- PoliticsThe Independent
Lindsey Graham 'hell-bent' on replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg despite Supreme Court saying she is 'cancer free'
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has said she doesn't plan on retiring before the presidential election in 2020 — but Republicans appear to have other ideas. Donald Trump's White House and close allies have begun preparing for her replacement, with senior Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham saying he will be “hell-bent” on replacing the notorious liberal justice with a conservative upon her departure — a move that could radically shift the balance of the court for decades. Despite the Supreme Court indicating the justice was recovering well after having two malignant nodules removed from her lung, the South Carolina Republican said on Fox News Sunday he would seek to fill the next open seat on the nation's highest court with a conservative judge like the two others Donald Trump has selected during his presidency, including Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
- WorldReuters
Brexit deal defeat makes 'softer, later' exit more likely: Goldman Sachs
A vote in Britain's parliament on Tuesday crushing Prime Minister May's deal to leave the European Union has made a softer, later Brexit, or even no Brexit at all, slightly more likely, Goldman Sachs said on Wednesday. quot;We think the prospect of a disorderly 'no deal' Brexit has faded further," Goldman Sachs' European economist Adrian Paul wrote in a note. The bank maintains its base case scenario that "a close variant" of the current Brexit deal will ultimately command a majority in the House of Commons.
NewsAssociated PressLatest: California governor urges end to LA teacher strike
California's new governor is urging Los Angeles teachers and school officials to resume contract negotiations and end a massive strike by educators in the nation's second-largest school district. Thousands of teachers are walking picket lines in pouring rain after their union failed to reach a deal with the Los Angeles Unified School District on issues including salary and class sizes. Superintendent Austin Beutner told a news conference that some schools are well-attended, and others aren't.
- BusinessCar and Driver
A Look at the 2020 BMW 7-series
The BMW flagship sedan also gets revised engines and plenty of new tech. From Car and Driver
- NewsUSA TODAY
Series of storms to pummel California with rain, snow, wind; flooding, mudslides possible
California will take the brunt of the storminess: Flooding rain, yards of snow and mudslides are expected. The storms were expected to bring several rounds of heavy rain, mountain snow, gusty winds, rough surf and possible flooding through the week, the National Weather Service said. California officials ordered evacuations for residents in several zones in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles: "People in these zones must go now," officials wrote in a news release.
- PoliticsTime
A Judge Blocked the Census From Asking About Citizenship. Here's Why It Matters
A federal judge in New York has blocked the Trump Administration from adding a question about citizenship status to the 2020 Census, marking a victory for critics who have said the question is unnecessary and is intended to decrease the number of immigrants and minorities counted in the decennial survey. The ruling is just the first in a series of cases on the issue, which has significant implications for future elections, political representation at every level and federal funding decisions for the next decade. The Trump Administration is also facing five other lawsuits over the Census question, and the battle is expected to end up at the Supreme Court.
WorldFOX News VideosEl Chapo attorney's affair, sexting steals spotlight at trial
Drug kingpin El Chapo's attorney is stealing the headlines from his client after The New York Post obtained steamy text messages between him and his mistress. Concerns abound if the relationship will affect the case.
- WorldYahoo News Photo Staff
PHOTOS: Kenya's security forces kill gunmen in deadly Nairobi hotel attack
Kenyan security forces have killed the militants who stormed an upscale Nairobi hotel compound, taking at least 14 lives and forcing hundreds of others to make terrifying escapes, the government said on Wednesday.
BusinessAFP Relax NewsFord, VW call off joint Detroit auto show appearance to announce alliance
The Detroit auto show was abuzz over what Ford and Volkswagen would announce Tuesday, after the car giants called off a joint appearance during which they were widely expected to announce an alliance. The two car giants have been in discussions for more than six months over a partnership to develop self-driving and electric technologies. "We don't have enough details yet to go out in front of more than 500 journalists, so we decided to call it off," Ford spokesman Mark Truby told AFP.
- PoliticsThe Independent
William Barr: Who is Trump's controversial pick for Attorney General and what will it mean for the Mueller investigation?
Donald Trump's latest pick to lead the Justice Department has made several lofty promises to the Senate during his confirmation hearings — several of which appear to go against his own record. William Barr, the president's nominee and former attorney general under George Bush in 1991, has vowed not to interfere with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, saying in a prepared statement to senators: “It is in the best interest of everyone — the president, Congress and, most importantly, the American people — that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work.
WorldReutersIreland readies 'mega' no-deal Brexit legislation package
Ireland's cabinet on Tuesday began to build upon the no-deal contingency plans it issued last month by seeking to reassure business of the availability of additional transport capacity and patients of the security of medicine supplies. Its preparations will be underpinned by one single emergency Brexit bill incorporating 17 new laws that Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney will, if required, begin moving through parliament in the final week of February. "We don't want to have to do this of course, nobody wants a no-deal Brexit and everybody will work toward avoiding that but we also have to ensure that Ireland has done everything it can to protect itself and its citizens," Coveney told a news conference.
NewsReutersLos Angeles teachers strike for second day as mayor seeks to restart talks
Some 30,000 Los Angeles teachers on strike for higher pay, smaller classes and more staff walked picket lines in the rain for a second day on Tuesday as Mayor Eric Garcetti embraced their cause while trying to nudge the two sides back to the bargaining table. Negotiators for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the United Teachers Los Angeles have not met since union leaders rejected the LAUSD's latest contract offer on Friday night, calling the proposal an "insult." Asked on Tuesday afternoon whether the two parties had any intention of resuming labor talks, an LAUSD spokeswoman said: "Nothing is scheduled at this time."
NewsAFPKidnap suspect picked out US teen target at bus stop: charges
An American 21-year-old arrested for holding a teenaged girl captive after murdering her parents chose his victim after seeing her get on a school bus, according to a charge sheet filed on Monday. Jake Patterson confessed to killing James and Denise Closs and to abducting their 13-year-old daughter Jayme, according to the document filed in court in Barron County, Wisconsin. Referred to in the document by her initials, JLC, Jayme Closs was the subject of a nationwide search following her disappearance three months ago -- until last week when she made a seemingly miraculous escape.
BusinessAssociated PressCalifornia governor, lawmakers confront utility bankruptcy
The announcement by the nation's largest utility that it is filing for bankruptcy puts Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s problems squarely in the hands of Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers, who now must try to keep ratepayer costs down, ensure wildfire victims get the money they're owed and rethink California's energy picture in the face of climate change. "This issue is all about three fundamental things: It is about safety, it's about reliability and it's about affordability," Newsom told reporters Monday afternoon after spending the day in and out of meetings with lawmakers about the pending bankruptcy.
- PoliticsYahoo News
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand moves toward launching 2020 presidential campaign
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday moved toward launching a 2020 presidential campaign by forming an exploratory committee. The New York Democrat announced her intentions on CBS' “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” ahead of a trip to Iowa this weekend.
- BusinessThe National Review
Procter & Gamble's Toxic Sanctimony
Recognized around the world as a symbol of manly civility for more than a century, Gillette will now be remembered as the company that did itself in by sacrificing a massive consumer base at the altar of progressivism. In case you hadn't seen or heard: Parent company Procter & Gamble launched a Gillette ad campaign blanket-demonizing men as ogres and bullies. At home and at work, in the boardroom, on the playground, and even while barbecuing in the backyard, Gillette sees nothing but testosterone-driven trouble.
- BusinessThe National Interest
F-22 vs. F-35: Which Stealth Fighter Wins in a Shootout?
TNI Staff Security, The U.S. Air Force's original plan was for the F-22 to be its high-end air superiority fighter while the F-35 was designed to be primarily an air-to-ground strike aircraft, but one which could defend itself. Key point: The answer is that the F-35 cannot match the F-22 as an air superiority fighter—it was never designed as such. Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter—which is built in three versions—recently completed its developmental test phase and is operational with the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps.
- NewsUSA TODAY
Say it ain't snow: 2 winter storms, then an Arctic blast from the 'fractured' polar vortex
Just as the western storm onslaught is ending, a pair of winter storms will dump snow and ice across the central and eastern U.S. over the next several days, with the second storm a potential blockbuster in some spots, with a foot of snow possible. Then, courtesy of our old friend the Polar Vortex, an icy blast of bitterly cold air straight from the Arctic will freeze most of the eastern U.S. next week. Unfortunately for warm weather fans, it's only a preview of what forecasters are calling a brutal, punishing stretch of intense cold that should last well into February.
- PoliticsThe Telegraph
Nancy Pelosi asks Donald Trump to postpone State of the Union address while shutdown continues
Donald Trump was told to delay his State of the Union address by the most senior Democrat in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday until after the government shutdown was over. Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, wrote to Mr Trump demanding that he either push back the January 29 speech or simply submit a written version of what he wanted to say to Congress. Ms Pelosi cited security concerns, saying that the Secret Service and Homeland Security - which both help keep the event safe – had been partly “hamstrung” by the lack of funding.
BusinessConsumer Reports2020 Ford Explorer Gets Evolutionary, High-Tech Redesign
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Ford has completely redesigned the Explorer for 2020, but you might not realize it from the photos. The 2020 Explorer's platform is all new, moving from a front-drive setup to a rear-drive configuration that's more often used for truck-grade work abilities.
- NewsReuters
Suspect shot by police dies after standoff at New Jersey UPS facility
A 39-year-old gunman opened fire at a United Parcel Service Inc facility in New Jersey and held two employees hostage for hours on Monday before police fatally shot him, officials said. William Owens barricaded himself and two women inside the sorting facility in Logan Township and police sent a heavily armed SWAT team to the location, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of downtown Philadelphia, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said in a statement. The standoff ended when Owens was shot while exiting the building with the hostages, the statement said.
WorldAFPAmerican citizen killed in Nairobi attack: official
A US citizen was killed Tuesday in an attack by Islamist militants on an upmarket hotel and office complex in Nairobi, a US official said. "We can confirm that a US citizen was killed in the attack. An AFP photographer in Nairobi saw the bodies of five victims and a police source said he had seen as many as 14 dead.
- BusinessCar and Driver
Mega Gallery: Every Photo from 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs
These are the best of the best in each category. From Car and Driver
- NewsAssociated Press
California college student found dead, fraternity suspended
A Southern California college student has been found dead in a home near campus and his fraternity has been suspended, authorities said Monday. Noah Domingo, 18, of La Crescenta, California, was found Saturday near University of California, Irvine. Irvine police received a call around 9:40 a.m. that Domingo was unresponsive and found him dead in a bed at the home, said Kim Mohr, a police spokeswoman.
- WorldThe Independent
Venezuela president Maduro increases minimum wage by 300 per cent as inflation approaches 2 million per cent
Venezuela's president has raised the country's minimum wage by 300 per cent as part of routine wage increases as his government battles hyperinflation. Nicolas Maduro increased the minimum wage to 18,000 bolivars, around £5.20, per month amid an economy suffering from annual inflation nearing two million per cent. Mr Maduro announced his economic plans at the start of his second, disputed, term on Monday, as calls increased for him to surrender power.
