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Steve King’s Fall Offers Three Lessons for Conservatives

All of his fellow Republicans supported the action – he even voted for it himself, to show his remorse – and earlier this week, the party’s leaders stripped King of his committee assignments. Several GOP members are telling him to resign. In a statement a week following the original Times report, King denied that he meant this.

Robert Mueller’s spokesman is a man of mystery

Peter Carr, spokesman for special counsel Robert Mueller, has made a virtue of saying nothing at all.

Brexit deal vote: UK parliament's feuding factions

London (AFP) - The British parliament is split into cross-party factions over the EU divorce deal.

California governor, lawmakers confront utility bankruptcy

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. 

Procter & Gamble’s Toxic Sanctimony

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.

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.

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.

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.

New York Pastor`s Son Charged with Raping His Teenage Daughter

Community members are demanding the Progressive Baptist Church be shut down after the Bishop`s son was arrested for allegedly raping his daughter on church property.

Storm could set off mudslides in fire-scarred California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Light showers fell on parts of Northern California bracing for heavy rain and strong winds Wednesday that could unleash mudslides on communities struggling after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century.

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.

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.

How William Barr Tried to Reassure Democrats at His Confirmation Hearing

As a private lawyer in the twilight of his career, William Barr argued that he can serve as attorney general without fear of consequences.

Ford forecasts $112 mn Q4 loss amid restructuring costs

Ford said Wednesday it expected to post a $112 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2018 as the automaker implements a massive restructuring in the United States and Europe. For the full year, Ford will post a net profit of $3.7 billion, less than half the 2017 result. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be $1.30 across the year, right at the lower end of its $1.30-1.50 estimate in October.

US air traffic controllers say system ‘eroding’ beneath them due to government shutdown

Federal air traffic controllers have warned that the government shutdown is going to make travel delays worse given its dwindling workforce, which has already suffered from record low employment rates in recent years. With the federal closure well into its fourth week, officials with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) say that dysfunction in Washington is causing undue stress for their members who already have precious little room for error in their jobs. Without money coming in, air traffic controllers who have been required to come to work and oversee the delicate dance between planes as they take off, land, and taxi at high speeds must now also worry about whether they have money to pay for their mortgages and child care payments.

Brexit: Where will the UK end up: fudge, no-deal exit or halting Brexit?

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.

Hundreds in new U.S.-bound migrant caravan cross into Guatemala

Several hundred Honduran migrants in a new U.S.-bound caravan crossed into Guatemala on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump seized on news of the advancing group to try to build support for a wall along his country's border with Mexico. About 360 Hondurans presented documents to pass legally through the Agua Caliente border crossing separating the two Central American nations. An additional 350 Hondurans crossed into Guatemalan territory, but were being detained by migration officials checking their documents, according to pro-migrant activists traveling with them.

The Latest: Sheriff defends Jayme Closs 911 response

BARRON, Wis. (AP) — The Latest on the kidnapping of Wisconsin teenager Jayme Closs and the killing of her parents (all times local):

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.

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.

Alliance talks continue as Ford, VW call off joint Detroit appearance

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.

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.

Ocasio-Cortez Takes Shot at Banks in Embracing Committee Role

The progressive firebrand, who isn’t yet officially a member of the House Financial Services Committee, took to Twitter Wednesday to send a number of missives arguing that the era of banks using campaign contributions to buy legislative favors is coming to an end.

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.

The Shutdown Is Disrupting Travel at America's Biggest Airports. And It's Probably Going to Get Worse

TSA workers have not been paid for the pay period that ended last Friday

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.

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):

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.

Erdogan, Trump consider creating security zone in Syria

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US counterpart Donald Trump mooted Monday the creation of a "security zone" in northern Syria as tensions rose over the fate of Kurdish fighters in the war-torn country. In a telephone conversation, the leaders "discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. This came after Turkey vowed it "will not be intimidated" by Trump's threats of economic devastation if Ankara attacked Kurdish forces as US troops withdraw from Syria.

Wild-Styled 2020 Toyota Supra Debuts With More Power and Tech

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...

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

Is that a problem?

No One Is More Elated About Meghan Markle Than This Kid

This kid had the most relatable reaction ever

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.

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.

El Chapo attorney's affair, sexting steals spotlight at trial

Drug kingpin El Chapo's attorney is stealing the headlines from his client after The New York Post obtained steamy text messages between him and his mistress. Concerns abound if the relationship will affect the case.

Where the investigations related to President Trump stand

A look at where the investigations related to President Donald Trump stand and what may lie ahead for him:

At Detroit auto show, the future of cars is... in the future

The Detroit auto show kicked off this week with glitzy, high-production value debuts of mostly sports cars, giant trucks and SUVs -- new versions of age-old themes. At the booth of Velodyne LiDAR, which makes laser scanning automotive eyes, a giant monitor showed the surrounding environment just as an autonomous car might see it: full of dots and circles. Something as simple as bug splatter can frustrate the laser eyes' ability to see.

Hours after U.S. troops killed in Syria, Pence says Islamic State defeated

Pence did not mention the attack in his address to 184 chiefs of U.S. diplomatic missions who gather annually in Washington from around the world to discuss foreign policy strategy. "The caliphate has crumbled and ISIS has been defeated," Pence told the U.S. ambassadors and other senior American diplomats, referring to Islamic State. In separate statements later, both the White House and Pence condemned the attack and expressed sympathy for the deaths of the U.S. personnel.

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.

Saudi urges 'fair' energy transition, defends oil

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia called Tuesday for a "fair" and gradual global energy transition as it unveiled an ambitious domestic renewable energy programme. Experts say energy output from renewables, especially solar and wind, is growing faster than anticipated, threatening to displace oil, gas and coal as the world's main sources of power. "Balancing greenhouse gas emissions will take decades," he said at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Fortnite left players exposed to 'massive invasion of privacy'

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.