Democrats' opening offer in border security negotiations doesn't include money for wall

The offer included $1 billion in border tech, $502 million in humanitarian aid, 1,000 new customs agents and $150 million for new boats, and planes.

Venezuela's Guaido says police agents visited his home

"I will hold you responsible for any threat to my baby," Guaido said at the end of a public event in Caracas. Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of the National Assembly, then left for home, asking diplomats to accompany him. The United States, which backs Guaido, has warned of "serious consequences" if Maduro's government harms him.

To Florida's Venezuelan exiles, Pence vows more pressure on Maduro

In a visit to the largest community of Venezuelan exiles in the United States - and flanked by four prominent Florida Republican politicians - Pence rejected calls for talks with Maduro, and said all options were on the table to force him to leave. This is time for action," Pence told a few hundred people at a rally in a local church, many of whom waved Venezuelan flags and shouted "Libertad!" "The time has come to end the Maduro dictatorship once and for all," said Pence, who has emerged as one of the strongest voices against the Venezuelan leader in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. government has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.

El Chapo defense to US jury: Don't believe 'garbage' testimony

Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's defense team on Thursday urged a US jury not to believe "garbage" testimony of government witnesses, insisting their client was not the real mastermind of the Sinaloa cartel. The 14 ex-associates of Guzman who took the stand during the trial in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn did so to get reduced sentences, attorney Jeffrey Lichtman told the jury.

Is Eddie Lampert set to 'steal' Kenmore brand? Courtroom clash will decide fate of Sears

The U.S. government's pension agency and major creditors are lining up to block a last-minute bid to save Sears Holdings from liquidation.

Girl's wild frozen hair shows the power of the polar vortex

Alright, Mother Nature, you've done your thing -- and we're all very impressed -- but this is getting out of hand.  In recent days, extremely cold temperatures have caused everything from 2,600 flight delays to the halting of U.S. postal service delivery (and they never stop for anything). But if there's anything we can learn from cold Midwesterners, it's that this polar vortex doesn't need to be a polar snorefest.  Iowa native @taylor_scallon showed the power of negative temps when she shared a video of herself  outside with a very interesting hairstyle. She managed to get her hair to defy gravity and freeze straight up when she went outside with wet hair.   SEE ALSO: Bored Midwesterners are throwing boiling water into the frigid wind during the polar vortex While it might be fun to make yourself look like a Who from Whoville, it's important to remember that these temps are no joke. So stay warm inside and leave the winter pranks for when Mother Nature has left town.  ## WATCH: Watch this drag Elsa push a police van stuck in the snow during a blizzard in Boston

Big storm sets sights on California, evacuations ordered

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A powerful storm bearing down on California on Friday was expected to produce heavy rainfall, damaging winds, localized stream flooding and heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada, forecasters said.

Zebra dies on Indiana farm after being left out in extreme cold

A zebra died at a farm in northern Indiana due to exposure to the extreme cold

A Man 'Slipped and Fell' on Ice But Video Told a Different Story, Prosecutors Say

A New Jersey man was arrested after he allegedly faked a slip and fall so he could file an insurance claim.

Senate Delivers Reproach to Trump on Syria Withdrawal

The Senate sent a clear disapproving message to President Trump on Thursday, advancing a measure warning against a “precipitous withdrawal” of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voted 68 to 23 to end debate on Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s amendment to a larger Middle East policy bill.

Factbox: Tesla executive departures since 2016

(Reuters) - Tesla Inc on Wednesday announced the departure of Chief Financial Officer Deepak Ahuja, the latest senior executive to leave the company as it strives to ramp up electric car production and reach long-term profitability.

In U.S. Midwest, 19F feels like heat wave after days of brutal cold

In Chicago, where the mercury dipped as low as minus 22 Fahrenheit (minus 30 Celsius) earlier this week, temperatures of 19F (minus 7C) on Friday morning felt positively balmy for some in the nation's third-largest city. "Today's wonderful because it's not below zero," said Mary Crissie, 47, who said she closed her deli franchise in the Loop, Chicago's downtown financial district, on Wednesday. "The Loop was a ghost town." Temperatures from southern New England to the Upper Midwest should reach the mid-40s to low 50s Fahrenheit through the weekend and Monday, forecasters said, after a record-breaking cold snap that stopped mail deliveries in some parts of the Midwest and shuttered schools and businesses.

Southern California storm: Zuma Beach, Pacific Coast Highway closed in Malibu

As the first in a series of storms moved into the Southland on Thursday, lighting, mudslides and flooding led to road and beach closures.

Trump tweets himself into a corner on wall funding

Judging by Trump's tweets — his main public forum on the issue — it’s difficult to know what's he's after.

On Politics: The Biggest Stories of the Week

By Unknown Author from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2SrGakI

Super Bowl Pitches That Aren’t ‘SOO Good!’

By KEVIN DRAPER from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2WAg4Lg

Adventure in a Wedding Dress

By CHARANNA ALEXANDER from NYT Fashion https://nyti.ms/2HMPgnU

What’s on TV Saturday: ‘Pick of the Litter’ and ‘Bordertown’

By SARA ARIDI from NYT Arts https://nyti.ms/2MJQ77y

Why You Should Be Careful About 23andMe’s Health Test

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2t0iCVv

Eyelash-Freezing Cold, Snow and Early Cherry Blossoms

By IAN AUSTEN from NYT World https://nyti.ms/2BgBswd

Undocumented Workers Lose Their Jobs at Yet Another Trump Property

By MIRIAM JORDAN and BEN PROTESS from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2UB2S7f

Michael Avenatti Will Not Be Charged With Domestic Violence, Officials Say

By LIAM STACK from NYT U.S. https://nyti.ms/2HNmNhP

Quotation of the Day: Cory Booker Announces Presidential Bid, Joining Most Diverse Field Ever

By Unknown Author from NYT Today’s Paper https://nyti.ms/2S0zzOF

Lightning Finally Break Through vs. Islanders in East Showdown

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2TqfSwk

Kyrie Irving Beats Them. Knicks Fans Want Him to Join Them.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2Gf0qPU

Rickie Fowler Leads the Phoenix Open by One Stroke

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports https://nyti.ms/2S2HMBH

Our Tokyo Bureau Chief on Where She Finds ‘Bolts of Insight’ (Hint: It’s Outside the Office)

By LARA TAKENAGA from NYT Reader Center https://nyti.ms/2WvvZe1

Corrections: February 2, 2019

By Unknown Author from NYT Corrections https://nyti.ms/2UB95jC

Howard Schultz Derangement Syndrome

By BRET STEPHENS from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2BeC8Ca

How to Talk Presidential

By GAIL COLLINS from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2G6icFP

The Harm in Hustle Culture

By ROGER COHEN from NYT Opinion https://nyti.ms/2GhIEvq

Outré

By CAITLIN LOVINGER from NYT Crosswords & Games https://nyti.ms/2Gec8KF

Spotify Is Said to Be in Talks to Buy Gimlet in a Quest for More Podcasts

By MIKE ISAAC and BEN SISARIO from NYT Business https://nyti.ms/2Tpbcqo

This Is That Song From ‘Russian Doll’

By AISHA HARRIS from NYT Arts https://nyti.ms/2G5KjF5

Mike Pence tells Venezuelan exiles in Miami: 'This is no time for dialogue. This is time for action'

Mike Pence, the vice president of the United States, has said that Venezuela needs “action” rather than dialogue, rallying Venezuelan exiles in Miami to the cause of “interim president” Juan Guaido and demanding that President Nicolas Maduro step down. Mr Pence told the Florida gathering that “all options are on the table”, and warned Mr Maduro “not to test the resolve of the United States”. “This is no time for dialogue. This is time for action," he said. "The time has come to end the Maduro dictatorship once and for all.” Removing Mr Maduro has been a priority for Mr Trump right from the beginning of his presidency, but has become an obsession for the White House since Mr Guaido, president of the national assembly, declared himself “interim president” on January 23. Mike Pence addressing Venezuelan exiles in Miami On Friday John Bolton, the national security adviser and one of the most strident Venezuela hawks, attempted to reduce the temperature somewhat, saying he did not believe US military intervention was imminent. He reacted angrily to reports that Mr Maduro was planning to send 15 tonnes of gold from central bank vaults to the United Arab Emirates in coming days, in return for euros in cash. Oil sanctions announced by the US last week are hitting hard, and Mr Maduro is becoming increasingly desperate to find means of keeping his regime afloat – including accessing $1.5 billion of gold kept in the Bank of England’s vaults. “Not only does Maduro require foreign paramilitary support to keep remaining threads of a failed dictatorship, but reports show he is flying out Venezuelan assets by the plane full,” Mr Bolton tweeted. “Is he stealing resources from the people to pay for Russian intervention?” Venezuelan exiles listen to Mike Pence in Miami on Friday Mr Guaidohas urged his supporters to take to the streets on Saturday and demand the resignation of Mr Maduro, who is clinging to power with the support of Russia, China and Iran. Mr Maduro, 56, on Friday tweeted a video of himself inspecting troops. The military, which has so far remained largely loyal, is seen as holding the key to Mr Maduro’s future. Mr Guaido has appealed to the forces to defect, and wrote an open letter to soldiers offering amnesty – which many of them publicly burnt. Comandos de Alto Vuelo dispuestos a defender la Patria con la misma valentía de nuestros Libertadores. ¡Dios los Bendiga Muchachos! pic.twitter.com/5Dh3QzVXUi— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) February 1, 2019 The 35-year-old published an open letter to Mexico and Uruguay, turning down their offer of mediation in talks with Mr Maduro and saying he would only consider talks “when the usurpation is over”. He argues that Mr Maduro’s May election was fraudulent, and so the end of his term, in January, marked the end of his legitimate rule. He insists that, with the presidency “vacant”, he, as the president of the national assembly, becomes under the constitution the “interim president”. Juan Guaido with his 20-month-old daughter at his home in Caracas, which was visited by Venezuelan police on Friday Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, expressed dismay at Mr Guaido’s position, siding instead with his friend Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, president of Mexico, and criticising the British foreign secretary for calling for further sanctions. “The future of Venezuela is a matter for Venezuelans. Jeremy Hunt's call for more sanctions on Venezuela is wrong. We oppose outside interference in Venezuela, whether from the US or anywhere else. “There needs to be dialogue and a negotiated settlement to overcome the crisis.” The European Parliament officially recognised Mr Guaido on Thursday, and urged the European Union to follow suit. A series of European countries, among them Britain, Spain, France and Germany, have set a deadline for Sunday for Mr Maduro to call elections, or else they will join the US, Canada, Australia, Israel and many Latin American nations in recognising Mr Guaido. Pro-Maduro protesters holding up a poster of the late Hugo Chavez take to the streets of Caracas on Thursday Francisco Sucre, the head of the international committee of Venezuela’s national assembly, on Friday called on Mr Maduro to step down. Speaking in Spain, at the end of a trip designed to rally support for Mr Guaido, he said that the "international contact group" announced on Thursday by the EU's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, "should help to cease the usurpation of power by Maduro and establish a transitional government until new elections." He added: "There is no possible discussion here, Maduro has to leave." He said Venezuela, under Mr Guaido, welcomes the EU's involvement "because we are going to need its cooperation during the initial stages of the recovery of our country." "Power is evaporating from Maduro's hands with the passing of the hours," he said. "We have been contacted by diplomatic workers across Europe who are ready to take a step forward, but they are waiting for the right moment."

Senate leader wants U.S. troops to stay in Syria, Afghanistan

(This Jan. 29 story corrects paragraph 7 to show Coats' testimony was on Tuesday, not on Monday) By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican leader of the U.S. Senate offered legislation on Tuesday urging the United States to keep troops in Syria and Afghanistan, as President Donald Trump's administration moves toward withdrawals of American forces after years overseas. Saying that Islamic militant groups in the two countries continue to pose a "serious threat" to the United States, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he had introduced an amendment to a broader Middle East security bill urging a "continued commitment" until al Qaeda, Islamic State and other groups are defeated.

Rachel Campos-Duffy experiences the polar vortex from her home

Historic deep freeze grips the Midwest; Fox News contributor Rachel Campos-Duffy shares her experience of the polar vortex from her home in Wisconsin.

Elizabeth Warren Says Sears Workers Suffered While Leadership Self-Dealed

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a possible Democratic presidential candidate, slammed Lampert in a letter dated Wednesday, citing the “inherent conflicts of interest’’ in the hedge fund manager’s takeover of bankrupt Sears Holdings Corp. What’s unusual is that Lampert made saving thousands of jobs a centerpiece of his winning bid for parts of the 126-year-old retail icon.

Fiji Water Girl Kelleth Cuthbert sues the company that helped make her famous

Fiji Water Girl may have gotten her fame serving water and undeniable photobombs on the red carpet, but she’s now coming for the water company.

GM to lay off about 4,000 salaried workers: source

General Motors is expected to lay off about 4,000 salaried workers under a reorganization announced late last year, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. The layoffs are part of a cost-cutting plan GM announced in November, which will slash 15 percent of its salaried and contract staff and shutter seven plants, including five in North America. Media reports estimated the total job cuts of salaried staff and union workers at about 14,000, including about 6,000 union workers.

Assault reported by 'Empire' actor condemned by family as 'hate crime'

Chicago police said detectives have been unable to obtain cell phone records to "independently verify" a key part of Smollett's story - that he was talking with his manager by phone at the time he was accosted.

Venezuela opposition leader 'held secret meetings' with military leaders in bid to oust Maduro

Venezuela’s self-declared “interim president” was recognised by the European Parliament on Thursday, and set out to promote his plan for restoring order to the chaotic country. Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the national assembly, visited a forum at the Central University of Venezuela to outline his “rescue plan”. As he addressed the forum his home was raided by Venezuela's security services (FAES), he tweeted. "At this moment the FAES is in my house, my family home. I hold citizen Nicolas Maduro responsible for the safety of my daughter who is there." The head of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, criticised the "intimidation" tactic. "We strongly condemn the intimidation against President Guaido and his family on the part of the repressive forces of Venezuela's illegitimate dictatorship," he said. The raid came as The Telegraph learnt that the International Monetary Fund has been in informal talks with Venezuelan opposition leaders in order to advise on plans to rebuild the country’s devastated economy. Juan Guaido marches with fellow opponents of Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Wednesday One of the co-chairs of a new committee appointed by the Venezuelan national assembly and tasked with planning for a transition to a functioning economy, Juan Meija, told The Telegraph: “We understand that we’re going to have to get a lot of help from multilateral organisations from the such as IMF [to rebuild the economy]. We’ve already discussed some of these plans with them. Up to now it has been unofficial but I think that will change soon." The IMF did not deny that it had held informal discussions with the opposition, but said that talk of a bailout was “premature”. Earlier in the day on Thursday, Mr Guaido refused to rule out US military intervention to oust his rival, President Nicolas Maduro, telling CNN that the Venezuelan people want to end Mr Maduro's dictatorship with "whatever pressure is necessary." He also claimed, in an op ed published in Thursday's New York Times, to be engaged in talks with the military to encourage them to defect. Nicolas Maduro with his troops on Wednesday The military, backed up by Cuban advisers, are seen as holding the balance of power in the troubled country. "Do you want a puppet of the gringos to govern Venezuela?" Mr Maduro asked soldiers at a rally on Wednesday, referring to Mr Guaido, who is strongly supported by the US. So far, the troops have largely remained loyal to Mr Maduro, although some high-profile leaders including the top officer in Washington DC have joined Mr Guaido. And factions of officers who have defected say they are plotting returns from their makeshift headquarters in Peru, Colombia and other countries. Rebellious military commanders even held secret meetings with the Trump administration over the last year to discuss their plans to overthrow Mr Maduro. “The transition will require support from key military contingents,” Mr Guaido wrote. “We have had clandestine meetings with members of the armed forces and the security forces. We have offered amnesty to all those who are found not guilty of crimes against humanity. “The military’s withdrawal of support from Mr Maduro is crucial to enabling a change in government, and the majority of those in service agree that the country’s recent travails are untenable.” Nicolas Maduro in a tank with his troops, on Wednesday He told Spain’s El Pais newspaper, however, that he was not seeking a civil war. "The risk of a civil war in Venezuela does not exist, despite what certain people want to believe or want to let us believe. Why? Because 90 per cent of the population wants a change," he said. But there was "a risk of violence" from Mr Maduro's government, which he said used specialised police forces and "paramilitaries" to repress and kill opponents. "I am convinced that at a certain moment the army will end up manifesting its discontent, and take this opportunity to stand on the side of the constitution,” he said. “And not only because we propose an amnesty." Venezuelans walk past a mural of President Donald Trump in Caracas Analysts are concerned that the conflict could see the US and Russia drawn into open hostilities, with Moscow backing Mr Maduro. On Thursday a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said there were no plans underway for evacuation of the country's diplomats or other citizens from Venezuela, but would not comment on why a Russian airliner showed up in the Venezuelan capital's airport on Monday. The arrival of the Boeing 777 belonging to Russian airline Nordwind has led to widespread speculation, including that Venezuelan officials might be aiming to spirit tons of gold reserves out of the country as a political crisis deepens. A plane from Russian company Nordwind is seen at Simon Bolivar Airport in Caracas On Friday Mike Pence, the US vice president, will address Venezuelan exiles in Miami. Over three million Venezuelans have fled their homes in recent years, and Miami is one of the most popular destinations for those not stuck in limbo in neighbouring Latin American countries. President Donald Trump was the first to recognise Mr Guaido as the country’s legitimate ruler, on January 23, and he and his team have been doing all they can to back him in the intervening days. A group of European Union countries have given Mr Maduro a deadline of Sunday to call elections, or else they will recognise Mr Guaido. "If imperialists want new elections, let them wait until 2025," said Mr Maduro in response. "The leaders of Europe are sycophants, kneeling behind the policies of Donald Trump," he said at the weekend. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, has backed Mr Guaido Britain said on Thursday it was considering "targeted sanctions against the kleptocrats who have enriched themselves" on the back of a suffering population. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, spoke to Mr Guaido on Wednesday and urged his counterparts to embrace the youthful leader. "For us, Mr Guaido is the president of Venezuela and we do hope that the European Union will find a united position on this," he said. Five foreign journalists were arrested in Caracas during this week's protests, although all five were later released. Mr Guaido wrote on Twitter: "Very soon full freedom of expression and information will reign in Venezuela." "The dictatorship is getting weaker all the time."

Elizabeth Chambers Hammer wants to help spice up your Valentine’s Day with a new Baileys cake-in-a-jar

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to shower the special people in your life

China's U.S. Treasury Holdings Continue to Tumble Amid Trade War

China’s pile of notes, bills and bonds dropped to $1.12 trillion in November, from $1.14 trillion in October, according to data from the Treasury Department released Thursday. China remains the U.S.’s biggest foreign creditor. The data come as U.S. and Chinese delegations wrap up two days of trade discussions in Washington, with just four weeks until a deadline for the U.S. to escalate tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods.

Kamala Harris, Running Scared

Announcing a run for the presidency should have been enough for Kamala Harris. In a bid for a party that sees itself as the vanguard of a more racially diverse and progressive future, she comes from the vanguard state leading America there – California. It may seem silly in retrospect, but in 2007 and 2008, liberals and conservatives both questioned whether Barack Obama’s white mother and his upbringing in Hawaii so removed him from the experience of most African-American voters that they would not accept him.

Family Speaks Out After Mother Dies When Suffering Medical Condition, Falling Down Subway Stairs

The family of a mother who died when she apparently suffered a pre-existing medical condition and fell down subway stairs say stations need to be more accessible.

Rapid thaw could wreak havoc on pipes, roadways in Midwest

DETROIT (AP) — Much of the Midwest was preparing for a rapid thaw after this week's polar vortex sent wind chill temperatures plummeting below minus-50 in some places. But the transition to warmer conditions threatens a new set of problems.

Super Bowl: Missing businessman stole $750k from community including his mum in ticket scam

A Georgia businessman is missing after allegedly scamming his friends, family, and mother out of $750,000 in exchange for non-existent Super Bowl tickets before skipping town. Ketan Shah, a businessman described as “squeaky-clean” by one of his victims, apparently left his Gwinnett County town after staging the months-long scam, which involved taking large sums of money from roughly a dozen people while promising tickets to the upcoming game between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams. Among those who found themselves allegedly falling victim to Mr Shah was his own mother, who reached out to police after losing $36,000 in her son’s scam, but did not file charges.

One guard dead, five hurt in attack as Iran holds anniversary

One member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards was killed and five were wounded in an attack on a base in southeastern Iran on Saturday, Iranian media reported, as the country holds official celebrations on the 40th anniversary of its Islamic Revolution.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Gi9JOW