Houston

Palestinian forces soldier on amid Israeli raids, US neglect

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — On a cold winter's night earlier this month, a convoy of 10 Israeli armored jeeps drove into the heart of the West Bank city of Ramallah and parked in front of the Palestinian police headquarters.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's First House Speech Broke a C-SPAN Record. Here's What She Said

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's first speech from the House floor has set a new record with C-SPAN

Photos: At least 6 fatalities reported as intense storms slam California

Amid a relentless series of storms, a powerful storm has been wreaking havoc in California from Wednesday into Thursday, further raising concerns of flooding, mudslides and avalanches.

David Webb’s White Privilege

Areva Martin, a CNN “analyst” — whatever in hell that means anno Domini 2019 — was in the middle of a spirited exchange with the conservative talk-radio host David Webb about racial preferences in hiring. Webb argued — as conservatives of many different races argue! — that race should not be a factor in such decisions, which should be based strictly on qualifications. “That’s a whole ’nother long conversation about white privilege,” she sniffed.

Oxford University suspends funding from China's Huawei

The University of Oxford said on Thursday it has stopped accepting funding from China's Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL], the leading global supplier of telecoms network equipment, after scrutiny over the company's relationship with China’s government. "Oxford University decided on January 8 this year that it will not pursue new funding opportunities with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd or its related group companies at present," the university said in a statement. "The decision has been taken in the light of public concerns raised in recent months surrounding UK partnerships with Huawei.

Mexican airline trolls Americans with brilliant ad

While the debate over immigration and a border wall between the United States and Mexico has helped grind the U.S. federal government to a halt, Mexico's national airline, AeroMexico, is trolling Americans with a new ad called "DNA Discounts." The ad features purported residents of Wharton, Texas, a town about 60 miles southwest of Houston, professing a variety of opinions about Mexico and its citizens. The ad also drops some knowledge about the long history of immigration from Mexico to the U.S., and notes that many in southern and southwestern states have a touch of Mexican DNA. Things get flipped when the airline reveals it's offering flight discounts to Americans, including those Wharton residents, based on the amount of Mexican DNA they have (i.e., 18 percent DNA equals an 18 percent discount). That certainly turns opinions around. As one recipient says, "I love discounts!" Of course, it's such a brilliant ad, it's hard to tell if those Wharton residents are real or just actors and if this whole DNA discount thing is real  or satirical. Aeromexico, which has gotten political before, isn't saying much, but we've reached out for comment and will update this post when we hear back.  Either way, it's a brilliant gambit that undermines the vitriol so many Americans have expressed at our neighbors to the south, and does so without ever directly mentioning the political turmoil, the wall, or even President Trump. Instead, it directs that energy at a sense of shared community, including the tagline, "There are no borders within us." Not a bad way to spread a powerful message.

Apple boss Tim Cook attacks 'shadow economy' of data in call for new privacy law

Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook has called for the US to introduce a national privacy law, attacking a “shadow economy” in which people’s personal data is bought and sold without their knowledge. Mr Cook said companies should have to collect as little data as possible and make it easy for people to delete the information that is held about them. It is the latest attempt from Apple to position itself as the steward of consumers’ privacy, and to draw a line between itself and companies such as Facebook and Google. Mr Cook said that people need to “win back their right to privacy” and that companies that sell data should have to register with the Federal Trade Commission, the US consumer watchdog. “I and others are calling on the US Congress to pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation - a landmark package of reforms that protect and empower the consumer,” Mr Cook wrote in Time Magazine. He singled out “data brokers”, companies that purchase, bundle up and sell data on individuals, such as credit reference agencies, saying that most people were unaware of how companies transact in their data. “Right now, all of these secondary markets for your information exist in a shadow economy that’s largely unchecked. Let’s be clear: you never signed up for that,” Mr Cook wrote. The US does not have a national equivalent to the UK’s Data Protection Act or the European privacy legislation, GDPR. Facebook, Amazon and Google have all said they would support a law, but failed to put forward any concrete proposals. Mr Cook said companies should aim to minimise the amount of data they collect and make it easier for people to delete or correct it. Mr Cook has played up Apple’s privacy credentials in recent months, as sales of its iPhones stumble and as Google and Facebook have been embroiled in repeated data controversies. Its privacy commitment has come under scrutiny, since Apple receives billions of dollars a year from Google to be the default search engine on the iPhone. Mr Cook has defended the deal, saying the company has built in controls to limit how much users can be tracked.

Tulsi Gabbard apologizes, again, for past antigay views

A week after announcing her presidential candidacy, the representative from Hawaii releases a video apology.

American anchor for Iranian TV is arrested on visit to US

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A prominent American anchorwoman on Iranian state television has been arrested by the FBI during a visit to the U.S., the broadcaster reported Wednesday, and her son said she was being held in a prison, apparently as a material witness.

Deadly IS-claimed suicide attack hits US forces in north Syria

A suicide attack killed four US personnel in northern Syria Wednesday, costing Washington its worst combat losses in the war-torn country since 2014 as it prepares to withdraw. The bombing, claimed by the Islamic State group, comes after US President Donald Trump's shock announcement last month that he was ordering a full troop withdrawal from Syria because the jihadists had been "largely defeated". The Pentagon said "two US servicemembers, one Department of Defense (DoD) civilian and one contractor supporting DoD were killed and three servicemembers were injured while conducting a local engagement in Manbij".

'Where's Mitch?' Dems look to deliver letter

New House Democrats walked across the Capitol from the House to the Senate side to call for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass bills that would reopen parts of the government. (Jan. 16)

California storms: At least five people killed after heavy rain and snow cause devastation

At least five people have died in severe rain and snowstorms that blanketed parts of California with at least five feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains this week, besides triggering flooding and mudslides, officials said. Forecasters expect the bitter weather to push eastwards into the Rockies and US Midwest through the weekend, while the California Highway Patrol said rain-slicked highways led to two fatal accidents that killed four people. A family of three, including a one-year-old baby, died in El Dorado County on Tuesday, after their car spun across a rain-soaked freeway to hit another car, the San Francisco Chronicle said.

Turkish prosecutor seeks extradition of NBA's Kanter over Gulen links: Anadolu

Turkish prosecutors are seeking the extradition of New York Knicks center Enes Kanter over his links to the U.S.-based cleric accused of orchestrating a failed coup in 2016, state-owned Anadolu news agency said. Kanter, a vocal critic of President Tayyip Erdogan, was indicted by a Turkish court last year over alleged membership of an "armed terrorist group" after being contacted repeatedly by people close to Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. Anadolu said on Tuesday prosecutors had sought the issue of a "red notice" for Kanter, an Interpol request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition.

Women’s March Leader Refuses to Acknowledge Israel’s Right to Exist

Embattled Women’s March co-chairwoman Tamika Mallory refused to acknowledge the state of Israel’s right to exist during a recent interview on PBS’s The Firing Line and seemed to suggest that, unlike Palestinians, Israelis were not “native” to the region. Mallory, who has been forced in recent days to confront questions about her association with notorious anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan, acknowledged during the interview that “all people have the right to exist” but would not address the legitimacy of the Israeli state. The Women’s March lost the support of the Democratic National Committee and a host of other prominent liberal groups this week after Mallory defend her past praise for Farrakhan during a Monday appearance on The View.

911 callers say Jayme Closs should get $50K reward for rescuing herself

The Wisconsin couple who called 911 to report that Jayme Closs had been found think that Closs herself is more deserving of the $50,000 reward money.

Prince Philip crash: As Duke takes delivery of another Land Rover, will he be back on the road soon?

A replacement Land Rover, previously driven by the Duke of Edinburgh, has been delivered to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, hours after his car was involved in a horror crash. A black Land Rover Freelander was driven into Sandringham inside a delivery truck on Friday morning. The Land Rover is the same model as the one Prince Philip, 97, was driving in yesterday's crash, which also involved a Kia. It is believed to be the same car he has been seen driving near to Balmoral in September 2018, with a shared number plate.  Armed police were on hand as the replacement vehicle was delivered to Sandringham, where Prince Phillip is now recovering. The delivery driver backed the Land Rover out of the van, then drove it through the gates of the Sandringham estate. The Duke was not injured in yesterday's crash, and was checked over by a doctor as a precaution. The two people in the other car involved in the crash were taken to hospital and treated for "minor injuries" and then discharged. Police supervise the unloading of the car Credit: Geoff Robinson The Land Rover driven by the Duke in the accident was towed away after the crash which saw the car overturn and the windscreen smash. Photographs appeared to show the air bags deployed, with heavy scratches down the sides of the vehicle.  The accident will be "investigated and any appropriate action taken", Norfolk Constabulary has said. Norfolk Police said they were following standard procedure where a road traffic collision resulted in injuries. Eyewitness Roy Warne has described how Philip asked if "everybody else was all right" in the aftermath of an accident which saw his car "tumbling" over the road. "The driver of the Kia, a 28-year-old woman, suffered cuts to her knee while the passenger, a 45-year-old woman, sustained a broken wrist," said police in a statement. The aftermath of the crash "Both casualties were treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and were discharged last night. "Police can also confirm a nine-month-old baby boy was in the Kia at the time of the incident and was uninjured. "The male driver of the Land Rover was uninjured. "Both drivers were breath tested and provided negative readings." The police are expected to take statements from the Duke, the female driver of the Kia involved in the crash and any other relevant witnesses during their investigation. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on any changes to the Duke's health, after some witnesses said the Queen's consort had been left "very, very shocked" after the accident. Yesterday, a spokesman said he suffered "no injuries".  Duke of Edinburgh car crash near Sandringham Estate Asked if he held a driving licence, a spokeswoman said: "The duke has got a driving licence and follows all the usual DVLA procedures."

Tunnel through an Australian mountain? No problem, says Elon Musk

Australia could become a test ground for another of Elon Musk's massive infrastructure projects after the maverick billionaire tweeted a "bargain" price to build a tunnel through a mountain to solve Sydney's traffic woes. Musk in 2017 made a Twitter pitch -- and followed through with the offer -- to build what was the world's biggest battery in an Australian state to solve its severe energy crisis. The entrepreneur behind electric carmaker Tesla has most recently turned his sights on tackling city traffic via low-cost tunnels created by his Boring Company, and in December unveiled a sample project near Los Angeles.

US government shutdown muddles Canada trade tallies

The Canadian statistical agency said Thursday the US government shutdown is having impacts beyond its borders, stemming data sharing and forcing Ottawa to suspend publication of trade figures. The United States is Canada's largest trading partner, with about 75 percent of Canadian exports sent to its southern neighbor. Statistics Canada and the US Census Bureau (USCB) share economic data collected by the two nations' respective customs agencies to produce trade reports.

Kenya police detain nine in connection with deadly hotel attack

Kenyan detectives have arrested nine suspects in connection with a Somali militant attack on a Nairobi hotel and office complex that killed 21 people, police said on Friday, indicating the search for possible accomplices in the raid is gathering pace. President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Wednesday evening that a 20-hour siege had ended with security forces killing five militants who had stormed the hotel complex, forcing hundreds of people into terrifying escapes. "The detectives are looking for a woman suspected to have ferried weapons from Kiunga through the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi," a police official who did not wish to be named said, referring to a region near the Somali border.

Marriott is rolling out a brand new rewards program -- Here's everything you need to know

When you're a frequent traveler, it's almost self-sabotage to not join some

HHS IG: Thousands More Migrant Children May Have Been Separated from Parents

“It is not yet clear whether [HHS’s] recent changes are sufficient to ensure consistent and accurate data about separated children, and the lack of detail in information received from [immigration authorities] continues to pose challenges,” the report said.

Illinois parents get 25 years in death of boy, 6, who weighed 17 pounds when he died

An Illinois father and stepmother will spend decades in prison in the starvation death of their 6-year-old son, who authorities say weighed just 17 pounds when he died.

Chevy Pulls Commercial Claiming Superior Reliability

A consumer group challenges the automaker's small-print disclaimer-who's right?

The Latest: California dries off after storms batter state

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

UK PM May reaches out to rivals in Brexit deadlock

May said she was "disappointed" by Corbyn's decision and stressed that "our door remains open". Ian Blackford of the Scottish National Party (SNP) said his party would only participate if she were prepared to consider delaying Brexit, ruling out a "no deal" and the option of holding a second referendum. The prime minister is working to the tightest-possible deadline as Britain prepares to leave the bloc that for half a century defined its economic and political relations with the rest of the world.

Trump missile defense review calls North Korea 'extraordinary threat'

The open acknowledgment in the Missile Defense Review of U.S. plans to counter Russian and Chinese technological advances likely will alarm those nations. It marked a departure from the approach taken by Republican Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, to tamp down concerns by major nuclear powers about expanding U.S. missile defenses. "Our goal is simple: To ensure we can detect and destroy any missile launched against the United States - anywhere, anytime, anyplace," Trump said at the Pentagon.

BMW unveils 2020 7 Series sedan with controversial redesign

While the interior design and mechanics haven't significantly changed in the latest version of the BMW 7 Series, the exterior received a serious facelift that is leaving some fans confused and a few disappointed. BMW officially unveiled the latest 7 Series luxury sedan Wednesday with a redesign that the company says gives it a "confident presence" while some onlookers are giving it a mediocre review. The focal point of the new design is the inflated, trademark 7 Series kidney grille placed on a two-inch taller front end which has grown about 40 percent since the last generation, an expansion that already hasn't been welcomed very warmly.

How to Avoid Common Car-Seat Installation Mistakes

A toddler, still strapped into a car safety seat, survived a fall out of a moving vehicle this week on a Minnesota road—providing a chilling reminder of the importance of proper car seat installa...

Trump 'tried to cut off' disaster relief money for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

President Trump attempted to cut off federal disaster aid to Puerto Rico, it has been reported, which may have prompted deputy Housing and Urban Development secretary Pam Patenaude to resign. In October, the president inaccurately tweeted that the Puerto Rican government was planning on using the disaster relief money for Hurricane Maria to pay off old debts. Although untrue, Mr Trump then reportedly attempted to prevent disaster-relief money from going to Puerto Rico, and instead requested the funds be directed to Texas and Florida, according to a Washington Post article detailing Ms Patenaude’s exit from the White House.

The Latest: US worker gets insurance relief amid shutdown

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Latest on the ill federal worker in Oregon (all times local):

May Wins Confidence Vote and Opens Cross-Party Brexit Talks

U.K. leader Theresa May survived an attempt to oust her government and immediately opened talks with rival political parties in an attempt to break the Brexit deadlock, as time runs out to reach a deal. The prime minister fought off the threat of a national election and won the right to continue running the country when the House of Commons voted 325 to 306 against a motion of “no confidence” in her administration. May invited other party leaders, who back keeping much closer ties to the European Union, for talks tonight to discuss how to forge a compromise Brexit plan that Parliament can support.

Tesla Is Cutting 3150 Jobs to Increase Model 3 Production

Elon Musk told employees about the cuts in a letter posted online.

This manicure just gave birth, and you have to see the baby

Umbilical cords are not usually part of the traditional manicure experience.  Thankfully, there are exceptions to the rule. Russian nail artist Nail Sunny recently shared intricate nail art featuring a detailed chair (with stirrups) and a little woman in a pink hospital gown.  The nail appears to be giving birth. > View this post on Instagram > > Baby birth -❤️ or ? Video by @edo_movs #nailsunnytutorial > > A post shared by Nail Sunny (@nail_sunny) on Jan 17, 2019 at 8:49am PST SEE ALSO: 'Nail Art History' Puts a Museum at Your Fingertips Once the chair and body (made of gel) are affixed neatly to the nail, "the baby" is born. A scalpel reaches into the frame and quite literally plucks a little acrylic baby from beneath the woman's gown.  Next, the umbilical cord is cut with a pair of tweezers and the newborn gel baby is placed with its gel mother. It's all very surreal.  Nail Sunny is no stranger to impractically eye-catching nails. Scroll through the page long enough and you'll find hookah nails (real smoke!), salt bae nails (real steak!), and Grinch nails (synthetic green fur!). > View this post on Instagram > > @world_record_egg challenge Let's set a world record together and get the most liked video post on Instagram PLEASE LIKE THIS VIDEO @nail_sunny #NAILSUNNYTUTORIAL p.s. Конечно же мы не могли не отреагировать на событие сегодняшнего дня , которое перевернуло жизнь @kyliejenner #guinnessworldrecord #wlrldrecordegg #worldrecord #worldrecordholder #worldrecords video by @edo_movs > > A post shared by Nail Sunny (@nail_sunny) on Jan 14, 2019 at 8:44am PST > View this post on Instagram > > Yes or no ? > > A post shared by Nail Sunny (@nail_sunny) on Jan 12, 2019 at 10:10am PST The account often documents the process it took to make the nails. Plus, the video clips are set to top 40 music, so don't worry about providing a playlist.  Now we just want to see the recipient of the manicure open a can of soda. ## WATCH: 'Hair nails' are the latest trend we hope won't grow on you

'Thousands' more children separated from parents at US border in 2017-18

Thousands more children were forcibly separated from their parents after illegally crossing the US-Mexico border from 2017-2018 than originally admitted by President Donald Trump's administration, an official report said Thursday. The inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which was given responsibility for the children, said the total number separated under the administration's "zero-tolerance policy" toward illegal immigrants remains unknown.

Falling tree kills man as storm lashes California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A falling tree killed a man in Oakland on Wednesday as a powerful storm lashed Northern California with high winds and rain, authorities said.

The Best Winter Sales over MLK Day Weekend

Get discounts on mattress, rugs, and everything in between

GM's Barra signals no new vehicles for Detroit Hamtramck, Lordstown

GM CEO Mary Barra offered little hope to workers at the Detroit-Hamtramck and Lordstown plants that new vehicles will be assigned to the facilities.

Lush goes packaging-free with new skincare line

Lush Cosmetics is launching a new line of entirely packaging-free skincare. The natural beauty giant has announced the imminent arrival of its ‘Naked' skincare line in Europe, alongside the opening of the UK's first-ever plastic packaging-free cosmetics store in Manchester. The skincare line, which rolled out last month in the UK and Ireland, is launching in Europe and online on January 18, along with a brand new global campaign.

This Quiet Mueller Cooperator Has a Key Role in Trump Probe

Rick Gates, who spent about a decade working for Kremlin-backed political players in Ukraine, served as Donald Trump’s deputy campaign manager for four months and then became the campaign’s liaison to the Republican National Committee. Weeks later, he appears to have met with Mnuchin and Barrack again for an appointment marked as personal on the Treasury secretary’s calendar.

Treasury's Mnuchin declines to testify before House panel on shutdown

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday declined a request by the Democratic chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives tax committee to testify next week about the partial government shutdown's impact on the upcoming federal tax filing season. In a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, the Treasury Department offered to send senior officials "who are most knowledgeable" about the department's plans during the shutdown. The Internal Revenue Service said this week it would bring more than 46,000 furloughed employees back to work to handle tax filings, refunds and other tasks.

New issue of 'The Atlantic' calls for Donald Trump's impeachment

'The Atlantic' calls out Trump for 'undermining American ideals'; Mark Steyn reacts to Democrats' growing calls for impeachment.