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Bridge: July 21, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

“My husband and I used to let all the little frustrations of our marriage surface at the bridge table,” a club player told me. “I guess many couples are like that. We argued so much we got counselling.”“Did that help?”“We still argue, but now we call it ‘sharing.'”My friend said she and her husband were today’s East-West.“South played at four spades after my husband opened 1NT. He led the king of hearts, and I signaled with the nine. When he continued with the ace and eight, declarer ruffed, drew trumps and led the queen of clubs.”LAST HEART“West played low, but South overtook with the king, ruffed dummy’s last heart and led another club. My hubby won but had to lead a diamond or club, and South made game.“I shared that my husband should lead a low heart at the second trick. On the bidding, I was more likely to have the queen than a doubleton. I’ll shift to a diamond, and we get four tric...

Regions Financial: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Regions Financial Corp. (RF) on Friday reported second-quarter net income of $581 million.The bank, based in Birmingham, Alabama, said it had earnings of 59 cents per share.The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 11 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 60 cents per share.The holding company for Regions Bank posted revenue of $2.32 billion in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $1.96 billion, exceeding Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.94 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on RF at https://www.zacks.com/ap/RFSource

Denver weather: Mild Friday with an isolated storm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — In the Denver weather forecast, there will be a mix of sun and clouds Friday with mild highs in the low 80s and a small chance for an isolated shower or storm.Weather today: Comfortable with sunshineDenver finishes off the workweek with partly to mostly sunny skies and comfortable highs in the lower 80s. Human remains found near South Platte River There is a small chance of an isolated shower or storm in the afternoon.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on July 21Weather tonight: Slow-clearing skiesAny clouds that form Friday will gradually clear overnight with seasonal lows near 60 degrees and a light wind. Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast on July 21Looking ahead: Heating back up this weekendThe weekend begins with mostly sunny skies and warm highs in the upper 80s on Saturday. Sunday tops out in the middle 90s with plenty of sunshine. Here’s why your plants are dying Monday starts off the next workweek with a few extra clouds and toasty highs in the upper 90...

HEAT ALERTS SOUTH FLORIDA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

HEAT ALERTS BREAKDOWN*Excessive Heat Warning for Miami-Dade until 8pm. Once it expires Heat Advisory will replace the warning and run through Sunday. This is the second time ever that any portion of our region is under an Excessive Heat Warning, which means that the risk for heat related illnesses is significantly higher. *Heat Advisory for Broward through Sunday 8pm.*Heat Advisory for the Florida Keys through 7pm today.Why is Miami-Dade County under an Excessive Heat Warning? The criteria calls for feels like temperatures of 110 degrees or higher for at least 2 consecutive hours. The criteria for the rest of South Florida to be under the warning is at 113 degrees.Reminder to please stay hydrated and avoid long periods of time outdoors.Stay cool South Florida! Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7

UK by-elections: How the parties are spinning a something-for-everyone night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

LONDON — A triple whammy of by-elections in the U.K. has given everyone in Westminster something to cheer — and someone to blame.Rishi Sunak’s Tories took a beating in two out of the three contests for House of Commons seats held Thursday, as Labour and the Liberal Democrats overturned huge majorities in the Yorkshire seat of Selby and Ainsty and in Somerset’s Somerton and Frome respectively.But an unexpected, if narrow, hold for the Conservatives in Uxbridge and South Ruislip — Boris Johnson’s old seat — complicates the narrative. And poses big questions for Labour’s own operation.Here’s how last night’s, er, three winners — Labour, Tories and Lib Dems — all tried to spin the by-elections as the dust settled Friday.Keir Starmer’s LabourThe thumping win in Selby has been put front and center by an opposition party eyeing a general election victory in 2024.It’s little wonder, since the new 25-year-old MP Keir Mather overturned a 20,000-plus majority in what was seen as a safe seat fo...

Column: Pat Hughes, longtime Chicago Cubs radio voice, is ready for his day in the sun — receiving the Frick Award

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Pat Hughes considers himself one lucky guy.“When I was in college, if anyone would’ve said you’re going to have a long career and be in the big leagues for five years, I would’ve said, ‘Great, sign me up,’” Hughes said. “Now 41 years, it’s almost ridiculous. It’s so sublime it’s incomprehensible. How did I get here?”The answer to that question seems obvious to anyone who has followed his career. Hughes worked hard at his craft, was dedicated to learning everything he could about the game and its players, became a respected and beloved voice of the Chicago Cubs and performed his job long enough and well enough to earn the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. Saturday afternoon at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y., a day before the National Baseball Hall of Fame inductions of Scott Rolen and Fred McGriff, Hughes will be honored by the Hall and receive his plaque, putting him in the company of Cub...

Inconsistent Chicago Cubs suffer a sloppy 7-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a 4-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

The Chicago Cubs’ season has been mired in mediocrity.Consistency and positive momentum continues to elude a team needing to make up ground in their effort to get to .500 and climb back into the division race. Closing out their series win against the Washington Nationals with two victories and 25 runs scored didn’t carry over into their series opener Thursday versus the St. Louis Cardinals.The Cubs couldn’t get much going offensively with left-hander Steven Matz on the mound. They finished with six hits in a 7-2 loss to a Cardinals team that has won six straight and quickly pulled within 1 1/2 games of the third-place Cubs (45-51).Marcus Stroman struggled to get in a groove, and the infield defense didn’t help him. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom’s two-out fielding error in the first extended the inning, which set up Willson Contreras to put the Cardinals ahead 1-0 on a double. Stroman was able to work around a Wisdom throwing error in the second, getting ...

As Orioles exceed expectations, trade deadline gives front office the chance to do the same | ANALYSIS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

If it were up to Kyle Gibson, the Orioles would be all-in on 2023.The 35-year-old starting pitcher reached the World Series last year with the Philadelphia Phillies and would love a repeat with Baltimore after signing a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason. But Gibson also understands the front office will approach the Aug. 1 trade deadline with more than the following three months in mind.“They’re working with a vision that’s not just this year, but it’s this year and five years, right?” Gibson said. “They have a lot different job. For me, it’s like, yeah, I would worry about this year and that’s it, and then when you hit the next year, worry about next year. But obviously, that’s not how a Major League Baseball team is able to operate.”Fueled by executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias’ “liftoff from here” comment in the wake of last year’s deadline — in which the Orioles ...

Patriots training camp countdown No. 5: Who will make a Year 2 leap?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Welcome to 7 Patriots training camp questions!Each day leading up to the start of camp, the Herald will explore one of the biggest questions facing the Pats this summer. Several pertain to the offense, which welcomed back Bill O’Brien this offseason and added JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki. Other questions cover the defense and special teams, units that might rely heavily on rookies and must overcome the loss of longtime captain Devin McCourty.Once the Patriots hit the practice field, here’s what they must learn before the season kicks off versus Philadelphia on Sept. 10.No. 7: Can Mac Jones return to form?No. 6: How will the Patriots replace Devin McCourty?No. 5: Who will make a Year 2 leap?Picture the Patriots’ top needs.Offensive line, wide receiver and – pending Jack Jones’ availability given his legal trouble – cornerback.How can the team possibly solve them all? By asking more of their 2022 draft class.Cole Strange, stabilize the left ...

U.K. regulator reviewing plan to address concerns with Uni-Select-LKQ deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

MONTREAL — The competition regulator in Britain has raised concerns about LKQ Corp.’s agreement to buy Canadian company Uni-Select Inc. and is reviewing a plan put forth by the companies to address its issues.The Competition and Markets Authority says its investigation found that the merger could reduce competition in the supply of car parts, as well as garage equipment, to independent garages and workshops in 145 local areas and the supply of car parts to national and multi-regional customers.It says it will now consider a proposal put forward by LKQ and Uni-Select, which the companies believe could address the regulator’s concerns, before deciding on the next step.U.S. company LKQ announced a deal in February to buy Quebec-based Uni-Select in a roughly $2.8-billion agreement.In connection with the acquisition, LKQ said at the time that it would undertake a process to sell GSF Car Parts U.K., Uni-Select’s U.K. based mechanical parts distribution business. LKQ, through E...