The  U.S. Congress finally passed that budget bill  shortly after the deadline to prevent a government shutdown.  President Joe Biden signed it.  Merry Christmas.  Next brinksmanship date, 14March2025.  On 3January2025, the House re-elects a Republican as Speaker of the House.  The Constitution leaves the door open on who can become speaker.   This person need not be an elected member of Congress.   He could well be Elon Musk. About that  mass killing at the German Christmas Market  I posted on yesterday, the number of deaths rose to 5, with more than 200 injured, some so seriously that more could be added to the kill list.  The assassin was a 50-year old Muslim doctor, Taleb A. (full name cannot be announced at this time), who emigrated from Saudi Arabia in 2006.  No motive yet reported. If you're wondering what channel that first NCAA championship football playoff game is on, don't bother.  On TNT, TBS and truT...