Editors’ Picks for 1/31
Mysterious Russian Death Related to Trump Dossier? ; Assange: Ball in US’ Court ; Goldman Sachs-Trump Ties Become Deeper ...and More Picks
PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Mysterious Russian Death Related to Trump Scandal? (DH)
The death of former KGB chief, Oleg Erovinkin, is still fueling global chatter about his possible connections to a dossier about Donald Trump produced by British spy Christopher Steele. Erovinkin was found dead in the back of his car last month, but no cause of death has been released.
Trump Reaches Majority Disapproval in Eight Days (Reader Pat)
Record time to negative approval rating according to Gallup.
Trump Hotels’ Tweet Draws Backlash After Immigration Order (Trevin)
A 2011 Trump Hotels’ tweet asking for a favorite travel memory was met with hundreds of replies in response to Trump’s weekend executive order on refugees and immigrants.
Assange: Ball Now in US’ Court (Jeff C.)
The Wikileaks founder, besieged in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for over four years, pledged to be extradited if former President Barack Obama commuted the sentence of whistleblower Bradley Manning. With the condition met, Assange wants certain assurances.
Rex Tillerson, Venezuela, and Potential “Transition to Democracy” (Jimmy)
Rex Tillerson’s ExxonMobil lost billions by not complying with Hugo Chavez’s demand in 2007 that foreign oil companies give a greater share of their profits to the government. Could Tillerson’s history and past written statements implying that Venezuela is not a democracy signal a new direction from the State Dept?
Netanyahu: US Embassy ‘Needs’ to Be in Jerusalem (Dan)
Israeli PM Netanyahu and Trump were bosom buddies even before the election. A move of the US embassy into the contested land of Jerusalem would sure please the Israeli PM and Trump, but could set off a firestorm in the Middle East.
Gary Cohn Receives $285 Million Exit Package from Goldman Sachs (Jimmy)
Former President & COO of Goldman Sachs receives a $285 million exit package as he leaves to become director of the National Economic Council advising President Trump. Some ethicists fear this action could make Cohn feel “beholden” to Goldman Sachs.
