Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on a Hamas military operative in Gaza and a France-based fundraising network that U.S. authorities said used sham charities and cryptocurrency to raise nearly $2 million for the Palestinian militant group. The action, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on October 2, targets what Washington described as part of Hamas’s international financial support network. The U.S. Department of State said the measures were aimed at disrupting efforts to raise and transfer funds to Hamas through charitable and humanitarian structures.

According to the State Department, the France-based network used purported charitable organizations and cryptocurrency to collect nearly $2 million for Hamas in recent years. The action was coordinated among the State Department, Treasury Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The State Department said the measures demonstrate the U.S. commitment to dismantling Hamas’s international financing networks and restricting the group’s access to resources that Washington says can support terrorist activities. The department said the United States would continue working with partner governments, including France, to identify individuals and organizations involved in raising or transferring funds to Hamas.

The measures also seek to protect legitimate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, according to the State Department, which said humanitarian aid should be delivered through organizations that can ensure the assistance reaches its intended recipients. The sanctions were issued under Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, the primary U.S. counterterrorism sanctions authority. Under the action, property and interests in property belonging to designated persons that are in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are subject to blocking restrictions.

The U.S. State Department designated Hamas under Executive Order 13224 on October 31, 2001. Hamas is also designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Treasury Department’s action comes alongside a Justice Department investigation into a broader Hamas financing network. U.S. authorities announced charges and arrests involving individuals accused of raising and transferring funds to Hamas, including activity involving the United States and France.

The U.S. government said disrupting Hamas’s international financing channels remains part of its broader effort to restrict the group’s ability to obtain funds and maintain its operations. The action also highlights increased cooperation between U.S. agencies and foreign partners in tracing financial flows involving Hamas and identifying organizations that authorities allege have been used to conceal terrorist financing as charitable activity. U.S. officials said they would continue working with international partners to target financial networks supporting Hamas while seeking to preserve legitimate humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC  — The United States and dozens of partner countries have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing United Nations restrictions on Iran, one year after a series of UN Security Council resolutions were restored through the so-called “snapback” mechanism. In a joint statement issued October 2, the countries participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) said they would continue implementing the obligations contained in six UN Security Council resolutions that returned into force on September 27, 2025.

The resolutions are UNSCR 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008) and 1929 (2010). According to the statement, France, Germany and the United Kingdom initiated the snapback process in response to what they described as Iran’s “persistent and significant non-performance” of its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The United States and its PSI partners said they remain committed to preventing the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of materials, equipment, goods and technology that could contribute to proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear-weapons delivery systems. They also reaffirmed restrictions on the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel to or from Iran.

The participating countries said they would strengthen their domestic legal authorities and capabilities to address proliferation-sensitive activities involving Iran. Their commitments include preventing direct or indirect transfers of items that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as materials covered by the reinstated UN arms restrictions.

The countries also pledged to improve information-sharing among PSI partners concerning Iran’s proliferation activities and to review national legal authorities where necessary to ensure that enforcement measures remain effective. They further committed to taking appropriate actions in support of interdiction efforts involving Iran’s proliferation-related activities. The joint statement welcomed national-level efforts to implement the reinstated UN obligations and cited activities linked to Operation Economic Outcast as supporting the broader objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The participating states called on all UN member countries to implement the reinstated resolutions and said they would continue coordinating counterproliferation efforts to prevent Iran from undertaking activities prohibited under the resolutions, including efforts related to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. They also urged Tehran to return to compliance with its nonproliferation obligations, cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and address what the signatories described as international concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities.

The snapback process began in August 2025, when France, Germany and the United Kingdom notified the UN Security Council that they considered Iran to be in significant non-performance of its JCPOA commitments. The process culminated on September 27, 2025, when the six earlier Security Council resolutions returned into force.

The status and legality of the snapback have been disputed by Iran, which has argued that the mechanism was invalid and that the states invoking it lacked the authority to restore the earlier resolutions. The dispute has remained part of the broader international debate over the future of the JCPOA and Iran’s nuclear program. The October 2 statement was signed by a broad group of PSI-endorsing countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Israel, South Korea and numerous European and other partner states.

Mashiur Rahman, New York — New York City is implementing several new laws and rules in October 2026, affecting consumers, rent-stabilized tenants, businesses and commercial waste operations across the city. Among the changes taking effect this month are a new “Click-to-Cancel” rule for subscriptions, new restrictions on certain menstrual and intimate-care products, updated protections for small-business owners during city inspections, and changes to commercial waste requirements.

One of the most significant changes for consumers took effect October 1, when New York City’s new Click-to-Cancel rule became effective. The rule requires businesses offering automatic-renewal or continuous-service subscriptions to clearly explain subscription terms and provide customers with a straightforward way to cancel. In general, the cancellation process must be available through the same method used to sign up.

Businesses that violate the rule may face civil penalties beginning at $525 per violation, as well as potential restitution to affected consumers. The city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is responsible for enforcement. The city also launched a complaint process allowing New Yorkers to report businesses that make subscription cancellation unnecessarily difficult.

For rent-stabilized apartments, leases beginning between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027 will have a 0% guideline adjustment for both one-year and two-year leases under the NYC Rent Guidelines Board’s adopted Order No. 58. The same 0% guideline applies to the covered rent-stabilized loft units during the period. The Rent Guidelines Board establishes annual rent adjustments for rent-stabilized apartments and other covered housing units in New York City.

Another local law takes effect October 10, 2026, restricting the sale, offering for sale and distribution of certain menstrual and intimate-care products containing specified intentionally added ingredients considered harmful to human health. The law also provides for the development of health-based threshold levels after relevant New York State Department of Health regulations are established.

Changes to New York City’s Commercial Waste Zone program are also scheduled to take effect October 16. The Department of Sanitation says the implementation will cover commercial waste zones in Brooklyn East, Manhattan Northeast, Queens, West and Manhattan West. Businesses producing commercial waste in participating zones are required to work with an authorized commercial waste carter during the applicable implementation period. Businesses in Brooklyn North and Upper Manhattan also began their Commercial Waste Zone contract sign-up period on October 1.

Beginning October 1, inspectors from several city agencies must provide storefront businesses with a physical copy of the updated Business Owner Bill of Rights at the beginning of onsite inspections, along with information about accessing the city’s customer-service survey and translated versions of the document.

The requirement applies to inspectors from agencies including the Department of Buildings, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Department of Environmental Protection, FDNY, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Sanitation and Department of Transportation.

The updated requirements are part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Executive Order No. 18, which also directs city agencies to prominently post the updated Business Owner Bill of Rights at public offices and service locations serving businesses.

With several of these measures now taking effect, October marks a significant month of regulatory changes for New York City residents and businesses. The changes cover consumer subscriptions, rent-stabilized housing, personal-care products, commercial waste and interactions between city inspectors and small businesses.

DHAKA — The Bangladesh government has said it has not taken any formal decision to launch a new nationwide joint operation similar to the controversial “Operation Clean Heart” of 2002, while coordinated law-enforcement drives against crime, extortion and drug-related activities are set to continue and intensify.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday that ongoing operations involving police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and Ansar are part of the regular law-enforcement process.

“There is no formal decision to conduct a joint operation,” the minister said, adding that coordinated activities to combat terrorism, extortion and drugs would be strengthened further. The minister made the remarks after unveiling the foundation plaque for the new headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

His comments came amid growing discussion over whether the government might undertake a large-scale security campaign following reports of extortion, land grabbing and other criminal activities in different parts of the country.

Salahuddin also ruled out plans for a special operation modeled on the 2002 “Operation Clean Heart.” He said the government was not considering establishing a separate joint force for such a campaign and described the ongoing coordination among law-enforcement agencies as part of their regular activities.

Alleged Criminal Networks

Recent media reports have also highlighted an alleged list of people involved in extortion and land or property grabbing in Dhaka. A report published by The Daily Inqilab said a list reportedly prepared by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police identified 1,536 people allegedly involved in land grabbing, footpath occupation and extortion. The report said 1,252 were identified as active extortionists and 278 as alleged patrons or facilitators. It further claimed that 230 of the 278 alleged patrons were current or former leaders or activists of the BNP or its affiliated organisations.

Those figures have not been independently established here as an official DMP publication, and political affiliations mentioned in such reports should be treated as allegations rather than established findings.

Law-Enforcement Operations to Continue

The government says police and other security agencies will continue working together against extortion, drugs, terrorism and other crimes. Salahuddin said law-enforcement personnel found negligent in their duties or involved in criminal activities could face departmental and legal action, including criminal cases where allegations are proved. The current approach therefore involves strengthening coordination among existing agencies rather than announcing a new operation under the name “Operation Clean Heart.”

The original Operation Clean Heart was launched in October 2002 and involved the military in a nationwide anti-crime campaign. Human Rights Watch later documented allegations of deaths in custody and other human-rights abuses associated with the operation. The government’s latest position, however, is that no new campaign modeled on that operation has been approved.

LONDON — Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son and former adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has urged Western governments to speak out over political detentions and the exclusion of the Awami League from Bangladesh’s political process, warning that continued silence could contribute to instability and affect Western economic and security interests.

Joy made the remarks by video link on September 29 at a London seminar organised by the Global Centre for Democratic Governance at One Great George Street. The event focused on democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

During his address, Joy accused Britain and other Western governments of overlooking alleged abuses while maintaining commercial ties with Bangladesh. He alleged that politicians and journalists had been detained for extended periods without due process and questioned the legitimacy of an election in which the Awami League was excluded. His comments covered developments since Sheikh Hasina left office in August 2024.

Bangladesh’s interim government banned Awami League activities in May 2025 pending proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal related to the suppression of the 2024 uprising. The authorities said the measure was aimed at protecting national security and people involved in the proceedings.

The February 2026 parliamentary election received a generally positive assessment from international observers, although concerns remained over political inclusion. The Commonwealth’s final report described the election as peaceful, orderly and transparent while also highlighting the consequences of the Awami League’s exclusion and continuing concerns over media freedom and political participation.

Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, reported in July 2025 that many arrests of people perceived to be Awami League supporters appeared arbitrary and politically motivated. The organisation also said that some forms of repression associated with Hasina’s government, including widespread enforced disappearances, appeared to have ended.

Joy also blamed the military for five deaths during unrest in Gopalganj in July 2025. Human Rights Watch likewise reported five deaths in clashes involving security forces and Awami League supporters. The military said at the time that its personnel had acted in self-defence after warnings were ignored and troops came under attack. The competing accounts leave questions over the precise circumstances and responsibility for the deaths.

Joy also raised concerns about Bangladesh’s ability to finance aircraft purchases and imported gas, while claiming that domestic investment had effectively stopped. Available economic data, however, provide a more mixed picture. Boeing announced on September 23 that Biman Bangladesh Airlines had ordered 11 additional aircraft, bringing the airline’s total orders during 2026 to 25. The announcement confirms the aircraft purchases but does not establish whether Bangladesh has missed contractual payments or demonstrate its ability to meet all future financial obligations.

Similarly, available investment data do not support a literal claim that domestic investment has stopped. A January 2026 economic review by the Centre for Policy Dialogue estimated private investment at 22.48 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2025, compared with 23.96 percent a year earlier.

Bangladesh nevertheless continues to face significant economic challenges. The International Monetary Fund has highlighted fiscal constraints, stress in the banking sector and persistent inflation. In its assessment, the IMF projected economic growth of 3.5 percent for fiscal year 2027 and called for reforms to increase government revenue and strengthen the banking sector.

Joy concluded his remarks by warning of renewed political confrontation and security risks. He also urged Bangladeshis living abroad to engage with their elected representatives and encourage them to raise issues involving human rights, democratic participation and political inclusion in Bangladesh.

Dhaka: The voice behind one of Bangladesh’s most consequential journeys into digital journalism has fallen silent. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, has died at the age of 59. He was taken to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Thursday night after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:23pm local time on Friday. Khalidi had been in London on a private visit, his family said, when he suddenly fell ill. His death came just three weeks before bdnews24.com was due to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Oct 23 — an occasion he had been actively planning.

“We were preparing to celebrate our 20th anniversary on Oct 23. Toufique bhai himself was planning everything. Overall, he was incredibly energised and enthusiastic. But everything ended three weeks before that. This is an irreparable loss for us,” a bdnews24.com spokesperson said. The date for bringing Khalidi’s body back to Bangladesh has not yet been decided. His family will announce the time and place of the funeral prayers and burial once arrangements have been finalised. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow over Khalidi’s death, describing him as a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in Bangladesh.

“Toufique Imrose Khalidi was a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in the country. With his death, the country has lost an experienced, gracious and distinguished media personality. His contribution to journalism and the media will be remembered for a long time,” he said in a condolence message. Recalling his personal memories of Khalidi with deep respect, the president added, “Toufique Imrose Khalidi’s death is extremely painful for me.”

Khalidi was born on Jun 14, 1967. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the Dhaka University in 1987, studying political science and international relations as subsidiary subjects. Khalidi would go on to complete a Master’s in English Literature from the same university. He started in population research in 1987 and worked for Save the Children Fund (UK) before entering journalism.

Khalidi worked at a number of publications over the course of a lengthy journalistic career. He was the assistant editor at the Sunday Express from 1989 to 1991, a diplomatic correspondent at The Daily Star from 1991 to 1993, a senior correspondent at The Financial Express from 1993 to 1995, and then as assistant editor and lead writer at the publication while also covering major events as special correspondent.

From 1996 to 1997, he worked for Paris-based Europe, a quarterly journal published by Journalists in Europe Foundation in Paris. He was the assistant editor and head of the Business and Economy Desk at The Daily Star from 1997 to 1998. From 1999 to 2000, he was the news editor of the English daily’s Weekend Edition. During this time, he was also the joint news editor at the newspaper.

Khalidi joined the BBC World Service in 2000 and worked as a producer and presenter of news and current affairs programmes in addition to producing reports and features on business and economic issues until 2005. He was also the anchor of a monthly debate programme.

In July 2006, he became the editor-in-chief and managing director of bdnews24.com, also serving as the director and stakeholder of its owning company Bangladesh News 24 Hours Ltd. Following the takeover by Khalidi, BDNEWS relaunched as Bangladesh’s first free online newspaper and was rebranded as bdnews24.com.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Some 5.8 million refugee children — nearly half of all school-aged refugee children worldwide — were out of school in 2025, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said Friday, warning that funding cuts could threaten hard-won progress in refugee education. According to UNHCR’s latest education report, an estimated 13.1 million refugee children of school age were living around the world in 2025. Of those, 44 percent were not enrolled in school.

The agency said the growing pressure on humanitarian and development funding risks reversing progress made in recent years and could leave more refugee children without access to education. The challenge becomes particularly severe as refugee children move from primary to secondary education. UNHCR said access to education declines significantly at the secondary level, with poverty, protection concerns and other barriers affecting children and adolescents, particularly girls.

Despite the overall challenges, UNHCR reported some progress in higher education. Refugee enrolment in tertiary education reached a record 11 percent in 2025, up from 9 percent in 2024, with more than 450,000 refugees enrolled in higher education.

UNHCR said the progress remains uneven. In low-income and conflict-affected countries, only about 2 percent of refugees were enrolled in higher education, compared with 13 percent of nationals, according to the agency’s report. The agency is calling on governments, international organisations and development partners to protect funding for refugee education and strengthen national education systems in countries hosting refugees.

UNHCR High Commissioner Barham Salih said education provides refugees with opportunities for greater self-reliance and warned that funding reductions could undermine years of investment. The report was highlighted during the UN Geneva press briefing on October 2, where UNHCR presented its latest findings on refugee education.

The report comes as humanitarian agencies face increasing financial pressure and competing global crises. UNHCR has warned that reductions in humanitarian funding are already affecting assistance and protection services for forcibly displaced people.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Global food prices rose to their highest level in nearly four years in September, driven by transportation disruptions, adverse weather conditions and higher prices for several major food commodities, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Friday. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 136.0 points in September, up 1.5 percent from August and 5.8 percent from a year earlier. The September reading was the highest since November 2022, according to FAO data.

FAO said disruptions affecting shipping through the Black Sea and Strait of Hormuz, combined with weather-related concerns, have put additional pressure on energy, transportation and agricultural commodity markets.

“We are seeing a persistent and increasingly broad based build up in global commodity prices,” FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said, citing shipping disruptions and climate-related shocks. He warned that if the pressures continue, they could eventually feed through to consumer food prices, particularly in countries dependent on imported food and energy.

Cereal prices rise sharply

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased 5.1 percent from August and was 17.2 percent higher than in September 2025. Global wheat prices rose 6.3 percent during September, reaching their highest level since August 2023. FAO attributed the increase partly to logistical constraints in the Black Sea region and dry weather in parts of North America ahead of winter wheat planting. Global maize prices climbed 5.6 percent from August, reflecting lower-than-expected U.S. yields, reduced export availability in Brazil and continued disruptions to Black Sea trade.

Sugar prices jump

Sugar was another major contributor to the September increase. The FAO Sugar Price Index rose 6.1 percent from August amid expectations of tighter global supplies during the 2026/27 season. FAO cited weaker production prospects in Thailand, below-normal rainfall in India, strengthening El Niño conditions, heavy rainfall in Brazil’s Centre-South region and reduced sugar-beet planting in the European Union.

Vegetable oil prices also increased, with the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index rising 0.9 percent, mainly because of stronger palm oil prices and concerns about dry weather affecting production in Southeast Asia. Not all food commodities increased. The FAO Meat Price Index declined 1.1 percent, while the dairy index fell slightly by 0.1 percent.

Global cereal outlook

FAO forecasts global cereal production in 2026 at 2.979 billion tonnes, down 2.1 percent from 2025 but still the second-largest harvest on record. The agency also lowered its forecast for global cereal trade in 2026/27 by 3.5 percent from the previous year’s record level, citing constraints on wheat and maize exports, particularly because of Black Sea shipping disruptions.

FAO said strengthening El Niño conditions are adding further uncertainty to agricultural production, particularly rice production in South and Southeast Asia. The latest figures underscore the sensitivity of global food markets to weather conditions, shipping disruptions and geopolitical developments affecting major agricultural trade routes.

DHAKA — Bangladesh has formally opened its embassy in Ireland, establishing a permanent diplomatic platform to strengthen bilateral relations, expand cooperation and enhance engagement with the Bangladeshi community in the country. The embassy began its administrative operations on Thursday from a temporary chancery at Alexandra House in Ballsbridge, Dublin, an area that hosts several diplomatic missions, according to a press release issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mohammed Nore Alam, Bangladesh’s ambassador-designate to Ireland, assumed charge of the mission on Thursday. He is expected to present his credentials to the President of Ireland in due course. The establishment of the resident embassy marks a new milestone in Bangladesh-Ireland relations and is expected to facilitate closer diplomatic engagement and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, the ministry said.

The embassy will also serve as a dedicated platform for engaging with the estimated 25,000 Bangladeshi nationals living in Ireland. Passport, visa and other consular services will be introduced after the necessary administrative and logistical arrangements are completed. The services will be available to Bangladeshi nationals as well as other eligible applicants.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said details regarding the launch of consular services, including dates, procedures and other relevant information, will be announced through official channels. Bangladesh said it looks forward to further developing its friendly and mutually beneficial relations with Ireland through the newly established resident embassy.

DHAKA — Bangladesh Police has launched a dedicated Cyber Police Unit to strengthen cybercrime investigations, digital security and technology-driven policing as criminal activities increasingly evolve in the era of artificial intelligence. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed formally inaugurated the specialised unit at the Hall of Pride at Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing after the inauguration, the home minister said the rapid development of artificial intelligence and changing patterns of crime require law enforcement agencies to move beyond conventional policing and adopt technology- and knowledge-based approaches.

“In the era of artificial intelligence, the nature of crime is changing rapidly. Our policing system must evolve accordingly. The Cyber Police Unit is a major step towards transforming Bangladesh Police into a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based force,” he said.

The new unit represents a major institutional step toward establishing a technology-led policing framework capable of responding to increasingly sophisticated cyber and digital crimes. The Cyber Police Unit will be headed by an Additional Inspector General of Police (Additional IGP). Mohammad Iqbal Hossain has initially been assigned to lead the unit.

At the divisional level, deputy inspectors general (DIGs) and additional DIGs will oversee cyber-policing activities. At the district level, superintendents of police (SPs) or designated senior officers will be responsible for cyber-related operations.

Dedicated sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and constables will also be deployed at police stations to provide cyber-related services and assist with investigations. According to the approved organisational structure, the unit will have a total strength of 4,592 personnel. Initially, experienced and trained members of the existing police force will be deployed, while additional recruitment will be carried out to fill the remaining positions.

The government is also creating a specialised technical workforce within the unit through contractual and outsourced recruitment of professionals with expertise in cyber security and digital investigations. The unit plans to recruit specialists in areas including system analysis, financial data analysis, cyber security, network administration, dark-web analysis, cryptocurrency analysis, malware analysis, social-media analysis, emergency response and disaster recovery. These specialists will be recruited under separate competitive remuneration arrangements.

IT-trained members of the regular police force will receive priority for deployment to the unit, while senior officers and technical specialists will undergo advanced training both in Bangladesh and abroad. A modern digital forensic laboratory is also being established under the Cyber Police Unit. The facility will be equipped with advanced technology and specialised tools for cyber investigations.

The laboratory is expected to support investigations involving financial crimes, money laundering, social-media-related offences, misinformation, drug-related crimes and extremist activities conducted through digital platforms. The home minister said the new structure would also bring together cyber-investigation activities that had previously been carried out separately by different police units.

“Cyber investigations were previously carried out in a fragmented manner across different units. The new Cyber Police Unit will bring these activities under a single, coordinated framework, helping us improve investigative efficiency, technological capability and institutional coordination,” he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed expressed hope that the specialised unit would strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity to prevent and investigate cybercrime and address the misuse of cyberspace. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, and other senior police officials attended the briefing.