Trump Announces More Controversial Picks for His Cabinet

Trump Announces More Controversial Picks for His Cabinet
With a little more than six weeks until his inauguration, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has accelerated his cabinet selection process. This week, Trump or his transition officials announced his choices to head defense, environment, homeland security and housing, as well as the U.S. ambassador to China. Some of his latest picks have sparked renewed controversy as did his earlier ones.
Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma state attorney general, known as a supporter of the fossil fuel industry, is expected to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt has been criticized for expressing skepticism about global warming, despite scientific evidence that human activity is contributing to climate change. He has led a legal battle against President Barack Obama’s climate change policies.
Many consider his selection as controversial as the selection of neurosurgeon Ben Carson to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development. But Trump thinks differently, "I believe we are in the process of putting together one of the all-time great cabinets that has ever been assembled in our nation's history."
Retired Marine General John Kelly, a veteran of the Iraq War, is to become new Homeland Security chief. He will be in charge of combating terrorism and implementing Trump's promised crackdown on illegal immigration.
Later Wednesday the president-elect held talks with wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who is expected to be offered the leadership of the Small Business Administration.
Trump is meeting Iowa Governor Terry Branstad on Thursday to offer him the post of next U.S. ambassador to China. The long-serving Republican governor has extensive ties to China and friendship with its president, Xi Jinping. His selection has wider approval than some of Trump's other picks.
The transition team says more cabinet members will be selected next week. Trump has said he has narrowed down the list of candidates for the most important cabinet post - secretary of state - and that a former critic, one-time Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, remains on it.

neurosurgeon: a doctor who performs operations involving the brain or nerves
神经科医生

Rescuers Search for Indonesia Earthquake Survivors
Rescue workers in Indonesia searched Thursday for people who might still be trapped a day after an earthquake struck Aceh province, while local officials appealed for medical supplies and other aid to help those left injured or without a home.
The magnitude 6.5 earthquake has killed about 100 people and injured more than 600 others. It hit the northern end of Sumatra island early Wednesday.
Thousands of people spent the night in mosques and other temporary shelters, while others slept outside. The government has declared a two-week state of emergency in Aceh.
The Indonesian Red Cross distributed blanket, hygiene kits and tarps to those affected by the earthquake and called for people to donate blood to help the injured.
Volunteers also made their way to earthquake-hit areas to rush people to hospitals, which are now overloaded with patients.
Indonesia's Climate, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake did not generate a tsunami.
Indonesia is located in an area of the world prone to earthquakes. A 2004 quake off Sumatra island triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 in Indonesia and other countries.

hygiene kid: 洗漱用品
tarp: a large piece of waterproof cloth or plastic that is used as a cover:防水布