Political Climate: Delegates to the world climate change summit in Paris were expected to release the draft of an agreement that would commit nearly every country on earth to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. The target is to keep the rise in global temperature below 2 degrees Centigrade.

The agreement has been described as the last best chance for the countries of the world to pull together to make an attempt to avert the disaster of climate change. Negotiators made a breakthrough in part by devising a deal that requires every country, both rich and poor, to do something according to its ability to sacrifice.

Here in the US congressional republicans and presidential candidates have declared their opposition to the climate agreement, saying it’s a job killer.

Tammany Hall: Federal prosecutors have scored their second big hit on corruption in New York’s state legislature, winning a conviction against former Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos, 67, and his son, Adam, 33, finding them guilty of bribery, extortion and conspiracy.

The verdict came less than two weeks after the conviction of former New York assembly leader Sheldon Silver.

The elder Skelos was accused of using his power and influence to get no-show jobs paying a total of $300,000 for his son. All of the employers involved stood to benefit from legislation controlled by Skelos. Some of the witnesses testified that Adam Skelos became indignant when his employer at an insurance company demanded that he actually show up for work.

Whether these convictions will make a difference in Albany’s corruption remains to be seen. This might just create openings for new beneficiaries.

Permawar: A bloody fight is escalating as Iraqi troops under US air support are moving to retake the city of Ramadi captured by Islamic State militants six months ago. About 300 militants are believed to be holding the city that is laced with booby traps and roadside bombs. It could take weeks of nasty fighting.

Winning the battle is probably more important for Iraq than losing would be for ISIS. The militants still hold vast stretches of territory.

How Government Works: Congress and the White House have reached a budget agreement that will prevent a government shutdown and keep Washington running … for another five days. Both Democrats and Republicans consider it a major accomplishment that they are still talking and not threating to go out of business.

Ballot Initiative: Women in Saudi Arabia are allowed to vote today and run for office for the first time in that male-dominated country. Only about 130,000 women registered to vote, compared to 1.35 million men. As for the women candidates, they had to make their campaign speeches from behind a screen or be represented by a man.

Where’s Winter?: Temperatures are running about 30 degrees above normal this weekend in states east of the Mississippi, with records expected to be set. Buffalo, NY, which should be under a blanket of snow, hasn’t had a flake. The city has broken a record set Dec. 3, 1899 for going without at least .1 inches of snow.

Up in the Air: Following up on several airlines banning passengers from bringing hoverboards on their jets, our Aviation Editor Al Freihofer points out “the irony that the same hoverboard batteries now barred by certain carriers are of the type that delayed the introduction of Boeing’s state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner. You can’t carry it on, but you might be sitting on top of it.”

Going Postal: Cuba and the US have agreed to restore postal service between the two countries that was cancelled 52 years ago during the Cold War. Letters from Cuba will arrive the next day while letters sent from the US are expected to arrive in Cuba in a week or so.

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