Andrew Cuomo tries another run for mayor – this time as an independent
Andrew Cuomo tries another run for mayor – this time as an independent
Andrew Cuomo. Photo / Getty Images
Former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said on Monday that he is running for New York mayor as an independent, weeks after he was soundly defeated in the Democratic primary.
In a video circulated on social media, Cuomo, 67, thanked his supporters for voting for him and apologised for letting them down. But he went on to say that only 13% of New Yorkers voted in the June primary and that he was 'in it to win it' in November.
He described Zohran Mamdani, the New York State Assembly member who won the Democratic primary, as having 'slick slogans and no real solutions'.
He repeated the argument he made during the primary that he was the candidate with the experience to implement the affordability agenda that Mamdani was promoting.
Just weeks ago, Cuomo lost by 12 percentage points to Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist who received more votes in a Democratic primary than any other candidate in the city's history. The upset stunned the Democratic establishment and seemed to herald the end of the Cuomo political dynasty. Before Cuomo was governor, his father, Mario Cuomo, held the position for 12 years.
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RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Violence is flaring again on the Thai-Cambodian border. Why is it so contentious?
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Cambodian authorities have not yet reported any fatalities on their side. Here's what to know about the disputed border. Tensions worsened in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a contested border area of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. Thai and Cambodian forces said they were acting in self-defence and blamed the other for the skirmish. Although military leaders from Thailand and Cambodia said they wished to de-escalate, both sides have since engaged in saber-rattling and reinforced troops along the border. Thailand took control of border checkpoints, imposed restrictions on crossings and threatened to cut electricity and internet to Cambodia's border towns. Cambodia in return stopped imports of Thai fruit and vegetables and banned Thai movies and TV dramas. Recent landmine explosions prompted both countries to downgrade relations with each other and recall diplomatic staff. 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Both sides' forces accuse each other of opening fire Thursday morning. Cambodia then fired rockets on Thai soil, Thailand said. A Thai fighter jet later dropped two bombs in Cambodian territory, Cambodia said. Cambodia's Defense Ministry condemned what it called "brutal, barbaric, and violent military aggression," accusing Thailand of violating international law. The ministry said a Thai F-16 had dropped two bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site. "Cambodia reserves the right to lawful self-defense and will respond decisively to Thailand's violent aggression," the statement said, adding that the armed forces are "fully prepared to defend the kingdom's sovereignty and its people - whatever the cost." CNN has reached out to UNESCO for comment. Thailand's 2nd regional military command in the northeast said that F-16 fighter jets had been deployed in two areas, and it claimed to have "destroyed" two Cambodian regional military support units. Army spokesperson Col. Richa Suksuwanont said the strikes were aimed only at military targets. Thailand's acting caretaker, Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia fired heavy weapons into Thailand without clear targets, leading to civilian deaths. The acting premier also said the conflict was not spreading into more provinces, according to Reuters. He added that no negotiation with Cambodia can take place until fighting along the border ends. Other countries have also weighed in, urging restraint and warning travellers against approaching the contentious border. At a briefing on Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters that the US is "gravely concerned" about the violence. "The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution of the conflicts," Pigott said. Additionally on Thursday, the United Kingdom's Foreign Ministry advised against "all but essential travel" within 50 kilometers of the Cambodia-Thailand border in either country. - CNN
NZ Herald
17 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Trump and Fed's Powell clash over Fed HQ renovation price
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NZ Herald
17 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Ghislaine Maxwell grilled by US official amid Trump Epstein case furore
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