Amid lewd photo scandal, US lawmaker Anthony Weiner resigns

        US congressman Anthony Weiner announced his resignation on Thursday, done in by lewd photos he took of himself, sent to women online and then adamantly lied about after being caught.

        Party leaders have been pressing him to resign so that Democrats could resume positioning themselves for the 2012 election campaign without constant criticism from Republicans on moral grounds.

        "I'm here today to again apologize for the personal mistakes I have made and the embarrassment I have caused," he said reading from a brief statement in New York City's Brooklyn borough.

        "I make this apology to my neighbors and my constituents, but I make it particularly to my wife, Huma."

        Weiner's wife was absent as he announced his decision, as she was 10 days ago when he admitted having sent inappropriate messages and photos to several women online.

        The crowd on Thursday included hecklers and radio shock jocks, vying for attention at what became a New York media event.
 
 
        His decision to give up his House seat marks the end of a scandal that resulted from the brash New Yorker's use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

        He at first denied having sent any inappropriate photos, then recanted in a remarkable news conference 10 days ago at which he admitted having exchanged inappropriate messages with several women.

        President Barack Obama added to the pressure on Monday, saying it he were in Weiner's situation, he would step down.

        Several officials have said in recent days that Weiner was reluctant to make any decision about his career without speaking with his wife, Huma Abedin, a top aide to secretary of state Hillary Clinton who had been overseas since shortly after the scandal broke. The trip ended Tuesday night.

        Abedin is pregnant with the couple's first child.

        New York governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to call a special election to fill the seat.

Miss New York USA Amber Collins: The beauty queen

Miss New York USA Amber Collins: The beauty queen
 
Chelsea-resident Miss New York Amber Collins

 It's a good thing Amber Collins didn't have to sing to win her Miss New York USA title.

Sitting by the Battery Park promenade and belting out Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind," the blond 26-year-old looks better than she sounds.

But she already knows that.

"I don't sing and I don't twirl a baton," Collins says. "The Miss USA competition isn't a hidden talent competition.

And that's a good thing since I've got the singing voice of a dying whale."

One thing Collins does have is a sense of humor, something that beauty pageant contestants often lack.

On June 19, the Chelsea resident will represent New York in the 2011 Miss USA beauty contest, which will be televised on NBC, and she's hoping that this sense of humor and a laid-back approach helps her win the pageant.

"There is something refreshing about girls who don't do this professionally," she says. "People don't realize that pageantry is really a sport and there are girls who have been practicing it for their whole lives. The ones that are too coached are called 'Pageant Pattys.'"

Make no mistake about it; Collins is no Pageant Patty.

The Miss New York USA competition was only her fifth pageant ever. In fact, she wasn't even sure she would have time to compete.

"I was getting my master's degree in early childhood and special education at NYU and teaching at the same time," she says. "But I'm a great multi-tasker, so when the opportunity arose to do one more pageant, I used my loan money to buy an evening gown, took a Megabus up to Albany and just tried to have fun."

The irony is that Miss New York USA isn't even from the Empire State. Born and raised in Austin, Tex., Collins moved to New York City after graduating from the University of Texas. But in her mind, she's always been a New Yorker.

"I belong in New York City," she says. "What makes New York great are all the immigrants that make up the city, and I just happened to emigrate from Texas."

She's even working on her New York accent.

"I try to say 'caw-fee' and 'New Yawk,' " says Collins. "And I walk really fast, which is definitely a New York trait. I can't stand when tourists walk slow on the sidewalk in front of me. C'mon, let's go!"

There's really only one part of New York City that Collins could do without.

"I'm completely afraid of rats," she says. "When I first moved to the city, I was living in this shoebox of an apartment and there was a live rat in my trash can eating my stale Chex-Mix. I actually touched it!"

At least New York guys aren't as scary as the rodents. Collins has been treated with nothing but respect since arriving in the city four years ago. But this self-proclaimed "old-fashioned" girl does have a few dating tips for the urban gentlemen looking to woo Miss New York.

"I like a guy who has a plan," she says. "Don't make me choose the restaurant. Also, I'm not a fan of that famous line, 'Want to get a drink at this really great bar? Actually, it's right below my apartment.' That's too obvious.

"Above all else, always hold the door, and, if a girl is in the elevator, let her exit first."

So what's Collins doing to prepare for the pageant?

"I'm wearing my heels a lot to train my feet to handle the pain," she says. "And I'm working on my tan. There is an art to tanning. You don't want to look orange. It can make a naturally beautiful girl look fake. No one will vote for an Oompa-Loompa."
md.nurul kader.Bangladesh.