Trump impeachment articles now with Senate

January 16, 2020

In a dramatic procession across the US Capitol, House Democrats have carried the formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, setting the stage for only the third trial to remove a president in American history.

Trump complained anew it was all a "hoax," even as fresh details emerged about his efforts in Ukraine.

The ceremonial pomp and protocol moved the impeachment process out of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Democratic-run House to the Republican-majority Senate, where the president's team is mounting a defence aiming for swift acquittal.

"Today we will make history," Pelosi said as she signed the documents, using multiple pens to hand out and mark the moment. "This president will be held accountable."

Moments later the prosecutors walked solemnly through the stately hall, filing into the Senate back row as the Clerk of the House announced the arrival: "The House has passed House Resolution 798, a resolution appointing and authorising managers of the impeachment trail of Donald John Trump, President of United States."

The Senate will transform itself into an impeachment court at noon on Thursday.

The trial will play out before a deeply divided nation at the start of this election year as Trump seeks a second term and voters review his presidency.

Earlier Wednesday, the House voted 228-193, almost entirely along party lines, ending a weeks-long delay to deliver the charges with a tally reflecting the nation's split.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to have the Senate "rise above the petty factionalism" and "factional fervour and serve the long-term, best interests of our nation." He called it "a difficult time for our country."

The House impeached Trump last month alleging he abused his presidential power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, using military aid to the country as leverage. Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress' ensuing probe.

Trump's political campaign dismissed the House effort as "just a failed attempt to politically damage President Trump leading up to his reelection."

The top Republican in the House, Kevin McCarthy of California, said Americans will look back on this "sad saga" that tried to remove the president from office with the "weakest case."

The seven-member prosecution team was led by the chairmen of the House impeachment proceedings, Reps. Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee, two of Pelosi's top lieutenants.

Ahead of Wednesday's session, Schiff released new records from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, about the Ukraine strategy, including an exchange with another man about surveilling Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who was later ousted.

Trump signs 'the biggest deal in the world' with China

16/01/2020

Donald Trump has signed a preliminary trade agreement with China, signalling a possible end to the trade war. Under the deal, China has pledged to more than double its purchases from US farmers, as part of a larger $200 billion package. The US President described it as “the biggest deal there is anywhere in the world by far" and one that would be "so special to our manufacturers, our farmers, our bankers, our service people". "Nobody has ever seen anything like it," he said. An official from Beijing read a letter from President Xi Jinping which labelled the deal as "good for China, the US and the whole world”.

Iran issues fresh warning to Europe and the US

16/01/2020

Iran has issued a new warning to Europe and the United States as the allies ramp up pressure on Tehran. Relations are strained by Iran's violation of the 2015 nuclear deal, which America unilaterally abandoned two years ago.

Dozens arrested in Lebanon protests

January 15, 2020

Lebanese security forces have arrested 59 people, police say, following clashes overnight outside the central bank as angry protesters vented their fury against the country's ruling elite and the worsening financial crisis.

The hours-long clashes that erupted on Tuesday evening also left 47 policemen injured, the security forces said, as some protesters smashed windows on private banks in Beirut's key commercial district.

Earlier on Tuesday, protesters rallied outside the central bank in the bustling Hamra neighborhood, denouncing the bank governor and policies they say have only deepened the country's financial woes.

The rally turned violent as protesters tried to push their way through the security forces deployed outside the bank. In over five hours of pitched street battles, security forces lobbed volleys of tear gas at the protesters, who responded with rocks and firecrackers.

Some protesters, using metal bars and sticks, smashed windows on commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaus nearby. The clashes marked an end to a lull in the three-months-long protests.

Lebanon is facing its worst economic troubles in decades. One of the most highly indebted countries in the world, it imports almost all basic goods but foreign currency sources have dried up. The local currency has lost over 60 per cent of its value - dropping for the first time in nearly three decades from a fixed rate of 1,507 pounds to the dollar to 2,400 in just the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, banks have imposed informal capital controls, limiting withdrawal of dollars and foreign transfers in the country.

In three months of protests, this was the first time the commercial centre of Beirut had become the scene of clashes. The area, which is also home to theaters and restaurants, was left deserted except for protesters, police and smoke from the tear gas.

Traffic resumed on Wednesday and shops and banks reopened as pavements were cleared of smashes glass.

Outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who resigned shortly after the protests first began in mid-October, said the violence in Hamra was "unacceptable" and an aggression on the heart of the capital. He urged for an investigation. A new prime minister designate was named in December but has still been unable to form a new government.