New York, Jan. 1 -- Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who rose to prominence on a campaign centred on tackling affordability in one of the most expensive cities in the United States, was sworn in early Thursday as New York City's 112th mayor.

At 34, Mamdani makes history as the city's first Muslim mayor, its first South Asian mayor, and the youngest person to hold the office in more than a century.

"This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said moments after taking the oath, CNN reported.

The former Queens-based state assemblyman stunned the political establishment with his victory in the Democratic primary last summer, running on a platform focused on easing the cost-of-living burden. His campaign pledge...