Weiner clings to power despite latest lewd photo

SCANDAL-SCARRED Anthony Weiner is clinging to his perch in US Congress despite new efforts to pry him away and a pair of developments that might inspire others in his position to give up the fight: A newly released X-rated photo that Weiner purportedly took of himself has turned up on the internet, and his wife of less than a year, Huma Abedin, is pregnant.

The baby on the way complicated an already ominous forecast for the 46-year-old congressman, who admitted on Monday that he had tweeted sexually charged photos and messages to six women he did not know, then lied about it to his wife, his family and his constituents.

Weiner has refused to resign even as more embarrassing details have emerged about his online communications with at least six women.