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Sony Plans Key Change for an Underserved Gaming Fanbase

January 6, 2023 Published by

When most people want to play a videogame, they pick up their peripherals of choice — controller, keyboard and mouse, VR headset, or phone — and have the luxury of getting right into the game.

But for those who identify as disabled — 26% of the U.S. population, according to the CDC — enjoying a videogame of any kind is a more complex matter.

As any of those folks will tell you, getting major companies to recognize accessibility issues and potentially address them in their products is an uphill battle.


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Study: 1 in 4 adults with chronic pain turning to cannabis

January 6, 2023 Published by

Just In | The Hill 

More than a quarter of U.S. adults suffering from chronic pain have turned to using cannabis to manage their discomfort, according to a new study published in JAMA Open Network.

Researchers at Michigan Medicine surveyed 1,661 adults last spring with chronic pain who lived in one of the 36 states with active medical cannabis programs and Washington, D.C. 

About 26 percent of survey participants reported using cannabis within the past year to manage pain, researchers found.

Out of those people who said they consumed cannabis to help alleviate pain, more than half reported that the drug led to lower use of prescription opioids, nonopioids and over-the-counter pain medications.

Less than 1 percent said their cannabis use resulted in more opioid, non-opioid or over-the-the-counter pain medication use, according to the study.  

About 39 percent of people who reported using cannabis to treat chronic pain said it led to them taking part in less physical therapy and 19 percent said it led to them meditating less in order to manage their pain, according to the study.  

Meanwhile, 24 percent of people who used cannabis to treat chronic pain said their use resulted in them meditating more.  

Another 26 percent said their cannabis use led to a decrease in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is often used in combination with medication to treat chronic pain.  

About 17 percent said their cannabis use actually led to them increasing their use of cognitive behavioral therapy as part of their pain-management regimen.  

“The fact that patients report substituting cannabis for pain medications so much underscores the need for research on the benefits and risk of using cannabis for chronic pain,” said Mark Bicket, assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and co-director of the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network. 

California became the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis in 1996 and since then 37 other states along with D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico have legalized and begun regulating cannabis for medical use.  

​Healthcare, Policy, cannabis, Chronic pain, medical cannabis Read More 

Stocks surge after better-than-expected jobs report

January 6, 2023 Published by

The monthly jobs report showed that some of the biggest gains were in industries such as leisure and hospitality, health care, and accommodation and food services, which all were hit hard during the pandemic.

There were also notable monthly job losses in technology and interest-rate-sensitive sectors that surged during the pandemic and are now rebalancing as consumers shift spending toward services. 

Industries such as information, finance, retail, transportation, and professional and business services all shed jobs between November and December.

Some of those losses are likely an effect of the waves of mass layoffs hitting the tech industry, said Ken Kim, a senior economist at KPMG.

“We are seeing a little bit of spread to other areas,” he told CNN. 

Jobs added by major sector between November and December 2022

Total: +223,000 to 153.7 million

Mining and logging: +4,000 to 644,000

Construction: +28,000 to 7.78 million

Manufacturing: +8,000 to 12.9 million

Wholesale trade: +12,000 to 5.9 million

Retail trade: +9,000 to 15.8 million

Transportation and warehousing: +4,700 to 6.5 million

Utilities: +1,600 to 544,400

Information: -5,000 to 3.1 million

Financial activities: +5,000 to 9 million

Professional and business services: -6,000 to 22.4 million

Education and health services: +78,000 to 24.9 million

Leisure and hospitality: +67,000 to 16.1 million

Government: +3,000 to 22.4 million

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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[World] Real Housewives star Jen Shah sentenced to over six years in prison

January 6, 2023 Published by

BBC News world-us_and_canada 

Getty Images

Real Housewives star Jen Shah (left) was sentenced to six and a half years in prison at a federal courthouse in Manhattan
By Madeline Halpert
BBC News, New York

Jen Shah, a Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on Friday.

The TV actor pleaded guilty in July for conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her involvement in a telemarketing scheme that targeted vulnerable people.

Shah has apologised for her role saying she would “work for the rest of my life to make it right”.

As a part of her plea deal, she agreed to forfeit $6.5m ( £5.3m).

She will also pay up to $9.5m (£7.8m) in restitution.

The 78-month prison sentence comes after Shah’s attorneys asked for three years in prison, while prosecutors recommended 10 years.

Prosecutors allege Shah, 49, and her former assistant Stuart Smith – who has also pleaded guilty – generated and sold lists of vulnerable victims, including the elderly, to other members of the fraud scheme. In court filings, authorities argued Shah was the “most culpable” person charged in the case.

The scheme defrauded thousands of people since 2012, according to prosecutors. Among the victims was a widow in her 70s who lost half of her life savings and another person with a health condition who became homeless after losing money to the scheme to pay for misleading business opportunities, according to victim statements.

Shah was arrested in March 2021 during the filming for the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, which airs on Bravo.

During the show, the reality star had frequently advertised her luxurious lifestyle, including her expensive clothing, jewellery and her team of several assistants, dubbed the “Shah squad”.

She initially pleaded not guilty and maintained her innocence during much of the third season of the show.

Shah’s previous descriptions of her job and financial situation frequently provoked confusion among fellow cast members and viewers.

“What I’ve done for the last 20 years is direct response marketing. I make millions,” she said in one 2019 interview.

Shah will surrender to federal prison on 17 February.

 

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Aaron Rodgers dating Mallory Edens, daughter of Bucks owner: report

January 6, 2023 Published by

Latest & Breaking News on Fox News 

Perhaps the Green Bay Packers‘ latest hot streak is because of a new fling off the field.

Aaron Rodgers is rumored to be dating Mallory Edens, the daughter of Milwaukee Bucks’ owner Wes Edens.

The two have been friends for years but have been romantically involved over the last few months, according to SportsGossip.com.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Rodgers, 39, and Edens, 26, were spotted siting next to each other courtside at the Bucks’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers Dec. 2. The two have sat together in the past.

BILLS’ DAMAR HAMLIN IS SPEAKING WITH TEAM AFTER BREATHING TUBE IS REMOVED, BUFFALO SAYS IN MAJOR HEALTH UPDATE

Edens was reportedly at Lambeau Field Sunday for the Packers’ 41-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Rodgers bought a 1% stake of the Bucks in 2018, and the team won the NBA title in 2021.

The four-time NFL MVP was engaged to Shailene Woodley in 2021, but the two broke it off. He also had been linked to Blu of Earth.

 

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Katie Porter weighs Senate bid launch as Feinstein stays mum

January 6, 2023 Published by

Politics, Policy, Political News Top Stories 

Rep. Katie Porter is weighing a campaign launch for Sen. Dianne Feinstein‘s seat — potentially even before her veteran Democratic colleague announces her plans for 2024.

Fresh off a bruising battleground reelection win, the third-term Porter is now considering a bid for what is likely to be an open Senate seat in deep-blue California as a next step, according to five Democrats familiar with her plans. Feinstein is widely expected to retire after her current term, but she isn’t making any firm moves yet ahead of what’s expected to be an official announcement within the next couple months.

That may not be quick enough for what could turn into a vicious succession race among Democrats. California Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee and Adam Schiff are also among the slate of Democrats eyeing the Senate seat, which Feinstein first won in 1992.

Schiff, who first said he was eyeing the Senate after passing on a House leadership bid in November, has been making calls for weeks and said he would consider running if Feinstein does not run. Porter has now started making her own calls about a run, though she has not discussed a specific timeline entering the race.

Still, several Democrats said they expect Porter to launch her campaign soon.

“They’re moving real fast,” said a Democratic consultant, granted anonymity to discuss the shadow race to succeed Feinstein. “They have cash and are assembling a team.”

Porter and Lee both may jump into the race in the coming weeks, according to another person familiar with their plans. Lee intends to run for Senate, according to a person familiar with her thinking. Her office declined to comment. A spokesperson for Porter declined to comment.

Alums of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns have also encouraged Rep. Ro Khanna to run for the Senate.

Porter is among the best-positioned Democrats for the race. A prolific fundraiser, she had $7.7 million on hand as of the end of 2022 and raised $25 million the last cycle, a number that suggests she can run an effective Senate race.

Her reputation as a progressive Democrat who can speak to swing voters is also likely to help Porter. But it’s unlikely that she or anyone else would cruise to the nomination in any Feinstein succession battle, given the depth of the state’s Democratic bench.

The state has a jungle primary system that could pit two Democrats against each other in the 2024 general election. Feinstein beat fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon by about 8 points in in 2018.

And the timing of a Senate run is a tricky calculation for Porter or any other candidate to make, when the incumbent hasn’t made an announcement. As much as Senate hopefuls want to put their stamp on a crowded field quickly, few want to offend Feinstein by getting ahead of her departure after a legendary run.

The trailblazing senator, 89, chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and assembled the landmark Bush-era CIA torture report. Yet Feinstein’s prominence has waned in recent years; she stepped down from her job leading Judiciary Committee Democrats after an unsteady performance during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. She also passed this year on becoming the Senate pro tempore, which is in the line of presidential succession.

Almost everyone in the Senate expects Feinstein to step down after completing her term, but she hasn’t officially said as much.

“The senator hasn’t made any announcements regarding 2024 and will do so at the appropriate time,” Feinstein spokesperson Tom Mentzer said.

Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.

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Mexican authorities say 10 military personnel, 19 cartel members killed in raid to arrest El Chapo’s son

January 6, 2023 Published by

Latest & Breaking News on Fox News 

Authorities in Mexico on Friday released more details about the violent takedown of the son of notorious Mexican drug cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán.

In a blow-by-blow description of the battles that killed 10 military personnel and 19 suspected members of the Sinaloa drug cartel on Thursday as authorities arrested Ovidio Guzmán, Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said that cartel gunmen opened fire on troops with .50-caliber machine guns.

The army then sent Blackhawk helicopters into the melee that attacked a convoy of 25 cartel vehicles, some of which had gun platforms that were firing on the helicopters.

The cartel then opened fire on the military aircraft, forcing two of them down with “a significant number of impacts” in each of the two aircraft, Sandoval said. 

MEXICAN AUTHORITIES CONFIRM ARREST OF SON OF DRUG KINGPIN ‘EL CHAPO’ AFTER 6-MONTH INTERAGENCY INVESTIGATION

The gang then sent hordes of gunmen to attack fixed-wing aircraft, both military and civilian, at the city’s international airport.

One civilian airliner was hit. The gunmen also shot up airport buildings in a bid to prevent authorities from flying the captured cartel boss out of the city. However, Sandoval said, authorities anticipating the resistance had loaded Guzmán onto a military helicopter to fly him back to Mexico City.

The running shootouts killed one Culiacan policeman and wounded 17 police officers and 35 military personnel.

SINALOA, MEXICO, ENGULFED BY VIOLENCE, CHAOS AFTER EL CHAPO SON ARREST, AHEAD OF BIDEN VISIT TO COUNTRY

The violence became so heavy that Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha said cartel members showed up at local hospitals attempting to kidnap doctors to take them back to the front lines and treat wounded fighters.

“It got to the point that at one moment, the doctors were saying, ‘We’re getting out of here,'” recalled Rocha, saying that police had reinforced security and convinced the doctors to stay.

MEXICAN JOURNALIST ATTACKED ON FIRST DAY OF 2023 AFTER 2022 WAS DEADLIEST YEAR FOR JOURNALISTS IN DECADES

Guzmán was a leader of a Sinaloa faction he called “Los Menores” or “the juniors,” who are also known as “Los Chapitos,” for the sons of El Chapo. The elder Guzmán is currently serving a life sentence in a Colorado prison after being convicted on drug trafficking and organized crime charges. 

Ovidio Guzmán, nicknamed “the Mouse,” had not been one of El Chapo’s better-known sons until an aborted operation to capture him three years ago. That attempt similarly set off violence in Culiacan that ultimately led President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to order the military to let him go.

Guzmán was indicted by the U.S. on drug trafficking charges in 2018. According to both governments, he had assumed a growing role among his brothers in carrying on their father’s business, along with longtime cartel boss Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.

The six-month interagency investigation into Guzman concluded just days before President Biden is set to visit Mexico for the North American Leaders’ Summit, which will include meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Lopez Obrador.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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Biden awards Presidential Citizens Medals on two-year anniversary of Jan. 6 Capitol riot

January 6, 2023 Published by

US Top News and Analysis 

US President Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony at the White House marking the two-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.
Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images

President Joe Biden on Friday marked the second anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot by awarding one of the nation’s highest civilian honors to 14 individuals who showed courage and selflessness during the events surrounding the deadly insurrection.

The award ceremony at the White House was Biden’s first time bestowing the Presidential Citizens Medal, which is given to Americans “who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”

The group included law enforcement officers, current and former politicians and election workers who were targeted with threats following the 2020 presidential contest. Three of the medals were awarded posthumously to officers who had defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and died afterward by injuries or by suicide.

“America owes you all, I really mean this, a debt of gratitude,” Biden said during impassioned remarks at the Friday afternoon ceremony.

The recipients were honored for their actions before, during and after the riot, when a violent mob of former President Donald Trump‘s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, fighting with officers, destroying and stealing property and threatening lawmakers. The attack came shortly after a joint session of Congress convened to confirm Biden’s presidential victory over Trump, who had falsely asserted he won the 2020 election.

The mob forced lawmakers to flee their chambers for several hours, impeding the transfer of power. More than 100 officers were injured during the attack, and federal officials estimate the insurrection cost millions of dollars in damages.

“All of it was fueled by lies about the 2020 election,” Biden said Friday, without mentioning Trump by name. The former president, who remains a major force in the Republican Party, has already launched a campaign for the White House in 2024.

Democracy held after Jan. 6 only because “we the people did not flinch, we the people endured, we the people prevailed,” Biden said.

Among the honorees was Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, who diverted a group of rioters hurtling toward the Senate chamber, which had not yet been fully evacuated. Multiple officers who were injured during the riot — Aquilino Gonell, Michael Fanone, Caroline Edwards and Daniel Hodges — were also given awards, as was Officer Harry Dunn, who testified about facing racial slurs and harassment from the mob.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers were honored for resisting pressure from Trump’s allies to overturn their states’ election results. Bowers, a Republican, lost a State Senate bid in 2022 to an opponent backed by Trump.

Biden also awarded Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss, two election workers in Fulton County, Georgia, who faced waves of harassment and threats related to unfounded voter-fraud conspiracy theories in the state.

Officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood and Jeffrey Smith were given posthumous awards. Sicknick died a day after grappling with rioters at the Capitol. His manner of death was determined to be natural causes, but Washington Chief Medical Examiner Francisco Diaz said at the time, “all that transpired played a role in his condition.” Liebengood and Smith both died by suicide after defending the Capitol.

Biden’s speech marking the anniversary of the riot followed other ceremonies and remembrances on Capitol Hill, mostly from Democratic lawmakers.

“Today marks 2 years since a violent mob of insurrectionists — sanctioned by the former President —descended on the Capitol in an armed and deadly effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power and reverse the outcome of a free and fair election,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement Friday morning. “To this day, Donald Trump continues his attempt to poison American democracy with his Big Lie.”

In a brief ceremony on the House steps, lawmakers gathered for a moment of silence with the families of officers who died in relation to the riot. Many more were injured or traumatized by the mob, noted Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the new House Democratic leader. “We stand here today with our democracy intact because of those officers,” Jeffries said.

Only one Republican representative, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, attended that event, according to one report.

The anniversary came as House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California continued his fight to become speaker of the House after three straight days of failing to win enough votes from his party. In the days after the Jan. 6 riot, McCarthy initially blamed Trump for the attack, saying the president “bears responsibility” even as he opposed Democrats’ efforts to impeach Trump for a second time. But McCarthy soon walked back that criticism.

The somber event at the White House was punctuated by a few moments of levity. After Biden fumbled the pronunciation of Gonell’s name, the former USCP Sergeant corrected him, prompting the president to shake the officer’s hand and quip, “He can call me President Bidden from now on.”

In another instance, Biden drew laughter when he acknowledged a technical difficulty causing an echo in his audio.

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Markets rally on signs inflation is abating, as investors look to next week’s consumer price data

January 6, 2023 Published by

US Top News and Analysis 

Markets closed out the first week of 2023 on a high note, with the S & P 500 closing up more than 2%, as stocks rallied on fresh signs inflation may be easing. Investors responded favorably to employment data released by the U.S. Labor Department Friday that showed slowing job growth and a greater-than-expected slowdown in wages in December. Later in the day, markets were also buoyed by the ISM’s nonmanufacturing purchasing managers’ index, which said the services industry contracted last month. Both are evidence that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hikes may finally be cooling the overheated economy. However, while we will certainly take the win, it will take more than one good day for investors to have confidence that we have seen the lows of this brutal bear market. The next big test will be December’s consumer price index report, to be released Thursday. Until we see more concrete indications that the economy is heading into a recession or that growth has stalled, we need to be extremely sensitive to valuations , and continue to focus intently on companies that do stuff, make things and return cash to shareholders. Meanwhile, the fourth-quarter earnings season kicks off next Friday, when the banks – including Club holding Wells Fargo (WFC) – are set to report. We’ll be looking closely for commentary from management on Wells Fargo’s current operating environment and outlook. This season may also prove a clearing event for many stocks, as analysts will use the reports to sharpen their earnings estimates for the full year. Under the hood, consumer services led to the upside followed by materials and financials, while health care was the only sector to close lower for the week. The U.S. dollar index is holding just under the 104 level. Gold advanced to the upper-$1,800s per ounce region, while West Texas Intermediate crude oil is hovering around $74 per barrel. The yield on the 10-year Treasury stands at around 3.56%. Looking back Within the portfolio, we received earnings results from Constellation Brands (STZ) on Thursday. On the macroeconomic front, the December ISM manufacturing purchasing managers index on Wednesday came in at 48.4%, largely in line with analysts’ forecasts, showing the economy contracted for the first time after 30 straight months of expansion. On Thursday, the December ADP employment report was released, showing an additional 235,000 jobs, well above the 153,000 expected by analysts. Also Thursday, initial jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 31 came in at 204,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the prior week and below the 225,000 the market was expecting. On Friday, nonfarm payrolls were reported to have increased by 223,000 in December, exceeding expectations of 200,000, while the unemployment rate fell to 3.5%. Wage growth was below expectations, up 4.6% annually versus a 5% estimate. Also Friday, the December ISM services purchasing managers index came in at 49.6%, well below expectations of 55%. Finally, November factory orders were released on Friday, indicating a 1.8% monthly contraction, greater than the 1% decline Wall Street predicted. What’s ahead Fourth-quarter earnings season is upon us. Club holding Wells Fargo is set to report before the opening bell on Friday. Here are some other earnings reports and economic numbers to watch in the week ahead: Monday, Jan. 9 Before the bell: Acuity Brands (AYI), Commercial Metals (CMC), Tilray (TLRY) After the bell: Jefferies Financial (JEF), AZZ (AZZ), WD-40 (WDFC), Accolade (ACCD) Tuesday, Jan. 10 Before the bell: Albertsons Companies (ACI), TD SYNNEX (SNX) After the bell: Inotiv (NOTV), Saratoga Investment (SAR) Wednesday, Jan. 11 Before the bell: Boston Scientific (BSX) After the bell: KB Home (KBH) Thursday, Jan. 12 Before the bell: Northern Tech (NTIC), OrganiGram (OGI) After the bell: RF Industries (RFIL) 8:30 a.m. ET: Consumer price index 8:30 a.m. ET: Initial jobless claims Friday, Jan. 13 Before the bell: Bank of America (BAC), JPMorgan (JPM), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Citigroup (C), BlackRock (BLK), BNY Mellon (BK), Delta Air Lines (DAL) (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Tourists are lined up for taking photos by the Charging Bull Statue in the financial district of New York City, United States on August 16, 2021.
Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Markets closed out the first week of 2023 on a high note, with the S&P 500 closing up more than 2%, as stocks rallied on fresh signs inflation may be easing.

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Photos of the Week: Speaker drama, Damar Hamlin and a light festival

January 6, 2023 Published by

Just In | The Hill 

Faithfuls take part in a Mass for the solemnity of St. Mary with Pope Francis at the beginning of the new year, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Jan. 1. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. Associated Press/Andrew Medichini

Local residents carry their belongings as they leave their home ruined in the Saturday Russian rocket attack in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, on Jan. 1. Associated Press/Andriy Andriyenko

Buhos Marching Band dancers, from Mexico, perform at the 134th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 2. Associated Press/Michael Owen Baker

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) pauses and turns away as Damar Hamlin is examined during the first half of an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, on Jan. 2 in Cincinnati. Associated Press/Jeff Dean

The casket of late Brazilian soccer great Pelé is draped in the Brazilian and Santos FC soccer club flags as his remains are transported from Vila Belmiro stadium, where he laid in state, to the cemetery during his funeral procession in Santos, Brazil, on Jan. 3. Associated Press/Matias Delacroix

Rep.-elect George Santos (R-N.Y.) is seen during the first day of the 118th session of Congress on Jan. 3. Greg Nash

Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), left; Bob Good (R-Va.), center right; Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), top center; Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), center left; Mary Miller (R-Ill.), top right; and Scott Perry (R-Pa.), right, are seen following the Speaker vote during the first day of the 118th session of Congress on Jan. 3. Greg Nash

Cars sit stuck in a flooded underpass at Webster Street and 34th Street that has been underwater since this weekend’s storm in Oakland, Calif., on Jan. 4. Salgu Wissmath/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) speaks with Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), top right, during the second day of the 118th session of Congress on Jan. 4 as the House attempts to elect a Speaker. Greg Nash

President Biden shakes hands with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) after speaking about his infrastructure agenda under the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, on Jan. 4 in Covington, Ky. Associated Press/Patrick Semansky

The House chamber is seen following the fifth ballot for Speaker on the second day of the 118th session of Congress on Jan. 4. Greg Nash

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reacts to a vote to adjourn during the second day of the 118th session of Congress on Jan. 4. Greg Nash

A woman takes a photo during the Chinese Lantern Festival in Santiago, Chile, on Jan. 4. Associated Press/Matias Basualdo

Pope Francis sits as the coffin of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is carried through St. Peter’s Square for a funeral mass at the Vatican on Jan. 5. Associated Press/Alessandra Tarantino

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks with Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) following the seventh ballot for Speaker on Jan. 5. Greg Nash

Rep.-elect Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), second to left, reacts to a comment from Rep.-elect John James (R-Mich.), right, during the ninth ballot for Speaker on Jan. 5. Greg Nash

A tally sheet for the ninth ballot for Speaker is seen on Jan. 5. Greg Nash

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) holds her dog Liberty as the House votes to adjourn following the 11th ballot for Speaker on Jan. 5. Greg Nash

Photos curated by: Greg Nash, Madeline Monroe and Valerie Morris

​Media, News, Photos of the Week Read More 

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