Shibbir Ahmed, New York — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the world is entering an “era of deep uncertainty,” urging governments to strengthen international cooperation as leaders prepare to gather in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly.

Speaking ahead of the General Assembly’s high-level week, Guterres identified rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, the climate crisis and deepening inequalities as major existential threats facing the international community.

Guterres devoted much of his remarks to the growing risks associated with artificial intelligence. While acknowledging AI’s potential to accelerate development, improve education and health systems and strengthen climate resilience, he warned that technological development is advancing faster than the world’s understanding of its risks.

He called for stronger safeguards to make AI development safe, transparent and accountable, with human dignity at the centre. Guterres said national action is important but stressed that global coordination is essential because AI and its risks do not stop at national borders.

The UN chief also urged world leaders to address ongoing conflicts. He reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and urged implementation of a two-state solution in the Middle East. He also called for de-escalation and the protection of civilians.

The General Assembly’s high-level week begins in New York on September 18, with the General Debate scheduled to begin on September 22. Leaders from all 193 UN member states are expected to address global challenges, including conflicts, climate change, international security and sustainable development. Guterres said international cooperation is more necessary than ever as governments confront interconnected global crises.

NEW DELHI — India has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest following a collision between an Indian Navy vessel and a Pakistani naval ship in international waters of the Arabian Sea.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 15, and described the conduct of the Pakistani naval units involved as “unacceptable and unprofessional.” The ministry said the collision did not cause any major damage.

According to Indian officials, the Pakistani naval vessel approached an Indian Navy warship operating on a routine surveillance mission in the northern Arabian Sea. Indian sources said the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe manner before the collision.

India said the incident took place in international waters and raised concerns over compliance with a 1991 bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan. The agreement includes provisions intended to promote safety and prevent incidents involving military vessels.

The Pakistani Charge d’Affaires was asked to convey to Islamabad the need for military units to exercise due care at sea and respect bilateral agreements to prevent similar incidents in the future. India also instructed its Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a corresponding protest with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

There was no immediate public response from the Pakistani government to India’s protest, according to the latest reports. The incident comes against the backdrop of already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

BEIJING — China has urged the United States to halt its military buildup in outer space, warning that the deployment of weapons in orbit could trigger a global arms race and increase strategic tensions.

The warning followed comments from U.S. officials acknowledging that the United States has weapons deployed in orbit. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the weapons are intended to help defend against hostile actions involving space. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes the weaponization of outer space and called on Washington to stop expanding its military capabilities there.

“China stands for peaceful use of outer space and keeping it safe, and opposes any arms race in outer space,” Guo said at a Foreign Ministry briefing on September 15. He urged the United States to maintain global strategic stability through concrete actions.

Chinese state media and military analysts have also warned that the expansion of U.S. military capabilities in orbit could encourage other countries to develop counter-space weapons, potentially creating a cycle of competition and increasing the risk of conflict in space.

The issue highlights growing international concerns over the military use of space. Russia has separately called for efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, arguing that a legally binding agreement could help restrict offensive weapons in orbit.

The United States and China are already competing across several strategic areas, including advanced technology, artificial intelligence and military capabilities. The latest dispute adds space security to the growing list of issues affecting relations between the two powers.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States has paid $725 million to the United Nations, reducing its outstanding financial obligations to the world body and ensuring that Washington retains its voting rights in the UN General Assembly. The payment comes just days before world leaders are due to gather in New York for the annual General Assembly session.

The United Nations said the United States transferred $725 million for the organization’s regular budget on Tuesday. Washington also paid an additional $102 million toward UN peacekeeping operations on Friday. Despite the latest payments, the United States still owes approximately $1.312 billion to the UN regular budget, according to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.

The payment also removes the immediate risk that the United States could lose its voting rights under Article 19 of the UN Charter. The provision says a member state can lose its vote in the General Assembly when its arrears reach or exceed the amount of contributions due for the preceding two full years, although the General Assembly can grant an exception in certain circumstances.

The United States is the largest contributor to the UN budget, but the Trump administration has criticized the organization and reduced or delayed funding to various UN agencies. Washington has also pushed for reforms and cost reductions across the UN system.

The latest payment comes as the United Nations faces continuing financial pressure and implements its “UN80” reform and cost-cutting initiative. China, the UN’s second-largest contributor, paid $641.4 million toward its regular budget contribution earlier this month, according to UN figures cited by Reuters. The U.S. payment means Washington will retain its vote as the 2026 UN General Assembly prepares to convene in New York next week, while the broader dispute over U.S. funding and UN reforms remains unresolved.

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, NEW YORK — North Korea continues to deploy tens of thousands of workers overseas in violation of United Nations sanctions, generating hundreds of millions of dollars that the country’s government allegedly uses to support its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT).

The MSMT, a multilateral mechanism established in October 2024 to monitor implementation of UN sanctions against North Korea, estimated that between 35,600 and 101,280 North Korean workers remain deployed abroad, with nearly all located in China and Russia.

The report says the overseas labor network generated an estimated $450 million to $800 million in 2025, despite UN Security Council resolutions requiring member states to end such employment and repatriate North Korean nationals earning income in their territories.

According to the MSMT, at least 17 countries are suspected of continuing to host North Korean workers. The UN Security Council adopted measures in 2017 under Resolutions 2375 and 2397 that prohibited member states from providing work authorization to North Korean nationals and required countries to repatriate North Koreans earning income in their jurisdictions by the end of 2019.

China and Russia remain major destinations

The report estimates that between 20,000 and 70,000 North Korean workers are deployed in China. While an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 workers were temporarily repatriated from China between 2023 and 2025, the MSMT said approximately 10,000 new North Korean workers arrived in China between January 2025 and January 2026. Russia has also become a major destination for North Korean laborers. The MSMT estimates that between 15,000 and 30,000 North Korean workers were in Russia at the end of 2025.

The report says some North Korean workers in Russia have been involved in manufacturing military drones and other activities connected to Russia’s defense-industrial sector. The MSMT identified North Korean workers at facilities involved in areas including drone production, arms manufacturing, steel processing and shipbuilding. The report also says Russia has used a student-visa scheme that the MSMT considers a mechanism for disguising some North Korean workers as students.

Most wages allegedly seized by North Korea

The MSMT estimates that North Korean authorities confiscate 80% to 90% of workers’ wages. In some cases, the report says, the amount taken can exceed workers’ actual earnings, leaving them indebted to the North Korean government.

North Korean authorities also maintain strict controls over workers’ movements and contacts with outsiders, according to the report. Workers who attempt to defect face the risk of retaliation against family members who remain in North Korea.

The report estimates that a North Korean worker in Russia generates an average of about $7,500 in annual wages, while monthly earnings can be several times higher than those of workers in China, depending on the industry.

MSMT seeks restoration of UN expert panel

The latest report also addresses the monitoring gap created after the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee Panel of Experts was disbanded in April 2024 following Russia’s veto of a resolution extending its mandate. The MSMT said its latest findings are intended to help the international community implement existing UN sanctions and identify efforts to circumvent them.

The participating governments called for the UN Security Council to reestablish the Panel of Experts with the same strength and structure it had before its dissolution. The MSMT said it will continue monitoring implementation of UN sanctions related to North Korea and reporting suspected violations and sanctions-evasion activities.

The participating governments also urged UN member states to increase awareness of the risks associated with employing North Korean overseas laborers and to take domestic action against parties and facilitators involved in alleged violations of UN sanctions.

Source: Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT); joint statement by participating governments.

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.

DHAKA – Bangladesh and China today discussed cooperation on the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor alongside a wide range of bilateral areas, including infrastructure, energy, human-resource development and economic cooperation.

The issues came up when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at her office here, according to a foreign ministry press release.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and cooperation, particularly the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Chinese Economic Zone and development of Mongla Port.

They also discussed the proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, education and human-resource development, people-to-people exchanges, energy cooperation, including renewable energy, and women’s empowerment.

Shama recalled Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s successful visit to China and appreciated Beijing’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in infrastructure, human development and capacity building.

Ambassador Yao reaffirmed China’s commitment to Bangladesh as a trusted partner and friend and highlighted the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years. During the meeting, the Chinese envoy also invited the state minister to visit China at a mutually convenient time, leading a delegation of women entrepreneurs from Bangladesh. Shama welcomed the invitation and expressed appreciation for the initiative.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States has imposed new sanctions on Russia’s VTB Bank, accusing the major financial institution of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions and establishing correspondent banking relationships with sanctioned Iranian banks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the action on September 14 under the administration’s Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign aimed at disrupting the Iranian regime’s financial networks and sources of revenue.

“Under Operation Economic Outcast, Treasury will continue to target and disrupt those who provide material, technological, or financial support that allows the Iranian regime to sustain its terrorist enterprise,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. Bessent added that the United States would continue identifying, exposing and isolating individuals and institutions that support the Iranian regime.

VTB Accused of Expanding Ties With Iran

According to the Treasury Department, VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, has expanded its banking presence in Iran in recent years as Moscow and Tehran have sought to deepen economic and trade ties.

U.S. authorities said VTB established correspondent banking relationships with Iranian financial institutions already under sanctions and began taking additional steps to expand its presence in Tehran in January 2025.

The Treasury Department also accused the bank of helping establish a settlement mechanism using Iranian rials and Russian rubles through correspondent accounts, with the aim of facilitating bilateral trade. U.S. officials further alleged that VTB took steps to move billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets.

Operation Economic Outcast

The Treasury Department announced Operation Economic Outcast on August 24, describing the campaign as an effort to sever the remaining economic lifelines supporting the Iranian regime. The operation focuses on financial networks involved in oil smuggling, sanctions evasion and the financing of Iran’s security apparatus, terrorist proxies and other affiliated networks.

Washington has warned foreign financial institutions that continuing significant business with sanctioned Iranian entities could expose them to secondary sanctions and potentially restrict their access to the U.S. financial system. The Treasury Department said it is also working with partners in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Gulf countries to target financial channels connected to Iran.

VTB Already Under U.S. Sanctions

The latest action is not the first time VTB Bank has been targeted by the United States. OFAC previously designated VTB in January 2025 under sanctions authorities targeting Russia’s financial sector. The bank was also sanctioned in February 2022 over its ties to the Russian government and its operations in Russia’s financial services sector. The new designation adds Iran-related sanctions exposure to the bank’s existing restrictions.

Assets Blocked

Under the latest action, all property and interests in property belonging to VTB Bank that are located in the United States or held by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving the blocked property unless authorized by OFAC or covered by an applicable exemption. The restrictions also extend to entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50% or more by one or more blocked persons.

Foreign financial institutions engaging in certain significant transactions involving designated entities may also face the risk of secondary sanctions, including restrictions on their ability to maintain correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States.

The Treasury Department said the latest action sends a broader warning to foreign banks and businesses that facilitate Iran’s efforts to circumvent U.S. sanctions. Washington is expected to continue targeting financial institutions and other entities that it says provide Iran with access to international financial networks.

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.