WASHINGTON — The lead prosecutor for President Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment began building his case for conviction at trial, asserting on Sunday that Trump’s incitement of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol was “the most dangerous crime” ever committed by a president against the United States. A Senate trial could begin as soon as this week, just as Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president.Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., did not say when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will send the single article of impeachment against Trump — for “incitement of insurrection” —...…WASHINGTON — The lead prosecutor for President Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment began building his case for conviction at trial, asserting on Sunday that Trump’s incitement of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol was “the most dangerous crime” ever committed by a president against the United States. A Senate trial could begin as soon as this week, just as Democrat Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president.Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., did not say when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will send the single article of impeachment against Trump — for “incitement of insurrection” —...WW…

Leisure/ArtsVirtual reality made me want to get into bed with Glenn Close.  Well, I had to do something. She laid there right in front of me, dying. I stepped to the edge of the bed and reached out, wanting to comfort. My sister Daisy Ridley and I exchanged a knowing glance across the bed, and then averted our eyes. Then we looked back at Close, our mother, the chief of our village, who’d been cursed by the witch Baba Yaga.  This affecting scene was not in a videogame or a movie, but in a virtual reality short film released Thursday on Facebook’sOculus headsets. Based on a Russian fairy...…Leisure/ArtsVirtual reality made me want to get into bed with Glenn Close.  Well, I had to do something. She laid there right in front of me, dying. I stepped to the edge of the bed and reached out, wanting to comfort. My sister Daisy Ridley and I exchanged a knowing glance across the bed, and then averted our eyes. Then we looked back at Close, our mother, the chief of our village, who’d been cursed by the witch Baba Yaga.  This affecting scene was not in a videogame or a movie, but in a virtual reality short film released Thursday on Facebook’sOculus headsets. Based on a Russian fairy...WW…

President-elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion stimulus package and the stock market fell. What the heck is going on? You might have expected the S&P 500 IndexDow Jones Industrial Averageand Nasdaqto rise on the news. The package might be too much of a good thing, and the smart money — professional investors — knows it.Of course, no one wants to begrudge anyone who needspersonal assistance to pay the bills because of hardships not of their owndoing, meaning the Covid-19 crisis. That would be heartless. But investors also consider the big picture. In this sense, the stimulus may...…President-elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion stimulus package and the stock market fell. What the heck is going on? You might have expected the S&P 500 IndexDow Jones Industrial Averageand Nasdaqto rise on the news. The package might be too much of a good thing, and the smart money — professional investors — knows it.Of course, no one wants to begrudge anyone who needspersonal assistance to pay the bills because of hardships not of their owndoing, meaning the Covid-19 crisis. That would be heartless. But investors also consider the big picture. In this sense, the stimulus may...WW…

President-Elect Joe Biden on Thursday night that would cut a new round of $1,400 direct checks meant to top off the recently distributed $600 payments. “We will finish the job of getting $2,000 in cash relief topeople who need it the most,” Biden said, adding that the “$600 alreadyappropriated is simply not enough.”For one portion of the population numbering in the millions — adult dependents — Biden’s proposed plan would actually start the job of cash relief. And this round of checks would expand payments for households whose family members have different immigration status.15 million...…President-Elect Joe Biden on Thursday night that would cut a new round of $1,400 direct checks meant to top off the recently distributed $600 payments. “We will finish the job of getting $2,000 in cash relief topeople who need it the most,” Biden said, adding that the “$600 alreadyappropriated is simply not enough.”For one portion of the population numbering in the millions — adult dependents — Biden’s proposed plan would actually start the job of cash relief. And this round of checks would expand payments for households whose family members have different immigration status.15 million...WW…

Apple Inc. shared more information Wednesday about its plans to invest $100 million toward racial-justice goals. The company is making a $25 million contribution to help launch the Propel Center, which supports students and faculty members at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Apple's contribution will help the Propel Center offer programming virtually as well as in person through a physical campus at the Atlanta University Center. The company will invest $10 million in Harlem Capital, an early-stage venture-capital company that invests in diverse founders. Apple also...…Apple Inc. shared more information Wednesday about its plans to invest $100 million toward racial-justice goals. The company is making a $25 million contribution to help launch the Propel Center, which supports students and faculty members at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Apple's contribution will help the Propel Center offer programming virtually as well as in person through a physical campus at the Atlanta University Center. The company will invest $10 million in Harlem Capital, an early-stage venture-capital company that invests in diverse founders. Apple also...WW…

Twitter cut into Donald Trump’s megaphone by the president’s account Friday to avoid the “risk of further incitement of violence” after pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. But how much was the Commander-in-Chief’s presence worth to the platform after racking up and approximately 89 million followers.Twitterannounced Trump’s permanent suspension after trading hours Friday and it before trading started Monday morning. That blotted out approximately $2.5 billion in market value, That tallies with one analyst estimated from 2017, which said that Trump for the site by...…Twitter cut into Donald Trump’s megaphone by the president’s account Friday to avoid the “risk of further incitement of violence” after pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. But how much was the Commander-in-Chief’s presence worth to the platform after racking up and approximately 89 million followers.Twitterannounced Trump’s permanent suspension after trading hours Friday and it before trading started Monday morning. That blotted out approximately $2.5 billion in market value, That tallies with one analyst estimated from 2017, which said that Trump for the site by...WW…

With global markets rallying on the hopes that massive economic stimulus will accompany President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration, Goldman Sachs’ seems even more realistic. In our call of the day, the investment bank’s chief U.S. equity strategist David J. Kostin has mapped out the road to 4,300.Goldman sees the S&P 500rising 14% through the year, after one of the world’s most closely watched indexes closed at 3,756 to finish 2020. A further 7% growth in the index is projected for 2022 — reaching 4,600. Underlying a double-digit forecast for returns in 2021 is the investment bank’s...…With global markets rallying on the hopes that massive economic stimulus will accompany President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration, Goldman Sachs’ seems even more realistic. In our call of the day, the investment bank’s chief U.S. equity strategist David J. Kostin has mapped out the road to 4,300.Goldman sees the S&P 500rising 14% through the year, after one of the world’s most closely watched indexes closed at 3,756 to finish 2020. A further 7% growth in the index is projected for 2022 — reaching 4,600. Underlying a double-digit forecast for returns in 2021 is the investment bank’s...WW…

Mortgage rates moved sharply higher this week, erasing weeksof declines and putting more pressure on Americans to move hastily to lock incheap financing. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.79% for the week ending Jan. 14, up 14 basis points from , Freddie Mac . A year ago, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.65%.The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, meanwhile, only increasedseven basis points to an average of 2.23%. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybridadjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.12%, up 37 basis points from the weekprior. “As Treasury yields have risen, it is putting...…Mortgage rates moved sharply higher this week, erasing weeksof declines and putting more pressure on Americans to move hastily to lock incheap financing. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.79% for the week ending Jan. 14, up 14 basis points from , Freddie Mac . A year ago, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.65%.The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, meanwhile, only increasedseven basis points to an average of 2.23%. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybridadjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.12%, up 37 basis points from the weekprior. “As Treasury yields have risen, it is putting...WW…

The numbers: The number of Americans who applied for jobless benefits soared in early January to a five-month high of nearly 1 million as more workers lost their jobs due to business closures and restrictions to combat the winter resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. Initial jobless claims filed traditionally through the states leaped by 181,000 to a seasonally adjusted 965,000 in the seven days ended Jan. 9, the . It was the highest level since August.Economists surveyed by Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal had forecast initial jobless claims to total 800,000. Another 284,470...…The numbers: The number of Americans who applied for jobless benefits soared in early January to a five-month high of nearly 1 million as more workers lost their jobs due to business closures and restrictions to combat the winter resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. Initial jobless claims filed traditionally through the states leaped by 181,000 to a seasonally adjusted 965,000 in the seven days ended Jan. 9, the . It was the highest level since August.Economists surveyed by Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal had forecast initial jobless claims to total 800,000. Another 284,470...WW…

Pat Gelsinger left Intel Corp. more than a decade ago, when it was clear he would not become CEO after 30 years at the company. On Wednesday, he finally got his dream job, but faces quite a task in returning the chip giant to the glory days of which he was a part.to take over his former employer at perhaps the most critical juncture in Intel’s long and storied history. Its once, an , and it is the target of numerous shareholder lawsuits. More from Therese: Gelsinger started his career at Intel at age 18, and during his 30-year tenure, , he “had the honor to be mentored at the feet of” Intel...…Pat Gelsinger left Intel Corp. more than a decade ago, when it was clear he would not become CEO after 30 years at the company. On Wednesday, he finally got his dream job, but faces quite a task in returning the chip giant to the glory days of which he was a part.to take over his former employer at perhaps the most critical juncture in Intel’s long and storied history. Its once, an , and it is the target of numerous shareholder lawsuits. More from Therese: Gelsinger started his career at Intel at age 18, and during his 30-year tenure, , he “had the honor to be mentored at the feet of” Intel...WW…

A new study underscores the high stakes renters face as theywant for government assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic. Over the next four years, the COVID-19-related recession is expected to cause chronic homelessness to increase some 49% nationwide, according to , a non-profit urban research organization based in California. The homelessness crisis is expected to peak in 2023, researchers found, with an additional 603,000 working-age adults without a place of their own to sleep.“Disconnection from work is a degenerative dynamic — less work, less earnings, less stable living conditions,...…A new study underscores the high stakes renters face as theywant for government assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic. Over the next four years, the COVID-19-related recession is expected to cause chronic homelessness to increase some 49% nationwide, according to , a non-profit urban research organization based in California. The homelessness crisis is expected to peak in 2023, researchers found, with an additional 603,000 working-age adults without a place of their own to sleep.“Disconnection from work is a degenerative dynamic — less work, less earnings, less stable living conditions,...WW…

Alphabet Inc.'sYouTube video streaming service suspended President Trump's account Tuesday evening, days after other large tech platforms responded to a deadly riot at the Capitol by banning the president. On Twitter Inc.which Friday, YouTube said that the president could not upload new content for a minimum of seven days. The suspension was in response to new content uploaded to Trump's account, "and in light of concerns the ongoing potential for violence," YouTube said. Facebook Inc.banned the president until at least the end of his term within 24 hours of Wednesday's insurrection attempt...…Alphabet Inc.'sYouTube video streaming service suspended President Trump's account Tuesday evening, days after other large tech platforms responded to a deadly riot at the Capitol by banning the president. On Twitter Inc.which Friday, YouTube said that the president could not upload new content for a minimum of seven days. The suspension was in response to new content uploaded to Trump's account, "and in light of concerns the ongoing potential for violence," YouTube said. Facebook Inc.banned the president until at least the end of his term within 24 hours of Wednesday's insurrection attempt...WW…

Talk about a case of mixed Signals. On Jan. 6, shares of Signal Advanceclosed at 60 cents a share, a solid gain for the Rosharon, Texas-based biotechnology company formerly known as Biodyne Development Company.A day later, on Thursday, the company’s shares surged 527% to $3.76 — and then all heck broke lose, after apparent ticker confusion amplified a move in the over-counter-traded security into the ether. The surge came after Tesla Inc.CEO Elon Musk recommended that people “use signal,” shifting to the encrypted-messaging platform Signal from Twitterand Facebookfollowing the Sturm und...…Talk about a case of mixed Signals. On Jan. 6, shares of Signal Advanceclosed at 60 cents a share, a solid gain for the Rosharon, Texas-based biotechnology company formerly known as Biodyne Development Company.A day later, on Thursday, the company’s shares surged 527% to $3.76 — and then all heck broke lose, after apparent ticker confusion amplified a move in the over-counter-traded security into the ether. The surge came after Tesla Inc.CEO Elon Musk recommended that people “use signal,” shifting to the encrypted-messaging platform Signal from Twitterand Facebookfollowing the Sturm und...WW…

Twitter Inc. is leading social-media stocks lower Monday as investors digest a new reality for the services after Twitter permanently banned President Donald Trump from its platform and Facebook Inc. said it would restrict him at least until the end of his term. The announcement from Twitterwhich came late Friday, followed a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters midweek. Twitter charged that Trump’s tweets after the riot . Facebookhad announced Thursday that Trump.Twitter shares are off 6.6% in Monday morning trading, while Facebook shares are down 3%. Shares of Apple...…Twitter Inc. is leading social-media stocks lower Monday as investors digest a new reality for the services after Twitter permanently banned President Donald Trump from its platform and Facebook Inc. said it would restrict him at least until the end of his term. The announcement from Twitterwhich came late Friday, followed a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters midweek. Twitter charged that Trump’s tweets after the riot . Facebookhad announced Thursday that Trump.Twitter shares are off 6.6% in Monday morning trading, while Facebook shares are down 3%. Shares of Apple...WW…

Facebook Inc.said it is removing all content mentioning “stop the steal,” a phrase popular among supporters of President Trump’s unproven , as part of a raft of measures to stem misinformation and incitements to violence on its platform ahead of President-elect ’s inauguration. The announcement was one of a number of new measures announced by tech giants Monday in an effort to deter further unrest after the  last week. Twitter Inc. said it has removed more than 70,000 accounts since Friday that spread the QAnon conspiracy theory, whose followers believe Trump is under assault by Satan...…Facebook Inc.said it is removing all content mentioning “stop the steal,” a phrase popular among supporters of President Trump’s unproven , as part of a raft of measures to stem misinformation and incitements to violence on its platform ahead of President-elect ’s inauguration. The announcement was one of a number of new measures announced by tech giants Monday in an effort to deter further unrest after the  last week. Twitter Inc. said it has removed more than 70,000 accounts since Friday that spread the QAnon conspiracy theory, whose followers believe Trump is under assault by Satan...WW…

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is exploring immediately convening the Senate for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial as soon as the House votes and sends an article of impeachment to the chamber. That’s according to a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday to discuss the private planning.The aide says Schumer is considering using the authority granted to the two Senate leaders to reconvene the chamber in times of emergency. The House is set to begin debate Wednesday on a sole charge against Trump — incitement of insurrection — after a mob of...…Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is exploring immediately convening the Senate for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial as soon as the House votes and sends an article of impeachment to the chamber. That’s according to a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday to discuss the private planning.The aide says Schumer is considering using the authority granted to the two Senate leaders to reconvene the chamber in times of emergency. The House is set to begin debate Wednesday on a sole charge against Trump — incitement of insurrection — after a mob of...WW…

The U.K.’s financial regulator on Monday issued a very blunt warning about the rise of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.“If consumers invest in these types of product, they should be prepared to lose all their money.”The warning was prompted by firms “offering investments in cryptoassets, or lending or investments linked to cryptoassets, that promise high returns,” the Financial Conduct Authority said.The regulator said it had five concerns: Consumer protection, price volatility, product complexity, charges and fees, and marketing materials. “There is no guarantee that cryptoassets can be...…The U.K.’s financial regulator on Monday issued a very blunt warning about the rise of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.“If consumers invest in these types of product, they should be prepared to lose all their money.”The warning was prompted by firms “offering investments in cryptoassets, or lending or investments linked to cryptoassets, that promise high returns,” the Financial Conduct Authority said.The regulator said it had five concerns: Consumer protection, price volatility, product complexity, charges and fees, and marketing materials. “There is no guarantee that cryptoassets can be...WW…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to President-election Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol. An internal FBI bulletin warned that, as of Sunday, the nationwide protests may start later this week and extend through Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of some extremist groups, the...…WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to President-election Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol. An internal FBI bulletin warned that, as of Sunday, the nationwide protests may start later this week and extend through Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of some extremist groups, the...WW…

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is falling Monday afternoon with shares of Coca-Cola and Apple Inc. delivering the stiffest headwinds for the index. The Dowwas most recently trading 110 points, or 0.3%, lower, as shares of Coca-Colaand Apple Inc.are contributing to the index's intraday decline. Coca-Cola's shares are down $1.06, or 2.1%, while those of Apple Inc. are down $2.73 (2.1%), combining for an approximately 25-point drag on the Dow. Other components contributing significantly to the decline include BoeingTravelersand McDonald'sA $1 move in any of the benchmark's 30 components...…The Dow Jones Industrial Average is falling Monday afternoon with shares of Coca-Cola and Apple Inc. delivering the stiffest headwinds for the index. The Dowwas most recently trading 110 points, or 0.3%, lower, as shares of Coca-Colaand Apple Inc.are contributing to the index's intraday decline. Coca-Cola's shares are down $1.06, or 2.1%, while those of Apple Inc. are down $2.73 (2.1%), combining for an approximately 25-point drag on the Dow. Other components contributing significantly to the decline include BoeingTravelersand McDonald'sA $1 move in any of the benchmark's 30 components...WW…

Once in office, President-elect Joe Biden will extend the coronavirus-era payment pause on student loans, a member of his transition team told reporters Friday.  “On Day 1, the president-elect will direct the Department of Education to extend the existing pause on student-loan payments and interest for millions of Americans with federal student loans,” David Kamin, a Biden transition adviser, . The pause on student-loan payments and collections was set to expire on Jan. 31, just 11 days after Biden takes office. Congress the student loan payment pause in the $900 billion COVID relief...…Once in office, President-elect Joe Biden will extend the coronavirus-era payment pause on student loans, a member of his transition team told reporters Friday.  “On Day 1, the president-elect will direct the Department of Education to extend the existing pause on student-loan payments and interest for millions of Americans with federal student loans,” David Kamin, a Biden transition adviser, . The pause on student-loan payments and collections was set to expire on Jan. 31, just 11 days after Biden takes office. Congress the student loan payment pause in the $900 billion COVID relief...WW…

President Donald Trump on Friday tweeted that he didn't plan to attend President-elect Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration, with that announcement coming after he y. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th," .President Donald Trump acknowledged his election loss and condemned an attack on the U.S. Capitol in a video on Twitter Inc. late Thursday, a day after his support for the attackers led to bans from social-media companies.…President Donald Trump on Friday tweeted that he didn't plan to attend President-elect Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration, with that announcement coming after he y. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th," .President Donald Trump acknowledged his election loss and condemned an attack on the U.S. Capitol in a video on Twitter Inc. late Thursday, a day after his support for the attackers led to bans from social-media companies.WW…

Simon & Schuster said Thursday it has canceled an upcoming book from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, who has been widely condemned for stoking disinformation that culminated with a pro-Trump mob storming the U.S. Capitol. The publisher cited Wednesday’s “disturbing, deadly insurrection” as the reason. “We did not come to this decision lightly,” Simon & Schuster said in a statement. “As a publisher it will always be our mission to amplify a variety of voices and viewpoints: At the same time we take seriously our larger public responsibility as citizens, and cannot support Senator Hawley after...…Simon & Schuster said Thursday it has canceled an upcoming book from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, who has been widely condemned for stoking disinformation that culminated with a pro-Trump mob storming the U.S. Capitol. The publisher cited Wednesday’s “disturbing, deadly insurrection” as the reason. “We did not come to this decision lightly,” Simon & Schuster said in a statement. “As a publisher it will always be our mission to amplify a variety of voices and viewpoints: At the same time we take seriously our larger public responsibility as citizens, and cannot support Senator Hawley after...WW…

The stock market may have recovered from the first shocks of the pandemic, but Americans’ retirement savings might not be as lucky.  A majority of Americans — — withdrew or borrowed money from qualified retirement plans since COVID-19 first arrived in the U.S., two-thirds of whom did so to pay for basic living expenses, according to a new survey from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and financial firm Personal Capital. Nearly a third of the 744 respondents surveyed withdrew $75,000 or more from a retirement account, and another 58% borrowed between $50,000 and $100,000 the poll found....…The stock market may have recovered from the first shocks of the pandemic, but Americans’ retirement savings might not be as lucky.  A majority of Americans — — withdrew or borrowed money from qualified retirement plans since COVID-19 first arrived in the U.S., two-thirds of whom did so to pay for basic living expenses, according to a new survey from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and financial firm Personal Capital. Nearly a third of the 744 respondents surveyed withdrew $75,000 or more from a retirement account, and another 58% borrowed between $50,000 and $100,000 the poll found....WW…

WASHINGTON — Three days before the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol, the Pentagon asked the U.S Capitol Police if it needed National Guard manpower. And as the mob descended on the building Wednesday, Justice Department leaders reached out to offer up FBI agents. The police turned them down both times, according to a defense official and two people familiar with the matter. Despite plenty of warnings of a possible insurrection and ample resources and time to prepare, the Capitol Police planned only for a free-speech demonstration.Still stinging from the uproar over the violent response by law...…WASHINGTON — Three days before the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol, the Pentagon asked the U.S Capitol Police if it needed National Guard manpower. And as the mob descended on the building Wednesday, Justice Department leaders reached out to offer up FBI agents. The police turned them down both times, according to a defense official and two people familiar with the matter. Despite plenty of warnings of a possible insurrection and ample resources and time to prepare, the Capitol Police planned only for a free-speech demonstration.Still stinging from the uproar over the violent response by law...WW…

Social media companies condemned a video posted by President Donald Trump during a withering assault on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, prompting Twitter to lock his account for 12 hours and threaten to permanently ban it, while Facebook imposed a 24-hour block. Facebook and Alphabet excoriated the president but stopped short of saying they would boot him off their services.The companies face increasing pressure from lawmakers and citizens for acting as digital megaphones for Trump’s tweets and online videos, which have stoked violence and mayhem. One potential impact is reform of Section 230 of...…Social media companies condemned a video posted by President Donald Trump during a withering assault on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, prompting Twitter to lock his account for 12 hours and threaten to permanently ban it, while Facebook imposed a 24-hour block. Facebook and Alphabet excoriated the president but stopped short of saying they would boot him off their services.The companies face increasing pressure from lawmakers and citizens for acting as digital megaphones for Trump’s tweets and online videos, which have stoked violence and mayhem. One potential impact is reform of Section 230 of...WW…