welcome to martha igene blog: January 2019

Jan 31, 2019

China slowdown weighs on revenue growth at internet giant Alibaba

Internet giant Alibaba saw its revenue growth slow in the final three months of last year, in quarterly results likely to stir up concerns over the weaker China market, recently signalled to by US tech giants. Alibaba saw net income jump 33pc to 30.96bn yuan (£3.5bn) in the three months to the end of December, and revenue rose 41pc to 117.28bn yuan. However, shares dipped in New York trading, down 1.3pc, as investors took the results as a sign growth was waning, given Alibaba's revenue had grown more than 50pc for the 10 consecutive quarters prior to the most recent results. The 41pc growth announced on Wednesday was the weakest Alibaba had recorded in three years. The results follow a warning from Alibaba president Michael Evans earlier this month that China had "slowed down". Speaking at an event in New York, Mr Evans had said it was a market that "required patience", adding that there were some "troubling headwinds". Last week, China posted figures revealing its economic growth in 2018 had been the weakest in 28 years amid tensions with the US and poor consumer confidence. The country's GDP growth for the year was 6.6pc, down from 2017's 6.8pc. Some economists are predicting growth could slip below 6pc going forward. Technology intelligence - newsletter promo - EOA Masaaki Kanno, chief economist at Sony Financial Holdings, said: “We still think the Chinese economy could bottom out in the middle of the year. “There was no surprise from the GDP data but the basic message is that the Chinese economy is still slowing down." However, David Dai, of Bernstein, said the environment should improve for Alibaba in the second half of 2019 "as the Chinese government introduces measures to stimulate the economy and US China trade war stabilises". Alibaba is the first of China's big tech companies to report its results for the final three months of 2018, but follows a series of warnings over the state of the China market by US giants Apple, Intel and Nvidia. Apple last night said sales of its iPhones slipped by 15pc in the final three months of 2018, largely due to weaker demand in China. Speaking about Alibaba's results on Wednesday, however, boss Daniel Zhang was upbeat, saying: "Our resilient operating and financial performance is a direct reflection of our persistent focus on better serving our growing base of nearly 700 million consumers across retail, digital entertainment and local consumer services."

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2MElaS8

Polar vortex causes another lousy travel day for fliers, over 3,500 flights canceled

Brrr! The polar vortex caused hordes of flights to be canceled across the country on Wednesday.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2BcIeDj

'Serious consequences,' U.S. warns, after Venezuela moves on Guaido

The sweeping U.S. sanctions on oil firm PDVSA, announced on Monday, means the state-run company may not be able to fulfill contracts with North American buyers, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said. Aimed at driving Maduro from power, the sanctions were the strongest measures yet against the 56-year-old former union leader, who has overseen economic collapse and an exodus of millions of Venezuelans in recent years. The measures triggered higher global oil prices, angry responses from China and Russia and the first serious moves against Guaido since he challenged Maduro's claim on the presidency last week.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2TiyFcU

'El Chapo' defense rests after calling one witness

After that, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan, who is presiding over the trial in Brooklyn federal court, will instruct the jury so it can begin deliberating Guzman's fate. The brief defense case was in sharp contrast to the 10-week presentation put on by prosecutors, who called over 50 witnesses to testify. Guzman said on Monday that he would not testify in his own defense.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2HCV7MA

U.S. Changes Visa Process for High-Skilled Workers - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Changes Visa Process for High-Skilled Workers The Wall Street Journal
US Announces "Efficient" New Rule For Filing H-1B Visas NDTV News
H-1B’s big lottery change made final The Mercury News
No online registration system for H-1B registrations this year, DHS says CNN
US Announces New Rule For Filing H-1B Visas NDTV News
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from Top stories - Google News https://on.wsj.com/2FZAqZC

Undocumented worker fired from Trump golf club to attend State of the Union: report | TheHill - The Hill

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2MIfbMq

Wikileaks takes a swipe at the famously secretive Vatican - The Washington Post

Wikileaks takes a swipe at the famously secretive Vatican The Washington Post
From Evasion to Conversion Commonweal
Catholic-Muslim dialogue at heart of pope's Abu Dhabi trip, archbishop says Crux: Covering all things Catholic
Unpacking Pope Francis' comments on married priests and Venezuela America Magazine
UAE declares holiday for invitees to Papal Mass in Abu Dhabi Arabian Business
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from Top stories - Google News https://wapo.st/2Gd95lG

VW grabs global auto sales crown, but Renault-Nissan Alliance closes the gap - CNBC

VW grabs global auto sales crown, but Renault-Nissan Alliance closes the gap CNBC

The three top auto groups each managed to deliver more than 10 million vehicles worldwide last year, but the industry saw a sharp dip by General Motors, the ...

from Top stories - Google News https://cnb.cx/2Rsqrxc

‘Picard’ Will Be Set ’20-Plus Years’ After ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ Alex Kurtzman Says - TheWrap

‘Picard’ Will Be Set ’20-Plus Years’ After ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ Alex Kurtzman Says TheWrap
Patrick Stewart teases the return of Jean-Luc Picard Yahoo Entertainment
Captain Pike's here and Spock's due, so will Romulans make it to 'Star Trek: Discovery'? USA TODAY
CBS All Access Sees Double-Digit, Young-Skewing Subscriber Growth Variety
Patrick Stewart teases return of Jean-Luc Picard, says new 'Star Trek' series 'is a 10-hour movie' Yahoo Entertainment
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The forthcoming WarnerMedia streaming service will be partially supported by ads - TechCrunch

The forthcoming WarnerMedia streaming service will be partially supported by ads TechCrunch
AT&T Sheds Pay-TV Customers, but Wireless Profits Surge The Wall Street Journal
AT&T's wireless growth stung by tablet losses, but Aquaman did great CNET
AT&T Is Testing Investors’ Patience Bloomberg
AT&T’s DirecTV Now is losing the cord cutters TechCrunch
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from Top stories - Google News https://tcrn.ch/2BasErN

Kim Davis Must Pay Legal Fees After Same-Sex Marriage Battle, Kentucky Governor Says - HuffPost

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2020 Democrats' fuzzy Medicare math — let's spend $32 trillion more! - Washington Examiner

2020 Democrats' fuzzy Medicare math — let's spend $32 trillion more! Washington Examiner
Poll: Kamala Harris gaining among Democratic voters POLITICO
What the reaction to Kamala Harris' 'Medicare for all' position tells us about the 2020 race CNN
Kamala Harris Didn’t Just Flip-Flop on Medicare for All New York Magazine
Harris and progressives are pitching Medicare-for-all. They could give us four-more-years. The Washington Post
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from Top stories - Google News https://washex.am/2sVL6Qr

Don't bring the debt ceiling into border negotiations - Washington Examiner

Don't bring the debt ceiling into border negotiations Washington Examiner
Border security talks begin with no sign of compromise to avert a government shutdown ABC News
'Get this done': McConnell moves to avoid new shutdown POLITICO
Trump’s latest rage tweets give Democrats an opening. Here’s how they’ll respond. The Washington Post
The ‘Ethics’ of Trump’s Border Wall The New York Times
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from Top stories - Google News https://washex.am/2Rsp01M

4 Houston police officers shot while serving warrant - CNN

4 Houston police officers shot while serving warrant CNN
'Courage under fire' HPD chief recalls officers' struggle with suspects during shootout in SE Houston KABC-TV
Activists not happy with HPOU President Joe Gamaldi’s comments KHOU.com
Houston shootout: A squad of veteran officers takes fire in drug raid Houston Chronicle
Houston Narcotics Officers Were Greeted by a Charging Dog and a Barrage of Bullets The New York Times
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from Top stories - Google News https://cnn.it/2MDoflD

Extreme Weather Is Already Breaking Records Around The World In 2019 - HuffPost

Extreme Weather Is Already Breaking Records Around The World In 2019 HuffPost

In just a few weeks' time, extreme temperatures have smashed records around the world this year, with parts of the Midwestern U.S. seeing the mercury drop as ...

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Nintendo cuts Switch sales forecast despite strong holiday season - The Verge

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Facebook’s VPN app puts spotlight on kids’ consent - TechCrunch

Facebook’s VPN app puts spotlight on kids’ consent TechCrunch
Report: Facebook has been paying some teens for permission to track everything they do BGR
Facebook is paying some kids to access their data Gizchina.com
Facebook paid teenagers to mine device data BBC News
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from Top stories - Google News https://tcrn.ch/2MIgxqa

Fox’s ‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Fifth Celebrity Masked Singer: And the Unicorn Is… (Video) - TheWrap

Fox’s ‘The Masked Singer’ Reveals Fifth Celebrity Masked Singer: And the Unicorn Is… (Video) TheWrap

The identify of Unicorn was revealed on Wednesday's episode of Fox's new celebrity competition series "The Masked Singer."

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2GgYENY

Forget it, guest star Kelly Ripa, it's Extra-Reverent Noir Homage Week on Riverdale - The A.V. Club

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2CTDPVL

Venezuela opposition 'has met military', says Juan Guaidó

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó says his team has held talks with the army about regime change.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SeYuxi

Polar vortex brings deadly cold snap to US states

At least eight people have died in the deep freeze, which has paralysed transport services.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2FYNLkW

'American Dying' cooled Earth's climate

European settlement of the Americas killed so many people, it disturbed Earth's climate.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2RsVJ75

Facebook users continue to grow despite privacy scandals

The number of people who logged into the site at least once a month rose 9% last year.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Uu7wUu

Tom Brady 'cheater' slur costs TV producer his job

The New England Patriots quarterback was labelled a "known cheater" during a Pittsburgh broadcast.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GbzBvV

Sarah Sanders says 'God wanted Trump to be president'

In an interview, the White House press secretary says Donald Trump had divine support.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Bm9a3B

Saudi Arabia ends major anti-corruption campaign

Hundreds of princes and billionaires were held and more than $100bn recouped by the state since 2017.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S0hQGQ

Bastia attack: Gunman found dead in police raid

France's interior minister says "the fanatic committed suicide" after killing one and injuring five.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2B96bLC

Senator Rand Paul wins damages after neighbour attack

Senator Rand Paul was awarded more than $580,000 (£441,000) in damages after his neighbour attacked.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UopeIW

Mystery illness sees Canada halve its Cuba embassy staff

A 14th employee at Canada's embassy in Havana falls ill, and the country cuts staff there by half.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sWTxuQ

China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise

The data comes as several global firms warn China's slowing economy will hit their bottom line.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UvE5l2

Emiliano Sala: Missing Cardiff striker's former club Nantes pay tribute

Nantes pay tribute to missing former striker Emiliano Sala during their 1-1 draw with Saint Etienne.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SbuBxT

The story of a US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen

The BBC has gained rare access to Athlan village, the site of a major US attack on al-Qaeda in Yemen.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UqHYHO

Polar vortex: What is it and how does it happen?

The deep freeze gripping much of the US has been blamed on a polar vortex. Here's what that means.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sex5LW

Actor 'tasted brutality of hatred'

Stars support Empire actor Jussie Smollet, the victim of a suspected hate crime in Chicago.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CRvIJi

The Afghan Invictus athletes claiming asylum in Australia

The fears of six athletes who claimed asylum in Australia after the 2018 Invictus Games.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S8Sgz1

Zimbabwe women raped as government crackdown continues

Six women tell the BBC they were raped by security forces as part of a government crackdown.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CRqD3G

MP defends unmasking shot reporter

Kennedy Agyapong tells the BBC he regrets journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale’s death, but has a clear conscious.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sVKNEY

'Why I fled Saudi Arabia and sought asylum in the UK'

Two Saudis who sought asylum in the UK explain why they risked everything.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SdhEnb

Richard E Grant in tears over Barbra Streisand's reply to 1970s fan letter

The actor and superfan was "overcome with emotion" when Streisand replied to his childhood letter.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2MGAb66

The Lord of the Ringos? Peter Jackson to direct a Beatles film

The Lord of the Rings director will use unseen footage of the tense sessions for their final album.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SdIgEx

Bulgarians decry ‘eco vandalism’ on coast

Social media outcry puts controversial construction on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast under scrutiny.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Uxh9C1

Why some Japanese pensioners want to go to jail

Japan is in the grip of an elderly crime wave. Poverty and loneliness are two of the possible causes.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sUSv2f

How do you compost a human body - and why would you?

A US state could become one of the first places in the world to allow corpses to become fertile soil.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S04WbU

The Indians sharing their villages with crocodiles

In most places, a crocodile would send people scurrying in fear. But not in this part of India.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sbqv8X

Maduro and Guaidó: Who is supporting whom in Venezuela?

The international community is split over who it recognises as the country's current president.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2BbqOqp

Nastya Rybka: Model who got caught up in the Trump-Russia row

The story of Nastya Rybka, who was questioned in a Thai jail by the FBI about the Trump-Russia inquiry.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2HHJ9kz

Why Dutch fear Brexit no deal will leave onions to rot

Imagine onions - tonnes of them, rotting in a customs queue. It's a Dutch farmer's Brexit nightmare.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2DLoiZL

State Department warns Americans not to travel to Venezuela

The State Department said it has limited ability to help American citizens in Venezuela.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Rpx3fD

More Than 36,000 Pounds of Tyson Chicken Nuggets Recalled Over Possible Rubber Contamination

The contamination is considered a high health risk

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Tn3jC1

Harris: Lawmakers Should View ‘Autopsy Photographs’ of Dead Kids before Gun-Control Votes

Senator Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) made an emotional plea for increased gun control during CNN’s town hall in Iowa Monday night, arguing that her pro-Second Amendment colleagues should be forced to examine photos of dead children before voting on gun restrictions. “I think somebody should have required all those members of Congress to go in a room — in a locked room, no press, nobody else — and look at the autopsy photographs of those babies. “This has become a political issue.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Rpm9Gy

Rep. Ilhan Omar calls for sharp tax increases on the wealthy: 'We've had it as high as 90 percent'

“Through Her Eyes” is a new weekly half-hour show hosted by humanitarian and women’s rights activist Zainab Salbi that aims to explore a hot button news issue through the lens of a female newsmaker. Weeks after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., made headlines by calling for a top marginal income tax rate of 70 percent in an interview with “60 Minutes,” her fellow freshman congresswoman, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., suggested that the rich could pay even more. “There are a few things that we can do,” Rep. Omar said in an interview with “Through Her Eyes.” “One of them, is that we can increase the taxes that people are paying who are the extremely wealthy in our communities.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2CNfxwo

Phone Giant Plays a Cunning Game Over Huawei Ban

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- If Deutsche Telekom AG is to be believed, a ban on equipment from Huawei Technologies Co. would slow down its rollout of 5G networks by two years. Even though such an embargo would be a huge burden for the German phone giant, there are factors that might lessen the pain. A delay to its 5G plans might even be welcome.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2WxNWsb

Man arrested for killing 3 also accused of stealing $210K

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man killed his parents and brother after he was kicked out of his home and accused of stealing $210,000 from his family to send to a woman he had met on a porn website, according to a sheriff's office.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2RY8w6m

Goldman Sachs ups 'no-deal' likelihood after UK parliament amendment vote

Goldman Sachs nudged up its estimated probability of a "no-deal" Brexit on Wednesday after British lawmakers instructed Prime Minister Theresa May to reopen a Brexit treaty with the European Union to replace a controversial Irish border arrangement. Britain's parliament rejected a proposal to give parliament a path to prevent a potentially chaotic "no-deal" exit, but accepted two amendments - one seeking to replace the Irish backstop with alternative arrangements, and another rejecting the notion of a "no-deal" Brexit. Goldman Sachs analysts upped their "no-deal" Brexit probability to 15 percent from 10 percent, and cut their probability of Brexit not happening at all to 35 percent from 40 percent.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2RUKhpG

Good-bye polar vortex, hello spring? Weekend will be 75 degrees warmer

The bitter cold that froze parts of the central and eastern U.S. this week will be a distant memory by the weekend.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2HEjWra

Best Buy Goes Back on Decision to Fire Security Guard Who Tackled Suspect

A Northern California Best Buy is walking back its decision to fire a security guard who tackled a shoplifting suspect.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2UuRMki

US reiterates 'all options on the table' as John Bolton accidentally flashes plans for troops to Venezuela border

US National Security Advisor John Bolton was photographed on Monday holding a notepad that included the handwritten line: "5,000 troops to Colombia." Bolton spoke to White House reporters while holding the yellow notepad and discussing the crisis in Venezuela, where the US now recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president. It was not until after the briefing that observers spotted the black scrawl. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said "we are not seeing anything that would support" a potential troop deployment to Colombia, which neighbors Venezuela. The Pentagon referred a query back to the White House. John Bolton was caught out holding a notepad saying '5,000 troops to Colombia' Credit: Win McNamee/Getty During the briefing, Bolton would not rule out use of US troops in Venezuela. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he said. The US military's Southern Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bolton's notepad also had the line: "Afghanistan - welcome the talks" - a reference to a potential breakthrough in discussions with the Taliban.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2FVfcMr

Brexit deal 'best possible' and 'not renegotiable': Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the Brexit deal is the "best agreement possible and is not renegotiable", as Britain's premier pushed to reopen talks with Brussels. Macron's comments during a summit in Cyprus came as Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to British lawmakers to give her a mandate to renegotiate, after parliament rejected an accord reached with the European Union. Macron urged the British government to "promptly" lay out to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier "the next steps that will prevent an exit without an agreement, which nobody wants but for which we must all prepare ourselves".

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2DJ2qyf

Howard Dean warns Schultz's 'vanity candidacy' could mean a 2nd term for Trump

The former Starbucks chief executive stirs up fear and anxiety by floating an independent presidential run.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2sZe6q8

Canada’s Decision on Huawei and 5G ‘Some Ways Off,’ Goodale Says

“I’m not going to speculate about time but it’s certainly beyond weeks,” Goodale told reporters Tuesday after a cabinet meeting. Goodale said Canada will take the view of allies such as the U.S. into account when studying potential risks to national security, and will make its own decision in the end. China’s ambassador to Canada and Huawei officials have denied the company’s gear is used for spying.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Rq1PFg

El Chapo prosecutor's closing argument: 'Mountain of evidence' proves guilt

Prosecutors say Guzmán became one of the largest smugglers and sellers of Colombian-produced narcotics to the United States in the 1980s and 1990s.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2RsDgHE

Top airline is selling flights for $44

Winter weather and the general lull of the post-holiday season can leave just

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2sXku1c

Record-breaking cold clobbers two-thirds of the U.S.

Polar vortex to bring extended, life-threatening cold to the Midwest, the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley and New England this week.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2CN2xqA

NASA’s mission to ‘Touch the Sun’ just reached a major milestone

NASA had a big year in 2018 with several bold new missions to study various features of our Solar System, and one of the most exciting was the launch of the Parker Solar Probe which will study the Sun in more detail than has ever been possible before. The probe has already broken several records and proven that it's capable of enduring the intensity of our star, and it's starting out 2019 by adding another notch to its belt. The probe, which launched in August of last year, recently completed its first full orbit of the Sun on January 19th. It's a feat that the spacecraft will repeat many times over the next several years, but completing the first full loop is obviously cause for celebration. "It's been an illuminating and fascinating first orbit," Parker Solar Probe Project Manager Andy Driesman said in a statement. "We've learned a lot about how the spacecraft operates and reacts to the solar environment, and I'm proud to say the team's projections have been very accurate." The probe gathered a huge amount of data during its first trip around the Sun, and it performed much of its work without being in radio contact of its handlers back on Earth. As it orbits the Sun, the probe will regularly lose contact with Earth and then reconnect when it emerges from behind the star once more. Thus far, the probe has sent back over 17 gigs of scientific data and it's still streaming more observation data back. The data dump won't be finished until April, NASA says. The probe is expected to put in nearly seven years of work, making a total of 24 orbits and getting gradually closer to the Sun with each pass. It is tasked with observing many different functions of the star, including the generation of solar wind and the outflow of energy from the Sun into space, advancing our understanding of solar weather.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2ToE2Ya

Venezuela crisis: Opposition leader Juan Guaido hit with travel ban and asset freeze by supreme court

Venezuela’s self-declared interim president, Juan Guaido, has been hit with a travel ban after the country’s chief prosecutor announced he would launch a criminal investigation into the congressional leader. The supreme court – stacked with members loyal to president Nicolas Maduro – blocked Mr Guaido from leaving the counrty and froze his bank accounts, but did not strip him of his legislative immunity. It came as Mr Guaido called on Venezuelans to stage a two-hour walkout from their homes and workplaces in protest at Mr Maduro’s stewardship of the country.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2MI0MQ2

Alibaba profit up 37% but revenue growth eases

Chinese e-commerce leader Alibaba said Wednesday that net profit increased 37 percent in the latest quarter as growth in cloud computing and other business lines helped offset a slowing expansion in core online retail. The company's net profit grew to 33.0 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) in the October-December third quarter, compared to 24.1 billion yuan over the same period in 2017. Alibaba dominates China's emerging consumer culture and its corporate results were widely anticipated for any signs of whether a worsening Chinese economic slowdown and the US-China trade tussle was curbing the country's appetite for shopping.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Wv5llx

Trump friend Roger Stone pleads not guilty in Russia probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — Roger Stone, a longtime adviser and confidant of President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges in the Russia investigation after a publicity-filled few days spent slamming the probe as politically motivated.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2CSwcPr

Sheriff: Suspect confesses to killing 5 with dad's gun

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A young man from Louisiana has confessed to killing his parents, his girlfriend, and two of her family members who had taken him in after he was kicked out of his house, authorities said Tuesday.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2UqdGVF

Britain to Prioritize Keeping Medicines Stocked Over Food in Case of No-Deal Brexit

The government has been accused of playing 'Russian roulette' with the national interest

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2BbVgAR

Polar vortex stalks Midwest, 'El Chapo' trial, Roger Goodell talks state of NFL: 5 things to know Wednesday

Polar vortex expected to paralyze parts of U.S. with extreme cold, Roger Goodell talks state of the NFL and more things to start your Wednesday.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Bb4cpU

Spy chief contradicts Trump's claims of progress with North Korea

The director of national intelligence's downbeat assessment, in testimony before a Senate committee, came just weeks ahead of a planned second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The annual Worldwide Threat Assessment from the Directorate of National Intelligence (DNI), released by Coats, noted that North Korea had not conducted any nuclear or missile tests in over a year and had declared its support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang had also "reversibly dismantled" parts of its infrastructure for weapons of mass destruction, the report said.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2Wuf2jU

New book exposes one of the biggest political scandals in history and the Democrats' unseemly cover-up

Investigative reporter and author Luke Rosiak pulls back the curtain on Nancy Pelosi's Democrats in 'Obstruction of Justice.'

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2sWtNi3

What Royal Police Are Doing to Protect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle After Terror Threats - The Cheat Sheet

What Royal Police Are Doing to Protect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle After Terror Threats The Cheat Sheet
See How Meghan Markle Snuck in a Romantic Nod to Prince Harry During Her Solo Outing Today PEOPLE.com
Meghan Markle visits London's National Theatre as new royal patron Global News
Meghan Markle re-wears Aquazzura heels from her engagement announcement to the National Theatre Evening Standard
Meghan Markle's Latest Look May Be Her Most Gorgeous Ever E! News
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from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2DLHzdz

New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks - 1/30/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction - Sports Chat Place

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2Tmnujh

Testimony by intelligence chiefs on global threats highlights differences with president - Philly.com

Testimony by intelligence chiefs on global threats highlights differences with president Philly.com
Lack of Intelligence Slate
Trump's slow-building war on intelligence The Washington Post
Retired Admiral Says Donald Trump's 'Willful Ignorance' in Disregarding Intelligence Community 'Really Scares Me' Newsweek
The TERRIFYING countries most likely to spark WORLD WAR 3 - shock US spy warning Express.co.uk
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from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2TmtqJf

Hackers stole evidence in case of accused Russian troll farm, Mueller's office says - Fox News

Hackers stole evidence in case of accused Russian troll farm, Mueller's office says Fox News
Russian Trolls Release Fake Dirt on Mueller The Daily Beast
Non-public materials from special counsel case used in pro-Russian effort to discredit Russia probe CNN
Michael Cohen Is Ready to Talk Russia to Congress The Atlantic
Pro-Russian Twitter account tried to discredit Mueller probe CNN
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from Top stories - Google News https://fxn.ws/2MIe4fI

Undocumented worker fired from Trump golf club to attend State of the Union: report | TheHill - The Hill

Undocumented worker fired from Trump golf club to attend State of the Union: report | TheHill The Hill

Victorina Morales, an undocumented worker who was fired from the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., after going public about her immigration status ...

from Top stories - Google News http://bit.ly/2MIfbMq

Federal Judge Blasts PG&E's Commitment To California Wildfire Safety - NPR

Federal Judge Blasts PG&E's Commitment To California Wildfire Safety NPR
PG&E Judge Sees a ‘Clear-Cut Pattern’ of Utility Starting Fires Yahoo! Finance News
The Deadliest Wildfire In California History | VICE on HBO VICE News
Are California’s solar and wind projects at risk in PG&E bankruptcy? Chico Enterprise-Record
PG&E Violated Probation, Federal Judge Says in Heated Hearing The Wall Street Journal
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from Top stories - Google News https://n.pr/2UrMMwD

Officer Alix's family weighs legal action as search for answers continues - KMOV.com

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Sen. Rand Paul awarded more than $580,000 in suit over neighbor's attack - NBCNews.com

Sen. Rand Paul awarded more than $580,000 in suit over neighbor's attack NBCNews.com
Sen. Rand Paul awarded over $580G after he was attacked by neighbor Fox News
Jury Awards Sen. Rand Paul More Than $580000 In Damages In Attack By Neighbor NPR
Sen. Rand Paul awarded $580,000 after neighbor broke six of his ribs in attack The Washington Post
Jury awards Rand Paul more than $580K after attack by neighbor in Kentucky CBS News
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White House's Bolton says he met with Citgo executives - Reuters

White House's Bolton says he met with Citgo executives Reuters
Bolton warns of 'serious consequences' if harm comes to Guaido CNN
Cotton suggests Bolton was sending message to Venezuela about 5,000 troops Washington Times
Don't deal in Venezuelan gold, White House says, in anti-Maduro push Reuters
Venezuela gold: White House warns STAY AWAY from gold 'STOLEN from people by Maduro mafia' Express.co.uk
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U.S. Asks Western Allies to Help Form Buffer Zone in Northern Syria - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Asks Western Allies to Help Form Buffer Zone in Northern Syria The Wall Street Journal
Trump singled out Dan Coats in morning rant about intelligence community CNN
Bipartisan House group introduces bills to stall Syria, South Korea troop withdrawals | TheHill The Hill
What Keeps the Spies Up at Night The New York Times
Trump’s 2020 rivals: Tell us why he’s unfit as commander in chief The Washington Post
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Wikileaks takes a swipe at the famously secretive Vatican - The Washington Post

Wikileaks takes a swipe at the famously secretive Vatican The Washington Post
From Evasion to Conversion Commonweal
Unpacking Pope Francis' comments on married priests and Venezuela America Magazine
Catholic-Muslim dialogue at heart of pope's Abu Dhabi trip, archbishop says Crux: Covering all things Catholic
UAE declares holiday for invitees to Papal Mass in Abu Dhabi Arabian Business
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The Hot Topic in Markets Right Now: ‘Quantitative Tightening’ - The New York Times

The Hot Topic in Markets Right Now: ‘Quantitative Tightening’ The New York Times
US economy is in a good place: Fed Chair Jerome Powell Fox Business
Fed holds rates stable, pledges 'patient' approach, expects 'ample' balance sheet CNBC
Fed Signals End of Interest Rate Increases The New York Times
Fed holds rates, updates balance sheet policy after 'extensive deliberations' Yahoo Finance
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Alibaba shares soar as market looks past the company's record $41 billion spending spree - CNBC

Alibaba shares soar as market looks past the company's record $41 billion spending spree CNBC
Alibaba revenue growth slowest pace in 3 years, but beat on EPS Yahoo Finance
Alibaba jumps after seeing a big boost from the cloud (BABA) INSIDER
Alibaba CEO Says China Consumers Still Spending Despite Slowdown The Wall Street Journal
Alibaba exec on why obsessing over China’s growth rate is not meaningful Yahoo Finance
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China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise - BBC News

China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise BBC News
China says its manufacturing activity contracted for the second-straight month in January CNBC
China Manufacturing Shows Resilience Amid Trade War, Slowdown Bloomberg
China’s economy off to a bad start to 2019, analysts say South China Morning Post
China’s Manufacturing Remains Listless, if Slightly Improved The Wall Street Journal
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Apple busts Facebook for distributing data-sucking app - KSBY San Luis Obispo News

Apple busts Facebook for distributing data-sucking app KSBY San Luis Obispo News
A handy list of ways Facebook has tried to sneakily gather data about you The Next Web
Facebook paid users to collect data from their phones Yahoo Finance
Google is disabling its app that lets users earn gift cards in exchange for their data INSIDER
Apple rips Facebook for phone app it says is 'clear breach' of agreement Fox News
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New Overwatch map, Paris, goes live on PTR - Polygon

New Overwatch map, Paris, goes live on PTR Polygon
Overwatch Gets New Paris Map Kotaku
New ‘Overwatch’ Map Drops Players Into Elegant Paris Variety
'Overwatch' heads to Paris in latest map Engadget
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Puma FI Self-Lacing Sneakers Hands-On - Engadget

Puma FI Self-Lacing Sneakers Hands-On Engadget
Puma wants to let you try its new Fi self-lacing shoes Engadget
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Police Release Photos Of "Persons Of Interest" In Jussie Smollett Attack - HuffPost

Police Release Photos Of "Persons Of Interest" In Jussie Smollett Attack HuffPost
More Security for 'Empire' Cast After Jussie Smollett Attack Inside Edition
Kevin Hart criticized for telling Jussie Smollett to 'stand strong' after homophobic attack Yahoo Entertainment
Police release photos of 'potential persons of interest' in reported attack on 'Empire' actor Fox 32 Chicago
Jussie Smollett’s Attack Is A Reminder That All Black Lives Have To Matter Essence
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The Batman Release Date Announced, Ben Affleck No Longer Playing Batman - IGN

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'Masked Singer' recap: Who was unmasked this week? - USA TODAY

'Masked Singer' recap: Who was unmasked this week? USA TODAY
Who Is the Unicorn? The Masked Singer Reveals the Disguised Celebrity Contestant PEOPLE.com
Donna Martin graduates: ‘Masked Singer’ Unicorn is ‘90210’ star Yahoo Entertainment
‘The Masked Singer’ spoiler: The Unicorn is … Gold Derby
The Masked Singer Tries Out Group Performances, Unmasks the Unicorn | E! News E! NEWS
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The Masked Singer Reveals Hollywood Royalty Under the Unicorn Head - TV Guide

The Masked Singer Reveals Hollywood Royalty Under the Unicorn Head TV Guide

This week's episode of The Masked Singer pulled the head off the Unicorn, revealing a true Beverly Hills icon.

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Nick Wright Destroys Critics Of Tom Brady's Super Bowl Record - NESN

Nick Wright Destroys Critics Of Tom Brady's Super Bowl Record NESN
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft open to extension for Tom Brady ESPN
Trump praises Brady, Belichick and Kraft ahead of Super Bowl 53 New York Post
Football Still Exists: Why This Super Bowl Is Still Worth Getting Excited About Battle Red Blog
Ranking the Best Super Bowl Performances of All Time Bleacher Report
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Gurley beats Gronk in 'Madden' Super Bowl matchup - Fox News

Gurley beats Gronk in 'Madden' Super Bowl matchup Fox News
The Secret To The Rams’ Blocking Success Isn’t The Linemen. It’s Sean McVay. FiveThirtyEight
Todd Gurley says he may regret teaching Sony Michel everything he knows Yahoo Sports
Pro Football Focus releases top 2019 free agents Turf Show Times
Mike Freeman's Super Bowl 10-Point Stance: Can Todd Gurley Recapture His Mojo? Bleacher Report NFL
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Dustin Poirier: UFC is ‘No. 1 bullsh*t company,’ demands Conor McGregor or Tony Ferguson next - MMA Mania

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Scientists Have Detected an Enormous Cavity Growing Beneath Antarctica - ScienceAlert

Scientists Have Detected an Enormous Cavity Growing Beneath Antarctica ScienceAlert
Huge Cavity in Antarctic Glacier Signals Rapid Decay Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Giant cavity found eating away at Antarctic glacier from underneath New Atlas
Fears rise 'world's most dangerous glacier' could soon collapse Daily Mail
Journey to Antarctica: Jeff Goodell Begins His Trip to Thwaites Glacier Rolling Stone
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Jan 30, 2019

El Chapo, actor who plays him on 'Narcos' cross paths in US court

The actor who plays Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the Netflix hit "Narcos: Mexico" made an appearance in a federal courtroom in Brooklyn on Monday, taking advantage of an unusual opportunity to study his character in real life. El Chapo, sitting just a few meters (yards) away, gave him a big smile. "I came to study a man who in a certain sense is a myth, a legend," Edda told reporters.

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Trump Said 'We Need' Global Warming to Deal With Record Cold Temperatures. Here's Why That Doesn't Make Sense

There's a big difference between "climate" and "weather"

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The Latest: UK food retailers warn of price hikes, shortages

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on Britain's plans to leave the European Union (all times local):

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US urges citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to safety

The United States on Tuesday urged its citizens to avoid all travel to crisis-torn Venezuela, citing risks of crime and arrest and the US embassy's limited ability to assist. "Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens," the State Department said in an updated travel advisory. "There are shortages of food, electricity, water, medicine and medical supplies throughout much of Venezuela," it said.

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U.S. sees contours of peace accord with Taliban to end war in Afghanistan

"We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," U.S. special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times in an interview in Kabul after six days of talks with the Taliban. "The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals." However, there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to U.S. demands such as that they commit to a ceasefire before the withdrawal of U.S. troops or that they engage in direct talks with the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, analysts said. Another U.S. official in Kabul, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described "significant progress" in the talks in Qatar but said more negotiations were needed on the issue of the timing of the ceasefire, which looms as a sticking point in the next round of talks on Feb. 25.

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NASA Releases New, High-Quality New Horizons Image of the Ultima Thule "Snowman" Asteroid

This new image highlights all kinds of features that weren't visible in the initial images.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2G6ZEo3

NBC Host Tom Brokaw apologises for xenophobic ‘assimilation’ remarks on immigration

NBC News personality Tom Brokaw, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by two women who worked with him in the 1990s, apologised on Sunday for making xenophobic comments regarding Hispanic immigration while appearing on Meet the Press earlier that morning. While discussing the southern border, Mr Brokaw mentioned the fears about Hispanic immigrants among Republicans. “But the fact is, on the Republican side, a lot of people see the rise of an extraordinary, important, new constituent in American politics, Hispanics, who will come here and all be Democrats,” Mr Brokaw said.

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Trump says Howard Schultz doesn't have the 'guts' to run for president

President Trump is dismissing the idea that the former Starbucks chief executive would effectively mount an independent bid for the White House.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines https://yhoo.it/2sRzz4n

PG&E files for bankruptcy after California wildfires

The company, the largest utility in America's most populous state, has been under intensifying scrutiny in the wake of the so-called 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California that left 86 people dead, destroyed some 18,000 buildings and came on the heels of deadly wildfires in the state in 2017. PG&E, whose shares have fallen 72 percent over the last year, could face huge liabilities if investigations reveal its equipment was directly responsible for the fire.

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