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.

Obama pulls a bait-and-switch on anti-Israel Security Council vote  —  The Obama administration pulled a bait and switch in refusing to veto the recent Security Council resolution against Israel.  In attempting to justify its abstention - which under Security Council rules has the same effect …

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.

Internet ridicules Trump's narcissistic Christmas tweet: ‘No family, no warmth, just a tiny fist and a tree’  —  President-elect Donald Trump extended Merry Christmas wishes to his Twitter followers on Sunday morning — with a proper Christmas tree emoji — only to have detractors notice it wasn't the warmest of greetings.

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.

Obama's exit interview: Hope and change can still win elections  —  (CNN)Arguing that Americans still subscribe to his vision of progressive change, President Barack Obama asserted in an interview recently he could have succeeded in this year's election if he was eligible to run.

At Least 27 Shot, 7 Fatally, in Chicago Over Christmas Weekend  —  At least 27 people were shot, seven fatally, in a 48-hour period in Chicago over Christmas weekend, according to the Chicago Police Department.  It was the latest bloody chapter in a city besieged by gun violence.

Sorry, But Our Fight Against Liberal Fascism Has Only Just Begun  —  I wish I could tell you that, having dodged the naggy bullet that was Felonia Milhous von Pantsuit, we can now spend the next four years being left alone.  But that's not in the cards.  Liberals won't - because they can't …

Five races to watch in 2017  —  After 2016's bruising election cycle, 2017 might seem like a break for Republicans and Democrats to gear up for 2018's midterms.  —  But a handful of 2017 contests could serve as an indicator of the mood of the electorate in the early months of Donald Trump

Trump readies war room to defend Cabinet picks  —  Donald Trump's transition team is taking zero chances with the president-elect's Cabinet picks, assembling a “war room” to promote their strengths and fend off criticism before next month's confirmation hearings.

Suddenly hot smart home devices are ripe for hacking, experts warn  —  Will 2017 be the year your home becomes under attack from cyber criminals?  —  Experts expect the number of attacks on the Internet of Things (IoT) will likely increase in 2017.  IoT includes devices like webcams …