Bloomberg: No Smoking in Central Park

New ad campaign urges smokers to 'reclaim' New York City

(NEWSER) - It was bound to happen: Reynolds American is launching a new ad campaign riffing on New York City's new anti-smoking legislation. “Smokers, switch to smoke-free Camel Snus and reclaim the world’s greatest city,” one ad urges. The ads began running in newspapers last week, just as the new laws took effect, the Wall Street Journal reports. Smoking is now prohibited in the city's 1,700 parks, along its 14 miles of public beaches, and in other public areas. More»

Ex-prez remembers excitement, Mayor Bloomberg perplexed

(NEWSER) - New York City's Times Square is a lot safer than it used be, Bill Clinton says, but he's still a little nostalgic for the pre-Rudy Giuliani seediness. "I still have vivid memories of it. Romantic, fascinating," Clinton said, recalling a time when he was a wide-eyed 18-year-old visitor. "I saw a hooker approach a gray flannel suit. Pretty heavy stuff for a guy from Arkansas." Clinton said he feels that New Yorkers are definitely better off now that they have a sanitized—and pedestrianized—Times Square More»

Smoking vehicle with crude bomb doesn't detonate

(AP) - Police found an "amateurish" but potentially powerful bomb that began to detonate last night but failed to explode in a smoking sport utility vehicle in Times Square. Thousands of tourists were cleared from the streets for 10 hours while the bomb was dismantled. "We avoided what could have been a very deadly event," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "It certainly could have had a pretty big fire and a decent amount of explosive impact." More»

(NEWSER) - Robert Burck, the “Naked Cowboy” who strolls New York’s Times Square, is planning a run for mayor there, WABC-TV reports. The guitar slinger in underpants will challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg by “bringing transparency to a whole new level.” Burck says he’ll also run on his ideas about taxes, tourism, gay nuptials, national security, and public transportation. More»

Mayor unveils pedestrian-friendly midtown makeover

(NEWSER) - New York is turning the Great White Way into the Great Walk Way, the New York Times reports. Mayor Bloomberg announced plans yesterday to turn five blocks of Broadway around Times Square into a pedestrian zone complete with tables and landscaping starting this May. City officials say the plan will ease the area's fearsome congestion but some worry the area's spirit will be lost. More»