FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro quits over World Cup rights sale proposal

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned from office after citing serious health concerns that he said were preventing him from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. The 76-year-old announced that he had recently been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy, a medical condition that occasionally causes sudden loss of consciousness. He said continuing in office had become increasingly difficult because of his health and that stepping down was in the country’s best interest. Shahabuddin had been serving as Bangladesh’s president since April 2023. While the presidency is largely a ceremonial position, the office plays an important constitutional role as the country’s head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Following his resignation, the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) will assume the responsibilities of acting president until parliament elects a new head of state under constitutional procedures. His resignation comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh, which has undergone major political changes since the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. The country’s political landscape has since shifted significantly, with the Awami League facing legal restrictions and many of its leaders confronting legal challenges or remaining out of public view. Shahabuddin had been elected president in 2023 with the backing of the Awami League. His departure means another major political figure associated with the former ruling party has left public office during Bangladesh’s ongoing political transition. The government is now expected to begin the constitutional process of electing a new president. Until then, the acting president will perform all official duties to ensure the continuity of state affairs. Political observers say the selection of Bangladesh’s next president will be closely watched, as it comes during a period of political uncertainty and institutional reforms. The new appointment is expected to play an important symbolic role as the country prepares for future political and constitutional developments. In his resignation statement, Shahabuddin thanked the people of Bangladesh for their trust and support during his tenure. He expressed hope that the country would continue on a path of peace, democratic stability and economic progress despite the current political challenges.

JAKARTA: Indonesian rescue teams have evacuated 172 people after a passenger ferry travelling from Bali to Lombok caught fire in the Lombok Strait early Wednesday. Officials said one Indonesian passenger was confirmed dead as rescue crews continued searching the surrounding waters for anyone who may still be missing. The KM Putri Yasmin was sailing from Padangbai port in Bali towards Lembar port in West Nusa Tenggara when the incident occurred. Local rescue authorities said the ferry caught fire at around 4:39am local time. Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the local rescue agency, said emergency teams immediately launched an evacuation operation after receiving information about the incident. Several rescue boats were sent to the area to assist passengers and coordinate with other vessels operating near the ferry. More than 200 personnel were reportedly involved in the rescue effort. Most of those rescued were Indonesian nationals, while one Australian citizen was also among the survivors. The evacuees were transported to ports in Bali and Lombok for further assistance. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire. Officials were also investigating whether the ferry may have been carrying more people than officially registered. An official at Padangbai port, Heri Wiyanto, said the vessel’s manifest listed 114 passengers and 17 crew members. The discrepancy between the registered figures and the number of people rescued has raised questions about passenger safety and possible overcrowding. The incident comes less than a month after another ferry accident in Indonesian waters. The KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire off Madura island, killing five people. That vessel was also reportedly carrying more passengers than listed on its official manifest. Indonesia depends heavily on ferries because its thousands of islands are separated by extensive stretches of sea. Ferry services are widely used by residents and tourists because they are generally more accessible and affordable than air travel. However, a series of maritime accidents has repeatedly raised concerns about safety enforcement, passenger capacity and emergency preparedness in the country’s ferry industry. Rescue officials said the search operation would continue as authorities work to establish the full number of people who were aboard the vessel and determine how the fire began.