Donald Trump on Saturday was acquitted by the US Senate in his second impeachment trial in 12 months, as his fellow Republicans shielded him from accountability for the deadly assault by his supporters on the US Capitol, a shrine of American democracy.The US Senate vote of 57-43 fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection after a five-day trial in the same building ransacked by his followers on Jan. 6 shortly after they heard him deliver an incendiary speech.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.House Democrats began wrapping up their impeachment case against Trump on Saturday after a tumultuous morning in which they gave up a last-minute plan for witness testimony that could have significantly prolonged the trial and delayed a vote on whether the former president incited the deadly Capitol insurrection.An unexpected morning vote in favor of hearing witnesses threw the trial into confusion just as it was on the verge of concluding. But both sides ultimately reached a deal to instead enter into the record a statement from a Republican House lawmaker about a heated phone call on the day of the riot between Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy that Democrats say established Trump’s indifference to the violence.The nearly weeklong trial has delivered a grim and graphic narrative of the riot and its consequences in ways that senators, most of whom fled for their own safety that day, acknowledge they are still coming to grips with.House prosecutors have argued that Trump’s rallying cry to go to the Capitol and “fight like hell” for his presidency just as Congress was convening Jan. 6 to certify Joe Biden’s election victory was part of an orchestrated pattern of violent rhetoric and false claims that unleashed the mob. Five people died, including a rioter who was shot and a police officer.Trump’s lawyers countered in a short three hours Friday that Trump’s words were not intended to incite the violence and that impeachment is nothing but a “witch hunt” designed to prevent him from serving in office again.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US Senate acquits Donald Trump in second impeachment trial
Our historic movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun: Trump
Former President Donald Trump is welcoming his second impeachment acquittal and says his movement “has only just begun.”Trump in a lengthy statement is thanking his attorneys and his defenders in the House and Senate, who he said “stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country.”For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.He is slamming the trial as “yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country.” And he is telling his supporters that, “Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun” and that he will have more to share with them in the months ahead.Donald Trump on Saturday was acquitted by the US Senate in his second impeachment trial in 12 months, as his fellow Republicans shielded him from accountability for the deadly assault by his supporters on the US Capitol, a shrine of American democracy.The US Senate vote of 57-43 fell short of the two-thirdsmajority needed to convict Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection after a five-day trial in the same building ransacked by his followers on Jan. 6 shortly after they heard him deliver an incendiary speech.Read more:US Senate acquits Donald Trump in second impeachment trialTrump lawyers blast impeachment case as politically motivated ‘hatred’US President Biden says ‘some minds may have changed’ in Trump impeachment
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Our historic movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun: Trump
Trains halted, more than 100 injured as Japan cleans up after strong earthquake
More than 100 people were injured and trains halted over a wide swathe of northeastern Japan on Sunday after the region was jolted by a major earthquake in the same area as the 2001 Fukushima quake that set off a tsunami nearly 10 years ago.The 7.3 magnitude quake struck shortly before midnight Saturday and cracked walls, shattered windows and set off a landslide in Fukushima, the area closest to the epicenter.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The quake shook buildings in the Japanese capital Tokyo hundreds of kilometers away.Though hundreds of thousands of buildings lost electricity just after the quake, which struck at 11:08 p.m. local (14:08 GMT), by the next morning power had been restored to most.Several thousand households remained without water, though, and residents lined up with plastic jugs to receive water from trucks.At least 104 people were injured, NHK national television said, including several who suffered fractures, but there were no reported deaths.There was no tsunami, and no reports of irregularities at any nuclear plants, but the quake revived memories of the massive March 11, 2011 quake that set off a massive tsunami leading to the world’s worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.Shinkansen bullet train service to much of northern Japan was suspended due to damage along the tracks. Service along one line was not expected to be restored until at least Tuesday.The March 11, 2011 quake set off a series of massive tsunami that devastated a wide swathe of the Pacific coastline and killed nearly 20,000.Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. Japan accounts for about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Trains halted, more than 100 injured as Japan cleans up after strong earthquake
Saudi Arabia extends COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, events, dining services
Saudi Arabia will extend its COVID-19 restrictions for 20 more days starting Sunday night on gatherings, events and dining services, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing a Ministry of Interior source.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The decision was made with health authorities in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the Kingdom, which has seen a spike in new cases in recent weeks.The restrictions will be in effect for a total of 30 days from the day authorities first imposed the new restrictions on February 3.The preventative measures include the following shutdowns or restrictions:1. Attendance at social events and gatherings should not exceed 20 people.2. All public entertainment and events are suspended.3. Cinemas, indoor entertainment centers and independent game centers, including those located in restaurants, malls, or other public places, gyms and sports centers are closed.4. Dining services are suspended at restaurants and cafes and food services are limited to delivery or take out only.“The source noted the importance of everyone's commitment, in addition to adhering to the other precautionary measures mentioned in the previous statement, related to events, meetings, gatherings, parties, and funerals,” SPA reported.The announcement extends a set of measures brought in 10 days ago and includes cinema and indoor sports center closures. The restrictions, which come into effect from 10pm local time on Sunday evening, could be extended again, the ministry statement said.Two weeks ago, Saudi Arabia suspended entry to the Kingdom from 20 countries, with the exception of Saudi citizens, diplomats and medical practitioners and their families.The Kingdom, the largest among the six Gulf states and the Arab world’s biggest economy, on Saturday recorded 337 new coronavirus cases and four deaths. It saw daily infections fall from a peak above 4,000 in June to dip below the 100 mark in early January.With ReutersRead more:Saudi Arabia detects 337 COVID-19 infections, four deaths in 24 hoursCOVID-19 rules in Saudi Arabia: Events, weddings canceled and cinemas, gyms closedSaudi Arabia could see further COVID-19 restrictions due to non-compliance: Minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia extends COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, events, dining services
Sudan calls for expansive mediation for Nile dam talks
Sudan’s call for diplomatic intervention is likely to be rejected by Ethiopia.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Sudan calls for expansive mediation for Nile dam talks
Displaced Syrians left out in rain by HTS government's building fees
The Syrian Salvation Government has imposed construction fees on displaced citizens trying to build homes in Idlib, raising the costs beyond what many can afford.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Displaced Syrians left out in rain by HTS government's building fees
Meet Egypt’s Christian soccer team
As Christian football players continue to be rejected from clubs playing in the Egyptian league, the Je Suis team opened the door for these talents to continue doing what they are passionate about.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Meet Egypt’s Christian soccer team
Syria Kurds hand Baghdad 100 alleged IS fighters: Iraq security source
More than 1,000 Iraqis are detained by Syrian Kurdish forces..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Syria Kurds hand Baghdad 100 alleged IS fighters: Iraq security source
Munich Group persists in push for Ashkenazi-Maliki talks
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, France and Germany invite their Palestinian, Israeli counterparts to join them for a round of talks.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Munich Group persists in push for Ashkenazi-Maliki talks
Small protests mark Bahrain uprising's 10th anniversary
Small-scale demonstrations occurred amid a tight police presence..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Small protests mark Bahrain uprising's 10th anniversary