Home

Schoen & Mangel: President Biden’s economic woes piling up

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

In September, Doug warned that the U.S. economy was on the brink of a crisis that would cause real pain for American households and businesses. Economists at the time posited that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive efforts to combat surging inflation, while necessary, portended an impending recession, or worse, a period of stagflation.Six months later, the economic crisis that we – along with many others – feared is unfolding before our eyes, and has taken on a new dimension.Last week, in the span of 72 hours, two banks – Silicon Valley Bank, the 16th largest bank in the country, and the New York-based Signature Bank – collapsed, forcing the federal government to intervene in order to avert a breakdown in the global financial system.The consequences of these failures will take months to actualize, but in all likelihood, other banks will rein in lending, triggering a credit crunch and greater volatility in the stock market. Taken together with the continued fallout from the quickest pa...

PBS offers fresh take on portrait of ‘Marie Antoinette’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Sunday’s “Marie Antoinette” on PBS brings a 21st century focus to  one of history’s most enduring enigmas.Re-imagined by writer Deborah Davis (her Oscar-winning “The Favorite” mocked eccentric English royalty), this is emphatically a sympathetic portrait.Emilia Schüle, a Russian-born German actress, began with only vague notions about the Austrian princess.“Like everyone else, what I knew about her was mostly based on Sofia Coppola’s film. I knew she was beheaded. I knew she said, ‘Let them eat cake’ and she was addicted to dresses and parties and gambling.“And that perception totally changed,” Schüle, 31, said in a Zoom interview from Europe.“Because the first episode that Deborah Davis wrote is about Marie’s journey from Austria  to Paris where she’s about to be married off — and it is written like a nightmare! You really feel for that poor 14-year-old that’s been sent away from her mother, from her home country, to marry some guy she’s never met.“And this ...

How Javier Assad’s offseason velocity program and WBC performance has him in contention for Chicago Cubs roster spot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Adbert Alzolay’s emoji game got a workout this past week.Alzolay tuned in for both of Chicago Cubs teammate Javier Assad’s stellar relief appearances for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. And as Assad racked up the scoreless innings on the international stage, Alzolay made sure to give his performances a shout out on Twitter, punctuated with the appropriate emoji.“I mean, he’s just electric,” Alzolay told the Tribune. “Seeing him growing up in the minors and now seeing him on the biggest stage right now doing what he’s doing against the hitters and the teams he’s been doing it against tells you that this guy is already ready for the playoffs.”Like Alzolay, most of Justin Steele’s career has overlapped with Assad’s at the minor- and major-league levels.“That’s Assad, baby,” Steele said. “That’s just how he is. He’s really good.”Assad’s success in the WBC built of...

The difference between home state & habitual residence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Q. My ex-boyfriend and I are fighting about where I can live with our daughter.  Kelly was originally born here but we moved to Ireland during the pandemic (where my ex is from).  She was only three at the time and his parents cared for her so he could work and I could continue my PhD program remotely.  We never intended to live there permanently, just during the lockdown.I moved back in March, 2022 to defend my dissertation, attend my graduation and get Kelly ready to begin school here in September.  He chose not to move back.  I got engaged over New Years and when my ex learned of my impending marriage, he filed for custody of Kelly and the right to move her to Ireland.  He keeps threatening to file that I kidnapped her.My lawyer said it’s not a problem because Massachusetts is Kelly’s home state.  His lawyer keeps telling the judge that Ireland is Kelly’s habitual residence.  What is the difference in these terms?A. Unless he files an action under the Hague Kidnapping Conve...

Boston Israeli Film Festival spotlights diverse, exciting lineup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

For Lisa Gossels, the artistic director of this week’s Boston Israeli Film Festival (BIFF), part of the challenge and reward of programming is the films themselves – and the reactions they can provoke.In selecting movies she chooses “what our community and Boston-area audiences will be excited to see.”Gossels looks at both subject matter and issues. “This year, 50% of the films in our festival are directed by women.  Festivalgoers will find films about love and family relationships. People longing for and seeking connection. A range of social justice issues, and overcoming adversity and moving through trauma to healing.”Beginning Sunday, then on March 21 and 23, BIFF presents four in-person programs and then virtually from March 26-29 with three programs.“This is only the second festival I’ve programmed,” she said, “but I’m always looking for representation to hopefully experience different perspectives in nonfiction and fiction.”“The Narrow Bridge” she calls, “An extraordinary docu...

When child keeps a secret from the other parent

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Q. I have been divorced for six years. My son is 14. When he wants to tell me something important, he starts the sentence with, “Mom, don’t tell Dad, but…” I promise him I won’t say a thing, but I feel very guilty not letting his dad in on some of the conversations. Since my son says he prefers to be with me, the last thing I want to do is betray his trust. What’s good ex-etiquette?A. First, it’s “our” son, not “my” son, and if you adopt that mindset, you may not be as torn as you appear to be. It’s not your son and you against dad. It’s dad and you for your son. If your son is asking you to keep something from dad, he’s probably afraid of dad’s reaction.Or — and this is something parents hate to hear — asking one parent to not tell the other is a subtle way to divide and conquer. If you don’t compare notes, your son is ruling the roost. He can say “Dad said this,” “Mom said that,” and no one is checking to see if it’s true.That, and “Don’t tell Dad (or Mom),” is also standard behav...

Playful Wyatt also loves reading, music

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Wyatt is a happy and energetic boy who loves to run and play. He also enjoys reading books and listening to music. Wyatt does well in school with extra support. His teachers are calling this “The Year of Wyatt” due to his academic gains! Wyatt gets along well with other children and adults.Legally freed for adoption, Wyatt would do well in a family of any constellation. He would like to maintain contact with his birth father and siblings. Wyatt’s social worker is looking for a family that will help to support his needs. He would do well in a home that is active and can provide structure and routine.Can I Adopt?If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ+ singles and couples. As an adoptive parent, you won’t have to pay any fees, adoption from foster care is completely free...

Celebrating the style icons of today

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

When it comes to style icons, history has its Lauren Huttons, its Audrey Hepburns, Jane Birkins, and Jackie Os. But the kinds of style we look to for inspiration has changed a lot over the years—especially the diversity of style, and the individuality of it. So before March wraps up, in honor of Women’s History Month and hot on the heels of all the chic on display at the Academy Awards, let’s shine the spotlight on our current style icons.Cate Blanchett: No wonder celebs from Joan Rivers to Adele have called Cate their personal fashion icon; she’s as serious about fashion as she is about acting. And this year’s Oscars presented a perfect example: Cate exuded confidence and classic beauty in a Louis Vuitton gown with a blue draping top and a flowing black skirt—winning points for both grace and strong lines.  If she’s not in a Cleopatra-inspired Jean Paul Gaultier gown or a yellow, oxblood, and lilac Valentino frock, she’s in golden, flapper-esque Balenciaga.Rihanna: A perfect exampl...

Up for a promotion – but wanting to stay put

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Q. I am in line to become a manager. Only thing is, I don’t want to get promoted. It may sound crazy, but I’m not interested in more headaches, honestly I prefer to just coast. Can I do that — can I tell my boss no?A. Absolutely! Congrats on the opportunity, but as you just pointed out — you are in the driver’s seat for your career. That means being proactive and knowing what’s best for you. If that promotion is not what you want, then follow that north star. Also know that you’re not alone. Many people choose to not climb from rung to rung as work-life balance and their mental health are prioritized, knowing in many cases (not all, but many) with more responsibilities and more on your plate means something’s gotta give somewhere else. (That said, there are many benefits I’m sure you know to a promotion including, of course, higher pay.)You may want to tell your boss you prefer to not accept the promotion. But, you may ask if tha...

Dear Abby: SIL’s influence creates hurdle for couple

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Dear Abby: My husband and I have been married for six years. The problem is his sister and the emotional hold she seems to have on him. There have been several instances in which she has been disrespectful and invasive where OUR business is concerned.When I object to my husband about it, his response is either that he’s sorry or he acts like he doesn’t understand why I find her behavior intrusive. When he talks to her on the phone, it’s as if he feels compelled to tell her OUR business, i.e. financial status, which I have told him repeatedly is none of her business, to which he agreed. Yet he recently did it again.He acts like he’s afraid of her — like she has some type of emotional hold on him. I’m about to blow a gasket. I want to revisit the subject in a way that he will FINALLY understand my point of view and not be so eager to share everything that goes on in our home. Any thoughts? — Private Person in IllinoisDear Private: You and your...