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Gaster & Atkinson: Clean energy solutions can’t be forced

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

With temperatures worldwide breaking records, there is an escalating sense of urgency that countries must make bigger, bolder and more enforceable commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions.But it would be a terrible mistake to double down on the current “kitchen sink” approach of trying to do everything, everywhere, all at once because we can’t force a green transition with regulatory mandates, subsidies and generalized moral pressure. That impulse isn’t wrong; it just won’t work.The harsh reality is that until clean energy is as cheap and performs as well as dirty energy, the world will not adopt it at anything like the needed scale. So, governments must focus on developing clean energy sources at price and performance parity with dirty fuels — “P3.” Only then will governments, organizations and individuals rapidly switch to a new energy system.Why won’t forcing approaches work? There are two primary reasons.First, climate change is a global issue, so solutions must be global. In...

Watch to watch: ‘Futurama’ returns after 10-year break

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Comedy and comics fans are in luck this week. Here are top picks to watch.‘Futurama’After nearly a decade break, Matt Groening’s space odyssey returns with new episodes. The writers make up for lost time with bits aimed at Alexa, Bitcoin, Impossible Burgers and “Black Mirror.” The animated series works best when it takes a break from spoofing everything under numerous suns and zooms in on the characters’ emotions. Hulu‘Command Z’Chloe Radcliffe has been a writer for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and been named a TBS Comic to Watch. Now, the Minnesota native has snagged a juicy role in this Steven Soderbergh side project, which dropped on the Oscar-winning director’s own website with little fanfare. Radcliffe plays a reluctant time traveler who could change the fate of the world, if she can manage to leave her cynicism at the wormhole door. In addition to stealing scenes from co-stars such as Roy Wood Jr. an...

Aaron Judge homers in second game back as Yankees rebound vs. Orioles

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

BALTIMORE — It didn’t take long for Aaron Judge to make his presence felt.After drawing three walks in his Friday return, the reigning MVP got his bat going in the Yankees’ 8-3 win over the Orioles on Saturday. Judge, playing the field for the first time since tearing a ligament in his right big toe on June 3, recorded three hits, including a two-run, 442-foot blast to centerfield.The home run, Judge’s 20th of the year, came in the third inning off Tyler Wells. The Orioles starter, a frequent victim of Judge’s power, exited shortly after that.Judge wasn’t the only Yankees slugger to homer off Wells, as Giancarlo Stanton hit a 427-foot missile with nobody on in the first inning. Kyle Higashioka then crushed a Cole Irvin pitch 428 feet for another solo shot in the sixth inning.However, it was Isiah Kiner-Falefa who broke the game open, as he ended a 10-pitch at-bat with a three-run double off Bryan Baker in the sixth. The two-bagger gave the Yankees...

Editorial: Hunter Biden plea deal takes a bizarre twist

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Hunter Biden’s plea deal on tax and weapons charges is on life support. Even if it makes a comeback in the coming days, this fiasco remains a stain on the president and the White House.On Wednesday, a federal judge refused to accept the agreement reached in June, under which President Joe Biden’s son would plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges while escaping prosecution on a gun charge. At issue is the scope of the immunity Hunter Biden would receive.According to news reports, Hunter Biden’s attorneys believed the deal would give their client protection from other charges that might arise in the government’s investigation. Prosecutors, on the other hand, insisted the agreement was confined to the tax and gun charges.It’s odd that the defendant and the government would be at odds over such a basic element of any plea bargain. Perhaps the events of the past few weeks — when more damaging information about Hunter Biden has emerged — led prosecutors to back off the broader immunit...

Provincetown takes Pride in 45th anniversary of Carnival Week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Provincetown has a long and rich history, as the first landing spot for the Mayflower, a robust tradition of fishing, an artists’ colony and as an LGBTQ haven.That last one took some effort, starting in the 1970s.“This was at a time when Provincetown’s leadership didn’t necessarily understand why it was important to promote the town as a destination for queer travelers, and there were many in town trying to downplay the town’s creative community in an effort to promote it as one of the more well-known ‘straight’ destinations on the Cape,” Provincetown Business Guild Executive Director Stephan Hengst said.This was born Carnival Week, a way to show town leadership that diversity and inclusion are fun, vibrant and just plain good for business.“Carnival was the result of the community showing its love and appreciation for the community that called the tip of Cape Cod home,” said Hengst.This year Ptown is celebrating the 45th anniversary of Carnival We...

Vaccinated dog still got viral cough

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Dear Dr. John,About two weeks ago, my 14-year-old Retriever X developed a persistent hacking cough. I took him in to see my local vet and they ran bloodwork and took chest x-rays. They determined he had a type of kennel cough and gave me some antibiotics and a cough medication. With things not improving that much, I then took him to a specialty hospital.. The diagnosis was pretty much the same and no additional medications were given. His energy level seems a little off. Can kennel cough last this long and do I need to keep him away from my sister’s dog or other dogs since my dog and my sister’s dog have been together this entire time. Why did my dog get kennel cough if he is vaccinated for it and why has her dog not developed the same cough? V.H.Dear V.H.,Kennel cough is a broadly used term that describes a contagious viral cough in dogs caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica as well as other strains of various coughs. It seems as if your veterinarian did the proper workup. If they fe...

How to navigate a remote job interview

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Not so long ago, job interviews were conducted almost exclusively in person. Hiring managers were able to assess candidates during these interviews, getting an idea about everything from the applicant’s skill set to how he or she affected the energy in the room to body language and the confidence of a handshake.Today a growing number of interviews are virtual. Many are conducted via popular video conferencing apps like Zoom. In a recent survey of talent leaders and recruiters conducted by the tech firm Talview, 80% of respondents said their hiring process is now fully remote. There are many advantages to remote/virtual interviews. They tend to be more convenient for screening applicants for remote positions because the applicant pool may be coming from anywhere around the world. Remote interviews also can be less time-consuming.As useful as they can be, remote interviews are not foolproof. Technical snarls or uncooperative conditions at home can affect remote interviews. Virtu...

He’s paying for his kids and ex’s boyfriend

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Q. My soon-to-be ex has been dragging out our divorce for over a year.  She has it made right now because I am paying child support and all of the house expenses – mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc.  I have been living in my mom’s finished attic for a year because I don’t make enough to rent a place for myself.Our pre-trial conference just got continued again – this time because her lawyer is going on vacation.  Our next date is November.  They still won’t answer my discovery requests (I’ve responded to all of their requests and supplemented my responses).  And they keep scheduling and then canceling our settlement meetings.I still have access to our Ring doorbell camera.  Yesterday I saw her boyfriend moving into our home.  My lawyer says he can’t ask the judge to order the house sold at this stage because where will our kids live. Why does her boyfriend get to move into our home where our kids live and why do I have to pay his housing expenses?  Is there anything I can do?A. You...

Active Skylher loves sports, music, crafts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Skylher is a chill and laid back teen with many interests, which she does independently or with peers. Skylher is a very animated and active, and  enjoys outdoor activities and playing at the gym daily. Sklyer enjoys reading, listening to music, doing crafts, playing board and card games, and socializing with peers. She participates in group activities, such as weekly basketball and volleyball games, demonstrating great athleticism. Skylher also enjoys community-based events such as trips to the mall, library, and movies.Skylher is enrolled in school and receives extra support. She completes assigned work independently and attends all scheduled classes. She has made many new friends. Skylher has goals of being successful in whatever she chooses to do and wants to attend college.Skylher’s social worker is looking for a caring family who will provide direction and support. Her social worker is open to a two-parent family with a mom and dad or two moms, with or without other children. ...

Dear Abby: Pal’s teasing hubby now AWOL in visits

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:27:09 GMT

Dear Abby: About 10 years ago, I visited my oldest and dearest friend, who I see a few times a year. The last time, her husband, who I’ve also known for years and who I thought was a friend, started teasing me. I can take a joke, but the teasing got mean. Eventually he stopped, and I continued my visit.I was really angry at him, but because I didn’t want to involve my friend, I sent him an email. I told him I thought his teasing went too far and to please not do it again. He never replied. Now when I visit my friend, her husband is never there. He stays away. I haven’t seen him in years.My friend makes silly excuses why he isn’t at home when I visit. In fact, the last time I went I saw him driving away when I drove up! I don’t hold a grudge against the guy. I think it’s sad that he has to run away. Should I say something? — Perplexed in CaliforniaDear Perplexed: No. You dealt with your friend’s husband appropriately without involving h...