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Bridge: Oct. 7, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.Combine two hydrogen buffaloes with one oxygen buffalo, and it’s clear what you get: one water buffalo. But the technique of combining chances as declarer eludes some players.Against today’s six spades (reached with a “transfer” bidding sequence), West leads the jack of hearts, threatening declarer with a heart loser. If he wins and leads a trump to finesse with dummy’s jack, East wins and cashes a heart.BEST CHANCEThe finesse is South’s best percentage play in the trump suit, but his best chance to make the slam is to combine chances: He takes the A-K of trumps. If the queen fell, South would be home (with an overtrick).When instead East-West play low, South is still alive. He runs the clubs. When East, with the high queen of trumps, must follow to three rounds, dummy’s heart goes away on the fourth round, and South loses one trump trick. In this and many de...

Netanyahu tells Israel ‘We are at war’ after Hamas kills at least 22 in an unprecedented attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday. Six hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years. The Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition.There was no official comment on casualties in Gaza, but Associated Press reporters witnessed the funerals of 15 people who were killed and saw another eight bodies arrive at a local hospita...

India wins gold in Asian Games cricket after rain stops play in final with Afghanistan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

India picked up the gold medal in men’s cricket on Saturday at the Asian Games after the final against Afghanistan was halted by rain.India was the higher seeded team going into the final, and officials awarded the medal using that logic with the games closing on Sunday.It was Afghanistan’s first silver medal at these Games after winning four bronze. It has not won a gold.After India won the toss and bowled first, Afghanistan was 112-5 off 18.2 overs when rain forced the players from the field in Hangzhou. Persistent rain prevented any further play and the umpires called the match off.India made a clean sweep of the cricket competitions at these Games after its women’s team also won gold, beating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final.Afghanistan upset Pakistan in the semifinals, preventing an anticipated final between top rivals Pakistan and India.CLOSING CEREMONYThe Asian Games close their two-week run on Sunday with three gold medals to be awarded on the final day — two in karat...

Identifican a la última víctima del “Asesino de la cara feliz” décadas después de su muerte

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

(CNN) — El camionero Keith Hunter Jesperson mató a al menos ocho mujeres en Estados Unidos en los años 90 y envió a las autoridades cartas de confesión firmadas con caras sonrientes. Pero la identidad de su última víctima conocida siguió siendo un misterio durante tres décadas.Las autoridades de Florida la identificaron esta semana como Suzanne Kjellenberg, que tenía 34 años cuando fue asesinada por Jesperson.Unos jardineros encontraron sus restos junto a la interestatal 10 en septiembre de 1994, según el sheriff Eric Aden, del condado de Okaloosa, en Florida.Jesperson, apodado el “Asesino de la cara feliz” por sus cartas, había confesado haber matado a una mujer llamada “Susan” o “Suzette” tras su detención en su momento, pero su identidad permaneció desconocida durante décadas, dijo Aden.De las ocho mujeres que admitió haber matado, ella era la única no identificada hasta ahora, según informó a CNN la oficina del sheriff del condado de Oka...

Israeli rescue service confirms at least 22 people killed in Hamas incursion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli rescue service confirms at least 22 people killed in Hamas incursion.Source

Correa where he’s supposed to be, leading Twins against Astros in ALDS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa’s path to a second season with the Minnesota Twins was a circuitous one that included him almost signing with both the Giants and the Mets.As the star shortstop prepared to lead the Twins in the AL Division Series against his former team the Houston Astros this weekend, he reflected on his crazy offseason.“It worked out the way it was supposed to for sure,” Correa told The Associated Press on Friday. Correa agreed to mega deals first with San Francisco and then the Mets before problems with his physical derailed both. It was then that he re-signed with the Twins for a second season after first joining them following his departure from the Astros after the 2021 season.“I always stayed in touch with them and deep in my heart I wanted to go back,” Correa said. He thought it was important to test the market and talk to teams that were willing to give him “the value you think you deserve.” But when the deals with those two teams fell through, the choice to re...

Hamas attacked Israel and Netanyahu says his country is ‘at war.’ Follow live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday. Israel says at least 22 people have died.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel was “at war” and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. The invasion revived memories of the 1973 war practically 50 years to the day.Follow our live updates.At least 462 people receiving medical treatmentThe Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition. The Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, said it was treating 182 wounded people, including 12 in critical condition.There was no official comment on casualties in Gaza, but Associated Press reporters witnessed the funerals of 15 people who were killed and saw...

Police searching for suspect in deadly shooting in Vermont

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

A search continued in Vermont Friday for the person responsible for a deadly shooting on a rail trail, state police said. Vermont State Police in a statement said police first responded around 4:30 p.m. Thursday to the trail near South Street in Castleton. Responding troopers soon found 77-year-old Honoree Fleming dead at the scene, police said.State police said a witness told investigators they saw a “possible suspect” walking north toward the Vermont State University campus in Castleton after they heard gunshots. The witness described the possible suspect as a white male standing approximately 5’10” with short, dark-colored hair, according to police. Police said the person was last seen wearing a dark gray t-shirt and carrying a black backpack. Vermont State Police in their latest statement Friday said the suspect in this incident is considered “armed and dangerous” and asked anyone with information to contact investigators.While the police investigation continued, ...

Rare manatee that visited Rhode Island found dead offshore

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) — A manatee that made a rare visit to Rhode Island has been found dead offshore, bringing a sad end to the marine mammal’s curious appearance in New England.The West Indian manatee is a gentle, plant-eating giant sometimes known as a sea cow that normally lives in the warmer waters of the Southeastern states and the Caribbean. They can weigh as much as 1,200 pounds (550 kilograms) and can live as long as 65 years.The Rhode Island animal was first seen in early September and was the first one observed in the state since around 2010, said Sarah Callan, manager of the animal rescue program at Mystic Aquarium.The animal was found dead between Prudence Island and Hog Island on Thursday afternoon, Callan said. The manatee was in an advanced state of decomposition and it won’t be possible to determine a cause of death, Callan said.“We are all so saddened,” Callan said.The cold waters of New England in fall aren’t suitable for manatees, Callan said. I...

NFL notes: The Patriots have failed Mac Jones, but need him to save them anyway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:35:46 GMT

The worst loss of the Bill Belichick era fell squarely on Mac Jones.Two of his turnovers led directly to 15 Cowboys points last weekend. The Pats scored three. That was it.Here’s what’s happened since.Jones’ performance eroded the faith certain members of the organization had in their quarterback, according to Boston Sports Journal. In a mid-week interview, Julian Edelman blasted Jones and claimed he’s not developing fast enough for the Patriots’ liking. Michael Lombardi, a former Patriots executive and longtime Bill Belichick confidant, ripped Jones for having a sweet tooth for turnovers and lacking any ability to lead his team to a comeback win.Bottom line: it was a bad week to be Mac Jones.On Wednesday, Jones admitted he tried to play outside the structure of Bill O’Brien’s system against the Cowboys. Translation: he forced the issue.Why would Jones force the issue? Well, he has to.Jones’ failures are not mutually exclusive from O&#...