An inactive upper stage from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which has been orbiting in space for years, is expected to strike the Moon at 6:34 a.m. local time on August 5. The report says the rocket section will hit at about 8,700 kilometres per hour, nearly seven times the speed of sound. The impact could create a large crater and disperse substantial dust and debris into space.

Astronomers are waiting to observe the event, which may be visible with sufficiently powerful telescopes. Researchers believe the rocket casing may break apart and scatter rather than form a deep crater like a solid meteorite, producing a dust curtain extending about 183 kilometres. University of Texas astronomer Lawrence Traffton said smaller telescopes could distinguish the plume if it rises about 50 kilometres above the lunar edge, though the Moon's brightness may hinder observation.

The report describes the possible impact as a first opportunity to record from Earth an object striking the Moon's sunlit side. It notes that NASA's Lunar Prospector hit the Moon in 1999 while seeking water, without success, while a 2009 mission detected water ice in a dust cloud from a rocket impact. The event could provide information for future lunar exploration and human missions.

African football journalist Mamadou Gaye publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial private-investment plan, describing it as the “best initiative” for the Confederation of African Football and world football. In a post on X, the longtime Soccer Africa analyst praised Infantino as a “global talent” and said the FIFA president deserved the Nobel Peace Prize.

The proposal had drawn more negative discussion, but Gaye’s comments offered a public endorsement. Under FIFA’s plan, a new commercial company called FIFA Forward Enterprise would manage commercial rights for the World Cup and the organisation’s other major tournaments. Private investors would have been able to buy shares as minority partners, while FIFA member countries would receive additional funding.

The proposal faced strong opposition from UEFA and Concacaf, the governing bodies for European and North and Central American football. FIFA had given member countries until September 19 to approve the proposal. However, amid broad opposition, Infantino ultimately withdrew the plan.

A report published by Amar Desh Online on August 1, 2026, citing Al Mujtama, outlines five major challenges facing Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim-majority societies. It says these challenges threaten their existence, citizenship, demographic standing and basic rights. The report cites the loss of full citizenship for Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar as an example of citizenship deprivation.

The first two challenges identified are alleged manipulation of Muslim population statistics and a lack of reliable data. The report argues that inaccurate or incomplete counts can understate Muslims’ demographic strength and narrow discussions of rights and equality. It describes the global Muslim population as nearly two billion, or about 24 percent of the world population, and cites estimates concerning Nigeria, India, France, Germany and the United States.

The remaining challenges are described as dispersing concentrated Muslim demographic communities, depriving people of political, economic and educational rights, and installing governing groups portrayed as hostile to Islam. The report calls for continued research using reliable, updated data. It also urges scientific institutions in the Islamic world to cooperate with neutral international organizations on determining Muslim population figures, with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation taking a leading role with support from Muslim governments.

The United Nations has warned that intensifying El Niño conditions could push global temperatures to more alarming levels in the coming months. A report cited by Al Jazeera on August 1, 2026 said the World Meteorological Organization expects the recurring climate phenomenon to become a major driver of weather worldwide, raising risks of heatwaves, severe drought and destructive flooding.

The warning comes as wildfires have become uncontrollable in parts of Africa and Europe, while the monsoon season has brought extensive damage and disruption across South Asia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said El Niño is strengthening and fuelling regions already on fire. The report said sea-surface temperatures in the central Pacific could rise by at least 2.9 degrees Celsius above normal, disrupting weather systems globally and contributing to extreme heat.

WMO forecasts that nearly all land areas could experience temperatures far above normal, with the strongest harmful effects possible in Africa, southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia and South America. Guterres called for stronger climate action and an immediate halt to new coal, oil and gas projects. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo urged governments and humanitarian agencies to turn early warnings into practical action.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a proposed plan to bring private investment into the World Cup and other major FIFA tournaments. He formally announced the cancellation on Saturday after strong opposition from football bodies in Europe, North and Central America, and Asia. Infantino acknowledged that the proposal had created divisions within football and said it would not be fair to continue it under those circumstances.

The proposal envisaged creating a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise to manage commercial operations for the World Cup and FIFA’s major tournaments. Outside investors would have been brought in as minority partners in the company. In return, Infantino had promised additional development funding for FIFA’s 211 member associations.

All 55 UEFA member countries threatened to boycott the World Cup, while CONCACAF’s 41 member associations rejected the proposal and the Asian Football Confederation expressed solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, calling the plan a bad deal for football. FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said many officials had been kept in the dark. FIFA’s presidential election is due in Morocco next March.

The United States has launched a major operation to identify the sources of Iranian government and institutional assets scattered around the world, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In remarks at a recent news conference, Bessent said Washington was searching globally for Iranian assets that could be seized. He said the funds would later be used for the welfare of Iran’s general public. The report was published on July 31, 2026.

The move follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump that seized or confiscated Iranian assets would be used to compensate for damage to any ships and cargo in the Strait of Hormuz. The report describes Trump’s declaration as controversial. Tehran responded strongly and condemned the announcement soon after it was made.

Bessent’s comments were presented as part of the broader sequence of US statements concerning Iranian assets and Hormuz-related damage. According to the report, the developments have generated renewed tension in the Middle East and in the global economic arena. The article cited Al Jazeera as its source.

UEFA has strongly opposed FIFA’s plan to sell ownership stakes in its international competitions to private investors, warning it will boycott all FIFA tournaments if the proposal remains in place. The report, published on July 31, 2026, said CONCACAF, the football body for North and Central America, has also backed Europe’s position.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said football is not a product for sale. UEFA described FIFA’s move as undemocratic and as a system of rule through intimidation. The dispute could create major uncertainty over the participation of European teams in FIFA competitions if it continues.

The Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in September and the Under-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar in November could face serious disruption. Major European teams including Spain, France, Italy and England were expected to take part in those events. If the conflict is not resolved over the longer term, the future of the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the main 2030 World Cup could also fall into deep uncertainty.

FIFA has begun examining the feasibility of expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams from 2030, amid intense debate inside and outside the organisation over tournament expansion and plans to introduce private investment into the competition. The report, published on July 31, said FIFA is pursuing the assessment despite opposition to the proposed changes.

According to an internal document cited by The Times, FIFA completed an initial briefing on July 30. An independent study will assess how a 64-team World Cup could affect broadcasting, sponsorship, revenue and the wider football structure. The deadline for proposals is August 7, a final organisation is due to be selected on August 14, and FIFA plans to receive a full report by September 11.

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has publicly supported a 64-team tournament, while the African confederation has not made an official comment. Analysts said the proposal could significantly reshape football diplomacy and tournament formats. The report also said Spain and Portugal, the main hosts of the 2030 World Cup, could lose automatic qualification for the main tournament.

A report published by Amar Desh Online on July 31, 2026, lists 12 countries described as Muslim-friendly destinations for international students seeking higher education. The list includes the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Turkey, Qatar and Oman. It says international Muslim students seek opportunities to study, work and travel while being able to practise their religion freely.

The report cites access to halal food, prayer rooms, ablution facilities, religious infrastructure and anti-discrimination protections as factors supporting students. It says Malaysia offers halal food and separate prayer spaces, while Taiwan has prayer rooms in public transport and tourist sites. Singapore has halal food approved by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, and the United Kingdom has laws aimed at preventing religious discrimination and online harassment.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, 8,683 discrimination complaints against Muslims were documented in the United States in 2025, the highest figure in 30 years. The report also says Islamophobia has recently increased in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Citing various studies, it says racism and discrimination can adversely affect students' mental health, making safety and religious freedom strategic priorities when choosing a destination.

FIFA has denied that it plans to sell ownership of football or the World Cup as controversy grows over a proposed new structure for its commercial operations and events. In a statement issued Friday, FIFA responded after 55 UEFA members and 41 member associations from the CONCACAF region opposed the proposal. The governing body said its aim is to create more development funding and commercial opportunities for member countries.

FIFA said the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise would be a wholly owned FIFA subsidiary, intended to manage the organisation's commercial and event operations more efficiently. It argued that misleading media reports had caused misunderstandings about the plan and disrupted the scheduled consultation process. FIFA said the final decision would be made democratically after hearing the views of all member associations.

The body said none of football is being sold and that such an option would never be considered. It said each of its 211 member countries has the right to review and comment on the proposal, while no single confederation can represent the entire membership. Under the plan, each association would receive $20 million in development support from 2027 to 2030, alongside a proposed optional one-time $20 million fund. Implementation requires majority support.

Gianni Infantino’s plan to remain FIFA president for a third consecutive term may face a significant challenge, with influential officials in European football administration considering Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as a possible candidate. FIFA’s next presidential election is scheduled for March 2027. Infantino, who has been elected unopposed since 2016, could face strong competition for the first time, according to the report.

The dispute centres on Infantino’s new commercial plan. FIFA has proposed creating a new affiliate to manage commercial operations for the World Cup and other tournaments, with outside investors taking minority stakes. Infantino says the proposal would secure more funding for FIFA’s 211 member countries and accelerate football development worldwide. European football circles, however, have strongly criticised the initiative.

Critics say no meaningful consultation was held with relevant parties before bringing a global asset such as football into commercial investment. Al-Khelaifi is also chairman of the European Club Association, a UEFA Executive Committee member and a FIFA Council member. His spokesperson said he has no ambition, desire or interest in running for FIFA president. Nevertheless, growing European dissatisfaction has made the election a major talking point.

The July 31, 2026 sports broadcast schedule features the ninth day of the Commonwealth Games, women’s and men’s matches in The Hundred, and two club football friendlies. The schedule, published by the sports desk, lists live coverage across television channels and online platforms.

The ninth day of the Commonwealth Games will be shown live on Sony Sports 2 from 1 pm. In cricket, Manchester Super Giants will face Trent Rockets in The Hundred women’s match at 8 pm. The same teams will meet in the men’s competition at 11:30 pm.

In football, Juventus and Nice will play a club friendly live on Star Sports at 10 pm. Birmingham City’s friendly against Barcelona is scheduled for live coverage at 12:45 am on YouTube and Barca Play.

Writer Josh Sheldon’s new book, “The Zionists Who Hate Jews,” makes contested claims about the history and aims of the Zionist movement. In a report published on July 30, 2026, Sheldon is described as arguing that leaders of a movement presented as protecting Jews historically held hostility toward Jews themselves. The book runs to more than 300 pages and is organized in 11 chapters.

The report says Sheldon draws on material from historians Tom Segev, Avi Shlaim and Ella Shohat. It attributes derogatory descriptions of Jews to Theodor Herzl, Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Moses Hess, and presents Sheldon’s view that Zionism and antisemitism are two sides of the same coin. It also says writer Karl Kraus warned in 1898 that Herzl’s movement represented Jews’ own antisemitism.

The book also addresses the Holocaust, including an alleged agreement involving Hungarian Zionist official Rudolf Kastner and Nazi officials. The report further cites statements attributed to David Ben-Gurion to support Sheldon’s claim that Zionist leaders prioritized state-building over saving Jews. According to the report, the book has prompted renewed discussion of Zionism’s historical foundations and underlying purpose.

The UN Security Council is holding an informal confidential vote on Thursday as part of the process to choose the next UN secretary-general. The straw poll will assess member states’ levels of support for seven candidates competing for the post. Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will leave office at the end of this year after completing two consecutive five-year terms.

Guterres, a Portuguese national, is due to be succeeded under the established process when his term ends. The seven candidates in contention are from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Senegal and Uganda. The initial informal Security Council vote is known as a straw poll.

Representatives of the Council’s 15 member states will register one of three views on each candidate: encourage, discourage or no opinion. Several rounds of straw polls are usually conducted before a final decision is reached. The process could conclude by late September or early October, although it may take longer if broad consensus cannot be reached around a single acceptable candidate.

FIFA, led by president Gianni Infantino, is planning a new company to manage the commercial operations of the World Cup and Club World Cup. The proposed FIFA Forward Enterprises, or FFE, could sell up to a 21% ownership stake to raise $4.2 billion. FIFA would retain majority ownership and continue its role as world football’s governing body, but the proposal would open the commercial structure of its leading competitions to outside investors for the first time.

The plan is not final and requires majority backing from FIFA’s 211 member countries as well as approval from the 37-member FIFA Council. FIFA says the objective is football development rather than profit. Through a proposed FIFA Fast-Forward Programme, each member country could receive up to $20 million for special and emergency development projects. Regular Forward Programme funding is planned to rise from $8 million every four years to $20 million in 2027-30, $22 million in 2031-34 and $24 million in 2035-38.

JP Morgan is serving as financial adviser. Thrive Eternal and Apollo Sports Capital are listed as potential investors. UEFA, Concacaf and the Football Association of England raised concerns over consultation and information, while La Liga president Javier Tebas criticised the proposal. FIFA estimates World Cup and Club World Cup revenue will reach about $15 billion in 2023-26.