City Council in the spotlight as bills on worship protections, antisemitism, and housing heat up; 51 members, led by Speaker Julie Menin.
A city report shows NYCHA's vacant units doubled from 2,840 in 2022 to 6,740 in 2025, with vacancies lasting up to a year. The cost to renovate each unit is estimated at $52,000, highlighting inefficiencies amid a housing crisis and ongoing safety risks.
The New York City Council has passed a buffer-zone bill with a veto-proof majority, aiming to prevent intimidation at synagogue and church entrances. The measure, championed by Speaker Julie Menin, responds to protests outside places of worship and reflects scrutiny of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration amid rising antisemitic incidents.
Unionized residential building workers in New York City have been preparing for a strike set to begin April 20 after negotiations over wages, benefits, and healthcare have failed. The contract expiration is imminent, and the union is demanding better pay, pensions, and healthcare protections. The strike could impact 1.5 million residents across the city.
Executives from more than two dozen global news organisations have urged Israel to grant independent access to Gaza for foreign journalists, arguing on-the-ground reporting is essential despite security concerns. The appeal comes amid a ceasefire and ongoing restrictions, with no immediate response from Israel.