Tag: Melania Trump

Who is Natasa Pirc Musar, Slovenia’s first woman President and Melania Trump’s ex-lawyer?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Natasa Pirc Musar, a lawyer hired by former US first lady Melania Trump, was elected Slovenia’s first woman president on November 13.

Pirc Musar is a journalist and lawyer who contested as an independent candidate with the backing of Slovenia’s centre-left government. She ran against the ex-foreign minister and veteran leader Anze Logar.

Pirc Musar, who is known to have headed the country’s data protection authority for a decade, won almost 54 percent vote against Logar who received 46 percent, BBC reported quoting the election commission.

Slovenia has a population of around two million and 49.9 percent turned out for the election, the commission said.

She was hired by Slovenian-born Melania Trump during her husband Donald Trump’s presidency to prevent companies from trying to commercialise products with her name.

Who is Natasa Pirc Musar?

Pirc Musar graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia in 1992. She passed the national bar examination in 1997. Between 1989 and 1996, Pirc Musar worked as a journalist and news presenter at the Slovenian national television station RTV Slovenija.

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“I was the youngest anchor at national TV,” Telegraf.rs quoted Pirc Musar as saying in an interview.

From 1996, she was employed as a news presenter on 24 ur, the primary information programme of POP TV, which is the largest commercial television broadcaster in Slovenia.

Pirc Musar received additional training at CNN and Salford University’s media department, The Guardian reported.

For a short period of time, Pirc Musar worked in corporate communication at a big financial institution. In 2003, she became the Director of the Training and Communications Centre of the Supreme Court in Slovenia. From 2004, she spent a decade as the Information Commissioner of Slovenia, where she worked towards building human rights, access to public information and personal data protection.

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In 2009, Pirc Musar became the vice-president of the Europol Joint Supervisory Body and was also elected the President of the JSB Europol in 2013.

In 2013, she was part of the ad hoc EU-USA expert group which deliberated on the Snowden affair with the US.

Pirc Musar has been running her own law firm since 2015.

Melania Trump case

Pirc Musar was hired by Melania Trump in 2016. Her client had filed a lawsuit against Suzy magazine in Slovenia for suggesting that the former first lady of the US worked as a high-end escort while working as an international model. The two parties later reached an out-of-court settlement, IANS reported.

In her new role as President of Slovenia, Pirc Musar has vowed to become “the voice of women” within the country and abroad and a “moral authority”, AFP reported.

The post of the Slovenian President is largely ceremonial.

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Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

NFT artwork: Melania Trump launches new crypto venture

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Former US first lady Melania Trump has launched her non-fungible token (NFT) and blockchain technology venture, joining a growing list of celebrities offering digital memorabilia to tap into the recent frenzy around such assets.

The first NFT, named “Melania’s Vision”, is watercolour artwork by artist Marc-Antoine Coulon, and “embodies Melania’s cobalt blue eyes”, according to a statement issued by Melania Trump’s office. It will be available to purchase between December 16 and December 31.

Excited for this new venture, which combines my passion for art and commitment to helping our Nation’s children fulfill their own unique American Dream. #MelaniaNFT https://t.co/XJN18tMllg pic.twitter.com/wMpmDDsQdp

— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) December 16, 2021

An NFT is a digital asset which uses blockchain to record the ownership status of digital objects. The blockchain serves as a public ledger, allowing anyone to verify the NFT’s authenticity.

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Earlier this year celebrities such as Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi and Jamaican sprint great Usain Bolt launched their own collection of NFTs.

A portion of the proceeds from the Melania Trump NFTs, which will be released in regular intervals, will also support children aging out of the foster care system.

“Through this new technology-based platform, we will provide children computer science skills, including programming and software development, to thrive after they age out of the foster community,” said Melania.

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Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

First Lady Melania Trump says son Barron had tested positive for COVID-19

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Barron Trump, the teenage son of US President Donald Trump, contracted coronavirus after his parents tested positive for COVID-19 but has since tested negative, First Lady Melania Trump has said. In a blog posted on the White House website, Melania said that Barron, 14, exhibited no symptoms, a departure from herself and the president, who have both said they experienced mild symptoms.

Trump announced that he and the First Lady had tested positive in the early-morning hours on October 1, after the news that one of the president’s closest aides Hope Hicks had contracted the virus. Both have now recovered from the disease. ”My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive. Luckily, he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms. In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together. He has since tested negative,” Melania said on Wednesday.

While Melania and Barron stayed at the White House, Trump had to spend three nights and four days at a military hospital to recover from the disease. The president is now back on his campaign trail. Sharing her experience, Melania said that she was very fortunate as her diagnosis came with minimal symptoms, though they hit her all at once and it seemed to be a roller coaster of symptoms in the days after.

”I experienced body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time. I chose to go a more natural route in terms of medicine, opting more for vitamins and healthy food. We had wonderful caretakers around us and we will be forever grateful for the medical care and professional discretion we received from Dr. Conley and his team,” she said. ”It was an unfamiliar feeling for me to be the patient instead of a person trying to encourage our nation to stay healthy and safe. It was me being taken care of now, and getting the first-hand experience with all that COVID-19 can do,” she said.

”As the patient, and the person benefitting from so much medical support, I found myself even more grateful and in awe of caretakers and first responders everywhere. To the medical staff and the residence staff who have been taking care of our family thank you doesn’t say enough,” she wrote in an essay entitled ”My Personal Experience with Covid-19”. The First Lady encouraged everyone to continue to live the healthiest life they can. A balanced diet, fresh air, and vitamins really are vital to keep our bodies healthy, she said.

”For your complete well-being, compassion and humility are just as important in keeping our minds strong. For me personally, the most impactful part of my recovery was the opportunity to reflect on many things family, friendships, my work, and staying true to who you are,” she wrote. An event at the White House on September 26, for the unveiling of Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, was thought to be the root of the localised outbreak. The White House press secretary, former Trump counsellor Kellyanne Conway and two senators were among the people around the president who tested positive for the virus.

The US has recorded more than 7.8 million coronavirus cases and 216,000 deaths, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

US President Donald Trump and wife Melania Trump test positive for COVID-19

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19. This comes after they started the quarantine process after aide Hope Hicks, a top adviser and trusted aide, tested positive for the disease.

“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!,” the US President tweeted.

.@realDonaldTrump & @FLOTUS test positive for #COVID19 https://t.co/zehojZRAkz

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) October 2, 2020

Trump tweeted late Thursday: “The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process.” Earlier, during a call-in interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity, Trump said: “Whether we quarantine or whether we have it, I don’t know. I just went for a test and we’ll see what happens.”

The president, who is tested regularly for COVID-19, has kept up a rigorous travel schedule across the country in recent weeks, holding rallies with thousands of people in the run-up to the November 3 election, despite warnings from public health professionals against having events with large crowds.

Trump has come under sharp criticism for his response to the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 people in the United States alone. The president has touted his management of the crisis.

Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, and one of the president’s personal valets. Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is dating Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., tested positive in South Dakota before an Independence Day fireworks show at Mount Rushmore.

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

PM Modi is a ‘very tough’ negotiator, says Trump

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that India and the US are in discussion for a “fantastic” trade agreement.

Terming that the proposed agreement will be among the biggest ever made, he said: “Over the course of my visit, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and I will also discuss our efforts to expand the economic ties between our two countries.”

The US president said that commerce between the two nations has increased “by more than 40 percent”. “We will be making a very, very major, among the biggest ever made trade deals,” he said.

Detailing on it, he said, “We are in the early stages of discussion for an incredible trade agreement to reduce barriers of investments, between the US and India and I am optimistic that working together, the Prime Minister and I can reach a fantastic deal that’s good and even great for both of our countries.”

According to Trump “Prime Minister Modi is a ‘very tough’ negotiator.” India is now a major market for American exports and the US is India’s largest export market, he said.

Trump also said the US was prepared to supply India with defence equipment ranging from drones to helicopters and missile systems.

We look forward to providing the “best and most feared military equipment” to India, said Trump, while addressing a crowd of more than 100,000 people at Motera stadium in Ahmedabad.

Trump said he looked forward to expanding space cooperation between the two nations, and said both sides were at the early stages of reaching an “incredible” trade agreement.

‘Booming America’ is a great thing for India

Trump added a “booming” America is a great thing for India and also for the world and “that’s why, we are so happy to announce that we have had the greatest economy ever in the history of the US.”

“We have proven that the best way to attract jobs and opportunity is to reduce burdens on business, knock down barriers to new investments and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, red tape, regulations and taxes in the US,” he said.

Trump added that Prime Minister Modi has already made significant reforms in India, and the world is looking forward to even more rapid improvement in India’s business climate.

“Under his (Modi’s) leadership, he wants to do and he is doing this at a record pace,” Trump added.

Earlier, President Trump landed for his first visit to India to a grand welcome by Prime Minister Modi and thousands of people who lined the streets and packed into the Motera stadium to say “Namaste Trump”.

There were tableaux, folk dancers and musicians rolling out the cultural tapestry that is India, at the airport, on the way and at the spanking new cricket stadium where people waited patiently since early in the morning to hear the two leaders speak.

Modi, who reached Ahmedabad about an hour before Trump did, welcomed Trump and the US first lady at the airport, hugging the president and warmly shaking hands with Melania.

With inputs from agencies.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Passage to India: Trump ready for warm embrace, adulation

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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It was the Trumpiest of offers.

A rally at one of the world’s largest stadiums. A crowd of millions cheering him on. A love fest during an election year.

US President Donald Trump’s packed two-day visit to India promises the kind of welcome that has eluded him on many foreign trips, some of which have featured massive protests and icy handshakes from world leaders. He is expected to receive a warm embrace from the ideologically aligned and hug-loving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, complete with a massive rally soon after his arrival Monday and then a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal.

After hosting Modi at a “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston last year that drew 50,000 people, Modi will return the favor with a “Namaste Trump” rally (it translates to, “Greetings, Trump”) at the world’s largest cricket stadium in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. Tens of thousands are expected to line the streets.

Modi “told me we’ll have 7 million people between the airport and the event,” Trump said to reporters Tuesday, then raised the anticipated number to 10 million when he mentioned the trip during a Thursday night rally. Indian authorities expect closer to 100,000.

“I’ll never be satisfied with a crowd if we have 10 million people in India,” Trump said. And as he left the White House on Sunday for the flight to India, the upcoming spectacle was on the president’s mind again: “I hear it’s going to be a big event. Some people say the biggest event they’ve ever had in India. That’s what the prime minister told me — this will be the biggest event they’ve ever had.”

Trump’s motorcade will travel amid cheers from carefully picked and screened Modi loyalists and workers from his Bharatiya Janata Party. They will stand for hours alongside the neatly manicured 22-kilometre (14-mile) stretch of road to accord Trump a grand welcome.

Trump generally dislikes foreign travel and prefers being home in his White House bed; in fact, he noted to reporters upon his departure from the White House that it was a long trip to India and that he was only going to be there one night. But he has a particular affinity for India. He owned a hotel and casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, named the Trump Taj Mahal, and he owns multiple properties in India.

“There’s a lot of colour. This is a loud and boisterous country, and that exactly in some ways really fits with the Trump style,” said Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution. She said Trump is likely to get a king’s welcome from a country well-rehearsed in the art of adulation. A half-million people gathered to hear President Dwight D. Eisenhower speak in 1959; former President Jimmy Carter had a village named after him — Carterpuri.

“In some ways, American presidents go to India to feel loved,” said Madan. She predicted Trump would receive an even grander welcome because the Indians recognise it’s something Trump expects and that could keep them in his good graces.

“It’s not about him, per se, for them. It is the US relationship for India is crucial,” she said.

India has spent weeks making preparations for the visit. At a cost of almost $14 million, the government is blanketing the city with ads of Trump and Modi and hastily erected a half-kilometer (1,640-foot) brick wall beside the road Trump will take to the stadium, which officials are rushing to finish in time for Trump’s arrival. Critics say the wall was built to block the view of a slum inhabited by more than 2,000 people. Stray dogs have been caught and exotic trees planted.

Trump’s foreign visits have typically been light on sightseeing, but this time, the president and first lady Melania Trump are to visit the Taj Mahal. Stories in local media warn of the monkeys that inhabit the landmark pestering tourists for food and, on occasion, menacing both visitors and slingshot-carrying security guards.

Presidents have often used trips overseas to bolster their electoral prospects. Images of American presidents being feted on the world stage stand in contrast to those of their rivals in the opposing party slogging through diners in early-voting states and clashing in debate.

This trip, in particular, reflects a Trump campaign strategy to showcase him looking presidential during short, carefully managed trips that provide counterprogramming to the Democrats’ primary contest and produce the kinds of visuals his campaign can use in future ads. His aides also believe the visit could help the president woo tens of thousands of Indian-American voters before the November election.

Some of Trump’s past trips have been overshadowed by diplomatic snafus and political gaffes. When Barack Obama was running for president, his reception in Germany in front of a massive crowd was featured prominently in an attack ad casting him as a mere “celebrity.”

Beyond the optics, there are serious issues to address as India faces a slumping economy and ongoing protests over a citizenship law that excludes Muslims.

Trade tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium from India. India responded with higher penalties on agricultural goods and restrictions on US medical devices. The US retaliated by removing India from a decades-old preferential trade program.

Though trade will be on the agenda, Trump and administration officials are playing down expectations.

“Well, we can have a trade deal with India, but I’m really saving the big deal for later on,” the president said.

India has been embroiled in protests over its Citizenship Amendment Act. It provides a fast track to naturalisation for some migrants who entered the country illegally while fleeing religious persecution, but excludes Muslims, raising fears that the country is moving toward a religious citizenship test. Passage has prompted large-scale protests and a violent crackdown.

Typically, Trump has not publicly rebuked world leaders for human rights abuses during his overseas trips. But one senior administration official said the US is concerned about the situation and that Trump will tell Modi the world is looking to India to continue to uphold its democratic traditions and respect religious minorities.

Trump is also expected to weigh in on the fate of Kashmir. The Muslim-majority territory claimed by both Hindu-nationalist led India and Pakistan. Trump has offered to mediate and has encouraged India and Pakistan to work together to resolve their differences.

But there is likely to be little public divide between Trump and Modi, two leaders with a similar love of bravado and adoration. At the “Howdy Modi” event last fall, which incongruously linked the Indian prime minister with Texas’ cowboy culture, the two world leaders took the stage hand in hand at a rock concert-like setting that will be dwarfed by the scene in Ahmedabad.

“Get ready to say #NamasteTrump,” tweeted the city, the largest in Modi’s home state of Gujarat, as it geared up to welcome the American president on his maiden India visit as president. It also invited people to join “#theBiggestRoadShowEver.”

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow