RIYADH — Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement south of the holy city of Makkah before it could enter the city’s restricted airspace, the Saudi-led coalition said Wednesday.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the drone was intercepted at around 6:50 p.m. local time Tuesday, with its wreckage falling south of Makkah. Saudi authorities had also issued security alerts in Makkah and other areas of the kingdom amid concerns over possible attacks.

Al-Malki described the incident as the Houthis’ second reported attempt to target Makkah, referring to a ballistic missile launched toward the holy city in July 2017. He warned that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a “red line” and said the coalition would take measures to deter further attacks.

The incident comes amid a broader escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with Saudi warplanes carrying out strikes in Yemen and the Houthis launching drones and missiles toward Saudi territory, according to Reuters.

The Houthis, however, denied targeting Makkah or any Islamic holy site, rejecting the Saudi allegation. Reuters also reported that the group claimed responsibility for other attacks on Saudi territory while denying that Makkah was the target.

Makkah is Islam’s holiest city and the site of the Grand Mosque and the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The reported interception therefore comes with heightened sensitivity as the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis expands into a wider regional confrontation.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations Security Council has warned that terrorist groups are adapting rapidly to new technologies, increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence, drones, social media, encrypted messaging and online platforms to recruit supporters, spread propaganda, raise funds and strengthen their operational capabilities. The warning came during a Security Council briefing marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, as UN officials assessed how the global terrorist threat has evolved since 2001.

Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman told the Council that terrorism has become more fragmented and diffuse, with terrorist groups decentralizing their operations and taking advantage of instability to expand their influence.

She also highlighted the growing role of technology in terrorist activities. According to the UN, extremist groups are exploiting social media platforms, gaming environments and other virtual spaces to identify vulnerabilities and recruit people, particularly young people.

AI and digital platforms create new challenges

UN officials said the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies is changing the threat environment. The Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate said terrorist organizations are using AI-enabled tools and digital platforms to disseminate propaganda, recruit supporters and enhance their operational capabilities.

The UN also pointed to the use of encrypted communications and online financial services as growing challenges for counter-terrorism authorities. The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism has separately warned that AI-generated content, deepfakes and algorithmic amplification can increase the speed and reach of harmful extremist narratives.

Drones emerging as an operational threat

The UN also identified the weaponization and misuse of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, as an increasingly significant terrorist threat. According to the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, terrorist groups are exploiting unmanned aircraft systems for operational purposes, while weak governance and porous borders in some regions have created additional opportunities for terrorist organizations to acquire and misuse emerging technologies.

The UN’s counter-terrorism program says member states have been urged to strengthen measures against terrorist exploitation of technologies including AI, virtual assets, 3D printing, unmanned aircraft systems and commercially available drones.

UN calls for international cooperation

The Security Council emphasized that countering terrorism requires coordinated action at the national, regional and international levels, consistent with international law and the UN Charter. UN officials stressed that governments need to adapt their counter-terrorism strategies as terrorist organizations change their methods and exploit emerging technologies.

The Council also highlighted the importance of protecting human rights and the rule of law while responding to evolving terrorist threats. The discussion comes 25 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, which prompted major changes in international counter-terrorism cooperation and led to the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1373.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: The U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked legislation that would establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, dealing a major setback to the digital-asset industry and Republican lawmakers who had championed the bill. The Clarity Act failed to secure the 60 votes needed to advance, with senators voting 49-50 on the procedural measure, according to the Associated Press.

The legislation was designed to provide clearer rules for the $2.3 trillion U.S. cryptocurrency market, including defining regulatory responsibilities and establishing greater legal certainty for digital-asset companies. Crypto industry groups had strongly backed the measure and spent hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying for its passage.

Democrats opposed advancing the bill without stronger restrictions concerning President Donald Trump and his family’s financial interests in cryptocurrency. Trump and his family have significant business interests in the sector, including World Liberty Financial and a cryptocurrency meme coin.

Republicans had revised the legislation in an effort to address those concerns. The revised version included provisions giving state attorneys general greater enforcement authority and requiring public officials with significant interests in crypto-related companies to divest those interests or place them in blind trusts. Democrats argued that the changes did not go far enough.

The bill also faced concerns from the banking industry over provisions involving stablecoins, which allow certain digital tokens to maintain a value linked to traditional currencies. Banking groups warned that stablecoin rewards could encourage customers to move deposits away from banks and potentially affect lending.

The Senate’s action represents a significant setback for the cryptocurrency industry’s effort to secure its first comprehensive federal regulatory framework. Reuters reported that the legislation now faces limited prospects for revival in the near term, particularly with Congress approaching the November midterm elections and a recess.

Financial markets reacted to the Senate vote. Bitcoin fell about 4% to around $75,908, while shares of cryptocurrency companies Coinbase and Circle each declined roughly 9%, according to Reuters.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have meanwhile continued developing cryptocurrency-related rules, but industry participants have argued that legislation from Congress is needed to provide a more permanent regulatory framework.

DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) today sentenced Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader and six others to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict this afternoon.

The six other convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

All seven were tried in absentia and remain at large, according to reports on the verdict. The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of 50 percent of the movable and immovable properties of Quader, Nasim, Arafat, Parash and Nikhil. The proceeds from the sale of the confiscated assets are to be used to provide compensation to those killed and injured during the July-August uprising, through the July Foundation or another statutory institution.

Charges against Quader

According to the prosecution, Quader, as Awami League general secretary and a former cabinet minister, exercised command and control over law enforcement agencies and armed cadres of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations during the suppression of the student-led movement.

The prosecution alleged that he issued instructions to party and student leaders to confront protesters, helped coordinate the mobilisation of armed cadres and was involved in decisions concerning the use of force, curfew measures and restrictions on communications. The prosecution also alleged that the violence during the July-August uprising resulted in more than 1,400 deaths and over 25,000 serious injuries.

Bahauddin Nasim

The tribunal also sentenced AFM Bahauddin Nasim to death. The prosecution accused him of participating in high-level party decision-making concerning the response to the student protests and of helping organise and facilitate measures to suppress the movement.

The prosecution further alleged that Nasim was involved in coordinating the implementation of the government’s crackdown and that statements made by him contributed to the mobilisation of party activists and law enforcement personnel against protesters.

Mohammad Ali Arafat

Former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was also sentenced to death. The prosecution accused Arafat of involvement in efforts to control media coverage of the violence and suppress reports concerning killings and attacks during the uprising. It also alleged that he participated in decisions concerning the government’s response to the protests and supported the use of force against demonstrators.

Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash

Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. According to the prosecution, Parash exercised command responsibility over Jubo League activists mobilised to suppress the student movement. Prosecutors linked the organisation’s cadres to violent incidents in several parts of the country during July and August 2024.

Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil

Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil was also handed the death sentence. The prosecution accused Nikhil of mobilising Jubo League activists and participating directly in operations against protesters. It alleged that he was involved in armed attacks in Dhaka and played a role in coordinating Jubo League activities during the uprising.

Saddam Hossain

Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain was convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged role in organising and mobilising armed cadres against student protesters. The prosecution alleged that Saddam issued threats against demonstrators and helped organise BCL activists during attacks on Dhaka University and other locations. Prosecutors also linked the organisation’s activities to violence that resulted in deaths and injuries during the uprising.

Sheikh Wali Asif Inan

BCL General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan was the seventh person sentenced to death. The prosecution accused Inan of receiving operational instructions and funds, mobilising BCL activists and participating in attacks against protesters. It also alleged that he coordinated activities with senior party leaders during the violence.

Trial proceedings

The investigation into the case began in June 2025, and the investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution in December that year. ICT-2 formally took cognisance of the charges in December 2025 and framed charges in January 2026.

The trial began in February 2026, with 29 prosecution witnesses giving testimony. The prosecution and defence concluded their closing arguments in August, after which the tribunal kept the case awaiting judgment. The defence had rejected the allegations and sought acquittal, according to reports on the proceedings.

GENEVA — United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday called on governments and companies developing advanced artificial intelligence systems to take urgent action to address what he described as the “unprecedented risks” posed by frontier AI.

In a statement issued by the UN human rights office, Türk warned that the world is “on the cusp of irreversible change,” with consequences that could affect not only the current generation but generations to come.

He called on states and companies to urgently mobilize through multilateral forums to develop a coordinated approach to governing advanced, frontier AI models, with human rights at the center of those efforts.

Türk said the rapid race to develop increasingly powerful AI systems is creating risks across virtually every aspect of human life. He stressed that voluntary self-regulation by AI companies is not sufficient on its own, arguing that governments must establish effective safeguards and ensure that AI development remains consistent with international human rights law.

The UN human rights chief also warned about the potential consequences of increasingly autonomous AI systems, including risks to essential services, critical infrastructure, communications and democratic institutions.

Türk urged countries and leading AI companies to act without delay, emphasizing that no individual country can effectively regulate the technology on its own and that no company should be left to determine independently which risks society should accept.

The warning comes amid growing international debate over the rapid development of increasingly capable AI systems and concerns about their potential impact on human rights, security and society.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — A new political alliance among Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has intensified debate over the future of the United Kingdom, after leaders from the three nations met in Cardiff on Monday and signed an agreement calling for the right to self-determination and constitutional change.

The meeting brought together Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Wales’ First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, along with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation and increasing political pressure on Westminster over the constitutional future of their nations.

The agreement does not amount to a formal declaration that the United Kingdom is breaking apart, nor does it set dates for independence or reunification referendums. Instead, the leaders emphasized that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different constitutional circumstances and should have the right to determine their own futures.

The gathering nevertheless marks a significant political development. The leaders argued that Westminster’s traditional dominance is weakening and that the political landscape of the United Kingdom is changing. They also called for greater cooperation on economic, energy and international issues.

Scotland: A New Push for Independence

Scotland remains at the centre of the constitutional debate. On August 28, the Scottish Government published a draft Independence Referendum Bill containing the proposed question: “Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes or No.” However, the bill cannot proceed to a referendum without the necessary legal powers being secured. Scotland held its previous independence referendum in 2014, when voters rejected independence by 55% to 45%.

The Scottish Government has since renewed its demand for another vote, arguing that Scotland should be able to decide its constitutional future. Swinney has pressed the UK Government to transfer the necessary powers to the Scottish Parliament.

The central legal obstacle remains the division of constitutional powers between Edinburgh and Westminster. A 2022 UK Supreme Court ruling established that the Scottish Parliament cannot unilaterally legislate for an independence referendum because matters concerning the Union and the UK Parliament are reserved to Westminster.

The latest draft bill therefore represents a political and legislative push rather than an immediate authorization for a referendum.

Northern Ireland: The Question of Irish Unity

Northern Ireland’s constitutional debate is different from Scotland’s. The central issue is not independence as a separate state, but whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom or become part of a united Ireland.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement provides the constitutional framework for Northern Ireland and allows for a border poll if it appears likely that a majority would support Northern Ireland leaving the United Kingdom.

Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said earlier this month that she believes a border poll will take place at some point in the future and that both Ireland and the UK should be prepared for it. She also emphasized that the decision ultimately belongs to the people of Northern Ireland.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, meanwhile, has said he will adhere fully to the Good Friday Agreement and that a referendum would only become relevant if public opinion demonstrated a clear shift toward Irish unity.

Trump’s Intervention Adds to the Tension

The debate gained additional international attention after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for Irish reunification during his visit to Ireland on September 12. Speaking in Dublin, Trump said he would “love” to see Ireland unified and suggested that reunification would eventually happen and might as well happen now. The comments prompted criticism from pro-UK politicians in Northern Ireland and drew a cautious response from London.

Trump’s remarks, however, do not represent a formal change in U.S. policy toward Northern Ireland. They were made in response to questions from reporters and differed from the traditional U.S. approach of maintaining neutrality on the island’s constitutional future.

Wales: Growing Support Among Younger Voters

Wales has also entered a new phase of constitutional debate following the 2026 Senedd election. A recent Survation poll commissioned by the pro-independence group YesCymru found that 32% of likely referendum voters in Wales would vote for independence, compared with 68% who would vote against it, after undecided and refused responses were excluded. The poll surveyed 1,023 people aged 16 and over and was conducted online between August 13 and 24.

The figures reveal a striking generational divide. Among likely voters aged 18 to 24, 59% said they would vote for independence. Support stood at 54% among those aged 25 to 34 and 57% among voters aged 35 to 44. Support dropped sharply among older voters, reaching 27% among those aged 45 to 54 and 55 to 64, and just 15% among those aged 65 and over. Despite the growing interest, independence does not currently command majority support across Wales.

What Comes Next?

The Cardiff agreement is unlikely to produce an immediate constitutional breakup of the United Kingdom. Each of the three nations faces different legal, political and public-opinion realities. For Scotland, the immediate battle is over whether Westminster will grant the powers needed for another independence referendum.

For Northern Ireland, the key question is whether public opinion will eventually reach the threshold required for a border poll on Irish reunification. In Wales, support for independence remains below a majority, although the strong backing among younger voters suggests that the issue could become increasingly important over the longer term. Taken together, however, the developments point to a growing constitutional challenge for Westminster.

For decades, the United Kingdom’s territorial integrity was largely treated as a settled political question. That assumption is now facing renewed pressure from nationalist movements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Cardiff meeting does not mean that the United Kingdom is about to disappear. But it does signal that the question of how long the current constitutional structure can remain intact without major reform is becoming increasingly difficult for Westminster to ignore.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a major overhaul of the international system, saying the institutions created after the Second World War must change to reflect the growing economic and geopolitical influence of emerging economies. Speaking to leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Guterres said the world of today is fundamentally different from that of 1945 and that global institutions must reflect current economic, demographic and geopolitical realities.

“Today’s economic, demographic and geopolitical realities are not those of 1945,” Guterres said. “Our institutional structures must reflect it.”

He said the countries represented at the summit reflected the changing balance of global power and pointed to the emergence of an increasingly multipolar world. Guterres argued that multipolarity can bring greater balance and equity to international institutions, but said that would require reforms to bodies including the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions.

The UN chief outlined four priorities for what he described as inclusive global growth: financing, technology, climate justice and peace. On development financing, Guterres said developing countries need substantial international support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He urged multilateral development banks to become “bigger, better and bolder” to help meet the scale of financing required. Turning to artificial intelligence, he warned that the benefits of the technology remain concentrated among a relatively small number of companies and countries.

“Unchecked, the AI divide will widen every other divide — in income, in opportunity, in security, and in sovereignty,” Guterres warned.

Climate change was another major focus of his address. Guterres pointed to extreme heat, melting glaciers, wildfires and devastating floods as signs of the worsening climate crisis and warned that a stronger El Niño could make conditions even more difficult as the world approaches the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels.

He called on wealthy nations to honor existing climate-finance commitments, including increased adaptation financing and stronger support for countries facing loss and damage. He also criticized the exploitation of critical minerals, calling for an end to what he described as “plundering.”

On peace and security, Guterres highlighted conflicts and crises in Gaza, the wider Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan. He urged countries to uphold the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Guterres said reforming the international system should be viewed as a shared responsibility rather than a concession to emerging powers.

“As we move irreversibly to a multipolar world, all countries must work to strengthen and safeguard a multilateral system that delivers for all with the United Nations at its centre,” he said.

The BRICS summit, hosted by India, brought together leaders of major emerging economies and senior international officials as discussions focused on global governance, economic cooperation, development, technology, climate change and international peace and security.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Iran has said the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain closed despite efforts to revive regional diplomacy, as a planned meeting between Iran and Gulf states was postponed and concerns over global energy supplies continued to grow.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said an agreement reached with Oman over arrangements for maritime traffic through the strait would not mean the waterway would be reopened. Tehran has linked any reopening to the United States returning to commitments made under an earlier peace understanding.

The planned meeting in Oman, which was expected to bring together Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab states to discuss navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, was postponed on Monday. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the delay was intended to allow more time to build consensus among the participating countries.

The diplomatic setback comes as tensions around the region’s major energy routes continue to rise. Shipping traffic through Hormuz has fallen sharply, with only a small number of commodity vessels recorded passing through the waterway over the weekend, well below the recent daily average.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Disruption to the route has already contributed to a sharp increase in oil prices, with Brent crude rising above $107 a barrel on Monday.

Iran has also warned vessels that violate its maritime protocols. Its Strait Authority issued an updated list of 77 vessels accused of violating Iranian rules and warned that sanctioned ships could face penalties including fines, detention or confiscation.

The stalled diplomacy has increased fears that the disruption could persist, putting further pressure on global energy markets, shipping costs and economies dependent on Gulf oil and gas.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — The White House highlighted a series of actions and announcements this week, including President Donald Trump’s participation in events marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a proposed $5,000 payment for American adults, Obamacare refunds, new trade measures involving Canada and initiatives involving veterans and U.S. manufacturing.

Trump participated in a September 8 White House ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and later issued a presidential proclamation recognizing September 11 as Patriot Day. The White House also announced that Americans can request a September 11 Remembrance Card commemorating the anniversary.

On September 10, Trump announced what he called the “Trump Dividend,” proposing a $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans retain control of both the House of Representatives and Senate in the November midterm elections. Trump linked the proposed payment to revenue from tariffs and the administration’s economic policies. The proposal has raised questions about its funding, legal authority and potential effect on the federal deficit.

The administration also announced $500 refunds for nearly 1 million people enrolled in Affordable Care Act health insurance plans across 30 states. The White House said the refunds would return what it characterized as excess Obamacare exchange fees collected under the previous administration. Reuters reported that the payments are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Trade tensions with Canada also featured prominently during the week. On September 8, Trump issued measures modifying additional duties on certain Canadian products and separately ordered specified Canadian products to be excluded from U.S. imports. The measures included actions concerning the automotive and dairy sectors and were framed by the administration as responses to what it described as discriminatory Canadian trade practices.

The White House also highlighted new measures aimed at accelerating veterans’ access to benefits and employment opportunities. The administration said it was working to reduce bureaucratic delays and connect veterans with employment opportunities associated with the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

On September 9, the White House released a broad review of what it described as the Trump administration’s achievements during its first two years of the current term. The document cited figures involving jobs, investment, immigration, energy and prescription-drug prices. Because these figures are administration claims, they should be evaluated separately against independent government and economic data.

First Lady Melania Trump also unveiled a proposal focused on the preservation and design of historic American spaces. The White House described the initiative as an effort to promote architectural and aesthetic standards in prominent national buildings and sites.

Meanwhile, Japanese beer company Sapporo announced plans to move some production from Canada to the United States, while defense contractor L3Harris received a contract related to the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement program. The White House presented both developments as examples of increased U.S. manufacturing and defense production.

The announcements come as the Trump administration continues to emphasize trade, domestic manufacturing, immigration, energy policy and economic issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged US-based global energy company Chevron to increase its investment in exploring new gas fields in Bangladesh to strengthen the country’s energy security and meet growing domestic demand.

The prime minister made the call on Sunday (September 13) during a meeting with a high-level Chevron delegation led by Javier La Rosa, president of Base Assets and Emerging Countries, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Bangladesh Secretariat.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin confirmed the matter.

According to him, the meeting focused on investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s energy sector, particularly increasing Chevron’s investment in existing and mature gas fields as well as exploring new gas fields in the country.

The discussions also covered ways to expand investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector to help ensure a stable supply of natural gas amid rising demand.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, Chevron Bangladesh President and Managing Director Xu Xiong, and other senior officials concerned.