RIYADH — Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts in Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj early Saturday, warning residents of a potential aerial threat amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Saudi Civil Defence later issued an all-clear, saying the immediate danger had passed. A Reuters journalist in Riyadh reported hearing loud booms after the alerts were issued.

The alerts were the first reported in the Saudi capital since the latest escalation in fighting involving the Houthis. The warnings came hours after Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out what he described as “criminal attempts” in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and vowed retaliation. A large plume of black smoke and flames was later seen near Riyadh’s main airport. Reuters said the cause of the smoke was not immediately clear, and Saudi government officials had not immediately commented.

The latest developments come amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks targeting Saudi territory and infrastructure. The Houthis have intensified their military activity in the region since declaring a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has also issued security alerts in several other parts of the kingdom in recent days, including Jeddah, Taif, Khamis Mushait and AlUla. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities said they intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites. The escalation has raised concerns over regional security, energy infrastructure and international shipping, particularly as the Houthis control territory along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed “deep regret” over the United States’ decision to deny a visa to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the second consecutive year, preventing him from attending the upcoming UN General Assembly in person. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Friday that Guterres was concerned about the impact of the decision on the ability of the State of Palestine to participate fully in the work of the United Nations.

“The full participation of all delegations in the work of the Organization is essential to its proper functioning,” Dujarric said in a statement. The U.S. State Department announced that visas would not be issued to Abbas and other Palestinian officials seeking to attend the high-level UN General Assembly session, which begins in New York on Tuesday. Members of the Palestinian mission to the United Nations will continue to participate.

Guterres has urged the United States, as the host country, to ensure that visas are issued to members of all delegations in accordance with its obligations. Dujarric said the secretary-general would continue engaging with U.S. authorities on the issue.

Abbas to Address UNGA Virtually

The U.S. decision marks the second consecutive year that Abbas has been unable to attend the General Assembly in person. Last year, he addressed the gathering by video after the Trump administration denied visas to members of the Palestinian delegation. On Thursday, the UN General Assembly voted 152-3 to allow Abbas to address this year’s high-level debate virtually. The United States, Israel and Paraguay voted against the measure, while four countries abstained.

US Cites Palestinian Policies

Washington has defended the visa restrictions by citing what it describes as the Palestinian Authority’s failure to meet commitments related to peace efforts and reforms. The U.S. State Department has also cited Palestinian efforts to pursue the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through international institutions, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Washington has argued that such moves seek to bypass negotiations through international legal and diplomatic mechanisms.

The United States and Israel have also criticized the Palestinian Authority’s former policy of providing payments to families of imprisoned or killed Palestinians, including individuals accused of carrying out attacks against Israelis. The Palestinian Authority has since reformed the system, saying assistance would be based on families’ financial needs rather than political affiliation or prisoner status.

Continuing Tensions Over Palestinian Representation

The visa dispute comes amid continuing tensions over Palestinian representation at the United Nations and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United States has opposed efforts to internationalize the conflict through international courts and has also disagreed with the position of the majority of UN member states that recognized Palestine at the United Nations last year. According to AFP, 142 UN member states recognized a Palestinian state in 2025.

Despite the visa restrictions, Palestinian diplomats accredited to the United Nations will continue to represent the State of Palestine at UN meetings, while Abbas is expected to address the General Assembly remotely. Guterres has maintained that the participation of all delegations is important to the functioning of the United Nations and said he would continue discussions with Washington over the issue.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser to the Prime Minister on the Ministries of Finance and Planning, has called for comprehensive reform of the global financial architecture to ensure affordable, predictable and vulnerability-sensitive financing for developing countries.

Speaking at the Leaders’ Dialogue on “Leading SDG Action” during the 2026 SDG Moment at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, Dr. Titumir said the global financial system must move beyond simply financing development and instead create the conditions necessary to sustain it.

“Our broader vision should be collective and forward-looking: a global financial architecture that does not merely finance development, but creates the conditions in which development can be sustained,” he said. Dr. Titumir outlined five priorities for reforming the international financial architecture, particularly the role of multilateral development banks.

He called for a shift from responding to crises after they emerge toward anticipating vulnerabilities; greater representation and voice for vulnerable countries in international financial institutions; longer-term, lower-cost and predictable financing; closer alignment of international financing with national development strategies through coordinated, multi-year financing; and flexible transition support and preferential arrangements for countries graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category, including Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi adviser also highlighted the country’s SDG Village initiative, describing it as an integrated, community-led approach to translating the Sustainable Development Goals into tangible improvements at the local level.

The 2026 SDG Moment, held on September 18 at UN Headquarters, brought together representatives of UN member states, international organizations and civil society to discuss accelerating action toward the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the 2030 deadline.

The Leaders’ Dialogue also featured Teresa Ribera of the European Commission, Aristide Médénou, Minister of Economy and Finance of Benin, and Beatriz Carles de Arango, Minister for Social Development of Panama. The discussion was moderated by Sherwin Bryce-Pease of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to the United States to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has been shortened. At the same time, a large civic reception planned in his honor in New York will no longer take place, according to multiple sources.

Under the initial itinerary, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was scheduled to arrive in New York on September 21, remain in the city for several days and then travel to San Francisco, California, on September 26. During his stay in New York, he was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24. BNP leaders and activists in the United States were also preparing for a civic reception planned for September 25.

Several reports published earlier this month said preparations were underway for the reception at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Manhattan. However, Tarique Rahman’s US itinerary was subsequently revised. According to the latest reports, he is scheduled to arrive in New York on the evening of September 21 and return to Bangladesh on September 25. As a result, the large reception previously planned for September 25 will not be held in his presence.

Four-Day New York Visit

Citing Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, reports said Tarique Rahman will take part in various programs in New York from September 22 to 25. He is scheduled to deliver Bangladesh’s statement at the UN General Assembly on September 24 before returning home on September 25.

Earlier plans had reportedly included a longer stay in the United States, with Tarique Rahman expected to remain in the country until September 29 or 30 and visit San Francisco. The San Francisco leg has since been dropped as the overall trip was shortened.

Reports citing relevant sources said reducing state expenditure and managing the schedule were among the considerations behind the decision to shorten the visit.

Why Was the Reception Cancelled?

Several explanations have appeared in media reports regarding the cancellation of the reception. One of the key points reported is that Tarique Rahman was not interested in attending a large civic reception financed with government funds.

A report by a Bangladeshi national daily, citing Gias Ahmed, former senior vice-president of BNP USA, said discussions had taken place regarding a reception organized by the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. According to Ahmed, Tarique Rahman did not want such an event to be financed with public funds. Party leaders subsequently proposed arranging the event through their own funding.

Meanwhile, other reports said preparations had been underway for a party-organized event at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan on September 25. Since Tarique Rahman is now scheduled to return to Bangladesh that day, the reception cannot be held in his presence.

Claim of Tk 500 Million in Savings

Some reports have claimed that cancelling the reception will save approximately Tk 50 million ($5 crore). However, the figure has not been consistently confirmed across media reports.

While some reports have cited savings of around Tk 50 million, another report put the estimated cost of the proposed government reception at approximately $250,000. There have also been claims that a party-funded event could have involved additional expenses.

Therefore, the claim that the cancellation will result in an exact saving of Tk 50 million should not be presented as confirmed government information. What can be stated more cautiously is that reducing state expenditure has been cited in several reports as one of the considerations behind shortening the prime minister’s US visit. Reports have also indicated that he does not want a large reception funded by public money.

Possibility of a Party Welcome

While a large civic reception financed or organized through government arrangements is reportedly no longer going ahead, some BNP leaders in the United States have expressed interest in welcoming the prime minister through party or privately funded initiatives.

Citing Gias Ahmed, reports said the previously planned reception cannot take place in Tarique Rahman’s presence because he is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on September 25. Ahmed also indicated that there could be an opportunity for Tarique Rahman to meet local BNP leaders that day.

The clearest information at this stage is that the large-scale formal civic reception planned in New York is not going ahead in the presence of Tarique Rahman. This does not necessarily mean that all party or diaspora activities surrounding his visit have been cancelled.

Main Focus of the US Visit

The primary purpose of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s US visit is to represent Bangladesh at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the latest reports, he will arrive in New York on September 21 and participate in a number of high-level programs. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24.

In addition to the UN General Assembly, meetings with heads of government and other international representatives have also been reported as possible components of his itinerary. However, the full list and schedule of such meetings have not yet been finalized, according to reports citing the prime minister’s press secretary.

Overall, Tarique Rahman’s upcoming US visit is significantly shorter than initially planned. His main activities in New York will center on the UN General Assembly, while the cancellation of the planned large civic reception has generated discussion among Bangladeshis living in the United States.

Mashiur Rahman Majumdar: A significant share of Bangladesh’s population is young. This large youth population represents an enormous opportunity for the country. At the same time, failure to create adequate employment and develop the necessary skills could turn that opportunity into a serious economic and social challenge.

When a young person completes an education and then spends years waiting for employment, the consequences extend beyond individual hardship. The country also loses the productive potential of a generation. Expanding access to education alone is therefore not enough. Education must be connected more closely to the actual demands of the labor market.

Young people need practical training and opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence, information technology, modern agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and entrepreneurship. Equal opportunities must also be ensured for young women and those living in economically disadvantaged or underserved regions.

Creating employment is not solely the responsibility of the government. The private sector, educational institutions and industries must work together to develop a workforce equipped for a changing economy. Young people should have opportunities not only to seek jobs, but also to become entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and innovators.

Investing in young people is, in reality, an investment in the country’s future. The decisions made today will determine whether tomorrow’s Bangladesh is more skilled, productive and competitive in the global economy.

• Journalist, Bronx, New York.

A democratic state does not depend solely on holding elections. Its long-term stability depends on the strength of public institutions, accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens’ rights. Governments may change and political leaders may come and go, but strong and impartial institutions provide continuity and stability to the state.

For Bangladesh, the key question in advancing democracy should therefore not simply be who is in power, but how effectively and accountably the country’s institutions function. The Election Commission, judiciary, civil administration, law enforcement agencies and local government institutions all need to earn and maintain public confidence.

Political differences and competition are natural features of a democracy. However, political conflicts should never be allowed to weaken state institutions. Those in power must remain accountable, while opposition political forces must also respect democratic rules and the law.

The most effective way to strengthen democracy is to build a political culture in which the transfer of power is accepted as a normal part of democratic life and state institutions serve the public interest rather than the interests of any individual or political group.

The fundamental challenge for Bangladesh’s democratic future is clear: Can the country move beyond personality-driven politics and build institutions strong enough to serve the people and withstand political change?

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is seeking additional air-defense support from regional and Western allies as its stocks of missile interceptors come under pressure amid intensifying attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to two regional officials. The officials told The Associated Press that Saudi Arabia has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense capabilities to the region to help counter missiles and drones launched by the Houthis and other Iran-backed groups. Saudi officials had not immediately confirmed the requests.

The reported requests come as Saudi Arabia faces increasing attacks against its territory, military facilities and energy infrastructure. The kingdom has also been seeking to protect vital oil facilities and shipping routes amid the wider regional conflict. The officials said Saudi Arabia’s need for additional support is partly linked to pressure on U.S. stocks of missile interceptors after more than six months of war with Iran. The United States has been Saudi Arabia’s principal military ally and arms supplier.

The escalation has opened another front in the broader regional conflict. Houthi forces have intensified their attacks while Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes against targets in Yemen. Reuters reported Thursday that fighting between the two sides had intensified, with missiles and drones launched toward Saudi territory.

Saudi Arabia said earlier this week that it intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca. The Saudi Civil Defense said Thursday that debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one person and injured two others in Taif province. The incident was reported amid a wider increase in drone attacks targeting Saudi territory and energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia is also facing pressure on its energy infrastructure. A key East-West oil pipeline has been shut following an attack linked to Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, while attacks and disruptions around the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz have affected regional energy and shipping routes.

Britain has acknowledged its close defense partnership with Saudi Arabia but has not confirmed whether Riyadh formally requested British military assistance. Officials from Turkey and Pakistan have also said they had not received a Saudi request for military support under their recently established defense arrangement.

The United States has maintained contact with Saudi authorities and is providing intelligence-sharing and planning support, but Washington has so far stopped short of directly entering the fighting against the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia’s reported search for additional air-defense assistance comes as the regional conflict places growing demands on missile-defense systems and raises concerns over the security of energy infrastructure and major maritime trade routes.

DHAKA — Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to expedite the supply of electricity from Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid.

He made the request during a bilateral meeting between a Bangladesh delegation and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, according to an official handout.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mahbub Anam. The meeting focused on expanding the peaceful applications of nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety and security, and enhancing cooperation between Bangladesh and the IAEA. The minister thanked Grossi and the IAEA for their continued support in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and strengthening international cooperation.

The two sides also discussed further strengthening Bangladesh’s capacity in nuclear science and technology through technical cooperation, human resource development, education, training and research. Mahbub Anam said Bangladesh has benefited from the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme for more than five decades in areas including healthcare, agriculture, food security, water management, industry and energy.

He noted that Bangladesh recently signed its Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026–2032, which he said would create new opportunities for technical cooperation in the years ahead. Describing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as a historic milestone for Bangladesh’s energy security, the minister said the country had made significant progress toward carbon-free electricity generation through fuel loading at Unit 1 of the plant.

“This has opened up new possibilities for meeting the country’s growing electricity demand, ensuring energy security and addressing climate change,” he said. Mahbub Anam reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to maintaining the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security and responsible management. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s accession to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, describing it as a reflection of the country’s commitment to a safe and responsible nuclear programme.

The meeting also discussed cooperation under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative. Mahbub Anam thanked Grossi and the IAEA Secretariat for their leadership in advancing the programme. Bangladesh joined the Rays of Hope initiative in 2025 and is working with the IAEA to develop it into an effective national-level programme. The minister said one of the initiative’s priorities is establishing an integrated, one-stop cancer care centre to provide more coordinated, accessible and patient-centred treatment.

He stressed the importance of further IAEA technical cooperation in capacity building, knowledge exchange and developing a sustainable cancer treatment system in Bangladesh. Mahbub Anam also welcomed the IAEA-WHO Impact Review Mission, scheduled for November 2026, saying it would provide an opportunity for an evidence-based assessment of Bangladesh’s national cancer control capacity and help establish practical priorities for improving cancer care.

Emphasising the need to bring the benefits of science and technology closer to the people, the minister said nuclear technology should contribute not only to technological advancement but also to improving living standards, strengthening climate resilience, increasing agricultural productivity and expanding healthcare services.

He urged the IAEA to expand opportunities for international education, training, fellowships and joint research for Bangladeshi students, scientists and researchers. The minister said Bangladesh aims to build a more integrated, equitable and sustainable cancer care system and ensure that the benefits of nuclear science and technology reach people who need them most.

He also called for deeper international cooperation with the IAEA in promoting peaceful nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety and security, and supporting sustainable development. Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Vienna Toufique Hasan, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr M Moinul Islam, and Joint Secretary of the Science and Technology Ministry Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam attended the meeting.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a U.S.-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution that sought to extend the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring international sanctions on Iran. The resolution received 11 votes in favor, while Pakistan and Somalia abstained. The Russian and Chinese vetoes blocked its adoption.

The proposed resolution would have extended the mandate of the independent panel of experts for another year. The panel was established to monitor implementation of sanctions imposed on Iran and report possible violations to the 15-member Security Council.

The vote comes amid a wider dispute over the legal status of UN sanctions on Iran. Western countries, including Britain, France and Germany, triggered the “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement in 2025, arguing that Tehran had violated its nuclear commitments. The move resulted in the reimposition of UN sanctions.

Russia and China reject the Western interpretation and argue that the UN sanctions had expired when Security Council Resolution 2231 reached its scheduled end date in October 2025. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the U.S.-backed resolution lacked a legal basis and urged the parties to resolve the nuclear dispute through political and diplomatic means.

The United States criticized the vetoes, saying the absence of an independent panel would create a gap in monitoring sanctions violations. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jennifer Locetta said the panel provided impartial, evidence-based reporting on potential violations.

France and other Western members also criticized the veto, while stressing that the veto does not itself remove the sanctions that they consider to remain in force. The dispute has also left the Security Council divided over how to monitor Iran’s nuclear-related activities and enforce sanctions. The UN sanctions include measures affecting Iranian assets, arms-related transactions and ballistic-missile activities.

The latest vote highlights continuing divisions among the permanent members of the Security Council over Iran’s nuclear program, the validity of the sanctions and the role of international monitoring.

GENEVA — United Nations-backed human rights experts said Thursday they found “reasonable grounds” to believe that the United States committed war crimes in two military strikes in Iran, including an attack on a school that killed more than 150 people. The findings come from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which investigated the conduct of the United States during the war that began in February, as well as human rights violations allegedly committed by Iranian authorities. The mission’s report is due to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The experts said they found reasonable grounds to believe U.S. forces were responsible for a February 28 strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran. Iranian officials said more than 150 people were killed, including about 120 schoolchildren.

According to the mission, the school was a clearly identifiable civilian facility and investigators found no evidence that it was being used for military purposes. The experts concluded that the attack was indiscriminate and caused civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure, amounting to a war crime under international law.

The mission also examined a strike on a sports center in Lamerd. Investigators said the attack damaged nearby residential buildings and a school and killed or injured 22 civilians. They concluded that the strike was indiscriminate and therefore constituted a war crime.

U.S. Central Command said in March that American forces did not conduct strikes in Lamerd on the day in question. U.S. officials have also previously said that American military operations are carried out in accordance with the law of armed conflict.

The report also addressed Iran’s response to nationwide anti-government protests that began in late December. The experts said Iranian authorities carried out a widespread and systematic attack against civilians, including unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances, which they characterized as crimes against humanity.

The fact-finding mission is an investigative body rather than a court and cannot initiate criminal proceedings. Its findings, however, can be used in future investigations or proceedings before national courts or international tribunals. The United States and Iran have previously rejected allegations of wrongdoing, and the two governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest findings.