News without the noise · New York Edition
Updated 1h ago · 10 stories
New York lawmakers are proposing a tax on cash home sales in the city, coinciding with Governor Kathy Hochul's announcement of a plan targeting pied-à-terre properties. This initiative aims to address housing affordability and the impact of non-resident ownership on the local real estate market.
A fire in the Bronx that resulted in the deaths of three individuals was determined to have been intentionally set using gasoline. Daniel Santana has been charged with murder, manslaughter, arson, and reckless endangerment in connection with the incident that occurred on May 6.
The new tax surcharge will be phased in as the city and state work out which properties it will affect, according to Gov.
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine has initiated an investigation into the city's outdoor dining program, focusing on the low number of operational setups and the bureaucratic delays affecting restaurant applications. The comptroller's inquiry seeks details on the approval process, average processing times, and staffing, while the Department of Transportation has indicated that over 900 restaurants are currently navigating the application process, with many facing significant delays due to the lengthy requirements. The DOT has called for City Council reforms to streamline the process and enhance participation in outdoor dining.
Daniel Santana, 45, has been charged with arson and murder following a fire in the Bronx that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including 70-year-old Oreste de Leon. Prosecutors allege that Santana was captured on video using an accelerant to ignite the fire in a commercial building that housed a grocery store and apartments. He is currently being held without bail and has a history of six prior arrests.
An electrical fire in one of the East River tunnels at Penn Station caused significant disruptions for Long Island Railroad (LIRR) commuters, halting all inbound train services. The fire, which occurred during ongoing repairs from Superstorm Sandy, led to smoke being reported on LIRR trains and resulted in service being diverted to Grand Central. Commuters are advised to expect delays and check train statuses for the Friday morning rush hour.
Sign up for the Breaking News US email Updated 2h ago Robert Mackey , Shrai Popat , Morgan Ofori , Taz Ali and Adam Fulton Fri 15 May 2026 00.26 BST First published on Thu 14 May 2026 01.09 BST Share <gu-island name="KeyEventsCarousel" priority="feature" deferUntil="visible" props="{"keyEvents":[{"id":"6a064e7c8f08f817fdb23bb2","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>This concludes our live coverage of the day in US politics, but our colleagues in Australia will be back soon with updates on the final day Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
During a meeting with Xi Jinping on the final day of a summit, President Trump stated that many issues have been resolved and highlighted the positive outcomes of the discussions, including beneficial trade agreements for both nations. Xi cautioned Trump about potential conflicts with the U.S. regarding Taiwan.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials in Havana to discuss improving dialogue between the United States and Cuba. This meeting occurred shortly after protests erupted in Havana due to an announcement from Cuba's energy minister regarding a complete lack of diesel and fuel oil, attributed to the ongoing US blockade affecting the island's energy imports.
The Rebels Aquatic Team in New Jersey has been informed by the Wayne Community Center that they can no longer use the facility, leaving over 100 youth swimmers without a pool during their season. The team believed they had a five-year commitment based on their contract, but were told they must vacate by June 24, despite their season ending on August 5. Parents have expressed frustration over the situation, and local officials have not commented on the matter.