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Bridge: March 9, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

When I studied voice way back in another life, I was taught how to “embellish” notes in the baroque style: add ornamentations to supplement the vocal line and show off the vocalist’s technique. Something similar can happen in dummy play: Declarer can embellish his basic line of play to get an extra chance.At today’s 3NT, South won the first spade with the jack and led the Q-J of clubs. West played low, of course, so South next tried the ace and a low diamond.West won and led another spade to the king, and South led another low diamond. He hoped for a 3-3 break, but it wasn’t to be. He took only eight tricks.OVERTAKINGSouth can embellish his play: He leads a low diamond at Trick Two. South wins the spade return and cashes the ace of diamonds, dropping West’s queen. South then leads the queen and jack of clubs, overtaking with dummy’s king.No ace appears, but South can lead a third diamond toward his jack, winning two diamonds, two clubs, two ...

Willis Lease: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (AP) — COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (AP) — Willis Lease Finance Corp. (WLFC) on Thursday reported net income of $14.3 million in its fourth quarter.The Coconut Creek, Florida-based company said it had profit of $2.12 per share.The jet engine lessor posted revenue of $88.1 million in the period.For the year, the company reported profit of $5.4 million, or 33 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $311.9 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WLFC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WLFCSource

BJ’s: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — MARLBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. (BJ) on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $129.8 million.On a per-share basis, the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company said it had profit of 95 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $1 per share.The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 89 cents per share.The wholesale membership warehouse operator posted revenue of $4.93 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $4.81 billion.For the year, the company reported profit of $513.2 million, or $3.76 per share. Revenue was reported as $19.32 billion.BJ’s shares have risen 12% since the beginning of the year. The stock has increased 25% in the last 12 months._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.c...

22nd Century: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — 22nd Century Group Inc. (XXII) on Thursday reported a loss of $26.3 million in its fourth quarter.The Buffalo, New York-based company said it had a loss of 12 cents per share.The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 6 cents per share.The plant biotechnology company posted revenue of $19.2 million in the period, which also missed Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $19.3 million.For the year, the company reported a loss of $59.8 million, or 31 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $62.1 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on XXII at https://www.zacks.com/ap/XXIISource

Townsquare: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

PURCHASE, N.Y. (AP) — PURCHASE, N.Y. (AP) — Townsquare Media Inc. (TSQ) on Thursday reported net income of $3.5 million in its fourth quarter.The Purchase, New York-based company said it had profit of 20 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 66 cents per share.The operator of radio stations in small and mid-sized markets posted revenue of $120.3 million in the period.For the year, the company reported profit of $12.3 million, or 68 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $463.1 million.For the current quarter ending in March, Townsquare said it expects revenue in the range of $100 million to $102 million.The company expects full-year revenue in the range of $450 million to $470 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on TSQ at https://www.zacks.com/ap/TSQSource

Most players prefer World Cup in European summer, union says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Most of the players from last year’s World Cup do not want the soccer tournament to be held again in November and December, global union FIFPRO said Thursday.Citing the short preparation and recovery times for players from a World Cup squeezed into the middle of the European club season, FIFPRO said a survey it conducted also highlighted player concern for the physical and mental fatigue they felt in January.France defender Raphaël Varane’s decision to end his national team career last month at the age of 29 was a warning sign, FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said in a briefing.“I fear he is not going to be the last one if we continue like this,” Baer-Hoffmann said, citing soccer’s increasingly congested playing calendar with new competitions adding more teams and games to existing ones.The union asked players who were at the World Cup in Qatar when they would prefer future editions to be held. Only 11% said November-December while 64% preferre...

Las 5 cosas que debes saber este 9 de marzo: ¿Es seguro viajar a México?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

¿Pactó Nayib Bukele con las maras? El FMI dice que la guerra en Ucrania tendrá consecuencias “devastadoras” para la economía rusa. El PSG perdió y Messi podría haber dicho adiós para siempre a la Champions League. Esto es lo que debes saber para comenzar el día. Primero la verdad.1. ¿Es seguro viajar a México?El secuestro de cuatro estadounidenses, dos de los cuales fueron asesinados, en la ciudad mexicana de Matamoros, Tamaulipas, justo al otro lado de la frontera con Brownsville, Texas, puso de relieve la violencia en un país al que acuden millones de visitantes internacionales cada año. Y a poco de comenzar las vacaciones en la primavera boreal, con una gran afluencia turística en las populares playas mexicanas, la cuestión de la seguridad es probablemente una de las principales preocupaciones.CNN explica: estos son los riesgos del turismo médico en México2. ¿Pactó Nayib Bukele con las maras?En una acusación, los fiscales federales en Nueva York alegaron que algunos d...

Pastner’s future at Ga Tech in question after losing season

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Pastner is facing an uncertain future as Georgia Tech’s basketball coach after another losing season and few signs of progress in the Atlantic Coast Conference program.The Yellow Jackets capped a 15-19 campaign Wednesday with an 89-81 loss to Pittsburgh in the second round of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro, North Carolina.Pastner was asked if he expected to be retained for an eighth season with the Atlanta school.“I hope to be at Georgia Tech,” he said. “I love Georgia Tech. I love my job. I have a real passion for it, and I believe in it.”In the end, Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera and athletic director J Batt, who has only been on the job since October, will make the call.“They’re in charge, so whatever they say, they’re in charge,” Pastner said. “I hope I can continue to be at Georgia Tech.”His best season was a surprising run to the ACC Tournament championship during the pandemic-marred 2020-21 season, which also marked Georgia Tech’s lone ...

‘Star Wars’ actor Donnie Yen’s Communist Party ties spark Oscar host backlash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

A petition calling for the removal of martial arts star Donnie Yen as a presenter at this year’s Oscar ceremony due to his connections to China’s ruling Communist Party has garnered tens of thousands of signatures.The 59-year-old actor, best known for his role in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ and the hugely popular ‘Ip Man’ franchise, has long been a controversial figure among sections within his native Hong Kong, owing to his apparent criticism of the city’s pro-democracy movement.Describing Yen as a “supporter of the Chinese Communist regime,” the online petition points to several statements it claims ought to disqualify Yen from involvement in the 95th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 13.One example listed was a profile published last week in GQ, in which Yen discussed the large and occasionally violent pro-democracy demonstrations that gripped Hong Kong throughout 2019.“It wasn’t a protest, OK, it was ...

Denver weather: Breezy with fire weather warnings

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:33:27 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Mostly sunny skies will build quickly on Thursday as winds increase over the Front Range. With low humidity values and high winds, a fire weather warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Denver weather forecast.Pinpoint Weather: Fire weather warning on March 9. Weather today: Breezy winds and sunnyAfter some early flurries and clouds, sunshine is back by mid-morning with breezy winds. Amber Alert for missing Texas girl may now be in Colorado Highs Thursday will be just below average in the upper 40s with mainly sunny skies. Winds will be at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on March 9Pinpoint Weather: Wind speeds on March 9Weather tonight: More clouds, still breezyClouds will slowly increase overnight Thursday with some brisk winds lingering. Winds will be out of the south at 10 to 20 mph with lows in the middle 20s.Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast for March 9Looking ahead: Warmer weekend with a light showerFriday ...