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☆ Opinion | My Continent Is Not Your Giant Climate Laboratory
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Chukwumerije Okereke | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Several environmentalists last year presented Africa’s leading climate negotiators with a bold idea: A technology called solar geoengineering could protect their countries from the worst effects of climate change, they said. It wasn’t the first time Westerners have tried to persuade Africans that solar engineering projects may be in our best interest. As a climate expert, I consider these environmental manipulation techniques extremely risky. And as an African climate expert, I strongly object to the idea that Africa should be turned into a testing ground for their use. Even if solar geoengineering can help deflect heat and improve weather conditions on the ground — a prospect that is unproven on any relevant scale — it’s not a long-term solution to climate change.

[1/6] An Aedes aegypti mosquito is seen under a magnifying glass at the CNEA (National Atomic Energy Commission), in Ezeiza, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina April 12, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYBUENOS AIRES, April 17 (Reuters) - Argentine, fighting one of its worst outbreaks of dengue in recent years, is sterilizing mosquitoes using radiation that alters their DNA before releasing them into the wild. Their population keeps on moving further south," said National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) biologist Marianela Garcia Alba. They expect to release the first batch of sterilized males in November. Similar techniques to sterilize pests using the same radiation found in X-rays have been utilised for decades, helping global efforts to control diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

☆ MLB roundup: Phillies score 9 in first, bash 23 hits to rout Reds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Lopez allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. Both were 2-for-4 as Boston finished with seven hits. Alcantara (1-2) allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned) in six innings for the Marlins. Alek Manoah (1-1) allowed seven runs, nine hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings for the Blue Jays. Castillo allowed two hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out nine over seven innings.

☆ I'm a former Microsoft VP of HR. Here are the real reasons why layoffs are happening and how much longer they'll last.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Chris Williams | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some of the layoffs we've seen have included long-time employees years from their most meaningful contributions. The opticsSome of the layoffs we've seen in tech are ones that the companies have probably wished they could do for years. The future is brightWe are in a season of layoffs, and it's not clear we've seen the last or worst of it. That said, there is no reason to see the layoffs as a harbinger of doom and gloom for the tech world. Chris Williams is the former VP of HR at Microsoft and a leadership advisor, podcaster, TikTok creator, and author.

☆ Blue Jays end Rays perfect start to season with 6-3 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Apr 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano (68) prepares to throw out Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt (14) for the final out in the ninth inning in a 6-3 Blue Jays win at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsTORONTO, April 14 (Reuters) - The Tampa Bay Rays perfect start to the season came to an ugly end with a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday as the 1884 St. Louis Maroons all-time record remained out of reach. But Tampa's record chase was undone in a horrific fifth inning that saw the Blue Jays bust open a tight 2-1 contest scoring four runs with much of the Tampa Bay damage self-inflicted. "Everything just didn't go our way that inning," Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters. The Rays were playing from the back foot from the very start with Rasmussen serving up a solo home run to Jays leadoff man George Springer.

☆ Tampa Bay Rays Tie MLB Record With 13 Straight Wins to Start the Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Lindsey Adler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz celebrates with Brandon Lowe after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning on Thursday. The Tampa Bay Rays are putting on a powerful display of what happens when one of baseball’s most potent lineups begins its season against some of the game’s weakest opponents. The Rays won their 13th consecutive game Thursday with a 9-3 win over the Boston Red Sox, tying the post-1900 record for most consecutive wins to start a regular season. The feat has been accomplished only two other times, by the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers and 1982 Atlanta Braves.

☆ MLB roundup: Rays tie modern record at 13-0
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Brandon Lowe had two hits, including a home run, and Yandy Diaz also went deep for the Rays. Rays starter Jeffrey Springs was removed after three-plus innings due to ulnar neuritis in his left arm. He struck out five and allowed one run on a homer by Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder. Nick Lodolo (2-0) worked around trouble in the first two innings, scattered eight hits and allowed two runs over five innings. Toronto right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-2) allowed two runs, four hits and three walks while striking out seven in six innings.

☆ MLB roundup: Rays make it 12 straight wins to open season
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

In his third start of the season, Boston's Chris Sale (1-1) was hit hard, yielding six runs (five earned) on seven hits. Detroit left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez allowed one run, seven hits and one walk in six innings, striking out three. Cincinnati's Hunter Greene worked six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits to go along with a season-high 10 strikeouts. Marlins starter Edward Cabrera allowed seven hits and two runs with four strikeouts and one walk in five innings. Eovaldi (1-2) allowed six runs on 10 hits with no walks and seven strikeouts over five innings.

☆ MLB roundup: Ryan Mountcastle's 9 RBIs propel Orioles to win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Austin Hays also homered and went 4-for-5 as the Orioles won for the second night in a row. Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run and Bryson Stott added two hits and two RBIs for Philadelphia. Guardians starter Hunter Gaddis (0-1) allowed eight runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in three-plus innings. Blue Jays 9, Tigers 3Alejandro Kirk hit a three-run home run and had four RBIs as Toronto won its home opener, beating Detroit. Detroit right-hander Matt Manning (1-1) allowed four runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in six innings.

☆ MLB roundup: Solo HR sends Rays to 10-0
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Muncy also singled, all after Mookie Betts had led off the game with his second homer of the season for the Dodgers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Reds starter Graham Ashcraft allowed two runs on six hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and three walks. Ryan Mountcastle drilled a two-run homer in the first inning and Austin Hays added a solo shot in the sixth. Alvarez drove in two runs to boost his major-league-leading RBI total to 16, plating a pair in the second inning with a single. Jake Cave hit a solo homer and double while Nick Castellanos added three hits and three RBIs.

☆ A gold miner found a mysterious grapefruit-sized fur ball. It turned out to be a 'perfectly preserved' 30,000-year-old squirrel.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Chris Panella | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But X-ray scans have revealed this grapefruit-sized lump is actually a 30,000-year-old mummified ground squirrel from the Ice Age. A ground squirrel for the agesAn illustration of the mummified ground squirrel curled up in its burrow during hibernation. "I study bones all the time and they're exciting, they're really neat. Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images"Some people get really, really excited when they find that giant woolly mammoth leg or, you know, the big tusks or the big skulls. But for me, the Arctic ground squirrel fossils, the nests, and now this mummified squirrel, are really the coolest things that we do have.

☆ MLB roundup: Rays crush A's, run opening win streak to 9
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

The Rays' matched the 2003 Kansas City Royals for the hottest streak to start a season in baseball's wild-card era. The Rays' plus-57 run differential through nine games is the largest ever in MLB since 1900. Padres starter Seth Lugo (2-0) gave up one run on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts over six innings to earn the win. Chicago starter Michael Kopech (0-2) gave up one run and two hits in six innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. Rangers starter Jon Gray (1-1) allowed Edwin Rios' two-run homer in the second inning.

☆ MLB roundup: Rays improve to 8-0 with rout of A's
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Springs scattered three hits, struck out seven and walked three while logging seven innings. The Astros rallied in the ninth on Jeremy Pena's two-run homer against Jovani Moran. Adam Duvall blasted a two-run homer and a pair of doubles while scoring three times. Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar each hit two-run homers for the Mets, who have won five of six games against the Marlins. Perdomo had three RBIs and two hits as Arizona racked up season highs for runs and hits (17).

☆ MLB roundup: Rays beat A's to stay undefeated
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Stroman has allowed two runs and 17 hits over 32 innings while winning each of his last five home starts. Ji Hwan Bae, Ke'Bryan Hayes and Connor Joe each had an RBI double, and Oneil Cruz and Jason Delay hit RBI singles for the Pirates. Pittsburgh starter Rich Hill allowed seven runs and eight hits in four innings. Alex Cobb (0-1) was the hard-luck loser for the Giants after holding the Royals to two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Kershaw (1-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings.

☆ MLB roundup: Padres go back-to-back in 9th, edge D-backs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

The A's were down 10-8 when Seth Brown followed a walk to Aledmys Diaz with a two-run homer off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase in the last of the ninth. Angels 7, Mariners 3Shohei Ohtani and Taylor Ward hit two-run homers as Los Angeles defeated host Seattle. Yankees 8, Phillies 1Anthony Rizzo ignited a five-run fifth inning with a two-run homer, and host New York cruised to victory over Philadelphia. His counterpart, Jose Berrios (0-1), allowed eight runs, nine hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings. Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer and Austin Riley had a solo shot for the Braves, who have won three of four games to start the season.

☆ Commercial real estate is struggling with rising rates and bank woes, but the cohead of a $21 billion lender said it's the best time in his more than 20 year career
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

High interest rates, office woes, and less bank funding are chilling commercial real estate. But a top commercial real estate lender said there's never been a better time for firms like his. It's a bleak time in commercial real estate, and it can be hard to find any rays of sunshine. One Bank of America analyst just warned commercial real estate presents a major risk regional banks that own a disproportionate 68% of the sector's loans. While interest rate uncertainty is clouding the commercial real estate outlook, some transactions could provide clarity to the market, de Haan said.

☆ MLB roundup: Kodai Senga shines in debut as Mets down Marlins
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

[1/2] Apr 2, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at loanDepot Park. /Rhona Wise-USA TODAY SportsApril 3 - Right-hander Kodai Senga struck out eight batters in his major league debut, leading the New York Mets to a 5-1 win over the host Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon. Marlins starter Trevor Rogers (0-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, two walks and four runs, three earned. He allowed one run on three hits while walking two and striking out six in his first start of the season. Two of Houck's five hits allowed were home runs by Baltimore's Adam Frazier (3-for-4, two RBIs, two runs) and Cedric Mullins (2-for-5, run, three RBIs).

☆ MLB roundup: Trayce Thompson's 3 HRs power Dodgers' rout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Rangers 16, Phillies 3Mitch Garver hit a pair of three-run home runs in Texas' rout of Philadelphia in Arlington, Texas. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (0-1) struck out seven and walked one in six innings. Nationals starter Josiah Gray (0-1) allowed five runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- in five innings. Gray (1-0) allowed three hits, struck out one and walked four in the second game of the three-game series. The Rays scored the seven runs on six hits, and Yandy Diaz added two runs with a home run the following inning.

☆ MLB roundup: Aaron Judge homers in Yankees' opening win
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Houston had its modern-day record of 10 consecutive Opening Day wins snapped. Orioles 10, Red Sox 9Adley Rutschman's 5-for-5 Opening Day helped Baltimore to a win over host Boston. Mets 5, Marlins 3Brandon Nimmo's three RBIs backed Max Scherzer's quality start, leading New York to an Opening Day victory over Miami. Twins 2, Royals 0Pablo Lopez and four relievers combined on an Opening Day two-hitter as visiting Minnesota blanked Kansas City. It was O'Neill's fourth consecutive Opening Day with a homer, tying a major league record.

☆ Want to watch MLB games? Making sense of the confusing TV and streaming landscape
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Home base planFor the baseball fan looking to watch as many games as possible, a traditional pay TV service is still the go-to place. Discovery' s TBS, as well as Fox Corp. 's broadcast and pay TV networks, take up a decent chunk of the schedule. However, as more options are introduced, regional sports networks are getting fewer games and fans have to pay more to watch all games. With a higher rate of consumers dropping pay TV bundles and opting for streaming services, many networks have created direct-to-consumer streaming app options. Few offset the pay TV losses, but at least provide an option for fans wanting to stream.

☆ An 'ultramassive' black hole has been discovered that's 33 billion times the mass of the sun
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They estimate this black hole is 30 billion times bigger than our sun. That would make it one of the biggest black holes ever discovered. This black hole may remain one of the biggest holes ever discovered because physicists think black holes can't grow much bigger than that, Nightingale said. The technique could unveil 'inactive' black holesThe discovery of this black hole pushes back the limits of cosmology, Nightingale told the BBC. "How do you form a black hole this big in just 13 billion years of the universe's existence?"

☆ Why Are Flip-Up Sunglasses Suddenly Everywhere?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Brigid Mander | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

FLIP THE SCRIPT Vibrant colors and sleek silhouettes have made contemporary flip-up glasses genuinely covetable. SUNGLASSES HAVE always played two roles: to shield your eyes from damaging UV rays, and to make you look cool. Just what constitutes “cool” has fluctuated with the decades—remember our early-2000s obsession with bedazzled frames? But few designs have more questionable associations than flip-up, clip-on shades, despite their ability to cleverly block or let in sunlight via a hinge attachment. While aviator sunglasses evoke Tom Cruise in “Top Gun” and understated black frames conjure icons like Joan Didion and Jackie O., the closest thing the flip-up has to an avatar is the nerdy, well-meaning Dwayne Wayne of “A Different World.”

☆ Spring training roundup: Astros pound Cardinals 24-1
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Astros starter Jose Urquidy scattered four hits over four innings, allowing the lone run on a multiple-error play in the second that scored Oscar Mercado. Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty yielded six earned runs on four hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. Wil Myers hit an RBI double and Michael Siani added an RBI single for the Reds. Elehuris Montero hit his fifth homer of the spring, a two-run shot, and Brenton Doyle went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple for the Rockies. Padres starter Michael Wacha went five innings and yielded eight hits, two walks and four runs.

☆ Spring training roundup: A's yield inside-the-park HR, rally past Angels
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Taylor Ward scored an inside-the-park home run for the Angels in the first inning. Ward's liner to center got past a diving Esteury Ruiz, and the A's were slow to chase it down. Jake Cave hit his third homer of spring training for Philadelphia, while Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen hit his first of the spring, a two-run shot. Washington got a two-run homer from Victor Robles and outhit St. Louis 15-6. The Giants had 16 hits, hanging six hits and six runs on Dodgers starter Noah Syndergaard (1-2) over 4 1/3 innings.

☆ The sun is getting more active than it has for a decade — and it could lead to power outages, grounded flights, and stunning auroras
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

That motion, called convection, is what creates strong magnetic fields at the poles and smaller, local magnetic fields at the surface of the sun. That instability causes havoc in the magnetic fields at the surface of the sun, which become much more active. NASA/Solar Dynamics ObservatoryAs the magnetic fields become more confused, bigger sun spots can appear on the surface of the sun. As the sun's local magnetic fields get more tangled and crash into each other, they can explode. "The aurora oval that sits up over the northern and southern poles is a result of currents flowing in the Earth's atmosphere," Owens said.

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