* US Covid-19 surge weakens but unclear if this is a turning point
* Senate votes to to allow Trump impeachment trial to continue
* Senate Democrats working on plan to raise federal minimum wage
* Critics charge that Fed policies are fueling speculative bubbles
* Core consumer inflation in China falls for first time in a decade
* Buy emerging mkts via large-cap value stocks only during crises, study advises
* US small business sentiment slipped to 8-month low in January
* US job openings rise modestly in Dec, but remain well below pre-pandemic peak: