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In Poland, coal is no longer king — but its mark remains

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

OPTICSIn Poland, coal is no longer king — but its mark remainsThe industry’s legacy lives on in the culture, the economy and the European Union’sclimate policies.By KARL MATHIESENPhotos by ALEKSANDRA KOSSOWSKA in Konin, Poland Every year for nearly a century, the miners in the Polish coal city of Konin have gathered to celebrate St. Barbara, the patron of their profession, and the black mineral rock that has held their community together.This year, on December 4, the miners of Konin marched for what will likely be the last time. The mine around which their community was built is shutting down. In the largest pit, the sump pumps have already been turned off, allowing the dark water to rise. Soon there will be no more mining over which Barbara’s grace can shine. As the miners gathered for the St. Barbara’s Day events, a question hung over the city: Was this a funeral or a celebration of reincarnation? The end of mining in Konin coincides with a shift in ...

How to stay close when child lives far away

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Q. I am very close to my 11-year-old daughter, but the truth is, she has a more conventional home with her mother and bonus dad. And when he was transferred for business six months ago, I decided not to protest thinking it was really best for her not to be in the middle of a custody battle. Thing is, now that she lives five hours away, I rarely see her. Nothing like the two or three times a week and every other weekend that we used to share. Now the holidays are coming around and I feel like I just don’t know her anymore. I miss her terribly and I have no idea what to get her for Christmas. What do I do? What’s good ex-etiquette?A. Co-parents talk to each other. They reach out when they need help. (Good Ex-etiquette rule No. 2, “Ask for help if you need it.”) Just because you moved away doesn’t mean you stop co-parenting with your daughter’s mother. So, ask her mom! You can bet she knows and would probably love the help with buying presents.You’re concerned about s...

Catch these essential Andre Braugher shows and movies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Andre Braugher’s career spanned over three decades and was filled with several notable roles across film and television. The actor, who died Monday at 61, became a household name after starring in “Homicide: Life on the Streets” as Det. Frank Pembleton. The series, based on a book by David Simon about the Baltimore Police Department’s homicide unit, ran from 1993 to 1999, earning him his first Emmy in 1998 for lead actor in a drama.His second Emmy came in 2006 for his leading role in the FX thriller miniseries “Thief,” in which he played master criminal Nick Atwater. Speaking to the L.A. Times’s Greg Braxton in 2006, Braugher said the role “demanded more of my resources than anything has before. It’s not so much a crime drama as a character study of a man becoming authentic to himself.”Braugher also received an Emmy nomination for his performance as Dr. Ben Gideon in ABC’s “Gideon’s Crossing” in 2001...

Schoen: Biden should take border-for-aid deal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

As the end of year crunch in Washington approaches, senators on both sides of the aisle are racking up the urgency of passing President Joe Biden’s $106 billion national security supplemental request.If passed, the supplemental will provide military funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan as well as money to hire over 1,000 new border patrol agents and stem the entry of fentanyl into the country.However, Congressional Republicans led by Speaker Mike Johnson are holding up a vote on the funding package over demands for changes to border laws. Republicans are looking to reform federal asylum policy as well as the parole process in order to stem the high flow of migration.Speaker Johnson sent a letter to the White House to underline GOP demands, stating that Ukraine aid is “dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nation’s border security laws.”Even if Republican requests on reformed asylum policy go further than Democrats would like, the combined package would be a goo...

Do I have to chip in on a present for the boss?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Q. My whole department works remotely. Everyone — well, everyone but me — wants to chip in for an expensive gift for our boss. I should add that I’m looking for a new job. Do I need to donate to the gift? It feels forced upon me. Will it look bad if I don’t?A. Ah, peer pressure. You’re not alone — I get similar questions this time of year. No, you don’t need to donate to the cause especially since it sounds expensive. You can say something like, “I won’t be participating this year, but thanks anyway for the opportunity” or whatever feels authentic with your voice.As for wondering if it will look bad if you don’t, whether that’s among your peers or to your boss: If you feel like it, you may want to give your boss something less expensive, yet thoughtful. Consider sending a handwritten card, baking a sweet treat or something similar. But being remote adds an element that makes that type of gift harder. So you do y...

What’s behind dog’s behavioral changes?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Dear Dr. John,Our Portuguese Water Dog is 14 1/2 years old. He has been increasingly agitated and aggressive. He even bit my husband when he reached for something he was eating, something he would have never done before. The dog has also been very restless at night. Could this all be due to old age even though he otherwise seems quite normal?He has been slower getting around and on the stairs to our bedroom on the second floor. We had our vet take a look and had been given some Gabapentin 300 mg and it seemed to work at relaxing our dog. Could he take it long term? Our vet did some bloodwork to check everything out. Our dog had a high platelet count and slight anemia. Our vet indicated that it could be a sign of various disorders including cancer. Further diagnostics could be done but we are opting out at this time. What could be the possible causes for his behavior and are there any better choices to calm our old boy down? J.L.Dear J.L,High platelet count is known as thrombocytosis...

Gift music fans these great blasts from the past

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Wondering how to wow the music lovers on your gift list this year? Check out these winning picks.“Otis Forever: The Albums & Singles (1968-1970),” Otis ReddingRedding died in a plane crash at the end of 1967, so how much stuff can a six LP box have from this three year slice of time? So, so, so very much. The glut of Jimi Hendrix and Prince posthumous releases have been treasures, but only Redding released his best music after he passed away. Listening to this set, the loss feels more tragic than ever. There’s the entire “The Dock of Bay” album — his best record featuring his signature song (there’s a case to be made that “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” is the best pop song). There’s chocked-top-to-bottom-with-r&b-gems “Love Man” with the staggering tower of soul that is “Free Me.” There’s two more ace albums plus a double LP that’s exclusive to the set with 24 of his singles including “Amen,” “Hard to Handle” and “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember.” Pure genius over a dozen si...

Top picks for TV shows to watch this week

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Settle in for a great week of TV watching and streaming:‘Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration’Anyone who has seen Nelson in concert recently knows he pretty much sticks to the same set list. But a birthday bash at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl provided the legend a perfect excuse to go off script. Highlights from the two-day event in April that will air Sunday include Keith Richards joining in on “Live Forever” and Sheryl Crow dueting on “Far Away Places.” While it’s a jam-packed special, it’s too bad that sets from Neil Young, Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yoakam didn’t make the final cut. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, CBS‘Friends & Family Christmas’The latest Hallmark Channel holiday flick includes all the standards: tree shopping, hot chocolate, one final smooch at the end. But the movie stands out because the main lovebirds are both female — a “twist” that once seemed unfathomable for the cable network...

Editorial: Revenge? GOP needs to chart a path forward

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Kevin McCarthy, recently deposed as House speaker, has urged Donald Trump to move away from a message of “revenge.”McCarthy was referencing a speech Trump gave last month in which the former president told supporters he would be their “retribution” if he again wins the Oval Office.“If you want to become president,” McCarthy told The Wall Street Journal last week, “it has to be about rebuilding, restoring and renewing America. If it’s revenge, you won’t get the opportunity.”The California Republican makes a compelling case. Let’s hope that House Republicans — in addition to Trump — heed his advice.The House approved a formal impeachment inquiry regarding President Joe Biden’s involvement in his son’s various business dealings. This is payback for the unprecedented attempts by congressional Democrats to remove Trump from office.Republicans should continue to probe Hunter Biden’s overseas money grabs. The president’s son faces nine counts of tax evasion. But talk of bringing articles o...

How to manage medication for loved ones

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:18:33 GMT

Dear Mayo Clinic: My elderly mom has recently been told she needs to take a bunch of different medications every day due to her health conditions. It’s gotten pretty overwhelming, and I’m worried about things like her missing doses or drug interactions. I just want to make sure she’s safe and healthy. Do you have tips on how to handle my mom’s meds?A: Some older people struggle with remembering to take their medications or organizing them effectively. Adult children, like yourself, can help by taking steps to monitor and update medication lists. Doing this can help prevent potential health complications, while also providing peace of mind for both you and your mom.The most common medication-related problems in older adults include taking too high or too low of a dose, taking unnecessary medications, not taking medication as directed or at all, taking an ineffective medication, or adverse drug reactions such as confusion, bleeding and oversedation.In addition,...