After Conviction and Scandals, Ex-Congressman Eyes Return to Politics in Lower Manhattan

Former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner, whose political career was derailed by sexting scandals and a conviction for illicit online contact with a minor, is considering a return to the political stage by running for a seat on the New York City Council. Weiner, once a rising star in the Democratic Party, has filed to run for a council position in lower Manhattan, marking a potential comeback after years of legal and personal setbacks.

On Friday, campaign finance records revealed that a committee named “Weiner 25” was established, formally listing him as a candidate. However, in an interview on Tuesday, Weiner, who represented a congressional district in New York for over a decade, clarified that he was still “exploring” the possibility of running. He stated that his decision hinges on personal factors, adding that he had set up the committee to engage in an upcoming forum with the Downtown Independent Democrats.

Weiner, who resigned from Congress in 2011 following a sexting scandal involving explicit photos sent to multiple women, attempted a political comeback in 2013 with a mayoral run. However, his campaign was marred by further revelations of lewd messages sent under the alias “Carlos Danger.”

In 2017, Weiner pleaded guilty to engaging in illicit online conversations with a 15-year-old girl, resulting in a 21-month sentence in federal prison. He was released in 2019 and placed on the sex offender registry. Despite his troubled past, Weiner is now pondering the logistics and personal dynamics of re-entering the political arena.

Once a Fossil Fuel Critic, Musk Now Questions the Urgency of Climate Action

Elon Musk’s views on climate change have undergone a significant transformation, evolving from strong advocacy against fossil fuels to a more sceptical stance on the climate crisis. His earlier calls for a “popular uprising” against fossil fuel companies have now been replaced by a more cautious approach, influenced in part by his alignment with right-wing politics and associations with figures like Donald Trump.

Musk, who once emphasised the urgent need to combat global warming, had made plans for a more affordable Tesla car to help tackle the climate crisis. However, recent reports reveal that during discussions earlier this year in Palo Alto, California, Musk rejected the idea, opting instead to focus on high-end Tesla models and a deal worth billions to purchase computer chips for improving the company’s luxury vehicles.

This shift in Musk’s approach reflects his growing political conservatism and his increasing influence within right-wing circles. His previous statements in 2016, urging action against fossil fuels and warning of irreversible climate damage, seem to be in stark contrast with his current rhetoric.

Musk’s focus has moved away from immediate climate action. In an August live stream with Trump, Musk stated that there was no rush to address climate change and emphasised the need for efforts that do not “demonise people” involved. He later tweeted in 2023 that “global warming risk is overblown in the short term, but significant in the long term,” a sentiment that has resonated with some of his allies in the right-wing media sphere.

Over time, Musk has embraced technological solutions like nuclear energy and carbon capture rather than viewing climate change as an existential emergency. Now, he prioritises other issues such as AI, robotics, population decline, and the exploration of Mars, which he sees as more pressing for humanity’s survival.

Tesla executives have reportedly left the company due to Musk’s changing views, which coincide with political shifts in Washington. Musk has also publicly stated that the electric vehicle tax credit, which has benefitted Tesla, should be removed, potentially in line with Trump’s stance on the issue.

Musk’s political evolution can be traced back to multiple factors, including his frustration with the Biden administration and his reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted him to move his operations out of California. His daughter’s gender transition also played a role in his distancing from Democratic views, which he increasingly saw as conspiratorial.

The shift in Musk’s outlook became clearer when he began interacting with figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Palantir’s Joe Lonsdale, both of whom are known for their scepticism about climate change predictions. Musk has since become a prominent voice in right-wing circles, challenging mainstream climate science.

The billionaire’s views have become further entangled with his broader political beliefs, culminating in his recent involvement with Vivek Ramaswamy in advocating for drastic cuts to the federal government’s scope and power. Musk’s latest actions, including his reposting of names and details of low-profile climate officials, have sparked controversy, highlighting his growing influence in challenging the prevailing climate agenda.

Court Dismisses Loyalist Activist’s Attempt to Halt Vote on Windsor Framework Arrangements

A court challenge seeking to prevent a Stormont vote on extending Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements has been dismissed. The legal bid, led by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, was rejected by Belfast High Court, with the vote proceeding as planned for Tuesday.

Judge Mr Justice McAlinden ruled against Bryson’s application for a judicial review of Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn’s move to trigger the democratic consent process under the Windsor Framework. Bryson had initially sought to delay the vote, but after the judge indicated he would be reluctant to intervene in matters of a democratically elected assembly, Bryson abandoned that part of his challenge.

The legal challenge centred around three main points: Bryson argued that Benn failed to ensure a public consultation in Northern Ireland before the vote, neglected to protect Northern Ireland’s place within the UK customs territory, and breached constitutional principles with amendments made earlier in the year as part of the Government’s Safeguarding the Union measures.

While Bryson believed the amendments created a conflict with Northern Ireland’s constitutional status within the UK, Government lawyer Dr Tony McGleenan argued that these points were “hopeless” and had no merit.

Justice McAlinden found no legal grounds for Bryson’s objections, ruling that consultation was not a mandatory requirement, and that the Secretary of State had clearly addressed the issue of customs territory in the voting process. Furthermore, he determined that the recent legislative changes did not conflict with the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling.

As a result of the court’s decision, the vote on the continuation of the Windsor Framework trading arrangements will go ahead as scheduled. The framework, which imposes checks and customs procedures on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, remains highly contentious. While the arrangements are intended to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, they have been criticised by unionists who argue they undermine Northern Ireland’s position within the UK.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has already stated his party’s opposition to extending the arrangements, although the vote requires only a simple majority to pass. If approved, the trading arrangements will continue for another four years, with the Government required to conduct an independent review. If cross-community support is achieved, the extension will last eight years. However, securing such support is considered unlikely given the strong opposition from unionists.

Foreign Secretary Lammy Slams Assad as ‘Monster’ Amid Collapse of Regime, Signals Humiliation for Russia

Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has collapsed, with the dictator fleeing to Moscow in a desperate bid to seek asylum. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Assad as a “monster” as reports about the atrocities within his prisons, where countless political prisoners were tortured and killed, continued to surface.

Lammy mocked Assad’s former self-proclaimed image as the “Lion of Damascus,” stating, “Now, the reality is clear: Assad is the rat of Damascus, scurrying off to Moscow with his tail between his legs.”

The Foreign Secretary highlighted that the UK government had decided against re-engaging with Syria under Assad’s rule, given the dictator’s flagrant violations of international law, including the use of chemical weapons on his own people. Lammy also suggested that Assad’s downfall represented a “humiliation” not just for him, but also for Russia and Iran, key allies who had supported his regime.

“Assad’s demise isn’t only a personal failure; it’s a blow to Russia and Iran,” Lammy remarked, noting that the so-called ‘axis of resistance’ led by Iran was faltering. Lammy further criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had tried to prop up Assad for over a decade, saying that Putin’s intervention had only led to the fall of a dictator and his subsequent flight to Moscow.

The collapse of Assad’s regime is being seen as a major political defeat for Russia, with military experts highlighting the potential for evacuation of Russian forces from Syria. Putin’s military involvement, which began in 2015 to support Assad’s government, has now been overshadowed by Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, limiting Moscow’s capacity to maintain its influence in Syria.

Reports from military analysts suggest that the Kremlin has already begun preparations to withdraw its military assets from Syria, with satellite images showing transport aircraft at a Russian air base in Latakia province. These moves are seen as a sign that Russia’s hold over its strategic military positions in Syria is increasingly uncertain.

The future of Russia’s military presence in Syria remains unclear, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that it is “premature” to discuss the matter until new leadership is established in Damascus. He acknowledged the “extreme instability” in the region following the rapid advance of the militia group Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a significant role in the regime’s downfall.

Meanwhile, Lammy addressed questions regarding HTS, which has distanced itself from al-Qaeda and is attempting to present itself as a more moderate force. He stated that the UK would monitor HTS’s actions closely and would assess whether it would remain on the proscribed list, depending on their treatment of civilians in areas under their control.

The crisis in Syria continues to unfold, with the fate of both the country’s leadership and the future of Russian influence hanging in the balance.