CAIRO/DUBAI — Iran-backed Houthi forces attacked four cities in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding 73 people and setting fires at energy facilities in what officials described as a major escalation of the expanding Middle East conflict. The attacks targeted the Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, according to Saudi authorities. Women and children were among those injured.

The strikes also affected energy-related infrastructure. Fires were reported at several sites, including facilities linked to Saudi oil giant Aramco, while some energy operations were temporarily disrupted. Saudi authorities said the attacks targeted civilian and economic sites and vowed to take measures to protect the kingdom’s security and sovereignty.

The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for the attacks and said they had targeted Saudi energy infrastructure using drones and ballistic missiles. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the operation was carried out in response to recent Saudi attacks in Yemen. The escalation comes as tensions across the Middle East have intensified, threatening to draw additional regional actors into the conflict.

Oil prices surge

The attacks immediately affected global energy markets. Brent crude rose to around $98 a barrel on Tuesday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed above $93 a barrel. Brent had earlier approached the $100 mark, reaching its highest level since July 24.

Analysts are increasingly concerned that attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and disruptions to major shipping routes could further tighten global oil supplies. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, making any sustained disruption to its energy infrastructure a major concern for global markets.

Risk of wider regional escalation

The latest attacks add another dangerous dimension to the conflict. The Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen and have previously targeted shipping and regional infrastructure. The strategic importance of the Red Sea has increased as disruptions elsewhere in the region have affected traditional energy-export routes. Any prolonged attacks on Saudi energy facilities or shipping lanes could have consequences well beyond the Middle East.

Saudi officials have vowed a response, raising fears that the latest attacks could trigger another cycle of retaliation between Riyadh-backed forces and the Houthis.The escalation also comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States, increasing concerns that the conflict could spread across multiple fronts. For global energy markets, the key question now is whether the attacks remain limited or develop into a sustained campaign against Gulf oil infrastructure.

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, New York: The United Nations has called for the establishment of a strong and independent national institution to oversee the activities of Bangladesh’s security and law enforcement agencies. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk made the remarks on Monday, September 7, during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, while addressing global human rights issues and developments in Bangladesh.

Türk reiterated the UN’s call for effective and independent oversight of law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. He stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and providing mechanisms for independent investigations into allegations of human rights violations involving security and law enforcement personnel.

Recommendations Following the July-August 2024 Events

The UN’s latest remarks follow its fact-finding report on the human rights situation surrounding the July-August 2024 protests in Bangladesh. The UN Human Rights Office published its fact-finding report on February 12, 2025, containing a series of recommendations concerning accountability, institutional reform, independent investigations and civilian oversight.

The recommendations also called for strengthening the independence and effectiveness of Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission, including ensuring that it has the necessary authority and capacity to investigate allegations of human rights violations involving security forces.

Oversight, Not Direct UN Control

The UN’s call does not mean that the United Nations is seeking to directly control or supervise Bangladesh’s security forces. Rather, the recommendation calls for Bangladesh to establish an independent and effective national oversight mechanism capable of monitoring security and law enforcement agencies and independently investigating allegations of human rights abuses. The latest statement by the UN human rights chief is part of the organization’s continuing call for stronger accountability, institutional reform and human rights protections in Bangladesh.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Twenty-five years have passed since the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A quarter-century later, the loss of nearly 3,000 lives, the sacrifice of thousands of first responders, and the attacks’ lasting health and social consequences remain deeply embedded in the American memory. This year, New York, Washington and Pennsylvania will mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a series of commemorations and public events.

Main Commemoration in New York

The main 9/11 commemoration will take place Friday at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza in Lower Manhattan, with family members of the victims participating in the ceremony. The program will begin at 8:40 a.m. and is primarily a private gathering for victims’ families, although the ceremony will be streamed live online.

Family members will read the names of those killed in the 2001 attacks as well as victims of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Moments of silence will mark several key moments of the attacks, including the aircraft impacts, the collapse of the Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93.

A special moment of silence will also honor those who died in the years following the attacks from 9/11-related illnesses. Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials are expected to attend the New York commemoration. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, will mark the 25th anniversary at the Pentagon instead of attending the New York ceremony.

First Moment of Silence at 8:46 a.m.

At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, the first hijacked aircraft, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The moment will be marked with the first moment of silence during the New York commemoration.

The ceremony will also remember the impact of the second aircraft on the South Tower, the collapse of both towers, the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

A total of 2,753 people were killed in New York, while 184 people died at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Another 40 passengers and crew members were killed when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.

New Exhibition at the 9/11 Museum

For the 25th anniversary, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York is launching a new exhibition titled “In Their Honor: 25 Years of 9/11-Inspired Service.”

Opening to the public on September 12, the exhibition will highlight stories of service, sacrifice and humanity over the 25 years since the attacks. It explores how individuals and communities transformed grief into public service and acts of compassion.

The museum is also introducing a new digital educational experience designed to help a new generation understand the history of 9/11 and its long-term impact. According to the museum, nearly 100 million Americans were either not yet born or were too young to remember the attacks. Connecting this generation with the history and legacy of 9/11 is one of the major goals of this year’s anniversary programs.

Trump to Mark Anniversary at Pentagon

In Arlington, Virginia, President Donald Trump is expected to attend and speak at the 25th anniversary commemoration at the Pentagon Memorial. The Pentagon was the third major target of the September 11 attacks. At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. A total of 184 people were killed, including people inside the building as well as passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft. Vice President Vance will attend the main commemoration in New York.

Pennsylvania Also to Hold Commemorations

At the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, a commemorative ceremony will take place Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The names of the 40 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93 will be read, followed by the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance. A second ceremony will take place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring additional commemorative activities and a public wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial.

New York’s Nighttime “Tribute in Light”

After a full day of remembrance, New York’s skyline will once again be illuminated by the historic Tribute in Light—two powerful beams of light representing the Twin Towers destroyed in the attacks. For the 25th anniversary, a special program titled “9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan” is scheduled to air nationally beginning at 8 p.m. on major television networks and other platforms.

The program will connect audiences across the country with the commemoration in New York and the annual Tribute in Light, bringing the day of remembrance to a national audience.

New Initiative in New York City

As part of this year’s 25th anniversary observance, New York City is officially recognizing September 11 as a Day of Remembrance and Service. The administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani is emphasizing citywide remembrance, moments of silence, educational programs and volunteer service.

The city has also established a new Continuity and Mission Assurance Team, aimed at ensuring that essential city government operations and services can continue during emergencies while strengthening preparedness and coordination among city agencies.

25 Years Later, the Memory of 9/11 Endures

Twenty-five years later, 9/11 remains far more than a historical event. It continues to shape the security, politics, foreign policy and public health of New York, Washington and the United States as a whole.

This year’s commemorations are therefore not limited to honoring those who were killed. They also recognize first responders, rescue workers, survivors, families who lost loved ones and a new generation born after the attacks. A quarter-century later, the message remains the same: Never Forget.

DHAKA — Bangladesh’s measles outbreak continues to claim lives, with three more people dying after developing suspected measles symptoms, according to health authorities. The latest deaths bring the nationwide toll among people who have died with suspected measles symptoms to nearly 1,000, highlighting the continuing pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system.

During the latest 24-hour reporting period, 964 people sought hospital treatment for suspected measles symptoms, while 977 patients were admitted, according to figures reported by bdnews24.

Dhaka Division has recorded the highest number of deaths linked to suspected measles symptoms, with 401 deaths reported so far. The figures include both confirmed measles-related deaths and deaths among patients who exhibited symptoms associated with the disease. The continuing fatalities come despite nationwide efforts to expand measles vaccination and strengthen hospital capacity.

Health officials have been monitoring the outbreak since March, when the Directorate General of Health Services began regularly publishing data on patients with measles and measles-like symptoms. Earlier government figures showed that hundreds of people had died while tens of thousands required hospital treatment.

The outbreak has placed additional pressure on hospitals already dealing with a surge in dengue infections. Bangladesh has also reported a sharp increase in dengue hospitalisations in recent months, creating an increasingly difficult public-health environment.

Public-health specialists have previously raised concerns about vaccination coverage, gaps in disease surveillance and the capacity of hospitals to manage severe measles cases and complications.

Measles can be particularly dangerous for young children and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and other infections, especially among patients who are malnourished or otherwise vulnerable.

The government has conducted emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas and later expanded vaccination efforts nationwide. Officials have said millions of children have received vaccines as part of the response.

However, the persistence of deaths and new hospital admissions suggests that the outbreak remains a serious public-health challenge. Health authorities are continuing to monitor suspected cases and hospital admissions as Bangladesh attempts to contain both measles and dengue outbreaks simultaneously.

BEIRUT — Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed four people and wounded at least 20 others on Sunday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, in the latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Israeli military said the strikes were carried out in response to what it described as a Hezbollah drone attack targeting areas where Israeli troops are operating in southern Lebanon.

Two women were among those killed in a strike on the southern Lebanese village of Arab Salim, north of an area where Israeli forces have established a security zone, according to Lebanese authorities. Two men were also killed in strikes near the edge of the Israeli-occupied area.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the strikes also injured at least 20 people, including children. Another Israeli strike hit the area around Nabatiyeh, where fighting has intensified around the strategically important Ali Taher ridge.

The Israeli military has said it maintains the right to operate inside a self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon to prevent attacks by Hezbollah. The group, however, has accused Israel of escalating the situation and seeking to pressure the Lebanese government during U.S.-facilitated negotiations.

The latest violence comes despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that was brokered with U.S. involvement in June. While the truce significantly reduced the intensity of fighting, Israeli strikes and Hezbollah attacks have continued.

The strategic Ali Taher ridge, near Nabatiyeh, has become a particular flashpoint. Israel says it has established operational control of the area and recently reported clearing Hezbollah fighters from tunnels beneath the ridge. Hezbollah has disputed the significance of Israel’s control.

The renewed fighting adds to mounting casualties in Lebanon. Reuters reported that Israeli strikes on Friday killed four people and wounded 23 others, while Israel said those attacks targeted Hezbollah weapons-storage facilities.

The situation remains volatile, raising concerns that continued Israeli-Hezbollah clashes could further undermine the fragile ceasefire and widen the conflict across the region.

WASHINGTON DC — The United States and Iran exchanged attacks around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions after the U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers following Iranian missile attacks on American Navy vessels.

The U.S. Central Command said American forces targeted three Iranian crude-oil carriers on Saturday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy ships. No American personnel were reported injured in the attacks.

The strikes targeted vessels including a tanker near Iran’s Kharg Island, a major hub for the country’s oil exports. The escalation has raised fresh concerns about the security of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

Iran subsequently claimed that its forces struck an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz. The United States had not immediately confirmed the Iranian claim, according to The Associated Press.

Iranian authorities have also threatened further action against vessels they consider to be using unauthorized routes in the region. The exchange of attacks comes as military tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify following the collapse of an earlier ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, and disruption there could have consequences far beyond the Middle East. Shipping traffic through the waterway has already fallen significantly amid the conflict, while oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the region.

The latest confrontation also comes as OPEC+ prepares to meet Sunday. The group is expected to maintain its current oil-production policy amid continuing disruption to energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides issuing competing claims about attacks on vessels. Independent confirmation of some Iranian military claims was not immediately available.

WASHINGTON — The United States military said Saturday that it struck three Iranian crude-oil tankers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships operating in the region. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks. No American personnel were injured, according to the command.

CENTCOM said U.S. forces permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Iran’s Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. American forces also destroyed the unladen M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman after the crew was directed to abandon the vessel, according to CENTCOM. The U.S. military said the three tankers were part of what it described as a multibillion-dollar “shadow network” allegedly used to finance the IRGC and its regional proxies.

“Let the message to the IRGC be clear,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost.” Cooper added that the United States would continue defending its forces and, if necessary, could target Iran’s oil fleet.

Iran condemns the strikes

Iran has condemned the U.S. attacks and warned that continued attacks on Iranian vessels could lead to further military retaliation. The strikes represent a significant escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, particularly because they directly target Iranian oil shipping. One of the attacks occurred near Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil-export hub.

The latest exchange of fire also raises concerns about the security of commercial shipping and energy supplies in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important oil-shipping routes.

WASHINGTON DC— A federal judge has tightened restrictions on the Trump administration’s plans to build a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, ordering the administration to provide at least 48 hours’ notice before carrying out activity at the proposed site.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the order Friday as a legal battle continues over the proposed monument, which the administration plans to build near Washington’s Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, close to Arlington National Cemetery.

The order allows an exception for work specifically intended to identify underground archaeological or cultural resources, as required under federal historic-preservation law. The ruling came a day after the Interior Department announced plans to move forward with excavation work at the site despite ongoing legal challenges and the lack of final approval from a federal planning authority.

Administration plans excavation

The Interior Department has said the initial work is intended to assess what may be beneath the site rather than begin construction of the arch. According to court filings, the government plans to dig four test pits beginning on or after September 21 to determine whether archaeological or cultural materials are present. The government says the site would be restored by October 31.

Judge Chutkan’s latest order requires the administration to notify the court at least 48 hours before engaging in activity at the location, except for efforts specifically related to archaeological assessment.

The judge had previously questioned the administration’s authority to build the monument. Under an earlier consent order, the government also agreed to provide 14 days’ notice before beginning actual construction.

Veterans and historian challenge project

The proposed arch has become the center of a legal dispute involving three military veterans and an architectural historian. The plaintiffs argue that the administration does not have sufficient legal authority to build the structure and that congressional approval is required.

The Trump administration has argued that a 1925 law authorizing a now-defunct commission to construct Arlington Memorial Bridge also provides congressional authorization for the arch. Opponents dispute that interpretation.

Proposed monument would reshape Washington skyline

The proposed structure, known as the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck, would stand about 250 feet, or 76 meters, tall. The administration has presented the project as a monument honoring American veterans. Critics, however, say the structure could disrupt historic views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House and would alter the character of Washington’s monumental landscape.

The project has received some preliminary approvals but still faces questions over final authorization. The National Capital Planning Commission has not granted final approval, according to reporting on the legal dispute.

The court battle is part of a broader controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape Washington’s architectural landscape, including major changes at the White House and other prominent sites. For now, the judge’s order puts another legal hurdle in the path of the proposed arch and requires the administration to notify the court before moving forward with most activity at the site.

Shibbir AHmed, WASHINGTON DC — President Donald Trump has described the ongoing U.S. military conflict with Iran as “small potatoes,” downplaying the scale of a confrontation that has continued for months and resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. service members.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said he preferred to describe the situation as a “military conflict” rather than a war, echoing Vice President JD Vance’s argument that the fighting does not meet the definition of a conventional war.

Trump said U.S. military operations have largely involved intermittent airstrikes and emphasized that American ground troops have not been engaged in sustained combat. He compared the current casualties with those suffered in previous major U.S. wars. The president’s comments came as tensions with Tehran remain high and the United States continues military operations against Iranian targets.

Trump threatens further strike

Trump also warned that the United States could strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear facility, if Washington determines that Iran is moving equipment or taking other action at the site. The president said the United States could act against the facility “quite soon,” adding another potential escalation point in the conflict.

The conflict began on February 28 and has involved repeated U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran has retaliated with attacks against U.S. and allied positions in the region. According to reporting cited by AP, the conflict has killed 18 U.S. service members and cost the United States more than $37.5 billion.

Trump says Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons

Trump reiterated that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons under his administration. The comments come amid continuing concerns over Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the possibility that further U.S. strikes could broaden the conflict.

Trump has repeatedly sought to portray the U.S. military campaign as limited, while the continuing casualties, financial costs and regional consequences have kept the conflict at the center of U.S. foreign-policy and domestic political debate.

Vice President Vance has also defended the administration’s decision not to characterize the confrontation as a traditional war, pointing to the nature of the military operations and the absence of sustained U.S. ground combat.

Trump’s remarks are likely to intensify debate over the administration’s Iran strategy as the conflict continues and the United States approaches the 2026 midterm elections.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC— U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States may strike Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “very soon,” raising the possibility of a further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s remarks came as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, with Washington continuing military and economic pressure on Tehran.

According to Reuters, Pickaxe Mountain is located near Iran’s already heavily damaged Natanz uranium-enrichment complex. The site contains deeply buried tunnel complexes and has been identified by U.S. and Israeli officials as a location of concern because of its potential connection to Iran’s nuclear activities.

Trump signals possible new strike

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the United States could target Pickaxe Mountain soon. His comments represent a renewed warning over the facility after he previously threatened military action against the site.

Trump has repeatedly said that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central U.S. objective. In a separate interview aired this week, he said the United States was closely monitoring Pickaxe Mountain and claimed American surveillance capabilities provide information about activity at the location.

The president’s latest comments do not establish that a strike has been ordered or that one is imminent. They indicate that military action against the site remains under consideration.

What is Pickaxe Mountain?

Pickaxe Mountain, also known by its Persian name Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is an underground facility being developed south of the Natanz nuclear complex, roughly 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Tehran.

The facility is located beneath a mountain, making it considerably more difficult to attack than above-ground nuclear infrastructure. Satellite imagery and open-source assessments have shown extensive construction and tunnel systems at the site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had direct access to the underground facility, leaving uncertainty over precisely what equipment or nuclear material may be located there.

Why the site is important

The concern surrounding Pickaxe Mountain centers on its potential ability to protect sensitive nuclear equipment underground. Reports have suggested that Iran could potentially move uranium-enrichment centrifuges or other nuclear-related equipment into deeply buried facilities. However, the exact contents and operational status of Pickaxe Mountain remain uncertain.

Trump previously acknowledged that Iran may have moved centrifuges to the site but said the presence of centrifuges alone would not necessarily mean Iran possessed nuclear material there. The facility’s depth also presents a significant military challenge. Earlier reporting has noted that even the most powerful U.S. bunker-busting weapons may face difficulties reaching installations buried deep beneath the mountain.

Comes amid wider U.S.-Iran confrontation

Trump’s latest warning comes amid continuing military confrontation between the United States and Iran. The United States has also intensified economic pressure on Tehran. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Türkiye-based Golden Global Bank and two subsidiaries, accusing them of helping Iranian financial institutions access international banking networks.

The Treasury said the action was part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Iranian financial networks and restricting resources that Washington says support Iran’s regional activities. The combination of military pressure and financial sanctions reflects Washington’s continuing effort to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program and other regional activities.

Risk of further escalation

A U.S. strike on Pickaxe Mountain could mark another significant development in the conflict because of the facility’s location and its reported underground construction. Any attack could also increase regional tensions and potentially affect ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran and international mediators.

For now, Trump’s statement indicates that the facility remains under close U.S. surveillance and that military action remains a possibility. Whether Washington ultimately carries out an attack, however, remains unclear. The situation is developing.