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Fox News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Democratic socialist mayoral nominee creates growing headache for vulnerable New York Democrats
New York Democrats suddenly have more problems than the back end of the New York Yankees starting rotation. But the Yankees have the opportunity to fix some of their issues before the July 31 trade deadline. However, there's no trade deadline in politics. And some conservative and moderate Democrats wish there was a waiver wire. Especially for Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zorhan Mamdani. The nomination of the self-proclaimed Democratic socialist is cleaving the party. Democrats are still searching for a unified message after the election. And the nomination of Mamdani highlights those splits. Many major Democrats have yet to endorse him. And far-left sects of Democrats could primary incumbent House Democrats – including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. – unless they back Mamdani. Republicans are reveling in the Democrats divides. "If Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor of New York City, it's going to put a lot of seats in play in New York," predicted Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. Lawler represents a battleground district just north of the City. Democrats need to defeat Lawler – and probably Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y. on Long Island – if they're to have a chance to flip the House. Once again, the potential path to a Democratic House majority plows right through the Empire State. Victories by Lawler, LaLota and former Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., are one of the reasons Republicans flipped the House – but barely – in 2022. Now Mamdani's socialism is threatening to drive a schism as wide as Broadway through the Democratic Party. His primary victory is echoing in other swing districts now held by Democrats. And Mamdani's nomination presents Republicans with a plum opportunity to alter the trajectory of House races near the Big Apple. That's why Lawler is basking in the nomination of Mamdani. And Democrats who represent swing districts, like Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Laura Gillen, D-N.Y., are outspoken about Mamdani and trying to build a firewall between him and their candidacies for re-election in 2026. There's fear Mamdani could jerk the party to the left. "He's not even a Democrat," bemoaned Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., about Mamdani. "He provided an opportunity for the GOP to brand our party." And Republicans are doing just that. "He's a legit communist," proclaimed Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. "I think candidates like Mamdani could continue to push them further left." "It would be a gift to the Republican Party," said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., about Mamdani. "Every person had a kid in class growing up who ate paste. I think the potential new mayor of New York is going to be that kid and Democrats don't know what to do." In college, Mamdani supported an anti-Israel boycott. And during the pandemic, Mamdani pushed the seizure of luxury condos by the government to house the homeless. Republicans hope Mamdani molds the perceptions of voters. "I'm just going to let him speak," declared Kennedy about Mamdani. "I mean you never interfere with your opponent when he's kicking his own ass." But some Democrats are skeptical that Mamdani's success echoes elsewhere as we barrel toward the midterms. "What happens in New York is not what's going to happen in Vermont or Colorado or Texas. That's going to be a local race," said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. Mamdani is suggesting Democratic unity. "The conversations I've had with (New York) Governor (Kathy) Hochul (D) and (House Minority Leader Hakeem) Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Sen. (Chuck) Schumer, D-N.Y.), have been productive," said Mamdani. But Hochul has yet to endorse Mamdani. The same with Jeffries and Schumer. Jeffries plans to huddle with Mamdani on Friday. Schumer says he spoke by phone Monday night with Mamdani and will visit with him "in New York." However, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., just endorsed Mamdani. "We will come together and we, as good Democrats, we will work out our differences," said Espaillat. But Mike Lawler believes top New York Democrats will eventually back Mamdani. He says they'll have no choice. "They're all petrified that if they don't get on board with the radical socialist who is now the titular head of their party that they're going to face primaries," said Lawler. Mamdani allies are threatening primary challenges against five New York House Democrats – including Jeffries. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is a big supporter of Mamdani and is bringing him to Washington to meet with other Democrats. "I think a lot of people just need to get to know folks before they issue an endorsement. I hope that this conversation can be constructive to bring the party together and rally behind our nominee," said Ocasio-Cortez about the breakfast meeting. But Republicans continued to have a field day associating Mamdani with other Democrats. Especially drawing together Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez. "Who you dine with says a lot about you as an individual. I think it's two peas in a pod. Two socialists who want to change America for the worse," said Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo. "It reinforces how far left Democrats have gone and the radical elements of the party are taking over in the Democratic Party," said Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich. But some Democrats – who aren't from New York – are more than happy to visit with Mamdani. "What Mamdani has shown us, a lot of the ways in which we talk about the cost of living. And it's the same thing that (President) Donald Trump talked about," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said he had "vast disagreements" with Mamdani and called him a "socialist." But Moskowitz said Mamdani's success offered something Democrats should ponder. "He's had a very good online campaign. So, I'm going to go and listen," said Moskowitz. "Every district is different. Some of the things that he talks about in the City of New York is not going to work in Boca Raton. Okay. But as far as how you do a digital campaign, I think there's something to learn from." But to Republicans, listening to Mamdani is the same as cozying up to him. And Republicans will likely appropriate anything Mamdani does and project it onto Democrats nationwide. Unlike in baseball, Democrats can't trade Mamdani now. They can't bench him. He's in their lineup – whether they like it or not.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's how much money New Yorkers need to retire comfortably: new study
Retired New Yorkers need an average of $50,997 per year to cover their living expenses after factoring in Social Security payments, new research has found. GOBankingRates gathered national average annual expenditures data for people 65 and older from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center in order to calculate the eye-popping figure. Thus, for a comfortable 25-year retirement, New Yorkers need a total of $1.27 million in savings. A 2024 study revealed many Americans believe they should have about $1.46 million stashed away before giving up work — and that figure isn't far removed from reality if you live in the Empire State. However, most Americans have less than $89,000 saved for retirement, according to a Northwestern Mutual study released last year. New York is the fifth most expensive state in which to retire, according to the study. New Yorkers looking for cheaper places to retire will have to go further than the tri-state area, because your money won't stretch much further there. New Jersey retirees need $45,829 per year after Social Security to cover expenses, while Connecticut residents should budget $43,697 annually. Hawaii is the most expensive state for retirees, where an eye-popping $87,770 is needed for annual expenses after factoring in Social Security. There, $2 million in savings won't even stretch for 23 years of retirement. Meanwhile, Massachusetts and California came in as the second and most expensive states for retirees, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia was crowned as the cheapest state in which to retire. In the Mountain State, annual expenditures after Social Security are estimated to be just $27,803 — nearly half the estimated costs incurred in New York. Kansas was named the second least expensive state for retirees, followed by Mississippi, Oklahoma and Alabama.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Tokyo Is Missing Blade Runner Where It Needs It Most
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- From Lost in Translation to the Japanese-inspired aesthetics of Blade Runner, Tokyo's image overseas has long been one of skyscrapers jutting into the sky. But it's easy to forget that it was only recently that the capital developed vertically. In September 1964, ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, American skylines had long been dominated by decades-old landmarks such as the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. But the tallest structure in Tokyo was the nine-story National Diet Building, erected in 1936 after a 55-year design period(1). Until the 1960s, Japan had strict prohibitions on developments higher than 31 meters (around 100 feet), a provision that kept cities dense but low. It wasn't until 1968 that the first skyscraper was even constructed, the 36-floor Kasumigaseki Building. The structure, which still stands today, was seen as a symbol of the 'city of the future,' as postwar Tokyo sought to brand itself. For over 150 years, Kasumigaseki and neighboring Nagata-cho have been the seat of political power in the country. They were chosen to house government buildings due to their proximity to the Imperial Palace, following the Meiji Restoration in 1868 that reinstated the Emperor's rule. In subsequent years, the sites of many former samurai residences were redeveloped to house ministries and their staff. But if Kasumigaseki was once the symbol of the future, the area now feels stuck in the past. Many of the ministry offices are drab low-rises thrown up in the postwar era that prioritized resistance to natural disasters above aesthetics. Compounding the matter are nearby developments that have erected a line of glass skyscrapers casting a shadow on the district, literally and figuratively. At a time when many areas of Tokyo are getting rebuilt, it's time for a rethink. To the east, the financial area of Otemachi and Marunouchi has been gradually built up into one of the world's most striking central business districts. The transformation, spearheaded by Mitsubishi Estate Co., has seen dozens of structures rebuilt since 1998. Even newer properties, such as the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. headquarters built in 1980, are already being demolished and reconstructed to keep pace, while the Hibiya business district is also changing. More recently to the south, the once-poky Toranomon has been reimagined as a glistening commercial center. In April, Mori Building Co. finally completed Toranomon Hills, a decades-long project of interconnected modern skyscrapers. A neighborhood once littered with stubby postwar architecture now boasts gleaming office blocks, luxury hotels and upmarket dining. Meanwhile, Kasumigaseki and Nagata-cho look much the same as they did two or even three decades ago. That's due in part to proposals to relocate government functions outside of Tokyo that have consistently fallen through, and the sunk cost of earthquake refittings following the 1995 Kobe disaster. The properties typically look exactly as you'd expect from names such as 'Central Government Building No. 1,' which houses the agriculture ministry and dates back to 1954. One official document accurately describes it as having 'no particular decorative touches added.' This functional design dominates the area, while some of the oldest buildings (such as the neo-baroque old Ministry of Justice) or the newest (most notably the Kantei that houses the prime minister's offices, built in 2002) are the most striking. I'm usually in favor of any redevelopment in Tokyo. The constantly shifting landscape is one of the capital's most appealing aspects, and the competition between different areas means everywhere has to up its game. But when it comes to Kasumigaseki, this isn't just a matter of aesthetics. As the home of the nation's bureaucrats, the crucial gears in the machine that is the Japanese state, it needs to be an attractive area to work to retain the best talent. This is where the government is starting to struggle. The central bureaucracy can often be a brutal place to work, with long hours, low pay and travel budgets so meager workers are reported to pay out of pocket for hotels. Nearly 15% of civil servants under 30 are thinking of quitting, and despite the difficulty of passing the exams, a record number now leave within just 10 years. It's ironic that the public servants who in many cases draft the same laws that help improve the capital's quality of life often find themselves in drab offices with little sunlight. Looking over to the sleek glass towers where their classmates who opted for the private sector work in sleek glass towers, they are entitled to have second thoughts. The government seems unlikely to sponsor a multi-billion-dollar spending spree to redo Kasumigaseki, however. The electorate tends to loathe money being spent on public servants, especially when the price of staples like rice are surging(2). Perhaps this all just reflects the inevitable shifting of power from central government to business. But a decline in quality in the civil service is something to be wary of, as my colleague Adrian Wooldridge has written. Japan, too, should avoid creating a world in which the private sector is the only place for talent to go. More From Bloomberg Opinion: (1) The 17-story New Ohtani Hotel was opened just before the Olympics took place in October. (2) One option would be to follow the example of the 2008 redevelopment of Central Government Building No. 7, a public-private partnership that rebuilt government offices into the larger Kasumigaseki Common Gate development. It hosts official functions such as the Financial Services Agency as well as private tenants, but more efforts along these lines have yet to materialize. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Japan and the Koreas. He previously led the breaking news team in North Asia, and was the Tokyo deputy bureau chief. More stories like this are available on
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Tokyo Is Missing Blade Runner Where It Needs It Most
From Lost in Translation to the Japanese-inspired aesthetics of Blade Runner, Tokyo's image overseas has long been one of skyscrapers jutting into the sky. But it's easy to forget that it was only recently that the capital developed vertically. In September 1964, ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, American skylines had long been dominated by decades-old landmarks such as the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. But the tallest structure in Tokyo was the nine-story National Diet Building, erected in 1936 after a 55-year design period 1.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New York Drivers Can Combat Rising Auto Insurance Costs with State-Approved Defensive Driving Course from IMPROVLearning
Online course guarantees 10% premium reduction for three years as New York ranks among states with highest insurance rate hikes since 2023 NEW YORK, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As New York drivers face some of the nation's steepest auto insurance rate increases, with averages in NYC jumping upward of $4500 per vehicle and $3200 in other parts of the state. IMPROVLearning offers a proven solution to help motorists reduce their premiums through its DMV-approved defensive driving course. According to a recent S&P Global report, New York is among the top three states that have approved the largest total amount of auto insurance rate increases since 2023, making cost-saving opportunities more crucial than ever for Empire State drivers. IMPROV's New York Defensive Driving Online Course provides drivers with a guaranteed 10% reduction on liability and collision premiums for three full years – a state-mandated discount that every insurance carrier in New York must honor. With auto insurance costs continuing to climb due to factors including increased traffic levels, rising vehicle costs, and higher medical expenses, this course represents one of the most accessible ways for New York drivers to secure immediate and lasting savings. 'With auto insurance rate hikes hitting New York drivers particularly hard, our defensive driving course isn't just an option – it's a financial necessity,' said Gary Alexander, CEO of IMPROVLearning. 'We're seeing more drivers than ever seeking ways to reduce their insurance costs, and our state-approved course delivers guaranteed savings that can add up to hundreds of dollars annually for the typical New York driver.' The course, officially known as the Internet Point & Insurance Reduction Program (IPIRP), offers additional benefits beyond insurance savings. Drivers can reduce up to four points from their driving record, helping avoid potential license suspension – particularly valuable for drivers who may have accumulated violations in today's challenging traffic conditions. Check out the course here: Unlike traditional classroom-based defensive driving courses, IMPROV's program is entirely online and can be completed at the driver's own pace over 30 days. The course features humor-powered lessons designed to keep students engaged while covering essential safe driving principles. There's no final exam – just multiple-choice quizzes to ensure comprehension. 'The beauty of our program is its accessibility and transparency,' Alexander added. 'Drivers can complete the course on any device, there are no hidden fees, and we handle all the paperwork with both the DMV and insurance companies. When you're dealing with rising insurance costs, the last thing you need is additional complexity.' Key features of IMPROVLearning's New York Defensive Driving Course include: Guaranteed 10% premium reduction on liability and collision coverage for three full years Point reduction of up to four points from driving record 100% online format with mobile, desktop, and tablet compatibility No final exam – only brief quizzes throughout the course Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, including free certificate shipping DMV notification handled automatically upon course completion Universal acceptance by all New York insurance carriers as required by state law The course can be started and stopped at any time, with progress automatically saved. Upon completion, IMPROVLearning electronically notifies the New York DMV and provides drivers with their certificate at no additional cost. Drivers simply submit the certificate to their insurance carrier to activate their discount, which applies retroactively to the course completion date. And the best part its actually Fun and super Simple. With New York ranking among the most expensive states for auto insurance and recent rate increases adding financial pressure on drivers, MIMPROVLearning's defensive driving course provides a reliable pathway to meaningful savings. The company has helped thousands of New York drivers reduce their insurance costs while improving their driving skills and safety awareness. For more information about New York Defensive Driving Course or to enroll, visit About IMPROVLearning IMPROVLearning's Mission is to save lives and save dollars through innovative training. 25 years ago, we partnered with the IMPROV Comedy Club to create a driving course that is Fun, Simple and Effective, and have been edutaining our audiences since. Their vision is to rethink the ordinary, and they believe new driver training is an industry that is stuck in the past. It's time that driver's education evolves to meet today's new drivers. Utilized by government agencies, fortune 500 companies, top insurance carriers, and private driving schools, IMPROV's online courses are offered in thirty-four states. Over the last 25 years, they have provided Teen Driver's Education, Traffic School, Defensive Driving, and Insurance Discount courses to over 4 million students. CONTACT: IMPROVLearning 575 Lexington Ave 4th Floor New York NY 10022 United States 646 454 5114 nel recupero dei dati Effettua l'accesso per consultare il tuo portafoglio Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati
