Ethics office doubts Trump's business plan The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) has criticized Donald Trump's plan to transfer ownership of his company to his children. In response to a letter from Democratic senator Tom Carper inquiring about Trump's potential conflicts of interest, the OGE wrote: "Transferring operational control of a company to one's children would not constitute the establishment of a qualified blind trust, nor would it eliminate conflicts of interest." The letter went on to recommend the president-elect establish a qualified blind trust. While every president has followed the OGE's recommendation, the letter said the OGE has no power to require them to do so. Trump's far-reaching company presents a range of potential conflicts of interest with foreign governments, including a tower with his name on it in Argentina and a close business partner of his in the Philippines now acting as ambassador to Washington. Trump recently delayed a press conference during which he was expected to explain what he will with his business interests while president. Tom McCarthy explains why the issue is so important. Giving business control to sons doesn't end Trump's conflicts, ethics office says Rick Perry picked for energy department Trump formally announced that former Texas governor Rick Perry will be his choice for energy secretary. If approved by the Senate, Perry will become head of an agency he proposed scrapping during his presidential campaign in the 2012 election, and is another Trump nominee to doubt the science of climate change. Trump has also chosen first-term Republican US congressman Ryan Zinke of Montana, a former Navy Seal commander, as his interior secretary, according to Reuters. He is a proponent of keeping public lands under federal ownership, putting him at odds with some in his Republican party, and it remains unclear where he would stand on opening up more federal lands to increased drilling and mining, something Trump has promised to do. Rick Perry formally announced as Trump pick for energy secretary Tech leaders head to Trump Tower Top executives will meet with Trump in New York today, with immigration likely to be one of the top issues on their agenda. Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet CEO Larry Page, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg will be among those to meet with the president-elect at Trump Tower. During his campaign, Trump railed against Silicon Valley's use of the H1B visa program, which allows companies to hire highly skilled workers and later help them acquire a green card. Donald Trump to meet tech leaders with immigration a top concern Russia and China on the rocks? The nomination of Rex Tillerson, the chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, to be secretary of state has pleased Russia, according to one opposition politician, but has left China feeling potentially isolated. While Tillerson enjoys historic ties with Vladimir Putin and Russia, where he was awarded the Order of Friendship, he enjoys no such history with China. Trump has already ruptured relations with Beijing after threatening to scrap the "One-China" policy, adopted in the 1970s under which the US does not recognize Taiwan. Richard Nixon originally brokered the deal with Mao Zedong to isolate Russia. However, it seems Trump is now playing Nixon's "China-card" in reverse, by wooing Moscow to isolate Beijing. Xi Jinping referred to Russia and China as "friends forever"; Trump may be hoping to dent this friendship. 'Friends forever'? China wary of Rex Tillerson wooing away Russia Democrats need to say 'no' Steven Thrasher has called on Democrats to refuse to work with Donald Trump as any collaboration is a tacit approval of his hateful rhetoric, which will only lead to humiliation. "Each time a Democrat says 'yes' to Trump's choices or meetings or policies, they are normalizing his hate," Thrasher writes. However, Democrats will probably not heed this warning, Thrasher says. "The Democrats are rolling over, hoping they can cut themselves a deal or get a place at the table, no matter the harm coming down the pike towards the people they are supposed to represent."
Democrats: don't try to work with Donald Trump. Just say 'no' Support the Guardian's fearless journalism Never has the US 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. Thursday night football is a 'poopfest' Thursday Night Football is a poopfest, according to Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. "It's terrible," he said, because players are not fully recovered from the Monday night games. He said it is contradictory for the league to say it cares about players and put them through this. Richard Sherman: Thursday Night Football a 'poopfest' and insults players
In case you missed it The UN's weather agency recorded a wave higher than a six-storey building in the ocean between Great Britain and Iceland. At 19m it marks the highest ever wave measured by a buoy. Wave taller than a six-storey building sets 'remarkable' world record | 
Posts
Syrian civilians flee towards safer rebel-held areas in south-eastern Aleppo during an operation by Syrian government forces to retake the embattled city. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images 
No comments:
Post a Comment