Zohran Mamdani's Chances of Beating Eric Adams, According to Polls
As of 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Mamdani had a 73.6 percent chance of winning the election in November. He was followed by incumbent Mayor Eric Adams on 19.4 percent, and Cuomo on 4.9 percent.
Newsweek contacted Mamdani, Cuomo and Adams for comment outside of regular workings hours.
Mamdani will be the frontrunner in the November general election as New York City remains a liberal stronghold. The winner of the election will likely become a national figure as the mayor of the largest city in the United States, and play a key role addressing challenges like housing and the cost-of-living in the city.
For Cuomo, the mayoral race is a chance at a comeback after he resigned as governor in 2021 over a report from Attorney General Letitia James' office that alleged he sexually harassed multiple female employees and created a toxic working environment. Cuomo has denied the allegations.
On Tuesday night, Cuomo conceded defeat to Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic socialist.
With 93 percent of votes counted, Mamdani led with 43.5 percent of first-place votes to Cuomo's 36.5 percent. The race's ultimate outcome will still be decided by a ranked choice count.
In May, Cuomo said that he planned to run in November's general election as an independent for the newly created "Fight and Deliver Party," meaning he can still be on the ballot despite losing the Democratic primary.
"This November, in addition to securing the Democratic nomination, my campaign will work to build the largest possible coalition and secure the biggest possible mandate. We will be responsive to those who want to support my candidacy, but who would like an alternate way to do it," he said last month.
Adams has also announced that he plans to stand as an independent. It follows backlash over his indictment on corruption charges, and the Department of Justice's subsequent decision to abandon the case. Adams has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Several polls conducted prior to the Democratic primary had Cuomo as the favorite. An Emerson College survey of 833 likely voters, conducted between June 18 and 20, gave Cuomo a 35 percent chance of victory, ahead of Mamdani on 32 percent, and Adams on eight percent.
A YouGov survey conducted for Yale University between June 17 and 23 gave Cuomo 38 percent of the vote, ahead of Mamdani on 28 percent, and Adams on 12 percent. The survey polled 341 likely voters.
New York mayoral elections use the ranked choice voting system, meaning voters can rank up to five candidates. The candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated in each round, and their votes are redistributed to their supporters' next choice.
Mamdani said in a speech on Tuesday night: "Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, 'It always seems impossible until it is done.' My friends, we have done it. I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City."
Cuomo said after conceding defeat: "I want to applaud the assemblyman for a really smart and good and impactful campaign. Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won."
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on X, formerly Twitter: "Congratulations, Zohran Mamdani! Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city. Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won."
Voters across New York will go to the polls on November 4 to decide the city's next mayor.
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2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Exclusive: EU Ambassador Reveals Next Challenges After Trump Trade Deal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Newsweek, European Union Ambassador to the United States Jovita Neliupšienė revealed the next priorities for the 27-member bloc in navigating the challenges associated with the longstanding and evolving partnership with the U.S. and other top geopolitical issues. The conversation comes days after President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a historic trade deal, halving the 30 percent tariff rate threatened by the U.S. leader on most EU goods and spurring hopes of re-stabilizing transatlantic ties. Neliupšienė said the deal has helped to achieve a level of "predictability and certainty" in the bilateral relationship. Now, the EU is moving to address lingering trials on other fronts, particularly as they relate to Russia's war in Ukraine, China's growing economic influence and the need for Europe to assert itself more strongly on the world stage. And while Neliupšienė argues that the EU is currently looking to shore up independent security capabilities across Europe, she also said that it was simultaneously seeking to bolster its defense partnership with the U.S., including through the provision of arms, which Trump said amounted to the EU "purchasing hundreds of billions of dollars-worth of military equipment," as part of the recent deal. "Because of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and because for European countries, security is really an existential topic right now," Neliupšienė told Newsweek, "I think cooperation on the strategic level, but as well on defense procurement with the U.S., is extremely important." European Union' Ambassador to the United States Jovita Neliupšienė speaks at a rally at the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, marking two years since Russia's war on Ukraine, on February 24, 2024.... European Union' Ambassador to the United States Jovita Neliupšienė speaks at a rally at the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, marking two years since Russia's war on Ukraine, on February 24, 2024. More Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Europe on the Frontlines The EU has emerged as a key player in supporting Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion, sparking Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. As of this month, the EU and its 27 member states have pledged $180 billion in assistance to Kyiv as it attempts to fend off its great-power neighbor. The number surpasses the estimated $175 billion allocated to Ukraine by the U.S., which, under Trump, has repeatedly expressed skepticism about long-term commitments to the war. The White House is currently pushing both sides to sign a peace deal, breaking with the previous administration by pursuing direct talks with the Kremlin. While Trump has more recently expressed more pointed criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and shortened his deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, Neliupšienė argued that the EU committed indefinitely to ensuring Ukraine's victory in the conflict. "I think that we have no choice of helping Ukraine and stepping up our support, making sure that they can defend themselves, that they can defend the principles they are fighting for," Neliupšienė said. "I think that sometimes we forget the principle where we started," she added. "We will support it as long as it takes and as much as it takes for making sure that Ukraine actually can win." Ukrainian emergency work amid the rubble of a residential building after a Russian air attack in Kyiv on July 31, 2025. Ukrainian emergency work amid the rubble of a residential building after a Russian air attack in Kyiv on July 31, 2025. SERGII VOLSKYI/AFP/Getty Images 'No Alternative' Beyond military assistance, she explained that this endeavor would take further economic action, including additional sanctions and waning the continent off of Russian oil and gas, a measure supported by the recent trade deal through which the EU pledged to purchase some $750 billion dollars' worth of U.S. energy over the next three years. "I really believe that there is really understanding at the moment among all 27 member states that this is the right thing to do and we will do it because there's no alternative," Neliupšienė said. "I don't see any alternative at the moment." The only "alternative" she did identify was that "Russia can stop fighting that war, and then that will be probably the first step towards inspiring peace." As for what an eventual settlement could look like, she emphasized that such a framework should be "really in the hands of Ukraine," while noting that the EU would continue to play a role in promoting a resolution. "Russia's war in Ukraine is actually at our borders, at the European borders, and Europeans would probably full-heartedly support the peace settlement," Neliupšienė said. "And I think that, in this way, President Trump's effort is very much welcome." "Yes, we have conversations of how we see that and what that could be, that could be on the European level, but it's definitely happening on the member state level as well," she added. "I don't see it as in a competition. I see that as everyone who can contribute to that should have a say." A Russian Giatsint-S self-propelled gun fires towards Ukrainian positions on an undisclosed location in Ukraine on July 31, 2025. A Russian Giatsint-S self-propelled gun fires towards Ukrainian positions on an undisclosed location in Ukraine on July 31, 2025. Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service/AP The China Challenge Three days before the EU-U.S. trade deal was announced, EU leadership held a summit in the capital of Washington's leading global competitor, Beijing. Among other things, the high-profile meeting produced an "upgraded export supply mechanism," through which the EU seeks to ease access to China's rare-earth elements. China dominates the supply chain of these critical metals, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the world's supply and 90 percent of processing, and instituted new export restrictions in April as trade tensions with the U.S. mounted. But even with this breakthrough, serious issues remain in the relationship. One concern repeatedly brought up by the European side was China's reported export of dual-use technologies to Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Dual-use technologies — which can encompass everything from satellites to semiconductors — are developed for civilian use but have potential military uses as well. "We have the situation that China is continuing to provide and to sell some of the of the dual-use [technology] and their components, which would then end up in the in the battlefield in Ukraine, which is not acceptable," Neliupšienė said, "because it prolongs the war." "And I think that is a responsible responsibility of major actor in the region, to make sure it's not happening," she added. Beijing has denied providing any "lethal equipment" to either side of the conflict, while also fostering efforts to develop its strategic partnership with Moscow. Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) meets with visiting European Council President Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) ahead of the China-EU Summit, at the Great Hall of the People... Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) meets with visiting European Council President Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) ahead of the China-EU Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on July 24, 2025. More Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/AP Open for Business Neliupšienė said the EU would also continue work to address other obstacles in the bloc's relationship with China, including a need for "rebalancing" trade relations. She said that the EU currently accounts for roughly 15 percent of China's exports, while EU exports to China were only around 8 percent. The problem is compounded by what she saw as "non-market practices" on the part of China, including overcapacity, subsidized industry and lack of market access, which she said the EU was currently investigating. "We are open for free trade. So, Chinese companies can participate in and be part of our market, while European companies do not necessarily get that," Neliupšienė said. "And their export control of the rare earth and permanent magnets has as well distorted economic relations." Still, given China's growing role in global affairs, she acknowledged that the EU would continue to find ways to work with Beijing, even as it sought to compete and, in some cases, rival the People's Republic. "You still have an element where we are glad to work with China," Neliupšienė said, "for example, on climate change, and how we move forward on green technologies, which I think that everyone who sees the situation in the world right now understands that there are certain things which we have to do as all major economic actors in here." "So, it's like multiple relations," she added, "and I think that it will continue to be, as in our strategic documents, we are trading partners, we are competitors, and we are systemic rivals." China President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) walk inside the Kremlin's Grand Palace at the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 8, 2025, ahead of celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the... China President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) walk inside the Kremlin's Grand Palace at the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 8, 2025, ahead of celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during the World War II. More Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP The Future of European Security As the EU tackles challenges mounted by both Russia and China, Neliupšienė asserted that the first order remains on the home front. "First of all, we have to concentrate on the on the challenges at home, and this Commission, in this cycle, what is needed for the European Union is actually to make sure that we increase our competitiveness," Neliupšienė said. "And we can really concentrate on innovation, on research, on the things which make sure that our economy is growing, and we can contribute not only economic growth, but the jobs and prosperity for our people," she added. These efforts also include ramping up defense spending at a time when the European Commission has already announced earlier this year that member states would spend some $685 billion — on top of more than $170 billion in EU loans — to mount a massive rearmament plan. The push comes amid growing calls from EU leaders to curb reliance on the U.S. for security assurances, appeals that have been amplified by frictions that have emerged between the Trump administration and European allies. As Neliupšienė notes, the process will likely take some time. President Donald Trump reads from a paper as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens after reaching a trade deal between the U.S. and the EU at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry,... President Donald Trump reads from a paper as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens after reaching a trade deal between the U.S. and the EU at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27, 2025. More Jacquelyn Martin/AP "The idea of this money actually is to make sure we are boosting our defense capabilities and defense production and defense industry," she said, "because, well, it's pretty clear that it was the request of the United States, and especially the current leadership, that the EU has to step up." "Of course, it will never happen overnight," she added. "We are speaking about really high tech [platforms]. We are speaking about certain platforms of defense technologies which we have to keep up and to develop if we want to be more independent." Ultimately, she said, "what for us is extremely important in this situation is to make sure we have more strategic independence, we have diversification, and we are really increasing the production and real defense industry on the ground, to have a possibility to not only to defend ourselves, but to deter." Thus far, the recent trade deal paves the way for an improvement in EU-U.S. ties that trended toward uncertainly with Trump's election, his administration's courting of right-wing nationalist populist parties in Europe that have questioned the EU project and questions of the U.S. commitment to European security. Neliupšienė remained confident that the EU and the U.S. would continue to find ways to cooperate on common challenges. "Russia's war in Ukraine, this is one challenge. We have another geopolitical challenge, if you look at the map, the Middle East is not really somewhere else, it's at our borders," she said. "There are a lot of things to do, as we talked about China and overcapacity, economic security, this is where actually the EU and U.S., working together, can make a change and move this needle, which is actually needed globally." "I don't think the United States can find a partner who would be closer, who would be more willing to cooperate than the European Union. And I do believe that, and I'm sure we will stand to our values," she added. "We are really a freedom- loving country, we are a democracy, we are a rule of law-based entity, and we will stand with those values. And I think that this is what makes this transatlantic relationship work."
Newsweek
2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Michael Whatley's Chances of Beating Roy Cooper in North Carolina—New Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new poll of the North Carolina Senate election points to a close race between former Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley in what is likely to be one of the most competitive of the 2026 midterms. Matt Mercer, a North Carolina GOP spokesperson, told Newsweek that the poll should be "alarming for Democrats." Newsweek also reached out to the Cooper campaign for comment via email. Why It Matters Cooper, a Democrat, announced his campaign earlier this week, and Whatley is expected to jump into the race after receiving support from President Donald Trump. A new poll from Victory Insights gives the first look at what a head-to-head matchup could look like next year, when Democrats are hoping to flip the seat being vacated by Republican Thom Tillis. North Carolina is viewed as one of Democrats' best opportunities to flip a seat as they believe Trump's approval rating could fuel a 2018-style blue wave. Cooper is viewed as a strong candidate, but they still have not won a Senate race in the Tar Heel State since 2008, despite its battleground status. RNC chair Michael Whatley speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hills, Maryland, on February 21, 2025. RNC chair Michael Whatley speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hills, Maryland, on February 21, To Know Cooper and Whatley may be in for a tight race, according to the Victory Insights. The poll gave Cooper a narrow advantage, with 43.4 percent of respondents saying they would be inclined to support him next November, while 40.2 percent said they planned to cast their ballot for Whatley if he wins the GOP nomination. However, when those who were undecided were pushed to say who they were leaning toward, Cooper's advantage narrowed. In that scenario, 44.4 percent of respondents said they planned to back Cooper, while 43.5 percent said they would back Whatley, according to the poll, which surveyed 600 likely voters from July 28-30. Other polls have similarly pointed to a tight race, though this is the first to ask about Whatley specifically. A poll released last week by co/efficient found that Cooper would be tied with a generic Republican candidate—each receiving 48 percent support. In November, Trump carried North Carolina with 51 percent of the vote to former Vice President Kamala Harris' 47.8 percent. North Carolina voters have generally preferred Republicans in federal races since 2008, when former President Barack Obama and former Senator Kay Hagan defeated Republicans in their races. But Democrats have fared well in state elections. Democrat Josh Stein won November's gubernatorial race by nearly 15 points after Republican Mark Robinson faced a series of scandals on the campaign trail. What People Are Saying Matt Mercer, a North Carolina GOP spokesperson, told Newsweek: "It should be alarming for Democrats to see Roy Cooper, with 93 percent name ID, not just tied but well below 50 percent in this poll. North Carolinians appear to know who Roy Cooper is: a 40-year career politician, radical liberal, and he cannot run away from his party's hard-left policies. A rough launch, indeed." Ben Galbraith, a senior pollster for Victor Insights, in the polling memo: "In summary, despite a generally favorable electorate for Republicans, Cooper is starting out with a lead, which corroborates the conventional wisdom that Cooper was a strong choice for the Democratic nomination. However, Whatley has plenty of room to grow, and all signs indicate he'll have the funding and campaign infrastructure to do so." Roy Cooper, in a video announcing his candidacy: "I never really wanted to go to Washington. I just wanted to serve the people of North Carolina right here, where I've lived all my life. But these are not ordinary times." What Happens Next Several other Republicans have been floated as potential candidates, but it's unclear whether Trump's endorsement will affect their plans. The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball both classify the North Carolina Senate race as a pure toss-up.
6 minutes ago
China summons Nvidia over 'backdoor safety risks' in H20 chips
WASHINGTON -- China's cyberspace regulators on Thursday summoned Nvidia over security concerns that its H20 chips can be tracked and turned off remotely, the Cyberspace Administration of China said on its website. In the meeting, Chinese regulators demanded that the U.S. chip company provide explanations on 'backdoor safety risks' of its H20 chips to be sold in China and submit relevant materials, the office said. 'Cybersecurity is critically important to us. NVIDIA does not have 'backdoors' in our chips that would give anyone a remote way to access or control them,' an Nvidia spokesperson said in a statement to AP. It came just about two weeks after the Trump administration lifted the block on the computing chips and allowed Nvidia to resume sales of H20 chips to the Chinese market. Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, made the announcement with fanfare when he was in Beijing earlier this month. The latest episode appears to be another turbulence in the tech rivalry between the United States and China, which have left businesses in both countries tussling with governments over market access and national security concerns. Any safety concern by Beijing could jeopardize the sale of H20 chips in China. Citing unnamed U.S. AI experts, the Chinese regulators said Nvidia has developed mature technology to track, locate and remotely disable its computing chips. The regulators summoned Nvidia to 'safeguard the cybersecurity and data security of Chinese users,' in accordance with Chinese laws, the statement said. The statement also referred to a call by U.S. lawmakers to require tracking and locating capabilities on U.S. advanced chips sold overseas. In May, Rep. Bill Huizenga, R.-Michigan, and Rep. Bill Foster, D.-Illinois, introduced the Chip Security Act that would require high-end chips to be equipped with 'security mechanisms' to detect 'smuggling or exploitation.' The bill has not moved through Congress since its introduction. Foster, a trained physicist, then said, 'I know that we have the technical tools to prevent powerful AI technology from getting into the wrong hands.' The U.S. still bans the sale to China of the most advanced chips, which are necessary for developing artificial intelligence. Both countries aim to lead in the artificial intelligence race. The Trump administration in April blocked the sales of H20 chips, which Nvidia developed to specifically comply with U.S. restrictions for exports of AI chips to China. After the ban was lifted, Nvidia expected to sell hundreds of thousands more H20 chips in the Chinese market. But the easing of the ban has raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill. On Monday, a group of top Democratic senators, including Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to express their 'grave concerns". While chips like the H20 have differing capabilities than the most advanced chips such as Nvidia's H100, 'they give (China) capabilities that its domestically-developed chipsets cannot,' the senators wrote. Shortly after the ban was lifted, Rep. John Moolenaar, R.-Michigan, who chairs the House Select Committee on China, objected. 'The Commerce Department made the right call in banning the H20. Now it must hold the line,' Moolenaar wrote in a letter to Lutnick. 'We can't let the CCP use American chips to train AI models that will power its military, censor its people, and undercut American innovation," Moolenaar wrote, referring to the Chinese Communist Party by its acronym.
