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Bridge: March 20, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

Suppose you order out a large pizza, and when the delivery man arrives, he offers you a second large one — plus a complimentary tin of antacid tablets — for a dollar more. Would you accept the offer?Declarer can often take advantage of a two-for-one offer. In today’s deal, North’s jump-raise to three hearts shows game-invitational strength, and South thinks enough of his good trumps, side aces and spade singleton to bid slam. West leads the queen of diamonds, and declarer takes the ace and draws trumps.How should South continue to give himself the best chance for 12 tricks?OVERTRICKSouth can succeed if he wins either a second spade trick or a third club, but he can combine his chances. South should take the K-A of clubs. When the queen falls, he is home (with an overtrick). If instead East-West played low clubs, South could finesse with the queen of spades.The correct play might cost an extra undertrick, but a 50-point investment in making a slam is worthwhil...

Word Game: March 20, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — MEMOIRS (MEMOIRS: MEM-whars: Narratives composed from personal experience.)Average mark 14 wordsTime limit 30 minutesCan you find 18 or more words in MEMOIRS? The list will be published tomorrow.SATURDAY’S WORD — MOTHERLY melt merlot metro mole molt more morel mote motel moth mother motley myrtle myth other term them theory therm they throe thyme tole tome tore trey troy tyro helm hero hoer hole holey holy home homely homer homey hotel hotly rely rhyme role rote rotl lore lyre yoreTo 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 “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vu...

Verstappen grumbles despite driving from 15th place to 2nd

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

First he had a stomach bug that delayed his arrival at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Then a mechanical failure in qualifying dropped Max Verstappen deep on the starting grid. So recovering for a second-place finish should have been reason to celebrate, right? Not for the two-time reigning Formula One world champion. Verstappen barely even praised Red Bull’s second straight 1-2 finish after he rallied from 15th to finish behind teammate Sergio Perez at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Sunday. Verstappen won the the season-opener in Bahrain, with Perez second. Not even earning a bonus point for logging the fastest lap of the race — a point that kept Verstappen atop the F1 standings — could ease his frustration. “The whole feeling in the team, everyone is happy. But personally, I’m not happy,” Verstappen said after the race. “Because I’m not here to be second, especially when you are working very hard back at the factory to make sure that you arrive here in a good state, and basica...

Women’s tennis works to safeguard against predatory coaches

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

Lindsay Brandon is a lawyer whose past clients include athletes disputing doping suspensions. In her new post as the WTA’s first director of safeguarding, Brandon is leading an increased effort to protect athletes from predatory coaches — and others — on the women’s professional tennis tour.“Safeguarding is about emotional abuse. Physical abuse, as well. And it’s not just coach-athlete,” Brandon said in a telephone interview from the BNP Paribas Open, which wrapped up Sunday in Indian Wells, California, and was the first tournament she visited as part of the job she began 3 1/2 months ago.“There are other people that are part of this process,” Brandon told The Associated Press. “There can be athlete-to-athlete issues. There can be issue with respect to training staff separate from coaches. Those are just some of the examples.”Her priorities include managing the WTA security team’s investigations of complaints — she did not reveal how many are currently active — and “monitoring any p...

Md. bill would allow nonviolent offenders to get jobs at casinos

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

A new bill in Maryland would make it possible for people convicted of specific nonviolent crimes to get jobs at local casinos.“These are opportunities that help create a change within our community,” Maryland State Del. Nick Charles from Prince George’s County told WTOP.More Maryland NewsMore Local NewsCharles sponsored the bill, saying it’s an opportunity to change the law to help support reentry into the workforce. MGM Resorts is working in partnership with Charles to help get the bill passed.“For folks who have misdemeanors, nonviolent crimes, you know, this is a big deal,” Charles said.The bill is making its way through the State House but hasn’t been voted on yet.Right now, Maryland law stops those with a conviction, on active parole, or on probation for crimes from applying for a lottery employee license in order to get a job at a casino seven years from the date of the offense.The new law would allow previous nonviolent offenders whos...

March Madness rounds the corner to the Sweet 16

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

We know you’re upset. Underdogs have blown up every bracket in the country.Upside of the upsets: perhaps the maddest March ever.Defending national champion Kansas and fellow No. 1 seed Purdue are gone — the Boilermakers with a slice of unwanted history. The Sweet 16 won’t have blue bloods Kentucky, Duke or North Carolina for the second time since 1979.In are upstarts like Princeton, Florida Atlantic and a team picked to finish last in the Big 12.And, this being March, of course there’s Tom Izzo.SOUTH REGIONAlabama has looked every bit the No. 1 overall seed, blowing out Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Maryland despite turmoil swirling around the program. Waiting for Alabama in Louisville, Kentucky will be San Diego State. The fifth-seeded Aztecs are old and love to knock you around — just ask College of Charleston and Furman.The second game marks Princeton’s first Sweet 16 in 56 years. The No. 15 seed Tigers had the first major March upset by knocking off No...

11 tips to get your garden ready for spring

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

Spring cleaning for the yard.The season is on the cusp of changing, and that means one thing to gardeners: It’s time to get started, and there’s a lot to do before you can plant. Right now is a great time to get your garden ready for the warm season ahead. Follow these tips to help plan your strategy.Test the soil.Before you can have a successful garden, you have to know what you’re working with. A basic soil test can be performed using a home kit, or you can contact your university extension for an in-depth analysis.“Soil testing is important for gardeners because it can provide them with valuable information about the nutrient levels, pH, and overall health of the soil,” says Tom Monson, owner of Monson Lawn & Landscaping in St. Paul, Minnesota. “This information can then be used to determine which fertilizers and soil amendments will be most beneficial for the specific crop being grown.”Plan your garden.While you’re waiting for ...

Dozens in Indonesia protest Israel’s presence at U-20 Cup

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Dozens of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Monday to protests Israel’s first-ever participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 in Indonesia. The world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation is hosting the U-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11 in Indonesia’s six major cities. A total of 24 countries from five continents are participating, including Israel, after a two-year delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the host country, Indonesia is automatically qualified for the tournament.Although Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel and is a strong supporter of the Palestinians, officials say the government will not prevent Israel from taking part in the tournament. Waving white flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith along with Indonesian and Palestinian flags, more than 100 demonstrators filled a major thoroughfare in downtown Jakarta. They halted traffic, chanting “Allahu Akbar” and “Get ...

A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died last year amid Somalia’s historic drought, half of them children.

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A new report says an estimated 43,000 people died last year amid Somalia’s historic drought, half of them children.Source

Denver weather: Front Range rain showers, mountain snow

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:04 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s weather will stay mild for the first day of spring with mostly cloudy skies and a chance of an afternoon and evening rain shower.Pinpoint Weather: First day of springThe mountains will see snow showers, heavy from time to time, throughout the week. Voluntary evacuations lifted for Poudre Canyon fire Weather today: Cloudy with mountain snowThe mountains will see scattered snow showers throughout the day on Monday. Pinpoint Weather: Mountain snow showers on March 20.Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in place, meaning most of the high country could see road and travel impacts from the snow.Pinpoint weather: Watches and warnings on March 20. Snowfall totals will range from 1 to 8 inches in the central and northern mountains with up to 12 inches in southwest Colorado.Pinpoint Weather: Snow totals for March 20. Denver will hit the mid-50s on Monday with a 10% chance of an isolated rain shower in the afternoon and evening. Skies will stay mo...