China blasts ‘petty’ Taiwan call with Trump  —  BEIJING — On Friday, President Xi Jinping told Henry Kissinger that he hoped for “stability” in U.S.-China ties under the new administration.  Nobody told Donald Trump.  —  The president-elect on Friday broke with four decades of diplomatic practice …

Sarah Palin: But... Wait... The Good Guys Won't Win With More Crony Capitalism  —  I am ecstatic for Carrier employees!  Their bosses just decided to keep shop onshore.  What a relief for hundreds of workers.  Merry Christmas Indiana!  We don't yet know terms of the public/private deal …

Trump education pick once touted school reform to 'advance God's Kingdom'  —  's pick for secretary of Education in 2001 described her work in promoting school choice as trying to “advance God's Kingdom,” according to audio discovered by Politico.  —  During a 2001 meeting of “The Gathering …

Oakland: At least nine dead after massive fire at live-work space party … OAKLAND — In what may be the deadliest structure fire in Oakland's history, at least nine people died in a blaze that broke out late Friday at an electronic music party at a Fruitvale district live-work space, officials said.

Hawaii's forecast: Icy and dangerous conditions.  No, really.  —  The forecast in Hawaii is calling for an entire foot of snow.  Patrick Jones (@Patrick_E_Jones) has some details on snow in The Aloha State.  Buzz60  —  Forget the swimsuits for Hawaii and pack raincoats and winter parkas.

Bergdahl asks Obama for pardon  —  Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held captive for five years and freed in an exchange for five Taliban prisoners, has asked President Obama to pardon him before leaving the White House.  —  A source told Fox News that Bergdahl wrote a letter to Obama thanking …

The General Who Should Lead the Pentagon  —  Nominating a retired general to be secretary of defense is an unusual move in American politics.  Since just after World War II, when the Department of Defense was created, only one general has held the post.  That was George C. Marshall …

G.O.P. Plans Immediate Repeal of Health Law, Then a Delay  —  WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress plan to move almost immediately next month to repeal the Affordable Care Act, as President-elect Donald J. Trump promised.  But they also are likely to delay the effective date …

Prominent gay Republican said DeVos stood up for him  —  Greg McNeilly, political advisor to Betsy DeVos and a prominent gay Republican, spoke Friday of the incoming education secretary saying she stood up for him at a time when his sexual orientation wasn't widely known.

Philly Clout: Turnpike manager rips his bosses in email minutes before retirement  —  FILE THIS ONE under: “Well, You Asked.”  —  Michael Stuban, a midlevel manager at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, retired on Thanksgiving after a 35-year career that started in a tollbooth.

Rodrigo Duterte Says Donald Trump Endorses His Violent Antidrug Campaign  —  MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines said on Saturday that President-elect Donald J. Trump had endorsed his brutal antidrug campaign, telling Mr. Duterte that the Philippines was conducting it “the right way.”

Secret Service faces massive bill for protecting Trump  —  Protecting Donald Trump and his family will involve unprecedented costs for taxpayers.  But federal and New York City officials are dismissing speculation about sky-scraping expenses.  —  The Secret Service renting a floor …