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Patterson: Economic ‘soft landing’ may not save Biden

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

Joe Biden is fond of telling Americans the “U.S. economy is strong as hell.” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent announcement that he expects to make three interest rate cuts in 2024 seems to support Biden’s opinion on the economy.After Powell made his rosy forecast for 2024, some reporters claimed our troubled economy would make a “soft landing” and avoid an economic recession. Corporate executives are not convinced. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase, is skeptical.In late November, Dimon said, “A lot of things out there (in the economy) are dangerous and inflationary. Be prepared.”The Labor Department’s November jobs numbers might not support Powell’s forecast. Though the report showed the economy added 199,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 3.7%, the report might have reflected economic relief that unions for autoworkers and actors reached agreements to return to work. Hiring in associated industries may have also influenced the November jobs report. The Decembe...

Andrew Scott finds the familiar in ‘All of Us Strangers’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

Andrew Scott will always be “the hot priest from ‘Fleabag,’ ” the 2018 British comedy series that put this accomplished Irish actor on the map.Now Scott, out since a 2013 newspaper interview, scores another international breakthrough with a buzzy performance in the acclaimed queer sci-fi drama “All of Us Strangers.”Set in a nearly empty apartment building, “Strangers” is a dark night of the soul as Scott’s character Adam visits his 12-year-old self meeting his long-dead parents, and has sex with the only neighbor (Paul Mescal).“Strangers” is written and directed by Scotland’s Andrew Haigh whose “Weekend” examined a gay couple’s first 48 hours together.For “Strangers” Haigh adapted a Japanese novel he’d read years earlier. “I could not get something out of my head: meeting your parents again after they were out of your life,” he said in a virtual press conference with Scott. “Where the novel is a traditional Japan ghost story, I needed to set it in England.”“I didn’t — an...

Mary Ann Esposito’s Sunday scones

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

One of the simple pleasures of Sunday mornings is enjoying a relaxed breakfast and I for one look forward to scones to go with my coffee. Scones are said to have originated in Scotland and were very much like bannock, a flat, dry oat biscuit made on a griddle.Today’s scones have taken on a sweeter side with nuances of dried fruits and nuts added to the ingredients. If you make them keep in mind that the best scones will have the least manipulation. Over-mixing will cause them to be tough instead of tender.It is best to mix the ingredients by hand and only until blended. Start with mixing the dry ingredients first and remember to measure the flour correctly by lightly sprinkling it into a dry one-cup measure and leveling it off at the top with a butter knife. Some recipes call for cold butter to be cut into the flour like making a pie crust but melted butter is only used to brush the tops of the scones. There are no eggs in this recipe. Heavy cream provides the liquid and richness. B...

Pork ragu makes a great hot Italian sandwich

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

Ragù alla Bolognese is no stranger to those of us who love Italian food. Originating in northern Italy, the classic sauce is made with a variety of meats that are slowly cooked until tender, along with vegetables, white wine and milk, with results that are hearty and rich, but also subtle in flavor.Because the term ragù is in the name of this popular sauce, it’s no surprise that most people outside of Italy have no idea that ragù actually refers to a broader category of meaty Italian sauces. Bolognese is simply a version that’s typical of the city of Bologna.Why do you care? Because while all Bolognese sauces are ragùs, not all ragùs are Bolognese. In fact, the two sauces are not always the same — and they’re not necessarily interchangeable.For example, this recipe, Slow-Braised Pork Ragù, as the name implies, is made with only pork, where Bolognese typically contains a variety of meats, including pork, beef and veal. It also uses red wine instead of white, and has...

Gaskin: Boston needs a DEI plan, stat

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

When Mayor Marty Walsh was assembling his Imagine Boston 2030 strategic plan for the city, I wrote and spoke to him about making inclusion a key part of it. He agreed and told me to talk to the people working on the plan. I did, but I was told there was no need for a special section focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion because these elements were already in every aspect of the Imagine Boston 2030 plan.If you look hard you might see some inferences in the plan, but nothing will jump out at you. Although Mayor Walsh hired Karilyn Crockett as the city’s first chief of equity and signed an executive order to expand opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses, among other actions, there was never a specific DEI plan, and the city stumbled from one diversity crisis to the next. In a 2017 Northeastern University forum, people pointed out to Walsh the level of discrimination people experience daily in the city. “People are tense for a reason, because in most c...

It’s clam chowder season – enjoy!

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

Thinking about my New England roots on a chilly day and clam chowder comes to mind. It’s a warm, classic comfort food. I wanted an easy dinner, but still capture the traditional flavors of a New England Chowder.Here is a shortcut version. I used little neck clams, but Quahog (large hard shell) clams or cherrystone clams can be used.Helpful hints:To wash clams scrub shells under cold running water. Tap any clams that are open on the counter. If they do not close, discard them. Also, discard any clams that do not open when cooked.TAG GOES HEREClam ChowderINGREDIENTS2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces1 cup diced onion1 cup diced green bell pepper1 3/4-cups yellow or red potato with skin cut into 1/2-inch pieces1 1/2-cups clam juice1 cup reduced sodium canned diced tomatoes with juice24 littleneck clams, rinsed well1/2 cup light cream2 tablespoons chopped parsleySalt and freshly ground black pepperDIRECTIONSHeat a large saucepan over medium high heat and add the bacon and cook unti...

Dear Abby: Kicked to curb by hubby after 30 years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

Dear Abby: Three months ago, my husband of 30 years came home from work, told me he wasn’t happy anymore and said he wanted a divorce. He announced he was moving in with his brother until he could find a place. Six days later, I found out he’d moved in with a woman he’d been seeing for a few months.I am devastated. He flaunts his new heifer all around town, forcing her on our granddaughters and rubbing her in my face. My divorce has been filed on the grounds of adultery. I can’t believe he dragged my adult children into the middle of this and made them lie to me.I have been trying to let go, but how do you let go of someone who gave you so much to remember? I’m still very much in love with him. After such a long marriage, must I just let it end like this? — Dumbfounded in TennesseeDear Dumbfounded: I suppose you could talk to your lawyer and try to drag out the divorce, hoping your husband will “come to his senses.” But at some point, ...

Pedestrian hit, killed in Midway District crash

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

Editor's note: FOX 5 initially reported a scooter rider was hit and killed in a vehicle crash, but when first responders arrived at the scene, they did not find a scooter. It appears the victim was a pedestrian.SAN DIEGO -- A pedestrian was hit and killed in a vehicle crash Tuesday in the Midway District, authorities said.San Diego police received a call around 6:59 p.m. about a scooter and vehicle colliding at the intersection of Midway Dr., Sports Arena Blvd. and West Point Loma Blvd., the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) told FOX 5. El Cajon police release documentary on homeless crisis in San Diego County When first responders arrived on scene, they did not find a scooter, according to Sgt. Saum Poorsaleh with SDPD. The pedestrian was found and confirmed dead at the location.It is unsure if the pedestrian was crossing of if he had the right of way.The driver involved in the crash remained at the scene. Driving under the influence is not suspected.Authorities have closed off ...

Rescuers race against time in search for survivors in Japan after powerful quakes leave 62 dead

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

SUZU, Japan (AP) — Rescue workers and canine units urgently sifted through rubble in the winter cold Wednesday in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes in western Japan left at least 62 people dead and dozens believed trapped under collapsed buildings.Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas were rattled by a major 4.9 magnitude aftershock in the early hours among the dozens of aftershocks that have followed a magnitude 7.6 temblor two days ago.The first 72 hours are especially critical, experts say, because the prospects for survival greatly diminishes after three days.“More than 40 hours have passed. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. “We have received reports many people are still waiting for rescue under collapsed buildings.”Relief officials were delivering water, blankets, food and other supplies. Noto’s narrow peninsula landscape has added to the challenges ...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. qualifies for presidential ballot in Utah, the first state to grant him access

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:58 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has collected enough signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, election officials say, marking the first state where the independent candidate and prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has qualified.Kennedy has met the 1,000-signature requirement needed to qualify for the Utah ballot and can officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state before a March 5 deadline, state Elections Director Ryan Cowley said. Utah is the first state where Kennedy’s campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said. She did not indicate which day he would file for candidacy.A scion of one of the nation’s most famous Democratic dynasties, the longtime environmental lawyer veered from the party last fall and announced his independent bid for the White House. He is a son of former senator and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of Democrat...