Today in History: Jan. 23, 2017

On Jan. 23, 1933, the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the so-called "Lame Duck Amendment," was ratified as Missouri approved it. In 1516, King Ferdinand II of Aragon, who with his late queen consort, Isabella of Castile, sponsored the first voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, died in Madrigalejo, Spain.

Singapore Exchange to Open LNG Index

Singapore Exchange is developing a spot pricing index for the Middle East and India liquefied natural gas markets in collaboration with inter-dealer broker Tullett Prebon, says WSJ. The index is aimed at market participants who are forced to rely on tenders for setting up prices due to the lack of an accepted price marker.

The Government said the Royal Navy conducted a routine Trident missile test from HMS Vengeance

Prime Minister Theresa May is facing calls to come clean over a failed test of the Trident nuclear deterrent, amid claims the Government acted like North Korea in covering up the news. Mrs May failed to answer four direct questions on her knowledge of the test, which reportedly took place weeks before MPs approved the A 40 billion Trident renewal programme in July.

Obama exits office optimistic

Former President Barack Obama left the White House on Friday much the way he entered it eight years ago: insisting Americans have reason for optimism despite the national sense of unease. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle wave to the crowd Friday as they board an Air Force jet to depart Andrews... He was gracious to President Donald Trump to the end, warmly welcoming his successor to the home where he raised his daughters.

Senate confirms John Kelly to lead Trump’s DHS in a 88-11 vote

The Senate on Friday confirmed President Trump 's nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, the second cabinet pick to receive Senate approval. John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general who commanded the U.S. military in South America, had one of the smoothest confirmation hearings of any Trump nominee, despite his coming role in implementing the president's immigration policies.

Trump signs first bill and actions as president

President Donald Trump on Friday quickly claimed the mantle of the White House, signing legislation allowing retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as his defense secretary, as well as the nomination papers for his Cabinet choices.

US, South Korea, Japan stage missile-defense drills amid N. Korea threat

The United States, South Korea and Japan kicked off naval missile-defense drills Friday, joining forces to counter the growing threat from North Korea. The three-day exercise began amid fears that the North may test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile or stage another provocation in connection with Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Friday.

Inauguration Day: Trump to become America’s 45th president

Donald Trump, a real estate mogul and reality television star who upended American politics and energized voters angry with Washington, will be sworn in Friday as the 45th president of the United States, putting Republicans in control of the White House for the first time in eight years. Ebullient Trump supporters flocked to the nation's capital for the inaugural festivities, some wearing red hats emblazoned with his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

Inaugural cheers, fireworks: Trump sweeps in for his big day

Ready for his big moment, Donald Trump swept into Washington on a military jet Thursday for three days of inaugural festivities and pledged to unify a nation that is divided and clamoring for change. Washington braced for an onslaught of crowds and demonstrators - with all the attendant hoopla and hand-wringing.

Navy: Wind farm opposed by GOP lawmakers wona t harm radar

The Pentagon says it disagrees with Republicans in North Carolina who claim a $400 million clean energy project slated to power data centers for Amazon.com Inc. poses a threat to national security. State legislative leaders have asked the incoming Trump administration to either kill or require major changes to the nearly completed wind farm, which they said will interfere with the operation of a military radar installation that scans for aircraft and ships hundreds of miles out over the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean.

Coast Guard respond to release of gas, other substance in Gulf

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard are responding to a release of gas and condensate from a pipeline at West Cameron 165 in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 32 miles southwest of Cameron, Louisiana. According to officials, a helicopter pilot flying over the site reported the incident to the U.S. Coast Guard at approximately 2:00 p.m. Wednesday January 18th.

Trump arrives in Washington with a wave and a salute

Ready for his big moment, Donald Trump traded in his beloved private plane for a military jet Thursday and swooped into Washington for three days of inaugural festivities. As the president-elect left New York behind, the capital braced for an onslaught of inaugural crowds and demonstrators numbering in the hundreds of thousands.