cnbc--2020-01-15--Here's who's going to Davos this year

Here's who's going to Davos this year

Business leaders and politicians from around the world are gearing up to attend another session of the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) , in Davos , Switzerland next week .
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event in the Swiss Alps and its theme is `` Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World . ''
The annual economic gathering will run from January 21 until January 24 .
CNBC takes a look at some of the most prominent names attending this year 's event .
At 34 , Sanna Marin is the world 's youngest serving prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female leader .
She heads a four-party coalition government , whose leaders are all women too .
At the time of her appointment , in December , she said she never thought about her age or gender .
`` I think of the reasons I got into politics , and those things for which we have won the trust of the electorate , '' she said .
The former German minister for defense became the head of the EU 's executive arm in December .
The new president of the European Commission has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including gathering support for her new climate change package .
The European Green Deal , a proposal launched in December , aims to make all the EU countries climate neutral by 2050 .
The newly-appointed head of the European Central Bank is a well-known figure at WEF .
Lagarde , the first female president of the ECB , used to visit the event in her role as managing director of the International Monetary Fund .
This time around her words in Davos will be even more closely monitored , as investors look for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic review .
Lagarde made headlines in late 2019 when stating she wanted the ECB to make climate change a priority .
The 17-year old Swedish climate activist is due to return to Davos this year .
Time 's `` Person of the Year '' in 2019 has a clear message to lawmakers and business leaders : commit to divest from fossil fuels now .
`` We demand that at this year 's forum , participants from all companies , banks , institutions and governments immediately halt all investments in fossil fuel exploration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel subsidies and immediately and completely divest from fossil fuels .
We do n't want these things done by 2050 , 2030 or even 2021 , we want this done now — as in right now , '' Greta wrote in The Guardian newspaper .
Technology has always been a key point of discussion at Davos and this year wo n't be any exception , with 5G technology being a crucial part of the debate .
Huawei has led the 5G race across the world , but at the same time it sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the United States and the European Union .
U.S. authorities have raised concerns about Huawei 's connections to the Chinese government , which it denies , and took steps to bar the company from selling its technology in the U.S. market .
Meanwhile , the European Union is still forming its collective answer to the issues , but the German government announced it does not want to outright block the Chinese firm .
She is an internationally-acclaimed actress and mental health ambassador .
Padukone will be awarded with one of the WEF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictured standing silently behind students protesting against the Indian government .
The Bollywood star surprised many , given that members of the movie industry tend to avoid politics .
Deepika has been named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world .

Workers listen during a briefing inside the Congress Center, the venue for the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Stefan Wermuth | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Business leaders and politicians from around the world are gearing up to attend another session of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland this week. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event in the Swiss Alps and its theme is "Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World." The annual economic gathering will run from January 21 until January 24. CNBC takes a look at some of the most prominent names attending this year's event.
Sanna Marin, prime minister of Finland
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin listens during a press conference with her Estonian counterpart as part of her visit to the Etonian capital Tallinn on January 10, 2020. RAIGO PAJULA
At 34, Sanna Marin is the world's youngest serving prime minister as well as Finland's third female leader. She heads a four-party coalition government, whose leaders are all women too. At the time of her appointment, in December, she said she never thought about her age or gender. "I think of the reasons I got into politics, and those things for which we have won the trust of the electorate," she said.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
Thierry Monasse | picture alliance | Getty Images
The former German minister for defense became the head of the EU's executive arm in December. The new president of the European Commission has many pressing subjects to deal with, including gathering support for her new climate change package. The European Green Deal, a proposal launched in December, aims to make all the EU countries climate neutral by 2050.
Christine Lagarde, ECB president
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), addresses the media during a news conference following the meeting of the governing council of the ECB in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on December 12, 2019. Daniel Roland | AFP | Getty Images
The newly-appointed head of the European Central Bank is a well-known figure at WEF. Lagarde, the first female president of the ECB, used to visit the event in her role as managing director of the International Monetary Fund. This time around her words in Davos will be even more closely monitored, as investors look for further clues about the central bank's strategic review. Lagarde made headlines in late 2019 when stating she wanted the ECB to make climate change a priority.
Greta Thunberg, climate activist
Greta Thunberg speaks at an event with other climate activists on April 22, 2019 in London, England. Chris J Ratcliffe | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The 17-year old Swedish climate activist is due to return to Davos this year. Time's "Person of the Year" in 2019 has a clear message to lawmakers and business leaders: commit to divest from fossil fuels now. "We demand that at this year's forum, participants from all companies, banks, institutions and governments immediately halt all investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction, immediately end all fossil fuel subsidies and immediately and completely divest from fossil fuels. We don't want these things done by 2050, 2030 or even 2021, we want this done now — as in right now," Greta wrote in The Guardian newspaper.
Ren Zhengfei, Huawei Technologies founder
Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei speaking with CNBC at Huawei headquaters in Shenzhen, China. Justin Solomon | CNBC
Technology has always been a key point of discussion at Davos and this year won't be any exception, with 5G technology being a crucial part of the debate. Huawei has led the 5G race across the world, but at the same time it sparked some division between traditional allies, such as the United States and the European Union. U.S. authorities have raised concerns about Huawei's connections to the Chinese government, which it denies, and took steps to bar the company from selling its technology in the U.S. market. Meanwhile, the European Union is still forming its collective answer to the issues, but the German government announced it does not want to outright block the Chinese firm.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivers her curtain raiser speech previewing the key issues to be addressed in the Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2019. NICHOLAS KAMM | AFP | Getty Images
The Bulgarian national was appointed head of the International Monetary Fund in the fall of 2019. She will be presenting the IMF's latest economic assessment in Davos, joined by Gita Gopinath, the institution's chief economist.
Deepika Padukone, Bollywood star
Indian actress Deepika Padukone arrives for a trailer launch of her upcoming Bollywood movie 'Chhapaak' in Mumbai, India on 10 December 2019. NurPhoto
She is an internationally-acclaimed actress and mental health ambassador. Padukone will be awarded with one of the WEF's Crystal Awards. She was recently pictured standing silently behind students protesting against the Indian government. The Bollywood star surprised many, given that members of the movie industry tend to avoid politics. Deepika has been named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Steven Mnuchin, US Treasury Secretary
Steven Mnuchin, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, gestures as he attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 25, 2018. Denis Balibouse | Reuters
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin led the discussion in Davos in 2017, having said at a news conference that a weaker dollar was good for the United States. His comments represented a shift in U.S. policy and sparked a dollar sell-off.
George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management
Billionaire investor George Soros. Sean Gallup | Getty Images
The billionaire investor George Soros is a familiar face in the Swiss Alps. In the last edition, Soros expressed his concerns over President Donald Trump's foreign and economic policy. "An effective policy towards China can't be reduced to a slogan. It needs to be far more sophisticated, detailed and practical; and it must include an American economic response to the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.
Donald Trump, US president
US President Donald Trump speaks during a "Keep America Great" campaign rally at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, on January 9, 2020. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-01-15--House delivers Trump impeachment articles to the Senate

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) stands with House managers prior to signing the two articles of impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump during an engrossment ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , January 15 , 2020 .
Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump that the House of Representatives passed last month were officially transmitted to the Senate on Wednesday , paving the way for a trial to begin as early as next week .
Before the articles made their way across the U.S. Capitol building to the Senate chamber , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to officially designate the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial .
The resolution also allowed the House to appropriate funds for the trial itself .
Let it be `` very clear , '' Pelosi said before signing the document , `` that this president will be held accountable . ''
The resolution passed the House nearly along party lines in a 228-193 vote earlier Wednesday .
No Republicans voted for it .
House Democrats voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on articles — abuse of power and obstruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said he thinks the impeachment trial could begin as soon as Tuesday .
He and other Republicans received the articles in the Senate chamber .
`` I 'm confident that this body can rise above short term-ism and factional fever , and serve the long-term best interests of our nation , '' McConnell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles were brought over .
Earlier Wednesday , Pelosi unveiled the seven House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the trial in the Senate .
House managers will essentially act as prosecutors in the Senate trial , laying out the evidence that House investigators have collected and making their case that the senators should vote Trump out of office , while Trump 's team of lawyers defends him .
The 100 senators , in turn , will act as jurors as they consider how they will vote on the two articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed last month .
It is highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority Senate will vote to convict a Republican president and remove him from office .
No Senate Republicans have said they will vote to convict .
Trump is just the third U.S. president ever to be impeached .
He has denied any wrongdoing .

Before the articles were sent across the U.S. Capitol to the Senate chamber, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., signed a resolution that allowed her to designate the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial .
Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump that the House of Representatives passed in December were officially transmitted to the Senate on Wednesday, paving the way for a trial to begin as early as next week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is surrounded by the House impeachment managers and committee chairs as she signs the two articles of impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump before sending them over to the U.S. Senate during an engrossment ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 15, 2020.
The resolution also allowed the House to appropriate funds for the trial.
Let it be "very clear," Pelosi said before signing the document, "that this president will be held accountable."
The resolution passed the House nearly along party lines in a 228-193 vote earlier Wednesday. No Republicans voted for it.
House Democrats voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on the two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Both articles stem from Trump's efforts to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he thinks the impeachment trial could begin as soon as Tuesday.
He and other Republicans received the articles in the Senate chamber.
"I'm confident that this body can rise above short term-ism and factional fever, and serve the long-term best interests of our nation," McConnell said on the Senate floor after the articles were brought over.
Earlier Wednesday, Pelosi named the seven House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the trial in the Senate.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Trump signs 'phase one' trade deal with China in push to stop economic conflict

U.S. stocks rose Wednesday before the deal signing .
Trump signed off on the agreement after lengthy remarks dishing on impeachment , golf , his 2016 victory , stock market gains , the Federal Reserve 's interest rate policy and July 4 fireworks .
Here are some of the deal 's core pieces ( read the full agreement here ) : The president signed the deal as the House prepared to send articles of impeachment to the Senate and kick-start a trial on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office .
The president said the U.S. and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past and delivering a future of economic justice and security for American workers , farmers and families . ''
He added that the deal has `` total and full enforceability . ''
The deal takes steps to root out several practices that irked the White House and bipartisan members of Congress , including intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers , in exchange for Chinese market access , according to text released by the White House .
It also details a $ 200 billion increase in Chinese purchases of U.S. goods over two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Through the deal , the Trump administration aims to resolve some longstanding American concerns about Chinese trade abuses .
However , the accord appears to leave questions about how Washington and Beijing will enforce its terms and prevent further tensions .
President Donald Trump signed a partial trade deal with China on Wednesday as the world 's two largest economies try to contain an economic struggle .
President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He shake hands after signing the `` phase one '' of a US China trade agreement , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wednesday Jan. 15 , 2020 , in Washington .
The president thanked administration officials , Republican lawmakers , Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson , Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs , former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and current and former businessmen Steve Schwarzman , Nelson Peltz and Hank Greenberg , among dozens of people he recognized .
Chinese officials stood silently next to the U.S. delegation as Trump spoke for nearly an hour before Chinese Vice Premier Liu He delivered a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping .
The Chinese leader called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the U.S. and for the whole world , '' according to a translation .
He wrote that `` in the next step , the two sides need to implement the agreement in earnest . ''
The phase one agreement marks a major step in efforts to rein in a more than 18-month trade war between Washington and Beijing .
Trump has pushed to crack down on what he calls China 's abusive trade practices and follow through on one of his core campaign promises .
Investors have looked for signs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tariff crossfire that threatens to wallop the global economy .
The deal signed Wednesday brings some welcome relief for businesses that feared the duties — though the bulk of them will stay in place .
`` We 're leaving tariffs on , but I will agree to take those tariffs off if we are able to do 'phase two . '
In other words , we 're negotiating with the tariffs , '' Trump said .
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters Wednesday that the agreement has `` real teeth '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the U.S. will be able to tell by the spring whether it is enforceable .
He said American tariffs on Chinese goods will help the administration enforce the accord .
The U.S. aims to start talks on a second piece of the deal before the presidential election in November , Lighthizer said .
Last week , Trump said he `` might want to wait to finish 'til after the election , because by doing that , I think we can make a little bit better deal , maybe a lot better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration scrapped tariffs initially set to take effect last month .
It also agreed to cut duties on $ 120 billion in products to 7.5 % .
Still , the White House has said it will leave tariffs on another $ 250 billion in Chinese products in place for now .
On Wednesday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a second phase of the agreement that the U.S. hopes to strike could include more tariff relief .
`` Just as in this deal there were certain rollbacks , in phase two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , adding that China has `` a big incentive to get back to the table and agree to the additional issues that are still unresolved . ''

The president said the U.S. and China are "righting the wrongs of the past and delivering a future of economic justice and security for American workers, farmers and families." He added that the deal has "total and full enforceability."
The deal takes steps to root out several practices that irked the White House and bipartisan members of Congress, including intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers, in exchange for Chinese market access, according to text released by the White House. It also details a $200 billion increase in Chinese purchases of U.S. goods over two years — a priority for Trump.
Through the deal, the Trump administration aims to resolve some longstanding American concerns about Chinese trade abuses. However, the accord appears to leave questions about how Washington and Beijing will enforce its terms and prevent further tensions.
President Donald Trump signed a partial trade deal with China on Wednesday as the world's two largest economies try to contain an economic struggle.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and US President Donald Trump sign a trade agreement between the US and China in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, January 15, 2020.
U.S. stocks rose Wednesday before the deal signing. Trump signed off on the agreement after lengthy remarks dishing on impeachment, golf, his 2016 victory, stock market gains, the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy and July 4 fireworks.
Here are some of the deal's core pieces ( read the full agreement here ):
The president signed the deal as the House prepared to send articles of impeachment to the Senate and kick-start a trial on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He shakes hands with US President Donald Trump during a signing ceremony for trade agreement between the US and China in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, January 15, 2020.
The president thanked administration officials, Republican lawmakers, Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and current and former businessmen Steve Schwarzman, Nelson Peltz and Hank Greenberg, among dozens of people he recognized. Chinese officials stood silently next to the U.S. delegation as Trump spoke for nearly an hour before Chinese Vice Premier Liu He delivered a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese leader called the trade deal "good for China, for the U.S. and for the whole world," according to a translation. He wrote that "in the next step, the two sides need to implement the agreement in earnest."
The phase one agreement marks a major step in efforts to rein in a more than 18-month trade war between Washington and Beijing. Trump has pushed to crack down on what he calls China's abusive trade practices and follow through on one of his core campaign promises.
Investors have looked for signs the U.S. and China want to dial back a tariff crossfire that threatens to wallop the global economy. The deal signed Wednesday brings some welcome relief for businesses that feared the duties — though the bulk of them will stay in place.
"We're leaving tariffs on, but I will agree to take those tariffs off if we are able to do 'phase two.' In other words, we're negotiating with the tariffs," Trump said.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters Wednesday that the agreement has "real teeth" to address China's trade practices, adding that the U.S. will be able to tell by the spring whether it is enforceable. He said American tariffs on Chinese goods will help the administration enforce the accord.
The U.S. aims to start talks on a second piece of the deal before the presidential election in November, Lighthizer said. Last week, Trump said he "might want to wait to finish 'til after the election, because by doing that, I think we can make a little bit better deal, maybe a lot better deal."
Under the agreement, the Trump administration scrapped tariffs initially set to take effect last month. It also agreed to cut duties on $120 billion in products to 7.5%.
Still, the White House has said it will leave tariffs on another $250 billion in Chinese products in place for now. On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a second phase of the agreement that the U.S. hopes to strike could include more tariff relief.
"Just as in this deal there were certain rollbacks, in phase two there will be additional rollbacks," he said, adding that China has "a big incentive to get back to the table and agree to the additional issues that are still unresolved."


cnbc--2020-01-15--House votes to send Trump impeachment articles to Senate for trial

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a resolution sending articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate for a trial on whether to convict him and remove him from office .
The resolution passed the House nearly along party lines in a 228-193 vote .
No Republicans voted for the resolution .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , is scheduled to sign a copy of the resolution later Wednesday during a so-called engrossment ceremony with the newly announced team of Democratic House impeachment managers .
The two articles of impeachment will then be marched over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be officially transmitted to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams .
The House started voting on the resolution shortly after Trump signed a `` phase one '' trade deal with China .
House Democrats voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , both related to his efforts to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election .
Trump 's impeachment trial in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Earlier Wednesday , Pelosi unveiled the seven House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the trial in the Senate .
House managers will essentially act as prosecutors in the Senate trial , laying out the evidence that House investigators have collected and making their case that the senators should vote Trump out of office , while Trump 's team of lawyers defends him .
The 100 senators , in turn , will act as jurors as they consider how they will vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the House passed last month .
It is highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority Senate will vote to convict a Republican president and remove him from office .
No Senate Republicans have said they will vote to convict .
Trump is just the third U.S. president ever to be impeached .
He has denied any wrongdoing .
The vote to pass the resolution came after Pelosi withheld the articles for weeks in a gambit to get assurances about how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's chamber will conduct the trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concessions to the Democrats , and rejected their requests to approve witnesses before the trial was set to start .
`` This was a sham impeachment from the beginning and never anything more than Democrats trying to interfere in an election that is now less than ten months away , '' Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement .

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a resolution sending articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate for a trial on whether to convict him and remove him from office.
The resolution passed the House nearly along party lines in a 228-193 vote. No Republicans voted for the resolution.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is scheduled to sign a copy of the resolution later Wednesday during a so-called engrossment ceremony with the newly announced team of Democratic House impeachment managers.
The two articles of impeachment will then be marched over to the Senate, where they will be officially transmitted to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams.
The House started voting on the resolution shortly after Trump signed a "phase one" trade deal with China.
House Democrats voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, both related to his efforts to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election.
Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate is expected to begin Tuesday, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Earlier Wednesday, Pelosi unveiled the seven House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the trial in the Senate.
House managers will essentially act as prosecutors in the Senate trial, laying out the evidence that House investigators have collected and making their case that the senators should vote Trump out of office, while Trump's team of lawyers defends him.
The 100 senators, in turn, will act as jurors as they consider how they will vote on the two articles of impeachment against Trump that the House passed last month. It is highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority Senate will vote to convict a Republican president and remove him from office. No Senate Republicans have said they will vote to convict.
Trump is just the third U.S. president ever to be impeached. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The vote to pass the resolution came after Pelosi withheld the articles for weeks in a gambit to get assurances about how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's chamber will conduct the trial.
But McConnell, R-Ky., made no concessions to the Democrats, and rejected their requests to approve witnesses before the trial was set to start.
"This was a sham impeachment from the beginning and never anything more than Democrats trying to interfere in an election that is now less than ten months away," Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Jeffrey Epstein estate sued by US Virgin Islands over sex abuse of young girls on island hideaway up

Jeffrey Epstein estate sued by US Virgin Islands over sex abuse of young girls on island hideaway up until 2018

The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday sued the estate of late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein , alleging the wealthy investor raped and otherwise sexually abused young women and girls — as young as 12 years old — at his secluded private island getaways in that territory .
Epstein 's criminal enterprise — from 2001 through 2018 — `` facilitated ... the sexual molestation and exploitation of numerous girls '' on his two private islands , claims the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Denise George in Superior Court of the Virgin Islands .
The lawsuit seeks forfeit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth an estimated $ 86 million , as well as unspecified monetary damages and the breakup of corporate entities that Epstein allegedly used to provide him with girls who sexually serviced him three times each day .
The girls , ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old , were `` deceptively lured '' and recruited `` with money and promises of employment , career opportunities and school assistance '' to the Virgin Islands , where Epstein and other abusers `` participated in sexual acts of rape and abuse of minors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the island , the girls sometimes had their passports taken away , barred from communicating with people not on the islands and were threatened with violence , according to the suit .
Abuse victims then were forced `` to recruit others to perform services and engage in sexual acts — a trafficking pyramid scheme , '' according to the suit , which was filed five months after Epstein fatally hung himself while in a Manhattan jail awaiting trial on federal child sex trafficking charges .
Some of the victims were paid through Epstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The conduct of Epstein and his associates shocks the conscience and betrays the deepest principles and laws of the Virgin Islands , '' said George .
`` The Virgin Islands is not , and will not be , a safe haven for human trafficking and sexual exploitation .
We will hold accountable those who break our laws regardless of political , social or economic status . ''
In addition to Epsteins ' estate , defendants in the case include several Epstein-controlled companyes , and unidentified `` John and Jane Does '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse of underage girls .
Two of those entities , Nautilus Inc. , and Poplar Inc. , have as officers two men , Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn , who are executors of Epstein 's estate , the suit says .
The suit 's claims include aggravated rape , human trafficking involving sexual servitude , forced labor , patronizing minors , as well as child abuse and neglect , unlawful sexual contact , prostitution and conspiracy .
The attorney general 's suit claims that Epstein 's estate , which is valued at more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to engage in conduct geared to concealing his criminal conduct by proposing the creation of a voluntary claims resolution program that would settle claims of sexual abuse by Epstein .
The suit said that program would impose `` confidentiality requirements and requires any claimant accepting an award under the program to sacrifice any other claims against 'any other person or entity arising from or related to Mr. Epstein 's conduct . '
`` But Daniel Weiner , a lawyer for the estate 's executors , said the attorney general 's lawsuit incorrectly describes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has yet to be approved by a Virgin Islands court .
Weiner said that people who participate in the program would have `` absolutely no obligation to keep confidential any aspects of their claim . ''
`` The suggestion that the Program was intended to conceal any information or to shield anyone from liability or accountability is unfounded , directly contrary to the details of the proposed Program , and false , '' Weiner said in an emailed statement .
`` We urge the Attorney General to contact the Program Administrator directly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Program is accurate , and to then correct the pleading filed today by her office . ''
Weiner said the executors of Epstein 's estate would have no other comment on the lawsuit .
Epstein owned two private islands , Little St. James and Great St. James , located almost two miles away from the larger island of St. Thomas , which is home to thousands of people , businesses and government offices .
The suit says Epstein bought Little St. James in 1998 `` as the perfect hideway for trafficking young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , child abuse and sexual assault . ''
Epstein used a `` straw purchaser '' to buy Great St. James Island in 2016 for more than $ 20 million to avoid having someone else live there and be able to view his misdeeds or visitors , according to the suit .
In one instance cited in the suit , `` a 15 year old victim was forced into sexual acts with Epstein and others and then attempted to escape by swimming off Little St. James Island . ''
`` Epstein and others organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept her captive by , among other things , confiscating her passport , '' the suit said .
Another girl , after being forced to perform sex acts also tried to escape , and after Epstein found her `` suggested physical restraint or harm if she failed to cooperate , '' the suit says .
In 2018 , according to the court filing , Epstein refused to allowed Virgin Island Department of Justice investigators , accompanied by U.S .
Marshals , to enter Little St. James beyond its dock , `` claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they tried to conduct an address verification in connection with his registration as a convicted sex offender .
The suit says that planning and environmental officials repeatedly issued citations and assessed fines of thousands of dollars for Epstein violating construction and environmental codes in work on his islands .

The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday sued the estate of late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, alleging the wealthy investor raped and otherwise sexually abused young women and girls — as young as 12 years old — at his secluded private island getaways in that territory.
Epstein's criminal enterprise — from 2001 through 2018 — "facilitated ... the sexual molestation and exploitation of numerous girls" on his two private islands, claims the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Denise George in Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.
The lawsuit seeks forfeit of those two islands, which are worth an estimated $86 million, as well as unspecified monetary damages and the breakup of corporate entities that Epstein allegedly used to provide him with girls who sexually serviced him three times each day.
The girls, ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old, were "deceptively lured" and recruited "with money and promises of employment, career opportunities and school assistance" to the Virgin Islands, where Epstein and other abusers "participated in sexual acts of rape and abuse of minors," the suit claims.
While on the island, the girls sometimes had their passports taken away, barred from communicating with people not on the islands and were threatened with violence, according to the suit.
Abuse victims then were forced "to recruit others to perform services and engage in sexual acts — a trafficking pyramid scheme," according to the suit, which was filed five months after Epstein fatally hung himself while in a Manhattan jail awaiting trial on federal child sex trafficking charges.
Some of the victims were paid through Epstein's charitable foundations, the suit says.
"The conduct of Epstein and his associates shocks the conscience and betrays the deepest principles and laws of the Virgin Islands," said George.
"The Virgin Islands is not, and will not be, a safe haven for human trafficking and sexual exploitation. We will hold accountable those who break our laws regardless of political, social or economic status."
In addition to Epsteins' estate, defendants in the case include several Epstein-controlled companies, and unidentified "John and Jane Does" who allegedly facilitated and participated in sexual abuse of underage girls.
Two of those entities, Nautilus Inc., and Poplar Inc., have as officers two men, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, who are executors of Epstein's estate, the suit says.
The suit's claims include aggravated rape, human trafficking involving sexual servitude, forced labor, patronizing minors, as well as child abuse and neglect, unlawful sexual contact, prostitution and conspiracy.
The attorney general's suit claims that Epstein's estate, which is valued at more than $575 million, is continuing to engage in conduct geared to concealing his criminal conduct by proposing the creation of a voluntary claims resolution program that would settle claims of sexual abuse by Epstein.
The suit said that the program would impose "confidentiality requirements and requires any claimant accepting an award under the program to sacrifice any other claims against 'any other person or entity arising from or related to Mr. Epstein's conduct.' "
But Daniel Weiner, a lawyer for the estate's executors, said the attorney general's lawsuit incorrectly describes the victims' compensation program, which has yet to be approved by a Virgin Islands court.
Weiner said that people who participate in the program would have "absolutely no obligation to keep confidential any aspects of their claim."
"The suggestion that the Program was intended to conceal any information or to shield anyone from liability or accountability is unfounded, directly contrary to the details of the proposed Program, and false," Weiner said in an emailed statement. "We urge the Attorney General to contact the Program Administrator directly to confirm that the Co-Executors' description of the Program is accurate, and to then correct the pleading filed today by her office."
Weiner said the executors of Epstein's estate would have no other comment on the lawsuit.
Epstein owned two private islands, Little St. James and Great St. James, located almost two miles away from the larger island of St. Thomas, which is home to thousands of people, businesses and government offices.
The suit says Epstein bought Little St. James in 1998 "as the perfect hideaway for trafficking young women and underage girls for sexual servitude, child abuse and sexual assault."
Epstein used a "straw purchaser" to buy Great St. James Island in 2016 for more than $20 million to avoid having someone else live there and be able to view his misdeeds or visitors, according to the suit.
In one instance cited in the suit, "a 15-year-old victim was forced into sexual acts with Epstein and others and then attempted to escape by swimming off Little St. James Island."
"Epstein and others organized a search party that located her and kept her captive by, among other things, confiscating her passport," the suit said.
Another girl, after being forced to perform sex acts also tried to escape, and after Epstein found her "suggested physical restraint or harm if she failed to cooperate," the suit says.
In 2018, according to the court filing, Epstein refused to allowed Virgin Island Department of Justice investigators, accompanied by U.S. Marshals, to enter Little St. James beyond its dock, "claiming the dock was his 'front door' as they tried to conduct an address verification in connection with his registration as a convicted sex offender.
The suit says that planning and environmental officials repeatedly issued citations and assessed fines of thousands of dollars for Epstein violating construction and environmental codes in work on his islands.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is taking time off to treat alcoholism

Then Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick , D-Ariz. , arrives for New Member Orientation at the Courtyard Marriott in SE , on November 13 , 2018 .
Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is taking time off from her role in Congress to treat alcoholism , she said in a written statement on Wednesday .
The Arizona representative has been absent from Congress since last week after a fall that resulted in an injury , for which she said she will attend physical therapy .
The fall , she said , was the result of her addiction to alcohol .
`` I sincerely thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support after my accident last week .
The fall was serious , but with physical therapy I will fully recover , '' Kirkpatrick said in the statement .
`` I do , however , have another challenge I must face , which was the underlying cause of my fall .
Beginning next week , I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for , to treat my alcohol dependence , '' she added .
A spokesperson for her office told CNBC she will be `` out of the office for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congresswoman noted in the statement that it will be business as usual for her staff .
`` During my absence , my congressional offices in Washington and Arizona will be fully operational , processing all constituent requests , meetings , activities and correspondence , '' she said .
`` My positions on all recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made publicly available , '' she added .
Kirkpatrick won re-election to Arizona 's 2nd Congressional District in 2018 , defeating Republican challenger Lea Marquez Peterson with 54.7 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House member , is up for re-election in 2020 .

Then Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., arrives for New Member Orientation at the Courtyard Marriott in SE, on November 13, 2018.
Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is taking time off from her role in Congress to treat alcoholism, she said in a written statement on Wednesday.
The Arizona representative has been absent from Congress since last week after a fall that resulted in an injury, for which she said she will attend physical therapy.
The fall, she said, was the result of her addiction to alcohol.
"I sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in support after my accident last week. The fall was serious, but with physical therapy I will fully recover," Kirkpatrick said in the statement.
"I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of my fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence," she added.
A spokesperson for her office told CNBC she will be "out of the office for a few weeks."
But the congresswoman noted in the statement that it will be business as usual for her staff.
"During my absence, my congressional offices in Washington and Arizona will be fully operational, processing all constituent requests, meetings, activities and correspondence," she said.
"My positions on all recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made publicly available," she added.
Kirkpatrick won re-election to Arizona's 2nd Congressional District in 2018, defeating Republican challenger Lea Marquez Peterson with 54.7% of the vote. Kirkpatrick, like every House member, is up for re-election in 2020.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Here are the House impeachment managers — and what they will do in Trump's Senate trial

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday unveiled the team of Democrats who will make the case for President Donald Trump 's conviction and removal from office .
Pelosi selected seven House Democrats to serve as impeachment managers , essentially acting as prosecutors during Trump 's Senate trial .
They will lay out the evidence that House investigators have collected and make their arguments for voting Trump out of office , while Trump 's lawyers defend him .
The 100 senators , in turn , will act as jurors as they consider how they will vote on the two articles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 .
It is highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority Senate will vote to convict and remove a Republican president .
No Senate Republicans have said they will vote to convict .
Trump is just the third U.S. president ever to be impeached .
Some of the rules for impeachment are mandated in the Constitution , while others are based on precedent .
Seven managers were also appointed during the 1868 impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson , for instance , while there were 13 Republican managers from the House Judiciary Committee Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No matter the outcome of the trial , `` he 's been impeached forever , '' Pelosi said before announcing the managers at a press conference Wednesday .
`` They can never erase that . ''
House Democrats voted to impeach Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , both related to his efforts to have Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election .
White House press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` the naming of these managers does not change a single thing . ''
Trump `` has done nothing wrong , '' Grisham said .
`` He looks forward to having the due process rights in the Senate that Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats denied to him , and expects to be fully exonerated . ''
Here 's what to know about the House managers in Trump 's impeachment trial : Pelosi tapped the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to be the lead prosecutor in Trump 's Senate trial .
Schiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the impeachment inquiry .
His attacks on Trump and his approach to running the House impeachment proceedings have made him a target of scathing criticism from Republicans and the president himself .
`` I am humbled by the responsibility of serving as the lead House Manager in the Senate impeachment trial , '' the California congressman said in a statement .
`` It is a solemn responsibility and one that I will undertake with the seriousness that the task requires . ''
Schiff and other Democrats have demanded that the Senate trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked McConnell to approve four witnesses , including former national security advisor John Bolton and White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , in advance of the trial .
McConnell refused , saying he wants the trial to mirror Clinton 's , in which senators waited until the proceedings had already started to debate whether to call witnesses .
`` Americans overwhelmingly want a fair trial in the Senate , fair to the President and fair to the people .
Senators must demand to see and hear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses the President has blocked , '' Schiff said in his statement .
`` Only then can they faithfully discharge their own Constitutional duties to be fair and impartial jurors . ''
The congressman from New York is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee .
He has said that Trump `` richly deserves impeachment '' since the end of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
Nadler oversaw an impeachment hearing in his committee in early December , when a panel of experts debated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar for charges .
Three of those witnesses said Trump committed impeachable offenses , while one disagreed .
`` There is an overwhelming case , beyond any reasonable doubt , that the president betrayed the country by withholding federal funds appropriated by Congress , breaking the law in doing so , in order to extort a foreign government into intervening in our election to embarrass a political opponent , '' Nadler said at Wednesday 's press conference .
Lofgren , a 13-term congresswoman from California , chairs the House Administration Committee — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdiction over legislation relating to federal elections .
Lofgren served on the Judiciary Committee in 1998 , when Clinton was impeached in the House for lying about an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky .
When she herself was an intern , Lofgren reportedly helped the same committee draft impeachment charges against Richard Nixon .
Lofgren is seen as a more even-keeled and judicious member of the team than some of her more vocal colleagues .
Unlike many other Democrats .
Lofgren had been skeptical about moving forward with impeachment proceedings against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
Jeffries , the No .
5 Democrat in the House , chairs his party 's caucus in the chamber , which crafts and controls party policy .
Jeffries has represented his New York district in Congress since 2013 .
He previously worked as a litigator .
`` The evidence is overwhelming that Donald Trump corruptly abused his power '' by pressuring Ukraine to announce the Biden probe , Jeffries said Wednesday .
`` In America , no one is above the law . ''
The Florida representative , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management team , had served as the first female chief of the Orlando Police Department before running for political office .
She made headlines during Mueller 's testimony before Congress last year , when she asked if Trump 's written responses to the special counsel 's questions `` showed that he was n't always being truthful . ''
Demings serves on the House Judiciary and Intelligence panels .
`` I understand that the politics of impeachment are difficult for many Senators .
But I have not written off the Senate .
Each Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right thing , '' Demings tweeted Wednesday .
Garcia , a Texas Democrat , will also be one of the managers .
Garcia `` was the director and presiding judge of the Houston municipal system and was elected city controller , '' Pelosi said in a statement .
`` Ms. Garcia was later elected the first Hispanic and first woman to be elected in her own right to the Harris County Commissioners Court . ''
Garcia said in a tweet Wednesday that she was `` honored to be one of seven House Impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the American people . ''
`` For me this is about upholding my oath of office , '' she said .
`` I take my responsibility seriously because we 're working to defend our Constitution at a pivotal moment in our democracy . ''

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announces impeachment managers for the articles of impeachment against US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday unveiled the team of Democrats who will make the case for President Donald Trump's conviction and removal from office. Pelosi selected seven House Democrats to serve as impeachment managers, essentially acting as prosecutors during Trump's Senate trial. They will lay out the evidence that House investigators have collected and make their arguments for voting Trump out of office, while Trump's lawyers defend him. The 100 senators, in turn, will act as jurors as they consider how they will vote on the two articles of impeachment that the House passed on Dec. 18. It is highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority Senate will vote to convict and remove a Republican president. No Senate Republicans have said they will vote to convict. Trump is just the third U.S. president ever to be impeached.
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Some of the rules for impeachment are mandated in the Constitution, while others are based on precedent. Seven managers were also appointed during the 1868 impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson, for instance, while there were 13 Republican managers from the House Judiciary Committee Republicans in Bill Clinton's 1998 Senate trial. No matter the outcome of the trial, "he's been impeached forever," Pelosi said before announcing the managers at a press conference Wednesday. "They can never erase that." House Democrats voted to impeach Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, both related to his efforts to have Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce probes involving former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that "the naming of these managers does not change a single thing." Trump "has done nothing wrong," Grisham said. "He looks forward to having the due process rights in the Senate that Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats denied to him, and expects to be fully exonerated." Here's what to know about the House managers in Trump's impeachment trial:
Adam Schiff
Pelosi tapped the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to be the lead prosecutor in Trump's Senate trial. Schiff was already seen as a leading figure in the impeachment inquiry. His attacks on Trump and his approach to running the House impeachment proceedings have made him a target of scathing criticism from Republicans and the president himself. "I am humbled by the responsibility of serving as the lead House Manager in the Senate impeachment trial," the California congressman said in a statement. "It is a solemn responsibility and one that I will undertake with the seriousness that the task requires." Schiff and other Democrats have demanded that the Senate trial allow witnesses to come forward. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked McConnell to approve four witnesses, including former national security advisor John Bolton and White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, in advance of the trial. McConnell refused, saying he wants the trial to mirror Clinton's, in which senators waited until the proceedings had already started to debate whether to call witnesses. "Americans overwhelmingly want a fair trial in the Senate, fair to the President and fair to the people. Senators must demand to see and hear the full evidence, including the documents and witnesses the President has blocked," Schiff said in his statement. "Only then can they faithfully discharge their own Constitutional duties to be fair and impartial jurors."
Jerrold Nadler
The congressman from New York is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He has said that Trump "richly deserves impeachment" since the end of former special counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Nadler oversaw an impeachment hearing in his committee in early December, when a panel of experts debated whether Trump's Ukraine dealings met the bar for charges. Three of those witnesses said Trump committed impeachable offenses, while one disagreed. "There is an overwhelming case, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the president betrayed the country by withholding federal funds appropriated by Congress, breaking the law in doing so, in order to extort a foreign government into intervening in our election to embarrass a political opponent," Nadler said at Wednesday's press conference.
Zoe Lofgren
Lofgren, a 13-term congresswoman from California, chairs the House Administration Committee — which, as Pelosi points out, has jurisdiction over legislation relating to federal elections. Lofgren served on the Judiciary Committee in 1998, when Clinton was impeached in the House for lying about an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. When she herself was an intern, Lofgren reportedly helped the same committee draft impeachment charges against Richard Nixon. Lofgren is seen as a more even-keeled and judicious member of the team than some of her more vocal colleagues. Unlike many other Democrats. Lofgren had been skeptical about moving forward with impeachment proceedings against Trump following the release of the Mueller report.
Hakeem Jeffries
Jeffries, the No. 5 Democrat in the House, chairs his party's caucus in the chamber, which crafts and controls party policy. Jeffries has represented his New York district in Congress since 2013. He previously worked as a litigator. "The evidence is overwhelming that Donald Trump corruptly abused his power" by pressuring Ukraine to announce the Biden probe, Jeffries said Wednesday. "In America, no one is above the law."
Val Demings
The Florida representative, one of the most junior members of Congress on the management team, had served as the first female chief of the Orlando Police Department before running for political office. She made headlines during Mueller's testimony before Congress last year, when she asked if Trump's written responses to the special counsel's questions "showed that he wasn't always being truthful." Mueller replied: "I would say generally." Demings serves on the House Judiciary and Intelligence panels. "I understand that the politics of impeachment are difficult for many Senators. But I have not written off the Senate. Each Senator still has the power to do the right thing," Demings tweeted Wednesday. Demings TWEET 1 Demings TWEET 2 3
Jason Crow
While some members were widely expected to be recruited to the team of House managers, Crow seems to have flown in under the radar. Crow, an Army veteran, was elected to the House in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Coffman and flipping the suburban Denver district for the Democrats for the first time since it was drawn in the early 1980s. Crow, a lawyer, serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Unlike some other freshman Democrats who won Republican-leaning districts in 2018, Crow has not been afraid to declare his support for Trump's impeachment. He co-authored an op-ed in September with other freshman Democrats, saying if the allegations about Trump's Ukraine dealings are true, then "we believe these actions represent an impeachable offense."
Sylvia Garcia


cnbc--2020-01-15--Michael Bloomberg is seen as Democrat most likely to beat Trump if nominated, according to betting m

Michael Bloomberg is seen as Democrat most likely to beat Trump if nominated, according to betting market data

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seen as the Democrat most likely to defeat President Donald Trump if nominated , according to an analysis of online betting market data by researchers at Standard Chartered Bank .
But Bloomberg , who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on his nascent bid for the presidency , still only has a 10 % chance of winning the primary , according to researchers Steve Englander and Geoff Kendrick , who published their findings in a note on Tuesday .
Bloomberg is far from the front of the Democratic primary field in national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ascended rapidly in recent weeks in large part as a result of his unprecedented spending .
Bloomberg has spent more than $ 200 million on his campaign so far and has said he may spend up to $ 1 billion to defeat Trump even if he is not the nominee .
The research note from U.K.-based Standard Chartered attempts to explain the strength of the stock market despite polling that shows that Democrats are likely to defeat Trump in November 's election .
Analysts have speculated that financial markets could plunge if one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though the major U.S. indexes have continued to set records .
Englander , in an interview , said that the standard answer for why the stock market is n't reacting to much of the volatility of the 2020 race is that the election is `` too far away and too hard to hedge . ''
`` But this is an alternative answer : That the candidates that are most electable are seen as the least unfriendly to asset markets , '' he said .
Englander and Kendrick wrote in the note that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely that Trump or a moderate Democrat who is `` sympathetic to asset markets '' — notably Bloomberg or former Vice President Joe Biden — will ultimately prevail .
`` Among investors , Bloomberg and Biden are probably viewed as the most asset-market friendly among the Democratic candidates , so their greater implied electability may be why US assets are not showing more stress , '' the researchers wrote .
The researchers suggested it could also be too early for markets to be affected by the 2020 race and that investors may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their agendas if elected .
Englander and Kendrick wrote that the decline in the past few weeks of one of the leading progressives in the race , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, may have neutralized the impact of the other , Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , in the eyes of investors .
`` Sanders ' nomination probability has risen in online markets , but Warren 's decline may have matched or exceeded his move , '' they wrote .
Warren has slid in a number of polls conducted since early October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is now in second place behind Biden .
The outcome of the primary 's first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire next month , where the top candidates are all within spitting distance of a first place finish , could shape the race .
The researchers wrote that Sanders ' electability is perceived to be slightly behind Biden , while Warren and Buttigieg `` look to have relatively low odds of beating Trump '' if nominated .
Trump , they wrote , has a 55 % -60 % chance of winning if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat .
Incumbents are generally seen as having an electoral advantage , particularly when the economy is seen as strong .
Representatives for the Trump , Bloomberg , Sanders , Warren and Buttigieg campaigns all either did not respond to or declined requests for comment .
The researchers analyzed data available on two websites where gamblers can place bets on the outcome of political events , Betfair and Smarkets .
They also interpreted data available on Oddschecker , a website that compiles data from a range of online markets .
The analysts noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We use online markets but are mindful of their limitations , '' the researchers wrote .
`` The views expressed though the markets may be wrong ( just as polls often are ) and the probabilities they generate may not be reliable if the markets are relatively thin . ''
A thin market refers to one in which there is only a small number of buyers and sellers .
Online betting markets are generally far thinner than financial markets , for instance , and therefore less reliable as a measure of investor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the online markets is that they ask very specific questions .
And the not nice thing about them is that they are kind of thin — they are not the Treasury market , '' Englander said .
`` So you have to be careful not to overstate the reliability .
But you can take it as another piece of evidence , or another indication of what people may be thinking . ''
Larry Sabato , a top elections analyst and director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but cautioned that elections can be unpredictable and that Bloomberg 's path to winning the Democratic nomination is a steep one .
`` In 2016 no one got it right , '' Sabato wrote in an email .
`` My philosophy is , let a thousand flowers bloom .
The more analyses like this one , the better .
Groupthink has caused more good people to get it wrong than any other factor . ''
Sabato said that Bloomberg could have an opening if the first four states to award delegates — Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina — produce four different winners .
`` Then he might be able to offer Democrats a way out , beginning on Super Tuesday , '' Sabato wrote .
`` Stranger things have happened ( such as Trump ) . ''
The president himself is eyeing Bloomberg closely , according to a report published Tuesday in The New York Times , unsettled by his financial resources , though his aides told the paper that they do not see Bloomberg as a serious challenger .

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg addresses a news conference after launching his presidential bid in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S., November 25, 2019. Joshua Roberts | Reuters
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seen as the Democrat most likely to defeat President Donald Trump if nominated, according to an analysis of online betting market data by researchers at Standard Chartered Bank. But Bloomberg, who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on his nascent bid for the presidency, still only has a 10% chance of winning the primary, according to researchers Steve Englander and Geoff Kendrick, who published their findings in a note on Tuesday. Bloomberg is far from the front of the Democratic primary field in national and state polling, though he has ascended rapidly in recent weeks in large part as a result of his unprecedented spending. Bloomberg has spent more than $200 million on his campaign so far and has said he may spend up to $1 billion to defeat Trump even if he is not the nominee.
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The research note from U.K.-based Standard Chartered attempts to explain the strength of the stock market despite polling that shows that Democrats are likely to defeat Trump in November's election. Analysts have speculated that financial markets could plunge if one of the race's progressives is elected, though the major U.S. indexes have continued to set records. Englander, in an interview, said that the standard answer for why the stock market isn't reacting to much of the volatility of the 2020 race is that the election is "too far away and too hard to hedge." "But this is an alternative answer: That the candidates that are most electable are seen as the least unfriendly to asset markets," he said. Englander and Kendrick wrote in the note that it's possible that investors believe it is likely that Trump or a moderate Democrat who is "sympathetic to asset markets" — notably Bloomberg or former Vice President Joe Biden — will ultimately prevail. "Among investors, Bloomberg and Biden are probably viewed as the most asset-market friendly among the Democratic candidates, so their greater implied electability may be why US assets are not showing more stress," the researchers wrote. The researchers suggested it could also be too early for markets to be affected by the 2020 race and that investors may believe that candidates could face trouble enacting their agendas if elected. Englander and Kendrick wrote that the decline in the past few weeks of one of the leading progressives in the race, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., may have neutralized the impact of the other, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the eyes of investors. "Sanders' nomination probability has risen in online markets, but Warren's decline may have matched or exceeded his move," they wrote.
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cnbc--2020-01-15--Judge revokes bail for lawyer Michael Avenatti after he's accused of new financial crimes, Nike exto

Judge revokes bail for lawyer Michael Avenatti after he's accused of new financial crimes, Nike extortion trial delayed one week

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels ( Stephanie Clifford ) and Michael Avenatti , attorney for Stormy Daniels , speak to the media after a hearing related to Michael Cohen .
A federal judge in California on Wednesday revoked the bail of disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti , a day after he was dramatically arrested for allegedly committing a raft of new financial crimes while free and awaiting trial on charges against him in three federal criminal cases .
Avenatti was ordered to be detained in jail without bond pending his upcoming trials after a nearly hourlong hearing in U.S. District Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge James Selna .
Selna ordered Avenatti to be transported `` forthwith , '' by no later than Friday , to New York , where he had been scheduled to begin trial next Tuesday on charges of trying to extort more than $ 20 million from athletic apparel giant Nike .
That trial now will be delayed by no longer than a week , the judge in that case , Paul Gardephe , said later Wednesday during a conference call with prosecutors and defense lawyers .
In that call , Avenatti 's lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack funds , or access to funds , to pay for an expert witness and expenses related to other witnesses in that case .
Despite that , Gardephe said , `` I want the trial to begin at least by Jan .
27 . ''
The judge clearly was irked that federal prosecutors in California had sought Avenatti 's arrest on the eve of trial in New York , and suggested there was no good reason for that arrest , noting that the conduct alleged by prosecutors dates back months .
Avenatti is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shake down the company by threatening to expose alleged evidence of bribing amateur basketball players and their families unless the company paid up .
The U.S. attorney 's office in Los Angeles , in a filing in Santa Ana court unsealed Wednesday , said it wanted Avenatti 's bail revoked because there is reason to believe he had violated terms of his release by engaging in `` mail fraud , '' `` wire fraud , '' and `` structuring financial transactions to evade [ currency ] reporting requirements , '' as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged in all three pending federal cases last spring .
Avenatti , an ardent foe of President Donald Trump , engaged in those alleged crimes to hide money from creditors , whom he owes more than $ 10 million , prosecutors said .
`` The fact that [ Avenatti ] continued to engage in criminal conduct after he had been indicted in this case and while on bond demonstrates that defendant remains a substantial economic danger to the community , '' the U.S. attorney 's office wrote .
Avenatti , 49 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged bail violation by IRS criminal investigation agents in Los Angeles in the middle of a state bar court hearing .
State bar officials want his law license involuntarily suspended because of claims he ripped off a client for more than $ 800,000 .
Avenatti is separately charged in another case pending in Manhattan federal court with scamming his former client , porn star Stormy Daniels , out of $ 300,000 in proceeds from a book deal .
A trial in that case is set to begin April 21 .
Avenatti has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
He has claimed he is the victim of politically motivated prosecutions as a result of `` animus '' toward him by Trump .
But Daniels in a tweet Wednesday lashed out at a Twitter user who suggested that Avenatti was `` unjustifiably arrested '' by Trump 's `` hired gunman because he helped reveal the @ StormyDaniels story . ''
`` Did they make him forge my name , steal my money and lie to me ?
F -- - him ! ''
Daniels tweeted .
Court documents filed by prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last May fraudulently transferred most of a $ 1 million payment to his law firm to hide that payment from creditors who include a former law partner , a client , his second wife and Washington state tax officials .
Prosecutors also said he has `` engaged in a number of other fraudulent transactions '' to defraud his creditors `` and conceal his assets . ''
Those transactions included using a portion of the payment to his firm to have his ex-wife buy a $ 50,000 Mercedes-Benz car in her name that Avenatti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to transport '' Avenatti .
Prosecutors in court papers detailed how Avenatti , since his arrest last spring for the federal cases , has repeatedly withdrawn cash and cashed checks in amounts of thousands of dollars , but less than the $ 10,000 threshold that requires banks to report financial transactions to federal regulators .
In the pending criminal case in California that was the subject of the bail revocation , Avenatti last year was charged in a 36-count indictment accusing him of tax crimes , wire fraud and perjury , with Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients out of millions of dollars .
Prosecutors claimed at the time that Avenatti hid and then spent a $ 4 million legal settlement obtained in January 2015 in favor of a mentally ill paraplegic client , and hid a $ 2.75 million settlement for another client that Avenatti allegedly used to help pay for his share of the purchase of a private jet valued at up to $ 5 million .
Avenatti 's trial in California is scheduled to begin in May .
Avenatti 's bail terms for all his pending cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognizance bond , required him to limit his travel to certain parts of California , New York and Florida unless he received permission from pretrial services officials .
He also was prohibited from committing crimes as a condition of his release .
Earlier Wednesday , Manhattan federal court Judge Gardephe denied Avenatti 's motion to toss the Nike extortion case , seeming to pave the way for Avenatti 's trial beginning next Tuesday , the same day that Trump 's impeachment trial is expected to begin the Senate .
But Gardephe said later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been `` thrown into chaos '' by Avenatti 's arrest in California .
During a telephone conference after Avenatti 's bail was revoked , his lawyer , Jose Manuel Quinon , told Gardephe , `` We have some very difficult problems . ''
Quinon said he does not know if Avenatti has enough money to pay for trial expenses , leaving the defense team at a serious disadvantage .
`` We may have to have an indigency hearing , '' Quinon said , referring to proceeding where a judge could decide that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his defense , and was entitled to access to a special fund .
`` We were dealing with very little resources , and now we have none , '' Quinon said .
`` We find out that the rug has been pulled out from under us , because this was totally unexpected . ''
Prosecutors in the case opposed a long delay for the trial , saying that Avenatti 's assets had not been seized as part of his arrest in California .
Gardephe , in his ruling earlier Wednesday rejecting a dismissal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to throw out all three counts of the indictment on the grounds that `` that he was targeted for prosecution in this case for unconstitutionally vindictive and selective reasons . ''
Gardephe said that prosecutors have `` broad discretion '' to enforce criminal laws .
The judge also wrote that `` although Avenatti has proffered ample evidence of the animosity President Trump feels towards him , Avenatti has not offered any evidence suggesting that that animosity played any role in the U.S. Attorney 's decision to prosecute him . ''
The judge added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities wholly unrelated to the political arena . ''

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) and Michael Avenatti, attorney for Stormy Daniels, speak to the media after a hearing related to Michael Cohen.
A federal judge in California on Wednesday revoked the bail of disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti, a day after he was dramatically arrested for allegedly committing a raft of new financial crimes while free and awaiting trial on charges against him in three federal criminal cases.
Avenatti was ordered to be detained in jail without bond pending his upcoming trials after a nearly hourlong hearing in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, California, before Judge James Selna.
Selna ordered Avenatti to be transported "forthwith," by no later than Friday, to New York, where he had been scheduled to begin trial next Tuesday on charges of trying to extort more than $20 million from athletic apparel giant Nike .
That trial now will be delayed by no longer than a week, the judge in that case, Paul Gardephe, said later Wednesday during a conference call with prosecutors and defense lawyers.
In that call, Avenatti's lawyers complained to the judge that they now lack funds, or access to funds, to pay for an expert witness and expenses related to other witnesses in that case.
Despite that, Gardephe said, "I want the trial to begin at least by Jan. 27."
The judge clearly was irked that federal prosecutors in California had sought Avenatti's arrest on the eve of trial in New York, and suggested there was no good reason for that arrest, noting that the conduct alleged by prosecutors dates back months.
Avenatti is accused in the Nike case of trying to shake down the company by threatening to expose alleged evidence of bribing amateur basketball players and their families unless the company paid up.
The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles, in a filing in Santa Ana court unsealed Wednesday, said it wanted Avenatti's bail revoked because there is reason to believe he had violated terms of his release by engaging in "mail fraud," "wire fraud," and "structuring financial transactions to evade [currency] reporting requirements," as well as "money laundering" since he was charged in all three pending federal cases last spring.
Avenatti, an ardent foe of President Donald Trump, engaged in those alleged crimes to hide money from creditors, whom he owes more than $10 million, prosecutors said.
"The fact that [Avenatti] continued to engage in criminal conduct after he had been indicted in this case and while on bond demonstrates that defendant remains a substantial economic danger to the community," the U.S. attorney's office wrote.
Avenatti, 49, was arrested Tuesday evening without warning for the alleged bail violation by IRS criminal investigation agents in Los Angeles in the middle of a state bar court hearing.
State bar officials want his law license involuntarily suspended because of claims he ripped off a client for more than $800,000.
Avenatti is separately charged in another case pending in Manhattan federal court with scamming his former client, porn star Stormy Daniels, out of $300,000 in proceeds from a book deal. A trial in that case is set to begin April 21.
Avenatti has pleaded not guilty in all three federal cases.
He has claimed he is the victim of politically motivated prosecutions as a result of "animus" toward him by Trump.
But Daniels in a tweet Wednesday lashed out at a Twitter user who suggested that Avenatti was "unjustifiably arrested" by Trump's "hired gunman because he helped reveal the @StormyDaniels story."
"Did they make him forge my name, steal my money and lie to me? F--- him!" Daniels tweeted.
Court documents filed by prosecutors in California this week allege that Avenatti last May fraudulently transferred most of a $1 million payment to his law firm to hide that payment from creditors who include a former law partner, a client, his second wife and Washington state tax officials.
Prosecutors also said he has "engaged in a number of other fraudulent transactions" to defraud his creditors "and conceal his assets."
Those transactions included using a portion of the payment to his firm to have his ex-wife buy a $50,000 Mercedes-Benz car in her name that Avenatti and his personal driver "repeatedly used to transport" Avenatti.
Prosecutors in court papers detailed how Avenatti, since his arrest last spring for the federal cases, has repeatedly withdrawn cash and cashed checks in amounts of thousands of dollars, but less than the $10,000 threshold that requires banks to report financial transactions to federal regulators.
In the pending criminal case in California that was the subject of the bail revocation, Avenatti last year was charged in a 36-count indictment accusing him of tax crimes, wire fraud and perjury, with Los Angeles federal prosecutors accusing him of swindling clients out of millions of dollars.
Prosecutors claimed at the time that Avenatti hid and then spent a $4 million legal settlement obtained in January 2015 in favor of a mentally ill paraplegic client, and hid a $2.75 million settlement for another client that Avenatti allegedly used to help pay for his share of the purchase of a private jet valued at up to $5 million.
Avenatti's trial in California is scheduled to begin in May.
Avenatti's bail terms for all his pending cases, which included a $300,000 personal recognizance bond, required him to limit his travel to certain parts of California, New York and Florida unless he received permission from pretrial services officials. He also was prohibited from committing crimes as a condition of his release.
Earlier Wednesday, Manhattan federal court Judge Gardephe denied Avenatti's motion to toss the Nike extortion case, seeming to pave the way for Avenatti's trial beginning next Tuesday, the same day that Trump's impeachment trial is expected to begin the Senate.
But Gardephe said later Wednesday that the plan for the trial has been "thrown into chaos" by Avenatti's arrest in California.
During a telephone conference after Avenatti's bail was revoked, his lawyer, Jose Manuel Quinon, told Gardephe, "We have some very difficult problems."
Quinon said he does not know if Avenatti has enough money to pay for trial expenses, leaving the defense team at a serious disadvantage.
"We may have to have an indigency hearing," Quinon said, referring to proceeding where a judge could decide that Avenatti had no money to pay for his defense, and was entitled to access to a special fund.
"We were dealing with very little resources, and now we have none," Quinon said. "We find out that the rug has been pulled out from under us, because this was totally unexpected."
Prosecutors in the case opposed a long delay for the trial, saying that Avenatti's assets had not been seized as part of his arrest in California.
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Gardephe, in his ruling earlier Wednesday rejecting a dismissal motion, noted that Avenatti has moved to throw out all three counts of the indictment on the grounds that "that he was targeted for prosecution in this case for unconstitutionally vindictive and selective reasons."
Gardephe said that prosecutors have "broad discretion" to enforce criminal laws.
The judge also wrote that "although Avenatti has proffered ample evidence of the animosity President Trump feels towards him, Avenatti has not offered any evidence suggesting that that animosity played any role in the U.S. Attorney's decision to prosecute him."
The judge added: "Avenatti is being prosecuted for activities wholly unrelated to the political arena."


cnbc--2020-01-15--Pelosi taps Schiff, Nadler and 5 others as Trump impeachment managers

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces the impeachment managers for the Senate trial President Donald Trump , including Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler ( L ) and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , Capitol Hill January 15 , 2020 , in Washington , DC Crow is a former Army Range r and Bronze Star recipient , who served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan .
In 2018 , she defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Coffman , becoming the first Democrat ever to win that seat in the suburban Denver district .
Demings is a former chief of police of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ever hold the position .
Demings and Crow were surprise additions , but both have relevant experience to bring to a Senate trial , as well as representing voter blocs within the Democratic electorate that are crucial to maintaining control of the House .
`` He 's been impeached forever .
They can never erase that , '' Pelosi said .
At a press conference on Capitol Hill , Pelosi noted that more incriminating evidence against the president has come out since in the four weeks since he was impeached on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler and party Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries , both of New York , and Reps. Zoe Lofgren of California , Val Demings of Florida and two freshmen : Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia Garcia of Texas .
WASHINGTON — House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff will lead the seven impeachment managers at President Donald Trump 's trial in the Senate , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday .
Five of the seven managers are members of the House Judiciary Committee , and two , Schiff and Demings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is an overwhelming case , beyond any reasonable doubt , that the president betrayed the country by withholding federal funds appropriated by Congress , breaking the law in doing so , in order to extort a foreign government into intervening in our election to embarrass a political opponent , '' Nadler said at the press conference .
Wednesday 's announcement came just hours before the House is scheduled to vote on a resolution formally transmitting the two impeachment articles against Trump from the House to the Senate .
Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin Tuesday , according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
The job of the impeachment managers in a Senate trial is to lay out the House approved arguments for removing the president from office .
The president 's lawyers will argue the opposing point , and the Senate will ultimately vote on whether to remove Trump from office .
In that sense , the task of the impeachment managers resembles that of a prosecutor in a civil trial , although the rules and procedures for an impeachment trial are completely different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nadler were widely expected to be among the managers , given their deep knowledge and prior involvement in the House impeachment inquiry this fall .
Schiff and the Intelligence Committee led the inquiry , which included public testimony from more than a dozen witnesses .
Nadler chairs the committee that drafted and approved the two articles of impeachment against the president that were passed by the House .
The House resolution to be voted on Wednesday will have three functions : to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate , designate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the impeachment trial , and fund the trial itself .
On a practical level , the resolution 's adoption by the House will also trigger a series of carefully choreographed procedural steps between the House and Senate , culminating in a walk across the Capitol by the House impeachment managers , who will be carrying the actual articles of impeachment in their hands .
The managers will then physically deliver the articles to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams , a career public servant and former member of Senate Majority Leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the articles is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon , when Pelosi signs the resolution .
The handover will mark the end of a nearly month-long delay in transmitting the documents , which Pelosi orchestrated in an attempt to force concessions out of McConnell , R-Ky. Chief among them has been the ability to call witnesses , which Democrats have long demanded as part of any trial they would consider to be a `` fair '' one .
But McConnell has said the question of witnesses should be shelved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton .
As of early Wednesday , the issue of witnesses at Trump 's Senate trial remained very much unresolved , following reports that McConnell met with a small group of GOP senators on Tuesday who pitched him on the idea that calling witnesses could work to the president 's advantage , as long as there are no restrictions on exactly who can be summoned .
The House voted on Dec.18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , his son Hunter and other domestic political opponents .
The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia .
Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme .
Some Republicans have considered calling Hunter Biden , as well as the whistleblower whose complaint about Trump 's July 25 call with Ukraine 's president helped spark the impeachment inquiry , as witnesses in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's news conference that the witnesses should be relevant to the charges against Trump .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces the impeachment managers for the Senate trial President Donald Trump, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (L) and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC
Crow is a former Army Range r and Bronze Star recipient, who served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2018, she defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Coffman, becoming the first Democrat ever to win that seat in the suburban Denver district.
Demings is a former chief of police of Orlando, the first woman of color to ever hold the position.
Demings and Crow were surprise additions, but both have relevant experience to bring to a Senate trial, as well as representing voter blocs within the Democratic electorate that are crucial to maintaining control of the House.
"He's been impeached forever. They can never erase that," Pelosi said.
At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Pelosi noted that more incriminating evidence against the president has come out since in the four weeks since he was impeached on Dec. 18.
Also on the team are House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler and party Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, and Reps. Zoe Lofgren of California, Val Demings of Florida and two freshmen: Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia Garcia of Texas.
WASHINGTON — House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff will lead the seven impeachment managers at President Donald Trump's trial in the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday.
Five of the seven managers are members of the House Judiciary Committee, and two, Schiff and Demings, are members of the Intelligence Committee.
"There is an overwhelming case, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the president betrayed the country by withholding federal funds appropriated by Congress, breaking the law in doing so, in order to extort a foreign government into intervening in our election to embarrass a political opponent," Nadler said at the press conference.
Wednesday's announcement came just hours before the House is scheduled to vote on a resolution formally transmitting the two impeachment articles against Trump from the House to the Senate. Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate is expected to begin Tuesday, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The job of the impeachment managers in a Senate trial is to lay out the House approved arguments for removing the president from office. The president's lawyers will argue the opposing point, and the Senate will ultimately vote on whether to remove Trump from office.
In that sense, the task of the impeachment managers resembles that of a prosecutor in a civil trial, although the rules and procedures for an impeachment trial are completely different.
Schiff, of California, and Nadler were widely expected to be among the managers, given their deep knowledge and prior involvement in the House impeachment inquiry this fall. Schiff and the Intelligence Committee led the inquiry, which included public testimony from more than a dozen witnesses.
Nadler chairs the committee that drafted and approved the two articles of impeachment against the president that were passed by the House.
The House resolution to be voted on Wednesday will have three functions: to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, designate the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial, and fund the trial itself.
On a practical level, the resolution's adoption by the House will also trigger a series of carefully choreographed procedural steps between the House and Senate, culminating in a walk across the Capitol by the House impeachment managers, who will be carrying the actual articles of impeachment in their hands.
The managers will then physically deliver the articles to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams, a career public servant and former member of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's staff.
The actual delivery of the articles is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, when Pelosi signs the resolution.
The handover will mark the end of a nearly month-long delay in transmitting the documents, which Pelosi orchestrated in an attempt to force concessions out of McConnell, R-Ky.
Chief among them has been the ability to call witnesses, which Democrats have long demanded as part of any trial they would consider to be a "fair" one.
But McConnell has said the question of witnesses should be shelved until partway into the trial itself, as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
As of early Wednesday, the issue of witnesses at Trump's Senate trial remained very much unresolved, following reports that McConnell met with a small group of GOP senators on Tuesday who pitched him on the idea that calling witnesses could work to the president's advantage, as long as there are no restrictions on exactly who can be summoned.
The House voted on Dec.18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign to pressure Ukraine into launching investigations into Joe Biden, his son Hunter and other domestic political opponents. The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme.
Some Republicans have considered calling Hunter Biden, as well as the whistleblower whose complaint about Trump's July 25 call with Ukraine's president helped spark the impeachment inquiry, as witnesses in the Senate trial.
Democrats argued at Wednesday's news conference that the witnesses should be relevant to the charges against Trump.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Putin consolidates power as Russian government resigns

Russia 's government resigned Wednesday to make way for major new constitutional changes , according to the Tass state news agency , citing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev .
Without giving much detail , the news agency said President Vladimir Putin thanked Medvedev 's government for its work .
The move was reportedly made so Putin can carry out sweeping constitutional changes he spoke about at his annual address just hours earlier .
`` For my part , I also want to thank you for everything that was done at this stage of our joint work , I want to express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved , '' Putin told a meeting of ministers , according to Tass .
`` Not everything was done , but everything never works out in full , '' Putin said .
Later , Russian news agencies reported that Putin wants to appoint Mikhail Mishustin , the head of Russia 's Federal Tax Service , as the new Prime Minister .
News of the governmnet resignation came after Putin 's annual address to lawmakers .
The Russian leader proposed a national vote on constitutional changes that would push power toward the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency .
It 's seen as potentially limiting the power of Putin 's successor if he steps down in 2024 .

Russia's government resigned Wednesday to make way for major new constitutional changes, according to the Tass state news agency, citing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Without giving much detail, the news agency said President Vladimir Putin thanked Medvedev's government for its work. The move was reportedly made so Putin can carry out sweeping constitutional changes he spoke about at his annual address just hours earlier.
"For my part, I also want to thank you for everything that was done at this stage of our joint work, I want to express satisfaction with the results that have been achieved," Putin told a meeting of ministers, according to Tass.
"Not everything was done, but everything never works out in full," Putin said.
Later, Russian news agencies reported that Putin wants to appoint Mikhail Mishustin, the head of Russia's Federal Tax Service, as the new Prime Minister.
News of the government resignation came after Putin's annual address to lawmakers. The Russian leader proposed a national vote on constitutional changes that would push power toward the prime minister and the parliament, and away from the presidency. It's seen as potentially limiting the power of Putin's successor if he steps down in 2024.