Zohran Mamdani back in the spotlight as NYC mayor, with talks of taxes on the ultra-wealthy and bold urban policy moves. Born 1991, DSA member, NYC educator-activist turned mayor.
Local elections across England, Scotland and Wales have accelerated a shift away from the traditional two-party system. Reform UK and the Greens are gaining ground, Labour faces losses, and the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales also vote. Results are counting through Friday with major implications for Keir Starmer’s leadership and the national political landscape.
Democrat Analilia Mejía has won New Jersey's 11th District special election, maintaining Democratic control in a narrowly divided House. Meanwhile, the House has voted 214-213 against a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump's military actions in Iran, reflecting deep partisan divides as the Iran conflict continues with no clear end.
Rama Duwaji, New York City's first lady, has expressed regret for harmful social media posts she made as a teenager, including racial slurs and praise for Palestinian militants. The revelations have intensified scrutiny on Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration, which is already facing criticism over his associates' controversial views and tenant issues in the city.
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.
The Brooklyn mayor has announced plans to connect Grand Army Plaza to Prospect Park by removing a roadway, creating more public space and improving safety. The proposal has received mixed reactions from residents, with advocates supporting the safety benefits and opponents warning of traffic disruptions. Public workshops will begin soon.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has marked his first 100 days in office with a public event featuring a museum of his achievements, a social media campaign, and a cleanup effort. Critics question the substance of his accomplishments amid ongoing city challenges.
Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court to charges of attempting to support a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction. They drove from Pennsylvania to attack an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion on March 7, throwing devices containing TATP that failed to detonate. Prosecutors say they were inspired by ISIS and planned to kill up to 60 people. No injuries have been reported, and the suspects were detained shortly after the incident. Their next court appearance is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
On April 16, 2026, the US Senate has rejected two resolutions led by Senator Bernie Sanders to block $295 million in bulldozer sales and $152 million in bomb sales to Israel. Forty Democrats supported blocking bulldozer sales, and 36 backed blocking bomb sales, but Republicans opposed both measures, defeating them 40-59 and 36-63 respectively. The votes have reflected growing Democratic unease over US military aid amid Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Recent articles highlight ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over far-left figures like Hasan Piker. Critics argue that Piker's controversial views and associations threaten the party's image, while some Democrats defend his presence, reflecting a broader struggle over ideological boundaries and media influence.
The New York City mayor has announced he and his wife will skip the upcoming Met Gala, citing focus on affordability and inequality. This follows recent efforts to tax luxury properties and address wealth disparity, reflecting a broader anti-wealth sentiment in the city.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reported modest increases in his music royalties, earning $1,643 in 2025. His income primarily comes from his salary as a state Assembly member, with additional earnings from his past music career. His tax filings reveal a total joint income of about $145,000, with a significant salary increase now that he is mayor.
A French family has issued a formal apology for their ancestors' role in transatlantic slavery, coinciding with ongoing debates about reparations worldwide. The UN has recently recognized slavery as the 'gravest crime against humanity' and called for reparations, while discussions continue in France, the UK, and the US about addressing historical injustices.
Roskomnadzor has been at the center of a February-to-April surge in security claims, with authorities alleging Ukrainian involvement in a string of sabotage attempts and threatening online information controls amid broader war-time tensions. The latest case involves a supposed drone- or bomb-related plot raising questions about Ukrainian influence and internal security responses.
New York City is addressing logistical challenges ahead of the World Cup, including a bathroom shortage and transit congestion. City officials are drafting plans to expand facilities and improve transportation, as the region expects over 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, which begins in June and concludes with the final in July.
Brooklyn officials face allegations of improper asbestos testing and license issues surrounding a proposed 150-bed men’s shelter in Bensonhurst. With the DEP pausing work and a court-ordered review looming, community groups push for independent asbestos verification while the city proceeds with shelter expansion plans amid protests and legal challenges.
A convergence of higher housing, childcare, and living costs is influencing decisions on parenthood across major cities in the US and Australia, with many couples delaying or forgoing children as they weigh long-term financial pressures and housing access.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a pied-à-terre tax targeting luxury properties worth over $5 million, including Ken Griffin's $238 million penthouse. The move has triggered opposition from Griffin's hedge fund Citadel, which is considering halting a $6 billion redevelopment project. Critics warn the tax could drive wealthy residents and businesses away from New York City.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in Washington for a four-day state visit that will mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The trip has included a private meeting with President Donald Trump, an address planned to Congress, a White House state dinner and stops in New York and Virginia; security has been reinforced after a shooting at a Washington gala.
The King and Queen have confirmed the four-day state visit to the United States is proceeding, despite a shooting at the Washington Hilton during a White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Security reviews are ongoing but Buckingham Palace and U.S. authorities say the schedule will continue, including meetings with President Trump, a speech to Congress, and events in New York.
Polls across Brazil, Colombia and Peru show tightening races ahead of upcoming elections. In Brazil, Lula and Bolsonaro remain neck and neck ahead of the October vote, with second-round dynamics shaping expectations. In Colombia, Cepeda leads in a potential June runoff, while Peru’s Fujimori and Sanchez are running closely in the first-round aftermath.
The pied-à-terre tax has been presented as a revenue tool for New York City, but officials face questions over how the levy would be calculated, what properties it would apply to, and how much revenue it would actually raise amid competing estimates.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies has identified 20 domestic political attacks and plots in 2025, with 10 attributed to the far Left and eight to the far Right. Incidents have surged since the late 2010s, driven in part by responses to immigration crackdowns, and follow a weekend shooting at a Washington event attended by senior officials.
Deloitte and Zoom have shortened paid parental leave for some staff, signaling broader shifts in corporate benefits as the labor market tightens. While advocates highlight societal gains from leave, critics warn of potential productivity losses and reputational risks for companies amid a weaker hiring environment.
The royal couple has undertaken a four-day U.S. trip marking 250 years of American independence, with a wreath-laying at the National 9/11 Memorial and a visit to the New York Public Library as Winnie-the-Pooh dolls celebrate their centennial.
The royal couple have used their New York stop to honor 9/11 victims, meet families, and participate in cultural and economic engagements. Tensions over the Iran war and private interactions with New York officials are shaping the visit.
Rashaad Muhammad’s medical treatment at Fulton County Jail has become a flashpoint as his lawyers allege deliberate indifference, leading to life‑saving amputations. A DOJ civil rights investigation and a consent decree frame the broader context of jail conditions and ongoing oversight.
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.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have attended the King's Trust gala at Christie’s in New York, raising funds for youth employment. The event featured a star-studded guest list, including Anna Wintour and Stella McCartney, and followed their visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum during a four-day US tour.
The royal tour to the United States has featured a high-profile address to Congress and public praise from President Trump, while Buckingham Palace emphasises the King’s neutrality and duty. A focus on NATO, Ukraine support and Western partnerships has shaped discussions, with media noting a mix of warmth and political sensitivity.
Missouri lawmakers have advanced a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the state’s individual income tax through gradual reductions tied to revenue growth, potentially replacing lost revenue with a broadened sales tax. The measure will appear on the November ballot unless an earlier election is called.
International Workers' Day actions have taken place across multiple countries, with the US organising a coordinated 'May Day Strong' economic blackout of walkouts, boycotts and marches while protests in Bolivia have entered a third day with unions striking over agricultural, education and labour reforms amid a currency shortage.
New York City’s planned Next Gen Tech High School, which would have offered a selective, AI-focused curriculum in partnership with Carnegie Mellon and Google, has been withdrawn from consideration as the chancellor responds to opposition over merit-based admissions and equity concerns. Affected: 1,000 applicants for 100 seats.
Muslim American candidates are running for re-election or first-time office amid threats from the Trump administration era, with focus on Gaza policy and domestic issues like healthcare and wages. Notables include Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Adam Hamawy in New Jersey, and Aisha Wahab in California. Some incumbents like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib are seeking re-election. One Somali mayor in Maine has decided not to seek re-election due to harassment.
The King and Queen Consort have arrived in New York, marking a major state visit that has seen a wreath-laying at the National 9/11 Memorial, meetings with first responders and families of victims, and a stop at the New York Public Library to unveil a Winnie-the-Pooh doll in celebration of the character’s 100th year. The itinerary also includes engagements with business leaders and a reception for The King’s Trust.
New York City's Rent Guidelines Board has signaled ranges for potential rent changes for stabilised units, amid a heated debate over affordability. The board plans public hearings and a summer vote to decide whether rents will ease or rise, with critics warning of consequences for housing quality.