Russian Sanctions ... Syrian cease-fire set to begin ... Markets slightly down

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services. The State Department also has kicked out 35 Russian diplomats from their embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them 72 hours to leave the U.S. The diplomats were declared persona non grata for acting in a "manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status."

MOSCOW (AP) — A spokesman for President Vladimir Putin says Moscow regrets the new sanctions that the U.S. has imposed on Russia, and is considering retaliatory steps. President Barack Obama imposed the sanctions in retaliation for Russian hacking of American political sites and email accounts ahead of the November election. The spokesman reiterated that Russia was not involved in the hacking.

BEIRUT (AP) — In Syria, a midnight cease-fire is set to begin this hour (5 p.m. Eastern). The truce was brokered by both Russia and Turkey, which support opposing sides in the civil war. A Syrian opposition spokesman has said most major rebel groups will abide by it. If it holds, the cease-fire will be followed by peace talks next month in Kazakhstan.

NEW YORK (AP) — On Wall Street, major U.S. stock indexes ended slightly lower, led by declines in banks and energy stocks. Trading was subdued ahead of the New Year's Day holiday. The Dow gave back 13 points, or 0.1 percent, to 19,819. The S&P index fell a fraction to 2,249. The Nasdaq slipped 6 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,432.

UNDATED (AP) — Tennis great Serena Williams has met her match. Williams announced today her engagement to Alexis Ohanian, posting a poem on Reddit that she's accepted the proposal of the social news website's co-founder. Williams has been dating Ohanian for over a year. No wedding date has been announced.