TODAY’s brief, Monday, Dec 21

Blatter, Platini to learn fate

It’s judgment day for Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini today when FIFA’s ethics court is expected to ban the scandal-scarred world football body’s most powerful leaders.

The FIFA president and his one-time intended successor face being kicked out of the world’s favorite sport for several years over a US$2 million payment Blatter approved for Platini in 2011. Both deny wrongdoing yet a conflict of interest in managing FIFA money - by agreeing the payment without telling executive committee colleagues- is a likely basis for guilty verdicts in rulings due to be published today.

Race to find missing from Shenzhen landslide

Chinese officials are racing against time to find 27 people who were reported missing following yesterday’s massive landslide in the city of Shenzhen. Chinese leaders have called for no efforts to be spared in the rescue operations, reflecting the ruling Communist Party’s sensitivity towards public perception of the handling of such disasters.

Indonesia hunts for suspected militants

Indonesian counterterrorism forces are likely to continue their hunt against suspected militants today, after police raids over the weekend foiled plans for suicide bombings in the country during Christmas and the New Year, as well as attacks on minority Shia Muslims in Java and Sumatra. National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti has warned that there are still suspected militants on the loose, and said that operations were still ongoing.

ACRES’ investigation findings into illegal pet trade

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) is today releasing the results of its investigation into the illegal pet trade in Singapore. Its Animal Crime Investigation Unit had been receiving reports about online advertisements of the sale of animals that are illegal to keep as pets here, and in response, from June to this month, it monitored online advertising media and also engaged advertisers to gain insights into the illegal pet trade. In addition, undercover stings were conducted jointly with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority with respect to live animals ostensibly smuggled into Singapore.

BPL action: Arsenal vs Manchester City

In-form Arsenal, second in the English Premier League, will be determined to beat the inconsistent Manchester City tonight to endorse their championship credentials and widen the gap to their nearest challengers. Third-placed City have not won away in four league games since a 1-0 triumph at Crystal Palace in September and, if captain Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero remain absent, their chances of ending that run - and their title hopes - may be dented.

Weather forecast

Showers are expected mainly over northern and eastern Singapore in the late afternoon, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 33°C.