Ex-Obama lawyer charged in Mueller Russia probe

In the impeachment trial, Democrats are arguing that former US President Donald Trump's baseless claims of election fraud caused the deadly Capitol riot on January 6.

Democrats have finished presenting their case for impeachment, arguing that the Capitol mob was "invited" by ex-President Trump, and that he would continue to "insight violence" if ever allowed back in the White House.

Top Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has announced a probe into the breach of the US Capitol by former President Donald Trump's supporters in January. Some Republicans have also expressed support for the idea.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki assures the world's media that the Bidens' dogs won't be away from the White House for long, saying their banishment to Delaware was planned before a "biting incident" involving one of the hounds, and they will return "soon". She adds that there's no plan to replace them with a cat, yet.

Congressional Democrats introduce legislation to expand the US Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices, arguing it is necessary after the Senate confirmed former president Donald Trump's nominee just eight days before the 2020 election to give the bench a firm conservative majority. The move has drawn angry protests from Republicans accusing their rivals of attempting a power grab to enact President Joe Biden's agenda.

Asked about US involvement in a move by the Australian government to scrap a state's deal to join China's Belt and Road Initiative, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says, "how we can work together as a global community and in a coordinated fashion as it relates to China is part of nearly every discussion the President has with a European partner or country in the region."

The United States will release up to 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says at her daily briefing. The Food and Drug Administration will perform quality checks over the next few months on US-produced doses before they are sent abroad, she adds. But, she explains, "Just to be clear, right now we have zero doses available of AstraZeneca."

The outgoing German chancellor is set to travel to Washington for talks with the US president on COVID, climate change and bilateral ties.

The GOP has once again used its minority rights in the Senate to block key Democrat legislation. Democrats have pledged to keep trying to pass voting rights reforms.

"Pride is back at the White House," US President Joe Biden tells a group of gay rights activists, transgender military service members and youth, and officials during a commemoration of the month that celebrates LGBTQ life in America. Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg - the first-ever openly gay cabinet member - warn against the rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation in statehouses across the US.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says the United States holds China's Ministry of State Security responsible for "malicious cyber activities" and reserves the option "to take additional actions" in response.

Hundreds of Cuban Americans, political refugees and activists marched on the US capital Monday to protest against the Cuban government and its crackdown on anti-communist demonstrations earlier this month.