<p>After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively gave gig workers the legal standing of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft spent some $200 million on a ballot initiative exempting their drivers.</p>

<p>To avoid such threats in other states, the companies have pressed for legislation that classifies drivers as contractors, meaning they are not entitled to protections like a minimum wage and unemployment benefits.</p>

<p>The most serious initiative in this vein, in New York state, has stalled while facing opposition from labour groups as the state’s legislative session winds down this week.</p>

<p>But the effort seems certain to be revived, and the negotiations — in which the companies offered to grant workers bargaining rights and certain benefits but not all the protections of employment — have indicated what an eventual deal could look like in New York and beyond.</p>

<p>Gig companies like Uber and Lyft have long resisted classifying workers as employees, stating in regulatory filings that doing so would force them to alter their business model and risk a financial hit. Industry officials have estimated that making drivers employees could raise labour costs 20% to 30%.</p>

<p>As California considered a bill under which gig drivers were likely to be classified as employees in 2019, the companies met repeatedly with a few large unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters, to discuss a deal along the lines of what they have proposed in New York. But the talks collapsed because many in the labour movement refused to make significant concessions while holding the legislative upper hand. The bill passed in September of that year.</p>

<p>After the ballot initiative that exempted drivers was approved last fall, however, some in labour became more amenable to a deal. New York, where discussions were already underway, was a natural place to seek one.</p>

<p>Some of the companies had a relationship with labour in the state, chiefly the International Association of Machinists, with which Uber created and funded a driver organization in 2016, known as the Independent Drivers Guild. In some ways the drivers guild foreshadowed the arrangement the companies are seeking today: It provided a way for drivers to address concerns with the company but agreed not to contest drivers’ contractor status.</p>

<p>At the same time, labour had leverage. A number of rulings in New York granted gig drivers conventional unemployment benefits in the state, potentially leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities for the companies. And there were New York City regulations — like a minimum pay standard for drivers amounting to over $17 an hour after expenses — that some gig companies have sought to ease.</p>

<p>A legislative draft, produced by industry officials in consultation with labour groups, deemed gig workers to be “network workers.” That would essentially have made them contractors with certain protections and the right to join a labour organization that would bargain on a sectoral basis, meaning all at once with the major companies. The arrangement would have created more than 150,000 new union members in the state.</p>

<p>The bargaining would have happened separately for drivers and for delivery workers and would have covered a minimum wage, “portable benefits” like retirement contributions, and a process for appealing terminations.</p>

<p>But the details of the proposed unions raised eyebrows. As laid out in the draft, the companies would have signed an agreement with a single union giving it access to workers through corporate email systems. Once the union signed up 10% of the industry’s eligible workers and the state labour commissioner certified the arrangement, the union would have become the exclusive agent of all workers in the industry. No other union would have had a chance to represent them.</p>

<p>Critics complained that the gig companies did not consult widely enough beyond some of the labour groups that stood to benefit — among them the machinists, which appeared likely to be the first to get email access to drivers, and the Transport Workers Union of America, which appeared to be first in line to get email access to delivery workers.</p>

<p>“The companies’ sectoral bargaining bill was drafted without workers’ input,” said Ligia Guallpa of the nonprofit Workers Justice Project, whose group has helped delivery workers build an organization that claims more than 10,000 members. “They don’t get to decide their own representation. It’s prearranged.”</p>

<p>Guallpa, like other labour leaders and worker organizers, said she found out about the proposal only in mid-May, after Bloomberg reported on its existence.</p>

<p>Aziz Bah, organizing director of the Independent Drivers Guild, said in a statement that “the choices about which union or unions to join rests with the workers.”</p>

<p>Critics also complained that funding for the union — potentially more than $20 million a year for the drivers union alone — would have come from the companies through a fee on rides that they collect, making workers feel beholden to the companies. And under the initial proposal, workers would have been prohibited from striking while they were bargaining with the companies, depriving them of a crucial source of leverage.</p>

<p>According to Kate Andrias, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, some of those features were at odds with federal labour law, which typically bars unions that companies effectively select, fund or control. The law does not apply to contractors, however.</p>

<p>The proposal would have also replaced the conventional unemployment benefits that many drivers are currently eligible for with a new system that could have led to lower benefits and that could have been harder for workers to collect in certain situations.</p>

<p>And the proposal would have largely prohibited municipalities from regulating work done through ride-hailing or delivery apps, rolling back the driver minimum pay standard in New York City, though workers could have bargained for a floor as high as that minimum or higher.</p>

<p>The disclosure of the initial draft of the bill in May created a backlash against any proposal featuring weak unions, or unions effectively selected by the companies.</p>

<p>“They’re talking about the right to bargaining that’s a Trojan horse,” said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which helped drivers with ride-hailing services win unemployment benefits in the state. “That union would be complicit in giving them cover as they really seek to dominate the industry.”</p>

<p>Some labour groups involved in the discussions, like the state AFL-CIO, became tepid in their support. John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, backed away from the proposal, citing concerns that workers would not be allowed to strike and opposition from delivery workers.</p>

<p>An Uber official who was not authorized to speak publicly said the company was open to changes that would make it easier for more than one union to represent workers in the ride-hailing or delivery industries. A subsequent draft eased restrictions on striking during negotiations with the companies.</p>

<p>Uber, Lyft and DoorDash said in statements that they remained interested in working with “stakeholders” on legislation.</p>

<p>But for all the opposition to the proposal, the episode suggested that some sort of deal remains possible in New York and other states where gig companies or industry groups have explored independent contractor legislation, including Illinois, Massachusetts and Connecticut, all with legislatures controlled by Democrats. Some of these states have policies allowing drivers to be deemed employees.</p>

<p>State Sen. Diane Savino, who has been a key participant in the New York legislative efforts, said in an interview on Monday that she had recently reached out to a broader set of groups and that the discussion would continue in the coming weeks.</p>

<p>“The clock may have run out on the legislative session, but it has not run out on the issue,” she said.</p>

<p>Critically, even many labour groups dismissive of the New York proposal have stopped short of insisting on all the rights and protections of employee status.</p>

<p>“Their priorities are to have a living wage, have the right to organize and have more safety protections,” said Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project when asked how important it is to delivery workers to be classified as employees. “No one’s organizing around that issue.”</p>

<p>If the gig companies make more meaningful concessions, such as ensuring a more independent union, then a number of labour groups may be ready to take them up on it, ceding employee status in exchange.</p>

<p>“If large groups of workers see a pathway to improve their current economic situation by entering into initiatives that would allow them to form unions,” said Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union, “then I’m with the workers.”</p>


After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively gave gig workers the legal standing of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft spent some $200 million on a ballot initiative exempting their drivers.

After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively gave gig workers the legal standing of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft spent some $200 million on a ballot initiative exempting their drivers. To avoid such threats in other states, the companies have pressed for legislation that classifies drivers as contractors, meaning they are not entitled to protections like a minimum wage and unemployment benefits. The most serious initiative in this vein, in New York state, has stalled while facing opposition from labour groups as the state’s legislative session winds down this week. But the effort seems certain to be revived, and the negotiations — in which the companies offered to grant workers bargaining rights and certain benefits but not all the protections of employment — have indicated what an eventual deal could look like in New York and beyond. Gig companies like Uber and Lyft have long resisted classifying workers as employees, stating in regulatory filings that doing so would force them to alter their business model and risk a financial hit. Industry officials have estimated that making drivers employees could raise labour costs 20% to 30%. As California considered a bill under which gig drivers were likely to be classified as employees in 2019, the companies met repeatedly with a few large unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters, to discuss a deal along the lines of what they have proposed in New York. But the talks collapsed because many in the labour movement refused to make significant concessions while holding the legislative upper hand. The bill passed in September of that year. After the ballot initiative that exempted drivers was approved last fall, however, some in labour became more amenable to a deal. New York, where discussions were already underway, was a natural place to seek one. Some of the companies had a relationship with labour in the state, chiefly the International Association of Machinists, with which Uber created and funded a driver organization in 2016, known as the Independent Drivers Guild. In some ways the drivers guild foreshadowed the arrangement the companies are seeking today: It provided a way for drivers to address concerns with the company but agreed not to contest drivers’ contractor status. At the same time, labour had leverage. A number of rulings in New York granted gig drivers conventional unemployment benefits in the state, potentially leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities for the companies. And there were New York City regulations — like a minimum pay standard for drivers amounting to over $17 an hour after expenses — that some gig companies have sought to ease. A legislative draft, produced by industry officials in consultation with labour groups, deemed gig workers to be “network workers.” That would essentially have made them contractors with certain protections and the right to join a labour organization that would bargain on a sectoral basis, meaning all at once with the major companies. The arrangement would have created more than 150,000 new union members in the state. The bargaining would have happened separately for drivers and for delivery workers and would have covered a minimum wage, “portable benefits” like retirement contributions, and a process for appealing terminations. But the details of the proposed unions raised eyebrows. As laid out in the draft, the companies would have signed an agreement with a single union giving it access to workers through corporate email systems. Once the union signed up 10% of the industry’s eligible workers and the state labour commissioner certified the arrangement, the union would have become the exclusive agent of all workers in the industry. No other union would have had a chance to represent them. Critics complained that the gig companies did not consult widely enough beyond some of the labour groups that stood to benefit — among them the machinists, which appeared likely to be the first to get email access to drivers, and the Transport Workers Union of America, which appeared to be first in line to get email access to delivery workers. “The companies’ sectoral bargaining bill was drafted without workers’ input,” said Ligia Guallpa of the nonprofit Workers Justice Project, whose group has helped delivery workers build an organization that claims more than 10,000 members. “They don’t get to decide their own representation. It’s prearranged.” Guallpa, like other labour leaders and worker organizers, said she found out about the proposal only in mid-May, after Bloomberg reported on its existence. Aziz Bah, organizing director of the Independent Drivers Guild, said in a statement that “the choices about which union or unions to join rests with the workers.” Critics also complained that funding for the union — potentially more than $20 million a year for the drivers union alone — would have come from the companies through a fee on rides that they collect, making workers feel beholden to the companies. And under the initial proposal, workers would have been prohibited from striking while they were bargaining with the companies, depriving them of a crucial source of leverage. According to Kate Andrias, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, some of those features were at odds with federal labour law, which typically bars unions that companies effectively select, fund or control. The law does not apply to contractors, however. The proposal would have also replaced the conventional unemployment benefits that many drivers are currently eligible for with a new system that could have led to lower benefits and that could have been harder for workers to collect in certain situations. And the proposal would have largely prohibited municipalities from regulating work done through ride-hailing or delivery apps, rolling back the driver minimum pay standard in New York City, though workers could have bargained for a floor as high as that minimum or higher. The disclosure of the initial draft of the bill in May created a backlash against any proposal featuring weak unions, or unions effectively selected by the companies. “They’re talking about the right to bargaining that’s a Trojan horse,” said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which helped drivers with ride-hailing services win unemployment benefits in the state. “That union would be complicit in giving them cover as they really seek to dominate the industry.” Some labour groups involved in the discussions, like the state AFL-CIO, became tepid in their support. John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, backed away from the proposal, citing concerns that workers would not be allowed to strike and opposition from delivery workers. An Uber official who was not authorized to speak publicly said the company was open to changes that would make it easier for more than one union to represent workers in the ride-hailing or delivery industries. A subsequent draft eased restrictions on striking during negotiations with the companies. Uber, Lyft and DoorDash said in statements that they remained interested in working with “stakeholders” on legislation. But for all the opposition to the proposal, the episode suggested that some sort of deal remains possible in New York and other states where gig companies or industry groups have explored independent contractor legislation, including Illinois, Massachusetts and Connecticut, all with legislatures controlled by Democrats. Some of these states have policies allowing drivers to be deemed employees. State Sen. Diane Savino, who has been a key participant in the New York legislative efforts, said in an interview on Monday that she had recently reached out to a broader set of groups and that the discussion would continue in the coming weeks. “The clock may have run out on the legislative session, but it has not run out on the issue,” she said. Critically, even many labour groups dismissive of the New York proposal have stopped short of insisting on all the rights and protections of employee status. “Their priorities are to have a living wage, have the right to organize and have more safety protections,” said Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project when asked how important it is to delivery workers to be classified as employees. “No one’s organizing around that issue.” If the gig companies make more meaningful concessions, such as ensuring a more independent union, then a number of labour groups may be ready to take them up on it, ceding employee status in exchange. “If large groups of workers see a pathway to improve their current economic situation by entering into initiatives that would allow them to form unions,” said Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union, “then I’m with the workers.”

Uber and Lyft ramp up legislative efforts to shield business model

<p>Harry Potter fans will soon get to clink glasses filled with "buttery, creamy, sugary, delicious" butterbeers at an official Harry Potter flagship store in New York City, which opens on June 3.<br />
<br />
Actress Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the 'Harry Potter'&nbsp;film series, likened the taste to butterscotch.<br />
"Butterbeer is the drink that all the Hogwarts students drink," she said.<br />
<br />
Lynch said she was thrilled that the bottled butterbeer - which is non-alcoholic - came in a vegan version.<br />
<br />
"I actually didn`t drink any butterbeer in the movies," she said. "That`s more for like the cool kids, the Gryffindors."<br />
<br />
When Harry Potter New York officially opens its doors to the public on June 3, customers will be able to choose from draft or bottled butterbeers and eat butterbeer ice cream. Nearly 1,000 bottles hover over the bar while butterbeer moves through copper pipes.<br />
The retail store, at over 21,000 square feet (1,950 square meters) and spanning three floors, will also sell a huge collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products.<br />
<br />
Author JK Rowling`s seven 'Harry Potter'&nbsp;novels about a boy wizard have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide and were turned into eight blockbuster movies. She followed up with a spin-off movie franchise, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.'</p>


Harry Potter fans will soon get to clink glasses filled with "buttery, creamy, sugary, delicious" butterbeers at an official Harry Potter flagship store in New York City, which opens on June 3.

Harry Potter fans will soon get to clink glasses filled with "buttery, creamy, sugary, delicious" butterbeers at an official Harry Potter flagship store in New York City, which opens on June 3. Actress Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the 'Harry Potter' film series, likened the taste to butterscotch. "Butterbeer is the drink that all the Hogwarts students drink," she said. Lynch said she was thrilled that the bottled butterbeer - which is non-alcoholic - came in a vegan version. "I actually didn`t drink any butterbeer in the movies," she said. "That`s more for like the cool kids, the Gryffindors." When Harry Potter New York officially opens its doors to the public on June 3, customers will be able to choose from draft or bottled butterbeers and eat butterbeer ice cream. Nearly 1,000 bottles hover over the bar while butterbeer moves through copper pipes. The retail store, at over 21,000 square feet (1,950 square meters) and spanning three floors, will also sell a huge collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products. Author JK Rowling`s seven 'Harry Potter' novels about a boy wizard have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide and were turned into eight blockbuster movies. She followed up with a spin-off movie franchise, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.'

'Buttery, creamy, sugary, delicious': Sneak peek of Harry Potter's butterbeer in NYC

<p>The New York stadium complex that hosts the iconic US Open tennis tournament every year is set to be converted into a makeshift hospital as the city of New York like the entire US continues to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens will be used as an overflow hospital space in a bid to bolster efforts to treat patients amid coronavirus pandemic. The move to convert the New York stadium complex into a hospital comes after the request from the New York City Office of Emergency Management, said Chris Widmaier, US Tennis Association spokesman.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/villas-grealish-apologises-fined-for-breaking-isolation-rules-289842" hreflang="en">Villa's Grealish apologises, fined for breaking isolation rules</a></strong></p>

<p>The Mayor of New York – Bill de Blasio – said that the overflow hospital space will have 350 beds and will admit patients tested positive for COVID-19 but do not require ICU care, starting next week. The conversion will come as a massive relief for all the hospital in New York, which has been the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreak.</p>

<p>“I think the time horizon that’s of deepest concern to New York City is April-May, and thereafter we pray that we start to come out of this, but it won’t be instant,” de Blasio told reporters at the tennis center. “August may be a very, very much better time or we may still be fighting some of these battles. We don’t know yet. By late summer, we may get some good news.”</p>

<p>The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is one of the largest tennis facilities in the world while being home to Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium and several other smaller tennis courts.</p>

<p><img alt="The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0888c5c5-9ba6-4507-acac-1b0cc443a23e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1QA921.jpg" /></p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ex-olympique-marseille-president-pape-diouf-dies-of-coronavirus-289841" hreflang="en">Ex-Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf dies of coronavirus</a></strong></p>

<p>However, there has been no official word on the US Open, scheduled to start in late August as the tournament is still on amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>The US death toll rose from 3,008 at 8:30pm EST on Monday to 3,873 at 8.30pm EST on Tuesday. And in New York, at least 1,218 people have died from COVID-19, as of Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the death toll in the US rose, President Trump said the nation should be well prepared for a painful couple of weeks.</p>

<p>"This is going to be a very painful, a very, very painful two weeks," Trump said at the White House, adding," "I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead."</p>

<p>"It's absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines for the next 30 days. It's a matter of life and death," the US president added.</p>


The New York stadium complex that hosts the iconic US Open tennis tournament every year is set to be converted into a makeshift hospital as the city of New York like the entire US continues to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York stadium complex that hosts the iconic US Open tennis tournament every year is set to be converted into a makeshift hospital as the city of New York like the entire US continues to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens will be used as an overflow hospital space in a bid to bolster efforts to treat patients amid coronavirus pandemic. The move to convert the New York stadium complex into a hospital comes after the request from the New York City Office of Emergency Management, said Chris Widmaier, US Tennis Association spokesman. ALSO READ: Villa's Grealish apologises, fined for breaking isolation rules The Mayor of New York – Bill de Blasio – said that the overflow hospital space will have 350 beds and will admit patients tested positive for COVID-19 but do not require ICU care, starting next week. The conversion will come as a massive relief for all the hospital in New York, which has been the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreak. “I think the time horizon that’s of deepest concern to New York City is April-May, and thereafter we pray that we start to come out of this, but it won’t be instant,” de Blasio told reporters at the tennis center. “August may be a very, very much better time or we may still be fighting some of these battles. We don’t know yet. By late summer, we may get some good news.” The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is one of the largest tennis facilities in the world while being home to Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium and several other smaller tennis courts. ALSO READ: Ex-Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf dies of coronavirus However, there has been no official word on the US Open, scheduled to start in late August as the tournament is still on amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The US death toll rose from 3,008 at 8:30pm EST on Monday to 3,873 at 8.30pm EST on Tuesday. And in New York, at least 1,218 people have died from COVID-19, as of Monday. As the death toll in the US rose, President Trump said the nation should be well prepared for a painful couple of weeks. "This is going to be a very painful, a very, very painful two weeks," Trump said at the White House, adding," "I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead." "It's absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines for the next 30 days. It's a matter of life and death," the US president added.

New York City to convert US Open tennis courts into makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients

<p>New York state has confirmed its first coronavirus case, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter Sunday evening, calling on residents to remain calm and not have any "undue anxiety."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-another-person-dies-in-france-as-death-toll-rises-in-iran-282881"> Coronavirus outbreak: Another person dies in France as death toll rises in Iran</a></strong></p>

<p>Cuomo said the patient is a woman in her 30s who contracted the virus while traveling abroad in Iran. He said the woman is in quarantine in her home.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-china-reports-35-more-virus-deaths-573-new-cases-283524">Coronavirus: China reports 35 more virus deaths, 573 new cases</a></strong></p>


New York state has confirmed its first coronavirus case, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter Sunday evening, calling on residents to remain calm and not have any "undue anxiety.

New York state has confirmed its first coronavirus case, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter Sunday evening, calling on residents to remain calm and not have any "undue anxiety." Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Another person dies in France as death toll rises in Iran Cuomo said the patient is a woman in her 30s who contracted the virus while traveling abroad in Iran. He said the woman is in quarantine in her home. Also read: Coronavirus: China reports 35 more virus deaths, 573 new cases

New York governor confirms first coronavirus case in state

<p>Berlin has introduced a freeze on housing rent and New York, a ban on brokerage fee. These two housing policies might have earned some praises.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By the common man but the sweeping rental law has left ripples across real estate businesses and might soon lead to a crumbling urban housing market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A tenant need not pay broker fee in New York City anymore. New York state has banned brokers from charging their fees.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Social media is hailing this new move by state regulators. People poured out personal experiences, explaining how broker fee.</p>

<p><strong>Implications of new rent rule New York City</strong><br />
<br />
25000 brokers New York City will face steep loss in business<br />
The loss might be close to $600 million in total revenue<br />
New York City faces a dramatic drop in total rental inventory<br />
Drop-in listing of new houses or rental places</p>

<p>The brokerage was a familiar source of distress for anyone who tried to rent an apartment.Others went on to accuse brokers of corruption and injustice. New York is a new entrant in implementing this kind of housing policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days ago, Berlin too introduced a cap on house rents. For the next five years, over 1.5 million homes in berlin will have their rents frozen.&nbsp;It will be also capped at 9.90 Euros. If landlords increase their rents, the tenants can sue them. But, this new housing policy is also receiving criticism.</p>

<p>Deutsche Wohnen, Berlin's largest apartment owner has lost one-fifth of its market value. The share of Germany's biggest property company,&nbsp;Vonovia has fallen by 1.9 per cent.&nbsp;Berlin and New York are not the only two cities contending skyrocketing real estate. Ireland started rent pressure zones in 2016.&nbsp;Spain's socialist government has pushed for rental caps, and in Portugal, it is illegal to raise rents of tenents with low income.</p>

<p>Experts believe that policies such as these could potentially rattle the global real estate industry.It does not feature in the top ten cities with the most expensive rent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>World cities with most expensive rents</strong><br />
San Francisco, US<br />
Hong Kong, the people's republic of China<br />
New York, US<br />
London, united kingdom<br />
Zurich, Switzerland</p>

<p>On the contrary, Indian cities are very economical. With a global rank of 67, Mumbai is the most expensive Indian city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For India, the issues are different. When compared to other rural regions, Indian urban centres have a very high cost of living.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The problem in India is not, particularly with brokerage or agent fee.</p>

<p>The concern here is more to do with urban planning and employment opportunities.</p>

<p>There is no particular law in India, which stops brokers from taking their fee. But, policy recommendations based on universal housing facility and other welfare schemes are matters that are being discussed widely.</p>

<p><strong>Indian cities with most expensive rents&nbsp;<br />
City &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Global rank</strong></p>

<p>Mumbai &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 67<br />
New Delhi &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;118<br />
Chennai &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 154<br />
Bengaluru &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;179<br />
Kolkata &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 189&nbsp;</p>


Berlin has introduced a freeze on housing rent and New York, a ban on brokerage fee. These two housing policies might have earned some praises. By the common man but the sweeping rental law has left ripples across real estate businesses and might soon lead to a crumbling urban housing market.

Berlin has introduced a freeze on housing rent and New York, a ban on brokerage fee. These two housing policies might have earned some praises. By the common man but the sweeping rental law has left ripples across real estate businesses and might soon lead to a crumbling urban housing market. A tenant need not pay broker fee in New York City anymore. New York state has banned brokers from charging their fees. Social media is hailing this new move by state regulators. People poured out personal experiences, explaining how broker fee. Implications of new rent rule New York City 25000 brokers New York City will face steep loss in business The loss might be close to $600 million in total revenue New York City faces a dramatic drop in total rental inventory Drop-in listing of new houses or rental places The brokerage was a familiar source of distress for anyone who tried to rent an apartment.Others went on to accuse brokers of corruption and injustice. New York is a new entrant in implementing this kind of housing policy. A few days ago, Berlin too introduced a cap on house rents. For the next five years, over 1.5 million homes in berlin will have their rents frozen. It will be also capped at 9.90 Euros. If landlords increase their rents, the tenants can sue them. But, this new housing policy is also receiving criticism. Deutsche Wohnen, Berlin's largest apartment owner has lost one-fifth of its market value. The share of Germany's biggest property company, Vonovia has fallen by 1.9 per cent. Berlin and New York are not the only two cities contending skyrocketing real estate. Ireland started rent pressure zones in 2016. Spain's socialist government has pushed for rental caps, and in Portugal, it is illegal to raise rents of tenents with low income. Experts believe that policies such as these could potentially rattle the global real estate industry.It does not feature in the top ten cities with the most expensive rent. World cities with most expensive rents San Francisco, US Hong Kong, the people's republic of China New York, US London, united kingdom Zurich, Switzerland On the contrary, Indian cities are very economical. With a global rank of 67, Mumbai is the most expensive Indian city. For India, the issues are different. When compared to other rural regions, Indian urban centres have a very high cost of living. The problem in India is not, particularly with brokerage or agent fee. The concern here is more to do with urban planning and employment opportunities. There is no particular law in India, which stops brokers from taking their fee. But, policy recommendations based on universal housing facility and other welfare schemes are matters that are being discussed widely. Indian cities with most expensive rents City Global rank Mumbai 67 New Delhi 118 Chennai 154 Bengaluru 179 Kolkata 189

From frozen house rent to brokerage ban: Here are the new rental laws in world cities

<p>A New York City police officer was shot and wounded in a police station on Sunday morning about 12 hours after another officer was wounded while he sat in his patrol van in the same neighbourhood in what authorities described as an assassination attempt.</p>

<p>A gunman entered the 41st Precinct headquarters in the Bronx borough about 8 a.m. (1300 GMT) and opened fire, wounding one officer before he was taken into custody, a police spokesman said.</p>

<p>The officer was taken to a hospital. New York media reported that the officer was a lieutenant who was shot in the arm.</p>

<p>The attack followed a shooting on Saturday night of a uniformed police officer who was sitting in his police van with his partner.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-mass-shooter-killed-at-shopping-mall-say-security-sources-279539">Thai mass shooter killed at shopping mall, say security sources</a></strong></p>

<p>The gunman walked up to the vehicle and began a conversation with the two officers in the vehicle before suddenly opening fire, striking one policeman in the chin and neck, police officials said in a news conference on Saturday night.</p>

<p>"This was an attempt to assassinate police officers," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "There is too much hatred being directed at our officers and it has to end."</p>

<p>The officers did not return fire. The wounded officer's partner got in the driver's seat and drove him to the hospital. He is expected to survive, police said.</p>

<p>A police spokesman said authorities are investigating whether the same shooter carried out both attacks. Authorities have not released the names of any of the officers involved.</p>

<p>Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter that those responsible for the attacks would be brought to justice.</p>

<p>"NY's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous," he said.</p>


A New York City police officer was shot and wounded in a police station on Sunday morning about 12 hours after another officer was wounded while he sat in his patrol van in the same neighbourhood in what authorities described as an assassination attempt.

A New York City police officer was shot and wounded in a police station on Sunday morning about 12 hours after another officer was wounded while he sat in his patrol van in the same neighbourhood in what authorities described as an assassination attempt. A gunman entered the 41st Precinct headquarters in the Bronx borough about 8 a.m. (1300 GMT) and opened fire, wounding one officer before he was taken into custody, a police spokesman said. The officer was taken to a hospital. New York media reported that the officer was a lieutenant who was shot in the arm. The attack followed a shooting on Saturday night of a uniformed police officer who was sitting in his police van with his partner. Also read: Thai mass shooter killed at shopping mall, say security sources The gunman walked up to the vehicle and began a conversation with the two officers in the vehicle before suddenly opening fire, striking one policeman in the chin and neck, police officials said in a news conference on Saturday night. "This was an attempt to assassinate police officers," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "There is too much hatred being directed at our officers and it has to end." The officers did not return fire. The wounded officer's partner got in the driver's seat and drove him to the hospital. He is expected to survive, police said. A police spokesman said authorities are investigating whether the same shooter carried out both attacks. Authorities have not released the names of any of the officers involved. Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter that those responsible for the attacks would be brought to justice. "NY's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous," he said.

Two New York City police officers shot and wounded in separate attacks

<p>Actor Liam Hemsworth is going slow in building a relationship with his new girlfriend Maddison Brown after going through a bad divorce with Miley Cyrus.<br />
<br />
Two months after announcing the highly publicized divorce, Hemsworth found himself smitten with his new lover. The two were recently spotted enjoying an intimate lunch and holding hands in the subway in New York City.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3jo4PuhomP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The look of love 😍Liam Hemsworth and Maddison Brown are all loved up and we’re only delighted for them ❤️💫😚 . . . #liamhemsworth #maddisonbrown #thatshouldbeme #hemsworthbrothers 📷 @liamhemsworthstuff</a></p>

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<p>Apart from the lunch, the duo was also spotted kissing each other in the city. Although the couple has been spotted indulging in PDA at public places, a source close to Hemsworth told a magazine&nbsp;that "Liam is taking it slow, but he's definitely interested in her''.<br />
<br />
Another unnamed source told People that the two met through mutual friends. "They have only known each other for a few weeks but are getting on great," said the source.<br />
<br />
"Both being Aussies, their love for the beach, and the fact that they share careers has bonded them ". On the other hand, pop icon Miley Cyrus has been vocal about her relationship status. The singer has entered in a relationship with Australian musician Cody Simpson.</p>


Actor Liam Hemsworth is going slow in building a relationship with his new girlfriend Maddison Brown after going through a bad divorce with Miley Cyrus. Two months after announcing the highly publicized divorce, Hemsworth found himself smitten with his new lover.

Actor Liam Hemsworth is going slow in building a relationship with his new girlfriend Maddison Brown after going through a bad divorce with Miley Cyrus. Two months after announcing the highly publicized divorce, Hemsworth found himself smitten with his new lover. The two were recently spotted enjoying an intimate lunch and holding hands in the subway in New York City. View this post on Instagram The look of love 😍Liam Hemsworth and Maddison Brown are all loved up and we’re only delighted for them ❤️💫😚 . . . #liamhemsworth #maddisonbrown #thatshouldbeme #hemsworthbrothers 📷 @liamhemsworthstuff A post shared by SHEmazing! (@shemazingie) on Oct 13, 2019 at 4:33am PDT × Apart from the lunch, the duo was also spotted kissing each other in the city. Although the couple has been spotted indulging in PDA at public places, a source close to Hemsworth told a magazine that "Liam is taking it slow, but he's definitely interested in her''. Another unnamed source told People that the two met through mutual friends. "They have only known each other for a few weeks but are getting on great," said the source. "Both being Aussies, their love for the beach, and the fact that they share careers has bonded them ". On the other hand, pop icon Miley Cyrus has been vocal about her relationship status. The singer has entered in a relationship with Australian musician Cody Simpson.

Liam Hemsworth going slow in relationship with Maddison Brown

<p>Model Bella Hadid and The Weekend who parted ways two months back were spotted spending time together again. The Grammy winner made an appearance at the supermodel's 23rd birthday party at Le Chalet, L'Avenue at Saks'&nbsp;lower level cocktail lounge.<br />
<br />
On Thursday night, Bella celebrated her birthday at the New York City hot-spot with friends and family, including Yolanda Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Anwar Hadid and his girlfriend Dua Lipa.<br />
<br />
During the celebrations, she was spotted taking tequila shots with The Weeknd. "Abel met up with Bella last night for her third birthday celebration at L'Avenue," a source confirmed the news to a news agency.<br />
<br />
"He was with her the entire night and they left together to go back to the apartment they both shared ". The insider adds, "You could tell that they were definitely in love and they both looked very happy being around each other."<br />
<br />
News agency exclusively revealed in August that the on-off couple had called it quits once again, with 'distance'&nbsp;playing a role in the split.<br />
<br />
"Bella and Abel have been in touch the last couple of weeks and have been working on their relationship," the source told news agency.<br />
<br />
"Initially, Abel reached out to Bella first checking in to say hello, and she agreed to meet up with him". "There was no love lost between the two Abel just had a few things he needed to work on and his focus was elsewhere," the insider continued.<br />
<br />
"They are in a better place right now but are trying to keep things on the down-low. They both want to be more private about it this time around."&nbsp;</p>


Model Bella Hadid and The Weekend who parted ways two months back were spotted spending time together again. The Grammy winner made an appearance at the supermodel's 23rd birthday party at Le Chalet, L'Avenue at Saks' lower level cocktail lounge.

Model Bella Hadid and The Weekend who parted ways two months back were spotted spending time together again. The Grammy winner made an appearance at the supermodel's 23rd birthday party at Le Chalet, L'Avenue at Saks' lower level cocktail lounge. On Thursday night, Bella celebrated her birthday at the New York City hot-spot with friends and family, including Yolanda Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Anwar Hadid and his girlfriend Dua Lipa. During the celebrations, she was spotted taking tequila shots with The Weeknd. "Abel met up with Bella last night for her third birthday celebration at L'Avenue," a source confirmed the news to a news agency. "He was with her the entire night and they left together to go back to the apartment they both shared ". The insider adds, "You could tell that they were definitely in love and they both looked very happy being around each other." News agency exclusively revealed in August that the on-off couple had called it quits once again, with 'distance' playing a role in the split. "Bella and Abel have been in touch the last couple of weeks and have been working on their relationship," the source told news agency. "Initially, Abel reached out to Bella first checking in to say hello, and she agreed to meet up with him". "There was no love lost between the two Abel just had a few things he needed to work on and his focus was elsewhere," the insider continued. "They are in a better place right now but are trying to keep things on the down-low. They both want to be more private about it this time around."

Bella Hadid, The Weeknd spotted spending time together after split

<p>A homeless&nbsp;man wielding a metal pipe beat four other&nbsp;homeless&nbsp;people to death Saturday in New York, police said.</p>

<p>A fifth man was hospitalised in a critical condition.</p>

<p>Police detained a 24-year-old male as the suspect in the attack in the Chinatown area of Lower Manhattan in the small hours of Saturday.</p>

<p>The victims were apparently asleep when they were set upon, said Michael Baldassano of the New York police department.</p>

<p>"The motive appears to be, right now, just random attacks," he told reporters. "No one was targeted by race, age, anything of that nature."</p>

<p>Every night more than 63,000 people sleep in the New York City shelter system, says the Bowery Mission, an advocacy group. But nearly 4,000 more sleep on the street, in the subway or in other public areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The group says factors causing homelessness include mental illness, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing and problems keeping a job.</p>


A homeless man wielding a metal pipe beat four other homeless people to death Saturday in New York, police said. A fifth man was hospitalised in a critical condition.

A homeless man wielding a metal pipe beat four other homeless people to death Saturday in New York, police said. A fifth man was hospitalised in a critical condition. Police detained a 24-year-old male as the suspect in the attack in the Chinatown area of Lower Manhattan in the small hours of Saturday. The victims were apparently asleep when they were set upon, said Michael Baldassano of the New York police department. "The motive appears to be, right now, just random attacks," he told reporters. "No one was targeted by race, age, anything of that nature." Every night more than 63,000 people sleep in the New York City shelter system, says the Bowery Mission, an advocacy group. But nearly 4,000 more sleep on the street, in the subway or in other public areas. The group says factors causing homelessness include mental illness, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing and problems keeping a job.

Four homeless men in New York beaten to death

<p>A 19-year-old man of Pakistani origin was on Friday charged for plotting a "lone wolf" attack inspired by the terror group Islamic State (ISIS) in New York City.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a criminal complaint filed against Awais Chudhary, a US naturalised citizen born in Pakistan, the suspect was planning to carry out a knife attack in Queens area on behalf of the ISIS and wanted to record his attack to inspire others to commit such violent acts.</p>

<p>The suspect allegedly ordered a tactical knife, a mask, gloves and a cellphone chest-and-head strap to record the attack. He was arrested on Thursday night while trying to pick up those items from an online vendor's retail location, Fox News reported.</p>

<p>The next day, a court charged the suspect on one count of attempting to provide material support to a "designated foreign terrorist organisation".&nbsp;</p>

<p>His bail request was also denied. Police said that Chaudhary had planned to conduct attacks at two locations in Queens -- the World's Fair Marina and a pedestrian bridge over the Grand Central Parkway to the Flushing Bay Promenade. The Counterterrorism Bureau of the New York Police Department (NYPD) said that Chaudhary conducted pre-operational surveillance of the target location, surrounding areas and possible escape routes.</p>

<p>"In collaboration with our federal partners at the FBI New York Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF), we have intercepted and thwarted a planned terrorist attack in the Flushing area of Queens," it tweeted."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In collaboration with our federal partners at the FBI New York Joint<br />
Terrorist Task Force (JTTF), we have intercepted and thwarted a planned<br />
terrorist attack in the Flushing area of Queens, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYC</a>. 1/5<a href="https://twitter.com/EDNYnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EDNYnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NewYorkFBI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NewYorkFBI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FBI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPDnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYPDnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/kscEvNaEJ0">pic.twitter.com/kscEvNaEJ0</a></p>
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPDCT/status/1167522132903026688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Awais Chudhary was planning to carry out a "lone wolf" style knife attack targeting the residents of #NYC in the name of ISIS. This case moved rapidly from planning to execution. Chudhary's target was the Flushing Bay Promenade near the World`s Fair Marina," the bureau said."Thanks to great work of the JTTF, made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, we are glad to be reporting an arrest in this case instead of a successful attack," it wrote.</p>

<p>If convicted, Chudhary faces up to 20 years in prison.</p>


A 19-year-old man of Pakistani origin was on Friday charged for plotting a "lone wolf" attack inspired by the terror group Islamic State (ISIS) in New York City.

A 19-year-old man of Pakistani origin was on Friday charged for plotting a "lone wolf" attack inspired by the terror group Islamic State (ISIS) in New York City. According to a criminal complaint filed against Awais Chudhary, a US naturalised citizen born in Pakistan, the suspect was planning to carry out a knife attack in Queens area on behalf of the ISIS and wanted to record his attack to inspire others to commit such violent acts. The suspect allegedly ordered a tactical knife, a mask, gloves and a cellphone chest-and-head strap to record the attack. He was arrested on Thursday night while trying to pick up those items from an online vendor's retail location, Fox News reported. The next day, a court charged the suspect on one count of attempting to provide material support to a "designated foreign terrorist organisation". His bail request was also denied. Police said that Chaudhary had planned to conduct attacks at two locations in Queens -- the World's Fair Marina and a pedestrian bridge over the Grand Central Parkway to the Flushing Bay Promenade. The Counterterrorism Bureau of the New York Police Department (NYPD) said that Chaudhary conducted pre-operational surveillance of the target location, surrounding areas and possible escape routes. "In collaboration with our federal partners at the FBI New York Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF), we have intercepted and thwarted a planned terrorist attack in the Flushing area of Queens," it tweeted." In collaboration with our federal partners at the FBI New York Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF), we have intercepted and thwarted a planned terrorist attack in the Flushing area of Queens, #NYC. 1/5@EDNYnews @NewYorkFBI @TheJusticeDept @FBI @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/kscEvNaEJ0 — NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) August 30, 2019 × Awais Chudhary was planning to carry out a "lone wolf" style knife attack targeting the residents of #NYC in the name of ISIS. This case moved rapidly from planning to execution. Chudhary's target was the Flushing Bay Promenade near the World`s Fair Marina," the bureau said."Thanks to great work of the JTTF, made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, we are glad to be reporting an arrest in this case instead of a successful attack," it wrote. If convicted, Chudhary faces up to 20 years in prison.

Pakistan-origin man charged for plotting ISIS-inspired knife attack in New York City

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