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Ask Amy: His ex-wife’s name is on the check, and I don’t want any drama if I cash it

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Dear Amy: I have traveled to meet a wonderful man whom I am really anxious to get to know better.I paid for the first trip to visit him. He sent me a check for the upcoming second trip to visit him.I am so excited to see him on this next trip, but I’m hesitant to cash the check. I am leaning toward not cashing the check and just paying for this second trip on my own.The check is from his and his ex-wife’s joint account, which they still share.I am a very independent woman. I work hard and have been a very private person since my divorce 18 years ago.I have no regrets in life, but feel if I cash this check, I will have one.I have no drama in my life. I worry that this ex will make drama. I do not need her in my business.How can I express myself and return this check on my next visit?StumpedDear Stumped: Whenever your gut tells you to put the brakes on – even if you’re not sure why – you will be wise to pay attention.Hard-working and independent adults pay for their own trips. D...

Dear Abby: My husband lies about the smallest things and doesn’t see why it’s a problem

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

DEAR ABBY: How do I get my husband of 20 years to stop lying and hiding things from me?I have tried explaining to him that when he lies or hides things, especially small petty stuff, it makes me wonder what else he has lied about.When I confront him after catching him in a lie, he flips the script to make it about me and makes me feel like I have done something wrong. He also tries to manipulate me by bringing up my past or boasting about how I will never find a better man.I’m at a loss because he shows no compassion when I am visibly upset. He doesn’t try to make things right, and he never admits to anything I call him out on. We end up in a huge fight/argument when I try to express my feelings. Please help.NOT MATTERING IN MICHIGANDEAR NOT MATTERING: You are married to a classic narcissist who isn’t going to change his pattern of gaslighting you.Make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional who can explain how unhealthy (for you) this marriage is...

Jill On Money: Fed puts itself under the microscope

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Some crises seem to come out of the blue, while others take place in slow motion. The failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) qualifies for the former, while the failure of First Republic Bank (FRB) would be the later.Related ArticlesBusiness | Larger crowds, less chaos: Why summer travel may be less bumpy Business | Relief options if you’re in debt from your kid’s education Business | Why the First Republic Bank failure is different Business | Why new grads shouldn’t fear a recession Business | Jill On Money: Housing affordability still tough It wasn’t a surprise when the FDIC announced that it was seizing and selling the bulk of the institution to JP Morgan Chase, but it capped an intense seven-week period that resulted in shuttering of three mid-sized U.S. banks: SVB, Signature Bank and FRB.First Republic was the 14th biggest bank in the country and like SVB, had a wealthy customer base that maintained d...

Nuclear watchdog growingly worried over Ukraine plant safety

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog is expressing growing anxiety about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, after the governor of the Russia-occupied area ordered the evacuation of a town where most plant staff live amid ongoing attacks in the area.The plant is near the front lines of fighting, and Ukrainian authorities on Sunday said that a 72-year-old woman was killed and three others were wounded when Russian forces fired more than 30 shells at Nikopol, a Ukrainian-held town neighboring the plant.“The general situation in the area near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous,” International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said in a warning that came Saturday before the latest report of attacks. “I’m extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant.”Grossi’s comments were prompted by an announcement Friday by ...

Mets and Rockies meet to decide series winner

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Colorado Rockies (13-21, fifth in the NL West) vs. New York Mets (17-17, second in the NL East)New York; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Ryan Feltner (2-2, 4.45 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 30 strikeouts); Mets: Joey Lucchesi (1-0, 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 13 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -208, Rockies +174; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the New York Mets and the Colorado Rockies are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.New York is 7-7 at home and 17-17 overall. The Mets have a 6-3 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.Colorado has a 13-21 record overall and a 6-12 record on the road. Rockies hitters have a collective .386 slugging percentage to rank 10th in the NL.Sunday’s game is the third time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Francisco Lindor has 12 doubles and five home runs for the Mets. Brett Baty is 10-for-30 with three doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.Charlie Blackmon has seven doubles and t...

Cubs try to keep home win streak alive, host the Marlins

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Miami Marlins (16-18, third in the NL East) vs. Chicago Cubs (17-16, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Sunday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (1-3, 5.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Cubs: Hayden Wesneski (2-1, 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -123, Cubs +104; over/under is 7 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs host the Miami Marlins looking to extend a three-game home winning streak.Chicago has gone 10-8 in home games and 17-16 overall. The Cubs are 8-2 in games when they hit two or more home runs.Miami is 16-18 overall and 6-9 in road games. The Marlins have the ninth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .249.The teams meet Sunday for the sixth time this season. The Marlins lead the season series 3-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Nico Hoerner has six doubles, a triple and two home runs while hitting .315 for the Cubs. Cody Bellinger is 12-for-39 with four doubles, a triple and two home runs over the past 10 games.Jorge Soler l...

Diamondbacks take on the Nationals after Gurriel’s 4-hit game

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Washington Nationals (13-20, fifth in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (19-14, second in the NL West)Phoenix; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Trevor Williams (1-1, 3.41 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 21 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.39 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 19 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -166, Nationals +143; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks play the Washington Nationals after Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s four-hit game on Saturday.Arizona has gone 10-6 at home and 19-14 overall. Diamondbacks hitters have a collective .437 slugging percentage to rank third in the NL.Washington is 7-8 on the road and 13-20 overall. The Nationals have a 6-15 record in games when they have allowed a home run.The matchup Sunday is the third time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Corbin Carroll has nine doubles, a triple, five home runs and 11 RBI while hitting .330 for the Diamondbacks. Christian Walker is 15-for-40 wi...

Brewers look to break 5-game road skid, play the Giants

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (18-15, second in the NL Central) vs. San Francisco Giants (15-17, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Adrian Houser (0-0); Giants: Ross Stripling (0-1, 6.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 19 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -139, Brewers +118; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers will aim to stop a five-game road losing streak when they play the San Francisco Giants.San Francisco is 9-7 at home and 15-17 overall. The Giants have a 10-5 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Milwaukee has an 18-15 record overall and a 9-9 record in road games. The Brewers have a 13-5 record in games when they record eight or more hits.Sunday’s game is the third time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Thairo Estrada has seven doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI for the Giants. LaMonte Wade Jr is 10-for-33 with a double, a triple, four home runs and five RBI over the past 10 games.Rowd...

Padres play the Dodgers in series rubber match

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (20-14, first in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (18-16, third in the NL West)San Diego; Sunday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Julio Urias (4-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 45 strikeouts); Padres: Joe Musgrove (1-0, 10.80 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, nine strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -110, Padres -108; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.San Diego has an 18-16 record overall and a 10-10 record in home games. The Padres have a 14-2 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Los Angeles has an 8-8 record on the road and a 20-14 record overall. The Dodgers have the second-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .449.Sunday’s game is the third time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto has seven doubles, five home runs and 17 RBI while hitting .220 for the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. is 16-for-46 with three dou...

Review: All creatures great and small in ‘Guardians 3’

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:10:32 GMT

When Peter “Star-Lord” Quill, while inspecting a murky extraterrestrial region, pressed play on Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” in the first “Guardians of the Galaxy,” it would have been hard to imagine that James Gunn’s space opera would ultimately lead to something as sincere, poignant and kinda cornball as the trilogy-ending “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” But as Gunn has showed over over the course of these increasingly soupy sci-fi spectacles, the genetically spliced DNA of his chaotic, cartoonish cosmic vision is a double helix of opposites. Breezy ‘70s rock papers over extreme violence. Cynical exteriors cloak sentimental emotions. A ragtag group of outcasts, more so than even the cast of “Fast and the Furious,” talk a lot about “family” and “friends.” Against the odds, “Come and get your love” has turned out to be a legit invitation.“Vol. 3” is a messy, overstuffed finale. But you rarely question whether Gunn’s heart is in it. Sometimes it spoils...