Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 269

NBA Cup preview: Warriors on the road for quarterfinal against Rockets

The Warriors are going to Houston for a snowball-effect game: The result greatly determines what the next two weeks look like for Golden State, one way or another.

If Golden State beats Houston, the Warriors will head to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semifinals against the winner of Tuesday night’s Thunder-Mavericks game. If they lose tonight, they’ll return home to the Chase Center for the loser of that matchup.

Those outcomes create extremely different paths.

From a scheduling standpoint, the Warriors would probably be better off losing to Houston. If they advance in the Cup, they’ll lose a home game — finishing the season with 40 home games — and embark on what could be a 12-day road trip if they make the NBA Cup championship to extend their season to 83 games.

Warriors players have consistently made clear their desire to win the NBA Cup and its associated prize money; every NBA Cup champion player is awarded over $500,000. Playing high-octane games so early in the season could benefit some of their younger players, as well.

Asked if he’d liken Wednesday’s game to a playoff game in Houston, Steph Curry drew a distinction: “Not really, but there’s still an appreciation for a moment, like a build-up for a game,” Curry said.

“We all want to get to Vegas, for sure. So we’ll give everything we’ve got to it. But a little different context than the playoffs.”

Here’s what to watch for in the Warriors’ matchup with Houston.

Serious ownage

The last time the Warriors lost to the Rockets was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was so long ago that Russell Westbrook and James Harden were still on the Rockets. Marquese Chriss started for the Warriors that game, and Alen Smailagic played 12 minutes off the bench.

The Warriors have won all 15 matchups since that Feb. 2, 2020 game.

“Sometimes the NBA is funny like that,” said Steve Kerr, who called the trend “random.”

Although this Rockets team — currently third in the West — is different from many of the squads Golden State has handled over the past few seasons, the Warriors have already beaten Houston twice this year. Such an extended losing streak could have psychological effects on the Rockets when they face the Warriors.

A Houston X-factor

Tari Eason has missed the last two games in concussion protocol, including Houston’s most recent game against the Warriors.

Eason’s absence was one of the reasons that allowed Jonathan Kuminga to erupt for 33 points, matching his career-high. Without Eason, the Rockets have less defensive flexibility and have to rely more on center Alperen Sengun.

Sengun’s a rising star, but the Warriors are a tough matchup for him. In their first meeting, Houston erased a 31-point deficit by putting Eason and Amen Thompson — athletic, tenacious defenders — on the court at the same time, benching Sengun.

Eason got cleared from concussion protocol, clearing the way for him to return Wednesday. With him back, the Rockets will once again have the versatility that raises their ceiling.

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Golden State pressed pause on moving Draymond Green to the bench for Kuminga against the Timberwolves because of Andrew Wiggins’ ankle injury; he’s listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game.

If Wiggins returns, the Warriors are expected to start Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Wiggins, Kuminga and Kevon Looney.

That would create a bench unit centered around Green’s playmaking and Buddy Hield’s gravity, with at least one of Curry and Podziemski on the court at all times. Green could close halves and spend more time at center against less physical backups.

A playoff-like environment would be an interesting test case to see which lineup combinations Kerr prioritizes.

Stopping Jalen Green

As he did in the second half of last year, guard Jalen Green is starting to get hot. He’s averaging 24.6 points over his past five games, shooting 47.4% from the field and 44.1% from deep.

Green is a dynamic athlete and three-level scorer when he’s rolling. Two weeks ago, he dropped 41 points on 12-for-20 shooting (plus 13-of-14 free throws) in a win over Philadelphia.

Gary Payton II was excellent defending Anthony Edwards on Sunday night and could get another tough assignment in Green.

Handling ball pressure

One reason Eason and Thompson were so effective in Houston’s comeback to force overtime in the first meeting is the constant ball pressure they applied to the Warriors.

In the worst moments of Golden State’s near-collapse, the Warriors had trouble getting the ball over halfcourt. Surprisingly, other teams have failed to replicate the success of Houston’s tenacious pressure.

Staggering Curry and Podziemski’s minutes should help mitigate some of Houston’s aggressive defensive tactics. But even then, taking care of the ball will be pivotal. Houston forces a league-average number of turnovers per game, but has the second-rated defense in the league. Golden State is 2-3 on the year when committing at least 18 turnovers.

Barbara Intermill, On Nutrition: Catching up on letters

Yikes, the year is almost over and my inbox still holds some unanswered questions from readers.

Dave P. from Tucson writes: “I’ve read that in order to derive the full nutritional value from mushrooms, they should be nuked in the microwave for two to three minutes. Is this true, and are there other vegetables that should be cooked in any way?”

You may be referring to a 2022 study published in the journal Foods that compared different cooking methods on the retention of healthful substances in mushrooms. These researchers reported that microwaving (for 3 minutes) was the best method to retain their strong antioxidant activity. Mushrooms’ flavor, however, was best enhanced with pressure cooking and stir frying.

Steaming or microwave cooking are generally the top methods recommended to preserve nutrients in vegetables. I personally like to roast veggies in the oven. Lo and behold, roasting actually helps make nutrients in these foods more digestible, according to a 2021 review in Food Chemistry. And I would argue that nothing compares to the yummy flavor imparted to vegetables cooked this way.

Karen W. asks, “Is there any evidence that drinking seltzer water is bad for people with osteoporosis?” Not according to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly National Osteoporosis Foundation). These experts say there is no connection between carbonated water and bone loss. (Seltzer is plain water that has been carbonated by the addition of carbon dioxide.) In fact, certain carbonated mineral waters have been shown to improve bone health, according to these experts.

Bill W. inquires, “Is drinking many of our fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in a smoothy as healthy and nutritious as eating them?

It can be, as long as your smoothie contains the same ingredients as the whole foods. That means don’t get rid of the pulp where valuable fiber resides. And skip extra ingredients such as sugar.

Richard D. from Missouri writes, “I want to start drinking green tea and possibly a black tea. Are there one or two brands of green tea and one brand of black tea that you would suggest, that would be easy for me to prepare?”

Either type, black or green, are good choices as they both come from the same plant. Some studies have found that brewing loose tea leaves in a diffuser releases more healthful antioxidant compounds than bagged teas, however.

Most brands of tea are easy to prepare if you follow some general guidelines: Use fresh hot water (black teas can withstand higher temps than more delicate green teas). Pour it over the tea bag or tea diffuser (if you use loose leaves). Steep for 3 to 5 minutes. And never squeeze a tea bag after steeping, say experts. It releases tannins and other bitter compounds into your tea.

Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist and syndicated columnist. She is the author of “Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating.” Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.

Trump says he’ll name Andrew Ferguson head of FTC and Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump made another flurry of job announcements on Tuesday, selecting Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Ron Johnson was nominated to be ambassador to Mexico, and Kimberly Guilfoyle to be ambassador to Greece.

Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior.

“Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.”

Tom Barrack was chosen as the nominee for ambassador to Turkey. Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022.

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Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.”

Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump’s first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency.

Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump’s 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night.

“I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted.

The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks during the Republican National Convention, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.”

Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, and Dan Bishop as deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management.

The replacement of Khan at the FTC likely means that the commission will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions.

“These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis.

Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command.

For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night.

The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart.

One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing.

Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said.

And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms.

Associated Press Writers Jill Colvin in New York and Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.

Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy.

They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump.

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Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls.

On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!”

The first lady’s office declined to comment.

When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state.

The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.”

After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person.

Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!”

After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.”

Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.”

Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries.

On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene.

The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”

In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.”

As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body.

After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru.

Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor.

“President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.”

Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait.

“I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said.

Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office.

“Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.”

“This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.”

Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did

By JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding.

Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month.

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“I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks … and I didn’t. Stupid.”

The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced him as the Democratic nominee, largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs.

More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden.

Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels.

Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.”

“President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts.

He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council.

“I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said.

Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025, a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights.

“I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.”

Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.

Deadly chocolate factory explosion caused by faulty gas fitting, safety board finds

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM

Cascading failures involving a corroded steam pipe and a defective natural gas fitting caused a powerful explosion in 2023 at a Pennsylvania chocolate factory, killing seven workers when the company failed to evacuate, a federal safety board said Tuesday.

About 70 production workers and 35 office staff at R.M. Palmer Co. were working in two adjacent buildings at the time of the blast. Employees in both buildings told federal investigators they could smell gas before the explosion. Workers at the plant have accused the company of ignoring warnings of a natural gas leak, saying the plant, in a small town 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia, should have been evacuated.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the factory failed to have natural gas emergency procedures in place that could have resulted in an immediate evacuation. The explosion leveled one building and heavily damaged another, sending flames more than 40 feet (21 meters) into the air and causing $42 million in property damage.

“Contributing to the accident’s severity was R.M. Palmer Company’s insufficient emergency response procedures and training of its employees, who did not understand the hazard and did not evacuate the buildings before the explosion,” the National Transportation Safety Board said in its statement of probable cause, approved Tuesday at the board’s meeting in Washington, D.C.

Palmer has since adopted a revised policy on evacuations, but Jennifer Homendy, the NTSB board chair, said it’s still insufficient because it advises staff to investigate and determine if evacuation is necessary.

“That’s exactly what they did in this scenario,” she said. “’No, you leave.’ Now, their response is they have other smells in their building because chocolate is being made. You know the difference between natural gas smell and chocolate. ‘Get out, immediately.’ So I think this actually provides significant confusion for their employees and they should change it.”

Palmer said in a statement that “not a day goes by that we do not remember and reflect on the heartbreaking loss of several colleagues and friends on that tragic day,” adding it “takes the health, safety and wellness of our employees very seriously” and will continue working with regulators.

The federal safety agency also described the role of UGI Corp., the gas utility that provided service to the candy factory in West Reading.

An old Palmer steam pipe that was already badly corroded finally cracked, allowing steam to escape and raising the temperature of UGI’s gas fitting — so much so that it, too, cracked, federal safety investigators found. Gas then migrated underground and made its way into the basement of Palmer’s second building, where it exploded. Investigators couldn’t determine the ignition source.

A UGI crew replacing gas lines in the area in 2021 — two years before the blast — was alerted to the presence of the steam pipe, but failed to notify the utility’s safety managers so the pipe could be assessed for its impact on the gas fitting that ultimately failed, the five-member safety board found.

“By not addressing the threat posed by the steam pipe, UGI Corporation’s distribution integrity management program was not effective in preventing the accident,” the safety board said in its findings. The board also said there was a delay in getting gas shut off after the blast because UGI did not properly mark its valves — and a critical valve had been paved over.

UGI said it is reviewing the findings.

“Safety remains our main priority in the communities we serve, where we work, and where we live. UGI continues to work with customers that also operate underground steam lines, to make sure their systems and our natural gas systems can operate safely together,” said John Mason, a company spokesperson. He said the company has “fully cooperated” with NTSB.

The service tee that failed was made by DuPont and has a known tendency to crack. The plastic piping is still in widespread use around the country, but the safety board said many utilities may not be aware of the locations where it is most vulnerable to failure from elevated temperatures.

UGI had a chance to remediate the faulty tee during the 2021 pipeline replacement project but did not do so, board investigators said.

“They knew that this was dangerous, brittle piping for decades. It should have been remediated,” said Andrew Duffy, an attorney representing explosion victims in a civil suit. “It’s a shocking failure in an industry whose sole responsibility is to transport gas through pipelines safely.”

Board member J. Todd Inman compared the Palmer explosion to a 1996 blast at a shoe store in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that killed 33, saying the NTSB raised many of the same issues then. Federal regulators have long said that much of the plastic pipe manufactured for natural gas service from the 1960s through the early 1980s was susceptible to cracking.

“Sometimes you think we can learn our lesson, or at least the operators can,” he said.

The NTSB issued a range of recommendations for UGI and other utilities, regulatory agencies, state governments and R.M Palmer itself. One recommendation: That businesses, homes, schools and other buildings served by natural gas install alarms that can detect a leak.

5 under-the-radar travel destinations the UN says you should visit

Lebawit Lily Girma | (TNS) Bloomberg News

As a year of travel that was marked largely by overtourism protests in Barcelona, Oaxaca and Venice draws to a close, the appeal of offbeat vacations continues to grow.

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The initiative, started in 2021, aims to raise awareness of lesser-known places worth visiting — and also reward responsible tourism management. Put simply, these destinations are using visitation funds in a way that boosts their cultural practices, preserves biodiversity and improves quality of life for locals. Each village also counts fewer than 15,000 inhabitants and maintains traditional activities such as agriculture and fishing.

“The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism,” says U.N. Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Among this year’s worthy escapes are rural villages in Panama and Guatemala, two countries appearing on the list for the first time. Panama’s historic northern port of Portobelo, for example, draws smaller crowds despite its tranquil Caribbean beaches and significant colonial past. But it also stood out because tourism there helps fund cultural heritage preservation activities for youth through the Bahía de Portobelo Foundation, as well as coral reef restoration projects.

Appearing on this coveted list can lead to increased visitation from higher-spending travelers, too. For instance, in Aragon, Spain, the village of Alquezar’s mountain trekking, canyoning and hiking used to draw mostly visitors from France and Spain, but since its win in 2022, international visitors from Japan and China have vacationed there, according to Alquezar Mayor Ana Blasco Castillo. Sandra Carvao, who helps develop rural tourism as a director at U.N. Tourism, sees this as one of the major pluses of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, in addition to diverting travelers from major hot spots. “It’s really to make sure that the sector can benefit places which wouldn’t necessarily be top of your mind,” she says.

This year’s winners were selected from 260 nominations that U.N. Tourism received from more than 60 member countries. We highlighted five that are easily accessible.

Splügen, SwitzerlandView of Splugen, an alpine village in Canton Grisons in Switzerland. (Wirestock/Dreamstime/TNS)

Splügen, in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border, is smaller in size as a ski getaway than, say, the busier and glitzy St. Moritz just an hour-and-a-half scenic drive east. But that’s exactly the draw: It’s a quieter winter sports vacation destination that doubles as an under-the-radar spot in the spring and summer, with access to crystal clear lakes and Beverin Regional Nature Park. Splügen became part of this protected area in 2020, joining more than 10 communities living here who’ve committed to play a part in preserving it. Next year boutique property Speluca Brewery Hotel is set to open; its design makes use of formerly abandoned spaces on the village’s outskirts, including an old barn and a former hotel from the 1960s, plus new structures that will reflect the village’s traditional timber aesthetic. Splügen’s communities want to attract more year-round visitors as well, whom they expect once the future Rheinwald Resort AG project is completed, featuring a mix of rooms and a campsite for long-term stays.

San Rafael de la Laguna, Ecuador

San Rafael de la Laguna serves as a reminder of Ecuador’s outsized natural riches—sitting in the foothills of the Andes, just under a two-hour drive north of Quito. It’s close to Imbakucha, or the lake of the gods, also commonly known as Lago San Pablo. You can hop on guided tours to spot herons and ducks from traditional boats made from totora reeds, a local aquatic plant growing abundantly in the area. Cycling enthusiasts will find routes that traverse the Otavalo Valley, and the village also celebrates vibrant Indigenous rooted festivals. The Pawkar Raymi marks the start of the agricultural season in early March, in alignment with the spring equinox, and the Inti Raymi celebrates the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Expect plenty of community events for both, including traditional Andean music and dance. If you’re more into hands-on experiences, craft workshops teach you to make baskets, trays and hats out of totora reeds.

Gharb Suhayl, Egypt

If you’re set on visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025, it would be worth including a stop in Aswan, south of Giza. From there, hop on a 30-minute boat ride south to reach the peaceful, ancient Nubian village of Gharb Suhayl, set on the banks of the Nile. Beyond its brightly painted homes in blue, yellow and ocher, you’ll find striking art murals, said to give the area the feel of a living outdoor museum. You’re likely to be invited into a Nubian family’s home to learn about the way of life, and you could also spend time shopping in souks for crafts, jewelry and spices. A handful of luxury tour operators, such as Black Tomato, offer stops in Aswan, continuing down the Nile to Abu Simbel.

Pissouri, Cyprus

On Cyprus’ rugged southwestern coast, Pissouri offers a quieter alternative to resort town Limassol, which lies just a 30-minute drive east. You’ll have your pick of outdoor activities in Pissouri, including the Cape Astrot hiking trail, tucked along gigantic rock formations, for jaw-dropping vistas over a turquoise bay and its pebble sand beach. The agricultural village’s cobblestoned square is lined with local tavernas where you can dine on Cypriot meze — small plates of local cheeses, olives, seafood and grilled meats, as well as dips. For a deeper dive into Pissouri’s heritage, get a guided tour at G Theophamous Winery on the history of Pissouri’s Sultanina grape and winemaking traditions. To draw more visitors in the future, this small agricultural village is working on an accessible hiking trail for disabled travelers, as well as a House of Halloumi Museum — named after Cyprus’ signature cheese — that will showcase this region’s dairy products.

Uaxactún, Guatemala

Most people head to Tikal National Park and unknowingly bypass Uaxactún, an ancient Mayan historical site located just a 30-minute drive north. But it counts uncrowded forest trails where you can observe the area’s temples, including a ceremonial complex, stelae and an astronomy observatory that the Maya once used to mark celestial events. Uaxactún was at its peak from 600 A.D. to 900 A.D., when it was an important center for art and astronomy. In March the eponymous village celebrates the spring equinox festival through sacred ceremonies at the site that include chants, fires and drumming. Inquire about a craftmaking workshop with local women’s group Brisas de la Selva Maya, where you’ll learn to make necklaces and bracelets from forest-sourced elements such as seeds, mushrooms and flowers.

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Horoscopes Dec. 10, 2024: Kenneth Branagh, you are in a better position than you realize

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Raven-Symone, 39; Emmanuelle Chriqui, 49; Meg White, 50; Kenneth Branagh, 64.

Happy Birthday: You are in a better position than you realize. Toss negativity aside; it will only hold you back. Turn your attention to what makes you feel alive and become a part of something you can turn into a moneymaking endeavor that has the potential to expand and that encourages you to thrive. Live, learn and grow this year; your progress will boost your confidence and bring you joy. Your numbers are 7, 18, 21, 29, 33, 38, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take nothing for granted. If you want something done, do it yourself. How you handle situations will determine who you will draw into your circle. Be sure to take care of every detail to avoid technicalities that can put you behind schedule. An activity requiring physical attributes will pay off. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Giving up or giving in to someone putting pressure on you will leave you at odds about your future. Check out how best to raise your profile and qualifications. The confidence to promote yourself and what you have to offer will decide the outcome. Trust and believe in yourself. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Focus on what you can do to improve your life. Take a course, learn a new skill or make domestic alterations that make your space more inviting. Let your charm and desire to make a difference influence those you encounter. Follow through; be the one to make things happen. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Spend time taking care of business instead of discussing your plans. Use your connections, call in favors, and stand up and be counted. Putting your heart and soul into whatever you do will give you the edge to outmaneuver anyone who tries to slow you down. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Set your plans in motion and finish what you start. Let your energy flow freely and efficiently as you strive to achieve your goals. A creative endeavor will offer a lesson that helps you to overcome any reservations regarding your skills or benchmarks you want to conquer. Romance is favored. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Spend more time at home dealing with domestic matters and personal investments. Consider what will make your life easier and implement the changes that will put your mind at ease. Forward-thinking and executing your plans with discipline and detail will make a difference in how others treat you. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get moving. The more you fit into your day, the better. Travel, attend events and reunions or sign up for something motivational. The people you encounter will offer insight into potential opportunities to improve your life. Self-improvement projects will turn out well, and romance will be in the stars. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change of heart is likely, but first, understand the consequences. Avoid unsafe situations that can endanger your health or physical well-being. Stick to what and who you know and focus on projects that you find exciting. A networking or social event will lead to a beneficial encounter. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take pride in what you do; shortcuts won’t pay off, and relying on someone else to do as good a job as you will fall short of your expectations. Build assets by investing in yourself and your home. Updating your look will be uplifting and encourage physical and emotional growth. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Work behind the scenes to avoid drama and those trying to force their will on you. Map out your route before you head out. Preparation will allow your intuition to take over and lead you down the path most likely to suit your needs. Personal updates will boost your confidence. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Refuse to let what others decide to do interfere with your plans. Put your heart and soul into creating the perfect environment to house your desires. Look for opportunities that allow you to utilize your space and talents to master what you do best. Explore, expand and excel. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dig in and press forward until you reach your objective. Refuse to let anyone lead you off course or tempt you with gestures of grandeur that lack substance. Change begins with you. Research, follow proper protocol and let your innovative ideas point you in the right direction. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are progressive, ambitious and opportunistic. You are energetic and proactive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Buster Posey ‘bullish’ on Camilo Doval returning to SF Giants in 2025

DALLAS — Buster Posey and Zack Minasian weren’t at liberty to discuss the reported seven-year, $182 million agreement with shortstop Willy Adames on the first day of the Winter Meetings. The deal is not yet official, and the closest Posey got to tipping his hand was revealing that Tyler Fitzgerald, last year’s starting shortstop, will move to second base.

What Posey did disclose was the future of a certain flamethrowing reliever.

Posey tossed water on the possibility of the Giants trading right-hander Camilo Doval, the one-time All-Star who just endured the rockiest season of his major-league career.

“I’m pretty bullish on him coming back,” said the Giants’ new president of baseball operations. “This guy’s got the potential to be a lockdown piece. We’ve seen it right? He’s got nearly 100 saves in the big leagues. That doesn’t happen by accident. I’m excited to have a chance to talk with him. Obviously, getting to catch him, I know the personality a little bit.”

Posey, having caught Doval during the reliever’s rookie season, knows what Doval looks like at his best. This past season was far from that.

Doval entered 2024 as the Giants’ closer after posting a 2.77 ERA with 69 saves in his first three seasons, but lost that role by early August when San Francisco optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. At the time of his demotion, Doval had a 4.70 ERA over 44 innings while walking nearly six batters per nine innings.

“Everybody’s going to, at some point in time, go through some struggles,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It’s how you handle it, and I think he’s handled it beautifully. He went down there and he worked on the things we asked him to. It’s very rare you find guys who throw 99 (mph) and have a wipeout slider and hitters aren’t comfortable in the box.”

Upon returning from Sacramento in late August, Doval had a 5.40 ERA over 15 innings but ended the season with four consecutive scoreless outings. All told, he finished with a career-worst 4.88 ERA over 59 innings.

Right-hander Ryan Walker assumed the closer role in Doval’s absence, finishing his sophomore season with a 1.91 ERA over 80 innings with 10 saves. Given Walker’s late-season dominance — he allowed two earned runs over the last two months of the season — he stands to assume the closer role next season.

Despite Doval’s struggles, he still possesses the foundation to be a good — if not great — bullpen arm. His velocity remains elite (96th percentile of average fastball velocity) and his slider, one with an above-average movement profile, is still effective. If Doval can trim the free passes — his 5.95 walks per nine innings was the highest among all relievers — it’s not difficult to envision the right-hander re-gaining a leverage role in San Francisco’s bullpen.

“It’s how you kind of process and move forward when you have some struggles. Sometimes it can end up being good for you and making you better,” said Melvin. “We’re excited about having him back. We’ll see what roles look like, but he’s been a closer. He’s been an All-Star. The stuff hasn’t gone away. There’s a lot to like about him.”

Adding to the rotation remains priority

While Posey, Minasian and Melvin didn’t discuss the team’s new shortstop, San Francisco’s brass did talk about another area of need: the starting rotation.

The Giants, as things stand, can roll out a five-man rotation of Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong with Landon Roupp, Keaton Winn, Mason Black and Carson Whisenhunt as depth options. Following a season where San Francisco’s starters ranked 29th in innings pitched despite Logan Webb leading the National League in frames, Posey believes San Francisco needs another starter who can carry the load.

“We’ll just have to see what our options look like,” Posey said. “Again, I just want to re-emphasize that there’s a lot of belief in this group. Gosh, they’re so young still. I think Harrison (will be) 23-and-a-half on Opening Day, something like that. I’m excited to see what they can do.”

Since the Giants already have starting options, acquiring another rotation piece would force San Francisco to shuffle its rotation. If the Giants sign a free-agent starter, could Hicks or Birdsong transition to the bullpen? Would Birdsong start the season in Triple-A altogether? When asked how the Giants balance their pursuit of external options while being mindful of their internal options, Minasian cited the importance of gathering opinions.

“Can a pitcher be helped out by getting a little bit more seasoning, whether it’s in the minor leagues, whether that’s in a different role?” Minasian said. “Are we doing a pitcher a disservice by doing that? How much do we want to push those arms, not only from a performance standpoint, but also from a health standpoint.”

Posey discusses Soto pursuit

Following failed pursuits of superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in recent years, the Giants didn’t emerge as finalists for Juan Soto, who reportedly signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Still, Posey revealed that there were discussions about jumping in the negotiations.

When asked why San Francisco wasn’t all-in on the pursuit, Posey said, “I think we’re just trying to look around — the two of us — and say, what do we think our greatest needs are for the San Francisco Giants next year and trying to address those needs accordingly.”

Regarding the contract value — Soto’s deal is the largest in professional sports history — Posey said he “didn’t know where it was going to go.” Melvin, who managed Soto in San Diego, told reporters that he was happy for Soto.

“My first thought is that my oldest kids will be 28 when he’s done playing,” Posey said. “That really puts it in perspective. He’s a generational talent. He’s good. I don’t know what to say other than that. What he does to a lineup, he’s an extraordinary player.”

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout

By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule.

Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees.

Related ArticlesNational Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas.

“I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting.

The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern, if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year.

The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies.

“We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office.

The president-elect announced other appointments Monday, including his lawyer Harmeet Dhillon for assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department and Mark Paoletta as the returning general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed.

The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday.

“I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media.

Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo.

Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard.

Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office.

Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.”

One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday.

“I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement.

Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.”

Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard.

Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020.

But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia.

Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes.

Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule.

She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.”

Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.”

Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.

They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.”

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser.

Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.