Electors demand intelligence briefing before Electoral College vote  —  Ten members of the Electoral College, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's daughter Christine and a former member of Congress, are demanding a briefing from U.S. intelligence officials on any ongoing investigations into Donald Trump's ties to Russia.

McCain Calls Russian Hacking a ‘Form of Warfare’  —  John McCain says there is no doubt about Russian hacking, which he called “warfare.”  —  President-elect Donald J. Trump formally names John F. Kelly, a retired Marine general, as secretary of homeland security.

What's Behind Trump's Move to the Right?  —  He owes nothing to the old guard, he sees a window for bold reforms, and he knows who his enemies are.  —  The biggest surprise Donald Trump has provided as president-elect is just how conservative a cabinet he is putting together.

China flies nuclear bomber over South China Sea to ‘send a message’ to Donald Trump  —  China flew a nuclear-capable bomber outside its borders in a show of force less than a week before US President-elect Donald Trump's phone call with the president of Taiwan, it has been reported.

Democrats fear another Trump trouncing  —  As Donald Trump's inauguration draws near, Democrats fear they remain woefully unprepared to fight the new president's agenda.  —  The party loses its standard-bearer once President Barack Obama leaves office, and the Democratic National Committee …

Trump draws rebuke after saying U.S. isn't bound by One China policy  —  BEIJING — President-elect Trump is talking about Taiwan again — and nobody, it seems, is pleased about his comments on the nearly four-decade-old basis of U.S.-Chinese relations.  —  In an interview broadcast Sunday …

Israel wants mosques to turn the volume way down  —  JERUSALEM — When the call to prayer begins in the Palestinian neighborhoods here, the Muslim faithful hear a song beautiful and sublime.  Hour by hour, five times a day, it is the soundtrack of their lives.  And it stirs deep emotions.

Sam Venable: Santa grants a final wish  —  Eric Schmitt-Matzen looks every bit the part of Santa Claus.  —  His 6-foot frame carries 310 pounds, leaving “just enough of a lap for the kids to sit on,” he says with a gentle Kringley chuckle right out of Central Casting.  —  No fake facial fuzz for this guy.

Senate fails to confirm FCC Commissioner after lengthy battle  —  Jessica Rosenworcel will be forced step down from her post as commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission after Congress finished it last legislative session of the year on Saturday without confirming her.

Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia  —  In 2013, Vladimir Putin awarded ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson the Order of Friendship, one of the highest honors Russia gives to foreign citizens.  —  The silver badge underscores the close ties that have existed …

Dems grapple with lessons from Clinton disaster  —  Democrats are grappling with how to draw the right lessons — and avoid the wrong ones — after an extraordinary presidential election.  —  Hillary Clinton  —  's loss to Donald Trump  —  is an unmitigated disaster for Democrats, who want to ensure nothing like it happens again.

Flynn deputy raises more doubts about Trump team  —  At a political rally in June 2009, Donald Trump's soon-to-be deputy national security adviser, K.T. McFarland, offered a jarring prediction.  —  China might cancel the Fourth of July, she said.  —  “They're going to want something for their money.