- WorldThe National Review
Will May Survive Her Brexit Defeat?
The only meaningful unity that the United Kingdom has seen in the past two years has been opposition to the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May negotiated with the European Union. That agreement, as predicted, suffered a crushing blow in the House of Commons today, voted down by a 432-to-202 margin in what was instantly the worst parliamentary defeat in history. The defeat, as predicted, has prompted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to propose a vote, expected to be held on Wednesday, of no confidence in the government.
NewsAssociated PressComplaint in Closs case could be road map for prosecution
The criminal complaint charging a Wisconsin man with abducting 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents laid out the case in detail and offered a possible road map for how prosecutors will seek a conviction in the girl's 88-day ordeal. The 12-page complaint against Jake Thomas Patterson focused almost entirely on Jayme's abduction and her escape , without lingering on her time in captivity. The decision to leave out a description of what happened in the remote cabin where Jayme was held for almost three months was probably intended to spare her more trauma, said Chris Madel, a prominent defense attorney in Minneapolis.
- PoliticsThe Independent
Republican congressman Steve King defiantly supports vote rebuking his own racist remarks
Steve King defiantly rejected what he described as an "unprecedented assault” on his freedom of speech while simultaneously supporting a resolution in Congress condemning his own racist remarks. The Iowa Republican — whose has a history of controversial rhetoric — sparked a backlash after an interview with the New York Times was published last week in which the congressman appeared to lament why language like white nationalist and white supremacist had "become offensive". Mr King took to the House floor to seemingly clarify his controversial statements before the vote.
NewsAFPMassive US teachers' strike affects half million pupils
More than 30,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles walked off the job on Monday to press their demands for better pay, smaller class sizes and more educators. "Here we are on a rainy day in the richest country in the world, in the richest state in the country, in a state that's blue (Democrat) as it can be -- and in a city rife with millionaires -- where teachers have to go on strike to get the basics for our students," Alex Caputo-Pearl, the head of the United Teachers Los Angeles union, told a news conference. Although the teachers' union and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) agree that class sizes -- some at more than 40 -- must shrink, teacher salaries must improve and more support staff are needed, they differ on funding.
- BusinessCar and Driver
What Ford and Volkswagen's Tie-Up on Trucks Means for the Ranger in America
Ford and Volkswagen have committed to co-develop vans and trucks that will see showrooms starting in 2022, both automakers announced Tuesday. The Ford Ranger will continue as a U.S. product, even as the new joint agreement sees collaboration on non-U.S. versions of the Ranger and the Ford Transit van. Ford will build an all-new Ranger, which will also underpin the next-gen VW Amarok that is likely to remain outside the U.S., and continue to engineer the next-gen Transit full-size van that VW may rebrand into its future Transporter.
- BusinessCar and Driver
A look at the Nissan IMs Concept
The sedan isn't dead, it's elevating. From Car and Driver
- PoliticsBloomberg
Two Republicans Push 'Border Bonds' to Let Americans Finance a Wall
Two Republican U.S. lawmakers are turning to a World War I-era financial tactic to break the impasse over President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a wall along the Mexican border. Representatives Steven Palazzo of Mississippi and Andy Harris of Maryland, both members of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the Border Bonds for America Act of 2019 -- a law that would allow Americans to buy such securities from the U.S. The money would be put in a trust fund and used just to build a wall along the nearly 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) border.
- 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.
- PoliticsReuters
U.S.'s Pompeo: Saudis assured me of accountability for Khashoggi murder
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that Saudi leaders assured him everyone responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be held accountable, as Riyadh tries to resolve its biggest political crisis in a generation. Pompeo told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including women's rights activists who have been detained for months and some allegedly tortured. Khashoggi, a longtime royal insider who had become a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, prompting a global outcry including U.S. Treasury sanctions on 17 individuals and a Senate resolution blaming Prince Mohammed.
- BusinessUSA TODAY
Ford, VW promise more details on auto giants' alliance
The companies scheduled a joint conference call for 8:30 a.m. EST, with Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess and Ford CEO Jim Hackett "to provide an update on the companies' ongoing discussions regarding a global alliance." Both Diess and Bill Ford, executive chairman of the automaker his great-grandfather founded, told the Free Press on Monday that talks are continuing but the companies have considerable opportunities to collaborate.
- NewsAOL.com
Man accused of killing California police officer left behind cryptic suicide note: police
A man accused of gunning down a 22-year-old California police officer before turning the weapon on himself left behind a bizarre suicide note about "ultra sonic waves," according to authorities. Police say Kevin Douglas Limbaugh, 48, attacked Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona as she was responding to the scene of a three-car accident off Interstate-80 outside of Sacramento on Thursday evening. This 2018 booking photo released by the Yolo County Sheriff's Office shows Kevin Douglas Limbaugh.
- BusinessThe Independent
Government shutdown: Passenger takes gun through airport security check onto international flight
A passenger managed to board plane with a gun in their hand luggage after being screened by security at an American airport. Having accidentally packed their firearm, the unnamed traveller managed get on to the Delta Air Lines plane to Tokyo at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on 3 January, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has admitted. After realising their mistake after the aircraft had taken off, the passenger immediately alerted staff on board, who in turn told the TSA.
- PoliticsHuffPost Opinion
Democrats Are Afraid Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Too. And That's A Good Thing.
In the last few days, both Politico and the New York Times have reported that freshman Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has ruffled the feathers of fellow congressional Democrats. It's one of the most significant ideas the young New York congresswoman has brought with her to Washington. The corporate Democrats who dominate the party's power structure in Congress should fear losing their seats because they're out of step with constituents.
BusinessAFPClose shave: Gillette ad sparks online controversy
A commercial for the Gillette razor brand that supported the #MeToo movement and called on men to change their behavior has triggered a heated controversy online. The spot, which features images of harassment and brutality, urges men to end a culture of "toxic masculinity" and turns the brand's 30-year-old slogan into a question: "Is this the best a man can get?" The broadcast of the spot, which was released Sunday and lasts just under two minutes, has earned the brand praise from those who see it as an example of brave communication, with the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs even paying tribute in a tweet on Tuesday.
- 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.
- NewsU.S.News & World Report
10 Public Universities Run by Highest-Paid Presidents
Presidents with high salaries The U.S. president makes $400,000 per year. Several university presidents make more than double that. At least 17 National University presidents earn twice what President Donald Trump does on a yearly basis, according to a 2017 report from The Chronicle of Higher Education.
U.S.FOX News VideosDemocrats boycott shutdown meeting at the White House, say they will not meet until government is reopened
Ohio Congressman Brad Wenstrup, who attended the meeting, reacts to the democrats actions on 'Your World.
WorldReutersJordan, France, Iran follow Pompeo to Baghdad, Le Drian announces loan
Jordan's King Abdullah and the foreign ministers of France and Iran made separate visits on Monday to Iraq, an ally of Tehran, amid U.S. attempts to rally allies against the Islamic Republic as Washington starts withdrawing troops from neighboring Syria. King Abdullah's visit, his first since 2008, follows a week after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stopped off in both countries at the start of a Middle East tour meant to mobilize Arab countries against Iran and reassure them over the planned U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria. The Jordanian king was greeted by President Barham Salih on a red carpet at Baghdad airport before heading to meet Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.
- NewsTime
A Passenger Got a Gun On Board An Airplane. TSA Says it Wasn't Because of the Shutdown
A passenger was able to carry a gun through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening area and board a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Tokyo on Jan. 3, according to a statement released on Sunday. In the statement, the TSA confirmed the news, but denied the lapse in security was related to the ongoing partial government shutdown. During the shutdown, TSA screeners are working but not receiving pay. “TSA has determined standard procedures were not followed and a passenger did in fact pass through a standard screening TSA checkpoint with a firearm,” the agency said in a statement.
- NewsThe Independent
Jayme Closs: Suspect Jake Patterson decided to kidnap girl when he spotted her get on school bus, court papers say
The man suspected of kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing her parents in their Wisconsin home allegedly decided to take the 13-year-old after spotting her getting onto a school bus one day, accordng to a criminal complaint filed in court. Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, will be formally charged with two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping before his afternoon hearing in Barron County Circuit Court, according to prosecutors. A criminal complaint alleges Mr Patterson told investigators that, on his drive to a job at a cheese factor in Almena, Wisconsin, he spotted Jayme get on the school bus one day and came up with the idea to abduct her.
BusinessUSA TODAYDetroit auto show: Tech giants take the wheel in voice recognition systems
After years of designing their own often-faulty voice recognition systems, auto companies are handing the reins over to tech giants that have already developed the technology for their devices. The trend is on full display at the 2019 Detroit auto show, where automakers are showcasing new vehicles with increasingly common systems that allow drivers to plug in their phones and bypass built-in infotainment systems. Using spoken commands to tune the radio, make a call or get directions has required patience, awkward pronunciation and frequent do-overs ever since it became possible in some vehicles earlier this century.
- WorldBloomberg
No Deal Without Backstop, May Tells Parliament: Brexit Update
Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to win lawmakers over to her Brexit deal, as the European Union's own efforts to help her fell short just a day before the U.K. Parliament vote. Talking about the idea of putting time limits on the Irish backstop, May said: “The simple truth is this: The EU was not prepared to agree to this.” Does that amount to a signal that the government isn't going to back Andrew Murrison's (see 2:56 p.m.) amendment? “There need to have been legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement” in order for it to pass the House of Commons, he said.
- WorldAccuWeather
15 killed after plane crashes during rain and low visibility
A Boeing 707 cargo plane crashed just west of Tehran, Iran, amid severe weather conditions on Monday morning local time, according to Iranian state TV. Iranian emergency management official told state TV that 16 people were on board the plane when it crashed, and that there is only one known survivor. Weather observations at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport reported rain and 7 km (4.5 miles) visibility around the time of the incident.
BusinessAFPSaudi urges 'fair' energy transition, defends oil
Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia called Tuesday for a "fair" and gradual global energy transition as it unveiled an ambitious domestic renewable energy programme. Experts say energy output from renewables, especially solar and wind, is growing faster than anticipated, threatening to displace oil, gas and coal as the world's main sources of power. But Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told a clean energy conference in Abu Dhabi that the transition must take place gradually in order to avoid "chaos".
- LifestyleBGR News
The top 5 benefits that make the American Express Platinum Card a must-have
Large financial institutions have historically enticed borrowers to spring for their most luxe credit options by offering incentives like free air travel and tons of points, though as The Wall Street Journal reported in recent days some banks are now looking to tweak that model — changing up the rewards so that you get less on the front end and you're induced to actually use the cards more to get the benefits over the long term. All of which is to say, when you consider all of the above and the various options on the market available to you, there are several reasons why the Platinum Card® from American Express is a smart choice for consumers who want the best mix of price and rewards.
