| 'Don't deal in Venezuelan gold,' White House says, in anti-Maduro push Posted: 30 Jan 2019 03:44 PM PST  National security adviser John Bolton tweeted that traders should not deal in gold, oil or other commodities "being stolen" from the Venezuelan people, as opponents of Maduro's government worried that a Russian-operated plane had shipped gold out of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon. The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaido, by phone on Wednesday, reiterating support for his "fight to regain democracy." On one side of the tussle for control of Venezuela, an OPEC member that has the world's largest oil reserves but is in dire financial straits, Guaido and Western backers led by the United States are insisting on an immediate transition and fresh elections.
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| How major cities are helping homeless populations during the polar vortex intrusion Posted: 30 Jan 2019 11:15 AM PST  New York, Washington, D.C., Boston and Chicago are taking extra measures to protect homeless populations amid extreme cold, and experts recommend tips for how you can help if you see someone in need.
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| Mueller says Russians are altering evidence from special counsel’s investigation to discredit the probe Posted: 30 Jan 2019 03:32 PM PST  Russians have obtained evidence from special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into Moscow's interference in US politics and altered it in a bid to discredit the probe, federal prosecutors have claimed. The files were shared with attorneys working for Concord Management and Consulting, a Russian company that allegedly funded hacking operations by Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA), they said in a court filing. The sharing evidence and documents between prosecutors and defence lawyer as part of routine discovery is common legal practice.
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| See how people are coping with the scary chill of the polar vortex Posted: 30 Jan 2019 08:42 AM PST  Parts of the Midwest are experiencing the coldest temperatures in 20 years this week as the polar vortex takes hold. On Wednesday morning, it was -22 degrees in Chicago, with a wind chill of -49, according to CNN. In northern Minnesota, wind chills dropped to -65. Flights are being delayed and cancelled. The USPS has partially halted service. In some places, it's possible to get frostbite after only a few minutes of skin exposure. On Twitter, people are sharing the polar vortex's wild effects in their own hometowns. There's indoor ice, boiling water vaporizing into the air, innovative winter-wear layering techniques, and (crucially) bundled-up dogs. > Has not moved since being dressed to go out. She knows s**t's about to get real. #PolarVortex #minus37 pic.twitter.com/HRZQd0P9BK > > -- Jeff Anderson (@lawkota) January 30, 2019 In Chicago, commuter rail tracks were set on fire to keep them operational in the frigid temperatures. > It's so cold in Chicago, crews had to set fire to commuter rail tracks to keep the trains moving smoothly. https://t.co/YsCjTNIMhe pic.twitter.com/j0ej5C0PAl > > -- ABC News (@ABC) January 30, 2019 Things are getting weird out there. SEE ALSO: The polar vortex will return, this time with the coldest temps of the year > #PolarVortex I opened the door to let my dog out and immediately felt like I couldn't breathe. Insane. Watch your pets guys. Bring them in soon as they handle the business. My dog ran out and then looked back like are you kidding me lol pic.twitter.com/spgeaowx7T > > -- Lore (@villalore24) January 30, 2019 An extremely light morning rush hour. Image: Scott Olson / Getty Images > Currently it's -21 with a wind chill of -42 at my house. > > Not a whole lot to do outside during a #PolarVortex but fill balloons with food coloring & water to see what happens. pic.twitter.com/yk3nkTePM8 > > -- Kori Zenz (@KoRickZenz) January 30, 2019 The Chicago River is partially frozen. Image: Scott Olson / Getty Images > Curiously, however, the dogs seemed pretty cool with them.#PolarVortex pic.twitter.com/Umg8eTHY06 > > -- J.F. Riordan (@AudacityofGoats) January 29, 2019 Out for a walk. Image: Stephen Maturen / AFP /Getty Images > So it's a bit chilly in #Chicago Feel free to use, @accuweather @ABC7Chicago #polarvortex #deepfreeze #chicago #windchill #freezing #brrrr pic.twitter.com/7BjhuBI6y4 > > -- jordanwilson04 (@jordanwilson04) January 30, 2019 > Looking forward to spring on this -23 degree day. #Chicago #ChicagoRiver #PolarVortex pic.twitter.com/4e49cx5N5x > > -- StylishBeautySecrets (@litebrightest) January 30, 2019 If your region is experiencing these temperatures, minimize your time outside as much as possible. If you need to go outside to do the boiling water challenge, fine, but head back inside ASAP. And bring your pets with you! ## WATCH: The 18th annual No Pants Subway Ride streaks across the globe
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| Brexit deal 'best possible' and 'not renegotiable': Macron Posted: 29 Jan 2019 11:15 AM PST  French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the Brexit deal is the "best agreement possible and is not renegotiable", as Britain's premier pushed to reopen talks with Brussels. Macron's comments during a summit in Cyprus came as Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to British lawmakers to give her a mandate to renegotiate, after parliament rejected an accord reached with the European Union. Macron urged the British government to "promptly" lay out to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier "the next steps that will prevent an exit without an agreement, which nobody wants but for which we must all prepare ourselves".
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| The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Is Coming, and This Teaser Photo Hints at How It'll Look Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:37 PM PST  We try to decipher a nearly undecipherable image of the latest mid-size pickup truck.
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| Rep. Ilhan Omar calls for sharp tax increases on the wealthy: 'We've had it as high as 90 percent' Posted: 29 Jan 2019 05:50 AM PST  "Through Her Eyes" is a new weekly half-hour show hosted by humanitarian and women's rights activist Zainab Salbi that aims to explore a hot button news issue through the lens of a female newsmaker. Weeks after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., made headlines by calling for a top marginal income tax rate of 70 percent in an interview with "60 Minutes," her fellow freshman congresswoman, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., suggested that the rich could pay even more. "There are a few things that we can do," Rep. Omar said in an interview with "Through Her Eyes." "One of them, is that we can increase the taxes that people are paying who are the extremely wealthy in our communities.
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| Vale's Management Team Is on Thin Ice After Deadly Dam Break Posted: 29 Jan 2019 03:02 AM PST  It is the second deadly mining disaster involving Vale in only about three years and the company has come under intense scrutiny since images of death and destruction began flooding the airwaves on Friday. While Vale has taken steps in recent years to shield itself from state intervention, the government is still indirectly the company's largest shareholder through a Banco do Brasil pension fund, known as Previ.
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| Young boy found after being lost for days in the woods says he made friends with a bear Posted: 29 Jan 2019 09:29 AM PST ![Young boy found after being lost for days in the woods says he made friends with a bear]( "Young boy found after being lost for days in the woods says he made friends with a bear") Kids say the darndest things, and a young boy who was lost for three days in a heavily wooded area of North Carolina is spinning a yarn that is leaving investigators baffled. Casey Hathaway was reportedly playing with other children in his grandmother's backyard when he wandered into a nearby woods and disappeared from view. Nobody could find the young boy, and authorities and volunteers scoured the woods for three days before he was eventually found alive. Having endured chilly temperatures and heavy rain, the boy was still in good health, but he says he didn't make it through the ordeal alone. "He made a comment about having a friend while he was in the woods -- his friend was a bear," on of the investigators, Maj. David McFadyen of the Craven County Sheriff's Office, told CNN in an interview. "In the emergency room he started talking about what happened in the woods and he said he had a friend that was a bear with him while he was in the woods." The youngster likely had a rather uncomfortable time while he was lost in the woods, as nighttime temperatures dropped as low as 20 degrees and two inches of rain fell during the three days he was missing. As for whether or not a bear actually joined him, authorities can't say for certain one way or the other. Authorities note that there are indeed bears in the area, but nobody involved in the search for the boy reported seeing one while combing the woods. The boy was found in a tangle of vines, according to investigators, and while he was cold he was otherwise unharmed. Search party members could hear him calling out for his mother, which helped them locate him. Police say the young boy will be interviewed -- or at least questioned to the extent that one can question a three-year-old -- in order to get a better idea of how he survived, and perhaps they'll learn a little bit more about his bear friend in the process.
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| 'Serious consequences,' U.S. warns, after Venezuela moves on Guaido Posted: 29 Jan 2019 03:43 PM PST  The sweeping U.S. sanctions on oil firm PDVSA, announced on Monday, means the state-run company may not be able to fulfill contracts with North American buyers, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said. Aimed at driving Maduro from power, the sanctions were the strongest measures yet against the 56-year-old former union leader, who has overseen economic collapse and an exodus of millions of Venezuelans in recent years. The measures triggered higher global oil prices, angry responses from China and Russia and the first serious moves against Guaido since he challenged Maduro's claim on the presidency last week.
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| Sheriff: Suspect confesses to killing 5 with dad's gun Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:54 PM PST  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A young man from Louisiana has confessed to killing his parents, his girlfriend, and two of her family members who had taken him in after he was kicked out of his house, authorities said Tuesday.
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| Trump boosts bills to teach his favorite book — the Bible — in public schools Posted: 29 Jan 2019 02:06 PM PST  Steven Fitschen, president of the National Legal Foundation, reacts to the president's tweet praising his effort to teach teach the Bible in public schools.
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| What we know about husband and wife killed in Houston officer-involved shooting Posted: 29 Jan 2019 05:03 PM PST  The man and woman were killed after firing at Houston police, who were attempting to serve a warrant.
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| NASA’s mission to ‘Touch the Sun’ just reached a major milestone Posted: 30 Jan 2019 07:58 AM PST ![NASA's mission to 'Touch the Sun' just reached a major milestone]( "NASA's mission to 'Touch the Sun' just reached a major milestone") NASA had a big year in 2018 with several bold new missions to study various features of our Solar System, and one of the most exciting was the launch of the Parker Solar Probe which will study the Sun in more detail than has ever been possible before. The probe has already broken several records and proven that it's capable of enduring the intensity of our star, and it's starting out 2019 by adding another notch to its belt. The probe, which launched in August of last year, recently completed its first full orbit of the Sun on January 19th. It's a feat that the spacecraft will repeat many times over the next several years, but completing the first full loop is obviously cause for celebration. "It's been an illuminating and fascinating first orbit," Parker Solar Probe Project Manager Andy Driesman said in a statement. "We've learned a lot about how the spacecraft operates and reacts to the solar environment, and I'm proud to say the team's projections have been very accurate." The probe gathered a huge amount of data during its first trip around the Sun, and it performed much of its work without being in radio contact of its handlers back on Earth. As it orbits the Sun, the probe will regularly lose contact with Earth and then reconnect when it emerges from behind the star once more. Thus far, the probe has sent back over 17 gigs of scientific data and it's still streaming more observation data back. The data dump won't be finished until April, NASA says. The probe is expected to put in nearly seven years of work, making a total of 24 orbits and getting gradually closer to the Sun with each pass. It is tasked with observing many different functions of the star, including the generation of solar wind and the outflow of energy from the Sun into space, advancing our understanding of solar weather.
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| US reiterates 'all options on the table' as John Bolton accidentally flashes plans for troops to Venezuela border Posted: 29 Jan 2019 02:10 AM PST  US National Security Advisor John Bolton was photographed on Monday holding a notepad that included the handwritten line: "5,000 troops to Colombia." Bolton spoke to White House reporters while holding the yellow notepad and discussing the crisis in Venezuela, where the US now recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president. It was not until after the briefing that observers spotted the black scrawl. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said "we are not seeing anything that would support" a potential troop deployment to Colombia, which neighbors Venezuela. The Pentagon referred a query back to the White House. John Bolton was caught out holding a notepad saying '5,000 troops to Colombia' Credit: Win McNamee/Getty During the briefing, Bolton would not rule out use of US troops in Venezuela. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he said. The US military's Southern Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bolton's notepad also had the line: "Afghanistan - welcome the talks" - a reference to a potential breakthrough in discussions with the Taliban.
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| 'El Chapo' defense rests after calling one witness Posted: 29 Jan 2019 01:03 PM PST  After that, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan, who is presiding over the trial in Brooklyn federal court, will instruct the jury so it can begin deliberating Guzman's fate. The brief defense case was in sharp contrast to the 10-week presentation put on by prosecutors, who called over 50 witnesses to testify. Guzman said on Monday that he would not testify in his own defense.
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| Howard Dean warns Schultz's 'vanity candidacy' could mean a 2nd term for Trump Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:30 PM PST  The former Starbucks chief executive stirs up fear and anxiety by floating an independent presidential run.
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| Good-bye polar vortex, hello spring? Weekend will be 75 degrees warmer Posted: 30 Jan 2019 11:21 AM PST  The bitter cold that froze parts of the central and eastern U.S. this week will be a distant memory by the weekend.
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| Top airline is selling flights for $44 Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:35 PM PST  Winter weather and the general lull of the post-holiday season can leave just
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| Canada’s Decision on Huawei and 5G ‘Some Ways Off,’ Goodale Says Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:27 PM PST  "I'm not going to speculate about time but it's certainly beyond weeks," Goodale told reporters Tuesday after a cabinet meeting. Goodale said Canada will take the view of allies such as the U.S. into account when studying potential risks to national security, and will make its own decision in the end. China's ambassador to Canada and Huawei officials have denied the company's gear is used for spying.
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| Woman with baby dies after falling down NYC subway stairs Posted: 29 Jan 2019 07:49 PM PST ![Woman with baby dies after falling down NYC subway stairs]( "Woman with baby dies after falling down NYC subway stairs") NEW YORK (AP) — A young mother has died after falling down stairs at a Manhattan subway station while holding her 1-year-old daughter.
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| Palestinian president Abbas accepts government resignation Posted: 29 Jan 2019 11:48 AM PST  Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas accepted the resignation of his government Tuesday, in a reshuffle seen as a bid by the ageing leader to strengthen his position as a decade-old political split deepens. Analysts view replacing prime minister Rami Hamdallah after five years as part of Abbas's efforts to further isolate his political rivals Hamas, who run the Gaza Strip. Hamdallah's government will remain in place while a new administration is formed.
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| China slowdown weighs on revenue growth at internet giant Alibaba Posted: 30 Jan 2019 06:13 AM PST  Internet giant Alibaba saw its revenue growth slow in the final three months of last year, in quarterly results likely to stir up concerns over the weaker China market, recently signalled to by US tech giants. Alibaba saw net income jump 33pc to 30.96bn yuan (£3.5bn) in the three months to the end of December, and revenue rose 41pc to 117.28bn yuan. However, shares dipped in New York trading, down 1.3pc, as investors took the results as a sign growth was waning, given Alibaba's revenue had grown more than 50pc for the 10 consecutive quarters prior to the most recent results. The 41pc growth announced on Wednesday was the weakest Alibaba had recorded in three years. The results follow a warning from Alibaba president Michael Evans earlier this month that China had "slowed down". Speaking at an event in New York, Mr Evans had said it was a market that "required patience", adding that there were some "troubling headwinds". Last week, China posted figures revealing its economic growth in 2018 had been the weakest in 28 years amid tensions with the US and poor consumer confidence. The country's GDP growth for the year was 6.6pc, down from 2017's 6.8pc. Some economists are predicting growth could slip below 6pc going forward. Technology intelligence - newsletter promo - EOA Masaaki Kanno, chief economist at Sony Financial Holdings, said: "We still think the Chinese economy could bottom out in the middle of the year. "There was no surprise from the GDP data but the basic message is that the Chinese economy is still slowing down." However, David Dai, of Bernstein, said the environment should improve for Alibaba in the second half of 2019 "as the Chinese government introduces measures to stimulate the economy and US China trade war stabilises". Alibaba is the first of China's big tech companies to report its results for the final three months of 2018, but follows a series of warnings over the state of the China market by US giants Apple, Intel and Nvidia. Apple last night said sales of its iPhones slipped by 15pc in the final three months of 2018, largely due to weaker demand in China. Speaking about Alibaba's results on Wednesday, however, boss Daniel Zhang was upbeat, saying: "Our resilient operating and financial performance is a direct reflection of our persistent focus on better serving our growing base of nearly 700 million consumers across retail, digital entertainment and local consumer services."
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| Trump aide John Bolton reveals notepad reading '5,000 troops to Colombia', as US announces fresh Venezuela sanctions Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:21 AM PST  John Bolton, the US national security adviser, has courted controversy by flashing a note reading "5,000 troops to Colombia" during an announcement of fresh sanctions on Venezuela. Mr Bolton announced sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, designed to ratchet up pressure on embattled president Nicolas Maduro amid an ongoing crisis in the Latin American nation.
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| No mail will be delivered to parts of seven states as polar vortex chills postal delivery Posted: 29 Jan 2019 07:30 PM PST  So much for "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night." The U.S. mail won't be delivered tomorrow in four states due to the crippling cold of the polar vortex.
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| AP Explains: Anti-assimilation claims haunt Latinos, Asians Posted: 28 Jan 2019 07:38 PM PST  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — NBC's Tom Brokaw drew strong criticism for saying that Hispanics needed to work harder at assimilating and learning English. Megan Neely, a Duke University graduate studies director, also sparked anger for warning international Asian students in an email against speaking Chinese in public.
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| Netanyahu in talks with Russians to avoid Syria 'frictions' Posted: 29 Jan 2019 11:18 AM PST  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday held talks with two Russian officials on reinforcing their military coordination in Syria in order to avoid any "friction" there, his office said. The talks focussed on "Iran and the situation in Syria, and strengthening the security coordination mechanism between the militaries in order to prevent friction," said a statement from his office. At the meeting, the Kremlin's Syria envoy Alexander Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin "reiterated Russia's commitment to the maintenance of Israel's national security," it added.
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| Best Buy Goes Back on Decision to Fire Security Guard Who Tackled Suspect Posted: 30 Jan 2019 07:10 AM PST  A Northern California Best Buy is walking back its decision to fire a security guard who tackled a shoplifting suspect.
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| Should NYC Ride-Share Drivers Get a $17 Hourly Minimum? Lyft and Juno Say No Posted: 30 Jan 2019 02:45 PM PST ![Should NYC Ride-Share Drivers Get a $17 Hourly Minimum? Lyft and Juno Say No]( "Should NYC Ride-Share Drivers Get a $17 Hourly Minimum? Lyft and Juno Say No") The rule, passed by New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission in December, requires that drivers for market leader Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft, Juno and Via earn at least $17.22 an hour. It's part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's effort to cap the growth of app-based, ride-for-hire platforms and reduce traffic congestion.
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| Trump pushes back against U.S. spy chiefs on North Korea, Islamic State Posted: 30 Jan 2019 04:35 AM PST  On Tuesday, intelligence officials broke with Trump in their assessments of the threats posed by North Korea and other nations.
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| Woman bitten on rear by python lurking in her toilet Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:41 PM PST  A woman in Australia got a rather unpleasant surprise when she sat down on her
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| What is a sun dog? Polar vortex brings atmospheric phenomenon to the Midwest Posted: 29 Jan 2019 03:10 PM PST  These sun dog images can be the silver lining of a very, very cold weather day.
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| Retired colonel accused in Maduro drone 'attack' held in Venezuela: wife Posted: 30 Jan 2019 09:12 AM PST  A retired Venezuelan colonel accused of being a leader of the explosives-laden drone "attack" on President Nicolas Maduro in August has been arrested, his wife said on Wednesday. "He was kidnapped," Sorbay Padilla said in a video sent to journalists and human rights activists. Garcia Palomo, 54, had been in exile in neighboring Colombia but was captured at the end of last week in western Venezuela after secretly returning to the country, local press reported.
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| The 2019 Range Rover SV Coupe Is Dead and Will Not Reach Production Posted: 30 Jan 2019 08:04 AM PST  The planned pinnacle of the brand, said to be the fastest Range Rover yet, has been cancelled.
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| Man arrested for killing 3 also accused of stealing $210K Posted: 29 Jan 2019 10:34 AM PST  SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man killed his parents and brother after he was kicked out of his home and accused of stealing $210,000 from his family to send to a woman he had met on a porn website, according to a sheriff's office.
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| Free bacon, bacon and more bacon: McDonald's, Wendy's go whole hog on what Americans love Posted: 29 Jan 2019 06:12 AM PST  From free Wendy's Baconators to free bacon from McDonald's for one hour, bacon is the sizzling hot choice for fast-food chains now.
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| How to Keep Your Car Battery Alive Through a Frigid Winter Posted: 29 Jan 2019 01:02 PM PST  Batteries, like people, like to stay warm, dry, and well-fed during the winter. Heres what you need to know about keeping your battery happy when its cold out.
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| Dutch Cabinet Gets Emergency Powers in Case of No-Deal Brexit Posted: 29 Jan 2019 06:55 AM PST  A majority of lawmakers in the parliament's lower house in The Hague granted the cabinet a six month period -- rather than a year as the government had proposed -- to use special powers as the country of about 17 million prepares for the eventuality of the U.K. leaving the European Union without a divorce agreement. Under the new legislation, the government will have to submit emergency measures to parliament within ten weeks after implementing them. If the government fails to submit within the set time-frame, the measures will be scrapped.
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| U.S. spy chiefs break with Trump on many threats to the U.S Posted: 29 Jan 2019 12:05 PM PST  China and Russia pose the biggest risks to the United States, and are more aligned than they have been in decades as they target the 2020 presidential election and American institutions to expand their global reach, U.S. intelligence officials told senators on Tuesday. The spy chiefs broke with President Donald Trump in their assessments of the threats posed by North Korea, Iran and Syria.
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