ExxonMobil chief named secretary of state Trump nominates Rex Tillerson, but Senate approval not guaranteed; Jill Stein's vote recount bid ends; Nasa says earth is unprepared for surprise comets Trump: Tillerson's 'tenacity and broad experience' makes him an excellent pick. Photograph: Brian Harkin/Getty Images Mazin Sidahmed Trump picks Tillerson for state department Donald Trump has nominated Rex Tillerson, the president and chief executive of ExxonMobil, as secretary of state. "His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for secretary of state," the president-elect said in a statement. The selection of the ExxonMobil president marks the end of a drawn-out search to fill the position, during which time Trump considered several potential contenders, including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney – who was very critical of Trump during the election campaign – former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and former CIA chief David Petraeus. However, Tillerson's approval by the Senate is far from guaranteed. His close ties to Russia, where he has completed a number of projects and was awarded the Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin in 2013, as well as his lack of experience will be cause for concern for senators from both parties. Sentaor John McCain said on Saturday: "I don't know what Mr Tillerson's relationship with Vladimir Putin was, but I'll tell you it is a matter of concern to me." The announcement adds further complications to Trump's perceived overtures to Russia. Rex Tillerson named as Donald Trump's secretary of state Trump aides doubt Russia ties Some Trump loyalists have bolstered the president-elect's unsupported claims that US intelligence agencies could be perpetuating a "conspiracy theory", after they reportedly concluded that Russia interfered with the presidential election and strengthened Trump's run for the White House. Carter Page, a former foreign affairs adviser to Trump who was reportedly investigated by the FBI over his close ties to the Russian government, said in Moscow that such claims were "a lot of speculation". Another Trump ally, John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, said that claims Russia had interfered with the election could be a "false flag". Alex Jones, the notorious conspiracy theorist who has claimed that the 9/11 attacks were an "inside job" and that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax, also lent support to Trump's claims. Russia interfering in US election is just 'conspiracy theory', Trump loyalists say Trump dodges conflicts issue Trump has cancelled a long-awaited press conference set for Thursday, during which he was due to explain what he will do with his businesses after becoming president. On Monday night, he had a few details of his plans to avoid conflicts of interest on Twitter, saying he would "leave" his businesses by inauguration day. "Two of my children, Don and Eric, plus executives, will manage them," he wrote. "No new deals will be done during my term(s) in office." Trump said he would hold a press conference "in the near future" to address the issue. His far reaching global business ties present a unique ethical conundrum for an incoming president, as various conflicts of interests with foreign states – including Argentina, where his company is set to build a hotel – and the Philippines, where his name will appear on a building next year, have already emerged. He also risks a constitutional violation under the emoluments clause, which prevents elected officials from accepting "present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind" from foreign states while in office. His sons Donald Jr and Eric are both on his transition team. Experts are skeptical that Trump truly intends to separate himself from his businesses in a way that would meaningfully avoid such conflicts of interest. Donald Trump says 'no new deals' after postponing business conflicts briefing Support the Guardian's fearless journalism Never has America needed fearless independent media more. Help us hold the new president to account, sort fact from fiction, amplify underrepresented voices, and understand the forces behind this divisive election – and what happens next. Support the Guardian by becoming a member or making a contribution. Chinese state tabloid targets Trump The Global Times, a tabloid run by the Communist Party in China, published a tough-talking editorial targeting Donald Trump on Tuesday. "This inexperienced president-elect probably has no knowledge of what he's talking about. He has overestimated the US's capability of dominating the world and fails to understand the limitation of US powers in the current era," the paper, which sometimes reflects official views, warned. It marks the latest escalation in the feud between Trump and China, as the president-elect threatened to reevaluate core tenants of the two countries' relationship on the weekend, and infuriated China ten days ago by holding a call with the President of Taiwan, which China does not recognize. Chinese state tabloid warns Donald Trump: 'Pride goes before a fall' Stein's recount ends Jill Stein's bid to have votes recounted in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania came to an end on Monday after a Pennsylvania judge denied her request for a recount and Wisconsin's recount concluded. In the state, election officials found that Trump won by 131 more votes than previously counted. Stein had pushed for a recount amid fears of the possibility of tampering of electronic voting machines by a foreign adversary. Stein had hoped to have recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, three states that Hillary Clinton narrowly lost to Trump. A Michigan judge also ruled against Stein on Friday. Jill Stein's election recount ends as Wisconsin finds 131 more Trump votes Nasa scientist: Humans not ready for surprise asteroids Humans are woefully unprepared for a surprise asteroid or comet, a Nasa scientist warned on Monday, at a presentation with nuclear scientists into how humans might deflect cosmic dangers hurtling toward Earth. While comets and astroids are extremely rare, they are "extinction level" events, said Dr Joseph Nuth, a researcher with Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center speaking at the annual meeting of American Geophysical Union. Earth woefully unprepared for surprise comet or asteroid, Nasa scientist warns Rams fire Fisher Shortly after signing him to a three-year contract extension, the Los Angeles Rams have fired head coach Jeff Fisher after five losing seasons. Los Angeles Rams fire head coach Jeff Fisher after five losing seasons In case you missed it… Daiwon McPherson enlisted the help of his local police force to pull off a wedding proposal like no other. When police surrounded them, instead of a gun he pulled a ring out of his jacket. Man stuns girlfriend with elaborate proposal – featuring police and Tasers Manage your emails | Unsubscribe | Trouble viewing? You are receiving this email because you are a subscriber to Guardian US Briefing. Guardian News & Media Limited - a member of Guardian Media Group PLC. Registered Office: 222 Broadway, 22nd and 23rd Floors, New York, New York, 10038