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Battenfeld: Maura Healey hobnobbing with Washington elites again

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

Has Gov. Maura Healey caught Potomac fever already?The new Democratic governor has been hobnobbing with Washington elites and increasing her national exposure at least four times since taking office in January.Is it really that boring being a stay-at-home governor in Boston? Is Healey going to turn into another Mitt Romney, who had barely started his first gubernatorial term before running for president?The frequent out-of-state trips are an early sign that Healey may be more interested in her national ambitions or running for U.S. Senate than staying for another term in Massachusetts.While there don’t appear to be any openings in 2024, Healey certainly is young enough to wait another four years before laying the groundwork for a national campaign – either as president or vice president.Healey is also close enough to President Biden that the former Massachusetts attorney general would be considered for a Biden administration appointment to the Justice Department.The new governor’s f...

Ex-Patriots scout, Senior Bowl executive Jim Nagy reviews Patriots’ 2023 draft class

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

When it comes to evaluating the Patriots’ draft, it’s tough to find anyone with a better credential than a former scout.Jim Nagy, executive director at the Senior Bowl and a former scout with the Patriots and Seahawks, has studied several hundred prospects over the past 12 months, including most of the players the Pats drafted last week. Nagy did not scout first-round rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez or sixth-round receiver Kayshon Boutte, both true juniors, too heavily. But their other drafted rookies, from second-round pass rusher Keion White to new punter Bryce Baringer, were all on his radar.Nagy recently spoke with the Herald about the Patriots’ draft class. The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity.Q: What is your overall impression of the Patriots’ draft class?Nagy: “They addressed special teams, they got a couple of really versatile pieces on defense, they got a guy (Troy offensive lineman Jake Andrews) they feel like is ...

Building up: How Legos have helped Orioles rookie Gunnar Henderson ‘decompress’ through early-season struggles

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

For Gunnar Henderson, “Star Wars” Legos aren’t only a way to compete with Orioles prospect Colton Cowser, though their 2023 race is set to begin soon. They’ve also helped Baltimore’s prized rookie put his mind at ease amid a relatively slow start to his first full major league season.Hits have been hard to come by for Henderson, a 21-year-old infielder who began this year as baseball’s unanimous top prospect and a favorite to be American League Rookie of the Year. That’s why many nights, he’s found himself piecing together a Lego Imperial Star Destroyer.“Everybody has their own way to decompress, and it’s just something that just kind of gets your mind off everything,” Henderson said. “You just go back home, build for a little bit, and then eventually you come out with something fully made. It’s definitely different, but I enjoy it.”Modeling the triangular spaceship from the opening scene of the fran...

As Chicago Cubs prospect Ben Brown earns a promotion to Triple A, their organizational starting pitching depth is being tested

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya smiled at the mention of right-hander Ben Brown.“He’s nasty,” Amaya said.Amaya caught all four of Brown’s starts at Double-A Tennessee before the Chicago Cubs promoted the 6-foot-6 right-hander to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend. Brown posted an 0.45 ERA in 20 innings at Double A, surrendering just one earned run while totaling 30 strikeouts and only six walks.“Awesome dude,” Amaya said. “He trusts his stuff, he attacks the zone and goes after hitters. That’s why he’s having success.”Brown, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline last year for reliever David Robertson, has quickly positioned himself to earn a call-up. Before he gets to that point, the Cubs wanted to get a better understanding of where he is in his development by moving him up to Iowa. The “enhanced-grip” baseballs Major League Baseball is testing in the Double-A Southern League have noticeab...

Tigers sweep split doubleheader at Comerica Park, Mets now lose 8 of last 10 games

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

DETROIT — When the top of the fifth inning began, the Mets were behind 4-2. One sudden downpour, two outfield errors and a Francisco Lindor home run later, the sun was out and the Mets were on top 5-4.But then the stormclouds returned and the sky darkened once again, almost as though it was an ominous foretelling of the Mets’ eventual fate. Adam Ottavino blew a save in the first game and Max Scherzer (2-2) failed to get out of the fourth inning in the second game of a doubleheader, and the Detroit Tigers swept the doubleheader Wednesday at Comerica Park.The Mets (16-15) fell to the Tigers 6-5 in the first game and 8-1 in the second. They’ve now lost eight of their last 10.Scherzer made his first start since April 19, when he was ejected after three shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers for a sticky substance. That ejection carried a 10-game suspension and while Scherzer said he came into the game feeling great physically after the long layoff, it didnR...

‘23 Infiniti Q50 delivers useable upscale sedan

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

In 2023, the Infiniti footprint continues to escape the Nissan-like vehicle comparisons and explodes with the Q50. As Infiniti continues to deliver “better-than Nissan” vehicles, the Q50 is nothing Nissan-like.The Q50, Infiniti’s 5-seater sedan, starting at $42K for their entry level model, boasts a 3.0L twin-turbo 6-cylinder gas engine, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Delivering 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Its Nissan counterpart, the Altima, boasts a 2.5L 4-cylinder gas engine and CVT transmission with 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. With weighing only 500 pounds more than the Altima, the gas mileage is significantly less than the Altima; 10 mpg less coming in at 23.1 mpg combined on our test.What stood out the most for me on the Q50 was the style and usage. The exterior had a great appearance and one that was very upscale. The illuminated logo on the front grille was nice and very german-like as the upscale brand for Nissan Motor Co. continues to ...

Volkswagen sees sales slump in China, vows rebound this year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Volkswagen profits fell 30% in the first three months of the year despite booming business in Europe and North America because sales dropped in China, where the German automaker is facing increasing competition from homegrown models. After-tax profit fell to 4.7 billion euros ($5.2 billion) from 6.7 billion euros in the first quarter of last year, the Wolfsburg-based company said Thursday. The number of vehicles sold rose 7.5%, to 2.04 million. Revenue jumped by 21.5%, to 76.2 billion euros, as VW saw strong demand and increased pricing power — meaning the willingness of customers to shell out more for its cars. However, the company sold 14.5% fewer vehicles in China, the world’s largest car market, where competitors such as BYD are rapidly developing new electric and hybrid vehicles at competitive price points and competing with foreign brands. BYD Auto, owned by battery maker BYD Co., edged ahead of Tesla in total 2022 sales at 1.9 million vehicles....

TD Bank Group calls off deal to buy U.S. bank First Horizon

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

TORONTO — TD Bank Group has called off its US$13.4-billion takeover deal to acquire First Horizon Corp.The bank says it reached a mutual agreement with the U.S. bank to terminate the acquisition because of the uncertainty as to when and if it would be able to obtain regulatory approval.TD chief executive Bharat Masrani says this decision provides clarity for colleagues and shareholders.Though disappointed with the outcome, he says, TD moves forward with a strong and growing franchise in the United States.Under the terms of the agreement, TD will pay First Horizon a US$200-million break fee. The payment is in addition to a US$25-million fee reimbursement owed to First Horizon under the merger agreement.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:TD)The Canadian Press

Artificial intelligence market faces review from UK watchdog

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday that it’s opening a review of the artificial intelligence market, focusing on the technology underpinning chatbots like ChatGPT. The Competition Markets Authority said it will look into the opportunities and risks of AI as well as the competition rules and consumer protections that may be needed. AI’s ability to mimic human behavior has dazzled users but also drawn attention from regulators and experts around the world concerned about its dangers as its use mushrooms — affecting jobs, copyright, education, privacy and many other parts of life. The CEOs of Google, Microsoft and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI will meet Thursday with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for talks on how to ease the risks of their technology. And European Union negotiators are putting the finishing touches on sweeping new AI rules.The U.K. watchdog said the goal of the review is to help guide the development of AI to ensure open and competitive m...

2 people killed in train accident in western Germany

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:43:49 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Two people were killed and several were injured in a train accident near the western German city of Cologne on Thursday, German news agency dpa reported.The train supposedly crashed into a group of people who were working on the tracks close to the town of Huerth. Emergency personnel, police and psychologists were at the scene and the route was closed for further train traffic. It was not immediately clear how many people were injured.The Associated Press