Top Eight

Top eight CNS stories for today including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ridiculed the possibility that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will delay the next step of President Donald Trump’s impeachment; The Senate confirmed a dozen of Trump’s nominees for seats on federal courts across the country; A magistrate for Europe’s highest court backed the validity of data transfers from the European Union to the United States, and more.

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National

1.) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell likened Democrats to prosecutors getting cold feet on Thursday morning, ridiculing the possibility that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will delay the next step of President Donald Trump’s impeachment.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., adjusts his glasses as he and other members of the Senate Republican leadership speak to the media after a weekly policy luncheon, Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in Washington. "Everybody ought to tone down their rhetoric," said McConnell. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

2.) North Carolina Republican Mark Meadows, a top ally of President Trump, announced Thursday he is retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives but hinted at a future role in the White House.

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Rep. Mark Meadows, R- N.C., speaks to reporters as the hearing with top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine William Taylor, and career Foreign Service officer George Kent, at the House Intelligence Committee ends on Capitol Hill in Washington. In a statement Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, the North Carolina congressman and top ally to President Donald Trump says he struggled with the decision and came to it after discussion with his family.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

3.) The Senate on Thursday confirmed a dozen of Trump’s nominees for seats on federal courts across the country.

The U.S. Capitol is seen at the end of the day Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, in Washington, after the U.S. House voted to impeach President Donald Trump on two charges, abuse of power and obstructing Congress. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

4.) Former Vice President Joe Biden continues to lead the field of Democratic contenders for president nationally despite a gradual drop in support over the last year, according to new polling data.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of seven scheduled Democratic candidates participating in a public education forum, makes opening remarks, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Topics at the event planned for discussion ranged from student services and special education to education equity and justice issues. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

5.) The House of Representatives handed the president a victory Thursday by approving a new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, right, greets U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, during an event to sign an update to the North American Free Trade Agreement, at the national palace in Mexico City, Tuesday, Dec. 10. 2019. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

International

6.) In a win for Facebook, a magistrate for Europe’s highest court backed the validity Thursday of data transfers from the European Union to the United States.

The Facebook app is displayed on an iPhone on July 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Amr Alfiky)

7.) Europe’s highest court shook up Spanish politics Thursday, ruling that an imprisoned Catalan political leader was entitled to immunity after he was elected to the European Parliament in May.

8.) Airbnb is an information service, not a real estate company, the European Court of Justice ruled Thursday in France’s attempt to regulate the home-sharing platform with licensing rules meant for real estate agents.

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