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He was roasting politicians by the fire — and touting himself as New York’s potential next governor. GOP New York Rep. Mike Lawler torched the state’s Democrats while hinting he may run for governor in 2026 during his “Festivus” airing of grievances this week. “Kathy Hochul is the most unpopular governor in the country, and make no mistake, she’s worked her ass off for that title,” Lawler quipped about his possible soon-to-be rival while sitting before a Christmas-themed background with a fireplace roaring in a video posted to X on Monday. “No doubt she’s going to face a real challenge in 2026. I wonder who could beat her. Hmm. I might know a guy,” he said with a wink. “Anyway, that’s a video for another day.” The Hudson Valley congressman, who has long ripped into the Democratic gov, blasted her for upping the state budget by more than $50 billion in under four years, shelling out money on migrants and pursuing Manhattan’s infamous congestion toll. “She’s done such a bad job that even her own hand-picked lieutenant governor is retweeting articles about his plans to run against her,” Lawler said, referring to Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Lawler, 38, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022, dusted off his top 10 grievances of 2024 in his “Festivus,” a secular tradition on Dec. 23 popularized by the TV comedy classic “Seinfeld.” Hochul topped Lawler’s list. The No. 2 target for the rep was New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whom he raked over the coals for the five-count bribery indictment handed down against him in September. “How bad of a year was it for Mr. Mayor? Well, when the highlight of your year is getting indicted for soliciting and accepting illegal campaign donations from wealthy foreigners — yikes,” Lawler jabbed. The congressman pondered whether there was “any doubt” Hizzoner “joined [first lady] Jill Biden in voting for Trump.” The Hudson Valley rep also poked at rival former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) for having “three losses in a row,” joking that Delgado might pick him as his running mate in 2026. The Republican lawmaker also knocked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York on spending issues and New York Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for failing to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act. In two other Empire State-related swipes, Lawler took aim at Columbia University and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “Remember when we all thought Ivy League students were smart,” Lawler said. “After watching these anti-semitic, self-entitled, brain-addled morons embarrass themselves and our state for the past year, I am prouder than ever to be a product of a truly great New York institution of learning,” he added in reference to his alma mater, Manhattan University. In regards to the MTA, Lawler griped that “these corrupt clowns run a subway system where innocent [people] have to worry about getting burned alive, murdered, or shoved onto the tracks while hoping an ex-marine happens to be nearby to save them.” In non-New York-related jabs, Lawler went straight for the jugular against President Biden. “Speaking of forgetful and forgettable, have you ever seen someone’s presidency relegated to the ash heap of history quicker than Joe Biden’s,” he sniped. “Enjoy retirement, Joe. They serve ice cream daily.” Lawler also gloated over the demise of his former colleague, ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the charge to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). “Speaking of hacks, happy trails to Matt Gaetz. Florida co-eds, beware — he’s back,” Lawler ribbed, alluding to the ethics report that dropped Monday unfurling accusations of Gaetz paying women for sex and having sex with a minor. Gaetz has denied the allegations and accused the House Committee on Ethics of mounting a smear campaign against him. Lawler is far from the only pol celebrating “Festivus” with politically charged grievances and humor. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) continued his longstanding tradition of marking “Festivus” with a tirade against government waste. This year in his “Festivus” report, the senator chronicled roughly $1 trillion in what he deemed to be wasteful government spending, spotlighting projects such as climate-focused drag shows-on-ice and testing cocaine on moody rats.Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has displayed his political astuteness by appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to his advisory team. The decision reflects his understanding of regional traits and dynamics, where former leaders and influential figures can hold sway over multifaceted regional outlooks. Several prominent names were reported in the media as prospective members of the team, including former foreign ministers of Singapore and Indonesia, George Yeo and Retno Marsudi. The Thai media believes former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen is also in the team. In the future, other former Asean leaders could join the line-up. Mr Anwar's sudden but strategic appointments are timely as Malaysia prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in January 2025. Malaysia wants to ensure its leading role in Asean, the organisation it helped found, maintains both its relevance and neutrality. Various challenging issues await. First, Asean relations with the two superpowers -- the US and China -- will likely intensify and will top Asean's external relations agenda. Malaysia must conclude the Asean-China 3.0 upgrade. Donald Trump's return will inevitably harden US policies towards China. Whatever they may be, they will directly affect Asean as China's ties with the bloc continue to grow both politically and economically. Asean has become China's the No. 1 trading partner. If Mr Anwar confirms the respective names as part of his team, Malaysia will gain the trust of Beijing, as the bloc tries to chart its diplomatic path in the coming months. As one of the parties in the South China Sea disputes, Malaysia has shown innovative approaches in managing ties with China individually and collectively with Asean. In the coming weeks, Asean will witness significant shifts in global geopolitics, with Mr Trump playing a pivotal role in shaping international relations. His transactional approach to diplomacy could cause greater uncertainty, as leaders and governments worldwide try to win US favour. Mr Anwar recognises this reality and must balance Malaysian and Asean relations with both superpowers and regional players. Lest we forget, he has been a maverick among Asean leaders, constantly commenting on Washington's double standards in diplomacy, especially pertaining to the Middle East. As Asean chair, Malaysia will have its own Myanmar-related crisis -- the challenges posed by 120,000 Rohingya refugees in the country. They have been fleeing from Rakhine state to nearby countries for years, particularly Malaysia and Thailand. Anwar has urged Myanmar to take responsibility for its internal issues and improve conditions for the Rohingya minority. This can only be done if Myanmar achieves peace, holds inclusive and free elections, reaches national reconciliation, and ends the conflict between the military and various ethnic groups. Furthermore, on a personal level, Mr Anwar's cordial ties with Thai leaders across the political spectrum and his understanding of Thailand's political landscape must be noted. Appointing Thaksin, despite his long list of controversies, was secondary to his desire to show deference to Thaksin. It certainly helped turn the visit of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn last week into a memorable trip. It remains to be seen if both leaders can facilitate timely decisions regarding Myanmar. Mr Anwar has supported Thailand's role in efforts to end the Myanmar quagmire. He has already appointed a veteran diplomat, Datuk Othsman Hassan, as the country's special envoy to Myanmar. At the Asean retreat in Langkawi on Jan 18-19, the new Asean chair expects to reveal further details. In addition, the ongoing insurgency in southern Thailand demands attention, as both nations have a shared interest in resolving this longstanding conflict. However, Thaksin's bloody history in southern Thailand might complicate these efforts. Over the last week, Thai commentators were mostly flabbergasted by Mr Anwar's decision regarding Thaksin due to his attitude toward the three southern provinces while he was prime minister. If Mr Anwar succeeds in these efforts during Malaysia's Asean chairmanship, he will become a legendary leader in this part of the world. These days any visible effort to promote peace, national reconciliation, racial harmony, and freedom of expression would attract nominations for prestigious awards including the Nobel Peace Prize. Bilaterally, closer collaboration between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur would yield significant political dividends too. Officials on both sides would probably not like to admit that relations could have been far better if there was more mutual trust. Despite their good ties, there has been a notable lack of progress on the political front in border areas where cooperation has often been hindered by bureaucratic challenges and multi-layered vested interest groups. Now, the two countries can set a new standard in regional partnerships by tackling the southern problem as they did successfully during the communist scare of the 1970s. Furthermore, Mr Anwar is keen to increase Malaysia's profile and his role on the global stage, particularly since the sour relations with former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad hindered his political rise for nearly three decades. Now is the time for Mr Anwar to act and boost Malaysia's and Asean's interests. He has shown his eagerness to lead the bloc in all multifaceted areas. Apart from key Asean-related summits, Mr Anwar has already scheduled a tripartite summit between the bloc, the Gulf State Council (GSC), and China. The Asean-GSC leaders had their first summit in Saudi Arabia in 2023. The upcoming May summit would further raise his and Asean's profile on the broader geopolitical landscape. Mr Anwar's close ties with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto -- emerging as a leading figure in moderate Islamic leadership -- are equally important. Indonesia has been active in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Mr Prabowo's global trips and peace efforts, such as his plan for resolving the Ukraine conflict, have garnered attention despite lacking substantial international backing. Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur also share common positions and ambitions. Both Malaysia and Indonesia have strong stances regarding Israel and unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination. They are among the most vocal in Asean regarding Middle Eastern politics. Indeed, their cooperation or rivalry could impact regional issues within the broader Islamic world. Mr Anwar's leadership during Malaysia's Asean chairmanship presents an opportunity to reshape regional dynamics and assert Kuala Lumpur's influence with his advisory team providing support. He is well-positioned to take on these surmountable challenges; however, success will depend on addressing domestic issues like sustaining economic growth, handling identity politics, solving the Rohingya crisis, and fostering closer ties with neighbors like Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. If Mr Anwar can capitalise on these opportunities, he could elevate Malaysia's standing in Asean and secure his legacy as a transformative leader on the global stage. Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.Latest News | Over 200 J-K Students Showcase Innovative Projects at SKICC

Fox attorneys seek to dismiss shareholder lawsuit over reporting of vote rigging allegations in 2020

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Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picks

Tech companies led a broad rally for U.S. stocks Tuesday, a boost for the market in a holiday-shortened trading session. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% in midday trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 273 points, or 0.6%, as of 12:18 p.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite was up 1%. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, while semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 0.8%. Super Micro Computer jumped 5.8%. Tesla climbed 5.1%, one of the biggest gains among S&P 500 stocks. Amazon.com rose 1.6% American Airlines slipped 0.1% after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. U.S. Steel rose 1.1% a day after an influential government panel failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of the nearly $15 billion proposed sale to Nippon Steel of Japan. NeueHealth surged 68.9% after the health care company agreed to be taken private in a deal valued at roughly $1.3 billion. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.61% from 4.59% late Monday. European markets were mostly higher. Markets in Asia mostly gained ground. U.S. markets will close at 1 p.m. Eastern and stay closed Wednesday for Christmas. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to this week, including a weekly update on unemployment benefits on Thursday. Tuesday’s rally comes as the stock market enters what’s historically been a very cheerful season. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. The so-called “Santa rally” also correlates closely with positive returns in January and the upcoming year. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the stock market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up about 26% so far this year and remains within roughly 1.3% of the all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year.Union announce offseason roster moves, part with Leon Flach

What's New A United States citizen currently jailed in Russia on bribery charges has received an additional 15-year sentence for espionage, according to Russian media reports on Tuesday. Why It Matters The imprisoned U.S. citizen, Eugene Spector, faced espionage charges in August 2023, filed by a Moscow court, though the specifics of the allegations remain undisclosed. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has gone to great lengths to pursue individuals critical of the war. High-profile dissidents have faced severe sentences, with some prominent figures sent abroad as part of a recent prisoner swap with Western countries. In addition, detentions on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since the start of the war. What To Know Once a prominent executive in Russia's medical equipment industry, Spector received a 3.5-year prison sentence in September 2022 for facilitating bribes to Anastasia Alekseyeva, an aide to former Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. Alekseyeva, in turn, was sentenced to 12 years behind bars in April after accepting lavish bribes in the form of two high-end international vacations. Dvorkovich, who served as deputy prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev from 2012 to 2018, now leads the global chess organization FIDE. Spector was formerly a Soviet Union citizen, per Russian business daily newspaper Kommersant and was taken into custody by a Moscow court in 2023. "The court granted the investigator's request to take Spector, who is suspected of committing espionage, into custody," the Lefortovo Court of Moscow told Russia's state-run news agency Interfax in 2023. Who Is Spector? Spector was accused of mediating a bribe in the form of two holiday packages—to Thailand and the Dominican Republic—worth 4 million rubles ($43,000) in 2015 and 2016. The alleged recipient was Alekseeva. Spector had been under arrest since February 19, 2020, according to Russian news outlet RBC. He was born and raised in Russia, but he emigrated to the United States and received American citizenship, according to local media reports. Spector is married to a Russian woman, speaks good Russian and had lived in St. Petersburg for the five years prior to his arrest. The independent Russian news outlet The Moscow Times first reported in 2020 that Spector was listed alongside three Russian nationals by the European Patent Office office as the inventors of an antibody that can be used for treating cancer. What People Are Saying In 2023, Alexey Melnikov, executive secretary of the public monitoring commission of Moscow , said that Spector was being held in satisfactory conditions. "He has board games, a TV, a refrigerator, a kettle," Melnikov said, adding that Spector's literary tastes are quite specific. "He prefers financial literature and books about new technologies," he added. What's Next It is currently unclear if the U.S. State Department will respond to the new sentence brought upon Spector. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.High-Performance and Ultra-Stable Electric Motorcycle Motor Controller: A Selection Plan for Liquid Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

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Patterson also added five rebounds and three steals for the Demons (5-5, 2-0 Southland Conference). Jon Sanders shot 5 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 5 from the line to add 17 points. Willie Williams shot 5 of 6 from the field to finish with 10 points, while adding 11 rebounds. Bryson Dawkins finished with 13 points for the Huskies (3-7, 1-1). D'Aundre Samuels added nine points for Houston Christian. Julian Mackey also had nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .