Donald Trump faces many signs of potential political trouble; here are a few of them  —  WASHINGTON - Most presidential candidates look for signs of trouble during campaigns - but none before Donald Trump saw the threats of criminal convictions and getting thrown off the ballot.

House GOP traps itself in impeachment box  —  Republicans are barreling toward an impeachment vote, still short of a majority.  But if they skip one altogether, it might look like failure to the base.  —  Now that House Republicans have formalized the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden …

Martin O'Malley's confirmation as Social Security commissioner is a win for the American people  —  Last week, the Senate confirmed Martin O'Malley to be the next Commissioner of Social Security.  This is a major achievement: It marks the first time in over 25 years that the Senate has confirmed …

The Chicks co-founder dies at 65  —  A founding member of the country band The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, has died at the age of 65.  —  “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks,” a Saturday post by the band on Instagram read.

The elephant in the Giuliani defamation courtroom  —  A jury has ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million — covering compensatory and punitive damages, and emotional suffering — for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two poll workers in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2020.  He quickly filed for bankruptcy.

Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran, says US  —  A chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean was hit by a drone launched from Iran on Saturday, the US military says.  —  A fire on board the Chem Pluto was extinguished.  There were no casualties.  —  Iran has not commented.

The Far-Right Pushes a New Conspiracy Theory to Discredit Jack Smith  —  A new conspiracy theory rising on the right is being deployed to help Donald Trump.  —  It claims that Jack Smith, the special counsel who is prosecuting Trump for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election …

Israel has waged one of this century's most destructive wars in Gaza  —  The damage in Gaza has outpaced other recent conflicts, evidence shows.  Israel has dropped some of the largest bombs commonly used today near hospitals.  —  The Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip has been unlike any other in the 21st century.

A flood of retirements is shaking up the 2024 battle for the House  —  So far, more Democrats in competitive races have announced their retirements than Republicans.  —  WASHINGTON — Members of Congress have headed home for the holidays — and some will come back having decided …

Gore says grassroots pressure is ‘critical element’ in curbing climate change  —  Former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday argued grassroots pressure is a “critical element” in curbing climate change in the coming year.  —  “It sounds dire, but it is dire,” Gore said Sunday during CNN's …

Putin Quietly Signals He Is Open to a Cease-Fire in Ukraine  —  Despite its bravado in public, the Kremlin has indicated its interest in striking a deal to halt the war — so long as it could still declare victory.  —  Despite its bravado in public, the Kremlin has indicated its interest …