+5
Yes, Curtis Sliwa won the Republican primary for Mayor of New York City in the recent June 24, 2025 election. He ran unopposed and secured the nomination for the second consecutive election cycle.
He previously won the Republican primary in 2021 as well, with 67.9% of the vote in the first round, defeating Fernando Mateo. He went on to lose the general election to current Mayor Eric Adams.
+4
Uzbekistan and Israel maintain diplomatic relations established in 1992, with ongoing cooperation in various fields. The relationship has seen increased interaction, especially since the implementation of a visa-free regime for Israeli citizens in 2018, which significantly boosted tourism.
Key Aspects of the Relationship:
Diplomatic Ties:
Israel recognized Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
Embassy Presence:
Both countries have embassies in each other’s capitals, facilitating communication and cooperation.
Visa-Free Regime:
A visa-free entry policy for Israeli citizens was introduced in 2018, leading to a notable increase in Israeli tourists visiting Uzbekistan.
Areas of Cooperation:
Areas of collaboration include energy, water, agriculture, tourism, and potentially climate change initiatives, with discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in these sectors, according to a government news source.
People-to-People Exchanges:
Both countries are working to strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties.
High-Level Visits:
There have been state visits and meetings between leaders of both countries, further solidifying the partnership.
Ongoing Dialogue:
Regular political consultations are held between the foreign ministries of both countries.
My comment: Coincidence, I’m sure. Who doesn’t love a Muslim country that has friendly relations with Israel? Hmmm. Now let me see. I can’t think of anyone. Can you?
According to an investigation by White Collar Fraud (WCF), Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for New York City mayor quietly altered $1.6 million in fundraising accounting records twice in one day. Initially, 77 contributions were listed with “no bundler attribution” and a value of $0.00. After these alterations, the same 77 contributions showed a value of $1.6 million listed as “no intermediary” donations.
This means the money was not initially attributed to any specific individual who collected the donations, which is a violation of campaign finance transparency laws. WCF alleges that the campaign attempted to conceal this discrepancy and that Politico, a news organization, helped downplay the situation. The Campaign Finance Board (CFB) of New York City confirmed that a bundler initially listed, MacFarlane, had his name removed from the donation records.
The investigation also highlighted that Mamdani’s campaign spent $82,000 on compliance costs, despite which this $1.6 million error remained undetected for months and was only corrected after media pressure forced the campaign to make changes.
It’s good the first long AI response disappeared because it did not include this information which is more serious. It was in the headlines before it wasn’t. So, I recalled the 6.1 million accounting discrepancy and asked another more targeted question.
…Additionally, a former NYPD official has expressed concerns about potential ties between a Mamdani backer on the CFB and organizations sanctioned for supporting terrorism, emphasizing the importance of public trust and vetting in government agencies….
excerpt from AI answer to query about Campaign Finance Board’s giving money to Mamdani’s campaign (a record amount) despite irregularities which disappeared.
+13
In the context of the 2025 New York City mayoral race, NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) payments to candidate Zohran Mamdani have generated discussion, especially when considered alongside his campaign’s activities and alleged violations.
Approved funding
The CFB has approved public matching funds payments to Mamdani’s campaign. As of July 3, 2025, it was reported that Mamdani’s campaign received approximately $8.75 million in public matching funds, which includes $8 for every $1 raised from individual contributions (up to $175 per contributor).
One press release on May 30, 2025 mentioned the approval of matching funds payments for several candidates in the 2025 election cycle, but didn’t specify Mamdani or mention any violations.
Another report mentions Mamdani receiving the largest single payment to date (nearly $4 million) compared to other mayoral candidates in the Democratic primary.
Allegations and concerns
Critics have raised concerns about the fairness and integrity of the CFB process, particularly regarding Mamdani’s campaign, according to thealpenanews.com.
One allegation relates to the significant amount of campaign contributions (reportedly 94%) being bundled by a single individual, Jerrod MacFarlane, who is associated with a leftist group called The Action Lab.
Another area of concern is the alleged in-kind support provided to Mamdani’s campaign by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which reportedly included a vast number of door knocks, phone dials, and volunteers. This raise questions about the nature and disclosure of such resources within the campaign finance system.
Additionally, a former NYPD official has expressed concerns about potential ties between a Mamdani backer on the CFB and organizations sanctioned for supporting terrorism, emphasizing the importance of public trust and vetting in government agencies.
Mamdani’s response
Mamdani’s campaign has reportedly highlighted its grassroots volunteer movement as a key factor in its success.
In one instance, Mamdani’s campaign requested a higher spending limit, arguing that a pro-Cuomo PAC was creating an unfair advantage through its expenditures.
Mamdani’s campaign has also emphasized its focus on issues like affordability and taxing the wealthy.
It is important to note that many of the concerns about Mamdani’s campaign finances have been voiced by those critical of his political leanings and some of the articles cited present an opinion-based perspective, according to the New York Post. The NYC Campaign Finance Board has a system in place to review and potentially penalize campaigns for violations, and they have published guidelines detailing these penalties. The CFB also offers support and guidance to campaigns to help them comply with disclosure requirements and regulations.
Right. Uzbekistan. First Turkey, now Uzbekistan. Why haven’t we heard anything about the Uzbek threat to the Big Apple? Readers want to know. What’s next, Timbuktoo? 😀
“What is mysterious about Timbuktu?
The gateway to the desert, where 333 saints stayed, it was founded, according to tradition, by a mysterious Tuareg woman in search of water for her dromedaries, who made her fortune around the well that is now housed in the city museum, in the heart of the historic quarters. https://www.kanaga-at.com
Timbuktu, the mythical city at the gates of the Sahara – Kanaga Africa Tours”
—
OMG is this a case for Ghostbusters?
AI Overview
+8
Lawfare, in its broadest sense, refers to the strategic use of legal proceedings to intimidate, hinder, or undermine an opponent.
Whether the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) is practicing lawfare against Mayor Eric Adams is a subject of debate and differing interpretations.
Arguments suggesting the CFB may be engaging in lawfare
Intensified investigations: The CFB has significantly expanded its investigation into Adams’ fundraising, probing alleged illegal straw donations linked to an agent of the Uzbekistan government and undisclosed fundraisers.
Repeated denial of matching funds: The CFB has consistently rejected Adams’ requests for public matching funds, citing credible evidence of illegal donations rendering him ineligible.
Continued scrutiny despite dismissal of federal indictment: The CFB continued to cite the federal bribery case against Adams as a reason for denying funds even after it was dismissed, though a federal judge recently deemed this approach inappropriate.
Arguments supporting the CFB’s actions as legitimate
CFB’s mandate: The CFB’s primary responsibility is to ensure the integrity of the city’s campaign finance system and uphold campaign finance laws.
Independent grounds for denial: A federal judge, in dismissing Adams’ lawsuit to compel the release of matching funds, acknowledged that the CFB had valid reasons for denying the funds, including the campaign’s failure to respond to record requests and missing deadlines.
Focus on legal compliance: The CFB’s actions can be viewed as efforts to enforce regulations and ensure transparency and accountability in campaign financing, rather than politically motivated attacks.
Conclusion
The question of whether the NYC Campaign Finance Board is practicing lawfare against Eric Adams remains open to interpretation. While Adams and his supporters may view the board’s actions as excessive and politically motivated, the CFB asserts that its actions are necessary to uphold the law and protect the integrity of the campaign finance system. It is important to note that the term “lawfare” itself carries subjective connotations and different individuals may apply it differently to this situation.
+2
Despite losing a lawsuit against the NYC Campaign Finance Board, Mayor Eric Adams’ team believes they can still secure the $3.5 million in public matching funds for his reelection campaign. While the court dismissed the lawsuit, the campaign maintains its entitlement to the funds and will pursue “every legal avenue” to obtain them.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Lawsuit Dismissal:
A federal judge rejected Mayor Adams’ lawsuit, which aimed to compel the release of public matching funds.
CFB’s Decision:
The Campaign Finance Board previously opted to withhold the funds due to the campaign’s failure to respond to a records request and missing a deadline for filing a financial disclosure form.
Campaign’s Stance:
The mayor’s legal team maintains that they are entitled to the funds and will continue to seek them through legal channels.
Focus on Leadership:
Despite the legal battle, Mayor Adams remains focused on leading the city.
Ongoing Investigation:
The Campaign Finance Board is still investigating the Adams campaign, particularly regarding potential irregularities in the 2021 campaign finances.
Potential Repayment:
There are reports that the board may seek repayment of public funds from Adams’ 2021 campaign if they find significant violations.
+6
There are no new corruption charges against Eric Adams currently. He is facing a federal investigation related to campaign finance, but no charges have been filed. He is also currently running for re-election in the upcoming 2025 New York City mayoral election, according to Wikipedia.
My comment: Coincidence, I’m sure. Who doesn’t love a Muslim country that has friendly relations with Israel? Hmmm. Now let me see. I can’t think of anyone. Can you?
It’s good the first long AI response disappeared because it did not include this information which is more serious. It was in the headlines before it wasn’t. So, I recalled the 6.1 million accounting discrepancy and asked another more targeted question.
excerpt from AI answer to query about Campaign Finance Board’s giving money to Mamdani’s campaign (a record amount) despite irregularities which disappeared.
Right. Uzbekistan. First Turkey, now Uzbekistan. Why haven’t we heard anything about the Uzbek threat to the Big Apple? Readers want to know. What’s next, Timbuktoo? 😀
“What is mysterious about Timbuktu?
The gateway to the desert, where 333 saints stayed, it was founded, according to tradition, by a mysterious Tuareg woman in search of water for her dromedaries, who made her fortune around the well that is now housed in the city museum, in the heart of the historic quarters.
https://www.kanaga-at.com
Timbuktu, the mythical city at the gates of the Sahara – Kanaga Africa Tours”
—
OMG is this a case for Ghostbusters?
https://youtu.be/6hDkhw5Wkas?si=vWugRXbRBV_wcRAl
Institutionalized lawfare? in New York City? Seriously? Who could imagine such a preposterous idea?
Not what Sliwa said in this interview.