Shibbir Ahmed, New York — New York City FC (NYCFC) announced that it will play its first match at Etihad Park, New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium, at the start of the 2027–28 Major League Soccer (MLS) season in summer 2027. The announcement comes as MLS prepares to transition to a new competition calendar. Before the new calendar takes effect, the league will stage a shortened transition season from February through May 2027, featuring a 14-game regular season, playoffs and MLS Cup.

During that transition season, NYCFC will continue playing its home matches at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field before moving into its new home at Etihad Park for the 2027–28 campaign.

“We cannot wait to welcome our fans for the first-ever New York City FC match at Etihad Park,” said Brad Sims, NYCFC chief executive officer. Sims said construction was progressing well and remained on schedule. He explained that opening the stadium at the beginning of a full MLS season would give supporters a more complete experience and align the venue’s debut with a new chapter for both the club and the league.

“Opening alongside a full season ensures our fans can experience Etihad Park from day one, rather than in the middle of a transition year,” Sims said. He added that the timing would allow the club to celebrate its final matches at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, prepare for the move and deliver a major opening that reflects the stadium’s significance to the club and New York City.

NYCFC said it plans to hold test events in the months leading up to the start of the 2027–28 season to ensure the stadium is ready for its official opening. The club thanked supporters for their continued support and said it looked forward to beginning a new chapter at Etihad Park. The stadium is expected to become the club’s dedicated home, marking a significant milestone for NYCFC and its supporters.

NYCFC also outlined plans for City Members during the shortened 2027 transition season. According to the club, members will automatically receive tickets to transition-season matches at a flat rate consistent with their 2026 Membership plan, as previously communicated during the “Your First March to Etihad Park” renewal period in April. Additional information about priority access, invoices and payment plans will be communicated to members separately in the coming weeks.

With the stadium debut scheduled for summer 2027, NYCFC will spend the transition season playing at its existing home venues while preparing for its move to Etihad Park and the beginning of the new MLS competition calendar.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States will continue pressing the international community to hold the Cuban government accountable for alleged human rights abuses, political imprisonment, forced labor and corruption, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said at a news briefing in New York. Speaking at the Foreign Press Center, Waltz accused the Cuban government of using its annual campaign at the United Nations against the U.S. embargo to deflect attention from its domestic human rights record. He said Washington would challenge what it considers misleading claims by Havana and urge other countries to give greater attention to the suffering of the Cuban people.

The briefing featured Jamie Fly, chief executive officer of Freedom House, who outlined concerns about political repression, restrictions on civil liberties and the treatment of prisoners in Cuba. Waltz said the U.S. mission to the United Nations had arranged for diplomats to hear directly from former Cuban political prisoners and independent experts about alleged abuses, corruption and the concentration of economic power in the hands of the Cuban military and ruling elite.

“We are not going to allow those lies to be propagated here unchecked, unchallenged,” Waltz said, referring to the Cuban government’s position on the U.S. embargo and the country’s economic difficulties.

Fly said Cuba has been classified as “Not Free” throughout the 53-year history of Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report. According to Fly, Cuba received a score of just 9 out of 100 in the organization’s freedom index, including zero points for political rights. He also cited figures from Prisoners Defenders, a human rights organization that monitors political imprisonment in Cuba, saying more than 1,300 political prisoners remain in the country.

Those imprisoned include political activists, journalists, artists and ordinary citizens who have protested shortages of food, medicine and electricity or called for greater political freedom, Fly said. He highlighted the cases of musician Maykel Castillo Pérez and political activist Félix Navarro and his daughter, Saylí Navarro. Fly said Castillo Pérez had reportedly been handcuffed, forcibly restrained by several guards and subjected to a forced haircut during a recent security operation at his prison.

He also pointed to a September 17, 2026, European Parliament resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Félix Navarro and his daughter, citing concerns about their treatment and health conditions. Fly said the cases illustrate the broader restrictions on freedom of expression, association, assembly and political participation in Cuba.

Waltz criticized Cuba’s overseas medical missions, alleging that the government exploits doctors and nurses by withholding their earnings and placing pressure on their families at home. He argued that the programs, which Cuba has long presented as a form of international medical cooperation, raise serious concerns about labor rights and coercion.

The United States has urged governments, particularly in Latin America, to reconsider their participation in arrangements that Washington alleges facilitate forced labor, Waltz said. The Cuban government’s response to the allegations was not presented at the briefing.

Waltz also accused the Cuban military-linked business conglomerate GAESA of exercising extensive control over the country’s economy while ordinary Cubans face shortages of basic necessities. He questioned why fuel and electricity appeared to remain more readily available to security services and privileged groups while much of the population struggled with shortages.

The briefing came ahead of a United Nations vote on a resolution concerning the U.S. embargo against Cuba, scheduled for October 27–28, according to remarks at the event. Waltz said U.S. diplomats were engaging with other countries to encourage them to reconsider their positions on the resolution in light of Washington’s human rights concerns.

He also raised allegations about Cuban nationals recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, arguing that money associated with such activities benefits the Cuban government rather than the individuals involved. Waltz cited information presented by Ukrainian officials concerning Cuban recruitment and urged European governments to consider the issue when deciding how to vote at the United Nations. He said human rights should receive the same serious attention as peace, security and development in the work of the international organization.

Addressing Cuba’s economic and humanitarian difficulties, Waltz said President Donald Trump had recently released $100 million in humanitarian assistance intended to help people in need. According to Waltz, the assistance was to be distributed through the Catholic Church and other organizations. He alleged that the Cuban government was attempting to control the distribution of the aid.

Waltz said Washington wanted to see greater economic openness, basic freedoms and an end to practices it considers coercive. He identified the ability of humanitarian assistance to reach vulnerable people as one measure of whether conditions were improving.

During the question-and-answer session, Waltz was asked about reports that Florida had secured an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 shooting down of two aircraft operated by the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue. Waltz said the case represented a long-standing demand for justice and noted that federal and state-level legal proceedings were relevant to efforts to establish accountability. He said the Trump administration took alleged human rights abuses seriously and expressed confidence that accountability would eventually be pursued.

The briefing concluded with a question about accountability for atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar. Although the moderator initially sought to keep the discussion focused on Cuba, Waltz said the administration took the suffering of Rohingya refugees in camps seriously.

The event underscored Washington’s effort to place Cuba’s human rights record at the center of its diplomatic engagement at the United Nations ahead of the upcoming vote on the embargo resolution. The allegations raised by U.S. officials and Freedom House at the briefing were not accompanied by a response from the Cuban government during the session.

New York — Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, 28, a resident of Ontario, Canada, has been sentenced to an additional 50 years in federal prison for attacking two correctional officers at a Pennsylvania prison in 2020 while serving a separate sentence for plotting a mass-casualty terrorist attack in New York City on behalf of ISIS. According to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement dated Monday, October 19, 2026, the new sentence will run consecutively to the 40-year prison term Bahnasawy is already serving for his role in the 2016 New York City terror plot.

According to court records, Bahnasawy attacked two correctional officers at U.S. Penitentiary Allenwood on December 7, 2020, using a weapon made from part of a steel desk in his cell. He stabbed one officer in the head and face. When a second officer intervened to help, he stabbed her in the hand. The first officer eventually lost his right eye as a result of the attack.

After Bahnasawy was restrained, authorities discovered a note inside his sock stating, “This is a terrorist attack for the Islamic State.” Investigators also found a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, commonly known as ISIS, taped inside a locker door in his prison cell.

In November 2025, Bahnasawy pleaded guilty to multiple offenses, including assault, assault with intent to commit murder, possessing contraband inside a prison, and providing material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the additional sentence would help ensure that Bahnasawy remains in prison for a long time after carrying out another violent attack in the name of ISIS.

U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said the sentence reflects the government’s commitment to prosecuting people who commit violence in the name of ISIS, including those who carry out attacks behind prison walls.

Bahnasawy was arrested in May 2016 after traveling from Canada to the New York City area in preparation for a planned terrorist attack. At the time, he was 20 years old and had conspired with Talha Haroon and Russell Salic to plan bombings and shootings in heavily populated areas of New York City during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The alleged plot was intended to cause mass casualties on behalf of ISIS.

An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group by posing as an ISIS supporter willing to participate in the planned attacks. Bahnasawy has remained in custody since his arrest. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office investigated the prison attack case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur and Deputy Chief Larry Schneider of the Justice Department’s National Security Division Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

New York — Taseen Ferdous, a 35-year-old dancer, educator, and cultural artist, has died in New York, leaving the Bangladeshi American community and the local cultural world in mourning.  Ferdous passed away early Sunday, October 18, while receiving treatment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York. Reports indicate that she developed a severe viral infection, and her condition deteriorated rapidly despite medical treatment.

Ferdous was the only daughter of Annie Ferdous, artistic director of the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), and engineer Zafar Ahmed. Her unexpected death has brought profound grief to her family, friends, colleagues, students, and members of the Bangladeshi American community.

In addition to her work as a teacher with the New York City Department of Education, Ferdous was actively involved in dance and cultural activities. She was known for her dedication to preserving and promoting Bengali cultural traditions through performance and education. She began her dance journey at an early age under the influence of her mother and through her association with BIPA. Over the years, she developed her skills in traditional, folk, and contemporary dance.

At the age of 13, Ferdous began studying Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, under renowned dance teacher Tejaswini Raj at the Shiva Jyoti Dance Academy in New York. After years of training, she completed her arangetram, a traditional solo debut performance marking a significant milestone in a Bharatanatyam dancer’s journey, in 2013.

Through her involvement with BIPA and the Shiva Jyoti Dance Academy, Ferdous participated in multicultural events and performances that helped showcase South Asian and Bengali cultural traditions to wider audiences.

Beyond her professional and artistic pursuits, Ferdous was also involved in community initiatives. Published reports describe her participation in social service and efforts supporting immigrant communities, including activities in the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn. Her work reflected a commitment to education, cultural expression, and community engagement. Her sudden passing at the age of 35 has left a deep void among those who knew her and appreciated her contributions.

Ferdous is survived by her husband, young son Lucas, parents, and other family members. Her death has been a devastating loss for her loved ones and the wider community. Members of the Bangladeshi American community have expressed condolences and sympathy for the bereaved family. Her contributions as an educator and dancer are being remembered by those whose lives she touched through her work and cultural activities. Further details regarding funeral arrangements and memorial services should be confirmed with the family or official community announcements.

New York Correspondent — The two-day Times Square Durga Utsav 2026 concluded successfully in the heart of New York City, bringing together members of the Bengali diaspora for a vibrant celebration of religious tradition, culture, music, and dance. The festival, held on October 10 and 11, drew enthusiastic participation from the Bengali community despite challenging weather conditions on the second day.

Following the conclusion of the event, the Times Square Durga Utsav Association expressed its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended, volunteered, contributed, and supported the celebration.

On Saturday, October 10, thousands of Bengalis gathered at Times Square under bright, sunny skies to celebrate the spirit of Durga Puja. The event transformed the iconic Manhattan destination into a lively gathering place for Bengali culture, devotion, and community spirit. Participants from New York and surrounding areas came together to pay their respects to Goddess Durga and celebrate their cultural heritage far from their ancestral homeland.

The festival provided an opportunity for members of the Bengali diaspora to reconnect with their traditions while sharing their rich cultural identity with the wider public. Weather conditions changed on Sunday, October 11, as rain swept through the area. Despite the unfavorable weather, hundreds of people continued to visit the festival venue to offer their prayers and pay homage to Goddess Durga.

Their presence reflected the deep devotion, enthusiasm, and cultural bonds that unite Bengalis across geographical boundaries. The turnout demonstrated that adverse weather could not dampen the community’s spirit or its connection to one of its most cherished festivals.

The two-day celebration featured religious rituals, prayers, floral offerings, the distribution of prasad, music, dance, and other cultural activities. Through these programs, the organizers sought to showcase Bengali heritage and the traditions of Durga Puja on an international platform. The celebration also served as an opportunity for younger generations of Bengali Americans to connect with their cultural roots.

For many members of the diaspora, the gathering represented more than a religious celebration. It was a moment to strengthen community ties, preserve traditions, and share Bengali culture with people from different backgrounds.

One of the notable highlights of this year’s festival was the recognition of six organizations for their contributions to preserving Bengali culture and the tradition of Durga Puja in the United States. The organizations honored were Bay Area Probashi Incorporated, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago, Bengali Cultural Society, East Coast Durga Puja Association, Kallol, and Pragati.

Their work in maintaining Bengali cultural traditions, promoting community engagement, and passing heritage on to younger generations was recognized as an important contribution to the Bengali diaspora.

In a message following the conclusion of the festival, the Times Square Durga Utsav Association thanked everyone who contributed their time, effort, and support to make the event possible.

The organizers highlighted the enthusiastic participation on the first day and the determination of devotees who attended despite the rain on the second day. They said the community’s love, devotion, and cooperation would remain a source of inspiration for future events.

The association also emphasized that although this year’s celebration had come to an end, the spirit of unity, friendship, and cultural harmony would continue. Organizers expressed their hope of welcoming Goddess Durga again next year with renewed enthusiasm and fresh aspirations.

The Times Square Durga Utsav has become an important occasion for the Bengali community to celebrate its religious traditions and showcase its cultural identity in one of the world’s most recognizable public spaces.

Beyond the religious ceremonies, the event highlighted the importance of preserving Bengali language, heritage, and traditions among communities living abroad. As the 2026 celebration concludes, organizers and participants look forward to returning next year for another gathering centered on devotion, cultural pride, and community solidarity. The Times Square Durga Utsav Association concluded its message by wishing peace, prosperity, and well-being for all and thanking everyone who helped make the festival memorable.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Channel i and Impress Telefilm, two prominent names in Bangladesh’s television industry, celebrated their 28th anniversary with a colorful event in New York. The celebration brought together prominent members of the Bangladeshi diaspora for an evening of awards, musical performances and greetings.

The event was jointly hosted by Ekushey Padak-winning writer, filmmaker and singer Afzal Hossain and journalist and television presenter Mainul Islam. One of the highlights of the program was the presentation of awards recognizing contributions to journalism, environmental journalism, and the promotion and expansion of Channel i across North America.

Mainul Islam, special correspondent and presenter at Channel i, was honored for his contributions to journalism. Special correspondent Md. Soumik Ahmed received recognition for his work in environmental journalism, while General Manager Md. Mohiuddin Khan Moin was honored for his role in promoting and expanding Channel i’s presence in North America. The award ceremony was attended by Faridur Reza Sagar, managing director of Impress Telefilm Limited and Channel i, along with Afzal Hossain, entrepreneur Kona Reza and other distinguished guests.

Speakers emphasized the importance of the media in promoting the Bengali language and culture and showcasing Bangladesh’s heritage abroad. They noted that Bangla-language media serving expatriate communities can help strengthen the connection between younger generations and Bangladesh’s language, culture and traditions. The cultural segment was another major attraction of the evening. Popular actress Moushumi and singer Dinat Jahan Munni delighted the audience with a duet performance.

Other notable attendees included journalist Khalid Mohiuddin, Bangladesh’s Press Minister in Washington, Golam Mortuza, and Anisuzzaman, Bangladesh’s Deputy Consul General in New York. Leaders of the Bangladesh-American Police Association (BAPA), along with artists, businesspeople and guests from various professional backgrounds, also attended the celebration. The 28th anniversary celebration of Channel i and Impress Telefilm served as a gathering of the Bangladeshi diaspora, highlighting the enduring role of Bengali-language media in preserving cultural identity and strengthening community ties abroad.

NEW YORK: New York City FC and Los Angeles FC played out a 1-1 draw in their Major League Soccer (MLS) clash at Citi Field on Saturday night, leaving both teams with one point as the race for the playoffs intensifies.

LAFC took the lead through Finnish midfielder Leo Walta, who scored from a free kick from around 30 yards in first-half stoppage time. The goal was his first in MLS since joining the Los Angeles club on loan in late August.

NYCFC responded strongly after the break and found the equalizer in the 59th minute. Andrés Perea powered home a header from a corner delivered by Nicolás Fernández Mercau to bring the home side level.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, creating a dramatic finish. LAFC forward Son Heung-min came particularly close to scoring in stoppage time, but his shot struck the inside of the post and bounced away.

The draw extended LAFC’s unbeaten run under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit to three matches. The club remained sixth in the Western Conference with 46 points, moving closer to securing a place in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.

For NYCFC, however, the result was another setback in a difficult season. The team continued to struggle for consistency and remained under pressure to collect points in its remaining regular-season fixtures to keep its postseason hopes alive. LAFC will next host its city rival, the LA Galaxy, on October 25, while NYCFC is scheduled to visit Orlando City on October 24.

New York: Several Bangladeshis have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York State, raising concern within the expatriate community. Among those detained is Inamul Haque Inam, a familiar face in the Bangladeshi community and a cultural worker. Inam was detained last Wednesday. Since then, acquaintances have said they have been unable to contact him.

Inam came to the United States about 42 years ago. He lived for a long time in Jamaica, New York. Alongside his cultural activities, he was involved in organizing entertainment events. Inam used to bring actors, actresses and singers from Bangladesh to the United States to take part in various events. In the 1990s, artists such as Ferdous Wahid and Kumar Bishwajit visited New York at his invitation.

A few years ago, Inam moved to Virginia. Later, he began living in Buffalo, a city about 400 miles from New York City. Some acquaintances have claimed that despite living in the United States for many years, he was unable to obtain the necessary documents for lawful residence. However, no statement from the relevant authorities has been obtained regarding this claim.

ICE also detained another Bangladeshi businessman in Buffalo about a week ago. The man, known as Babu, owns a Bangladeshi restaurant on Kenmore Avenue. He was originally from the T&T Colony area of Moghbazar in Dhaka. He has not yet been released following his detention, according to people who know him. His restaurant has also closed.

Earlier, Bangladeshi national Zakir Hossain was detained in Buffalo. Although he had a green card, he did not have it with him at the time of his detention. He was subsequently released. These incidents have increased concern among the Bangladeshi community in Buffalo.

A report published on September 1 by Western New York media outlets Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM) and WXXI News said the number of people detained by ICE in Upstate New York had exceeded 600 in July 2026.

An analysis of government data cited in the report also showed that the number of people detained by ICE across New York State had reached approximately 1,500 by the same period. The analysis found that nearly four out of every five people detained in Upstate New York had no criminal history. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security disputed the accuracy of the data and analysis.

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.

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.