Shibbir Ahmed, UN, NEW YORK — Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is set to assume the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, placing a Bangladeshi diplomat at the helm of the UN’s most representative body at a critical moment for global diplomacy. Rahman will formally open the 81st General Assembly session at United Nations Headquarters in New York at 3 p.m. local time on September 8, succeeding Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock. The session will run through September 7, 2027.

His year-long presidency comes as the international community faces continuing conflicts, climate emergencies, development challenges and growing concerns over trust in multilateral institutions. The United Nations has identified the theme of the 81st session as “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Rahman was elected president of the 81st session in June after defeating Cyprus’ candidate, Andreas Kakouris, in a closely contested secret-ballot vote. He received 99 votes, compared with 91 for Kakouris, out of 190 ballots cast.

The presidency marks Bangladesh’s return to the top post of the General Assembly after four decades. The first Bangladeshi to hold the position was former Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, who presided over the 41st session in 1986–87.

Rahman’s tenure will coincide with several major developments at the United Nations, including the high-level General Debate from September 22 to 28 and the selection of a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.

The 81st session is expected to address a wide range of global issues, including conflicts, climate change, sustainable development, pandemic preparedness, nuclear disarmament and reform of the United Nations.

For Bangladesh, Rahman’s presidency represents a significant diplomatic milestone and provides the country with a prominent platform to contribute to international consensus-building during a period of major geopolitical and institutional change.

KATHMANDU — The United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched a $49.6 million emergency appeal to provide life-saving assistance to more than 84,000 people affected by catastrophic flash floods and landslides in northern Nepal.

The disaster, which struck on August 26, devastated communities across the region, destroying homes, roads and other critical infrastructure and leaving thousands of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The UN humanitarian community said the appeal is aimed at supporting those most severely affected by the disaster.

The emergency response is focused on providing essential supplies and services, including food, clean water, emergency shelter, healthcare and protection assistance for affected communities.

The scale of the disaster has also placed enormous pressure on Nepal’s search-and-rescue operations. According to Nepalese authorities cited by Reuters, more than 1,294 people have been killed, while thousands remain missing following the floods and landslides.

The disaster caused particularly severe damage along the Trishuli River, where floodwaters, rocks, mud and debris swept through communities and infrastructure. Hydropower facilities and access roads were also heavily damaged.

Rescue teams have continued searching for survivors in areas cut off by the disaster. In a dramatic development, two workers were rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel nine days after the disaster struck.

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the destruction of homes and basic infrastructure. Nepalese officials have estimated that thousands of houses will need to be rebuilt, while overall property, housing and infrastructure losses have reached billions of dollars.

The UN and its humanitarian partners say the immediate priority is to reach people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and to prevent further suffering as recovery efforts begin.

The emergency appeal will support relief operations in the hardest-hit communities and help humanitarian agencies deliver assistance to people who urgently need it.

The disaster is among the most serious natural emergencies Nepal has faced in recent years, with the effects extending beyond immediate loss of life to homes, livelihoods, transportation networks and vital infrastructure.

As search-and-rescue operations continue, the United Nations is urging international support for the emergency response and emphasizing the urgent humanitarian needs of tens of thousands of survivors.

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.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — An estimated 20 million children aged 12 to 17—nearly one in five internet-using children—experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year across 21 countries, according to a new report released by UNICEF.

The report, Through Children’s Eyes: How Digital Technologies Enable Child Sexual Abuse, highlights the growing risks children face through social media, online games, messaging services and other digital platforms.

UNICEF said more than 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content, while about 9 million were pressured to engage in sexual conversations or share sexual images against their will. Another 4 million had sexual images of themselves shared without their consent.

Social media accounts for most cases

Nearly 60 percent of reported experiences occurred on mainstream social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp, according to UNICEF. Another 14 percent of cases occurred through online games, with perpetrators exploiting platform features and children’s trust.

The findings also challenge the perception that online abuse is primarily committed by strangers. UNICEF said 57 percent of cases involved someone the child already knew, including peers, friends, romantic partners or family members. At the same time, 38 percent of children first encountered the perpetrator online, including through fake accounts and private messaging.

Severe impact on children’s well-being

The report found that children who experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse were four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviours and self-harm, while also reporting significantly higher levels of anxiety.

In Mexico and North Macedonia, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours was more than eight times higher among children who had experienced abuse. In Pakistan, the risk of self-harm was more than seven times higher.

Despite the scale of the problem, most cases remain hidden. More than 40 percent of children never told anyone about their experiences, while fewer than 1 percent of cases were reported to authorities, such as police, social workers or helplines. UNICEF said the most common reason children remained silent was that they did not know where to seek help or whom to tell.

21 countries covered by the research

The UNICEF research covered approximately 21,000 internet-using children aged 12 to 17, along with in-depth interviews with 100 young people who experienced abuse during childhood. The first round of research, conducted primarily in 2020–2021, covered Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, the Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Viet Nam.

The second round, conducted in 2024–2025, expanded the research to Armenia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan and Serbia. UNICEF stressed that because the survey included internet-using children, the findings represent internet-using children rather than all children, particularly in countries where internet access remains limited.

UNICEF calls for stronger online protection

UNICEF is urging governments, technology companies and other stakeholders to strengthen protections for children online. The agency called for safer digital platforms, stronger privacy protections, restrictions on unsolicited contact from adults, improved systems for detecting and reporting abuse, and stronger laws and accountability measures.

It also urged governments and communities to provide trusted reporting and support services so children can seek help safely. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said governments and technology companies must do more to protect children in digital spaces.

The findings come as children increasingly use digital platforms for education, entertainment and social interaction, making online safety an increasingly urgent child-protection issue.

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day halt in Russian strikes on Kyiv as U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys prepare to visit the Ukrainian capital, the Kremlin said Saturday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin had ordered Russian forces not to strike Kyiv for three days beginning at midnight. The temporary pause is linked to the visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are seeking to revive diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

“The Russian president and commander in chief has given the order not to strike Kyiv for three days from midnight tonight,” Peskov said, according to Russian state media.

Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday and were scheduled to meet Putin before traveling to Kyiv on Sunday. Their visit is part of a renewed diplomatic effort by the Trump administration to push Russia and Ukraine toward an agreement to end the more than four-year war.

The announcement of the temporary halt comes after Russia carried out attacks across Ukraine, including strikes targeting areas around Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities have continued to report Russian missile and drone attacks as the conflict remains active.

The Kremlin’s decision to pause strikes on Kyiv appears intended to facilitate the U.S. delegation’s planned visit and meetings in the Ukrainian capital. The latest diplomatic push comes amid continued disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv over territory, security guarantees and Ukraine’s future relationship with NATO.

Trump has repeatedly said he wants to bring the war to an end, while his administration has stepped up high-level contacts with both Russian and Ukrainian officials. The outcome of Witkoff and Kushner’s meetings in Moscow and Kyiv could determine whether the latest diplomatic initiative develops into broader peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

MOSCOW — U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday as part of a renewed diplomatic effort to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The two U.S. representatives met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin for talks focused on efforts to find a possible path toward ending the conflict. Putin described the situation in Ukraine as difficult and complex, while praising Trump’s efforts to seek a diplomatic solution to the war.

Trump has said his envoys are carrying a proposal aimed at bringing an end to the conflict. The latest diplomatic initiative comes as Washington continues to push Moscow and Kyiv toward negotiations despite major disagreements between the two sides. Witkoff and Kushner are also expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

As part of the diplomatic effort, Russia announced a temporary 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv during the visit, according to reports. Zelenskyy has also agreed to suspend Ukrainian strikes on Moscow during the talks.

However, fighting continues in other parts of Ukraine, and significant differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv over issues including territory, security guarantees and Ukraine’s future relationship with NATO. The latest meetings represent one of the most significant diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration to advance negotiations since returning to the White House. The outcome of the Moscow and Kyiv meetings could determine whether the latest peace initiative develops into broader negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

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.

DHAKA — The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has reminded holders of B1/B2 visitor visas that the visa category does not permit certain activities, including birth tourism, paid employment and formal academic study for credit. The embassy issued the reminder Saturday through its verified social media account, outlining activities that visitors are not authorized to undertake while traveling to the United States on a B1/B2 visa.

According to the embassy, “birth tourism”—traveling to the United States primarily to give birth for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child—is not permitted under a B1/B2 visitor visa.

The embassy also reminded visa holders that they cannot work for or receive remuneration from a U.S. employer or business while in the United States on a visitor visa. Formal study for academic credit is likewise not permitted. Visitors seeking to pursue degree-level or other qualifying academic study generally need an appropriate student visa.

What B1/B2 visas allow

The B1/B2 category is a nonimmigrant visitor visa generally used for temporary business and tourism. The B1 component covers certain temporary business activities, including attending business meetings and consultations, participating in professional or business conferences, negotiating contracts and conducting other permitted business activities that do not constitute employment in the United States.

The B2 component generally covers tourism, vacations, visits to family or friends and medical treatment. The State Department also permits certain short recreational courses that are not taken for academic credit.

Activities prohibited on visitor visas

The U.S. Department of State says visitor visas cannot be used for employment, formal study, permanent residence or professional activities that require another visa category. The department specifically lists employment and study among activities that are not permitted on visitor visas. It also states that working as foreign press, including in print journalism and other information media, is not permitted on a visitor visa. Foreign journalists traveling to the United States to work in their profession generally need the appropriate media visa rather than a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Birth tourism

The State Department separately states that traveling to the United States primarily to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child is not a permissible basis for a visitor visa. The embassy’s reminder comes as the issue of birthright citizenship remains the subject of an ongoing legal and political debate in the United States. A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration’s latest executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, saying the order could not override Supreme Court precedent.

The Embassy’s latest message, however, concerns the permitted uses of the B1/B2 visitor visa and does not itself change the existing visa categories. Travelers are advised to ensure that the purpose of their trip matches the visa category under which they are entering the United States. The State Department notes that travelers who intend to engage in activities requiring another visa category should seek the appropriate visa or, where applicable, follow the required change-of-status procedures.

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.