poker game rake The Prime Minister will this week kick off what he has called the “next phase” of Government, as he announces the markers for his “missions” that Number 10 say will allow the public to hold Sir Keir and his team to account on their promises and will be reached by the end of the Parliament. The milestones will run alongside public sector reform, Downing Street said. This will include a focus on reforming Whitehall, spearheaded by the as-yet-unannounced new chief civil servant the Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet ministers, so it is geared towards the delivery of Labour’s missions, according to Number 10. The same focus will also influence decisions for next year’s spending review, it has been suggested. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, the Prime Minister compared “focusing the machinery of government” to “turning an oil tanker” and said that “acceptance of managed decline” has “seeped into parts of Whitehall”. “The British people aren’t fools. They know a ruthless focus on priorities is essential,” he wrote. The Sunday Times reported that one of the milestones would focus on early education, with the aim to raise the number of children who are ready for school, educationally and socially. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said that “it’s estimated that more than a million school days worth of teacher time each year is spent dealing with” children who are not prepared for school. Labour’s missions, as laid out in their July election manifesto, focus on economic growth, energy security and cleaner energy, the NHS, childcare and education systems, as well as crime and criminal justice. Ahead of revealing the details, Sir Keir said in a statement: “This plan for change is the most ambitious yet honest programme for government in a generation. “Mission-led government does not mean picking milestones because they are easy or will happen anyway – it means relentlessly driving real improvements in the lives of working people. “We are already fixing the foundations and have kicked-started our first steps for change, stabilising the economy, setting up a new Border Security Command, and investing £22 billion in an NHS that is fit for the future. “Our plan for change is the next phase of delivering this Government’s mission. “Some may oppose what we are doing and no doubt there will be obstacles along the way, but this Government was elected on mandate of change and our plan reflects the priorities of working people. “Given the unprecedented challenges we have inherited we will not achieve this by simply doing more of the same, which is why investment comes alongside a programme of innovation and reform.” The so-called “missions” outlined in Labour’s election manifesto focused on five key policy areas: kickstart economic growth; make Britain a clean energy superpower; take back our streets; break down barriers to opportunity; and build an NHS fit for the future. 🚨 New polling with @ObserverUK Keir Starmer has seen an 8 point drop in his net approval rating after a significant uptick in the number disapproving of his performance. 22% approve of his performance vs. 54% who disapprove. This gives Starmer a net rating of -32%. pic.twitter.com/J33nMnwflP — Opinium (@OpiniumResearch) November 30, 2024 The announcement comes after a first five months in office that has seen anger over Budget proposals and reports of tension in Number 10. Polling for The Observer newspaper by Opinium indicates that more than half of the public disapprove of the Prime Minister’s performance. According to the survey of approximately 2,000 adults, 54% of people disapprove of his performance, compared with 22% who approve, leaving him with a net rating of -32%.Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled her government’s signature sovereignty act in the legislature on Monday afternoon in an effort to frustrate the coming federal emissions cap. In a speech in the legislature Monday afternoon, Smith cited the potential for job losses and economic shortfalls as prompting the government to invoke the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act for a second time. “The way that Ottawa has been treating Alberta over the last number of years is unacceptable,” she said inside the legislature on Monday afternoon. “We are not using this act lightly, but this is the mechanism that we have to tell the federal government that we believe they are acting in a way that is illegal and unconstitutional.” The motion proposed a number of measures to deal with the emissions cap, which Smith refers to as a de facto production cap, including: The final draft of the emissions cap was published early last month and require oil and gas industry emissions to drop by the equivalent of 35 per cent below 2019 levels by 2030-’32. Smith has indicated the province will also launch a constitutional challenge of the cap once it is passed into law. The sovereignty act motion can be passed by a majority vote of MLAs following debate in the legislature. It cites section 92A of the Constitution Act that gives provinces “exclusive legislative jurisdiction over the exploration, development, conservation, management and production of non-renewable natural resources.” Alberta’s interpretation of that section has yet to be tested in court, nor has how it would coincide with the parallel constitutional responsibility to the environment which is a shared jurisdiction between the federal and provincial governments. On Monday, Smith stressed the emissions cap would further hurt the economies of Alberta and Canada as they brace for the looming blanket tariffs promised by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. “We should not discount the incoming administration’s commitment to energy security,” she said. “Ottawa must recognize that Alberta is uniquely positioned in all of the world as the perfect partner to the United States and achieving that objective.” Last week, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson issued a joint statement accusing Smith of politicizing emission reporting as a way to distract from her government. “The pollution cap will drive the industry to invest record profits back into the sector helping to fuel Canadian-made clean technologies and creating jobs in the process,” it states, adding that the intent of the cap is to ensure the industry “does its fair share to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.” “We are very confident in the constitutionality of the regulations. The Supreme Court has confirmed the federal government’s role on environmental issues and the regulation of greenhouse gas pollution.” The regulations are expected to be finalized and published by Ottawa in 2025, and compliance requirements wouldn’t come into effect until 2030 at the earliest. Speaking to reporters inside the legislature Monday, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the motion will slow down the pace of business. “(It) adds unbelievable amounts of red tape to private business,” he said. “They now have to clear everyone who visits their site with the province. They have to report in different ways that may violate the law and their emissions. This government loves to interfere with the free market and it loves to interfere with other governments.” Explorers and Producers Association of Canada president Tristan Goodman told the Calgary Herald it’s clear the province doesn’t have a willing partner to work with in Ottawa. “We would need to see the details of what the province is doing but, overall, we appreciate the premier is stepping up and defending the sector,” Goodman said. “Is now the time that the federal government should be pursuing something that’s detrimental to one of its most important balance of trade (and) economic contributors?” Legal commentators have critiqued the act since its inception as being more about symbolism than an actual constitutional challenge. “I think (this is) intended to present a response that is demanded by the political constituency that supports getting tough on Ottawa,” said University of Alberta law professor Eric Adams. “It’s an attempt to get in front of the issue.” — with files from Chris Varcoe and Cindy Tran mblack@postmedia.com Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.

How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Stock market today: Stocks drift higher as US markets reopen after a holiday pause Stocks are drifting higher on Wall Street in light trading as U.S. markets reopen following the Christmas holiday. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite were up by less than 0.1% in midday trading Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.1%. Gains in technology companies overall and retailers helped boost the market, despite a pullback by some heavyweight Big Tech stocks. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields rose. U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military didn't immediate respond to questions about the WHO chief's statement. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it. Undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia hit by outage, prompting investigation FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finland’s prime minister says authorities are investigating an interruption in a power cable under the Baltic Sea between his country and Estonia. Petteri Orpo said on X that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable suffered an outage Wednesday. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic after two international data cables were severed in November and the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were blown up in September 2022. Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation. The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office. Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options. US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The US Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs.All Wrapped in Love: 16 Heartfelt Holiday Gifts for Your Big Sister

Efforts by New Mexico to save and invest portions of a financial windfall from local oil production are paying off as state government income on investments surpasses personal income tax collections for the first time, according to a new forecast Monday. General fund income from the state's two, multibillion-dollar permanent funds and interest on treasury accounts is expected to climb to $2.1 billion for the fiscal year between July 2024 and June 2025, surpassing $2 billion in revenue from personal income taxes. The investment earnings are designed to ensure that critical programs — ranging from childcare subsidies to tuition-free college and trade school education — endure if oil income falters amid a possible transition to new sources of energy. At the same time, legislators this year revised personal income tax brackets to lower taxes in the nation's No. 2 state for oil production behind Texas . “We’re not a poor state anymore,” said Democratic state Sen. George Muñoz of Gallup. “We’ve got things that we can win on — free education, childcare ... low taxes for working families, for children. And that’s all because we’ve done a lot of the work to set this up for the future.” The comments came at a legislative panel Monday where economists from four government agencies announced an income estimate for the coming year. The figures are the baseline for budget negotiations when the Democratic-led Legislature convenes in January. State government income, which is closely linked to oil production in New Mexico, continues to grow, though at a slower pace, as legislators discuss new investments in social programs aimed at curbing crime and homelessness. Economists estimate the state will bring in a record-setting $13.6 billion in general fund income for the fiscal year that runs from July 2025 to June 2026, a 2.6% increase over the current period. This year’s income bump leaves room for an additional $892 million in state spending in the coming fiscal year, a 7% increase, according to the Legislature’s accountability and budgeting office. State income is forecast to exceed current bedrock annual spending obligations by $3.4 billion. New Mexico legislators are pushing to open new savings accounts. One proposal would set aside as much as $1 billion in a trust to underwrite spending on mental health and addiction treatment in response to public frustration with crime and homelessness. Legislators also are likely to revisit a stalled proposal to create a trust for Native American education that could expand Indigenous language instruction.By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.Immunization – key to preventing health outbreaks, and vaccine-preventable diseases . The Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) wholeheartedly supports the routine and catch-up immunization program and the ongoing Bakuna Eskwelacampaign, led by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd). This campaign is vital for ensuring the health and wellness of Filipino students through comprehensive vaccination efforts. PHAP, a group representing the biopharmaceutical sector in the country, believes that vaccination programs play a crucial role in public health by preventing vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Vaccinations are one of the most effective public health interventions, significantly reducing the incidence of VPDs. Maintaining high immunization coverage in communities & schools is critical to prevent outbreaks and control disease transmission. Furthermore, vaccination programs have been pivotal in reducing child mortality rates and improving overall community health; continued support and expansion of these programs are essential to retain these positive health outcomes. Modernizing Programmatic Efforts for Immunization It is crucial to modernize programmatic efforts to enhance the effectiveness of vaccination initiatives. Leveraging digital technologies can streamline vaccine distribution, schedule immunizations more efficiently, and ensure real-time tracking of vaccine coverage and efficacy. Modernized data systems can identify and address gaps quickly, ensuring no community is left behind. Integrating these advanced systems will not only improve the administration of vaccines but also build public trust through transparent reporting and accountability. Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Role of the Pharma ceutical Industry The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of a robust healthcare infrastructure, particularly in immunization. Since the pandemic, PHAP and its Members have been at the forefront of efforts to make COVID-19 vaccines and other life-saving vaccines available in the country amidst lockdowns, trade restrictions, global demand, and political instabilities. Rapid vaccine development for COVID-19 demonstrated the biopharmaceutical industry’s capability to innovate under pressure. Learning from this experience, it is evident that strong public-private partnerships can accelerate vaccine development and distribution. The pharmaceutical industry is pivotal in researching, developing, and supplying vaccines. Collaborative efforts among government agencies, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies are essential to ensure rapid responses to emerging health threats. Coverage for New Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Expanding vaccination coverage to include new VPDs such as dengue, shingles, invasive meningococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a critical step forward. Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease prevalent in tropical regions like the Philippines, poses a significant health risk, and introducing a dengue vaccine can mitigate outbreaks. Shingles vaccination is crucial for the elderly, reducing the incidence and severity of this painful condition. Invasive meningococcal disease, a life-threatening infection that can lead to severe complications, requires vaccination to protect at-risk groups, especially children and young adults. RSV, a common cause of respiratory infections in infants and the elderly, can greatly benefit from a vaccine, reducing hospitalizations and severe outcomes. The Human papillomavirus (HPV), is a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to HPV-related cancers including cervical cancer which is the second most common cancer among women. Currently, the government is implementing a vaccination program for 9-14-year-old girls from public schools. Introducing and expanding the coverage of these new vaccines can help ensure comprehensive protection for the Filipino population. Advocacy for Continued and Expanded Vaccination Programs We advocate for sustained and expanded vaccination programs, emphasizing the need for ongoing support for existing vaccination initiatives. Strong collaboration among DOH, DepEd, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and PHAP is necessary to maintain and enhance current vaccination efforts. This includes the allocation of adequate resources and funding to ensure that vaccines are available and accessible to all students & communities. Regular assessments of emerging health threats are also vital, with the introduction of new, scientifically validated vaccines to address these threats and incorporate them into the national immunization schedule. Addressing vaccine-preventable deaths requires a concerted effort in public awareness and education. We must launch educational campaigns to inform parents, guardians, and the community about the benefits and safety of vaccines, combating vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Additionally, establishing robust monitoring systems to track vaccine coverage and VPD incidence is essential. Data-driven approaches will help identify gaps and target areas with low immunization rates. Finally, PHAP reiterates our unwavering support for the immunization programs of the Philippines government and for their progressive efforts in rebuilding trust and confidence in vaccination. By ensuring continued and expanded vaccination efforts, we aim to protect the health of our children and pave the way to a healthier, more resilient Philippines. Modernizing immunization efforts and drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic will fortify our public health infrastructure against future challenges. We call upon all stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and the broader community, to unite in support of our national vaccination programs. Together, we can achieve our goal of preventing vaccine-preventable deaths, improving patient health outcomes, covering new VPDs, and helping safeguard the health of our nation.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Lowers Stock Holdings in 10x Genomics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXG)Lynne Roberts wasn't looking to leave as Utah women's basketball coach. Then she got a call from LA

Essex Financial Services Inc. cut its position in NVIDIA Co. ( NASDAQ:NVDA – Free Report ) by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 191,435 shares of the computer hardware maker’s stock after selling 7,818 shares during the quarter. NVIDIA comprises about 1.1% of Essex Financial Services Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Essex Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in NVIDIA were worth $23,248,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barnes Pettey Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in NVIDIA by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barnes Pettey Financial Advisors LLC now owns 19,737 shares of the computer hardware maker’s stock valued at $2,397,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its stake in NVIDIA by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 3,207,781 shares of the computer hardware maker’s stock valued at $389,552,000 after purchasing an additional 180,501 shares during the period. Carret Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in NVIDIA by 16.7% in the 3rd quarter. Carret Asset Management LLC now owns 62,638 shares of the computer hardware maker’s stock valued at $7,607,000 after purchasing an additional 8,981 shares during the period. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in NVIDIA by 29.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,706 shares of the computer hardware maker’s stock valued at $329,000 after purchasing an additional 617 shares during the period. Finally, Paradigm Strategies in Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in NVIDIA in the 3rd quarter valued at $265,000. 65.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insider Buying and Selling at NVIDIA In related news, CFO Colette Kress sold 66,670 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.59, for a total transaction of $7,773,055.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,954,214 shares in the company, valued at $577,611,810.26. The trade was a 1.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Jen Hsun Huang sold 120,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total value of $12,639,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 75,895,836 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,994,108,405.88. The trade was a 0.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 1,796,986 shares of company stock worth $214,418,399 over the last ninety days. 4.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. NVIDIA Stock Performance NVIDIA ( NASDAQ:NVDA – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 20th. The computer hardware maker reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $35.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $33.15 billion. NVIDIA had a return on equity of 114.83% and a net margin of 55.69%. The business’s revenue was up 93.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.38 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that NVIDIA Co. will post 2.76 EPS for the current year. NVIDIA declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, August 28th that permits the company to repurchase $50.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the computer hardware maker to repurchase up to 1.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued. NVIDIA Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be paid a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 5th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.03%. NVIDIA’s payout ratio is presently 1.57%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on NVDA. Phillip Securities restated an “accumulate” rating and issued a $160.00 price target (up from $155.00) on shares of NVIDIA in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Barclays upped their target price on NVIDIA from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on NVIDIA from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $175.00 price target on shares of NVIDIA in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Craig Hallum increased their price target on NVIDIA from $125.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, NVIDIA presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $164.15. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on NVIDIA NVIDIA Profile ( Free Report ) NVIDIA Corporation provides graphics and compute and networking solutions in the United States, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and internationally. The Graphics segment offers GeForce GPUs for gaming and PCs, the GeForce NOW game streaming service and related infrastructure, and solutions for gaming platforms; Quadro/NVIDIA RTX GPUs for enterprise workstation graphics; virtual GPU or vGPU software for cloud-based visual and virtual computing; automotive platforms for infotainment systems; and Omniverse software for building and operating metaverse and 3D internet applications. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than NVIDIA Using the MarketBeat Stock Split Calculator Fast-Growing Companies That Are Still Undervalued Basic Materials Stocks Investing Top Cybersecurity Stock Picks for 2025 Roth IRA Calculator: Calculate Your Potential Returns Archer or Joby: Which Aviation Company Might Rise Fastest? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NVIDIA Co. ( NASDAQ:NVDA – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for NVIDIA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NVIDIA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Inside South India’s ultimate luxury train; price will shock youPresident-elect Donald Trump announced that he had selected Charles Kushner to serve as the United States Ambassador to France. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Charles Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as being a “tremendous business leader.” Trump added that Charles Kushner would “be a strong advocate representing” the nation and “its interests.” Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, has previously stated that he would not return to the White House if Trump won the election. “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France,” Trump wrote in his post. “He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country and its interests.” “Charlie is the Founder & Chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation,” Trump added. “He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, & served as a Commissioner, & Chairman, of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as well as on the Boards of our top institutions, including NYU.” As Breitbart News previously reported , in December 2020, Charles Kushner was among the 16 people that Trump pardoned. In 2005, Charles Kushner was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison after he plead guilty to “18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations,” according to the New York Times . “Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren,” Trump added in his post. “His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!”

Titans are their own worst enemy as they fail again to string together wins

Essex Financial Services Inc. Sells 7,818 Shares of NVIDIA Co. (NASDAQ:NVDA)

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled Monday that the Venezuelan government violated the political rights of former opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles . The court, based in Costa Rica’s capital, said in a statement that the government violated his freedom of expression, his right to equality under the law and judicial protections. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Two former Syrian intelligence officials face US war crimes chargesCity Road emergency incident: Emergency services on scene after fire breaks out at social clubLando Norris holds his nerve to guide McLaren to F1 glory in Abu Dhabi after 26-year wait

Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to maintain his position ahead of the upcoming leadership vote. The problem has been percolating for a while. It’s been subterranean. Lurking underneath the surface. Not necessarily perceptible. Except to those who follow Congress closely. But the issue has gurgled to the top since the House stumbled badly trying to avert a government shutdown last week. DOZENS OF HOUSE LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND FUNDING AFGHAN VISA PROGRAMS AS TRUMP VOWS MAJOR SPENDING CUTS The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images) To wit: Congress spasmed between a staggering, 1,500-page spending bill. Then defeated a narrow, 116-page bill – which President-elect Trump endorsed. Things got worse when the House only commandeered a scant 174 yeas for the Trump-supported bill and 38 Republicans voted nay. Circumstances grew even more dire when the House actually voted to avert a holiday government shutdown – but passed the bill with more Democrats (196) than Republicans (170). Thirty-four GOPers voted nay. It was long likely that House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., might face a problem winning the speaker’s gavel immediately when the new Congress convenes at noon ET on Jan. 3. Congressional experts knew that Johnson could be in trouble once the contours of the reed-thin House majority came into focus weeks after the November election. This could blossom into a full-blown crisis for Johnson – and House Republicans –when the speaker’s vote commences a little after 1 p.m. ET next Friday. Johnson emerges bruised from last week’s government funding donnybrook. Anywhere from four to 10 Republicans could oppose Johnson in the speaker’s race. DONALD TRUMP SAYS MIKE JOHNSON WILL ‘EASILY REMAIN SPEAKER’ IF HE ACTS ‘DECISIVELY AND TOUGH’ ON SPENDING BILL It was long likely that Mike Johnson might have a problem winning the speaker’s gavel when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Here’s the math: The House clocks in at 434 members with one vacancy. That’s thanks to former Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. He resigned his position for this Congress a few weeks ago. Even though Gaetz won re-election in November, his resignation letter – read on the floor of the House – signaled he did not plan to serve in the new Congress, which begins in January. This is the breakdown when the Congress starts: 219 Republicans to 214 Democrats. Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz , R-Fla., remains in the House for now. So does Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Trump tapped her to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. That’s pending Senate confirmation – perhaps in late January or early February. Once Waltz and Stefanik resign, the GOP majority dwindles to 217-214. But the speaker’s election on Jan. 3 poses a special challenge. Here’s the bar for Johnson – or anyone else : The speaker of the House must win an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name . In other words, the person with the most votes does not win. That’s what happened repeatedly to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., when he routinely outpolled House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker to begin this Congress in January 2023. But it took days for McCarthy to cross the proper threshold. House Speaker Mike Johnson emerges bruised from the recent government funding donnybrook. (Getty) More on that in a moment. So let’s crunch the math for Mike Johnson. If there are 219 Republicans and four voted for someone besides him – and all Democrats cast ballots for Jeffries, the tally is 215-214. But there’s no speaker. No one attained an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. The magic number is 218 if all 434 members vote. By rule, this paralyzes the House. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period. The House can’t swear in members. Technically, they’re still representatives-elect. Only after the House chooses its speaker does he or she in turn swear in the membership. The House certainly can’t pass legislation. It can’t form committees. It’s frozen in a parliamentary paralysis until it elects a speaker. Now, I hope you’re sitting down for the next part. This also means that the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period. (Valerie Plesch/picture alliance via Getty Images) The failure to elect a speaker compels the House to vote over and over... And over... and... over... Until it finally taps someone. McCarthy’s election incinerated 15 ballots over five days two years ago. The House settled into a congressional cryogenic freeze for three weeks after members ousted McCarthy in October 2023. It burned through two speaker candidates off the floor – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. – and one candidate on the floor: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. So you see the problem. Consider for a moment that prior to last year, the House never went to a second ballot to select a speaker since Speaker Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., in 1923. It took 63 ballots before the House finally settled on Speaker Howell Cobb, D-Ga., in 1849. But that’s nothing. The longest speaker’s election consumed two months before the House elected Speaker Nathaniel Banks, R-Mass., in 1856 – on the 133rd ballot. So anything which elongates this into a collision with Jan. 6 - the statutory day to certify the election results and now one of the most ignominious days in American history – is dangerous. JOHNSON ALLIES URGE TRUMP TO INTERVENE AS MESSY SPEAKER BATTLE THREATENS TO DELAY 2024 CERTIFICATION Without a speaker, the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite) To be clear: there is no dispute that Trump won the election. There is no anticipation of a repeat of a riot at the Capitol like four years ago. But a failure to certify the Electoral College on the day it’s supposed to be completed – especially after the 2021 experience – is playing with fire. Such a scenario would again reveal another, never-before-considered vulnerability in the fragile American political system. On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. Any disputes over a state’s slate of electoral votes compels the House and Senate to then debate and vote separately on those results. The election is not final until the joint session concludes and the vice president – in this case Kamala Harris – in her capacity as president of the Senate, announces a victor. Congress is not required to certify the Electoral College on the calendar day of Jan. 6. There is actually some leeway to wrap things up. In 2021, the Electoral College wasn’t certified until around 3:52 a.m. on Jan. 7. It only becomes a major problem if this drags on through noon on Jan. 20. That’s when the Constitution prescribes that the president-elect take the oath of office. What happens if the Electoral College isn’t sorted out by Jan. 20? Well, President Biden is done. So he’s gone. The same with Harris. Next in the presidential line of succession is the speaker of the House. Well, there’s no speaker. So who becomes president? On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. (Getty Images) Well, there is at that moment a president pro tempore of the Senate, the most senior member of the majority party. He or she is fourth in line to the presidency. At this moment, the president pro tempore is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. But Republicans claim control of the chamber in early January. And unlike the House, if it’s stymied over a speaker, the Senate is functioning . That means 91-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, becomes Senate president pro tempore. Grassley has served in the Senate since 1981. If the House is still frittering away time, trying to elect a speaker on Jan. 20, Grassley likely becomes "acting president." I write "likely" because this gets into some serious, extra-constitutional turf. These are unprecedented scenarios. Strange lands never visited in the American political experience. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP And it all hinges on Mike Johnson – or frankly, someone else – wrapping up the speaker’s vote with dispatch on Jan. 3. Any interregnum like the past two speaker elections begins to establish challenging historical precedents. But frankly, it’s unclear if the House can avoid such contretemps. It’s about the math. And once again, balancing that parliamentary equation is tenuous at best. Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.

RENO, Nev. — A probate commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch’s effort to change his family’s trust to give one of his sons control of his media empire and ensure Fox News maintains its conservative editorial slant, according to a sealed document obtained by The New York Times. In a decision filed on Saturday, a probate commissioner in Nevada concluded that Murdoch, 93, and his son, Lachlan Murdoch, had acted in “bad faith” in their endeavor to amend the irrevocable trust, The New York Times reported on Monday. The trust divides control of the company equally among four of Rupert Murdoch’s children — Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James — after he dies. Lachlan Murdoch has been the head of Fox News and News Corp since late last year, when his father stepped down. The elder Murdoch has argued that to preserve his businesses’ commercial value for all his heirs, the trust must be changed to allow Lachlan Murdoch to maintain Fox News' conservative bent. James and Elisabeth Murdoch are both known to have less-conservative political views than their father or brother, potentially complicating efforts to ensure that Fox News remains conservative. In his 96-page opinion, Nevada Probate Commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr. of the Second Judicial District Court characterized the plan to change the trust as a “carefully crafted charade” to “permanently cement Lachlan Murdoch’s executive roles” inside the empire “regardless of the impacts such control would have over the companies or the beneficiaries” of the family trust. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Adam Streisand, a lawyer for Rupert Murdoch, told the newspaper that his client and his client's son were disappointed with the ruling and intended to appeal. A spokesperson for Prudence, Elisabeth and James Murdoch said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press that they welcome the ruling and hope that their family can “move beyond this litigation to focus on strengthening and rebuilding relationships among all family members.” Gorman in his conclusion said: “The effort was an attempt to stack the deck in Lachlan Murdoch’s favor after Rupert Murdoch’s passing so that his succession would be immutable. The play might have worked; but an evidentiary hearing, like a showdown in a game of poker, is where gamesmanship collides with the facts and at its conclusion, all the bluffs are called and the cards lie face up.” He added: “The court, after considering the facts of this case in the light of the law, sees the cards for what they are and concludes this raw deal will not, over the signature of this probate commissioner, prevail.”

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Adam Pemble, an Associated Press video journalist who covered some of the biggest global news of the past two decades, from earthquakes and conflicts to political summits and elections, has died. He was 52. Pemble died Thursday in Minneapolis surrounded by friends and family, according to his friend Mike Moe, who helped care for him in the final weeks of his fight against cancer. Known for bringing stories alive with his camera, Pemble epitomized the best of television news traditions, casting a curious and compassionate lens onto the lives of the people and communities whose stories he told. He joined the AP in 2007 in New York before moving to Prague in 2011 to help launch AP’s first cross-format operation combining photography, text stories and video. He enhanced Eastern European news coverage, creating distinctive stories highlighting the region’s culture and society. “Adam was an incredibly talented and passionate journalist and an empathetic storyteller. He had this amazing ability to get anyone to talk to him on camera, which I attribute to the Midwestern charm he embodied throughout his life.” said Sara Gillesby, AP’s Director of Global Video and Pemble’s former manager in New York when he joined the AP. “He was the best of us.” Pemble was born in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, in 1972 and grew up in Minneapolis. After graduating with a degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead, he started his journalism career in 1997 at KVLY, a television station in Fargo, North Dakota, and later worked at WCCO in Minneapolis. “He had the skills of the old-school camera people to meet a deadline and turn a beautiful story,” said Arthur Phillips, a cameraman who worked with Pemble at WCCO. “But he had a calling for greater things.” Moving to New York, Pemble covered some of the biggest stories in the city, including the trial of Bernie Madoff, interviews with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and with then-real estate developer, now U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump. He went to Haiti to cover the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, where he captured shocking images of devastation. A few weeks later he was in Vancouver, covering the Winter Olympics. With his transfer to Prague, Pemble quickly became the go-to video journalist deployed to the biggest news events in Europe, interviewing government leaders, covering violent protests, the aftermath of terror attacks and numerous national elections across the continent. “An inquiring mind, a keen eye and a healthy skepticism for those in power who tried to spin away from the truth all combined to make Adam’s stories as rich in colour as he was in character,” said Sandy MacIntyre, former AP head of global video. “Time and again he was asked to do the impossible and without fail he delivered the exceptional.” ”But more than all of that, he was the colleague and friend you wanted by your side because if Adam was there we knew we were going to be the winning team.” As civil unrest rocked Ukraine in 2014, Pemble reported from Kyiv and later Donetsk, where he covered the first Russian-backed demonstrations before spending weeks in Crimea during Russia’s annexation of the strategic peninsula. His video reports included the last remaining Ukrainian sailors loyal to Kyiv, who had finally abandoned their ship and came ashore. With the Russian national anthem playing from a car in the background, his final shot showed two distraught sailors heckled as they walked away. Pemble returned to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country in 2022. Among his many assignments was March 2023 AP interview by Executive Editor Julie Pace with across Ukraine to cities near some of the fiercest fighting. “Adam showed up to every assignment with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to his work and his colleagues. He loved what he did, and so many of us at AP are better for having worked alongside him,” Pace said. When not deployed overseas, set his camera’s gaze on his new home in the Czech Republic, offering insight into the traditions and unique stories of Eastern Europe. From Christmas carp fishing at sunrise to graffiti artists in Prague to the intimate story of a Slovak priest challenging the celibacy rules of the Catholic Church, he brought his unmistakable style. He worked with a traditional large broadcast camera in an era where many video shooters shifted to smaller, lighter cameras. He always put himself in the right place to let reality unfold like “an old school analog painter in an often fast and furious digital age,” former AP cameraman Ben Jary recalled. Pemble’s interest in visual storytelling led to experimenting with new technologies, including aerial videography. In 2015, he was the first major news agency camera operator to film live drone footage when reporting on the migration crisis in the Balkans. An avid gardener who planted trees and chilis on his rooftop in Prague, he was adventurous in the kitchen and especially proud of his vegan “meatloaf,” friends said. He loved a seedy dive bar as much as a Michelin restaurant and foods as varied as charcoal choux pastry with truffle creme and his favourite road trip junk food, Slim Jim’s jerky and Salted Nut Rolls. Pemble’s wit, wisdom, energy and positivity enriched the lives and experiences of those around him, friends and colleagues recalled. “If someone asked me to see a picture of quiet strength and courage, dignity and grace, and most of all kindness, I would show them a picture of a man for all seasons,” said Dan Huff, a Washington-based AP video journalist, “I would show them a picture of Adam Pemble.”Experts stress need for governance of AI, to safeguard global securityWASHINGTON — The fall of Bashar Assad’s government in Syria could complicate Congress’ dash toward an end-of-year break and a Dec. 20 government funding deadline. While the House is expected to vote this week on the must-pass defense policy bill, lawmakers are not expected to begin floor votes on an emerging stopgap spending and disaster relief measure until next week, leaving them plenty of time to weigh in on other hot-button issues. The stunning scenes over the weekend of Syrians celebrating rebel forces’ ouster of the Assad government were hailed by President Joe Biden and others as a win for democracy. But it raises a slew of questions about the Israel-Hezbollah war and whether a post-Assad power vacuum could escalate the Middle East conflict. Lawmakers and the Biden administration must decide how involved U.S. forces should be in the fast-moving situation after Biden ordered a round of air strikes inside Syria on Sunday aimed at preventing the Islamic State militant group from filling the power vacuum. Congress already has been grappling with refilling U.S. weapons stockpiles after the administration helped Israel turn back two Iranian aerial assaults and sent multiple shipments of combat hardware to Ukraine. And members of both parties have long been concerned about Iran’s influence and actions across the Middle East. Many Republicans — especially House members worried about a 2026 primary challenge — also must consider President-elect Donald Trump’s call for the U.S. to stay out of what is happening in Syria. “There was never much of a benefit in Syria for Russia, other than to make [Barack] Obama look really stupid. In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump wrote Saturday on social media. “LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” But that has not always been the case in the Senate, where some Republicans were more willing during Trump’s first term and his post-presidency to defy him. One of his top Senate allies and a regular golfing partner, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., sounded much more hawkish about U.S. involvement in Syria in a series of weekend social media posts. “The jihadist forces that have replaced Assad create major problems for Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. As to U.S. interests in Syria, there are over 50,000 ISIS prisoners primarily being held by the Kurdish forces who helped President Trump destroy the caliphate,” Graham wrote Sunday. “These ISIS fighters planned and executed plots against the American homeland and our allies. A breakout and reestablishment of ISIS is a major threat to the U.S. and our friends. “I appreciate the air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, but it will not be enough,” Graham said, adding that the U.S. had to “ensure” that the Islamic State group prisoners were not released. Meanwhile, lawmakers returning to the Capitol this week could be asked about Trump’s remarks in an interview that aired Sunday about potentially including U.S. citizens born to undocumented parents in his mass deportation plan. “I don’t want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together — and you have to send them all back,” Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Pressed on whether that would include children who are U.S. citizens, Trump responded: “Look, we have to have rules and regulations. You can always find something out, like, you know, ‘This doesn’t work. That doesn’t work.'” “I’ll tell you what’s going to be horrible: when we take a wonderful young woman who’s with a criminal. And they show the woman, and she could stay, by the law, but they show the woman being taken out. Or they want her out, and your cameras are focused on her as she’s crying as she’s being taken out of our country. And then the public turns against us,” Trump added. “But we have to do our job. And you have to have a series of standards and a series of laws. And in the end, look, our country is a mess.” NDAA watch Still on Congress’ pre-holiday to-do list: the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, a bicameral compromise version of which was released over the weekend. The House plans to vote on it this week, with a Rules Committee meeting scheduled for Monday. The Senate intends to follow suit before the holidays. The sprawling, $883.7 billion Pentagon policy measure would authorize the amount of defense spending in fiscal 2025 that Biden requested, while mostly deleting House-passed Republican amendments on hot-button social issues. It is particularly noteworthy for its large pay raises for military personnel — 4.5 percent for all troops and an additional 10 percent raise on top of that for the lowest-ranking troops — plus so-called quality-of-life improvements in everything from child care to medical services to housing. Judicial watch With only weeks to go until Republicans assume control of the Senate, Democratic leaders in that chamber have been intent on using their remaining time in the majority to confirm Biden’s judicial nominees. Senators are slated to resume consideration Monday afternoon of Biden’s nomination of Tiffany Johnson to be a district judge for the Northern District of Georgia. At least one more floor vote on a federal judge nominee, for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is possible later in the week. Before leaving town Thursday, the Senate approved, 52-45, the nomination of Sarah Davenport to be a district judge for the District of New Mexico. Freshman class Two Democratic senators-elect, Adam B. Schiff of California and Andy Kim of New Jersey, are scheduled to be sworn in on Monday. Schiff will succeed Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the seat of the late Democrat Dianne Feinstein. Schiff was elected last month to both finish Feinstein’s term and serve a six-year term that will begin Jan. 3. Schiff submitted his formal resignation from the House on Friday, which was effective Sunday. He stepped down from the House Judiciary Committee on Nov. 13. Biden and White House aides last week were reportedly considering preemptive blanket pardons for some of Trump’s political and other foes — and Schiff was on that list. During his first term, Trump routinely slammed Schiff over his role as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, including the committee’s probe into possible Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Schiff told NPR in November that he did not want a pardon from Biden, saying he was confident that the court system could withstand what he described as possible flimsy charges from a Trump Department of Justice. Meantime, Kim will succeed Democratic Sen. George S. Helmy, who was appointed last year by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy after longtime Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez stepped down following a federal corruption conviction. Helmy resigned over the weekend, and Murphy appointed Kim to the seat. Kim, who will be the first Korean American senator, won a full six-year term last month that will begin on Jan. 3.

Adam Schiff, the outgoing Southern California congress member who gained national attention during Donald Trump’s first presidential term, took the oath of office Monday, Dec. 9, to begin his term as a senator. Schiff defeated Republican and former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey in both the election to serve the remainder of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term and a full six-year term in the Senate. Schiff will be sworn in on Jan. 3 to begin his full term. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve all Californians as their next United States Senator. My family came to the Golden State when I was a child in the hope of finding a strong economy, safe neighborhoods, and good schools,” Schiff said in a statement. “And we found all that we could hope for in each of these respects.” Schiff won both races by about 18 percentage points, according to the California’s secretary of state’s office. Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oaths to Schiff and fellow incoming Sen. Andy Kim, of New Jersey and returning Sen. Pete Ricketts, of Nebraska on the Senate floor. Kim replaced former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez who resigned following convictions on federal bribery charges. Ricketts won the race for the unexpired term of former Sen. Ben Sasse who resigned in 2023. “Congratulations, senators,” Harris said following the oath. WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (L) is congratulated by Vice President Kamala Harris as his wife Eve Schiff looks on following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: (L-R) Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), his wife Eve Schiff and Vice President Kamala Harris pose for photographs following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (C) poses for photographs with the newly-sworn-in Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (L) and Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) at the U.S. Capitol on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff and Kim were sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in the Senate Chamber on Monday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (C) poses for photographs with the newly-sworn-in Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (L) and Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) at the U.S. Capitol on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff and Kim were sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris in the Senate Chamber on Monday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (L) is congratulated by Vice President Kamala Harris as his wife Eve Schiff looks on following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on December 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Schiff held a Maimonides Mishneh Torah while taking the oath of office. According to his office, it is “a monumental legal code and one of the most organized, comprehensive, and influential works of Jewish law.” The edition used by Schiff Monday was printed in Italy in 1490. A separate ceremonial swearing in, also administered by Harris, was followed by photos with Schiff’s family. “Thank you in advance for all the work you’re going to do there, but all the work you’ve done,” Harris said. Schiff responded to the vice president, saying he has “some big senatorial shoes to fill.” Feinstein died in September 2023 and Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the seat. Butler decided not to run in 2024. On Sunday, Dec. 8, Newsom announced the resignation of Butler and the appointment of Schiff to complete the remainder of the term. “I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of giants. Former Senator Dianne Feinstein leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of courage and effectiveness,” Schiff said in a statement. “Nobody can ever fill her immense shoes but I will continue to be inspired by her example.” Sen. Alex Padilla and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi escorted Schiff into the Senate chambers. Padilla joined Schiff on the Senate floor as Schiff took the oath of office. “I will be a tireless advocate for Californians in every part of the state and work across the aisle to deliver on day one,” he said. “California is the creative hub of the world, with a tremendous resource in its brilliant, creative, and hardworking people, and a natural beauty that is the envy of the world. I will work with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to help our state and our families succeed. At the same time, I will not shrink from my duty to defend our democracy and will vigorously protect the rights and freedoms of the American people and the people of California.” Schiff gained national attention in 2019 during Trump’s first of two impeachment trials. Since then, he has repeatedly drawn the ire of Trump and his allies. Schiff reached the November ballot following a March primary which included Garvey and fellow Democrats Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. In a statement following his swearing in, Schiff said Californians face challenges from the high cost of living, incomes that have not kept pace, a housing crisis and rising costs of health care and childcare. Schiff, an attorney and a former state senator, has represented an L.A.-area district since 2001. In January, Schiff will enter a U.S. Senate now in GOP control. “The work ahead of us will not be easy – nothing worth doing ever is,” Schiff said. “But my promise is to work every day to deliver results, and make California’s future brighter for all of us in this Golden State.”

MADRID (Reuters) – A second-half double from Antoine Griezmann earned Atletico Madrid a stunning 4-3 comeback home win over Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday, as the hosts claimed their ninth straight win in all competitions. Atletico made a dominant start at home, with Griezmann hitting the crossbar before Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring in the 10th minute, hammering a rocket from the edge of the box and into the top corner. Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio equalised just two minutes later with a powerful low strike following a corner before Isaac Romero put them ahead after a quick counter-attack in the 32nd minute, shooting across goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who could only get a finger to the ball. Juanlu Sanchez extended the visitors’ advantage in the 57th minute with a close-range finish off Kike Salas’s second assist of the game before Griezmann pulled one back for Atletico five minutes later. Substitute Samuel Lino struck from long range to beat Sevilla keeper Alvaro Fernandez, who had pulled off some key saves but could not prevent the Brazilian’s first goal of the season. Griezmann found the net again four minutes into stoppage time to seal the victory that left Atletico third in the standings with 35 points, one behind Real Madrid and three shy of leaders Barcelona. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; editing by Clare Fallon) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Judge also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys.