RNC Message Celebrating Christmas  —  WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chair Sharon Day released the following statement celebrating Christmas:  —  “Merry Christmas to all!  Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world …

Ex-Wham singer George Michael dies  —  The star, who launched his career with Wham in the 1980s and later continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have “passed away peacefully at home”.  —  Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT.

Trump to inherit more than 100 court vacancies, plans to reshape judiciary  —  Donald Trump is set to inherit an uncommon number of vacancies in the federal courts in addition to the open Supreme Court seat, giving the president-elect a monumental opportunity to reshape the judiciary after taking office.

Changes Coming to White House Press Room: Who, Where, When and How  —  With the naming of Sean Spicer as White House press secretary, Donald J. Trump has selected a Republican Party insider and communications veteran.  —  But that doesn't mean it will be business as usual for the press corps that covers the next administration.

Transition adviser's tweets add intrigue to Trump aide Jason Miller's sudden resignation  —  Twitter messages apparently posted by one of President-elect Donald Trump's aides have added some intrigue to the sudden resignation of Jason Miller, Trump's choice for communications director.

Israel summons US ambassador as Netanyahu hits out at Obama  —  Jerusalem (CNN)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned the US ambassador and launched a scathing attack Sunday on the Obama administration after its refusal to veto a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlements in the West Bank.

Paladino's son rejects father's controversial comments  —  Even Carl Paladino's son wants to distance himself from the former New York Republican gubernatorial candidate's latest controversial remarks about President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.  —  In what appears to be a family split …

The Obamas Successfully Beat A Live Action Escape Game On Vacation  —  Sounds like Malia was the MVP and they broke out with 12 seconds to spare.  —  President Obama and his daughters showed up unannounced at Breakout Waikiki, a live action escape room site, during their Hawaii vacation …

Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea, killing 92  —  A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry says.  —  The plane disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi at 05:25 (02:25 GMT), heading for Latakia in Syria.