New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zahraan Mamdani, has officially taken office, becoming the city’s first Muslim and Asian-American mayor. At 34, Mamdani is the youngest mayor in New York City’s history.
In his inaugural address, Mamdani emphasized unity and vowed to make life easier and more affordable for citizens. He stated, “If you’re a New Yorker, I’m your mayor.” Mamdani also highlighted the importance of his South Asian identity, referencing a Pakistani supporter who had said, “We’ve changed people’s hearts.” The video of his speech has gone viral on social media.
Mamdani began his tenure by taking the oath of office on the Quran, marking a significant moment in the city’s history. He became the first Muslim and Asian-American to hold the office.
In his address, Mamdani stressed that New York City is a city for all, where people of all languages, faiths, and cultures coexist. He promised that his administration would work to make the city more accessible and affordable for all residents, not just the wealthy.
Meanwhile, in other news:
* A severe fog advisory has been issued for various regions in the United Arab Emirates, with visibility reduced to near zero.
* The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has demanded that the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council condemn US President Donald Trump’s “illegal and inflammatory” statements.
* Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has claimed that Tesla’s AI chatbot, Grok, can provide better medical imaging results than human doctors, particularly in X-ray and MRI diagnostics.
* The UN Secretary-General has expressed concern over Israel’s decision.
* The South Korean president has announced his readiness to facilitate talks between the US and North Korea.
* The Dubai real estate market has seen a record-breaking year in 2025, with a 30.6% increase in property sales compared to 2024.
* A driver in Dubai has been fined AED 10,000 for reckless driving.
* Police in the Indian state of Kerala have seized over 1 million fake university degrees from 22 institutions.
* Muslim foreign ministers have issued a joint statement calling for the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and the opening of the Rafah crossing.
* A video of a fitness class for men at a mosque in the UK has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread interest.
* The Canadian Transportation Regulatory Authority has asked India to investigate a Canadian pilot accused of drunk driving.
* Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has provided humanitarian aid packages to Afghanistan, with the Taliban reportedly retaining half of the aid.
* Elon Musk has confirmed his financial support for the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
* A study has ranked the world’s cities based on their outdoor air quality, with some cities offering a refreshing and clean experience.
* Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari has expressed her concerns about the growing trend of humor based on obscenity in the Pakistani entertainment industry.
* Actress Ismaila Abbas has debunked rumors about her and actor Fareed Khan on social media.
* The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman have issued a statement regarding the ongoing controversy over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy.
* A court has issued a notice to witnesses in a high-profile case, asking them to appear in court on January 10.
