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Rep Questions Math Behind MassReconnects Program

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

A program to cover community college certificates and degrees for residents over 25 with state dollars was one of Gov. Maura Healey’s early promises, but lawmakers on Monday questioned whether the $20 million allocated in her budget proposal is enough to fulfill her commitment.Healey introduced MassReconnect, a program that will “offer students last-dollar financial support to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies as well as provide funding for career and wraparound support services to encourage retention and degree-completion” on the campaign trail as a way to boost opportunities for individuals while addressing the state’s labor shortage. She allocated $20 million for it in her fiscal year 2024 budget.In promoting the program, her administration said there were nearly 696,000 state residents with some community college but no degree as of July 2020.“There are 700,000 residents who have earned some college credit,...

Over 1,000 Eversource crews prepare to respond to power outages during nor’easter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

Over 1,000 Eversource crews are preparing to respond to power outages during Tuesday’s nor’easter, according to Eversource spokesperson Chris McKinnon.The daylong storm that began Monday night could drop up to 18 inches of snow in parts of western Massachusetts and northern Worcester County. While snow totals will likely be lower in parts of eastern Massachusetts, wind gusts could reach up to 65 miles per hour. About 32,000 power outages are being reported across the state as of 8 a.m. Eversource says most of these outages are happening in Western Massachusetts as heavy, wet snow accumulates. “We do have crews prepositioned across the state right now,” McKinnon said. “Our focus is watching those Western Massachusetts numbers and we are working to restore outages as quickly and safely as possible.” McKinnon says Eversource hasn’t seen the winds kick up yet in Eastern Massachusetts, and that’s what their next concern is going to be as th...

US inflation eases but stays high, putting Fed in tough spot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER (AP Economics Writer)WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer price increases eased slightly from January to February but still pointed to an elevated inflation rate that is posing a challenge for the Federal Reserve at a delicate moment for the financial system.The government said Tuesday that prices increased 0.4% last month, just below January’s 0.5% rise. Yet excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 0.5% in February, slightly above January’s 0.4% gain. The Fed pays particular attention to the core measure as a gauge of underlying inflation pressures.Even though prices are rising much faster than the Fed wants, some economists expect the central bank to suspend its year-long streak of interest rate hikes when it meets next week. With the collapse of two large banks since Friday fueling anxiety about other regional banks, the Fed, for now, may focus more on boosting confidence in the financial system than on its long-term drive to tame inf...

Toronto man accused of sexually assaulting woman during meetings at human rights organization

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

Police say a 64-year-old man is facing a slew of charges after a woman was sexually assaulted numerous times at the Canadian Human Rights International Organization in Toronto.Toronto police allege the suspect sexually assaulted the woman between Feb. 25 and March 1 during meetings at the organization, which is located on Finch Avenue West near Keele Street in North York.Jose Mario Guilombo, of Toronto, was arrested on March 9 and charged with five counts of sexual assault and two counts of forcible confinement.Investigators have released his photo because they suspect there may be other victims. Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

Pakistan police, ex-PM Khan supporters scuffle near his home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police on Tuesday scuffled with supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan outside his home in the eastern city of Lahore as officers arrived to serve a warrant for the 71-year-old opposition leader to appear in court later this week on graft charges. Police fired tear gas at the house as Khan’s supporters hurled rocks and bricks at the officers. About a dozen police and some 35 of Khan’s supporters were reported injured. Tear gas shells and pieces of bricks littered the pavement as Khan’s followers fought back with batons snatched from the officers. Khan has been ordered to appear before a judge in Islamabad on Friday to answer charges of illegally selling state gifts he had received during his term as premier and concealing assets.Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last April, has claimed that the string of cases against him, which include terrorism charges, are a plot by the government of his successor, Prim...

Greek archaeologists protest holiday island assault

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — State-employed archaeologists in Greece launched strike action Tuesday to protest an assault on an archaeologist on the island of Mykonos, an attack they say may have been linked to commercial pressure to extend tourism development.Archaeologist Manolis Psarros was beaten by two unidentified men on the island last week and was left unconscious and bleeding in the street. The 53-year-old was later transported to a state hospital in Athens.Archaeologists employed by the Culture Ministry staged a five-hour work stoppage to protest what their association described as a “mafia-style attack.” They were joined by ministry employees in Athens as well as the national Association of Archaeological Conservators. Planning permission in Greece is often subject to a veto by the local archaeological service, which is tasked with protecting the country’s ancient heritage.One of Greece’s best known holiday destinations, Mykonos was settled in ancient times and hosts an archaeol...

Dorel reports growing losses amid reduced orders from retailers, price discounting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

MONTREAL — Dorel Industries Inc. reported its net loss from continuing operations grew in the fourth quarter amid lower U.S. sales in its children’s products and home furnishings divisions.The Montreal-based company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says it lost US$41.4 million or US$1.27 per diluted share in the quarter, compared with a loss of US$29.6 million or 91 cents per diluted share a year ago. Its adjusted loss for the three months ended Dec. 30 amounted to US$39.8 million or US$1.22 per diluted share, compared with US$12.0 million or 37 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2022.Revenue slipped to US$340.3 million, down 21.8 per cent from US$435.3 million a year ago.Dorel CEO Martin Schwartz says the company’s fourth quarter performance is disappointing and reflects a drop in Dorel Home sales volumes as retailers reduced ordering. In addition, he says excess inventory across the industry means the company is discounting prices to move higher co...

Oprah reflects upon book club as she announces 100th pick

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For her 100th book club pick, Oprah Winfrey relied on the same instincts she has drawn upon from the start: Does the story move her? Does she think about it for days after? In a work of fiction, do the characters seem real to her?“When I don’t move on, that’s always a sign to me there’s something powerful and moving,” Winfrey told The Associated Press in a recent telephone interview. On Tuesday, she announced that she had chosen Ann Napolitano’s “Hello Beautiful,” a modern-day homage to “Little Women” from the author of the bestselling “Dear Edward.” The novel was published Tuesday by Dial Press, a Penguin Random House imprint, and Winfrey believes its themes of family, resilience and perspective give “Hello Beautiful” a “universal appeal” that makes it a proper milestone.A Winfrey pick no longer ensures blockbuster sales, but it retains a special status within the industry; for authors, a call from Winfrey still feels like being told they’ve won an Oscar...

Netanyahu critics urge Germany, Britain to cancel his visit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hundreds of Israeli writers, artists and intellectuals on Tuesday called on Germany and Britain to cancel upcoming visits by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying his plan to overhaul Israel’s judicial system has put the country on a destructive course.Netanyahu’s coalition, a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, has barreled ahead with legislation that aims to weaken Israel’s Supreme Court and give them control over the appointment of the nation’s judges. They say the plan is a long-overdue measure to curb what they see as outsize influence by unelected judges. But critics say the plan will destroy Israel’s fragile system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of Netanyahu and his parliamentary majority. They also say it is attempt by Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, to escape justice.Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets over the past two months to protest the sweeping overhaul. Prot...

New poll says majority of Canadians want elections inquiry: In The News for March 14

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:31 GMT

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of March 14 …What we are watching in Canada …New polling suggests the majority of Canadians want the federal government to call an independent inquiry into foreign interference in the last two federal elections, but still feel the country’s electoral system is safe.Market research firm Leger surveyed 1,544 people between March 10 and 12, asking a range of questions about Canada’s electoral system and allegations of foreign interference.The results suggest 71 per cent of Canadians feel the electoral system is safe, while 29 per cent feel it is not.And the majority, 69 per cent of respondents, said they generally trust the results of elections in Canada. One in five said they do not trust the results, and another 11 per cent said they don’t know.The poll cannot be assigned a margin of error because on...