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MA state employee overtime in ‘fantasy world,’ $100K earners up 25%

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

First in a series on Your Tax Dollars at WorkThe ink is now dry on 2023, and the number of six-figure overtime earners in state government soared 25.4% in Gov. Maura Healey’s first year, a Herald payroll analysis shows.Related ArticlesLocal News | Your Tax Dollars at Work: 2023 top overtime earners [2,000+] That’s based on Comptroller data showing 276 state troopers, MBTA workers, nurses, prison guards, and a social worker all pocketed $100,000 or more in OT last year — a double-digit jump year-over-year.The total payroll for 2023 was $9.33 billion — a 4.2% increase.“No business in America can operate like this,” said Mass Fiscal’s Paul Craney. “That’s a huge jump. They seem to live in a fantasy world.”The big winners in the bonus pay line item were the $200,000-plus clock punchers, with a State Police lieutenant earning an arresting $430,796 — off $251,014 in overtime, records show. (His base pay was $171,9...

Airstrike in central Baghdad kills Iran-backed militia leader as regional tensions escalate

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — An airstrike on the logistical support headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said.Thursday’s strike comes amid mounting regional tensions fueled by Israel-Hamas war and fears that it could spill over into surrounding countries. The Popular Mobilization Force – a coalition of militias that is nominally under the control of the Iraqi military – announced in a statement that its deputy head of operations in Baghdad, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or “Abu Taqwa,” had been killed “as a result of brutal American aggression.”It was not immediately clear who had carried out the strike.Officials with the U.S. military and embassy in Baghdad did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The strike killed two people and wounded five, according to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.One of the officials said al...

Germany’s CO2 emissions are at their lowest in 7 decades, study shows

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Carbon dioxide emissions in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, dropped to their lowest level in seven decades as the use of coal declined unexpectedly sharply in 2023 and economic pressures weighed down production by energy-intensive industry, according to a study released Thursday.Germany aims to cut its emissions to net zero by 2045 and is working to ramp up the use of solar and wind power and other renewable sources. The Agora Energiewende think tank said its preliminary calculations show that Germany emitted 673 million metric tons of CO2 last year, a decline of 73 million metric tons compared with 2022 and the lowest level since the 1950s. The figure was 46% below the country’s emissions in 1990. On Tuesday, Germany’s Federal Network Agency said that renewable energy sources accounted for more than half of the country’s energy production in 2023. Renewables rose to 56% of energy production, from 47.4% in 2022. At the same time, electricity ...

Extreme cold leaves thousands without power in Nordic countries while floods again hit Germany

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Extremely cold temperatures compounded by gale-force winds and snow wreaked havoc across the Nordic region Thursday, leaving thousands without power while others braved the cold for hours stuck in their cars along clogged highways. In Germany, heavy rains again caused floods in regions that have seen persistent flooding in the last two weeks.The deep freeze disrupted transportation throughout the Nordic region amid reports of traffic chaos following closures of sections of highways and major roads. Problems with rail service have also been reported.Electricity was cut to some 4,000 homes in Arctic Sweden where temperatures plummeted to 38 degrees Celsius (minus 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Swedish public radio. In the southern part of the country, motorists were stuck in the cars or evacuated to a nearby sport complex where they spent the night. In neighboring Denmark, police urged motorists to avoid unnecessary trips as wind and snow battered th...

Biden administration announces $162 million to expand computer chip factories in Colorado and Oregon

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is providing $162 million to Microchip Technology to support the domestic production of computer chips — the second funding announcement tied to a 2022 law designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.The incentives include $90 million to improve a plant in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and $72 million to expand a factory in Gresham, Oregon, the Commerce Department said. The investments would enable Microchip Technology to triple its domestic production and reduce its dependence on foreign factories. Much of the money would fund the making of microcontrollers, which are used by the military as well as in autos, household appliances and medical devices. Government officials said they expected the investments to create 700 construction and manufacturing jobs over the next decade.Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council, emphasized that the funding would help to tame inflation.“Semiconductors are the key ...

Greater Toronto home sales for December rise as board expects rebound in 2024

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

Greater Toronto home sales rose 11.5 per cent last month compared with December 2022 as the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says it expects 2024 to bring a rebound in activity following a year plagued by unaffordability.The board says last month’s 3,444 home sales pushed the annual total to 65,982, a 12.1 per cent decline compared with 2022, with many buyers sidelined last year due to high mortgage rates. The average home price at the end of the year was $1,084,692, up 3.2 per cent from December 2022.New listings fell 6.6 per cent to 3,886 in December compared with 4,161 during the same month a year earlier.The board’s chief market analyst Jason Mercer says those who were able to participate in the market last year benefitted from more choice, allowing many of them to negotiate lower selling prices.He says lower borrowing costs expected in 2024 could create tighter market conditions, contributing to price growth.

Heads of 17 Canadian environmental charities collecting major compensation packages

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

MONTREAL — A small group of leaders of Canadian charities in the environment, conservation, and animal protection sectors are taking home compensation packages equivalent to, and in some cases higher than, the salaries of provincial premiers. An analysis by The Canadian Press identified 17 charities whose top executive drew annual compensation that was in the $200,000 to $250,000 range or higher, according to filings with the federal government made in 2022 and 2023.The review focused on organizations recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as registered charities in the categories of “environment” and “animal protection,” which include several conservation organizations. The group of 17 with the highest salaries represents just over one per cent of all charities in those two categories.The bracket of $200,000 to $250,000 was chosen as a cutoff because at the time it aligned with the compensation of the two highest-paid premiers in Canada — Ontario’s Do...

Union introduces Jon Drach as head football coach

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

SCHENECTADY, NY (NEWS10) -- A new era has begun for the Union College football team. The college introduced Jon Drach as their 35th head coach in program history this afternoon. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Drach is the third Union head coach in the last three years, replacing John Poppe, who left for the Columbia job after just one season. "It's such a special place," said Drach. "The people here, the place and just the opportunity are really, really special. It's such a fantastic student outcome, being a graduate of Union College. The opportunity to be at a competitively national program as far as the football field goes and then to be able to surround yourself with the amazing people that are here, it's a no brainer."Drach takes over a team that just won the Liberty League title, and was one of the last 16 teams standing in the NCAA tournament. "They have a fantastic foundation," said Drach. "It's not even just last year...

Green Tech avenges loss to Shenendehowa

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) -- It was round two between the Green Tech and Shenendehowa boys basketball teams on Wednesday night. The Plainsmen took round one in the first game of the season with a low-scoring 33-30 win. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Green Tech started the night hot, jumping out to a 14-5 lead after the first quarter. The Plainsmen trimmed the lead before the half, continuing their comeback in the second half, forcing overtime. The Eagles were able to hang on for a 60-54 overtime win.

Bridge: Jan. 4, 2024

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:50:54 GMT

Unlucky Louie blames his bad results on bad luck despite all the evidence. But luck tends to favor the man who doesn’t factor it into his plans.In a penny game, Louie was declarer at 3NT, and West led the deuce of hearts. Louie won with his nine and saw a second heart trick, plus four diamonds and two clubs. He led a diamond to dummy and tried a club finesse with his jack.West won and led the ace and another heart. Louie won and cashed the A-K of clubs, but when East discarded, the defense was sure of five tricks: two hearts, a club and the A-K of spades.SECOND TRICK“Return a heart at the second trick,” North observed.“I’m supposed to lead back the suit the defenders led at me?” Louie snorted.West’s deuce of hearts suggested a four-card holding, so the defense was sure of only two hearts and two spades. If Louie leads a heart at Trick Two, West will score his fourth heart, but Louie will have time to attack the spades. He sets up a ninth tri...