. The FA said Arsenal had allegedly failed to ensure their players "did not behave in an improper manner". Doherty was just outside the Wolves box as he mounted a counter-attack in the 43rd minute when he was brought down by Lewis-Skelly. The decision to send him off was upheld by Darren England, who was the video assistant referee (VAR). The red card infuriated Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and divided opinion among pundits and fans. Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer, said the sending off was "one of the worst decisions I've seen in a long time". *BBC*