Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals who knowingly engage in or facilitate commercial “birth tourism” to the United States. Under the policy, announced September 23, the State Department said it will use Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict visa issuance to people involved in commercial birth-tourism operations. The policy specifically targets owners, operators and managers of birth-tourism networks, visa “fixers” who coach applicants to commit fraud, foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate such travel, and others who knowingly support or enable the practice.

Rubio said foreign commercial birth-tourism networks have exploited the U.S. immigration system by charging large sums of money to arrange births in the United States for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for children. The statement also accused some networks of coaching foreign nationals to provide false information on visa applications and of facilitating fraudulent use of Medicaid.

“The Trump Administration is using every tool at our disposal to defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship, protect American public benefits and U.S. taxpayers from exploitation, and safeguard our national security,” Rubio said in the statement.

The State Department has already prohibited birth tourism as a permissible purpose for a U.S. visitor visa. Its current visitor-visa guidance defines birth tourism as travel to the United States primarily to give birth so that the child obtains U.S. citizenship, and states that such travel is not permissible on a visitor visa.

The department previously introduced specific rules addressing birth tourism in 2020. Under those rules, consular officers were directed to deny B-visa applications when they had reason to believe an applicant’s primary purpose for traveling to the United States was to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.

The newly announced policy goes beyond the individual seeking to travel for birth tourism by specifically targeting people and organizations that facilitate or profit from the practice. According to Rubio’s statement, certain family members of individuals covered by the restrictions may also be subject to the new visa restrictions.

The announcement comes as the State Department has continued to expand visa screening and vetting measures. On September 18, the department announced that, effective October 1, online-presence review would be expanded to additional nonimmigrant visa categories, saying the screening process is intended to identify applicants who may be inadmissible or who fail to establish eligibility for the visa requested.

The new birth-tourism policy is being implemented under existing provisions of U.S. immigration law rather than through a change to the statutory citizenship rules themselves. The announcement specifically concerns visa restrictions on people involved in or facilitating commercial birth tourism.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland aimed at strengthening defense cooperation in the Arctic, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined Trump for the signing ceremony. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also present as the agreement was signed.

The agreement amends and supplements the existing 1951 U.S.-Denmark defense agreement concerning Greenland. It reaffirms the parties’ defense cooperation and provides for expanded U.S. military access and activities in Greenland.

Under the agreement, the United States will be allowed to modernize and expand activities at Pituffik Space Base and establish additional defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, subject to arrangements between the parties. The agreement also provides a framework for establishing additional defense areas in Greenland through consultations and mutual agreement.

The agreement gives U.S. forces specified rights of access and movement in Greenland, including access by land, air and sea between defense areas. It also establishes provisions concerning U.S. aircraft and public vessels operating in Greenland and its territorial waters.

The three parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation on Arctic security, including through greater NATO engagement, planning, military presence, exercises and intelligence gathering.

The agreement includes provisions restricting non-NATO states from establishing military installations or maintaining a persistent military presence in Greenland unless otherwise agreed by the parties. It also contains restrictions related to certain foreign investments and activities considered potential threats to national security or public order.

The document reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and recognizes the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination under international law. It also states that the agreement has no end date and can be amended only by mutual consent under the existing defense framework.

The White House described the agreement as a major step in strengthening U.S. security interests in the Arctic. The signing took place as world leaders gathered in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The agreement was signed in New York on September 22, 2026, in English, Danish and Greenlandic. It will enter into force after the required parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland are completed and the United States receives the necessary diplomatic notification.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday reconvened members of her Fostering the Future Together initiative in New York during the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, announcing new technology partnerships, international events and an expansion of the coalition to 57 participating countries.

The gathering brought together representatives from countries including the United Kingdom, South Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Canada, according to the White House.

“Together, we are a beautiful range of cultures, languages, histories, and traditions,” Trump said. “And yet, we stand unified around one everlasting truth: the future of our world will be determined by what we do for our children today.”

Fostering the Future Together is described by the White House as a global coalition focused on empowering children through technology and education. Trump said the initiative is intended to provide young people with opportunities to learn, create and develop skills for the future.

New International Events Announced

Trump announced several Fostering the Future Together events planned for 2026.

They include a G20 event in Miami, which Trump plans to host, an ASEAN conference in Manila hosted by Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, a European regional meeting hosted by Polish First Lady Marta Nawrocka, and a Caribbean regional meeting hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis First Lady Diani Prince-Drew. “These leaders have stepped forward to activate their regions,” Trump said, adding that the initiative would provide support for their efforts.

Technology Partnerships

The First Lady also announced new private-sector partnerships involving Adobe, Amazon, Intel, Starlink, Google and Zoom. The companies are being brought into the initiative as part of its focus on expanding children’s access to technology and education. Tim Cook, executive chairman of Apple, and Enrique Lores, CEO of HP, also attended the gathering, according to the White House.

Trump emphasized that access to technology alone does not constitute empowerment and called for young people to be taught how to use technological tools responsibly and effectively.

“We must give our children the tools—and teach them how to use those tools wisely,” she said.

Focus on Technology and Education

In her remarks, Trump highlighted the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other technologies, describing the current period as a major technological transformation. She cited technologies including artificial intelligence, video communications, mobile computing, autonomous vehicles, virtual environments and biometric identification as examples of technologies that have moved from the realm of science fiction into everyday life.

She also called on participating countries and technology companies to help young people develop the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“Our Fostering the Future Together coalition must strive to empower the youth of our nations to bend the boundaries of imagination, explore new frontiers of intellect, have the courage to take calculated risks, and build toward advancement of society,” Trump said.

Coalition Expands to 57 Countries

The White House said the initiative now includes 57 participating nations. Trump said the coalition’s long-term purpose is to create opportunities for children regardless of where they are born. Fostering the Future Together was announced during the 80th UN General Assembly in 2025. According to the White House, Trump subsequently convened the initiative’s inaugural Global Coalition Summit in Washington in spring 2026, bringing together first spouses and technology-sector leaders.

The latest gathering took place during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in New York. The United Nations says the general debate of the 81st session is being held from September 22 to 26 and again on September 28.

Trump said the initiative’s success should ultimately be measured by its impact on future generations rather than by the meetings and speeches themselves. “Years from now, our children may not remember the meetings we held or the speeches we gave. But they will live with the consequences of what we do here,” she said.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — U.S. President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to defend his administration’s military actions abroad, warn Iran of further escalation if it does not reach a peace agreement, and call for an end to the war in Ukraine. In a roughly 37-minute address at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump outlined his foreign-policy priorities, including Iran, Ukraine, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, artificial intelligence and reform of the United Nations.

Trump strongly defended the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, saying the operation had prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He warned that the United States could “annihilate” Iran if a peace agreement is not reached, while also saying he believes a deal could be reached after the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3.

“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to,” Trump said. Trump also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war, saying the United States was working with both Moscow and Kyiv and expressing confidence that a settlement could be reached.

“We will get that one done,” Trump said, adding that an agreement could come sooner than many people expect. The president also highlighted U.S. actions in Venezuela and the wider Western Hemisphere. He said Washington would not allow threats against the United States to establish a foothold in the region and said the country would use its military power when necessary to protect what he described as vital U.S. national interests.

On Cuba, Trump described the country as a failed state and said his administration was seeking fundamental political change there. “Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba,” he said. Members of the Cuban delegation walked out of the General Assembly hall while Trump was discussing Cuba, Reuters reported.

Trump also criticized Mexico over drug-cartel violence and described the fight against cartels as a major U.S. security priority. He said his administration had carried out strikes against cartel groups and argued that the United States needed to take stronger action against organizations it considers terrorist threats.

Artificial intelligence was another major theme of the speech. Trump said his administration would use the term “super intelligence” rather than artificial intelligence in official communications and argued against international restrictions that could limit technological development.

He said the United States was leading China and other countries in the AI race and argued that AI could become more transformative than the Industrial Revolution. Trump also renewed his criticism of the International Criminal Court, urging member countries to withdraw and arguing that the court should not have jurisdiction over U.S. military personnel.

Turning to the United Nations itself, Trump said the organization had significant potential but called for further reforms, including reductions in bureaucracy and spending. He criticized what he described as the influence of “globalist bureaucrats” and said the United States would continue pushing for changes at international institutions.

The speech comes as world leaders gather in New York amid continuing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, uncertainty over global economic conditions and growing debate over the international governance of artificial intelligence. The UN’s 81st General Assembly general debate runs from Sept. 22 through Sept. 28.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday announced an expansion of her Fostering the Future Together initiative, bringing together representatives from 57 countries and unveiling new international events and private-sector technology partnerships focused on children’s education and access to technology. The announcement came during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Trump reconvened members of the coalition and welcomed representatives from countries including the United Kingdom, South Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Canada.

“Together, we are a beautiful range of cultures, languages, histories, and traditions. And yet, we stand unified around one everlasting truth: the future of our world will be determined by what we do for our children today,” Trump said.

Fostering the Future Together was launched by Trump during the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025 as a global coalition aimed at promoting children’s education, technology access and digital safety. The White House says the initiative focuses on the use of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to support children, educators and parents while addressing online risks.

The coalition held its inaugural two-day global summit in Washington in March, bringing together first spouses or equivalent leaders from 45 countries and technology-sector representatives. The White House described the gathering as the largest international assembly of its kind hosted by a U.S. first lady at the White House.

At Tuesday’s event, Trump announced several upcoming regional and international gatherings. They include a G20 event to be hosted by Trump in Miami in December, an ASEAN conference hosted by Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in Manila, a European regional meeting hosted by Polish First Lady Marta Nawrocka, and a Caribbean regional meeting hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis First Lady Diani Prince-Drew.

“When nations speak with one voice, the world listens. Our collective influence is profound. Together, we can open doors, move markets, shape policy. And most importantly, we can change lives for the better,” Trump said.

The initiative is also expanding its cooperation with the technology sector. The U.S. State Department said Monday that seven technology companies — Adobe, Amazon, Google, Intel, N50, Starlink and Zoom — had announced partnerships involving more than 15 countries to expand educational and technological opportunities for children and young people.

Amazon separately said it is supporting the coalition with AI-powered learning tools and digital-skills initiatives for students. Trump said access to technology by itself was not enough and called for children to be taught how to use new technologies responsibly.

“Access alone is not empowerment. We must give our children the tools—and teach them how to use those tools wisely,” she said. She cited artificial intelligence, video communications, mobile computing, self-driving vehicles, virtual environments and biometric identification as examples of technologies that are increasingly part of everyday life.

The coalition’s stated focus includes four areas: AI in education, education technology, online protection and digital skills, according to the State Department. Trump urged participating first spouses and leaders to work together despite differences among their countries. “Years from now, our children may not remember the meetings we held or the speeches we gave. But they will live with the consequences of what we do here,” she said.

She added that the coalition should seek to help young people expand their imagination, explore new areas of knowledge, take calculated risks and contribute to the advancement of society. The White House says Fostering the Future Together has no membership fees and that participating countries are responsible for any indirect costs associated with their own engagements, including travel.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman today joined a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for world leaders and their spouses attending the 81st UN General Assembly. They attended the breakfast at the North Delegates Lounge of the UN Headquarters here at 8:00 am (New Work time). The event marked the beginning of the Prime Minister’s busy official engagements at the United Nations during his visit to New York to attend the UNGA session.

After the breakfast, the Prime Minister will join the opening segment of the 81st UNGA session at the General Assembly Hall at 9am local time, where heads of state and government from different countries will be present.

According to his schedule, Tarique Rahman will address the general debate of the session on September 24. It will be his maiden address to the United Nations as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and he is scheduled to deliver the speech in Bangla, in line with the country’s tradition. On the sidelines of the UNGA session, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral and courtesy meetings with several heads of government and leaders of international organisations.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — President Donald Trump offered high praise for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday, putting aside past political hostility during a closed-door meeting at Gracie Mansion. The roughly one-hour meeting focused on key municipal challenges, including federal immigration policies and a massive proposed affordable housing project.

The encounter marked a striking shift from the bitter rhetoric of the mayoral campaign, when Trump heavily criticized Mamdani. However, following their third face-to-face meeting—and the first hosted on the mayor’s turf ahead of the United Nations General Assembly—the two leaders struck a remarkably cordial tone.

Speaking to reporters at a joint press conference on the lawn of the mayor’s official residence, Trump expressed optimism about the city’s leadership. “Hopefully, you’re going to be a great mayor,” Trump said, addressing Mamdani directly. “I can say you’re going to be a great mayor, and you’re off to a start. … He’s certainly got potential, great potential.”

For his part, Mayor Mamdani acknowledged their clear political differences, particularly regarding federal immigration enforcement, but emphasized his commitment to pragmatic cooperation. Mamdani noted that he voiced his strong stance on keeping immigrant New Yorkers safe, while also advancing discussions on a major proposal to construct 12,000 new homes above a Queens rail yard.

“The president and I have been very frank about the many disagreements we have,” Mamdani told reporters, while affirming that maintaining open channels of communication remains essential for delivering results for the city. The meeting also touched on broader national matters, with Trump addressing media policy questions during the appearance.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration, challenging the decision to bar their journalists from the White House. The three news organizations filed the lawsuit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that the administration’s action violates constitutional protections for freedom of the press. They are seeking an emergency order that would restore their journalists’ access to the White House while the case proceeds.

The dispute began after the White House announced Friday that journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer be allowed on White House grounds. Their reporters were subsequently denied entry and had their press credentials disabled or confiscated. In their legal challenge, the three organizations argue that their access was revoked because the administration objected to their reporting. They also argue that the government acted without adequate notice or due process and violated their First Amendment rights.

President Trump has defended the restrictions, saying the administration is targeting what he describes as “fake news” rather than the free press. The White House has argued that the outlets can continue reporting on the administration even though their access to the White House has been restricted.

The case has also affected the White House press pool. CNN had been scheduled to provide video coverage for the television pool during Trump’s trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The pool subsequently announced that it would not provide replacement coverage after CNN was prevented from carrying out its assignment.

Other major television networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, have suspended their participation in the White House video pool in response to the dispute, according to Reuters. The lawsuit now places the dispute over White House press access before a federal court, which could determine whether the administration can exclude the three news organizations under the circumstances at issue.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States, Japan and South Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea while calling for the resumption of dialogue with Pyongyang.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week. In a joint statement released September 21, the three countries also pledged to strengthen cooperation on regional security, economic resilience and emerging technologies.

The three ministers reiterated their opposition to support that generates revenue for North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. At the same time, they said the path to dialogue remains open and called on Pyongyang to return to negotiations.

Washington, Tokyo and Seoul also welcomed international efforts to monitor North Korea’s violations and evasion of UN sanctions. They highlighted cooperation against North Korean cyber threats and activities involving North Korean IT workers. The statement also addressed humanitarian issues, including abductees, detainees, unrepatriated prisoners of war and separated families.

Focus on Economic Security

Economic security was another major topic of the trilateral meeting. The three countries said they would work to strengthen free and transparent trade and protect critical supply chains. They agreed to enhance their trilateral Supply Chain Early Warning System and welcomed a new consultation mechanism on economic security.

The countries also discussed energy security, including greater regional cooperation and increased oil stockpiles. They said they would advance implementation of a July 7 trilateral agreement aimed at accelerating small modular reactor deployments while maintaining nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation standards. The three governments further pledged cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, digital infrastructure, biotechnology and semiconductors.

Taiwan Strait and Regional Security

The United States reiterated its defense commitments to Japan and South Korea, including extended deterrence commitments. The three ministers also stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They called for peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

They also reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation and overflight and lawful commerce in the Indo-Pacific and globally, consistent with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The statement also announced trilateral cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to combat organized crime, particularly scam centers in Southeast Asia. The three countries agreed to continue cooperation on maritime security, law enforcement, disaster relief and Arctic issues. The ministers concluded by committing to continue trilateral meetings and strengthen cooperation at regional and global levels.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — The U.S. Department of State is expanding its online presence screening program to three additional categories of nonimmigrant visa applicants, requiring certain foreign nationals to make their social media profiles publicly accessible as part of the visa vetting process.

Beginning October 1, 2026, the expanded screening will apply to applicants for I, TN and TD visas, according to a State Department announcement issued September 18. Applicants in these categories will be instructed to set the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public” or “open” to facilitate the review.

The I visa is used by representatives of foreign media, including members of the press, radio, film and print industries who travel temporarily to the United States to work in their profession. TN visas are available to qualifying professionals from Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, while TD visas are for eligible dependents of TN visa holders.

The State Department said it uses information from available sources during visa screening to determine whether applicants are admissible to the United States, including whether they may pose national-security or public-safety concerns.

“Every visa adjudication is fundamentally a national security decision,” the department said, emphasizing that applicants must demonstrate their eligibility for the visa category and their intention to comply with the terms of admission.

The latest expansion adds I, TN and TD applicants to a growing list of visa categories already subject to online presence review. The program currently covers several diplomatic and official categories, F and M student visas, H-1B and certain related employment visas, J exchange-visitor visas, K fiancé and dependent visas, Q cultural-exchange visas, R religious-worker visas, and S, T and U categories involving witnesses, informants and victims.

The State Department previously expanded online presence screening in March to additional visa classifications, including H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3 applicants, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T and U visas. H-1B and H-4 applicants were brought under the online-presence review in December 2025.

The department says the screening is part of a broader effort to strengthen visa vetting and identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States. The policy applies during the visa adjudication process and does not mean that every applicant whose social-media account is reviewed will be denied a visa.

For foreign journalists, the change is particularly significant because the I visa is specifically designed for eligible representatives of foreign media organizations. The State Department says I-visa holders may engage in informational or educational activities in the United States connected to the news-gathering and reporting functions of their foreign media organization.

The expanded screening comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration and visa-screening procedures. The administration has previously expanded online vetting for students, exchange visitors and certain employment-based visa applicants. The new requirements for I, TN and TD applicants will take effect October 1, 2026.