Lobby Monitor page% - Demokratiezentrum für Transparenz

Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The Egyptian proposal emerged as a counter to US President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for an American takeover of Gaza and the coercive displacement of Palestinians. This led to the rapid endorsement of Cairo\u2019s initiative by the Arab League. Although several European nations supported the plan, it was unsurprisingly dismissed by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
At the start of March, Egypt announced its strategy for political transition, rebuilding, and recovery in the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of Israel\u2019s harsh offensive. Key points include governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the establishment of a Gazan security force trained by Jordan and Egypt, and the possibility of deploying UN peacekeepers in both the Strip and the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Egyptian proposal emerged as a counter to US President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for an American takeover of Gaza and the coercive displacement of Palestinians. This led to the rapid endorsement of Cairo\u2019s initiative by the Arab League. Although several European nations supported the plan, it was unsurprisingly dismissed by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n
Both the UAE and Egypt broadly support the same Palestinian powerbroker for Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled former Fatah official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the start of March, Egypt announced its strategy for political transition, rebuilding, and recovery in the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of Israel\u2019s harsh offensive. Key points include governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the establishment of a Gazan security force trained by Jordan and Egypt, and the possibility of deploying UN peacekeepers in both the Strip and the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Egyptian proposal emerged as a counter to US President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for an American takeover of Gaza and the coercive displacement of Palestinians. This led to the rapid endorsement of Cairo\u2019s initiative by the Arab League. Although several European nations supported the plan, it was unsurprisingly dismissed by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n
Earlier this year, Otaiba stated that he saw no alternative to Trump's call for Palestinians to be displaced outside of the Gaza Strip. The UAE has targeted an offshoot of the Egypt-founded Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, across the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the UAE and Egypt broadly support the same Palestinian powerbroker for Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled former Fatah official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the start of March, Egypt announced its strategy for political transition, rebuilding, and recovery in the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of Israel\u2019s harsh offensive. Key points include governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the establishment of a Gazan security force trained by Jordan and Egypt, and the possibility of deploying UN peacekeepers in both the Strip and the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Egyptian proposal emerged as a counter to US President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for an American takeover of Gaza and the coercive displacement of Palestinians. This led to the rapid endorsement of Cairo\u2019s initiative by the Arab League. Although several European nations supported the plan, it was unsurprisingly dismissed by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n
As reported by the Middle East Eye, Abu Dhabi is using its unprecedented access to the White House to denounce the plan as unworkable and blame Cairo for giving too much influence to Hamas. Emirates' powerful ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba, has been lobbying US President Donald Trump\u2019s aides and congressmen to place pressure on Egypt to take in Palestinian refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this year, Otaiba stated that he saw no alternative to Trump's call for Palestinians to be displaced outside of the Gaza Strip. The UAE has targeted an offshoot of the Egypt-founded Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, across the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the UAE and Egypt broadly support the same Palestinian powerbroker for Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled former Fatah official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the start of March, Egypt announced its strategy for political transition, rebuilding, and recovery in the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of Israel\u2019s harsh offensive. Key points include governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the establishment of a Gazan security force trained by Jordan and Egypt, and the possibility of deploying UN peacekeepers in both the Strip and the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Egyptian proposal emerged as a counter to US President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for an American takeover of Gaza and the coercive displacement of Palestinians. This led to the rapid endorsement of Cairo\u2019s initiative by the Arab League. Although several European nations supported the plan, it was unsurprisingly dismissed by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is secretly lobbying the Trump government to undermine a post-war agenda for the Gaza Strip that Egypt prepared and which has been supported by the Arab League, United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by the Middle East Eye, Abu Dhabi is using its unprecedented access to the White House to denounce the plan as unworkable and blame Cairo for giving too much influence to Hamas. Emirates' powerful ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba, has been lobbying US President Donald Trump\u2019s aides and congressmen to place pressure on Egypt to take in Palestinian refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this year, Otaiba stated that he saw no alternative to Trump's call for Palestinians to be displaced outside of the Gaza Strip. The UAE has targeted an offshoot of the Egypt-founded Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, across the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the UAE and Egypt broadly support the same Palestinian powerbroker for Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled former Fatah official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the start of March, Egypt announced its strategy for political transition, rebuilding, and recovery in the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of Israel\u2019s harsh offensive. Key points include governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), the establishment of a Gazan security force trained by Jordan and Egypt, and the possibility of deploying UN peacekeepers in both the Strip and the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Egyptian proposal emerged as a counter to US President Donald Trump\u2019s plans for an American takeover of Gaza and the coercive displacement of Palestinians. This led to the rapid endorsement of Cairo\u2019s initiative by the Arab League. Although several European nations supported the plan, it was unsurprisingly dismissed by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAE has criticized Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan for not specifying specifically how to disarm and oust Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is believed by some US and Egyptian officials that the UAE campaign has already adversely impacted US-Egyptian bilateral ties, with the US cautioning Egypt that it will decrease military aid in 2026. The US warnings that the White House prepared to cut military aid to Egypt were first noted by London-based news portal Al-Araby Al-Jadeed last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Trump administration executed the previous Biden administration\u2019s strategy to redirect $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt to the Lebanese Armed Forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dispute is complicated by the fact that Egypt and the UAE see Dahlan as a power broker in post-war Gaza. When the Arab League endorsed the Egyptian-drafted plan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned exiled former Fatah officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was widely perceived as a nod to Dahlan, Fatah's enforcer in Gaza before Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. When Dahlan fell out with Abbas in the occupied West Bank, he relocated to the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been reported that the UAE is advocating for Dahlan to lead a committee governing Gaza and later replace octogenarian Abbas as president. Moreover, Sisi has a close relationship with Dahlan. The UAE is a pivotal backer of Sisi\u2019s cash-strapped administration. In 2024, it arranged a $35bn investment in Egypt\u2019s Mediterranean shore. However, the UAE and Egypt are supporting opposing flanks in a brutal civil fight in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to complicating matters, The Financial Times noted that the Trump administration is advocating for Sudan and the unrecognized government of Somaliland to get forcibly displaced Palestinians. According to reports, the Trump administration's nominee for Africa Affairs at the State Department, Peter Pham, is a vocal advocate of the UAE and Somaliland's independence. DP World, a state-owned company, operates the main port of Somaliland and trains the security forces there. DP World is the main power broker in Somaliland.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates lobbying Trump to reject Egypt\u2019s Gaza plan with its political agenda","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-lobbying-trump-to-reject-egypts-gaza-plan-with-its-political-agenda","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:40:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7447","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7444,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 05:32:00","post_content":"\n
Tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk\u2019s two companies, SpaceX and Tesla, have submitted letters lobbying the U.S. trade representative on Trump <\/a>government tariff policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As reported by CNBC, the two companies had different letters for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The electric vehicle producer Tesla cautioned of the negative impact on its bottom line from tariffs and from duties put by other nations on U.S.-made products in retaliation for those tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, SpaceX complains that operating expenses for its Starlink internet satellite service are raised by trade barriers abroad, while foreign competitors experience no such costs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The notes come as Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a step to slash federal government spending and employee headcount at the direction of President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump is imposing stiff tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, with China and Canada hitting back with retaliatory tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There have been more than 700 letters received by the trade<\/a> representative\u2019s office in reaction to an invitation for a public statement on \u201cunfair trade practices by other countries.\u201d The responses are posted on a public docket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tesla, in its unsigned note to Greer, urged him \u201cto consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.\u201d \u201cWhile Tesla recognizes and supports the importance of fair trade, the assessment undertaken by USTR of potential actions to rectify unfair trade should also take into account exports from the United States,\u201d stated the letter, which was written by Tesla\u2019s associate general counsel Miriam Eqab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cU.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.\u201d The company noted that \u201cPast U.S. special tariff actions have thus (1) increased costs to Tesla for vehicles manufactured in the United States, and (2) increased costs for those same vehicles when exported from the United States, resulting in less competitive international marketplace for U.S. manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUSTR should investigate ways to avoid these pitfalls in future action,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SpaceX, in its letter to Greer, stated that it \u201cfaces a range of regulatory complexities and trade barriers in every country that the U.S. Government should seek to address in order to support continued U.S. leadership in the space domain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter reported that the business must pay foreign governments for access to spectrum and import duties for its Starlink satellite internet tools, and other costs that \u201csubstantially increase the cost of operating in these countries \u2014 artificially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe import duties paid in a handful of countries represent a significant cost increase for Starlink products in those countries, despite the United States having essentially no duties on similar foreign products that are imported into the United States to serve customers here,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
noted Mat Dunn, SpaceX\u2019s senior director of global business and government affairs, in the letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs President Trump has noted with other sectors, this is a significant disadvantage to U.S. companies,\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Dunn noted.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Musk\u2019s Tesla, SpaceX, lobby US trade policy on tariffs","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"musks-tesla-spacex-lobby-us-trade-policy-on-tariffs","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:37:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7444","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7441,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-19 05:29:00","post_content":"\n
U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s partnership with the fossil fuel industry is well-noted, from appointing oil executives for cabinet roles to increasing prices for American consumers to support the fossil fuel industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world's six or seven largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, famously known as Big Oil, spent an astounding $445m throughout the 2024 election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, a shocking analysis has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those funds were used between January 2023 and November 2024 for lobbying<\/a>, political donations and advertising to back elected officials and particular agendas. Due to the fact that it does not include donations channeled through dark-money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, states the report<\/a> from green advocacy group Climate Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much did Big Oil spend to support Trump?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fossil fuel corporations contributed $96 million to Donald Trump\u2019s re-election bid and associated political action committees, the report uncovered. The majority of that was covered by megadonor oil billionaires, such as the pipeline mogul Kelcy Warren, the fracking magnate Harold Hamm and the drilling tycoon Jeffery Hildebrand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other contributions came from little-known oil and gas companies, including fossil fuel-trading hedge funds, mining corporations and the companies that produce offshore drilling vessels and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role did oil lobbyists play in Trump\u2019s policies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Fossil fuel firms and their trade groups spent an additional $243m lobbying Congress. It is likely that those donors will benefit from preferences set by Senate-confirmed Trump cabinet appointees, such as Chris Wright, the fracking CEO who was selected as head of the Department of Energy, and Lee Zeldin, the ex-New York representative who has received more than $400,000 in campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and who is appointed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Big Oil also poured $80m into advertising to defend their interests. That includes advertisements run in swing states, such as one from the refining lobbying firm American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which campaigned against Joe Biden\u2019s pro-electric automobile approaches, or another eight-figure ad blitz from leading US oil lobbying firm the American Petroleum Institute that enabled the notion that fossil fuels are \u201cvital\u201d to the world's energy security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, oil and gas firms and trade groups paid more than $25m on Republican down-ballot campaigns, including $8m on Senate fights, $16m on House races and more than $500,000 on GOP gubernatorial nominees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the climate risks of Trump\u2019s pro-oil stance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the long run, these contributions may \u201clikely to pay dividends,\u201d the report states, with Republicans in charge of the White House, House and Senate \u2013 as well as some critical states. Trump has launched dozens of pro-fossil fuel administrative actions on his first day in office and is likely to pursue a vast collection of others with collaboration from Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of this, the US must \u201cfree ourselves from Big Oil\u2019s grip and invest in the clean energy of the future\u201d, the Climate Power report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Trump's campaign promise to \u201cdrill, baby, drill\u201d, remove limitations on the already roaring fossil fuel industry and reverse Biden\u2019s climate approaches. \u201cWe have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,\u201d Trump stated in his inaugural address. \u201cWe will be a rich nation again, and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Trump's fossil fuel-funded presidency by Big Oil's $445m lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trumps-fossil-fuel-funded-presidency-by-big-oils-445m-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:32:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7441","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7438,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-18 05:19:00","post_content":"\n
A few days ago, Belgian federal prosecutors reported the arrests of several people in a corruption investigation linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese firm Huawei, which is suspected of bribing European Union legislators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These arrests came as an inquiry by Le Soir newspaper and other media revealed lobbyists working for the Chinese company were alleged to have bribed present or former European Parliament members to advance the company\u2019s commercial approaches in Europe<\/a>. The prosecutor\u2019s office said in a statement that the alleged bribery \u201cis said to have benefited Huawei.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 100 federal police officials conducted 21 search operations in Brussels, the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and Portugal. In addition, the investigating magistrate has also asked for seals to be put on offices inside the EU Parliament<\/a> assigned to two parliamentary assistants allegedly engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors declared one individual was apprehended in France. The person would be asked over \u201calleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament, as well as for forgery and use of forgeries,\u201d prosecutors said. \u201cThe offences were allegedly committed by a criminal organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did Belgian prosecutors uncover the bribery scheme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The prosecutor\u2019s office further said it suspected there was corruption \u201cfrom 2021 to the present day\u201d based on a variety of factors, \u201csuch as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors have also suggested that payments might have been concealed as business costs and, in some cases, directed toward third parties. They stated they would additionally attempt to \u201cdetect any evidence of money laundering.\u201d Police confiscated several documents and entities during the searches. The EU Parliament has been the victim of a second corruption case in less than three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an investigation <\/a>by Follow The Money, an investigative journalism platform, one of the primary suspects in the investigation is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, a Belgian-Italian lobbyist who has worked for Huawei since 2019. Following his appointment as Huawei\u2019s EU public affairs director, Ottati was an assistant to two Italian MEPs who were both members of a European Parliament group focused on China policy, Follow the Money reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has Huawei said about the allegations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In response to the arrests, the company remarked that \u201cHuawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.\u201d \u201cHuawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times,\u201d it also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is the EU Parliament and Commission responding to the scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament stated only that the assembly \u201ctakes note of the information\u201d and \u201calways cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the EU\u2019s executive branch had no opinion about the investigation but stressed the commission\u2019s security worries about Huawei and Europe\u2019s fifth-generation mobile phone networks. \u201cThe security of our 5G networks is obviously crucial for our economy,\u201d Regnier told reporters. \u201cHuawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU member states should swiftly \u201cadopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks,\u201d Regnier stated. \u201cA lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Huawei, a manufacturer of smartphones and the largest maker of networking gear for phone and internet carriers has been at the center of a trade war between the United States and China over trade and technology. Some European countries have followed the US\u2019s lead and restricted Huawei\u2019s hardware from next-generation mobile networks over suspicions that it poses a security risk that makes it easier for Chinese spying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does this compare to the Qatargate scandal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legislature was shaken by a corruption scandal in December 2022, in which Qatari officials were indicted for bribing EU officials to diminish labour rights concerns ahead of the football World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scandal tarnished the prestige of the EU\u2019s only institution composed of officials elected directly in the 27 member nations. It damaged the assembly\u2019s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into accusations of corruption in member nation Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MEP Daniel Freund, who oversaw the work of the assembly\u2019s ethics body during the scandal, known as Qatargate, said the EU Parliament\u2019s credibility is again under threat. \u201cThe risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a complete investigation quickly, and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"EU Parliament faces corruption investigation involving Huawei lobbying ","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"eu-parliament-faces-corruption-investigation-involving-huawei-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:29:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7438","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7435,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-17 05:13:00","post_content":"\n
An 89-year-old Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss is making waves in American politics<\/a> through allegedly massive shady money donations, even though he is not an American citizen. His latest contribution is the funding of Families Over Billionaires, a campaign fighting Trump's 2025 tax plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Financial disclosures indicate that this endeavor is a front for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, aliberal dark money organization that has acquired $280 million from Wyss's Berger Action Fund. Wyss has been a central figure in U.S. Democratic and progressive campaigns since selling his firm, Synthes, to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in 2012. Through the Berger Action Fund, which he founded in 2016, Wyss has contributed over $339 million into liberal nonprofits, media endeavors, and 'democracy promotion' efforts worldwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, in the start of 2024, Fox News reported that a nonprofit funded by Swiss billionaire Hansj\u00f6rg Wyss recently channeled over $60 million to left-wing groups and causes, tax forms show. The Berger Action Fund, a Wyss-funded body that has funneled vast amounts of money to progressive initiatives, persisted in propping up liberal organizations ranging from a huge nonprofit within America's most prominent dark money network to groups overseeing extensive climate endeavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His contributions have influenced Democratic candidates, super PACs, and advocacy bodies linked to social justice, climate action and election campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on unconfirmed reports, his donation has supported elect prominent Democrats, including Senators Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Raphael Warnock, Governors Gavin Newsom (California) and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Andrew Cuomo (New York), and Ilhan Omar (Minnesota). Besides, he has supported progressive advocacy bodies such as the Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Center for American Progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the reports, Wyss's financial power isn't limited to the U.S. His contributions have supported political initiatives across Africa, Europe and Latin America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite his comprehensive political engagement, Wyss has avoided applying for U.S. citizenship, extending questions regarding the influence of foreign billionaires in the formulation of American policies and elections. His increasing<\/a>slguardian.org role in supporting left-leaning political movements has attracted comparisons to George Soros, another billionaire famous for his globalist philanthropic and political funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has been meddling in the US political landscape for years by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars through the Arabella Advisors network to benefit liberal and left-wing causes.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Swiss billionaire Wyss influencing U.S. politics through money","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"swiss-billionaire-wyss-influencing-u-s-politics-through-money","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-23 05:19:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7435","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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