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Bridge: Nov. 4, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.South’s jump to 2NT was forcing and showed a balanced 12 to 15 points. (Some pairs use a 2NT response to a minor-suit opening bid as invitational, a treatment I dislike because subsequent development of the auction may be murky.)Against 3NT, West led a low spade: ten, king, ace. Declarer then led a diamond. East won and returned his last spade, and the defenders forced out South’s queen. South then took his heart and club tricks, but West won the last four tricks with the king of diamonds and good spades.NINTH TRICKSouth was at risk since he had to lose the lead twice to set up a ninth trick in diamonds. In case the missing spades are divided 6-2, South must execute a “hold-up” play — even with a double stopper.South ducks the first trick and wins East’s spade return. When he loses a diamond to East’s ace, East must shift, and South has time to force out West...

Arrestan a un hombre acusado de atravesar la valla de una central nuclear de Carolina del Sur e intentar atropellar a un guardia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

(CNN) — Un hombre acusado de atravesar una valla en una central nuclear de Carolina del Sur e intentar atropellar con su vehículo a un agente de seguridad esta semana fue detenido el viernes por la noche, informó una oficina del sheriff.Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, de 66 años y natural de Lockesburg, Arkansas, ha sido acusado en relación con el incidente del jueves por la noche en la central nuclear de Oconee, informó la oficina del sheriff del condado de Oconee.Whisenhunt fue detenido el viernes en una casa abandonada en el condado de Pickens, en Carolina del Sur, dijo la oficina del sheriff.Whisenhunt está acusado de acelerar su Toyota Camry hacia un agente de seguridad en los terrenos de la estación “en un intento de causar graves daños corporales o la muerte” el jueves, dijo la oficina del sheriff, citando una orden de arresto.El hombre de Arkansas también utilizó su coche para golpear puertas y vallas fuera de la zona de seguridad de la planta, dañándolas, dijo el ...

Biden under pressure from within his own party to use leverage on Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

Progressives on Capitol Hill are ramping up pressure on the Biden administration to use its leverage to force Israel to address the growing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.But while the White House supports a pause in hostilities to address those concerns, Israeli leadership on Friday said it did not.The tension could very well crest in the days ahead as Congress pushes forward on an ambitious funding request that would, in part, send billions of dollars to Israel.Over the last few days, several lawmakers have demanded the White House take a tougher stance with its Israeli counterparts. Those lawmakers have called on the administration to push the Israelis to publicly share their plans to ensure civilian safety and address humanitarian issues, such as access to water and fuel, before the United States finalizes additional aid to the country.“Beyond just a ceasefire, I think it is time for our party to press upon the president to really be a mediating force in what we are seeing in the...

Patriots extra points: Bill Belichick says rookie WR had best practices this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

No pressure, rook.Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte “probably” enjoyed his best week of practice leading up to Sunday’s game against the Commanders.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Demario Douglas one of the 4 Patriots most important to beating Washington New England Patriots | The Patriots’ glue guy linebacker keeping Bill Belichick’s defense together New England Patriots | Patriots place O-lineman on injured reserve, create open roster spot New England Patriots | Patriots-Commanders injury report: Trent Brown among 10 questionable for Sunday New England Patriots | Bill Belichick pays tribute to late friend, basketball legend Bob Knight Boutte, a sixth-round pick last April, has been a healthy scratch every week since the Pats’ season opener. During that 25-20 loss to the Eagles, Boutte didn’t register a catch despite...

Demario Douglas one of the 4 Patriots most important to beating Washington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

By idling at the NFL’s trade deadline this week, the Patriots sent a message to their roster: we’re riding with you the rest of the way.At 2-6, it’s all but certain the Pats won’t turn their season around in time for a playoff run, but a few young players could shape the remainder of this campaign. Whether that means finishing close to .500 or making a case for playing time in 2024 and beyond remains to be seen. But it all starts Sunday.From the roster, these are the four Patriots most pivotal to a win over the Commanders.WR Demario DouglasThe Patriots’ new leading receiver played a career-high 41 snaps last week. Don’t be surprised to see Douglas surpass that against Washington.The Commanders rank second-worst in the league at defending opponents’ No. 1 receivers by DVOA. They field a young secondary with tall, long cornerbacks that could struggle against Douglas’ elite quickness. The sixth-round rookie is by far the Pats’ best ...

A glance at some of Nepal’s deadliest earthquakes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook northwestern Nepal just before midnight Friday, killing at least 138 people with dozens more injured. Officials said the death toll was expected to rise as rescuers searched the Himalayan villages where communication was cut off.Earthquakes are common in mountainous Nepal. Here are some of the strongest in recent history:— July 29, 1980: At least 200 die and thousands are injured after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal-India border. — Aug. 20, 1988: The Himalayan nation’s capital is rocked by a 6.9 quake, killing at least 1,000 people and injuring thousands.— April 25, 2015: A 7.8 magnitude earthquake kills some 9,000 people, the worst in Nepal’s history, and damages about 1 million structures. The previous deadliest earthquake that struck the region was in 1934 with over 8,000 fatalities. — May 12, 2015: One among about two dozen aftershocks of the April 25 earthquake kills over 200 people and injures more than 2000...

Iranians mark the anniversary of the 1979 US embassy takeover while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Thousands of Iranians gathered on the streets Saturday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” while condemning Washington’s support of Israel as it strikes the Gaza Strip as part of its war against Hamas.The rally — which was called for by the state — came as the Israel-Hamas war entered its fourth week. About 1,400 people in Israel were killed and over 240 taken hostage after Hamas’ surprise attack on Oct.7. The Israeli retaliatory operation has killed over 9,000 people in the Gaza Strip. People assembled outside the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, with some burning American and Israeli flags.Protesters stomped on images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden. Others carried banners calling the U.S., “Great Satan.” The banner on the main podium read: “We trample America under our feet.” Parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, addres...

Clocks to ‘fall back’ Sunday as daylight time ends for most Canadians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

Most Canadians will be turning their clocks back by an hour early Sunday morning.Daylight time, which allows people to enjoy an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, ends tomorrow morning and transitions to standard time in most provinces and territories.The change means darkness will arrive earlier in the evening, but it will be lighter earlier in the morning except for in Yukon and most of Saskatchewan, where clocks stay put year-round.Cities like Mississauga are reminding drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be alert on the roads during and after the shift back to standard time.While seasonal time changes are linked to health complications like headaches and heart problems, Toronto-based veterinary behaviourist Karen Van Haaften says our pets can feel the effects too.She says that’s because their schedules are closely linked to their owners’ daily routines, meaning their feeding, exercise and medication schedules will be delivered an hour later than usual when...

Invasive crayfish confirmed in Minnesota for first time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

Signal crayfish, an invasive nonnative freshwater crustacean species, have been found in a western Minnesota lake, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.The DNR said Friday that this is the first confirmation of signal crayfish in Minnesota waters.A commercial harvester trapped two of the crayfish in Lake Winona, adjacent to Alexandria in Douglas County. Since then, the harvester found eight additional signal crayfish in the lake. The DNR set traps but was unable to find any other crayfish. Out of the 10 the harvester caught, there was one female out of the 10 and there was no evidence of reproduction, meaning no eggs or juveniles were found.“Signal crayfish are larger and more aggressive than Minnesota crayfish and the invasive rusty crayfish,” the DNR said in a statement. “They eat aquatic plants, detritus, fish eggs, smaller crayfish species and other beneficial native invertebrates. Signal crayfish might outcompete native species for food and h...

Steady weekend weather with rain chances midweek

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:27:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A nice weekend is ahead for this time of year. We will have a good amount of clouds around today and temperatures will climb to the mid-60s. We could maybe see a few sprinkles this evening into tonight with a weak front. Cloudy through the evening, with gradual clearing overnight. Patchy fog may develop. Sunday morning could start with that patchy fog and then become partly cloudy. Sunday will be a bit warmer, with highs in the upper 60s to near 70.The forecast is looking mainly dry, with rain chances increasing a little for late Wednesday.