| Trump's Attorney General pick raises alarms with comments on probing Clinton foundation and uranium conspiracy Posted: 16 Jan 2019 11:03 AM PST  New questions have been raised surrounding Donald Trump's pick to become the next attorney general and his views on investigating the Clinton Foundation and a uranium mining company. William Barr began two days of confirmation hearings on Tuesday to become the next head of the Justice Department, fielding questions from senators about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian impact on the 2016 election and other legal issues he would oversee if confirmed. The Republican — who served as attorney general from 1991 to 1993 — was confronted with comments he provided to the New York Times in 2017 during his first day of hearings, in which he suggested the Justice Department had more of a legal basis to investigate the Clinton Foundation and a longstanding conspiracy theory surrounding a uranium deal under Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state than it did probing Mr Trump's alleged obstruction of justice.
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| US, Canada promise 'unbiased' process for Chinese executive Posted: 16 Jan 2019 06:37 AM PST  The United States and Canada on Wednesday promised an "unbiased" legal process for a Chinese executive whose arrest in Vancouver at US request has riled Beijing. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland discussed the arrest Tuesday in a phone call in which they also voiced concern about the "arbitrary detentions" of Canadians in China, the US State Department said. "They noted their continued commitment to Canada's conduct of a fair, unbiased and transparent legal proceeding and US extradition request with respect to Ms. Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei," a State Department statement said.
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| Hottest vehicles at Detroit auto show: Shelby GT, electric SUV, Kia SUV Posted: 15 Jan 2019 09:51 AM PST  The Ford Shebly GT 500, Toyota Supra and Kia Telluride generate buzz at the Detroit auto show.
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| Atlanta airport says ready for Super Bowl crush despite shutdown Posted: 15 Jan 2019 09:24 PM PST  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), already the world's busiest, expects to see an additional 125,000 passengers ahead of the Feb. 3 game and is bringing in reinforcements to meet the additional numbers, said Elise Durham, the airport's director of communications. More than 1,800 volunteers will help passengers navigate the airport while additional customer engagement agents will be on hand to assist people entering and exiting the city, she added. Durham said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the federal agency responsible for airport security screening, had committed additional resources for the Super Bowl, before the government shutdown.
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| Pound Sentiment Improves in Traders' Positioning for Brexit Vote Posted: 15 Jan 2019 01:27 AM PST  A gauge of relative demand for bullish or bearish options on sterling has climbed to the highest since April even as the U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan faces almost certain defeat in a House of Commons vote Tuesday. The pound may extend its rebound to above $1.30 should the Brexit deadline be delayed from the end of March, said Yuji Kameoka, chief foreign-exchange analyst at Daiwa Securities Co. in Tokyo.
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| Kenya's deadly hotel attack: A timeline of how it occurred Posted: 16 Jan 2019 07:53 AM PST  JOHANNESBURG (AP) — It began with cars exploding and several armed young men, wrapped in ammunition belts, sauntering onto the scene. It was declared over nearly 20 hours later with at least 14 people killed, 700 people evacuated and the Islamic extremist attackers "eliminated." Overnight, scores of frightened people hid in washrooms, offices and elsewhere as gunfire popped and security forces hunted the gunmen. Here's a rough timeline of what occurred in the deadly attack on a luxury hotel complex in Kenya's capital.
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| Venus-Jupiter conjunction: Set your alarm for this celestial meet-up on Tuesday morning Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:15 AM PST  Jupiter and Venus will shine bright together before dawn on Tuesday in an astronomical event known as a conjunction.
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| California governor, lawmakers confront utility bankruptcy Posted: 14 Jan 2019 10:43 PM PST  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — 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.
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| Colbert questions Trump's connection to Russia in a new game show. See who wins. Posted: 15 Jan 2019 07:07 AM PST  Was our president duped into working for Russia? The comics explore in Best of Late Night.
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| Steve King: Republican congressman who defended white supremacy stripped of committee assignments Posted: 15 Jan 2019 12:49 AM PST  A senior Republican congressman has been blocked by his own party from sitting on committees after his universally condemned remarks about white supremacy. Steve King, in his ninth term representing Iowa in Washington, will not be given committee assignments for the next two years, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said. Mr King had served on the agriculture, small business and judiciary committees in the last Congress, also chairing the judiciary's subcommittee on the constitution and civil justice.
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| A Look at the 2020 BMW 7-series Posted: 16 Jan 2019 01:55 AM PST |
| Saudi urges 'fair' energy transition, defends oil Posted: 15 Jan 2019 06:45 AM PST  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. "Balancing greenhouse gas emissions will take decades," he said at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
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| Jamie Dimon says shutdown could reduce economic growth to zero this quarter if it continues Posted: 15 Jan 2019 05:57 AM PST  Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase CEO, said that the partial government shutdown could sap all growth from the U.S. economy.
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| Brexit: Where will the UK end up: fudge, no-deal exit or halting Brexit? Posted: 16 Jan 2019 07:02 AM PST  The crushing defeat of Prime Minister Theresa May's deal means she must now work with other parties in parliament on a new variant if she is to avoid a no-deal Brexit or the other option, a referendum on membership. As the clock ticks down to 2300 GMT on March 29, the time and date set in law for Brexit, May has three main options: a compromise deal, a no-deal Brexit or halting Brexit altogether. The opposition Labour Party's finance policy spokesman, John McDonnell, said Labour would support May if she agreed to stay in a permanent customs union with the EU, a close relationship with its single market and greater protections for workers and consumers.
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| Is an immigration loophole allowing MS-13 gang members to go free? Posted: 14 Jan 2019 05:50 PM PST  Illegal immigrants entered the U.S. without parents; former Border Patrol chief Mark Morgan weighs in on broken U.S. border policies.
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| Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand moves toward launching 2020 presidential campaign Posted: 15 Jan 2019 01:25 PM PST  The New York Democrat announced her intentions on CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" ahead of a trip to Iowa this weekend.
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| JPMorgan misses estimates, caused by trading troubles Posted: 15 Jan 2019 11:46 AM PST  NEW YORK (AP) — JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s fourth-quarter profits badly missed analysts' forecasts on Tuesday, caused by weakness in the bank's bond-trading business.
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| Enes Kanter: Turkey 'seeking arrest' of New York Knicks player Posted: 16 Jan 2019 04:20 PM PST  Turkish prosecutors are seeking the arrest and extradition of New York Knicks enter Enes Kanter, accusing him pf being a member of an "armed terrorist group". Mr Kanter is accused of ties to Fethullah Gulen, who Turkish authorities allege is behind the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016, the Daily Sabah reported. Mr Gulen has repeatedly denied any involved in the failed coup.
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| Ford, VW call off joint Detroit auto show appearance to announce alliance Posted: 14 Jan 2019 10:09 PM PST  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.
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| Procter & Gamble’s Toxic Sanctimony Posted: 16 Jan 2019 03:30 AM PST  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.
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| 40 mile-per-hour mudslides, floods: California storms could cause serious damage Posted: 15 Jan 2019 09:29 AM PST  Mudslides and flooding were closing roads in California as heavy rains and snow were forecast deep into the week.
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| Brexit deal vote: UK parliament's feuding factions Posted: 14 Jan 2019 08:11 PM PST  London (AFP) - The British parliament is split into cross-party factions over the EU divorce deal.
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| Congressional Democrats move to stop U.S. Census citizenship question Posted: 16 Jan 2019 01:57 PM PST  Democrats in the U.S. Congress on Wednesday were moving ahead with legislation to prevent the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, following a court decision this week blocking inclusion of such information. Representative Carolyn Maloney, a senior Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told reporters that she is re-introducing her bill, which was ignored by Republicans in 2017-2018 when they controlled the House of Representatives.
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| Fortnite left players exposed to 'massive invasion of privacy' Posted: 15 Jan 2019 10:00 PM PST  Children playing Fortnite were exposed to a potential "massive invasion of privacy" thanks to an oversight in the game's security, researchers have revealed. The popular shooting game enjoyed by more than 80 million people around the world left users vulnerable to a flaw that if exploited, allowed hackers to steal virtual currency and read private conversations online. The bug was fixed in mid-December, according to researchers who shared their findings with Fortnite's developer, Epic Games. To take control, the researchers sent a message to their victim over social media including a malicious link. Once clicked, the user's Fortnite authentication token - code that confirms a user is logged in - could be captured by the attacker without the user entering their username or password. "Fortnite is one of the most popular games played mainly by kids. These flaws provided the ability for a massive invasion of privacy," said Oded Vanunu, head of products vulnerability research for Check Point, who found they were able to access target accounts. Fortnite | Read more It comes as the police's fraud arm warned that scammers are using the multiplayer Battle Royale-style game to trick young players into handing over their parents' bank details. Criminals are increasingly targeting children on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube with adverts claiming to offer free "V-bucks", a currency used to buy extras like character outfits. After clicking the link, victims can be asked questions about their account, which the perpetrator uses to log in, and steal credit or debit card details that are stored there. Fortnite fever has gripped the nation since it launched in July 2017, with parents growing concerned that their children have become "addicted" to the multiplayer title. Users could protect themselves in future using by turning on two-factor authentication which prompts the player to enter a security code sent to their email address upon logging in. Epic Games have been contacted for comment.
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| Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand jumps into 2020 presidential race Posted: 15 Jan 2019 03:57 PM PST  NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand entered the growing field of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders Tuesday, telling television host Stephen Colbert that she's launching an exploratory committee.
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| Trump orders 300 burgers for White House banquet, says he bought 1,000 then praises ‘tall, handsome quarterback’ Posted: 15 Jan 2019 01:11 AM PST  Amid a government shutdown now in its 25th day – the longest in history – many presidential staff remain furloughed, forcing Mr Trump to set the menu for the visit of the Clemson Tigers, who won the national championship last year. Mr Trump, a fast food lover, said he even paid for their meal himself.
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| Shot Fired at School Bus Stemmed from Fight Over Cell Phone, Mother Says Posted: 15 Jan 2019 01:21 PM PST  Police are investigating after a Kansas City school bus was shot at while students were on board.
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| Wild-Styled 2020 Toyota Supra Debuts With More Power and Tech Posted: 15 Jan 2019 06:28 AM PST   Toyota unveiled the highly anticipated all-new Supra sports car at the Detroit auto show. Sharing platform and powertrain with the redesigned BMW Z4 roadster, the Supra promises to be a natural h...
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| The top 5 benefits that make the American Express Platinum Card a must-have Posted: 15 Jan 2019 07:28 AM PST  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.
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| Report: Gymboree preparing to file for bankruptcy and close all 900 of its stores Posted: 15 Jan 2019 09:07 AM PST ![Report: Gymboree preparing to file for bankruptcy and close all 900 of its stores]( "Report: Gymboree preparing to file for bankruptcy and close all 900 of its stores") Kids' clothing retailer Gymboree is reportedly filing for bankruptcy and plans to close all 900 of its stores.
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| Mega Gallery: Every Photo from 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs Posted: 16 Jan 2019 05:40 AM PST |
| Pro-EU UK Conservative lawmaker puts forward legislation for second Brexit referendum Posted: 16 Jan 2019 05:22 AM PST ![Pro-EU UK Conservative lawmaker puts forward legislation for second Brexit referendum]( "Pro-EU UK Conservative lawmaker puts forward legislation for second Brexit referendum") LONDON (Reuters) - A member of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party on Wednesday submitted legislation making provisions for a second referendum on Britain's departure from the European Union. The bill submitted by Dominic Grieve, who has previously called for a second referendum, is unlikely to make much progress through the legislative process as it depends on government support, and May is opposed to another public vote. The symbolic presentation of the bill was conducted without debate. ...
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| Palestinians launch bid for full UN membership Posted: 15 Jan 2019 12:17 PM PST  The Palestinians will launch a bid to become a full member of the United Nations even though such a move will be blocked by the United States, the Palestinian foreign minister said Tuesday. The Palestinians have the status of non-member observer state at the world body and full membership would amount to international recognition of Palestinian statehood. Any request to become a UN member-state must first be approved by the Security Council, where the United States has veto power, before it is endorsed by the General Assembly.
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| David Webb speaks out after being accused of 'white privilege' by a CNN legal analyst who didn't know he was black Posted: 16 Jan 2019 03:45 AM PST  Sirius XM radio and Fox Nation host David Webb reacts to CNN legal analyst Areva Martin accusing him of 'white privilege' during a debate on his radio show.
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| See the New 2019 McLaren 600LT Spider in Photos Posted: 16 Jan 2019 04:58 AM PST |
| Pelosi Knows How to Play Chicken. Trump Doesn’t. Posted: 16 Jan 2019 11:03 AM PST  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struck back on Wednesday by postponing Trump's trip to Capitol Hill for the State of the Union Speech. Pelosi even suggested that Trump might want to consider reviving the pre-Wilsonian tradition of submitting a report in writing instead of a televised speech.
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| The Latest: Snow, accidents shut Northern California freeway Posted: 16 Jan 2019 04:18 PM PST  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on California storms (all times local):
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| 2020 Ford Explorer Gets Evolutionary, High-Tech Redesign Posted: 15 Jan 2019 06:28 AM PST   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...
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| PG&E ex-CEO receives $2.5 million in severance as company announces plans for bankruptcy Posted: 15 Jan 2019 07:51 AM PST  The ex-PG&E CEO resigned Sunday ahead of the utility's impending bankruptcy due to potential liability for its role in recent California wildfires.
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| No One Is More Elated About Meghan Markle Than This Kid Posted: 15 Jan 2019 10:50 AM PST  This kid had the most relatable reaction ever
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| Gunmen kill 15 in Kenya hotel compound attack claimed by Somali Islamists Posted: 15 Jan 2019 05:17 PM PST ![Gunmen kill 15 in Kenya hotel compound attack claimed by Somali Islamists]( "Gunmen kill 15 in Kenya hotel compound attack claimed by Somali Islamists") More than 12 hours after the assault began at Nairobi's upscale 14 Riverside Drive complex, bursts of gunfire and blasts were heard in the area, undermining government assurances everything was under control. Earlier in the day, office workers had streamed from the complex, some jumping from windows.
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| Key things to know about Gabon Posted: 15 Jan 2019 07:25 AM PST  Gabon, one of Africa's top oil producers, has been ruled for more than 50 years by the Bongo family. President Ali Bongo, who took over from his father in 2009, oversaw the swearing-in of a new government on Tuesday, the day after returning home from an absence that prompted a foiled coup. One in two Gabonese is aged under 20.
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| Los Angeles teachers strike for second day as mayor seeks to restart talks Posted: 15 Jan 2019 09:16 PM PST  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.
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| Barr draws a line for Trump: ‘I will not be bullied’ Posted: 15 Jan 2019 11:13 AM PST  President Trump's nominee for attorney general promises that he will abide by his sense of what is right and will not be susceptible to pressure from the president or from whatever quarter.
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| JetBlue wants to fly you to Puerto Rico and take you to 'Hamilton' for free -- Here's how Posted: 15 Jan 2019 10:47 AM PST  JetBlue, the largest operating airline in Puerto Rico, is doing more than just encouraging travelers to visit the island.
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| Nissan brings luxurious electric sports sedan concept to Detroit Posted: 15 Jan 2019 02:55 AM PST  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.
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| Say it ain't snow: 2 winter storms, then an Arctic blast from the 'fractured' polar vortex Posted: 15 Jan 2019 02:40 PM PST  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.
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