- 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.
- WorldBloomberg
Kenya Hunts Gunmen in Fatal Hotel Attack Claimed by Al-Qaeda
The attack on 14 Riverside Drive in Nairobi began with an explosion targeting three vehicles in the parking lot and then a suicide-bombing in the foyer of a Dusit Hotels & Resorts Co. outlet, police Inspector-General Joseph Boinnet said Tuesday in a televised briefing. Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda based in neighboring Somalia, said it killed 47 people in the attack, according to Radio Andalus, a broadcaster that supports its insurgency. The group didn't say how it obtained the figure, but if its involvement was confirmed it would be the Islamists' first significant assault in Kenya since a raid on a university campus in Garissa county in April 2015 that killed at least 147 people.
PoliticsAFPOn US-Mexico border, Trump's wall stirs mixed feelings
Mexico is just minutes away on foot, the time it takes to walk across one of the bridges that span the Rio Grande, intimately connecting Laredo, Texas to its Mexican sister Nuevo Laredo. The wall Donald Trump promises to build would slice through that, and here as elsewhere in America opinions are divided over whether it's needed. Already, the raging national debate over the president's demand for $5.7 billion to build the wall has provoked the longest government shutdown in US history, one now in its fourth week.
- 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.
- NewsHuffPost Opinion
I'm An LAUSD Teacher. This Is Why We're Striking.
The teaching supply store was providing free lamination for Los Angeles teachers in preparation for the Los Angeles Unified School District teacher strike, which began this morning. When people talk about the LAUSD strike, they should consider the fact that 98 percent of us voted to give our union permission to call the strike. It's a battle between 33,000 UTLA members, the vast majority of LA teachers and other school staff, who spend every day teaching and caring for our students, and the district leaders who are unwilling to work with us to meet their needs.
- 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.
PoliticsFOX News VideosRepublican's questions uncovered revelations that FBI leader
Rep. John Ratcliffe confirms his questions to former FBI general counsel James Baker uncovered the claims first reported by the New York Times; Catherine Herridge has the details.
- BusinessArchitectural Digest
How Government Shutdowns Affect Housing and Design
Now into its third full week, the U.S. federal government shutdown—our country's longest ever—means that museums such as the Smithsonian and National Parks are closed, 380,000 federal workers are furloughed, and another 420,000 employees are working without pay. Fitch Ratings has warned that the U.S. is at risk of losing its AAA credit rating should the shutdown continue for several weeks more, especially considering the rising federal deficit. Where it comes to housing, many residents living in HUD-subsidized residences, who rely on the federal government for assistance, may not be able to pay rent, putting them at risk for homelessness.
- PoliticsYahoo News
Robert Mueller's spokesman is a man of mystery
The trim man with salt-and-pepper hair and broad, kind features can occasionally be seen in court proceedings connected to special counsel Robert Mueller, sitting in the back of courtrooms taking notes in an extra-large government ledger. As the spokesman for the special counsel's office, Carr is one of the only official sources of information on the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, a probe that has riveted the public — and the president.
- WorldThe Independent
New migrant caravan travelling to US from Honduras adding to tensions over border
Yet another migrant caravan is making the long and dangerous journey to the United States, with the situation on the US-Mexico border having already contributed to the longest government shutdown in American history. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Nelly Jerez said that between 800 and 1,000 people were travelling together and headed towards the Agua Caliente border crossing into Guatemala. Hundreds of Honduran refugees and migrants also left a bus station in the northern city of San Pedro Sula and moved along to join the caravan.
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.
- BusinessCar and Driver
In-Depth Photos of the 2019 Subaru STI S209
The formerly Japan-only S-line will be offered in the U.S. at last. From Car and Driver
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.
- 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.
NewsUSA TODAYPentagon to send more active-duty troops to southwest border
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon will send a fresh deployment of active-duty troops to the southern border at the request of officials from the Department of Homeland Security. Late Monday, the Pentagon also announced that deployments of active-duty troops would extend through September. The new contingent of troops will include combat engineers to fortify border crossings and aviation units to help ferry Border Patrol agents, according to a Defense Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
NewsReutersWorst is over for winter storm that clobbered U.S. Midwest, D.C. and New England
The deadly winter storm that clobbered a swath of the U.S. Midwest and East Coast over the weekend is blowing out to sea, but leaves as much as 13 inches of snow in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, and frigid arctic air parked over New England. All Washington D.C. federal offices would be closed on Monday, but train and bus service in the metro D.C. area would resume after being shut down on Sunday, officials said. quot;There's some digging out to do," Jim Hayes, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, said Monday.
- 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.
- 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.
- BusinessU.S.News & World Report
Considerations Before Maxing Out Your 401(k)
You probably already know that contributing to your 401(k) plan will improve your retirement finances. There are some circumstances when it makes sense to pay down debt and build up some savings outside of your 401(k) before boosting your 401(k) withholding. Here's what you should think about before increasing your 401(k) contributions.
- 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.
- NewsCar and Driver
Hyundai Is Letting Federal Employees Defer Car-Loan Payments during Government Shutdown
Hyundai will let federal employees affected by the government shutdown defer their car payments for one month. About 800,000 people have gone on furlough since December 21 after President Trump and Congress failed to reach a deal that would have kept non-essential functions running through February. To be eligible for the Hyundai relief, federal employees must be on a lease or loan through Hyundai Capital, whether for new or pre-owned vehicles.
BusinessAFPFord, VW call off joint Detroit appearance to announce alliance
Automakers Ford and Volkswagen on Monday called off a joint appearance at the Detroit auto show set for the following day during which they were widely expected to announce an alliance. A highly-anticipated announcement at the US's premiere auto show in the Motor City was called off late Monday, and the two sides planned a conference call with reporters instead. "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.
WorldBloombergMay Loses Brexit Vote in Landslide, Faces Confidence Vote
Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal was rejected by Parliament in a humiliating defeat, her plan for leaving the European Union all but dead. The House of Commons voted 432- 202 against the divorce she painstakingly brokered with the EU over 18 months. The largest parliamentary loss in over a century not only prompted the main opposition Labour Party to make its move to try force an election, it also hardened the EU's position.
- 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.
- PoliticsThe Independent
Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway says president 'did not destroy' records from meetings with Putin
White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway has said that Donald Trump did not destroy any notes from a meeting with Vladimir Putin and that “leaks” may have led the president to be secretive about his talks with the Russian leader. A recent report from The Washington Post have alleged that Mr Trump went to “extraordinary” lengths to conceal his discussions with Mr Putin, including reportedly taking the notes from his interpreter after a meeting with the Russian leader in 2017. Ms Conway told reporters that the president is “transparent”, and that the level of "leaks" during the administration would have justified a heightened sense of concern that his talks with Mr Putin would get into the public domain.
