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.

RNC Message Celebrating Christmas  —  WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chair Sharon Day released the following statement celebrating Christmas:  —  “Merry Christmas to all!  Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world …

Trump pick backs out of White House job after affair allegations  —  Donald Trump's newly tapped White House communications director, Jason Miller, backed out of the job following claims that he had an affair with another transition official, according to three sources close to the Trump transition.

The Obamas Successfully Beat A Live Action Escape Game On Vacation  —  Sounds like Malia was the MVP and they broke out with 12 seconds to spare.  —  President Obama and his daughters showed up unannounced at Breakout Waikiki, a live action escape room site, during their Hawaii vacation …

After 24 years working together, Feinstein and Boxer say goodbye to their ‘Thelma and Louise’ partnership  —  Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, right, in the Capitol in 2011.  (Bill Clark / Roll Call Photos)  —  In 1992, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer pitched themselves …

Israel summons US ambassador as Netanyahu hits out at Obama  —  Jerusalem (CNN)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned the US ambassador and launched a scathing attack Sunday on the Obama administration after its refusal to veto a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlements in the West Bank.

Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea, killing 92  —  A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry says.  —  The plane disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi at 05:25 (02:25 GMT), heading for Latakia in Syria.

Progressive causes see ‘unprecedented’ upswing in donations after US election  —  Nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood and ACLU saw more fundraising as they approached end-of-year drives, with many donating instead of gift-giving  —  One man wrote a check for $10,000 to an organization …

How Jimmy Stewart Became George Bailey  —  The star of 'It's a Wonderful Life' struggled with his wartime memories  —  Every year around Christmas, Americans stop to pay homage to what is perhaps our most beloved motion picture, “It's a Wonderful Life.”  The 1946 film may flicker in black and white …