LIVE: Wall Street at record highs as Democrats take control of Senate

US Capitol siege LIVE updates: Hours after a rally by Donald Trump at Washington DC, his supporters stormed Capitol Hill. Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

8:55 AM

Democrats take control of US Senate as party wins two seats in Georgia

The Democratic Party has captured control of the Senate after winning the two seats up for grabs in runoff elections in the key state of Georgia, giving President-elect Joe Biden a majority in both houses of the US Congress and delivering a setback to President Donald Trump in his last days in office.

 

Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff on Wednesday defeated Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue respectively.

 

The elections for the two Senate seats were held on Tuesday. With this victory, both the Democrats and the Republicans have 50 members each in the 100-seat Senate. Read on...

8:54 AM

Indian-American lawmakers criticise storming of US Capitol

All the four Indian-American Democratic lawmakers -- Dr Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi -- have expressed disgust after they were forced to take shelter at safe places as thousands of angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol.

 

Lawmakers were evacuated to secure locations after protesters breached security and entered the Capitol building on Wednesday, where members of the Congress were going through the process of counting and certifying the Electoral College votes to affirm Joe Biden's victory in the November 3 presidential election.

 

Sheltering in Cannon (building), Congressman Khanna tweeted.

8:36 AM

UN chief, UNGA president express concern over violence in Washington

Top United Nations leadership expressed sadness and concern over the violence in Washington DC by pro-Trump demonstrators who stormed the US Capitol as lawmakers gathered to certify the presidential election results.

 

"The Secretary-General is saddened by the events at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C," on Wednesday, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said in a note to correspondents.

 

"In such circumstances, it is important that political leaders impress on their followers the need to refrain from violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law, the UN chief said.

8:34 AM

US Capitol LIVE: National Guard members arrived at the US Capitol

8:32 AM

Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s election win will show the world it won’t back down: Nancy Pelosi

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congress’ certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s election win will show the world it won’t back down, reports The Associated Press

8:30 AM

US Capitol violence LIVE: RNC says violence at Capitol is not patriotism

The Republican National Committee says it strongly condemns the violence at the Capitol, adding that the violent scenes do not represent acts of patriotism, but an attack on our country and its founding principles.

 

The RNC is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform. Its statement condemning the violence came hours after Republican President Donald Trump baselessly complained that the election was stripped away from great patriots. He went on to tell them to go home with love & in peace.

 

The groups communications director, Michael Ahrens, says, What happened today was domestic terrorism.

 

He says to see the U.S. flag used in the name of unfounded conspiracy theories is a disgrace to the nation, and every decent American should be disgusted by it.

8:26 AM

We are locking Prez Donald Trump’s Instagram account for 24 hours as well: Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram

8:17 AM

Pelosi says Biden win certification to resume tonight once US Capitol secure

Nancy Pelosi said Biden won certification to resume tonight once US Capitol is secure, AFP reported.

8:14 AM

Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue: Narendra Modi on US Capitol violence

8:13 AM

As a result of the unprecedented violent situation in Washington, DC, Twitter removes Trump's tweets

8:09 AM

Facebook blocks Trump from posting for 24 hours over policy violation

Facebook blocks Trump from posting for 24 hours over policy violation

8:03 AM

Trump supporters used chemical irritants on police to break into Capitol

The police chief of Washington, DC, says pro-Trump protesters deployed chemical irritants on police in order to break into the US Capitol.

 

Police Chief Robert Contee says officials have declared the scene a riot. One civilian was shot inside the Capitol on Wednesday. Thirteen arrests were made of people from out of the area.

 

Mayor Muriel Bowser says the behaviour of the Trump supporters was shameful, unpatriotic and above all is unlawful. Read on...

7:58 AM

US Capitol violence LIVE: Trump rallied supporters at ‘Save America March’

7:55 AM

US Capitol violence LIVE updates: Billionaire investor Bill Ackman calls for Trump to resign

7:53 AM

Oil steady after US Capitol drama; tighter supplies in focus

Oil prices were steady on Thursday after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol, with investors focusing on the likelihood of tighter supplies after Saudi Arabia unilaterally agreed to cut output.

 

Brent crude was up 8 cents at $54.38 a barrel by 0125 GMT, after gaining 1.3% overnight. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 11 cents to $50.74, having slipped earlier in the Asian session. The contract rose 1.4% on Wednesday.

 

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, said it would voluntarily cut one million barrels per day (bpd) of output in February and March, after OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers, including Russia, met earlier this week.

 

"WTI crude seems poised to rise higher as the Biden administration will clamp down on U.S. crude production, the Saudis tentatively alleviated oversupply concerns with their 1-million bpd cut present, and as the dollar's days seem numbered," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA.