McCarthy's ongoing speaker battle paralyzes House  —  Kevin McCarthy's imperiled speakership bid is threatening to incapacitate Republicans during a crucial planning period, virtually guaranteeing a sluggish start for the new House majority.  —  The GOP leader on Thursday took the unusual step …

I Think I Found Kyrsten Sinema's Side Hustle  —  Last week, she ditched the Democrats.  Perhaps this is her real passion?  —  It is 11 a.m. on a Tuesday, and I am exchanging Facebook messages with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema about a lightly used pair of Badgley Mischka heels.

DeSantis Sucks Up to the Anti-Vax Crowd  —  Another stunt aimed at the fringe base.  —  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's record handling the COVID-19 pandemic is nuanced.  After initially locking down the state's businesses and schools and installing highway checkpoints to monitor travel …

An Alternate Reality: How Russia's State TV Spins the Ukraine War  —  Leaked emails detail how Russia's biggest state broadcaster, working with the nation's security services, mined right-wing American news and Chinese media to craft a narrative that Moscow was winning.

Rudy Giuliani Under Threat of Disbarment After D.C. Bar Committee Finds His Failed 2020 Election Suit in Pa. Broke Ethics Rules  —  Former New York City mayor and Donald Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani's law license is on the line after the D.C. Board of Professional Responsibility found on Thursday …

Donald Trump's ‘Major Announcement’ Is Grifty NFT Project  —  Donald Trump's “major announcement” turned out to be a lame NFT project.  Some advisers are already pointing the finger.  —  Former President Donald Trump's “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT” landed on Thursday like the release of a new NFT …

Russia warns of ‘consequences’ if US missiles go to Ukraine  —  Russia's Foreign Ministry warned Thursday that if the United States confirms reports that it plans to deliver sophisticated air defense missiles to Ukraine, it would be “another provocative move by the U.S.” that could prompt a response from Moscow.

Video Footage of Attack on Paul Pelosi Shown at San Francisco Hearing  —  David DePape, the man accused of bludgeoning the husband of Nancy Pelosi, told the police that he also had Gavin Newsom and Tom Hanks on his target list.  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was as quick as it was brutal …

Trump Hoarded Most Of The $147 Million In Small-Donor Money He Raised For Himself  —  The much-touted super PAC he created spent only $15 million on GOP candidates in key Senate races, and nothing at all on Herschel Walker's runoff.  —  WASHINGTON ― Just weeks after touting a new super PAC …

A looming Russian offensive  —  Ukraine's chiefs, in an unprecedented series of briefings, tell The Economist about the critical months that lie ahead  —  Russia is massing men and arms for a new offensive.  As soon as January, but more likely in the spring, it could launch a big attack …

Former Twitter Employee Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Acting as a Foreign Agent  —  Defendant was Convicted After Trial of Participating in Fraudulent Scheme to Access, Monitor and Convey User Information to Saudi Royal Family and The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

NCAA Announces Governor Charlie Baker to be Next President  —  The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) today announced that Charlie Baker, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will serve as the next NCAA President, assuming the role effective March 2023.

Trump vows to ban feds from ID-ing domestic ‘misinformation’ if elected  —  Former President Donald Trump vowed Thursday that he will ban the federal government from using the terms “misinformation” and “disinformation” to describe domestic speech if he retakes the White House.

Five down in Apt. 307: Mass fentanyl deaths test a Colorado prosecutor  —  COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — From the doorway of Apt. 307, District Attorney Brian Mason could see the five bodies inside.  They lay awkwardly on the floor and couch, their arms and legs contorted — a sign of sudden collapse.

Traumatized by Covid, but Ruled by a Party That Never Apologizes  —  Gripped with grief, anxiety and depression, many in China want a national reckoning over the hard-line “zero Covid” policy.  Holding the government to account may be a quixotic quest.  —  They posted photos of their positive Covid tests on social media.

Newly Revealed Texts Show Mark Meadows Is a Liar  —  Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.  —  Mark Meadows is a liar—at least by omission.  And newly revealed text messages prove it.  —  In 2021, the former White House chief …

Xi Jinping Doubles Down on His Putin Bet.  ‘I Have a Similar Personality to Yours.’  —  The Chinese leader has long admired Vladimir Putin.  Now, he is strengthening ties between the two nations with increased trade and energy partnerships.  —  China's leader Xi Jinping has in recent months tried …

The Electoral College in the 21st Century  —  Dear Readers: Join the Crystal Ball's Kyle Kondik, J. Miles Coleman, and Carah Ong Whaley for a Twitter Spaces at 2 p.m. eastern today.  They will be wrapping up the best and worst moments from politics in 2022, and listeners will also get the chance …

Washington man charged with leaving more than 400 threatening voicemails for members of Congress  —  The 48-year-old left voicemails to numerous lawmakers on Capitol Hill threatening bodily harm.  He is due in court in Tacoma on Thursday.  —  WASHINGTON — A Washington state man has been charged …

Jill Biden makes a tidal shift from her thoughts on another run at the White House  —  First lady Jill Biden, despite being so worn out from a recent circuit of White House events that she lost her voice, is now seriously looking ahead to her husband running for reelection in 2024.

Helping Trans Kids Means Admitting What We Don't Know  —  Last month, the New York Times published an investigative report on the medical treatment of children who question their gender identity.  The findings were decidedly mixed.  The reporters showed that many patients benefit …

Fox News Poll: Americans are down on the economy but hopeful for the country  —  A 53% majority is hopeful about the future of the country, up from the 43% who felt that way one year ago  —  Chad Wolf: Biden administration is happy with the border crisis  —  At year's end, Americans' economic views are decidedly negative.