Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC  — Artificial intelligence could give developing countries a rare opportunity to accelerate economic growth, improve public services and address long-standing development challenges, according to the World Bank’s World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence.

The report examines the potential impact of artificial intelligence on 5.6 billion people living in low- and middle-income countries and argues that developing economies do not need to build the world’s most advanced AI systems to benefit from the technology. Instead, the World Bank recommends that countries follow a three-part approach: adopt, adapt and advance.

The report says developing countries can begin by adopting existing AI tools in areas such as health care, agriculture, education and government services. They can then adapt those technologies to local languages, institutions, data and development needs.

AI-powered tools are already helping farmers improve weather-related decisions, supporting medical screening and assisting teachers in preparing educational materials, according to the World Bank.

The institution warns, however, that the benefits of AI will not be automatic. Reliable infrastructure, digital connectivity, education, skills, strong institutions and access to relevant data will be essential if developing economies are to translate AI adoption into higher productivity and broader prosperity.

The report also highlights the risk of a widening global AI divide. A small number of countries and companies currently dominate advanced AI models, semiconductor production and data-center infrastructure, potentially creating new forms of technological dependence.

For most developing economies, the World Bank says building frontier AI models from scratch is unlikely to be a realistic near-term strategy because of the enormous costs involved in computing infrastructure, data and specialized talent.

Instead, countries should focus on practical applications that expand access to expertise and improve productivity while building the infrastructure and skills needed for deeper participation in the AI economy.

The World Bank describes the rapid spread of AI as a historic opportunity for developing economies, noting that AI is spreading faster than earlier general-purpose technologies such as electricity and the internet.

The report argues that strategic adoption and adaptation could allow developing countries to capture significant economic and social gains without having to compete directly with the world’s largest technology companies in developing frontier AI systems.

AMMAN/WASHINGTON DC — Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles toward a military base in Jordan used by U.S. forces on Wednesday, escalating an already widening confrontation with Washington following the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers by the United States.

Jordanian authorities said their air defenses intercepted 18 of the 20 Iranian missiles launched toward the kingdom. The remaining two missiles fell in unpopulated areas, according to Jordanian officials. A U.S. official said American military personnel in Jordan were accounted for following the attack. There were no immediate reports of U.S. casualties.

Iran said the missile attack was carried out in retaliation for recent U.S. military strikes against Iranian oil tankers. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that Tehran will intensify its response to further American attacks.

The target was the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Al-Azraq in eastern Jordan, a strategically important facility that hosts U.S. military personnel and aircraft. The base has played a significant role in American military operations in the region.

The missile attack was part of a broader escalation on Wednesday. Iran also said it had attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including oil tankers, after the United States destroyed five Iranian tankers. Washington has disputed Iranian claims that U.S. naval vessels were hit.

The latest exchange marks one of the most significant escalations in the six-month-old U.S.-Iran conflict. The confrontation has increasingly spread beyond Iran and the United States, drawing neighboring countries and international shipping into the crisis.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the escalation. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments, and renewed attacks on commercial vessels have raised fears of major disruptions to global energy supplies.

The developments have already shaken international energy markets. Brent crude rose sharply on Wednesday, with prices moving above the $100-a-barrel level amid fears that the fighting could disrupt oil production and shipping in the Gulf.

The United States has said its military operations against Iranian vessels were carried out in response to attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on an American warship. Iran, meanwhile, has threatened further retaliation and warned that the area of restricted maritime activity around the Strait of Hormuz could be expanded.

The latest missile attack on Jordan raises concerns that the conflict could increasingly involve U.S. military facilities and American allies across the Middle East, increasing the risk of a broader regional war.

With Iran threatening further retaliation and the United States continuing military operations against Iranian targets, governments across the region are closely monitoring the situation for signs of another major escalation.

Shibbir Ahmed, NEW YORK — Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel on Wednesday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran raised fresh concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies and shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose above the $100 mark as investors reacted to the widening confrontation in the Middle East. The surge reflects growing fears that continued military escalation could threaten oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.

The latest increase came amid heightened tensions following U.S. military action involving Iranian oil tankers and Iran’s subsequent missile attacks toward a U.S.-used military facility in Jordan.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a central focus of the crisis. A prolonged disruption in the waterway could have significant consequences for global oil markets because a substantial share of the world’s petroleum shipments passes through the narrow strategic corridor.

Higher crude prices are also raising concerns about renewed inflationary pressure. A sustained increase in energy costs could push up prices for gasoline, transportation and other goods, potentially complicating efforts by central banks to control inflation.

Financial markets have responded cautiously to the escalation. Investors are closely watching developments between Washington and Tehran for signs that the conflict could expand further or threaten critical energy infrastructure and shipping routes. The rise above $100 a barrel represents a major psychological threshold for global energy markets and underscores the economic risks posed by the widening U.S.-Iran confrontation.

Analysts say oil prices could remain volatile as long as uncertainty persists over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of further military escalation in the region.

VIENNA— The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors on Wednesday referred Iran to the United Nations Security Council for the first time in 20 years, citing Tehran’s failure to cooperate with a long-running investigation into uranium traces discovered at undeclared sites.

The resolution, introduced by the United States, Britain, France and Germany, was approved by the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors with 23 votes in favor. China, Russia and Niger voted against it, while eight countries abstained and one country did not vote.

The decision marks a significant escalation in international pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities. The IAEA has been unable to fully verify Iran’s nuclear material and activities at several sites, particularly following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Western governments have expressed concern that uranium traces found at previously undeclared locations could indicate that Iran conducted undisclosed nuclear activities in the past. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons and maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

The referral to the Security Council could expose Iran to renewed international pressure, including possible sanctions. However, immediate punitive action by the council is considered difficult because Russia and China, both permanent members of the Security Council, have veto power and have opposed the measure.

Iran strongly rejected the IAEA resolution. Iran’s representative to the agency, Reza Najafi, described the decision as politically motivated and accused the IAEA of undermining its own independence and credibility. Iran has also argued that continuing military operations and attacks on its nuclear facilities have made it impossible for international inspectors to safely access some sites.

The IAEA estimates that Iran had approximately 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity before the attacks on its nuclear facilities. Uranium enriched to that level is below weapons-grade material, which is generally considered to be about 90%, but is technically much closer to weapons-grade enrichment than the level required for civilian nuclear power.

IAEA officials have stressed that the size of Iran’s enriched-uranium stockpile does not by itself establish that Tehran possesses or is developing a nuclear weapon. The Security Council referral comes amid a broader escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States and Israel, adding a major diplomatic dimension to the ongoing conflict and increasing international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program.

SHibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has captured a U.S. unmanned underwater vehicle near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, in the latest development in the escalating confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian state media identified the vessel as a Dive-LD, a large autonomous underwater vehicle manufactured by California-based defense company Anduril. The approximately 19-foot (5.8-meter) unmanned submersible is designed for missions including seabed mapping, mine detection, intelligence gathering and inspection of underwater infrastructure. The IRGC described the operation as a complex intelligence and military mission and claimed that Iranian forces had “trapped” one of the most advanced unmanned submarines operated by the United States.

However, the U.S. military gave a significantly different account of the incident. A Pentagon spokesperson acknowledged that a U.S. underwater drone had been lost, but said the vehicle had malfunctioned more than a day earlier while surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations. According to the Pentagon, the drone was an older model and did not carry classified sonar or radar equipment or collect sensitive data.

Anduril also confirmed the loss of one of its underwater vehicles and emphasized that the Dive-LD was designed to operate in dangerous environments where losing the vehicle was considered a possibility.

Reuters said it could not independently verify Iran’s claim that it had captured the vehicle through a deliberate intelligence operation. The Dive-LD can reportedly operate for up to 10 days and is designed to reach depths of approximately 6,000 meters (19,700 feet). The system is part of the U.S. military’s growing use of autonomous underwater and surface vessels for surveillance, mine detection and other missions without putting American personnel directly at risk.

The incident comes as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise. Commercial shipping through the strategic waterway has fallen sharply amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran confrontation, while oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel amid fears of further disruption to global energy supplies.

Shibbir Ahmed, United Nations, New York: Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has assumed the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, pledging to prioritize dialogue, cooperation, rebuilding trust and meaningful reform of the world body. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday ahead of the formal opening of the 81st session, Rahman said the multilateral system is facing unprecedented pressure and a growing deficit of trust.

Against this backdrop, he stressed the importance of finding common ground among countries despite their differences and pursuing solutions through dialogue and cooperation. According to the United Nations, Rahman was elected president of the General Assembly on June 2, 2026, and formally took office on September 8. He will preside over the 193-member General Assembly for the next year. The theme of the 81st session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Rahman acknowledged that many international disputes cannot be resolved quickly. However, he said disagreements should not prevent countries from identifying areas of common interest and working together. He said his presidency would remain firmly grounded in the UN Charter and the mandates entrusted to the organization by its member states. He also emphasized that global challenges can be addressed more effectively when countries work collectively and seek solutions through dialogue rather than confrontation.

UN Reform a Key Priority

Meaningful reform of the United Nations will be one of the central priorities of Rahman’s presidency. He said deeper reform is necessary to make the world body more effective and better prepared to respond to the challenges of the future. According to Rahman, public confidence in the United Nations has declined, making it necessary to strengthen the organization not only for the present but also for the generations ahead.

His broader agenda for the 81st session includes peace and security, progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, climate and environmental protection, human rights, governance of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, and reform of the United Nations. Rahman also pledged continued support for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ reform efforts.

Giving Greater Space to Voices Beyond Governments

Rahman also called for greater participation in UN affairs by civil society, the media, academics, industry and innovation communities. Referring to the opening words of the UN Charter, “We the peoples of the United Nations,” he said the organization should not be viewed solely as an institution of member states.

He stressed the need to create greater opportunities for people from different sectors to contribute their views and participate in the work of the United Nations. While “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation” remains the central theme of his presidency, Rahman said making the United Nations fit for the future would also be a major objective.

Pledge to Keep Rohingya Voices Heard

Responding to a question about how the United Nations can represent stateless populations, particularly the Rohingya, Rahman said the concept of “the peoples of the United Nations” should not be restricted by nationality or legal status.

Drawing on his previous experience as Bangladesh’s High Representative on Rohingya Issues, he said he had witnessed firsthand the suffering of forcibly displaced Rohingyas and their strong desire to return to their homeland.

Recalling a visit by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rahman said refugees had repeatedly expressed their desire to return home. He said Bangladesh had helped bring the voices of the Rohingya to the United Nations and pledged to continue raising their concerns during his presidency.

Dialogue During High-Level Week

Rahman described the presence of world leaders at the upcoming high-level week as an important opportunity to promote dialogue and diplomacy. The General Debate of the 81st General Assembly is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28, bringing together heads of state and government and senior representatives from around the world.

Rahman expressed hope that world leaders would use their addresses to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy as means of resolving conflicts and reaffirm their commitments to development, human well-being and human rights. He said the presidency would review the priorities outlined by world leaders and seek areas that could form the basis of a common agenda.

“I Will Be President for All Countries”

Rahman emphasized that, as president of the General Assembly, he would represent all member states, regardless of whether they supported his election. He also addressed the selection of the next UN secretary-general, saying he would remain faithful to the process established by the UN Charter.

Under the Charter, the Security Council recommends a candidate for secretary-general and the General Assembly makes the appointment. Rahman said he would work closely with member states and the president of the Security Council to facilitate the process and ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

The 80th session of the General Assembly concluded at UN Headquarters on September 8, followed by Rahman’s formal assumption of the presidency of the 81st session. His election marks Bangladesh’s return to the presidency of the General Assembly after four decades. Former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Humayun Rashid Choudhury presided over the 41st session in 1986-87.

Rahman, who first attended the United Nations as a member of Bangladesh’s delegation in 1985, described his return to the organization four decades later as a remarkable moment, while noting how dramatically the world has changed during the intervening years.

As president of the 81st session, Rahman will seek to promote dialogue in a deeply divided world, rebuild confidence in multilateralism and help make the United Nations more effective in confronting the challenges of the future.

TEHRAN — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Wednesday that it launched a missile attack against a U.S.-linked military base in Jordan, escalating tensions after American forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. The latest exchange marks another sharp escalation in the six-month-old U.S.-Iran war, with the conflict increasingly threatening regional security and global energy supplies.

Iran said its missile strike targeted the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan, which hosts U.S. military assets. Iranian state media reported that the operation damaged maintenance and repair facilities, aircraft deployment areas and shelters. Those damage claims could not immediately be independently verified. Jordan’s military said it intercepted 18 ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward the kingdom. No casualties were immediately reported.

The Iranian attack came after U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday. The U.S. military said the crews were ordered to abandon the vessels before they were struck. The operation followed an Iranian attack targeting a U.S. Navy warship. Iranian officials had previously warned that American military bases in the region would be targeted if Washington attacked Iranian oil tankers.

Iran has also threatened to target oil tankers operating near U.S.-allied Kuwait and Bahrain. The threats have heightened fears of further disruption to commercial shipping across the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway has become a major flashpoint in the conflict. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply, raising concerns about global oil and gas supplies. Reuters reported Wednesday that only six commodity vessels transited the strait on Tuesday, well below the recent average.

The escalation has also pushed oil prices higher. Brent crude approached $100 a barrel on Wednesday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude traded above $94 a barrel as markets assessed the risk of further supply disruptions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Washington will continue responding to Iranian attacks. The latest U.S. strikes on Iranian tankers were described by American officials as retaliation for attacks on U.S. naval forces.

Iranian state media also claimed that the Revolutionary Guard had attacked two U.S. destroyers with ballistic missiles. The claim had not been independently confirmed by the U.S. military and should be treated as an Iranian claim.

The latest confrontation comes as both sides remain locked in a wider struggle over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. With Iran threatening further attacks on shipping and U.S. forces continuing operations against Iranian assets, concerns are growing that the conflict could expand further across the Middle East and place additional pressure on global energy markets.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC: President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order changing how certain authorities under the Defense Production Act are delegated, giving both the Interior and Energy secretaries independent authority over energy-related matters.

The White House announced the order on September 8, saying it amends an earlier executive order governing national defense resource preparedness and updates delegations of presidential authority under the Defense Production Act.

Under the new order, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy may independently exercise delegated authority over forms of energy under their respective purviews. Previously, those responsibilities were delegated to the Energy secretary.

The order also establishes a process for resolving disputes between the two departments. Energy-related disputes will generally be referred first to the National Energy Dominance Council. If a matter involves national defense infrastructure or military operations, it will also be referred to the National Security Council, with coordination involving the Department of War.

Trump’s order further gives the Interior, Commerce and Energy secretaries independent authority to exercise certain presidential powers under the Defense Production Act.

The changes are part of the administration’s broader effort to reorganize federal authority over energy resources and strengthen coordination between energy policy and national security.

The Defense Production Act gives the president broad powers to support national defense by influencing the production, allocation and distribution of critical resources. The law has also been used to strengthen domestic supply chains for strategically important materials and industries.

The White House said the latest order must be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The administration previously adjusted Defense Production Act delegations in March, when Trump gave the Energy secretary independent authority alongside the Commerce secretary over certain powers under the law.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC: President Donald Trump honored the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the first responders who risked their lives to save others as the United States prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.

Trump held a remembrance ceremony Tuesday at the Ellipse outside the White House, bringing together firefighters, police officers, first responders, Gold Star families and representatives of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

A 21-foot steel beam recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center’s South Tower was displayed during the ceremony. The beam is part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s “Steel Across America” initiative, which is taking pieces of the World Trade Center to communities across the country. Trump paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the attacks and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to remembering those who lost their lives.

The president also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, who helped save numerous people during the attacks and became known as the “Man in the Red Bandana.” Members of Crowther’s family accepted the nation’s highest civilian honor on his behalf.

Trump also announced that a new U.S. Coast Guard fast-response cutter would be named after Jeffrey Palazzo, a New York firefighter and Coast Guard reservist who was killed in the September 11 attacks.

The White House said Trump and Vice President JD Vance will visit sites connected to the September 11 attacks on Friday, the 25th anniversary, to honor the victims and meet with their families.

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York, another struck the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, which profoundly changed U.S. national security policy and shaped American foreign policy for decades. The anniversary ceremony comes as the country continues to remember the victims, first responders and ordinary Americans whose actions on that day became part of the history of the United States.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC: President Donald Trump has ordered new restrictions blocking the import of certain Canadian products into the United States, escalating the growing trade dispute between Washington and Ottawa.

Under proclamations issued on September 8, 2026, the United States will prohibit imports of specified Canadian dairy products, alcoholic beverages and motor vehicles, with the new restrictions taking effect September 29. The White House said the measures are intended to respond to what it describes as continued Canadian discrimination against U.S. commerce.

The move comes as Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods, with duties ranging from 15% to 50%. The measures mark another major escalation in the trade dispute between the two longtime allies.

The latest U.S. action goes beyond tariffs by completely excluding certain Canadian products from the U.S. market. The White House says that if any part of the import ban is invalidated, the previously imposed 50% tariff would apply instead to the affected products.

The dispute has also widened beyond tariffs. Trump has threatened additional action against Canadian companies, including aircraft manufacturer Bombardier, while Canada has signaled that it intends to diversify its trade relationships and reduce its dependence on the U.S. market.

The escalating measures are raising concerns about the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the economic relationship between the two countries.