Incoming Senator Mitt Romney issued harsh criticism of President Donald Trump on Tuesday, saying he "has not risen to the mantle of the office."
The barbed remarks from the 2012 Republican presidential candidate two days before he and other lawmakers take up their seats in the new Congress seemed to suggest Mr Romney is positioning himself to take over the role of Jeff Flake, a departing senator who was a vocal critic of President Trump.
US media said Mr Romney's comments even prompted suggestions online that he sounds like he is considering challenging Mr Trump for the nomination in 2020.
"With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable," Mr Romney wrote in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.
"And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring."
It is the latest twist in a tenuous relationship . Mr Romney called presidential candidate Mr Trump a fraud and a phoney in 2016. But last year he thanked the president for his endorsement as Mr Romney ran for a Utah senate.
In the op-ed piece, Mr Romney noted he had not supported Mr Trump as the Republican Party's nominee in 2016.
He said he had hoped the Trump campaign would refrain from name-calling. He said he was initially encouraged when Mr Trump brought into his cabinet steady-hand figures like James Mattis as defence secretary and John Kelly as chief of staff.
"But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office," Mr Romney wrote.
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Mr Romney said last month that President Trump's abrupt announcement that he was pulling US troops out of Syria was particularly disturbing. Defence Secretary James Mattis resigned after Mr Trump's announcement.
"The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December," Mr Romney wrote.
He said he will treat Mr Trump as he would any president, either in or outside his party.
"I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault," Mr Romney wrote. "But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions."
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
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