| 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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| Two Republicans Push ‘Border Bonds’ to Let Americans Finance a Wall Posted: 15 Jan 2019 02:12 PM PST  Representatives Steven Palazzo of Mississippi and Andy Harris of Maryland, both members of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the Border Bonds for America Act of 2019 -- a law that would allow Americans to buy such securities from the U.S. The money would be put in a trust fund and used just to build a wall along the nearly 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) border. The tactic echoes the Liberty Bond program, which appealed to Americans' sense of patriotism to raise funds during World War I.
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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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| 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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| 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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| The Latest: Canada asks China to spare life of Canadian Posted: 15 Jan 2019 12:24 PM PST  BEIJING (AP) — The Latest on China-Canada tensions (all times local):
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| 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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| 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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| 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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| A Look at the 2020 BMW 7-series Posted: 16 Jan 2019 01:55 AM PST |
| 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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| May Wins Confidence Vote and Opens Cross-Party Brexit Talks Posted: 16 Jan 2019 12:21 PM PST  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.
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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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| 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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| Venezuela president Maduro increases minimum wage by 300 per cent as inflation approaches 2 million per cent Posted: 15 Jan 2019 05:16 AM PST  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.
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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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| Vance County Schools to keep lunches to a 'minimum' to conserve food, funding during government shutdown Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:47 AM PST  Vance County Schools said it's making changes to lunch menus to conserve food and funding during the government shutdown.
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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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| 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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| Pence urges US diplomats to promote legal immigration Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:02 AM PST  Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday urged US diplomats to emphasize that the United States still welcomes legal immigrants, amid unrelenting pressure from President Donald Trump to seal off Mexico with a wall. "I urge you to assure our allies this administration will continue to stand for legal immigration, even while we address the humanitarian and security crisis on our southern border," Pence told 180 US ambassadors and chiefs of mission abroad who were back at the State Department for an annual meeting.
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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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| 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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| 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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| UK PM May reaches out to rivals after winning confidence vote Posted: 16 Jan 2019 03:45 PM PST  London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May reached out to her opponents on Wednesday after narrowly surviving a confidence vote sparked by the crushing defeat in parliament of her Brexit deal.
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| Police searching for suspect after 2 women stabbed in Vacaville house fire Posted: 14 Jan 2019 11:23 PM PST  Police in Vacaville are searching for a suspect after two women were found stabbed when firefighters and police responded to a house fire.
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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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| U.S. eyes Taiwan risk as China's military capabilities grow Posted: 15 Jan 2019 09:26 PM PST  The senior U.S. defense intelligence official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, did not predict that China's military, known as the People's Liberation Army (PLA), would take such a step but said such a possibility was the top worry as China expands and modernizes its military capabilities. "The biggest concern is that ... they are getting to a point where the PLA leadership may actually tell Xi Jinping that they are confident in their capabilities," the official said, referring to China's president. Pressed on whether the official was referring to Chinese confidence in its capabilities to be able to successfully win a battle with Taiwan, the official said, "Well, specifically that would be the most concerning to me." Taiwan is only one of a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, including a trade war between the countries, U.S. sanctions on the Chinese military, and China's increasingly muscular military posture in the South China Sea.
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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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| 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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| 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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| These are the 10 most collectible cars of the Detroit auto show's past 30 years Posted: 16 Jan 2019 08:26 AM PST  As the Detroit auto show begins this week, we look back at the most collectible cars of the event's past 30 years.
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| Mega Gallery: Every Photo from 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs Posted: 16 Jan 2019 05:40 AM PST |
| Brits in Spain see glimmer of hope in UK Brexit vote drubbing Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:54 AM PST  Jávea (Spain) (AFP) - On the sun-drenched eastern coast of Spain where British pensioners and business-owners are uncertain for their futures as Brexit ticks closer, the crushing parliamentary defeat of Theresa May's EU divorce deal has sparked a glimmer of hope. "This might not happen," Lyle Starritt told AFP, the day after May suffered a historic drubbing in the House of Commons on Tuesday, when MPs rejected the deal she struck with the European Union. Britons interviewed by AFP, all of whom were keen on Britain staying in the EU, also said they were confident that even if Brexit takes place Madrid would preserve their rights, providing London reciprocates for Spaniards living in Britain.
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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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| 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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| Turkey-backed rebels await 'zero hour' to attack Syria's Manbij Posted: 16 Jan 2019 03:50 AM PST  The decision will depend on Turkey, the main backer of Abu Faisal's group, and on how contacts evolve between Washington and Ankara over the United States' plans to withdraw forces from Syria, a move set to reshape a major theater of the war. The YPG fear the U.S. withdrawal will open the way for a threatened Turkish attack into northern Syria, including Manbij, but U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Turkey of "economic devastation" if it goes ahead with the attack.
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| New York's Gillibrand Takes First Step Toward Presidential Race Posted: 15 Jan 2019 03:43 PM PST  Gillibrand plans to make stops this weekend in Iowa, where caucuses a little more than a year from now will mark the start of the nominating race. Gillibrand has positioned herself as a leader of the #MeToo movement. "I'll fight for other people's kids as hard as I would fight for my own, which is why I believe health care should be a right and not a privilege," Gillibrand said, listing her reasons for running.
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| Trump’s White House admits shutdown is having far worse impact on economy than originally anticipated Posted: 16 Jan 2019 07:39 AM PST  As Democrats and Republicans clash over Donald Trump's demands for $5.7bn in funding for a southern border wall, the president's Council of Economic Advisers has acknowledged the government shutdown will have a far worse impact on economic growth than anticipated. The agency — which advises the president on matters of economic policy — revealed in its latest analysis the shutdown could force the US economy to contract, meaning a drop in national output, along with declines in real personal income and industrial production. The loss in economic growth will nearly double what the council had predicted in its original estimates.
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| Sears Chairman Eddie Lampert revises his bid to save the company, report says Posted: 15 Jan 2019 03:20 PM PST  Amid an auction of its assets, Sears chairman Eddie Lampert has tweaked his bid for the beleaguered retailer according to Bloomberg
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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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| 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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| See the New 2019 McLaren 600LT Spider in Photos Posted: 16 Jan 2019 04:58 AM PST |
| Volkswagen to invest $800 million, build new electric vehicle in U.S. Posted: 15 Jan 2019 05:20 AM PST  Volkswagen AG said on Monday it was investing $800 million to build a new electric vehicle at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and scheduled a briefing with Ford Motor Co for Tuesday on their efforts to forge a global alliance. The German automaker said in an announcement at the Detroit Auto Show that it was adding 1,000 jobs at the Chattanooga plant and that electric vehicle production there would begin in 2022. Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess said the company was considering building luxury Audi vehicles in the United States but that no decisions had been made.
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| Man accused of pushing, punching girl outside Asheville Mall Posted: 16 Jan 2019 12:12 PM PST  Police are investigating after a 51-year-old man was caught on camera pushing and punching a girl in the face outside of Asheville Mall on Saturday.
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| Kosovars remember 45 killed by Serb forces 20 years ago Posted: 15 Jan 2019 06:10 AM PST  RECAK, Kosovo (AP) — Thousands gathered Tuesday in the southern Kosovo village of Recak to mark 20 years since 45 ethnic Albanians were slain by Serb forces in a mass killing that sparked international anger.
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| U.S.-bound Honduran migrant caravan grows as Trump argues for wall Posted: 15 Jan 2019 12:07 PM PST  A new U.S.-bound caravan of Honduran migrants grew to nearly 1,000 people as it neared the Guatemalan border on Tuesday, a Honduran official said, while U.S. President Donald Trump seized on news of the group to try to drum up support for a border wall. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Nelly Jerez told reporters that there were between 800 and 1,000 people traveling together and headed toward the Agua Caliente border crossing into Guatemala. Central American migrant caravans heading toward the United States have inflamed the debate over U.S. immigration policy, with Trump using the groups to seek backing for his plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
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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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| Netflix price increase for monthly subscription to hit 58 million users across US Posted: 15 Jan 2019 10:47 AM PST  Netflix is raising its subscription prices for all 58 million of its US users, marking the first increase since 2017. The online streaming service will hike the prices of its basic service from $8 per month to $9 per month, while simulataneously raising the cost of a more premium service from $11 to $13. It marks the biggest price increase for monthly subscriptions since launching its streaming service in 2007, and the first since 2017.
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