Monday's Headlines: Departing GOP lawmakers warn of potential party losses in 2018

Trump spends Christmas Eve calling troops, golfing and tweeting; For North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, 2017 has been a very good year; How Christmas could help the NBA threaten the...

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The morning's most important stories, selected by Post editors   Departing GOP lawmakers warn of potential party losses in 2018 "When you look at some of the audiences cheering for Republicans sometimes, you look out there and you say, 'Those are the spasms of a dying party,' " said Sen. Jeff Flake. "By and large, we're appealing to older white men, and there are just a limited number of them." He and retiring Rep. Charlie Dent urged Republicans to diversify the party and warned the president that catering only to his base would drive other voters to look for an alternative. By Karoun Demirjian  •  Read more » Trump spends Christmas Eve calling troops, golfing and tweeting Before a church service Sunday night, President Trump tweeted: "I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!" By Michelle Ye Hee Lee  •   Read more »   For North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, 2017 has been a very good year Advances in missile capabilities? Check. Arranging the assassination of his half-brother and rival? Check. Holding the the world's attention while sparring with President Trump? Most definitely. By Anna Fifield  •   Read more »   How Christmas could help the NBA threaten the NFL's reign over American sports It's still a long shot, but the NBA, surging while the NFL slightly wavers, hopes its Christmas Day slate can perhaps become the basketball equivalent of Thanksgiving football. By Tim Bontemps  •   Read more »   The NBA's secret power brokers: Who the players trust to get stuff done These are the behind-the-scenes MVPs taking care of the details for NBA stars — a fashion designer, fitness trainers and the keyholder for the "NBA 2K" video games. By Candace Buckner  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Opinions   A source of hope, even for the grieving By Michael Gerson  •   Read more »   Christmas turned the world upside down By E.J. Dionne Jr.  •   Read more »   How Trump can put America first: Get innocent U.S. citizens freed from foreign jails By Jackson Diehl  •   Read more »   Trump puts the world's worst crooks and killers on notice By Josh Rogin  •   Read more »   Remembering what's glorious this Christmas By Editorial Board  •   Read more »   Five myths about Saint Nick By Adam C. English  •   Read more » ADVERTISEMENT More News   Pope Francis on Christmas: The trek to Bethlehem was like today's migrations Francis drew parallels to contemporary times in his Christmas Eve remarks, noting that Mary and Joseph arrived in a land "where there was no place for them." By Frances D'Emilio | AP  •  Read more »     India's amateur meteorologists on front lines in confronting climate change As a shifting climate disrupts crop cycles and unleashes extreme weather on the subcontinent, more Indians are turning to the detailed forecasts put out by self-taught enthusiasts. At stake are farmers' livelihoods, wedding celebrations and cricket matches. By Vidhi Doshi  •   Read more »   Tillerson scores a personnel win, as top East Asia adviser is nominated The nomination of Susan Thornton as an assistant secretary suggests Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plays the long game until he gets what he wants. By Carol Morello  •   Read more »   Deaths of mother and newborn triggered shutdown of obstetrics ward at D.C.'s only public hospital Regulators identified errors in the treatment of a District woman and her daughter that led them to temporarily shutter the ward at United Medical Center in August. The decision this month to permanently close its delivery rooms and nursery has broad consequences for women in the poor and predominantly African American neighborhoods nearby. By Peter Jamison  •   Read more »   Perspective Kirk Cousins has a bright future, but it's likely not with the Redskins Washington's quarterback proved his worth in an impressive win against Denver. Maybe his next team will fully appreciate what it has. By Thomas Boswell  •   Read more »   Feed your guests without all the stress Here are ideas for (mostly) make-ahead breakfasts, lunches and dinners to satisfy friends and family. By Kara Elder  •   Read more »   Spirits This old-school drink beats eggnog A traditional milk punch delivers its kick with bourbon, rum, heavy cream and flecks of vanilla bean. By M. Carrie Allan  •   Read more »   Solo-ish A Christmas poem for millennials When lo, what is this? "You have a new match" on my screen! Should I message first, or would that seem too keen? By Garrett Schlichte  •   Read more »         Share Today's Headlines:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines or because it is included in your subscription. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071