Before launching a campaign that would go on to capture the imagination of many New Yorkers, Mamdani was a little-known state assemblyman. For many voters, 2025 was the first time they had even heard of his name. 

Yet the core message of his campaign — affordability — resonated in one of the most expensive cities in the world and its de facto financial capital. On November 4, Mamdani won 50.74 percent of the vote, enough to defy expectations and overcome attacks that often went for his African, Asian and Muslim identity. 

But what does a Mamdani-run New York mean for the Global South, if anything at all?

Representation and access

Mamdani is among a small number of senior elected officials in the United States whose personal background is rooted in the developing world. For officials and observers in Africa, Asia and the Middle East , that has drawn attention, even as expectations remain limited.

To be clear, his election does not alter Washington’s stance on trade, security or development assistance. New York’s mayor does not set US foreign policy. But it does place a Global South-born leader at the helm of a city where embassies, consulates and multilateral missions are densely concentrated, and where access to local political leadership often shapes day-to-day diplomatic and economic engagement.

Global South leader for Global South communities

More than one in three New York residents were born outside the United States, according to census data, with large communities originating from Latin America, South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The city’s economy depends heavily on migrant labour and transnational business networks, while remittances sent from New York sustain households across the developing world.

In that context, Mamdani’s background is not merely symbolic. It intersects directly with the lived realities of a significant share of the city’s population, many of whom navigate the same pressures of cost, precarity and access that shape urban politics across the Global South.

Policy and stance

Affordability sat at the centre of Mamdani’s campaign, reflecting mounting pressure from housing costs, transport fares and basic living expenses. In key respects, the challenges facing New York increasingly mirror those long familiar to major cities in the Global South — rapid growth, entrenched inequality and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity.

Mamdani has also signalled an awareness of struggles that resonate across the Global South. He has been outspoken on the war in Gaza, a stance that has drawn criticism — particularly over his past refusal to condemn the phrase “globalise the intifada”. He later said he would discourage the term’s use.

Migration has been another central theme. In his victory speech, Mamdani declared: “New York will remain a city of immigrants — a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”

He later underscored that position during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, a leading proponent of hardline immigration policies, where the newly elected mayor sought to press New York’s case directly at the White House.

A model

For many in the Global South, Mamdani’s rise carries a quieter implication. Sure, his story is not a conventional rags-to-riches narrative. He was born into privilege, the son of an Oscar-nominated filmmaker and a Columbia University professor.

Yet his ascent to power, despite persistent scrutiny of his Global South roots, suggests that individuals born outside the traditional centres of power can still reach the highest levels of political authority in the Global North. 

Whether his tenure ultimately succeeds or falters, his election alone stands as evidence that pathways into Western power structures, while narrow, are not entirely closed.

“Of course, we’ve seen these election results, but it does not, of course, undermine the incredible, enormous relationship the Prime Minister has with President Trump, and the accomplishments that we have been able to get to because of this relationship that they have forged together,” said Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian.

“We have a bond that is stronger than ever between Israel and the United States right now, and of course, it’s based on our shared democratic values and dedication to our security and peace for countries in the entire free world,” Bedrosian added.

Mamdani won more than 50% of the votes to become New York’s first Muslim mayor and first mayor born in Africa , as well as the youngest mayor since 1892. 

During his campaign, Mamdani was tough on Israel, asserting that the country was committing genocide in Gaza, where nearly 70,000 have been killed in a dragging battle between Israeli forces and the Palestinian group Hamas. 

Mamdani had also labeled Netanyahu a “ war criminal.”

For his part, Trump, who had endorsed the No. 2 candidate for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo, said any Jew who voted for Mamdani is a “proven and self-professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!”

Mamdani’s win is historic . At 34 years old, he becomes both the youngest mayor in more than a century of New York governance and the first Muslim and first South Asian to occupy the office.

His campaign, grounded in progressive aims, from housing affordability to expanded public services access, clearly resonated in a moment when voters signalled an appetite for change.

Cuomo’s comeback bid fell short, despite his experience and name recognition. While grabbing 41.6 % of the vote, he was unable to overcome a campaign anchored in the past, while the electorate looked forward. Meanwhile, Sliwa’s campaign struggled for traction in the liberal-leaning city, capturing just over 7 % of the vote.

The map in the image bears out these dynamics: large swathes of blue signalling Mamdani support spread across many boroughs, while gold-colored areas mark Cuomo’s strengths in some regions. It’s a visual reflection not only of political affiliation but of generational and demographic shifts.

On the national front, the result feeds into a broader narrative of Democratic “rejuvenation” in urban centres. Just as younger, more diverse voices are reshaping city halls, they’re also increasingly visible in national legislatures and party leadership circles. The emphasis on housing, cost-of-living and local public services echoes similar priorities in cities from London to Lagos.

According to a visual analysis by World Visualized , the ten tallest buildings currently shaping New York’s skyline are led by One World Trade Centre, standing proudly at 541.3 meters, a poignant reminder of renewal and hope. Following closely is Central Park Tower, soaring 472.4 meters into the sky as the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere.

Third on the list, 111 West 57th Street, also known as the Steinway Tower, measures 435.3 meters and is celebrated for its slender, almost impossibly narrow silhouette that defies engineering norms.

Rounding out the top five are One Vanderbilt at 427 meters and 432 Park Avenue at 425.8 meters, both hallmark examples of Manhattan’s modern supertall era. Just behind them stands the under-construction 270 Park Avenue, the future JPMorgan Chase Tower, which is expected to reach 423.1 meters in height when completed later this year.

Further down the list, 30 Hudson Yards rises to 387.1 meters, a symbol of Manhattan’s westward expansion and one of the city’s most transformative urban developments. The Empire State Building, once the world ’s tallest, still commands admiration at 381 meters, standing as a timeless icon amidst newer giants.

The Bank of America Tower follows at 365.8 meters, and 3 World Trade Centre completes the ranking at 328.9 meters, reinforcing Lower Manhattan’s role as a cornerstone of the city’s skyline.

These measurements align with verified data from The Infrastructure Index , which tracks structural heights and construction milestones across the globe. Additional architectural insights can be found on The Tower Info , which highlights several upcoming developments, including 175 Park Avenue (Project Commodore), that are poised to reshape the rankings in the near future.

“With its 54 states and over 1.2 billion inhabitants, Africa cannot remain on the sidelines of decisions that affect international peace and security," he added.

The UNSC is composed of 15 members—5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.

The permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States , and the ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

Currently, only 3 African countries – Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia – are on the council. 

Algeria and Sierra Leone will end their terms on the Council at the end of 2025, and Somalia at the end of 2026.

The incident occurred when the vessel, with a 147-foot (45-metre) mast, attempted to pass under the Brooklyn Bridge.

The ship’s masts exceeded the clearance of the arched structure, causing them to break upon impact. The damaged vessel was later seen near the Manhattan Bridge with all three of its masts down.

“We were saying goodbye to all the guys who were already leaving, the boat had already left, a few seconds after it had left the dock where it was, suddenly we saw all the lights crashing, hitting the bridge and then everyone fell down,” an eyewitness told AFP.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams provided further details in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. He disclosed that the Cuauhtémoc “lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.” 

He added that among the 277 people on board, 19 were injured, two remained in critical condition, and two others had died as a result of their injuries.

However, the Mexican Navy also reported that 22 individuals aboard the vessel sustained injuries. Of those, 19 were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment, including three in serious condition.

Mayor Adams noted that the Brooklyn Bridge did not sustain any structural damage and has since reopened to the public.

Visitors are calling the tradition magical and heartwarming.

"Every year we come to see the tree. It’s incredible how they make it so big and beautiful," said Pablo Querubín, who visited with his family.

Santa Claus also made an appearance, to take photos with visitors.

People are also enjoying the decorated window displays on Fifth Avenue, including those at Saks department store.

His goal is to raise $1 million to expand access to education for millions of disadvantaged children throughout the continent. Onakoya aims to achieve this by engaging in a gruelling chess marathon, facing off against multiple opponents over 58 consecutive hours, all within the iconic New York Times Square.

The Chess in Slums convener aims to surpass the current record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set by Norway's Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingtad in 2018.

Taking to Instagram, Onakoya expressed the daunting nature of the challenge, stating, "This is by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but one thing I know for sure is I will not be alone through it all. Need everyone’s support now more than ever to raise awareness and support for the incredible work we do at chess in slums and the gift of chess."

This competition follows Onakoya's remarkable performance earlier this year when he engaged in a simultaneous chess match against 10 players in Germany.

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