New York

Zohran Mamdani reboots homeless encampment sweeps in New York City

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the city will resume clearing makeshift homeless encampments, promising to take a more humane approach to a practice he previously criticized. Mamdani paused the previous mayor's policy for clearing encampments days after he took office in January, arguing that it did not do enough to get people into housing. But the Democrat on Wednesday said his new approach - led by the city's homeless services department, rather than police, and involving days of sustained outreach - will be more successful. "We will meet them looking to connect them with shelter, looking to them with services, looking to connect them with a city that wants them to be sheltered and indoors and warm and safe. And that is something that I believe will yield far better results," he said at an unrelated news conference. The decision came as at least 19 people have died outside over several days of brutal cold in the city, prompting concerns about the city's response. There is

Indian national gets 24 yrs sentence for plotting Pannun's assassination

In 2024, the MEA confirmed that the individual named in the case in the foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Pannun was no longer an employee of the government of India

Americans shouldered bulk of Trump tariff burden, says NY Fed report

The bank said 90 per cent of the tariffs imposed by the president on imported goods are borne by American consumers and companies

Wall Street bonanza won't prevent NYC's looming financial crisis: Mamdani

Financial industry is key contributor to New York's tax base, accounting for about 7% of the city's tax revenue during the 2024 fiscal year, that's why it's profits are closely watched by officials

10 die in NYC's frigid cold, raising questions about city's preparedness

One man was discovered under a layer of snow on a park bench in Queens. Another was found just steps from a Manhattan hospital. Yet another was pronounced dead on the ground beneath an elevated train line in the Bronx. Each is among a growing number of people - at least 10, as of Tuesday - who died after being exposed to the bitter cold that has persisted in New York City since late last Friday. Their causes of death are still under investigation, but some showed signs of having succumbed to hypothermia. Officials said several victims were believed to have been living on the streets. At least six of the fatalities came early Saturday, as the temperature in the city fell to minus 13 degrees Celsius. With the frigid weather expected to continue, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city was adding additional homeless outreach workers, opening new warming centres and instructing hospitals to limit discharges "to ensure that people who have nowhere to go are kept indoors." But the rising deat

One killed, 14 injured in gas explosion at NYC apartment building

A gas explosion sent fire racing through the top floors of a high-rise apartment building in New York City early Saturday, killing one person and injuring 14 others as temperatures plunged into the single digits overnight, authorities said. Firefighters responded shortly before 12:30 am to the 17-story building in the Bronx, where people were seen leaning out of windows calling for help as flames engulfed parts of the top floors, officials said. Chief of Department John Esposito said firefighters were investigating reports of a gas odour on the 15th and 16th floors when the explosion occurred. He said there was major structural damage to about a dozen apartments and fires in 10 apartments on the 16th and 17th floors. Authorities did not immediately release information on the person who died. Another person was critically injured, five had serious injuries and eight had minor injuries, officials said. Officials said the building had been undergoing renovations, and work on the natur

Air India cancels New York, Newark flights amid severe US winter storm

According to the National Weather Service, moderate to major impacts are expected across the Central US and into the Northeast from Saturday through the weekend

Luxury real estate brothers to face trial in New York sex trafficking case

Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother are scheduled to go on trial in New York City on sex trafficking charges Tuesday, just days after their lawyers renewed their request to a New York judge to toss out charges that they sexually abused dozens of women over the course of a dozen years. Jury selection was expected to last about two days, with opening statements scheduled for next Monday for a trial projected to last until early March. In papers filed in Manhattan federal court on Saturday, defence lawyers complained that prosecutors have unfairly treated their clients by rewriting the indictment as recently as last week and by recently adding charges the defence has not had time to investigate. The latest iteration of the indictment was filed Thursday, the third time in two months that prosecutors have updated an indictment that accuses Oren, Tal and Alon Alexander of showering women with free travel and luxury accommodations before drugging and raping them in vacation ..

Mamdani defends tenant official facing backlash for 'white supremacy' posts

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is standing behind a newly-appointed housing official as she faces backlash for years-old social media posts, including messages that called for the seizure of private property and linked homeownership to white supremacy. Cea Weaver, a longtime tenant activist, was tapped by the Democrat last week to serve as executive director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants. The mayor has vowed to expand and empower the office to take unprecedented steps against negligent landlords. But in a sign of the high-level scrutiny on Mamdani's administration, Weaver's since-deleted posts have sparked condemnations from officials in the US Department of Justice and the editorial board of The Washington Post. The posts, which were circulated on social media in recent days by critics of Mamdani, included calls to treat private property as a collective good and to impoverish the (asterisk)white(asterisk) middle class. A tweet sent in 2017 described homeownership as

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani begins term by revoking Adam's executive orders

Among revoked orders was one barring city officials from procurement practices 'that discriminate against the State of Israel, Israeli citizens, or those associated with Israel'

Mamdani vows to govern 'expansively and audaciously' as New York City mayor

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City on Thursday, taking over one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics with a promise to transform government on behalf of the city's striving, struggling working class. Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in at a decommissioned subway station below City Hall just after midnight, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath as the city's first Muslim mayor. After working part of the night in his new office, Mamdani then returned to City Hall in a taxi cab around midday Thursday for a grander public inauguration where U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayor's political heroes, administered the oath for a second time. Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try, Mamdani told a cheering crowd. To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on a Quran, a first in NYC history

Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City uses Islam's holy text to be sworn in and underscoring a series of historic firsts for the city. When the 34-year-old Democrat becomes mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, he'll be the first Muslim, first South Asian and first African-born person to hold that position. These milestones as well as the historical Quran he will use for the ceremony reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim residents of the nation's most populous city, according to a scholar who helped Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, select one of the books. Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text. And while he has focused heavily on the issue of affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith. H

Zohran Mamdani set to be sworn in as mayor as NYC rings in New Year

Zohran Mamdani will become mayor of New York City as the clock ticks over into 2026 but the celebrations are set to last through New Year's Day. The Democrat's team is planning two separate swearing-in ceremonies Thursday a small, private one with his family in an old subway station around midnight, followed by a large event in the afternoon that will include a public block party outside City Hall. As a new mayor's term begins immediately with the new year, it has been customary for the city's incoming leaders to hold two events. Outgoing mayor Eric Adams held his initial swearing-in at Times Square shortly after the famous ball drop, while Adams' predecessor, Bill de Blasio, took his first oath at home in Brooklyn. For his part, Mamdani will take his initial oath at the former City Hall subway station in Manhattan one of the city's original stops on its subterranean transit system, known for its tiled arches and vaulted ceilings. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a ...

Zohran Mamdani has bold promises. Can he deliver as New York City mayor?

Zohran Mamdani has promised to transform New York City government when he becomes mayor. Can he do it? Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, already faces intense scrutiny, even before taking office in one of the country's most scrutinized political jobs. Republicans have cast him as a liberal boogeyman. Some of his fellow Democrats have deemed him too far left. Progressives are closely watching for any signs of him shifting toward the center. On Jan. 1, he will assume control of America's biggest city under that harsh spotlight, with the country watching to see if he can pull off the big promises that vaulted him to office and handle the everyday duties of the job. All while skeptics call out his every stumble. For Mamdani, starting off strong is key, said George Arzt, a veteran Democratic political consultant in New York who worked for former Mayor Ed Koch. He's got to use the first 100 days of the administration to show people he can govern, he said. You've got to set a .

Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey kills 1, leaves another critical

Two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and critically injuring another, authorities say. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 am. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. The Federal Aviation Administration described the crash as a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and Enstrom 280C helicopter over Hammonton Municipal Airport. Only the pilots were on board each aircraft. One was killed, and the other was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Sal Silipino, owner of a cafe near the crash site, said the pilots were regulars at the restaurant and would often have breakfast together. He said he and other customers watched the helicopters take off before one began spiralling downward, followed by the other. "It was shocking,

Snow storm disrupts hundreds of flights at New York City airports

At least 400 international and domestic flights have been canceled and many delayed, according to FlightAware, an airline tracking service

Elise Stefanik suspends New York governor campaign, won't seek reelection

Moments after Stefanik's surprise statemement, Trump described her on social media as a "fantastic person" and "tremendous talent"

Mamdani revamps hiring after old antisemitic remarks prompt aide to quit

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he did not know about the antisemitic posts and would not have hired the woman who made them if he had

New York set to legalise medically assisted suicide with 'guardrails': Guv

New York is set to become the latest state to legalize medically assisted suicide for the terminally ill under a deal reached between the governor and state legislative leaders announced Wednesday. Democratic Gov Kathy Hochul plans to sign the proposal next year after pushing to add a series of guardrails in the bill, she announced in an op-ed in the Albany Times Union. Hochul, a Catholic, said she came to the decision after hearing from New Yorkers in the throes of pain and suffering, as well as their children, while also considering opposition from individuals of many faiths who believe that deliberately shortening one's life violates the sanctity of life. I was taught that God is merciful and compassionate, and so must we be, she wrote. This includes permitting a merciful option to those facing the unimaginable and searching for comfort in their final months in this life. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia have laws to allow medically assisted suicide, according t

Mets ballpark, Trump-run golf course among 3 awarded NYC casino licences

The New York Mets' ballpark in Queens. A Bronx golf course once operated by President Donald Trump 's company. A slot parlor on a horse racing track near John F. Kennedy International Airport. The three disparate sites, located far from the tourist hub of Manhattan, will become the future homes of New York City's first Las Vegas-style resort casinos. The state Gaming Commission on Monday awarded the three projects licenses to operate in the lucrative metropolitan-area market during a meeting at a riverside park in upper Manhattan. The panel approved the licenses with the condition that the companies appoint an outside monitor to ensure they're complying with state law and meeting the many promises and local investments they made to communities. Brian O'Dwyer, the commission's chair, said the state looked forward to casino projects' promises of jobs, infrastructure investments and gaming revenue realized. A handful of protestors opposed to billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen's casin