| Accused Russian agent Maria Butina pleads guilty to attempting to sway US policy Posted: 13 Dec 2018 01:18 PM PST  A Russian woman has admitted to acting as an agent for the Kremlin to get close to the Republican party in an effort to influence US policies. Maria Butina, 30, pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy in a court in Washington on Thursday, admitting to working under the direction of a top Russian official to infiltrate the National Rifle Association (NRA), a powerful gun rights group closely aligned with senior Republican politicians. She is the first Russian citizen to be convicted of working to shape US policy in the run up and through the 2016 election campaign, agreeing to co-operate with prosecutors for less prison time. Appearing before Judge Tanya Chutkan, she admitted to conspiring to work with Alexander Torshin, a former deputy governor of Russia's central bank, and two US citizens as a Russian agent from 2015 until her 2018 arrest. Butina, a former graduate student at American University in Washington who publicly advocated for gun rights, was arrested in July and has been held in jail without bail ever since. Maria Butina was said to be directed by Alexander Torshin, previously described as Vladimir Putin's "emissary" Credit: AP She initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against her but in the last week it was revealed she had reversed course and agreed to co-operate with prosecutors. Her aim was to make contacts with officials at the NRA, conservative figures and 2016 presidential candidates in order to set up unofficial back channels with high-ranking American politicians. Butina is known to have met with the president's son, Donald Trump Jnr, during one of the NRA's conventions as well as reportedly hosting a party in Washington attended by Trump campaign aides in November 2016. Prosecutors told the court that Butina drafted a March 2015 "Diplomacy Project" that called for establishing unofficial channels of communication between high-ranking American politicians in order to help advance Russia's interests. In this courtroom sketch, Maria Butina, left, is shown next to her attorney Robert Driscoll Credit: AP To carry out the plan, Butina requested $125,000 (£98,000) from a Russian billionaire to attend conferences and set up "separate meetings with interested parties" such as other Russian businessmen or people with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they added. The prosecutors said Butina invited "powerful members" of the NRA for a visit to Moscow where they met with high-level Russian officials. Apparent photos of the NRA Moscow trip are posted on her social media accounts. After the visit, according to court records, she sent a Russian official a message apparently referencing the NRA saying, "We should let them express their gratitude now, we will put pressure on them quietly later." The alleged Russian agent was arrested in July Credit: Reuters Butina also hosted "friendship dinners" in the hope of establishing ties with people who "would have the ear of the next US presidential administration," prosecutors said. After the 2016 election, she proposed creating a dialogue with President Donald Trump's advisors, but the Russian official told her he did not think the foreign affairs ministry would "go for it," prosecutors said. The actions occurred during the same time period that US intelligence agencies have concluded Russia engaged in a campaign of propaganda and hacking to sow discord during the 2016 presidential race and boost Mr Trump's chances against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Butina was a gun rights activist Butina's lawyers previously identified the Russian official as Alexander Torshin, who was a deputy governor of Russia's central bank and was targeted with US Treasury Department sanctions in April. One of the two Americans referenced in the prosecution's case was Paul Erickson, an conservative political activist who was romantically linked to Butina. His lawyer William Hurd said: "Paul Erickson is a good American. He has done nothing to harm our country and never would." Russian officials hit back at the case, calling it a "modern political inquisition" in comments quoted by the RIA state news agency. She faces a maximum of five years in prison and deportation. As part of her agreement prosecutors dropped a second charge of violating a law that requires foreigners working for their government to register with the US Justice Department. Her lawyer, Robert Driscoll, estimated that under sentencing guidelines for similar crimes Butina could face up to six months in prison. Because of Butina's ongoing co-operation, the judge did not set a sentencing date but scheduled a hearing for February 12.
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| 'Christmas miracle': 3 suspected thieves rescued after days in West Virginia mine Posted: 13 Dec 2018 07:34 AM PST !['Christmas miracle': 3 suspected thieves rescued after days in West Virginia mine]( "'Christmas miracle': 3 suspected thieves rescued after days in West Virginia mine") Three people who disappeared in a closed West Virginia mine five days ago have been rescued and taken to a hospital in what a family member called a "Christmas miracle."
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| Yemen's warring parties agree to ceasefire in Hodeidah and U.N. role Posted: 13 Dec 2018 02:45 PM PST  At the close of a week of talks in Sweden, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said a framework for political negotiations would be discussed at the next round of talks at the end of January between the Iranian-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Western nations, some of which supply arms and intelligence to the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015, had pressed the two sides to agree confidence-building steps to pave the way for a wider truce and a political process to end the war, which has killed tens of thousands of people. The conflict has pushed Yemen, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula, to the verge of famine.
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| Imprisoned former Venezuela oil minister dies: prosecution Posted: 12 Dec 2018 06:08 PM PST  Former Venezuelan oil minister Nelson Martinez, imprisoned over corruption allegations, died Wednesday of health complications, the prosecutor's office said. Martinez, who also served as president of state oil firm PDVSA, was arrested on November 30 last year, four days after President Nicolas Maduro removed him from his position. "Nelson Martinez was suffering from a serious chronic illness whose progression aggravated his condition and led to his death.
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| PHOTOS: French police kill suspect in Strasbourg Christmas market attack Posted: 14 Dec 2018 06:00 AM PST  The gunman who killed three people at a Christmas market in Strasbourg was shot dead by French police on Thursday as the Islamic State jihadist group claimed him as one of its "soldiers".
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| Georgia officer killed after traffic stop; suspect dead Posted: 13 Dec 2018 10:48 PM PST  DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia police officer and a suspect died Thursday night after a traffic stop led to a foot chase and shooting just east of Atlanta, authorities said.
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| Porsche presents EV ‘FastCharge' solution Posted: 13 Dec 2018 03:13 AM PST  The automaker Porsche has presented a prototype charging station in Germany with an output of up to 450kW. It can be used by electric models of all brands compatible with the European standard Type 2 variant of the widely used Combined Charging System (CCS). Increasing the available charge capacity to up to 450kW considerably reduces the charging time, in turn increasing the number of vehicles able to use the technology in a given space of time.
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| Pope-appointed missionary travels US to do good Posted: 13 Dec 2018 10:07 PM PST  Father Jim Sichko had a calling and it wasn't just to God. It was to, well, everybody. Pope Francis named the Kentucky-based priest to a newly created fleet of Papal Missionaries, ministers who travel the world offering acts of mercy. (Dec. 14)
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| Former Canadian Envoy Is Now at Center of Feud With China Posted: 13 Dec 2018 04:51 AM PST  The former Canadian diplomat who has written about some of the touchiest geopolitical issues in the world, including China's expanding military footprint in Africa and the North Korea nuclear crisis, is now at the center of a stand-off between two global super-powers. Kovrig was detained by China's spy agency during a visit to Beijing on Monday, just nine days after Canadian authorities, acting on a U.S. request, arrested a top Huawei Technologies Co. executive in Vancouver. The Chinese government confirmed Kovrig has been detained, according to a Canadian government official briefing reporters Wednesday evening in Ottawa.
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| Former Baylor fraternity president accused of rape is banned from graduation, University of Texas campus Posted: 13 Dec 2018 03:32 AM PST  Jacob Anderson, accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old student, has been banned from University of Texas at Dallas, but will receive a degree.
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| Girl dies after being detained by U.S. Border Patrol-Washington Post Posted: 13 Dec 2018 06:33 PM PST  A 7-year-old girl from Guatemala died of dehydration and shock hours after she was taken into U.S. Border Patrol custody, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. Early on Dec. 7, the girl started having seizures, and emergency responders measured her body temperature at 105.7 degrees, the Post said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment.
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| Yes, he really said that. What Trump gets about his presidency that critics don't. Posted: 13 Dec 2018 02:00 AM PST  When Trump flouts the conventions of the office, he's winning with his core voters. It doesn't matter what he's saying — what matters is that he's making the rest of us howl in indignation.
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| Man who sexually assaulted woman on flight while she slept is jailed for nine years Posted: 14 Dec 2018 02:16 AM PST  Prabhu Ramamoorthy, 34, was also sitting next to his wife on the overnight flight in January. Ramamoorthy had molested the victim while unbuttoning her blouse and unzipping her trousers as she slept. US attorney Matthew Schneider said: "Everyone has the right to be secure and safe when they travel on aeroplanes.
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| UNAIDS head to quit post early following scathing report Posted: 13 Dec 2018 10:12 AM PST  GENEVA (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency focusing on AIDS said he would leave the job six months early, bowing to apparent pressure just a week after independent experts looking into sexual harassment blasted the "defective leadership" at UNAIDS. At least one major donor reportedly threatened to halt its funding.
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| US airliner turned back after human heart left on board Posted: 13 Dec 2018 01:37 PM PST  A Southwest Airlines flight headed from Seattle to Dallas was turned back mid-flight after it was discovered that a human heart had been left on board, officials said Thursday. The plane had was over eastern Idaho -- around 600 miles (950 kilometers) into the journey -- when staff discovered the "life critical cargo shipment," meant for delivery back in a Seattle hospital after being transported from California. "Once we realized the error we immediately worked to return to Seattle," airline spokesman Dan Landson told AFP.
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| EU's Tusk says no more Brexit negotiations Posted: 14 Dec 2018 08:25 AM PST  By Gabriela Baczynska and Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Council President Donald Tusk said on Friday he had no mandate to reopen Brexit negotiations with Britain, while the head of the bloc's executive, Jean-Claude Juncker, said he "admired" Prime Minister Theresa May. Tusk and Juncker were speaking at a news conference after two days of talks at an EU summit that were dominated by the issue of Brexit and saw the other 27 national leaders of the bloc offer May only vague assurances over their Brexit deal. "I have no mandate to organize any further negotiations. ...
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| Cash deposited in Robinhood's 3% checking and savings isn't insured, SIPC says Posted: 14 Dec 2018 01:51 PM PST  Cash in Robinhood's new checking and savings products that were rolled out this week is not insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corp.
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| Scott Walker Signs Wisconsin GOP's Massive Power Grab Into Law Posted: 14 Dec 2018 10:24 AM PST  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed legislation Friday that strips power
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| The Latest: Israeli PM vows to 'settle the score' of attacks Posted: 13 Dec 2018 09:05 AM PST  JERUSALEM (AP) — The Latest on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (all times local):
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| On criminal justice reform, policy prevails over politics Posted: 13 Dec 2018 02:32 PM PST  The First Step Act is expected to be passed by the Senate soon and then to be signed by President Trump, reversing more than two decades of tough-on-crime policies.
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| Brazil take first step in program to join nuclear-powered sub club Posted: 14 Dec 2018 09:52 AM PST  President Michel Temer and his right-wing successor, President-elect Jair Bolsonaro, both pressed the button that lowered into the sea the 1,700-ton submarine named Riachuelo at a Rio de Janeiro naval base. Temer's wife, Marcela, had christened the vessel, by smashing a champagne bottle against its hull. The submarines being built by the Brazilian Navy in partnership with France's defense company Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS, are a modified version of the Scorpene class diesel-powered submarine.
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| Russian Orthodox church calls on UN for help in Ukraine Posted: 14 Dec 2018 06:05 AM PST  MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The Russian Orthodox Church on Friday called on the United Nations, the leaders of Germany and France, the pope and other spiritual leaders to protect believers in Ukraine in the face of pressure on Moscow-affiliated clerics.
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| Bitcoin bomb threats: Dozens of major public buildings evacuated across US over cryptocurrency email Posted: 13 Dec 2018 01:25 PM PST  Counterterrorism officials said a series of bomb threats reported across the country appeared to be a hoax after scammers targeted media outlets and major institutions demanding Bitcoin in exchange for their safety. The bomb threats came in the form of spam emails demanding recipients provide ransom payments in the form of the electronic currency, and targeted schools, media outlets, police precincts and other organisations, reportedly including at least 13 locations across New York City. "I write to inform you that my man has carried the bomb (Tetryl) into the building where your business is located," read one of the emails posted to social media, which demanded $20,000 in Bitcoin.
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| NY sues Walmart, Target for selling toys with high lead levels Posted: 13 Dec 2018 05:10 PM PST  New York state authorities on Thursday announced a lawsuit against retail giants Walmart and Target for selling Chinese-made toys that had up to 10 times the legal limit of lead. The lawsuit seeks up to $6,000 in penalties for each of the thousands of Cra-Z-Jewelz jewelry kits the retailers and importer LaRose Industries sold from 2015 to 2016 before they were recalled. Authorities also are asking the three companies to take steps to prevent dangerous toys from reaching store shelves.
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| Cadillac's 3-row XT6 SUV loses camouflage for Detroit Auto Show Posted: 13 Dec 2018 07:01 AM PST  Cadillac confirmed this week that the forthcoming XT6 crossover SUV will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show next month. The Caddy that we got a camouflaged sneak peek at a couple months ago has been confirmed for the Detroit Auto Show in January according to Automotive News. The XT6 SUV is expected to fill the vacancy in the Cadillac portfolio between the midsize XT5 crossover and the full-size Escalade, featuring three-rows of sets like its bigger sibling.
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| EU to Step Up Plans for No-Deal Brexit as Bloc Plays Hardball With May Posted: 13 Dec 2018 04:22 PM PST  May had come to Brussels hoping to secure some additional "assurances" on the most controversial part of her Brexit deal -- the so-called Irish border backstop. "Theresa May has led a courageous fight but unfortunately we are not seeing the results," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters.
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| Chinese state media urges Canada to defy U.S., free Huawei exec Posted: 12 Dec 2018 07:58 PM PST  SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) - Canada should distance itself from U.S. "hegemonism" and grant unconditional freedom to Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of China's Huawei detained in Vancouver on Washington's request, state-owned tabloid Global Times said in a Thursday editorial. Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, has been accused by U.S. prosecutors of misleading banks about transactions linked to Iran, putting the banks at risk of violating sanctions. The United States needs to make a formal extradition request within 60 days of her arrest, which a Canadian judge will weigh to determine whether the case against Meng is strong enough.
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| In farewell speeches, senators bemoan downfall of the 'world's greatest deliberative body' Posted: 13 Dec 2018 12:57 PM PST  In their farewell addresses on the Senate floor, senators call out the hyperpartisan atmosphere that has taken hold of the U.S. Capitol.
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| The 6 Best Smartwatches of 2018 Posted: 13 Dec 2018 02:39 PM PST |
| Six Arrested for Allegedly Beating, Pouring Scalding Water on Three-Year-Old Boy Posted: 13 Dec 2018 04:23 PM PST  Six adults are facing charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a three-year-old child, Newark police announced Wednesday.
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| Health care law is alive despite Trump's 2-year drive to kill it. So sign up for insurance. Posted: 13 Dec 2018 01:00 AM PST ![Health care law is alive despite Trump's 2-year drive to kill it. So sign up for insurance.]( "Health care law is alive despite Trump's 2-year drive to kill it. So sign up for insurance.") The Affordable Care Act is down but not out under Trump, and sorely needed given new realities of more chronic conditions and less employer insurance.
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| Lost girls of Indonesia among 61k dead and missing migrants Posted: 13 Dec 2018 01:59 PM PST  FATUKOKO, Indonesia (AP) — The stranger showed up at the girl's door one night with a tantalizing job offer: Give up your world, and I will give you a future.
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| 20 Financial New Year's Resolutions for 2019 Posted: 13 Dec 2018 09:12 AM PST ![20 Financial New Year's Resolutions for 2019]( "20 Financial New Year's Resolutions for 2019") Nearly one-third of Americans plan to make a money resolution for 2019, according to a Fidelity Investments survey, with 48 percent of them planning to save more, 29 percent aiming to pay down debt and 15 percent aspiring to spend less. Identify financial goals. Before you can make progress toward any financial goals, identify what they are.
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| The 2020 Toyota Supra Finally Debuts in January and the First One Will Be Auctioned for Charity Posted: 13 Dec 2018 06:49 AM PST  The long wait for Toyota's revived sports car is almost over.
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| Iran urges West to end 'absurdities' on missiles Posted: 13 Dec 2018 08:53 AM PST  Iran on Thursday urged the United States and its allies to stop their "absurd" accusations about Iranian missile tests, a day after Washington urged the UN to adopt punitive measures against Tehran. "US & allies should cease their hypocritical absurdities abt Iran's missiles," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter. Beneath the text, Zarif published a graphic detailing arms exports to Saudi Arabia from 2013 to 2017 using figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
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| U.S.-backed Syrian forces close to seizing town from Islamic State: spokeswoman Posted: 14 Dec 2018 07:52 AM PST ![U.S.-backed Syrian forces close to seizing town from Islamic State: spokeswoman]( "U.S.-backed Syrian forces close to seizing town from Islamic State: spokeswoman") The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces will soon seize the town of Hajin from Islamic State (IS) in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border, a spokeswoman said on Friday. Hajin is the last big town Islamic State holds in its remaining enclave east of the Euphrates River. The SDF, spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG militia, has battled to eliminate the jihadists there for several months.
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| China Seeks to Defuse Trade War With Reversals on Cars and Corn Posted: 14 Dec 2018 05:16 AM PST  China also may buy at least 3 million metric tons of American corn, said people familiar with the discussions, who asked not to be named as the information is confidential. The moves come two weeks after President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in the trade war at their meeting in Argentina. Trump claimed he won a concession during talks with Xi and said China, the world's biggest automobile market, would reduce and remove tariffs, a claim that Beijing didn't immediately confirm.
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| Shamir Shah Creates a Serene Model Unit With Global References at the Kent Posted: 14 Dec 2018 12:48 PM PST |
| European flight route most likely to experience delays? Mykonos to London Gatwick Posted: 13 Dec 2018 03:33 AM PST  Flyers traveling through UK airports are more likely to suffer flight delays and cancellations compared to other transit hubs in Europe, says a new report on the 50 most disrupted flight routes in the region.
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| Alaska Airlines to give priority boarding to people in ugly sweaters Posted: 13 Dec 2018 11:32 AM PST  Alaska Airlines will let passengers wearing ugly sweaters board early on Friday, Dec. 21 in honor of National Ugly Holiday Sweater Day.
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| Mother, teen daughter found dead in Monrovia apartment remembered at vigil Posted: 12 Dec 2018 11:24 PM PST  Loved ones gathered at a vigil Wednesday to remember a woman and her teen daughter who were found dead in their Monrovia apartment.
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| Millennials and Gen X's interest in classic cars increasing Posted: 13 Dec 2018 02:38 AM PST  A recent survey by Hagerty has revealed that Generation X and Millennials are surpassing their elders in searches for classic car values
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| French govt urges 'yellow vests' not to protest after Strasbourg attack Posted: 13 Dec 2018 12:10 AM PST  The French government on Thursday urged "yellow vest" protesters to refrain from holding another round of demonstrations this weekend, citing the strain on security forces on high alert after the terror attack at a Christmas market in Strasbourg. "For now we have not banned the demonstrations" which some protesters have called for Saturday, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told CNews television.
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| As Trump Cries ‘No Collusion,’ Other Campaign Probes Close In Posted: 13 Dec 2018 05:41 AM PST  A tabloid publisher, American Media Inc., told prosecutors that the president's lawyer and at least one Trump campaign member helped hatch the plan to buy and bury such stories more than a year before the election -- and federal prosecutors in New York are continuing to investigate. The hush-money case was referred to federal prosecutors in New York by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team, who have unearthed a raft of other legal problems while pursuing possible collusion with Russia. The investigation into the suppression of negative news has already resulted in a guilty plea by Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen.
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