Trump impeachment: Historic second trial to start in Senate - BBC News

No other US president has ever been impeached twice and no president has gone on trial after leaving office - so we are in pretty uncharted territory.

The Senate, which is made up of 100 elected members, convenes today at 13:00 EST (18:00 GMT) and the trial will begin with a debate and vote on whether the trial is unconstitutional.

Opening arguments are expected to begin on Wednesday.

Mr Trump, who has been at his Florida resort since leaving office, will not testify, his lawyers have said.

Millions watched the first impeachment of Trump, back in 2019, and his second in January, and this trial starting on Tuesday promises to be another blockbuster.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

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2021-02-09 12:45:00Z
52781349573162

COVID-19: 'Extremely unlikely' coronavirus came from Wuhan lab as evidence points to 'intermediary species' - Sky News

It is "extremely unlikely" the novel coronavirus came from a laboratory incident in China, according to a joint mission investigating the origins of the pandemic.

Investigators believe the most likely cause of the initial outbreak was the virus jumping from an "intermediary host species" to humans.

It means future investigations will not focus on a laboratory incident as a potential cause of the outbreak.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Image: Investigators believe the most likely explanation is the virus jumped from an intermediary host

An international team of World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists, working with experts in China, has been researching how the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Advertisement

The team has visited key locations in Wuhan, where the first cases were reported, and spoken to patients, first responders and Chinese scientists.

Evidence so far suggests the novel coronavirus may have jumped from animals to humans, but the team told a news conference it is not yet sure exactly which animals it came from or where this occurred.

More from Covid-19

The hosts may have been bats or pangolins - and then jumped to another animal before coming into contact with humans - but samples of viruses found in these animals were not identical to SARS-CoV-2.

Investigators should now look at studying bats outside of China to see if they carry genetically similar viruses, the WHO's Dr Peter Ben Embarek said.

China's National Health Commission spokesperson Professor Liang Wannian also suggested more research is needed into whether felines could have hosted the virus.

"The susceptibility of mink and cats to SARS-CoV-2 suggests there may be additional animals, such as those belonging to the feline family, who may act as reservoirs for the virus. But there is not yet enough research to know for sure," he said.

Image: The first outbreak of the novel coronavirus was thought to be in Wuhan, China

It is also thought likely the virus could have been transmitted from frozen food, according to Dr Embarek.

He added the virus could have emerged this way through "convoluted pathways that may have taken a long time and moved it across borders".

Investigations have continued to focus on the Huanan wet market in Wuhan, which was linked to a cluster of initial cases.

The market had been selling frozen animal products but there were also vendors selling products from domesticated wildlife.

It is still thought to be one of the first clusters of cases, but Professor Liang said transmission was also happening in other areas of Wuhan at the time.

Scientists also revealed the novel coronavirus could have been circulating in regions outside Wuhan before the first reported cases of the outbreak.

Unpublished data suggests samples of SARS-CoV-2 were found several weeks before the first reported cases in Wuhan, Professor Liang said.

However, he added there was no evidence that COVID was spreading in Wuhan before December 2019, when the first cases were reported, after officials looked at research samples, pharmaceutical sales and hospital records.

There was also no evidence of "large outbreaks" before December 2019 in Wuhan or elsewhere, Dr Embarek said.

Analysis: We're not that much closer to understanding where the pandemic came from

By Tom Cheshire, Asia correspondent

The WHO came to Wuhan with four theories about the origins of COVID-19. They will leave China with three.

The four ideas were: that it jumped directly from animals to humans, that it spread via an intermediate host, that it was imported in from somewhere else, or that it came from a lab.

Out of those, only the lab leak has now been discounted as "extremely unlikely". Further research into it will not be pursued - at least not by the WHO.

It has always been a contentious idea - one put forward by the administration of Donald Trump without much evidence and dismissed by others as a conspiracy theory.

But there was scientific merit in examining it. As one of the WHO investigators, Peter Ben Embarek, told me: accidents do happen and there are a number of virus laboratories in Wuhan. The WHO team had said they were not ruling it out.

After four weeks in China, though, the WHO has dismissed it - all 17 experts voted unanimously, according to another team member. That's after visiting the Wuhan Institute of Virology and speaking with scientists there.

Sceptics will pour over the full WHO report explaining their reasoning.

As for the other three theories, we are not much closer to understanding where COVID came from.

Peter Ben Embarek said its transmission and circulation could have followed a long, convoluted path. And so too will the research.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3ZpZC0xOS1leHRyZW1lbHktdW5saWtlbHktbm92ZWwtY29yb25hdmlydXMtY2FtZS1mcm9tLXd1aGFuLWxhYi1pbmNpZGVudC1zYXlzLWpvaW50LW1pc3Npb24tMTIyMTMxMjHSAYUBaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LWV4dHJlbWVseS11bmxpa2VseS1ub3ZlbC1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1jYW1lLWZyb20td3VoYW4tbGFiLWluY2lkZW50LXNheXMtam9pbnQtbWlzc2lvbi0xMjIxMzEyMQ?oc=5

2021-02-09 11:44:41Z
52781359889452

COVID-19: 'Extremely unlikely' coronavirus came from Wuhan lab as evidence points to 'intermediary species' - Sky News

It is "extremely unlikely" the novel coronavirus came from a laboratory incident in China, according to a joint mission investigating the origins of the pandemic.

Investigators believe the most likely cause of the initial outbreak was the virus jumping from an "intermediary host species" to humans.

It means future investigations will not focus on a laboratory incident as a potential cause of the outbreak.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Image: Investigators believe the most likely explanation is the virus jumped from an intermediary host

An international team of World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists, working with experts in China, has been researching how the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Advertisement

The team has visited key locations in Wuhan, where the first cases were reported, and spoken to patients, first responders and Chinese scientists.

Evidence so far suggests the novel coronavirus may have jumped from animals to humans, but the team told a news conference it is not yet sure exactly which animals it came from or where this occurred.

More from Covid-19

The hosts may have been bats or pangolins - and then jumped to another animal before coming into contact with humans - but samples of viruses found in these animals were not identical to SARS-CoV-2.

Investigators should now look at studying bats outside of China to see if they carry genetically similar viruses, the WHO's Dr Peter Ben Embarek said.

China's National Health Commission spokesperson Professor Liang Wannian also suggested more research is needed into whether felines could have hosted the virus.

"The susceptibility of mink and cats to SARS-CoV-2 suggests there may be additional animals, such as those belonging to the feline family, who may act as reservoirs for the virus. But there is not yet enough research to know for sure," he said.

Image: The first outbreak of the novel coronavirus was thought to be in Wuhan, China

It is also thought likely the virus could have been transmitted from frozen food, according to Dr Embarek.

He added the virus could have emerged this way through "convoluted pathways that may have taken a long time and moved it across borders".

Investigations have continued to focus on the Huanan wet market in Wuhan, which was linked to a cluster of initial cases.

The market had been selling frozen animal products but there were also vendors selling products from domesticated wildlife.

It is still thought to be one of the first clusters of cases, but Professor Liang said transmission was also happening in other areas of Wuhan at the time.

Scientists also revealed the novel coronavirus could have been circulating in regions outside Wuhan before the first reported cases of the outbreak.

Unpublished data suggests samples of SARS-CoV-2 were found several weeks before the first reported cases in Wuhan, Professor Liang said.

:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

However, he added there was no evidence that COVID was spreading in Wuhan before December 2019, when the first cases were reported, after officials looked at research samples, pharmaceutical sales and hospital records.

There was also no evidence of "large outbreaks" before December 2019 in Wuhan or elsewhere, Dr Embarek said.

Analysis: We're not that much closer to understanding where the pandemic came from

By Tom Cheshire, Asia correspondent

The WHO came to Wuhan with four theories about the origins of COVID-19. They will leave China with three.

The four ideas were: that it jumped directly from animals to humans, that it spread via an intermediate host, that it was imported in from somewhere else, or that it came from a lab.

Out of those, only the lab leak has now been discounted as "extremely unlikely". Further research into it will not be pursued - at least not by the WHO.

It has always been a contentious idea - one put forward by the administration of Donald Trump without much evidence and dismissed by others as a conspiracy theory.

But there was scientific merit in examining it. As one of the WHO investigators, Peter Ben Embarek, told me: accidents do happen and there are a number of virus laboratories in Wuhan. The WHO team had said they were not ruling it out.

After four weeks in China, though, the WHO has dismissed it - all 17 experts voted unanimously, according to another team member. That's after visiting the Wuhan Institute of Virology and speaking with scientists there.

Sceptics will pour over the full WHO report explaining their reasoning.

As for the other three theories, we are not much closer to understanding where COVID came from.

Peter Ben Embarek said its transmission and circulation could have followed a long, convoluted path. And so too will the research.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3ZpZC0xOS1leHRyZW1lbHktdW5saWtlbHktbm92ZWwtY29yb25hdmlydXMtY2FtZS1mcm9tLXd1aGFuLWxhYi1pbmNpZGVudC1zYXlzLWpvaW50LW1pc3Npb24tMTIyMTMxMjHSAYUBaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2NvdmlkLTE5LWV4dHJlbWVseS11bmxpa2VseS1ub3ZlbC1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1jYW1lLWZyb20td3VoYW4tbGFiLWluY2lkZW50LXNheXMtam9pbnQtbWlzc2lvbi0xMjIxMzEyMQ?oc=5

2021-02-09 11:26:15Z
52781359889452

COVID-19: 'Extremely unlikely' coronavirus came from Wuhan lab, says joint mission - Sky News

It is "extremely unlikely" the novel coronavirus came from a laboratory incident in China, according to a joint mission investigating the origins of the pandemic.

Investigators believe the most likely cause of the initial outbreak was the virus jumping from an "intermediary host species" to humans.

It means future investigations will not focus on a laboratory incident as a potential cause of the outbreak.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Image: Investigators believe the most likely explanation is the virus jumped from an intermediary host

An international team of World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists, working with experts in China, have been researching how the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Advertisement

The team has visited key locations in Wuhan, where the first cases were reported, and spoken to patients, first responders and Chinese scientists.

Evidence so far suggests the novel coronavirus may have jumped from animals to humans, but the team told a news conference it is not yet sure exactly which animals it came from or where this occurred.

More from Covid-19

The hosts may have been bats or pangolins, but samples of viruses found in these animals were not identical to SARS-CoV-2.

Investigators should now look at studying bats outside of China to see if they carry genetically similar viruses, the WHO's Dr Peter Ben Embarek said.

China's National Health Commission spokesperson Professor Liang Wannian also suggested more research is needed into whether felines could have hosted the virus.

"The susceptibility of Mink and cats to SARS-CoV-2 suggests there may be additional animals, such as those belonging to the feline family, who may act as reservoirs for the virus. But there is not yet enough research to know for sure," he said.

Image: The first outbreak of the novel coronavirus was thought to be in Wuhan, China

It is also thought likely the virus could have been transmitted from frozen food, according to Dr Embarek.

He added the virus could have emerged this way through "convoluted pathways that may have taken a long time and moved it across borders".

Investigations have continued to focus on the Huanan wet market in Wuhan, which was linked to a cluster of initial cases.

The market had been selling frozen animal products but there were also vendors selling products from domesticated wildlife.

:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

It is still thought to be one of the first clusters of cases, but Professor Liang said transmission was also happening in other areas of Wuhan at the time.

Scientists also revealed the novel coronavirus could have been circulating in regions outside Wuhan before the first reported cases of the outbreak.

Unpublished data suggests samples of SARS-CoV-2 were found several weeks before the first reported cases in Wuhan, Professor Liang said.

However, he added there was no evidence that COVID was spreading in Wuhan before December 2019, when the first cases were reported, after officials looked at research samples, pharmaceutical sales and hospital records.

There was also no evidence of "large outbreaks" before December 2019 in Wuhan or elsewhere, Dr Embarek said.

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2021-02-09 11:03:58Z
52781359889452

Myanmar coup: Warning shots fired and dozens arrested as protesters defy military ban on gatherings - Sky News

Police in Myanmar have fired gunshots into the air and used water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse crowds as the country's biggest protests in more than a decade continue.

Four straight days of demonstrations have raged on after the 1 February military coup and detention of elected civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is being held on charges of illegally importing six walkie-talkies.

At least 27 people have been arrested, including a journalist from the Democratic Voice of Burma who was filming a rally and also claimed people had been beaten.

Image: Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in protest

Image: Protesters have been turning out in defiance of new laws imposed against holding gatherings

Witnesses on Tuesday said police fired guns into the air in the capital Naypyitaw as a crowd refused to disperse. There were reports of similar action in Mandalay.

Rubber bullets were also fired in Naypyitaw, according to local media reports, and a doctor said three out of four wounded people brought to his hospital had been struck.

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Image: Police fire a water cannon at protesters

The large-scale protests in several cities are being held in defiance of new laws imposed by Myanmar's current military rulers that effectively ban peaceful public protests in Mandalay and Yangon.

Rallies of more than five people have been outlawed and an 8pm to 4am curfew put in place, but large crowds are still turning out to chant slogans and show their anger at the new military rule.

More from Myanmar

Earlier, police fired water cannon at protesters in Naypyidaw, Bago, Mandalay and Magway - where there have also been reports three police officers tried to shield demonstrators, and protesters were seen throwing back projectiles.

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Protesters launch projectiles at police in Myanmar

Residents said bridges connecting Yangon to populous districts outside were shut early, before being reopened to some traffic.

Myanmar had been under military rule for almost half a century until a nominally civilian government was introduced in 2011.

Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won last November's election in a landslide, but her opponent - and now junta leader - General Min Aung Hlaing has made unproven claims of electoral fraud.

Image: Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained

On 1 February, the military blocked the new session of parliament from convening and detained Ms Suu Kyi and other ruling party members.

Protesters are demanding that power is restored to the deposed government and have orchestrated a growing civil disobedience movement affecting hospitals, schools and government offices.

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Water cannons used on protesters in Myanmar

"The coup always comes into our thoughts, every time we eat, work and even during resting time," said Yangon resident Khin Min Soe.

"We are so disappointed and so sad whenever we think about why this has befallen us again."

Image: General Min Aung Hlaing said the junta would form a 'true and disciplined democracy'

Promises from junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to eventually hold a new election have drawn scorn from protesters.

In his first televised address as leader, he said the junta would form a "true and disciplined democracy" different to previous eras of military rule which left Myanmar in isolation and poverty.

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2021-02-09 09:33:45Z
52781362295733

COVID-19: All travellers arriving in UK to face mandatory tests from next week - Sky News

All travellers arriving in the UK are to face mandatory coronavirus tests from next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock is poised to announce to MPs.

In a Commons statement, he will say that from next Monday, 15 February, all passengers arriving in the UK will be required to take a PCR - paid for by themselves - test on days two and eight after they arrive.

The new rules, which will cause further dismay in the already-reeling airline industry, will apply to arrivals not just from 33 so-called Red Zone countries heading into hotel quarantine, but also those isolating at home.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

First COVID vaccine dose given to 91% of over-80s

At present, people travelling to the UK are required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before they enter the country.

Advertisement

But scientists from the government's SAGE group have advised ministers that this pre-departure testing can make only a limited contribution to stopping people with coronavirus entering the UK.

The testing crackdown, aimed at stopping the spread of deadly new variants into the UK, is part of the government's long-awaited borders plan, including mandatory quarantine in hotels for Red Zone arrivals.

More from Covid-19

Under the new regime, the COVID-19 tests taken on day two will be sent for analysis to identify new strains of coronavirus. Anyone who fails to get tested will face fines, and travellers will have to pay for their tests.

It will bring the UK into line with countries including Italy, Canada and Dubai, where tests on arrival are mandatory. In most cases, testing takes place at the airport.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News that Mr Hancock "may be looking at this further today".

"I don't think a final decision has been made on that, but we do keep all of this under review," he said.

"We've stopped short of having a total closure of the border at this stage. We actually think that it causes a lot of disruption but doesn't add a huge amount."

He added: "There is a case for doing some testing during quarantine, we already have a provision so they can test to release during quarantine earlier.

"We're obviously looking at this to see if we can strengthen these measures further."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Ahead of Mr Hancock's Commons statement, a health department spokesperson told Sky News: "Throughout the pandemic, the government has put in place proportionate measures, informed by the advice of scientists, that have led to some of the toughest border regimes in the world.

"It is important the government continues to take the necessary steps to protect people and save lives.

"Enhancing our testing regime to cover all arrivals while they isolate will provide a further level of protection and enable us to better track any new cases which might be brought into the country, and give us even more opportunities to detect new variants.

"Further details of our mandatory quarantine and enhanced testing regime will be set out soon."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

COVID-19: Assessing the UK's response

But the government was criticised by Labour's shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, who tweeted: "Yet again the UK government is lurching from one crisis to another, with no consistent strategy to secure our borders against COVID variants."

He added: "21,000 people are entering the country every day. We need a comprehensive hotel quarantine system urgently."

Mr Hancock is making the government announcement after Downing Street announced last Thursday that Boris Johnson had appointed him "to oversee cross-government efforts to deliver mandatory quarantine and enhanced testing which will help tackle the threats of new variants of COVID-19".

In what looked like a side-lining of Home Secretary Priti Patel, Number 10 added: "A new cabinet sub-committee, led by the health and care secretary, will be attended by a number of senior cabinet ministers that will play a vital role in delivering the policy.

"The government is also working closely with the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the changes come into effect."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

South Africa variant 'not UK's dominant virus'

But during Home Office questions in the Commons on the eve of Mr Hancock's statement, Ms Patel told MPs: "The new health measures at the border are necessary to protect public health and our world-class vaccination programme.

"The government have been very clear about measures that will be announced - some in due course - because a lot of operational and logistical planning is taking place around these measures.

"At the same time, it is worth recognising that there are many people on the frontline looking at the implementation of this policy, which is based on the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and other government advisers.

"It is important that we take time to absolutely make sure that these measures are put in place in the right way."

Over three nights Sky News will host a series of special programmes examining the UK's response to the pandemic.

Watch COVID Crisis: Learning the Lessons at 8pm on 9, 10 and 11 February.

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2021-02-09 07:41:15Z
52781363737747

COVID-19: All travellers arriving in UK to face mandatory tests from next week - Sky News

All travellers arriving in the UK are to face mandatory coronavirus tests from next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock is poised to announce to MPs.

In a Commons statement, he will say that from next Monday, 15 February, all passengers arriving in the UK will be required to take a test on days two and eight after they arrive.

The new rules, which will cause further dismay in the already-reeling airline industry, will apply to arrivals not just from 33 so-called Red Zone countries heading into hotel quarantine, but also those isolating at home.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

First COVID vaccine dose given to 91% of over-80s

At present, people travelling to the UK are required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before they enter the country.

Advertisement

But scientists from the government's SAGE group have advised ministers that this pre-departure testing can make only a limited contribution to stopping people with coronavirus entering the UK.

The testing crackdown, aimed at stopping the spread of deadly new variants into the UK, is part of the government's long-awaited borders plan, including mandatory quarantine in hotels for Red Zone arrivals.

More from Covid-19

Under the new regime, the COVID-19 tests taken on day two will be sent for analysis to identify new strains of coronavirus. Anyone who fails to get tested will face fines, and travellers will have to pay for their tests.

It will bring the UK into line with countries including Italy, Canada and Dubai, where tests on arrival are mandatory. In most cases, testing takes place at the airport.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News that Mr Hancock "may be looking at this further today".

"I don't think a final decision has been made on that, but we do keep all of this under review," he said.

"We've stopped short of having a total closure of the border at this stage. We actually think that it causes a lot of disruption but doesn't add a huge amount."

He added: "There is a case for doing some testing during quarantine, we already have a provision so they can test to release during quarantine earlier.

"We're obviously looking at this to see if we can strengthen these measures further."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Ahead of Mr Hancock's Commons statement, a health department spokesperson told Sky News: "Throughout the pandemic, the government has put in place proportionate measures, informed by the advice of scientists, that have led to some of the toughest border regimes in the world.

"It is important the government continues to take the necessary steps to protect people and save lives.

"Enhancing our testing regime to cover all arrivals while they isolate will provide a further level of protection and enable us to better track any new cases which might be brought into the country, and give us even more opportunities to detect new variants.

"Further details of our mandatory quarantine and enhanced testing regime will be set out soon."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

COVID-19: Assessing the UK's response

But the government was criticised by Labour's shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, who tweeted: "Yet again the UK government is lurching from one crisis to another, with no consistent strategy to secure our borders against COVID variants."

He added: "21,000 people are entering the country every day. We need a comprehensive hotel quarantine system urgently."

Mr Hancock is making the government announcement after Downing Street announced last Thursday that Boris Johnson had appointed him "to oversee cross-government efforts to deliver mandatory quarantine and enhanced testing which will help tackle the threats of new variants of COVID-19".

In what looked like a side-lining of Home Secretary Priti Patel, Number 10 added: "A new cabinet sub-committee, led by the health and care secretary, will be attended by a number of senior cabinet ministers that will play a vital role in delivering the policy.

"The government is also working closely with the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the changes come into effect."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

South Africa variant 'not UK's dominant virus'

But during Home Office questions in the Commons on the eve of Mr Hancock's statement, Ms Patel told MPs: "The new health measures at the border are necessary to protect public health and our world-class vaccination programme.

"The government have been very clear about measures that will be announced - some in due course - because a lot of operational and logistical planning is taking place around these measures.

"At the same time, it is worth recognising that there are many people on the frontline looking at the implementation of this policy, which is based on the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and other government advisers.

"It is important that we take time to absolutely make sure that these measures are put in place in the right way."

Over three nights Sky News will host a series of special programmes examining the UK's response to the pandemic.

Watch COVID Crisis: Learning the Lessons at 8pm on 9, 10 and 11 February.

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2021-02-09 07:20:35Z
52781363737747