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Ask Amy: Friends delay and are now losing cruising

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

Dear Amy: I was planning to go on a cruise with a good friend, due to leave next month.I paid a $900 deposit to guarantee the cruise for both of us, nine months in advance.It was understood that my friend and I would split the total cost of the cruise 50/50.This includes the deposit and the remaining $2,000 that would be due, plus any other related costs.Last month I discovered I had cancer. I need to begin a chemotherapy regime.No cruise for me.Since the dates were already reserved (thanks to the deposit), I asked my friend if she wanted to take another person and go on the cruise without me.She said no, and that she only wanted to go with me.I canceled the cruise, losing the $900 deposit (no travel insurance).My friend had never paid me her half of the deposit because we were going to settle up on the total costs after the cruise had ended.She has said nothing (despite broad hints on my part) about paying her half of the $900 deposit, apparently assuming that the loss was my fault...

Bridge: Oct. 18, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

“Accidents will happen,” Captain Hook said offhandly. — graffiti.I don’t know whether Captain Hook ever visited a second-hand store, but knowledgeable second-hand play is a key aspect of defense. “Second hand low” is a guideline, not a rule.Today’s West led a heart, the suit East had bid, against 3NT. South won with the ace, led a diamond to dummy and returned the deuce of spades … and East followed with the nine, paying homage to second hand low.When South’s king won, he forced out the ace of clubs. He won East’s heart return and had nine tricks: a spade, two hearts, four diamonds and two clubs.MAXIMEast picked the wrong time to apply a maxim. He must not let South steal a spade trick, then set up tricks elsewhere. If East rises with the ace on the first spade and leads a second heart, South has only eight tricks and must let East get back in with the ace of clubs to cash two more hearts for down one.If East’s spades...

Citizens Financial Group: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Citizens Financial Group Inc. (CFG) on Wednesday reported third-quarter profit of $430 million.The Providence, Rhode Island-based company said it had net income of 85 cents per share.The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 92 cents per share.The bank posted revenue of $3.09 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $2.01 billion, which also missed Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $2.04 billion.Citizens Financial Group shares have decreased 31% since the beginning of the year. The stock has dropped 25% in the last 12 months._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CFG at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CFGSource

Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid boosted by Indonesia changing sides after Australia co-host talks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

One week after revealing talks with Australia about bidding to co-host the 2034 World Cup, Indonesian soccer leader Erick Thohir said Wednesday his federation now supports Saudi Arabia.Thohir’s change of plan was detailed in a statement on the Indonesian soccer federation website hours before an online meeting of the Asian Football Confederation, whose 47 members include Australia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.During the meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged AFC members to “be united for the 2034 World Cup.”Infantino has long been a close ally of Saudi soccer and the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and FIFA’s surprise decision two weeks ago to fast-track bidding for the 2034 men’s tournament was seen as favorable for them.AFC members responded quickly to Infantino’s urging and the Japan federation proposed united support behind the Saudi bid backed by Uzbekistan, Lebanon and India.“Japan has a plan to host the FIFA World Cup by 2050 but now it’s time for Asi...

A new generation of transportation in Manassas City Public Schools

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

This article was written by WTOP’s news partner, InsideNoVa.com, and republished with permission. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.Over 7,000 students and 60 bus drivers from Manassas City Public Schools will now have greener transportation thanks to what students are calling a “magic school bus.”Oct. 16-20 is recognized as School Bus Safety and School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, and to kick it off Manassas City Public Schools celebrated at Baldwin Elementary School by deploying the first phase of what will eventually be 12 electric school buses and chargers for its fleet.The project is a partnership between the school district, Highland Electric Fleets and Sonny Merryman, a bus dealer company.Students, teachers, bus drivers and local leaders attended the ceremony where they got the opportunity to see the new electric buses for themselves.“That diesel bus right over there is something of yesteryear,” said Caley Edglery with Sonny Merryman. “Your city and ...

1 northbound lane on I-270 near Watkins Mill Road open after police officer hit by a vehicle

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

Traffic in the northbound lanes of Interstate 270 in Maryland is slowly moving near Watkins Mill Road (Exit 12) after a police officer was hit by a vehicle early Wednesday morning.Montgomery County police told WTOP that the officer has been transported to an area hospital in serious condition.Two people, including the driver of the vehicle that hit the officer, are in custody, according to police.TRAFFIC ADVISORY: I-270 NB north of Watkins Mill is completely shut down following a collision involving an officer.Drivers should seek an alternate route and expect significant delays. #MCPD #MCPNews #RoadClosure— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) October 18, 2023Just before 4:30 a.m., WTOP’s Traffic Center reported a medevac at the scene.The helicopter left shortly before 5 a.m. One lane reopened after 6 a.m.A map of the area of the crash is below: Source

No. 7 Penn State’s road game against No. 3 Buckeyes is crucial to Franklin’s bid for a breakthrough

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

Each of the Power Five conferences except the Big 12 features a head-to-head matchup of Top 25 teams on Saturday.The biggest takes place in the Big Ten, where No. 3 Ohio State hosts No. 7 Penn State. Both are in the top 10 at the time of their meeting for the fourth time since 2017. Both are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.Ohio State and Michigan have been the Nittany Lions’ biggest hurdles under 10th-year coach James Franklin. He’s 1-8 against the Buckeyes and 3-6 against the Wolverines, who visit Happy Valley on Nov. 11.Franklin has never beaten both in the same season and — barring an upset in one of their other four games — that’s probably what it will take for his Lions to break through for a first College Football Playoff berth.The Atlantic Coast Conference’s top matchup has No. 16 Duke (5-1, 2-0) at No. 4 Florida State (6-0, 4-0). This begins the teeth of the schedule for Duke, which has road games against Louisville and North Carolina on the horizo...

Commerce: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Commerce Bancshares Inc. (CBSH) on Wednesday reported third-quarter net income of $120.6 million.The bank, based in Kansas City, Missouri, said it had earnings of 96 cents per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 93 cents per share.The bank holding company posted revenue of $504.1 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $391.5 million, also topping Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $388.7 million.Commerce shares have fallen 28% since the beginning of the year. The stock has decreased 29% in the last 12 months._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CBSH at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CBSHSource

Elevance Health: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) on Wednesday reported third-quarter profit of $1.29 billion.The Indianapolis-based company said it had profit of $5.45 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $8.99 per share.The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 18 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $8.45 per share.The health insurer posted revenue of $42.85 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $42.48 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts. Seventeen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $42.53 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ELV at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ELVSource

Colorado teens accused of taking 'memento' photo after rock-throwing death set to appear in court

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:32:51 GMT

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) — Three teenagers charged with murder in the death of a 20-year Colorado driver who was struck by a rock that investigators say was thrown through her windshield are set to appear in court Wednesday for an evidentiary hearing to determine if their case should go to trial.Joseph Koenig, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak were arrested several days after Alexa Bartell was hit in the head by a rock while driving northwest of Denver on April 19 and talking on the phone with a friend. After the call went silent, the friend tracked Bartell’s location with a phone app and found the suburban Denver woman dead in her car, which had crashed into a field.Investigators have said Bartell was killed by the rock and not the crash.According to court documents, the teens, all 18 at the time, circled back to take a photo of the crashed car as a “memento.” 3 high school seniors arrested in deadly rock-throwing crime spree Investigators said at the time that they believed...