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Gary Payton II’s block of Victor Wembanyama is more than a crazy highlight

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Five NBA players total have reached stratosphere to block 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama. None smaller than 6-foot-1 Gary Payton II, who soared at least two feet in the air on a chase down to swipe away the rookie sensation’s shot at the rim.On a bum left ankle after three games out, nonetheless.The acrobatic and downright spectacular feat sent drowsy Chase Center into a frenzy, and they’d been waiting for something to get excited about.“Just trying to get back and make plays,” Payton said. “After that we kind of turned up the defensive intensity and it got us getting stops and go out and run and do what we like to do on defense.”Despite the 118-112 win on Friday night, it’s fair to harbor some concerns over how the Warriors defense came out against a San Antonio Spurs offense that ranks as one of the league’s worst. Through much of that first half, the Spurs were sinking open 3-pointers and practically getting to the...

Dear Abby: My husband says he can’t wear his wedding ring to the office

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband never wears his wedding ring. In fact, he wears jewelry only when going out. I’ve brought this to his attention many times over the years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: All these women want to date me, and I don’t know what to do Advice | Dear Abby: How can I get my wife to give my car keys back? Advice | Dear Abby: I’m dreading talking to this girl’s parents about the cheek situation Advice | Dear Abby: I’m on the verge of blowing up at my boss over my unofficial duties Advice | Dear Abby: The bride has no room for all the gifts she wants Most recently, I noticed he donned all his “going-out jewelry” with another ring on his right ring finger. It’s as if he consciously chose to wear all the jewelry except the wedding ring.I have noticed this many times and have questioned it. His answer is always, “I can’t wear it wit...

Joe Biden Moves to Lift Nearly Every Restriction on Israel’s Access to U.S. Weapons Stockpile

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

The White House has requested the removal of restrictions on all categories of weapons and ammunition Israel is allowed to access from U.S. weapons stockpiles stored in Israel itself.The move to lift restrictions was included in the White House’s supplemental budget request, sent to the Senate on October 20. “This request would,” the proposed budget says, “allow for the transfer of all categories of defense articles.” The request pertains to little-known weapons stockpiles in Israel that the Pentagon established for use in regional conflicts, but which Israel has been permitted to access in limited circumstances — the very limits President Joe Biden is seeking to remove. “If enacted, the amendments would create a two-step around restrictions on U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.”“If enacted, the amendments would create a two-step around restrictions on U.S. weapons transfers to Israel,” said John Ramming Chappell, a legal fellow with the Center for Civilians in Conflict.Created in th...

DeMar DeRozan ejected over last-second 3 — ‘I don’t care about no In-Season Tournament points’ — in another Chicago Bulls loss

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

When Pascal Siakam launched a 3-pointer with three seconds left Fridayin Toronto, DeMar DeRozan had seen enough.The Raptors led by 13. The shot clock had shut off and the Bulls had sagged back to allow the final seconds to play out. But coach Darko Rajaković and the Raptors bench were still shouting: “Score, score, score.”Siakam followed orders, launching a 3-pointer with three seconds left. DeRozan erupted in immediate indignation, storming toward the Raptors bench to shout down coaches and players alike. He continued to stare down several former teammates after the referee ejected him with his second technical, hugging Raptors owner Masai Ujiri in the tunnel before ripping his jersey off in frustration on the way to the locker room.It all came from a misunderstanding. The Raptors — who seemingly forgot they already were eliminated from In-Season Tournament advancement — thought they still needed to pad their point differential. But DeRozan didn’t...

What bats could the Red Sox add this holiday season?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

Much has been said about how the Red Sox need pitching, but new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has also gone on record as saying the club needs another bat, too.Specifically, the Red Sox could use another right-handed hitter to help balance out the lineup. The club could also use an upgrade at second base or a designated hitter who offers some degree of positional versatility.The market for position players isn’t nearly as deep as the pitching market, but there are still a number of interesting options available through trades and free agency. For the purposes of this exercise, we’re going to ignore financial considerations or what it might take to land someone in a trade and instead focus more on fit and what each player could potentially bring to the table.Shohei Ohtani, DHOn one hand Ohtani really doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Red Sox at all. He’s a left-handed bat who will exclusively DH next season, so positionally adding him would be like ja...

Hamas will release 14 Israeli hostages for Israel freeing 42 Palestinians in the second swap

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas will release 14 Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 42 Palestinian prisoners Saturday as part of an ongoing swap during a four-day cease-fire, according to a senior Egyptian official.The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to talk about details of the ongoing negotiations, said that mediators Egypt and Qatar have given Israel a list of those hostages to be released provided by Hamas. A second official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the details.The upcoming swap on day two of the cease-fire follows Hamas’ release Friday of 24 of the approximately 240 hostages it took during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war. In exchange Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison.Those freed from captivity in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals and a citizen of the Philippines.It was not immediately clear if any non-Israeli captives may also be released Saturday.THIS IS A BRE...

Brussels’ 'Winter Wonders' opens its doors for the festive season

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

Five weeks of festive fun…that is what the City of Brussels offers with its seasonal wonderland which runs from 24 November until 7 January.The city is celebrating the 23rd edition of Winter Wonders which features one of Europe’s most popular Christmas markets and a host of different activities.The event is open every day from 12pm to 10 pm. The festivities of the Grand-Place, with its Christmas tree and sound and light show, of Place De Brouckère, with its ice rink and curling rinks, and place de la Monnaie are extended until Sunday 7 January 2024.Cut down on Wednesday 15 November in Lier, the Xmas tree is adorned with symbols carved in the wood which represent several of Quebec’s Indigenous nations. This year, the 11 Indigenous Nations of Quebec are the guests of honour at Winter Wonders. In the village dedicated to them in front of the Bourse, the “guest of honour” gives revellers the chance to discover their culinary products and local crafts plus enjoy a unique experience ...

Currys plc: A win-win international e-commerce platform

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

With the rapid development of the Internet and digital economy, the traditional consumption mode has been gradually replaced by the new consumption mode. The new consumption value-added model, that is, through digital and Internet technology, closely connects consumers, merchants and platforms to achieve a win-win situation of 1+1+1>3.Under the new consumption value-added mode, Currys plc e-commerce platform came into being to provide integrated digital retail solutions, linking online stores and 800+ physical stores and carrying out omni-channel business. It aims to provide customers with a comprehensive, efficient and convenient shopping experience. The platform covers a wealth of product categories, including but not limited to household appliances, digital products, smart devices, etc., to meet the needs of different user groups.Currys plc e-commerce platform takes intelligent recommendation system as its core function, and provides customized product recommendations for users b...

Horoscopes Nov. 25, 2023: Christina Applegate, finish what you start

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Katie Cassidy, 37; Jerry Ferrara, 44; Christina Applegate, 52; Bruno Tonioli, 68.Happy Birthday: You can be charming and entertaining and stick to the truth. Someone will correct you this year if you exaggerate, so keep your facts straight. Changing how you handle your professional responsibilities will help you maintain your position. High energy and discipline will help attract opportunities if you diligently finish what you start. Actions speak louder than words. Your numbers are 9, 17, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Motivation, charm, enthusiasm and physical action will lead to stellar results if you do what’s necessary and go through the proper channels. Don’t let false information or empty promises ruin your chance to reach your goal. Get things right the first time. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): A receptive attitude will bring positive feedback and get others to listen and see things your way. What you contribute wil...

Bridge: Nov. 25, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:54 GMT

Unlucky Louie’s wife, Esther, had slightly rear-ended a car in front of her.“The damage was so light we didn’t even have our car repaired,” Louie told me disgustedly. “But the other driver went to one of those personal liability attorneys, alleging that he had been injured. Our insurance company settled rather than fight in court.”Insurance can be useful at bridge. A safety play is like an insurance policy: You pay a premium — you give up on taking the maximum number of tricks — but you are protected against a disastrous loss.LAST TRUMPAt today’s slam, declarer takes the king of diamonds and draws trumps. If he cashes the A-K of spades next, the 5-1 split dooms him to only 11 tricks.After South draws trumps, he should play safe by letting dummy’s ten of spades ride. When West wins and leads another diamond, South wins, takes the nine of spades, returns a club to his ace and runs the spades. He can pitch dummy’s low cl...