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Editorial: Put John Kerry on ice

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

John Kerry’s hush-hush jet-setting days could finally be numbered — and that’s long overdue.The FY24 House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee spending bill includes a prohibition on funding for envoys not authorized by Congress or confirmed by the Senate. That would be Kerry, who has told the Herald he “only” reports to the president.“Over the last several years, we have witnessed a boondoggle of climate change spending, and our bill provides a much-needed course correction in several key areas,” said Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.What we’ve also been reporting is Kerry’s abysmal record with Freedom of Information Act requests. His lack of transparency takes elitism to new heights. Now the subcommittee, along with countless others, has had enough.If Kerry is not going to share details with taxpayers about his office staff, his budget should be frozen.It’s basic good economics. Would you pay for any se...

MLB Draft Preview: Will Red Sox continue trend of drafting high school shortstops in first round?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

When it comes to the MLB Draft, it sure seems like the Red Sox have a type.Since Chaim Bloom took over the front office in late 2019 the Red Sox have drafted a high school shortstop with their first pick in three consecutive drafts. Nick Yorke was Bloom’s first pick at No. 17 overall in 2020, Marcelo Mayer followed at No. 4 in 2021, and last summer Mikey Romero continued the trend at No. 24.All three now rank among the club’s top prospects, and Mayer in particular is regarded as a top 10 prospect in all of baseball.Will the Red Sox make it four in a row at this weekend’s 2023 MLB Draft? Though it might not be a high schooler, history suggests the club will target an infielder at No. 14 overall, or at the very least a position player.That’s a trend that even predates Bloom’s arrival.According to a helpful table compiled by the indispensable @RedSoxStats on Twitter, the Red Sox have paid $1 million or more in bonus money to 11 draft picks since 2018, the ...

Heat warnings in place in seven provinces, two territories

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

The ongoing heat wave gripping most of Canada is showing no signs of letting up, with heat warnings in place in seven provinces and two territories.In Atlantic Canada, only Newfoundland and Labrador avoids the Environment Canada alerts, with temperatures forecasted to reach close to 30 degrees Sunday in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, while humidex values are expected to hit 37 degrees.Temperatures are forecasted to soar near or above 30 degrees Celsius into Monday for parts of southern and coastal British Columbia, with the highest temperatures in some areas expected to hit 35 degrees.In Alberta, most of the province is covered under a heat warning and daytime highs are expected near 30 degrees before moderating on Monday.In the North, communities in Yukon, including Whitehorse, Pelly and Watson Lake, are expected to remain above seasonal norms into next week, while in parts of the Northwest Territories, daily highs are expected to remain near 30 degrees into n...

Union rally planned for Vancouver as B.C. port strike continues into second week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

VANCOUVER — A rally is to take place in Vancouver today as the strike at British Columbia’s ports stretches into its second week.International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada says the event supporting its workers is expected to include international labour leaders who will call for a negotiated contract settlement with the BC Maritime Employers Association.About 7,400 workers at more than 30 B.C. ports have been on strike since Canada Day over issues including pay and provisions related to maintenance work, contracting out and automation.The two sides were back at the negotiating table Saturday, supported by federal mediators, after talks stalled on Monday.Employers say they proposed a committee and independent arbitrator to make recommendations related to key sticking points around maintenance work, but that the union rejected the idea.Business organizations and some politicians have publicly called for the federal government to bring in back-to-work legislation but Labo...

Daily horoscope for July 9, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Sunday, July 9, 2023:You are an independent thinker. You are confident, strong-willed and eager to explore what life has to offer. You have a creative imagination. Expect exciting changes this year, along with increased personal freedom. Let go of anything that holds you back. Seek out new opportunities and be ready to act on them.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You’re convincing today. However, family conversations will be idealistic, gentle and mutually sympathetic. You might want to explore ideas that you would like to turn into a reality. These wishes and dreams might apply to the family or to where you live. Tonight: Assert yourself. This Week: Work less; socialize more!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Don’t worry if you spend a lot of time daydreaming or being lost in a fantasy world today, because that’s just what’s happening. Your imagination ...

Dear Abby: My brother has cut all ties, and I don’t even know what I did

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I have been struggling with my estrangement from my brother. He’s the only real family member I have.We were extremely close until three years ago. To my knowledge, I have done nothing wrong. He quit speaking to me after I bought some property he may have been interested in.We are both in our mid-20s, and he has since gotten married and had two children. Being excluded from his life hurts me deeply. We have to work together daily, and it’s stressful having to encounter him because he goes out of his way to be rude and put me down.Must I accept that this is how our relationship will be forever?DEJECTED IN ILLINOISDEAR DEJECTED: If there is one life lesson I have learned, it is that interpersonal problems cannot be solved without communication. Because your brother’s chosen method of dealing with disappointment or conflict is to give the person the silent treatment, you will have to accept it and move on from there.However, because his behavior extends int...

Padres and Mets meet in series rubber match

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

New York Mets (42-47, fourth in the NL East) vs. San Diego Padres (42-47, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Max Scherzer (8-2, 4.03 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 94 strikeouts); Padres: Joe Musgrove (7-2, 3.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 72 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -127, Mets +108; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres and New York Mets meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.San Diego has gone 24-23 in home games and 42-47 overall. The Padres have a 17-11 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.New York is 42-47 overall and 22-28 on the road. The Mets have a 25-43 record in games when they have allowed a home run.The matchup Sunday is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Mets hold a 3-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Fernando Tatis Jr. leads the Padres with a .285 batting average, and has 19 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, 25 walks and 44 RBI. Manny Machado is 12-for-42 wit...

Giants and Rockies play, winner claims 3-game series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

Colorado Rockies (34-56, fifth in the NL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (48-41, third in the NL West)San Francisco; Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Kyle Freeland (4-9, 4.93 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 63 strikeouts); Giants: Logan Webb (7-7, 3.62 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 117 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -272, Rockies +223; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.San Francisco is 48-41 overall and 25-22 in home games. The Giants have the third-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.00.Colorado has a 14-32 record on the road and a 34-56 record overall. Rockies hitters are batting a collective .255, which ranks seventh in the NL.The teams play Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Giants lead the season series 4-1.TOP PERFORMERS: LaMonte Wade Jr has nine home runs, 53 walks and 29 RBI while hitting .275 for the Giants. Michael Conforto is 9-for-34 with four doubles, a home ...

Marlins and Phillies meet to decide series winner

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (48-40, third in the NL East) vs. Miami Marlins (52-39, second in the NL East)Miami; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Aaron Nola (8-5, 4.30 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 114 strikeouts); Marlins: Jesus Luzardo (7-5, 3.32 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 120 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -121, Phillies +102; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Miami Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Miami has a 52-39 record overall and a 29-18 record in home games. The Marlins are 39-20 in games when they record eight or more hits.Philadelphia has a 48-40 record overall and a 26-24 record in road games. The Phillies have gone 15-6 in games when they did not give up a home run.Sunday’s game is the sixth meeting between these teams this season. The Marlins hold a 3-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Jorge Soler has 18 doubles, 23 home runs and 51 RBI while hitting .254 for the Marlins. Lui...

Milwaukee Brewers play the Cincinnati Reds Sunday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:30:55 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (50-40, first in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (48-42, second in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Ben Lively (0-0); Brewers: Wade Miley (5-2, 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 38 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.Milwaukee is 25-21 at home and 48-42 overall. The Brewers have a 25-7 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.Cincinnati has a 50-40 record overall and a 27-19 record in road games. Reds hitters have a collective .419 slugging percentage to rank 10th in MLB.The teams meet Sunday for the seventh time this season. The Brewers are ahead 4-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich leads the Brewers with a .282 batting average, and has 18 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 46 walks and 46 RBI. William Contreras is 14-for-41 with a home run and seven RBI over the past 10 games.Spencer Steer has 19 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 51 RBI for the Reds. ...