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...

That fuse for the   powder keg in the Middle East   awaits a spark. Looks like Israel is paralyzed about what to do about those hostages kept in the Gaza Strip, while   still bombing targets of necessity , like a mosque in the West Bank, used by militants and two airports in Syria.   Investigatory skirmishes have occurred in the Strip, while fire is still being traded with the Hezbollah to the north.   700,000 moved to the south in the Strip. It is reported that more than 100,000 Israelis were relocated away from the border with Lebanon.  Iran keeps sending dire warnings of escalation.   A 20-truck aid convoy did make it into the Gaza Strip from Egypt yesterday, with 12 more today.  But no exit yet for those desiring to leave.  This two-day total equaled about 6% of the usual daily import to the Strip before this war.  The call is for 100 trucks/day, and release of foreigners. The death toll stands at 1400 in Israel and 46...