Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold a quarterly open debate on Thursday on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, amid continuing regional tensions and concerns over the future of peace efforts.

The meeting is expected to focus on developments affecting Palestinians, the broader Middle East situation and international efforts to advance peace. The debate comes shortly after the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Ramiz Alakbarov, the Acting Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident Coordinator, is expected to brief the Council, according to Security Council meeting previews. The debate also comes approximately one year after Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-brokered framework to end the Gaza conflict in October 2025. The UN Security Council subsequently endorsed the framework through Resolution 2803 in November 2025.

Council members are expected to discuss the implementation of peace efforts, the situation affecting Palestinians and the prospects for a lasting political settlement. The meeting is taking place under Greece’s presidency of the Security Council for October. The outcome of Thursday’s debate, including any new commitments or formal Council action, had not been confirmed in the available information at the time of writing.

DHAKA – Bangladesh today staged a walkout during the Israeli president’s address at the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Bangladesh delegation, led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, walked out of the conference hall as the Israeli president began delivering his speech at the summit, said a foreign ministry’s press release here.

Representatives of several other countries also joined the walkout, boycotting the Israeli president’s address, according to information received from Baku. The delegations left the conference hall in protest during the Israeli president’s speech.

The seventh CICA summit is being held in the Azerbaijani capital, bringing together leaders and senior representatives of participating countries to discuss regional cooperation, security and confidence-building measures across Asia.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has reported encouraging progress toward ending Libya’s prolonged political deadlock but warned that continued divisions among rival political institutions, economic difficulties and fragile security conditions threaten the country’s path toward national elections. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Libya and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), delivered the warning during a briefing to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, October 14.

Tetteh said an agreement signed in Tripoli on August 30 by participants in a smaller political dialogue marked an important step toward overcoming the country’s prolonged institutional stalemate. The agreement outlines a path toward parliamentary and presidential elections under a unified executive authority within two years.

However, she cautioned that the progress remains fragile, with disagreements among political stakeholders threatening to undermine efforts to establish stable and unified national institutions. The agreement has received support from several Libyan and international actors, but the High Council of State rejected it on October 5. The disagreement has raised concerns about whether the parties can reach the consensus needed to advance the political process.

Tetteh warned that inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation could further harden political positions, weaken the willingness to compromise and encourage unilateral actions that could undermine the agreement or trigger renewed violence. She called on Libyan political leaders to engage constructively, overcome their differences and support a credible, peaceful electoral process. She also urged the international community to continue supporting diplomatic efforts and hold those obstructing progress accountable.

The UN envoy also highlighted the country’s deteriorating economic conditions, warning that political divisions are contributing to declining living standards and growing public frustration. Despite Libya’s substantial oil resources, many citizens continue to face rising prices and declining purchasing power. Tetteh cited inflation of approximately 14%, alongside concerns about fuel subsidies, widespread fuel smuggling and disruptions to oil production.

She warned that the closure of oilfields and pipelines was causing significant financial losses and threatening energy supplies and electricity generation. Libya’s dependence on oil revenues makes the economy particularly vulnerable to disruptions in production and exports. Political disagreements over state institutions and public resources have further complicated efforts to improve economic management and ensure that oil wealth benefits the wider population.

The envoy also drew attention to protests and strikes in the education and healthcare sectors over delayed salary increases and unpaid allowances, underscoring the pressure on public services.

Despite continuing instability, Tetteh welcomed recent efforts by military leaders from eastern and western Libya to strengthen cooperation. She highlighted initiatives to establish joint information-sharing and border-security coordination centers in Tripoli and Benghazi. Such measures could help improve coordination between security institutions that have operated under competing authorities.

However, she stressed that the overall security environment remains fragile and that sustained cooperation will be necessary to prevent renewed confrontations and support broader political reconciliation. The UN also expressed concern about inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation targeting migrants, refugees, humanitarian workers and UN personnel. Tetteh called for a halt to executions and a review of judicial procedures to ensure compliance with fair-trial standards.

Libya has struggled to restore unified political authority since the 2011 uprising that ended Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. Rival power centers, competing institutions and disputes over the legal framework for elections have repeatedly obstructed efforts to establish a stable political system. The country’s national elections, originally scheduled for December 2021, were postponed indefinitely amid disagreements over electoral rules and the eligibility of candidates.

The latest agreement offers a possible route out of the stalemate, but its success will depend on whether the principal political actors accept the process and implement the necessary institutional reforms. Tetteh emphasized that progress toward elections cannot be separated from the need to strengthen the judiciary, unify state institutions and address broader security and economic challenges.

The UN is continuing consultations with Libyan stakeholders to build on the agreement and explore ways to make the political process more inclusive. The latest Security Council briefing underscored both the opportunity and the risks facing Libya: diplomatic progress has created renewed hope for a political settlement, but lasting stability will require compromise, institutional unity and sustained international support.

CHESTER, Pa. — In a captivating showdown between women’s soccer titans, the U.S. Women’s National Team fought back from a two-goal halftime deficit to secure a dramatic 2–2 draw against reigning World Cup champion Spain at Subaru Park. The result brought a spirited end to the October international window, showing the growth and fight head coach Emma Hayes demanded following a 2–0 loss to La Roja three days earlier in Washington, D.C.

Spain picked up right where they left off in the opening match, overwhelming the American defensive lines with relentless possession and crisp combination play. The visitors broke through in the 26th minute when two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas marked her 150th international cap with a pristine finish past the U.S. defense.

Just five minutes later, Spain capitalized on a costly defensive mix-up in the box. Salma Paralluelo pounced on the error to double the lead, sending the world champions into the halftime tunnel firmly in control at 2–0.

Refusing to fold before the crowd of 18,648, the USWNT emerged from the break with renewed urgency and direct vertical play. The rally began in the 48th minute through Ashley Sanchez. Making her first national team start in nearly two years, Sanchez collected a pass on the edge of the penalty box and drilled a low shot into the far corner to slice the deficit in half.The momentum fully swung toward the Americans as they pressed higher up the pitch.

The dramatic moment arrived in the 86th minute when substitute Michelle Cooper floated a dangerous ball into the box. Mallory Swanson, making her return to the squad following parental leave, controlled the pass and volleyed it past Spanish goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez. The equalizer marked Swanson’s first goal for the national team since the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal match.

While going winless across the two-game series against Spain leaves room for growth, Emma Hayes embraced the challenge of measuring her squad against the top-ranked team in the world. “If I’m here to merely protect a wins record, then I’ll pick a lesser opponent,” Hayes said after the match. “I’m here to see how much the gap has closed with them, and then how far away are we, and keep working towards it, because they’re the best team in the world for a reason.”

The USWNT will now regroup before official competition begins on November 27, 2026, when they face El Salvador in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf W Championship in Mansfield, Texas. The tournament serves as the official qualifying pathway for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Bangladesh on Tuesday called for a strong international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity, urging special recognition and support for countries hosting victims of such atrocities.

Addressing the Sixth Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh delegate Muhammad Nawshad Zamir proposed three key provisions for the convention: cooperation in preserving evidence and protecting witnesses in receiving States; support for survivors, including access to justice at national and international levels; and international solidarity in sharing the burden borne by host countries.

Citing Bangladesh’s experience sheltering over one million Rohingya forcibly displaced from Myanmar, Zamir stressed that countries receiving victims must be integral to international accountability mechanisms. Referring to Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, he cited a UN report estimating that up to 1,400 people were killed including children and calling for investigations into possible crimes against humanity.

Bangladesh also advocated universal jurisdiction, stronger extradition mechanisms and an end to impunity, while emphasizing prevention and justice for women and children. Zamir urged that the convention complement the Rome Statute and uphold the International Criminal Court’s independence. “A convention diluted until it offends no one will protect no one,” he warned.

NEW YORK — The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has unveiled a special exhibition in Manhattan to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The new showcase was presented during a press briefing on Monday, August 31, followed by an exclusive media preview.

Titled “In Their Honor: 25 Years of 9/11-Inspired Service,” the exhibition highlights the lasting legacy of public service, volunteerism, and community initiatives that emerged in the wake of the 2001 tragedy. Museum officials confirmed it will officially open to the general public on September 12, 2026.

Speaking at Monday’s media briefing, Beth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, emphasized that while the exhibition honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims, it also spotlights the remarkable human resilience and selflessness that followed. Other key speakers included Logan Miller, representing victims’ families, and Noah Rouse, Senior Vice President of Education and Public Programming.

The exhibition captures both the immediate aftermath of the destruction and its long-term social impact, documenting how individuals, families, and organizations rallied to support one another across the nation.

Preparations are currently underway across the United States for the landmark 25th anniversary. A major commemoration ceremony will take place on September 11 at the World Trade Center site, bringing together victims’ families, survivors, first responders, and community leaders.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: U.S. President Donald Trump has posted a map on social media labeling the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as “New U.S. Territory,” escalating an already tense confrontation with Iran over the vital shipping route.

Trump shared the map on his Truth Social account on Tuesday, August 18, without providing additional explanation. The post came days after he said he intended to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory.

The move immediately drew a sharp response from Tehran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed Trump’s claim as a “delusion” and warned that it would either be corrected or challenged by Iran.

The dispute comes as the United States and Iran remain locked in a confrontation over the future of the waterway, which is one of the world’s most important energy and shipping corridors.

Trump Doubles Down on Hormuz Claim

Trump had first suggested last week that the United States could take control of the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, he told reporters at the White House that making the waterway part of the United States was, in his words, a “great idea.”

His latest social media post went a step further by displaying a map with the strait marked as “New U.S. Territory.”

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a critical passage for global energy shipments.

Trump’s move has raised questions about the legal and diplomatic implications of any attempt by Washington to claim sovereignty over the waterway.

International law recognizes territorial waters in the Strait as belonging to the coastal states, principally Iran and Oman. A U.S. declaration alone would not establish American sovereignty over the waterway.

Iran Rejects Trump’s Claim

Iran has strongly rejected Trump’s statements about the strait. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded directly to Trump’s map, calling the U.S. president’s claim a “delusion.”

He said the claim would either be corrected or that Iran would take steps to correct what he described as Trump’s mistaken view. Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the control and sovereignty of the countries bordering it.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tuesday that the strait would remain closed until the United States accepts Tehran’s demands. Those demands include lifting the U.S. blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, ending the oil embargo and stopping military operations against Iran.

Trump Says No Talks Are Underway

Trump’s territorial claim came at the same time as he said there were no negotiations currently taking place with Iran. In a Truth Social post Tuesday, Trump said there were “no talks or conversations” underway or scheduled with Tehran and declared that the U.S. naval blockade remained in force.

The statement appeared to contradict reports from the previous day suggesting that back-channel contacts between U.S. and Iranian officials had taken place. The breakdown in diplomacy comes after a 60-day negotiating period failed to produce a comprehensive agreement between Washington and Tehran.

A Strategic Global Waterway

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the strait, making any prolonged disruption a major threat to international energy markets and global economic stability.

Shipping through the waterway has already fallen sharply because of the conflict and security concerns. Major shipping companies have avoided the route, while insurers and energy traders face growing uncertainty over whether commercial vessels can safely transit the area.

A vessel was also reportedly struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to an alert from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The incident caused damage to the vessel’s engine room and resulted in a crew casualty.

Iran Strikes Back With California Map

Iran responded to Trump’s provocative map with a provocative image of its own. An official Iranian social media account associated with Iran’s consulate in Hyderabad posted a map of the United States highlighting California and labeling it “NEW TERRITORY OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.”

The post appeared to be a direct satirical response to Trump’s depiction of the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. California is also home to a large Iranian-American community. The exchange of maps underscores the increasingly confrontational rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.

What Would a U.S. Territorial Claim Mean?

Trump’s post does not itself change the legal status of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway passes through territorial waters associated with Iran and Oman, and its international navigation regime is governed by international maritime law.

Any attempt by the United States to formally claim sovereignty over the strait would therefore have major legal and diplomatic consequences and could trigger opposition from Iran, Oman and other regional states. The dispute also risks complicating efforts to keep one of the world’s most important shipping routes open to international commerce.

Regional Tensions Continue to Rise

The confrontation is also placing pressure on U.S. relations with other Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates announced Wednesday that it had suspended financial and economic transactions with Iran following what it said were Iranian missile launches toward maritime areas. Iran denied the allegation.

Iranian military officials have separately warned Gulf states against assisting U.S. military operations. The developments indicate that the dispute over Hormuz is increasingly affecting countries beyond the United States and Iran.

Global Energy Security at Risk

The latest escalation has significant implications for the global economy. If shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted, oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf could be disrupted, putting upward pressure on energy prices.

Higher energy prices could increase inflation, raise transportation and manufacturing costs and put additional pressure on economies across Asia, Europe and other energy-importing regions. For China, India, Japan, South Korea and European economies that rely heavily on Gulf energy supplies, prolonged disruption could have particularly serious consequences.

A New Flashpoint in the U.S.-Iran Conflict

Trump’s “New U.S. Territory” map represents another escalation in the increasingly bitter confrontation between Washington and Tehran. While the post does not establish any change in sovereignty, it has added a new territorial dimension to an already dangerous dispute over the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has rejected the claim, while commercial shipping remains severely disrupted and diplomatic efforts remain stalled. The coming days could determine whether the dispute remains primarily a war of rhetoric or develops into a broader confrontation over control of one of the world’s most important strategic waterways.

For the international community, the stakes are enormous. The Strait of Hormuz is not only a regional waterway—it is a critical artery for global energy supplies, international trade and economic stability.

Shibbir Ahmed: A high-level U.S. business delegation representing 25 American companies has arrived in Dhaka to explore new investment opportunities in Bangladesh, highlighting growing interest among leading U.S. businesses in the country’s energy, technology, agriculture, and financial sectors.

The executive delegation of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC) arrived in Dhaka on August 11 and participated in meetings and business programs through August 13. Representatives of major American companies, including Chevron, Excelerate Energy, Visa, and Mastercard, were among those taking part in the visit.

The delegation’s visit is being viewed as an important initiative to deepen the longstanding economic relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, which spans more than five decades.

U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen welcomed the delegation to Dhaka, saying that leading American companies from the energy, technology, agriculture, and finance sectors had come to explore opportunities and build on more than 50 years of U.S.-Bangladesh economic ties.

Focus on Trade and Investment

The delegation’s primary objective is to explore new investment opportunities and potential business partnerships in Bangladesh. Energy, infrastructure, technology, digital services, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services are among the sectors attracting particular attention from U.S. businesses.

During meetings with Bangladeshi officials, representatives of the U.S. business community discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and investment and strengthen private-sector cooperation.

The delegation also met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, with discussions focusing on expanding economic relations and creating greater opportunities for U.S. investment in areas including industry, infrastructure, energy, technology, the digital economy, and healthcare.

Atul Keshap, President of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council and a former U.S. ambassador, also emphasized the potential for expanding business cooperation between the two countries.

$5 Billion Investment Goal

The U.S. business delegation’s visit comes as the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) has set an ambitious target for mobilizing additional U.S. investment in Bangladesh.

AmCham has said it aims to help mobilize up to $5 billion in additional U.S. investment over the next five years, involving existing member companies as well as potential new American investors.

The investment target was discussed during an August 11 meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and an AmCham executive delegation.

The discussions also covered measures to improve Bangladesh’s investment climate, including reforms related to taxation, value-added tax, customs procedures, and other issues affecting businesses.

AmCham has said that its member companies have already invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh. If the new investment target is achieved, the U.S. corporate presence in Bangladesh could expand significantly.

Energy and Technology Attract Strong Interest

The participation of companies such as Chevron and Excelerate Energy underscores the importance of Bangladesh’s energy sector to American investors.

Bangladesh has growing demand for reliable energy and infrastructure, creating potential opportunities for U.S. companies with expertise in energy production, liquefied natural gas, infrastructure, and related technologies.

The participation of global financial technology companies such as Visa and Mastercard also points to growing interest in Bangladesh’s rapidly developing digital economy and financial-services sector.

With a large population, expanding consumer market, growing digital economy, and increasing demand for infrastructure and energy, Bangladesh offers a range of potential opportunities for international investors.

New Opportunities Following the Trade Agreement

The U.S. business delegation’s visit comes several months after Bangladesh and the United States signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade earlier this year.

The agreement created a new framework for expanding bilateral trade and improving market access between the two countries.

Against this backdrop, the business delegation’s visit can be viewed as more than a routine commercial engagement. It represents an effort to translate recent progress in government-to-government economic relations into concrete investment, business partnerships, and private-sector cooperation.

For Bangladesh, increased U.S. investment could bring more than capital. New investments could also contribute to technology transfer, skills development, employment generation, and greater integration into global supply chains.

For American companies, Bangladesh represents a large and evolving South Asian market with opportunities in manufacturing, energy, digital services, financial technology, infrastructure, and consumer-oriented businesses.

A New Chapter in Economic Relations?

For more than five decades, Bangladesh-U.S. economic relations have been strongly associated with trade, particularly Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports to the American market. Recent developments, however, suggest that the economic relationship could be entering a broader phase.

The visit by U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor to Bangladesh earlier this month, followed by the arrival of the high-level U.S. business delegation and AmCham’s $5 billion investment target, indicates growing engagement not only between the two governments but also between the private sectors of both countries.

The challenge now will be turning growing investor interest into actual projects. To attract and retain more U.S. investment, Bangladesh will need to maintain policy stability, improve transparency, streamline regulatory procedures, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure a more predictable business environment.

The latest U.S. business delegation’s visit therefore represents both an opportunity and a test for Bangladesh. Whether the growing interest of American companies can be converted into long-term investment, new jobs, technology partnerships, and expanded trade will be an important measure of the next phase of Bangladesh-U.S. economic relations.

JHENAIDAH – Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hussain has said that, under the Prime Minister’s directives, all upazila health complexes across the country will be transformed into modern nine-storey health complexes within the next three years.

“A long-term plan has been taken to upgrade all 50-bed upazila health complexes in the country into 151-bed hospitals within the next three years,” he said while responding to queries from reporters after making surprise visits to the Maheshpur and Kotchandpur upazila health complexes in the district today.

He said the country’s healthcare sector had been seriously neglected during the 17-year rule of the “fascist Awami League government”. “Looting took place in all sectors, and extensive looting also occurred in the healthcare sector. There was a lack of accountability, which disrupted health services,” he said.

Corruption had also taken place in the purchase of medicines for hospitals during the fascist government, Sakhawat said, adding the government wants to bring the country’s health sector and medical system under a new discipline.

“We have undertaken long-term plans to address the shortage of doctors and medicines and to make services easier for patients. We will not compromise in implementing the plans to restore public confidence in government healthcare services,” he continued.

He said that after the 151-bed upazila health complexes are launched, the hospitals will have a special 25-bed ward for pregnant women and a separate 20-bed ward for children. “We have also taken plans to introduce services such as kidney dialysis at these hospitals. Once these are implemented, the country’s health sector and the system of medical services will be transformed,” he said.

Earlier in the morning, the Health Minister visited different wards of the Maheshpur and Kotchandpur upazila health complexes. During the visits, he enquired about the overall condition of patients receiving treatment at the hospitals. He also spoke with patients and their attendants about the quality of healthcare services and food at the hospitals. Later, he visited the Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex.

DHAKA- The Election Commission (EC) has declared valid the nomination papers of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the nominee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Dr Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, in the presidential polls. At Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin declared their nomination papers valid after verification.

He informed a BNP delegation, led by its standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, that the nomination papers of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have been accepted as valid. Earlier, the CEC accepted the nomination papers of 11-party alliance Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram as valid. The presidential election will be held on August 20. The scrutiny of nomination papers began at 11:00 am today (Sunday).

The two candidates submitted their nomination papers on the last day of the presidential election on August 13. On Thursday last, BNP submitted the nomination papers of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the CEC at Nirbachan Bhaban. On the other hand, the 11-party alliance submitted its nomination papers in favour of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed.

EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is 4:00 pm on August 18 (Tuesday). Voting will be held in the session hall of Jatiya Sangsad from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on August 20 (Thursday), he said.