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Accused Russian Agent Maria Butina Reaches Plea Deal With Federal Prosecutors: Reports

Maria Butina, a Russian gun-rights activist accused of working as an agent for

Marco Rubio: Pardoning Paul Manafort would be a 'terrible mistake'

Sen. Marco Rubio said President Trump would be making a 'terrible mistake' if he decides to pardon Paul Manafort.

2 Nuns Accused Of Embezzling $500,000 From Catholic School

Two Roman Catholic nuns have admitted to embezzling $500,000 from a parochial

Neon sea creatures light up ocean with vibrant colors

Incredible neon sea creatures have been captured lighting up the ocean with their vibrant colors – in what looked like a scene from Avatar. Photographer Simon Pierce, 39, took the images over several months after visiting both Nosy Sakatia in Madagascar and Mafia Island in Tanzania recently. He was thrilled to spot the biofluorescence creatures – which produce their own light – he managed to capture, including fireflies and glow worms. Simon, who is also a marine biologist, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, said: “I felt like I was in the film Avatar capturing these images. ...

EU Said Open to Assurances But Not Renegotiation of Brexit Deal

The EU is prepared to add wording to the effect it has no wish to force the U.K. into a never-ending “backstop” arrangement in the absence of a broader trade deal and it will do all it can to avoid it, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing the sensitivity of the matter. May told U.K. lawmakers on Monday that she would do “everything I possibly can” to secure assurances on the backstop from the EU.

The Best Green Monday 2018 Deals We've Seen So Far

Regret missing out on some of those Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals last

Tesla CEO Elon Musk taunts US financial regulatory agency

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, openly derided the US Securities and Exchange Commission in an interview aired Sunday, having settled fraud charges with the regulatory agency over an errant tweet. Musk had to resign as Tesla chairman under a September arrangement with the SEC to settle fraud charges stemming from a tweet in which he said he planned to take the firm private and already had the financing to do it.

NASA's Voyager 2 becomes 2nd craft in interstellar space

WASHINGTON (AP) — NASA's Voyager 2 is now the second human-made object to zip away from the sun into the space between the stars.

NYPD Investigates 'Troubling' Video Of Cops Ripping 1-Year-Old From Mother’s Arms

The New York Police Department is investigating a video shared on Facebook

Talks of impeachment rises among Democrats in wake of federal court filings

Special counsel Robert Mueller's filings reveal that Michael Cohen has provided "useful" information on obstruction and collusion.

Jared Kushner Gave Saudi Crown Prince Advice After Khashoggi Slaying: NY Times

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, flouted

Columbia University denounces student filmed harassing black students in 'racially charged' rant

Columbia University has denounced a "racially charged" tirade from a student who was caught on video telling a group of fellow students that white people “built modern civilization” and “did everything”. The student reportedly followed a group made up mostly of black students from the school’s library as they left. It was there he was filmed shouting white supremacist comments at his classmates, according to the Columbia Daily Spectator.

I Drove Drunk And It Cost 6 People Their Lives. Here's How My Own Life Changed Forever.

On Nov. 1, 2003, I was involved in a drinking and driving accident. I cost six

Trade Bear David Woo Hasn't Been This Nervous Since 2008

The Bank of America strategist is the most worried about volatility in global markets -- particularly in the developing world -- since the 2008 financial crisis. "We’ll have a $1 trillion budget deficit, a big fight over the debt ceiling, gridlock and the U.S. economy will be slowing at the same time," Woo said from New York.

U.S. arrests religious leaders, activists at border protest

More than 400 demonstrators, many leaders of churches, mosques, synagogues and indigenous communities, sought a halt to detention and deportation of migrants and for the United States to welcome the caravan that arrived in Tijuana, Mexico in November. Singing and praying, religious leaders moved forward in lines of four to six, some wearing T-shirts reading, "Love Knows No Borders." They were handcuffed and led away by federal agents upon entering a restricted area in front of the fence. "As a Quaker who believes in our shared humanity...We’re calling on the U.S. to respect the rights of migrants," said Joyce Ajlouny, general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, which has run a week of actions to back migrants.

11 Useful Gifts For The Person Who Can't Cook To Save Their Life

Learning to cook can be intimidating for a lot of people. Maybe they are a

Verizon cuts 10,000 workers through buyouts as part of restructuring

US telecomm group Verizon announced Monday it would slash its workforce through a voluntary buyout plan as the company strives to better position itself for the coming of new cellular technology. Verizon accepted 10,400 employees for the buyout, which will grant more than a year's salary plus a bonus and other benefits, the company said in a statement. "These changes are well-planned and anticipated and they will be seamless to our customers," Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg said.

Would Taiwan Fight China Without U.S. Support?

It is in the interests of the United States to send reassuring signals to the public in Taiwan about the U.S. determination to assist and defend Taiwan.

Heavy snow batters North Carolina and Virginia, leaving thousands of drivers stranded

At least four deaths have been blamed on "mammoth" snowstorm in the Southeast, causing drivers to abandon their cars on the road due to dangerous conditions.

Twitter Users Troll Trump With Hilariously Awful Chief Of Staff Suggestions

President Donald Trump seems to be having a hard time filling a key role in

Cyntoia Brown, Sex-Trafficking Victim, Must Serve 51 Years Before Release, Court Says

Cyntoia Brown, a Tennessee woman who was convicted as a teenager for shooting

An '(Unintentional) Grinch' Tried To Ban Christmas From The Classroom

An elementary school principal from Omaha, Nebraska has been placed on

Congo's Kabila doesn't rule out seeking presidency in future

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo's President Joseph Kabila is stepping down after this month's election but he doesn't rule out seeking the post again in the future.

Macron prepares response to 'yellow vest' protesters as Paris cleans up

On Sunday, workers in Paris and other cities swept up broken glass and towed away burnt-out cars while the government warned of slower economic growth and the judiciary said it would come down hard on looting and attacks on police. On Saturday, protesters, for the fourth weekend in a row, threw stones, torched cars and vandalized shops and restaurants in a protest against Macron's economic policies. The Elysee palace said on Sunday that Macron, elected in May 2017, would address the country on Monday evening at 2000 Paris time (1900 GMT).

Indian tycoon Mallya to find out extradition fate

Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya will appear in a London court on Monday to find out whether he will be extradited to his homeland, where he is accused of fraud. Mallya, chairman of the UB Group drinks conglomerate and chief executive of the Force India Formula One team, will discover his fate at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The loans from the state-owned IDBI bank were intended to bail out his failed carrier Kingfisher Airlines.

Kevin McCarthy Says Democrats Shouldn't Spend A Lot Of Time Investigating Trump

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) urged Democrats not to dwell

Former beauty queen sent nude pictures to 15-year-old student on Snapchat, police say

A former beauty pageant queen is facing up to 20 years in prison after allegedly sending nude photographs of herself to a 15-year-old boy. Ramsey Bearse, now a teacher at Andrew Jackson Middle School outside Charleston, West Virginia, was arrested and charged with distribution or display of obscene matter to minors after allegedly sending the lewd images to the former student. According to the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, Ms Bearse sent the teenager at least four topless photos using multimedia messaging app Snapchat over a period of three months.

Be Prepared for a Housing Market Price Dive, OECD Warns Australia

In its latest survey of Australia, the Paris-based group forecast economic growth of 2.9 percent next year, leading to a gradual pickup in wages and inflation. While it said the housing market’s cooling was so far orderly, it warned that high property prices and household debt were potential instabilities. “Risk of an overshoot in the price correction -- a hard landing -- remains,” the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said in its report.

Markets Right Now: US stocks end a bumpy day slightly higher

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):

To quell unrest, France's Macron speeds up tax cuts but vows no U-turn

In his first national address following France's worst unrest for years, Macron sought to restore calm and struck a humble tone after accusations his governing style and economic policies were fracturing the country. "We will respond to the economic and social urgency with strong measures, by cutting taxes more rapidly, by keeping our spending under control, but not with U-turns," Macron said in the 13-minute TV address from the Elysee Palace. In measures that are likely to cost billions to state coffers, Macron said people on the minimum wage would see their salaries rise by 100 euros ($113.76) a month in 2019 without extra costs to employers.

Supreme Court: Brett Kavanaugh sides with liberal justices to protect Planned Parenthood funding

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh unexpectedly aligned with four liberal justices in declining to review the petitions that would have placed a ban on abortion providers. Defunding Planned Parenthood has been a key priority for Republicans, with Mr Kavanaugh’s controversial confirmation sparking concerns among reproductive rights activist that he would back moves to overturn or restrict legal rights and access to abortions. The top court left the rulings from the lower court that halted Kansas and Louisiana from revoking public healthcare funding from Planned Parenthood and its affiliates.

Mexico's new president boosts Pemex budget by $3.7 bn

Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Sunday he would reverse shrinking investment in the state oil company by pouring $3.7 billion into Pemex in 2019, in a bid to boost crude and refined products' output. "We are going to increase investment in Pemex by 75 billion pesos from what was authorized for 2018," the leftist president said in a speech in his home state of Tabasco. The state oil giant has seen a drop in its production since 2004, when it extracted some 3.4 million barrels per day.

Gas plummets to 2018 low as oil's slide delivers savings

Gas prices hit a low for the year on Monday as oil's plunge leads to relief at the pump for American motorists.

Teachers union: Tentative deal to end charter schools strike

CHICAGO (AP) — The nation's first teachers' strike against a charter school operator will end after their union and management struck a tentative deal Sunday that includes protections for students and immigrant families living in the country illegally.

Key House Democrat Jerry Nadler Says Trump Payments May Be 'Impeachable Offenses'

Allegations that President Donald Trump directed his former personal attorney

Maria Butina: Alleged Russian spy files to change plea in US federal court

Maria Butina’s lawyers and federal prosecutors have filed a request for a court hearing so that the accused Russian agent can change her plea from not-guilty, a joint filing shows. The request shows that Ms Butina and her lawyers may have managed to negotiate such a plea deal with federal prosecutors, who have accused the former American University student of attempting to infiltrate Republican political circles during the 2016 election in order to advance Russian interests. The alleged Russian agent is being held in an Alexandria, Virginia jail following her indictment by a grand jury earlier this year.

Why Israel Confronted Hezbollah’s Tunnel Threat

The impact of Israel’s operation will have wider regional implications.

Inside the Navy's flyover farewell for President George H.W. Bush

Navy pilots who participated in the 21 aircraft flyover at George H.W. Bush's funeral in Texas describe what it was like to be part of that historic tribute for the late president.

Hedge Funds Rent a Lifeline to Stay Afloat in EU Post-Brexit

Small hedge funds are turning to firms in the European Union that can handle a lot of their back-office operations such as risk management and compliance, enabling them to meet regulators’ conditions to do business there. Battered by volatile markets, fleeing investors and spiraling costs, money managers can ill afford to lose access to the $20 trillion managed by pension funds, insurers and other institutional investors in the rest of the EU.

Tempted to eat raw cookie dough? 'Just say no,' CDC warns

Raw dough often contains flour and eggs that can cause diseases, some that can lead to death.

Rand Paul Calls Trump's Nomination Of William Barr For Attorney General 'Very Troubling'

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Sunday bashed President Donald Trump's nomination of