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Russia: Hundreds Arrested at Navalny Protests

Diane A. Wade
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Russia: Hundreds Arrested at Navalny Protests

Hundreds of protesters have been detained in Russia as police try to stop nationwide protests in support of jailed activist Alexei Navalny.

Alexei Navalny’s wife, Yulia, said she had been detained at a protest in the capital Moscow, where officers were breaking up the demonstrations.

Thousands of people have already taken part in rallies in Russia’s Far East.

Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most high-profile critic, called for protests after his arrest last weekend.

The opposition leader was detained on January 17 after he flew back to Moscow from Berlin, where he had been recovering from a near-fatal nerve agent attack in Russia last August.

On his return, Alexei Navalny was immediately taken into custody and found guilty of violating parole conditions. He says it is a trumped-up case designed to silence him, and called on his supporters to protest.

Several of Navalny’s close aides, including a spokeswoman, have also been detained in the run up to January 23 protests.

Prior to the rallies, Russian authorities had promised a tough crackdown, with police saying any unauthorized demonstrations and provocations would be “immediately suppressed”.

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OVD Info, an independent NGO that monitors rallies, said that more than 800 people had been detained so far in protests across the country.

Thousands are currently attending a protest in Moscow’s central Pushkin Square, where police have erected metal barriers to deter demonstrators.

Russia’s interior ministry said 4,000 had turned up in Moscow, but opposition sources say it may be as high as 15,000.

One witness told Reuters at least 100 people may have been detained there already.

Among them is Lyubov Sobol, a prominent aide of Alexei Navalny who had already been fined for urging Russians to join the protests. Lyubov Sobol tweeted a video of police roughly pulling her away from an interview with reporters.

Yulia Navalnya also said she was being held by police at the same protest, posting an image on her Instagram account with the caption: “Apologies for the poor quality. Very bad light in the police van.”

Several of Alexei Navalny’s key aides had already been taken into police custody in the days leading up to January 23 protests, including his spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh.

Prominent Navalny activists are also being held in the cities of Krasnodar, Vladivostok and Novosibirsk.

Larry King Dies Aged 87

Sonia Pantiss
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Larry King Dies Aged 87
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Talk show legend Larry King has died at the age of 87.

The giant of US broadcasting, who achieved worldwide fame for interviewing political leaders and celebrities, conducted an estimated 50,000 interviews in his six-decade career, which included 25 years as host of the popular CNN talk show Larry King Live.

Larry King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, according to Ora Media, a production company he co-founded.

Earlier this month, the veteran talk show host was treated in hospital for Covid-19.

Larry King had faced several health problems in recent years, including heart attacks.

Katie Couric admits to dating Larry King on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Ora Media said in a statement: “For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry’s many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.”

Larry King rose to fame in the 1970s with his radio program The Larry King Show, on the commercial network Mutual Broadcasting System.

He was then the host of Larry King Live on CNN, between 1985 and 2010, carrying out interviews with a host of guests.

Larry King also wrote a column for the USA Today for over 20 years.

Most recently, he hosted another program, Larry King Now, broadcast on Hulu and RT, Russia’s state-controlled international broadcaster.

Preparations You’ll Need to Make Before Moving to Los Angeles

Nancy Clayson
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Preparations You’ll Need to Make Before Moving to Los Angeles

Given how much Los Angeles has to offer new residents, there’s little wonder as to why it’s such a popular relocation destination. In addition to year-round gorgeous weather and amazing local culture, the City of Angels has ample job opportunities for people in creative fields. As the show business capital of the world, L.A. is the preferred city for scores of artists, writers and performers. If you’re considering a move to Los Angeles, there are a number of preparations you’ll need to make before hitting the road. To ensure that your big move goes off without a hitch, attend to the following tasks before charting a course for L.A.

Get Yourself a Car

You can save yourself a fair amount of time, money and hassle by moving to Los Angeles with a car. As any longtime Angelino will attest, a working vehicle is basically a necessity in L.A. This is the main thing that separates Los Angeles from other major metropolitan areas in the U.S. While the majority of residents in other large cities primarily get around by foot and via public transit, many Angelinos need cars to traverse the city in anything resembling a timely manner.

Unlike other metropolises, Los Angeles was designed to be driven, not walked. The basic layout of the city facilitates the need for vehicle ownership, so if you were hoping that moving to L.A. meant being able to bid farewell to car payments, you’re likely to be disappointed. In other words, if you don’t already own a vehicle, make sure to acquire one before the big move. 

Build Your Savings

While L.A. isn’t the most expensive city in the U.S., it’s not exactly cheap, either. Although cities like NYC and San Francisco are considerably pricier than Los Angeles, you’ll need a fair amount of money to get by in the City of Angels. With this in mind, make a point of building your savings before making a go of it in L.A. This will ensure that you have a nice financial cushion to fall back on if things don’t work out exactly as you planned.

Before setting out for Los Angeles, you should have a minimum of $5,000 saved up. Ideally, you should have $10,000 or more, but $5,000 will do if you absolutely can’t wait to get to L.A. However, keep in mind that $5,000 won’t get you as far in Los Angeles as it will in less expensive locales. So, if you make your move with the bare minimum in your savings account, be prepared to start looking for work immediately.

Conversely, if you have a $10,000+ cushion, you’ll have the luxury of being able to take it easy for a while and find a job at a far more leisurely pace. Taking the time to build your savings may force you to postpone your big move, but this minor hitch in your plan will prove extremely beneficial in the long run. 

Find a Residence That’s Close to Where You Work

Since the majority of Angelinos drive, L.A. is home to some of the most congested traffic conditions in the country. As such, getting from Point A to Point B in the City of Angels can take a frustratingly long time, regardless of how close those two points are. This means your daily commute is likely to eat up a fair amount of time. However, you can minimize your time on the road by finding a residence that’s within comfortable driving distance of your place of business. So, when scouring the city for potential residences, make sure that proximity to work is prominently on your mind. Additionally, if your new place leaves something to be desired space-wise or you haven’t yet decided on a permanent residence, you can safely house any excess possessions by seeking out storage Los Angeles.

It’s easy to see why transplants from all around the country flock to Los Angeles. Not only is L.A. the heart of the entertainment industry, the city itself is rife with one-of-a-kind culture, amazing sights and unique experiences. Furthermore, if you’re looking to break into a creative field, there’s no better place to do it than the City of Angels. However, this isn’t to say that moving to Los Angeles will be a stress-free experience – particularly if you’ve never spent time in L.A. To help facilitate a smoother transition, make sure to take care of the previously discussed preparations in advance of your big move. 

President Joe Biden to Sign 10 Executive Orders to Boost Fight Against Covid-19

Diane A. Wade
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President Joe Biden to Sign 10 Executive Orders to Boost Fight Against Covid-19
Image source: Getty Images

President Joe Biden will sign 10 executive orders to boost the fight against Covid-19 which has ravaged the United States.

Vaccination will be accelerated and testing increased. Emergency legislation will be used to increase production of essentials like masks.

In a break with former President Donald Trump, the policy stresses a national strategy rather than relying on states to decide what is best.

The moves come a day after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president.

The Trump administration was widely accused of failing to get to grips with the pandemic.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the US is the worst-hit country with more than 406,000 lives lost to Covid-19. Nearly 24.5 million have been infected.

In his inauguration speech, Joe Biden warned that the coronavirus pandemic in the US was entering its “deadliest period”.

The president’s Covid-19 task force co-ordinator, Jeff Zients, told reporters that under President Trump there was no strategy at federal level and a comprehensive approach was lacking.

He said: “As President Biden steps into office today, that all changes.”

The Biden administration unveiled a seven-point plan which included efforts to facilitate effective distribution of vaccines and reliable access to testing.

On top of the already announced rules on wearing masks and social distancing on all federal government property, face coverings will become mandatory on many planes and trains.

Jeff Zients said: “What we’re inheriting is so much worse than we could have imagined.”

In a further break with the previous administration, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, said the US would join the Covax scheme designed to deliver Covid vaccines to poor countries.

Speaking by video call to the WHO in Geneva, Dr. Anthony Fauci also stressed that the US would continue to provide funding for the WHO, in line with President Biden’s move to reverse Donald Trump’s decision to leave.

Joe Biden Signs 15 Executive Orders Reversing Trump Policies

Only hours after being sworn in, Joe Biden signed 15 executive orders, including reversing Trump’s policies on climate change and immigration.

A major theme of his inauguration speech was unity after the major divisions laid bare during the Trump administration.

Joe Biden promised to be a president “for all Americans”, including those who voted against him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSfjbtrOMy0

Five Killed as Fire Breaks Out at Serum Institute of India, World’s Largest Vaccine Producer

Diane A. Wade
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Five Killed as Fire Breaks Out at Serum Institute of India, World’s Largest Vaccine Producer
Image source: AP

Five people have died in a fire at Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.

The fire started at a building which was still under construction at the Serum Institute facilities in Pune on January 21.

Footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from a building on the company’s sprawling site.

However, the company said vaccine production would not be affected. The cause of the fire has not been identified.

The blaze was later brought under control, but the city’s mayor confirmed that five people had died.

Serum Institute’s CEO Adar Poonawalla tweeted: “We have just received some distressing updates; upon further investigation we have learnt that there has unfortunately been some loss of life at the incident.

“We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed.”

Adar Poonawalla said there would be no impact on the production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, known locally as Covishield, “due to multiple production buildings that I had kept in reserve to deal with such contingencies”.

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Covishield is one of two vaccines approved by the Indian government for use in its inoculation program, which began last week and is the largest in the world.

India aims to vaccinate 300 million people by early August.

Many other low and middle-income countries are also depending on the Serum Institute for production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

India has recorded the second-highest number of Covid-19 infections in the world after the United States. Since the pandemic began India has confirmed more than 10.6 million cases and almost 153,000 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Should Your Workers Use Corporate-owned Devices or Bring In Their Own?

Dana R
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Should Your Workers Use Corporate-owned Devices or Bring In Their Own?

Basically, what the question boils down to is this: should your company fund its own devices for its employees to use, or should you let these workers use devices they already own? At first glance, the latter might seem the cheaper and more streamlined way of doing things, but the choice isn’t quite that simple.

Implementing a BYOD – that stands for bring-your-own-device – strategy in your business can incur a range of costs that might not be manifested entirely clearly until much further down the line. That’s why your firm needs to tread carefully when trying to decide whether it should really opt for the BYOD approach.

BYOD: a strategy that makes sense on paper

If your company’s finances are under strain, as is surely the case for many businesses, you might not want to hesitate in enacting a BYOD policy. After all, according to research mentioned by Karen D Schwartz in an article on Samsung’s website, 77% of Americans have a smartphone and constantly keep it with them.

However, the problems start when your company wants to keep a tight check on what goes onto those devices. In order to go ahead with that, your firm will need to install, onto each of the applicable mobile devices, the client for what is known as a mobile device management (MDM) platform.

Some of your employees could be reluctant to have such software installed on their phone, perhaps fearing what privacy implications could arise from their employer being able to monitor work activities they undertake on what are supposed to be predominantly personal devices.

Should You Allow BYOD? | IT Support, Georgetown, TX

Would furnishing company-owned devices be a better alternative?

It would have obvious financial drawbacks, especially for smaller businesses that could be somewhat cash-strapped compared to their better-established competitors. In the long run, however, the tactic could help to pay for itself more effectively than keeping up a BYOD policy would.

Naturally, you would have to make room in your business budget for buying devices through the company. On the plus side, though, you could choose to buy multiple units of the same device model – and, in the process, make savings by capitalizing on the likes of negotiated discount rates and volume discounts.

Which choice would bode best for security?

This is a tricky question to answer confidently. On the one hand, many workers are likely to want to regularly upgrade to new devices of their own accord, as The Balance Careers implies. Therefore, you might not yourself have to put your staff under too much pressure to replace their devices in this way.

However, people might not always keep on top of security updates with their personal handsets as much as they would with company-owned devices, on which you could install enterprise mobility management (EMM) software to ensure that the latest security patches are added as they arrive.

All the same, though, your company could easily require either BYOD or company-owned devices to use Wandera’s zero trust network access solution so that a wide array of work practices can be completed securely.

Sputnik V: Hungary Gives Preliminary Approval to Russian Coronavirus Vaccine

Kathryn R. Bown
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Sputnik V: Hungary Gives Preliminary Approval to Russian Coronavirus Vaccine
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Hungary is the first country in the EU to give preliminary approval to the Russian coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V.

On January 21, PM Viktor Orban’s chief of staff confirmed both the Russian vaccine and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine had been given the green light by the health authorities.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is travelling to Russia for further talks, where he is expected to discuss a shipment and distribution deal.

Early results from trials of the Russian vaccine have shown promising results.

Hungarian health officials are also in Beijing for talks with the Chinese authorities over the approval and immediate delivery of one million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, which is already being used in neighboring Serbia.

Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned company, announced last month that phase three trials of its vaccine showed that it was 79% effective – lower than that of Pfizer and Moderna.

However, PM Viktor Orban has said the only way Hungary can satisfy the demand for vaccination, given the “frustratingly” slow delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is by buying from Russia and China.

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At least 140,000 Hungarians have already been vaccinated. But government efforts to popularize the Russian and Chinese vaccines have already run into opposition.

The skepticism and suspicion among Hungarians is, in the public imagination at least, related to the Communist domination of the country from 1948 to 1989.

The move has also drawn criticism from the EU, which is wary of yet another example of Viktor Orban’s government going its own way and undermining EU solidarity.

Katalin Kariko, a Hungarian biochemist who left the country for the United States in 1985, played a key role in developing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Some polls suggest only seven percent of Hungarians would accept the Sputnik V vaccine, while acceptance of the Chinese version has been measured as low as one percent by some surveys.

Russia is funding and building a major expansion of Hungary’s nuclear power station at Paks. The Chinese Fudan University is also due to open a campus in Budapest in 2024, and plans are advancing for a high-speed Chinese railway that would link Budapest to Thessaloniki and bring Chinese goods to Europe.

According to recent reports, 6,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will be administered to 3,000 paid Hungarian volunteers in phase three of a clinical trial in the coming weeks.

Joe Biden Signs 15 Executive Orders Reversing Trump Policies

Diane A. Wade
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Joe Biden Signs 15 Executive Orders Reversing Trump Policies
Image source: AP

Joe Biden has become America’s 46th president, ending one of the most dramatic political transitions in the US history.

After taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, Joe Biden said: “Democracy has prevailed.”

President Biden has announced a raft of measures reversing Trump policies.

In his inaugural address, Joe Biden said it was a day of “history and hope”.

“My whole soul is in putting America back together again,” he added.

How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day

Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies

Highlighting a message of unity after the turbulent Trump years, Joe Biden promised to be a president “for all Americans” – including those who voted against him.

He has set out a flurry of executive orders. In a statement on January 2, Joe Biden said he would sign 15 orders after he is sworn in. Among them are:

  • Reverse Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris climate change agreement;
  • Revoke the presidential permit granted to the Keystone XL Pipeline, which is opposed by environmentalists and Native American groups;
  • Revoke Trump policies on immigration enforcement and the emergency declaration that helped fund the construction of a Mexican border wall;
  • Bring about a mask and distancing mandate for federal employees and in federal buildings, and a new White House office on coronavirus;
  • End a travel ban on visitors from some, mainly Muslim, nations.

Other orders will cover race and gender equality, along with climate issues.

Joe Biden’s legislative ambitions could be tempered by the slender majorities he holds in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Inauguration Day 2021: Joe Biden Becomes America’s 46th President

Diane A. Wade
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Inauguration Day 2021: Joe Biden Becomes America’s 46th President
Image source: Getty Images

Joe Biden has become the 46th president of the United States, ending one of the most dramatic political transitions in American history.

After taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, Joe Biden said: “Democracy has prevailed.”

Donald Trump – who has not formally conceded the presidency to Joe Biden – snubbed the inauguration ceremony, in a departure from longstanding precedent.

He was the first president not to attend his successor’s inauguration since 1869.

President Biden has announced a raft of measures reversing Trump policies.

Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice-president ahead of Joe Biden.

She is the first woman – and the first black and Asian-American person – to serve in a role, a heartbeat from the presidency.

The inauguration took place at the Capitol, where an extra-tight security was imposed after the building was stormed by violent pro-Trump protesters in a deadly riot on January 6.

Some 25,000 National Guards are protecting the ceremony, which is missing the traditional hundreds of thousands of spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his inaugural address, Joe Biden said it was a day of “history and hope”.

“My whole soul is in putting America back together again,” he added.

Highlighting a message of unity after the turbulent Trump years, Joe Biden promised to be a president “for all Americans” – including those who voted against him.

Among those attending the inauguration ceremony were three of Joe Biden’s predecessors: Barack Obama – under whom Biden served for eight years as vice-president – Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Former VP Mike Pence also attended. He skipped Donald Trump’s farewell military salute event.

The inauguration ceremony included musical performances by Lady Gaga – who sang the national anthem – as well as Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.

An evening concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC will be hosted by Tom Hanks and include Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, and Demi Lovato.

How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day

Earlier on the day, Joe Biden, 78, attended Mass at a cathedral in Washington – along with four Roman Catholic congressional leaders, both Democrats and Republicans.

Donald Trump left the White House at about 08:00AM on January 20, and flew to the nearby Andrews Air Force base.

In his farewell address at the base, Donald Trump highlighted what he regarded as the successes of his presidency.

He said: “What we’ve done has been amazing by any standard.”

Donald Trump, 74, then left for his Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida, where he arrived later in the morning.

In his last hours as president, Donald Trump granted clemency to more than 140 people, including his former adviser Steve Bannon, who had been facing fraud charges.

The political drama surrounding Donald Trump is far from over. The Senate is expected to put him on trial soon, following his record second impeachment by the House of Representatives for allegedly inciting the Capitol riot.

On January 19, the Senate’s Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, said the mob had been provoked by Donald Trump and fed lies.

How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day

Nancy Clayson
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How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day
Image source: Getty Images

On inauguration day, President Donald Trump’s office is cleaned out, swept of signs that he and his staff had ever been there, ready for the Biden team to move in.

The cleaning out of White House’s West Wing offices, and the transition between presidents, is part of a tradition that dates back centuries. It’s a process that has not always been imbued with warmth.

Another impeached president, Andrew Johnson, a Democrat, snubbed Republican Ulysses S Grant in 1869 and skipped the inauguration. Ulysses Grant, who had backed Andrew Johnson’s removal from office, was hardly surprised.

Today, however, the transition stands out for its acrimony. The process usually starts straight after the election, but it started weeks late after President Trump refused to accept the result. And the president has said he will not attend the inauguration. Most likely, Donald Trump will instead travel to his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

Even in the best of times, the logistics of a transition are daunting, involving the transfer of knowledge and employees on a massive scale.

About 4,000 political appointees hired by the Trump administration who will lose their job and be replaced by individuals hired by Joe Biden.

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During an average transition, between 150,000-300,000 people apply for these jobs, according to the Center for Presidential Transition, a nonpartisan organization based in Washington. About 1,100 of the positions also require Senate confirmation. Filling all of these positions takes months, even years.

Four years of policy papers, briefing books and artefacts relating to the president’s work will be carted off to the National Archives where they will be kept secret for 12 years, unless the president himself decides that portions may be released early.

Furniture in the White House, such as the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, most of the artwork, china and other objects, belong to the government and will remain on the premises.

Other items, like photos of the president that hang in the hallway, will be taken down as the White House is transformed for its new occupants.

The Trumps’ personal belongings, such as clothes, jewellery, and other items will be moved to their new residence, most likely at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

This year, the place will be deep cleaned.

President Trump, as well as dozens of others at the White House, were infected with the coronavirus over the past several months, and the six-floor building, with its 132 rooms, will be thoroughly scrubbed down. Everything from handrails to elevator buttons to restroom fixtures will be wiped and sanitized, according to a spokeswoman for the General Services Administration, the federal agency that oversees the housekeeping effort.

Incoming first families usually do some redecoration. Within days of arriving at the White House, Donald Trump had chosen a portrait of populist president Andrew Jackson for the Oval Office. He also replaced the drapes, couches and a rug in the office with ones that were gold-colored. On inauguration day, VP Mike Pence and his wife will also make way for Kamala Harris, and her husband, Doug Emhoff. They will be settling into their official residence, a 19th Century residence on the Naval Observatory grounds, a couple of miles from the White House.

What Time is Joe Biden’s Inauguration?

Nancy Clayson
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What Time is Joe Biden’s Inauguration?
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take the oath to make them officially president and vice-president, but this will be a much scaled back affair, due to Covid and the recent riots.

The inauguration of a new president is a day that usually follows decades of custom and precedent. A day that follows a routine set in stone. Well, you can forget all that this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about the big day.

What is the inauguration?

The inauguration is the formal ceremony that marks the start of a new presidency, and it takes place in Washington DC.

The only required feature is that the president-elect recite the presidential oath of office.

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Once he utters these words, Joe Biden will then take his place as the 46th president and the inauguration will be complete (but that’s not all – celebrations follow).

Kamala Harris will become vice-president once she takes the oath of office, which usually happens just before the president.

What time is the inauguration?

Opening remarks are usually scheduled for around 11:30 EST and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in around midday. By law, inauguration day is always January 20.

Joe Biden will move into the White House later in the day – his home for the next four years.

Joe Biden Inauguration: Capitol Put on Lockdown After Security Alert

Presidential inaugurations typically involve detailed security plans, but even more so now, after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol on January 6.

Officials have ramped up security and closed off large sections of the city. The Secret Service has taken command of the security plans, backed up by some 25,000 National Guard troops, in addition to thousands of police officers.

Joe Biden Inauguration: Capitol Put on Lockdown After Security Alert

Diane A. Wade
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Joe Biden Inauguration: Capitol Put on Lockdown After Security Alert
Image source: Anadolu Agency

The Capitol complex in Washington DC was briefly locked down after a security alert, two days before Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Police informed that they acted out of an abundance of caution after witnesses reported smoke rising nearby. The fire was several blocks away.

The move came amid preparations for a rehearsal for Joe Biden’s inauguration as president.

Five people died after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, which is home to the Congress, on January 6.

Thousands of National Guard reserve soldiers have been deployed at the Capitol and around central Washington DC.

There was no threat to the public, officials said after January 18 lockdown. Congress is currently in recess.

Security is tight after the rioters overran the Capitol earlier this month.

The National Mall – the landscaped park around the complex – has been closed, along with many major roads. Fences have been put up around the White House.

The inauguration rehearsal scheduled for January 18 has already been postponed once on security grounds.

All 50 states and the DC are on alert for possible violent protests.

The FBI has warned of possible armed marches by pro-Trump supporters across state capitols.

FBI Warns of Possible Armed Protests Before Joe Biden’s Inauguration

Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies

Once he is sworn in, Joe Biden will issue executive orders to reverse President Donald Trump’s travel bans and re-join the Paris climate accord.

Joe Biden is also expected to focus on reuniting families separated at the US-Mexico border, and to issue mandates on Covid-19 and mask-wearing.

The president-elect and VP-elect Kamala Harris will take the oath of office in front of the Capitol building, overlooking the National Mall.

Normally a crowd of hundreds of thousands would be there to witness a significant moment in American national life.

However, between the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns, the size of the crowd is being severely restricted this year.

Once sworn in, Joe Biden will give an inaugural address, setting the agenda for his term in office.

The ceremonies include a poetry reading, the Pledge of Allegiance and a benediction. Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem, and there will be a musical performance by Jennifer Lopez.

President Trump has said he will not attend the inauguration.

Tom Hanks will host an event on prime-time TV on the night of the 20th, with performances by Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi.

Joe Biden’s inauguration planning team has designated the day before the swearing-in as a nationwide memorial to lives lost through Covid-19.

Alexei Navalny Detained After Flying Back to Russia

Roy Siemens
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Alexei Navalny Detained After Flying Back to Russia

Alexei Navalny has been detained after flying back to Russia five months after he was nearly killed by a nerve agent attack last year.

The 44-year-old Kremlin critic was seen being led away by police at passport control.

Big crowds earlier gathered at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport to greet his flight from Berlin but the plane was rerouted.

Alexei Navalny says the authorities were behind the attempt on his life, an allegation backed up by investigative journalists but denied by the Kremlin.

European Council President Charles Michel described Alexei Navalny’s detainment as “unacceptable”.

He tweeted: “I call on Russian authorities to immediately release him.”

Alexei Navalny told his supporters and the media at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport just minutes before his detention: “I know that I’m right. I fear nothing.”

His lawyer was not allowed to accompany Alexei Navalny. He kissed his wife Yulia – who had flown with him from Germany – after police officers warned they would use physical force if he disobeyed their orders.

On January 17, extra riot police were deployed and metal barriers erected inside Vnukovo airport, where the plane had been originally scheduled to land.

Russian media reported that a number of activists – including key Navalny ally Lyubov Sobol – were detained.

Alexei Navalny Released from Berlin Hospital

Alexei Navalny: Traces of Nerve Agent Found on A Bottle in His Hotel Room, Says His Team

Russia: Alexei Navalny In Coma After Allegedly Being Poisoned

Alexei Navalny – who received medical treatment in Germany after his poisoning – urged supporters to meet him off the flight. Thousands of people said they would go or expressed an interest, despite forecasts of extreme cold and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The activist collapsed on an internal flight in Siberia last August, and it later emerged he had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

Russian authorities have consistently denied any role in the poisoning, and the Kremlin has rejected Alexei Navalny’s claims that President Vladimir Putin himself ordered it.

In a statement late on January 17, Russia’s penitentiary service said Alexei Navalny “had been wanted since December 29, 2020, for repeated violations of the probation period”.

The penitentiary service added that he would remain in custody until a court decision.

The authorities accuse Alexei Navalny of violating conditions imposed after a conviction for embezzlement, for which he received a suspended sentence. He has always said the case was politically motivated.

Separately, Russian prosecutors have launched a new criminal case against the activist on fraud charges related to transfers of money to various NGOs, including his Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Alexei Navalny has asserted that President Vladimir Putin is doing all he can to stop his opponent from coming back by fabricating new cases against him.

Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies

Diane A. Wade
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Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

According to recent reports, President-elect Joe Biden will issue decrees to reverse President Donald Trump’s travel bans and re-join the Paris climate accord on his first day.

Joe Biden is also expected to focus on reuniting families separated at the US-Mexico border, and to issue mandates on Covid-19 and mask-wearing.

He will be inaugurated on January 20.

All 50 states are on high alert for possible violence in the run-up to the inauguration ceremony, with National Guard troops deployed in their thousands to guard Washington DC.

According to a memo seen by media, in the hours after Joe Biden sets foot in the White House, he will embark on a blitz of executive actions designed to signal a clean break from his predecessor’s administration.

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Among the orders planned soon after taking office are:

  • Returning to the Paris climate change agreement- the global pact on cutting carbon emissions
  • Repealing the controversial travel ban on mostly Muslim-majority countries
  • Mandating the wearing of masks on federal property and when travelling interstate
  • An extension to nationwide restrictions on evictions and foreclosures due to the pandemic

The executive orders are just one part of his ambitious plan for his first 10 days in office, according the memo.

Joe Biden is also expected to send a major new immigration bill to Congress, as well as focusing on passing a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan to help the country’s economy recover from coronavirus.

The president-elect has also said his administration will aim to deliver 100 million Covid-19 jabs in his first 100 days in office – describing the rollout so far as a “dismal failure”.

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain wrote in the memo: “President-elect Biden will take action – not just to reverse the gravest damages of the Trump administration – but also to start moving our country forward.”

Joe Biden is taking over a country in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. Daily deaths from Covid-19 are in their thousands and almost 400,000 have lost their lives.

On top of the virus raging, the country is reeling from recent political violence.

The theme for Joe Biden’s inauguration will be “America United”, with the president-elect focusing on healing political divisions. VP Mike Pence is expected to attend the ceremony, though President Trump has said he will not.

Joe Biden will be sworn in exactly two weeks after the violent riots at the Capitol on January 6 which aimed to thwart his election victory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJNeFnvCDUs

North Korea Shows Off New Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

Roy Siemens
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0
North Korea Shows Off New Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
Image source Wikipedia

North Korea has unveiled a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, described by state media as “the world’s most powerful weapon”.

According to state media, several of the missiles were displayed at a parade overseen by leader Kim Jong-un.

The new weapon’s actual capabilities remain unclear, as it is not known to have been tested.

The show of military strength comes days before Joe Biden’s inauguration.

It also follows a rare political meeting where Kim Jong-un decried the US as his country’s “biggest enemy”.

Images released by North Korean state media showed at least four large black-and-white missiles being driven past flag-waving crowds.

Clad in a leather coat and fur hat, Kim Jong-un is pictured smiling and waving as he watched the display in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square, which also included infantry troops, artillery and tanks.

The official Korean Central News Agency said: “The world’s most powerful weapon, submarine-launch ballistic missile, entered the square one after another, powerfully demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces.”

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The event on January 14 did not showcase North Korea’s largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). That colossal weapon is believed to be able to deliver a nuclear warhead to anywhere in the US, and its size had surprised even seasoned analysts when it was put on show last year.

North Korea’s latest display of its arsenal comes at the end of a five-yearly congress of the ruling Workers’ Party.

In his address to members last week, Kim Jong-un had pledged to expand North Korea’s nuclear weapons and military potential, outlining a list of desired weapons including long-range ballistic missiles capable of being launched from land or sea and “super-large warheads”.

He also said that the US was North Korea’s “biggest obstacle for our revolution and our biggest enemy… no matter who is in power, the true nature of its policy against North Korea will never change”.

Under Kim Jong-un’s leadership North Korea has made rapid progress in its weapons program, which it says is necessary to defend itself against a possible US invasion.

According to experts, the unveiling of the new missiles appears designed to send the incoming Biden administration a message of North Korea’s growing military prowess.

Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez to Perform at Joe Biden’s Inauguration

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez to Perform at Joe Biden’s Inauguration
Image source Wikimedia

Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez are to perform at the inauguration ceremony for President Joe Biden.

It is well-known that Lady Gaga campaigned for Joe Biden during the election, appearing with him on the eve of the presidential election last November.

Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at the ceremony on January 20. Jennifer Lopez, who also endorsed Joe Biden last year, will give a separate musical performance.

After the ceremony, Tom Hanks will host a star-studded TV special.

Titled Celebrating America, the 90-minute prime-time program will also feature musicians Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons, and will be broadcast live by ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and MSNBC.

Joe Biden’s inaugural committee said it would “celebrate the beginning of a new national journey toward an America united” and “showcase the American people’s resilience, heroism, and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild”.

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When Joe Biden is inaugurated, Washington DC will still be under a state of emergency after a mob stormed the Capitol on January 6. More than 10,000 National Guard troops will be in the city, with about 5,000 more on standby.

Otherwise, the ceremony’s attendance will be “extremely limited” in line with social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Biden team, which has urged Americans to avoid travelling to the capital.

Donald Trump announced last week that he will avoid the ceremony after disputing the election result, becoming the first president to skip the inauguration of his successor since 1869.

When President Donald Trump was inaugurated four years ago, 16-year-old former American Idol contestant Jackie Evancho sang the national anthem, while country stars Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood, and rock band 3 Doors Down were among the attractions at a special concert the night before.

Trump Becomes First Sitting President to Be Impeached Twice

Diane A. Wade
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0
Trump Becomes First Sitting President to Be Impeached Twice
Image source Wikipedia

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has signed the article of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has become the first sitting president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives.

Congress voted 232 to 197 on the sole article of impeachment.

Now, President Trump faces trial in the senate.

Ten Republicans voted with Democrats to impeach the president, making this vote the most bipartisan impeachment vote in US history.

They are:

  • Liz Cheney of Wyoming (the third highest-ranking Republican in the House)
  • Adam Kinzinger of Illinois (the only Republican that voted on a bill calling for Vice-President Mike Pence to take over as president yesterday)
  • John Katko of New York (the first House Republican to say he’d vote to impeach)
  • Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio
  • Tom Rice of South Carolina
  • Dan Newhouse of Washington State
  • Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington State
  • Fred Upton of Michigan
  • David Valadao of Florida
  • Peter Meijer of Michigan

Senators will then act as jurors during the trial and ultimately decide whether or not to convict the president on the charge.

The lead manager is Jamie Raskin. He’s joined by Diana DeGette, David Cicilline, Joaquin Castro, Eric Swalwell, Madeleine Dean and Joe Neguse.

“Today the House demonstrated that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Nancy Pelosi said before signing.

“That Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to the country and that once again we honor that oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

“And now, I sadly and with a heart broken over what this means to our country, of a president who would incite insurrection, will sign the engrossment of the article of impeachment.”

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Pro-Trump Protesters Storm Capitol Building

In a video message posted to the White House’s Twitter account, President Trump has condemned the violence in the Capitol last week, saying “violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement”.

He did not make any reference to impeachment.

The president ends with a call for unity.

“All of us can choose by our actions to rise above the rancor and find common ground and shared purpose. We must focus on advancing the interests of the whole nation, delivering the miracle vaccines, defeating the pandemic, rebuilding the economy, protecting our national security and upholding the rule of law,” Donald Trump said.

“Today I am calling on all Americans to overcome the passions of the moment, and join together as one American people,” he said.

“God bless you, and God bless America.”

When he was first impeached in 2019, President Trump became part of a small group of rebuked US leaders.

After today, President Trump is the first president to be impeached twice.

Only two other presidents in history have been impeached by the House of Representatives – Andrew Johnson, back in 1868, and Bill Clinton in 1998.

President Richard Nixon stepped down and resigned.

But to date, no president has ever been removed from the White House by Congress.

Lisa Montgomery: US Government Carries Out Its First Execution of A Female Inmate Since 1953

Diane A. Wade
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Lisa Montgomery: US Government Carries Out Its First Execution of A Female Inmate Since 1953
Photo credit: EPA

Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row in the US, has been executed for murder.

She received a lethal injection at a prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, after a last-minute stay of execution was lifted by the Supreme Court.

Her case attracted attention because her lawyers argued she was mentally ill and suffered serious abuse as a child.

Lisa Montgomery, 52, strangled a pregnant woman before cutting out and kidnapping her baby in Missouri in 2004.

Her victim, 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett, bled to death.

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Lisa Montgomery was the first female federal inmate to be put on federal death row in 67 years.

According to witnesses, a woman standing next to Lisa Montgomery during the execution process, removed the inmate’s face mask and asked her if she had any last words. Lisa Montgomery responded “no”, and said nothing else.

Lisa Montgomery was pronounced dead on January 13, at 01:31 AM. Her lawyer, Kelley Henry, said that everyone who had participated in the execution “should feel shame”.

The lawyer said in a statement: “The government stopped at nothing in its zeal to kill this damaged and delusional woman.

“Lisa Montgomery’s execution was far from justice.”

Lisa Montgomery’s latest execution was postponed twice – first by Covid-19, then by a judge – until a Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for it to take place in the early hours of January 13.

In a dramatic move on January 11, an Indiana judge had halted the scheduled injection until a mental competency hearing could be held.

Lisa Montgomery’s lawyers argued that she had been born brain-damaged and was too mentally ill to be executed.

As a child Lisa Montgomery was routinely abused by her father and trafficked by her mother, family members said. Her treatment was so violent that it amounted to torture, her lawyers say.

Her defense team believe that at the time of her crime, Lisa Montgomery was psychotic and out of touch with reality. That opinion is supported by 41 current and former lawyers as well as human rights groups like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

However, Bobbie Jo Stinnett ‘s family and friends say the murder committed by Montgomery was so horrific that she deserved to be put to death regardless of her mental health.

Lisa Montgomery killed Bobbie Jo Stinnett in Skidmore, Missouri, after befriending the pregnant woman online over a shared love of dogs. After driving to Stinnett’s house, Lisa Montgomery overpowered the pregnant woman, strangled her with a piece of rope, and cut the baby out of her womb.

Police found Lisa Montgomery cradling a new-born girl she claimed to have given birth to the day before. After her story fell apart, she confessed to the killing.

Lisa Montgomery was found guilty of the crime in 2007. The next day, she was sentenced to death.

Trump’s YouTube Channel Suspended

Nancy Clayson
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Trump’s YouTube Channel Suspended
Image source Wikipedia

Google-owned video service YouTube has become the latest platform to suspend President Donald Trump’s account.

YouTube has prevented the president’s account from uploading new videos or live-streaming material for a minimum of seven days, and has said it may extend the period.

It said Donald Trump’s channel had broken its rules over the incitement of violence.

The president had posted several videos on January 12, some of which remain online.

Google has not provided details of what President Trump said in the video it banned.

The move came hours after civil rights groups had threatened to organize an ads boycott against YouTube.

Jim Steyer – who previously helped coordinate similar action against Facebook last year – had called on Google to go further and take President Trump’s channel offline.

He tweeted after the suspension: “We hope they will make it permanent. It is disappointing that it took a Trump-incited attack to get here, but appears that the major platforms are finally beginning to step up.”

Google said that President Trump could still face his page being closed if he falls foul of its three-strikes policy.

It said in a statement: “After review, and in light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to Donald J. Trump’s channel for violating our policies.

“It now has its first strike and is temporarily prevented from uploading new content for a minimum of seven days.

“Given the ongoing concerns about violence, we will also be indefinitely disabling comments on President Trump’s channel, as we’ve done to other channels where there are safety concerns found in the comments section.”

President Trump had already been suspended by Facebook and Instagram following January 6 rioting on Capitol Hill, until at least the transition of power to Joe Biden on January 20.

Twitter has gone further by imposing a permanent ban on the president’s account.

Amazon’s Twitch has also disabled Donald Trump’s account on its platform. And Snapchat has locked his account.

Shopify, Pinterest, TikTok and Reddit have also taken steps to restrict content associated with the president and his calls for the results of the election to be challenged.

FBI Warns of Possible Armed Protests Before Joe Biden’s Inauguration

Diane A. Wade
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0
FBI Warns of Possible Armed Protests Before Joe Biden’s Inauguration
Image source: Anadolu Agency

The FBI has warned of possible armed protests across the US as Trump supporters and far-right groups call for demonstrations before Joe Biden’s January 20 inauguration.

According to the agency, armed groups are planning to gather at all 50 state capitols and in Washington DC in the run-up to Biden’s inauguration.

Security will be tight for the event after a pro-Trump mob stormed Congress on January 6.

House Democrats say a vote to impeach President Donald Trump will happen on January 13.

Democrats accuse President Trump of “incitement of insurrection” and say the vote will be held unless VP Mike Pence invokes constitutional powers to remove President Trump from office. There is no sign Mike Pence is prepared to do so.

Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris are expected to be sworn in at a ceremony at the Capitol. The Biden team had already urged Americans to avoid travelling to the capital because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a call that is now being repeated by local authorities.

According to security officials, there will be no repeat of the breach seen on January 6, when thousands of pro-Trump supporters were able to break into the building where members of Congress were voting to certify the election result.

Pro-Trump Protesters Storm Capitol Building

Five people died in the riot, which happened after President Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the November vote and encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol.

Since then, calls for Donald Trump’s resignation, removal from office or impeachment have grown among Democrats and some Republicans.

President Trump has made no public statements since he was banned from several social media platforms – including Twitter – on January 8.

Donald Trump became the third president to be impeached in December 2019 over charges of breaking the law by asking Ukraine to investigate his rival in the presidential election. The Senate cleared him.

Florida Manatee with “Trump” Carved into Its Skin Prompts Investigation

James J. Williams
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Florida Manatee with “Trump” Carved into Its Skin Prompts Investigation
Image by PublicDomainImages from Pixabay

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has launched an investigation after a manatee in Florida was discovered with the word ‘Trump’ scraped on its back.

The marine mammal was spotted on January 10 in Florida’s Homosassa River, with the president’s surname on its body.

According to officials, the animal does not appear to be seriously injured, and the word was scraped onto algae growing on its skin.

But a video of the West Indian manatee has led to public outcry.

Manatees, nicknamed “sea cows,” are protected under US law, and anyone found guilty of harassing them faces up to a year in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Images of the manatee were first shared by the Citrus County Chronical, a local newspaper, and have been widely shared on social media.

The Centre for Biological Diversity, a conservation charity, is also offering a $5,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

Neopalpa Donaldtrumpi: California Moth Becomes First Creature Named after Donald Trump

Amphibian Named After President Donald Trump

The manatee is a large, slow-moving mammal which has become an unofficial mascot for Florida. According to the USFWS, there are around 6,300 currently in the state.

The animals typically gather in warmer waters around the state during the winter time as temperatures drop.

However, their numbers have fallen in recent years due to habitat loss, algae blooms and strikes by fast-moving boats.

They are also vulnerable to attacks by humans while they congregate in the shallow water of local rivers and canals.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 637 manatees died in 2020, 90 of which were victims of boat collisions. Another 15 were killed by other interactions with humans.

Trump Impeachment: Democrats Call on VP Pence to Invoke 25th Amendment

Diane A. Wade
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0
Trump Impeachment: Democrats Call on VP Pence to Invoke 25th Amendment
Image source Flickr

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stepped up the pressure on VP Mike Pence to act to remove President Donald Trump from office over his role in last week’s storming of Congress.

Lawmakers are expected to bring up a resolution asking VP Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to declare the president unfit for office.

Mike Pence is said to oppose the idea.

If he refuses, the House will hold a vote to impeach President Trump who had urged supporters to march on the Capitol.

Donald Trump has been accused by Democrats and an increasing number of fellow Republicans over the riot, following a rally in which the president repeated unsubstantiated allegations of vote fraud. Five people died in the attack, including a Capitol police officer.

President Trump has made no public statements since he was banned from social media platforms on January 8.

He is due to leave office on January 20, when Joe Biden will be sworn in as president.

Donald Trump has said he will not attend Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony.

Pro-Trump Protesters Storm Capitol Building

Nancy Pelosi wrote to lawmakers saying the House of Representatives would present a resolution on January 11 to formally request that VP Pence invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which would allow him to remove President Trump from the White House and become acting president.

The House could vote on the resolution on January 12. After that, Mike Pence and the cabinet would be given 24 hours to act before the House’s potential move toward impeachment.

Nancy Pelosi wrote in her letter: “We will act with urgency, because this president represents an imminent threat to both.

“The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this president is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.”

Although Mike Pence has appeared to distance himself from the president by saying on January 10 he planned to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration, there is no sign that the vice-president is prepared to invoke the amendment.

In a separate development, First Lady Melania Trump, who rarely makes public comments about political events, condemned January 6 violence, saying the “nation must heal in a civil manner”.

Melania Trump said in a statement called Our Path Forward released by the White House: “I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a person’s skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness.”

House Democrats have vowed to press ahead quickly with impeachment. To impeach, in this context, means to bring charges in Congress, and Nancy Pelosi said Democrats could introduce a charge of “incitement of insurrection” against President Trump.

Senior lawmakers say a vote to impeach President Trump in the House could be held by mid-week.

Donald Trump could become the only president in US history to have been impeached twice.

Joe Biden has said impeachment is for Congress to decide, even though he has thought “for a long time President Trump was not fit to hold the job”.

China Reacts to US Sanctions with New Law Protecting Its Companies

Clyde K. Valle
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0
China Reacts to US Sanctions with New Law Protecting Its Companies
Image source Flickr

China is reacting against a flurry of US sanctions with new rules that protect its companies from “unjustified” foreign laws.

Changes announced over the weekend allow Chinese courts to punish companies that comply with such restrictions.

President Donald Trump has continued to target Chinese companies he believes are a threat to US national security.

Measures include punishing companies that supply parts to blacklisted companies.

On January 11, three large Chinese telecoms firms listed on the NYSE are expected to see their shares delisted based on alleged ties with its military.

The NYSE is removing China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom Hong Kong, based on an executive order signed by President Trump in November.

The de-listings follow a raft of actions against Chinese firms in recent months including TikTok, Huawei and microchip maker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

White House to Announce Sanctions against China over Theft and Transfer of Intellectual Property

US Launches Investigation into China’s Intellectual Property Policies

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps including popular payments platform Alipay, as well as WeChat Pay.

President Trump claims such tech companies share data with the Chinese government – allegations they have denied.

In a statement on January 9, China’s Ministry of Commerce introduced the new rules on “counteracting unjustified extra-territorial application” of foreign laws.

Bert Hofman, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, explained: “Legal persons that are hurt by the application of foreign legislation can issue legal proceedings in court and claim compensation for the damage done.

“The government can also take other countermeasures.”

The measures, which came into effect immediately, do not mention the US directly, although China has long complained about US sanctions and restrictions on trade.

However, legal experts say it is unclear how the new law will be implemented.

Angela Zhang, a Chinese law professor at the University of Hong Kong, said: “Consider a scenario that a European bank freezes the assets of a Chinese official that was sanctioned by the United States, the Chinese statute will allow the official to sue the European bank to recover his loss.”

Texas: Chemical Plants Intentionally Diverted Floodwaters into Sweeny Neighborhoods

Roy Siemens
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0
Texas: Chemical Plants Intentionally Diverted Floodwaters into Sweeny Neighborhoods
Image source: Dolcefino

Press release

Internal emails and damaging photographs detail evidence that huge chemical plants in Brazoria County intentionally diverted floodwaters into neighborhoods in Sweeny during Hurricane Harvey.

Documents obtained by Dolcefino Consulting show the massive Phillips 66 plant placed Tiger Dams around the plant, blocked culverts along Highway 35 with chunks of concrete and threw large containers into Linville Bayou, ignoring warnings that what they were doing was illegal.

A 2017 email from the general manager of the Phillips plant reveals the Old Ocean Volunteer Fire Department blamed the “increased flooding of residents in Old Ocean” on intentionally blocked culverts.

The president of West Brazoria County Drainage District #11 warned Phillips officials that what they were doing was illegal, inundating the community with water. An email shows the head of Phillips Corporate Strategy thought the plan was “great.”

The Sweeny Refinery General Manager during the hurricane was David Erfert. Erfert admitted in a sworn deposition that the plant didn’t notify the drainage district, the Army Corps of Engineers or the Coast Guard.

Image source: Dolcefino

Hurricane Harvey: President Trump and First Lady Meet Flood Victims

Houston Flooding: Five People Dead in Hurricane Harvey Aftermath

Hundreds of Sweeny residents have filed a lawsuit against Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical next door after the storm, but three and a half years later the chemical plants haven’t paid for the damages to homes and pastureland.

“It is the same thing you hear over and over. Production and profit over people,” said Jason Gibson, the Houston attorney battling the chemical plants in court.

Damaging photographs show Phillips employees pumping oily water out of the plant and into surrounding neighborhoods. Phillips told the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that no contaminated water escaped the plant.

Image source: Dolcefino

“They just basically said we’re going to keep the plant running for revenue, and at the end of the day we’re going to flood the community,” said Sweeny resident Marc Smyth.

The Phillips plant is the second largest taxpayer in Brazoria County. Brazoria County officials have refused to talk to Dolcefino Consulting. So have the Phillips 66 officials.

“This is a story of arrogance,” said Wayne Dolcefino, President of Dolcefino Consulting. “Three and a half years after the hurricane, we know Phillips made a conscious decision that changed the lives of people in Sweeny. It is shocking that they are trying to avoid responsibility.”

Emails show the plan to permanently change the flow of water around the two Sweeny plants began long before the hurricane, when the plants joined to build an elevated rail line along Linville Bayou.

An email sent from the general manager of Phillips to the plant manager of CP Chem next door three weeks after Hurricane Harvey admitted, “there are many issues with the drainage through the Sityard and how it affects drainage outside and inside the plant.”

The new photographs and emails raise growing questions about possible contamination of the neighborhood surrounding the plants.

Sweeny ranch owner Mark Smyth told Dolcefino Consulting he could smell the hydrocarbons in the water.

“Absolutely you could smell it, you could smell it for months afterward,” Smyth said.

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