February 5, 2009 (Thursday)
- USA Swimming suspends Michael Phelps from competition for three months following the publication of a photograph of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe. (AP via Sports Illustrated)
- Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka's national cricket team becomes the highest wicket-taker in One Day Internationals with 503. (Sports 24)
- Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan agree to form a rapid reaction force based in the Federation. (AFP via The Australian)
- China declares a national emergency due to severe droughts throughout the country. (BBC)
- Somali pirates release Ukraine's MV Faina following a US$3.2-million ransom payment. (BBC)
- Late 2000s recession:
- The Bank of England reduces the base rate of interest to a new historic low of 1%. (Sky News)
- The number of Americans applying for first-time unemployment benefits reaches its highest level since October 1982. (CNN Money)
- At least 10 people are killed in a Brazilian Federal Police raid in Rio de Janeiro. (BBC)
- Heavy snowfall closes Ireland's Dublin Airport and disrupts flights for several hours. (RTÉ)
- Businessman Kazutsugi Nami is arrested by Japanese police over a US$1.4-billion investment scam. (BBC)
- Three members of the State Legislative Assembly in Perak state, Malaysia from the People's Alliance declare themselves independent and pledge support for the National Front, sparking a constitutional crisis. (New Straits Times)
- Zimbabwe's House of Assembly allows power-sharing between the African National Union – Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change. (Reuters)
- A suicide bomber kills 24 people and injures at least 40 in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. (MSNBC)
- Undefeated Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe announces his retirement. (BBC)