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Patriots-Commanders preview: Bill Belichick could start to U-turn the season Sunday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

For the first time in a month, the Patriots are favored heading into kickoff.A visit from the 3-4 Commanders should instill confidence in a team that could desperately use some juice. The Pats (2-6) lost more than a game last weekend at Miami, dropping a 31-17 final and their leading receiver, Kendrick Bourne, on the trainer’s table with a torn ACL. Quarterback Mac Jones will miss Bourne, whose yards after catch became vital to a Patriots offense with minimal explosion.However, his absence could allow rookie Demario Douglas to flourish, and fellow young wideouts Tyquan Thornton and Kayshone Boutte should see more playing time versus a porous Washington secondary. Defensively, the Pats are facing the most pass-heavy offense in the league. What will Bill Belichick cook up against former Chiefs offensive coordinator and new Commanders play-caller Eric Bienemy?Here’s what to watch for:When the Patriots runSteady, but unspectacular.Over the past four weeks, the Pats’ ru...

Red Sox Roster Breakdown: Where do Sox stand entering MLB offseason?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

New chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has a lot of work to do, and coming off a third last-place finish in four years the Red Sox are looking at a busy offseason.That being said, Breslow isn’t exactly inheriting a complete tear-down either.As disappointing as this past season was, the club’s emerging core of talented young players collectively took a big step forward. Between those standouts and the impact players who remain under contract, the Red Sox may only be a handful of big moves away from reasserting themselves as playoff contenders.Even with much of the roster locked in, there are still a number of key players whose futures remain uncertain.So who is likely to return? Who does the club need to make a decision on? Who do Red Sox fans need to follow as the offseason ramps up in the coming weeks? Here’s a complete breakdown of the roster, including those under contract, those who are either free agents or arbitration-eligible, and how the pieces should all...

Other voices: The Democrats are giving the country what it doesn’t want — a Trump-Biden rematch

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

Think back five years — challenging, we know, given all that’s transpired since then — but Joe Biden at the time seriously considered whether to declare he would serve just one term if elected president of the United States.It was late 2019, and he was struggling to gain traction in a crowded Democratic primary field and needing to set himself apart from his younger rivals. We know now he made no such pledge and won the prize anyway.But the belief lingered well past his defeat of Donald Trump in 2020 that, once his term ended, he could well cede the mantle of Democratic Party leader, given his age. As an unnamed (and apparently unheeded) Biden campaign adviser categorically told Politico in late 2019, “He’s going to be 82 years old in four years and he won’t be running for reelection.”So much for categoricals. The oldest president ever is indeed vying for another four years. A Trump rematch is highly likely at this point.And Americans over m...

Bridge: Nov. 5, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

“Ever doubled a contract without even looking at your hand?” Unlucky Louie asked me in the club lounge.“I’ve wanted to,” I said, “when my opponents had an auction that made no sense. Say they bid ‘one spade-1NT, two spades-2NT, three spades-3NT.’ Opener signed off at three spades, responder bid 3NT anyway. That sort of auction begs for a double.”“I have a theory,” Louie said, “that if an opponent opens 2NT and his partner passes, the next player should double. Dummy will have nothing, and declarer will struggle.”“I once knew a player who tried that,” I said. “It worked until his opponents got wise, and the 2NT opener’s partner passed with some points — and then redoubled.”In today’s deal, East’s double of 2NT was speculative at best. When South leaped to four spades, East declined to double that. West led the ten of hearts, and South took dummy’s ace an...

Word Game: Nov. 5, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — MUSCADET (MUSCADET: mus-kuh-DAY: A dry white wine.)Average mark 43 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 54 or more words in MUSCADET?TODAY’S WORD — MUSCADET mace made mast mate mead meat mesa meta muscat muse must mute used same sate sauce saute scad scam scat scud scum scute seam seat sect sedum smut stead steam stem sued suet sumac cadet came case cast caste cause aced acme acted acute amuse dame date duct dues duet dust east tame teamTo 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 vulgar or sexually explicit words are not all...

Horoscopes Nov. 5, 2023: Kevin Jonas, step outside your comfort zone

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kevin Jonas, 36; Tatum O’Neal, 60; Bryan Adams, 64; Art Garfunkel, 82.Happy Birthday: Establish your thoughts and control your emotions. Look at change from a positive perspective; you’ll figure out how to make the most of whatever situation you encounter this year. Opportunity is apparent, but if you labor over the negatives and overlook the benefits, you’ll miss the point and a chance to turn your dreams into a reality. Step outside your comfort zone and embrace new beginnings. Your numbers are 9, 16, 22, 25, 31, 36, 42.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Challenge yourself and participate in events that bring you joy. Walk away from ventures that have nothing to offer but a hefty price tag. Stick to what moves you instead of giving in to manipulative people trying to push you in the wrong direction. 5 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do what you must and move on to something new. If you let your emotions take over, you’ll find it challen...

Ask Amy: I hate when people say this to make me feel better. Am I too sensitive?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

Dear Amy: I am wondering whether I am being too sensitive.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: How do I tell my neighbor I want out of this unpleasant ritual? Advice | Ask Amy: She sent me your advice column and told me I did something unacceptable Advice | Ask Amy: My sister asked these teens a question I found thoughtless Advice | Ask Amy: I was upset about what they were eating, and they laughed when I objected Advice | Ask Amy: My parents aren’t really fighting, but it makes my husband uncomfortable My mother and sister passed away a year ago. Both had terminal cancer and suffered enormously prior to passing away.Nice folks have expressed their “condolences.”For some reason, I am not comfortable with this term (although I appreciate it).I would prefer that they instead tell me that they are sorry that this has happened, or say nothing and just give me a soft look of understanding.Somehow the...

Blinken meets Palestinian leader in West Bank, stepping up Mideast diplomacy as Gaza war escalates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought his frenetic Mideast diplomatic push on the Israel-Hamas war to the occupied West Bank on Sunday, meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his latest bid to ease civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip and begin to sketch out a post-conflict scenario for the territory.Blinken traveled to Ramallah for his previously unannounced visit in an armored motorcade and under tight security just hours after Israeli warplanes struck a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens, health officials said. Despite the secrecy and the State Department refusing to confirm the trip until after Blinken had physically left the West Bank, protests erupted against his visit and U.S. support for Israel as word of his arrival leaked.Aside from pleasantries, neither man spoke as they greeted each other in front of cameras and the meeting ended without any public comment. It was not immediately...

Nepal villagers cremate loved ones who perished in earthquake that shook its northwest, killing 157

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

This handout photo provided by Nepal Prime Minister's Office shows an earthquake-affected area in northwestern Nepal, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Helicopters and ground troops rushed to help people hurt in a strong earthquake that shook northwestern Nepal districts just before midnight Friday, killing more than 100 people and injuring dozens dozens more, officials said Saturday. (Nepal Prime Minister's Office via AP) This handout photo provided by Nepal Prime Minister's Office shows an earthquake-affected area in northwestern Nepal, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Helicopters and ground troops rushed to help people hurt in a strong earthquake that shook northwestern Nepal districts just before midnight Friday, killing more than 100 people and injuring dozens dozens more, offi...

Better Weather Ahead this Week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:03 GMT

As we fell back and got an extra hour of sleep last night, the weather pattern has decided to change for the best with nicer, brighter and calmer conditions ahead this week.With the time change, our sunrise and sunset times are now an hour earlier. Sunrise is now in the 6AM hour and sunset in the 5PM hour.This Sunday, expect to see more sunshine throughout the day with only a spotty shower chance. There will be a beach breeze in place coupled with highs near normal in the mid 80s.Then by Monday, some cooler air will traverse in from the north around high pressure, making the start of our Monday the coolest of the week. Temperatures across most mainland areas will fall into the mid to upper 60s and into the low to mid 70s across the Florida Keys. With low humidity in place, it will feel nice and refreshing outside!With this area of high pressure in place along with a lighter, easterly wind developing by midweek, that will also for tranquil conditions across South Florida. Rain chance...