Tuesday Briefing: Trump’s second impeachment trial to begin

Today's top stories

Day one of Trump's Senate trial, vaccine chasers on the hunt in Los Angeles, and have we found the next Warren Buffett?

Donald Trump's historic second impeachment trial opens today with a debate over the constitutionality of trying a president after he has left office. Read our explainer of the arguments.

A group of nine House Democratic impeachment managers will prosecute the case, arguing that Trump emboldened a mob to break through Capitol security to stop congressional certification of Joe Biden’s victory.

Presiding over the trial will be Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy who will also get a say in the verdict. Senate Democrats are expected to prevail in today's vote.

Georgia’s Secretary of State’s office has opened a probe into Trump’s efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, a step that could lead to a criminal investigation by state and local authorities.

Meanwhile, criminal and civil investigations into Trump's businesses are accelerating in New York.

The Dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen beyond flags flying at the Washington Monument, February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque


CORONAVIRUS

Jose Luis Espinoza, 68, receives the Pfizer vaccination after waiting for a leftover dose at a clinic in Santa Fe Springs, California, February 2, 2021. REUTERS/Norma Galeana

Health officials around the world have given their backing to the AstraZeneca vaccine, after a study showing it had little effect against mild disease caused by the variant now spreading quickly in South Africa rang global alarm.

Does the world need new COVID vaccines? The 'jury is out', the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group says.

Jose Luis Espinoza had been chasing a COVID vaccine for more than three weeks. Last week, he struck gold in Santa Fe Springs. We take a look at the competitive chase for leftover doses in Los Angeles.

Tired of COVID confinement and seeking both communion and emotional release, some Israelis have taken to group screaming.

Business

Bitcoin has powered to a new high as the afterglow of Tesla’s investment in the cryptocurrency has investors reckoning it will become a mainstream asset class for both corporations and money managers.

Can you buy a Tesla with bitcoin? Here's how the payments might work. And Breakingviews columnist Richard Beales takes a look at Elon Musk's next disruption: accounting for crypto.

Amid the 'Gamestonks' mania, what is GameStop actually worth? We crunch the numbers.

Plus, meet the new retail trading icon - 12-year-old South Korean Kwon Joon has earned stellar returns of 43% from a hobby picked up just last year: buying stocks.

Video

Freed from Amazon, Jeff Bezos plans space race

Florists face a Valentine’s Day like no other