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Under the latest action, any valid U.S. visas held by the individuals have been revoked.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those subject to the restrictions will be denied entry to the United States, while previously issued valid visas have been revoked.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 — 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.

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.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations General Assembly remains a central forum for international diplomacy, providing all 193 UN member states with a platform to debate global issues ranging from war and peace to development, climate change and human rights. In an interview with UN News, Richard Gowan, Director of UN and Multilateral Diplomacy at the International Crisis Group, discussed the Assembly’s changing role and its importance in global affairs ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.

Gowan said the UN’s founders initially expected the Security Council to be the main center of decision-making. However, divisions among the major powers quickly shifted many political discussions toward the General Assembly. During the early years of the UN, the Assembly played a significant role in debates over Palestine and Korea while the Security Council was frequently affected by Cold War divisions.

One major test came in 1956, when the Suez crisis and the Soviet intervention in Hungary unfolded simultaneously. According to Gowan, the General Assembly authorized the first UN peacekeeping operation in response to the Suez crisis, marking an important moment in the Assembly’s role in international crisis management.

A platform for newly independent states

The expansion of UN membership during the 1960s transformed the General Assembly. Newly independent countries used the forum to raise issues including apartheid in South Africa and remaining colonial conflicts.

Gowan said the Assembly became an important platform for countries emerging from colonial rule to make their voices heard internationally. During the 1960s, the Assembly adopted a series of resolutions condemning apartheid, while its debates increasingly reflected the growing influence of countries from what is now commonly called the Global South.

Developing countries also used the Assembly to challenge what they regarded as an unfair international economic system. In 1974, the General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for a new international economic order intended to provide a fairer system for developing countries.

Gowan said the Assembly gave countries emerging from colonialism a major platform to assert themselves on the world stage. He also argued that the international campaign against apartheid contributed to the eventual end of apartheid in South Africa, while acknowledging that efforts to establish a new international economic order did not achieve their intended outcome.

Post-Cold War cooperation

Following the end of the Cold War, diplomats were able to cooperate more closely on strengthening the UN system. Gowan pointed to the creation of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2005 as an example of initiatives developed through cooperation between member states and the UN Secretariat and subsequently approved by the General Assembly.

The global financial crisis of 2008–2009 presented another challenge. Gowan said many UN members expected the organization to respond, while the United States and other major economies instead worked through the G20. At the same time, discussions on environmental protection and efforts to address global environmental challenges gained greater prominence within the UN system.

A voice for smaller countries

Gowan said the General Assembly remains particularly important for small countries and middle powers, which often have fewer opportunities to influence international affairs through smaller diplomatic groupings. He noted that despite frequent discussion about the UN’s future, large numbers of world leaders continue to travel to New York every September to address the General Assembly.

He also emphasized the significance of keeping the Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York, describing the location as an important center for global diplomacy and international media attention.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — United Nations General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman has made restoring trust in the United Nations the central theme of his one-year presidency, saying the organization needs to respond to unmet expectations on peace, development and human rights. Rahman, a senior Bangladeshi diplomat and Bangladesh’s sitting foreign minister, took the gavel as president of the 81st session of the General Assembly. In an interview with UN News, he said the UN faces a “crisis of confidence” and needs a transformation to meet the challenges of the modern world.

Speaking as High-Level Week gets underway, Rahman described the gathering of world leaders as a major expression of the UN General Assembly’s convening power. He said he would closely examine what world leaders say about rebuilding trust in the organization and use their views to guide his presidency.

Rahman said the United Nations was founded in 1945 with the ambition of preventing another global conflict. While he noted that the world has avoided another large-scale global war and that the UN has made progress in development, he said many conflicts have not been prevented and development progress has often been slow.

He also highlighted human rights as an area requiring greater attention, saying the UN spends about four percent of its total spending on human rights. Rahman said work across the UN’s peace and security, development and human rights pillars is needed to rebuild confidence in the organization.

AI poses a new challenge

Rahman identified artificial intelligence as one of the major challenges distinguishing today’s world from the era when the UN was founded. He said AI could accelerate human progress but could also create serious risks. While innovation should continue, he argued that safeguards are needed to ensure the technology serves humanity. He called for governments, developers and users to participate in discussions on the responsible development and use of AI.

Assembly’s role

Responding to criticism that General Assembly resolutions lack the authority of Security Council decisions, Rahman emphasized the Assembly’s ability to bring countries together. He said the Assembly provides heads of government and state with a setting to discuss serious international issues and seek solutions through diplomacy. He also said the Assembly will continue to play a role in establishing international norms and providing broader direction for the international community.

Rohingya crisis

Rahman also reflected on his experience working on the Rohingya crisis, describing it as a grave humanitarian crisis and highlighting the resilience of refugees and their desire to return home. He said the crisis reinforced his belief that violence does not provide a lasting solution and that dialogue and negotiation are necessary to resolve conflicts. Looking toward the end of his presidency, Rahman said he hopes to see progress on UN reform, the organization’s financial sustainability and faster delivery at the local level.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations Security Council met on September 18 to discuss the future of United Nations peacekeeping operations amid increasingly complex conflicts and growing challenges facing peace missions around the world. The meeting, the Council’s 10,226th, focused on the changing nature of UN peace operations and the need to ensure that missions remain effective, adaptable and capable of responding to evolving security threats. The meeting was formally listed as “United Nations peacekeeping operations.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Council that many UN peacekeeping missions are now operating in environments where peace remains elusive. He called for greater emphasis on peacemaking and for peace operations to adapt to the realities of modern conflicts.

The discussion comes as the United Nations undertakes a broader review of the future of all forms of peace operations. The review, led jointly by the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, was submitted to the General Assembly and Security Council in August 2026.

According to the UN, today’s conflicts are increasingly protracted and internationalized, while peace agreements are becoming harder to achieve. Peace missions also face emerging challenges including the increased use of drones, advanced weapons technologies, threats to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the involvement of a wider range of state and non-state actors.

The United Kingdom said peace operations must remain adaptable, effective and suited to the challenges they face. In a statement to the Council, UK Deputy Permanent Representative Kate Foster said Britain was prepared to work with the United Nations to strengthen the effectiveness of peace operations.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, also addressed the Council, highlighting Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping. Pakistan has been among the major contributors of troops and personnel to UN peacekeeping missions for decades.

The Council’s discussion comes at a critical time for several UN missions. In Lebanon, for example, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is preparing for a scheduled withdrawal by the end of 2026, with UN officials stressing the importance of a smooth transition and continued coordination with Lebanese authorities and other UN agencies.

The Security Council’s September 18 meeting formed part of its September programme of work, during which members also addressed issues including Sudan, Afghanistan, the Middle East, terrorism and non-proliferation.

The broader debate is expected to continue as UN member states consider how peace operations can become more focused, flexible and responsive while maintaining their mandates to support peace and security.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States and China opened high-level economic talks in New York on Sunday, with artificial intelligence, trade, tariffs and critical minerals on the agenda as Washington and Beijing prepare for a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are meeting at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan, alongside U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks were scheduled to begin at about 10:30 a.m. ET and were expected to continue throughout the day. The discussions are intended to prepare potential agreements and reduce outstanding differences ahead of the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for Sept. 24 in Washington.

Trade truce and tariffs

A central issue is the status of the current U.S.-China trade truce, which is scheduled to expire on Nov. 10. Officials are expected to discuss tariffs on non-strategic goods, market access and China’s commitments to increase purchases of U.S. agricultural products. Issues left unresolved from Trump’s May meeting with Xi in Beijing are also expected to remain part of the negotiations. The talks come as both countries seek to manage a trade relationship that has significant implications for global markets and supply chains.

Critical minerals and rare-earth supplies

Critical minerals and Chinese rare-earth magnets are another major issue in the New York discussions. The United States has raised concerns about the flow of rare-earth magnets and other critical materials needed for advanced manufacturing and technology industries. Rare earths are particularly important to the production of components used in electronics and advanced semiconductor technologies. Washington is seeking greater reliability in these supply chains as the two countries negotiate broader economic arrangements.

AI takes center stage

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a new area of U.S.-China economic and strategic competition. Bessent said the discussions are expected to cover both open-weight and closed-weight AI models. Open-weight systems make key elements of an AI model available to users, allowing them to download and modify the technology for specific applications.

U.S. officials are also interested in potential safeguards, or “guard rails,” to address shared risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems. Reuters reported that the talks come amid concerns about security breaches involving AI models.

The United States and China are among the world’s leading developers and users of advanced artificial intelligence, making cooperation and competition over the technology an increasingly important part of their broader relationship.

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit

The New York meetings are taking place just days before Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet in Washington. Several issues from previous negotiations remain unresolved, including tariffs, agricultural purchases, rare-earth supplies and technology-related concerns. Reuters reported that analysts expect the two sides to focus on limited steps that could help prevent further escalation rather than seeking an immediate comprehensive agreement.

The outcome of the New York discussions could therefore help shape the agenda for the leaders’ upcoming meeting, while providing an indication of whether Washington and Beijing can maintain their current trade truce and expand cooperation in selected areas. The talks are also taking place as New York prepares to host world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week, bringing increased diplomatic activity to the city.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: World leaders are converging on New York as the United Nations prepares for the high-level week of its 81st General Assembly, with wars, global security, artificial intelligence, climate change and the future of multilateral cooperation expected to dominate discussions. The high-level segment of the 81st session will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York beginning September 22, with the General Debate continuing through September 26 and September 28. Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to participate in the annual gathering, according to current reporting.

The theme of this year’s General Assembly is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The 81st session officially opened on September 8. The gathering comes at a time of heightened international tensions, with the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global energy and food-security concerns, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence among the major issues facing governments.

The Middle East is expected to feature prominently in diplomatic discussions. The Ukraine war will also remain a major international issue, while leaders are expected to discuss humanitarian concerns and the broader challenges facing the international system. Reuters reported that the UN is also facing financial pressures and questions about its role in responding to major global crises.

AI emerges as a major global issue

Artificial intelligence is expected to receive significant attention during this year’s UN meetings. UN officials and governments are examining how the international community can establish appropriate rules and cooperation mechanisms as AI technology develops rapidly.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is also scheduled to brief the UN Security Council during the General Assembly week at an open session focused on artificial intelligence and international security. The meeting is expected to address both the opportunities and security risks associated with rapidly advancing AI technologies.

Climate, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness

The General Assembly’s formal program includes several high-level meetings dealing with major global challenges. A high-level meeting on the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development is scheduled for September 23. On September 24, world leaders will address the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, while September 25 will focus on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. A meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is scheduled for September 28.

Climate change and sustainable development are also expected to feature prominently throughout the week as governments discuss efforts to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Diplomatic meetings beyond the General Debate

The UN General Assembly week traditionally provides an opportunity for leaders to hold numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the formal sessions. The European Union, for example, is planning several meetings and initiatives during the week, including a Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity Summit on September 21, co-hosted by the European Council, Canada and Kenya.

The annual gathering is therefore expected to turn New York into the center of international diplomacy, with leaders using the week not only to address the General Assembly but also to negotiate and discuss issues affecting global peace, security, development and international cooperation.

With conflicts continuing in several regions and governments facing new challenges from technology, climate change and economic pressures, the 81st General Assembly is set to become one of the year’s most closely watched international diplomatic gatherings.