BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) ' Argentina and the United States said they reached an expansive trade deal on Thursday, boosting Argentine President Javier Milei as he moves to open up the South American nations notoriously protectionist economy and reflecting the close alliance between the radical libertarian and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Argentinas foreign minister, Pablo Quirno, posted a selfie on social media showing him and several Argentine diplomats beaming after emerging from a meeting in Washington where he said theyd signed the pact.

'Congratulations to our team and thanks to the U.S. Trade Representatives team for building this great agreement together,' Quirno wrote. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also confirmed the deal.

The countries announced a framework for the agreement last November, saying Argentina would ease restrictions on a range of American imports, including cattle, dairy products, medicines, chemicals, machinery, medical devices and vehicles. Those were key concessions for Argentina, where local industries long protected by steep tariffs have expressed concern about their ability to compete with American manufacturers.

The U.S., for its part, would remove reciprocal tariffs on imports of 'certain unavailable natural resources' and ingredients for pharmaceutical goods from Argentina, according to the framework.

At the time, the White House reached similar frameworks with Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador ' part of what it described as an effort to improve the ability of American firms to sell industrial and agricultural products in Latin American countries and bring down food prices for U.S. consumers.

Officials did not immediately offer details about the final version of the U.S.-Argentina deal signed Thursday.

The agreement marks the latest development in the close alliance between Trump and Milei, who has reshaped Argentine foreign policy to align with the U.S., earned Trumps praise for stabilizing his nations crisis-prone economy and traveled to the U.S. more than a dozen times in the last two years. Milei is next scheduled to appear at Trumps private Mar-a-Lago club next week to speak at a gala.

Trump supported Mileis fiscal program last year with a $20 billion credit line that succeeded in calming markets and boosting Mileis prospects in a crucial midterm election last October. The U.S. Treasury also directly purchased U.S. dollar-denominated Argentine bonds that ratings agencies were classifying as 'junk' at the time and snapped up the volatile local currency that Argentines were dumping in droves.

The extraordinary intervention drew backlash from across the U.S. political spectrum.

Trumps MAGA base questioned the need to bail out a far-flung country thats not only of little importance to the U.S. but also directly competes with its exports of corn, wheat, meat and oil.

Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage that Trump was staking taxpayer money on a political gift to an ideological soulmate.

That criticism has continued, with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, on Thursday appealing to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to end the $20 billion lifeline.

In a letter, she wrote that even though the Treasury promised its credit line for Argentina 'was for an acute, short-term, and urgent purpose, it appears … to have left open the possibility of continued use.'

Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ' Andrés Velásquez didnt stick around to become one more government critic jailed after Venezuelas 2024 presidential election.

A former governor who had crisscrossed Venezuela stumping for then-President Nicolás Maduros opponent in the disputed race, he grew a thick beard, sent his children into exile and avoided public events that could expose him to arrest.

But in the aftermath of Maduros overthrow by the U.S., he mustered the courage to speak out. First, on Jan. 19, Velásquez, with his new look, appeared in a video in which he expressed support for Maduros removal while calling for new elections. Then, a few days later, he stuck his neck out even further, shooting a short video outside the infamous Helicoide prison in the capital, Caracas, to demand the release of all political prisoners.

'We must dismantle the entire repressive apparatus in the hands of the state,' Velásquez said in the video. 'Venezuela will be free!'

Velásquez isnt alone. Since Maduros ouster, a number of prominent critics have started to emerge from hiding to test the limits of political speech after years of self-imposed silence driven by fear. Regular Venezuelans are also throwing off restraint, with families of jailed activists protesting outside prisons and those freed defying gag orders normally imposed as a condition for release. Meanwhile, media outlets have begun reopening their airwaves to critical voices banished in recent years.

A glasnost in Venezuela?

The political liberalization, while still incipient, was likened by Velásquez to glasnost, referring to the era of reforms and freer public debate that preceded the collapse of the Soviet Union. But unlike that and other democratic openings, this one is taking place almost entirely under the tutelage of the Trump administration, which has used a combination of financial incentives and threats of additional military strikes to carry out the presidents seemingly improbable pledge to 'run' Venezuela from Washington.

The ultimate goal of the Trump administrations maneuvers is still unknown. As the White House has heaped praise on acting President Delcy Rodríguezs willingness to partner with the U.S. to open up Venezuelas vast oil reserves, combat criminal networks and curb the influence of American adversaries Iran and Russia, the governments opponents have expressed concern that its demands for elections and a restoration of democracy could be indefinitely delayed.

Last week, Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro ally, announced plans for a general amnesty that could lead to the release of hundreds of opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons. She also announced the shutdown of Helicoide, vowing to transform the spiral-shaped building ' a futuristic architectural icon transfigured into a symbol of Maduros dungeons ' into a sports and cultural complex for police and residents of surrounding hillside slums.

'May this law serve to heal the wounds left by the political confrontation fueled by violence and extremism,' she said at an event surrounded by ruling-party stalwarts.

Pedro Vaca, the top freedom of expression expert for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the regions most respected rights watchdog, said the few 'breadcrumbs' offered by Rodríguezs administration are no substitute for an independent judiciary and law enforcement.

'Venezuelas civic space is still a desert,' said Vaca, who has been trying for months to secure permission from Venezuelan officials to lead an on-the-ground assessment mission to the country. 'The few critical voices emerging are seeds breaking through hardened ground, surviving not because freedom exists, but because repression has loosened while remaining ever-present. Let us be clear: this does not mark a democratic turning point.'

Self-censorship deepens after 2024 election

Political pluralism was severely eroded in Venezuela after Maduro took over the presidency from the late Hugo Chávez in 2013. Anti-government protests and episodes of civil unrest were regularly crushed by security forces whose loyalty to the self-proclaimed socialist leader proved unflinching if powerless against a far-superior U.S. military.

The self-censorship deepened following the July 2024 elections, when Maduro launched a wave of repression marked by thousands of arbitrary detentions as he disavowed evidence showing he had lost the contested ballot to the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, by a more than two-to-one margin.

Dissidents went into hiding, and the few remaining independent news outlets softened their already cautious coverage for fear of being unplugged.

In an interview with the AP, Velásquez said he will continue to push the envelope of allowed political activity but remains wary because the states repressive apparatus continues to be entirely under the control of Rodríguez and her allies.

'We must continue winning back lost terrain, challenging power. An opportunity has opened up and we cant let it close again,' he said. 'But the biggest obstacle we have to overcome is fear.'

In the coming weeks, hes looking to organize a public event with other government opponents who have recently come out of hiding. Among them is Delsa Solórzano, a former lawmaker who was also a fixture of the oppositions 2024 presidential campaign. Solórzano last week resurfaced publicly at a rare press conference for her party, describing with tears how she had to take Vitamin D to compensate for the lack of sunlight while living clandestinely.

'I didnt hide because I committed any crime but because here fighting for freedom became an extremely high risk ' to your life, your freedom and your safety,' Solórzano said.

Rodriguez allies resist political liberalization

Media outlets have also started flexing more muscle.

Venevision, which like most private networks dropped coverage critical of the government in recent years, has reopened its airwaves to anti-government voices, covering opposition leader Maria Corina Machados every move in Washington since Maduros capture.

Meanwhile, Globovision, the nations largest private broadcaster, whose owner is sanctioned by the U.S. for his ties to Maduro, invited back prominent commentator Vladimir Villegas for the first time in years.

Villegas earned a reputation for deftly navigating Venezuelas already restricted airwaves by keeping the governments most hardened opponents off his influential political talk show. But the show was abruptly canceled in 2020 when Villegas criticized Maduro for forcing DirecTV to carry state TV in violation of U.S. sanctions, a move that forced the satellite TV provider ' and its assortment of international news outlets ' to abandon the country.

Rodríguez herself hasnt embraced meaningful public debate of the nations problems other than announcing the creation of an advisory commission on political co-existence to be headed by Villegas brother, Culture Minister Ernesto Villegas.

But already some of her allies seem intent on shutting down any criticism. Meanwhile, authorities have yet to restore full access to the social media platform X, which Maduro blocked after its billionaire owner, Elon Musk, accused him of stealing the 2024 vote.

In response to Venevisions coverage of Machados meeting in Washington with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello ' a hardliner wanted by the U.S. on a drug warrant ' accused the media of playing into a plot by the Nobel Prize winner to sow chaos in Venezuela.

'Without media attention, her notoriety fades away. Without headlines, she simply disappears,' Cabello warned on state TV, singling out Venevisions coverage.

But even on state TV ' long a bastion of pro-government propaganda and ideological control ' cracks have started to appear.

Case in point: Rodríguezs recent tour of a university campus in Caracas in which she was confronted by a small group of student protesters. While state TV made no mention of the students demands, the scene itself ' in which a Rodríguez was shown calmly separating from her security entourage to 'exchange ideas' with what the broadcaster called activists from 'extremist parities' ' would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago.

Under Maduro, even the mildest of criticism was buried on state TV and broadcasts of the presidents frequent rallies and outdoor events stopped airing live after a series of embarrassing disruptions, including a 2016 visit to Margarita Island in which he was driven away by a group of angry, pot-banging protesters.

Drawing inspiration from jailed activists

While the outlook for an eventual democratic transition in Venezuela remains unknown, government opponents hope Rodriguez is unleashing forces that are beyond her control. Meanwhile, they continue to draw inspiration from those who suffered repression firsthand.

Journalist and political activist Carlos Julio Rojas spent 638 days in a Venezuelan prison where, like dozens of other prisoners, he said he was repeatedly handcuffed, denied sunlight and confined to a tiny cell with no bed ' sometimes for weeks at a time.

When he was released last month as part of a goodwill gesture announced by Rodríguez, he says he was instructed to never discuss the abuse.

His mandated silence lasted barely 15 days.

'For me, not speaking meant I still felt imprisoned. Not speaking was a form of torture,' said Rojas, who was accused without proof of participating in a 2024 assassination plot against Maduro. 'So, today, I decided to remove the gag and speak.'

Goodman reported from Washington

This story is part of an ongoing collaboration between The Associated Press and FRONTLINE (PBS) that includes an upcoming documentary.

The measures come on the heels of an epidemiological alert issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) earlier this week over the spread of the preventable disease across the Americas, particularly in Mexico, which leads the region with 1,981 cases confirmed by authorities this year and more than 5,200 suspected cases.

Jalisco is the epicenter of the outbreak, with 1,163 cases confirmed this year and 2,092 suspected cases, according to Mexicos government.

The measles outbreak in Mexico began last year in the northern state of Chihuahua, after a Mennonite child fell ill while visiting relatives in a region in Texas that was suffering an outbreak. Cases surged in Mennonite communities ' which have high rates of vaccine hesitancy ' and have rippled out across Mexico in the countrys biggest outbreak in decades. Scientists say rising outbreaks across the hemisphere are linked to declining vaccination rates.

Jalisco health authorities announced Thursday that masks will be required in Guadalajara schools across seven specific neighborhoods for the next 30 days.

Jalisco was the first Mexican state to take such measures as medical groups urged the local government to take urgent action, marking the countrys first such public health mandate since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Classes were also recently suspended in 15 schools in Jalisco and the central state of Aguascalientes due to outbreaks of the highly contagious airborne virus.

The outbreak comes as Mexico prepares to host visitors from across the world for the World Cup, which will be held simultaneously in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Guadalajara is one of the main venues in Mexico for the soccer tournament.

Canada lost its measles-free status in November and the U.S. and Mexico face the risk of meeting the same fate. Both governments have requested a two-month extension to try to control the outbreak, although in January the Trump administration withdrew from the World Health Organization, under whose umbrella PAHO operates.

In the first three weeks of this year, 1,031 additional measles cases were confirmed in seven countries in the Americas with no deaths reported ' a figure 43 times higher than that recorded in the same period last year ' PAHO said Wednesday in a statement.

The Mexican government has spent weeks encouraging the population to get vaccinated against the measles, which is preventable with two doses of the vaccine, and announced the launch of vaccination sites in places such as airports and bus stations.

The shooting was reported at 9:40 a.m. Thursday in the lot of the California Science Center at 700 Exposition Park Drive, across from the USC campus, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A description of the suspect was not provided, but the LAPD reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

No details were immediately released regarding how many officers fired and how many shots were discharged. Police did not say whether a rifle was recovered.

As the incident unfolded, USC students received alerts to avoid the area.

Mark Vitner, chief economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital, explained the heart of the flat housing market. 'People dont buy homes when they are worried about the job market,' he said. 'When people land jobs, they buy things, clothes, cars and houses.

Vitner said its hard to get the market rolling with light job expansion.

Pointing to growth in artificial intelligence, defense/aerospace and pharma, Vitner told me that while those industries are capital intensive, they dont generate a lot of jobs.

He thinks well have two to three Fed rate cuts in 2026 but not until June. Mortgage rates will be down a little bit.

Raymond Sfeir, director at the Anderson Center for Economic Research at Chapman University, sees mortgage rates continuing to go down. He sees (Freddie Mac) mortgage rates at 5.5% by the end of the year.

With the inflation rate at 2-3% Sfeir predicts the Fed will drop short-term interest rates a maximum of two times, and like Vitner, not until the middle of the year.

'The unemployment rate (now at 4.4%) will go up to 4.7% easily,' said Sfeir. “Citing deportations and lower birth rates, the labor force wont increase much.'

Sfeir predicts a slight price increase for housing, about 2-3% with more sales and listings in 2026.

Steven Thomas, chief economist at Reports on Housing, reminds us that the mortgage rate environment is better than it was a year ago. 'Its 150 days of rates below 6.5%,' said Thomas. 'Payments are 10% better with rates 1% lower.'

Here are other housing metrics from Reports on Huusing:

Listings: 31,460 listings now compared with 28,912 a year ago in Southern California.

Orange County is 3,179 versus 2,821 last year; Los Angeles County is 11,610 versus 10,307; Riverside County is 7,952 versus 7,238, San Bernardino County is 4,812 versus 4,628; and San Diego County is 4,267 versus 3,918.

Expected market time: 119 this year versus 108 days one year ago for Southern California.

Orange County is 75 days vs 63 days last year, Los Angeles County is 119 days vs 108, Riverside County is 109 vs 107, San Bernardino County is the same at 120 days, San Diego County is 83 days vs 80 days one year ago.

Christopher Thornberg, economist and founding partner at Beacon Economics, sees a bubble in the economy with consumer spending at an all-time high. 'We are living it up, and we dont recognize it,' Thornberg said of the risks. 'We have it, and we are pissed off in a time of abundance.'

He used Bitcoin as an example of our economy in a bubble. The cryptocurrency is down some 40% since its high.

'While the economy has good momentum with real estate better in ’26 than ’25, the broader picture is worrisome,' he said. 'The federal government has made no effort to close the ($2 trillion) deficit.'

He explained the U.S. receives $1.3 trillion (annually) of inflow money or 'hot money' from foreign investors. What happens when the bubble fades? Foreign money fades away. 'The result is a lack of foreign support,' he said.

All of this will create slowdown momentum. When this happens, Thornberg expects mortgage rates to be at 7% by the end of year.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, sees mortgage rates staying around 6% this year with home prices being flat.

Like Thornberg, Zandi believes the equity and stock market are vulnerable to correction.

And like several others, Zandi sees a soft business market for builders, especially, as they need to work off excessive inventory.

Ed Coulson, director at the Center for Real Estate Research at UC Irvine, predicts Kevin Warsh, nominated to be the next Federal Reserve chairman, will lower short-term rates by one-half point. Warsh must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before assuming the role in May.

As for the economy and mortgage rates, 'Vibes are bad ' all we read about are layoffs,' said Coulson. 'As interest rates get lower housing prices will pick up.'

Here’s what some of the economists told me about Trump after the president spoke on housing affordability.

His quote: 'I dont want to drive housing prices down, I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their own homes,' the president said two weeks ago at a cabinet meeting.

'That was a surprise,' Coulson said.

Thornberg thinks it’s all a big bluff.

'Trump didnt want Greenland. He merely wanted more military presence,' said Thornberg. 'Between the tariff pullback, and the Greenland pullback hes like a bull in a China shop.'

'Its difficult to decipher Trump. Hes blustering,' said Vitner.

'Geopolitically, the most threatening (thing) is re-intensifying tariffs. The risk is if he goes too far he will cause more inflation,' said Zandi.

Freddie Mac rate updates

The 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.11%, 1 basis point higher than last week. The 15-year fixed rate averaged 5.5%, 1 basis point higher than last week.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported an 8.9% mortgage application decrease compared with one week ago.

Bottom line: Assuming a borrower gets an average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $832,750 loan, last years payment was $427 more than this weeks payment of $5,052.

What I see: Locally, well-qualified borrowers can get the following fixed-rate mortgages with one point: A 30-year FHA at 5.375%, a 15-year conventional at 4.99%, a 30-year conventional at 5.625%, a 15-year conventional high balance at 5.5% ($832,751 to $1,249,125 in LA and OC and $832,751 to $1,104,000 in San Diego), a 30-year high balance conventional at 5.99% and a jumbo 30-year-fixed at 5.875%.

Eye-catcher loan program of the week: A 30-year mortgage, fixed for the first five years at 5.25% with 30% down payment and 1 point cost.

Jeff Lazerson, president of Mortgage Grader, can be reached at 949-322-8640 or jlazerson@mortgagegrader.com.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ' A Minneapolis man was arrested Thursday on charges of cyberstalking and threatening to kill or assault Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers involved in the crackdown in Minnesota.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement that Kyle Wagner, 37, of Minneapolis, was charged by complaint, and that a decision to seek an indictment, which is necessary to take the case to trial, would be made soon.

Court records in Detroit, Michigan, where the case was filed, do not list an attorney who can speak on Wagners behalf. The complaint was filed on Tuesday and unsealed Thursday.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi alleged in a statement that Wagner doxed and threatened law enforcement officers, claimed an affiliation with antifa and 'encouraged bloodshed in the streets.'

President Donald Trump announced in September that he would designate antifa a 'major terrorist organization.' Antifa, short for 'anti-fascists,' is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups and is not a singular entity. It consists of groups that resist fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations.

When Trump administration border czar Tom Homan announced Wednesday that about 700 federal officers deployed to Minnesota would be withdrawn immediately, he said a larger pullout would occur only after theres more cooperation and protesters stop interfering with federal personnel.

According to prosecutors, Wagner repeatedly posted on Facebook and Instagram encouraging his followers to 'forcibly confront, assault, impede, oppose, and resist federal officers' whom he referred to as the 'gestapo' and 'murderers.'

The complaint alleges Wagner posted a video last month that directly threatened ICE officers with an obscenity-laden rant. 'Ive already bled for this city, Ive already fought for this city, this is nothing new, were ready this time,' he said, concluding that he was 'coming for' ICE.

The complaint further alleges that Wagner advocated for physical confrontation in another post, stating: 'Anywhere we have an opportunity to get our hands on them, we need to put our hands on them.'

It also details how Wagner used his Instagram account to dox a person identified only as a 'pro-ICE individual' by publishing a phone number, birth month and year, and address in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park, Michigan. The complaint says Wagner later admitted that he doxed the victims parents house.

Federal prosecutors didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on why the case was filed in Michigan instead of Minnesota. The alleged doxing was the only Michigan connection listed in the complaint.

The U.S. Attorneys office in Minnesota has been hit by the resignations of several prosecutors in recent weeks amid frustrations with the surge and its handling of the shooting deaths of two people by government officers. One lawyer, who told a judge that her job 'sucks,' was removed from her post.

Trumps chief federal prosecutor for Minnesota, Dan Rosen, told a federal appeals court in a recent filing that his office is facing a 'flood of new litigation' and is struggling to keep up just with immigration cases, while his division that handles civil cases is down 50%.

Rosen wrote that his office has canceled other civil enforcement work 'and is operating in a reactive mode.' He also said his attorneys are 'appearing daily for hearings on contempt motions. The Court is setting deadlines within hours, including weekends and holidays. Paralegals are continuously working overtime. Lawyers are continuously working overtime.'

Associated Press reporter Eric Tucker in Washington contributed.

Augusta Savage Clay Workshop: In honor of Black History Month. Presented by Long Beach Public Library. Burnett Neighborhood Library, 560 E. Hill St. 2:30-4:30 p.m. 562-570-1041, longbeach.gov/library.

Beach Cafe Goes to Broadway: Presented by Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Daniel Recital Hall, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. $8.75-$23.75.  shorturl.fm/zAXqb.

Black History Month Kick-off Celebration: Presented by Long Beach Public Library. African American Cultural Center, 4231 Atlantic Ave. 6-9:30 p.m. 562-570-7500.

Exhibition Opening: 'Robert Williams: Fearless Depictions.' Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. 5-10 p.m. Exhibit runs through May 31. RSVP at shorturl.fm/e2KPP.

Family Shabbat Live: Jewish Community Center, 2108 Vail Ave., Redondo Beach. 5:30 p.m. 310-214-4999, RSVP at shorturl.fm/eidYs.

Go Back For Murder: By Agatha Christie and directed by Philip Brickey. Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Theater, 5021 E. Anaheim St. 8 p.m. Also 8 p.m. Feb. 7. $20-32. Runs through Feb. 7. 562-494-1014, lbplayhouse.org.

Honey Whiskey Trio: Presented by Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation. Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive. 7 p.m. Also 7 p.m. Feb. 7. $37. 310-781-7171, torrancearts.org.

Lost in Yonkers: By Neil Simon. Presented by Kentwood Players. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles. 8 p.m. Also 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 7. $21-$25. 310-645-5156, kentwoodplayers.org.

Lunar New Year Celebration: Presented by St. Teresas Guild. St. Francis Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates. 6-8 p.m. $10 advance; $13 at the door. 310-375-4617, stfrancispalosverdes.org.

Roses Pawn Shop: with Pi Jacobs, opener. Presented by Grand Vision Foundation. Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. 8 p.m. Starting at $31.54. 310-833-4813, grandvision.org.

Shen Yun 2026: Performing arts. Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Also 1 p.m. Feb. 7-8. Tickets start at $98. shorturl.fm/zIc0f.

Saturday

3rd Annual 5K Cupid Shuffle Run: Presented by You Run This Town Foundation. Run will take place at 380 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach. 9-11 a.m. Registration is $17.85-$39.19. Register at shorturl.fm/CFBhW.

11th Annual Refinery Explosion Commemoration: Hosted by Torrance Refinery Action Alliance and Indivisible South Bay. North High School, 3620 W. 182nd St. 2-4:30 p.m. traa.website.

An Evening of Music: Fundraiser celebrating the power of music and community. St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates. 5:30 p.m. $50 per person; $80 per couple. 310-375-4617, stfrancispalosverdes.org.

 Bedazzled Book Cover Craft: For teens and adults. Presented by Palos Verdes Library District. Miraleste Library, 29089 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 310-9584, ext. 452, pvld.org.

Big Fish, Little Fish: Octopus. Geared for children 3 to 6 years old. Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way. 9-10:30 a.m. $30-$110.90. 562-590-3100, aquariumofpacific.org.

Black History Family Storytime: Presented by Long Beach Public Library. Dana Neighborhood Library, 3680 Atlantic Ave. 10:30-11:30 a.m. 562-570-1042, longbeach.gov/library.

Celebrity Poker Tournament: Benefiting the 1736 Family Crisis Center. Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Ave. Noon-4 p.m. Information and to register: shorturl.fm/jXOwR.

First Saturday Guided Nature Walk: Presented by Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. George F Canyon Nature Preserve, 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes. 10:30 a.m. 310-541-7613, pvplc.org.

Guided Nature Walk: Check out interesting wildlife, including egrets and herons, at Los Cerritos Wetlands. Meet at the corner of PCH and First Street in Seal Beach. 8-10 a.m. Spend time at Marketplace Marsh, currently off-limits to the public. Learn about the innovations and restoration of these long-degraded wetland areas. Ages 7 and up. Meet at the corner of PHC and 1st Street in Seal Beach. Information and to RSVP: elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.

Julius Caesar: Presented by Long Beach Shakespeare Company. Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave. 8 p.m. $31.50; $21.50. 562-997-1494, lbshakespeare.org.

Lecture and Book Signing: 'Eugene Daub: Portraits, Medals and Monuments.' Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. 1-3 p.m.310-541-2479, pvartcenter.org.

Meet and Greet: 'Little House by the Boatyard,' featuring Polly Schneider. Hermosa Beach Museum, 710 Pier Ave. Noon-2 p.m. RSVP at shorturl.fm/QcO8t.

North Pine Avenue Architectural Walking Tour: Presented by Long Beach Heritage. Meet at 345 Pine Ave. 9:30-11:30 a.m. $17.85/$12.51 for Heritage members. RSVP at shorturl.fm/mTnMJ.

Outdoor Volunteer Day: Presented by Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. Alta Vicente Reserve, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. 9 a.m.-noon. 310-541-7613, pvplc.org.

Reception/Artist Talk: Destination: Art, 1815 W. 213th St., Torrance. 3-5 p.m. 310-742-3192, destination-art.net.

Rooted and Rising: “A Tree of Life Journey Through Family Spirituality.” Mary and Joseph Retreat Center, 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. 9 a.m.-noon. $50. 310-377-4867, ext. 250, maryjoseph.org.

Seeds of Resilience: Barrio Americano. Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach. 3-6 p.m. rancholoscerritos.org.

Trail Crew Introductory Class: Presented by Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. Ladera Linda Community Center, 32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 310-5417613, pvplc.volunteerhub.com/vv2.

Valentines Charms: Presented by Long Beach Public Library. Bach Neighborhood Library, 4055 N. Bellflower Blvd. 3-4 p.m. 562-570-1038, longbeach.gov/library.

Women of Rock: Winter showcase. Presented by School of Rock Palos Verdes. Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. $15. 310-544-0403, ext. 221, palosverdesperformingarts.com.

Sunday

Childrens Workshop: El Dia Del Carino/Valentines Day. Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. 1-3 p.m. 562-437-1689, molaa.org.

Kids Quest for Shakespeare: Sponsored by Astro Taber Arts in Schools. Jewel Box Childrens Theater, 2050 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. shorturl.fm/6Om5o.

South Coast Cactus and Succulent Society: 'Pachypodiums, In the Field, Garden and Greenhouse,' featuring Woody Minnich. Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park McTaggert Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. 11 a.m. southcoastcss.org.

Womens Circle Group: Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living Teen Room, 907 Knob Hill Ave. 12:30 p.m. 310-540-5080, office@redondocsl.org.

Monday

Black Film Marathon: In honor of Black History Month. Burnett Neighborhood Library, 560 E. Hill St. 3-7 p.m. 562-570-1041, longbeach.gov/library.

Bridge Workshops: With instructor Gerri Soffa-Carlson, Diamond Life Master and Californian credentialed teacher. South Bay Bridge Club, 24100 Narbonne Ave., Lomita. 10 a.m.-noon. 310-325-7222.

Conversational Spanish: Presented by Peninsula Seniors. Scriba Family Center, 602 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. 1:45-3 p.m. 310-377-3003, pvseniors.org.

Faculty Artist Recital: Presented by Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Daniel Recital Hall, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. shorturl.fm/zAXqb.

Long Beach Amateur Orchid Society: 'Sobralias,' featuring Deb Boersma. St. Gregorys Church Hall, 6201 E. Willow St. 7-9 p.m. lbaos.org.

Tuesday

Adult Book Discussion (virtual): 'Sing Unburied Sing' by Jesmyn Ward. Led by librarian Amy Feller. Presented by Redondo Beach Public Library. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sign up at library.redondo.org.

Art: Expressive mixed media. This creative workshop offers a supportive environment to explore self-expression through various art techniques. Cancer Support Community South Bay, 2601 Airport Drive, Suite 100, Torrance. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Advance registration is required and space is limited. To register, visit CSCSouthBay.org and select the online calendar. Information: Rebecca Sul,t Rebecca@CSCSouthBay.org.

Black History Month Listening Party: Presented by Long Beach Public Library. Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway. 5-6:30 p.m. 562-570-5643, longbeach.gov/library.

Good Afternoon Long Beach Networking Luncheon: Featuring Brandi Augenstein from The College Board. Presented by Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Parkers Lighthouse, 435 Shoreline Drive. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $35 for members; $45 for non-members. shorturl.fm/V5caO.

Valentines Day Photoshoot: Presented by Long Beach Public Library. Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway. 4-6 p.m. 562-570-5756, longbeach.gov/library.

Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat: Presented by Beach Cities Health District. 10-11 a.m. southbayfamiliesconnected.org/parent-chat.

Yoga Class: With Dayna Lemieux. Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, 907 Knob Hill Ave. 11 a.m.-noon. $10 per class. 310-540-5080, office@redondocsl.org.

Wednesday

Bohannon Lecture Series: 'Neoclassical and Romantic Art,' featuring Ann and Lee Strong. Scriba Family Center, 602 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. 10:30-11:30 a.m. 310-377-3003, pvseniors.org.

Centering Prayer Group (virtual): Improving our relationship with God. Presented by Mary and Joseph Retreat Center. 7:30 p.m. 310-377-4867, maryjoseph.org.

Coffee and Cal Savers (virtual): “Whats Best for You?” Presented by Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. 9-10 a.m. 310-377-8111, palosverdeschamber.com.

Ecstatic Dance: With Rev. Gregory. Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, 907 Knob Hill Ave. 7-9 p.m. $20. 310-540-5080, office@redondocsl.org.

Galentines Day Mixer: Presented by the Womens Business Council/Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Watch Me! Sports Bar, 6527 E. Pacific Coast Highway. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $15 for members; $25 for future members. shorturl.fm/9Sdx9.

Line Dancing Night: Presented by 2nd & PCH. Seaport Way, 6400 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach. 6 p.m. 2ndandpch.com.

Move, Groove, and Connect Through Dance: Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. 7-8:30 p.m. 562-437-1689, molaa.org.

Stress and the Body (virtual): Six-week stress-management workshop series based on the koshas. Presented by Cancer Support Community South Bay. Noon-1 p.m.  To register, visit CSCSouthBay.org and select the online calendar. Information: Rebecca Sul, Rebecca@CSCSouthBay.org.

Thursday

Bay Cities Coin Club: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6323 W. 80th St., Los Angeles 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. baycitiescoinclub.com or e-mail baycitiescoinclub@hotmail.com.

Upcoming

FC Barcelona Soccer Camp: Toyota Sports Complex, 555 Maple Ave., Torrance. July 6-10. Register at fcbarcelona.us/locations/los-angeles. Use the code FCBLASOUTH50 to enjoy a $50 discount on your registration.

Ongoing

Art of Wood Carving: Presented by California Carvers Guild. Meets from 8 a.m. to noon every Monday and Wednesday. Senior Center, 1150 E. Fourth St., Room 207, Long Beach. 562-570-3500.

Blankets of Love: Weekly knitting/crocheting baby blankets for those in need in the L.A. area. Joslyn Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach. 3-5 p.m. Thursdays. blanketsoflovesouthbay.com.

Book Sales: Hosted by Peninsula Library Friends Foundation every first Friday to Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m) of the month at Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates. Every third Friday and Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) at Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates. 310-377-9584, ext. 253. Malaga Cove Library: 310-377-9584, ext. 553, pvldfriends.org.

Club of Harps: The harmonica club for all skill levels meets every Wednesday and Thursday at the Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. Fourth St. 1:30-3 p.m. Information: clubofharps.org.

Dance Fitness: With Ziann. Lincoln Park, 101 Pacific Ave., Long Beach. 1-2 p.m. Fridays. 562-570-3551.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Peer-based support group for people dealing with mood disorders. Meetings are available on Zoom and in person. Information: Scott, 310-497-8801 or woodscott516@yahoo.com; Peggy, 310-548-3457; or dbsasouthbay.org.

Mindfulness Class for Kids: Offered by Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, 907 Knob Hill Ave. Through free play, art, guided visualization and affirmation, kids are taught the power they already have within themselves to create a life they love. 11 a.m.-noon Sundays. Information: 310-540-5080 or office@redondocsl.org.

NAMI South Bay: Family and peer support groups for mental illness are meeting virtually at this time. Information on times and dates: namisouthbay.com; or Paul Stansbury, pstans5@aol.com.

Riley’s Red Wagon: Book swap open daily (unless it’s raining). 9 a.m. until dark. 3040 E. First St. First-time guests can have five free books. justinrudd.com/cat.html.

Shoreline Speakers Toastmasters: For more than 30 years, Shoreline Speakers Toastmasters has provided a supportive and positive environment for people to become confident public speakers and strong leaders. Visitors are welcome. 7-8 a.m. every first and third Wednesday on Zoom. Information and to receive a meeting link: jgrobaty@gmail.com.

Social Skills Classes: For adolescents and young adults. Presented by We Are Team Us. Social weekly sessions, 4-5 p.m. Mondays. PEERS for Adolescents, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Hermosa Beach Community Center, 710 Pier Ave. Information: 424-241-0058, contact@weareteamus.co or weareteamus.co.

South Bay Film Society Showing: “Late Shift.' Gardena Cinema, 14948 Crenshaw Blvd. Wednesday, Feb. 11. 2:30-8:45 p.m. southbayfilmsociety.com.

Tango Lesson: With Sharna. Altar Society Brewing and Coffee Company, 230 Pine Ave., Long Beach. Every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. sharnafabiano.com/tango.

Toastmasters Club 280: Levy Torrance Adult School, 3420 W. 229th Place. 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 310-532-1209.

TOPS (Long Beach): Bolivar Park, 3300 Del Amo Blvd., Lakewood. 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays. 562-278-5603.

TOPS (South Bay): Take Off Pounds Sensibly. The Harbor Church, 25401 S. Western Ave., Lomita. 7 p.m. Tuesdays. 310-378-2920.

Trivia Night: Games. The Bungalow, 6400, E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach. Every Thursday at 7 p.m. thebungalow.com/long-beach.

Wandering Jews Hike: Saturday afternoon hikes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Most hikes are easy or moderately difficult, taking 1-2 hours. Adults, kids, seniors and dogs are welcome. Information: wanderingjewscnt@gmail.com for the meeting time and place.

Welcome Orientation: Presented by Cancer Support Community South Bay. Participants will be given a virtual tour of the community and learn about the many free programs that CSC South Bay offers for cancer patients and their loved ones. To register for this virtual meeting, visit CSCSouthBay.org and select the online calendar. 11 a.m. every Monday and Friday. Information: Norma Gonzalez, cancer support navigator, Norma@CSCSouthbay.org or 310-376- 3550.

Yarn Angels South Bay: A charity group that crochets/knits/quilts/sews articles for multiple local charities. Meets second and fourth Monday of the month at St. Marks Presbyterian Church, 24027 Pennsylvania Ave., Lomita. 6-8 p.m. New members and yarn/fabric donations are welcome. yarnangelssb@gmail.com or yarnangels.wix.com/yarnangelssouthbay.

' Compiled by Robert Doss

Send calendar announcements two weeks prior to the scheduled event to calendar@dailybreeze.com.

Pizza Hut plans to close 250 U.S. restaurants in the first half of this year as its parent company considers a sale of the chain.

Yum Brands said Wednesday its targeting underperforming Pizza Hut restaurants in its system. Pizza Hut has more than 6,000 locations in the U.S.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands said in November it was conducting a formal review of options for Pizza Hut, which has struggled with outdated stores and growing competition. The chains U.S. same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, fell 5% last year, Yum said.

Rival Dominos, the worlds largest pizza company, hasnt yet released its full-year earnings, but its U.S. same-store sales were up 2.7% in the first nine months of last year.

Internationally, Pizza Huts results have been stronger. International same-store sales were up 1% last year, with growth in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, Yum said. China is Pizza Huts second-largest market outside the U.S., accounting for 19% of sales.

Yum CEO Chris Turner said Wednesday that the company plans to complete its review of options for Pizza Hut this year. He declined to share further updates on the process.

Pizza Hut ended 2025 with 19,974 stores globally, which was 251 fewer than it had the previous year. Pizza Hut opened nearly 1,200 stores across 65 countries last year, but closures outpaced that. Yum said Wednesday that Pizza Hut plans more global openings in 2026 but it didnt give details.

Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas. PepsiCo acquired the chain in 1977 but spun off its restaurant division ' which became Yum Brands ' in 1997. Yum Brands also owns KFC, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill.

Say hello to Dumpling, a 5-year-old bulldog who wants nothing more than a friend to share a calm and loving life with. This easy-going pup loves going on short walks, eating tasty treats and, most of all, cuddling and getting lots of affection from our staff and volunteers. If youre looking for a buddy to lounge the days away with, come meet Dumpling today.

Information: The spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. 562-216-2542 or spcaLA.com. Dumpling’s identification number is LACA-A-21230.

Cypress

Cypress is a 1-year-old brown-and-white tabby with a heart full of love and curiosity. Hes incredibly sweet, always eager to explore and loves to play. Whether hes chasing toys or checking out his surroundings, Cypress brings joyful energy wherever he goes. Hes ready to go home with you and cant wait to start his next adventure.

Information: The spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center, 12910 Yukon Ave., Hawthorne. 310-676-1149 or spcaLA.com. Cypress’ identification number is LACA-A-21461.

WASHINGTON (AP) ' Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are 'unrealistic' and warned that the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if they do not work with Republicans and the White House.

Democrats say they will not vote for a DHS spending bill when funding runs out unless there are changes at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement agencies in the wake of the fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis last month.

The Democratic leaders, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, released an expanded list of 10 detailed proposals on Wednesday night for restraining President Donald Trumps aggressive campaign of immigration enforcement. Among the demands are a requirement for judicial warrants, better identification of DHS officers, new use of force standards and a stop to racial profiling.

Thune, R-S.D., said most of the demands are 'very unrealistic and unserious' and he called on Democrats to negotiate.

'This is not a blank check situation where Republicans just do agree to a list of Democrat demands,' he said. 'The only way to get reforms to ICE is to agree to a bill.'

Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is 'astounded to hear' Republicans say his partys proposals were political or unworkable.

'Its about peoples basic rights, its about peoples safety,' Schumer said. If Republicans do not like the ideas, he said, 'they need to explain why.'

As the two parties traded blame, a DHS shutdown appeared increasingly likely, starting Feb. 14. As of now, Thune said, 'we arent anywhere close to having any sort of an agreement.'

In addition to ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the homeland security bill includes funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration. If DHS shuts down, Thune said, 'theres a very good chance we could see more travel problems' similar to the 43-day government closure last year.

Democratic demands

Schumer and Jeffries, D-N.Y., have made several demands, including masks for officers, judicial warrants and better federal coordination with local authorities. The list they released Wednesday added several new items, including a stricter use of force policy, legal safeguards at detention centers and a prohibition on tracking protesters with body-worn cameras.

Democrats say Congress should end indiscriminate arrests, 'improve warrant procedures and standards,' ensure the law is clear that officers cannot enter private property without a judicial warrant and require that before a person can be detained, its verified that the person is not a U.S. citizen.

They also want an end to racial profiling, saying DHS officers should be prohibited from stopping, questioning or searching people 'based on an individuals presence at certain locations, their job, their spoken language and accent or their race and ethnicity.'

For officers conducting immigration enforcement, Democrats say that in addition to officers taking off their masks and showing identification, DHS should regulate and standardize uniforms and equipment to bring them in line with other law enforcement agencies.

Republican pushback

Schumer called it a 'gut check moment for Congress' as the immigration enforcement operations have rocked Minneapolis and other U.S. cities. But Republicans were dismissive.

Wyomings John Barrasso, the No. 2 Republican senator, said the demands are 'radical and extreme' and a 'far-left wish list.'

Sen. Katie Britt, who is helping lead negotiations, said it was 'a ridiculous Christmas list of demands.'

'This is NOT negotiating in good faith, and its NOT what the American people want,' said Britt, R-Ala. 'They continue to play politics to their radical base at the expense of the safety of Americans.'

Down to the last funding bill

Congress is trying to renegotiate the DHS spending bill after Trump last week agreed to a Democratic request that it be separated from a larger spending measure and extended at current levels for two weeks while the two parties negotiate. But with nearly a week gone, a shutdown is becoming increasingly likely.

Thune has encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk. It is unclear whether they are or whether Democrats would be willing to back down on any of their demands.

Some Republicans have demands of their own, including adding legislation that would require proof of citizenship before Americans register to vote and restrictions on cities that they say do not do enough to crack down on illegal immigration.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said it is up to Republicans to ensure the government does shut down because they are in charge.

'The American people want this abuse to stop,' Murphy said.

Some look to limit shutdown pain

Other lawmakers are searching for options to prevent another partial shutdown.

One idea being floated is to essentially fund some of the other agencies within DHS -' the Coast Guard, airport operations under TSA and disaster assistance from FEMA.

'Why not take that off the table?' said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whose state is in need of FEMA funds from recent disasters.

'If it doesnt look like they can get it done,' he said about the immigration enforcement overhaul, 'I really think they should look at a la carte funding of agencies.'

That would mean essentially cutting ICE loose by allowing it to go without its routine federal funding because the agency already has such a robust budget from Trumps tax and spending cut bill from last year.

ICE is expected to receive about $10 billion in the annual appropriations bill, a fraction of the $175 billion-plus for homeland security for the administrations mass deportation agenda.