Tillerson’s Foreign Prowess Said Aided by Exxon Intelligence Arm

Even before Donald Trump tapped him to be the top U.S. diplomat, Rex Tillerson already had his own State Department. Behind the walls of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s secluded corporate headquarters in suburban Dallas, a little-known intelligence unit works to keep top executives informed on economic, social and political situations around the world so they never walk into a foreign negotiation unprepared.

Scaramucci Says Greg Fleming Advising on Possible SkyBridge Sale

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital, says he has a team in place to explore the sale of his firm and discussions with possible buyers are underway. Scaramucci, who serves on President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, told Bloomberg Television Friday that Greg Fleming, who previously led Morgan Stanley’s retail brokerage, is helping with the sale.

McCormick Said to Be Trump Front-Runner for Defense Deputy

Hedge fund manager and former Army officer David McCormick is the front-runner to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s deputy defense secretary, according to three people familiar with the presidential transition. McCormick, president of Bridgewater Associates Inc., the world’s biggest hedge fund, was eyed earlier as a possible Treasury secretary, a post that ultimately went to former hedge fund investor Steve Mnuchin.

VW Gets Weekend for – Intense’ Talks on Diesel-Cheating Case

A federal judge said Volkswagen AG has made “substantial progress” toward a settlement to get about 80,000 Audi, VW and Porsche vehicles with emissions-cheating 3.0-liter diesel engines fixed or off U.S. roads. Lawyers for the carmaker, consumers and the Justice Department have assured the court that negotiations are ongoing, but VW may be headed to trial if an agreement isn’t reached.

Pentagon Demands China Return Intercepted U.S. Naval Drone

The Pentagon demanded that China return a U.S. Navy underwater drone captured in international waters in the South China Sea, a confrontation likely to exacerbate tensions in a region where China is asserting greater control and expanding military installations. A Chinese naval ship unlawfully seized the small unmanned vehicle Thursday while the USNS Bowditch, a U.S. Navy survey ship, was collecting it in a routine operation 50 nautical miles northwest of Subic Bay in the Philippines, according to a Defense Department statement.

Giuliani Withdraws Consideration for Position in Trump Administration

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has removed his name from consideration for a position in President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration, the Trump transition team said on Friday. Giuliani, once considered a possible choice as Trump’s secretary of state, had told the Republican of his decision during a meeting on Nov. 29, the team said in a statement.