In today's Times, Op-Ed columnist Paul Krugman declared that yesterday "fear struck out... In the end, a vicious, unprincipled fear offensive failed to block reform... On the eve of the big vote, Republican members of Congress warned that 'freedom dies a little bit today' and accused Democrats of 'totalitarian tactics,' which I believe means the process known as 'voting.'" Meanwhile, in Niagara Falls, someone threw a brick through the front window of Democratic Rep. Louise M. Slaughter's office. more ›

In the wake of the State Senate's 38-24 rejection of a bill legalizing same-sex yesterday, advocates of gay unions will hold a rally on the north side of Union Square tonight at 6 p.m. Demonstrations are also expected in Albany and other cities, as people vent their frustration at the latest in a series of setbacks in the campaign for gay marriage equality around the nation. more ›

Well, one thing is for sure: The Nobel Prize Committee's decision to give President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize is at least giving people something to talk about this weekend! Even as the President himself admitted he didn't think he deserved the award—but said he'd accept it as a "call to action— a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century"—the decision was met with some enthusiasm and a lot more criticism. more ›

Starbucks has just introduced "Via Ready Brew," their $1 instant coffee packet, and according to CEO Howard Schultz, "It took a lot of courage to say that even though instant coffee is the worst cup of coffee you can have, we are going to reinvent it." Only time will tell whether Schultz's courage is actually madness, but the instant reaction hasn't been too favorable. Though the company insists Via "completely replicates" a fresh-brewed cup, many customers have been blanched. One tells the Daily News simply, "It's bad," while another observed, "You can get a cup of coffee for $1 on every corner of New York City that tastes better than this. Maybe it's a product for people in other cities. I don't see it selling here." more ›

Today's the first day back to work since the MTA's fare hikes went into effect over the weekend, and the city's news outlets are closely monitoring the public's response. While many experts expected commuters to greet the fare hikes with flowers and dancing on the subway platforms, it looks like they just don't appreciate the MTA's noble attempt to liberate their wallets. Many, in fact, expressed a shocking degree of contempt for the Authority: discontented subway rider Emmanuel Louis (no relation to the Webster star) tells the Daily News, "You shouldn't raise the fare if you're not going to increase service. It's just not fair." more ›

Various news outlets fanned out around Times Square to get comments from "men on the street" reacting to the news that, starting Memorial Day, Mayor Bloomberg will banish motor vehicles from Broadway, between 42nd and 47th streets and 33rd to 35th streets. Bloomberg says computer simulations determined that motorists will be able to cruise down Seventh Avenue 17% faster, and 37% more quickly up Sixth Avenue, once Broadway drivers stop interrupting traffic flow. more ›

While shoppers' enthusiasm for the new Brooklyn Ikea has been well documented today, opinion was decidedly mixed among residents who skipped the festivities at the new 346,000 square foot store. Jennifer Cohen, a Red Hook resident for the last eight years, voiced the most common concern, that the neighborhood's streets and buses would be overly taxed by thousands of shoppers descending on the store, which is far from the subway. more ›