Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Difficult diplomacy: “The White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Thursday that his goal was to be able to close a deal between Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages held there ‘this month.’”
* The latest from Syria: “Travis Timmerman, the missing Missouri man who was unexpectedly found in Syria after he said he crossed into the country to make a ‘pilgrimage,’ was flown out by the U.S. military to Jordan, two U.S. defense officials and his family said Friday.”
* Tumult in Paris: “President Emmanuel Macron on Friday tapped François Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician and one of his top allies, as the new prime minister, a move that few expect would stabilize France’s roiling politics. Mr. Bayrou becomes the country’s fourth prime minister this year — an ominous record.”
* Pelosi’s hospitalization: “Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was injured and admitted to a hospital in Luxembourg while on a congressional delegation trip to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a Pelosi spokesperson said. … It was not immediately clear what kind of injury the former speaker sustained or how long she would need to be treated in the hospital.”
* Given the importance of the job, I hope Rollins finds the time to return the phone call: “Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called his likely successor at USDA, Brooke Rollins, and left a voicemail — but hasn’t received a response, he told reporters Friday.”
* In Georgia: “The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others on Friday rejected an attempt by former Trump campaign lawyer Kenneth Chesebro to invalidate his guilty plea.”
* It will always be amazing to me that this news isn’t perceived as encouraging by both parties: “The IRS on Thursday said it has sweated an additional $1.3 billion from wealthy tax cheats, thanks to enhanced reviews and audits paid for by the budget-climate law President Biden signed two years ago. The tax agency said criminal investigations and civil cases have earned an additional $3.4 billion for Uncle Sam, for a total increased haul of $4.7 billion.” * Well, this ought to be interesting: “President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he and Republicans would seek to permanently eliminate daylight saving time when he takes office.” * The end of an era: “Waiting in line to attend hearings at the Supreme Court is a distinctly D.C. ritual. Some people camp out overnight for big cases. Others pay professional line standers to hold their place to witness a historic ruling. But that will be changing a bit as the court takes another step into the internet age. The high court has launched an online lottery system for the public to apply for tickets for courtroom seating on days when the justices hear oral arguments and issue decisions.” Have a safe weekend.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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