Washington DC — Democrats are seeking to capitalize on shifting campaign strategies as Republican-aligned groups scale back spending in several competitive U.S. House races ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. According to an Associated Press report published this week, the leading Republican House super PAC, Congressional Leadership Fund, has canceled planned spending in four congressional races while increasing investments in 16 others. A separate super PAC aligned with President Donald Trump has also reduced spending in a competitive district in the Las Vegas area.

The changes suggest that Republican campaign organizations are concentrating their resources on races they consider more winnable as they work to preserve the party’s narrow House majority. The spending changes cover several competitive districts across the country, including contests in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Republican campaign officials familiar with the plans told the AP that the decisions reflect shifting priorities during the final weeks of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Democrats are expanding their efforts to challenge Republican-held seats. Their House campaign committee is looking to raise additional money for advertising and has identified more districts as potential targets. Democratic strategists believe that forcing Republicans to defend a wider range of seats could stretch the opposition’s financial resources and create opportunities for unexpected victories.

The political environment has become challenging for Republicans amid voter dissatisfaction with economic conditions and President Trump’s approval ratings. Issues including household expenses, fuel prices and federal spending have become important themes in competitive races.

Republican strategists, however, argue that Democrats may be spreading their resources too widely by targeting districts where Trump won comfortably in the 2024 presidential election. The campaign spending decisions illustrate a familiar feature of U.S. elections: parties and outside political groups frequently move money between districts as polling, fundraising and assessments of candidates change.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are being contested in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans are seeking to retain control, while Democrats need to win a net gain of seats to take the chamber. The outcome will determine how easily the White House can advance its legislative agenda during the remainder of Trump’s term. A change in control could also bring greater congressional scrutiny of the administration and alter negotiations over federal spending and domestic policy.

With Election Day approaching, campaign spending decisions are offering clues about which races political organizations consider most competitive. However, changes in advertising budgets alone do not determine the outcome, and the results will ultimately depend on voter turnout and support in individual districts.

Washington DC — Political tensions are growing within President Donald Trump’s team as Republicans struggle to strengthen their position ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with disagreements emerging over campaign spending, electoral strategy and candidate selection.

According to a Reuters report published Saturday, Trump has increasingly questioned the performance of senior aides and political operatives as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress. The president has reportedly scrutinized campaign expenditures, criticized redistricting efforts and reconsidered decisions about which candidates to support.

Although Trump is not personally on the ballot, he has urged supporters to treat the election as if he were running, seeking to increase turnout among Republican voters. He has also stepped up his campaign appearances as the party confronts a challenging political environment.

Campaign spending under scrutiny

One source of tension involves James Blair, who runs the Trump-aligned super political action committee MAGA Inc., and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Reuters reported that Trump has expressed concerns about the handling of campaign funds, while disagreements have surfaced among members of the president’s political circle over responsibility for the party’s difficulties.

MAGA Inc. has spent approximately $200 million, according to public records cited by Reuters. However, the spending has not eliminated concerns about Republican performance in competitive races.

Economy and voter concerns weigh on Republicans

Economic pressures, particularly concerns about high prices and the cost of living, are creating additional challenges for Republican candidates. Dissatisfaction with the administration’s policies and the ongoing conflict with Iran has also contributed to a difficult political climate, Reuters reported.

Trump has backed several key campaign strategies, including redistricting initiatives and candidate choices. His reported criticism of those efforts has highlighted divisions over how the party should approach the final weeks of the campaign.

A crucial election for control of Congress

The November 3 midterm elections will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The results will shape the administration’s ability to advance its legislative agenda during the remainder of Trump’s term.

Democrats are seeking to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction and competitive races, while Republicans are working to mobilize their supporters and defend vulnerable seats. The outcome remains uncertain, and the final weeks of campaigning are expected to be critical.

The growing tensions within the Republican operation underscore the stakes of the midterms, as party leaders face pressure to address economic concerns, improve campaign strategy and maintain unity ahead of Election Day.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — With climate-related disasters intensifying and international efforts struggling to deliver sufficiently ambitious action, the United Nations is urging countries to rebuild trust in global climate cooperation ahead of the next UN climate conference, COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. At a high-level meeting at UN Headquarters on October 16, representatives associated with successive climate conference presidencies discussed how governments could restore confidence in international climate action while responding more effectively to the growing consequences of global warming.

The event, convened by UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman, brought the climate process into focus less than a month before COP31. Discussions addressed adaptation, resilience, climate finance, technology transfer, capacity-building and international cooperation, with particular attention to countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The devastation caused by extreme weather in Nepal served as a stark reminder of the human cost of climate change. Opening the meeting, Rahman highlighted the gap between scientific warnings and the ability of communities and governments to prepare for increasingly dangerous events. He also warned of the implications of a strengthening El Niño, which could intensify climate-related risks in an already warming world.

According to the UN account of the meeting, current climate policies put the world on a trajectory toward approximately 2.8°C of warming above pre-industrial levels. That outlook remains far above the temperature limits established under the 2015 Paris Agreement. The figures underline the scale of the challenge facing governments: existing commitments and policies are not yet sufficient to keep global warming within the agreement’s goals.

The upcoming climate conference in Türkiye will provide governments with another opportunity to advance implementation of the Paris Agreement and strengthen international cooperation.
A central challenge will be converting national climate pledges into measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while improving countries’ capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change.

The European Union is preparing to push for a package of measures aimed at accelerating emissions reductions at COP31. According to a Reuters report published on October 12, the proposed approach includes extending the UN mitigation work programme beyond its current 2026 expiry and encouraging governments to translate existing commitments into practical action.

However, climate negotiations remain complicated by differences over national development priorities, fossil-fuel use and the financial support available to developing countries. The EU’s current proposal does not include new climate-finance commitments, a position that could create friction with lower-income countries seeking greater assistance to address climate impacts and transition to cleaner energy.

For developing countries, rebuilding trust in climate diplomacy will require more than declarations of ambition. Access to predictable financing, affordable technology and support for adaptation remains essential, particularly for countries facing severe climate risks despite contributing relatively little to historical greenhouse gas emissions. The UN meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening early-warning systems, improving disaster preparedness and ensuring that climate assistance reaches communities most exposed to extreme weather.

Least-developed countries, small island developing States, landlocked developing countries and low-lying coastal nations are among those with particularly pressing adaptation needs. For countries such as Bangladesh, where coastal communities face risks from cyclones, flooding, salinity and rising sea levels, the outcome of international negotiations on climate finance and resilience could have significant implications.

The difficulties extend beyond negotiations over emissions and finance. On October 16, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suspended a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, without reaching agreement on the timetable for its next major assessment of climate science. The dispute raises concerns about whether the assessment will be available in time to inform the next UN climate talks and the global review of progress under the Paris Agreement in 2028.

Reuters reported that a group of 30 countries called for progress, while other governments sought more time to ensure meaningful participation by scientists from countries with fewer resources.
The IPCC said discussions on the timetable and budget remain open and will resume at the earliest opportunity. The episode illustrates the wider diplomatic challenge: governments must agree not only on what action to take but also on how scientific evidence will inform their decisions.

The success of COP31 will depend on whether governments can bridge differences and demonstrate that international climate cooperation delivers practical results. That means stronger implementation of existing commitments, greater resilience to climate disasters, effective support for vulnerable communities and credible progress on emissions reductions.

As climate impacts become more visible, the pressure on governments to move beyond promises is growing. The coming weeks will test whether international climate diplomacy can rebuild confidence and generate concrete progress before the next major round of negotiations in Türkiye.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The race to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations has entered a decisive phase, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan emerging as the narrow frontrunner in the latest informal Security Council poll. However, opposition from permanent members of the Council has left the contest without a clear winner. According to a Reuters report published on October 16, Grynspan secured nine votes marked “encourage,” five marked “discourage” and one “no opinion” in the sixth informal ballot. Crucially, two of the negative votes came from permanent members of the Security Council, whose positions carry decisive weight in the selection process.

The latest poll underscores the diplomatic challenge facing candidates seeking to succeed current Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026. No candidate has yet secured the support needed to overcome opposition from the Council’s five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Alongside Grynspan, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett remain prominent contenders. Both received eight “encourage” votes and six “discourage” votes in the latest poll, according to reporting by The National. Each also faced opposition from two permanent members.

Grynspan, a former Vice-President of Costa Rica and head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has called for significant reforms to make the world body more effective. In remarks reported by Reuters on October 15, she argued that the UN had become too risk-averse and called for stronger diplomatic engagement, more effective conflict prevention and a review of overlapping responsibilities across UN agencies. If elected, Grynspan would become the first woman to serve as UN Secretary-General since the organisation was founded in 1945.

The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Under the established selection procedure, a candidate must obtain at least nine affirmative votes in the 15-member Council and avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members.

The latest ballot therefore does not amount to a final election. Instead, it offers an indication of the candidates’ standing and the diplomatic obstacles that must be overcome before the Council can recommend a nominee to the General Assembly.

The selection process remains open to further diplomatic negotiations and potentially additional candidates. With the end of Guterres’s term approaching, Council members face mounting pressure to reach an agreement in time for an orderly leadership transition.

The leadership contest comes at a time when the UN faces mounting pressure to respond to armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, geopolitical divisions and questions about the effectiveness of multilateral institutions. The next Secretary-General will be expected to strengthen the organisation’s ability to mediate conflicts, coordinate humanitarian assistance, advance sustainable development and uphold international law.

For now, Grynspan’s lead in the latest poll has not translated into a clear path to appointment. The decisive question remains whether any candidate can secure sufficient support among Council members while avoiding opposition from the five permanent powers.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Bangladesh has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to self-determination, urging urgent international action to end Israeli occupation, illegal settlement expansion and human rights violations.

Addressing the UN Security Council’s open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on Friday, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Irene Khan, strongly condemned the devastation in Gaza and expressed deep concern over land confiscation, violence and illegal settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

“The deadlock in the Security Council has enabled Israel to operate with impunity,” Ambassador Khan said, calling for decisive action to stop annexation, forced displacement and human rights violations and to ensure accountability.

She stressed the importance of respecting the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and maintaining humanitarian assistance for Palestinians.

Ambassador Khan also condemned Israeli attacks and occupation in Syria and Lebanon, underscoring the need for an adequate UN presence in Lebanon and reaffirming Bangladesh’s support. She further condemned deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian airports that caused civilian casualties, including among Bangladeshi migrant workers.

Reiterating Bangladesh’s commitment to a Culture of Peace, Ambassador Khan urged all parties to protect civilians, exercise maximum restraint and uphold international humanitarian law.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Awami League President and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh in December, calling for the restoration of democracy, voting rights, and the rule of law in the country.

In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Hasina said Bangladesh was going through a serious national crisis. According to her, democratic space had narrowed, the judiciary was being used for political retaliation, media freedom had been restricted, and law and order had deteriorated. She also said that minorities were facing insecurity, extremist forces had regained ground, and the economy had suffered. She said factory closures, rising unemployment, declining investment, electricity and gas shortages, and increasing prices were putting pressure on ordinary families.

Hasina said returning to Bangladesh could expose her to the risk of arrest, imprisonment, or even death. Referring to the killing of members of her family in 1975, her return to Bangladesh in 1981, and the grenade attack on August 21, 2004, she said those experiences had not changed her determination.

According to Hasina, the death sentence handed down against her was politically motivated and delivered without giving her an adequate opportunity to defend herself. She said many Awami League leaders had left the country to protect their lives, while those remaining in Bangladesh were also facing pressure.

Hasina said the Awami League maintained an organisational base across Bangladesh. According to her, the party was demanding democracy, the rule of law, the release of political prisoners, the withdrawal of what she described as false cases, protection for minorities, action against extremism, and economic recovery.

She said the Awami League wanted to return to power through free and fair elections. However, she added that the party would have to accept the people’s decision if voters elected another political party.

Hasina said Bangladesh’s foreign policy should be guided by the principle of “friendship to all, malice towards none.” She described India as Bangladesh’s closest neighbour and historic friend, while identifying China as an important partner. She also stressed the importance of maintaining relations with Japan, the United States, Europe, ASEAN, and the Muslim world.

She highlighted cooperation with India during her government’s tenure in security, connectivity, energy, trade, and border management. She referred to the Ganges water-sharing treaty, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the Land Boundary Agreement, the exchange of enclaves, bus and train links, port access, and energy cooperation.

Speaking about the Teesta River management project, Hasina said it should be transparent, technically sound, and environmentally responsible. According to her, the issue was connected to water resources, agriculture, the environment, people’s livelihoods, and relations between Bangladesh and India. She said a solution should be pursued through dialogue and mutual respect to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of Teesta waters.

Hasina described Bangladesh’s decision not to participate in the BRICS summit held in India as unfortunate and immature. In her view, the decision had harmed Bangladesh’s national interests and caused the country to miss opportunities for international cooperation. She said foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations or political reactions, adding that Bangladesh needed to maintain balanced relations with different countries.

Hasina said Bangladesh’s economy had expanded from approximately $70 billion to $450 billion during the Awami League government’s tenure. According to figures she cited, per capita income had increased from $482 to $2,784. She said the poverty rate had fallen from 41 per cent to 18.6 per cent, while extreme poverty had declined from 25.1 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

She also said Bangladesh’s power generation capacity had increased from 3,782 megawatts to more than 28,000 megawatts. Among the development projects she highlighted were the Padma Bridge, metro rail, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Matarbari project, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the Bangabandhu Satellite, roads, bridges, ports, economic zones, community clinics, and housing projects for landless families.

Discussing the current economic situation, Hasina said GDP growth had slowed, non-performing loans had increased, investment had declined, and unemployment had risen. She claimed that more than 500 factories had closed and over 20 million people had become newly unemployed.

She also said many industrialists and businesspeople were in prison or in hiding. According to her, the government was borrowing between Tk 7 billion and Tk 9 billion daily from banks, while the costs of various projects had increased by between 50 per cent and 250 per cent.

Addressing the measles situation, Hasina said there had been delays in procuring vaccines and that Muhammad Yunus had been warned about shortages of vaccines for children. She alleged that vaccines had not been procured on time and that the issue had not subsequently been addressed with the urgency required. Hasina claimed that more than 1,000 children had died and held Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman responsible for the situation.

Speaking about the 2024 student movement, Hasina said her government had taken steps to resolve the dispute over quotas. She noted that the quota system had been abolished following the student movement in 2018. According to her, the protests continued in 2024 even after the demands had been addressed and later developed into a movement to bring down the government.

Referring to a statement by Muhammad Yunus, Hasina questioned who had been involved in planning, financing, and organising violence during the movement. She said a judicial commission had been formed to investigate violence on July 18, 2024, but alleged that it was discontinued after Yunus came to power. She further claimed that participants in the movement had received legal protection while numerous cases had been filed against Awami League leaders and activists. Hasina said an independent investigation was needed to identify those who ordered, organised, financed, or benefited from killings, arson, and other acts of violence.

Hasina said her government had taken initiatives to encourage the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to participate in the 2024 election. She claimed that Khaleda Zia had been invited for talks and that proposals had been made to include representatives of different political parties in the government during the election period. According to Hasina, the BNP rejected these proposals and boycotted the election.

She referred to incidents involving attacks and arson targeting vehicles, trains, schools, and polling centres at different times. She also mentioned the Hefazat-e-Islam movement in 2013, pre-election violence in 2014, the Holey Artisan attack in 2016, and the BNP’s participation in the 2018 election. Hasina said political parties should participate in elections and accept the people’s verdict in a democracy.

Hasina called on the international community to support democracy, human rights, the rule of law, political participation, and media freedom in Bangladesh. She said it would not be possible to build an inclusive Bangladesh by banning a major political party, keeping its leaders in prison, restricting media freedom, and excluding millions of people from the political process. In the PTI interview, Hasina reiterated her desire to return to Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of democracy, voting rights, and the rule of law.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: A virtual meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Awami League was held on Friday, September 18, under the chairmanship of Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim. Awami League President, Bangabandhu’s daughter and People’s Leader Sheikh Hasina attended the meeting as the chief guest and delivered a keynote address offering guidance to party leaders and activists.

In her address, Sheikh Hasina said she had held consultations in phases with leaders and activists from the Awami League’s 83 district branches and 160 electoral constituencies to learn about the actual situation of the country and its people through grassroots representatives and assess the organisational condition of the party.

Referring to the information gathered through these consultations, she said every sector of the country was on the verge of destruction and that the situation was continuously deteriorating. She stressed the need to protect the country from the prevailing situation.

Instructing leaders responsible for organisational affairs, Sheikh Hasina said priority should be given to those who had suffered various forms of persecution when selecting leadership in areas where organisational gaps existed. She said the strength of the Awami League lay with the people and its grassroots leaders and activists, adding that the party placed its trust in them and did not rely on any other force.

She also called for collecting information about individuals who had faced persecution and repression over the past nearly two years, regardless of their political affiliation, and publicising the information to raise awareness among the people. At the same time, she said the identities and actions of those responsible for persecution and repression should also be exposed. Sheikh Hasina said many innocent military and civilian officials had been arrested in false cases and demanded their release.

Referring to the events of July-August 2024, she said members of law enforcement agencies had made every possible effort to protect lives and property. She said many police officers were killed, their bodies were burned, and police stations were looted and set on fire. She expressed her determination to ensure justice for all the killings through judicial investigations.

Citing information received from across the country, Sheikh Hasina said the country was now plunged into darkness, with indiscriminate killings, rape, looting, extortion, the filing of cases and other forms of wrongdoing taking place. She alleged that the government was turning a blind eye to these activities and allowing its leaders and activists to engage in wrongdoing. She further said that although the government could not provide food for the people, it was able to produce bodies.

Reiterating her intention to return to Bangladesh to save the country from the prevailing situation, Sheikh Hasina expressed surprise at what she described as obstacles being created by the government. “I am eager to return to the country, yet the government is creating obstacles,” she said.

Addressing Awami League leaders and activists, she said that regardless of the extent of persecution or the number of death sentences handed down against them, they must remain beside the people and build resistance together with them.

During the meeting, Awami League leaders demanded the cancellation of what they described as illegal death sentences handed down by the so-called International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Sheikh Hasina and other party leaders. They also called for the abolition of the tribunal.

The meeting expressed deep concern and outrage over the prevailing socio-economic and political situation in the country, the transition to a democratic state system, the deterioration in the supply and security of oil, gas, water and electricity, the worsening law and order situation, and the economic deadlock.

The meeting also noted that the so-called International Crimes Tribunal had recently handed down death sentences on what the party described as baseless and fabricated charges against Sheikh Hasina and prominent Awami League leaders. Those named included General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretary Agriculturist A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, valiant freedom fighter Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Professor Mohammad Ali Arafat, Bangladesh Awami Jubo League Chairman Professor Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, among others. The meeting maintained that the tribunal had no legal basis and strongly rejected its actions.

Following discussions, the Central Executive Committee unanimously adopted proposals calling for reductions in the prices of essential commodities and ensuring the supply of electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser. The meeting also called for employment arrangements for workers who had lost their jobs, the reopening of closed industries and factories, the release of all political prisoners and the withdrawal of all false cases.

The committee further demanded the withdrawal of the ban on the Bangladesh Awami League, the abolition of what the party described as the illegal ICT Tribunal, and the cancellation of its death sentences against Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders. It also called for the withdrawal of cases filed against innocent military and civilian officials of the Republic and the release of those who had been arrested.

The meeting was moderated by Awami League Liberation War Affairs Secretary Advocate Mrinal Kanti Das. General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Presidium Members Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram and valiant freedom fighter Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary Agriculturist A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, Organising Secretaries S.M. Kamal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, Member Professor Mohammad Ali Arafat, Deputy Secretary Raymond Areng and other leaders spoke at the meeting, reviewing the overall situation in the country. Other members of the Central Executive Committee also participated in the virtual meeting.

LONDON — Oil prices fell on Thursday as the United States considered easing restrictions on certain oil tankers linked to Russia, raising hopes of lower shipping costs and improved flexibility in global fuel supplies. Brent crude futures fell $2.28, or 2.2%, to $103.78 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined $1.34, or 1.4%, to $93.75 a barrel, according to Reuters market data reported at 0729 GMT.

The decline followed reports that the U.S. administration was considering relaxing sanctions on some vessels associated with Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” These vessels are used to transport oil and petroleum products outside conventional shipping arrangements and are often linked to efforts to evade international restrictions.

A U.S. official said the proposed measures could help reduce freight costs and provide greater flexibility for transporting diesel and other petroleum products. The discussions come days after President Donald Trump temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel fuel in an effort to ease pressure on global fuel prices.

However, geopolitical tensions continued to pose risks to energy supplies. Attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and escalating conflict involving Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have raised concerns about the security of one of the world’s most important oil-shipping routes. Two commercial vessels reportedly sank near the strategic waterway after being struck by projectiles, according to maritime officials cited in reports.

Meanwhile, Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including a strike on an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy markets. U.S. crude inventories also fell by 11.1 million barrels in the week ending October 9, according to preliminary data from the American Petroleum Institute. Official inventory figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration were awaited.

The oil market remains caught between expectations of increased supply flexibility and fears of further disruptions caused by geopolitical conflict. Any decision by Washington to ease tanker restrictions could influence shipping costs and fuel availability, although the overall impact will depend on the scope and implementation of the measures.

DUBAI — Gulf stock markets declined on Thursday as Yemen’s Houthi rebels threatened further attacks on Saudi Arabia, intensifying concerns about regional security, energy infrastructure and disruptions to shipping. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index fell 0.6%, marking its sixth consecutive weekly decline, while shares of state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco also dropped 0.6%, according to Reuters.

The latest threats followed an attack that damaged Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran. The strike reportedly sparked a fire across several floors of an office building within the complex, raising concerns about the security of Saudi Arabia’s critical energy infrastructure.

The market downturn extended across the Gulf. Qatar’s benchmark index fell 1.2%, reaching its lowest level in more than six years. Dubai’s index declined 0.7%, while Abu Dhabi’s benchmark fell 0.4%. Oil prices also moved lower despite the escalating regional tensions. Brent crude futures dropped $2.28, or 2.2%, to $103.78 a barrel.

Investors remained concerned about maritime security after reports that two ships had sunk near the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by projectiles. The strategic waterway is a vital route for global oil shipments.

The International Monetary Fund has warned that a prolonged conflict and disruptions to energy supplies or shipping could have serious consequences for economies across the Middle East and Central Asia.

The latest market movements highlight the growing economic risks posed by the conflict, particularly for countries dependent on energy exports and regional trade. Further attacks on energy facilities or commercial shipping could deepen market volatility and increase uncertainty across global energy markets.

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.