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Bridge: Sept. 10, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

“I bid the fourth and final diamond.” — a player whose partner had bid clubs four times while he had bid diamonds.It’s typical of newer players that when they hold a hand they find attractive, they may grab the auction and not let go, like a toddler clutching a favorite toy.In today’s deal, the first four calls were fine, as was South’s second-round jump to three hearts. But West’s three spades was questionable; North should have doubled for plus 500. When he passed, South’s four hearts could be explained only by “I’m-declaring-come-what-may” syndrome.West led the king of spades, and South took dummy’s ace and let the nine of trumps ride. West took the king and got out with his last trump. South next led the king of clubs, but West won and returned a club. Then South lost a diamond to West’s king and another club. Down one.Players often get carried away with strong hands — and he who overbids is like...

Word Game: Sept. 10, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — GARDENIA (GARDENIA: gar-DEEN-yuh: A shrub with fragrant white flowers.)Average mark 52 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 67 or more words in GARDENIA?TODAY’S WORD — GARDENIA gain gainer gander garden gear gird gnar grad grade grain grand grid grin grind adage again agar aged agenda ager aide aired anger area arena aria arid radian rage raid rain rang range rani read reading regain reign rein rend ride ridge rind ring dang danger dare daring darn dean dear deign dine diner ding dinge dire dirge drag drain drainage dreg earn engird nadir near ideaTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but ...

Ashton Kutcher y Mila Kunis dicen que son “conscientes” de que sus cartas de apoyo a Danny Masterson causaron dolor

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

(CNN) — Ashton Kutcher y Mila Kunis compartieron un video en el que dicen que son “conscientes del dolor” que causaron al escribir cartas en apoyo a Danny Masterson antes de su sentencia por violación.Kunis y Kutcher, quienes coprotagonizaron con Masterson la serie “That ’70s Show”, estuvieron entre las casi 50 personas que abogaron por indulgencia para el actor antes de que fuera sentenciado el jueves a 30 años de prisión a cadena perpetua por violar a dos mujeres en 2003.Masterson ha mantenido su inocencia y planea apelar su caso.Danny Masterson, estrella de “That ’70s Show” recibe una condena de 30 años de prisión a cadena perpetua por violaciónEn su video compartido en Instagram este sábado, Kutcher dijo que la familia de Masterson les pidió que escribieran cartas caracterizadas que describieran a “la persona que conocíamos durante 25 años para que el juez pudiera tomar eso en plena consideración en relación con la sentencia”...

West goes easy on Russia to save the G20

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

NEW DELHI — G20 leaders wrapped up two days of high-level talks in India accomplishing what they had set out to achieve — a final summit declaration that all sides could endorse. But many were left asking — at what cost?As the ink dried on the 35-page summit communiqué hashed out over weeks of negotiations by the world’s most influential countries, G20 members were battling a chorus of criticism about the omission of any specific reference to Russia’s role as aggressor in the war on Ukraine.  The G20 had “nothing to be proud of” when it came to the failure to denounce Russia specifically in the joint statement i New Delhi, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko. Svitlana Romanko, founder and director of the pro-Ukraine group Razom We Stand, called the communiqué “weak” and “cowardly by not even mentioning Russia or its ongoing war crimes.”But Western officials defended the result, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak touting the do...

Elon Musk’s social media site X sues California over the state’s content moderation law

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

Elon Musk’s social media platform formerly known as Twitter has sued the state of California over a law requiring social media companies to publish their policies for removing offending material such as hate speech, misinformation and harassment.The first-of-its-kind legislation was signed into law a year ago by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. In a lawsuit filed Friday against state Attorney General Robert Bonta, X Corp. challenges the “constitutionality and legal validity” of the law, saying it violates the First Amendment.The California law requires social media platforms to post their content moderation policies — which they already do — and twice a year submit a report to the state on how they address hate speech, racism, misinformation, foreign political interference and other issues.The law, “compels companies to engage in speech against their will, impermissibly interferes with the constitutionally-protected editorial judgments of companies such as X Corp.” and has pr...

US Open women’s final: American Coco Gauff rallies to defeat Aryna Sabalenka in dramatic finish

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

Queens, New York (CNN) — Coco Gauff, the world No. 10 women’s singles player, has defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-3 6-2 with a dramatic comeback in the women’s US Open final.The star-studded crowd erupted with applause after Gauff’s home-turf victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens. The win is 19-year-old Gauff’s first career grand slam and makes her the first American teenager to win the US Open since 23-time major champion Serena Williams took the title in 1999.“I feel like I’m in shock at this moment,” said an emotional Gauff after her win. “God puts you through tribulations and trials, and that makes this moment sweeter than I would have imagined.”She thanked her family, her team, and “the people who didn’t believe in me.”Bidding for her second major title of the year, the soon-to-be women’s world No. 1 Sabalenka made quick work in the first set, breaking Gauff’s serve three times to win 6-2 in dominant fashion.However, with the packed crowd chanting “L...

‘I wasn’t walking’: Quincy teen runs 5K a year after devastating spinal cord injury

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

A teenager from Quincy had her chance at a victory lap at the 16th annual Franciscan Children’s 5K.But a year ago, she wasn’t even sure she’d ever walk again.“I wasn’t walking,” she said. “I was in recovery from my injury.”Evonne Woodfin suffered a devastating spinal injury on a family vacation in June 2022 while the 18-year-old was cliff jumping. After the accident, she was airlifted to Boston’s Franciscan’s Children’s Hospital for surgery. Followed by months of intensive rehab with her physical therapist Kayleigh, Evonne slowly began her journey of walking again. “At first I hated her, but now I have so much thanks to her,” Evonne said.Evonne was soon able to dance at her senior prom and walk across the stage to receive her diploma.“Probably one of the harder conversations, preparing Evonne and her family to go home not completely walking and using a wheelchair still. It really motivated her to work harder,” said Kayleigh Duggan, a physical therapist at Franciscan...

Bruce Arena quits as coach of the New England Revolution citing ‘difficult’ investigation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bruce Arena quit as coach of the New England Revolution on Saturday night, six weeks after he was placed on administrative leave by Major League Soccer for what it said were “allegations that he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”The 71-year-old, a member of the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, did not detail the allegations. The league said Aug. 1 it had placed him on leave.MLS did not detail its findings except to say in a statement that the probe “confirmed certain of these allegations.” The league said if Arena wants to accept a future position within MLS, he must petition the MLS commissioner.“The investigation has been a hard and difficult process, for me and my family, but hearing from so many who have been part of my career truly has been gratifying and has helped make this decision easier,” he said in a statement released by the team. “I know that I have made some mistakes and moving forward, I plan to spend some time reflecting on this s...

As Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace enter the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame on Sunday, will Sammy Sosa be next?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace will enter the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame on Sunday during a pregame ceremony at Wrigley Field, joining former teammates Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson, among others.Dunston was honored Friday at Wrigley with a video tribute, while Grace had his tribute during Saturday’s game.Dunston said he was humbled by the honor, though he didn’t consider himself in the same group as Sandberg, Dawson, Grace, Fergie Jenkins and others. Dunston spent 12 years on the North Side and became a fan favorite for the way he played the game.“I put it out there every day and tried my hardest,” Dunston said. “I wasn’t always the best, but I always put the team first, before myself, just like I put my family before myself. I think they appreciate the way I played.”The next big question is whether Sammy Sosa will make the Class of 2024, which will be voted upon after this season. The inductees will be announced at the Cubs Convention in Ja...

NFL notes: Can Tom Brady’s return spark Patriots’ search for a new identity?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:12:56 GMT

Three and a half years later, he lives on the walls and in the whispers.What was it like playing with Tom Brady?What was he like?Only eight Patriots players know those answers now. This week, from Matthew Slater to David Andrews, those eight told reporters what they’ve been telling young, inquiring teammates ever since Brady left in March 2020. Their answers overlapped, of course, as they have for years.How fiery, yet personable Brady was. How he knew everyone’s name. How he greeted new teammates within hours or days of their arrivals, already armed with tidbits about their personal life or college and pro careers.How Brady connected; himself to a locker room, a team to itself and belief into becoming for 20 years.Brady’s connection to the modern Patriots, however, has begun to wane. Like all legends, he inevitably slips from man to memory with the passage of time. Inside the building, Brady’s influence carries only through stories and pictures.On Wednesday, ...