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Report: State lawmakers must step up to solve MBTA workforce crisis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

State lawmakers must do more to address the MBTA’s severe workforce shortage, a problem that will likely extend service cuts through the remainder of the year, as the agency needs far more manpower to safely operate its current system, a new report found.The report, released Monday by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, raises doubts over the MBTA’s ability to increase its headcount by roughly 2,000 workers, as stated in its fiscal year 2024 budget plans, pointing to a challenging labor market and a slew of anticipated retirements at the T.“Even with a larger pipeline, sufficient resources, and faster hiring processes, solving labor force challenges are likely beyond the MBTA’s or any other single institution’s abilities,” the report states. “Ensuring that the MBTA can safely and effectively operate its current system must be the top priority of lawmakers.”The state’s approach to workforce challenges, however, has been “underwhelming, lacking coordination and scale,” the report ...

Nominations open today for Toronto mayoral candidates

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

Candidates who have already announced their intention to run for Toronto’s top job can officially launch their mayoral campaigns on Monday.It’s expected to be a busy day at city hall, with a number of high-profile candidates who have stated their plans to run, now also stating their intention to file their paperwork to make if official.Nominations for the mayoral byelection open at 8:30 a.m. and appointments have been made to space the candidates out.Former councillor Ana Bailão says she will register as a candidate at the first 8:30 a.m. appointment.“This wouldn’t have been possible without your support, and without the strong support of community leaders and unions,” reads a statement from Bailão.Bailão will be followed by several others, including former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders.“I’m really excited at the opportunity of running for mayor,” Saunders told CityNews over the weekend. “I feel our city’s at the tipping poi...

Hungary’s Orban tells Trump to ‘keep on fighting’ in tweet

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, tweeted a message of support for former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, urging him to “keep on fighting” as he faces a criminal indictment for making hush payments during his 2016 presidential campaign. Orban’s post on Twitter featured a photograph of the two men smiling and shaking hands during a meeting at Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey, estate last August. The far-right Hungarian leader had traveled to the United States to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in Texas. “Keep on fighting, Mr. President! We are with you,” Orban wrote in the tweet on Monday. Trump’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury on Friday was a historic reckoning after years of investigations into his personal, political and business dealings, and an abrupt jolt to his bid to retake the White House.The exact nature of the charges against him is unclear because the indictment rema...

France’s Macron to draft bill legalizing end-of-life options

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

PARIS (AP) — New legislation to be drafted this year will address end-of-life options, French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday, following the release of a report indicating that most French citizens support legalizing medically assisted suicide and euthanasia. In a speech at the Elysee presidential palace, Macron vowed to “move forward toward a French model regarding end-of-life options.”Macron’s move follows a report released Sunday indicating that a large majority from among a panel composed of 184 randomly selected citizens support “active assistance in dying.” The report concluded that French law is currently “not adapted” to end-of-life issues and must evolve. It offers different options involving legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia. Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practit...

Leader of Egypt on surprise visit to Saudi Arabia

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — The leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia have met in the kingdom, officials said Monday. It’s the first visit by top officials in months as Egypt battles a domestic economic crisis. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, held talks late Sunday that focused on ties between the two heavyweights, according to Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy.Fahmy said in a statement that the two leaders “affirmed mutual concern for promoting common cooperation in all fields.” They also agreed to continue “coordination and consultation” on regional and international topics, he added.The statement did not give further details. The meeting came as el-Sissi’s government is struggling to overcome an economic crisis blamed on the war in Europe, but what critics say is resulting from mismanagement of the economy. The two heavy powers are also both seeking to mend their frayed ties with other regional powers, ...

UK teachers reject government pay offer amid labor unrest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Teachers in England rejected the government’s latest pay offer on Monday, raising the specter of more strikes and further disruptions for parents and children as double-digit inflation sparks labor unrest across the country.News that teachers had voted to reject the offer came as U.K. passport workers kicked off a five-week strike that threatens to cause headaches for travelers ahead of the summer holiday season. Immediately after announcing the results of the ballot, the National Education Union scheduled one-day strikes for April 27 and May 2.The walkouts are the latest in a wave of strikes that has disrupted Britons’ lives for months. Public-sector workers including doctors, train and bus drivers, airport baggage handlers, border officers and postal workers are demanding pay increases to keep pace with inflation, which stands at 10.4%.A cost-of-living crisis fueled by sharp rises in food and energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left many struggli...

MASTERS ’23: 20 years after protests, women still look ahead

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — It started with a letter that Martha Burk figured would never see the light of day. When she mentioned the all-male membership at Augusta National, the National Council of Women’s Organization didn’t even vote on whether to take action.“It was a very casual conversation at the end of a board meeting,” Burk said in a recent interview. “I had found out about this club and said I was thinking about writing a letter. Everyone said, ‘Fine, write the letter.’ I never expected my letter to go anywhere. I thought in a few years I might have followed up with a phone call.”There was no need.Hootie Johnson, the chairman of Augusta National, wrote a three-sentence reply to her that club matters were private. The next day he issued a scathing, 932-word statement to the media that defended the rights of a private club and said a woman joining Augusta National would be on the club’s timetable and “not at the point of a bayonet.”So began the biggest controversy...

Women’s NCAA Tournament features plethora of March Madness

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — This year’s record-breaking women’s NCAA Tournament featured breakout stars, upsets and capped off with the flamboyant Kim Mulkey leading LSU to its first basketball championship.Mulkey’s unforgettable outfits were just one of several memorable moments. There was Caitlin Clark’s 40-point triple-double in the Elite Eight game, the drama of South Carolina’s quest to complete the latest undefeated season and two No. 1 seeds being knock off before the Sweet 16.It led to the highest attendance ever in the tournament’s history to go along with stellar TV ratings in every round. The timing couldn’t be better for the sport. It all could lead to women’s basketball getting a separate TV deal when the contract expires next summer.Here’s a look at some of the top moments from the tournament:FIERY FASHIONISTAMulkey is never hard to miss on the sideline with her feisty approach and reactions to referees and her players. The coach’s flamboyant attire takes her presence to a different...

Police: Shooting outside hookah lounge leaves 1 dead, 4 hurt

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — One person was killed and four others were wounded in a shooting in the parking lot of a North Carolina hookah lounge, police said.The shooting happened shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday at the V Luxx Hookah Lounge, the Fayetteville Police Department said in a statement posted on Facebook.A male victim died at the scene and four adults were transported to a hospital, including one listed in critical condition and three with minor injuries, police said.An initial investigation found an “altercation” inside the lounge led to a shooting in the parking lot, police said.The Associated Press

Chicago White Sox move up start time of home opener Monday against San Francisco Giants

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:28:57 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox announced Sunday afternoon that the start time of their regular season home opener against the San Francisco Giants on Monday will be moved up one hour.According to a press release from the team, the start time will be moved from 3:10 p.m. CST to 2:10 p.m. CST to accommodate a forecast of inclement weather coming into the Chicago-area. White Sox make history, end streaks in Opening Night win Parking lots will open three hours before the game, with gates to Guaranteed Rate Field opening for fans at 12:30 p.m. CST. Pregame festivities and introductions will now begin at 1:30 p.m. CST.