Opponents of FIFA president Gianni Infantino are increasing pressure for his resignation and threatening non-cooperation with world football’s governing body if he remains in office. Senior UEFA officials reported the position on 4 August 2026. Their anger centres on Infantino’s attempted plan to sell shares in some major FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, although the proposal ultimately failed.

The precise form of any non-cooperation remains unclear, but opponents are strongly considering boycotting FIFA meetings. Opposition intensified after UEFA threatened legal action over the proposal. Wales has publicly withdrawn support for Infantino’s candidacy for a fourth term, while England’s Football Association may follow. Sources told BBC Sport that the Scottish FA’s position is also aligned with UEFA’s.

Infantino is due to seek re-election for a final time in March 2028 and needs 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 member countries to win. Serbia, Sweden and Finland have withdrawn support, while Morocco, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka support his continued leadership. An emergency FIFA Council meeting could seek to force his resignation if 19 of its 37 members call for one; it would have to be held within two weeks.

US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are under way and described them as Tehran’s “last chance” to reach an agreement, despite Iran’s Foreign Ministry denying any talks with Washington. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said he had agreed to continue discussions at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and several other countries.

Trump identified reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian nuclear disarmament as the two main issues in the discussions. He said reopening the waterway could perhaps happen as soon as the next day, while nuclear disarmament could take longer to implement. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely civilian, while Western countries allege it is secretly pursuing nuclear weapons.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran is discussing safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman and is close to an acceptable arrangement. He said a full reopening of the strait is not likely immediately. On Tuesday, UKMTO reported that a cargo vessel near Oman’s coast in the strait was struck by a missile from an unknown source; the incident is under investigation.

South Korea has recorded 16 deaths during this summer's severe heatwave, while more than 2,000 people have fallen ill from excessive heat. The country's Interior Ministry released the figures in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, 2,025 people suffered from various heat-related illnesses between May 15 and August 2. Sixteen of those affected died during the period covered by the ministry's statement.

The continuing heatwave across South Korea has disrupted daily life. With health risks rising because of high temperatures, authorities urged residents not to go outside unless necessary and to follow precautions, including drinking sufficient water.

ASI Abdul Motaleb, the Putijuri Union beat officer under Bahubal Model Police Station in Habiganj, has been closed to Habiganj Police Lines after a call recording alleging a demand for money using the UNO’s name went viral on social media. Bahubal Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin Talukdar said higher police authorities took the action on Monday night. The recording caused widespread concern in the area.

Locals said Motaleb went to Mirerpara in Putijuri Union on the afternoon of Friday, August 1, but returned after finding no one involved in sand extraction. The report said a journalist, posing under a false identity, later called him. Motaleb allegedly proposed meeting directly to “resolve” the matter.

When the caller said a direct meeting was not possible, Motaleb allegedly asked for money to be sent through bKash and urged a meeting the following day to settle the issue. Contacted by phone, Motaleb said a journalist had called him but that he did not know the caller. Asked what the bKash payment was for, he said he did not know.

A new nationwide online Reuters-Ipsos poll found US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 35 percent, according to a report published on August 4, 2026. The rating was 37 percent in the previous month’s survey, marking a decline of two percentage points over one month.

The report linked the decline to voter dissatisfaction with the handling of the economy and higher energy prices caused by the war with Iran. For the first time in nearly a decade, respondents viewed Democrats as more capable than Republicans of managing the economy. Political debate in the United States has also focused on Trump’s economic policies, inflation and energy costs.

The polling trend could concern Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, whose outcome may determine control of Congress for the following two years. Trump disputed the assessment of his popularity, saying his real polling results were better than at any previous time. In a Truth Social post, he said those results were not produced by what he called the fake news media.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has said it is not leaving the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance formed ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. In a report published on August 4, several senior NCP leaders said joint alliance programmes and regular meetings remain under way, and neither the alliance nor the party has discussed an exit. Jamaat and NCP both dismissed reports of an NCP departure as false rumours and fabricated propaganda.

The two parties said efforts were being made to create confusion and divisions while the alliance is conducting street-based movements over implementation of the July Charter, state reform and trials for killings. Alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad said NCP convener Nahid Islam had conveyed the same position to him. NCP leaders said the party wants to strengthen its own organisation while remaining in the alliance, including through July march programmes across the country down to the upazila level.

At a liaison committee meeting last Thursday at the opposition leader’s residence on Minto Road, the alliance decided to hold a major rally in Paltan on August 5 and announce further political programmes there. Discussions also continue over local government elections, with possible alliance-level accommodation still under consideration despite separate city corporation candidates.

A Dhaka tribunal has sentenced six young men to life imprisonment for the gang rape of two young women in the Shubhadya area of South Keraniganj four years ago. Judge Munshi Md. Moshiar Rahman of Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-4 delivered the verdict on Tuesday, August 4. State lawyer Md. Ershad Alam, known as George, confirmed the ruling.

The court also fined each convict Tk 100,000. It directed the Dhaka district magistrate to recover the fines by selling the convicts' movable and immovable property and provide the money to the victims' families. The convicted men are Rahul, Md. Diamond, Afsar Uddin Anim, Parvez Haque Palash, Minhaj alias Minhaj Abedin, and Minhaj alias Babu alias Minhaj Babu.

According to the case allegations, the women and friends had gone out for a birthday celebration on June 25, 2022. While seeking an autorickshaw after dining at Pankouri Restaurant, the accused allegedly blocked their way, assaulted them, and took them to a dark field at Rataner Khamar. Police later rescued the women. One victim's father filed the case on June 29, and the tribunal heard testimony from 12 witnesses.

The government will take legal action in line with a court directive if any media outlet broadcasts statements by ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister’s information adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman said. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he urged media organisations to comply with the court order and said the government would take necessary steps if it was violated.

Rahman said the government had previously warned the media on the issue. He said announcing in advance that Hasina’s statements would be published or broadcast would amount to disobeying the court order. Compliance with court directives is a constitutional duty for individuals and institutions, he said, while ensuring implementation of court decisions is the government’s responsibility. He added that, personally, he would not favour blocking her statements without a court restriction.

On Hasina’s recent announcement about returning to the country, Rahman said the government wants to bring her back and has sought her extradition from India. He said she is currently a death-sentenced accused and would be arrested if she returned, while being guaranteed legal rights including self-defence and appointing a lawyer. The government would accept the court’s final verdict, he said.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman urged citizens to submit detailed written complaints to relevant authorities rather than make broad allegations over excessive electricity and fuel bills. He made the appeal at a weekly briefing held Tuesday afternoon at the Department of Information conference room in the Secretariat. He said people with concerns about overbilling should first notify the nearest relevant authority in writing.

Rahman said complainants should also report specifically if an authority refuses to accept their submission or if they do not receive redress. He said similar complaints had been received previously, verified, and followed by necessary action. He stressed that citizens should clearly identify where a problem occurred and what type of problem they experienced.

The adviser said he had discussed the issue with the energy minister and that the Energy Ministry was interested in examining overbilling complaints seriously. He added that people may inform the authorities if they fail to lodge a complaint or if the relevant office declines to receive it. Rahman expressed hope that specific complaints would be verified and addressed through necessary measures.

The government has again warned media outlets to refrain from publishing news, statements or promotional material concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, described in the report as being in India. At a regular briefing at the Information Department conference room in the Secretariat on August 4, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said a court injunction bars promotional reporting about her. He said appropriate action would be taken if the restriction is violated.

Asked about reports that Hasina may deliver a speech on August 5, described as the date of the government’s fall and her departure, Zahed said newspapers had previously been instructed on broadcasting her statements. He said publishing reports that she would speak, or publicizing such a speech, would violate the court ruling and prompt government action.

Zahed said the government is not a court and is responsible for implementing court orders. He said anyone who believes blocking the broadcast of Hasina’s statements is wrong may challenge the ruling in court. Otherwise, he said, all institutions and individuals have a duty to comply with the order.

Chattogram Development Authority is preparing a new 25-year masterplan after about 80 percent of the city’s two previous plans remained unimplemented, according to the report published on August 4, 2026. CDA said 87 percent of work on the project had been completed. The proposal would combine the city’s 41 wards with five municipalities, two upazilas and parts of six other upazilas.

The 1961 and 1995 plans called for protecting hills, farmland, water bodies and green areas, while building roads, bus terminals and railway overbridges. Research and environmental groups cited in the report say about 120 hills have disappeared over three decades and 23,000 ponds have been lost in the past two decades. At least 500 buildings have been constructed over canals, the report said.

The plan is budgeted at Tk35.88 crore and proposes 276 projects across 19 sectors. It includes conservation of hills, water bodies and the Karnaphuli River, alongside a “One City Two Town” concept to reduce pressure on the city. Urban experts called for legal reforms, increased CDA staffing and coordination among agencies. CDA Chairman Belayet Hossain said all would be required to follow building laws and agencies would work in coordination.

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Saudi Aramco reported a 44% rise in profit in the second quarter of the year despite instability in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. In the three months from April to June, Aramco recorded net profit of $32.69 billion, according to information published on August 4. Higher prices for crude oil, refined fuels and chemical products played a major role in the profit increase.

Saudi Arabia’s oil-sector activity, however, declined during the same period. Official statistics showed the country’s oil-sector activity fell 24.7% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. As a result, Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product declined 4.8% in the second quarter.

The profit disclosure came as oil production and transport were being disrupted after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in the Gulf region was attacked. Yemen’s Houthi group also declared a blockade against Saudi Arabia in Bab al-Mandab, creating limits on use of the Saudi east-west pipeline extending to the Red Sea. Instability along both waterways has added pressure to global energy supplies.

Four RCC girder bridges have been built within about 200 yards in Naljuri village of Soair Union, on the Mohanganj-to-Adarsha Nagar road in Netrokona’s Mohanganj upazila. The bridges were constructed with World Bank and Bangladesh government funding under the LGED Program for Supporting Rural Bridges, SupRB. The report says there is no opportunity for water to pass beneath the structures. Nameplates show each bridge is 20 metres long, while work on three was completed in January-February 2024.

According to the nameplates, the contract value of three bridges totals about Tk7.58 crore. Including the estimated cost of the fourth bridge, total spending is about Tk8.58 crore. A site visit found approach roads on both sides but no river, canal or drain underneath; the areas remained dry even during the monsoon. Soil from a diversion or bypass road built during construction had also not been removed after two years.

LGED engineer Ikramul Haque said the bridges were built during the previous government and that he joined Mohanganj in 2025. Panel chairman Sohel Mia called for canal excavation, while ward member Swapan Mia said only one bridge carries some water during monsoon. Residents have demanded a prompt investigation, action against those responsible and proper use of public funds.

Police Constable Parvez Mia, 30, was killed after a truck carrying rice husk overturned onto a highway police pickup in Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj. The crash occurred around midnight on Monday at the Dariakandi bus stand area on the Bhairab-Kishoreganj regional highway. Parvez, who worked at Bhairab Highway Police Station, was from Habiganj Sadar upazila.

Witnesses and police said the pickup was travelling to respond to a reported CNG autorickshaw accident. Its driver stopped the vehicle by the roadside after one of its wheels developed a problem. A truck approaching from behind then lost control and overturned onto the pickup, trapping Parvez inside.

Local residents and a Fire Service team began rescue work soon after the crash and recovered Parvez's body from beneath the truck. Bhairab Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Suman Kumar Chowdhury confirmed the incident, describing it as an unexpected and tragic accident. He said the highway police family was deeply saddened by the death.

Farhad Hossain, a second-year history student at the University of Chittagong, was killed after being shot in the head during a quota reform protest in Magura on August 4. A resident of Raynagar village in Sreepur upazila, Farhad joined the protest in Magura after being unable to travel to Dhaka. Gunfire began against protesters near Parnanduali Bridge on the Dhaka-Magura highway. He was taken to hospital and declared dead, then buried that night at Raynagar cemetery.

His family said Farhad hoped to become a university teacher and spent much of his time attending classes, studying in the library and worshipping. Before leaving, he told his elder brother, “Let’s go, brother, and become martyrs.” His final request was for his phone and body to be delivered to his mother. His brother Golam Kibria said their mother, Shirina Begum, was devastated by the news.

A murder case was filed at Magura Sadar police station on August 21, 2024, naming 69 people, including two former members of parliament. Nearly two years later, no charge sheet has been filed. Police said the investigation remains underway to identify actual accused and prevent harassment of innocent people. The family seeks swift and fair justice.