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Ask Amy: Mom is worried about friend who wants more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

Dear Amy: I am in my 40s and a single adoptive mother of two girls.Many years ago, I met “Jeremy” on an internet dating site. While I wasn’t romantically attracted to him, we became friends.From our first meeting, Jeremy made it very clear that he wanted more than friendship from me.I was honest in stating that I viewed him as a platonic friend and that it wouldn’t go any further than that.We have remained in touch over the course of 11 years (with the exception of a very brief marriage of his).He has become a dear friend. We laugh and commiserate.I’m open to dating if someone compatible were to come along, but my daughters come first. I like being single.Jeremy continuously makes not-so-subtle hints that he would like us to be more than friends.I’ve never led him on and have reiterated that we are friends.We have some common interests, and we are both good people, but there are major differences, and frankly I’m not attracted to him.Friends...

EU expenditure on R&D reaches €352 billion in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

In 2022, the EU spent €352 billion on research & development (R&D), 6.34% more than in the previous year (€331bn) and 48.52% more than in 2012 (€237bn).When looking at R&D intensity, i.e. R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP, data show a slight decrease from 2.27% in 2021 to 2.22% in 2022.Among the EU members, 4 countries recorded the R&D intensity above 3% in 2022. The highest R&D intensity was recorded in Belgium (3.44%), followed by Sweden (3.40%), Austria (3.20%) and Germany (3.13%).Source dataset: rd_e_gerdtotIn contrast, 8 EU countries reported R&D intensity below 1%: Romania (0.46%), Malta (0.65%), Latvia (0.75%), Cyprus and Bulgaria (both 0.77%) recorded the lowest shares, followed by Ireland, Slovakia and Luxembourg with shares close to 1%.Between 2012 and 2022, R&D intensity in the EU increased by 0.14 percentage points (pp). The biggest increases were recorded in Belgium (1.16 pp), Greece (0.77 pp) and Croatia (0.69 pp). In contrast, R&am...

Learn how builders choose design options

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

Much of the fun of touring new homes is in noticing how builders design and decorate their model homes. For that reason, touring model homes can play an early role in how buyers approach choosing their own new-home finishes.For many builders, choosing options begins with the concept of personalization. They want to offer buyers the ability to personalize their spaces from a variety of options offering flexibility to individualize with style.Some builders hire individuals or consulting firms to conduct research. That process may include evaluating past and current  product demand, availability or overstocks. Regional or national customer surveys may take place to provide usable data for developing design packages.As part of all of this, builders analyze costs relative to materials, labor and home pricing. Some builders primarily serve entry-level buyers or build multifamily homes.Other builders may serve more buyers who are purchasing move-up homes, who are age 55+ or who may be seek...

Word Game: Dec. 7, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — SAUCIER (SAUCIER: SAW-see-er: More bold or impertinent.)Average mark 22 wordsTime limit 35 minutesCan you find 30 or more words in SAUCIER? The list will be published tomorrow.YESTERDAY’S WORD — FIREPOT fire fore fort forte fret refit rife rift riot ripe rite rope rote roti pert pier poet pore port profit tier tire tope toper topi tore trio trip tripe tropeTo 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 allowed.Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at [email protected].

Hooker Furniture: Fiscal Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Hooker Furniture Corp. (HOFT) on Thursday reported profit of $7 million in its fiscal third quarter.The Martinsville, Virginia-based company said it had profit of 65 cents per share.The home furnishings company posted revenue of $116.8 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on HOFT at https://www.zacks.com/ap/HOFTSource

Two rising stars of the Bundesliga meet as leader Leverkusen takes on Stuttgart

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Is Bayer Leverkusen’s German title challenge for real? How about Stuttgart’s chances?The Bundesliga’s two teams on the rise meet on Sunday when league-leading Leverkusen travels to third-placed Stuttgart.Leverkusen’s 21-game unbeaten start to the season is on the line again after a rare moment of vulnerability in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.Stuttgart knocked Dortmund out of the German Cup on Wednesday and is aiming for another upset win in a season already packed with eye-catching performances.The simple fact that Stuttgart vs. Leverkusen has become a must-watch game in Germany is tribute to Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso and his Stuttgart counterpart Sebastian Hoeness, who both took over relegation-threatened teams partway through last season and turned them around.Leverkusen may have to do without Florian Wirtz after the 20-year-old attacking midfielder limped off after a hard tackle to the ankle in Wednesday’...

Putin moves a step closer to a fifth term as president after Russia sets 2024 election date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

Russian lawmakers on Thursday set the date of the country’s 2024 presidential election for March 17, moving Vladimir Putin a step closer to a fifth term in office.Members of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, voted unanimously to approve a decree setting the date. “In essence, this decision marks the start of the election campaign,” said Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Federation Council. Russia’s central election commission is to hold a meeting on the presidential campaign on Friday.Putin, 71, hasn’t yet announced his intention to run again, but is widely expected to do so in the coming days now that the date has been set.Under constitutional reforms he orchestrated, he is eligible to seek two more six-year terms after his current one expires next year, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036.Having established tight control over Russia’s political system, Putin’s victory in the March election is all but assured. Prominent critics who co...

Denver weather: Sunny with 60s before Friday snow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Mainly sunny skies and 60s will feel mild on Thursday, even with a breezy wind. Cooler temperatures and snow arrive on Friday in the Denver weather forecast. Weather today: Sunny and breezyHigh wind warnings will be in effect in the foothills and into the mountains until 5 p.m. Thursday, with winds at 30-45 mph and gusts at 65-80 mph. Timing, totals, impact of Friday’s snowstorm in Denver metro Pinpoint Weather: High wind advisory on Dec. 7 The Front Range won't be as brisk on Thursday, but it will be breezy. Mainly sunny skies help highs climb back into the middle 60s.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on Dec. 7 Weather tonight: Increasing cloudsClouds build into the Front Range Thursday night as winds slow. Overnight lows will dip into the upper 20s with increasing clouds and early morning snow in the mountains. Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast on Dec. 7 Winter weather advisories will be in effect for the mountains from 9 p.m. Thursday through 5 p.m. Friday wi...

McDonald’s testing new CosMc’s chain amid unprecedented global expansion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

McDonald’s is testing a new restaurant format with customizable drinks and treats designed to appeal to afternoon snackers — and grab sales from competitors like Starbucks and Dunkin’.The company said Wednesday it will open 10 CosMc’s restaurants through the first half of next year. One will be near the company’s headquarters in Chicago and the rest will be in Texas. The company will study the results for at least a year before determining whether to expand.The announcement was one of the most anticipated at McDonald’s day-long investor conference Wednesday. The company also said it expects to open nearly 10,000 McDonald’s restaurants worldwide over the next four years — to reach a total of 50,000 restaurants — a pace of growth that would be unprecedented even for the world’s largest burger chain.It plans to open 900 new stores in the U.S. and 1,900 in international markets with company operated and franchised restaurants like Canada, German...

Miramar family escapes unharmed in early morning house fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:02 GMT

A Miramar family safely exited their home after a fire broke out, Thursday morning. Miramar Fire Rescue arrived just before 3:15 a.m. when they quickly extinguished the blaze. Cellphone footage revealed the intensity of the flames and billowing smoke. The residence, housing a family of eight to 10 people and their cat, was affected, but all occupants emerged unharmed. A firefighter, commenting on the incident, suggested an electrical origin, emphasizing the ongoing investigation with the state fire marshal.As of 7 a.m., fire crews remained on-site, continuing their examination. 7SkyForce was overhead during the aftermath as the family gathered in the backyard. While the house isn’t a total loss, the family cannot return until authorities deem the structure safe. No injuries were reported.