Oklahoma City

Kosovo says army 'irreversible' ahead of UN meeting

Kosovo's president said the country's decision to build an army was "irreversible" before heading to a UN Security Council meeting on Monday about the move, which has drawn the ire of former war foe Serbia. The Kosovo parliament's Friday vote to transform a lightly-armed emergency force into a standing army was carried out with strong support from the United States, which hailed the move as historic. At Serbia's request, the UN Security Council will hold a public meeting on the issue Monday.

Chris Matthews Predicts Trump Could Resign ‘In The Coming Weeks’

MSNBC's Chris Matthews said Monday that President Donald Trump could resign as

Surgeon General issues rare advisory calling for local taxes, indoor public vaping bans

More than 2 million middle school, high school and college teens use these battery-powered devices to heat liquid-based nicotine into an inhalable vapor.

Fierce clashes in Hodeidah cast doubt over ceasefire

Fierce clashes broke out in Yemen’s crucial port city of Hodeidah on Sunday, leading UN and Yemeni officials to delay the "official" start of the hard-fought ceasefire agreed last week. Residents reported skirmishes on the outskirts of town with missiles and automatic gunfire heard near the city's eastern 7th July suburb.  Unconfirmed television reports said that the Saudi-led coalition had launched two airstrikes on Ras Isa, a port north of Hodeidah. On Thursday, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels agreed to a UN-brokered truce in Hodeidah with the Saudi-led coalition that backs the official government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.  UN officials said it was necessary to delay the implementation of the ceasefire until December 18th to convey orders to troops on the ground.  On Sunday afternoon, UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths issued a plea to both to “respect their obligations as per the text and the spirit of the Stockholm Agreement” and “engage in the immediate representation of its provisions.” "Without peace, we will be facing in 2019 a much worse situation than today" as a result of food shortages, warned UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday. Hodeidah is almost completely controlled by the Houthis, and their withdrawal from key positions like the port is one of the central components of the UN-brokered deal reached last week in Sweden. By moving units away from the Red Sea port, international officials hope to get desperately needed food and aid into the country to ease Yemen’s festering humanitarian crisis. Under the deal, which could create the breathing space for meaningful peace talks, international monitors are to be deployed in Hodeidah to observe as all armed forces pull back completely within 21 days of the start of the ceasefire. Skirmishes and clashes like those seen in Hodeidah over the past two days are not in themselves a sign that the ceasefire is doomed, said independent Yemen analyst Hisham Al-Omeisy. “Even in previous ceasefires, there was a huge de-escalation infighting, but still sporadic fighting here and there, like we’ve seen over the past few days,” he told the Telegraph. He cited recent conversations with Houthi contacts where the atmosphere in Hodeidah was cited as “toxic” and characterised by a deep mistrust of the Saudi-led coalition. A rise in looting by Houthi forces, he said, showed "bad faith" ahead of the agreed withdrawal. 

French city honors victims of Christmas market attack

PARIS (AP) — People filled a square in the French city of Strasbourg on Sunday to show respect and sympathy for the victims of last week's shooting attack near a famous Christmas market as the death toll rose to five.

Top Democrat Schiff Adds Call for Probe of Trump, Deutsche Bank Links

Representative Adam Schiff of California said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that any type of compromise needs to be investigated. Schiff’s comments came three days after Wall Street critic Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and fellow Senate Democrat Chris Van Hollen called for a Banking Committee investigation of Deutsche Bank’s compliance with U.S. money-laundering regulations.

Dogs Thrown From Vehicle On New York Highway, Police Say

Two beagle mixes are recovering after authorities said they were tossed from a

A Suspected Gas Explosion Has Injured More Than 40 People at a Busy Restaurant in Japan

The explosion happened Sunday night in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island

Putin: Nothing to stop new states joining nuclear pact with U.S. and Russia

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that there was nothing to stop Russia and the United States holding talks with other countries about the possibility of them joining a landmark arms control treaty that is at risk of unraveling. The United States delivered Russia a 60-day ultimatum earlier this month to come clean about what Washington says is a violation of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty between Moscow and Washington.

Chili's Weighs In On North Carolina Election Fraud And Immediately Regrets Decision

Chili's social media department is getting ribbed after it weighed in on North

U.S. Intelligence officials frustrated by White House response to Khashoggi killing

And it’s not just the White House that may make it tough to act on the intelligence community’s findings — the longstanding ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia complicate efforts to hold the kingdom accountable.

BHP announces stock buyback, special dividend

BHP will issue a special dividend for shareholders after selling its US shale assets, the miner said Monday as it completed a US$7.3 billion stock buyback. The world's biggest miner recently sold its US shale oil and gas operations to British giant BP for US$10.5 billion, and said it would return the funds to shareholders. The special dividend of US$1.02 a share will be paid out in mid-January.

Fleeing home alone: the migrant children blocked at Mexican border

Guatemalan children caught in Mexico while trying to migrate into the US, queue before climbing into a minibus at Aurora international airport in Guatemala City. For years, Dora waited impatiently to turn 15, the age her mother had agreed she would be old enough to leave their home in El Salvador – where she suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather – and head to the US, in search of a new life. “Seeing them leave together … that gave me hope and gave me the courage to finally leave,” said Dora, who is now living at a children’s shelter in Tijuana, on the border with California.

Hilton: Trump’s record is head and shoulders above the rest

Trump haters say that the president pulling out of the Paris climate deal is definitive proof that he’s destroying the world.

U.S., Taliban Meet in U.A.E. to Discuss Afghanistan Peace

Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the U.A.E. will also attend the meeting, Zabihullah Mujahed, a spokesman for the militant group, said in a statement released on late Sunday evening. Pakistan has also confirmed that talks will be taking place and hopes the meeting “will end bloodshed in Afghanistan and bring peace to the region,” Mohammad Faisal, a foreign ministry spokesman in Islamabad, said on Twitter.

Indian troops enforce lockdown to foil Kashmir protest march

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Soldiers and police fanned out across Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday to enforce a security lockdown for a second straight day to stop anti-India protests and foil a call by separatists for a march toward India's main military garrison in the disputed region.

E-cigarette usage nearly doubles in U.S. high-schools: survey

The percentage of high school seniors who used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days nearly doubled to 20.9 percent from last year, results of a survey released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed on Monday. The increase in vaping by 10th and 12th graders was the largest year-over-year jump for any substance ever measured by the survey, which started 44 years ago.

Sanders Lashes Comey For 'Corruption' After He Slams Spineless GOP On 'Lying' Trump

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders launched a scathing,

Boeing, Embraer forge on with tie-up after Brazil suspension reversed

US planemaker Boeing and Brazil's Embraer said Monday they have approved the terms of a partnership to create a joint venture now worth $5.26 billion -- more than when they first announced it in July. "The transaction remains subject to approval by the Government of Brazil, after which Embraer and Boeing intend to execute definitive transaction documents," the two companies said in a statement. The news comes a week after a Brazil appeals court overturned a "hasty" suspension ordered by a lower court days earlier that would have prevented the outgoing Brazilian government of taking any concrete decision of the proposed tie-up.

Giuliani: 'Over my dead body' will Trump meet with Mueller

A possible meeting between the president and special counsel appears to be off the table for the White House; John Roberts has the latest.

Introducing the 5 Ultimate Smith & Wesson Guns

What would you choose? 

The best and worst times to travel for Christmas

AAA predicts that more than one-third of Americans will travel this holiday season, so knowing the best and worst times for traffic and weather can cut down your trip time.

Anti-government protesters mass for 5th day in Hungary

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A few thousand demonstrators gathered in freezing temperatures outside Hungary's state broadcaster Monday night in a fifth day of protests against the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Migrant family who fled tear gas at U.S. border seeks asylum

The family appeared in a widely circulated photograph taken by Reuters as they fled tear gas thrown by U.S. authorities during a protest at the border last month when some migrants rushed the U.S. fence. Sandra Cordero, from advocacy group Families Belong Together, which accompanied the migrants, said eight unaccompanied minors were being processed for asylum. A system dubbed "metering" limits how many can ask for asylum each day at U.S. ports of entry, leading to months-long waits in Mexico for thousands of migrants fleeing violence in Central America.

Michael Cohen would refuse a pardon from Trump, his former lawyer says

Lanny Davis said that his advisee Michael Cohen would refuse any pardon offered by President Trump.

Colin Kroll, Co-Founder Of HQ Trivia And Vine, Found Dead In New York Apartment

Colin Kroll, the co-founder of the widely popular game HQ Trivia, has been

Cash deposited in Robinhood's 3% checking and savings isn't insured, SIPC says

Cash in Robinhood's new checking and savings products that were rolled out this week is not insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corp.

Malaysia charges Goldman as pressure mounts over 1MDB scandal

Malaysia filed criminal charges Monday against Goldman Sachs and two of its former employees over the alleged theft of billions of dollars, heaping fresh pressure on the Wall Street titan over the 1MDB scandal. Goldman subsidiaries and ex-bankers Tim Leissner and Ng Chong Hwa are accused of misappropriating $2.7 billion, bribing officials and giving false statements in relation to bond issues they arranged for state fund 1MDB. Allegations that huge sums were looted from the investment vehicle and used to buy everything from yachts to artwork, in a fraud that involved former Malaysian leader Najib Razak, contributed to the last government's shock defeat at May elections.

Google Is Spending $1 Billion on a Massive New York City Expansion

Just weeks after Amazon announced plans to build office space in Queens

Canada gets access to detainee in China 6 days after arrest

TORONTO (AP) — Canada's ambassador to China was given access Sunday to detained Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor six days after he was arrested, the country's Global Affairs department said.

Early week storm may be strongest yet this season in northwestern US

The storm sweeping across the northwestern United States through Tuesday will pack a big punch in Washington and Oregon.

Germany Agrees to Compensate Survivors Who Fled From Nazis as Children

Germany will pay survivors who escaped Nazi Germany as children 2,500 euros, or $2,800.

Trump did not tell Erdogan he would extradite Gulen: White House official

President Donald Trump did not commit during a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the G20 summit two weeks ago to extradite a Muslim cleric based in the United States, a senior White House official said on Monday. "While meeting with President Erdogan at the G20, the president did not commit to extradite Fethullah Gulen," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Clashes Between Nigerian Farmers and Herders Have Killed Thousands, Amnesty Says

The London-based human rights organization blamed the escalation in the conflict on the authorities’ failure to investigate the violence or prosecute perpetrators, according to the report on its website. “The authorities’ lethargy has allowed impunity to flourish and the killings to spread to many parts of the country, inflicting greater suffering on communities who already live in constant fear of the next attack,” Amnesty’s Nigeria director, Osai Ojigho, said in the report released on Monday. The army condemned the report and accused Amnesty’s Nigerian branch of trying to destabilize the nation.

Best new airport amenities of 2018: Smart bathrooms, therapy alligators, more

New amenities and creative activities introduced by airports, airlines and in-terminal vendors are making airport dwell time more enjoyable.

Correction: Vatican-Bulgaria-Macedonia story

VATICAN CITY (AP) — In a story Dec. 13 about the pope's May travel schedule, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Bulgaria is a former Soviet republic. During the Cold War, Bulgaria was one of the Soviet allies that formed the Warsaw Pact.

Nissan fails to agree Ghosn replacement, as tensions with Renault grow

The board of automaker Nissan failed Monday to agree a replacement for former chairman Carlos Ghosn after his arrest for financial misconduct, as tensions grow in the firm's alliance with Renault. The Japanese company removed Ghosn from his post last month after he was detained on allegations of under-reporting his salary. Media reports ahead of the meeting suggested the board was unlikely to reach a decision soon, in part because of open discord with French automaker Renault.

Joe Biden tops key 2020 poll as he mulls whether he is too old to run for president

Joe Biden, Barack Obama’s vice-president, has emerged as an early frontrunner among Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination with a dominant lead among voters in Iowa, who will be the first to state their preference next year. A new CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll finds 32 per cent of likely caucusgoers saying they back Mr Biden as their first choice, ahead of 19 per cent for Bernie Sanders and 11 per cent for Beto O'Rourke, the telegenic campaigner who came close to an against-the-odds win in Texas last month. The results have Democrats salivating about a dream ticket that matches a 76-year-old veteran, who is popular with blue-collar voters, with Mr O’Rourke, a 46-year-old with a knack for producing viral videos. “It’s early days and a lot can change but it could be a way to get past the age issue with Joe,” said a Democratic strategist who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of endorsing a candidate. “Then again, it’s two white men.” Mr Biden has not yet decided whether he will join a crowded field of contenders. However, he has done little to dispel the speculation and has touted his age as an advantage. Profile | Joe Biden “I’ll be as straight with you as I can. I think I’m the most qualified person in the country to be president,” he said during a speech at the University of Montana earlier this month. “The issues that we face as a country today are the issues that have been in my wheelhouse that I've worked on my whole life.” His supporters say he is best placed to woo back the parts of the Rust Belt and middle America that were unimpressed with Hillary Clinton’s run and defected to Donald Trump in 2016. But doubts remain that the Democrats are in danger of losing the youth vote if they plump for Mr Biden or the likes of Mr Sanders, 77, or Elizabeth Warren, 69. The Associated Press reported at the weekend that Mr Biden was talking to friends and long-time supporters about whether he was too old to run for the White House. They have floated the idea of teaming up with Mr O’Rourke. Mr O'Rourke excited Democratic voters and individuals donors in Texas, a usually staunch Republican state. Beto O'Rourke is mulling a 2020 run after a strong midterm showing Credit: Sergio Flores/Reuters The three-term Congressman initially ruled himself out of a 2020 run but is now considering capitalising on his sudden national profile. He became famous for livestreaming almost every aspect of his life during the midterm campaign when he came within three percentage points of a giant-killing victory over Ted Cruz. Iowa is a critical state for would-be presidents. It represents the first votes of the election cycle as, come February 2020, party supporters gather in caucuses to select their preferred candidate. The winner has gone on to clinch the nomination in every contested primary season since 2000. Among other notable contenders, Ms Warren, the Massachusetts Senator, polled eight percent and Kamala Harris, the California Senator, won the backing of five percent of respondents in the new poll. Last week the New York Times reported that Mr Sanders and Ms Warren had met to discuss their rival presidential ambitions, but that neither had tried to dissuade the other from running, nor had they agreed to a joint-ticket.  Ms Warren, a noted progressive like Mr Sanders, has drawn fierce criticism for publishing the results of a DNA test to prove that she has Native American ancestry. The move followed Mr Trump, who mockingly dubbed Ms Warren "Pocahontas", alleging such claims were false.

Save up to 50% on Calphalon at Macy's, including cookware sets, toaster ovens, and blenders

This time of year, cooking feels like a competition on The Food Network — whoever hosts the holiday party is trying to flex on their guests with fancy appliances, and everyone participating in the potluck is subtly trying to one-up the dish beside them. SEE ALSO: The new Instant Pot Max is finally available — but is it worth the price? If this has you feeling like your kitchen needs a massive upgrade, Macy's has some suggestions: Shop crazy deals from Calphalon on their infamous cookware sets, plus find deals on small appliances, knife sets, and more for up to $150 off. (It might arrive after Christmas, but that just means you have another gift to look forward to afterwards.) Calpahlon Classic Nonstick 14-piece Cookware Set — $299.99 (save $199) Image: calphalonEven if you're not a professional, a set of nonstick pots and pans from Calphalon can at least make you look like one. This 14-piece set includes a 6-quart stock pot with lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 1-quart, 3-quart, and 4-quart sauce pans with lids, a 12-inch omelette pan with a lid, and an 8-quart and 10-inch omelette pan. All decked out in hard-ionized aluminum able to withstand up to 450 degrees in the oven, you're set for years of use, evenly-cooked grilled cheese, and next to no cleanup. Regularly $498.99, you can save $199 and get it for $299.99. Calphalon Quartz Heat Countertop Oven — $199.99 (save $50) Image: calphalonCountertop toaster ovens are huge right now and this one just happens to be a super fancy option. Calphalon's version uses quartz heat technology to fire up in seconds to get things cooking fast, providing even heat for that golden brown all over. Unlike most others on the market, Calphalon's oven also features a sleek LCD screen and 11 preset functions including pizza, cookies, bagels, broiling, roasting, and more, while most competitors only have options for temperature change. Regularly $249.99, you can save $50 and get it for $199.99. Calphalon Auto-Speed Blender — $129.99 (save $70) Image: calphalonYup, they're in the blender market too. This 10-speed blender from Calphalon is armed with preset features for smoothies, dips, milkshakes, and frozen drinks, with stainless steel blades and a reverse-pulse feature to get you out of sticky situations. Complete with a 2-liter jar and 25-ounce grab-n-go cup, finding the motivation to keep up a health kick for longer than a week just got way easier. Regularly $199.99, you can save $70 and get it for $129.99. (For reference, a similar blender from Vitamix would cost you $300 or more.) Calphalon Classic SharpIN Self Sharpening 15-piece Cutlery Set — $179.99 (save $120) Image: calphalonYou never really think about how old your knives are — until you try to chop veggies and get the strength of a butter knife. Sharpen your food prep skills with this 15-piece set, featuring built-in ceramic sharpeners (there's even an extra sharpening slot for a current favorite knife that you can't part ways with.) Selection includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 6-inch utility knife, an 8-inch bread knife, an 8-inch chef's knife, utility shears, and eight steak knives. Badass. Regularly $299.99, you can save $120 and get it for $179.99. Image: calphalon Shop Macy's Calphalon sale plus free shipping on orders over $49 See Details

160-strong classic car collection on sale due to museum closure

From (a replica of) the first production car in the world through to a 12-mile Dodge Viper, the 160-strong Tupelo collection has some fine pickings

Run-up to Flynn sentencing tinged with unexpected drama

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Flynn may have given extraordinary cooperation to prosecutors, but the run-up to his sentencing hearing Tuesday has exposed raw tensions over an FBI interview in which the former national security adviser lied about his Russian contacts.

U.S. border agents will not speak to lawmakers about girl's death

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday plan to visit the New Mexico patrol station where Jakelin Caal and her father were taken on Dec. 7 to learn more about why she died the next day. Caal's death fueled criticism of President Donald Trump's immigration policies from Democrats and migrant advocates. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said it showed the dangers of her journey and the family's decision to cross the border illegally.