US President-elect Donald Trump has asked Goldman Sachs executive Gary Cohn to head his White House National Economic Council, a group that coordinates economic policy across agencies, NBC News reported on Friday.

Cohn, president and chief operating officer at the Wall Street firm, had been widely considered the heir apparent to Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein. If he goes, it may give rise to a new group of leaders at the bank, most of whom have spent more than 20 years of their careers there.

A Goldman Sachs spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Cohn, 56, is a former Goldman commodities trader from Ohio who joined the firm in 1990. He served in a variety of leadership roles in bond trading, becoming co-head of Goldman&#39;s broader securities and eventually, co-president in 2006.

He makes frequent appearances at industry conferences and on television, speaking on the state of the financial markets.

If he takes the post, he will be following in the footsteps of Robert Rubin and Stephen Friedman, two other one-time Goldman Sachs executives who served in that role.

He would also be joining at least two other former Goldman executives who will also be serving in the Trump administration: Steven Mnuchin, nominated to head the Treasury Department, and Steve Bannon, picked to be chief strategist at the White House.

(Reuters)

Trump asked Gary Cohn to head his White House National Economic Council, a group that coordinates economic policy across agencies

US President-elect Donald Trump has asked Goldman Sachs executive Gary Cohn to head his White House National Economic Council, a group that coordinates economic policy across agencies, NBC News reported on Friday. Cohn, president and chief operating officer at the Wall Street firm, had been widely considered the heir apparent to Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein. If he goes, it may give rise to a new group of leaders at the bank, most of whom have spent more than 20 years of their careers there. A Goldman Sachs spokesman was not immediately available for comment. Cohn, 56, is a former Goldman commodities trader from Ohio who joined the firm in 1990. He served in a variety of leadership roles in bond trading, becoming co-head of Goldman's broader securities and eventually, co-president in 2006. He makes frequent appearances at industry conferences and on television, speaking on the state of the financial markets. If he takes the post, he will be following in the footsteps of Robert Rubin and Stephen Friedman, two other one-time Goldman Sachs executives who served in that role. He would also be joining at least two other former Goldman executives who will also be serving in the Trump administration: Steven Mnuchin, nominated to head the Treasury Department, and Steve Bannon, picked to be chief strategist at the White House. (Reuters)

Trump offers Goldman Sachs exec key economic post: NBC

President-elect Donald Trump is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week, which is way less than most of his recent predecessors, US officials said.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump&#39;s vice president-elect, has been receiving his own President&#39;s Daily Brief (PDB) at least six days a week, AFP quoted sources familiar with the matter.

Presidents-elect have mostly welcomed the opportunity to receive the&nbsp;PDB&nbsp;on a regular basis.&nbsp;

Prepared by intelligence agencies including the CIA, the PDB is the most highly classified and closely held document in the government. They are presented to presidents and their closest aides by representatives of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Former Central Intelligence Agency briefer David Priess told AFP that Trump and Pence&#39;s predecessors used to sit for &quot;daily or near-daily intelligence briefings&quot; between their election and their inauguration.

It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently, or whether that has made any difference in his presidential preparations.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment, AFP reported.

&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s attitude&nbsp;&#39;deeply disturbing&#39;

Trump&#39;s casual attitude to the briefings invited criticism from Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.&nbsp;

&quot;It is deeply disturbing that the president-elect has time for rallies but not for regular intelligence briefings,&quot; Schiff said.

The president-elect has asked for at least one briefing, and possibly more, from intelligence agencies on specific subjects, one of the officials said. He declined to identify what subjects interested the president-elect, but said that so far they have not included Russia or Iran.

He said Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan did not start receiving their daily briefings until later in November, while the delayed election result in 2000 meant that George W Bush did not start receiving his until December.

During the run-up to the November 8 presidential election, Trump and a handful of advisers received at least two briefings from intelligence officials about broad national security issues.

However, the pre-election briefings did not include the kind of secrets that are included in the PDBs that Obama, Trump and Pence now have access to. Such secrets include information about US espionage sources and covert operations overseas.

The briefings are not compulsory. Priess said that after his first election, Richard Nixon spurned face-to-face briefings, so paper PDBs were delivered to his office, only for a &quot;stack&quot; of them to be later returned to the CIA, unopened.

&nbsp;

Trump on hacking during US elections

During and after the election campaign, Trump raised questions about the intelligence on hacking of US political institutions.

He has, however, repeatedly dismissed suggestions that Russia was behind the efforts, telling Time magazine earlier this week: &quot;I don&#39;t believe they interfered ... It could be Russia. It could be China. And it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey.&quot;

In a statement on October 7, ODNI and the Department of Homeland Security expressed confidence that the Russian government had &quot;directed&quot; hacking into &quot;emails from US persons and institutions&quot; that was &quot;intended to interfere with the US election process&quot;.

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

It's not clear why Trump has decided to receive so few intelligence briefings, when he has time for a 'victory tour' of rallies

President-elect Donald Trump is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week, which is way less than most of his recent predecessors, US officials said. Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump's vice president-elect, has been receiving his own President's Daily Brief (PDB) at least six days a week, AFP quoted sources familiar with the matter. Presidents-elect have mostly welcomed the opportunity to receive the PDB on a regular basis. Prepared by intelligence agencies including the CIA, the PDB is the most highly classified and closely held document in the government. They are presented to presidents and their closest aides by representatives of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Former Central Intelligence Agency briefer David Priess told AFP that Trump and Pence's predecessors used to sit for "daily or near-daily intelligence briefings" between their election and their inauguration. It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently, or whether that has made any difference in his presidential preparations. Trump's spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment, AFP reported. Trump's attitude 'deeply disturbing' Trump's casual attitude to the briefings invited criticism from Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. "It is deeply disturbing that the president-elect has time for rallies but not for regular intelligence briefings," Schiff said. The president-elect has asked for at least one briefing, and possibly more, from intelligence agencies on specific subjects, one of the officials said. He declined to identify what subjects interested the president-elect, but said that so far they have not included Russia or Iran. He said Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan did not start receiving their daily briefings until later in November, while the delayed election result in 2000 meant that George W Bush did not start receiving his until December. During the run-up to the November 8 presidential election, Trump and a handful of advisers received at least two briefings from intelligence officials about broad national security issues. However, the pre-election briefings did not include the kind of secrets that are included in the PDBs that Obama, Trump and Pence now have access to. Such secrets include information about US espionage sources and covert operations overseas. The briefings are not compulsory. Priess said that after his first election, Richard Nixon spurned face-to-face briefings, so paper PDBs were delivered to his office, only for a "stack" of them to be later returned to the CIA, unopened. Trump on hacking during US elections During and after the election campaign, Trump raised questions about the intelligence on hacking of US political institutions. He has, however, repeatedly dismissed suggestions that Russia was behind the efforts, telling Time magazine earlier this week: "I don't believe they interfered ... It could be Russia. It could be China. And it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey." In a statement on October 7, ODNI and the Department of Homeland Security expressed confidence that the Russian government had "directed" hacking into "emails from US persons and institutions" that was "intended to interfere with the US election process". (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump gets only one intelligence briefing a week, far less than Obama

US President-elect Donald Trump will name Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt, a climate change sceptic, as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), news agency Reuters reports.

Pruitt has said the science on climate change is &quot;<a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/3-things-scott-pruitt-actually-said-climate-change/">far from settled</a>&quot;.&nbsp;Pruitt&nbsp;is an ardent opponent of President Barack Obama&#39;s measures to curb climate change. He, along with fellow state attorneys general, sued the EPA over the EPA&rsquo;s recently announced regulations seeking to curtail the emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the oil and gas sector,&nbsp;the Washington Post reports.&nbsp;

In an interview with Reuters in September, Pruitt said he sees the Clean Power Plan, a key part of meeting US obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement, as a form of federal &quot;coercion and commandeering&quot; of energy policy and that his state should have &quot;sovereignty to make decisions for its own markets&quot;.

The Washington Post characterised him as an &quot;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/07/trump-names-scott-pruitt-oklahoma-attorney-general-suing-epa-on-climate-change-to-head-the-epa/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_ee-epa-310pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&amp;utm_term=.52740c9dede9">ally&nbsp;of the energy industry</a>&quot; as&nbsp;he, along with Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, defended ExxonMobil when it was being investigated for failing to disclose material information about climate change.

The news of the appointment was confirmed by a member of Trump&rsquo;s transition team, according to Reuters.

During his election campaign, Trump vowed to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement, saying that&nbsp;it would put American businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

Heather Zichal, a former deputy assistant to the president for energy and climate change under Obama, said Trump&#39;s choice was alarming.

&quot;You can meet with Al Gore on Monday, pledge to keep Teddy Roosevelt&#39;s environmental legacy alive on Tuesday, but if you nominate the Clean Power Act&#39;s leading opponent to head the EPA on Wednesday, you&#39;re making an unequivocal statement about the direction of your leadership,&quot; Reuters quoted her as saying.&nbsp;

Vermont Senator and Democratic candidate for the presidency Bernie Sanders&nbsp;called Trump&#39;s pick to run the EPA &quot;sad and dangerous&quot;.

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Trump&#39;s nominee to lead EPA, Scott Pruitt, is a climate denier who&#39;s worked closely with the fossil fuel industry. That&#39;s sad and dangerous.
&mdash; Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/806589902062284801">December 7, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

Scott Pruitt opposes President Barack Obama's climate change measures, and is currently suing the EPA, the group he may lead

US President-elect Donald Trump will name Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt, a climate change sceptic, as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), news agency Reuters reports. Pruitt has said the science on climate change is "far from settled". Pruitt is an ardent opponent of President Barack Obama's measures to curb climate change. He, along with fellow state attorneys general, sued the EPA over the EPA’s recently announced regulations seeking to curtail the emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the oil and gas sector, the Washington Post reports. In an interview with Reuters in September, Pruitt said he sees the Clean Power Plan, a key part of meeting US obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement, as a form of federal "coercion and commandeering" of energy policy and that his state should have "sovereignty to make decisions for its own markets". The Washington Post characterised him as an "ally of the energy industry" as he, along with Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, defended ExxonMobil when it was being investigated for failing to disclose material information about climate change. The news of the appointment was confirmed by a member of Trump’s transition team, according to Reuters. During his election campaign, Trump vowed to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement, saying that it would put American businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Heather Zichal, a former deputy assistant to the president for energy and climate change under Obama, said Trump's choice was alarming. "You can meet with Al Gore on Monday, pledge to keep Teddy Roosevelt's environmental legacy alive on Tuesday, but if you nominate the Clean Power Act's leading opponent to head the EPA on Wednesday, you're making an unequivocal statement about the direction of your leadership," Reuters quoted her as saying. Vermont Senator and Democratic candidate for the presidency Bernie Sanders called Trump's pick to run the EPA "sad and dangerous". Trump's nominee to lead EPA, Scott Pruitt, is a climate denier who's worked closely with the fossil fuel industry. That's sad and dangerous. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 7, 2016 × (WION)

Trump to name climate change sceptic to head environmental protection agency

Donald Trump clashed on Wednesday with a union official who accused the president-elect of lying about the number of jobs saved in a deal to keep air conditioner maker Carrier from moving some jobs from Indiana to Mexico.

Chuck Jones, president of United Steelworkers Local 1999, which represents workers at United Technologies Corp&#39;s Carrier plant in Indianapolis, in an interview on CNN criticized Trump for at least the second time in two days over the deal.

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<h5>Trump said on Twitter: &#39;Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers Local 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!&#39;</h5>
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Trump, in a Twitter post on Wednesday, offered a sharp reply: &quot;Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers Local 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!&quot;

On Tuesday, Jones told The Washington Post that when Trump spoke at the Carrier factory last week, &quot;He got up there and, for whatever reason, lied his ass off.&quot;

Indiana state officials have agreed to give Carrier $7 million in tax breaks to encourage it to keep about 1,100 jobs in the state, although about 300 of the jobs are in the company&#39;s headquarters and were not scheduled to go to Mexico.

Only 800 of the positions are union factory jobs, and Carrier still plans to send an estimated 1,300 jobs to Mexico.

Some employees are disappointed, Jones said on CNN on Wednesday. &quot;We had a lot of our members, when the word was coming out of 1,100, they thought that they would have a job,&quot; he said.

In more remarks on CNN later on Wednesday, Jones responded to Trump&#39;s Twitter post. &quot;That&#39;s pretty low-down, low life,&quot; he said. &quot;He doesn&#39;t like to be challenged, and I challenged him.&quot;

Trump, who made tough talk on trade a centerpiece of his election campaign, had vowed to impose hefty tariffs if Carrier did not reverse course on shifting jobs to Mexico.

Trump posted another tweet after Jones&#39; later remarks on CNN. &quot;If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana,&quot; Trump wrote.

(Reuters)

Chuck Jones accused Trump of lying about the number of jobs saved in a deal to keep air conditioner maker Carrier from moving jobs to Mexico

Donald Trump clashed on Wednesday with a union official who accused the president-elect of lying about the number of jobs saved in a deal to keep air conditioner maker Carrier from moving some jobs from Indiana to Mexico. Chuck Jones, president of United Steelworkers Local 1999, which represents workers at United Technologies Corp's Carrier plant in Indianapolis, in an interview on CNN criticized Trump for at least the second time in two days over the deal. Trump said on Twitter: 'Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers Local 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!' × Trump, in a Twitter post on Wednesday, offered a sharp reply: "Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers Local 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!" On Tuesday, Jones told The Washington Post that when Trump spoke at the Carrier factory last week, "He got up there and, for whatever reason, lied his ass off." Indiana state officials have agreed to give Carrier $7 million in tax breaks to encourage it to keep about 1,100 jobs in the state, although about 300 of the jobs are in the company's headquarters and were not scheduled to go to Mexico. Only 800 of the positions are union factory jobs, and Carrier still plans to send an estimated 1,300 jobs to Mexico. Some employees are disappointed, Jones said on CNN on Wednesday. "We had a lot of our members, when the word was coming out of 1,100, they thought that they would have a job," he said. In more remarks on CNN later on Wednesday, Jones responded to Trump's Twitter post. "That's pretty low-down, low life," he said. "He doesn't like to be challenged, and I challenged him." Trump, who made tough talk on trade a centerpiece of his election campaign, had vowed to impose hefty tariffs if Carrier did not reverse course on shifting jobs to Mexico. Trump posted another tweet after Jones' later remarks on CNN. "If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana," Trump wrote. (Reuters)

Trump says union head who accused him of lying has 'done a terrible job'

Donald Trump on Wednesday selected a political ally with close ties to China as ambassador to Beijing, stressed his determination to create US jobs and revealed he consulted with Barack Obama on his cabinet picks.

The Republican&#39;s election victory shocked the US establishment and alarmed the world, which is now waiting with bated breath to see if the political novice will follow through on a slew of threats to tear up free trade agreements, abandon treaties and punish American companies relocating jobs overseas.

He antagonised China last week by taking a protocol-busting telephone call from the leader of Taiwan, and then railed against Beijing for alleged currency manipulation, unfair taxes and militarizing the South China Sea.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, on Wednesday urged Washington to block President Tsai Ing-wen from passing through the United States after reports said she may stop in New York to meet the Trump team.

But on Wednesday, Trump dangled potentially welcome news for Beijing: his pick of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has close ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping dating back to the mid-1980s, as ambassador to China.

&quot;Governor Branstad&#39;s decades of experience in public service and long-time relationship with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders make him the ideal choice to serve as America&#39;s Ambassador to China,&quot; Trump said.

Upon reports of Branstad&#39;s nomination, China called him an &quot;old friend.&quot;

Trump has pledged to create jobs by commissioning giant infrastructure projects to overhaul America&#39;s ailing roads, bridges, tunnels and airports, and by slashing corporate tax rates in an attempt to drive investment.

&nbsp;Jobs war&nbsp; 
&quot;We have to look at it almost as a war,&quot; he told supporters on Tuesday in Fayetteville, North Carolina on the second leg of an unorthodox victory tour of key swing states that propelled him into office.

Trump boasted of securing a $50 billion Japanese investment from SoftBank to create 50,000 American jobs and his intervention last week to save hundreds of manufacturing jobs from leaving Indiana for Mexico.

In an interview with Time, published to mark his accolade as the magazine&#39;s &quot;person of 2016,&quot; Trump said he also asked Apple to build a plant in the United States. The bulk of the company&#39;s products are assembled overseas.

Trump has also threatened to cancel a massive contract for two new Air Force One jets, one of the most glittering assets of the US presidency, in an apparent drive to cut back on government spending.

&quot;If we don&#39;t get the prices down, we&#39;re not going to order them,&quot; Trump told NBC, saying that he had spoken to Boeing about the order Tuesday.

The billionaire has spent most of his time since winning the election ensconced in his Trump Tower headquarters building his cabinet.

On Wednesday he nominated wrestling magnate Linda McMahon, 68, to his cabinet to head up the Small Business Administration -- nine years after he body-slammed her billionaire husband Vince and shaved his head at a wrestling match.

US media reported that he had also selected his third former general -- John Kelly to run homeland security -- and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, sparking a furious backlash from Democrats who warned the fossil fuel ally was a danger to the environment.

Trump senior aide Kellyanne Conway told reporters Wednesday she could not confirm or deny Kelly&#39;s nomination but called him qualified for the job. While not confirming Pruitt&#39;s appointment outright, she responded to criticism of the pick by stating that he had &quot;great qualifications and a good record as AG of Oklahoma.&quot;

&nbsp;Secretary of state &#39;next week&#39;&nbsp; 
But all eyes remain on Trump&#39;s pending nominee for secretary of state.

He told NBC that former arch Republican critic Mitt Romney was still in the running, but also emphasised the merits of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, whose name has reportedly been added to the prospective list.

The president-elect told NBC he was &quot;fairly close&quot; to a decision and expected to make an announcement on the position next week.

Time named Trump as its &quot;person of 2016&quot; for his stunning electoral upset win over Hillary Clinton, which empowered a frustrated electorate, but warned that the election had left behind a deeply divided country.

Trump denied that the division was his fault and told NBC that he &quot;really liked&quot; Obama, had &quot;really good chemistry&quot; with him and even discussed some of his possible appointments with the outgoing Democratic president.

It was a stunning about-face from a billionaire who spent years criticizing Obama, and who was instrumental in the so-called &quot;birther&quot; movement that questioned whether the first black president was born in the United States.

At the daily White House briefing, Obama&#39;s spokesman remained circumspect.

&quot;The president is pleased that he can play a role in ensuring a smooth and effective transition,&quot; Josh Earnest told reporters.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Iowa governor Terry Branstad, the new envoy, has close ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping dating back to the mid-1980s

Donald Trump on Wednesday selected a political ally with close ties to China as ambassador to Beijing, stressed his determination to create US jobs and revealed he consulted with Barack Obama on his cabinet picks. The Republican's election victory shocked the US establishment and alarmed the world, which is now waiting with bated breath to see if the political novice will follow through on a slew of threats to tear up free trade agreements, abandon treaties and punish American companies relocating jobs overseas. He antagonised China last week by taking a protocol-busting telephone call from the leader of Taiwan, and then railed against Beijing for alleged currency manipulation, unfair taxes and militarizing the South China Sea. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, on Wednesday urged Washington to block President Tsai Ing-wen from passing through the United States after reports said she may stop in New York to meet the Trump team. But on Wednesday, Trump dangled potentially welcome news for Beijing: his pick of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has close ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping dating back to the mid-1980s, as ambassador to China. "Governor Branstad's decades of experience in public service and long-time relationship with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders make him the ideal choice to serve as America's Ambassador to China," Trump said. Upon reports of Branstad's nomination, China called him an "old friend." Trump has pledged to create jobs by commissioning giant infrastructure projects to overhaul America's ailing roads, bridges, tunnels and airports, and by slashing corporate tax rates in an attempt to drive investment. Jobs war "We have to look at it almost as a war," he told supporters on Tuesday in Fayetteville, North Carolina on the second leg of an unorthodox victory tour of key swing states that propelled him into office. Trump boasted of securing a $50 billion Japanese investment from SoftBank to create 50,000 American jobs and his intervention last week to save hundreds of manufacturing jobs from leaving Indiana for Mexico. In an interview with Time, published to mark his accolade as the magazine's "person of 2016," Trump said he also asked Apple to build a plant in the United States. The bulk of the company's products are assembled overseas. Trump has also threatened to cancel a massive contract for two new Air Force One jets, one of the most glittering assets of the US presidency, in an apparent drive to cut back on government spending. "If we don't get the prices down, we're not going to order them," Trump told NBC, saying that he had spoken to Boeing about the order Tuesday. The billionaire has spent most of his time since winning the election ensconced in his Trump Tower headquarters building his cabinet. On Wednesday he nominated wrestling magnate Linda McMahon, 68, to his cabinet to head up the Small Business Administration -- nine years after he body-slammed her billionaire husband Vince and shaved his head at a wrestling match. US media reported that he had also selected his third former general -- John Kelly to run homeland security -- and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, sparking a furious backlash from Democrats who warned the fossil fuel ally was a danger to the environment. Trump senior aide Kellyanne Conway told reporters Wednesday she could not confirm or deny Kelly's nomination but called him qualified for the job. While not confirming Pruitt's appointment outright, she responded to criticism of the pick by stating that he had "great qualifications and a good record as AG of Oklahoma." Secretary of state 'next week' But all eyes remain on Trump's pending nominee for secretary of state. He told NBC that former arch Republican critic Mitt Romney was still in the running, but also emphasised the merits of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, whose name has reportedly been added to the prospective list. The president-elect told NBC he was "fairly close" to a decision and expected to make an announcement on the position next week. Time named Trump as its "person of 2016" for his stunning electoral upset win over Hillary Clinton, which empowered a frustrated electorate, but warned that the election had left behind a deeply divided country. Trump denied that the division was his fault and told NBC that he "really liked" Obama, had "really good chemistry" with him and even discussed some of his possible appointments with the outgoing Democratic president. It was a stunning about-face from a billionaire who spent years criticizing Obama, and who was instrumental in the so-called "birther" movement that questioned whether the first black president was born in the United States. At the daily White House briefing, Obama's spokesman remained circumspect. "The president is pleased that he can play a role in ensuring a smooth and effective transition," Josh Earnest told reporters. (AFP)

Trump picks China ambassador, says he consulted with Obama on cabinet picks

Cuba said on Wednesday&nbsp;it hoped to sign off on at least half a dozen agreements with the United States before businessman Donald Trump, who has threatened to derail a detente between the former Cold War foes, becomes president on January 20.

Cuban and US&nbsp;officials held talks in Havana to discuss what more could be accomplished during President Barack Obama&#39;s remaining weeks in office, agreeing to arrange more high-level visits and technical meetings.

&quot;We proposed the organisation of new high-level visits, which we will give more information on at an appropriate time, to advance negotiations and the eventual signing of various cooperation agreements in seismology, meteorology, protected territory, marine pollution by hydrocarbon spills, the application and adherence to the law, searching for and delimitation of the eastern area of the Gulf of Mexico,&quot; said Josefina Vidal, the Cuban foreign ministry&#39;s director of US&nbsp;affairs.

Cuba and the United States have already signed a dozen accords in the two years since they agreed to normalise relations, ending decades of hostility.

They have also opened embassies, restored commercial flights and opened travel options.

But some fear all that is now at risk, given Republican Trump has said he would seek to reverse the opening unless Cuba gives the United States what he calls a &quot;better deal&quot;.

Vidal declined to comment on Trump&#39;s statements but said she hoped his administration would recognise that the detente had the backing of most Cubans and Americans.

&quot;On the Cuban side, Cuba and the Cuban government hope the new US&nbsp;government takes into account these results that we have achieved not just in the last 15 months since the creation of the bilateral commission, but since what will soon be two years when on December 17, 2014 the presidents of both countries made the announcements and of what everyone else realizes, that this has the support of the majority of Cuba, the Cuban population, of United States citizens, including the majority of Cubans in that country, as well as the immense majority of countries in the world,&quot; she added.

The Obama administration is pressing American companies to complete business deals in Cuba ahead of Trump&#39;s swearing in.

The Caribbean island is also a growing popular tourist destination. The number of US&nbsp;visitors to Cuba had jumped 68 per cent in the first ten months of this year to 208,000, according to official figures.

(Reuters)

US and Cuban officials met in Havana to schedule more high-level visits and 'eventually sign various cooperation agreements'

Cuba said on Wednesday it hoped to sign off on at least half a dozen agreements with the United States before businessman Donald Trump, who has threatened to derail a detente between the former Cold War foes, becomes president on January 20. Cuban and US officials held talks in Havana to discuss what more could be accomplished during President Barack Obama's remaining weeks in office, agreeing to arrange more high-level visits and technical meetings. "We proposed the organisation of new high-level visits, which we will give more information on at an appropriate time, to advance negotiations and the eventual signing of various cooperation agreements in seismology, meteorology, protected territory, marine pollution by hydrocarbon spills, the application and adherence to the law, searching for and delimitation of the eastern area of the Gulf of Mexico," said Josefina Vidal, the Cuban foreign ministry's director of US affairs. Cuba and the United States have already signed a dozen accords in the two years since they agreed to normalise relations, ending decades of hostility. They have also opened embassies, restored commercial flights and opened travel options. But some fear all that is now at risk, given Republican Trump has said he would seek to reverse the opening unless Cuba gives the United States what he calls a "better deal". Vidal declined to comment on Trump's statements but said she hoped his administration would recognise that the detente had the backing of most Cubans and Americans. "On the Cuban side, Cuba and the Cuban government hope the new US government takes into account these results that we have achieved not just in the last 15 months since the creation of the bilateral commission, but since what will soon be two years when on December 17, 2014 the presidents of both countries made the announcements and of what everyone else realizes, that this has the support of the majority of Cuba, the Cuban population, of United States citizens, including the majority of Cubans in that country, as well as the immense majority of countries in the world," she added. The Obama administration is pressing American companies to complete business deals in Cuba ahead of Trump's swearing in. The Caribbean island is also a growing popular tourist destination. The number of US visitors to Cuba had jumped 68 per cent in the first ten months of this year to 208,000, according to official figures. (Reuters)

Cuba wants to sign accords with US before Obama leaves

China called on US officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent.

The US State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on &quot;long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (US) relations with Taiwan&quot;.

China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a US president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979.

Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan&#39;s small band of diplomatic allies, on January 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters.

Taiwan&#39;s Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai&#39;s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai&#39;s trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials.

The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on January 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai&#39;s delegation would seek to meet Trump&#39;s team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said.

&nbsp;

Meeting unlikely

An adviser to Trump&#39;s transition team said he considered it &quot;very unlikely&quot; there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York.

China&#39;s Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognised by the international community and that Tsai&#39;s real aim was &quot;self-evident&quot;.

China hopes the United States &quot;does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to &#39;Taiwan independence&#39; forces,&quot; the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters.

US&nbsp;State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet US&nbsp;officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically.

He said the transits were &quot;based on long-standing US&nbsp;practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan.&quot; A spokeswoman repeated the position on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Chinese call.

In a meeting with American reporters on Tuesday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect.

&quot;I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region,&quot; she told the reporters.

US vice president-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Trump did not regret taking the call.

&quot;(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy,&quot; Pence said. &quot;He&rsquo;s also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan. We have a unique relationship with that country that&rsquo;s been defined over the decades since we&rsquo;ve reopened relations with the People&rsquo;s Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call.&rdquo;

Taiwan has been self governing since 1949 when Nationalist forces fled to the island after defeat by Mao Zedong&#39;s communists in China&#39;s civil war. Taiwan&#39;s Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were &quot;excessive speculation&quot;.

El Salvador&#39;s government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January but gave no specific dates.

The Nicaraguan government had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on January 10, however, so Tsai&#39;s trip to Guatemala would dovetail with that ceremony.

The White House said on Monday it had sought to reassure China after Trump&#39;s phone call with Tsai, which the Obama administration warned could undermine progress in relations with Beijing.

(Reuters)

The US State Department appeared to reject the request, saying that such transits were based on 'long-standing US practice'

China called on US officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent. The US State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on "long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (US) relations with Taiwan". China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province. Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a US president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan's small band of diplomatic allies, on January 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters. Taiwan's Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai's trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials. The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on January 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai's delegation would seek to meet Trump's team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said. Meeting unlikely An adviser to Trump's transition team said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York. China's Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognised by the international community and that Tsai's real aim was "self-evident". China hopes the United States "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet US officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically. He said the transits were "based on long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan." A spokeswoman repeated the position on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Chinese call. In a meeting with American reporters on Tuesday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect. "I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region," she told the reporters. US vice president-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Trump did not regret taking the call. "(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy," Pence said. "He’s also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan. We have a unique relationship with that country that’s been defined over the decades since we’ve reopened relations with the People’s Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call.” Taiwan has been self governing since 1949 when Nationalist forces fled to the island after defeat by Mao Zedong's communists in China's civil war. Taiwan's Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were "excessive speculation". El Salvador's government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January but gave no specific dates. The Nicaraguan government had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on January 10, however, so Tsai's trip to Guatemala would dovetail with that ceremony. The White House said on Monday it had sought to reassure China after Trump's phone call with Tsai, which the Obama administration warned could undermine progress in relations with Beijing. (Reuters)

China asks US to block Taiwan president's stopover after Trump phone call

Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly has blamed Donald Trump&#39;s social media director Don Scavino for the death threats that she is receiving and the reason why she has had to hire armed guards for herself.&nbsp;

Kelly&nbsp;asked Scavino Tuesday to &quot;stop encouraging the online abuse and harassment&quot;, The Guardian reported today.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The vast majority of Donald Trump supporters are not at all this way,&rdquo; The Guardian reported Kelly telling an audience in Washington.&nbsp;

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s that far corner of the internet that really enjoys nastiness and threats, and unfortunately there is a man who works for Donald Trump whose job it is to stir these people up and that man needs to stop doing that. His name is Dan Scavino,&quot; she said, adding she has been under armed guard for 16 months.&nbsp;

Scavino and Kelly have clashed in the past too. In October, Scavino lashed out at Kelly in a tweet.&nbsp;

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/megynkelly">@MegynKelly</a> made a total fool out of herself tonight- attacking <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>. Watch what happens to her after this election is over.
&mdash; Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/791095922709200897">October 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The worst part is the security threats that I&rsquo;ve had to face and, as much as I try to avoid some of that online vitriol, I get lots of it and I really hate it. I find that stuff just soul-killing,&quot; The Guardian reported Kelly as saying.&nbsp;

(WION)

Kelly singled out Dan Scavino for stirring up those who enjoy nastiness and lodge threats on the Internet. Kelly has hired armed guards

Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly has blamed Donald Trump's social media director Don Scavino for the death threats that she is receiving and the reason why she has had to hire armed guards for herself. Kelly asked Scavino Tuesday to "stop encouraging the online abuse and harassment", The Guardian reported today. “The vast majority of Donald Trump supporters are not at all this way,” The Guardian reported Kelly telling an audience in Washington. “It’s that far corner of the internet that really enjoys nastiness and threats, and unfortunately there is a man who works for Donald Trump whose job it is to stir these people up and that man needs to stop doing that. His name is Dan Scavino," she said, adding she has been under armed guard for 16 months. Scavino and Kelly have clashed in the past too. In October, Scavino lashed out at Kelly in a tweet. .@MegynKelly made a total fool out of herself tonight- attacking @realDonaldTrump. Watch what happens to her after this election is over. — Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) October 26, 2016 × "The worst part is the security threats that I’ve had to face and, as much as I try to avoid some of that online vitriol, I get lots of it and I really hate it. I find that stuff just soul-killing," The Guardian reported Kelly as saying. (WION)

Journalist Megyn Kelly blames Trump's social media director for death threats

Time magazine on Wednesday named Donald Trump its &quot;Person of the Year&quot; for 2016 for his stunning upset election victory that rewrote the rules of politics, delivering him to the helm of a divided America.

The president-elect dialed into NBC television&#39;s Today show, welcoming the accolade as a &quot;very, very great honor,&quot; denying he was responsible for divisions and praising outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama.

The real estate tycoon, who has never previously held elected office and shocked the political establishment by defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, is featured on Time&#39;s cover described as &quot;Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America.&quot;

The magazine said its person of the year, a tradition that began in 1927, &quot;had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year.&quot;

&quot;So which is it this year: better or worse?&quot; editor-in-chief Nancy Gibbs wrote. &quot;The challenge for Donald Trump is how profoundly the country disagrees about the answer.&quot;

She said 2016 had been the year of his rise and 2017 would be the year of his rule, after he is sworn into office on January 20.

&quot;Like all newly elected leaders, he has a chance to fulfill promises and defy expectations,&quot; said Gibbs.

Trump won the title, she added, for &quot;reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears, and for framing tomorrow&#39;s political culture by demolishing yesterday&#39;s.&quot;

In the past Time has showed its editorial teeth by naming sinister figures -- Adolf Hitler in 1938 and Joseph Stalin both in 1939 and 1942.

The president-elect told NBC&#39;s Today show that he thought the sub-heading on the front cover about a divided America was &quot;snarky&quot; and denied that it was his fault.

&quot;I&#39;m not president yet so I didn&#39;t do anything to divide,&quot; he said, despite having inflamed the country by campaign rhetoric disparaging women, illegal immigrants and Muslims among others.

Takes Obama&#39;s advice

For years he criticized Obama and was instrumental in the so-called &quot;birther&quot; movement that questioned whether the first black president was born in the United States.

&quot;I will say this: I&#39;ve now gotten to know President Obama, I really like him,&quot; Trump told NBC on Wednesday. &quot;I can&#39;t speak for him, but we have a really good chemistry together. We talked,&quot; he said.

&quot;He loves the country, he wants to do right by the country and for the country and I will tell you, we obviously very much disagree on certain policies and certain things, but I really like him,&quot; he added.

The billionaire even said that he discussed some of his possible appointments with the outgoing Democratic president.

&quot;I take his recommendations very seriously and there are some people that I will be appointing and in one case have appointed where he thought very highly of that person,&quot; Trump said.

Clinton, the former secretary of state who became the closest in history to becoming America&#39;s first female commander in chief, was named the runner-up, with computer hackers in third place.

The former first lady won the popular vote with around 2.7 million more votes than Trump, but the Republican won the crucial Electoral College by 306 to 232.

Trump campaigned hard on a promise of bringing back jobs with the old manufacturing heartland hard hit by companies fleeing overseas and taking jobs to cheaper labor markets in China or Mexico.

Trump told Time in an interview that he asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to build in the United States &quot;a great plant, your biggest and your best, even if it&#39;s only a foot by a foot bigger than some place in China.&quot;

He also addressed representing working class Americans despite his lavish wealth, living in a luxurious Manhattan penthouse.

&quot;I&#39;m sitting in an apartment the likes of which nobody&#39;s ever seen. And yet I represent the workers of the world. And they love me and I love them,&quot; he told the magazine.

&quot;I think people aspire to do things. And they aspire to watch people. I don&#39;t think they want to see the president carrying his luggage out of Air Force One. And that&#39;s pretty much the way it is,&quot; he said. 
 
(AFP)

Time magazine said its person of the year 'had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year'

Time magazine on Wednesday named Donald Trump its "Person of the Year" for 2016 for his stunning upset election victory that rewrote the rules of politics, delivering him to the helm of a divided America. The president-elect dialed into NBC television's Today show, welcoming the accolade as a "very, very great honor," denying he was responsible for divisions and praising outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama. The real estate tycoon, who has never previously held elected office and shocked the political establishment by defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, is featured on Time's cover described as "Donald Trump: President of the Divided States of America." The magazine said its person of the year, a tradition that began in 1927, "had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year." "So which is it this year: better or worse?" editor-in-chief Nancy Gibbs wrote. "The challenge for Donald Trump is how profoundly the country disagrees about the answer." She said 2016 had been the year of his rise and 2017 would be the year of his rule, after he is sworn into office on January 20. "Like all newly elected leaders, he has a chance to fulfill promises and defy expectations," said Gibbs. Trump won the title, she added, for "reminding America that demagoguery feeds on despair and that truth is only as powerful as the trust in those who speak it, for empowering a hidden electorate by mainstreaming its furies and live-streaming its fears, and for framing tomorrow's political culture by demolishing yesterday's." In the past Time has showed its editorial teeth by naming sinister figures -- Adolf Hitler in 1938 and Joseph Stalin both in 1939 and 1942. The president-elect told NBC's Today show that he thought the sub-heading on the front cover about a divided America was "snarky" and denied that it was his fault. "I'm not president yet so I didn't do anything to divide," he said, despite having inflamed the country by campaign rhetoric disparaging women, illegal immigrants and Muslims among others. Takes Obama's advice For years he criticized Obama and was instrumental in the so-called "birther" movement that questioned whether the first black president was born in the United States. "I will say this: I've now gotten to know President Obama, I really like him," Trump told NBC on Wednesday. "I can't speak for him, but we have a really good chemistry together. We talked," he said. "He loves the country, he wants to do right by the country and for the country and I will tell you, we obviously very much disagree on certain policies and certain things, but I really like him," he added. The billionaire even said that he discussed some of his possible appointments with the outgoing Democratic president. "I take his recommendations very seriously and there are some people that I will be appointing and in one case have appointed where he thought very highly of that person," Trump said. Clinton, the former secretary of state who became the closest in history to becoming America's first female commander in chief, was named the runner-up, with computer hackers in third place. The former first lady won the popular vote with around 2.7 million more votes than Trump, but the Republican won the crucial Electoral College by 306 to 232. Trump campaigned hard on a promise of bringing back jobs with the old manufacturing heartland hard hit by companies fleeing overseas and taking jobs to cheaper labor markets in China or Mexico. Trump told Time in an interview that he asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to build in the United States "a great plant, your biggest and your best, even if it's only a foot by a foot bigger than some place in China." He also addressed representing working class Americans despite his lavish wealth, living in a luxurious Manhattan penthouse. "I'm sitting in an apartment the likes of which nobody's ever seen. And yet I represent the workers of the world. And they love me and I love them," he told the magazine. "I think people aspire to do things. And they aspire to watch people. I don't think they want to see the president carrying his luggage out of Air Force One. And that's pretty much the way it is," he said. (AFP)

Donald Trump is Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'

Two Muslim women working for authorities in New York suffered hate crimes just 36 hours apart, officials said Monday, following an explosion in such incidents across America since the election of Donald Trump.

A uniformed city transit employee was taken to hospital with injuries to her knee and ankle after being pushed down the stairs at Grand Central Station, the bustling rail hub in the heart of Manhattan, en route to work Monday.

A male suspect allegedly pushed the station agent and called her &quot;terrorist,&quot; said Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

On Monday, another man was held on a $50,000 bail on a hate crime charge after an off-duty Muslim police officer was harassed in Brooklyn while out with her 16-year-old son Saturday evening, prosecutors said.

Cuomo said a subway train was also found vandalised with swastika graffiti on Saturday and that Ku Klux Klan fliers and business cards were distributed at two stations on the Long Island Rail Road last week.

Cuomo and city mayor Bill de Blasio, both vehement critics of Trump, said hate crimes would be prosecuted and not tolerated.

De Blasio linked a rising number of incidents to rhetoric from Trump on the campaign trail disparaging illegal immigrants, women and Muslims.

&quot;Do I blame Donald Trump for using hate speech during his campaign? Absolutely. He did. It&#39;s a fact. He said horrible things about Muslims, horrible things about Mexican Americans,&quot; he told reporters.

Police officer Aml Elsokary, who proudly wears her hijab on duty, appeared at a news conference alongside de Blasio, who has hailed her a hero for running into a burning building to help save a young girl and her grandmother.

&quot;I became a police officer to show the positive side of a New Yorker, a Muslim woman, that can do the job,&quot; Elsokary told reporters.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m born and raised here and I&rsquo;m here to protect you,&quot; she added.

Around 900 Muslim Americans currently serve in the New York police department, the largest city force in the country.

Police said Monday that hate crimes were up 35 per cent in the city from last year but that arrests in those cases were also up 45 percent. Most reported hate crimes are anti-Semitic, police said.

New York is America&#39;s largest city and one of its most diverse with more than three million of its 8.55 million population foreign-born.

Nearly 900 incidents of hate and intolerance were recorded across the country in the first 10 days after Trump&#39;s election, many by assailants apparently emboldened by his victory, an advocacy group reported last week.

Trump&#39;s shock November 8 defeat of Hillary Clinton, who was bidding to become America&#39;s first female president, was cheered by white supremacists and others fired up by his rhetoric.&nbsp;

The president-elect has since distanced himself from the white nationalist movement, telling The New York Times last month: &quot;I disavow the group.&quot;

(AFP)

There has been an explosion in such incidents across America since the election of Donald Trump

Two Muslim women working for authorities in New York suffered hate crimes just 36 hours apart, officials said Monday, following an explosion in such incidents across America since the election of Donald Trump. A uniformed city transit employee was taken to hospital with injuries to her knee and ankle after being pushed down the stairs at Grand Central Station, the bustling rail hub in the heart of Manhattan, en route to work Monday. A male suspect allegedly pushed the station agent and called her "terrorist," said Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. On Monday, another man was held on a $50,000 bail on a hate crime charge after an off-duty Muslim police officer was harassed in Brooklyn while out with her 16-year-old son Saturday evening, prosecutors said. Cuomo said a subway train was also found vandalised with swastika graffiti on Saturday and that Ku Klux Klan fliers and business cards were distributed at two stations on the Long Island Rail Road last week. Cuomo and city mayor Bill de Blasio, both vehement critics of Trump, said hate crimes would be prosecuted and not tolerated. De Blasio linked a rising number of incidents to rhetoric from Trump on the campaign trail disparaging illegal immigrants, women and Muslims. "Do I blame Donald Trump for using hate speech during his campaign? Absolutely. He did. It's a fact. He said horrible things about Muslims, horrible things about Mexican Americans," he told reporters. Police officer Aml Elsokary, who proudly wears her hijab on duty, appeared at a news conference alongside de Blasio, who has hailed her a hero for running into a burning building to help save a young girl and her grandmother. "I became a police officer to show the positive side of a New Yorker, a Muslim woman, that can do the job," Elsokary told reporters. "I'm born and raised here and I’m here to protect you," she added. Around 900 Muslim Americans currently serve in the New York police department, the largest city force in the country. Police said Monday that hate crimes were up 35 per cent in the city from last year but that arrests in those cases were also up 45 percent. Most reported hate crimes are anti-Semitic, police said. New York is America's largest city and one of its most diverse with more than three million of its 8.55 million population foreign-born. Nearly 900 incidents of hate and intolerance were recorded across the country in the first 10 days after Trump's election, many by assailants apparently emboldened by his victory, an advocacy group reported last week. Trump's shock November 8 defeat of Hillary Clinton, who was bidding to become America's first female president, was cheered by white supremacists and others fired up by his rhetoric. The president-elect has since distanced himself from the white nationalist movement, telling The New York Times last month: "I disavow the group." (AFP)

Two Muslim women suffer hate crimes in New York

A man&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;Sunday after entering a pizzeria armed with an assault rifle, which he&nbsp;pointed&nbsp;at an employee and discharged&nbsp;inside the restaurant, DC police told&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2016/12/04/d-c-police-respond-to-report-of-a-man-with-a-gun-at-comet-ping-pong-restaurant/?postshare=3661480901316460&amp;tid=ss_tw&amp;utm_term=.068d9703213b">Washington Post</a>.

Police say&nbsp;28-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch, a local of&nbsp;Salisbury North Carolina,&nbsp;came&nbsp;to &quot;self-investigate&quot; the repeatedly debunked conspiracy theory&nbsp;known as &quot;pizzagate&quot;.

Nobody was injured in the incident, but in all the panic several businesses went into lockdown as police swarmed the neighbourhood at around 3 pm, the Washington Post reported.

The police say that Welch has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, the Washington Post reports.

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DC police: Comet Ping Pong suspect is Edgar Maddison Welch of Salisbury, NC who said he came to investigate &quot;pizzagate.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wbW9BMBBG3">pic.twitter.com/wbW9BMBBG3</a>
&mdash; Byron Tau (@ByronTau) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByronTau/status/805590075769815041">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&quot;Pizzagate&quot;

The 2016 US election saw a burst of fake news stories. In one, high-ranking memebers of the Democratic Party&nbsp;were involved in a pedophilia ring that operated out of the basement of Comet Ping Pong, a family-friendly pizza restaurant in&nbsp;Washington DC.

One Comet Ping Pong&nbsp;employee speculated that Welch was looking for the so-called underground tunnels, where alt-right and pro-Trump conspiracy theorists on 4chan and Reddit expressed belief that the Democrats tortured children, the <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/04/fake-news-delivers-real-gunman-to-pizzeria-caught-up-in-alt-right-fake-news.html">Daily Beast </a>reports.

The conspiracy seized on John Podesta&#39;s leaked emails which apparently contained a &quot;pizza theme&quot;, which was taken to be a secret code with private meanings.&nbsp;

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The code names for pizzagate and the art of biljana Djiurdjevic. That&#39;s Tony podesta favorite artist <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pizzagate?src=hash">#pizzagate</a> <a href="https://t.co/pyesLdSfYq">pic.twitter.com/pyesLdSfYq</a>
&mdash; I pray for you (@bluemindsoul22) <a href="https://twitter.com/bluemindsoul22/status/800683347727024128">November 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Since the election, the restaurant&#39;s owner has received hate mail and death threats via text, social media and Facebook, reports the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/technology/fact-check-this-pizzeria-is-not-a-child-trafficking-site.html?_r=1">New York Times</a>. &nbsp;

Employees have had to quit the Comet Ping Pong in fear after their&nbsp;personal information was shared online, the Daily Beast reports. Reddit has since closed those groups, as per their policy of not sharing private information.

The fake news was sufficiently high-profile in early November that retired General Michael Flyyn, who Donald Trump has since selected to be his national security adviser,&nbsp;shared it on Twitter, asking readers to judge its veractiy for themselves.&nbsp;

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U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ! <a href="https://t.co/O0bVJT3QDr">https://t.co/O0bVJT3QDr</a>
&mdash; General Flynn (@GenFlynn) <a href="https://twitter.com/GenFlynn/status/794000841518776320">November 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Articles appeared on Facebook and on sites like The New Nationalist and The Vigilant Citizen, which ran headlines like, &quot;Pizzagate: How 4Chan Uncovered the Sick World of Washington&#39;s Occult Elite&quot;, the New York Times reported.

Various news outlets debunked the claim that an occult sex ring was operated by&nbsp;Clinton and other Democrats out of the&nbsp;pizzeria basement.&nbsp;

The owner, James Alefantis, told&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-38156985">BBC </a>Trending that the accusation is&nbsp;impossible&nbsp;for a very basic reason: &quot;We don&#39;t even have a basement.&quot;

(WION)

&nbsp;

Online conspiracies and fake news stories claimed Democrats ran a paedophilia ring and tortured children in the Comet Ping Pong basement

A man was arrested Sunday after entering a pizzeria armed with an assault rifle, which he pointed at an employee and discharged inside the restaurant, DC police told the Washington Post. Police say 28-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch, a local of Salisbury North Carolina, came to "self-investigate" the repeatedly debunked conspiracy theory known as "pizzagate". Nobody was injured in the incident, but in all the panic several businesses went into lockdown as police swarmed the neighbourhood at around 3 pm, the Washington Post reported. The police say that Welch has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, the Washington Post reports. DC police: Comet Ping Pong suspect is Edgar Maddison Welch of Salisbury, NC who said he came to investigate "pizzagate." pic.twitter.com/wbW9BMBBG3 — Byron Tau (@ByronTau) December 5, 2016 × "Pizzagate" The 2016 US election saw a burst of fake news stories. In one, high-ranking memebers of the Democratic Party were involved in a pedophilia ring that operated out of the basement of Comet Ping Pong, a family-friendly pizza restaurant in Washington DC. One Comet Ping Pong employee speculated that Welch was looking for the so-called underground tunnels, where alt-right and pro-Trump conspiracy theorists on 4chan and Reddit expressed belief that the Democrats tortured children, the Daily Beast reports. The conspiracy seized on John Podesta's leaked emails which apparently contained a "pizza theme", which was taken to be a secret code with private meanings. The code names for pizzagate and the art of biljana Djiurdjevic. That's Tony podesta favorite artist #pizzagate pic.twitter.com/pyesLdSfYq — I pray for you (@bluemindsoul22) November 21, 2016 × Since the election, the restaurant's owner has received hate mail and death threats via text, social media and Facebook, reports the New York Times. Employees have had to quit the Comet Ping Pong in fear after their personal information was shared online, the Daily Beast reports. Reddit has since closed those groups, as per their policy of not sharing private information. The fake news was sufficiently high-profile in early November that retired General Michael Flyyn, who Donald Trump has since selected to be his national security adviser, shared it on Twitter, asking readers to judge its veractiy for themselves. U decide - NYPD Blows Whistle on New Hillary Emails: Money Laundering, Sex Crimes w Children, etc...MUST READ! https://t.co/O0bVJT3QDr — General Flynn (@GenFlynn) November 3, 2016 × Articles appeared on Facebook and on sites like The New Nationalist and The Vigilant Citizen, which ran headlines like, "Pizzagate: How 4Chan Uncovered the Sick World of Washington's Occult Elite", the New York Times reported. Various news outlets debunked the claim that an occult sex ring was operated by Clinton and other Democrats out of the pizzeria basement. The owner, James Alefantis, told BBC Trending that the accusation is impossible for a very basic reason: "We don't even have a basement." (WION)

Man self-investigating fake news story about Democrat child sex ring fires shots inside US pizzeria

US President-elect Donald Trump fired a Twitter broadside at China on Sunday, accusing the Asian giant of currency manipulation and military expansionism in the South China Sea.

The taunt came two days after Trump risked offending Beijing by accepting a call from the Taiwanese president, and heralded the prospect of a trade battle between the world&rsquo;s largest economies.

China was a frequent target of Trump&rsquo;s during his presidential campaign and, as he prepares to take office next month, every sign points to his taking an aggressive line with Beijing.

&quot;Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the US doesn&rsquo;t tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea?&quot; he demanded, adding: &quot;I don&rsquo;t think so!&quot;

China is the United States&rsquo; largest trading partner, but America ran a $366 billion deficit with Beijing in goods and services in 2015, up 6.6 per cent on the year before.

US politicians often accuse China of artificially depressing its currency, the renminbi, in order to boost its exports -- its value has fallen by around 15 per cent in the past two-and-half years.

Trump has vowed to formally declare China a &quot;currency manipulator&quot; on the first day of his presidency, which would oblige the US Treasury to open negotiations with Beijing on allowing the renminbi to rise.

With China holding about a trillion dollars in US government debt, Washington would have little leverage in such talks, but the declaration would harm ties and boost the prospect of a trade war.

China charges an average 15.6 per cent tariff on US agricultural imports and nine percent on other goods, according to the World Trade Organization.

Chinese farm products pay 4.4 per cent and other goods 3.6 per cent when coming into the United States. &nbsp;

On Friday, Trump courted Chinese anger by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan&#39;s president Tsai Ing-wen.

China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification, and any US move implying support for independence would gravely offend Beijing.

Trump&rsquo;s incoming vice president, Mike Pence, played down the significance of the call, describing it as a courtesy, and said any new policy on China would be decided after his inauguration.

China responded cautiously to the call, with state media putting it down to Trump&#39;s &quot;inexperience.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(AFP)

Trump accused China of currency manipulation and military expansionism in the South China Sea

US President-elect Donald Trump fired a Twitter broadside at China on Sunday, accusing the Asian giant of currency manipulation and military expansionism in the South China Sea. The taunt came two days after Trump risked offending Beijing by accepting a call from the Taiwanese president, and heralded the prospect of a trade battle between the world’s largest economies. China was a frequent target of Trump’s during his presidential campaign and, as he prepares to take office next month, every sign points to his taking an aggressive line with Beijing. "Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the US doesn’t tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea?" he demanded, adding: "I don’t think so!" China is the United States’ largest trading partner, but America ran a $366 billion deficit with Beijing in goods and services in 2015, up 6.6 per cent on the year before. US politicians often accuse China of artificially depressing its currency, the renminbi, in order to boost its exports -- its value has fallen by around 15 per cent in the past two-and-half years. Trump has vowed to formally declare China a "currency manipulator" on the first day of his presidency, which would oblige the US Treasury to open negotiations with Beijing on allowing the renminbi to rise. With China holding about a trillion dollars in US government debt, Washington would have little leverage in such talks, but the declaration would harm ties and boost the prospect of a trade war. China charges an average 15.6 per cent tariff on US agricultural imports and nine percent on other goods, according to the World Trade Organization. Chinese farm products pay 4.4 per cent and other goods 3.6 per cent when coming into the United States. On Friday, Trump courted Chinese anger by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen. China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification, and any US move implying support for independence would gravely offend Beijing. Trump’s incoming vice president, Mike Pence, played down the significance of the call, describing it as a courtesy, and said any new policy on China would be decided after his inauguration. China responded cautiously to the call, with state media putting it down to Trump's "inexperience." (AFP)

Trump picks Twitter fight with China

US President-elect Donald Trump&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;chose Ben Carson, the mild-mannered retired neurosurgeon who challenged him for the Republican nomination, to turn around troubled US inner cities as secretary of housing and urban development.

Carson, an African-American who is a religious conservative, has no background in housing policy but has cited his poor childhood in Detroit as a qualification for the job.

He is the first black selected by Trump for his team.

&quot;Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities,&quot; Trump said in a statement.

&quot;We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities.&quot;

Carson said: &quot;I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need.&nbsp;

&quot;We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation&rsquo;s housing needs are met.&quot;

&quot;I grew up in the inner city,&quot; Carson told Fox News last month. &quot;And have spent a lot of time there. And have dealt with a lot of patients from that area.&quot;

Carson briefly led the Republican presidential pack during the primaries, offering voters an unruffled, slow-talking persona that contrasted sharply with high-decibel slugfest around him.

His bid, which initially gained support among Christian conservatives, ultimately fizzled as he stumbled presenting concrete policies and answering questions about key issues.

The Seventh Day Adventist had presented himself as an alternative to the bombastic Trump, preaching tolerance and compromise but sometimes unleashing blunt rhetoric. These included many references to Nazi Germany, such as his suggestion that Jews would have fared better in the Holocaust had they been armed.

Trump mercilessly mocked him on the campaign trail, accusing Carson of having a &quot;pathological&quot; temper.

Carson nevertheless endorsed the real estate billionaire after withdrawing from the race in March, describing his former rival as &quot;a very intelligent man who cares deeply about America.&quot;

He took Trump on a neighborhood tour of his Detroit hometown in September at a time when the nominee was looking to boost his image with African-American voters.

And he came to Trump&#39;s defence following the release of a 2005 audiotape in which he bragged about groping women.

American Dream

Carson&#39;s history is the epitome of the American dream. The 65-year-old grew up poor, raised by an illiterate mother who married at age 13 but left her bigamist husband.

He developed into a model student, earning a scholarship to Yale University and attending the University of Michigan medical school.

At 33, he became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, earning global acclaim in 1987 by performing the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the head.

He retired in 2013 to hit the conservative talk circuit, describing how faith and family values had helped him as a drifting teenager to realize his dream.

He routinely promotes a return to individual responsibility -- a value that led him to denounce the welfare state, which he has warned only traps people in poverty.

&quot;If we continually keep people in a dependent position,&quot; he told conservatives in 2013, &quot;then they&#39;re soon going to lose the drive that is necessary to achieve in our society.&quot;

(Agency)

Ben Carson is the first African-American selected by Trump for his team

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday chose Ben Carson, the mild-mannered retired neurosurgeon who challenged him for the Republican nomination, to turn around troubled US inner cities as secretary of housing and urban development. Carson, an African-American who is a religious conservative, has no background in housing policy but has cited his poor childhood in Detroit as a qualification for the job. He is the first black selected by Trump for his team. "Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities," Trump said in a statement. "We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities." Carson said: "I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need. "We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation’s housing needs are met." "I grew up in the inner city," Carson told Fox News last month. "And have spent a lot of time there. And have dealt with a lot of patients from that area." Carson briefly led the Republican presidential pack during the primaries, offering voters an unruffled, slow-talking persona that contrasted sharply with high-decibel slugfest around him. His bid, which initially gained support among Christian conservatives, ultimately fizzled as he stumbled presenting concrete policies and answering questions about key issues. The Seventh Day Adventist had presented himself as an alternative to the bombastic Trump, preaching tolerance and compromise but sometimes unleashing blunt rhetoric. These included many references to Nazi Germany, such as his suggestion that Jews would have fared better in the Holocaust had they been armed. Trump mercilessly mocked him on the campaign trail, accusing Carson of having a "pathological" temper. Carson nevertheless endorsed the real estate billionaire after withdrawing from the race in March, describing his former rival as "a very intelligent man who cares deeply about America." He took Trump on a neighborhood tour of his Detroit hometown in September at a time when the nominee was looking to boost his image with African-American voters. And he came to Trump's defence following the release of a 2005 audiotape in which he bragged about groping women. American Dream Carson's history is the epitome of the American dream. The 65-year-old grew up poor, raised by an illiterate mother who married at age 13 but left her bigamist husband. He developed into a model student, earning a scholarship to Yale University and attending the University of Michigan medical school. At 33, he became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, earning global acclaim in 1987 by performing the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the head. He retired in 2013 to hit the conservative talk circuit, describing how faith and family values had helped him as a drifting teenager to realize his dream. He routinely promotes a return to individual responsibility -- a value that led him to denounce the welfare state, which he has warned only traps people in poverty. "If we continually keep people in a dependent position," he told conservatives in 2013, "then they're soon going to lose the drive that is necessary to achieve in our society." (Agency)

Donald Trump picks Ben Carson for housing secretary

US President-elect Donald Trump has warned US companies wanting to set up business abroad of dire consequences if they &quot;leave&nbsp;our country for another country.&quot;

In a series of tweets, the president-elect gave a clear indication of protectionist times ahead. He claimed he would &quot;substantially reduce taxes and regulations&quot; for US-based firms but would impose a 35 per cent&nbsp;tax on companies wanting to set up business outside.

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The U.S. is going to substantialy reduce taxes and regulations on businesses, but any business that leaves our country for another country,
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/805376548882776064">December 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
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fires its employees, builds a new factory or plant in the other country, and then thinks it will sell its product back into the U.S. ......
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/805378393537658880">December 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
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without retribution or consequence, is WRONG! There will be a tax on our soon to be strong border of 35% for these companies ......
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/805380553008680961">December 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
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wanting to sell their product, cars, A.C. units etc., back across the border. This tax will make leaving financially difficult, but.....
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/805382541343653888">December 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Trump earlier challenged US companies at a campaign-style rally on Thursday after striking a deal with Carrier to keep about 1,100 jobs in Indiana in exchange for $7 million in state tax incentives over 10 years.

&quot;Companies are not going to leave the United States any more without consequences. Not going to happen,&quot; Trump had told the cheering crowd.

&quot;They can leave from state to state, and negotiate deals with different states, but leaving the country will be very, very difficult.&quot;&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s promise to increase jobs for US citizens and increase protectionism does not seem to be campaign rhetoric, it seems. If the US president-elect keeps his word, it could spell dangerous times for the globalised economy in the years to come, denting growth rate of developing countries and hitting global trade overall.

Trump warned he would impose a 35% tax on companies setting up operations outside US

US President-elect Donald Trump has warned US companies wanting to set up business abroad of dire consequences if they "leave our country for another country." In a series of tweets, the president-elect gave a clear indication of protectionist times ahead. He claimed he would "substantially reduce taxes and regulations" for US-based firms but would impose a 35 per cent tax on companies wanting to set up business outside. The U.S. is going to substantialy reduce taxes and regulations on businesses, but any business that leaves our country for another country, — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016 × fires its employees, builds a new factory or plant in the other country, and then thinks it will sell its product back into the U.S. ...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016 × without retribution or consequence, is WRONG! There will be a tax on our soon to be strong border of 35% for these companies ...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016 × wanting to sell their product, cars, A.C. units etc., back across the border. This tax will make leaving financially difficult, but..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2016 × Trump earlier challenged US companies at a campaign-style rally on Thursday after striking a deal with Carrier to keep about 1,100 jobs in Indiana in exchange for $7 million in state tax incentives over 10 years. "Companies are not going to leave the United States any more without consequences. Not going to happen," Trump had told the cheering crowd. "They can leave from state to state, and negotiate deals with different states, but leaving the country will be very, very difficult." Trump's promise to increase jobs for US citizens and increase protectionism does not seem to be campaign rhetoric, it seems. If the US president-elect keeps his word, it could spell dangerous times for the globalised economy in the years to come, denting growth rate of developing countries and hitting global trade overall.

Trump warns US companies against setting up businesses abroad

Former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein dropped her efforts Saturday to request a vote recount in Pennsylvania, one of three battleground states won by Donald Trump where she is challenging the results.

&quot;Petitioners are regular citizens of ordinary means. They cannot afford to post the $1,000,000 bond required by the court,&quot; read a filing submitted in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

She later tweeted saying &quot;#Recount2016 is so expensive because of elected leaders who have refused to invest in a 21st-century voting system.&quot;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Recount2016?src=hash">#Recount2016</a> is so expensive because of elected leaders who have refused to invest in a 21st-century voting system.
&mdash; Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJillStein/status/805215250266128384">December 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(AFP)

The counting was dropped because the petitioners cannot afford to post the $1,000,000 bond required by the court

Former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein dropped her efforts Saturday to request a vote recount in Pennsylvania, one of three battleground states won by Donald Trump where she is challenging the results. "Petitioners are regular citizens of ordinary means. They cannot afford to post the $1,000,000 bond required by the court," read a filing submitted in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. She later tweeted saying "#Recount2016 is so expensive because of elected leaders who have refused to invest in a 21st-century voting system." #Recount2016 is so expensive because of elected leaders who have refused to invest in a 21st-century voting system. — Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) December 4, 2016 × (AFP)

Jill Stein drops election recount bid in Pennsylvania

China has launched a diplomatic protest in reponse to Donald Trump&#39;s 10-minute phone conversation with the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen.&nbsp;

The US under Jimmy Carter broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, and it&#39;s believed that no US president or president-elect has spoken with a Taiwanese leader since.

The <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-issues-diplomatic-protest-donald-trump-phone-call-taiwan-president-a7453501.html?cmpid=facebook-post">Independent </a>reports that China&#39;s foreign ministry said it had lodged &quot;stern representations&quot; with what it termed &quot;the relevant US side&quot;, urging for caution rather than provocation concerning the relationship of the two major powers. It stated, &quot;The one China principle is the political basis of the China-US relationship.&quot;

Wang Yi, China&#39;s foreign minister, blamed Taiwan for the exchange. For his part, Trump claimed in a tweet that Tsai Ing-wen took the initiative to call him first.

The White House insisted there was no change to its stance on China. &quot;We remain firmly committed to our &#39;one China&#39; policy,&quot; said New Price, a national security spokesman for President Obama.

&quot;Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations,&quot; Price&nbsp;continued.

The Island of Taiwan, off the southeastern coast of&nbsp;mainland China, for years has been&nbsp;pushing to become&nbsp;a sovereign state, rather than a province of China.

(WION)

Trump is the first US President or President-elect in 37 years to speak to a leader of Taiwan that is seeking independence from China

China has launched a diplomatic protest in reponse to Donald Trump's 10-minute phone conversation with the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen. The US under Jimmy Carter broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, and it's believed that no US president or president-elect has spoken with a Taiwanese leader since. The Independent reports that China's foreign ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it termed "the relevant US side", urging for caution rather than provocation concerning the relationship of the two major powers. It stated, "The one China principle is the political basis of the China-US relationship." Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, blamed Taiwan for the exchange. For his part, Trump claimed in a tweet that Tsai Ing-wen took the initiative to call him first. The White House insisted there was no change to its stance on China. "We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said New Price, a national security spokesman for President Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations," Price continued. The Island of Taiwan, off the southeastern coast of mainland China, for years has been pushing to become a sovereign state, rather than a province of China. (WION)

China protests against Trump after phone conversation with Taiwan President

The rally in regional US bank stocks that followed last month&#39;s election of Donald Trump may not be over, but investors may have to wait for policy to take shape for the massive move to extend further.

The S&amp;P 600 index of small-cap banks has surged more than 20 per cent since Trump&#39;s surprise November 8 victory, while their large-cap peers on the S&amp;P 500 index have jumped over 17 per cent.

Investors booked profits on Friday, with the small-cap index down 0.8 percent and the larger banks dropping 1.1 per cent.

Smaller lenders could potentially add as much as 40 per cent to their fourth-quarter 2017 earnings if Trump&#39;s promises of tax cuts and regulatory changes materialise, according to Sandler O&#39; Neill analyst Brad Milsaps.

But Milsaps has not changed his official estimates to reflect this possibility as he is waiting for confirmation that those policy changes will happen.

Trump is scheduled to take office January 20. His Treasury Secretary nominee, Steven Mnuchin, on Wednesday, criticised the Dodd-Frank banking regulation act saying that it inhibited bank lending, potentially implying a willingness to try to change regulations to help boost that revenue source.

&quot;It remains to be seen how much longer the rally can continue until we see some tangible evidence of changes coming from the administration that relates to regulations or tax rates,&quot; said Milsaps.

Investors are betting that rising long-term interest rates, expected corporate tax cuts, as well as lighter regulation, will help banks under a Trump administration.

Domestic banks have more to gain from policy changes than their multinational counterparts as lighter regulation should make it easier for them to grow more quickly and could allow more mergers, according to investors and analysts.

They could also benefit more from expected tax cuts and they would be insulated from currency fluctuations.

&quot;There&#39;s definitely more opportunity on the regional banking level,&quot; David Lebovitz, global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management. &quot;When you go down in market capitalisation you begin to insulate yourself from a lot of these external forces. Dollar strengthening is less of an issue.&quot;

Bank profits depend largely on the spread between long- and short-term rates. The spread between benchmark US&nbsp;10-year Treasury notes and 2-year Treasuries has widened nearly 30 basis points since the US presidential election, touching its highest in a year on Thursday.

Adding to upward pressure on yields, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise overnight US interest rates at its meeting on Dec. 13-14 by 25 basis points, the first hike in nearly a year.

In relation to rising interest rates alone, Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods boosted its operating earnings growth estimates for banks with assets of $50 billion or lower to 10 per cent from 6 percent next year, and to 11 per cent from 4 per cent in 2018.

&quot;Earnings revisions, having been negative for many years, are beginning to turn positive, which is a very important step, and they&#39;re turning positive on higher revenues, which is even more important,&quot; said KBW analyst Christopher McGratty. &quot;They don&#39;t look cheap but there&#39;s a justifiable path toward the valuations they&#39;re at.&quot;

The current forward price-to-earnings for the S&amp;P small-cap bank index stands at 18.4, well above the six-year median of 15 and at its highest since April 2011.

McGratty also noted that many analysts will likely update their estimates for 2017 in coming weeks, which would tighten forward P/E multiples.

(Reuters)

The S&P 600 index of small-cap banks has surged more than 20 per cent since Trump's surprise November 8 victory

The rally in regional US bank stocks that followed last month's election of Donald Trump may not be over, but investors may have to wait for policy to take shape for the massive move to extend further. The S&P 600 index of small-cap banks has surged more than 20 per cent since Trump's surprise November 8 victory, while their large-cap peers on the S&P 500 index have jumped over 17 per cent. Investors booked profits on Friday, with the small-cap index down 0.8 percent and the larger banks dropping 1.1 per cent. Smaller lenders could potentially add as much as 40 per cent to their fourth-quarter 2017 earnings if Trump's promises of tax cuts and regulatory changes materialise, according to Sandler O' Neill analyst Brad Milsaps. But Milsaps has not changed his official estimates to reflect this possibility as he is waiting for confirmation that those policy changes will happen. Trump is scheduled to take office January 20. His Treasury Secretary nominee, Steven Mnuchin, on Wednesday, criticised the Dodd-Frank banking regulation act saying that it inhibited bank lending, potentially implying a willingness to try to change regulations to help boost that revenue source. "It remains to be seen how much longer the rally can continue until we see some tangible evidence of changes coming from the administration that relates to regulations or tax rates," said Milsaps. Investors are betting that rising long-term interest rates, expected corporate tax cuts, as well as lighter regulation, will help banks under a Trump administration. Domestic banks have more to gain from policy changes than their multinational counterparts as lighter regulation should make it easier for them to grow more quickly and could allow more mergers, according to investors and analysts. They could also benefit more from expected tax cuts and they would be insulated from currency fluctuations. "There's definitely more opportunity on the regional banking level," David Lebovitz, global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management. "When you go down in market capitalisation you begin to insulate yourself from a lot of these external forces. Dollar strengthening is less of an issue." Bank profits depend largely on the spread between long- and short-term rates. The spread between benchmark US 10-year Treasury notes and 2-year Treasuries has widened nearly 30 basis points since the US presidential election, touching its highest in a year on Thursday. Adding to upward pressure on yields, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise overnight US interest rates at its meeting on Dec. 13-14 by 25 basis points, the first hike in nearly a year. In relation to rising interest rates alone, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted its operating earnings growth estimates for banks with assets of $50 billion or lower to 10 per cent from 6 percent next year, and to 11 per cent from 4 per cent in 2018. "Earnings revisions, having been negative for many years, are beginning to turn positive, which is a very important step, and they're turning positive on higher revenues, which is even more important," said KBW analyst Christopher McGratty. "They don't look cheap but there's a justifiable path toward the valuations they're at." The current forward price-to-earnings for the S&P small-cap bank index stands at 18.4, well above the six-year median of 15 and at its highest since April 2011. McGratty also noted that many analysts will likely update their estimates for 2017 in coming weeks, which would tighten forward P/E multiples. (Reuters)

Wall Street Week Ahead: Small banks rally pauses but may not be over yet

US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the first such contact between the two sides in nearly four decades, but China dismissed the call as a &quot;petty action&quot; by the self-ruled island it claims as its own.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan&#39;s leadership was the first by a US&nbsp;president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of &quot;one China&quot;.

Hours after Friday&#39;s call, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency.

&quot;This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the &#39;one China&#39; structure already formed by the international community,&quot; Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported.

&quot;I believe that it won&#39;t change the longstanding &#39;one China&#39; policy of the United States government.&quot;

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump&#39;s victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said the exchange sent &quot;a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US&nbsp;relations&quot;, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry&#39;s website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. &quot;The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!&quot; he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: &quot;Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.&quot;

Trump and Tsai noted that &quot;close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States&quot;, the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan&#39;s presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Later on Saturday, Taiwan&#39;s policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call &quot;calmly&quot;.

&quot;We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship,&quot; the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

China&#39;s influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the &quot;one China&quot; principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he&#39;d have little time to do anything else.

&quot;We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do.&quot;

Arms supplier

Washington remains Taiwan&#39;s most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

&quot;Interesting how the US&nbsp;sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call,&quot; Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US&nbsp;election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

The White House said after Trump&#39;s call that &quot;longstanding policy&quot; on China and Taiwan had not changed.

&quot;We remain firmly committed to our &#39;one China&#39; policy,&quot; said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. &quot;Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.&quot;

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was &quot;well aware of what US&nbsp;policy has been&quot; on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump&#39;s team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US&nbsp;military in part in response to China&#39;s increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the US&nbsp;election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader&#39;s office, as a &quot;terrific guy&quot;.

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US&nbsp;accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a &quot;very engaging, animated&quot; phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump&#39;s transition team made no mention of the invitation.

(Reuters)

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter

US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the first such contact between the two sides in nearly four decades, but China dismissed the call as a "petty action" by the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China". Hours after Friday's call, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency. "This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported. "I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government." In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country. Wang said the exchange sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US relations", according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript. Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said. Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact." Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation. Later on Saturday, Taiwan's policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call "calmly". "We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship," the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January. China's influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else. "We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do." Arms supplier Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump. "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet. Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department. The White House said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed. "We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations." Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what US policy has been" on Taiwan. Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant. Trump lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office. Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy". Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation. Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September. A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation. (Reuters)

China blames Taiwan for president's 'petty' phone call with Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump&#39;s call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could &quot;upset the delicate balance&quot; of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

&quot;President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders,&quot; the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan&#39;s President Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a &quot;fantastic&quot; country full of &quot;fantastic&quot; people that he &quot;would love&quot; to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as &quot;terrific&quot; and Pakistanis &quot;are one of the most intelligent people&quot;, according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is &quot;ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems&quot;.

&quot;Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan&#39;s behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes,&quot; the New York Times said.

On Trump&#39;s conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call &quot;risks infuriating China&quot;, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

&quot;By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trump&#39;s transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state,&quot; it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, &quot;The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency&quot;.

In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.&nbsp;

NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country&#39;s &quot;separation&quot; from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.

&quot;Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama&#39;s administration had been working to curb,&quot; NYT said.

Trump also praised Kazakhstan&#39;s leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for &quot;fantastic success&quot;, in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev&#39;s strongman rule.

According to the Kazakh government&#39;s readout of the call, Trump &quot;stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle&quot;.

The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

&quot;If you travel to the US you should let me know,&quot; he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party a &quot;slap to May&quot;, NYT said.

Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added.

In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump&#39;s daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting state department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter.

&quot;The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trump&#39;s businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the US&nbsp;Government, with which she has no role,&quot; it said.

(PTI) 
&nbsp;

Those two calls, the paper said, could risk alienating India and China

US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders. "President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders. In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China. On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems". "Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said. On Trump's conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels. "By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trump's transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence. Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency". In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington. NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country's "separation" from the US during a recent trip to Beijing. "Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama's administration had been working to curb," NYT said. Trump also praised Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for "fantastic success", in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev's strongman rule. According to the Kazakh government's readout of the call, Trump "stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle". The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May. "If you travel to the US you should let me know," he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party a "slap to May", NYT said. Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added. In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting state department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter. "The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trump's businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the US Government, with which she has no role," it said. (PTI)

From Pak to Taiwan, Trump's phone calls upsetting diplomacy: NYT

US President-elect Donald Trump told Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte that Manila was conducting its deadly drug war &quot;the right way&quot;, Duterte said Saturday, in stark contrast to the criticism he received from President Barack Obama.

The Philippine president called Trump late Friday evening to congratulate him on his election victory, with Trump wishing him &quot;success&quot; in his controversial anti-crime crackdown, in which some 4,800 people have been killed since June, according to Duterte.&nbsp;

&quot;He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well... in my campaign and he said that... we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way,&quot; Duterte said in a statement Saturday.

&nbsp;

&#39;War on drugs&#39;

Duterte, 71, launched an unprecedented war on drugs that drew a wave of global criticism with Obama urging the leader in September to conduct his campaign &quot;the right way&quot; following concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings. It is not clear whether or not Trump echoed&nbsp;this exact same phrase&nbsp;on purpose.

Before he won the&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;election this May, Duterte <a href="http://time.com/4462352/rodrigo-duterte-drug-war-drugs-philippines-killing/">described </a>his &quot;war on crime&quot; in the following way: &quot;All of you who are into drugs, you son of a bitches, I will really kill you&quot;. Since becoming president, he has offered medals&nbsp;and cash rewards to citizens that shot drug dealers dead.

A day after his inauguration, Duterte&nbsp;told police officers:&nbsp;&quot;Do your duty, and if in the process you kill 1,000 persons because you were doing your duty, I will protect you.&quot;&nbsp;

As of December 2, according to one <a href="http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/145814-numbers-statistics-philippines-war-drugs">report</a>, over 5,000 people have been killed. It states that 2,004 &quot;suspected drug personalities&quot; have been killed in police operations, while&nbsp;3,841 are victims of&nbsp;&quot;extrajudicial&quot; or &quot;vigilante-style&quot; killings.&nbsp;Duterte also said he would be &quot;happy to slaughter&quot; three million drug addicts, and likened his campaign to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler&#39;s efforts to exterminate Jews in Europe.

&nbsp;

Duterte and Trump

Following the conversation Trump&#39;s office released a brief statement, saying Duterte had congratulated Trump and the two agreed to work together closely.&nbsp;

In October Duterte announced a &quot;separation&quot; from the United States and had called for the withdrawal of American troops from his country, putting into question Manila&#39;s 70-year-old alliance with Washington.

Duterte and&nbsp;President Obama did not see eye to eye, with Duterte referring to the American president as&nbsp;a &quot;son of a wh*r*&quot;.

But on Saturday, Duterte said he &quot;could sense a good rapport&quot; with an &quot;animated&quot; Trump.&nbsp;

Video released by Duterte&#39;s office showed the Philippine leader laughing as he chatted on the phone, later saying Trump would be &quot;a good president for the United States of America&quot;.

Duterte said the president-elect invited him to visit New York and Washington DC and he returned the favour by asking Trump to attend a regional summit that the Philippines is set to host next year.

&quot;If I&rsquo;m around, he wants to be notified of my presence,&quot; Duterte said.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Duterte has asked police & vigilantes to kill drug dealers and users. At least 5,000 have died. He said Trump wished him more 'success'

US President-elect Donald Trump told Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte that Manila was conducting its deadly drug war "the right way", Duterte said Saturday, in stark contrast to the criticism he received from President Barack Obama. The Philippine president called Trump late Friday evening to congratulate him on his election victory, with Trump wishing him "success" in his controversial anti-crime crackdown, in which some 4,800 people have been killed since June, according to Duterte. "He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well... in my campaign and he said that... we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way," Duterte said in a statement Saturday. 'War on drugs' Duterte, 71, launched an unprecedented war on drugs that drew a wave of global criticism with Obama urging the leader in September to conduct his campaign "the right way" following concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings. It is not clear whether or not Trump echoed this exact same phrase on purpose. Before he won the presidential election this May, Duterte described his "war on crime" in the following way: "All of you who are into drugs, you son of a bitches, I will really kill you". Since becoming president, he has offered medals and cash rewards to citizens that shot drug dealers dead. A day after his inauguration, Duterte told police officers: "Do your duty, and if in the process you kill 1,000 persons because you were doing your duty, I will protect you." As of December 2, according to one report, over 5,000 people have been killed. It states that 2,004 "suspected drug personalities" have been killed in police operations, while 3,841 are victims of "extrajudicial" or "vigilante-style" killings. Duterte also said he would be "happy to slaughter" three million drug addicts, and likened his campaign to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's efforts to exterminate Jews in Europe. Duterte and Trump Following the conversation Trump's office released a brief statement, saying Duterte had congratulated Trump and the two agreed to work together closely. In October Duterte announced a "separation" from the United States and had called for the withdrawal of American troops from his country, putting into question Manila's 70-year-old alliance with Washington. Duterte and President Obama did not see eye to eye, with Duterte referring to the American president as a "son of a wh*r*". But on Saturday, Duterte said he "could sense a good rapport" with an "animated" Trump. Video released by Duterte's office showed the Philippine leader laughing as he chatted on the phone, later saying Trump would be "a good president for the United States of America". Duterte said the president-elect invited him to visit New York and Washington DC and he returned the favour by asking Trump to attend a regional summit that the Philippines is set to host next year. "If I’m around, he wants to be notified of my presence," Duterte said. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump said Philippines fighting drugs 'the right way': Duterte

Norway on Friday urged US President-elect Donald Trump to enunciate a clear and predictable policy on Russia as soon as possible, amid growing concerns in Oslo about increasing Russian military activities in the &quot;High North&quot; or Arctic region.

&quot;What is most important to us right now is to have both a predictable and a very clear policy on Russia,&quot; Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told Reuters ahead of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California.

&quot;The earlier and the clearer that the new administration comes out with this, the better it is, also for European security,&quot; Soereide said.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg spoke by telephone with Trump on Thursday, addressing concerns of the transatlantic NATO alliance and Europe about Russia&#39;s increasingly aggressive military stance, Soereide said.

She said Trump reassured Solberg about the United States&#39; commitment to the NATO alliance and common security.

During the US&nbsp;election campaign, Trump talked of building closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He questioned whether the United States should protect allies seen as spending too little on their defence, raising fears he could withdraw funding for NATO.

Soereide said Norway was concerned by Russia&#39;s testing of new missiles that could reach Europe, upgrades of existing equipment, and its adoption of quieter submarines that were harder to detect. The combined effect was a new challenge that Europe and NATO need to address, she said.

&quot;They are effectively capable now of closing off allied reinforcements, which of course is a huge strategic challenge,&quot; Soereide said, citing what she called Russia&#39;s ability to block the so-called GIUK gap that runs between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, a strategic &quot;gateway&quot; to the north Atlantic.

Norway announced plans last week to buy five Boeing Co &lt;BA.N&gt; P-8A maritime surveillance planes that it could use to better track Russian submarines, cooperating closely with Britain, which is buying nine of the planes.

US and NATO officials say the level of Russian submarine activity in the region is at its highest since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s.

Russian control of the Arctic chokepoint would make it difficult for NATO forces to bring warships and heavy equipment into the area during a future potential conflict, Soereide said.

Norway was monitoring developments nearly &quot;hour by hour,&quot; she added.

&quot;They have been reestablishing their &#39;bastion&#39; defence concept,&quot; she said in reference to the Soviet Union&#39;s Cold War strategy of heavily defending maritime areas such as the Barents Sea. &quot;They have to a great extent shown that this area is strategically even more important to the Russians now than it used to be,&quot; she said.

(Reuters)

There have been growing concerns in Oslo about increasing Russian military activities in the 'High North' or Arctic region

Norway on Friday urged US President-elect Donald Trump to enunciate a clear and predictable policy on Russia as soon as possible, amid growing concerns in Oslo about increasing Russian military activities in the "High North" or Arctic region. "What is most important to us right now is to have both a predictable and a very clear policy on Russia," Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told Reuters ahead of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "The earlier and the clearer that the new administration comes out with this, the better it is, also for European security," Soereide said. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg spoke by telephone with Trump on Thursday, addressing concerns of the transatlantic NATO alliance and Europe about Russia's increasingly aggressive military stance, Soereide said. She said Trump reassured Solberg about the United States' commitment to the NATO alliance and common security. During the US election campaign, Trump talked of building closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He questioned whether the United States should protect allies seen as spending too little on their defence, raising fears he could withdraw funding for NATO. Soereide said Norway was concerned by Russia's testing of new missiles that could reach Europe, upgrades of existing equipment, and its adoption of quieter submarines that were harder to detect. The combined effect was a new challenge that Europe and NATO need to address, she said. "They are effectively capable now of closing off allied reinforcements, which of course is a huge strategic challenge," Soereide said, citing what she called Russia's ability to block the so-called GIUK gap that runs between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, a strategic "gateway" to the north Atlantic. Norway announced plans last week to buy five Boeing Co <BA.N> P-8A maritime surveillance planes that it could use to better track Russian submarines, cooperating closely with Britain, which is buying nine of the planes. US and NATO officials say the level of Russian submarine activity in the region is at its highest since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s. Russian control of the Arctic chokepoint would make it difficult for NATO forces to bring warships and heavy equipment into the area during a future potential conflict, Soereide said. Norway was monitoring developments nearly "hour by hour," she added. "They have been reestablishing their 'bastion' defence concept," she said in reference to the Soviet Union's Cold War strategy of heavily defending maritime areas such as the Barents Sea. "They have to a great extent shown that this area is strategically even more important to the Russians now than it used to be," she said. (Reuters)

Norway urges Trump to issue clear, predictable policy on Russia

US President-elect Donald Trump is &quot;well aware&quot; of what US policy has been on Taiwan, Trump&#39;s spokeswoman said, after the US president-elect spoke by phone on Friday with Taiwan&#39;s president, a move likely to infuriate China.

&quot;President-elect Trump is fully briefed and fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless on who is on the other end of the phone,&quot; Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway told CNN.

The White House on Friday said there was &quot;no change&quot; to the United States&#39; longstanding &quot;one China&quot; policy after&nbsp;Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

&quot;We remain firmly committed to our &#39;one China&#39; policy,&quot; said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. &quot;Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.&quot;

(Reuters)

Trump is 'fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless on who is on the other end of the phone'

US President-elect Donald Trump is "well aware" of what US policy has been on Taiwan, Trump's spokeswoman said, after the US president-elect spoke by phone on Friday with Taiwan's president, a move likely to infuriate China. "President-elect Trump is fully briefed and fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless on who is on the other end of the phone," Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway told CNN. The White House on Friday said there was "no change" to the United States' longstanding "one China" policy after Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. "We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations." (Reuters)

Trump is 'well aware' of what US policy has been on Taiwan - spokeswoman

Donald Trump has spoken to the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, over the phone in what is considered a major break from normal US policy regarding China that is sure to anger Beijing.

Ever since 1978, the US under President Carter&#39;s administration&nbsp;has&nbsp;followed a &quot;One China&quot; policy, which recognises Beijing as the only government of both mainland China and Taiwan. Washington closed its Taiwan embassy in 1979.

The&nbsp;New York Times reported that this phone call is believed to be the first contact between a US president or president-elect since 1979.

The Washington Post quoted a former top China adviser to President Obama, Evan Medeiros,&nbsp;who now advises the Eurasia Group, as saying, &quot;This phone call calls into question whether or not Trump adheres to the basic foundation of the US-China relationship...this action guarantees that US-China relations under Trump will get off to a very rock start&quot;.

The Washington Post reports that as Taiwan&#39;s economic power and international recognition as a&nbsp;state independent from mainland China has decreased in recent years, Taiwan has put together a renewed and expensive&nbsp;diplomatic effort aimed at winning over Washington officials and journalists.

The Washington Post also reports that Trump had apparently considered investing in hotels in Taiwan earlier this year:&nbsp;citing a China Times report, the mayor of Taoyuan in November said that a Trump Organization representative had visited and showed interest in constructing hotels. Mr Trump has said that he will separate himself from&nbsp;his businesses before he is officially made president on January 20.

The Washington Post reports that most of the 50 phone calls made since the November 8 US election between state leaders and&nbsp;president-elect Donald Trump or vice president-elect Mike Pence have come without the knowledge or guidance of the State Department.

&nbsp;

Taiwan&#39;s response

An official statement put out by Taiwan said: &quot;The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer co-operative relations.&quot;

Tsai&#39;s office further told the Associated Press, &quot;The president also told US President-elect Trump that she hopes the US will continue to support Taiwan&#39;s effort in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future.&nbsp;

The statement also said the two nations &quot;shared ideas and concepts&quot; on &quot;promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defence&quot; to improve the lives of ordinary people.

&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s reaction

Trump&#39;s transition team released a statement saying he spoke with Tsai Ing-wen, who congratulated Mr Trump. &quot;During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties...between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year.&quot;

On Friday night, President-elect&nbsp;Trump took to the social media site Twitter to defend his actions.&nbsp;

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The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/804848711599882240">December 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/804863098138005504">December 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

The US broke diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979. No president or president-elect has had contact with a Taiwanese leader since

Donald Trump has spoken to the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, over the phone in what is considered a major break from normal US policy regarding China that is sure to anger Beijing. Ever since 1978, the US under President Carter's administration has followed a "One China" policy, which recognises Beijing as the only government of both mainland China and Taiwan. Washington closed its Taiwan embassy in 1979. The New York Times reported that this phone call is believed to be the first contact between a US president or president-elect since 1979. The Washington Post quoted a former top China adviser to President Obama, Evan Medeiros, who now advises the Eurasia Group, as saying, "This phone call calls into question whether or not Trump adheres to the basic foundation of the US-China relationship...this action guarantees that US-China relations under Trump will get off to a very rock start". The Washington Post reports that as Taiwan's economic power and international recognition as a state independent from mainland China has decreased in recent years, Taiwan has put together a renewed and expensive diplomatic effort aimed at winning over Washington officials and journalists. The Washington Post also reports that Trump had apparently considered investing in hotels in Taiwan earlier this year: citing a China Times report, the mayor of Taoyuan in November said that a Trump Organization representative had visited and showed interest in constructing hotels. Mr Trump has said that he will separate himself from his businesses before he is officially made president on January 20. The Washington Post reports that most of the 50 phone calls made since the November 8 US election between state leaders and president-elect Donald Trump or vice president-elect Mike Pence have come without the knowledge or guidance of the State Department. Taiwan's response An official statement put out by Taiwan said: "The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer co-operative relations." Tsai's office further told the Associated Press, "The president also told US President-elect Trump that she hopes the US will continue to support Taiwan's effort in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future. The statement also said the two nations "shared ideas and concepts" on "promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defence" to improve the lives of ordinary people. Trump's reaction Trump's transition team released a statement saying he spoke with Tsai Ing-wen, who congratulated Mr Trump. "During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties...between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year." On Friday night, President-elect Trump took to the social media site Twitter to defend his actions. The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016 × Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016 × (WION)

Trump speaks to Taiwan President over phone in major departure from US policy on China

US President-elect Donald Trump will nominate retired General James Mattis to lead the Pentagon, two media outlets reported on Thursday, but a Trump spokesman said no decision had been made.

The Washington Post said Trump had chosen Mattis and that an announcement was likely to be made early next week. CNN also reported that Trump had settled on Mattis. Reuters could not immediately confirm the planned nomination.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller said on Twitter that &quot;no decision has been made yet with regard to Secretary of Defense.&quot;

Mattis is a revered figure in the Marine Corps known for his tough talk, distrust of Iran and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The choice of a seasoned military strategist would be another indication that Trump, a Republican, intends to steer US&nbsp;foreign policy away from Democratic President Barack Obama&#39;s increased reliance on US&nbsp;allies to fight Islamist militants and to help deter Russian and Chinese aggression in Europe and Asia.

While the nomination of the 66-year-old Mattis would likely be popular among US&nbsp;forces, many of whom know him by his colourful nickname &quot;Mad Dog,&quot; it would have to clear a bureaucratic hurdle.

Because he retired only in 2013, Mattis would need the US&nbsp;Congress to waive a requirement that a defense secretary be a civilian for at least seven years before taking the top job at the Pentagon. His impressive combat record, however, may deter some Senate Democrats from trying to block his nomination.

Trump has described Mattis as &quot;a true general&#39;s general.&quot;

The New York real estate magnate famously claimed last year that, &quot;I know more about ISIS than the generals do.&quot;

(Reuters)

The CNN and the Washington post reported that sources close to the matter confirmed the decision that Trump's spokesman has denied

US President-elect Donald Trump will nominate retired General James Mattis to lead the Pentagon, two media outlets reported on Thursday, but a Trump spokesman said no decision had been made. The Washington Post said Trump had chosen Mattis and that an announcement was likely to be made early next week. CNN also reported that Trump had settled on Mattis. Reuters could not immediately confirm the planned nomination. Trump spokesman Jason Miller said on Twitter that "no decision has been made yet with regard to Secretary of Defense." Mattis is a revered figure in the Marine Corps known for his tough talk, distrust of Iran and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. The choice of a seasoned military strategist would be another indication that Trump, a Republican, intends to steer US foreign policy away from Democratic President Barack Obama's increased reliance on US allies to fight Islamist militants and to help deter Russian and Chinese aggression in Europe and Asia. While the nomination of the 66-year-old Mattis would likely be popular among US forces, many of whom know him by his colourful nickname "Mad Dog," it would have to clear a bureaucratic hurdle. Because he retired only in 2013, Mattis would need the US Congress to waive a requirement that a defense secretary be a civilian for at least seven years before taking the top job at the Pentagon. His impressive combat record, however, may deter some Senate Democrats from trying to block his nomination. Trump has described Mattis as "a true general's general." The New York real estate magnate famously claimed last year that, "I know more about ISIS than the generals do." (Reuters)

Trump chooses General Mattis as secretary of defence: US media

US President-elect Donald Trump&rsquo;s supporters on Friday moved to maintain his narrow victories in three states,pursuing legal challenges aimed at stopping the Green Party&rsquo;s calls for recounts of the presidential votes there.

Lawsuits are pending in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the three &quot;Rust Belt&quot; states which turned their history of supporting Democrats and gave Republican Trump narrow wins in the November 8 election.

Michigan state attorney general Bill Schuette filed a lawsuit to stop a scheduled recount in his state, saying Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein received far too few votes to necessitate a recount.

&quot;Michigan voters rejected Stein&#39;s candidacy by massive margins but her refusal to accept that state-verified result poses an expensive and risky threat to hard-working taxpayers and abuses the intent of Michigan law,&quot; Schuette said in a statement, AFP reported.

Recounting all of the state&rsquo;s votes &quot;threatens to silence all Michigan votes for president&quot; because of an impending federal deadline to finalise the state&rsquo;s results, Schuette added.&nbsp;

The Green Party has said its requests for recounts are aimed at ensuring the integrity of the country&rsquo;s voting system and not at changing the result of the election. The party&#39;s candidate Jill Stein, who got only about 1 per cent of the vote, has said the recount campaign is not targeted at Trump or Clinton.

The outcome of the presidential race is decided by the Electoral College, or a tally of wins from the state-by-state contests, and not &nbsp;by the popular national vote.

Federal law requires states to resolve disputes over the appointment of electors by December 13.

The recounts, if they take place, are unlikely to change the overall outcome of the election.

Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win, with 306 electoral votes, and the recount would have to flip the result to Clinton in all three states to change the overall result.

Clinton won more than 2.5 million more votes than Trump, according to the Cook Political Report.

Cost of recount

Schuette criticised Stein for the potential expense of a recount. A Schuette spokeswoman told Reuters on Friday that Stein had contributed $787,500 but it would cost some $5 million. Stein said last week that she had raised $3.5 million to cover some costs.

Michigan&rsquo;s recount is set to to begin early next week, barring court action, after the state&rsquo;s board of canvassers deadlocked 2-2 on Friday on a motion objecting to the recount, the Michigan Secretary of State&rsquo;s Office said on Twitter.

Trump campaign&rsquo;s own attorneys have moved to block the recount efforts in Pennsylvania and Michigan, according to court papers in those states, Reuters reported.

A Pennsylvania court has scheduled a hearing for Monday morning in Harrisburg.

The recount has already begun in Wisconsin but political action committee Great America PAC, that supports Trump, sued in federal court on Thursday seeking to block the recount there.&nbsp;The Wisconsin Republican Party has also filed a complaint over the recount effort in that state.

Lawyers for Clinton have said they would take part in the Wisconsin recount effort to ensure her campaign is legally represented, and that they would do the same if necessary in Michigan and Pennsylvania, Reuters reported.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

The Green Party has called for vote recounts in 'Rust Belt' states? Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

US President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters on Friday moved to maintain his narrow victories in three states,pursuing legal challenges aimed at stopping the Green Party’s calls for recounts of the presidential votes there. Lawsuits are pending in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the three "Rust Belt" states which turned their history of supporting Democrats and gave Republican Trump narrow wins in the November 8 election. Michigan state attorney general Bill Schuette filed a lawsuit to stop a scheduled recount in his state, saying Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein received far too few votes to necessitate a recount. "Michigan voters rejected Stein's candidacy by massive margins but her refusal to accept that state-verified result poses an expensive and risky threat to hard-working taxpayers and abuses the intent of Michigan law," Schuette said in a statement, AFP reported. Recounting all of the state’s votes "threatens to silence all Michigan votes for president" because of an impending federal deadline to finalise the state’s results, Schuette added. The Green Party has said its requests for recounts are aimed at ensuring the integrity of the country’s voting system and not at changing the result of the election. The party's candidate Jill Stein, who got only about 1 per cent of the vote, has said the recount campaign is not targeted at Trump or Clinton. The outcome of the presidential race is decided by the Electoral College, or a tally of wins from the state-by-state contests, and not by the popular national vote. Federal law requires states to resolve disputes over the appointment of electors by December 13. The recounts, if they take place, are unlikely to change the overall outcome of the election. Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win, with 306 electoral votes, and the recount would have to flip the result to Clinton in all three states to change the overall result. Clinton won more than 2.5 million more votes than Trump, according to the Cook Political Report. Cost of recount Schuette criticised Stein for the potential expense of a recount. A Schuette spokeswoman told Reuters on Friday that Stein had contributed $787,500 but it would cost some $5 million. Stein said last week that she had raised $3.5 million to cover some costs. Michigan’s recount is set to to begin early next week, barring court action, after the state’s board of canvassers deadlocked 2-2 on Friday on a motion objecting to the recount, the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office said on Twitter. Trump campaign’s own attorneys have moved to block the recount efforts in Pennsylvania and Michigan, according to court papers in those states, Reuters reported. A Pennsylvania court has scheduled a hearing for Monday morning in Harrisburg. The recount has already begun in Wisconsin but political action committee Great America PAC, that supports Trump, sued in federal court on Thursday seeking to block the recount there. The Wisconsin Republican Party has also filed a complaint over the recount effort in that state. Lawyers for Clinton have said they would take part in the Wisconsin recount effort to ensure her campaign is legally represented, and that they would do the same if necessary in Michigan and Pennsylvania, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

US: Donald Trump's lawyers and supporters try to block vote recounts in three states

The 2016 US election shocked many, and its&nbsp;result will reverberate around the world for years. Whether the election result would be accepted was a topic in the weeks leading up to November 8, after Trump explicitly declared the election was rigged and, when pressed, he refused to say he would concede defeat if Clinton won. But now&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The 2016 American Presidential election was called close on November 8, but&nbsp;since then, Hillary Clinton&#39;s lead in the popular vote has grown everyday. Trump dominated&nbsp;the electoral college votes, surprassing the 270 needed to reach a total of 307. Trump&nbsp;won crucial swing states like Florida and North Carolina, and also surprised many by winning Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Trump, if he takes office on January 20th, will be only the fifth president in US history to enter office despite losing the popular vote. More, he last it by a large margin: As of December 2, Clinton earned the vote of 2.5&nbsp;million Americans than did Trump.

&nbsp;

Obama and Clinton didn't condemn the election result's integrity, but Trump has a weak mandate to lead and his win has murky elements

The 2016 US election shocked many, and its result will reverberate around the world for years. Whether the election result would be accepted was a topic in the weeks leading up to November 8, after Trump explicitly declared the election was rigged and, when pressed, he refused to say he would concede defeat if Clinton won. But now The 2016 American Presidential election was called close on November 8, but since then, Hillary Clinton's lead in the popular vote has grown everyday. Trump dominated the electoral college votes, surprassing the 270 needed to reach a total of 307. Trump won crucial swing states like Florida and North Carolina, and also surprised many by winning Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump, if he takes office on January 20th, will be only the fifth president in US history to enter office despite losing the popular vote. More, he last it by a large margin: As of December 2, Clinton earned the vote of 2.5 million Americans than did Trump.

2016 US Election: Trump won, but had less support than most recent presidential election losers

US President-elect Donald Trump knows who is America&rsquo;s &ldquo;true friend&rdquo; and his administration will foster constructive ties which will pay dividends on peace and prosperity in South Asia, said the&nbsp;Indian-American industrialist Shalabh Kumar, who, along with his&nbsp;family, have donated a whopping $1.1 million to the Trump campaign. Kumar&nbsp;was among the top 14 donors for the Trump campaign, and has since been appointed to the&nbsp;Transition Finance and Inauguration committee.

&ldquo;President-elect Trump has said that under Trump administration, the US and India will be &lsquo;best friends&rsquo; and that he loves the Hindu and Indian people, and particularly admires Prime Minister Narendra Modi,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Kumar.

&ldquo;Trump knows that India wants peace with Pakistan,&rdquo; he said, a day after the Pakistani government issued a readout of the telephonic conversation between Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Kumar, founder and chairman of the Republican Hindu Coalition, was instrumental in bringing Trump to a Hindu-American event less than a fortnight before the elections. He said the President-elect believes that many of the people of Pakistan seek peace with their neighbours and would like to stamp out radical Islamic terror.

&ldquo;Some of Pakistan&rsquo;s leaders, as well, have expressed these intentions and have a wonderful relationship with India&rsquo;s leaders. Trump knows who are the true friends of the US in the region,&rdquo; Kumar said. &ldquo;I know that President-elect Trump and the incoming administration will do everything it can to encourage these intentions and foster constructive relationships which will pay dividends on peace and prosperity in Asia and throughout the world,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;I believe that President-elect Trump would make supportive and kind statements about the Pakistani people and PM Sharif,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;President-elect Trump extends a hand in peace and friendship to all countries and all people who will deal fairly with the US and who seek a more peaceful and prosperous world. Under the administration, we will put America first, and will support alliances around the world that benefit the stability and welfare of all people,&rdquo; Kumar said.

(PTI)

Shalabh Kumar, a Trump aide who also donated to him over $1 million, said Trump's administration will foster constructive ties in South Asia

US President-elect Donald Trump knows who is America’s “true friend” and his administration will foster constructive ties which will pay dividends on peace and prosperity in South Asia, said the Indian-American industrialist Shalabh Kumar, who, along with his family, have donated a whopping $1.1 million to the Trump campaign. Kumar was among the top 14 donors for the Trump campaign, and has since been appointed to the Transition Finance and Inauguration committee. “President-elect Trump has said that under Trump administration, the US and India will be ‘best friends’ and that he loves the Hindu and Indian people, and particularly admires Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Kumar. “Trump knows that India wants peace with Pakistan,” he said, a day after the Pakistani government issued a readout of the telephonic conversation between Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Kumar, founder and chairman of the Republican Hindu Coalition, was instrumental in bringing Trump to a Hindu-American event less than a fortnight before the elections. He said the President-elect believes that many of the people of Pakistan seek peace with their neighbours and would like to stamp out radical Islamic terror. “Some of Pakistan’s leaders, as well, have expressed these intentions and have a wonderful relationship with India’s leaders. Trump knows who are the true friends of the US in the region,” Kumar said. “I know that President-elect Trump and the incoming administration will do everything it can to encourage these intentions and foster constructive relationships which will pay dividends on peace and prosperity in Asia and throughout the world,” he said. “I believe that President-elect Trump would make supportive and kind statements about the Pakistani people and PM Sharif,” he said. “President-elect Trump extends a hand in peace and friendship to all countries and all people who will deal fairly with the US and who seek a more peaceful and prosperous world. Under the administration, we will put America first, and will support alliances around the world that benefit the stability and welfare of all people,” Kumar said. (PTI)

Donald Trump knows who is America's 'true friend' in South Asia: Trump aide

US President-elect Donald trump warned of &nbsp;&#39;consequences&#39; for American companies that relocate out of the country, as he announed a deal with air conditioning manufacturer Carrier to retain jobs in the US.

Trump said that the firms could move states and negotiate deals with different states but he would make leaving the country difficult.

&quot;Companies are not going to leave the United States anymore without consequences. Not going to happen,&quot; the Republican said on a visit to a Carrier Corp plant in Indianapolis.

&quot;They can leave from state to state, and negotiate deals with different states, but leaving the country will be very, very difficult,&quot; Trump added.

The billionare had promised in his presidential campaign to impose a 35 percent import tariff on firms that took their business to places like Mexico or Aisa where cost of labour is cheap.

He said that he had beein urging Carrier not to shift thousands of jobs to Mexico. He further warned that if the relocated, his administration would impose heavy tarriffs on Carrier products as they made their way back into the United States. But he did not mention if Carrier&#39;s parent company, United Technologies, would face any punishment for continuing with plans to move 1,300 other Indiana jobs to Mexico.

&quot;But I called Greg (Hayes, UTC&#39;s chairman) and I said it&#39;s really important, we have to do something because you have a lot of people leaving and you have to understand we can&#39;t allow this to happen anymore with our country,&quot; Trump said as he recalled an early exchange with the firm&#39;s top executive, news agency AFP reported.

The state offered Carrier $7 million in incentives over 10 years, &quot;contingent upon factors including employment, job retention and capital investment,&quot; the company said in a statement.

Trump said his negotiations with the maker of air conditioning units were a model for how he would approach other U.S. businesses that are tempted to move jobs overseas to save money, Reuters reported.

&quot;I just want to let all of the other companies know that we&#39;re going to do great things for business. There&#39;s no reason for them to leave anymore,&quot; Trump said.

Pence said the deal will keep about 1,100 jobs in &quot;the heart of the heartland.&quot;

&quot;This is a great day for Indiana and it&#39;s a great day for working people all across the United States of America,&quot; Pence said.

The deal is seen as an extraordinary industry intervention by a president-elect.

But liberal Senator Bernie Sanders said the deal should worry Americans.

Carrier &quot;took Trump hostage and won,&quot; Sanders said in an op-ed he wrote for The Washington Post.

Trump &quot;endangered&quot; other US jobs, Sanders said, &quot;because he has signalled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives.&quot;

(With inputs from AFP)

The companies can move states and negotiate deals with different states but 'leaving the country will be very, very difficult', he said

US President-elect Donald trump warned of 'consequences' for American companies that relocate out of the country, as he announed a deal with air conditioning manufacturer Carrier to retain jobs in the US. Trump said that the firms could move states and negotiate deals with different states but he would make leaving the country difficult. "Companies are not going to leave the United States anymore without consequences. Not going to happen," the Republican said on a visit to a Carrier Corp plant in Indianapolis. "They can leave from state to state, and negotiate deals with different states, but leaving the country will be very, very difficult," Trump added. The billionare had promised in his presidential campaign to impose a 35 percent import tariff on firms that took their business to places like Mexico or Aisa where cost of labour is cheap. He said that he had beein urging Carrier not to shift thousands of jobs to Mexico. He further warned that if the relocated, his administration would impose heavy tarriffs on Carrier products as they made their way back into the United States. But he did not mention if Carrier's parent company, United Technologies, would face any punishment for continuing with plans to move 1,300 other Indiana jobs to Mexico. "But I called Greg (Hayes, UTC's chairman) and I said it's really important, we have to do something because you have a lot of people leaving and you have to understand we can't allow this to happen anymore with our country," Trump said as he recalled an early exchange with the firm's top executive, news agency AFP reported. The state offered Carrier $7 million in incentives over 10 years, "contingent upon factors including employment, job retention and capital investment," the company said in a statement. Trump said his negotiations with the maker of air conditioning units were a model for how he would approach other U.S. businesses that are tempted to move jobs overseas to save money, Reuters reported. "I just want to let all of the other companies know that we're going to do great things for business. There's no reason for them to leave anymore," Trump said. Pence said the deal will keep about 1,100 jobs in "the heart of the heartland." "This is a great day for Indiana and it's a great day for working people all across the United States of America," Pence said. The deal is seen as an extraordinary industry intervention by a president-elect. But liberal Senator Bernie Sanders said the deal should worry Americans. Carrier "took Trump hostage and won," Sanders said in an op-ed he wrote for The Washington Post. Trump "endangered" other US jobs, Sanders said, "because he has signalled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives." (With inputs from AFP)

Stay or pay: President-elect Trump warns US companies

Pakistan said Donald Trump praised its prime minister as a &quot;terrific guy&quot; and offered support for a &quot;fantastic&quot; country, in an effusive phone call that baffled many after sharp criticisms in the past.

The Pakistani government released the candid account, complete with Trump`s trademark language, after Nawaz Sharif phoned the billionaire real estate mogul to congratulate him on his election victory.

The widely-circulated statement released late Wednesday caused surprise given the anti-Muslim rhetoric of the Trump campaign and the president-elect`s past description of Pakistan as &quot;not our friend&quot;.

It said Trump told the embattled Pakistani leader, currently embroiled in a corruption court case, that he has a &quot;very good reputation&quot;.

&quot;You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. I am looking forward to see you soon. As I am talking to you prime minister, I feel I am talking to a person I have known for long,&quot; it quoted Trump as saying.

&quot;Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people,&quot; Trump said according to the statement, while also offering to help solve the nation`s many challenges which include a violent insurgency.

&quot;I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honour and I will personally do it.&quot;

Trump has long been disdainful of Pakistan on social media.

On January 17, 2012, he tweeted: &quot;Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. We`ve given them billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect - and much worse. #TimeToGetTough&quot;

Pakistanis have also been suspicious of his relationship with arch-rival India.Pakistan heavily relies on US aid and is likely to get around $1 billion in economic and security assistance in the 2017 financial year.

Relations plummeted after it emerged in 2011 that the US had carried out a raid to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, found hiding in Pakistan, without Islamabad`s consent.

Trump`s election has met with concern over what it could mean for aid commitments and bumpy diplomatic relations.

However, the government statement said Trump urged Sharif to call him &quot;any time even before 20th January&quot; when he takes power.

Trump also responded to an invitation to visit Pakistan by saying he would &quot;love to come to a fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people&quot;, it said.

He would be the first US president to visit since George W. Bush during military leader Pervez Musharraf`s rule in 2006. &quot;His visit to Pakistan would be most welcome,&quot; a foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. Pakistan &quot;would like to strengthen ... the existing relationship further and we would like to continue working with the new administration when it takes over,&quot; he continued.

Some social media users appeared to welcome the phone call revelations.

&quot;Fantastic diplomacy&quot; wrote Pakistani journalist Waseem Abbasi, based in Washington, on Facebook. Some were more sceptical.

&quot;But Mr Trump do you know most Pakistanis are Muslim - how can they be `brilliant and exceptional` as well? Won`t you stop them entering?&quot; wrote journalist Omar Quraishi on Twitter.

Trump railed against Muslims during the campaign and vowed to ban them from entering the US.

&quot;I`m still trying to process that zany Trump-Sharif phone call. Who would have known that Trump would become a spokesman for #PakPositive?&quot; tweeted Michael Kugelman, an analyst at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.

Kugelman later warned not to read too much into the call, given how &quot;unpredictable&quot; Trump can be.

Trump`s transition team confirmed the call but gave a more toned-down account, saying the pair had a &quot;productive conversation about how the United States and Pakistan will have a strong working relationship in the future.&quot;

&quot;President-elect Trump also noted that he is looking forward to a lasting and strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Sharif,&quot; it said in a statement.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Nawaz Sharif's office released a statement quoting Trump fawning over the PM, and calling Pakistan a 'fantastic place of fantastic people'

Pakistan said Donald Trump praised its prime minister as a "terrific guy" and offered support for a "fantastic" country, in an effusive phone call that baffled many after sharp criticisms in the past. The Pakistani government released the candid account, complete with Trump`s trademark language, after Nawaz Sharif phoned the billionaire real estate mogul to congratulate him on his election victory. The widely-circulated statement released late Wednesday caused surprise given the anti-Muslim rhetoric of the Trump campaign and the president-elect`s past description of Pakistan as "not our friend". It said Trump told the embattled Pakistani leader, currently embroiled in a corruption court case, that he has a "very good reputation". "You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. I am looking forward to see you soon. As I am talking to you prime minister, I feel I am talking to a person I have known for long," it quoted Trump as saying. "Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people," Trump said according to the statement, while also offering to help solve the nation`s many challenges which include a violent insurgency. "I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honour and I will personally do it." Trump has long been disdainful of Pakistan on social media. On January 17, 2012, he tweeted: "Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. We`ve given them billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect - and much worse. #TimeToGetTough" Pakistanis have also been suspicious of his relationship with arch-rival India.Pakistan heavily relies on US aid and is likely to get around $1 billion in economic and security assistance in the 2017 financial year. Relations plummeted after it emerged in 2011 that the US had carried out a raid to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, found hiding in Pakistan, without Islamabad`s consent. Trump`s election has met with concern over what it could mean for aid commitments and bumpy diplomatic relations. However, the government statement said Trump urged Sharif to call him "any time even before 20th January" when he takes power. Trump also responded to an invitation to visit Pakistan by saying he would "love to come to a fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people", it said. He would be the first US president to visit since George W. Bush during military leader Pervez Musharraf`s rule in 2006. "His visit to Pakistan would be most welcome," a foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. Pakistan "would like to strengthen ... the existing relationship further and we would like to continue working with the new administration when it takes over," he continued. Some social media users appeared to welcome the phone call revelations. "Fantastic diplomacy" wrote Pakistani journalist Waseem Abbasi, based in Washington, on Facebook. Some were more sceptical. "But Mr Trump do you know most Pakistanis are Muslim - how can they be `brilliant and exceptional` as well? Won`t you stop them entering?" wrote journalist Omar Quraishi on Twitter. Trump railed against Muslims during the campaign and vowed to ban them from entering the US. "I`m still trying to process that zany Trump-Sharif phone call. Who would have known that Trump would become a spokesman for #PakPositive?" tweeted Michael Kugelman, an analyst at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. Kugelman later warned not to read too much into the call, given how "unpredictable" Trump can be. Trump`s transition team confirmed the call but gave a more toned-down account, saying the pair had a "productive conversation about how the United States and Pakistan will have a strong working relationship in the future." "President-elect Trump also noted that he is looking forward to a lasting and strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Sharif," it said in a statement. (AFP)

Trump willing to help Pakistan solve 'outstanding problems'

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif&#39;s conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump cannot &quot;save him&quot; from the Panama Papers scandal, cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan said today.

While it was good news that Trump spoke to Sharif, the chat will do no favour to the premier in the Panamagate case, the Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman tweeted.

Khan was referring to Sharif&#39;s telephonic conversation with Trump yesterday, during which the Pakistani premier congratulated America&#39;s president-elect on his recent victory in the US polls.

Trump told Prime Minister Sharif that he has a &quot;very good reputation&quot;.

In a taunting reference to a letter by Qatari prince Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, Khan said Sharif could not be saved from the Panama Papers scandal &quot;even if a Trump letter arrived&quot;, Dawn reported.

The Qatari prince&#39;s letter was submitted in the Supreme Court in connection with the Panamagate case.

In the letter, the Qatari royal had described his father&#39;s business ties with Sharif&#39;s family and his involvement in the London apartments that are at the centre of the Panama Papers controversy.

Khan on November 14 submitted the documents containing details of alleged bank accounts held by the Sharif family and loan write-off schemes.&nbsp;

(PTI) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Tehreek-i-Insaf chief said that the PM's could not be saved from the Panama Papers scandal 'even if a Trump letter arrived'

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump cannot "save him" from the Panama Papers scandal, cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan said today. While it was good news that Trump spoke to Sharif, the chat will do no favour to the premier in the Panamagate case, the Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman tweeted. Khan was referring to Sharif's telephonic conversation with Trump yesterday, during which the Pakistani premier congratulated America's president-elect on his recent victory in the US polls. Trump told Prime Minister Sharif that he has a "very good reputation". In a taunting reference to a letter by Qatari prince Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, Khan said Sharif could not be saved from the Panama Papers scandal "even if a Trump letter arrived", Dawn reported. The Qatari prince's letter was submitted in the Supreme Court in connection with the Panamagate case. In the letter, the Qatari royal had described his father's business ties with Sharif's family and his involvement in the London apartments that are at the centre of the Panama Papers controversy. Khan on November 14 submitted the documents containing details of alleged bank accounts held by the Sharif family and loan write-off schemes. (PTI)

Chat with Trump won't save Pakistan PM from Panama scandal: Imran Khan

US president-elect Donald Trump claimed on Twitter&nbsp;that he will be, in his words, &quot;leaving my great business in total&quot; during his presidency to &quot;focus on running the country&quot;.

Trump said he, along with his children, would hold a press conference on December 15 to share details of the separation of interests.

The real-estate mogul has often been criticised for holding on to his business interests. Trump did not explain, however, how he would separate himself from his complex business empire while serving as president.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I will be holding a major news conference in New York City with my children on December 15 to discuss the fact that I will be leaving my ...
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/803926488579973120">November 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
great business in total in order to fully focus on running the country in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! While I am not mandated to ....
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/803927774784344064">November 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
do this under the law, I feel it is visually important, as President, to in no way have a conflict of interest with my various businesses..
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/803930240661811200">November 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

US presidents typically put their assets in blind trusts managed without their input, AFP reported. Trump&#39;s case poses a unique problem, since it is unclear how anybody can&nbsp;put skyscrapers around the world with &quot;Trump&quot;&nbsp;written in gold letters into a blind trust.&nbsp;Trump makes his real money licensing his name to developers, essentially from branding, so it can be argued that the Organization makes its profit from Trump&#39;s&nbsp;fame and&nbsp;name recognition. How this can be limited or controlled while he is presiden&nbsp;is unclear.

More, as president he will make decisions that directly impact&nbsp;the financial well-being of the Trump Organization, whoever is at the helm. As critic Judd Legum from Press Progress pointed out, this has potential constitutional implications, as Trump&nbsp;will also receive money from various governments around the world who are invested in his businesses. (Since Trump failed to disclose his tax returns, the full extent and nature of the connections between his company&#39;s profits deriving from world leaders or from governments&#39; themselves&nbsp;is unclear.)&nbsp;

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8. It is also, incidentally, unconstitutional since Trump will be receiving a stream of payments from foreign governments
&mdash; Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/804133794311716868">December 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Trump has said he wants to leave the management of his extensive business interests to his children. He is also reportedly getting a security clearance for his son-in-law Jared Kushner so he can continue as a special adviser. The Wall Street Journal reports that Kushner himself could face scrutiny for conflict-of-interest.

Meanwhile, unprecedentedly,<a href="http://fortune.com/2016/11/18/ivanka-trump-shinzo-abe/"> Trump&#39;s&nbsp;daughter, Ivanka</a>, sat in during the president-elect&#39;s&nbsp;meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. The meeting held in Trump Towers&nbsp;was called &quot;informal&quot;, but still, it was only made public because the Japanese government released the photos in what is a departure from the expectation of normal White House transparency. Trump&#39;s team prevented any American journalists from covering the meeting.&nbsp;

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Ivanka Trump sat in on her father&#39;s meeting today with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, per handout photo <a href="https://t.co/tEbfYYeJFA">pic.twitter.com/tEbfYYeJFA</a>
&mdash; Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeneps/status/799441149920415744">November 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Legum also&nbsp;pointed out that Trump never actually explicitly stated that&nbsp;he was selling his company, Trump Organization.&nbsp;Whether Trump will permanently sever himself from anything and everything to do with&nbsp;his company&nbsp;remains to be seen. Doing so&nbsp;appears to be the only way he can create meaningful separation between his personal profits&nbsp;and the enormous powers he will gain in his upcoming&nbsp;role as President of the United States.

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10. Trump didn&#39;t say he was selling his company. That&#39;s the only thing that matters. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.
&mdash; Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/804134031403208704">December 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

Trump said he, along with his children, will hold a press conference on December 15 to share details

US president-elect Donald Trump claimed on Twitter that he will be, in his words, "leaving my great business in total" during his presidency to "focus on running the country". Trump said he, along with his children, would hold a press conference on December 15 to share details of the separation of interests. The real-estate mogul has often been criticised for holding on to his business interests. Trump did not explain, however, how he would separate himself from his complex business empire while serving as president. I will be holding a major news conference in New York City with my children on December 15 to discuss the fact that I will be leaving my ... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016 great business in total in order to fully focus on running the country in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! While I am not mandated to .... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016 do this under the law, I feel it is visually important, as President, to in no way have a conflict of interest with my various businesses.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016 US presidents typically put their assets in blind trusts managed without their input, AFP reported. Trump's case poses a unique problem, since it is unclear how anybody can put skyscrapers around the world with "Trump" written in gold letters into a blind trust. Trump makes his real money licensing his name to developers, essentially from branding, so it can be argued that the Organization makes its profit from Trump's fame and name recognition. How this can be limited or controlled while he is presiden is unclear. More, as president he will make decisions that directly impact the financial well-being of the Trump Organization, whoever is at the helm. As critic Judd Legum from Press Progress pointed out, this has potential constitutional implications, as Trump will also receive money from various governments around the world who are invested in his businesses. (Since Trump failed to disclose his tax returns, the full extent and nature of the connections between his company's profits deriving from world leaders or from governments' themselves is unclear.) 8. It is also, incidentally, unconstitutional since Trump will be receiving a stream of payments from foreign governments — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 1, 2016 × Trump has said he wants to leave the management of his extensive business interests to his children. He is also reportedly getting a security clearance for his son-in-law Jared Kushner so he can continue as a special adviser. The Wall Street Journal reports that Kushner himself could face scrutiny for conflict-of-interest. Meanwhile, unprecedentedly, Trump's daughter, Ivanka, sat in during the president-elect's meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. The meeting held in Trump Towers was called "informal", but still, it was only made public because the Japanese government released the photos in what is a departure from the expectation of normal White House transparency. Trump's team prevented any American journalists from covering the meeting. Ivanka Trump sat in on her father's meeting today with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, per handout photo pic.twitter.com/tEbfYYeJFA — Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) November 18, 2016 × Legum also pointed out that Trump never actually explicitly stated that he was selling his company, Trump Organization. Whether Trump will permanently sever himself from anything and everything to do with his company remains to be seen. Doing so appears to be the only way he can create meaningful separation between his personal profits and the enormous powers he will gain in his upcoming role as President of the United States. 10. Trump didn't say he was selling his company. That's the only thing that matters. Everything else is smoke and mirrors. — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 1, 2016 × (WION)

Trump Tweets he will 'leave' business, never says he will sell it

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