New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Faces Election Disinformation Probe and Water Rate Hike

An Israeli technology firm, BlackCore, is under investigation for orchestrating coordinated online smear campaigns against pro‑Palestine and left‑wing candidates in several elections, including the 2025 New York City mayoral race won by Zohran Mamdani. France’s disinformation detection service Viginum identified hundreds of fake social‑media accounts that posted more than 1,400 coordinated comments targeting Scotland’s first minister John Swinney and candidates of France’s La France Insoumise party. The firm is also alleged to have operated similar operations in Angola and Togo. French authorities have opened two investigations into BlackCore’s activities.

In New York, Mayor Mamdani’s administration approved a 6 % increase in water rates effective 1 July, raising the average homeowner’s annual bill by about $100 and adding $60 per unit for apartment buildings. The hike was pre‑included in the city’s budget plan and approved by the Water Board despite opposition from elected officials, homeowner groups, and rate‑payers. Critics say the increase benefits the city’s general fund while placing a burden on taxpayers.

Both stories highlight ongoing political and fiscal challenges faced by Mayor Mamdani’s tenure.