American politician and lawyer; governor of New York since 2021
Howard University has reinstated roughly 200 of 502 first-year students who were removed from its roster after missing a July 10 payment deadline or failing to meet other enrollment conditions; the school says each case will be reviewed. In the UK, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent have formed the London and South East University Group (LASE/LASEUG), a four-campus group of more than 50,000 students that will launch on 7 September.
A roundup of how AI openness debates, OpenAI leadership views, and the legal battles over social media's impact on youth are shaping tech policy and the public conversation.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centres that use 50 megawatts or more, directing regulators to complete an environmental impact review and consider rules to make developers pay for power, contribute to grid upgrades and lose tax breaks. The move has drawn praise from community and environmental groups and rebuke from industry and national conservatives.
Smoke from hundreds of active wildfires in Canada has blanketed large parts of the US Midwest and Northeast and made air quality hazardous in cities including Detroit, Chicago and New York. Authorities have issued health alerts, opened cooling centres and distributed masks; officials expect rain to disperse some smoke but warn that pollution will linger in the Upper Midwest.
A wave of data points shows growing public concern about AI, with polls revealing mixed feelings about its benefits and risks. CNBC reports rising opposition despite belief in innovation; New York Post polls show optimism about AI’s impact and its role in industry. The discourse spans data-center concerns, wealth distribution, and policy proposals.
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he believes Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu belongs before the International Criminal Court and has told the city's law department to review whether existing New York law allows detaining Netanyahu if he visits for the UN General Assembly. President Donald Trump has posted that Netanyahu will not be arrested in the United States.
The female marmoset found on a 302 bus in Kensal Rise has been named Oyster. Following April’s licensing law for primates, the RSPCA says abandonment may rise and urges licensing help. Oyster is healthy in sanctuary care after a stressful rescue.
Severe storms have swept across the Midwest and Ohio Valley, causing injuries, power outages for hundreds of thousands, and flood watches. A lightning strike at a correctional facility left inmates hospitalized but no staff injuries reported; authorities are investigating. The weather system remains active with warnings for more heavy rain and potential tornadoes.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged that the city cannot execute the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. He is calling on the federal government to join the ICC and carry out the warrant as Netanyahu travels to the UN General Assembly this fall. Multiple outlets report the same limitation and emphasize that international law authority rests with the federal government, not city hall.
Landmark plans for a $16 billion AI data center in Saline Township have ignited a fierce local battle between job growth and concerns over water use, power costs and rural life. Groundbreaking has begun amid lawsuits and political debate as residents weigh long‑term benefits against risks to farmland and utilities.
The White House has expanded a nonbinding Ratepayer Protection Pledge to include nearly 200 additional utilities, governors and data‑center developers, and President Trump has urged local leaders to welcome data centers as economic opportunities. Critics say the pledge lacks enforcement and will not prevent rising electricity bills as AI-related power demand grows.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has directed Amtrak to consider renaming New York Penn Station as part of a major overhaul funded by federal dollars. While the secretary has not specified a new name, he has publicly floated the idea of honoring President Trump. Lawmakers raise questions about funding and the project’s price tag, with critics warning against a “vanity project.”
New Jersey has enacted the Fair Price Protection Act, pausing ESL rollouts for a year while studying their impact. The law bars using shoppers’ personal data to set individualized prices and preserves existing discounts and loyalty programs. Aimed at protecting consumers from surveillance pricing, the measure follows similar moves in Maryland and Connecticut and echoes calls for action in New York.
Two men, one Jewish and one Asian, have been stabbed on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in daylight attacks. The suspect, Raul Morales, is in custody. Authorities are evaluating a possible hate-crime motive as residents react with concern; both victims are in stable condition.
An audit shows the New York City Department of Education has left hundreds of millions in Medicaid reimbursements unclaimed for special education services from mid-2023 to mid-2025, despite long-standing calls to maximize federal reimbursements. The DOE plans to automate claims and improve processes, while critics question funding gaps and impact on services.
A coalition of 25 US states has filed suit in the US Court of International Trade to stop 10–12.5% tariffs that took effect in July on goods from about 60 trading partners. Plaintiffs say the administration has used forced‑labour claims to recreate broad levies courts have already struck down; the White House says the duties are lawful under Section 301.
A synthesis of several New York Post articles shows Democratic and Republican figures trading sharp rhetoric over party directions, with figures like Joe Scarborough criticizing the left and Fetterman emphasizing Israel support while navigating internal tensions.
California has enacted a law requiring two standardized labels for food dating—one for quality and one for safety—aimed at reducing consumer confusion and food waste. Other states are watching as federal rules remain limited to baby formula. The shift comes amid widespread use of more than 50 date labels in the US and consumer behavior that discards food approaching those dates.
Zoox has received a temporary NHTSA exemption that allows it to charge fares for its purpose-built robotaxis and will start paid rides in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. The company can deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years under enhanced federal oversight while state and local approvals remain required for expansion.
Australia’s under‑16 social-media ban shows limited early success. A regulator’s three‑month follow‑up finds most youths retain or recreate accounts; age-checks remain weak and offline activity has shifted little. Governments may tighten enforcement and penalties.
New York has filed a state Supreme Court lawsuit against Kalshi, arguing the prediction-market platform operates illegally without a Gaming Commission license, endangers consumers, and should forfeit illicit gains and pay restitution and penalties. The suit marks a broader clash between state authorities and federally regulated platforms over prediction markets.
An ongoing legal challenge and court-imposed pause have disrupted New York City’s pied-à-terre tax rollout. A 900,000-name property list and 17,000 exemption notices have fueled lawsuits and delays, with the extension of exemption deadlines now in place as the city defends the policy.
The United States has faced a wave of double-digit tariffs on 59 countries and the EU, arguing they curb forced-labor imports. Courts are being asked to halt the tariffs, with states seeking refunds while White House officials defend the measures as lawful responses to unfair practices. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that cast doubt on broader authority.
The Northern District of New York has ruled that New York’s face-covering and identification measures in its law enforcement policy, enacted in the state budget, are likely unconstitutional because they conflict with the supremacy clause. The ruling follows California’s earlier block of a similar law.
New York City’s pied-à-terre tax is under court challenge after a Staten Island judge temporarily halted its rollout. Mayor Mamdani defends the policy as a revenue tool while President Trump has called for federal intervention. The city plans an appeal, arguing the pause threatens time-sensitive implementation.
Three separate ocean encounters have left swimmers injured on vacation: a shark bite in the Bahamas, and barracuda injuries in Turks and Caicos. A 69-year-old man required 26 stitches after a shark attack during a cruise snorkeling trip; a 13-year-old received injuries from a barracuda while in Turks and Caicos, prompting surgery to repair tendons. All victims are recovering.
Texas Governor has ordered audits of data-center projects seeking grid connections. ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission are reviewing more than 1,800 interconnection requests, the vast majority from data centers. The move aims to verify power and water use, tax incentives and community impacts, and could deny connections to projects that do not comply.
New York officials are weighing participation in a federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. Pro- and anti-school-choice coalitions are mounting campaigns as the state evaluates whether to opt in. The program would provide a 100% federal tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, potentially funding private and religious schooling while public schools defend their budgets.
State prosecutors allege Kalshi has offered prediction markets without a license, exposing New York residents to financial risk and evading taxes. The suit seeks to block operations in New York and restitution for affected customers, as regulators clash over federal preemption and state authority.
The DOJ has dismissed felony and misdemeanor charges related to damage to the Reflecting Pool, citing flawed installation by the contractor as the cause rather than vandalism. Trump has criticized the decision, while defendants pursue remedies and further investigations.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed 50–49 as U.S. attorney general and has been sworn in at the White House. He has served as acting attorney general since April, previously represented the president in major criminal cases, and has rescinded the proposed $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund while facing criticism over politicising the Justice Department and large staff departures.
ICE plans to spend up to $20 million on CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. gloves to gain compliance in enforcement actions. Public safety advocates warn of misuse; DHS notes training and policies, while local agencies report mixed experiences with related devices.
Flock Safety is mandating new audit features, shorter data retention, and case-linked searches for its license-plate reader network amid mounting scrutiny over privacy and potential misuse by law enforcement. The company says updates are designed to increase accountability and align with community values.
Reports show a continued decline in violent crime and property crime across the U.S., with homicide hitting near historic lows. President Trump has spotlighted these figures on a campaign stop, while experts caution that the reasons behind the trend are complex and not tied to any single policy.
A man attacked a congregant and damaged property during a livestreamed service at Central Synagogue. Police identified the suspect as Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, charging him with hate-crime assaults and related offenses as officials vow increased security and continued services.