"A transformation is happening in global energy markets that’s worth noting as 2016 comes to an end: Solar power, for the first time, is becoming the cheapest form of new electricity.

This has happened in isolated projects in the past: an especially competitive auction in the Middle East, for example, resulting in record-cheap solar costs. But now unsubsidized solar is beginning to outcompete coal and natural gas on a larger scale, and notably, new solar projects in emerging markets are costing less to build than wind projects, according to fresh data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance."

"Most of Trump’s appointees to top cabinet positions are a mix of incompetent and mean spirited billionaires and generals. This alliance of powerful representatives of predatory financial capitalists and right-wing supporters of the immense military — industrial-surveillance complex makes clear Trump’s support of the worst elements of neoliberalism — a war on education, support for austerity policies and an attack on social provisions, the poor, workers, unions and the most vulnerable. "

One by one, Mr. Schumer said, Democrats will use the confirmation process to highlight positions held by nominees that are either inconsistent with Mr. Trump’s campaign promises or raise the sorts of ethical questions that Democrats tried in vain to hang around Mr. Trump’s neck during the campaign, like refusing to release his tax returns. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, who serves on committees that are likely have contentious hearings, can be counted on to work over many nominees.

WASHINGTON – What happens when a 70-year-old man whose bluster has rarely carried much consequence wins a job where his every syllable is dissected for meaning?

America and the world are about to find out.

In the past year, Donald Trump has mocked a journalist’s disability, bragged about the size of his genitalia on national television and suggested a political rival’s father assassinated former President John F. Kennedy. Just eight weeks ago, he told his millions of Twitter followers to “check out [the] sex tape” of a Miss Universe winner who said that Trump had bullied her when he owned the pageant.

In less than 60 days, he is set to become president of the United States and commander-in-chief of the world’s most powerful armed forces ― where his every utterance will be scrutinized for its meaning and duly recorded for posterity.

“He feels he could say something one minute and say the opposite the next,” said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University. “He’s going to do it around the world… There may be countries that call our bluff on that. In a nuclear world, that’s frightening.”