Washington approves $228 million in US military aid to the three Baltic states, Estonia says
Estonia's defense officials say the U.S. Congress has passed a bill that involves a total of $228 million in military and defense aid to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this year under the Baltic Security Initiative.
Putin: US Capitol unrest was a 'stroll'
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting via video conference with officials and government cabinet members in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 11, 2021. โSome of the people who took a stroll to the U.S. Congress โ 150 people were arrested, they face imprisonment from 15 to 25 years. We do not know, but we want it to end, because we are interested in stable relations with all our main partners,โ Putin said. More than 300 Trump supporters have been charged with a range of crimes stemming from the siege, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer. AdThe rioters, who contended that Trump was the true winner of the 2020 election, were trying to prevent the U.S. Congress from certifying President Joe Bidenโs win.
Judge dismisses lawsuit by Democratic AGs to recognize ERA
(AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by three Democratic state attorneys general that had sought to force the federal government to recognize Virginia's vote last year to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and add it to the Constitution. Constitutional amendments must be ratified by three-quarters of the states, or 38, but Congress enacted a ratification deadline for the ERA that passed decades ago. An emailed message seeking comment from the press office of the National Archives and Records Administration was not immediately returned. Ford in Nevada said in a statement Friday that women have always been endowed with equal rights but it's past time for the country to recognize that. Opponents of the measure warn it could be used to erase protections such as workplace accommodations during pregnancy.
High Court rules for city of Chicago in vehicle impound case
A person walks by newly-placed barricades around the Supreme Court Building, the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON โ The Supreme Court says that when a person's car has been impounded and they file for bankruptcy, the car does not have to be immediately returned. The case involved several people whose cars were impounded by the city of Chicago who then filed for bankruptcy and hoped to get their vehicles back. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote separately and singled out the situation of George Peake, whose 2007 Lincoln MKZ was impounded in 2018 for unpaid parking and red-light tickets. The case is City of Chicago v. Fulton, 19-357.
Supreme Court wrestles with Georgia college free speech case
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON โ The Supreme Court on Tuesday wrestled with whether to revive a lawsuit brought by a Georgia college student who sued school officials after being prevented from distributing Christian literature on campus. The school, Georgia Gwinnett College, has since changed its policies and the student has graduated. A lower court dismissed the case as moot and an appeals court agreed, but the student, Chike Uzuegbunam, is urging the justices to allow the case to move forward. He's seeking just $1 and says he wants the Lawrenceville, Georgia, school to be held accountable for its past policies. Uzuegbunam and another student, Joseph Bradford, sued, and the college changed its policy in 2017.
Congress members could face $1,000 fine for not wearing a face mask under proposed legislation
A second Democratic member of the House who was forced to go into lockdown during last weeks violent protest has tested positive for COVID-19. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington says she has tested positive. She criticized Republican members of Congress who declined to wear a mask when it was offered to them. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)Lawmakers are proposing that members of Congress should be fined if they do not wear a face mask on Capitol grounds after several representatives tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The legislation comes after multiple lawmakers tested positive for the virus this week following the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 -- a potential super-spreader event.
The Latest: House urges Pence to remove Trump from power
__10:40 p.m.Michigan Rep. Fred Upton has become the fourth Republican to back the impeachment of President Donald Trump. ___8 p.m.Vice President Mike Pence is ruling out invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from power, less than a week after the president fomented the violent insurrection at the Capitol. That word comes as GOP divisions emerge over Democratsโ plan for a House vote Wednesday. As rioters were still in the Capitol, Trump released a video seemingly excusing the events, saying of the rioters: โWe love you. On impeachment, Trump said itโs โa really terrible thing that theyโre doing.โ But he said, โWe want no violence.
Supreme Court rejects fast track for Trump election cases
A person walks by newly-placed barricades around the Supreme Court Building, the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON โ The Supreme Court on Monday formally refused to put on a fast track election challenges filed by President Donald Trump and his allies. The court rejected pleas for quick consideration of cases involving the outcome in five states won by President-elect Joe Biden: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The court still could act on appeals related to the Nov. 3 election later this winter or in the spring. But even if the court were to take up an election-related case, it probably wouldn't hear arguments until the fall.
The Latest: Pelosi ties rioters' actions to 'whiteness'
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. โIt has been an epiphany for the world to see that there are people in our country led by this president, for the moment, who have chosen their whiteness over democracy,โ Pelosi said. Pelosi says, โThe complicity, not only the complicity, the instigation of the president of United States, must and will be addressed.โ___1:25 p.m. Flight attendants have expressed concern that their flights could be carrying supporters of President Donald Trump who took part in Wednesdayโs violent protest and siege of the U.S. Capitol. ___2:25 a.m.Democrats in Congress are laying the groundwork to impeach President Donald Trump.
Dems' momentum builds to impeach Trump, Pelosi hits rioters
Pelosi, addressing her hometown San Francisco constituents during an online video conference, shed no fresh light on Democrats' plans. Trump has not publicly made such threats, but officials warn of grave danger if the president is left unchecked. A person on the call said Pelosi also discussed other ways Trump might be forced to resign. โDemocratic leaders have called on Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to force Trump from office. The House impeached Trump in 2019, but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him in early 2020.
EXPLAINER: How Trump could be impeached again, but faster
There's little chance that the Republican-led Senate would hold a trial and vote on convicting Trump in less than two weeks. Still, action by the House would still make Trump the first president in history to be impeached twice. Thatโs what happened in 2019, when the House impeached Trump over his dealings with the president of Ukraine. โIn all of this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government,โ the Democratic draft reads. WHAT IMPEACHMENT WOULD MEANRepublicans, even those who have criticized Trump, say impeachment would be unhelpful.
Democrats plan lightning Trump impeachment, want him out now
โWe must take action,โ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared on a private conference call with Democrats. Trump has not publicly made such threats, but officials warn of grave danger if the president is left unchecked. Asked about impeachment, he said, โThatโs a decision for the Congress to make.โThe Democrats are considering lightning-quick action. Another leading Republican critic of Trump, Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, said he would โdefinitely considerโ impeachment. The House impeached Trump in 2019, but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him in early 2020.
EXPLAINER: Breaking down the uncertainty after Capitol siege
But given what we saw at the Capitol, people are very concerned that this could go in a much different direction. Weโre at one of these moments where youโre going to see a transfer of power from not just one man to the next but one party to another. Youโre going to see a significant shift in priorities from one administration to another. Youโre going to see a changeover on Capitol Hill. But there are already some real concerns about what the Trump administration will leave the Biden administration, and whether that will hamper them at the start.
The Latest: Capitol Police says officer dies after โriotsโ
The U.S. Capitol Police says an officer who was injured after responding to riots at the Capitol has died. ___7:20 p.m.President Donald Trump is conceding to President-elect Joe Biden and condemning the violent supporters of his who stormed the nationโs Capitol. He was a web developer and founder of Trumparoo, a social media site for supporters of President Donald Trump. ___2:35 p.m.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says sheโs seeking the resignation of Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund a day after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. ___2:30 p.m.Canadian-based e-commerce company Shopify Inc. has removed online stores affiliated with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying his actions have violated the companyโs policies.
Asian shares mostly up on Wall Street rally, stimulus hopes
Asian shares mostly rose Friday on hopes for additional economic stimulus after U.S. Congress confirmed Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)Asian shares were mostly higher Friday on hopes for additional economic stimulus after U.S. Congress confirmed Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election. Japan's state of emergency to combat surging coronavirus cases, which kicked in Friday, did little to dampen market optimism. The rally was broad-based, though the S&P 500โฒs technology sector notched the biggest gain, recouping losses after a pullback a day earlier. Hopes are also growing about the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to help daily life around the world get closer to normal.
World watches US chaos with shock, dismay and some mockery
She stayed up all night, watching and worrying at her home in Delhi as the chaos unfolded many time zones away. Both have to play their role with decency and responsibility so that democracy itself remains the winner,โ Merkel said. Iran, which faces routine U.S. criticism over violations of human rights and democratic values, jumped on the chaos as proof of American hypocrisy. Ally after ally expressed shock, followed by affirmations that U.S. democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil. โAmerican democracy is obviously limping on both feet,โ said Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee in Russiaโs upper house of parliament.
House Democrats prepared to defend Michigan election results in Congress
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs house Democrats said they plan to defend Michiganโs election results if there is an objection Wednesday in Congress. President-Elect Joe Biden, who won the Electoral College 306-232, is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20. WATCH: Congress holds Electoral College confirmation vote for BidenThe process is ceremonial and is typically a smooth and easy process. Some members of congress who may object were on the ballot in the same election,โ said Michigan Rep. Dan Kildee. โAs they continue to sow doubt in Michiganโs election results when it comes to the presidential election, they have no issue taking their own oath of office a few days ago.
2 Michigan congressmen plan to object to Electoral College vote
READ: Where Michigan GOP lawmakers stand on effort to challenge Electoral College countโWe will not stand idly by without taking every lawfully available option to ensure the outcomes of our elections can be trusted. This includes objecting to the electoral votes from disputed states where there is evidence warranting an investigation,โ the pair said in a joint statement. EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votesWednesdayโs congressional joint session to count electoral votes has taken on added importance this year as congressional Republicans allied with President Donald Trump are pledging to try and undo Democrat Joe Bidenโs victory and subvert the will of the American people. They say they will officially object to the results, forcing votes in the Republican-run Senate and the Democratic-controlled House that will almost certainly fail. Neither Trump nor any of the lawmakers promising to object to the count have presented credible evidence that would change the outcome.
The Latest: Nancy Pelosi reelected speaker of the House
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks to the media, Wednesday Dec. 30, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The group of House and Senate Republicans are echoing President Donald Trumpโs baseless claims of widespread voter fraud. Democrat Nancy Pelosi was set to be reelected as House speaker by her party, which retains the majority in the House but with the slimmest margin in 20 years. Hawley specifically defended himself against criticism from GOP Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania as he challenges that stateโs election results. Rep. Nancy Pelosi is set to be reelected as House speaker by fellow Democrats, who retain the House majority but with the slimmest margin in 20 years.
Asian stocks sink after Wall St hits record on stimulus hope
In this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, trader Edward Curran works on the floor, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (Colin Ziemer/New York Stock Exchange via AP)Asian stock markets declined Friday after Wall Street hit a new high on optimism about economic stimulus and coronavirus vaccine development despite a spike in U.S. unemployment claims. Market action suggested investors see โbad data is good newsโ for progress toward a stimulus, said Mizuho Bank in a report. The Labor Department reported the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to 885,000 last week, the highest level since September. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude lost 13 cents to $48.23 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Asian shares climb on hopes US to finally get more stimulus
Asian shares are higher Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 on hopes the U.S. Congress may finally deliver fresh aid to help businesses and families weather the pandemic. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Thursday, buoyed by hopes the U.S. Congress may finally deliver fresh aid to help American businesses and families weather the pandemic. Benchmarks rose in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai but fell in South Korea. Congressional leaders appeared late Wednesday to be on the brink of a COVID-19 economic aid package that would extend help to individuals and businesses and ship coronavirus vaccines to millions. Negotiators were working on a $900 billion package that would revive subsidies for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, help distribute new vaccines, fund schools and renew soon-to-expire jobless benefits.
Michigan electors unanimously seal election win for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan electors gathered on Monday to fulfill their constitutional duty to elect the winner of the popular vote for the office of U.S. president and vice president. On Monday afternoon, Michigan electors unanimously cast 16 Electoral College votes for Joe Biden for president. They also unanimously cast 16 votes for Kamala Harris for vice president. The meeting was a formality, as Michigan electors are required by law to vote for the winner of the popular vote. Michigan has 16 electors to reflect the number of senators and representatives it has in the U.S. Congress.
Michigan electors unanimously vote for Biden, Harris
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs electors gathered Monday to cast Electoral College votes to officially seal the presidential election win for Joe Biden. UPDATE: The Michigan electors have unanimously cast 16 Electoral College votes for Joe Biden for president. They also unanimously cast 16 votes for Kamala Harris for vice president. Watch national coverage here beginning at 10 a.m.:Michigan has 16 electors to reflect the number of senators and representatives it has in the U.S. Congress. More: Whatโs in store when the Electoral College meetsAccording to Michigan law, all 16 Michigan electoral votes automatically go to the presidential candidate who won the popular vote, which in this case was Joe Biden.
Top central bankers: Economy needs help despite vaccine news
Speaking at an online conference held by the European Central Bank, Powell, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde all emphasized the long-term threat to the economy from the pandemic while welcoming the preliminary results showing a vaccine by BioNTech and Pfizer was highly effective. "We have said from the beginning that the economy will not fully recover until people are confident it is safe to resume activities involving crowds of people." The failure of lawmakers to agree on any new aid has clouded the future for the unemployed, for small businesses and for the economy as a whole. โWeโre recovering to a different economy,โ he said, and there will be a substantial number of workers who will need support as the economy is changed by the pandemic. All three central banks have deployed large-scale stimulus such as interest rate cuts and bond purchases that aim to keep borrowing costs affordable for businesses.
Asian shares lower after tech-driven rally on Wall Street
Shares were mostly lower in Asia on Tuesday as investors awaited the release of Chinese trade data. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)TOKYO โ Shares were mostly lower in Asia on Tuesday as investors awaited the release of Chinese trade data. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index edged 0.1% lower to 23,525.64, while the Shanghai Composite index shed 0.6% to 3,339.76. Wall Street extended its gains Monday from last week's rally, the market's best in three months. The S&P 500 rose 1.6% to 3,534.22, with Big Tech stocks, including Apple and Microsoft, powering much of the gains.