Quantcast
Channel: Business Insider
Viewing all 115285 articles
Browse latest View live

'I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for 10 satisfying lives': Read John McCain's full farewell address to America

0
0

John McCain

  • Rick Davis, an aide to the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona, read a farewell address McCain had written to the nation before he died Saturday. 
  • His message offered gratitude and thanks after over 60 years of serving his country.
  • It also called on Americans to focus on what unites the country and not succumb to "tribal rivalries." 
  • McCain, a war hero who served Arizona in the US Senate for over 30 years, died of brain cancer.

In a Monday press conference, Rick Davis, a former campaign manager and spokesman for the late Sen. John McCain, delivered a farewell address written by McCain before he died at his home in Arizona on Saturday after a year-long battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

McCain was a decorated war hero who served 22 years in the Navy, including six of those years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He then went on to serve Arizona in the United States House and Senate for over 30 years, and was the Republican Party's nominee for president in 2008. 

Davis also announced the details four separate memorial events that will take place this week in both Arizona and Washington, DC. 

Read the full address from McCain here:

My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans,

Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s. 

I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

Fellow Americans’ – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

We are three-hundred-and-twenty-five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening. I feel it powerfully still.

Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America.

SEE ALSO: The incredible life of John McCain in photos

SEE ALSO: John McCain, a Vietnam war hero, is getting a short-lived tribute at the Pentagon thanks to Trump

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A North Korean defector's harrowing story of escape


South Korean boy band BTS beat out Taylor Swift for the biggest video debut in YouTube's history

0
0

Capture 30 860x280

  • The South Korean boy band BTS has surpassed Taylor Swift to notch the biggest music video debut in YouTube's history.
  • The band's video for its single "IDOL" earned a record of over 45 million views in the first 24 hours of its release, beating out the 2017 debut of Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do," which earned 43.2 million views in 24 hours, YouTube said.

A new music video by the South Korean boy band BTS has surpassed a record held by Taylor Swift to become the biggest music video debut in YouTube's history.

BTS' video for its single "IDOL" earned a record of over 45 million views in the first 24 hours of its release, beating out the 2017 debut of Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do," which earned 43.2 million views in 24 hours, YouTube said in a release.

The South Korean group's most recent album, "Love Yourself: Tear," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in May, the highest-charting album in US history for a K-pop, or Korean pop, act.

BTS' previous single, "Fake Love," peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in May, and has been certified "gold" by the RIAA for sales of over half a million streaming-equivalent units. 

The seven-member group, whose members are now in their early to mid-20s, released its first project, "2 Cool 4 Skool," in 2013.

Watch the video for "IDOL" below:

SEE ALSO: Spotify shared its 10 most popular songs of the summer, and Drake won by a landslide

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How a black cop infiltrated the KKK — the true story behind Spike Lee's 'BlacKkKlansman'

'As far as I'm concerned, they're Iowans with better food': The father of Mollie Tibbetts pushes back on anti-immigrant rhetoric surrounding her death

0
0

mollie tibbetts missing iowa woman AP_18233668670814

  • The father of slain Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts is pushing back on those who have seized on his daughter's death to promote an anti-immigrant agenda.
  • Prosecutors have charged Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who is believed to be in the US illegally, with her murder. Her body was found on August 21, nearly a month after she was reported missing.
  • “The Hispanic community are Iowans. They have the same values as Iowans,” said Rob Tibbetts on Sunday. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re Iowans with better food."


The killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts has prompted criticism of the U.S. immigration system because the man charged in her death is a Mexican farm worker. But the victim’s father told mourners he’s been embraced by the local Hispanic community.

Speaking Sunday afternoon to more than 1,000 people at a ceremony at his daughter’s former high school, Rob Tibbetts didn’t directly respond to comments by President Donald Trump and others who quickly seized upon the suspect’s citizenship to argue for changes in immigration laws.

However, The Des Moines Register reports that Tibbetts said he encountered Hispanics at Mexican restaurants and elsewhere who were sensitive and kind during the weeks he spent in the central Iowa community of Brooklyn to help search for his daughter.

“The Hispanic community are Iowans. They have the same values as Iowans,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re Iowans with better food.”

The body of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts was found Aug. 21 in a cornfield outside Brooklyn, where she had been staying during her summer break from the University of Iowa. Authorities have said she was abducted while out running July 18, and an autopsy showed that she died from stab wounds.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, 24, has been charged with first-degree murder in her death and is being held in lieu of a $5 million cash-only bond. He is suspected of being in the United States illegally.

If convicted of murder, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Within hours of Rivera’s arrest, Trump, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state’s two U.S. senators said her death demonstrated the need to change immigration laws. Trump called for the election of more Republicans who would support such changes.

In his address at Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom High School, Rob Tibbetts asked mourners to remember his daughter by “celebrating something wonderful,” rather than focusing on how she died.

Tibbetts urged the audience to remember his daughter’s passion for life and her desire to help others. To highlight his call to celebrate “wonderful” things, the father recognized a couple who had just married the day before during his eulogy.

“Today, we need to turn the page. We’re at the end of a long ordeal,” he said. “But we need to turn toward life — Mollie’s life — because Mollie is nobody’s victim. Mollie is my hero.”

Davenport Bishop Thomas Zinkula led the funeral Mass in the city of 1,500 where Mollie Tibbetts grew up.

SEE ALSO: 'This is a murder story, not an immigration story': Longtime Fox News commentator lashes out at network for Mollie Tibbetts coverage

SEE ALSO: Trump calls on Republican leaders to fund US-Mexico border wall following the death of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What's going on with Elon Musk

Trump finally lowers flags to half-staff in McCain's honor after hours of pressure from veterans, members of Congress

0
0

White House flag

  • The White House on Monday afternoon lowered the flag to half-staff after facing mounting criticism over the decision to raise it earlier in the day so soon after Sen. John McCain's death on Saturday.
  • "Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," President Donald Trump said in a statement.
  • Trump and McCain had a combative relationship, with the president once saying he didn't think the Arizona senator was a war hero since he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. 

The White House on Monday afternoon lowered the flag to half-staff after facing mounting criticism from veterans groups and members of Congress over the decision to raise it earlier in the day so soon after Sen. John McCain's death.

The US Flag Code calls for the flag to be flown at half-staff on the day of a member of Congress' death and the following day. The Trump administration honored that after McCain's death on Saturday in his home state of Arizona.

But it has become customary for presidents to sign a proclamation calling for the flag to remain at half-staff until the day of interment for prominent officials and figures. McCain is set to be interred at the US Naval Academy next Sunday.

Reporters discovered early Monday that the flag had been returned to full staff at the White House, the Pentagon, and other government buildings, marking a departure from that tradition. Veterans groups promptly slammed President Donald Trump for the decision.

Veterans groups ripped into Trump for raising the flag on Monday

The American Legion said in a letter to Trump on Monday: "I strongly urge you to make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain's death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation’s flag be half-staffed through his interment."

American Veterans was more direct in its statement, accusing Trump of disrespecting all veterans by flying the flag at full staff.

"It's outrageous that the White House would mark American hero John McCain's death with a two-sentence tweet, making no mention of his heroic and inspiring life," said Joe Chenelly, the group's national executive director.

"By lowering flags for not one second more than the bare minimum required by law, despite a long-standing tradition of lowering flags until the funeral, the White House is openly showcasing its blatant disrespect for Senator McCain's many decades of service and sacrifice to our country as well as the service of all his fellow veterans," Chenelly added.

Veterans of Foreign Wars also called on the White House to extend the honor of flying the flag at half-staff for McCain.

Meanwhile, there were bipartisan calls from Congress for the flag to be lowered, including from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

'Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service'

Trump ultimately buckled under the pressure and on Monday afternoon released a statement announcing a presidential proclamation to lower the flag.

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," Trump said.

Trump and McCain never got along

McCain is well-known for his military record and was a decorated Vietnam War veteran.

The Arizona senator famously spent over five years as a prisoner of war in the "Hanoi Hilton" prison in Vietnam, where he was tortured and held in solitary confinement for roughly two years. McCain refused an opportunity for early release during that period over loyalty to his fellow American POWs, and many regard him as a hero for the defiant act.

But Trump once questioned whether McCain was a hero. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump controversially suggested he didn't think troops who get "captured" could be heroes.

And despite being members of the same party, the two continued to butt heads until McCain's death.

SEE ALSO: As a POW in Vietnam, John McCain refused release until his fellow prisoners were freed, making him a hero in the eyes of many

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: INSIDE WEST POINT: What it’s really like for new Army cadets on their first day

29 photos of Princess Diana that show the lasting impact she had on our world

0
0

Princess Diana

• Princess Diana was a teacher before marrying Prince Charles.

• After divorcing Charles, Diana became a world famous advocate for different causes, like better treatment for AIDS and HIV patients.

• Her sons Prince William and Prince Harry remember her as a loving and "informal" mother.



Princess Diana tragically died at the age of 36 over 20 years ago, in 1997.

She was first propelled into the national spotlight at the age of 20, when she wedded Great Britain's Prince Charles at the age of 20.

Their troubled marriage ultimately imploded, turning the couple in tabloid fodder.

However, Diana went on to become an international icon in her own right. Her sophisticated style dictated fashion trends. Her dedication to charitable causes won her admiration and accolades.

And, in the wake of her death in Paris, then-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair famously referred to her as "the people's princess." The mass, global outpouring of grief that her death sparked proved it an apt observation.

Here's a look at the life of Diana, Princess of Wales:

SEE ALSO: An inside look at how J.K. Rowling, one of the most influential people alive, turned rejection into unprecedented success

DON'T MISS: Princess Diana once broke hearts by leaving hundreds of charities — and it teaches an important lesson in time management

Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1, 1961 to a British noble family. Her brother, the Earl Spencer, reminisced that she was 'incredibly brave,' even as a young girl.

Source: Royal.uk, USA Today



In school, the future princess failed all her O-levels — twice. However, Diana had a sense that she was destined for something important. "I knew that something profound was coming my way," she said in the documentary "Diana: In Her Own Words." "I was just treading water, waiting for it."

Source: The Independent, Diana: In Her Own Words



Before her marriage, Diana reportedly shared a flat with three roommates and worked as a part-time kindergarten teacher in London’s Pimlico district.

Source: People



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Inside Martha's Vineyard's exclusive Oak Bluffs community — which boasts hundreds of adorable gingerbread cottages and is frequented by guests like Barack Obama

0
0

Barack Obama Martha's Vineyard

  • Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts is one of the six towns located on Martha's Vineyard.
  • The community boasts a cluster of cheerful and iconic gingerbread cottages.
  • It's also one of Barack Obama's favorite vacations spots.

Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts is a town as vivid as it is historic.

One of the six towns on Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs is home to a string of colorful cottages, a bustling marina, and a picturesque downtown.

No wonder it's one of former president Barack Obama's favorite vacation spots.

Here's a look inside the community:

SEE ALSO: PHOTOS: Check Out The Sweet Martha's Vineyard Estate Where President Obama Will Vacation

DON'T MISS: No one wants to buy the Obamas' former vacation rental on Martha's Vineyard

SEE ALSO: Caroline Kennedy Lists Massive Martha's Vineyard Lot For $45 Million

The town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts is situated on the northeastern shore of Martha's Vineyard. It was first incorporated in 1880, and received its current name in 1907.

Source: Annals of Oak Bluffs, Oak Bluffs



Before Europeans settled on the island in 1642, the Wampanoag tribe occupied the area that would become known as Oak Bluffs.They called the swampy site "Ogkeshkuppe" — or "the wet or damp thicket."

Source: Annals of Oak Bluffs



Today, the town is known for its distinctive and colorful gingerbread houses, its large marina, and its decades-old African American community.

Source: Oak Bluffs



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump issues proclamation, lowers White House flag back to half-staff after facing blowback for not honoring John McCain

0
0

white house flag full staff mccain trump

  • The White House issued a proclamation and lowered its flag back to half-staff on Monday afternoon after facing criticism that it was not properly honoring Sen. John McCain.
  • The White House flag was at full staff on Monday morning after President Donald Trump did not order a proclamation following the death of the renowned war hero and public servant.
  • Presidential proclamations on the deaths of prominent US officials and figures typically call for flags to stay at half-staff until the burial, which for McCain will be Sunday.
  • McCain died at the age of 81 on Saturday. 

Amid criticism that he was not properly honoring Sen. John McCain of Arizona, President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon issued a proclamation, and the White House lowered its flag back to half-staff from its full height on Monday morning.

It's typical for presidential proclamations on the deaths of prominent US officials and figures to call for flags to stay at half-staff until the burial, which for McCain will be on Sunday.

Before Monday, the latest presidential proclamation Trump made that lowered US flags to half-staff was for the victims of the shooting at the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis, Maryland, in June. Trump signed that order after rejecting the Annapolis mayor's initial request to have the flags lowered, The Baltimore Sun reported at the time.

White House flag

Trump has been criticized for feuding with McCain. During the 2016 presidential campaign Trump underplayed McCain's renowned military service, and as president he threw subtle jabs at McCain after the six-term senator voiced opposition on matters of foreign policy, healthcare, and immigration.

After McCain's death, Trump tweeted: "My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!"

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump had rejected a statement from his aides praising McCain, saying he wanted to post his own statement on Twitter instead.

As politicians, members of the military, and journalists mourned the death of McCain, Trump spent his Sunday golfing and tweeting and retweeting his past tweets about the stock market, Hillary Clinton's emails, and "the Fake News Media."

Criticism of the White House's decision to raise the flag came notably from the American Legion, which urged Trump to "make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain's death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation's flag be half-staffed through his interment."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also led bipartisan calls from Congress on Monday for the flag to be lowered.

The White House finally issued a more robust statement on Monday afternoon.

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," Trump said in a statement.

McCain and his family have requested that Trump not attend the funeral services and have asked former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — McCain's presidential election opponents — to eulogize McCain.

Trump said in the statement Monday that he had asked Vice President Mike Pence to speak at the ceremony at the US Capitol on Friday and that he requested his chief of staff, John Kelly, his defense secretary, James Mattis, and his national security adviser, John Bolton, to attend the services on behalf of the administration.

The White House did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the raised flag on Monday morning, first spotted by the CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

Remembering the life and legacy of John McCain:

SEE ALSO: The White House was going to issue a statement praising John McCain — until Trump reportedly nixed it

DON'T MISS: John McCain, war hero and longtime senator, dead at 81

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the woman behind Trump's $20 million merch empire

John McCain wanted Obama and Bush to speak at his funeral, but Trump's not invited

0
0

John Mccain

  • President Donald Trump is not invited to Sen. John McCain's funeral.
  • McCain reportedly said before he died he did not want Trump at the service, which much of Washington is expected to attend.
  • The two most recent presidents and McCain's former election opponents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have been asked to speak at the service at Washington National Cathedral.
  • McCain's death prompted an outpouring of praise from Washington, and his funeral proceedings include the rare honor of lying in state at the US Capitol.

Americans from Arizona to Washington, DC, will have the chance to pay their respects to Sen. John McCain at multiple memorials honoring the six-term senator and war hero who died from brain cancer on Saturday at the age of 81.

But President Donald Trump will most likely not be among the attendees.

The New York Times reported in May that Trump would not be invited to McCain's funeral. Two White House officials confirmed to The Associated Press that the president was asked not to attend.

The two feuded for years. The son and grandson of Navy admirals, McCain served in the US Navy for 22 years, 5 1/2 of which he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump mocked McCain's military service.

"He's not a war hero," Trump said in July 2015. "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured."

McCain issued some blistering statements condemning Trump's behavior, including in October 2016 after the 2005 tape of Trump making lewd comments about women emerged, as well as in July after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a summit that McCain called "disgraceful."

john mccain ss thumbs down skinny repeal

As president, Trump continued to throw subtle jabs at McCain after the Arizona senator voiced his opposition on matters of foreign policy, healthcare, and immigration.

McCain's death has prompted an outpouring of praise for his life and career from Washington heavyweights. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer even called for renaming the Russell Senate Office Building in McCain's honor.

Trump tweeted: "My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!"

Trump rejected a statement from his aides praising McCain, saying he wanted to post his own statement on Twitter instead, The Washington Post reported on Sunday. The president also didn't initially issue a proclamation to keep US flags at half-staff& and the White House's returned to full staff on Monday morning.

The flags were again lowered to half-mast Monday afternoon as Trump issued a proclamation that they would stay that way until McCain's burial on Sunday.

Trump also announced he asked chief of staff John Kelly, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, and national security adviser John Bolton to attend the funeral ceremony on behalf of the administration.

McCain's funeral arrangements

After three decades in Congress, McCain will lie in state, in the US Capitol's rotunda, his colleagues announced, making him the 33rd person and 13th senator to receive the rare honor.

The public will have opportunities to pay their respects in Phoenix and DC. There will be two separate services — the one in Phoenix will have some public seating, but the one in DC will be by invitation only.

McCain's memorials include:

  • Wednesday, August 29
    • Lying in state at the Arizona State Capitol
    • Ceremony starts at 10 a.m. local time
    • Open to the public starting at 2 p.m.
    • Livestream will be available
  • Thursday, August 30
    • Service at the North Phoenix Baptist Church
    • Starts at 10 a.m. local time
    • Limited public seating by request
    • Livestream available
  • Friday, August 31
    • Lying in state at the US Capitol
    • Ceremony starts at 11 a.m. ET
    • Open to the public 2-8 p.m.
    • Livestream available
  • Saturday, September 1
    • Service at Washington National Cathedral
    • Private event by invitation only
    • Starts at 10 a.m. ET
    • Livestream available

Though Trump wasn't invited to McCain's funeral services, Vice President Mike Pence will attend, along with scores of politicians, members of the military, and other Washington heavyweights. Trump said in his statement Monday that he asked Pence to speak at the ceremony on Friday.

McCain will be buried at his alma mater, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, next to his best friend, Adm. Chuck Larson.

George W. Bush and Obama were asked to speak

Obama John McCain

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, the two men to whom McCain lost his presidential bids, will deliver eulogies at the National Cathedral service on Saturday, CBS News confirmed.

Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday that McCain's choice to include his former running opponents was a significant reach across the political divide that represents McCain's style.

"These were bitter contests, both of them," Flake said. "To ask them to speak at your funeral and for them to be honored at the opportunity, that tells you all you need to know."

Remembering the life and legacy of John McCain:

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: McCain warns against the rise of nationalism in a passionate speech after being awarded the Liberty Medal


'Why won't you say anything about John McCain?': Trump ignores reporter 10 times when asked about the late senator he feuded with

0
0

Trump

  • President Donald Trump on Monday ignored a reporter's questions on the late Sen. John McCain at least 10 times.
  • ABC News reporter John Karl repeatedly asked Trump for his thoughts on McCain's passing, but the president never answered.
  • This occurred as Trump faced criticism over returning the White House flag to full-mast just two days after the Republican senator's death. 
  • After widespread criticism, Trump ultimately returned the flag to half-mast on Monday afternoon. 

President Donald Trump on Monday ignored a reporter's questions on the late Sen. John McCain at least 10 times as he faced criticism over returning the White House flag to full-mast just two days after the Republican senator's death. 

ABC News reporter John Karl repeatedly asked Trump for his thoughts on McCain's passing, but the president never answered.

Karl asked Trump questions such as whether he believed McCain was a hero and whether he would react to calls from veteran's groups to lower the flag to half-mast to honor the Arizona senator, who was a decorated Vietnam War veteran. At times Karl was standing just a few feet away from the president, but Trump still did not react. 

These questions were caught on video, in which Trump can be seen staring straight forward with almost no visible reaction. 

Trump, who had a contentious relationship with McCain, was broadly criticized Monday for not issuing a proclamation to keep the flag at half-mast at government and military buildings until the late senator's interment at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on Sunday. 

US flag code calls for the flag to be flown at half-mast "on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress," and the White House honored this over the weekend. But presidents traditionally sign proclamations for the flags to remain at half-mast until the day of interment when prominent public officials die, and Trump initially refrained from do so. 

The American Legion on Monday addressed this in a letter to the president, stating, "I strongly urge you to make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain's death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation’s flag be half-staffed through his interment."

Other veterans groups and members of Congress also called on Trump to lower the flag to half-mast throughout the day. 

Amid the mounting criticism, Trump ultimately issued a proclamation on Monday afternoon calling for the flag to be lowered in honor of McCain. 

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," Trump said in a statement on this decision.

McCain died of brain cancer in his home state of Arizona on Saturday. He was 81 years old.

SEE ALSO: John McCain, a Vietnam War hero, is getting a short-lived tribute at the Pentagon thanks to Trump

DON'T MISS: Trump finally lowers flags to half-mast in McCain's honor after hours of pressure from veterans, members of Congress

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the woman behind Trump's $20 million merch empire

11 books to read if you want to save more money

0
0

Money

  • Money may not buy happiness, but it allows you satisfy your daily needs and splurge on things that are valuable to you.
  • Saving a comfortable amount of money takes careful planning and budgeting, any many people have trouble building wealth.
  • These 11 personal finance books offer strategies for budgeting, getting out of debt, and managing your money.

 

They say money can't buy happiness, but your relationship with it is an important factor in achieving success.

So, if you find yourself having trouble saving money— whether you're hoping to buy a house, planning for retirement, or stocking up for a rainy day — it may be time to brush up on your financial skills.

These 11 personal finance books offer strategies for getting out of debt, smart investing, living on a budget, and managing your money successfully.

SEE ALSO: 12 clever ways to save money every day, according to financial experts

1. 'The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying' by Suze Orman

Financial expert and New York Times best-selling author Suze Orman's "The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Spot Worrying" explains how people's relationships with money are influenced by their emotions. According to Orman, emotions like fear and shame are the real things standing between you and financial success. 

In this book, Orman offers tips for paying off debt, outlines how to choose between different types of retirement accounts, and more. 



2. 'The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness' by Dave Ramsey

"The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness" is financial expert, radio host, and New York Timesbest-selling author Dave Ramsey's most popular book.

In this revised and updated version, Ramsey distills his two decades of financial counseling experience into a seven-step plan for gaining total control over your money.



'Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!' by Robert Kiyosaki

This may sound like a book solely for dads, but it's not. Robert Kiyosaki's New York Times best-seller "Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!" is about two "dads" who taught the Kiyosaki different perspectives about money: his actual father and his best friend's father.

Kiyosaki uses the lessons he learned from his father figures to offers practical yet slightly counterintuitive financial advice, arguing that you don't need a high income to become wealthy and that a house isn't an asset, among other things.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The convictions of 2 top Trump aides made last week one of the most dramatic of Trump's presidency. Here's what could happen next.

0
0

Michael Cohen and Donald Trump

  • Last week was one of the most dramatic of President Donald Trump's tenure so far.
  • Trump's former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen and ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort were convicted of federal crimes.
  • Now all eyes are on what happens next.

Last week featured some of the biggest drama of President Donald Trump's tenure so far.

In courtrooms separated by about 200 miles, Trump's former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts of federal felonies, two of which were campaign-finance violations that he said Trump "directed" him to make, while the president's ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort was convicted on eight felony counts while the jury was hung on another 10 counts he faced.

So what's next?

What's next for Michael Cohen?

In cutting a deal with federal prosecutors, Cohen pleaded guilty on Tuesday to five counts of tax evasion, one count of making a false statement to a financial institution, and two counts related to campaign-finance violations. Cohen said under oath that Trump directed him to make the payments in order to boost his candidacy.

The latter two charges were in connection to payments to the former Playboy model Karen McDougal and the adult-film actor Stormy Daniels to silence their allegations of affairs with Trump.

Altogether, Cohen faced 65 years in prison for the crimes he pleaded guilty to, but the agreement makes it likely he faces a sentence between three and five years instead. Cohen could shorten that further by cooperating with the government's ongoing investigations.

michael cohen

Cohen's plea agreement itself isn't a "cooperation" agreement, which would require him to work with federal investigators. And there is no guarantee that any cooperation would cut his sentence further, though it could improve his chances.

Already, Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, has said that Cohen wants to provide information of value to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, in addition to testifying before Congress.

And he said Cohen would not accept a presidential pardon.

"Michael Cohen knows information that would be of interest to the special counsel regarding both knowledge about a conspiracy to corrupt American democracy by the Russians and the failure to report that knowledge to the FBI," Davis told MSNBC this week.

Cohen has now been subpoenaed in a separate investigation — the New York state probe into the Donald J. Trump Foundation — following his guilty plea in federal court. He could become a key witness in that investigation.

Preliminarily, Cohen's sentencing date in the Southern District of New York is set for December 12.

Mitchell Epner, an attorney at Rottenberg Lipman Rich who was formerly a federal prosecutor in the District of New Jersey, told Business Insider in an email that if that December 12 date holds up, "it seems very unlikely to me that Michael Cohen is actually being used as a cooperator — either by the SDNY or Special Counsel Mueller's office."

"If, on the other hand, the December 12 sentencing hearing is delayed, that would strongly point to (but not be definitive) cooperation," he added, saying he was surprised that the plea agreement was a noncooperating deal.

Epner said Cohen's agreeing to a three- to five-year sentence was surprising as well, saying that was a "significant amount of time" for him to agree to serve.

"It leads me to believe that he is still actively pursuing cooperation," he said.

Roland Riopelle, a partner at Sercarz & Riopelle who was formerly a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, told Business Insider in an email that he didn't think it looked likely that Cohen would be able to cooperate with investigators.

"Cohen seems likely to suffer a jail sentence, because he is a fairly unsavory and unsympathetic person," he said, adding that there is "an outside chance that Cohen might still cooperate with the Southern District and Mueller, and he and his lawyer keep signaling that is what they want."

What about Trump?

With Cohen having said that Trump "directed" him to arrange for the Daniels and McDougal payments, which were the basis of two of the eight counts Cohen pleaded guilty to, experts called Trump an "unindicted co-conspirator" as it related to Cohen's plea deal.

Typically, that would open Trump up to being indicted. But Trump is no ordinary person. Being president makes things quite a bit different.

The Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel guidelines stipulate that a sitting president cannot be indicted, and Trump's attorneys have highlighted this on a number of occassions. Those attorneys have also stated that Mueller plans to stick to those guidelines. Mueller's office has not independently confirmed that, The Associated Press noted.

There are no guidelines saying an ex-president cannot be charged, and the matter itself has never been tested in court and had its constitutionality determined. Additionally, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has not hinted whether it would follow this guideline, although it appeared clear after Cohen's court date on Tuesday that they were not pursuing such charges in the immediate future.

Sol Wisenberg, who conducted grand jury questioning of former President Bill Clinton during the Whitewater scandal, told the AP that Cohen's deal was "obviously" bad for Trump, but he assumed Trump won't "be indicted because he's a sitting president."

robert mueller

"But it leads him closer to ultimate impeachment proceedings, particularly if the Democrats take back the House," he said.

That is the most immediate avenue of concern for Trump.

Philip Allen Lacovara, who served as counsel to the special prosecutors investigating former President Richard Nixon's role in the Watergate scandal, told The New York Times that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York "could seek permission from the deputy attorney general to do what we did in Watergate, which was to prepare a 'road map' of evidence bearing on the president's culpability and send it to the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over impeachment."

The likelihood of impeachment

Having a Congress open to such an idea is dependent on the results of the midterm elections.

Trump himself has opined on that possibility, telling Fox News that he doesn't "know how you can impeach somebody who's done a great job."

Democrats, on the other hand, have been leery of discussing impeachment.

Democratic House and Senate aides who spoke with Business Insider and requested anonymity to speak candidly on the subject said any discussion of impeachment is still far off, even after the Cohen and Manafort convictions. Instead, they pointed to what they said were the "shorter-term impacts," such as the House or Senate Judiciary Committees holding hearings and using the convictions as further rationale to delay a confirmation hearing for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's Supreme Court nominee.

One Democratic Senate aide said Cohen's plea deal and Manafort's guilty verdict don't change any calculations for the time being, but do set the stage for possible actions after Mueller's report is released.

"There's nothing the White House and Republican strategists want more than for the midterms to become a referendum on impeachment," they said.

Polling shows that the opinion on impeachment is fairly split. A Politico/Morning Consult survey last week found that 42% of voters believe Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against Trump while another 42% say it should not.

What's next for the Trump Organization?

Another avenue to open up following Cohen's plea deal is involving the Trump Organization.

In an information filed by prosecutors on Tuesday, they laid out how executives at Trump's business helped reimburse Cohen for "election-related expenses." The court filing says Cohen submitted an invoice in January 2017 requesting $180,000, which included $130,000 for the payment he facilitated to Daniels and $50,000 for "tech services."

The Trump Organization officials listed in the filings inflated that total to $420,000, prosecutors said, which would be paid to Cohen in installments of $35,000 for a monthly retainer fee throughout 2017. They called the monthly invoices "legal expenses," according to the filing.

Though the two executives mentioned were not named, many experts and observers pointed to Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg as most likely one of the two.

Soon after, it was revealed that Weisselberg, the man who for years managed Trump's books, was granted immunity by Manhattan federal prosecutors in exchange for information about Cohen. Reporting made it clear the information was limited to the Cohen investigation, and not connected to wider-ranging scrutiny of the president's or his business's finances.

On Thursday night, meanwhile, The New York Times reported that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, unconnected to the federal prosecutors investigating the payments, was weighing possible criminal charges against the Trump Organization and those two unnamed senior officials. It's unclear whether Weisselberg's immunity would apply to the state-level investigation.

What about Paul Manafort?

In the immediate aftermath of Manafort's guilty verdict, it became clear that the president had at least been considering pardoning his former campaign chief.

Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, said he advised the president against considering granting such a pardon until at least after Mueller's probe concluded. The president had reportedly consulted with others about whether to pardon Manafort before he was convicted in federal court.

Manafort was convicted on eight counts related to various financial crimes that were not tied to his work on the campaign. The former Trump campaign manager has a second trial upcoming in Washington, DC.

Trump ramps up battle with his own attorney general

Jeff Sessions

In the aftermath of the Cohen and Manafort convictions, Trump ramped up his criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who offered a rare rebuke to the president's remarks.

During a "Fox and Friends" interview, Trump said he only gave Sessions the job because he believed Sessions would be loyal, adding that he felt Sessions "never took control" of the Department of Justice.

Sessions responded, saying he took control of the department as soon as he assumed control of it and that his office would not be "improperly influenced by political considerations."

In Congress, multiple leading Republicans signaled that Sessions would likely be replaced following the midterm elections. That could be a defining decision of Trump's young presidency.

SEE ALSO: Trump is latching on to a popular right-wing talking point about Michael Cohen that experts say is 'nonsense'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A North Korean defector's harrowing story of escape

The US and Mexico just announced an agreement to overhaul NAFTA — here's what's in it

0
0

donald trump

  • The US and Mexico announced a preliminary trade deal on Monday as part of President Donald Trump's desire to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.
  • The deal includes stricter rules for autos, textiles, and many other goods.
  • It also includes new regulations concerning intellectual property and digital goods.
  • Here are the highlights of the deal and some initial reaction.

US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announced a new US-Mexico trade deal on Monday, completing a major step toward the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.

The deal is the result of five weeks of intense one-on-one talks between the Trump administration and Mexican officials.

It's not final, since Canada is still involved in the NAFTA process, but Trump said the US and Mexico could move forward with a bilateral agreement if the Canadians drive a hard bargain.

Here's a rundown of the major changes in the agreement. It would:

  • Require that for a car to move between the US and Mexico without being subject to tariffs, 75% of the car must originate in a NAFTA country. This would be up from the current 62.5%.
  • Establish that 40% to 45% of a car or truck's content must be made by workers earning more than $16 an hour. This is a push that could help the US retain more auto work. US auto unions have been fighting for such a change for some time.
  • Strengthen rules of origin for "chemicals, steel-intensive products, glass, and optical fiber" goods. Similar to autos, this would strengthen the requirements for goods to move across the US-Mexican border tariff-free.
  • Toughen rules for textile supply chains to push countries toward producing more apparel domestically. 
  • Strengthen enforcement mechanisms for intellectual property violations and protect intellectual property. For instance, the deal would set the minimum for copyright protections at 75 years.
  • Establish a zero-tariff level for digital content such as e-books and software, as well as strengthen distributor and consumer protections for digital goods.
  • Mexico would raise its de minimis shipment value level to $100 from the current $50. (A de minimis shipment value is the threshold at which a business has to pay duties on goods moving across the border and are subject to more stringent security checks.) Small US businesses or persons shipping goods worth $100 or less to Mexico would not be subject to tariffs and would face simpler customs checks.

Senior administration officials told reporters that the goal is to send a formal notification of the renegotiation to Congress on Friday, kicking off the clock for lawmakers to support or reject the new deal.

The deal drew a mixed response, with lawmakers and experts praising the preservation of many parts of NAFTA but also warning that the agreement could be a step in the wrong direction.

"I am working through the details of the possible US-Mexico agreement, but there is reason to worry that this might be a step backward from NAFTA for American families –especially on fundamental issues of presumed expiration of the deal, and empowering government bureaucrats rather than markets to determine the components in cars and other goods," GOP Sen. Ben Sasse, a critic of Trump's trade policy, said in a statement.

Some conservative advocacy groups, such as American for Prosperity and Freedom Partners, also took issue with the deal.

"We're encouraged by news that the White House is edging closer to an agreement on NAFTA and look forward to getting more specifics about this agreement soon," AFP President Tim Phillips and Freedom Partners Executive Vice President Nathan Nascimento said in a joint statement. "The devil is in the details, and we are concerned by reports that the agreement may contain protectionist country-of-origin requirements that create, rather than dismantle, barriers to free trade."

Canada is also facing a limited window to express concerns or fight for changes in the new deal. Trump and some of his aides argued that Canada could be excluded from the agreement if they object to its terms.

SEE ALSO: The US and Mexico struck an agreement on key parts of NAFTA, moving a step closer to reshaping the massive trade deal

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the woman behind Trump's $20 million merch empire

Paul Manafort reportedly sought a plea deal with Mueller to prevent his second trial from going forward

0
0

paul manafort donald trump.JPG

  • Paul Manafort's legal team was reportedly trying to secure a plea deal last week for Manafort in his second trial in Washington, DC.
  • Manafort's lawyers were discussing a possible plea with the special counsel Robert Mueller's team last week, as a jury in Virginia moved toward convicting Manafort on eight counts of tax and bank fraud.
  • But talks broke down when Mueller raised several issues with Manafort's lawyers.
  • A plea deal does not necessarily include a cooperation agreement. Instead, most defendants plead guilty to avoid facing a long and expensive trial in exchange for a reduced sentence, if prosecutors agree to such a deal.
  • Legal experts say the most likely reason Manafort has not flipped is the possibility of a presidential pardon.

Sign up for the latest Russia investigation updates here»


As a Virginia jury was moving toward convicting him on eight counts of financial fraud last week, Paul Manafort's lawyers were reportedly in talks with prosecutors about securing a plea deal before his second trial in Washington, DC.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Manafort, the former chairman of President Donald Trump's campaign, engaged in discussions of a possible plea deal to prevent the second trial from going forward.

However, the report said those talks broke down when the special counsel Robert Mueller raised a number of issues with Manafort's lawyers. Sources told The Journal it was unclear what those issues were.

Manafort's first trial, in the Eastern District of Virginia, focused primarily on his efforts to commit tax and bank fraud related to his political consulting work in Ukraine. He was convicted last week on five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud, and one count of failure to report foreign bank accounts. His former right-hand man, Rick Gates, struck a plea deal with Mueller's team in February and was the government's star witness against Manafort in the trial.

Manafort was charged with 18 counts total in the Virginia trial, but the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the other ten counts, leading US District Judge T.S. Ellis III to declare a mistrial on those. One of the jurors told Fox News last week that the vote on those 10 counts was 11 to 1 in favor of conviction. Prosecutors have until Wednesday to announce whether they will retry Manafort on those charges.

His second trial will take place in Washington, DC, and is scheduled to kick off on September 17. Prosecutors have charged Manafort in the second indictment with money laundering, conspiracy, making false statements, obstruction of justice, and failure to register as a foreign agent.

According to a court filing earlier this month, Mueller's team plans to introduce three times as much evidence in the Washington, DC, trial as it did in the Virginia trial. In the latter, they showed the jury around 400 documents, emails, and financial records to make their case. They plan to introduce "well over" 1,000 pieces of evidence in the Washington, DC trial, the court filing said. They also said they expect to take ten to 12 days to make their case in the second trial.

Manafort's efforts to secure a plea deal last week do not necessarily indicate that he was willing to flip in Mueller's Russia probe, which is examining Russia's interference in the 2016 election and whether members of the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow to tilt the race in his favor.

Instead, in most cases, defendants typically plead guilty to avoid a lengthy trial and secure a reduced sentence if prosecutors agree to such a deal.

Trump

That said, the biggest question for legal experts is why Manafort chose to go to trial in the first place.

The answer to why Manafort hasn't flipped, they say, can likely be boiled down to one thing: a presidential pardon.

Rudy Giuliani, Trump's lead defense lawyer, said the president is not currently considering pardons for anyone caught in Mueller's crosshairs and will wait until the end of the investigation to make his final decisions.

But Trump has made several statements indicating that he may show leniency toward his former campaign chairman.

"Manafort maximizes his chances of getting a pardon by going to trial," said Alex Whiting, a longtime former federal prosecutor in Boston and Washington, DC. "In his situation, given the facts of his case, the rational thing to do is plead guilty without cooperating and get the benefit of a guilty plea, or plead guilty and cooperate and get a bigger benefit. The only way it makes sense for him to go to trial is if he thinks he's going to get a pardon."

Trump ramped up his praise for Manafort on Wednesday, after news broke that his longtime former attorney, Michael Cohen, had struck a plea deal with New York prosecutors and signaled that he would be willing to cooperate with investigators against Trump.

"I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family," Trump tweeted shortly after the Cohen news broke. "'Justice' took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal.' Such respect for a brave man!"

"If Trump pardons Manafort now, then Manafort can be subpoenaed to testify," Whiting said. "And of course, if Manafort pleaded guilty, he may choose to cooperate. The pardon dangle encourages Manafort to hang tough, not cooperate, and reap the benefit later, maybe in a year or two."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A North Korean defector's harrowing story of escape

The Cohen and Manafort convictions didn't hurt Trump's approval ratings, but support for Mueller increased

0
0

trump white house

  • Two of Trump's past associates, his lawyer Michael Cohen and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, had highly publicized legal battles that both had damaging consequences on August 21.
  • New polling from NBC News/The Wall Street Journal and Fox News shows Trump's job-approval ratings were largely unchanged, despite those legal developments.
  • The Fox News poll found voter approval of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation jumped by 11 points.

Much of the analysis surrounding the fallout from court cases involving President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former attorney Michael Cohen called August 21, 2018 the worst day of Trump's presidency.

But new polling from NBC News and The Wall Street Journal suggests Trump voters seemed to take those legal developments in stride.

The NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll taken August 18-22 showed Trump's approval rating among Republican voters who were surveyed stood at 46%, with 51% disapproving of the president's job performance.

Those numbers remained stable in a follow-up survey taken August 22-25, which found Trump's approval rating at 44% among Republican voters, with 52% saying they disapprove.

A Fox News poll of 1,009 registered voters taken August 19-21 found 45% of those surveyed approve of Trump's job performance, with 53% saying they disapprove.

The Fox News poll also signals a potentially troubling development around voter perceptions of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. The poll showed an uptick in Mueller's approval rating among registered voters: 59% in the August 19-21 survey, compared to 48% just one month earlier.

Trump ramped up his criticism of Mueller and the Russia investigation last week in response to legal developments around Cohen and Manafort. He also launched new broadsides against Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who promptly fired back at the president.

SEE ALSO: Trump canceled his big military parade, and it looks like most Americans really couldn't care less

DON'T MISS: Giuliani: 'The American people would revolt' if Trump were impeached

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the woman behind Trump's $20 million merch empire

What to watch in Tuesday's primary elections in Florida, Arizona, Oklahoma

0
0

vote voting election station

  • Voters in Arizona, Florida, and Oklahoma head to the polls in the final multistate elections of the 2018 primary season.
  • The races following the death of Sen. John McCain are at the center of a debate about how far the party has moved to the right since his failed 2008 bid for the presidency, especially Arizona's three-way GOP primary.
  • Gun control is a key issue for voters in Florida, as they head to the polls two days after a deadly shooting at a Jacksonville video game tournament.

Voters in Arizona, Florida, and Oklahoma head to the polls in the final multistate elections of the 2018 primary season.

They offer another test of President Donald Trump's imprint on the Republican Party.

But the races, especially in Arizona, will take on special meaning following the death of Sen. John McCain, which has spurred a debate about how far the party has moved to the right since his failed 2008 bid for the presidency.

What to watch:

Trump, McCain, and a tossup Senate seat

Perhaps no other race in the country demonstrates the competing strains on the modern Republican Party than the three-way GOP primary for the Senate seat now held by the retiring Jeff Flake, who joined McCain as one of Trump's most outspoken GOP critics.

Joe Arpaio

Republican Rep. Martha McSally is the Washington establishment's favorite, with a resume that includes time as an Air Force colonel. She's played up her allegiance to Trump but faces two outspoken conservative opponents: Former state Sen.

Kelli Ward, who lost to McCain in a 2016 primary, and former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the 86-year-old immigration hawk once convicted of criminal contempt of court but pardoned by Trump.

The results could be mixed. Arizona rules give the nomination to whoever gets the most votes.

That means McSally could come out on top even if a majority of Republicans split their vote between the more right-leaning Ward and Arpaio. Such a scenario could leave McSally in a weak position heading into a general election campaign against the likely Democratic nominee, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.

In a year where Senate Democrats are playing defense, the Arizona seat offers a rare pickup opportunity that could help them maintain the status quo of a narrowly divided Senate or even tip them into the majority.

John McCain

Tuesday's results could also help Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey decide they type of person he wants to pick to fill McCain's seat through 2020.

If a majority of voters chooses one of the most conservative candidates, that could encourage him to choose a candidate who is more of a hard-liner on the issues Trump cares about most deeply, especially immigration.

A strong vote for McSally could discourage the governor from picking someone whose profile is dramatically different than McCain's.

Trump has intervened in multiple GOP primaries this year but has so far stayed out of the Arizona Senate race.

Double feature in Florida

Primaries for governor on both sides of the aisle may remind voters why Florida is still the nation's ultimate political battleground.

Trump has weighed in for Rep. Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary, complete with a campaign rally and the requisite tweeting. But Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, the favorite of the in-state GOP establishment, has done his best Trump impression, with broadsides against "fake news" and dubbing himself an "NRA sellout."

The problem for Putnam may be that in 2016, he was among the many Republican establishment figures who expressed reservations about Trump publicly.

So if DeSantis wins, it'll be another sign of Trump's stamp on the GOP. If Putnam manages to win, he'll head into the general election with his handling of Trump leaving him exposed to critics on his left and right.

Democrats, meanwhile, have their own choice of philosophies and personalities.

Pragmatic centrists are hoping for Gwen Graham, the former congresswoman and daughter of Florida political icon Bob Graham, who served as governor and senator. (Among her endorsers: musician Jimmy Buffet.) Liberal progressives have their champions in Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders).

But the airwaves have been dominated by two tremendously wealthy candidates, former Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine and real estate investor Jeff Greene.

With no runoff required, the winner will immediately have to shore up support within the party.

The primary also is expected to cement a heavyweight Senate matchup in November pitting Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson against two-term Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Gun control a key issue for Florida voters

Gun control is bound to be a key issue in the Florida vote, which comes two days after a shooting at a video game tournament in Jacksonville that left two dead and 11 injured.

The deadly shooting is the latest pile-on to gun control discussion in Florida that was sparked after 17 were left dead in a shooting six months ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

parkland activists

Since the massacre, Parkland students have been active on the national stage advocating for stricter gun laws and pushing for more engagement from younger voters.

The parents of two of the students killed in the massacre are running for two Broward County school board seats, on platforms that push improved school safety, which they say was not a priority before the shooting.

Numbers watch

Beyond checking the winners, primaries in Arizona and Florida will offer political observers plenty of data to plow through.

Of note, which party draws more overall voters to the polls in Florida and just how are those votes distributed? Will it be south Florida Democrats or panhandle Republicans who turn out in numbers closer to presidential year voting?

Which side will cast more ballots in the state's battleground region along Interstate 4, particularly in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, home to two of the most populous presidential swing counties in the country?

In Arizona, the Senate race is likely to turn in November on whether Democrats can maximize their base while peeling off enough Republicans. That means a close watch on how the Senate primary shakes out in the Phoenix suburbs.

Oklahoma Governor: Will Republicans throw a curve ball? 

Mary FallinRepublicans in Oklahoma are trying to hold onto the state's top office despite term-limited Mary Fallin having some of the worst job approval numbers of any governor in the nation.

Democrats are hoping the GOP electorate's rightward march and embrace of outsiders result in a runoff win for Tulsa mortgage company owner Kevin Stitt over former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. Stitt is using his personal fortune to attack Cornett for not being sufficiently loyal to Trump and his administration.

Democrats already have nominated Drew Edmondson, a former state attorney general, and national Democrats believe he has the profile to wage a competitive race against Stitt.

A Cornett victory Tuesday would be a big win for business-minded Republicans who believe a more moderate message can still prevail — and likely squelch Democratic hopes for November.

___

Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO: John McCain wanted Obama and Bush to speak at his funeral, but Trump's not invited

DON'T MISS: Meet Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the millennial, socialist political novice who beat her establishment Democratic rival in a huge electoral upset

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: What's going on with Elon Musk


38 movies you shouldn't miss this fall, including 'Venom' and 'Creed 2'

0
0

venom

After an explosive summer movie season at the box office that saw it perform 11% better than last year, we now look forward to the fall. Is there any way the good times will keep going?

Typically, this is the part of the year when things slow down, as the multiplexes phase out the blockbusters and let in the award-season contenders. But with potential hits like "Venom" and "Creed 2" coming up, anything is possible.

Here are 38 movies coming out this fall that you should not miss:

SEE ALSO: Hollywood insiders explain why the box office has had an incredible rebound in 2018

"Mandy" — September 14

If you love when Nicolas Cage plays a character who is completely unhinged — and honestly, who doesn't? — then you have to see this dark and twisted tale that follows a man (played by Cage) who embarks on a blood-soaked rampage of revenge after the love of his life (played by Andrea Riseborough) is killed. What makes the movie even more of a joy to watch is that it's from Panos Cosmatos, the director behind the trippy "Beyond the Black Rainbow."



"The Predator" — September 14

The "Predator" franchise has been hit-and-miss for a long time, but the hope is that with the director Shane Black running the show this time (along with being a top-notch genre writer-director, he also played Hawkins in the first "Predator" movie) the franchise will get back on track. This time it's a group of former soldiers and a science teacher (played by Olivia Munn) who go up against the deadly hunter.



"A Simple Favor" — September 14

Director Paul Feig ("Bridesmaids") enlists Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively for his first thriller. The actresses play mothers who quickly befriend each other, but when Emily (Lively) suddenly disappears, Stephanie (Kendrick) is left trying to figure out what happened.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

21 billionaires who grew up poor

0
0

Oprah Winfrey

Billionaires don't always come from moneyed backgrounds.

• In fact, many famous billionaires actually grew up poor.

• From George Soros to Larry Ellison to Oprah Winfrey, here's a look at how some of the wealthiest people on the planet came up from nothing.



Billionaires aren't all born with silver spoons in their mouths.

In fact, many came from nothing at all.

The "rags-to-riches" trope may be a cliché, but it's one that's definitely grounded in reality for some famous billionaires.

Through extraordinary grit and perseverance, individuals across the globe have beat the odds and achieved their own rags-to-riches stories.

Here are 21 people who started off life poor and went on to become billionaires:

SEE ALSO: From fry-cook at McDonalds to waitress at Hooters, here are the unglamorous first jobs of 24 highly successful people

DON'T MISS: What Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and 23 other highly successful people were doing at age 25

Guy Laliberté was a fire-eater before founding Cirque du Soleil.

Net worth: $1.2 billion

At the beginning of his career, Laliberté had fire in his belly — literally. The Canadian-born circus busker played the accordion, walked on stilts, and ate fire.

Later on, Business Insider previously reported, he took a chance and flew a troupe from Quebec to Los Angeles without purchasing a return fair. The circus troup traveled to Las Vegas and became Cirque du Soleil.

Laliberté is now the CEO of Cirque de Soleil.



Alan Gerry kickstarted a TV network that went on to become Cablevision.

Net worth: $1.4 billion

The son of Russian immigrants, Alan Gerry dropped out of high school in order to pursue a career in the Marines.

Bloomberg reported that, after his stint in the military, Gerry went on to found "a tiny television repair business after training via the G.I. Bill."

In 1956, Gerry made the decision to take the $1,500 he earned from his small business, and found a cable company. The company went on to become known as Cablevision, which sold to Time Warner for an estimated $2.7 billion in 1996, according to Forbes.



Kenny Troutt, the founder of Excel Communications, paid his way through college by selling life insurance.

Net worth: $1.4 billion

Troutt grew up with a bartender dad and paid for his own tuition at Southern Illinois University by selling life insurance. He made most of his money from phone company Excel Communications, which he founded in 1988 and took public in 1996. Two years later, Troutt merged his company with Teleglobe in a $3.5 billion deal.

He's now retired and invests heavily in racehorses.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Surreal photos from Burning Man take you deep inside the madness

0
0

burning man

Over the past 32 years, Burning Man has evolved from a bonfire among friends in San Francisco to an international phenomenon attended by modern-day hippies and tech moguls alike.

Roughly 70,000 "burners" descended on the playa in Black Rock City, Nevada, last weekend for the annual counterculture gathering. The festival is offering its fare of surreal art installations, 130 musical acts, celebrity sightings, and out-of-this-world fashion. This year's Burning Man kicked off on August 26.

Some say you have to experience the world of Burning Man to understand its magic. In the meantime, these photos of Burning Man 2017 offer a glimpse of what it's like to attend.

SEE ALSO: Photos of tech workers having the time of their lives at Burning Man

Each year, a city rises on a remote swath of desert in Nevada. Burners call this temporary metropolis "Black Rock City."



The festival forms in the same shape every year: a giant semi-circle.



Nearly 70,000 people, known as "burners," come for the nine-day event.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin doubled down on a claim about the tax bill that almost every independent group says is wrong

0
0

steve mnuchin

  • Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin once again claimed that the GOP tax law would pay for itself.
  • Almost every independent analysis of the tax law projects that the law will increase the deficit.
  • Government agencies like the Congressional Budget Office and the White House's Office of Management of Budget have shown the tax law will add to the deficit.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday fell back on a dubious claim about the federal deficit to defend the GOP tax law, insisting the budget-busting measure will "pay for itself."

During an interview with CNBC, Mnuchin was asked about recent trends in tax receipts — income taxes received by the federal government. In his answer, the Treasury secretary pointed to a long-held Trump administration claim that the tax law that was implemented in January will pay for itself because of economic growth.

"So our tax plan was really designed to stimulate the economy and get growth," Mnuchin said. "So we're humming along on where projections are and as I've said at 3% economic growth this tax plan will not only pay for itself but in fact create additional revenue for the government."

The idea that the GOP tax law would pay for itself, or even bring down the federal deficit, has been a consistent talking point from Mnuchin and Trump administration officials since the release of the bill in the fall of 2017.

But every major analysis by independent government agencies and outside groups directly contradicts Mnuchin's assessment.

The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan research agency for Congress, projected in April that the GOP tax law will add $1.9 trillion to the federal budget deficit between 2018 and 2028, even incorporating increased economic growth from the law.

According to the CBO's report, the tax law will result in substantially lower revenue than previously projected, while spending is expected to continue rising.

The CBO also estimated that the US will face annual budget deficits of $1 trillion or more by 2020 unless there are significant legislative changes.

Even the White House Office of Management and Budget, in a July report on the budget, found that the tax bill will substantially add to the federal deficit in the years to come.

Other analyses by the Tax Policy Center, Tax Foundation, Penn-Wharton Budget Model, and Center for a Responsible Federal Budget also showed that the US deficit will only grow under the GOP tax law.

Part of the split between Mnuchin and nearly every independent analysis is that he maintains that the economic boost from the tax law will be sustainable over the long-term.

But the independent analyses have found that the tax law would help push up economic growth in the short-term but then fade away or even become a drag on growth. As the growth boost fades, so too would the revenue increase from a stronger economy.

SEE ALSO: The Trump administration is throwing $4.7 billion at US farmers to try and make up for the trade war pain

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A North Korean defector's harrowing story of escape

Guy Pearce says Netflix hates the term 'binge-watching' now, and told him not to use it in interviews

0
0

guy pearce the innocents

  • Guy Pearce, who stars in the new Netflix original series "The Innocents," said in a recent interview that the company told him not to talk about "binge-watching" in interviews promoting the Netflix series.
  • Though it's unclear exactly where the phrase "binge-watching" originated, Netflix did use the term in a press release as early as December 2013, the year it released its first original series, "House of Cards."

Though the rise of Netflix popularized the term "binge-watching" to describe how the company's subscribers tended to consume multiple episodes of a series in one sitting, Netflix now appears to have soured on the phrase.

Guy Pearce, who stars in the new Netflix original "The Innocents," said in an interview with Empire Magazine's film podcast (via IndieWire) that the company told him not to use the phrase "binge-watching" while promoting the series. 

"I don't think Netflix likes the term 'binge,'" Pearce said when Empire asked him if viewers would binge-watch "The Innocents." "When we did the promotion for ['The Innocents'] in the [United States], we were strictly sort of instructed beforehand not to talk about 'binge-watching.'"

Pearce didn't elaborate on Netflix's reasoning for the policy, but one assumes that the company has taken issue with the term "binge" for its connection to disorders like binge-eating and binge-drinking. (Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter from Business Insider.)

It's unclear exactly where the phrase "binge-watching" originated. But Netflix did use the phrase in a press release as early as December 2013, the year it released its first big original series, "House of Cards," in promoting survey results that found binge-watching was a "widespread behavior" among TV audiences. 

Pearce stars in the supernatural Netflix series "The Innocents" as a doctor who treats shapeshifting beings. The series debuted on August 24. 

SEE ALSO: 3 TV shows to watch on Netflix this week that are definitely worth your time

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How a black cop infiltrated the KKK — the true story behind Spike Lee's 'BlacKkKlansman'

Viewing all 115285 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images