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A bud opens in NYC

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A bud opens in NYC


New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji smile as confetti falls after his ceremonial inauguration as mayor at City Hall on anuary 1, 2026. — AFP

Overall, you may agree, the New Year has not brought good tidings. It has not lifted our spirits. Soothsayers have warned us that it will likely be a violent, chaotic year. That also seems to be the legacy that 2025 has left behind.

And so, I was all set to write a column to project this sense of gloom. If you have read and heard the year-end reviews in the mainstream media, you will have evidence to make a similar assessment. Even this wedding season allows guests to grumble together amid all that glamour and glitter.

But after midnight on Thursday, while waiting for the live coverage of Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as the new mayor of New York City, I changed my mind. How could I have ignored this moment of history? Isn’t 2026 now the year of Mamdani?

We have already experienced the thrill and magic of how a 34-year-old Muslim of South Asian parents was elected the mayor of the foremost city of the world in a country that had elected Donald Trump as its president a year earlier. First, it was the nomination of Mamdani in the Democratic primary and then the election itself. The world has witnessed a new kind of revolution in a democratic setting.

I would want to say that while rejoicing in the glory of Mamdani, we can leave the world behind for the time being. However, there was an uncanny reminder that the world cannot be left behind. It so happened that details about the tragedy in which around 40 people were killed when fire ripped through a bar in a Swiss ski resort had emerged at about the same time that the media was reporting the inauguration being held in New York.

Anyhow, anywhere in the world and particularly in the US, the beginning of a new era in New York was the news that mattered. For many, there still would be a sense of disbelief that such a young man who was a proclaimed socialist and a Muslim was taking charge of the richest city in the world. This is how miracles happen.

I am sure there will be millions in distant corners of the world who watched that ceremony and were overwhelmed with emotion — like me. It is really rare to have this experience, to feel that you are an observer of history in the making. Yes, Sadiq Khan had also made history when he was elected the mayor of London, the greatest city in the world before New York — and I will come to that in a while.

I need a pause to say something about my fascination with New York, the ultimate city. Reading about it in literature and watching its awe-inspiring grandeur in Hollywood movies in my youth had stirred a deep longing to visit the city and walk its streets. Now that I have come to know the city through my intermittent visits, the allure and the mystery of what it really is persist. I continue to read about it, mostly in memoirs and biographies. New York, New York.

What will Mamdani do with his promises? Let me go back to the inauguration. Actually, before the midday public event, which was attended by thousands of shivering supporters, in sub-zero temperatures, a modest swearing-in ceremony was held just after midnight.

In his first speech as mayor, he spoke these headline-making words: “Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously”. He assured New Yorkers that he intended to carry out his affordability agenda and would refuse to “reset expectations” for what government can and should do for the working class and the unprotected. “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist”, he said.

Separate reports in American and foreign media say he took his oath on a Quran. Senator Bernie Sanders administered the oath of office with Mamdani resting his hand on two Qurans held by his wife Rama Duwaji.

There are stories about where those two Qurans came from.

As I said, history was also made when Sadiq Khan, son of a Pakistani bus driver, was elected mayor of London. He had taken his oath on a Quran and this was widely noted and commented upon. By the way, he again made history when he was elected mayor for the third term in 2024.

The occasion when he first took his oath on a Quran had occurred earlier, when he became a member of the Queen’s Privy Council in 2009. An anecdote about it was reported by the BBC and it became well-known. Buckingham Palace called Sadiq Khan to ask if he would be sworn in before the Queen and what sort of Bible he would like.

Sadiq Khan, as quoted by BBC, said: “I swear on the Quran. I’m a Muslim”. They said they did not have a Quran. Could he bring his own? In Sadiq’s words: “So I went to Buckingham Palace with my Quran and afterwards they returned it and I said, ‘No, can I leave it here for the next person’?”.

On Thursday, after Mamdani, two other senior officials took oath. One of them said: “How remarkable it is that on these steps today, we have three swearings-in. One by a leader using a Quran, one by a leader using a Christian Bible and one by a leader using a Chumash, or Hebrew Bible. I am proud to live in a city where this is possible”.

Sure. But so many of us who are not New Yorkers will be closely watching what these leaders do and how it will impact the rest of the country. What is already obvious is that the Left is ascendant in New York. In his speech, Bernie Sanders thanked New York “for inspiring our nation” from coast to coast. Wish he could say this for the rest of the world.


The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: [email protected]


Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the writer’s own and don’t necessarily reflect Geo.tv’s editorial policy.




Originally published in The News





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Opposition to all terror outfits, not only TTP, says KP CM Sohail Afridi

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Opposition to all terror outfits, not only TTP, says KP CM Sohail Afridi


Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is seen visiting an area in Karachi on January 9, 2025. — X@faizannriaz
  • Sohail Afridi to meet Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah: Shafi Jan.
  • KP’s development being reversed, says chief minister.
  • KP CM laments treatment meted out in Lahore.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Thursday that he opposes all terrorist organisations, not just the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — also referred to as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’.

The chief minister’s clarification comes after the government accused the government in KP of facilitating terrorists, with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar calling PTI the “political wing” of TTP. The military’s spokesperson has also said that the provincial government was responsible for rising terrorism.

Speaking to reporters at the Karachi Press Club, the chief minister stressed that he would also meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, if invited, to address the issue of terrorism.

“I will meet the PM 100%. I will meet him because my province is being affected by terrorism,” he assured the journalists and noted that the “development” in the province was “being reversed” due to the menace.

He also mentioned that terrorists were relocated in the province earlier. The KP CM stated that all parties, including provincial and federal governments, as well as law enforcement agencies, will need to join forces to address the issue of terrorism.

“A decision made collectively, with our input included, will be effective,” he added.

The KP CM is in Karachi for his party’s street mobilisation campaign. After his Punjab tour, he is now in Sindh. From the airport, the KP chief minister reached Karachi Press Club in six hours along with large crowd of party supporters.

Speaking to journalists at the press club, Afridi said that he had also visited Punjab but was not treated well there. “In Lahore, wherever we went to eat, the market would be shut,” Afridi said, questioning where the Constitution barred a chief minister from engaging in politics in another province.

Commenting on Sindh, the chief minister said the legacy of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was still visible in the province. He added that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had assured him of cooperation during his visit to Karachi. He said that if the Sindh chief minister visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he would be accorded full respect and hospitality.

Afridi said welfare initiatives, including programmes under Ehsaas, were ongoing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, providing free medical treatment of up to Rs2 million to citizens. He alleged that the federation was not releasing the province’s due share of funds.

The chief minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was producing the cheapest electricity in the country, benefiting all of Pakistan. He added that if the province received funds according to its constitutional rights, it would have progressed more than other provinces.

Afridi said only a party with 17 seats was sitting in the federal government, alleging that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being treated unfairly. He claimed that while other provinces had received their NFC shares from 2018 to 2025, KP had not.

Upon arrival at Karachi airport, the KP CM was welcomed by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Saeed Ghani at the airport, who presented him with Sindhi topi and Ajrak.

“I will hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi at 4:30pm on Sunday,” said CM Afridi in a message ahead of his Sindh visit, which has commenced after he landed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport today.

The KP chief minister said he will spread the message of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan to every nook and corner of Sindh and urged the people of Sindh to extend all-out support to the PTI in the preparations for the street movement. “We will hold the largest rally in Karachi’s history,” CM Afridi said.

However, contrary to the KP CM’s announcement, the district administration has said that no permission has been given to the PTI yet to hold a public rally.

Permission to hold a rally will be granted after security clearance is received, added the administration.

Meanwhile, KP CM’s aide on information, Shafi Jan, said that CM Afridi will also meet Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah on Monday (January 12), and will also hold meetings with party leadership at the Insaf House, followed by a visit to the press club during his stay in Sindh.

“A big rally will be held at the Mazar-e-Quaid on January 11. [KP] CM’s visit to Sindh is important to further accelerate the street movement,” Jan remarked.

Afridi will travel to Hyderabad today, his office has said. According to Jan, the chief minister will address members of the Hyderabad Bar Council and the Press Club.

After his addresses, he is expected to attend the ISF Convention, meet with the party cabinet and hold discussions with local community leaders on the same day. Afridi will also lead rallies in both Hyderabad and Kotri, according to Jan.

Sindh govt assures facilitation

Meanwhile, speaking on KP CM’s visit on Geo News’ programme “Geo Pakistan” today, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon said that the provincial government will ensure free movement of CM Afridi and welcome him.

“KP CM will have full liberty to go wherever he wants [during Sindh visit] and take part in political activities,” Memon said, while adding that the dignitary will be provided due security and protocol.

When asked about repercussions of possible political activities, such as traffic jams, the Sindh minister said that the provincial government’s stance is that the PTI should inform them about their political activities, and if needed, they would be provided ground to hold any public gathering.

However, Memon warned against any activity contrary to the law or which causes nuisance for the public.

“[KP CM] can undertake whatever activities he wishes while adhering to the law,” he remarked.

Pointing out the ideological differences with the PTI, Memon said that criticism is part of politics, but it should not result in intolerance.

PM’s aide warns of FIRs

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed that the PTI was not in a position to launch any street movement, warning that its planned wheel-jam strike on February 8 was illegal and would not be allowed under the law.

The PM’s aide, speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, said that the Imran Khan-founded party wanted to paralyse traffic on February 8, but such a strike had no legal cover.

He cautioned that if the party resorted to any disruptive actions, it would face legal consequences, including the registration of FIRs, and would later have no grounds for complaint.

He went on to say that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister was himself engaged in unlawful activities, adding that his travel was illegal. He maintained that there was no possibility of success for PTI’s protest movement.

He said there was no objection to PTI’s political activities in Karachi; however, he made it clear that the Sindh government would not grant permission for any wheel-jam strike.





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Princess Kate receives precious gift from King Charles

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Princess Kate receives precious gift from King Charles


King Charles views Princess as a great asset and calming influence within the royal family

Kate Middleton has reportedly received a personal gift from King Charles on her big day, according to new report.

“King Charles along with Queen Camilla will give a joint gift. A personal heirloom or a priceless yet heartfelt gift is certain for the King’s darling daughter-in-law,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard explained.

The expert went on: “King Charles views her as a great asset and calming influence within the royal family.”

Kate and Charles’ special bond deepened by their shared health challenges.

The monarch’s cancer treatment still continues while Princess Kate is in remission after winning her battle against the disease.

Princess Kate marked 44th birthday with a deeply personal video about the comfort she has taken from nature during her cancer treatment.

The emotional video sparked reactions from fans, with many wishing her a lovely.

One fan wrote: “Happy Birthday, Your Royal Highness. What a beautiful video. The darkness of the diagnosis and chemo journey I know so well, yet the joy and the colours of life we experience when out the far side is immeasurable! We are blessed beyond measure to life this wonderful life.”





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Nick Reiner makes shocking claims after allegations of parents’ murder

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Nick Reiner makes shocking claims after allegations of parents’ murder


Nick Reiner breaks silence on being accused of committing homicide in his house

Nick Reiner spoke out in his defence ahead of his arraignment, while he is behind bars for allegedly murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

The 32-year-old writer and filmmaker believes that he is being framed for his parents’ murder despite allegedly being aware of his “crime,” noted an insider.

While Nick has been on mental health watch during his confinement, the source shared that he seems not to understand why he is in jail, as per TMZ.

The claim comes after the Being Charlie writer had his arraignment delayed for a second time because of his lawyer, Alan Jackson, suddenly backing off.

As of now, Nick will have LA County Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene defending him, and the arraignment will be on February 23.

Soon after the accused was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, it was revealed that Nick is diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been exhibiting erratic behaviour since a recent change in his prescription.

He was arrested after the famed director and his wife were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood house on December 14.





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