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Joe Biden to focus on economic recovery after Covid as 17.5m vaccine shots given in US - live updates Joe Biden to focus on economic recovery after Covid as 17.5m vaccine shots given in US - live updates
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Calls to delay Donald Trump impeachment trial as former president appoints defense lawyer BowersCalls to delay Donald Trump impeachment trial as former president appoints defense lawyer Bowers
Speaking of DC, today we’ve published the latest in our Anywhere but Washington video series, which sees Oliver Laughland and Tom Silverstone travel to *checks notes* Washington DC. Huh?
OK, there’s a very good reason why Anywhere but Washington is actually coming from Washington for once – it was the week of Joe Biden’s inauguration and the pair arrived to find a downtown area under what is essentially military occupation and a city coming to terms with the trauma of Donald Trump’s final days in office.
They speak to lifelong residents in the outer suburbs as well the US congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who tells of her harrowing experience of the 6 January riot. Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton meanwhile rails against criticisms of the Republican administration’s handling of the domestic terrorism threat. You can watch it here:
Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has also tweeted this morning about bringing the national guard troops under his command back from DC.
Some Governors are making a bold public show of this decision, after pictures emerged of troops being forced to sleep in a parking lot which have sparked outrage. Former Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany earlier tweeted “THIS IS SICK” about the situation, before deleting the tweet.
The National Guard Bureau has said of the nearly 26,000 troops deployed for the Biden inauguration, 10,600 had remained on duty, with many already having headed home. The bureau said the guard was helping states with coordination and logistics.
Of the situation with the troops, Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, tweeted last night: “Just made a number of calls and have been informed Capitol police have apologized to the guardsmen and they will be allowed back into the complex tonight. I’ll keep checking to make sure they are.”
After midnight, Duckworth tweeted an update: “Troops are now all out of the garage. Now I can go to bed.” Politico reported they had been allowed back into the Capitol.
Joe Biden’s new administration is faced with a monumental task in curbing the deadliest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic so far in a race against time before a new, more contagious coronavirus variant threatens already strained US health resources.
The Biden administration has mere weeks to speed vaccine deployment, and convince more Americans to wear masks, wash hands and social distance. And it must be done amid a rocky transition, critical supply shortfalls, widespread new infections, shaky public trust and a vaccine rollout that “has been a dismal failure so far”.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now issued stark warnings about a more infectious new variant of Covid-19, called B117.
Various scenarios could play out. In one model, Covid-19 infections decline in March, only to crest again in late April and early May driven by B117 infections. This model assumed there was no widespread community vaccination. In another model, B117 still overtakes current strains, but it declines alongside current dominant strains. The decline would take place in an environment of overall reduced transmission, because people maintain social distance and vaccines are distributed to about 1 million a day.
This endpoint can be reached, CDC modelers said, but only if people curb the spread of Covid-19 and vaccine uptake is high. Biden has repeatedly pledged to vaccinate 100 million Americans in 100 days, which would roughly match modeling by the CDC.
“We need to ask average Americans to do their part,” said Jeff Zients, the White House Covid-19 response director. “Defeating the virus requires a coordinated nationwide effort.”
Read more of Jessica Glenza’s report here: Biden team in race against time as new strain threatens to intensify Covid wave
A key conservative doctors’ group pushing misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines faces growing fire from medical experts about its woeful scientific grounding, while its leader, Dr Simone Gold, was charged early this week for taking part in the 6 January attack on the Capitol.A key conservative doctors’ group pushing misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines faces growing fire from medical experts about its woeful scientific grounding, while its leader, Dr Simone Gold, was charged early this week for taking part in the 6 January attack on the Capitol.
Gold, who founded America’s Frontline Doctors last spring with help from the Tea Party Patriots organization, was arrested on Monday in Beverly Hills, where she lives, and faces charges of entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct.Gold, who founded America’s Frontline Doctors last spring with help from the Tea Party Patriots organization, was arrested on Monday in Beverly Hills, where she lives, and faces charges of entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct.
Prior to her arrest, a headshot of Gold holding a bullhorn that she used to give a talk inside the Capitol appeared on an FBI flyer headlined “Seeking Information” about suspects in the Capitol attack. Gold first acknowledged her presence at the Capitol and voiced “regret” to the Washington Post, after a video surfaced of her walking inside the Capitol.Prior to her arrest, a headshot of Gold holding a bullhorn that she used to give a talk inside the Capitol appeared on an FBI flyer headlined “Seeking Information” about suspects in the Capitol attack. Gold first acknowledged her presence at the Capitol and voiced “regret” to the Washington Post, after a video surfaced of her walking inside the Capitol.
Last May, Gold’s group gained fast attention as several allied rightwing organizations, including Tea Party Patriots and the FreedomWorks Foundation, began a well-funded publicity drive attacking state lockdowns and downplaying the risks of the pandemic.Last May, Gold’s group gained fast attention as several allied rightwing organizations, including Tea Party Patriots and the FreedomWorks Foundation, began a well-funded publicity drive attacking state lockdowns and downplaying the risks of the pandemic.
Gold and her fledgling group attacked policies advocated by top scientists like Dr Anthony Fauci and other national experts on the pandemic, and they promoted misinformation at rallies in Los Angeles and Washington and on rightwing media outlets owned by Salem Radio and Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network.Gold and her fledgling group attacked policies advocated by top scientists like Dr Anthony Fauci and other national experts on the pandemic, and they promoted misinformation at rallies in Los Angeles and Washington and on rightwing media outlets owned by Salem Radio and Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network.
Gold’s mission has included touting the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, a phoney Covid- 19 cure that Donald Trump endorsed which carries serious health risks, and suggesting that the lockdown’s mental health effects were more harmful than the Covid-19 virus.Gold’s mission has included touting the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, a phoney Covid- 19 cure that Donald Trump endorsed which carries serious health risks, and suggesting that the lockdown’s mental health effects were more harmful than the Covid-19 virus.
Last July, Gold delivered her message at a well-publicized rally her group hosted in front of the supreme court, which drew about 10 doctors, including two ophthalmologists. Gold, who had been working at two hospitals before the rally, was fired afterwards and quickly tapped the conservative attorney and Trump ally Lin Wood to represent her.Last July, Gold delivered her message at a well-publicized rally her group hosted in front of the supreme court, which drew about 10 doctors, including two ophthalmologists. Gold, who had been working at two hospitals before the rally, was fired afterwards and quickly tapped the conservative attorney and Trump ally Lin Wood to represent her.
Read more of Peter Stone’s report here: ‘Wilful ignorance’: doctor who joined Capitol attack condemned for Covid falsehoodsRead more of Peter Stone’s report here: ‘Wilful ignorance’: doctor who joined Capitol attack condemned for Covid falsehoods
Our First Dog on the Moon cartoon today tackles the vexed issue of what now for adherents of QAnon?Our First Dog on the Moon cartoon today tackles the vexed issue of what now for adherents of QAnon?
Read it in full here: First Dog on the Moon – Reality has rudely come crashing down on many adherents of QAnonRead it in full here: First Dog on the Moon – Reality has rudely come crashing down on many adherents of QAnon
Some fall-out from those overnight images of the national guard being forced to sleep in a parking lot last night – New Hampshire’s Gov. Chris Sununu has just tweeted that he is recalling the state’s troops from DC.Some fall-out from those overnight images of the national guard being forced to sleep in a parking lot last night – New Hampshire’s Gov. Chris Sununu has just tweeted that he is recalling the state’s troops from DC.
Referring to the conditions that the troops endured last night, he says: “They did an outstanding job serving our nation’s capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions.”Referring to the conditions that the troops endured last night, he says: “They did an outstanding job serving our nation’s capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions.”
Overnight the Twitter account of Iran’s supreme leader has carried the image of a golfer resembling former President Donald Trump apparently being targeted by a drone, vowing revenge over the killing of a top Iranian general.Overnight the Twitter account of Iran’s supreme leader has carried the image of a golfer resembling former President Donald Trump apparently being targeted by a drone, vowing revenge over the killing of a top Iranian general.
Reuters note that the post carried the text of remarks Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made in December, in which he said “Revenge is certain”, renewing a vow of vengeance ahead of the first anniversary of the killing of military commander General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq by the Trump administration.Reuters note that the post carried the text of remarks Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made in December, in which he said “Revenge is certain”, renewing a vow of vengeance ahead of the first anniversary of the killing of military commander General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq by the Trump administration.
“Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out should be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time,” Khamenei tweeted on December 16, without naming Trump“Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out should be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time,” Khamenei tweeted on December 16, without naming Trump
Earlier this month, Twitter removed a tweet by Khamenei in which he said US and British-made vaccines were unreliable and may be intended to “contaminate other nations”. The platform said the tweet violated its rules against misinformation.Earlier this month, Twitter removed a tweet by Khamenei in which he said US and British-made vaccines were unreliable and may be intended to “contaminate other nations”. The platform said the tweet violated its rules against misinformation.
As of this moment the graphic illustrating a drone strike on Trump remains available on the service.As of this moment the graphic illustrating a drone strike on Trump remains available on the service.
Yesterday Iranian journalist Iranian journalist had called for Twitter to ban Iran’s supreme leader in a Washington Post op-ed, writing:Yesterday Iranian journalist Iranian journalist had called for Twitter to ban Iran’s supreme leader in a Washington Post op-ed, writing:
Twitter’s failure to act is also likely to anger Republicans who are already enraged that the social media platform banned Donald Trump for inciting violence.Twitter’s failure to act is also likely to anger Republicans who are already enraged that the social media platform banned Donald Trump for inciting violence.
The Pentagon has announced plans to move ahead with a military trial for three men held at Guantánamo Bay who are suspected of involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings.The Pentagon has announced plans to move ahead with a military trial for three men held at Guantánamo Bay who are suspected of involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings.
After an unexplained delay, a senior military legal official on Thursday approved non-capital charges that include conspiracy, murder and terrorism for the three men, who have been in US custody for 17 years for their alleged roles in the deadly bombing of Bali nightclubs in 2002 and a year later of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta.After an unexplained delay, a senior military legal official on Thursday approved non-capital charges that include conspiracy, murder and terrorism for the three men, who have been in US custody for 17 years for their alleged roles in the deadly bombing of Bali nightclubs in 2002 and a year later of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta.
The bombings on the island of Bali killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, including 88 Australians and three New Zealanders. Military prosecutors filed charges against Encep Nurjaman, an Indonesian known as Hambali, and the other two men in June 2017.The bombings on the island of Bali killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, including 88 Australians and three New Zealanders. Military prosecutors filed charges against Encep Nurjaman, an Indonesian known as Hambali, and the other two men in June 2017.
Hambali is alleged to have been the leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a south-east Asian affiliate of al-Qaida. The Pentagon said in a brief statement on the case that he is accused with Mohammed Nazir bin Lep and Mohammed Farik bin Amin, who are from Malaysia, of planning and aiding the attacks.Hambali is alleged to have been the leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a south-east Asian affiliate of al-Qaida. The Pentagon said in a brief statement on the case that he is accused with Mohammed Nazir bin Lep and Mohammed Farik bin Amin, who are from Malaysia, of planning and aiding the attacks.
All three were captured in Thailand in 2003 and held in CIA custody before they were taken to Guantánamo three years later.All three were captured in Thailand in 2003 and held in CIA custody before they were taken to Guantánamo three years later.
The timing of the charges, which had been submitted under Donald Trump but not finalised, caught lawyers for the men by surprise and would seem to be in conflict with president Joe Biden’s intention to close the detention centre.The timing of the charges, which had been submitted under Donald Trump but not finalised, caught lawyers for the men by surprise and would seem to be in conflict with president Joe Biden’s intention to close the detention centre.
Read more here: Bali bombings – US to move ahead with trial of suspects held in GuantánamoRead more here: Bali bombings – US to move ahead with trial of suspects held in Guantánamo
The changes in the Oval office as Joe Biden takes over the presidency are maybe cosmetic, but they are laden with symbolism. The presence – or lack of it – of a bust of Winston Churchill can make political headlines in the UK. And there are some practical differences – apparently the little red button which Donald Trump used to summon Diet Coke has gone. My colleague Luke Harding breaks down some of the changes here: Joe Biden’s Oval Office – what changes has the new president made?The changes in the Oval office as Joe Biden takes over the presidency are maybe cosmetic, but they are laden with symbolism. The presence – or lack of it – of a bust of Winston Churchill can make political headlines in the UK. And there are some practical differences – apparently the little red button which Donald Trump used to summon Diet Coke has gone. My colleague Luke Harding breaks down some of the changes here: Joe Biden’s Oval Office – what changes has the new president made?
The Senate Finance Committee will vote early today Janet Yellen’s nomination for Treasury secretary, which David Lawder and Andrea Shalal at Reuters describe as an early litmus test of bipartisan support for Joe Biden’s ambitious plans for coronavirus relief, infrastructure investment and taxes.The Senate Finance Committee will vote early today Janet Yellen’s nomination for Treasury secretary, which David Lawder and Andrea Shalal at Reuters describe as an early litmus test of bipartisan support for Joe Biden’s ambitious plans for coronavirus relief, infrastructure investment and taxes.
Yellen, who would be the first woman to head Treasury after breaking that same barrier as Federal Reserve chair from 2014 to 2018, is highly regarded by both her fellow Democrats and by Republicans. The vote two days after Biden became president is quick by recent standards.Yellen, who would be the first woman to head Treasury after breaking that same barrier as Federal Reserve chair from 2014 to 2018, is highly regarded by both her fellow Democrats and by Republicans. The vote two days after Biden became president is quick by recent standards.
Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan and has pledged to invest $2 trillion in infrastructure, green energy projects, education and research to boost American competitiveness.Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan and has pledged to invest $2 trillion in infrastructure, green energy projects, education and research to boost American competitiveness.
Friday’s vote on Yellen’s nomination may reveal the level of Republican opposition to the Democratic president’s plans, for which he is seeking bipartisan support.Friday’s vote on Yellen’s nomination may reveal the level of Republican opposition to the Democratic president’s plans, for which he is seeking bipartisan support.
Already some Republicans are expressing concerns over its price tag and increased debt in a predictable u-turn to fiscal conservatism after having no problem running up deficits with the 2017 tax cuts. Indeed, Republican Senator Pat Toomey said at Yellen’s hearing: “We’re looking at another spending blowout”, having previously acquiesced to the nearly $5 trillion in coronavirus spending last year under former president Trump.Already some Republicans are expressing concerns over its price tag and increased debt in a predictable u-turn to fiscal conservatism after having no problem running up deficits with the 2017 tax cuts. Indeed, Republican Senator Pat Toomey said at Yellen’s hearing: “We’re looking at another spending blowout”, having previously acquiesced to the nearly $5 trillion in coronavirus spending last year under former president Trump.
The committee vote is scheduled for 10:00 ET/15:00 GMT, which is early enough that it could pave the way for a full Senate confirmation vote later in the day on Friday. Yellen faces both an evenly split committee and an evenly divided full Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote if needed.The committee vote is scheduled for 10:00 ET/15:00 GMT, which is early enough that it could pave the way for a full Senate confirmation vote later in the day on Friday. Yellen faces both an evenly split committee and an evenly divided full Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote if needed.
With Yellen still awaiting confirmation, the Biden administration on Wednesday named Andy Baukol, a longtime career international finance official, as acting Treasury secretary. A confirmation hearing for Deputy Treasury Secretary nominee Wally Adeyemo has not yet been scheduled.With Yellen still awaiting confirmation, the Biden administration on Wednesday named Andy Baukol, a longtime career international finance official, as acting Treasury secretary. A confirmation hearing for Deputy Treasury Secretary nominee Wally Adeyemo has not yet been scheduled.
It’s hardly the most important metric in the world but presumably it will irk former president Donald Trump that roughly 40 million people watched live coverage of Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president on the six major domestic TV networks – a 4% increase on the 38.3m that tuned in for Trump’s swearing-in four years ago.It’s hardly the most important metric in the world but presumably it will irk former president Donald Trump that roughly 40 million people watched live coverage of Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president on the six major domestic TV networks – a 4% increase on the 38.3m that tuned in for Trump’s swearing-in four years ago.
The figure covers the 30-minute span starting at 11:45 on Wednesday, when Biden took the oath of office and delivered his inaugural address. It includes the audience on broadcasters ABC, CBS and NBC and cable channels Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.The figure covers the 30-minute span starting at 11:45 on Wednesday, when Biden took the oath of office and delivered his inaugural address. It includes the audience on broadcasters ABC, CBS and NBC and cable channels Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.
Reuters note that the swearing-in of Democrat Barack Obama in 2009 as the first Black US president drew 51.2 million viewers. TV viewing figures do not capture people who tuned in via digital platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or this live blog, that streamed the event live.Reuters note that the swearing-in of Democrat Barack Obama in 2009 as the first Black US president drew 51.2 million viewers. TV viewing figures do not capture people who tuned in via digital platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or this live blog, that streamed the event live.
Time magazine had a bit of a deeper dive into the figures, which go some way to highlight the partisanship in broadcast audiences:Time magazine had a bit of a deeper dive into the figures, which go some way to highlight the partisanship in broadcast audiences:
A quick foreign policy snap from Reuters here – the Kremlin said this morning it welcomed the stated intention of president Joe Biden to extend the New Start arms control treaty with Russia, but said that Moscow wanted to see concrete proposals from Washington.A quick foreign policy snap from Reuters here – the Kremlin said this morning it welcomed the stated intention of president Joe Biden to extend the New Start arms control treaty with Russia, but said that Moscow wanted to see concrete proposals from Washington.
The White House said yesterday that Biden would seek a five-year extension of the arms control treaty that is due to expire in early February, in one of the first major foreign policy decisions of the new administration.The White House said yesterday that Biden would seek a five-year extension of the arms control treaty that is due to expire in early February, in one of the first major foreign policy decisions of the new administration.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was important to see the detail of the US proposal. The Trump administration had sought to attach conditions to any renewal, something Moscow rejected.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was important to see the detail of the US proposal. The Trump administration had sought to attach conditions to any renewal, something Moscow rejected.
Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old poet who stole the show with her poem The Hill We Climb at the presidential inauguration on Wednesday, has landed yet another book deal, with her forthcoming debuts shooting straight to the top of the charts.Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old poet who stole the show with her poem The Hill We Climb at the presidential inauguration on Wednesday, has landed yet another book deal, with her forthcoming debuts shooting straight to the top of the charts.
Hours after she stepped off the dais, publisher Penguin Children’s announced that it would be releasing Gorman’s poem as a hardcover book in spring, with plans to print 150,000 copies in the first run, unprecedented even for a whole poetry collection, “due to overwhelming demand”.Hours after she stepped off the dais, publisher Penguin Children’s announced that it would be releasing Gorman’s poem as a hardcover book in spring, with plans to print 150,000 copies in the first run, unprecedented even for a whole poetry collection, “due to overwhelming demand”.
Days before Gorman’s reading, it was also announced that her debut collection, also titled The Hill We Climb, will be published on 21 September in the US. The national youth poet laureate’s first picture book, Change Sings, written as a children’s anthem, is due to come out the same day.Days before Gorman’s reading, it was also announced that her debut collection, also titled The Hill We Climb, will be published on 21 September in the US. The national youth poet laureate’s first picture book, Change Sings, written as a children’s anthem, is due to come out the same day.
Both books shot to the top of Amazon’s charts within minutes of Gorman taking to the stage, with the poet sharing her reactions to her newfound fame on social media. “I’m dying!” she shouted in one Instagram story, as she watched a newsreader on television read a glowing tweet addressed to her from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the musical Hamilton, which inspired part of her poem. In another video, she was filmed staring at Amazon on a laptop, where The Hill We Climb and Change Sings reached No 1 and No 2 respectively on the overall book charts.Both books shot to the top of Amazon’s charts within minutes of Gorman taking to the stage, with the poet sharing her reactions to her newfound fame on social media. “I’m dying!” she shouted in one Instagram story, as she watched a newsreader on television read a glowing tweet addressed to her from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the musical Hamilton, which inspired part of her poem. In another video, she was filmed staring at Amazon on a laptop, where The Hill We Climb and Change Sings reached No 1 and No 2 respectively on the overall book charts.
“Y’all my Instagram literally is broken, this is not a game, this is not a joke. I just looked up and had one million followers,” she said. “I can’t even post anything … there is so much love and support coming via the app, so thank you so much. This is wild.”“Y’all my Instagram literally is broken, this is not a game, this is not a joke. I just looked up and had one million followers,” she said. “I can’t even post anything … there is so much love and support coming via the app, so thank you so much. This is wild.”
Joe Biden has opened his presidency with a flurry of executive orders aimed at targeting the economic and pandemic crises the Democrat has inherited from the previous Trump administration. However, for CNN, Zachary Wolf argues that executive orders aren’t a solution – they’re a symptom:Joe Biden has opened his presidency with a flurry of executive orders aimed at targeting the economic and pandemic crises the Democrat has inherited from the previous Trump administration. However, for CNN, Zachary Wolf argues that executive orders aren’t a solution – they’re a symptom:
Read more here: CNN – Executive orders aren’t a solution. They’re a symptomRead more here: CNN – Executive orders aren’t a solution. They’re a symptom