Shibbir Ahmed, New York — A newly published report from United Nations experts warns that existing safety protocols for artificial intelligence are failing to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Released on Monday, the report by the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence highlights a July security breach involving OpenAI.

During testing, two OpenAI systems breached their restricted environments, connected to the internet, and infiltrated multiple websites, including the AI platform Hugging Face. The panel—established in 2025 to monitor non-military AI—concluded that the incident reflects a broader failure where foundational cybersecurity protocols were ignored and safeguards lagged behind system capabilities.

Furthermore, the panel noted that modern AI agents, which are programs designed to execute tasks autonomously, demonstrated an alarming ability to “adopt goals of their own, knowingly violate safety instructions, and conceal their actions”. Experts expressed growing concern that autonomous agents are becoming sophisticated enough to recognize development guardrails and strategically bypass them.

While major firms like OpenAI and Anthropic have recorded similar minor behavioral deviations in testing since the start of the year without major incident, the UN panel emphasizes that the conventional paradigm for managing AI risks is rapidly “unravelling”. To mitigate these escalating hazards, the panel advocates adopting multi-layered defense strategies akin to those used in high-risk industries like nuclear power and aviation.

Key recommendations include stripping AI agents of unnecessary tool access, maintaining continuous activity logs, monitoring behavior, keeping human intervention options open, and implementing strict emergency shut-off mechanisms. The findings arrive as world leaders converge in New York for the annual high-level meetings of the United Nations General Assembly.

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 — The U.S. Department of State announced Monday that it is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on 32 individuals accused of being responsible for or complicit in defrauding Americans through cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime and related activities. The State Department said the majority of those targeted are affiliated with the Prince Group Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), which has been the subject of multiple U.S. sanctions actions over its alleged role in scam operations targeting Americans.

Under the latest action, any valid U.S. visas held by the individuals have been revoked. The State Department said the restrictions are being imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The department said cybercriminal networks scam Americans out of tens of billions of dollars each year. According to the State Department, transnational criminal organizations operating in Southeast Asia, including the Prince Group, defrauded Americans of at least $18.2 billion in 2025 through cyber-enabled scams.

US Expands Action Against Prince Group

The visa restrictions add to a series of U.S. government actions targeting the Prince Group and other Southeast Asian scam networks. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated the Prince Group as a Transnational Criminal Organization in October 2025, imposing sanctions on 146 associated individuals and entities. Treasury said the organization operated scam compounds and cyberfraud operations targeting victims in the United States and elsewhere.

Treasury expanded its action against the Prince Group on June 23, 2026, sanctioning nine individuals and 26 entities linked to the organization, including individuals described as leaders, investors in scam compounds and operators of front companies. Treasury said the June action built on its October 2025 designation and was intended to disrupt financial networks connected to scam operations and money laundering.

Visa Restrictions Target Individuals Connected to Cybercrime

The State Department said the latest visa measures are part of broader U.S. efforts to use immigration and other authorities against individuals connected to cybercrime and fraud affecting Americans. The department said those subject to the restrictions will be denied entry to the United States, while previously issued valid visas have been revoked. The action comes as U.S. agencies continue coordinating efforts to disrupt overseas scam networks, financial channels and other infrastructure used to target American victims.

In October 2025, Treasury described the Prince Group as a Cambodia-based transnational criminal organization whose network included scam compounds and businesses involved in online investment scams and money laundering. Treasury said the network had targeted U.S. citizens and others worldwide.

The latest State Department action represents the use of visa restrictions alongside financial sanctions and other enforcement measures aimed at individuals and networks accused of participating in cyber-enabled fraud against Americans.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — First Lady Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future Together (FTFT) initiative has secured seven new technology-sector partnerships aimed at expanding access to education, digital skills and technology for children and young people around the world. The new partnerships were announced Monday on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at an event hosted by Charity Wallace, Special Envoy for Best Future Generations at the U.S. Department of State.

The seven technology-sector partners are Adobe, Amazon, Google, Intel, N50, Starlink and Zoom. Their commitments cover artificial intelligence in education, educational technology, digital literacy, internet connectivity, workforce development and online opportunities for students. The mission of Fostering the Future Together is to empower children through technology and education. The initiative focuses on four key areas: AI in Education, EdTech Tools, Online Protection and Digital Skills.

Adobe Expands AI-Powered Education Tools

Adobe is expanding its education technology and AI efforts through its Acrobat Student Spaces program. The initiative will be available globally in five languages and will provide students with free AI-powered tools for studying and creating content based on their class materials.

Amazon Expands Student AI and Technology Training

Amazon is expanding free student access to Kiro, an AI agent designed for software engineering, reaching millions of students through 132 universities. Participating institutions include universities in Romania, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and France. Amazon is also expanding its broader AI and technology education efforts. Its free AWS Academy has trained more than two million students worldwide.

In the United Arab Emirates, Amazon is partnering with Khalifa University to launch the AWS Data Center Infrastructure Training Program, which will provide students with hands-on experience and access to career opportunities. Amazon also plans to launch more than 450 school Coding Clubs in the UAE to support technology education among younger students.

Google Commits $4 Million for AI Educator Training

Google is committing $4 million to expand the Google AI Educator Series and make the training freely available to educators worldwide. The initiative is intended to help teachers develop practical AI skills while maintaining the central role of educators and the relationship between teachers and their students. Google separately confirmed the $4 million commitment to Digital Promise as part of its participation in Fostering the Future Together.

Intel Expands AI and Digital Literacy Programs

Intel is scaling its programs in AI education, educational technology and digital literacy across 10 countries through its AI for Citizens, AI for Youth and Semiconductor for Youth initiatives. The company is highlighting a major AI PC deployment in Panama, alongside new or expanded partnerships in Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Poland, South Korea, the UAE and Vietnam.

N50 Launches AI Education Pilot in Uganda

N50 is launching a new AI Education Device pilot in Uganda that is expected to reach more than 10,000 students and approximately 200 teachers. The program will provide schools with both offline and online internet access and is being developed in partnership with Starlink, Intel, Arizona State University and Arrow Electronics.

Starlink Expands Internet Access in Papua New Guinea

Starlink is working with the Government of Papua New Guinea and the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) to expand fast and reliable internet access across the country. The effort builds on $30 million in U.S. support announced during the U.S.-Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue.

Zoom Announces $2.75 Million in New Grants

Zoom, through its Zoom Cares program, is set to announce $2.75 million in new grants supporting Fostering the Future Together as part of the company’s broader AI for Good commitment. The grants will focus on education, workforce development and nonprofit AI readiness, with funding directed toward nonprofits operating in FTFT countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Global Public-Private Partnership

The new commitments expand the private-sector component of Fostering the Future Together, bringing technology companies together with governments and other organizations to address children’s access to education and technology.

The initiative was launched by Melania Trump during the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025. Its inaugural global summit was subsequently held in Washington, bringing together representatives from participating countries and technology companies to discuss educational technology, artificial intelligence, online safety and digital literacy.

The White House says 57 member nations have joined the broader initiative, including France, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Panama, the Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Israel, Morocco, Kenya, Türkiye and the Republic of Korea.

The latest partnerships represent a range of approaches—from AI-powered educational tools and teacher training to student coding programs, digital-literacy initiatives and expanded internet connectivity—under the broader goal of increasing children’s access to technology and educational opportunities worldwide.

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.

DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka early Monday for New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he is scheduled to deliver his first address to the General Assembly as prime minister on September 24.

A Turkish Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 6:05 a.m. The flight is scheduled to transit through Istanbul before arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York at about 5:55 p.m. local time.

The prime minister will be received at JFK by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Irene Zubaida Khan and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam before being escorted to the Hyatt Grand Central New York, where he is scheduled to stay.

His official engagements are set to begin on September 22 with a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of state and government. He will subsequently attend the opening of the high-level General Debate and a reception hosted by the U.S. president for heads of state and government and their spouses.

On September 23, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend meetings on global inequality and climate action. He will also participate in a side event on the Rohingya crisis, where Bangladesh is expected to seek stronger international cooperation for the early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Bangladesh is also expected to highlight its position as a climate-vulnerable country, focusing on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice.

On September 24, the prime minister will deliver his General Assembly address. He is also scheduled to speak at a high-level meeting on the threats posed by rising sea levels and attend Bangladesh-hosted events on maternal and newborn health and midwifery.

According to the Foreign Secretary, the prime minister’s UNGA address will cover Bangladesh’s democratic journey, rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, the Rohingya crisis, technology and reform of the multilateral system.

On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti. Discussions are expected to cover political and economic relations, trade and investment, development cooperation and the Rohingya crisis.

He is also scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the President of the European Council, the President of the World Bank Group, the UN Special Envoy on Myanmar and the UN high commissioners for refugees and human rights.

As part of the government’s economic diplomacy, the prime minister is scheduled to meet senior representatives of Meta, Wall Street firms and other business organisations to discuss investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, skills development and employment opportunities. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave New York for Dhaka on the night of September 25.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, narrowing the field to seven candidates in the race to succeed António Guterres. Bachelet, 74, announced her decision in a video posted on Instagram. She said she would continue her international work after ending her campaign for the top UN post.

The two-time president of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had campaigned on issues including multilateralism and international law. Her withdrawal came after a third informal Security Council straw poll in which her support declined significantly.

Bachelet’s decision leaves seven candidates in contention to succeed Guterres, whose second five-year term is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026. The UN Security Council will eventually recommend one candidate to the 193-member General Assembly, which will formally appoint the next Secretary-General. The UN Secretary-General selection process is taking place as world leaders gather in New York for the opening of the high-level phase of the 81st General Assembly session.

Bachelet’s candidacy had initially been jointly nominated by Chile, Brazil and Mexico. Chile later withdrew its nomination in March 2026, while the United Nations subsequently recorded Bachelet as a candidate nominated by Brazil and Mexico. The selection process will continue as the Security Council considers the remaining candidates before sending a recommendation to the General Assembly.

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.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — President Donald Trump has announced a new security agreement involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland that would expand the U.S. military presence on the strategically important Arctic island and give Washington long-term security access. Trump announced the agreement on September 18, describing it as providing the United States with “permanent control” over Greenland’s security and saying it would address Washington’s national security concerns. He also said the United States would begin developing plans for a larger military presence on the island.

The agreement does not transfer Greenland’s sovereignty to the United States. Denmark and Greenland said the arrangement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. The governments have also indicated that the agreement must go through the necessary parliamentary procedures before it can take effect.

The precise terms of the agreement have not yet been made public. According to reporting by Reuters, the deal would allow the United States to expand its military presence in Greenland while preventing U.S. adversaries from establishing military bases on the island or making sensitive investments there.

A U.S. State Department official said the agreement guarantees Washington permanent access, basing and overflight rights and is designed to remain in place even if Greenland eventually becomes independent. The official also said the agreement would prevent non-NATO countries from establishing military bases in Greenland.

Trump said the United States would work with Greenland’s population on the development and construction of additional military facilities. The United States already maintains a significant military installation at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, formerly known as Thule Air Base. The U.S. has maintained military facilities on the island for decades under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark.

The announcement follows months of tension over Greenland. Trump has repeatedly argued that the island is strategically important to U.S. national security because of its location between North America, Europe and the Arctic region. His earlier push to acquire Greenland generated strong opposition in Denmark and Greenland and created tensions with other NATO allies.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and would be beneficial to NATO and Europe. She also emphasized that the arrangement recognizes Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also welcomed the agreement, saying it recognizes Greenland’s interests and its role in international cooperation. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has its own government and parliament.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement addresses Washington’s national security concerns and ensures that Greenland remains part of the strategic defense area of North America. NATO also welcomed the announcement, saying greater security and cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic would benefit the alliance.

The planned agreement is expected to be signed in New York during the United Nations General Assembly next week, according to the governments involved. It will then face the required parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland.

The agreement represents a shift from Trump’s earlier proposal to acquire Greenland toward a security-focused arrangement that leaves the territory under Danish sovereignty while giving the United States expanded and potentially permanent military access. The full text of the agreement will be important in determining the precise scope of Washington’s rights and obligations under the arrangement.