• 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.

As Zohran Mamdani makes history as New York City’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor, attention has turned to the woman who quietly shaped his campaign from behind the scenes, his wife, Rama Duwaji.

The 28-year-old Syrian-American artist, raised in Dallas and educated in Dubai, has become the city’s youngest-ever First Lady. Though she largely stayed out of the public eye during the campaign, Duwaji was instrumental in building Mamdani’s visual and digital identity, from designing his campaign logo and colours to amplifying his viral social media presence, New York Post reported citing CNN.

Those close to the couple describe Duwaji as reserved but deeply influential. While she avoided debates, major appearances and interviews, her creative direction and private support are said to have been central to Mamdani’s campaign strategy. 

Her Instagram, which has now grown to over 160,000 followers, remains dedicated mostly to her art — including pro-Palestinian work — with only a single post celebrating her husband’s primary victory, captioned: “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”

Before the campaign intensified, the couple reportedly discussed how Mamdani’s political ambitions might compromise their privacy, a balance Duwaji has carefully maintained. 

In a May post, Mamdani defended his wife’s wish to remain out of sight, writing: “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”

Friends describe her as thoughtful, creative and quietly confident. One friend even called her “our modern-day Princess Diana” — a nod to her grace under pressure and the curiosity she inspires. 

Others said she was excited but overwhelmed by the growing attention as the campaign gained traction.

Duwaji, who works as a ceramist and illustrator, has repeatedly declined interviews and has never addressed why she has chosen to stay out of the limelight.

She met Mamdani on the dating app Hinge in 2021. The couple live in a rent-stabilised apartment in Astoria, Queens, and tied the knot in a civil ceremony at the City Clerk’s Office in February before celebrating with an extravagant wedding in Uganda in July.

Behind New York’s new mayor stands an artist who chose to let her work — not her words — help shape a movement.

DALLAS, TEXAS: In a historic outcome, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic and socialist candidate, has won the New York City mayoral election with a decisive lead.

His victory marks a new chapter in the city’s political history and has sent ripples across the United States. Mamdani has become New York’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor.

Just a day before Mamdani’s win, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a controversial statement, announcing that he would impose a “100% tariff”  on anyone moving from New York City to Texas. Abbott posted the declaration on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“After the polls close tomorrow night, I will impose a 100% tariff on anyone moving to Texas from NYC”.

Although Abbott’s remark appeared to be a political jab, it ignited serious legal and ethical debate. Under the US Constitution, states cannot impose tariffs on individuals, as every citizen has the constitutional right to freely travel, reside and work in any state.

President Donald Trump, who endorsed former governor Andrew Cuomo in the race, sharply criticised Mamdani, calling him a “communist”. Trump warned that if Mamdani were elected, “New York City would become a total economic and social disaster.”

Despite fierce attacks, Mamdani’s campaign — focused on affordability, free childcare, free public buses and rent freezes — resonated strongly with voters. Following the election results, celebrations broke out across New York, while Abbott’s “100% tariff” statement was widely mocked on social media as unconstitutional, provocative and even humorous.

Political analysts say Mamdani’s victory represents the rise of a new urban political movement in America — one driven by middle-class families, renters and younger voters gravitating towards socialist ideas and economic justice.

Meanwhile, in Texas, Abbott’s statement has become the subject of memes and online satire. One user joked:

“If Mamdani’s already won, Abbott might as well impose a tariff on New York ideas too.”

This blend of humour and politics reflects a deeper reality: the 2025 elections have become more than a political contest — they are a battle of ideologies and values shaping America’s future.