SAULI NIINISTO

Finland’s foreign minister has suggested that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance.

Last week, the Senate voted 95 to 1 to ratify Finland and Sweden's entrance into the world's most powerful military alliance.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell played a pivotal role in the Senate ratifying NATO membership for Sweden and Finland.

Finland’s Parliament has passed amended legislation on border security that allows for the closure of crossing points with Russia.

Just two days after agreeing to lift deal-breaking objections to Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession, Turkey’s leader has threatened that Ankara could still block the process if the two countries fail to fully meet his expectations.

When the leaders of Finland, Sweden and Turkey met with NATO’s chief this week, some remained pessimistic the meeting would lessen Turkey’s objections to the Nordic pair’s historic request to join NATO.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue)MADRID — (AP) — Turkey agreed Tuesday to lift its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, ending an impasse that had clouded a leaders’ summit opening in Madrid amid Europe’s worst security crisis in decades, triggered by the war in Ukraine. The decision has to be ratified by all individual nations, but he said he was “absolutely confident” Finland and Sweden would become members, something that could happen within months. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said the agreement was “good for Finland and Sweden. Turkey, in turn, agreed “to support at the 2022 Madrid Summit the invitation of Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO.”Details of exactly what was agreed were unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is due to address NATO leaders by video on Wednesday, called the strike on the mall a “terrorist” act.

Turkey has agreed to lift its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, a breakthrough in an impasse clouding a leaders’ summit in Madrid amid Europe’s worst security crisis in decades triggered by the war in Ukraine.

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg says the military alliance wants to increase the strength of its rapid reaction forces from the current 40,000 to over 300,000.

The G-7 leaders will begin Monday's session of their three-day summit with a focus on Ukraine. The G-7 leaders are committing themselves to supporting Ukraine for the long haul at their summit, with both immediate help and long-term rebuilding on the agenda. There are questions over whether Western leaders will sit down with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The G-7 leaders will begin Monday’s session of their three-day summit with a focus on Ukraine. ___Follow AP's coverage of the G-7 summit: https://apnews.com/hub/g-7-summitCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Finland NATO Finland's President Sauli Niinisto meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, left, shake hands at a press conference during Kultaranta Talks, at the presidential summer residence Kultaranta in Naantali, Finland, Sunday June 12, 2022. (Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva via AP) (Markku Ulander)HELSINKI — (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday that Turkey has “legitimate concerns” over terrorism and other issues that need to be taken seriously. Turkey has accused Finland and Sweden of supporting Kurdish militants and says it will not back the two Nordic nations joining NATO until they change their policies. After decades of military non-alignment, Russia’s war in Ukraine pushed Finland and Sweden to apply to join NATO in May. “When a vital key ally as Turkey raises concerns on terrorism then of course we have to sit down and take them seriously.

Finland NATO Finland's President Sauli Niinisto, meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during Kultaranta Talks, at the presidential summer residence Kultaranta in Naantali, Finland, Sunday June 12, 2022. (Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva via AP) (Markku Ulander)HELSINKI — (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday that Turkey has “legitimate concerns” over terrorism and other issues that need to be taken seriously. Turkey has accused Finland and Sweden of supporting Kurdish militants and says it will not back the two Nordic nations joining NATO until they change their policies. After decades of military non-alignment, Russia’s war in Ukraine pushed Finland and Sweden to apply to join NATO in May. “When a vital key ally as Turkey raises concerns on terrorism then of course we have to sit down and take them seriously.

US Sweden NATO Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson walks outside the U.S. Capitol to speak with journalists following her joint meetings with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and leaders in Congress in Washington, Thursday, May 19, 2022. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Sweden and Finland's push to join NATO won't require adding more U.S. ground forces into either country, the U.S. general nominated to take over European Command told senators Thursday. “The center of gravity of NATO forces has shifted eastward,” Cavoli told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his nomination hearing. He said the increase had no ties to the more recent move by Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership. Sweden and Finland submitted their written applications to join NATO last week in one of the most significant geopolitical consequences of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed his objections to Sweden and Finland joining NATO with the two Nordic countries’ leaders.

Finland is the latest country to be cut off from an energy supply that is used to generate electricity and power industry after refusing Russia's decree. Italian energy company Eni said this week that it was "starting procedures" to open a euro and a ruble account. Finland refused the new payment system, with energy company Gasum saying its supply would be halted Saturday. Natural gas accounted for just 6% of Finland's total energy consumption in 2020, Finnish broadcaster YLE said. That pales in comparison to big customers like Italy and Germany, who get 40% and 35% of their gas from Russia, respectively.

Sweden and Finland’s accession into NATO was supposed to be straightforward. But then Turkey entered the stage.

The president said the decisions by Finland and Sweden to abandon their decades-old positions of military non-alignment proved that a “revived NATO” could provide a strong counterweight to Russia.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Flanked by the leaders of Finland and Sweden, President Joe Biden forcefully supported their applications to join NATO on Thursday as Russia's war in the heart of Europe challenges the continent's security. The U.S. president rejected Turkey's opposition, insisting the two countries “meet every NATO requirement and then some." “As NATO allies, we will commit to Turkey’s security, just as Turkey will commit to our security,” Niinistö said. Turkey also accuses Sweden and Finland of harboring the followers of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Muslim cleric whom the Turkish government blames for a 2016 military coup attempt. Speculation this time is more about the purchase of U.S. fighter jets than objections to the way Finland and Sweden are dealing with Kurdish extremists.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Flanked by the leaders of Finland and Sweden, President Joe Biden forcefully supported their applications to join NATO on Thursday as Russia's war in the heart of Europe challenges the continent's security. The U.S. president rejected Turkey's opposition, insisting the two countries “meet every NATO requirement and then some." The Finnish leader, speaking after Biden in the Rose Garden, addressed some of his remarks directly to the Turkish president. “As NATO allies, we will commit to Turkey’s security, just as Turkey will commit to our security,” Niinistö said. Speculation this time is more about the purchase of U.S. fighter jets than objections to the way Finland and Sweden are dealing with Kurdish extremists.

Biden President Joe Biden departs with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, left, and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, right, after speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 19, 2022. Putin cited Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO as one reason for his invasion of the country. While neutral throughout the Cold War, Finland and Sweden now cooperate closely with NATO. Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted massively in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. He added: “I expect that NATO will speak with one voice in support of Finland and Sweden at the end of the day."

Biden President Joe Biden greets Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and President Sauli Niinisto of Finland as they arrive at the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 19, 2022. “I think we’re going to be okay,” Biden said Wednesday when asked whether he was confident he could secure their entry into NATO. While neutral throughout the Cold War, Finland and Sweden now cooperate closely with NATO. Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted massively in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. He added: “I expect that NATO will speak with one voice in support of Finland and Sweden at the end of the day."

President Joe Biden is forcefully supporting the applications of Finland and Sweden to join NATO despite objections from Turkey.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he is ”confident that we will come to a quick decision to welcome both Sweden and Finland to join the NATO family” despite Turkey’s opposition.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday he's in “intense contacts” with Russia and other countries to stop escalating global hunger exacerbated by the war in Ukraine by allowing the export of grain stored in Ukrainian ports and ensuring Russian food and fertilizers have unrestricted access to world markets.

Sweden Finland NATO President of Finland Sauli Niinisto, left, and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson attend a joint news conference in Stockholm, Tuesday May 17, 2022. “I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners,” Stoltenberg told reporters after a receiving their application letters from the two Nordic countries’ ambassadors. That process is expected to take about two weeks, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed reservations about Finland and Sweden joining. Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted massively in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Finland Sweden Nato Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto signs a petition for NATO membership application in Helsinki, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Sweden and Finland on Tuesday pushed ahead with their bids to join NATO even as Turkey insisted it won’t let the previously non-aligned Nordic countries into the alliance because of their alleged support for Kurdish militants. “We are looking forward to having a bilateral dialogue with Turkey but also having bilateral dialogues with other NATO countries during this process,” she said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was traveling to Washington for meetings Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to Turkey’s state-run media, Sweden and Finland have refused to extradite 33 people wanted by Turkey.

Sweden NATO Swedish Minister of Foreígn Affairs Ann Linde poses for photographers as she signs Sweden's application for NATO membership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Stockholm, Tuesday, May 17 2022. Sweden's decision to seek NATO membership follows a similar decision by neighboring Finland, a historic shift for the countries, which have been nonaligned for generations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday doubled down on comments last week indicating that the two Nordic countries´ path to NATO would be anything but smooth. All 30 current NATO countries must agree to open the door to new members. He accused the two Nordic countries of refusing to extradite "terrorists" wanted by his country.

Sweden has signed a formal request to join NATO, a day after it announced it would seek membership in the 30-member military alliance

Sweden and Finland have pushed ahead with their bids to join NATO even as Turkey insists it won’t let the previously nonaligned Nordic countries into the alliance because of their alleged support for Kurdish militants.

Ukrainian officials say the regiment that doggedly defended a steel mill as Ukraine’s last stronghold in the port city of Mariupol has completed its mission.

Finland NATO Finland's President Sauli Niinisto attends the press conference on Finland's security policy decisions at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday May 15, 2022. A formal membership application will then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels, most likely at some point next week. Sweden also moved a step closer to applying for NATO membership after the governing Social Democratic party backed joining the trans-Atlantic alliance. “At its meeting today, the Social Democrats’ party board has decided that the party will work for Sweden to apply for membership in NATO,” the party said in a statement. “Finnish membership in NATO will be good for Finland, good for the Nordic region, and good for NATO.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says Finland and Sweden would be “important additions” to NATO.

Finland NATO Finland's President Sauli Niinisto attends the press conference on Finland's security policy decisions at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday May 15, 2022. “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going as Moscow had planned,” Stoltenberg said by video link as he recovers from a COVID-19 infection." Nordic NATO member Norway said it strongly welcomed Finland’s decision to seek membership. “Finnish membership in NATO will be good for Finland, good for the Nordic region, and good for NATO. "As well as protecting Euro-Atlantic security, we also need to watch out for Indo-Pacific security,” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said.

The announcement came as NATO foreign ministers, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met in Berlin to discuss Ukraine, and Finland and Sweden’s path to membership.

The Finnish Parliament is expected to endorse the decision in coming days.

Russia has warned against expansion of NATO close to its territory. Moscow views NATO's prospective growth as a provocation.

Finland changed its policy toward the military alliance after troops invaded Ukraine. Sweden has avoided all military alliances, but like Finland, has also grown closer and closer to NATO over time.

It's a historic move for the Nordic country, which has had a decades-long policy of military neutrality until now.

Nearly three months have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday about his plans to apply to NATO in the next few days.

"The conversation was direct and straight-forward and it was conducted without aggravations," Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said.

Finland's leader told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the country would seek to join NATO in the coming days.

Finland Britain Finland's President Sauli Niinisto makes a point during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) (Frank Augstein)HELSINKI — (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his Finnish counterpart Saturday relations between the two neighbors could be “negatively affected" if Finland follows through with plans to apply for NATO membership. The response came after Niinisto told Putin in a phone conversation that the militarily non-aligned Nordic country that has a complex history with its huge eastern neighbor “will decide to apply for NATO membership in the coming days”. By joining NATO, Finland will strengthen its own security and assume its responsibilities. A formal announcement from Niinisto and Marin of Finland's intention to apply for NATO membership is expected on Sunday.

Finland Britain Finland's President Sauli Niinisto makes a point during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) (Frank Augstein)HELSINKI — (AP) — Finnish President Sauli Niinisto told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Saturday that the militarily non-aligned Nordic country that shares a long border and history with Russia “will decide to apply for NATO membership in the coming days”. Avoiding tensions was considered important,” said Niinisto, Finland’s president since 2012 and one of few Western leaders who has held regular dialogue with Putin over the past ten years. Niinisto pointed out that had already told Putin at their first meeting in 2012 that “each independent nation would maximize its own security.”“That is still the case. By joining NATO, Finland will strengthen its own security and assume its responsibilities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned his Finnish counterpart that relations between the two neighbors could be “negatively affected” if Finland follows through with plans to apply for NATO membership.

Ukrainian and British officials say Russia suffered heavy losses when Ukrainian forces destroyed the pontoon bridge enemy troops were using to try to cross a river.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said that “more than a thousand” Ukrainian troops, many of them injured, remained at Azovstal. The Ukrainian military previously accused Russian forces of using phosphorus and cluster munitions in the eastern Donbas region. ___KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s military says Russian forces are continuing airstrikes on the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol and pressing their advance on towns in eastern Ukraine. Across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine, site of sustained fighting since the war began, the Ukrainian military noted “partial success” in Russia’s advance. It said Ukrainian forces repulsed nine Russian attacks and destroyed several drones and military vehicles.

The Kremlin reacted to the developments, saying that Finland’s move to join NATO won’t help stability and security in Europe.

If Finland joins the military alliance, the land border that Russia shares with NATO territories would roughly double.

___KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s military says Russian forces are continuing airstrikes on the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol and pressing their advance on towns in eastern Ukraine. ___KYIV, Ukraine — An adviser to the Mariupol mayor said Wednesday that Russian forces have blocked all evacuation routes out of the city. Russian forces have surrounded the plant, the last bastion of Ukrainian resistance in the southern port city. The International Atomic Energy Agency said late Wednesday that data transmission was re-established following a visit by its inspectors and technicians in April, after Russian forces withdrew. The ministry said in Wednesday’s commentary that the stealing of Ukrainian grain amounts to looting.

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said their country should apply to join NATO 'without delay.'

The statement by the president and prime minister comes a day after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited both Finland and Sweden to sign a military cooperation agreement.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) (Frank Augstein)HELSINKI — (AP) — Finland's president and prime minister said Thursday they’re in favor of applying for NATO membership, paving the way for the alliance to expand amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The dramatic move by Finland was announced by President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin in a joint statement. It means that Finland is virtually certain to seek NATO membership, though a few steps remain before the application process can begin. "NATO membership would strengthen Finland’s security.”“As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance,” they said. “Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay.

Finland Britain Finland's President Sauli Niinisto makes a point during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) (Frank Augstein)HELSINKI — (AP) — Finland's president and prime minister said Thursday they’re in favor of applying for NATO membership, paving the way for the alliance to expand amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The announcement by President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin means Finland is virtually certain to seek NATO membership though a few steps remain before the application process can begin. "NATO membership would strengthen Finland’s security.”“As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance,” they said. “Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay.

Finland has had a decades-long policy of military neutrality that would come to an end if it becomes a full member of the military alliance.

Finland’s leaders say they’re in favor of applying for NATO membership “without delay.”.

Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday if Moscow wonders why Helsinki is moving toward joining NATO then Russia should "look at the mirror."

Britain has pledged to come to the aid of Sweden and Finland, including with military support, if the two Nordic nations came under attack under security deals Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed with his Swedish counterpart in Stockholm and the Finnish president in Helsinki.

NATO could soon add two members right on Russia's doorstep.

The question of whether to join NATO is coming to a head this week in Finland and Sweden, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shattered the long-held belief that remaining outside the military alliance was the best way to avoid trouble with their giant neighbor.

Despite their orientation toward the U.S. and western Europe, Finland and Sweden since the Cold War have bet that their national security was best protected by staying out of NATO. They aimed to avoid disturbing the military balance in the Baltic Sea region and provoking Russia. Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a rethinking in both countries. For the first time, an entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization looks more likely than staying put at least for Finland. Sweden’s sta

Xi, also an authoritarian leader who has taken a personal role in China’s military reform, could now be wondering the same, Fravel said. China’s military has a tradition of respect for initiative from lower-ranking soldiers dating from its revolutionary origins, said Yue Gang, a Beijing-based military analyst. By contrast, Russian forces in Ukraine have shown weaknesses where decisions have had to be made on the front lines, he said. Xi's overriding political focus could mean the lessons he draws from the Ukraine conflict are off base, Graham said. China claims Taiwan as its own, and controlling the island is a key component of Beijing’s political and military thinking.

With its ground troops forced to pull back in Ukraine and regroup, and its Black Sea flagship sunk, Russia’s military failings are mounting.

At the Academy Awards in Los Angles Sunday night, attendees expressed support for Ukraine by going silent for 30 seconds.

Biden President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON — (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order on cryptocurrency this week that will mark the first step toward regulating how digital currency is traded. Two people familiar with the process said the executive order on cryptocurrency was expected to be issued this week and it had been in the works long before the war. The order is expected to describe what government agencies, including the Treasury Department, need to do to develop policies and regulations on digital currencies. Implicit in the order will be that cryptocurrency will remain a part of the U.S. economy for years to come.

Biden President Joe Biden meets with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Washington. Biden said at the start of their meeting, "We agree it's not only an attack on Ukraine, it's an attack on the security of Europe." The attack on Ukraine also has prompted Finland and Sweden to break with their policy of not providing arms to countries at war. Biden thanked the Finnish president for the country's help for Ukraine. He said, “Finland is a critical partner to the United States, a strong defense partner, a partner to NATO."

President Joe Biden has met with Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto with the Finns at a crossroads: Should they move closer to the rest of Europe and the West by trying to join NATO as Russia pummels Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has profoundly changed Europe's security outlook, including for Nordic neutrals Finland and Sweden, where support for joining NATO has surged to record levels. In neighboring Sweden, a similar poll showed those in favor of NATO membership outnumber those against. "The unthinkable might start to become thinkable," tweeted former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, a proponent of NATO membership. Support for NATO membership rises and falls, and there's no clear majority for joining in their parliaments. The YLE poll showed 53% were in favor of Finland joining NATO, with only 28% against.

Through the Cold War and the decades since, nothing could persuade Finns and Swedes that they would be better off joining NATO — until now.

Finland Ukraine Invasion President of Finland Sauli Niinisto speaks during the press conference after the NATO Summit at the official Presidential residence Mantyniemi in Helsinki, Finland, Friday Feb. 25, 2022. (Seppo Samuli/Lehtikuva via AP) (Seppo Samuli)HELSINKI — (AP) — Finland and Sweden have brushed off warnings from neighboring Russia that their possible joining of NATO would trigger “serious military-political consequences” from Moscow for the two countries. I don't see anything new as such" in the statement delivered by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Haavisto said. In Sweden, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson addressed Moscow’s statement in a joint news conference Friday with Sweden’s military commander Micael Byden. Though not members, Finland and Sweden closely cooperate with NATO, allowing, among other things, the alliance’s troops to exercise on their soil.

Finland and Sweden have brushed off warnings from neighboring Russia that their possible joining NATO would trigger “serious military-political consequences” from Moscow.

New Zealand’s government summoned Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev to meet Wednesday with top diplomatic officials who are urging Russia to return to diplomatic negotiations over Ukraine.

HELSINKI — (AP) — Former Finnish President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and has withdrawn from all public activities. A primary school teacher-turned diplomat, Ahtisaari worked for decades as a diplomat and a peace broker for the Finnish government and the United Nations, and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his work to resolve international conflicts. Among other conflicts, Ahtisaari helped reaching peace accords in Serbia’s withdrawal from Kosovo, Namibia’s strive for independence and autonomy for the Aceh special district in Indonesia. After his presidency ended in 2000, Ahtisaari founded the Helsinki-based Crisis Management Initiative, or CMI, aimed at preventing and resolving violent conflicts through informal dialogue and mediation. He stepped down as a chairman of the CMI, a nongovernmental organization, in late 2017 and has been in retirement since.

Member state flags fly outside the United Nations headquarters during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. This year's annual gathering of world leaders at U.N. headquarters will be almost entirely "virtual." (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)TANZANIA – World leaders gathering remotely Wednesday criticized a haphazard global response to a microscopic virus that has unleashed economic havoc and taken nearly 1 million lives in its march across the globe. In the words of Kazakhstan’s president, it was “a critical collapse of global cooperation.”“Our world has been turned upside down,” said Ghana's president, Nana Akufo-Addo. Switzerland's President Simonetta Sommaruga, one of the few women leaders to speak, said the pandemic “has caused untold suffering in the world," with the most vulnerable hit hardest.

Anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List launched a $52 million effort on Friday to support President Donald Trump's reelection bid, a day after Planned Parenthood pledged $45 million to support candidates in favor of abortion rights. "Democratic contenders for president are lining up to support abortion on demand, and even infanticide, and declaring war on even the most modest pro-life policies. Meanwhile, President Trump has governed as the most pro-life president in our nation's history." "Our focused, battle-tested voter outreach method will ensure we reach the voters who can provide President Trump and pro-life Senate candidates the winning margin on Election Day." The Supreme Court in March will take up its first major abortion-related case with Trump's appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the bench.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called the House of Representatives's ongoing impeachment probe into his conduct "a lynching." But at least two Republican lawmakers defended Trump language as appropriate, and said the current impeachment process is in fact a lynching. Asked whether he understood that black Americans would be offended by the term lynching, Graham said, "No." McCarthy said that while he does not believe Democrats are conducting a fair impeachment process, "I don't agree with that language. "For three generations in South Carolina, we have understood the evil history of lynching in our state.

As of three hours after Grisham's tweet, Trump had not issued a statement himself condemning the video. "#AMPFest19 always has and always will condemn political violence," the statement said. "The video, while graphic and violent, depicts enemies of President Trump threatening him and his family and his 'over the top' response. The only person that could potentially be "incited" by this video is Donald Trump himself, as the main character of the video is him. "The Kingsman video was played on a small tv in an empty room for a few hours during a 3 day event that FEATURED AN ANTI POLITICAL VIOLENCE PANEL.