A number of Democratic strongholds are hosting competitive congressional primaries, with establishment incumbents and candidates trying to fend off left-wing challengers.
Archiv: New York (state / city)
Democrats‘ Jeffries and Mamdani wings face off in New York
State of play: In the state‘s 10th district, Jeffries is supporting Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) while Mamdani is backing NYC comptroller Brad Lander.
In the 13th district, Jeffries-backed Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) faces a spirited challenge from Mamdani-endorsed democratic socialist Darializa Avila-Chevalier.
Mamdani is also supporting democratic socialist State Assembly member Claire Valdez in the 7th district over Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, though Jeffries hasn‘t endorsed in that race.
Mamdani challenges Democratic leaders ahead of primary elections: ‘The Democratic Party must change’
(june 19, 2026)
Not long ago, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was demonized by leaders of both political parties. On Thursday night, the 34-year-old democratic socialist was celebrated as a political force, the face of the region’s sports renaissance, even the leader of “Mamdanistan.”
In a rally with Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., that drew thousands to a Brooklyn theater, the emboldened mayor delivered a fiery message to Democratic leaders in Washington — and even those considering 2028 presidential bids — as he worked to elevate a slate of likeminded candidates in Tuesday’s New York primaries.
The Rich Promised to Flee Mamdani’s New York. They Haven’t.
One of the strongest indicators of whether people or businesses are actually fleeing from a city is the housing and real estate market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many residents really did leave New York for the surrounding suburbs and other states, the city’s vacancy rates soared and rents dropped with demand, leading to “COVID discounts” at the height of the pandemic. This trend was even more extreme for the city’s commercial real estate, where vacancy rates doubled as more companies adopted remote work and shed office space.
Today nearly every indicator points to the opposite problem: demand is running hot and supply is lagging badly, especially when it comes to housing.
Scores Arrested at Jewish-Led Protest Demanding New York Senators Vote Against Arms to Israel
Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders said Monday he will force a vote this week on legislation to block the sale of nearly half a billion dollars’ worth of bombs and bulldozers to the Israeli military. Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats will compel a vote on an Iran war powers resolution, now that the House is back in session.
Jewish Voice for Peace leads NYC sit-in against US arms sales
Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration Monday, Sept. 13, calling on Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to block the sale of thousands of U.S. bombs to Israel.
Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the Manhattan offices of the two Democratic lawmakers they accused of abetting Israel’s intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Alexander brothers’ judge orders US to withhold Epstein-linked material during sex trafficking trial
(February 3, 2026)
“[T]he United States must not release any document or material from the purported ‘Epstein Files’ that mentions or references any of the above-listed Defendants [Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander], explicitly or implicitly, before a jury verdict has been rendered in this case,” Caproni’s order says.
Caproni ordered U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton to sign off on having notified U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi about her order, as well as the U.S. deputy attorney general and U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
Alexander Brothers Found Guilty on All Counts in Sex-Trafficking Trial
Three brothers, including two who were among the country’s most prominent real estate brokers, were convicted in Manhattan on Monday of engaging in a yearslong conspiracy to traffic women and girls for sex.
The brothers — Tal and Oren Alexander, who regularly closed multimillion-dollar real estate deals in New York and elsewhere, and Alon Alexander, a security executive — were found guilty on every count they each faced, and all could now receive up to life in prison when the judge, Valerie E. Caproni, sentences them on Aug. 6.
Alexander Brothers, Once Real-Estate Stars, Convicted of Sex Trafficking
Two former luxury real-estate brokers and their brother were convicted of sex trafficking Monday after a criminal trial in which 11 women testified that they had been lured to exclusive parties and trips, then drugged and assaulted.
Columbia Student Is Released From ICE After Mamdani-Trump Meeting
It was the clearest sign yet that Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has vocally opposed Mr. Trump on immigration enforcement matters, holds enough sway with the president to bend a highly charged situation through personal relationship and persuasion.
Elmina Aghayeva, GS ’26, released from ICE custody, after Mamdani, Trump talks
Aghayeva’s release comes after Mamdani shared his concerns about her arrest with Trump, after which the president informed him “that she will be released imminently,” Mamdani wrote in a Thursday afternoon X post. Mamdani’s advocacy came during an unannounced meeting about housing with Trump at the White House.
Columbia celebrated the news in a Thursday X post, writing that it was “thrilled” about Aghayeva’s release. The University added that it would have “additional details” to share Thursday evening.
(…)
A DHS official wrote in a Thursday statement to Spectator that the DHS terminated Aghayeva’s student visa in 2016 during the administration of President Barack Obama, CC ’83, for “failing to attend classes.”
ICE arrests Columbia student, Shipman says agents lied to enter University-owned residence
(February 26, 2026)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva, GS ’26, in a Columbia Residential building Thursday morning, after acting University President Claire Shipman, CC ’86, SIPA ’94, announced that agents had lied in order to enter a residential building and detain an affiliate.
A person with knowledge of the situation told Spectator that ICE agents impersonated New York Police Department officers in order to enter Aghayeva’s dorm.
Aghayeva’s arrest marks the fourth of a Columbia affiliate amid the federal government’s immigration crackdown, which has continued to target international students at the University.
Newly unearthed DEA document from Epstein files raises question: Did Epstein facilitate drug trafficking?
The document includes a DEA case number and lists the case‘s opening date as Dec. 17, 2010 in New York. It notes that the matter is „judicial pending,“ indicating that the investigation remained active at the time the memo was drafted 5 years later. One law enforcement source told CBS News that this designation suggests investigators may have been awaiting court approval for search warrants or other legal action.
Another law enforcement source said it likely meant an arrest of someone associated with the case had been made. CBS News could not confirm that because the names of other targets were redacted from the document.
From: Philippa Sigl-Gloeckner
to: (redacted)
Cc: (redacted)
Subject: Re: Haircut for my shaggy analyst
Date: Wed,24 Sep 2014 17:16:24 +0000
Awesome
Thank you both!
> On 24 Sep 2014, at 12:55, (redacted) > wrote:
>• Thank you so much!!!
> Philippa HAVE FUN
>
>
>
>> On Sep 24, 2014, at 10:56 AM, (redacted) (redacted).<:(redacted) > wrote:
>>
>> Hello (redacted) and Philippa!
>>
>> I have made Philippa an appt to have her hair cut Friday at 4pm with Patrick…Phillippa,
you should be receiving a confirmation email to your email address shortly if you have not
already!
>>
>> Frederic Fekkai Salon is located at:
>>
>> Henri Bendel
>> 714 5th Ave. (btn 55th & 56th), 4th floor
>> New York NY 10022
The Israeli Government Installed and Maintained Security System at Epstein Apartment
(February 18, 2026)
The Israeli government installed security equipment and controlled access to a Manhattan apartment building managed by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a set of emails recently released by the Department of Justice. The equipment was installed starting in early 2016 at 301 E. 66th Street—the residence where former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak frequently stayed for stretches at a time.
The security operation at “Ehud’s apartment” was in place for at least two years, emails from the DOJ disclosure show, with officials from the Israeli permanent mission to the United Nations corresponding regularly with Epstein’s staff regarding security. The apartment was technically owned by a company connected to Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein, but was effectively controlled by Jeffrey Epstein. Units in the building were frequently loaned out to Epstein’s contacts and used to house underage models.
Les Wexner CAUGHT Lying In Epstein Testimony
Feb 20, 2026 The Young Turks
Billionaire Les Wexner didn‘t seem to remember much about his ties with Jeffrey Epstein during a hearing. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian discuss on The Young Turks.
The Mogul and the Monster: Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Decades-Long Relationship With His Biggest Client
(June 8, 2021)
During the 1990s, both Epstein’s and Wexner’s profiles grew on the world stage. In 1991, Wexner cofounded a philanthropic organization of Jewish billionaires known as the Mega Group, which uses some of its vast resources to shape Middle East policy. In 2003, Wexner’s foundation commissioned GOP messaging guru Frank Luntz to advise American Jewish leaders on how to rally support for Israel. “For a year—a SOLID YEAR—you should be invoking the name of Saddam Hussein and how Israel was always behind American efforts to rid the world of this ruthless dictator and liberate their people,” Luntz’s recommendation stated.
Epstein kept close in that circle of influence.
BREAKING: 25k New Yorkers are in the streets, joining the whole country in massive walkouts and marches for today’s national shutdown. Minnesota showed us the way and now every city rises up! ICE OUT NOW!
(January 30, 2026)
Nicolás Maduro declares ‚I am innocent‘ and ‚still president‘ in Manhattan court appearance
„I am Cilia Flores,“ she said. „I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.“
Hellerstein interjected, saying, „The purpose today is just to ask you who you are.“ The judge then explained her rights to remain silent and to be represented by an attorney.
„Yes I understand and I‘ve heard it,“ Flores said.
Asked how she pleaded to the three counts of the indictment she faces. Flores responded, „Not guilty — completely innocent.“
Maduro and Flores are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment that accused them of conspiring with violent, dangerous drug traffickers for the last 25 years. Maduro has long denied all the allegations.
Nicolás Maduro Arrives in Manhattan to Face U.S. Federal Drug Charges
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived in Manhattan Monday via helicopter ahead of a federal court appearance on drug-related charges.
U.S. lawmakers react after Trump announces Venezuela operation, Maduro arrest
Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Saturday morning that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on narco-terrorism charges.
It was not immediately clear whether the nation‘s top lawyer was referring only to charges contained in an indictment filed against the Venezuelan leader in 2020, or if there would be new or different charges filed in an indictment Saturday.
Protests and lawmaker comments: Local reaction to U.S. strikes on Venezuela, Maduro capture
Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News Maduro was being flown to New York.
The ANSWER Coalition, an antiwar group, is planning a protest of the Trump administration‘s actions against Venezuela in Times Square at 2 p.m. today.
Mayor Mamdani announces housing-related executive orders
The LIFT (Land Inventory Fast Track) task force will identify city-owned properties suitable for housing development.
The SPEED (Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development) task force will identify and remove bureaucratic and permitting barriers that drive up costs and slow the construction of housing.
The task forces will be overseen by the deputy mayor for housing and planning.
Watch Mamdani‘s full inauguration speech
The new mayor gave his speech just moments after his public swearing-in ceremony.