Private research university in New York City, founded 1832
Since April and into May 2026, multiple US universities have faced commencement and campus controversies over invited speakers and events related to Israel, free speech and protest. NYU is keeping Jonathan Haidt as its Yankee Stadium commencement speaker despite student government opposition; Rutgers has rescinded an invitation to alumnus Rami Elghandour; Georgetown Law replaced Morton Schapiro after student objections; and campus groups are clashing over guest appearances and platforming.
A mix of developments in education tech coverage shows parents and teachers weighing AI and device policies, from New York City's DOE AI plan feedback to classroom device bans and AI tool adoption in schools; reports contrast parental concerns with educators’ perceived benefits, while researchers assess effects of ability grouping in maths.
NYU has launched NYU IRL to encourage real-world social interaction. More than 200 students recently joined an expansive dinner across a city block to connect with strangers, reflecting colleges’ attempts to combat online-first college culture.
Multiple incidents of antisemitic vandalism have been reported across Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan in recent days. Swastikas and other hate symbols have appeared on synagogues, homes, a park, and a university flag, prompting police investigations and public condemnation from city officials.
The balikbayan program, launched by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1973, has evolved from shipping canned meat to including skincare, clothing, and American entertainment. It has been a profitable tool for the regime and a cultural mainstay for the Philippine diaspora, reinforcing economic links and soft power.
Colossal Biosciences has demonstrated a silicone artificial eggshell that supports chick development in a membrane-based culture system. The company has used this platform to hatch 26 chicks and says the approach could be scaled to explore de-extinction ideas, including moa revival, though independent scientists remain cautious about the broader feasibility and ethical implications.
Older dancers, including the Rodeo City Wreckettes in Tucson, are shown benefiting from regular movement to music. Health professionals say dancing supports balance, mobility and brain health, while groups perform for memory-care patients and charity events.
Edgar Morin, the globally influential French thinker known for cinema verité and a transdisciplinary approach, has died at 104. Macron has praised him as a defender of humanity and humanism personified. Morin’s work spanned autobiography, sociology, philosophy, ecology, and more, shaping debates on globalization and the climate and influencing generations of scholars.
Videos show groups entering New York City’s sewer network, prompting investigations. Officials say the activity is illegal and dangerous while explorers describe the tunnels as historic yet hazardous. One veteran warns of gas, water, and infections; residents question motives as authorities review the footage.
The city is pushing large-scale housing reforms, with mayoral plans to expand affordable housing and convert unused properties underway. But residents in Mitchell-Lama Tracey Towers face a 30.6% rent hike over four years to cover mortgage and operating costs, highlighting the tension between expansion and affordability.
El Niño has formed in the Pacific and is expected to strengthen through late 2026, with a 63% chance of reaching a very strong level. Forecasts warn of hotter global temperatures and extreme weather, while impacts will vary by region. Scientists urge preparation and climate action as nations monitor evolving conditions.
Trump family public appearances continue to shape the narrative around the president’s public life. Barron Trump has appeared at UFC Freedom 250, while other children attended related events. Barron is studying business at NYU and has begun venturing into politics and business. The Trump Organization’s Father’s Day messaging has shifted toward Eric Trump, with questions emerging about Don Jr.’s absence.
Music industry titan Clive Davis has died at his Manhattan home, after recent hospitalization for respiratory issues. He built CBS, Arista and J Records into powerhouses, signing Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin, among others. Reactions from peers and artists highlight his eye for talent and lasting influence on popular music.
Non-sponsor brands are driving cultural moments at the World Cup, surpassing official sponsors in engagement and influencing ad strategies across the U.S., Canada and Mexico-hosted tournament. Non-sponsors leverage real-time trends and creative campaigns, while official sponsors maintain traditional visibility.
A wave of AI companions is reshaping how people connect, with studies showing loneliness persists while some turn to chatbots for closeness. Experts warn of psychological trade-offs, the risk of scaling away real relationships, and the need for cautious integration as society navigates intimate AI use.
A US federal judge has sanctioned Trump’s lawyers and referred one attorney to state bars amid questions over an $1.8 billion fund linked to a settlement in the president’s IRS lawsuit. The ruling casts the case as improper and possibly strategic rather than a genuine dispute.
Defaults among federal student loan borrowers have surged after the pause ended, with around 9.5 million in default and more facing higher payments as the government ends the SAVE plan. The government has shifted repayment options and tightened relief, raising concerns about financial strain.
A coalition of NYC landlords has filed suit in Staten Island Supreme Court challenging the Rent Guidelines Board’s June 25 decision to freeze rents on 1 million stabilized units for two years. They argue the process was biased and predetermined; city officials defend the policy as protecting tenants and stabilizing housing amid rising costs.
The United States has set 10% to 12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 countries accounting for 99% of U.S. imports, arguing that they fail to enforce bans on goods made with forced labour. The tariffs take effect as prior global levies expire, with India and others qualifying for lower rates after tightening enforcement.
Two Chinese-born mathematicians, Hong Wang and Yu Deng, have been named Fields Medalists alongside John Pardon and Jacob Tsimerman. The award recognises breakthroughs in mathematics by researchers under 40; each recipient receives 15,000 Canadian dollars and a gold Archimedes medallion. Wang is the third woman to win the prize.