VIDEO: Now that is some fast talking. Learn what it takes to be a cattle auctioneer, and discover the filler words they use to keep potential buyers mesmerized and willing to buy.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On Jan. 29, 1845, the New York Evening Mirror publishes Edgar Allen Poe’s poem “The Raven.” The poem, which begins with the famous line “Once upon a midnight dreary,” depicts a man’s descent into madness over the loss of a lover. While the poem made Poe famous, it did not help him out of the financial problems that haunted him his whole life. Poe died at the age of 40 in 1849.

The White House says President Donald Trump wants to avert another partial U.S. government shutdown but remains committed to erecting new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, something most Democratic lawmakers still reject.

Iran appears to be broadening its presence in cyberspace, stealing information that would allow its cyber spies to monitor and track key political and business officials. As part of this growing focus, Iranian-linked cyber actors are using phishing emails and stolen credentials to infiltrate telecommunication companies and the travel industry in order to steal information they can use in future operations.

VIDEO: U.S. and Taliban negotiators say they have agreed on a draft framework for a peace deal aimed at ending 17 years of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan’s conflict. The framework was hammered during six days of talks last week in Qatar. Analysts say there are many obstacles on the road to a sustainable peace deal for Afghanistan.

VIDEO: American Robert Levinson was last seen on Iran’s Kish Island on March 9, 2007. Since then, numerous efforts to return the former FBI agent to the US have failed. U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch represents Levinson’s Florida district. In an interview with VOA Contributor Greta Van Susteren, Deutch is urging the Trump Administration to pressure Iran to release him.