Too Big to Jail? Execs Avoid Laundering ChargesWhen the Justice Department announced its record $1.9 billion settlement against British bank HSBC last week, prosecutors called it a powerful blow to a dysfunctional institution accused of laundering money for Iran, Libya and Mexico's murderous drug cartels.
NBC Correspondent Escapes Syria KidnappingMore than a dozen heavily armed pro-regime gunmen kidnapped NBC's chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel and several colleagues for five days inside Syria.
NRA Goes Silent After Connecticut School ShootingThe nation's largest gun-rights organization—typically outspoken about its positions even after shooting deaths—has gone all but silent since last week's rampage at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school that left 26 people dead, including 20 children.
AP Sources: New Obama Offer Moves Toward BoehnerPresident Barack Obama has agreed to curtail future cost-of-living increases for recipients of Social Security and softened his demand for higher taxes at upper income levels, narrowing differences with House Speaker John Boehner in "fiscal cliff" talks, people familiar with …
Justice Dept. Pre-Clears Jackson Ward LinesThe Department of Justice has pre-cleared the city of Jackson's redistricting plan, clearing the way for City Council members to run under new ward lines in 2013.
Report: Few States Have Bulk of ExecutionsJust four states carried out more than three-fourths of the executions in the United States this year, while another 23 states have not put an inmate to death in 10 years, an anti-capital punishment group reports.
Boehner to Pursue 2nd Legislative Track on TaxesJust two weeks before the economy-threatening "fiscal cliff" is due to kick in, House Speaker John Boehner opened up a second legislative track to stop tax hikes from kicking in on Jan. 1 for people making up to $1 million …
Miss. Schools Eye Security After Conn. ShootingSchool officials across Mississippi say they're on high alert and evaluating security policies in the wake of a deadly shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.
Survey of U.S. Business Economists: 2.1 Percent Growth in 2013WASHINGTON (AP) — Business economists believe the country will see modest growth in 2013 with strength coming from a further rebound in housing which will help offset weakness in business investment.
Hasbro Announces a 'Gender Neutral' Easy-Bake Oven is Coming SoonPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Hasbro says it will soon reveal a gender-neutral Easy-Bake Oven after meeting with a New Jersey girl who started a campaign calling on the toy maker to make one that appeals to all kids.
UPDATED: Obama Counter-Offers on Fiscal Cliff: Raise Taxes on Earnings over $400kWASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has proposed a deficit-reduction package to House Speaker John Boehner that would increase the top tax rates on taxpayers earning more than $400,000, cut more spending from health care programs and add $200 billion …
Obit: Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Dead at Age 88WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, the influential Democrat who broke racial barriers on Capitol Hill and played key roles in congressional investigations of the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals, died Monday. He was 88.
Obama Signals Action Following School ShootingPresident Barack Obama is vowing to use "whatever power this office holds" to safeguard the nation's children, raising the prospect that he will pursue policy changes to stem gun violence in the wake of an elementary school massacre.