New York state reduces penalties for marijuana possession

High waters and heavy rain are seen through a vehicle's window in New York as Storm Ida wreaks further havoc on the northeast United States. The storm has forced airport closures and state of emergency declarations in the state and neighbouring New Jersey.

Critics say a plan to consolidate media regulatory agencies will further shrink press freedom in the country. Journalists and opposition parties have decried the law as "draconian" and unconstitutional.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.⁣

After his small Manhattan food stand lost its customers during the coronavirus pandemic, Abdul Rahman -- an Afghan vendor who arrived in New York in 1992 -- has resumed service, albeit at a fraction of former business since offices are still far from full. Rahman and the thousands of street vendors like him were hoping things would finally go back to normal in September. But that's far from the case.

Anti-vaccine mandate demonstrators in New York rally against Australia's Covid-19 measures and protest outside the Australian consulate in the city. Protesters chant "Save Australia" as they tear down a free Covid-19 testing stand on the street.

A man on a skateboard throws paint on a bronze sculpture of George Floyd in New York's Union Square on Sunday, as showed in surveillance footage published by New York City Police Department.

New York's Comic Con returns for the first time in-person since the Covid-19 pandemic began, with enthusiasts dressing up as their favourite superheroes and other characters. Last year, the event was held online.

Rifaat al-Assad, dubbed the butcher of Hama, was exiled by the Syrian president's late father. He was facing four years behind bars in France for laundering embezzled funds.

It's the world's longest certified foot race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants not across America but around the same New York block 5,649 times. Runners complete more than two marathons a day for almost two months, on less than five hours sleep a night.

A charge has been filed against New York's former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The disgraced politician stepped down after facing allegations of serial sexual harassment.

Former police captain Eric Adams is set to become the next mayor of New York City after winning Tuesday's vote. The Democratic candidate has a nuanced stance on law enforcement issues, as both an African American man and a former officer. In his acceptance speech, Adams called for unity, while telling his story of a working-class child who grew up to become mayor.

Kenya's Albert Korir won the men's New York Marathon for the first time on Sunday with a time of 2 hours 8 minutes and 22 seconds.His compatriot Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning Olympic champion, secured the women's title yet again in the iconic race with a time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 39 seconds.