The president initially gave a
positive account of the 90-minute meeting at the White House, describing it as
“very productive”.
However, when asked whether he had
considered using emergency presidential powers to bypass congressional approval
of funding, President Trump said he had.
He said: “I may do it. We can call a national emergency and build it very
quickly. That’s another way of doing it.”
“I’m very proud of doing what I’m
doing,” President Trump added.
“I don’t call it a shutdown, I call it
doing what you have to do for the benefit and safety of our country.”
On January 4, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the meeting had been
“contentious”, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said: “We told the president we needed the
government open. He resisted.”
Democrats, who now hold the majority in the House, passed spending bills on
January 3 to reopen the government, including $1.3 billion of border security
funds until February 8.
However, the legislation cannot take effect unless it passes the Republican-controlled Senate, where leader Mitch McConnell said his party would not back any measure without President Trump’s support.
Nancy Pelosi has again been elected as the
House Speaker – the third most powerful role in Washington.
The 78-yar-old California Democrat reclaimed the gavel after the most
diverse class of lawmakers were sworn in and as Democrats took control of the
House after mid-term elections gains.
Her victory came as the government remained partly shut down in a row over
funds for the president’s border wall.
Nancy Pelosi has said she wants to end the shutdown but will not support the
wall.
She said: “I’m particularly proud
to be a woman speaker of the house of this Congress, which marks the 100th year
of women having the right to vote.
“And, that we all have the
ability and the privilege to serve with over 100 women members of Congress –
the largest number in history. “
Nancy Pelosi seized the gavel as the House welcomed more women than ever
before in the 116th Congress.
As of January 3, 102 women serve in the House, an all-time high, including
36 newly elected members and a record 43 women of color.
While Republican women marked some firsts this past election season – like
Marsha Blackburn becoming the first female Tennessee Senator – the vast
majority of these new lawmakers are Democrats.
Among them are the first Muslim congresswomen – Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib and Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar – and the first Native American women to serve – New Mexico’s Debra Haaland and Kansas’ Sharice Davids.
China has announced it successfully landed a
robotic spacecraft on the far side of the Moon, the first ever such attempt and
landing.
According to state media, at 10:26 Beijing time, the un-crewed Chang’e-4
probe touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
The Chang’e-4 probe is carrying instruments to analyze the unexplored
region’s geology, as well to conduct biological experiments.
The landing is being seen as a major milestone in space exploration.
There have been numerous missions to the Moon in recent years, but the vast
majority have been to orbit, fly by or impact. The last crewed landing was
Apollo 17 in 1972.
The Chang’e-4 probe has already sent
back its first pictures from the surface, which were shared by state media.
With no direct communication link
possible, all pictures and data have to be bounced off a separate satellite
before being relayed to Earth.
Previous Moon missions have landed
on the Earth-facing side, but this is the first time any craft has landed
successfully on the unexplored and rugged far side.
Some spacecraft have crashed into
the far side, either after system failures, or after they had completed their
mission.
The Chang’e-4 was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China on December
7; it arrived in lunar orbit on December 12.
The mission was then directed to lower itself toward the Moon, being careful
to identify and avoid obstacles, Chinese state media say.
The Chang’e-4 probe is aiming to explore a place called the Von Kármán crater, located within the much larger South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin – thought to have been formed by a giant impact early in the Moon’s history.
Lawyers use legal fees to keep their companies going. These fees keep the lights on in the office and the staff paid. There are many different options for attorneys in how they do their fees. The choice in fee structure usually depends on the type of case the attorney handles. Without these fees, the attorney could not actually support their practice throughout the year.
What are the Options for Attorney Fees?
One of the most common types of attorney fees is the hourly rate. An experienced attorney can estimate how many hours a case will need so the client knows ahead of time what to expect. The fees vary significantly by attorney and area though, so clients may shop around a bit. Flat fees are another common choice. These are typically used for procedural items, such as setting up a will. Each procedure takes the same amount of time and effort. Therefore, the attorney does not need time to reinvent the wheel to win. Contingency fees are common in personal injury cases. Instead of an upfront charge, the attorney does not collect a fee until a certain outcome is reached. This possibility works well when the client does not have the money to pay upfront. However, the attorney is taking on the risk. Retainer fees work well for individuals who plan for certain events. The client pays a fee into a special retainer account. As the attorney works for that client, the fees are deducted out of the account rather than billed to the client. When the attorney-client relationship ends, any remaining fees not covered by the retainer are billed to the client. The last option is what’s known as a statutory fee. These fees are set by the courts rather than the attorney. The attorney then accepts that fee rather than what they would charge otherwise. Each possibility for paying an attorney has its merits. However, each is also most useful in specific situations. There are also significant variables on how the client will handle paying the fee for the attorney.
How do Structured Attorney Fees Work?
Like many financial decisions, it is important to understand the benefits of one choice over another. Structuring attorney fees is no different. Structured attorney fees are like setting up a payment plan, which helps both parties. Structured fees can be used in many scenarios, even if originally the fee structure was different. On the attorney side, the office sets up an arrangement with the client to pay a certain amount every month for a certain amount of time. This mitigates the client’s chances of financial hardship. The office then administers this payment plan, spending hours following up and doing paperwork.
The Benefits of Structured Payments
Structured attorney fees act as attorney payment plans over the long term. In many cases, they offer more benefits to the attorney’s practice than they do to the client, though what they offer the client is impressive. Structures fees turn into structured payments. Structured payments then come in regularly, even in the case of vacation or a slow month. This means there’s no danger of running out of money. It also allows legal offices to plan out their finances in advance, rather than hoping there are enough clients who can pay every month. There are also potential tax benefits for an attorney’s office. Ideally, the structured payments mean the individuals are not bumped up to the next tax bracket. There is a very real risk associated with lump sums that taxes will take a significant chunk of the profit. Structured payments are smaller and can be planned for by the bookkeeper. Structures payments are also a way to protect the money. Since the money is coming in over time, it’s more difficult for it to be included in judgments against a firm. It’s also more protected from creditors and divorce decrees, should those become a concern.
The Best Outcome
Structured attorney fees work well for both the client and the attorney. In many cases, they’re the right option, though there are some potential exceptions like criminal cases. Each situation is unique, and the attorney’s office must decide what level of risk they would like to take in the case. Structured attorney fees offer attorneys an increased chance of collecting the full amount from the client. In many cases, clients cannot necessarily afford to pay attorney fees upfront without putting themselves in a precarious financial situation. By offering a payment plan option, attorneys can attract more clients. Structured fees allow an attorney’s office to run without worry month to month. In an ideal world, the clients pay on time without prompting and there are no issues. There’s a certain amount of uncertainty involved in trusting people to pay. It’s worth noting that attorneys do not have to administer their own payment plans. In the age of software and outsourcing, attorneys do not have to keep their own accounting department. Instead, they can outsource to a service or software to save themselves expenses. Then the outsourced company does the payment chasing instead. That has the potential to save tens of hours of manpower every month. Outsourcing may not be a possibility for every office. A particularly large office may find it beneficial to keep their own billing department. However, options exist now that haven’t existed in the past, and using them can put a legal office at an advantage.
Conclusion
There are many options for gathering attorney fees. Some favor the clients, while others favor the attorney in the written terms. Everyone has the options, depending on the situation and circumstances. However, there is one option that offers more stability on both sides. Structured attorney fees smooth out the process of payment for services rendered on both sides of the equation. The client has more opportunities to pay without risking their own wellbeing. The attorney receives a steadier stream of income and potential tax benefits. Structured attorney fees work well for both sides of the relationship in the long term.
The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and other titles belonging to Tribune Publishing suffered major printing and delivery disruptions on December 29 following a cyberattack.
The attack led to delayed distribution of the publications.
Tribune Publishing said it first detected the malware on December 28, which
hit papers sharing the same printing plant.
The attack is believed to have come from outside the US, the LA Times said.
West Coast editions of the Wall Street
Journal and The New York Times,
which share the same production platform in Los Angeles, were also affected.
“We believe the intention of the
attack was to disable infrastructure, more specifically servers, as opposed to
looking to steal information,” an anonymous source with knowledge of
the attack told the LA Times.
Marisa Kollias, Tribune Publishing spokeswoman, confirmed this in a
statement, saying the virus hurt back-office systems used to publish and
produce “newspapers across our properties”.
“Every market across the company
was impacted,” she said, refusing to give more specifications on the
disruptions, according to the LA Times.
Other publications owned by the company include the New York Daily News, Orlando
Sentinel and the Annapolis
Capital-Gazette, whose staff were the targets of a deadly shooting earlier
this year.
Another publication, the Fort
Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel was also “crippled this weekend by a computer
virus that shut down production and hampered phone lines,” according to a
story on its website.
A Department of Homeland Security official said in a statement: “We are aware of reports of a potential cyber incident affecting several news outlets and are working with our government and industry partners to better understand the situation.”
More than 400 people are confirmed
dead with 20 or so still missing following last week’s devastating tsunami in
the Sunda Strait, Indonesia’s disaster agency announces.
Researchers have examined satellite
images of Anak Krakatau to calculate the amount of rock and ash that sheared
off into the sea.
They say the volcano has lost more
than two-thirds of its height and volume during the past week.
Much of this missing mass could have
slid into the sea in one movement.
It would certainly explain the
displacement of water and the generation of waves up to 5m high that then
inundated the nearby coastlines of Java and Sumatra.
The Center of Volcanology and
Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has been studying pictures from a number
of radar satellites, including the EU’s Sentinel-1 constellation and the German
TerraSAR-X platform.
Radar has the advantage of being
able to see the ground day or night, and to be able to pierce cloud.
The capability has allowed some
initial measurements to be made of Anak Krakatau’s lost stature, in particular
on its western side.
What was once a volcanic cone
standing some 340m high is now just 110m tall, says the PVMBG.
In terms of volume, 150-170 million
cubic meters of material has gone, leaving only 40-70 million cubic meters
still in place.
Quite how much mass was lost on December 22 itself and how much in the
following days is unknown. Scientists may have a better idea once they have had
a chance to visit the volcano and conduct more extensive surveys.
However, with the eruptions still ongoing and a safety exclusion zone in
force – no-one is going near Anak Krakatau.
Cone collapse with tsunami generation was considered a potential hazard
before December 22.
In 2012, scientists had modeled the possibility six years ago, even
identifying the western flank of Anak Krakatau as the section of the volcano
most likely to fail.
The study, although simulating a larger event, predicted wave heights and coastal inundation times that were remarkably similar to what actually happened.
Hair loss is a problem that a lot of people experience. For some people, the hair fall doesn’t affect the overall look of their hair. Unfortunately for some, their hair loss leads to a visible scalp or receding hairlines. The good news is that a hairline transplant procedure that can treat this problem. However, not everyone is a good candidate for such treatment.
Here
are a few factors that a doctor will check to determine whether you can get the
procedure done or not.
Your Hair Type
Everyone
has different hair types. Wavy and curly hair are generally thick, and if you
have this hair type, you’re a good candidate for a hairline transplant. Thick
hair can hide bald spots very well. Light – which is reflected by your scalp –
won’t pass through thick hair, which will make your bald spots less noticeable.
People
with straight hair are not necessarily bad candidates. If your hair is straight
but thick, then you have a high chance of a successful transplant because of
the coverage that thick hair provides. However, if your hair is straight and
thin, it’s hard to cover up the thinning areas and bald spots, reducing your
rate of success.
Your Age
It’s
usually older people – those who are 30 years old and above – who are the best
candidates for a hairline transplant procedure. Doctors are generally careful
in considering people who are 30 years old or younger.
Teens and young adults can experience hair loss, too. However, their hair loss still has the potential to be treated in a nonsurgical way. For instance, there are conditioners, special creams, and products that can reverse the damage. Additionally, the progress of their hair loss could still change, so undergoing a hairline transplant procedure at a young age may be unnecessary or too soon.
Your Hair Loss Type
Certain
hair loss conditions and their severity can also affect your eligibility for
the treatment. People with male or female pattern baldness are great candidates
because they only lose hair on some parts of their scalp, which means they have
a good amount of hair donors.
If
you have alopecia, then you’re not a good candidate for a hairline transplant
procedure because you have poor hair donors, leading to unfavorable results.
Undergoing a hair transplant will only waste your time and money.
Your Health Condition
If
you’re undergoing any kind of surgical procedure, including a hairline
transplant, it’s necessary that you’re in good general health. Surgeries can
take a toll on your body, so you need to be physically fit. A balanced diet and
regular exercise can help you stay in shape.
You
should discuss any illnesses you have and the treatment you’re undergoing with
your doctor. Certain diseases can worsen your hair loss problem. The
medications you currently take may also adversely affect your body, including
your hair. Transparency in your medical conditions and the medications you’re
taking will help your doctor create the best treatment plan for you.
Your Dedication to Post-Procedure
Recovery
You
may have gone through the hard part, which is the surgery, but it’s not over
yet. After the surgery, you need ample time to recover. You’ll receive
instructions on how to care for yourself after the procedure.
You
need to follow the instructions carefully to ensure the success of the
treatment and your fast recovery. If you’re the kind of person who can follow
post-procedure care, you can push through with the treatment. If you can’t,
perhaps hiring someone to remind you to take your medicines or care for you, is
necessary.
Your Budget
Most
healthcare plans don’t cover hairline transplant procedures, which are not
cheap. The surgery cost usually ranges from $4,000 to $15,000. Additional costs
include the medicines and supplements you need to take after the procedure.
Hairline
transplants are also not a one-time thing. You may need several visits to the
doctor to ensure you get your desired results. You shouldn’t miss appointments
just because you don’t have the money for it as it may affect the success of
your treatment.
The
recovery period may also take some time. If you can’t show up to work, then you
won’t receive any salary.
So,
unless you have a source of passive income, it’s best to save up for the whole
process first.
Conclusion
If
you qualify according to the factors above, then your thinning hair and bald
spots may still be resolved through a hairline transplant procedure. Talk to
your doctor and make sure you thoroughly understand all the possible outcomes
before undergoing the procedure.
Instagram is among the largest social media platform. It is
owned by Facebook and applies the same principles. It has incorporated the like
button and the view option of every post or video. You can conveniently check
the number of followers, likes, and views.
People with a large following are dominant on Instagram and have occupied top hashtags and top pages on the platform. Many people strive for a large following on the platform. Individuals, celebrities, brands, and business owners want recognition on the platform by gathering a large audience.
How does the audience affect you?
1) Gain popularity
The massive the number of viewers the more you are famous.
The best way to gain reputation is by acquiring a large following, likes and
views on your posts and videos. Most major personalities establish their image
on social platforms. A brand will focus on gaining a large audience to increase
in popularity.
However, gaining likes, followers and views is quite a task thus people are turning to buy insta audience.
2) Make more sales
A large number of followers is right for your business. The more people who are aware of your product the probability of the buying is high. If you want to increase your online sales on social media platforms, ensure that the number of audiences you have is high. A number of social media marketing pricing plans can work with your budget to streamline this growth process for any social network.
3) Gain reputation
Instagram is perfect to make a reputation. The posts and videos on your account should boost your image. It is very convenient is if you are a public figure. Gaining reputation involves gaining trust from many people. A good reputation will make people trust your brand and rely on your products.
4) Reach more people
Social media is a good marketing strategy. The more your
insta audience, the more likely you will reach more people. A brand or
entrepreneur having a large following affects their business. If you want to be
ahead of your competitors, it is essential to have a large audience on your
account.
People love places with high engagement and if you can
influence many people the more you will sell. Getting your product to the
target market involves reaching a large number of people. The secret to
business success can acquire and retain customers. Retaining them on social
media platforms involves actively engaging them.
5) Make an impact on the society
Most people on Instagram strives to send a particular message
to a specific group of people. It may be their experiences in life or helping
people live with a specific condition. The appropriate way of reaching many
people is having a large group of following.
You can conveniently send a helpful message to many people
if your audience is right.
Bottom Line
A large audience impacts your image positively. People often
rely on brand or entrepreneurs that many people trust. If you post a product or
video and many people like and view it many will see it as a reliable product
and will get more sales.
Having large insta followers is meaningful. You should
strive to acquire the right number. It is convenient to boost your image and
people will trust you. Many people will also follow you if your account is
highly engaging.
Getting the right number can take time, and you may not
achieve it naturally. You can opt to buy followers, likes, and views from
reliable sites.
Riding an ATV is a whole lot of fun. All-terrain vehicles are made for handling wild rides through beautiful country. Unimpeded views, thrilling hills and turns, and unhindered exploration: those are the things that ATV riding is all about.
But this sort of adventure-seeking comes with risks. ATV riders should be very careful to practice safe riding when they’re out on the trail and enjoying themselves. It takes skill and a great sense of one’s own limitations to make the right decisions and get back safely from a top-notch ATV ride. And it takes one more thing, too: an ATV that you can rely on.
A poorly maintained ATV is a dangerous ATV
If your ATV is not well maintained, then it could become a liability. You want your ATV to have great traction, to turn when you need it to turn, to brake when you need it to brake. You want to avoid breakdowns and system failures so that you can always make return trips safely so that you never have to worry about a sudden disaster when you’re flying along at top speeds or trying to make a difficult turn.
As a responsible ATV rider, you want to work hard to keep yourself safe while you’re having fun. You need an ATV that works with you toward that same goal, and that means you need to keep your ATV in top-notch shape. Here’s how to do that.
Rely on a great mechanic
Just like any other kind of vehicle, your ATV needs the occasional check-up from a mechanic. So find one that you trust, and don’t be a stranger! While there are some basic maintenance jobs that you can do yourself on your ATV, it never hurts to have an expert touch. A frequent visits to a mechanic will mean that small or potential problems can be stopped before they get worse. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to get your ATV checked out. Be proactive, and you’ll enjoy a safer ride. You’ll also save money by avoiding more costly repair needs down the line!
Invest in quality parts
There will come a time when you need to replace a part on your ATV. When that time comes, you will most likely have a choice: should you go with a more expensive brand-name part, or take a flyer on a cheaper alternative?
Go with the brand name. Elite products like Polaris parts are going to be more reliable for your ATV — which means that, in turn, your ATV is going to be more reliable for you. You should talk to your mechanic about the importance of opting for great parts. When in doubt, you should always go with quality brand names. This is your safety we’re talking about — don’t skimp on it!
Protect your ATV from the elements
When you’re out riding, your ATV is right out in nature with you. It’s going to get muddy, and it’s going to barrel through crazy terrain. But when your ride is finished, you should take the time to clean things up. You don’t want to let mud stay caked on your vehicle, and you certainly don’t want your ATV to stay wet — that could lead to rust. Rust destroys vehicles of all kinds, and ATVs are no exception.
When you’re not using your ATV, you should keep it stored in a dry place with moderate and relatively constant temperatures. Invest in a great ATV cover to keep your ride protected from dust and other dangers. And if you’re not going to ride your ATV for a long time, prepare it for the time off. Winterizing is a key step for ATV riders in cold climates who are hanging up the helmet for the season, and ATVs should be prepared for long-term disuse even if the weather is warm.
Caring for an ATV isn’t too tough, and it will pay off big time. A well maintained ATV is a safer and more enjoyable vehicle.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania
Trump have made an unannounced Christmas visit at the al-Asad airbase in Iraq.
The first family traveled there “late on Christmas night” to thank
troops for “their service, their success and their sacrifice”, the
White House said.
President Trump said the US had no plans to pull out of Iraq, Reuters
reports.
The trip came days after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis quit over divisions
about strategy in the region.
The US still has some 5,000 troops in Iraq to support the government in its
fight against what remains of the ISIS.
President Trump, the First Lady and National Security Adviser John Bolton
traveled on Air Force One to al-Asad airbase, west of the capital Baghdad, to
meet military personnel in the base’s restaurant.
The president spent about three hours at the base in what is his first visit
to the region.
During the visit President Trump got a standing ovation from troops as he entered
a dining hall and walked around greeting them, posing for selfies with them and
signing autographs.
He tweeted: “.@FLOTUS Melania and I were honored to visit
our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!”
The president had planned to spend Christmas at his private golf club in
Florida, but stayed behind in Washington because of the current partial
government shutdown.
“We’re no longer the suckers,
folks,” he told American servicemen and women at the base.
“We’re respected again as a
nation.”
President Trump said the US could use Iraq as a forward base if “we
wanted to do something in Syria”, Reuters news agency reports.
He defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria during the visit,
saying: “A lot of people are going
to come around to my way of thinking.
Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader
Ginsburg was discharged from the hospital following cancer surgery and is
recuperating at home, a court spokeswoman has announced.
The 85-year-old had surgery to
remove two cancerous nodules from her left lung in New York on December 21.
The Notorious RBG, who is the most
senior justice on the Supreme Court’s liberal wing, has previously had surgery
to treat colon cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Supreme Court judges serve for life
or until they retire.
Supporters of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
have expressed concern that if anything happened to her, she could be replaced
by a conservative justice.
Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy
Arberg said in a statement: “Justice
Ginsburg was discharged from the hospital yesterday [December 25] and is
recuperating at home.”
According to an earlier statement released
by the court, the malignant nodules were initially discovered when Ruth Bader Ginsburg
broke three ribs in November.
Both were successfully removed at
New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and afterwards “there
was no evidence of any remaining disease”, it added.
No further treatment is planned.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed to
the Supreme Court in 1993 by President Bill Clinton.
She had previously focused her work
on women’s rights and started the first law journal dedicated to the topic.
Some of her legal opinions, coupled with her refusal to step down during the Obama era, have seen her gain popularity in some quarters.
A deadly tsunami triggered by Anak
Krakatau volcano’s eruption struck Indonesia on December 22, at 21:30 local
time, during a local holiday.
Giant waves crashed into coastal
towns on the islands of Sumatra and Java, killing at least 281 people and
injuring 1,016.
Sea water did not recede as it would
with an earthquake tsunami and experts say that even if there had been warning
buoys near the volcano, there would have been minimal alert time.
On December 23, coastal residents
near Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano have been warned to keep away from
beaches amid fears it could trigger a new tsunami.
It is thought that volcanic activity
set off undersea landslides which in turn generated the killer waves.
Anak Krakatau erupted again on
December 23, spewing ash and smoke.
Video shot from a charter plane
captured the magnitude of the volcanic event in the Sunda Strait, between
Sumatra and Java.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by
blocked roads but heavy lifting equipment is being transported to badly hit
areas to help search for victims.
The spokesman for the National
Disaster Management Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, told a news conference that
another tsunami is a possibility because of the continued volcanic eruptions of
Anak Krakatau.
He said: “Recommendations from [the] Meteorology, Climatology and
Geophysical Agency are that people should not carry out activities on the beach
and stay away from the coast for a while.”
Anak Krakatau, which emerged in 1927
from the caldera that was formed during the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, has
seen increased activity in recent months with people asked to avoid the area
around its crater.
On December, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho put
out a series of tweets explaining why there was no early warning for this
tsunami. He said that Indonesia’s early warning system is set up to monitor
earthquakes but not undersea landslides and volcanic eruptions, which can also
generate deadly waves.
With 13% of the world’s volcanoes in
Indonesia alone, it was crucial for the country to develop such system.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho confirmed there was no tsunami advance warning system the night of the disaster, adding that because of lack of funds, vandalism to the buoys and technical faults there had been no operational tsunami warning system since 2012.
Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy
for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, has quit over President Donald Trump’s
decision to pull troops from Syria.
He brought his departure forward from February.
Before President Trump’s announcement he had insisted that the US would
continue working against ISIS in Syria.
President Trump described Brett McGurk’s resignation as a “nothing
event”.
The president tweeted: “Brett
McGurk, who I do not know, was appointed by President Obama in 2015. Was
supposed to leave in February but he just resigned prior to leaving.
Grandstander? The Fake News is making such a big deal about this nothing event!”
Brett McGurk’s decision to quit follows the resignation of Defense Secretary
Jim Mattis on December 20.
General Jim Mattis had also opposed withdrawing troops from Syria as well as
reducing the US presence in Afghanistan.
Brett McGurk, 45, is an experienced
diplomat who was appointed to his current role in 2015 under the Obama
administration.
In early December, the envoy told
reporters: “We want to stay on the
ground and make sure that stability can be maintained in these areas.”
He added: “It would be reckless if we were just to say, well, the physical
caliphate is defeated, so we can just leave now. I think anyone who’s looked at
a conflict like this would agree with that.”
In his resignation letter, seen by
AP news agency, Brett McGurk said that ISIS militants in Syria were on the run
but not yet defeated. He said that withdrawing US forces from Syria would
create the conditions that gave rise to ISIS.
In an email to staff quoted by the New York Times, Brett McGurk said
President Trump’s decision to pull out troops “came as a shock and was a
complete reversal of policy”. It “left our coalition partners
confused and our fighting partners bewildered”, he said.
Brett McGurk went on to say: “I ultimately concluded I could not carry out these new instructions and maintain my integrity.”
There is an opinion that electronic cigarettes
are less harmful than regular (tobacco) ones. In fact, this question has not
been thoroughly studied. Of course, facts confirming that people are switching
to e-cigarettes, with time, no longer feel short of breath, get rid of the pain
in a chest and strong cough. There are many other benefits. Scientists do not
argue that the electronic cigarette is a panacea for smokers because hovering
is quite a young thing and so far there are no serious tests to confirm or
refute this hypothesis. The question of the harm or benefit of vape is far from
the only one of those that hover around these electronic devices. Often the
financial issue is important, and in this article, we will figure out what is
cheaper – electronic cigarettes or regular ones.
To begin with, smoking any cigarette, including vape pen, is harmful. Before
you buy electronic cigarettes, think again about the potential harm that you
cause to health, as well as the possible addiction to nicotine. Remember that
although electronic cigarettes are less dangerous for the body than tobacco
products, their detrimental effects on the body have not been studied for a
long time. So far it is only known that steam can cause diseases (including
cancer) of the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous and other systems.
Therefore, if you want to protect yourself from harm completely – do not smoke or steam at all. At the same
time, it can be said that an electronic cigarette is a reasonable alternative
to regular cigarettes. If by virtue of habit or personal factors you cannot
give up nicotine, it is better that it enters your body without toxic
impurities, tar, carcinogens, poisons, which are more than enough in tobacco
smoke. Steam is safer.
Is it cheaper to soar or smoke?
More and more people around the world give their preference to modern cigarettes, completely refusing tobacco. This is connected not so much with concern for their own health, but with the desire to reduce their costs. It is secretly assumed that an electronic cigarette is a very expensive pleasure, but this is more a legend than a reality. Indeed, some ten years ago, when e-cigarettes rushed into the markets, it was not easy and expensive to buy them. They cost a lot of money, and the service noticeably hit the bill. Today the situation is completely different, which can be fairly justified by high competition, as well as rapid development in the field of technology and appearance of vape shops (Vapindaily, for example). Often, a smoker who has to choose whether to switch to “nanotechnological” smoking compares the cost of his cigarettes with the cost of an electronic cigarette and makes a choice in the direction of tobacco. To a newcomer in this business, it may seem that the price of a gadget is ten times higher than the price of one pack of cigarettes, and therefore there is no point in changing an ordinary tobacco cigarette to an uncharted device. But here it is worth remembering that an electronic cigarette is bought once and with proper maintenance it can be used for a long time. For a beginner, it is often important that an electronic cigarette be similar in appearance and shape to a regular one. The myths that e-cigs are much more expensive than regular cigarettes are most likely created to maintain the budget of tobacco corporations. Probably, it is clear for what reasons – they just do not want to lose their income. It turns out that the benefits and advantages of an electronic cigarette over obsolete tobacco products prevail. Safe for life and health of the components that make up the liquid, getting rid of unpleasant odors, and as a bonus, a very pleasant saving of your own wallet. In conclusion, it is worth noting that smoking or hovering is a matter for everyone individually. It is worth remembering that tobacco products are definitely harmful and weightily hit the budget. As for electronic soaring, little is known about the harm here, but this does not exclude the fact that it does exist. An average smoker who needs one pack of cigarettes a day spends about $ 650 a year to buy cigarettes. A considerable amount, isn’t it? And if you take into account what cigarettes do to you, it may seem absurd. Now imagine what you could spend all the money saved! And, finally, you have a question: “How much will it cost to use an electronic cigarette?” Initially, when switching from cigarettes to vaping, the cost of the starter kit is taken into account, which ranges from $ 15 to $ 40, the remaining costs are buying vape juice and replaceable components (evaporators). According to our calculations, it will cost about $ 50 a month, depending on your device and the amount of liquid that you evaporate. More advanced devices cost more money – better specifications require higher production costs. But, having made a purchase of a device, all your future costs are limited to the purchase of liquids and consumables, the service life of which often exceeds one month. By simple calculations, you can answer the main question yourself. But for clarity, we will demonstrate the numbers. Keeping your e-cigarette and maintaining a supply of liquid will cost you $ 100- $ 250 per year. Agree, it is clearly more profitable than spending $ 650 on cigarettes. Ideally, vaping should help you to throw both cigarettes and steam, which will reduce your expenses on a bad habit to zero! Well, do not forget that, according to the research department of the Department of Health of the United Kingdom, vaping is 95% safer than traditional cigarettes. An electronic cigarette, if we are talking about a good model, is financially more profitable than daily buying cigarette packs. In conclusion, we only note that it is recommended to buy e-cigarettes and consumables from trusted suppliers, which will protect you from counterfeits, unsafe and low-quality products. Remember that for each different consumer models of devices and liquids may be ideal – be prepared for a conscious independent choice.
About the author: Christina Matthews, the
journalist who studies the latest news in the health industry. Now she studies
the effects of smoking and vaping on health and reasons of such its popularity.
One of the
most important decisions any family will make is the choice of an automobile.
The mainstay of the automotive industry – the family car segment – is the most
competitive in the marketplace. As such, it bristles with highly capable offering.
To help you
sort through them, Parents magazine,
one of the most respected family-oriented publications, recently named its list
of the best vehicles for large families.
We’ll focus on five of them here, but you’ll find the entire list at Parents.com.
Chevrolet Traverse
All-new for
the 2018 model year, Chevrolet’s Traverse is exceptionally commodious,
adequately powered and delightfully comfortable. It’s also well thought through
for its primary mission as family transportation. You’ll find six USB charging
ports, seating for eight, accommodations for four child safety seats and
outstanding cargo capacity. This makes Traverse ideal for family vacations as
well as mainstream family duties. A built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot keeps teens
connected (and relatively complaint-free) wherever you go. Heated seats and
climate control vents for rear passengers add to the sanctity you’ll experience
with a Chevrolet Traverse.
Honda Odyssey
Universally agreed upon by experts to be the smartest solution ever devised for family transportation, the minivan stands head and shoulders above its more popular crossover SUV competition. And yet, the minivan segment is very nearly decimated. Perhaps proof the best hold on regardless, Honda’s Odyssey has been revised for the 2018 model year. Long recognized as the leader in its class, this new Odyssey is the best one Honda has ever offered. The second-row seats slide apart to keep squabbling siblings in neutral corners and an interior camera helps you keep tabs on a sleeping infant in the back seat. However, the single most innovative feature of the 2018 Honda Odyssey is the way its navigation system links with the “Are We There Yet?” app so you’ll never have to suffer that query again.
Image source Wikimedia
Subaru Outback
Blending the
attributes of a car and a traditional SUV better than most crossover SUVs,
Subaru’s Outback is well suited for light off-roading, while offering plenty of
cargo capacity for outdoorsy families. All-wheel drive and roof racks further
bolster the Subaru’s credibility in this regard. Capable of seating five and
accommodating up to three child safety seats, the Subaru will also expand right
along with your family as the kids mature.
Toyota Prius Prime
Among its lengthy list of qualifications for family duty is the fact the Toyota Prius Prime delivers 54 miles per gallon. If you’re a budget conscious parent, that sentence is going to be particularly appealing. Prius Prime’s interior is also more than adequate for the needs of a family. Capable of seating five passengers and accommodating two child safety seats, it’s suitably spacious and will remain so even as adolescence morphs into puberty and legs get longer. Nicely equipped and eco-friendly, now you know why there always seems to be a Prius in front of you wherever you go.
Volkswagen Atlas
Debuting as
an all-new product for Volkswagen in 2017, Atlas is a seven-passenger crossover
sport utility vehicle with a decidedly Germanic attitude. This means it rides
comfortably at highway speeds, exhibits significant agility and is quite
maneuverable around town—despite its size. The Atlas Car-Net app allows you to
keep tabs on the security of the VW when you’re away from it and help you find
it in a crowded parking lot. With seating for seven, Atlas is capable of accommodating
five child safety seats. The Volkswagen Atlas also boasts a six-year
/72,000-mile warranty and is built in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Any of these five vehicles for large families will serve you well, regardless of the nature of your activities. They also have strong resale value should you ever need to get a refinance car loan like those offered by RoadLoans.
Even better,
they all have above average safety ratings and host of standard safety features
such as blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and proximity sensors.
Picking the Right Vehicle
So, if you are shopping for a vehicle to fit the needs of your large family, start by considering the safety features first. After all, you are carrying very precious cargo!
The next
step is to make sure there is enough room of kids, parents, pets, backpacks,
soccer cleats and anything else you might be packing. And finally, you’ll want
to make sure your chosen vehicle fits nicely into your budget.
Hopefully,
these tips have put your on the right track to picking a vehicle for your
family. Happy trails!
Ever considered a career in reselling or wholesale? If you’ve heard anything about it, you know that it’s a fast-paced and exciting way to turn profits on popular retail goods. Top resellers run their own businesses, set their own hours, and call the shots. Plus, it’s not all that difficult to break into a career in the industry. Once you find the right distributors, you’re well on your way. Here’s how to purchase returned merchandise pallets to kickstart your career as a reseller.
Finding the right distributor
When it comes to reselling, your industry relationships are incredibly important. Whether you’re working with a sole distributor or you’re trying to build an entire network that your business can rely on, surrounding yourself with the right colleagues is an essential component of your overall success. It’s important to remember that just because what someone’s offering you might seem like a good deal, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a good deal. For every quality distributor working these days, plenty more are all too willing to take advantage of newer resellers for their own gain.
Deciding on a distributor requires patience, perseverance, and some solid interpersonal skills. As with any retail business, reselling relies heavily on the relationships you forge. If you’re unsure of how to go about finding a distributor, a good place to start is requesting referrals from industry peers.
Another good tactic is to reach out to the manufacturers of products you intend to stock. If they’re not willing to sell to you directly, they may consider parting with their list of trusted distributors. For example, if you’re interested in purchasing returned Amazon pallets, reaching out to Amazon might yield greater rewards than simply asking around to find the right distributors.
Ask about the auction houses
No one can deny that auctions are fairly intimidating, especially if you’re new to the reselling business. They’re incredibly fast-paced, they require a keen eye, and you have to be able to make snap judgments. To put it bluntly, the auction scene isn’t for every business owner. However, if you have a true sense of what you’re looking for and understand the value of the returned pallets you’re purchasing, you’re one step ahead of many auction attendees.
Although in-person auctions are the most common, especially with the vast number of trade shows that take place every year across the nation, digital auctions are only growing in popularity. Some of them are invite-only, which means you’ll need to establish a relationship with the specific manufacturer before you’re allowed to attend. However, many others are public and are a great starting point for acquiring returned merchandise pallets. Ask around about upcoming public auctions and try to gain a bit of insight as to how they work. After all, you wouldn’t want to waste your valuable time at a venue that won’t help propel your business.
Preferred vendors are essential
When all else fails, see whether your desired manufacturer works exclusively with preferred vendors. These distributors are sometimes the sole resale point of contact for top retailers and might be your only shot at acquiring the returned pallets you’re interested in stocking. A major benefit to using preferred vendors is that many of them extend the same warranties, guarantees, and return policies as their parent manufacturers, which means that you’re able to buy merchandise with a peace of mind that returned products don’t typically afford you.
Whether you’re an industry veteran or a reselling rookie looking to break into the scene, learning more about where your products come from is crucial to your business’ success. Finding the right returned merchandise distributor takes time, but once you’ve crafted a solid business relationship, you’re in a great position to start growing and expanding.
The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates
again despite President Donald Trump’s opposition.
The Fed’s key interest rate has been increased by 0.25% to a target range of
2.25%-2.5%.
However, the Fed officials also said future increases could come at a slower
pace amid concerns about global growth.
The move comes two days after President Trump warned the Fed against making
“yet another mistake” in raising rates, urging it instead to
“feel the market”.
The president also urged the bank not to wind down a multi-billion dollar
stimulus program brought in after the financial crisis.
President Trump – who appointed the Fed’s chairman, Jerome Powell – has
repeatedly blamed the central bank for unsettled markets and dismissed analysts
who cite other factors, such as rising trade tariffs.
His remarks have put pressure on the Fed, as presidents generally avoid criticizing
the bank publicly, for fear of politicizing the institution.
President Trump tweeted: “I
hope the people over at the Fed will read today’s Wall Street Journal Editorial
before they make yet another mistake. Also, don’t let the market become any
more illiquid than it already is. Stop with the 50 B’s. Feel the market, don’t
just go by meaningless numbers. Good luck!”
At a press conference on December
19, Jerome Powell defended the Fed’s independence, saying that political
pressure played “no role whatsoever” in its discussions or decisions.
The Fed’s chairman added that the
central bank had no plans to change its ongoing reduction of its portfolio of
Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.
The central bank has been gradually
raising the benchmark rate since 2015, moving the US away from the ultra-low
rates put in place during the financial crisis to spur economic activity.
The decision, which was widely
expected, marked the ninth increase since 2015 and the fourth this year.
However, the moves have made
borrowing more expensive, contributing to slowdowns in some sectors, such as
housing.
With economic growth expected to
slow, some worry that further increases risk stifling economic activity.
On December 19, officials did cut their forecasts for economic growth in
2019 to 2.3%, down from the 2.5% they anticipated in September.
Estimates released by the bank showed most Fed members expect two rate
increases in 2019 – not three, as previously forecast.
It follows a downturn in financial markets and concerns about slowing growth
in the US and abroad.
However, Jerome Powell said the strength of the US economy – which is
expected to grow about 3% this year – justified another rate rise, despite
recent “cross currents” that have weakened the outlook.
He said: “We think this move was
appropriate for what is a very healthy economy.
“Policy at this point does not
need to be accommodative.”
In its official statement, the Fed also said increases to its benchmark rate
would help the US economy sustain its expansion, keeping the unemployment rate
low and inflation near 2%.
Shares sank after the announcement, reversing earlier gains. The Dow and S&P 500 closed about 1.5% lower, while the NASDAQ fell than 2%.
When an e-commerce business reaches a certain point
managing stock and determining which marketing channels are producing results
becomes difficult. This is where a Product Information Management (PIM) system
really helps.
In this post, we’ll look at how a good PIM solution can make your business more agile and productive.
What is a PIM?
Put simply PIM software helps you better manage every aspect of your e-commerce system. From tracking sales and stock accurately to determining which marketing channels are performing well, a good productive information management system will help you see the information you need faster and more accurately.
Access to the information and purchasing approvals can be
controlled using a hierarchal system. This provides good management control
systems, approval purchase tracking, and security.
Accounting
PIM systems allow for much better and faster accounting. Seeing your bottom line is easy, seeing your best selling items, successful marketing campaigns, and vice versa are made simple. You can keep track of the sales process from start to finish. Every aspect of accounting is now visible to you. This leads to better decisions from a financial view.
Business Intelligence
Once a PIM system is in place and configured correctly making faster and better business decisions become possible. Consider, no more data mining across various spreadsheets. Simply discover the information when needed. The better PIM systems such as Sales Layer can run reports based on your input. The information you need to make the big calls are at your fingertips.
Better Stock
Management and Distribution
Stock management and distribution is vital to the success
of an e-commerce based business. Aspects such as re-order levels can be set and
configured to re-order when needed. No more losing sales because you have run
out of stock. Distribution networks can be managed more effectively with stock
levels at each of your plants made visible and easily accessible.
All of this adds up to the oh so important better customer
service.
Better Marketing
A PIM system ensures that your marketing is brought
into the hub. Images, social media updates, can all be brought together and
published from the system itself. This makes the update process far easier to
keep track off and makes tracking the success of your marketing channels far
easier.
PIM Cloud
PIM systems can be cloud-based avoiding hefty
infrastructure costs and allowing for better more agile and flexible working.
This results in better productivity across your teams. Better productivity and
workflow results in better profit and better business.
Having a cloud-based system also means there are less
clash and conflicts. Under the older systems, a team can make changes which
another team can’t see. This can result in chaos and lost time. Now, everyone
works from the same data hub, making changes visible to all departments.
Your teams can now work remotely with PIM cloud and you
can use the hierarchal controls to apply security measures to control who can
access what.
Final Thoughts
Once a PIM system is in place you can manage your
business more effectively, improving workflow and productivity. If you find
you’re spending hours looking across spreadsheets to find answers, it is time
to invest in a product information management system.
US troops are being withdrawn from Syria, after President Donald Trump said the ISIS group had been “defeated”, the Trump administration has announced.
However, the Pentagon said it was transitioning to the “next phase of the campaign” but did not give details.
Some 2,000 troops have helped rid much of north-eastern Syria of ISIS, but pockets of fighters remain.
It had been thought defense officials wanted to maintain a US presence to ensure ISIS did not rebuild.
There are also fears a US withdrawal will cede influence in Syria and the wider region to Russia and Iran.
Both the Pentagon and the WhiteHouse statement said the US had started “returning United States troops home as we transition to the next phase of this campaign”.
The Pentagon said it would not provide further details of what that next phase is “for force protection and operational security reasons”.
The White House said the US and its allies stood “ready to re-engage at all levels to defend American interests whenever necessary, and we will continue to work together to deny radical Islamist terrorists territory, funding, support and any means of infiltrating our borders”.
Israel said it had been told the US had “other ways to have influence in the area” but would “study the timeline [of the withdrawal], how it will be done and of course the implications for us”.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on state-controlled Channel One TV that the US decision could result in “genuine, real prospects for a political settlement” in Syria.
Pulling troops out of Syria had long been promised by President Trump.
The state department abruptly canceled its daily briefing on December 19 after the withdrawal was announced.
One of President Trump’s supporters, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who sits on the armed services committee, called it a “huge Obama-like mistake”.
In a series of tweets, Lindsey Graham said ISIS was “not defeated”, and warned withdrawing US troops puts “our allies, the Kurds, atrisk”.
This week Turkey said it was preparing to launch an operation against a Kurdish militia in northern Syria, which has been an ally of the US in its fight against ISIS.
A newly discovered amphibian that buries its head in the sand has been named after President Donald Trump, apparently in response to his comments about climate change.
The Dermophis donaldtrumpi, which was discovered in Panama, was named by the head of a company that had bid $25,000 at auction for the privilege.
EnviroBuild said it wanted to raise awareness about climate change.
The company’s co-founder Aidan Bell in a statement: “[Dermophis donaldtrumpi] is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and is therefore in danger of becoming extinct as adirect result of its namesake’s climate policies.”
The small, blind, amphibian is a type of caecilian that primarily lives underground, and Aidan Bell drew an unflattering comparison between its behavior and President Trump’s.
He wrote: “Burrowing [his] head underground helps Donald Trump when avoiding scientific consensus on anthropomorphic climate change.”
The amphibian is not the first creature to be named after Donald Trump.
In 2017, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, was discovered by biologist Vazrick Nazari in a collection of moths from the Museum of Entomology, at the University of California. Vazrick Nazari said the moth’s unique head coloring reminded him of President Trump.
CBS’ former chairman and chief executive Les Moonves will not receive a $120 million severance package after an inquiry into alleged harassment and assault.
CBS said that Les Moonves misled the company over the allegations and failed to work with investigators, meaning ithad grounds to fire him.
Les Moonves stepped down in September following fresh claims he had harassed or assaulted six more women.
He said that the accusations made in The New Yorker magazine were untrue.
In a statement, CBS said Les Moonveshad displayed “willful and material misfeasance” and failed to co-operate fully with the company’s investigation into the allegations against him.
CBS also said Les Moonves had had violated company policy and was in breach of his employment contract and as a consequence he would not receive any severance payment from the broadcaster.
At the time of Les Moonves’departure as chairman and chief executive at CBS, where he had worked for 23 years, CBS said it had set $120 million aside as possible payment for him pending an investigation.
Actress and writer Illeana Douglas, known for her roles in the filmsGoodfellas and Cape Fear, was oneof the first women to speak publicly about an alleged assault by Les Moonves.
In the first of two articles The New Yorker published on Les Moonves, Illeana Douglas said: “What happened to me was a sexual assault, and then I was fired for not participating.”
The article also said there was a culture of harassment at CBS.
Following an investigation by external law firms, the company said they had concluded “that harassment and retaliation are not pervasive at CBS”.
“However, the investigators learned of past incidents of improper and unprofessional conduct, and concluded that the company’s historical policies, practices and structures have not reflected a high institutional priority on preventing harassment and retaliation.”
Malaysia has filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs and two former bankers in connection with a corruption and money laundering investigation at the state-owned investment fund 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Goldman Sachs has been under scrutiny for its role in helping to raise funds for the 1MDB.
The US bank is being investigated in at least six countries.
Goldman Sachs called the charges
“misdirected” and said it would “vigorously defend them”.
The bank added: “The firm continues to co-operate with all authorities investigating these matters.”
Malaysia filed the charges against Goldman Sachs and its former employees Tim Leissner and Roger Ng.
Tim Leissner served as Goldman’s South East Asia chairman, and left the bank in 2016. Roger Ng was a managing director at Goldman until his departure in May 2014.
Malaysia has also brought charges against former 1MDB employee Jasmine Loo and financier Jho Low.
Malaysia’s attorney general Tommy Thomas said in a statement: “The charges arise from the proceeds of three bonds issued by the subsidiaries of 1MDB, which were arranged and underwritten by Goldman Sachs.”
Last month, Tim Leissner, Roger Ngand and Jho Low were served with criminal charges in the US in relation to 1MDB.
Tim Leissner pleaded guilty in the US to conspiring to launder money and violating anti-bribery laws.
In that case, prosecutors said Tim Leissner and Roger Ng worked with Jho Low to bribe government officials to win 1MDB business for Goldman Sachs.
US authorities said billions of dollars were embezzled from the state fund to buy art, property, a private jet- and even to help finance the Wolf ofWall Street movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The scandal has prompted investigations around the world and played a role in the election defeat earlier this year of Malaysia’s former PM Najib Razak, who is accused of pocketing $700 million from the fund he set up.
Vine and HQ Trivia co-founder Colin Kroll has been found dead in his New York flat at the age of 34.
Colin Kroll was found by police after his girlfriend reportedly asked them to check on him.
An HQ spokesperson confirmed the death of the CEO “with deep sadness”.
HQ Trivia app, a live trivia game on mobiles, became hugely popular, although its appeal waned this year.
NYPD officers went to Colin Kroll’s flat in Manhattan to carry out a welfare check and found his body along with drugs paraphernalia nearby, TMZ reported in the initial media coverage of his death.
The HQ statement read: “We learned today of the passing of our friend and founder, Colin Kroll, and it’s with deep sadness that we say goodbye. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
The company confirmed Colin Kroll’s age after police had initially said 35.
Alan Kroll, Colin’s father, told the NewYork Times: “He had so much talent and had accomplished so much at such a young age. It truly is a waste.”
Colin Kroll co-founded HQ Trivia with Rus Yusupov, who paid tribute on Twitter: “So sad to hear about thepassing of my friend and co-founder Colin Kroll. My thoughts & prayers goout to his loved ones. I will forever remember him for his kind soul and big heart. He made the world and internet a better place. Rest in peace, brother.”
HQ Trivia was launched in the US in 2017 and Colin Kroll was appointed CEO this September.
The free app live-streams quiz shows, with a pot of money – often thousands
of dollars – available to split between winners.
The quiz show was guest-hosted by some big names, from Jimmy Kimmel to Bert from Sesame Street.
HQ’s popularity faded this year, dropping out of the App Store’s list of top 100 apps.
Colin Kroll was also a co-founder of Vine, a six-second video streaming service that was bought out by Twitter in 2012 for $30 million.
Vine announced in December 2016 that Twitter was discontinuing the mobile app.
Mick Mulvaney is Donald Trump’s choice of new acting White House chief of staff, but he was not always a fan of the president, a 2016 video has revealed.
A video shows Mick Mulvaney describing Donald Trump as “a terrible human being”. He made the disparaging remark in a debate shortly before the 2016 presidential election.
He said: “Yes, I am supporting Donald Trump, but I’m doing so despite the fact that I think he’s a terrible human being.”
Mick Mulvaney also describes Donald Trump’s then opponent, Hillary Clinton, as “just as bad”.
The 51-year-old is a formerRepublican Congressman.The video, which was obtained by the Daily Beast was taken during a debate with Democratic challenger Fran Person in York, South Carolina.
Mick Mulvaney is currently director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and takes up his new role in January.
An OMB spokeswoman told the New York Times that the remarks had been made before Mick Mulvaney had met President Trump and was “old news”.
Meghan Burris said Mick Mulvaney “both likes and respects the president, and he likes working for him”.
The White House has not responded.
Meanwhile, a 2016 Facebook post shows that Mick Mulvaney described Donald Trump as “not a very good person”, NBC reported.
Mick Mulvaney was responding to the release of a tape from 2005 in which Donald Trump made inappropriate comments about women.
He wrote in a post: “I think one thing we’ve learned about Donald Trump during this campaign is that he is not a very good person.
“What he said in the audiotape is disgusting and indefensible. My guess is that he has probably said even worse.”
However, he added: “I’ve decided that I don’t particularly like Donald Trump as a person. But I am still voting for him. And I am still asking other people to do the same. And there is one simple reason for that: Hillary Clinton.”
Mick Mulvaney replaces General John Kelly, who steps down at the end of the year.
