NEW YORK: Saima Wazed has resigned as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia. According to her resignation letter seen by Reuters, she stepped down amid investigations by the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities into allegations of fraud and document forgery. Her resignation took effect immediately.

Wazed assumed the position of WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia in early 2024 for a five-year term. However, she had been on unpaid administrative leave since July 2025. Earlier, in March 2025, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against her over allegations of fraud and forgery.

According to the Reuters report, allegations against Wazed included financial irregularities related to a trip to China, providing inaccurate information concerning her educational qualifications, and the alleged illegal acquisition of land in Bangladesh. Wazed has denied the allegations.

A July 3, 2026 letter from her lawyers, seen by Reuters, said the allegation concerning expenses from her China trip did not involve travel fraud. Instead, they said an assistant had made an administrative error while processing the repayment of routine expenses. The amount involved was $901.

Responding to questions about her educational qualifications, Wazed said she had received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her work on autism in Bangladesh and had informed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus about it.

Regarding the land allegations, Wazed said in her resignation letter that she had acquired the property before joining the WHO. She also said she was entitled to the land under a Bangladeshi law applicable to members of the family of Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In her resignation letter, Wazed further alleged that she had been prevented from effectively carrying out her responsibilities. She said the situation had destroyed her trust and confidence in the WHO leadership. She also said nearly a year without a salary had made her financial situation unsustainable.

The WHO told Reuters that a committee had recommended removing Wazed from her position one day before her resignation. The organization said her resignation would now be considered by the Regional Committee and the Executive Board. A WHO spokesperson said the process had been handled with fairness and appropriate procedures while protecting the organization’s interests and ability to fulfill its responsibilities.

The WHO is preparing to begin the process of selecting Wazed’s successor. Two Reuters sources said nominations are expected to be announced on October 12, applications are expected to be reviewed in December, and the election is planned for January 24. Until a new Regional Director is elected, Dr. Nilesh Buddh will serve in the role.

The Regional Director for WHO’s South-East Asia Region is one of the organization’s key leadership positions. The position involves overseeing the WHO’s response to disease outbreaks and emergencies and helping implement the organization’s policies in accordance with regional circumstances. Member states elect the Regional Director every five years. Bangladesh and India are among the countries in the region.

NEW YORK — A Brooklyn day care owner has been sentenced to 76 months in federal prison for her leadership role in a massive Medicaid fraud and illegal kickback scheme involving two social adult day care centers and a home health care company, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Zakia Khan was sentenced on September 9, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Natasha C. Merle in federal court in Brooklyn. In addition to the prison sentence, Khan was ordered to pay more than $56 million in restitution and forfeit $5 million in proceeds connected to the fraud.

According to court documents, Khan owned and operated Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. and Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. in Coney Island. She also controlled Responsible Care Staffing Inc. and Tanwee Services Inc.

The fraudulent scheme operated from approximately October 2017 through July 2024. Prosecutors said Khan and her associates recruited Medicaid beneficiaries through marketers and paid illegal kickbacks to induce them to participate in the adult day care program.

The scheme involved submitting Medicaid claims for services that were not actually provided. The two adult day care centers submitted approximately $64 million in fraudulent claims, of which Medicaid paid approximately $56 million.

The broader criminal operation was described by federal prosecutors as a $68 million Medicaid fraud scheme. Khan and her associates also used various businesses to move and distribute proceeds from the scheme. Some of the money was allegedly used to provide cash kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries and marketers.

Khan pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks. At the time, she also agreed to forfeit $5 million in proceeds from the scheme.

During a search of Khan’s residence, investigators seized cash, gold jewelry and assets connected to two properties. Those assets are included in the forfeiture ordered by the court. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department.

Several other defendants have also faced charges in connection with the scheme. Federal authorities initially charged eight people in connection with the alleged $68 million operation. The Justice Department has not publicly identified Khan’s nationality or country of origin in its official case documents. Therefore, she should not be described in the news as Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian unless a reliable source specifically confirms her background.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of New York.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December despite knowing that she could be arrested, tortured or even killed upon arrival. In an interview with Anandabazar Patrika, published on Thursday, Hasina said she had made the decision after considering all possible consequences. The interview was conducted by journalist Agni Roy in New Delhi and was first published in the newspaper’s print edition.

Asked how she planned to return and whether she expected to be arrested immediately, Hasina said she was aware of the risks regardless of whether she travelled by air or road. She said she could be arrested as soon as she entered Bangladesh and that there was also a possibility of being taken to an undisclosed location and subjected to prolonged mistreatment. Despite those risks, she said the difficult circumstances faced by people in Bangladesh had influenced her decision to return.

Hasina also said that the Awami League has a longstanding organisational structure that allows the party to function even when its president is absent. Referring to the party’s history, she said its leadership arrangements had continued during earlier periods when political activities were restricted.

During the interview, Hasina also discussed Bangladesh’s current political environment, including the relationship between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami. She alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami had collaborated with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War and accused the current authorities of reviving the International Crimes Tribunal and using it against her. She also rejected the legal proceedings against her, describing them as unjust. Hasina further argued that BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were politically closely aligned and said she saw little substantive difference between the two.

Hasina was also asked about the decision of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman not to visit India despite an invitation. She dismissed the suggestion that a statement she made at an August 5 press conference had prevented the Bangladeshi prime minister from travelling to India. She referred to Tarique Rahman’s years in London and questioned why his political activities there had not prevented relations between Britain and Bangladesh from continuing.

She also alleged that instructions connected to the 2024 political movement had been issued from abroad. These are claims made by Hasina and were presented in the context of the interview.

Hasina’s announcement is not the first time she has spoken about returning to Bangladesh in December. In July, she told Reuters that she planned to return despite the possibility of arrest or death.

She also reiterated her intention to return during a virtual media interaction on August 5, saying she was prepared for detention or imprisonment. The latest Anandabazar interview, however, provides a more detailed account of her stated reasoning and the risks she says she is prepared to face.

Source: Anandabazar Patrika, interview by Agni Roy, published September 10, 2026.

DHAKA: The High Court has paved the way for Grameen Kalyan to pay Tk 666.91 crore in taxes to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), dismissing two rules that had earlier been issued in connection with the tax dispute. A High Court Division bench comprising Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Rezaul Karim pronounced the judgment after hearing the petitions.

Senior Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun appeared for Grameen Kalyan, while Deputy Attorney General Abdus Samad Azad represented the state. According to the state lawyer, following Thursday’s judgment, Grameen Kalyan will have to pay a total of Tk 666.91 crore to the NBR for the tax years from 2012 to 2017. The dispute concerns tax assessments made by the NBR for those years. Grameen Kalyan had challenged the tax demands before the High Court.

The case had previously gone through another round of proceedings. In August 2024, an earlier High Court bench had rejected Grameen Kalyan’s petitions, effectively allowing the NBR to recover the disputed taxes.

However, that judgment was subsequently withdrawn after concerns arose over a possible conflict of interest involving one of the judges, who had previously appeared as a lawyer for the government in the same matter. The case was then sent for a fresh hearing. Following the renewed hearing, the newly constituted High Court bench dismissed the two rules, resulting in the latest ruling in favour of the NBR’s tax claim.

Grameen Kalyan is a non-profit social business organisation founded by Nobel laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus. The latest judgment clears a major legal hurdle to the recovery of the disputed tax amount for the 2012–2017 tax years. It was not immediately clear whether Grameen Kalyan would challenge the judgment before the Appellate Division.

DHAKA: Bangladesh has strongly condemned Israel’s plan to advance settlement construction in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, saying the move violates international law and threatens prospects for a viable two-state solution.

In a statement issued today, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the planned settlement expansion was contrary to international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The ministry said the proposed construction would further undermine the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory and diminish prospects for the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. Bangladesh called on Israel to immediately halt all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Dhaka also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Bangladesh urged the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent actions that could undermine Palestinian statehood and to advance a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on international law and the two-state solution.

“Bangladesh stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and remains committed to supporting their legitimate aspirations for freedom, dignity, justice and statehood,” the statement said.

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, New York: Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions in 63 countries are operating mobile consular camps to make essential government services more accessible to Bangladeshi expatriates, Foreign Minister and President of the 81st United Nations General Assembly Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said.

According to Rahman, the initiative is aimed at bringing consular services closer to expatriate Bangladeshis, particularly those living far from the country’s embassies and consulates.

Through mobile consular camps, expatriates can access a range of services without having to travel long distances to diplomatic missions. Depending on the mission and the specific camp, services may include passport-related assistance, document attestation, birth registration, citizenship-related services and other consular facilities.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions have been organizing mobile consular camps in different countries for several years. The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, for example, regularly conducts such outreach programs in different U.S. cities. The embassy has also announced a mobile consular camp in Oklahoma City on September 12 and 13, 2026.

The mobile camps are particularly important for Bangladeshis living outside major metropolitan areas, allowing them to receive government services closer to their communities.

Rahman’s remarks highlight the government’s efforts to expand access to consular services for the country’s large overseas community. By taking services directly to expatriate communities, Bangladesh’s missions are seeking to make consular assistance more accessible and convenient.

The figure of 63 countries is attributed to Rahman’s statement. Bangladesh’s missions are independently documented as conducting mobile consular outreach in several countries, although a publicly available official source confirming the full 63-country figure was not located at the time of publication.

Shibbir Ahmed, NEW YORK: Mastercard and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have launched a $500 million global risk facility aimed at expanding digital financial access in emerging markets.

Announced on September 9, the initiative is designed to help banks, fintech companies and other financial institutions in emerging markets participate more easily in international payment networks. The program will initially focus on emerging markets in Europe and Latin America.

The initiative seeks to reduce financial and risk-related barriers that can prevent local financial institutions from expanding digital payment services. By helping institutions manage international payment-related exposure, the facility is expected to support broader access to secure and modern financial services.

According to the World Bank Group, many banks and fintech companies in emerging markets face difficulties meeting the financial requirements needed to participate in global payment systems. These barriers can leave millions of consumers and small businesses dependent on cash and excluded from the digital economy. The initiative aims to help address that gap by expanding access to digital payments for consumers and businesses, including small enterprises and underserved communities.

According to IFC, the program could support a significant expansion of digital payment activity through participating financial institutions. The initiative is expected to potentially enable around $280 billion in additional digital payment volume, facilitate the issuance of approximately 360 million new cards and bring about 90 million new active users into digital payment systems.

Women are expected to account for a significant share of the new users, with approximately 39 million women potentially gaining access through the initiative. IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop said expanding digital payments in emerging markets can help create economic opportunities and bring more people and businesses into the formal financial system.

Mastercard said the initiative is intended not only to increase access to financial services but also to strengthen security, trust and resilience across digital payment ecosystems. The program reflects growing efforts to expand financial inclusion in emerging markets, where digital payments are increasing but access to international payment infrastructure remains uneven. By reducing barriers for local financial institutions, Mastercard and IFC aim to help more consumers and businesses participate in the formal digital economy.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC  — Artificial intelligence could give developing countries a rare opportunity to accelerate economic growth, improve public services and address long-standing development challenges, according to the World Bank’s World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence.

The report examines the potential impact of artificial intelligence on 5.6 billion people living in low- and middle-income countries and argues that developing economies do not need to build the world’s most advanced AI systems to benefit from the technology. Instead, the World Bank recommends that countries follow a three-part approach: adopt, adapt and advance.

The report says developing countries can begin by adopting existing AI tools in areas such as health care, agriculture, education and government services. They can then adapt those technologies to local languages, institutions, data and development needs.

AI-powered tools are already helping farmers improve weather-related decisions, supporting medical screening and assisting teachers in preparing educational materials, according to the World Bank.

The institution warns, however, that the benefits of AI will not be automatic. Reliable infrastructure, digital connectivity, education, skills, strong institutions and access to relevant data will be essential if developing economies are to translate AI adoption into higher productivity and broader prosperity.

The report also highlights the risk of a widening global AI divide. A small number of countries and companies currently dominate advanced AI models, semiconductor production and data-center infrastructure, potentially creating new forms of technological dependence.

For most developing economies, the World Bank says building frontier AI models from scratch is unlikely to be a realistic near-term strategy because of the enormous costs involved in computing infrastructure, data and specialized talent.

Instead, countries should focus on practical applications that expand access to expertise and improve productivity while building the infrastructure and skills needed for deeper participation in the AI economy.

The World Bank describes the rapid spread of AI as a historic opportunity for developing economies, noting that AI is spreading faster than earlier general-purpose technologies such as electricity and the internet.

The report argues that strategic adoption and adaptation could allow developing countries to capture significant economic and social gains without having to compete directly with the world’s largest technology companies in developing frontier AI systems.

AMMAN/WASHINGTON DC — Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles toward a military base in Jordan used by U.S. forces on Wednesday, escalating an already widening confrontation with Washington following the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers by the United States.

Jordanian authorities said their air defenses intercepted 18 of the 20 Iranian missiles launched toward the kingdom. The remaining two missiles fell in unpopulated areas, according to Jordanian officials. A U.S. official said American military personnel in Jordan were accounted for following the attack. There were no immediate reports of U.S. casualties.

Iran said the missile attack was carried out in retaliation for recent U.S. military strikes against Iranian oil tankers. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that Tehran will intensify its response to further American attacks.

The target was the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Al-Azraq in eastern Jordan, a strategically important facility that hosts U.S. military personnel and aircraft. The base has played a significant role in American military operations in the region.

The missile attack was part of a broader escalation on Wednesday. Iran also said it had attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including oil tankers, after the United States destroyed five Iranian tankers. Washington has disputed Iranian claims that U.S. naval vessels were hit.

The latest exchange marks one of the most significant escalations in the six-month-old U.S.-Iran conflict. The confrontation has increasingly spread beyond Iran and the United States, drawing neighboring countries and international shipping into the crisis.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the escalation. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments, and renewed attacks on commercial vessels have raised fears of major disruptions to global energy supplies.

The developments have already shaken international energy markets. Brent crude rose sharply on Wednesday, with prices moving above the $100-a-barrel level amid fears that the fighting could disrupt oil production and shipping in the Gulf.

The United States has said its military operations against Iranian vessels were carried out in response to attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on an American warship. Iran, meanwhile, has threatened further retaliation and warned that the area of restricted maritime activity around the Strait of Hormuz could be expanded.

The latest missile attack on Jordan raises concerns that the conflict could increasingly involve U.S. military facilities and American allies across the Middle East, increasing the risk of a broader regional war.

With Iran threatening further retaliation and the United States continuing military operations against Iranian targets, governments across the region are closely monitoring the situation for signs of another major escalation.

Shibbir Ahmed, NEW YORK — Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel on Wednesday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran raised fresh concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies and shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose above the $100 mark as investors reacted to the widening confrontation in the Middle East. The surge reflects growing fears that continued military escalation could threaten oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.

The latest increase came amid heightened tensions following U.S. military action involving Iranian oil tankers and Iran’s subsequent missile attacks toward a U.S.-used military facility in Jordan.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a central focus of the crisis. A prolonged disruption in the waterway could have significant consequences for global oil markets because a substantial share of the world’s petroleum shipments passes through the narrow strategic corridor.

Higher crude prices are also raising concerns about renewed inflationary pressure. A sustained increase in energy costs could push up prices for gasoline, transportation and other goods, potentially complicating efforts by central banks to control inflation.

Financial markets have responded cautiously to the escalation. Investors are closely watching developments between Washington and Tehran for signs that the conflict could expand further or threaten critical energy infrastructure and shipping routes. The rise above $100 a barrel represents a major psychological threshold for global energy markets and underscores the economic risks posed by the widening U.S.-Iran confrontation.

Analysts say oil prices could remain volatile as long as uncertainty persists over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of further military escalation in the region.