Cleveland

Top Judiciary Democrat: Vote to confirm Barr hinges on commitment to release final Mueller report

Sen. Dianne Feinstein said that she had become increasingly "concerned" about whether Barr would be willing to share Mueller's work in full.

California storms bring mudslide fears, blizzard warning

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Pacific storm that brought fears of dangerous mudslides and a rare blizzard warning in the Sierra Nevada was less fierce than expected but hundreds of homes in fire-scarred California areas remained under evacuation orders as more rain was expected.

PG&E, utility tied to California wildfires, to file for bankruptcy

Pacific Gas and Electric, the utility company that has been tied to deadly wildfires in California, said Monday it plans to file for bankruptcy protection at the end of the month. The San Francisco-based company said its decision to reorganize under Chapter 11 is linked to more than $30 billion in claims it is facing over the so-called 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California -- the deadliest in the state's modern history -- that left 86 people dead. The utility has also been sued over blazes in 2017 that devastated the wine region in Northern California and left more than 40 people dead.

Ocasio-Cortez Poised to Join Panel Overseeing Wall Street

The New York lawmaker, who has become a sensation among progressives, will almost certainly join the House Financial Services Committee after a group of fellow Democrats on the party’s steering committee voted to recommend her for the panel on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter. Two other recently elected progressive Democrats, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Katie Porter of California, are also likely to join the panel, said the people said, who requested anonymity because the names of the new members have not yet been announced. Tulsi Gabbard, a lawmaker from Hawaii who says she plans to run for president in 2020, is also poised to join, the people said.

El Chapo trial: Joaquín Guzman paid former Mexican president $100m bribe, witness claims

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman once paid a $100 million bribe to former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto, a witness has claimed in court. Alex Cifuentes, who has said he was a close associate of Guzman for years, discussed the alleged bribe as part of the accused Mexcan drug lord’s trial. Mr Pena Nieto, commonly known by his initials EPN, was president of Mexico from December 2012 until November 2018.

Delta: Anticipated Airbus A220 debut may be delayed by shutdown

Flyers looking forward to trying Delta’s highly-anticipated Airbus A220 may have to wait. The cause of the delay? The federal government shutdown.

F-22 vs. F-35: Which Stealth Fighter Wins in a Shootout?

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.

Ireland 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.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand moves toward launching 2020 presidential campaign

The New York Democrat announced her intentions on CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" ahead of a trip to Iowa this weekend.

House rebukes GOP's Steve King over racist remarks

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic measure rebuking Republican Rep. Steve King for his comments about white supremacy won easy approval Tuesday in the House.

American 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. An AFP photographer in Nairobi saw the bodies of five victims and a police source said he had seen as many as 14 dead. Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group that assaulted a Nairobi shopping mall in 2013, claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack on the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant, and offices for local and international companies.

Democrats 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.'

Los 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. The walkout, with teachers garbed mostly in red braving two days of rainy weather to stage mass rallies downtown, has shattered 30 years of labor peace by Los Angeles teachers but has not completely idled schools.

Series of storms to pummel California with rain, snow, wind; flooding, mudslides possible

The USA's wild weather will shift from the East to the West this week. California will take the brunt of the storminess with drenching rain, yards of snow and mudslides.

Ford, 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. 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 for the following morning.

Noah analyzes Trump's high-low Clemson moment in Best of Late Night

Who eats McDonald's by candlelight? The president does it by choice. Clemson's football team, not so much.

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.

Kosovars remember 45 killed by Serb forces 20 years ago

RECAK, Kosovo (AP) — Thousands gathered Tuesday in the southern Kosovo village of Recak to mark 20 years since 45 ethnic Albanians were slain by Serb forces in a mass killing that sparked international anger.

May tells MPs they have 'duty to deliver' on Brexit vote

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday urged MPs to vote in favour of her Brexit deal with the EU, telling them they had a duty to deliver on the 2016 referendum result. "I believe we have a duty to deliver on the democratic decision of the British people," she said, warning MPs that the EU would not offer any "alternative deal".

Newmont buys Goldcorp to create world's top gold company

US gold miner Newmont Mining Corporation said in a statement Monday it was buying Canadian rival Goldcorp Inc for $10 billion, creating the world's largest gold mining company. Colorado-based Newmont said it would buy all of Goldcorp's outstanding common shares in a stock-for-stock transaction, acquiring each share for 0.3280 of a Newmont share, "which represents a 17 percent premium based on the companies’ 20-day volume weighted average share prices," a company statement read. The industry has been consolidating as gold mines around the world get depleted, driving up costs and encouraging companies to come together in mergers and alliances.

No One Is More Elated About Meghan Markle Than This Kid

This kid had the most relatable reaction ever

The Latest: Mudslide snarls commute over Golden Gate Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on California storms (all times local):

Jamie Dimon says shutdown could reduce economic growth to zero this quarter if it continues

Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase CEO, said that the partial government shutdown could sap all growth from the U.S. economy.

2020 Ford Explorer Gets Evolutionary, High-Tech Redesign

Ford has completely redesigned the Explorer for 2020, but you might not realize it from the photos. The exterior styling is so familiar that it would be easy to overlook the extensive re-engineer...

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.

SAS soldier hailed as a hero after charging into gunfire to take down terrorists in Nairobi hotel

A member of the SAS helped save hundreds of lives when he charged into gunfire to rescue civilians trapped during a terrorist attack in Nairobi. A mission mounted by Kenyan forces on Wednesday ended a 20-hour assault on 14 Riverside, a luxury hotel and office complex in one of the city's most affluent districts, killing at least some of the perpetrators. Uhuru Kenyatta, the Kenyan president, said that 14 civilians were killed before the attack was ended in one of the biggest military operations ever mounted in the capital.  At least one Briton was killed and one other badly wounded, amid fears that the true death toll could be higher after the Kenyan Red Cross disclosed that as many as 50 people remained unaccounted for. The unidentified SAS soldier, reportedly in Kenya to train and mentor local special forces, often appeared to be at the forefront of the operation, frequently pictured bringing civilians to safety.     The soldier, carrying his special forces C8 Diemaco rifle, enters the compound alongside Kenyan security forces Credit: AFP Although on non-combat deployment, he raced to the scene within the first hour of the attack, wearing body armour over civilian clothes and a balaclava to cover his face.  In one photograph from the scene, he carries the limp, bleeding body of a victim. Another shows the soldier bursting into the hotel complex with his special forces issue C8 Diemaco rifle drawn.  He reportedly worked with US Navy Seals, operating under Kenyan command, during the mission. British special forces, who regularly train the equivalent troops of foreign nations, are not meant to engage in any direct combat on such missions.  However, the Telegraph understands that no action is to be taken against the SAS man who acted in Kenya, and that his decision to involve himself in the life-saving operation is considered to be a fine example of the ethos of British Special Forces.      The SAS soldier evacuates an injured woman from the scene in Nairobi Five years ago in Nairobi a bungled security operation was blamed for prolonging a terror attack on the Westgate shopping mall, during which 67 people were killed. Lessons appear to have been learnt. Yesterday multiple security units, acting under the command of the head of a feared paramilitary unit, mounted a sustained counterassault, clearing the complex building by building. It was unclear if other British personnel were involved. A second British security officer, stationed in a getaway vehicle outside the complex during the first phase of the counterattack on Tuesday afternoon confirmed his involvement but declined to give details, only saying: “We are part of an ongoing operation”.  More than 800 people were caught up in the incident, many of them either hotel guests or workers at the local headquarters of multinational corporations housed in the complex’s five office blocks. A British national named as Luke Potter was confirmed among the dead. An employee of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, set up by the philanthropist and Labour peer Lord Sainsbury, he had only recently arrived in Nairobi.   Luke Potter, the British man among at least 14 people killed in a militant attack at a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi. Credit: PA At least one other Briton, believed to have been with Mr Potter, was among the wounded after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. She was described as being in a critical but stable condition by friends. Those still trapped in the latter stages of the siege told terrifying stories of their ordeal. Cherop Rotich, a secretary, said she had hidden in an office lavatory as gunmen prowled the corridor outside, kicking at doors and taunting their intended victims.  “I honestly thought I was not going to get out alive,” she said, shortly after being led out of the complex. Others told of how they fled restaurant tables and business meetings as the gunmen, with bandoliers strapped to their chests, fired at random.  Even when rescue came, the danger persisted. Survivors led out of the complex by police officers on Wednesday morning said they had come under sniper fire. Security forces help civilians flee the scene as cars burn behind Credit:  Ben Curtis/ AP Worried about the impact of terror attacks on Kenya’s tourism sector, government officials have a history of playing down the number of victims of terror attacks.  President Kenyatta has yet to fulfill a promise to hold a commission of inquiry into the 2013 Westgate attack, which saw accusations that army personnel sent in to kill the Jihadists instead engaged in a drunken looting spree before blowing up part of the mall to cover their tracks. Dominic Troulan, a former British special forces officer attached to the Foreign Office engaged terrorists amid the chaos, helping to free many civilians. He was later awarded the George Cross. Mr Kenyatta on Wednesday pledged to hunt down those responsible for the attack, responsibility for which was claimed by al-Shabaab, a Somali Islamist outfit affiliated to al Qaeda. “We will seek every person involved in planning, funding and executing this heinous act,” he said in a sombre address to the nation. Nairobi attack Under British and American tutelage, Kenyan intelligence gathering on al-Shabaab activities has improved in recent years. Last February, a mass attack on an unknown Nairobi target was thwarted after a vehicle filled with weapons and explosives was intercepted on the road from Somalia to the Kenyan capital. But there has been quiet criticism after recent warnings of an impending attack, passed onto Kenya by Western intelligence agencies, allegedly did not meet a sufficiently serious response. However, Kenyan security forces were placed on high alert in October after the country's intelligence service received reports of an impending attack on government buildings in Nairobi. A Kenyan security source said that the picture was unclear, however, and that the identity of targets kept changing. Yet it was also becoming apparent that the terrorists had staked out the Riverside complex for some time. Reuben Kimani, a barista in the hotel that bore the brunt of the attack, said he recognised one of the gunmen because he had served him coffee on several occasions.

Britain's May says she will respond quickly after key Brexit vote

British Prime Minister Theresa May told her senior ministers she would respond quickly to Tuesday's evening's vote in parliament on her proposed Brexit deal, her spokesman said. Asked by reporters if she would quit if, as widely expected, she lost the vote, the spokesman said May was determined to deliver the will of public and take Britain out of the EU.

Latest: Utah mall says false alarm blared during shooting

MURRAY, Utah (AP) — The Latest on a shooting at a Utah mall that wounded two people (all times local):

The top 5 benefits that make the American Express Platinum Card a must-have

BGR has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products. BGR and The Points Guy may receive a commission from card issuers. With large banks like JP Morgan and American Express poised to start significantly changing up how they structure rewards associated with premium credit cards, consumers may find it trickier than ever these days to figure out how to wade through the choices of plastic available to them and come to a decision. These kinds of cards, in particular, come with generally high fees to go along with the abundance of perks. 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. Here's some of what it offers. An impressive domestic lounge network One of the easiest reasons to cite for why it's worth it to spring for the Amex Platinum Card is the lounge access you're afforded. This card gets you into any of the more than 30 Delta Sky Clubs around the globe plus American Express' own luxurious Centurion Lounges -- which also happen to be multiplying. Examples include the new 12,500-square-foot Centurion Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal D that opened in the fall and which offers a full bar menu that features local wines and beer as well as a menu with Texas-themed dishes. In all, this card unlocks access to more than 1,200 airport lounges across 130 countries. The Platinum Card's Priority Pass membership also makes free food and drinks available at a growing number of airport restaurants and bars, so this benefit definitely helps take the sting out of getting hit with a long layover between flights. Tons of points, baby! The Platinum card is also offering a whopping 60,000-point bonus that kicks in once you make $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of your card membership. By one estimate, those points are worth up to $1,200 according to The Points Guy's recent valuation, and come on top of the card's other benefits like lounge access. When you book through an airline or via American Express Travel, you can earn 5 points for every dollar you spend on flights and hotels. This particular benefit has also been singled out for praise as being the best offering in its category among all cards, given that the 5x multiple on points for airfare can be earned even when you book through any airline - whereas you need to book through Amex Travel to get the 5 points for every dollar benefit. A combined up to $400 in airline fee and Uber credits Among the other ways this card's benefits more than offset that $550 fee each year, you also get up to $200 airline fee credit that can pay for everything from checked bag fees to in-flight food and drink purchases. The only caveat is you have to choose one airline each year that you'll direct your fee credit to, but it's a small price to pay. And as if that wasn't enough, Amex is also throwing in up to $200 in Uber savings each year. It's structured as a $15 Uber credit each month, with up to an additional $20 extra in December - which, while frequent travelers will have no problem using that up quickly, is still one more welcome perk to have. You've got to connect the card to your Uber app, and the monthly benefit is of the use-it-or-lose-it variety, but don't worry. If you don't have need of an Uber ride during a particular month, you can always use that month's credit on an UberEats delivery, instead. Complimentary premium status and memberships galore, from hotels to car rentals The Amex Platinum also has a ton of hotel-related perks alone that will quickly offset the costs that rack up from frequent travel, including complimentary gold status at Hilton and Starwood Hotels, which lets you enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton chain and which can also be matched with Marriott Gold status. Likewise, Platinum card members can also upgrade to Starwood Preferred Guest Gold Elite Status without having to meet any minimum stay requirements. And as if that wasn't enough, other elite member benefits include being given an enhanced room at check-in, when available. For car rentals, it's the same story. You get complimentary elite status with brands like Avis and Hertz, giving you the ability to take advantage of free membership in premium car rental programs that include special upgrades and discounts. The verdict: As the industry-leading charge card, the Platinum Card from American Express is the quintessential credit card. It's not even hard to not only over the card's annual fee, but actually come out ahead. If you travel a lot during the course of a year, or even if you're only on the road and hopping flights sporadically here and there, the Amex Platinum Card definitely is worthy of serious consideration. Benefits span beyond travel, like the card's stellar purchase protection, which reimburses you if you use it to buy an item that's later lost, stolen or damaged accidentally. Amex will cover you for the amount you paid, up to $10,000 per item with a $50,000 yearly maximum, for starters. You'll get plenty of use out of this card, in other words, and then some.

LAUSD teachers strike: Thousands of educators rally in downtown Los Angeles on 2nd day of walkout

Thousands of LAUSD teachers took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles for a massive demonstration on the second day of their union's strike.

Say it ain't snow: 2 winter storms, then an Arctic blast from the 'fractured' polar vortex

Any hopes we had for a mild end to January appear over. A pair of winter storms will dump snow and ice across the central and eastern U.S. over the next several days.

Vance County Schools to keep lunches to a 'minimum' to conserve food, funding during government shutdown

Vance County Schools said it's making changes to lunch menus to conserve food and funding during the government shutdown.

Trump justice nominee: Mueller probe no 'witch hunt'

Donald Trump's nominee for US attorney general said Tuesday he does not believe the investigation into possible election collusion with Russia is a "witch hunt," contradicting the president. "I don't believe Mr. Mueller would be involved in a witch hunt," Bill Barr said, referring to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading the probe. Barr made the comment under questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the first day of hearings into his nomination by Trump to lead the Justice Department.

Kenya Forces Battle to End Attack as Death Toll Climbs

Explosions and heavy gunfire were heard early on Wednesday morning as security officers engaged the assailants at the Dusit Hotel on the outskirts of the city center, the Nairobi-based Daily Nation newspaper reported.

Nissan brings luxurious electric sports sedan concept to Detroit

After debuting the newer, longer range 2019 Leaf e+ at CES last week, Nissan brought a luxurious electric sedan concept to the Detroit Auto show to show off the company's plans to provide high-performing, premium vehicles in the EV era. Nissan debuted its newest concept model, the IMS Concept, in Detroit on Monday, representing the company's pure electric future with impressive range, full drive autonomy, and, last but not least, an innovative new seating arrangement. Behold the new Nissan IMs Concept, setting the design direction for future Nissan electric vehicles.

What happens to the 62,500 students with special needs during Los Angeles teachers' strike?

The disruption triggered by the strike that began Monday in the nation's second-largest school district could set back thousands of other children with developmental disabilities who need special education and consistency, parents told USA TODAY.

Snowstorms to be followed by Arctic outbreak in eastern half of nation

Following a pair of snowstorms set to deliver a one-two punch to the midwestern and northeastern United States into this weekend, the coldest air so far this winter season has its sights set on the eastern half of the nation.

Boeing's F-15X Could Be a Killer in the Sky (But It Won't Have Stealth)

Is that a problem?

Government shutdown: TSA absences cause airport delays, terminal closures

Travel troubles from the government shutdown continue to mount, with some airports closing select security checkpoints to handle staffing shortages.

Lindsey Graham, bidding for elusive 'Trump whisperer' status

Senator Lindsey Graham once said Donald Trump should "go to hell." Trump called him a "nut job." Today, they are unlikely political allies, with the powerful South Carolinian influencing the president on multiple fronts. While they got off on the wrong foot, the Republican lawmaker has emerged as a crucial Trump collaborator, even if they remain at odds on some prominent issues. On immigration, tensions with Saudi Arabia, criminal justice and the partial government shutdown now in its fourth week, Graham has repeatedly weighed in, not just in public fora but behind closed doors with Trump.

UK parliament likely to vote on May's Brexit plan around 2000 GMT

The vote in Britain's parliament on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan is likely to take place around 8 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Tuesday with the announcement of the result possible about 15 minutes later. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said he had provisionally chosen four amendments to the legislation to be put to lawmakers before they vote on the overall Withdrawal Agreement itself.

No. of no-show airport security screeners soars in shutdown

ATLANTA (AP) — The number of airport security screeners failing to show up for work is soaring as the partial government shutdown goes into its fourth week.

Trump Citizenship Question on 2020 Census Blocked by Court

The ruling comes after a two-week trial in Manhattan that the government sought more than a dozen times to derail. The Supreme Court may have the last word, though the court will have to move quickly to let the Census Bureau meet its June deadline to start printing the questionnaire. Critics of the question -- “Is this person a citizen of the United States?” -- said it was an attempt by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to promote a Trump administration effort to undercount Hispanics and other minorities.