Senate poised to acquit Trump of impeachment charges

The US Senate appeared poised on Friday to rule out calling witnesses at Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clearing the way for the president to be swiftly acquitted in a decisive victory as he prepares to battle for re-election. Ignoring explosive new allegations that Trump abused his power in a scheme to pressure Ukraine to aid his re-election, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her decision to oppose witnesses, saying the impeachment trial had been tainted by party politics.