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Parthenon Marbles row: Sunak under fire over handling of fallout

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

LONDON — Rishi Sunak was accused of “losing his marbles” over his handling of a major diplomatic spat with Greece.Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer launched a pun-filled barrage against Sunak at this week’s session of prime minister’s questions as the row between the U.K. and Greece over custody of the ancient Parthenon Marbles — known as the Elgin Marbles in the U.K. — deepens.Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reacted separately, saying Sunak’s decision to abruptly cancel their meeting late on Monday evening was “unfortunate,” but gave Greece’s demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles even more international publicity.“It was an unfortunate event,” Mitsotakis said Wednesday during a meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, but expressed confidence that it would not have any impact on bilateral ties.Back in the Commons, Starmer accused Sunak of engaging in “small politics” for canceling the meeting with Mitsotakis over his decision to raise the issue o...

New England Aquarium Welcomes Two New Sea Lions

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

For all of the concern about outmigration and the dire lack of housing in Massachusetts, two new transplants from Alabama are settling in nicely in their new rent-free home at the New England Aquarium.Farley and Giovanni, a pair of 15-year-old California sea lions, moved to the Boston aquarium in June from their previous home at the Birmingham Zoo in Alabama. The male (Farley) and female (Giovanni) are now permanent residents of the aquarium’s New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center, where they joined three other California sea lions: Zoe, Sierra and Tipper.“We are very excited for the addition of a male sea lion and an additional female sea lion. Farley and Gio are at the perfect age to socialize with our resident sea lions, and we feel that this will not only be very enriching for all five of the sea lions but also align with our goal of providing the highest level of care for our animals,” Kristen McMahon, curator of pinnipeds and penguins at the aquarium, s...

Report: Investors adding to record Massachusetts housing market strains

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

The housing crisis that has suffocated Massachusetts renters and would-be buyers with record high costs and few options stems from decades of sluggish production and an economy that continues to attract more workers to the greater Boston region.But there’s another factor driving the strain, too: profit-seeking investors are snapping up properties at an increasing rate, making it more difficult and pricier for everyone else to compete, according to new research.A report published Tuesday by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council estimates that about one-fifth of all properties in greater Boston between 2004 and 2018 were bought by an investor or speculator, pushing prices upward for everyone else and putting once-affordable homes out of reach for many low- or moderate-income families.“That fact in itself is pretty staggering,” Jessie Partridge Guerrero, the report’s lead author, said in an interview. “I think what’s worse is that this rate is highe...

4 things we heard from Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus, including Luke Getsy’s offensive game plan and Justin Fields’ postgame thank-you

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus met with reporters Tuesday at Halas Hall to recap his team’s 12-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football.”Bears players have a six-day break for the bye week before reporting back to Lake Forest on Monday. As the Bears prepare for rest and reflection during their time off, here are four things we learned from Eberflus.1. Matt Eberflus said the Bears are ‘always wanting more chunk (plays)’ when asked how the offensive game plan unfolded.The Bears relied mostly on the short, horizontal passing game to combat the Vikings’ heavy pressure. Quarterback Justin Fields, who completed 27 of 37 passes for 217 yards with three sacks, no touchdowns, no interceptions and two fumbles, said a big emphasis in practice from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy during the week was to get the ball out quickly to the outside as the Vikings blitzed.“They pack the paint,” Eberflus said. “Some of thei...

Bill Belichick explains Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham’s lack of QB reps

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham made a somewhat surprising admission to the Herald last week when he said he hasn’t regularly practiced at quarterback since Week 6.That acknowledgment came amid a multi-week quarterback controversy that has seen starter Mac Jones benched in his last two appearances and four times this season. Cunningham served as the Patriots’ backup quarterback in Week 6 against the Raiders but was waived after the game and signed back to the team’s practice squad.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Will Patriots change kickers after missed game-tying field goal? Bill Belichick answers New England Patriots | OBF: These Patriots among worst 5 units New England Patriots | Source: Patriots re-signing QB Will Grier to practice squad after release New England Patriots | Bill O’Brien: Blame me for Patriots’ offensive failures New England Patriots | ...

Bill Belichick ‘not prepared’ to announce Patriots’ starting quarterback

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

FOXBORO — For the second straight week now, there’s a complete lack of clarity over who will start at quarterback for the Patriots in an upcoming game.Head coach Bill Belichick was asked Wednesday morning about the team’s quarterback situation and would not name a starter.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Will Patriots change kickers after missed game-tying field goal? Bill Belichick answers New England Patriots | OBF: These Patriots among worst 5 units New England Patriots | Source: Patriots re-signing QB Will Grier to practice squad after release New England Patriots | Bill O’Brien: Blame me for Patriots’ offensive failures New England Patriots | Two Patriots legends named Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists for 2024 Class “Yeah, I’m not going to make any announcements on our lineup at any position,” Belichick said. “It doesn’t matter...

Will Patriots change kickers after missed game-tying field goal? Bill Belichick answers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland has missed 35-yard field goals in consecutive games, including a game-tying try in the final seconds of last Sunday’s loss to the Giants.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | OBF: These Patriots among worst 5 units New England Patriots | Source: Patriots re-signing QB Will Grier to practice squad after release New England Patriots | Bill O’Brien: Blame me for Patriots’ offensive failures New England Patriots | Two Patriots legends named Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists for 2024 Class New England Patriots | Patriots-Giants film review: Bill Belichick is out of options on offense On Tuesday, the Patriots worked out five free-agent kickers. So will the team stick with Ryland heading into this weekend’s game against the Chargers?“He’s on the roster, yeah,” coach Bill Belichick responded Wednesday during a morning press confe...

Peel police bust auto theft ring, 12 charged, $1.2M in stolen vehicles recovered

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

Peel Regional Police investigators say they’ve “disrupted and dismantled” an organized auto theft ring, recovering nine vehicles and laying 81 charges after a months-long probe dubbed Project Memphis.The project started in March 2023 when police were tipped off about a re-vinned vehicle.Re-vinning takes place when the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a stolen vehicle is changed to a legitimate one to mask the fact that it was stolen.“Investigators determined some of the stolen vehicles were being re-vinned, fraudulently re-registered and sold in Mississauga,” a police release stated.“In some cases, the accused attempted to defraud multiple financial and insurance institutions. Various investigative tools were used to identify multiple suspects, recover these stolen vehicles and prevent insurance fraud.”Following the probe 12 people were charged with a slew of offences and investigators say over $350,000 of insurance fraud was prevent...

Consumer Reports: Electric vehicles less reliable, on average, than conventional cars and trucks

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Electric vehicles have proved far less reliable, on average, than gasoline-powered cars, trucks and SUVs, according to the latest survey by Consumer Reports, which found that EVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years encountered nearly 80% more problems than did vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines. Consumer Reports said EV owners most frequently reported troubles with battery and charging systems as well as flaws in how the vehicles’ body panels and interior parts fit together. The magazine and website noted that EV manufacturers are still learning to construct completely new power systems, and it suggested that as they do, the overall reliability of electric vehicles should improve.Still, Consumer Reports noted that lingering concerns about reliability will likely add to the issues that give many buyers pause when considering a switch to the new technology, joining concerns about higher costs, too few charging stations and long charging times.“This sto...

City notified after water pipe bursts, flooding roadway in Toronto’s east-end

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:56 GMT

Toronto police are advising residents to avoid an east-end neighbourhood after a water pipe burst, flooding the roadway.In a post on X on Wednesday morning, police say drivers may encounter delays in the area of Logan and Simpson avenues, near Carlaw Avenue and Gerrard Street East.The City of Toronto has been notified.So far, the area has not been closed off to traffic.Flooding on Simpson Avenue in Toronto due to a burst water pipe on Nov. 298, 2023. CITYNEWS/Karim IslamHAZARD:Logan Ave & Simpson Ave8:31am– reports of a burst water pipe in the area– area is flooded with water– the City of Toronto has been made aware– delays in the area– consider alternate routes #GO2750527^se— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 29, 2023