Who would have thought that a boy from Uganda would become the New York mayor one day? Zohran Mamdani — a 34-year-old democratic socialist — shocked everyone and became the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of the biggest city in the United States.

Mamdani was virtually unknown before his upset victory to secure the Democratic nomination over former governor Andrew Cuomo, whom he trounced again on Tuesday.

Unlike his opponents, Mamdani focused on reducing living costs for ordinary New Yorkers, building support through his informal personal style and social-media-friendly clips of him walking the streets chatting with voters.

The son of a filmmaker mother and a scholar father, he arrived in New York at the age of seven. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

The mock-election

He was only twelve when he won his first election. Yes, his first — a mock mayoral election at Bank Street School for Children.

The mock election was meant for eighth-graders. Mamdani, who was in seventh grade at that time, asked the school to participate as a third-party. And when the results were announced, Mamdani wiped out the field.

Footballer and rapper

Mamdani’s childhood was a blend of train rides, football fandom, rapping, and political debates.

Before entering politics, he worked as a housing counsellor, helping low-income homeowners in Queens fight eviction.

The love life

Mamdani and his wife, 27-year-old Syrian-American animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji, met on the dating app Hinge in 2021, whom he credits with helping him “to better use social media”.

The improbable campaign

Inspired by Bernie Sanders to become a socialist, Mamdani began his mayoral campaign with a fresh perspective.

Along with in-person campaigning, he used social media platforms to build support through his informal personal style and friendly clips of him walking the streets chatting with voters.

The vote

On Election Day, Mamdani stood outside a polling station in Queens — the same borough whose tenants he once defended — and cast the vote that could make him the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

And finally, Mamdani, capping a meteoric rise from a little-known state lawmaker to one of the country’s most visible Democratic figures, won the New York City mayoral race. 

The world beyond New York joined New Yorkers in celebration on Wednesday, as Zohran Mamdani’s historic mayoral campaign culminated in a resounding victory.

The 34-year-old democratic socialist made history by becoming the first Muslim mayor of the largest US city, defeating Democratic former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani faced harsh criticism from conservative media commentators and also from US President Donald Trump over his policies and Muslim heritage.

However, the fierce attacks on the young lawmaker appeared to have little impact on New Yorkers’ spirits, who erupted in celebration after he was declared mayor.

Prominent politicians from beyond the city, including former US President Bill Clinton, were among those who joined New Yorkers in their celebrations.

Taking to X, Clinton congratulated Mamdani on his victory, while wishing for his success in “building a better, fairer, more affordable New York”.

“Congratulations [Zohran Mamdani] on your election as the next Mayor of New York City. I’m wishing you success as you work to transform the passion of your campaign into building a better, fairer, more affordable New York,” the former US president wrote.

British politician Jeremy Corbyn, who is Member of Parliament for Islington North, credited Mamdani for igniting “a grassroots campaign.

“This is a seismic victory — not only for the people of New York, but for all those who believe that humanity and hope can prevail,” he wrote in his post on X.

California Governor Gavin Newsom termed the election result a “message to Donald Trump” that there will be “no crowns, no thrones, no kings”.

“Tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result,” he said.

Mamdani’s election campaign and his triumph in the polls appeared to have also inspired other politicians to follow his footsteps.

Zack Polanski, leader of England’s Green Party, vowed to adopt “the same relentless focus on inequality” as Mamdani had, as per a report by BBC.

The victory also triggered hope for a political shift in Uganda, where Mamdani was born.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the opposition leader in the Ugandan Parliament, said that the Democratic socialist’s victory proved that an “inspiring political shift” was also possible in his home country, The Washington Post reported.

• US considering Saudi Arabian request to buy 48 F-35 fighter jets.
• US official acknowledges weapons deal moving through system.
• Saudi Arabia has sought fighter jets to modernise its air force.

The Trump administration is considering a Saudi Arabian request to buy as many as 48 F-35 fighter jets, a potential multi-billion-dollar deal that has cleared a key Pentagon hurdle ahead of a visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, two sources familiar with the matter said.

A sale would mark a significant policy shift, potentially altering the military balance in the Middle East and testing Washington’s definition of maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge.”

Saudi Arabia made a direct appeal earlier this year to US President Donald Trump and has long been interested in Lockheed Martin’s (LMT.N), opens new tab fighter, one of the people and a US official said. 

The Pentagon is now weighing a potential sale of 48 of the advanced aircraft, the US official and the person familiar with the talks told Reuters. The size of the request and its status have not been previously reported.

The US official and a second US official, who acknowledged the weapons deal was moving through the system, said no final decision has been made and several more steps are needed before the ultimate nod, including further approvals at the Cabinet level, sign-off from Trump and notification of Congress.

The Pentagon’s policy department worked on the potential transaction for months, and the case has now progressed to the secretary level within the Defense Department, according to one of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Pentagon, White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said military sales are government-to-government transactions and the matter is best addressed by Washington.

Washington weighs weapons sales to the Middle East in a way that ensures Israel maintains a “qualitative military edge”. This guarantees that Israel gets more advanced US weapons than regional Arab states.

The F-35, built with stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy detection, is considered the world’s most advanced fighter jet. Israel has operated the aircraft for nearly a decade, building multiple squadrons, and remains the only Middle Eastern country to possess the weapons system.

Saudi Arabia, the largest customer for US arms, has sought the fighter for years as it looks to modernise its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. The kingdom’s renewed push for what would constitute two squadrons comes as the Trump administration has signaled openness to deepening defense cooperation with Riyadh. The Saudi Air Force flies a mix of fighter aircraft including Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab F-15s, European Tornados and Typhoons.