This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21292317

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
New York Former Mayor Ed Koch dies at 88 New York Former Mayor Ed Koch dies at 88
(about 1 hour later)
Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch has died aged 88, US media report. Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch has died aged 88.
The brash, outspoken Democrat, who oversaw the city during some of its darkest years, had been in and out of hospital in recent months.The brash, outspoken Democrat, who oversaw the city during some of its darkest years, had been in and out of hospital in recent months.
Koch became mayor in 1978 when New York was graffiti-marred and crime-ridden, and was credited with saving the city from bankruptcy in the 1980s. Koch became mayor in 1978 when New York was graffiti-marred and crime-ridden, and was credited with saving the city from near-bankruptcy.
He served three terms and afterwards remained active and popular, practising law, writing, and hosting a chat show.He served three terms and afterwards remained active and popular, practising law, writing, and hosting a chat show.
Ed Koch had been battling various health problems, including heart disease. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city had "lost an irrepressible icon, our most charismatic cheerleader" and announced that flags at all city buildings would fly at half mast.
He was taken to hospital at the start of the week suffering from shortness of breath, and was moved to intensive care on Thursday for the closer monitoring of fluid in his lungs and legs, according to the Associated Press. "Through his tough, determined leadership and responsible fiscal stewardship, Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback," Mr Bloomberg said.
He died at 02:00 (07:00 GMT) at the New York-Presbyterian hospital, his spokesman George Arzt said.
His funeral will be held at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan on Monday.His funeral will be held at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan on Monday.
'Ulcers' Stroke
Koch was mayor of New York City for three terms, from 1978 to 1989, and is remembered for frequently asking residents: "How'm I doing?" Even in his 80s, Ed Koch exercised regularly, but he had been battling various health problems, including heart disease, for a long time.
His tough fiscal policies are credited with helping the city climb out of near-financial ruin and improving the subway service, but his critics say they also led to an increase in homelessness and racial tensions. He suffered a minor stroke during his last term as New York mayor, and had a pacemaker inserted in 1991.
He was known for being outspoken and combative. "I'm not the type to get ulcers," he once quipped. "I give them." In 2009, he spent five weeks in hospital where he underwent quadruple bypass surgery and had a gall-bladder operation.
Koch was a US congressman from 1968 until he ran for city hall. He was treated for anaemia in September and a respiratory infection in December, and earlier this month suffered from fluid build-up in his lungs.
Even when he left office in 1990, there was no thought of retiring. He worked as a lawyer, made regular appearances on television and wrote a number of books. Readmitted to hospital at the start of the week with shortness of breath, he was moved to intensive care on Thursday for closer monitoring of fluid in his lungs and legs.
He died at 02:00 local time (07:00 GMT) at New York-Presbyterian hospital, his spokesman George Arzt said.
'Never a phony'
Ed Koch was born to Polish immigrant parents in the Bronx in 1924. After serving as a combat infantryman in Europe, he practised law before turning to a political career.
He was a US congressman before becoming mayor of New York city in 1978, a post he retained for three terms, until 1989.
His tough fiscal policies are credited with helping the city climb out of near-financial ruin to levels of enviable prosperity. But his critics say they also led to an increase in homelessness and racial tensions. Levels of HIV and Aids also soared during that time.
Corruption scandals blighted his third term, and in 1989, Koch lost the Democratic nomination for what would have been a record fourth term as mayor.
But there was no thought of retiring when he left office. He worked as a lawyer, made regular appearances on television and wrote a number of books.
Known for his outspoken and combative style, he once quipped: "I'm the sort of person who will never get ulcers. Why? Because I say exactly what I think. I'm the sort of person who might give other people ulcers."
The Rev Al Sharpton on Friday said that although they had disagreed on many things, Koch was "never a phony or a hypocrite. He said what he meant. He meant what he said. He fought for what he believed."
Did you ever meet Ed Koch or live in New York when he was mayor? Send us your comments and memories using the form below.Did you ever meet Ed Koch or live in New York when he was mayor? Send us your comments and memories using the form below.