How bad is the Republican coverup on Trump and Russia?  We may soon find out.  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  As we head into 2018, one big, looming unknown is this: Just how far will congressional Republicans go to prevent a full accounting of Russia's interference in our election and any possible Trump campaign conspiracy with it?

Flying in 2017 was safer than it's ever been  —  Five new planes you'll be flying soon  —  By nearly all measures, flying in 2017 was safer than ever.  —  Last year, there were 10 fatal commercial passenger and cargo air crashes that killed 44 passengers and crew members.

Foreign governments are finding ways to do favors for Trump's business  —  WASHINGTON  —  In Indonesia, a local government plans to build a road to shorten the drive between the main airport on the island of Bali and the new high-end Trump resort and golf course.

John Dean: Nixon 'Might Have Survived If There'd Been a Fox News'  —  John Dean, the former Nixon White House counsel, has a stark warning for White House lawyer Ty Cobb and the rest of President Donald Trump's defenders as they enter 2018: Believing the investigation and prosecutions will be over anytime soon is “wishful thinking.”

Warren positions herself for potential 2020 run  —  Elizabeth Warren has spent the past year making a series of below-the-radar moves that would put her in prime position to run for president in 2020 if she decides to.  —  The liberal icon and Republican bete noire has amassed more money …

Hoda Kotb joins Savannah Guthrie as co-anchor of TODAY  —  Hoda Kotb has been named the co-anchor of TODAY, making her official debut Tuesday just after an announcement by NBC News Chairman Andy Lack.  —  Kotb, 53, will join Savannah Guthrie at the anchor desk during the first two hours of the morning news program.

Key developments  — Nine people were killed on Monday, including seven protesters, state media reports, taking the toll to 21.  — 450 people have been arrested in the past three days.  — Iranian President Rouhani slammed US President Donald Trump for tweeting his support for protesters.

The West Can Help Iranians Take Back Their Country  —  The perfect man for the job: Barack Obama.  —  In case anyone was wondering, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the rest of America's political class are with the protesters in Iran.  Statements have been issued.  Tweets have been tweeted.

Donald Trump's Year of Living Dangerously  —  When President Donald Trump sat down for dinner on September 18 in New York with leaders of four Latin American countries on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly, anxieties were already running high.

The Criminal Underworld Is Dropping Bitcoin for Another Currency  —  Monero and others lure criminals as bitcoin's privacy weakens  —  Some coins post fake blockchain entries to hamper surveillance  —  Bitcoin is losing its luster with some of its earliest and most avid fans — criminals …

Pakistan summons U.S. ambassador after Trump's angry tweet  —  ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador in protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's angry tweet about Pakistan's “lies and deceit”, while Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the outburst as a political stunt.

Anthony Scaramucci Is Telling Pals That Donald Trump Wants Him Back … Losing your job in a fit of self-immolation after a mere ten days may seem like the type of professional stumble that doesn't lend itself to a comeback.  But Anthony Scaramucci, a.k.a. the Mooch, appears to be positioning himself to give politics another go.

‘Fake News’: Wide Reach but Little Impact, Study Suggests  —  Fake news evolved from seedy internet sideshow to serious electoral threat so quickly that behavioral scientists had little time to answer basic questions about it, like who was reading what, how much real news they also consumed …

The one question likely to decide 2018 elections  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  (CNN)As the 2018 election year begins, one question above all is likely to shape its outcome: Will Americans vote to constrain President Donald Trump by electing a Democrat-led Congress that will challenge and resist him …

Trump starts 2018 at golf club  —  is beginning 2018 at his private Florida golf club, according to a reporter traveling with the president.  —  Trump left his Mar-a-Lago resort Monday morning just before 8:45 a.m. and arrived at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. a few minutes later.

Republicans can't generate buzz for Ros-Lehtinen's seat, and some say it's unwinnable  —  WASHINGTON  —  The GOP's inability to find top-shelf candidates to run for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's U.S. House seat has some Republicans ready to write off the race and shift money and attention to more winnable contests.

Senator Al Franken's Resignation Is Deeply Unfair … Sometime today, Al Franken will resign his Senate seat.  The Democrats are hoping for a banner year, and from all indicators it looks like they'll have one, and I hope they do—if they take back one house, this horrid Trump/GOP agenda is done for.

Dave Chappelle Says Louis C.K. Accuser Has a ‘Brittle Ass Spirit’ in Netflix Special  —  In his new Netflix comedy special, Dave Chappelle says that one of the five women who accused fellow comedian Louis C.K. of sexual misconduct in a November New York Times article has a “brittle-ass spirit” …

The Trump Effect: Business, Anticipating Less Regulation, Loosens Purse Strings  —  WASHINGTON — A wave of optimism has swept over American business leaders, and it is beginning to translate into the sort of investment in new plants, equipment and factory upgrades that bolsters economic growth …