Two Senate committees were hearing evidence on Tuesday from the officials in charge of security when the US Congress was attacked by supporters of Donald Trump. Some former security officials have blamed apparent intelligence shortcomings for the failure to anticipate the violence of the mob. The invaders, intent on interrupting a session to certify Joe Biden's presidential election victory , smashed through the barriers at the perimeter. Five people died as a result of the violence, including a Capitol Police officer and a woman whom police shot as she tried to smash through the doors of the House chamber with lawmakers still inside. Watch video 02:23 Share US democracy under assault Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3pCJF Impeachment managers show chilling images of violence Trump was criticized and impeached … [Read more...] about US Capitol attack: Senators probe security and intelligence failures
New social security rules
‘Britain’s travel industry is in a perilous state – it needs help… now’
Consumer confidence is everything for the UK travel trade and these new hotel quarantines – necessary as they are in the fight against mutant Covid strains – are going to dent it. So it’s absolutely crucial that the Government does not allow this strategy to remain open-ended. Britain’s holiday and aviation industries are in a desperately parlous state and need to know the timeline for a clear exit route, so they can make plans. Likewise, the public needs solid assurance from Downing Street that it will do everything possible to allow summer holidays to go ahead safely - once the vaccination programme has kicked in - and they can book with confidence. What really does not help are TV news appearances from junior ministers saying ‘don’t book a summer holiday’. We are still in the depths of winter and there are many secure, flexible booking options available for the peak season. Why make unnecessary blanket statements that simply trample all over that consumer confidence? … [Read more...] about ‘Britain’s travel industry is in a perilous state – it needs help… now’
National People’s Congress: China plans ‘green transformation’ of economy
The National People's Congress, China's annual parliamentary event , opens Friday in Beijing. For the second straight year, it will be a mostly virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic. Although the NPC is China's main legislature, the Communist Party ensures that important decisions are made long before any proposals reach the body. The party sometimes uses the NPC to reveal major policy and personnel changes. The outlook for the economy and Hong Kong's future, among others, will be under discussion at the gathering, which lasts 10 to 14 days. Watch video 02:27 Share China begins annual Congress Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3qC9v What to expect from China's National People's Congress No GDP growth targets? This year, the party is unlikely to set concrete growth targets for the Chinese economy, … [Read more...] about National People’s Congress: China plans ‘green transformation’ of economy