Donald Trump has nominated a conservative Colorado judge as his choice to take the vacant seat on America's highest court.
In a primetime announcement from the East Room at the White House, the President named Neil Gorsuch as his pick to fill the gap on the US Supreme Court.
All of the major US television networks broke into their regular programming to carry the announcement live - a return to prime time for the President who used to host The Apprentice. The event was streamed by the White House on Facebook Live.
Mr Gorsuch would take the place of fellow conservative Antonin Scalia, who died a year ago, but he faces a contentious battle for confirmation from the US Senate.
Democrats remain angry that Republicans blocked President Barack Obama's nominee for the position.
Many refused even to meet Merrick Garland, arguing that it was too late in Mr Obama's presidency for him to make an appointment.
:: Greg Milam - Tough road ahead for President Trump's Supreme Court choice
It raises the prospect of further bad-tempered clashes and procedural manoeuvres on Capitol Hill even as President Trump struggles to have cabinet appointments confirmed.
Mr Trump said: "This has been the most transparent and most important Supreme Court selection process in the history of our country and I wanted the American people to have a voice in this nomination.
"Judge Gorsuch has a superb intellect, an unparalleled legal education, and a commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its text.
"He will make an incredible Justice as soon as the Senate confirms him."
At 49, Judge Gorsuch would be the youngest Supreme Court appointee for three decades.
The Supreme Court pick is one of the consequential decisions of any presidency because it is, in effect, a job for life. The justice and his or her decisions live on long past the President's term.
He said he was "honoured and humbled" to be selected.
Polls have shown that concern over who would succeed Mr Scalia was a major factor for many voters who opted for Trump. Like Mr Scalia, Judge Gorsuch believes in the original interpretation of the US Constitution.
The Supreme Court is currently split evenly between justices appointed by Republican and Democrat presidents.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed by Ronald Reagan, is a moderate conservative who has often been the swing vote.
It means Mr Trump's choice will effectively restore the balance of power that existed before Mr Scalia's death.
The court is the ultimate voice on a range of contentious issues and the Trump presidency could thrust abortion, climate change, the death penalty and LGBT rights into the justices' hands.
This might not be the only Supreme Court appointment of Trump's term in office - three existing justices are 78 or older - and the next would probably shift the balance of power.
The selection has been criticised by activists.
Adam Hodge, spokesman for the Constitutional Responsibility Project, said: "President Trump's nomination of Neil Gorsuch is deeply disappointing.
"Gorsuch has a history of putting corporations and special interests ahead of the rest of us.
"The shocking start to Donald Trump's presidency has underscored why we need a justice who will serve as a check on the politicians in the other branches of government, including the President himself, when they break the law or violate the Constitution."
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Trump travel ban softens as US allows in 800 refugees
President Trump appears to have softened his controversial travel ban in the face of global outrage and also some dissent in his own government.
Some 872 refugees will be able to enter the US this week as stopping them would cause "undue hardship", say officials.
The decision comes despite the President's executive order signed last Friday barring entry for 120 days of any refugees awaiting resettlement.
Officials said discretion was allowed in certain cases.
Under the strict controls, citizens from seven mainly-Muslim nations - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - are also banned from the US for 90 days.
:: As it happened: Homeland Security briefing
The Trump administration has now clarified that dual nationals will be able to use their second passports to gain entry.
The executive order has been heavily criticised by human rights campaigners who say the ban is against Muslims - but officials deny this.
Some 872 refugees will be able to enter the US this week as stopping them would cause "undue hardship", say officials.
The decision comes despite the President's executive order signed last Friday barring entry for 120 days of any refugees awaiting resettlement.
Officials said discretion was allowed in certain cases.
Under the strict controls, citizens from seven mainly-Muslim nations - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - are also banned from the US for 90 days.
:: As it happened: Homeland Security briefing
The Trump administration has now clarified that dual nationals will be able to use their second passports to gain entry.
The executive order has been heavily criticised by human rights campaigners who say the ban is against Muslims - but officials deny this.
Anti-Trump petition to be debated by MPs
A petition that calls for Donald Trump's state visit to Britain to be downgraded is to be debated by MPs next month.
More than 1.7 million people have now added their signatures to the petition, which says that such a visit would "cause embarrassment" to the Queen.
It also says that Mr Trump's "well documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales".
:: Donald Trump's travel ban fact-checked: How the claims measure up
Signatures soared in number over the weekend after Mr Trump announced a travel ban against seven mainly-Muslim countries.
The debate at Westminster Hall, to be opened by Labour's Paul Flynn, will also take in a rival petition containing more than 130,000 signatures which backs the new US leader's state visit.
It says it should go ahead because Mr Trump is "the leader of a free world and U.K. is a country that supports free speech and does not believe that people that appose (sic) our point of view should be gagged".
Parliament must consider debating an issue once a petition has been signed 100,000 times.
More than 1.7 million people have now added their signatures to the petition, which says that such a visit would "cause embarrassment" to the Queen.
It also says that Mr Trump's "well documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales".
:: Donald Trump's travel ban fact-checked: How the claims measure up
Signatures soared in number over the weekend after Mr Trump announced a travel ban against seven mainly-Muslim countries.
The debate at Westminster Hall, to be opened by Labour's Paul Flynn, will also take in a rival petition containing more than 130,000 signatures which backs the new US leader's state visit.
It says it should go ahead because Mr Trump is "the leader of a free world and U.K. is a country that supports free speech and does not believe that people that appose (sic) our point of view should be gagged".
Parliament must consider debating an issue once a petition has been signed 100,000 times.
Deadly 'suicide boat' attack on Saudi warship near Yemen claimed by Houthi fighters
Fighters from Yemen's Houthi movement have reportedly crashed suicide boats into a Saudi warship, killing two people.
The Saudi state news agency, SPA, said the vessels hit the ship off the western coast of Yemen on Monday, causing an explosion that killed two crew members and injured three others.
A statement from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, reported by the agency, said the Saudi frigate "came under attack from three suicide boats belonging to the Houthi militias".
The Houthi movement's official news channel, al-Masira, contradicted this, quoting a military source as saying the explosion was caused by a guided missile they fired.
Separately, the Houthis said they launched a ballistic missile at the coalition's base island of Zuqar, between Yemen and Eritrea, on Tuesday morning, also according to al-Masira.
It is not yet known if there were any casualties.
The Houthi movement - which champions Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority - is engaged in conflict with coalition troops and pro-government fighters, who are trying to advance northward to stop them taking control of Red Sea ports.
The conflict in Yemen began when the Shia Houthis, supported by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and allies, seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, overthrowing Saudi-backed President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government.
The Saudi state news agency, SPA, said the vessels hit the ship off the western coast of Yemen on Monday, causing an explosion that killed two crew members and injured three others.
A statement from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, reported by the agency, said the Saudi frigate "came under attack from three suicide boats belonging to the Houthi militias".
The Houthi movement's official news channel, al-Masira, contradicted this, quoting a military source as saying the explosion was caused by a guided missile they fired.
Separately, the Houthis said they launched a ballistic missile at the coalition's base island of Zuqar, between Yemen and Eritrea, on Tuesday morning, also according to al-Masira.
It is not yet known if there were any casualties.
The Houthi movement - which champions Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority - is engaged in conflict with coalition troops and pro-government fighters, who are trying to advance northward to stop them taking control of Red Sea ports.
The conflict in Yemen began when the Shia Houthis, supported by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and allies, seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, overthrowing Saudi-backed President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government.
Judy Garland's remains moved nearer to her family in Hollywood
Judy Garland's remains have been removed from her resting place in New York and taken to Hollywood.
The Wizard Of Oz star's body was exhumed - 48 years after her death - at the request of her family, including children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.
They wanted their mother to be closer to their homes in California.
The transfer from a crypt in New York's Ferncliff Cemetery to Hollywood Forever Cemetery was completed on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Victoria Varela explained: "When Judy Garland died, her affairs were controlled by her husband, Mickey Deans.
"Her children had no say in the matter of her burial, so this is at last their opportunity to do what they feel their mother would have wanted in the first place - to be united with her family in Hollywood."
Hollywood Forever Cemetery spokeswoman Noelle Berman said: "The move to Hollywood was made after many years of family consultations and deliberations.
"Ms Garland's three children now reside in Southern California and wished to have their mother resting near them."
The Wizard Of Oz star's body was exhumed - 48 years after her death - at the request of her family, including children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.
They wanted their mother to be closer to their homes in California.
The transfer from a crypt in New York's Ferncliff Cemetery to Hollywood Forever Cemetery was completed on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Victoria Varela explained: "When Judy Garland died, her affairs were controlled by her husband, Mickey Deans.
"Her children had no say in the matter of her burial, so this is at last their opportunity to do what they feel their mother would have wanted in the first place - to be united with her family in Hollywood."
Hollywood Forever Cemetery spokeswoman Noelle Berman said: "The move to Hollywood was made after many years of family consultations and deliberations.
"Ms Garland's three children now reside in Southern California and wished to have their mother resting near them."
Will the Queen welcome Donald Trump despite protests?
On dozens of occasions the Queen has opened up her home and extended the hand of hospitality to foreign heads of state.
It is always her name on the invitation of a state visit. After all how could any world leader turn down an opportunity to meet Her Majesty?
But she doesn't get to choose her latest guest - these visits always come at the request of the Government and Foreign Office.
They decide who is worthy of a full state visit and the latest invitation to President Trump is no different.
It will not be the first time that a guest of the Queen has raised a few eyebrows. There were protests during the visits of the Chinese and Saudi heads of state to London.
Names such Romania's President Nicolae Ceausescu, Russia's Vladimir Putin and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe are possibly all signatures the Queen would rather not have in her guest book.
:: Eight controversial state visits
The momentum behind the petition asking to scrap President Trump's state visit has still come as a surprise, with more than a million signatures claiming "it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen".
Does she see it that way? I doubt it. While the palace has so far stayed quiet about the visit, the Queen realises it is her duty to be friendly and welcoming to all of her guests, and that her hospitality is an important way in which she can serve our country.
She knows the quiet power the Royal Family has on the international stage; they are a secret weapon for the Government. An audience with the Queen is enough to make any world leader feel special.
Not every American president has received a full state visit but that's exactly what Mr Trump will experience.
British pageantry at its finest: the dust sheets are pulled off the gold carriages, the state banquet cutlery is polished.
The ultimate in keeping up appearances, even if hundreds of thousands of your subjects would rather this latest guest had stayed at home.
It is always her name on the invitation of a state visit. After all how could any world leader turn down an opportunity to meet Her Majesty?
But she doesn't get to choose her latest guest - these visits always come at the request of the Government and Foreign Office.
They decide who is worthy of a full state visit and the latest invitation to President Trump is no different.
It will not be the first time that a guest of the Queen has raised a few eyebrows. There were protests during the visits of the Chinese and Saudi heads of state to London.
Names such Romania's President Nicolae Ceausescu, Russia's Vladimir Putin and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe are possibly all signatures the Queen would rather not have in her guest book.
:: Eight controversial state visits
The momentum behind the petition asking to scrap President Trump's state visit has still come as a surprise, with more than a million signatures claiming "it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen".
Does she see it that way? I doubt it. While the palace has so far stayed quiet about the visit, the Queen realises it is her duty to be friendly and welcoming to all of her guests, and that her hospitality is an important way in which she can serve our country.
She knows the quiet power the Royal Family has on the international stage; they are a secret weapon for the Government. An audience with the Queen is enough to make any world leader feel special.
Not every American president has received a full state visit but that's exactly what Mr Trump will experience.
British pageantry at its finest: the dust sheets are pulled off the gold carriages, the state banquet cutlery is polished.
The ultimate in keeping up appearances, even if hundreds of thousands of your subjects would rather this latest guest had stayed at home.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Six teenagers found dead after garden party in Germany
Police are investigating if six teenagers found dead after a garden party in Germany were poisoned by carbon monoxide.
The five young men and one young woman were found on Sunday morning by the owner of a garden shed, who wondered why his son and daughter - both among the victims - had not returned from the party.
Police in Arnstein, Bavaria, said the victims were all aged 18 or 19.
They said in a statement: "It remains unclear what led to the death of the six people, but there were no indications of any violent crime."
There was a wood-burning stove in the shed, prompting detectives to investigate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Local police spokesman Bjorn Schmitt told the Bild newspaper the group had turned on the stove "so it is a possibility, but there are others".
He said post-mortem examinations should provide more information on the cause of the deaths.
The five young men and one young woman were found on Sunday morning by the owner of a garden shed, who wondered why his son and daughter - both among the victims - had not returned from the party.
Police in Arnstein, Bavaria, said the victims were all aged 18 or 19.
They said in a statement: "It remains unclear what led to the death of the six people, but there were no indications of any violent crime."
There was a wood-burning stove in the shed, prompting detectives to investigate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Local police spokesman Bjorn Schmitt told the Bild newspaper the group had turned on the stove "so it is a possibility, but there are others".
He said post-mortem examinations should provide more information on the cause of the deaths.
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