Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has failed to be elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives – but if not him, who else could fill the role? Eko Hot Blog reports that after three consecutive rounds of voting on Tuesday, the first day of a new Congress, Mr. McCarthy fell short of the 218 votes … Read more
On a day of political drama not seen in Congress for a century, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy repeatedly failed in his bid to be elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives. Eko Hot Blog reports that the House adjourned without a speaker on Tuesday night – the first time since 1923 they had failed … Read more
A dramatic moment played out on the House floor as Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio found himself both endorsing McCarthy for speaker and receiving an endorsement himself. Eko Hot Blog reports that Jordan, one of the most conservative members of the Republican caucus, asked his colleagues to “rally around” McCarthy ahead of a second-round vote. … Read more
The voting process for Speaker of the House of Representatives has ended, with no one candidate getting the necessary 218 votes to win outright. Eko Hot Blog reports that the results are: Kevin McCarthy (Republican) – 203 votes Hakeem Jeffries (Democrat) – 212 Andy Biggs (Republican) – 10 Others – 9 With 19 Republicans voting … Read more
A looted ancient Egyptian sarcophagus that was on display at a US museum has been returned to Egypt. Eko Hot Blog reports that the 2.9m (9.5ft) long “Green Coffin” dates back to the Late Dynastic Period, which spanned 664BC to 332BC, and belonged to a priest called Ankhenmaat. EDITOR’S PICKS US: House Of Reps Bans … Read more
US President Joe Biden pardoned six individuals Friday who had already completed sentences for their offenses, including drug-related crimes and second-degree murder and had become active in their communities following their release. Eko Hot Blog reports that the White House said Biden believed in second chances and that those he pardoned Friday had “demonstrated a … Read more
Former President Donald Trump’s tax returns have been released, ending a bitter six-year-long battle to gain greater insights into his finances. Eko Hot Blog reports that the returns stretch from 2015 through 2020, covering Mr Trump’s candidacy and time in the White House. EDITOR’S PICKS US: House Of Reps Bans TikTok From Official Devices Supreme … Read more
Energy giant Exxon Mobil has sued the EU to block energy windfall tax. EKO HOT BLOG reports that the United States, US energy giant ExxonMobil is suing the EU in a bid to force the bloc to scrap its new windfall tax on oil firms. A windfall tax is imposed on firms that benefitted from … Read more
TikTok has been banned from electronic devices managed by the US House of Representatives, according to an internal notice sent to House staff. Eko Hot Blog reports that users who install the short-form video app on any House mobile device will be asked to remove the software, according to the notice, which was provided by … Read more
The US is considering imposing new Covid restrictions on Chinese arrivals, after Beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month. Eko Hot Blog reports that American officials say this is due to a lack of transparency surrounding the virus in China, as cases surge. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded Over Technical … Read more
Newly elected Republican congressman George Santos has apologised after admitting he lied about his education and work experience. Eko Hot Blog reports that Mr Santos, who was elected in New York, told the New York Post: “My sins here are embellishing my resume. I’m sorry.” EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded Over Technical … Read more
The US Supreme Court has voted to keep in place a controversial Trump-era policy that blocked thousands of people from crossing the US-Mexico border. Eko Hot Blog reports that Title 42 gives the government power to automatically expel undocumented migrants seeking entry. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded Over Technical Issue Met Office … Read more
At least 28 people have died in western New York state, most of them in Buffalo, as a monster winter storm continues to batter North America. Eko Hot Blog reports that a state official said some people had been trapped in cars for more than two days during what was “probably” the worst storm of … Read more
At least 38 deaths have now been linked to a severe Arctic freeze that continues to pummel the US and Canada. Eko Hot Blog reports that officials say 34 people died across the US, with the worst-hit area being the city of Buffalo, in New York state. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded … Read more
Nearly 1.5 million people are without power across several states as a powerful Arctic winter storm sweeps through the US and Canada. Eko Hot Blog reports that Large parts of both countries are under winter weather alerts that stretch from coast-to-coast and as far south as the US-Mexico border. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving … Read more
The United States has accused North Korea of supplying battlefield missiles and rockets to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for use in Ukraine. Eko Hot Blog reports that the White House said the shipment violated UN Security Council resolutions and that it would announce further sanctions on Wagner. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US … Read more
President Joe Biden has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US will stick by Ukraine “for as long as it takes” in its war with Russia. Eko Hot Blog reports that Mr Biden told Mr. Zelensky as he visited the White House on his first overseas trip since the Russian invasion began, “You will never stand … Read more
Two people have died and tens of thousands of households were left without power after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake rocked northern California. Eko Hot Blog reports that the tremor, 215 miles (350km) north of San Francisco, has caused widespread damage to roadways. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded Over Technical Issue Met Office … Read more
A committee in the US House of Representatives has voted to make public six years of Donald Trump’s tax returns. Eko Hot Blog reports that the move caps a nearly four-year legal battle by Democrats to obtain the documents, which was ultimately decided by the US Supreme Court last month. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights … Read more
US federal drug agents say they seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American. Eko Hot Blog reports that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says they intercepted 379m potentially deadly fentanyl doses, which is just two milligrams. EDITOR’S PICKS British Airways: Flights Leaving US Grounded Over Technical Issue Met Office Forecasts 2023 Will Be … Read more