Electoral College: Where the vote stands  —  leads in the Electoral College vote so far, as electors head to their state capitols to confirm Trump's victory.  —  As of 4:10 p.m. ET, 268 electoral votes had been cast for Trump, compared with 160 for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton

Russian Ambassador to Turkey Is Assassinated in Ankara  —  ISTANBUL — Russia's ambassador to Turkey was assassinated at an Ankara art exhibit on Monday evening by a lone Turkish gunman shouting “God is great!” and “don't forget Aleppo, don't forget Syria!” in what Russia called a terrorist attack.

Gingrich suggests Trump pardon advisers who break the law  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich suggested that Donald Trump  —  could pardon members of his administration who break the law.  —  Referring to a law that could prevent Trump from hiring his daughter and son-in-law to serve …

Tom Arnold says he's got recordings of Trump using racial slurs and calling son a ‘retard’  —  DON'T MISS STORIES.  FOLLOW RAW STORY!  —  Comedian Tom Arnold says he's got recordings of Donald Trump using racial slurs and making other offensive statements — and he said hundreds of people have heard them.

GOP Rep's Vision Of Post-ACA World: You Wait To Treat Your Kid's Broken Arm  —  A Republican congressman outlined the way he would like to see the health care system operate if Obamacare is repealed, as GOP lawmakers are promising.  It is a brave new world in which parents would wait …

Gov. Pat McCrory calls for special legislative session to repeal HB2  —  Following a surprise move by the Charlotte City Council, Gov. Pat McCrory said Monday he would call a special session to consider repeal of House Bill 2.  —  The governor's statement came in a rapidly unfolding series …

Under political pressure, Kuwait cancels major event at Four Seasons, switches to Trump's D.C. hotel  —  After Election Day, everything changed.  —  By Judd Legum and Kira Lerner  —  The Embassy of Kuwait allegedly cancelled a contract with a Washington, D.C. hotel days after the presidential election …

Berlin police: 9 dead, at least 50 injured in truck crash  —  Truck plows through Berlin Christmas market  —  (CNN)A truck ran into a Christmas market Monday evening in a major public square in Berlin, killing nine people and injuring at least 50 others, police said.

Trump hunting trip for sale: report  —  Multi-day hunting or fishing trips with President-elect Donald Trump  —  's sons are reportedly up for sale at one dressed-down inauguration weekend party.  —  According to an invitation obtained by TMZ on Monday, the Trump family is hosting …

Poll: Majority of Americans Pessimistic or Uncertain About Trump Presidency  —  As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as the country's commander-in-chief next month, a majority of Americans say they are either uncertain or pessimistic about his presidency …

“Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”: Republicans and Democrats are Polar Opposites  —  “MERRY CHRISTMAS” VS. “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”  —  As the country becomes more diverse and less religiously affiliated, Americans are divided over whether it is more appropriate for stores and businesses …

Trump private security force ‘playing with fire’  —  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — President-elect Donald Trump has continued employing a private security and intelligence team at his victory rallies, and he is expected to keep at least some members of the team after he becomes president, according to people familiar with the plans.

President Obama Grants 153 Commutations and 78 Pardons to Individuals Deserving of a Second Chance  —  Today, President Obama granted clemency to 231 deserving individuals — the most individual acts of clemency granted in a single day by any president in this nation's history.

Trump's Budget Director Pick Spoke at a John Birch Society Event  —  Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), the ultra-conservative congressman tapped by Donald Trump to run the Office of Management and Budget, recently accepted a speaking invitation from the notorious John Birch Society …

Red Wine Hot Chocolate Is a Thing, and It's (Surprisingly) Delicious  —  Frosé?  That's a summer drink.  Hot toddies, eggnog, mulled wine?  Please, those are for your parents.  —  No, no, the must-have drink of winter 2016, at least according to a small but dedicated circle of food blogs, is red wine hot chocolate.