In this photo provided Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a ruling party meeting, North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
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US on high alert for possible ‘Christmas gift’ missile from North Korea
U.S. officials are on high alert for signs of a possible missile launch from North Korea in the coming days that officials have referred to as a “Christmas gift.”
This Dec. 15, 2019, satellite image from Planet Lab Inc., that has been analyzed by experts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, shows the Sohae Engine Test Stand in Tongchang-ri, North Korea. This new satellite image on a North Korean missile-related site shows the construction of a new structure this month. (Planet Labs Inc, Middlebury Institute of International Studies via AP)
A significant launch or nuclear test would raise the end of North Korea's self-imposed moratorium on missile launches and tests. It would also be a major blow to one of President Trump’s major foreign policy goals to get North Korea back to the negotiating table to eliminate its nuclear weapons.
Amid the heightened tension, John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, in an interview with Axios, criticized his old boss over the administration's misguided "rhetorical policy" toward North Korea along with its failure to exert "maximum pressure" during the high-stakes nuclear talks.
Earlier this month, the North conducted what U.S. officials say was an engine test. Experts believe it may have involved an engine for a long-range missile. It warned of a possible "Christmas gift," saying the Trump administration was running out of time on nuclear negotiations. Click here for more on our top story.
Trump administration believes Pelosi 'will yield' on impeachment tactics
The Trump administration indicated Sunday that it is not very worried about what they believe is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's political gamesmanship and that she will ultimately have to pass on the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate for trial.
"I think her position is really untenable," Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, told "Fox News Sunday."
"She will yield, there's no way she can hold this position," he later predicted.
Pelosi and most of the other Democrats in the House approved two articles of impeachment against President Trump last week for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, yet they have sat on those articles instead of delivering them to the Senate for a trial. Pelosi has claimed that she is waiting for the Republican-controlled Senate to set the process for the trial before she appoints impeachment managers.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., pushes for the ability to issue subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents. Click here for more.
This image released by Disney/Lucasfilm shows Daisy Ridley as Rey in a scene from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." (Disney/Lucasfilm Ltd.)
The Force not as strong in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' opening weekend box office
The Force was a little less strong with "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." J.J. Abrams' Skywalker finale couldn't match its recent predecessors on opening weekend, but it still amassed a $175.5 million debut that ranked far, far away from all but a dozen films.
"The Rise of Skywalker" came in with worse reviews than any "Star Wars" movie except for 1999's "The Phantom Menace," which famously heralded the debut of Jar Jar Binks. "The Rise of Skywalker" has a 57 percent fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, too, were relatively lukewarm to the movie, giving it a B+ CinemaScore.
That response may have muted what could have been a record-setting weekend. While Disney had cautiously estimated about a $165 million opening, analysts had pegged "The Rise of Skywalker" for around $200 million.
"The Rise of Skywalker" pulled in $374 million worldwide, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film was especially lackluster in China, as all "Star Wars" films have been. It grossed $12.1 million there. Click here for more.
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SOME PARTING WORDS
Steve Hilton urges President Trump to wear his impeachment like a "badge of honor" and "wield it like a weapon of war" on Democrats.
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Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Enjoy your eve of Christmas Eve Monday! We'll see you in your inbox first thing on Tuesday morning.
