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Cartier Intersects High Grade Values on Globex’s Nordeau West Royalty ClaimsBryant 97, Tennessee St. 85Almost five years ago we predicted that electricity sales would start to grow again and that utility capital expenditures would soar. And we said that the industry was not spending enough. Apart from patting ourselves on the back, here are the latest numbers confirming our long-held view. Figure 1 shows the five-year spending of investor-owned utilities (IOUs) on electric plants in current dollars. Note how the numbers peaked in the early eighties, fell off, and finally picked up in this century. More meaningfully, Figure 2 shows the five-year spending program as a percent of the beginning of the period electric plant in service. This figure shows the same pattern in a different way. But that is history. if(window.innerWidthADVERTISEMENTfreestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "oilprice_medrec_atf", slotId: "oilprice_medrec_atf" });';document.write(write_html);} Figure 1. IOU electric capital spending ($ billions) Figure 2. IOU electric CAPEX as % of the beginning of period electric gross plant in service We would guess that the costs of construction have risen perhaps 30% between 2015-2019 and 2020-24. If so, industry spending barely rose in real terms. The industry’s projection for the next two years shows spending around current levels, a number that we regard as risible. Utility management has been behind in spending for years. if(window.innerWidth ADVERTISEMENTfreestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "oilprice_medrec_btf", slotId: "oilprice_medrec_btf" });`;document.write(write_html);} All of this means higher prices. Let’s say that volume (in kWh) rises 3% a year and operating expenses (half the expense budge) also rise 3%. So far so good. But capital costs (the other half of the expense budget) rise 9%. Total costs then increase by 6% a year, so electric companies have to raise prices by 3% a year. Why should the asset base grow faster than sales.? Two reasons. First, because new equipment (whether conventional or renewable) costs a lot more than equipment purchased years ago. Second, the electric company is also adding equipment that should have been installed years ago. It is playing catch-up. Now that Trump has won the election, and concerns about climate and pollution fall by the wayside, and new data centers demand electricity (and huge amounts of water) we expect capital spending to go up even more. “This is what we have been waiting (stalling?) for”, the industry’s executives clamor gleefully. “We can build gas-fired power stations and that’s what we always wanted to do. So let’s do it.” What about utility customers? Well, new equipment costs a lot more than old equipment, interest costs are higher than they were a few years ago, and more pro-business regulators are now in charge of the chicken coop. This all leads us to anticipate higher electricity prices in the US. One thing is for sure, though. Construction/engineering firms, bond and stock dealers, and gas producers will make a lot more money in the electricity business. By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — The wildfire alert came in the middle of the night as some college students in Southern California were cramming for final exams and others were woken up in their dorms. But rather than run away from the impending blaze, some 3,000 students at Pepperdine University headed toward two buildings at the heart of the 830-acre (336 hectare) campus in coastal Malibu, California, to shelter in place. The protocol at the Christian university with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean may seem to defy logic to those accustomed to scenes elsewhere in wildfire-prone California of thousands of residents evacuating fire zones in lengthy caravans of cars. For years, the university nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains has had a special protocol due to its unique terrain and design that calls for students to be brought to a library and campus center where they can get food and water and have their basic needs met, said Michael Friel, a Pepperdine spokesperson. The school began preparing students and community members on what to do in case of a wildfire during new student orientation at the beginning of the academic year. When the fire broke out Monday night, school officials started communicating with students around 11 p.m. and activated the shelter-in-place protocol about two hours later, spreading the word through text messages, email, social media and by going door to door. “A lot of our students were woken up by a knock on the door, and we made sure they were aware of the conditions and we were able to get them out of harm’s way,” Friel said. The Franklin Fire quickly moved south, jumping over the famous Pacific Coast Highway and stretching to the coast, where large homes line the beach. Thousands of Southern California residents were under evacuation orders and warnings Tuesday with more than 8,100 homes and other structures under threat. County fire officials estimated that more than 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) of trees and dry brush had burned amid dangerous conditions fanned by dry, gusty Santa Ana winds that were expected to last into Wednesday. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Ryan Song, a resident assistant at Pepperdine University, said he noticed the power went out at his dorm late Monday. When he looked out the window, he saw a huge pink glow. “I thought, ‘This is too bright,’ and it got bigger and bigger,” the 20-year-old junior said. “I immediately went outside and saw that it was a real fire.” Song and the other assistants went door to door to get students out. Most were calm and followed instructions, he said; a few who were scared rushed to their cars to get off campus. Song said he spent the next few hours racing back and forth in the dark between his dorm and the main campus to ensure no one was left behind. Pepperdine University officials said the campus was designed in the 1960s with fire safety in mind due to the region's experience with wildfires. Buildings were clustered together and covered in stucco while roadways were constructed to make it easy for firefighters to get in, said Phil Phillips, the school's executive vice president. During the 1990s, campus officials worked with Los Angeles County fire authorities to develop a safety plan, and authorities said the safest option for students would be to remain on campus. The school is diligent about brush clearance and has a plan to reduce smoke in shelter-in-place locations by taping shut doors and using air filters, he said. The nearby stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway can also become congested during an emergency, Phillips said, such as during the deadly Woolsey Fire in 2018. “What you don't want is to be stuck,” said Phillips, who has been at the campus for three decades — including as a student — and said he has been through seven fires. “Protecting our students, providing for their safety is a moral obligation for us, so we take it really, really seriously.” On Tuesday, heavy smoke from the Franklin Fire, burning northeast of the school, billowed over the campus 29 miles (47 kilometers) west of Los Angeles, and classes were cancelled and final exams postponed. Firefighters had not contained any part of the blaze as of Tuesday afternoon. The campus was singed but no injuries were reported, and only one structure possibly was minimally damaged thanks to firefighters' hard work and collaboration from students, faculty and others on campus, Friel said. Jim Gash, the college's president, said the campus was no longer threatened on Tuesday afternoon. “I am grateful that through prayer, preparation, and cooperation, our Pepperdine community safely navigated the challenges encountered over the last 12 hours," Gash said in a statement. “Our prayers continue to go out to the Malibu community.” ___ Taxin reported from Santa Ana, Calif. Associated Press writer Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Up until the market opened on Friday, Dec. 13, America was home to seven technology companies worth $1 trillion or more: However, an eighth company just joined the ranks. Broadcom ( AVGO 11.21% ) stock surged 24% last Friday following the release of its financial results for fiscal 2024 (ended Nov. 3), catapulting the company into the exclusive $1 trillion club. Investors were impressed with Broadcom's soaring artificial intelligence (AI) revenue, which comes from selling custom chips and networking equipment for data centers. Plus, the company issued a very bullish forecast for its future AI revenue, which points to substantial potential growth ahead. However, before you rush to buy Broadcom stock, you'll have to get comfortable with its lofty valuation. Here's what you need to know. Broadcom is becoming a serious player in AI hardware Broadcom was solely a supplier of semiconductors and electronics components for a variety of computing applications up until 2016, when it merged with fellow chip giant Avago Technologies. From there, the new-look Broadcom went on to spend around $100 billion acquiring other companies like semiconductor equipment supplier CA Technologies, cybersecurity vendor Symantec, and cloud software titan VMware. Those companies helped Broadcom diversify its business, and they are now important contributors to the company's overall revenue. In other words, they paved the way for it to become the $1 trillion giant it is today. But thanks to the spending boom on AI infrastructure from some of the world's leading tech giants, investors are currently laser-focused on Broadcom's semiconductor and networking businesses. The company makes custom AI accelerators (a type of data center chip) for three hyperscale customers, and while their identities are not disclosed, hyperscalers typically include Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Oracle . During Broadcom's fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, it said shipments of AI accelerators doubled compared to the year-ago period. Here's why that's important. Nvidia's graphics processing units ( GPU s) for the data center are currently the most sought after chips in the AI industry. While each of the above hyperscalers are Nvidia customers, Broadcom gives them the ability to design their own chips, which means they can tailor their infrastructure to their own specific needs -- not to mention significantly reduce costs (Nvidia's hardware is very expensive). Additionally, the company said its AI connectivity revenue soared fourfold thanks to sales of its Tomahawk and Jericho data center switches. Those devices regulate how quickly data travels between chips and devices, and since AI developers often use tens of thousands of chips to train their models, faster processing can lead to substantial cost savings. AI revenue surged during fiscal 2024 Broadcom generated a record $51.5 billion in total revenue during the whole of fiscal 2024, which was a 44% increase from fiscal 2023. However, the majority of that growth was attributable to the inclusion of VMware's revenue for the first time, rather than organic growth (Broadcom acquired the company in 2023). Nevertheless, Broadcom managed to impress investors with its AI revenue, which surged by a whopping 220% to $12.2 billion in fiscal 2024. Most of that came from sales of the AI accelerators and networking equipment discussed earlier, and the company expects to carry its strong momentum into fiscal 2025. Broadcom's overall revenue growth came with a substantial increase in costs, which were partly attributable to the company's acquisitions (namely of VMware). Research and development spending, for example, increased by 78% year over year to $9.3 billion, which was the largest of the company's $19 billion in total operating expenses in fiscal 2024. As a result, Broadcom's fiscal 2024 net income (profit) of $5.9 billion actually represented a decrease of 58% from fiscal 2023. That significantly impacts the valuation of Broadcom stock for any investor valuing it based on its GAAP earnings, which I'll discuss further in a moment. On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes one-off expenses from acquisitions and non-cash costs like stock-based compensation , Broadcom's net income came in at $23.7 billion, which was actually a 28% increase from fiscal 2023. That gives investors a clearer idea of the trajectory of Broadcom's business. Broadcom stock looks expensive right now Broadcom generated GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $1.23 during fiscal 2024, so its stock trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 183. That's an eye-popping number considering the Nasdaq-100 technology index trades at a P/E ratio of just 35. Based on its non-GAAP EPS of $4.96, its P/E ratio is 45. While significantly better, it's still a big number relative to the broader tech sector. Plus, many investors don't consider non-GAAP EPS to be "true" profitability, so it isn't a good idea to hang your hat on that number to make the argument that Broadcom stock looks attractive. Rather than using the traditional P/E ratio, we could value Broadcom using the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio instead, which divides a company's market capitalization by its annual revenue. Broadcom's P/S ratio is currently 20.7, which is almost triple its 10-year average of 7.4: AVGO PS Ratio data by YCharts In other words, Broadcom stock looks very expensive based on two measures of its P/E ratio, and also its P/S ratio. Therefore, buying the stock right now probably isn't a great idea for short-term investors with a time horizon of 12 months. However, there might be a compelling case to buy it for long-term investors who are willing to hold the stock for the next three years or more. That's because Broadcom thinks it can grow its AI revenue to between $60 billion and $90 billion annually by fiscal 2027, thanks to soaring demand for accelerators and networking equipment. Remember, its AI revenue came in at just $12.2 billion in fiscal 2024, so we're talking about a whopping 514% increase over the next three years (at the midpoint of the range). I still think investors should wait for a pullback before buying Broadcom stock given its current valuation, but it's certainly a very high-quality way to play the AI boom.

Global stock markets mostly retreated Tuesday as traders eyed looming US inflation data and a key European interest rate call amid global political upheaval. After winning numerous records in the weeks since the November 5 US presidential election, US stocks fell for the second straight day as analysts pointed to profit-taking. But Alphabet jumped more than five percent after Google showed off a new quantum computing chip that it described as a significant breakthrough in the field, arguing it could lead to advances in drug discovery, fusion energy and other areas. The Paris stock market retreated as French party leaders gathered at President Emmanuel Macron's Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government. The euro also fell ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting on Thursday. The ECB is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points amid weak eurozone growth. Independent analyst Andreas Lipkow said traders were taking a cautious approach ahead of the ECB meeting. The main US indexes struggled as traders eyed US consumer price inflation (CPI) data due Wednesday, which could play a role in whether the US Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates next week. On Wall Street, "tomorrow's CPI report is in full focus with a looming rate-decision from the Fed coming," analyst Bret Kenwell of trading platform eToro said in a note. Following recent spending and jobs data "traders have felt even more emboldened to bet on a December rate cut, while the Fed has done little... to quiet that expectation," he added. Earlier, stock markets weighed "concerns that China's economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect", noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell. The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump's second term in the White House. The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fueling fears of another standoff between the economic superpowers. The Shanghai stock market ended higher but Hong Kong fell. Seoul's Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3. On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose around one percent on the Paris stock exchange after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain. Walgreens Boots Alliance soared 17.7 percent following reports that it could be acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Boeing jumped 4.5 percent as it announced it was resuming production at two Seattle-area plants that had been shuttered for nearly three months due to a labor strike. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,247.83 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,034.91 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 19,687.24 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.1 percent at 7,394.78 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,329.16 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.9 percent at 8,280.36 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close) Seoul - Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0529 from $1.0554 on Monday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2773 from $1.2757 Dollar/yen: UP at 151.92 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.42 from 82.73 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $68.59 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $72.19 per barrel burs-jmb/nroNone

President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping program to speed up approvals for anyone or any company committing $1 billion or more in the United States. The plan, outlined in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, promises “fully expedited approvals and permits,” including critical environmental clearances. But while the policy has generated interest in the business community, it also raises several unanswered questions. Trump’s statement was notably concise, without any concrete information related to the timeline or even with respect to the precise mechanisms by which this plan is to be executed. Even so, he ended it with a rallying cry: “GET READY TO ROCK!!!” That’s big talk, indicating significant reforms in U.S. investment policy, all designed toward bringing in more huge influxes of capital. Acquisition Approvals On Overdrive This new plan seeks to encourage billion-dollar investments in the U.S. by lifting bureaucratic tape and expediting the decision-making process. The listing of environmental clearances among the expedited procedure further suggests that it will reach industries that involve heavy regulations, such as construction, energy, and manufacturing, for investment opportunities. The promise of fast approval may attract international investors that want to capitalize on opportunities offered by the U.S. market. Experts have, however raised questions concerning the lack of specificity as to how the plan would be implemented, hence the uncertainty. Although the intentions of Trump are to encourage economic growth, it still remains to be known as to how fast such approvals will be made and if they will eventually result in a long-term loss to environmental and regulatory standards. Elon Musk Role In Shaping GOP Primaries As if this were not enough, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), has committed to play a pivotal role in the Republican primaries alongside Trump’s investment policy. The billionaire indicated that his political action committee will target candidates in the Republican primary who are against Trump’s policies. His commitment to shaping the political landscape has drawn much attention, and he says, “There is no other way” when talking about his support for candidates challenging GOP House members who disagree with Trump’s vision. His collaboration with the businessman Vivek Ramaswamy on Capitol Hill also reflects his increasing strength. The two discussed an intention to cut the budget drastically while holding politicians liable for their voting records. This collaboration, which, among other things, would create a “nice list” and “naughty list” based on their votes on spending plans, reflects Musk’s proactive move in reshaping U.S. political and economic landscapes. Investment Banking Boom Trump’s expected return to the White House is likely to boost international investment banking and deal-making. Coalition Greenwich has forecast a 5.7% increase in global investment banking revenue by 2025, potentially reaching $316 billion. This would be the second-best year in two decades for investment bankers. With respect to pro-business policies-again, particularly with respect to merger and acquisition policy-this might actually yield $27.6 billion in consulting fees. That aside, it will undoubtedly spur cross-border investment flows, with European companies hoping to expand in the United States. All told, the impact of Trump’s economic policies might be highly significant for both the US economy and the global financial markets. The global investment banking industry has experienced choppy revenues in the past few years, mainly brought about by the pandemic’s effects, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. However, according to historical data, only five times in the last two decades has this income from global investment banking reached $300 billion. Analysts say that because of Trump’s pro-business policies, this trend would be reversed, creating fertile ground for high-value deals and stronger growth. Trump’s emphasis on deregulation and encouraging investment by businesses will spur a more competitive economic environment and attract domestic and foreign capital. This will further solidify the U.S. economy’s position as the world’s leading economic powerhouse. ALSO READ | Mitch McConnell Injured In Fall At Capitol, Sprains Wrist And Cuts Face

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI informant who is charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family has been indicted in a new case on federal tax charges. The tax indictment against Alexander Smirnov was unsealed this week in California federal court, months after his arrest on charges that he fabricated a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving Joe Biden, his son Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company. The indictment brought by Justice Department special counsel David Weiss charges Smirnov with tax evasion and filing false tax returns, accusing him of concealing millions of dollars of income he earned between 2020 and 2022. Smirnov’s attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said in an email Tuesday that their client “intends to vigorously fight these allegations with the same intensity as he has fought the original indictment.” Related Articles National News | Man found guilty of holding down teen while he was raped at a youth center in 1998 National News | So you’re gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidays National News | What Black Friday’s history tells us about holiday shopping in 2024 National News | New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants National News | Walmart becomes latest – and biggest – company to roll back its DEI policies Smirnov’s trial was recently pushed to Jan. 8 in the case charging him with lying about the Biden family. Smirnov has denied the allegations in that case. Prosecutors have alleged that he falsely reported to the FBI in June 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter Biden and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016. Smirnov told his handler that an executive claimed to have hired Hunter Biden to “protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems,” according to court documents. Prosecutors say Smirnov in fact had only routine business dealings with the company in 2017 and made the bribery allegations after he “expressed bias” against Joe Biden while he was a presidential candidate. Hunter Biden is scheduled to be sentenced next month in two separate criminal cases accusing him of a scheme to avoid at least $1.4 million in taxes and lying on a federal form when he bought a gun in 2018.: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Monday observed that the Centre’s decision rejecting the remission of P.V.B. Ganesh was without application of mind. Ganesh was associated with the Maoist party during the murder of Magunta Subbarama Reddy, then MP from Ongole. The judge was dealing with a petition challenging the rejection of remission of Ganesh by the Centre stating severity of offences committed and influence of same on pending trial against other accused. In an earlier round of litigation, a division bench granted the interim bail and directed the Centre to consider his case for remission based on his reformation. It is stated that Ganesh, after being convicted, was in Cherlapally Central Prison for about 28 years and obtained three graduation degrees. The judge ruled that such a reasoning by the Centre would enunciate non application of mind by the authorities. Deputy Solicitor General, Gadi Praveen Kumar opposed to granting any relief stating that the convict is involved in serious offences and further sought three weeks to file counter. The judge after perusing the records extended the interim bail granted by the division bench for three weeks and directed the Centre to file a counter affidavit within such time. Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court took on a plea filed seeking to quash a criminal case against the organisers of the ‘Cinephiles Organisation’ before the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Malkajgiri Court. The petitioners contended that the organisation screens thoughtful movies at places like Lamakaan to promote pro-people cinema movement on a global scale. It is the case of the petitioner that they were implicated in a criminal case in January 2024 while they were screening the award-winning documentary Ram Ke Naam (in the name of God). Counsel for the petitioner contended that police had registered a false case for screening a CBFC-certified documentary which won National Award and many international accolades. It was argued that the complaint and chargesheet are baseless and ambiguous without any material evidence. The judge, after hearing the counsel ordered notices to the de facto complainant and dispensed with the presence of the organisers before the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Malkajgiri Court. The court, however, said that their presence was not necessary before the trial court unless the trial court deems necessary. The case will now be heard on February 4. The Telangana High Court will hear a writ plea challenging the failure of the State Social Welfare Department and other authorities in not releasing tuition fees under the government’s Reimbursement of Tuition Fee scheme. Justice T. Vinod Kumar admitted a writ plea filed by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, Yamnapet, Ghatkesar, contending that the state is not releasing the tuition fee amounts owed to students belonging to SC/ST, EBC, BC, and minority communities for the academic years 2018–19 to 2024–25. The petitioner argued that this delay is arbitrary, illegal, and a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The petitioner further claimed that the state’s actions are in contravention of key government orders. Citing the GOs, the petitioner is seeking the immediate release of the outstanding tuition fee amounts along with interest at 18% per annum. The Government Pleader sought additional time to file a response. Accordingly, the judge posted the matter for further adjudication. Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Telangana High Court ordered notice to IDFC First Bank and others in a writ plea alleging illegal freezing of a bank account. The issue revolves around the complaint of an individual who lost funds while using the Telegram app. It is alleged that the funds were routed to the account of the petitioner. The judge is hearing a writ plea filed by Ishan Amit Mehta, a freelance consultant alleging that the respondent bank illegally froze his bank account and is holding a lien on excess of the disputed transaction amount. It is alleged that the same is being done without any prior information/intimation to the petitioner and is highhanded and unconstitutional. The petitioner would also allege that the state police authorities are issuing notices for personal appearance of the petitioner and repeatedly asking him to physically appear. After hearing the counsel for the petitioner, the judge ordered notice and posted the matter for further adjudication.

Electric Vehicle Beauty Market Unidentified Segments - The Biggest Opportunity Of 2024

Federal wildlife officials proposed Tuesday that monarch butterflies receive protection as a threatened species. The flashy orange and black butterflies, which flutter forth each year on an epic migration that spans thousands of miles and multiple generations, are found from coast to coast in the United States during warmer months. Despite precipitous declines, they are still prevalent enough that, if the proposal goes through, they would become the most commonly seen species to receive federal protection. That means officials are walking a tightrope with the proposal. Restrict too few activities that harm monarchs, and officials risk creating a merely symbolic listing that does little to stave off further declines. Restrict too many, and they could trigger a political backlash. Tight rules could also backfire by dissuading people from creating butterfly habitat on their property because the presence of a protected species could expose them to liability. “There aren’t that many species where everyday people in their backyard can do something to help an endangered species,” said Jake Li, who leads efforts to list endangered species at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “That’s, to me, one thing that makes monarchs so different and why we want to put a heavier thumb on the scale of incentives for people to help us conserve the species.” The fate of the proposal will ultimately depend on the new administration in Washington. Under Donald Trump’s first presidency, wildlife officials found that monarchs met the criteria for listing under the Endangered Species Act, but they were not placed under protection because other species were deemed to have priority. There is some debate among scientists over the status of North American monarchs and what is driving observed declines in wintertime populations. To assess the species, a team of federal biologists reviewed hundreds of studies and conducted their own modeling, said Kelly Nail, a biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service who helped lead the effort. The team estimated that over the next 60 years, North American monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains have a 56% to 74% probability of hitting the point where extinction appears inevitable. For those to the west, that probability was 99%. The primary drivers affecting the butterflies, the assessment found, were the loss and degradation of breeding, migratory and overwintering habitat; exposure to insecticides; and the effects of climate change. “It’s not any one of those in particular; it’s these key threats working in combination with each other that we think are causing this decline,” Nail said. Wildlife officials, conservationists and many monarch scientists are calling on the public to help by planting food for monarchs: native milkweeds, which the caterpillars rely on, and a variety of other native flowers that bloom throughout the warmer months to offer nectar for the adult butterflies. Tropical milkweed is best avoided, experts say, especially in areas where it does not die back during the winter, luring monarchs to keep breeding instead of migrating. The proposal punts on action related to pesticide use, asking for public comment on what measures are warranted. Activities like ranching, agricultural work and gardening are protected by language that allows for the management of milkweed and nectar plants, even though it could result in monarch deaths. The proposal does not allow killing monarchs for the conversion of natural grasslands, shrublands or forest without a permit, a condition that could lead to restrictions on developers. The danger to monarchs, scientists agree, is not global extinction. Populations of the species exist in the wild outside their native North American range; they’ve been introduced by people or blown by winds to places as distant as Hawaii, Spain and Australia. What’s at stake is their remarkable migration, which can span up to 3,000 miles between overwintering grounds in central Mexico and summer breeding grounds into Canada. If the migration collapses, the butterflies would likely persist in certain areas of the southern United States, several scientists said, but their numbers would be greatly diminished. In 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, the scientific authority on the status of species, announced that it had listed the migratory monarch as endangered but later reclassified it as vulnerable, a less acute category. Canada listed the species as endangered in December 2023. In Mexico, it has a status of “special protection.” (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Greg Mitchell, a research scientist with the Canadian government who studies monarchs, visited their overwintering grounds in Mexico last year, where he expected to see butterflies coating the trees. Instead, he said he found himself in what felt like “an empty cathedral.” “I’ve been two previous times and seen millions, the tree branches drooping,” Mitchell said. Last year, he didn’t see a single cluster. “It was devastating,” he said. The winter count would turn out to be the second lowest on record, apparently driven by hot, dry conditions in the United States and Canada that reduced the quality of milkweed and nectar plants. The monarch’s return to Mexico each year holds great cultural significance among Indigenous communities there, where the butterflies are associated with visiting ancestors, said Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, who works on monarch recovery at the National Wildlife Federation. “Losing the migration means losing deep-rooted traditions, and that’s huge,” Quiñonez-Piñón said. (END OPTIONAL TRIM.) Some monarch researchers say concerns for the species, and even the migration, are overblown. Insect populations tend to fluctuate sharply, they note, and monarchs have bounced back from alarmingly low numbers before. Butterfly survey data from the summer breeding grounds don’t show the sharp drops observed in the overwintering zones. And those winter counts don’t include populations of butterflies that aren’t part of the migration but could rejoin one day, said Anurag Agrawal, a professor of ecology at Cornell University. But other monarch scientists are not reassured. Nonmigratory populations have higher rates of disease. Data from the summer counts may be biased because of where it’s collected, they say. And even if the species has rebounded during the summer so far, the butterflies are only as strong as their weakest links. Public comments can be submitted until March 12.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Jurors in New Mexico have awarded a man more than $412 million in a medical malpractice case that involved a men’s health clinic that operates in several states. The man’s attorneys celebrated Monday’s verdict, saying they are hopeful it will prevent other men from falling victim to a scheme that involved fraud and what they described as dangerous penile injections. They said the jury award for punitive and compensatory damages is likely the largest in history for a medical malpractice case. The award follows a trial held in Albuquerque earlier this month that centered on allegations outlined in a lawsuit filed by the man's attorneys in 2020. NuMale Medical Center and company officials were named as defendants. According to the complaint, the man was 66 when he visited the clinic in 2017 in search of treatment for fatigue and weight loss. The clinic is accused of misdiagnosing him and unnecessarily treating him with “invasive erectile dysfunction shots” that caused irreversible damage. “This out of state medical corporation set up a fraudulent scheme to make millions off of conning old men by scaring them with a fake test,” Nick Rowley, the man's attorney, wrote in a social media post that detailed the verdict. Rowley went on to say that the scheme involved clinic workers telling patients they would have irreversible damage if they didn't agree to injections three times a week. NuMale Medical Center President Brad Palubicki said in a statement issued Tuesday that the company is committed to high-quality and safe patient care. He said NuMale disagrees with the verdict and intend to pursue all available legal remedies, including an appeal. A message seeking additional comment was left Wednesday with the company and its attorney. NuMale also has clinics in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin. According to court records, jurors found that fraudulent and negligent conduct by the defendants resulted in damages to the plaintiff. They also found that unconscionable conduct by the defendants violated the Unfair Practices Act. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The Times view on Ashtead’s stock market shift: Don’t Tell Sid

Sale Runs Through February 28, 2025 FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises, the most iconic cruise brand in the world, today unveiled its Come Aboard Sale, offering fantastic savings on cruises across the globe. Now is the perfect time to plan a dream vacation with up to 40% off cruise fares, free room upgrades, $99 deposits, and free sailings for 3rd and 4th guests in the same stateroom. The Come Aboard Sale runs through February 28, 2025 , and promises something for everyone, with incredible perks on select 2025, 2026 and 2027 cruises, including*: "No matter what you love, you'll find it on a Princess cruise - from our award-winning cuisine, awe-inspiring adventures in port and entertainment that wows, to our friendly crew who make you feel at home and always welcome," said Terry Thornton , Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer. "Princess provides a timeless cruise experience, and our 'Come Aboard Sale' makes is easier than ever to book a dream vacation on 'The Love Boat.'" Whether exploring the wilds of Alaska , the fairytale villages of Europe , the beckoning beaches of the Caribbean , and many more destinations, options abound for every preference. Example Come Aboard Sale fares include: Save $1,400 or more when booking a Sanctuary Collection Suite, Mini-Suite or Balcony on the all-new Sun Princess and the soon-to-debut Star Princess, now through Feb. 28, 2025 . The promotion is applicable to more than 250 cruises in 2025 and 2026 with itineraries in Alaska , California Coast, Caribbean , Europe , Panama Canal, and Transatlantic voyages. Plus, guests can book with confidence knowing the Better than Best Price Guarantee has been extended through December 15, 2025 . If guests find a better cruise fare on Princess.com for the same Princess cruise, stateroom category, and sail date at any time before their final payment, Princess will provide 120% of the difference in the form of an onboard credit. Princess also features the line's exclusive MedallionClass technology offering personalized, premium service, reinforcing Princess Cruises' reputation for delivering exceptional vacations. The Come Aboard Sale runs now through 11:59 pm PT on February 28, 2025 , and is available to residents of all 50 United States, Canada , Puerto Rico , Mexico , Bermuda and the District of Columbia . More details and exclusions can be found at https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-deals-promotions/limited-time-offer . Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com . About Princess Cruises Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean , Alaska , Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe , South America , Australia / New Zealand , the South Pacific, Hawaii , Asia , Canada /New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. Sun Princess, the brand's new, next-level Love Boat named Condé Nast Traveler's Mega Ship of the Year, introduces the groundbreaking Sphere Class platform and will be joined by sister ship, Star Princess, in Fall 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK). *Come Aboard Sale Limited Time Offer Disclaimer GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL OFFERS IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT("Offer(s)"): Offers only available to legal residents of North America . Offers only available for new bookings, on select cruises, on a limited availability, are capacity controlled (regardless of stateroom availability), and may not be combined with other offers or promotions (aside from those listed herein). Other exclusions may apply; void where prohibited. Changes or refunds may not be permitted. Offers and their parts (if any) are not transferable, not substitutable, and not redeemable for cash. Princess Cruise Lines , Ltd. ("PCL") is not responsible or liable for any errors, including printing or other errors. PCL may change or revoke Offers at any time. A deposit is required for all stateroom guests. All values quoted in USD. Offers valid on bookings made 12/16/24 - 2/28/25 . Please refer to princess.com for terms, conditions, and details that apply to all bookings. Fares are per guest and apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space available basis at time of booking. Fares for other categories may vary. Fares are non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom only. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests. All cruise fares are inclusive of government-imposed taxes and fees. Government-imposed taxes and fees include but are not limited to any and all fees, tolls and taxes imposed by a governmental authority such as wharfage, head taxes, dockage, Panama canal tolls, US Customs fees, immigration and naturalization fees, government inspection fees, hotel or VAT taxes as part of a land tour, air taxes, and similar government-imposed taxes and fees for the performance of the cruise. Government-imposed taxes and fees are subject to change and PCL reserves the right to collect any increases in effect at the time of sailing even if the fare has already been paid in full. Up to 40% off fares Offer - Discount based off applicable Launch Fare, which fare excludes government-imposed taxes, fees and expenses. Offer available on a space-available basis at time of booking, on select categories and sailings. Discount applies to cruise standard fare element only and is based on destination and stateroom category and does not apply to Princess Plus or Premier packages, or any cruise tour and/or land tour elements, even when included in the cruise fare. Discount only applies to first two guests in a stateroom. Free Room Upgrade Offer applies to booking the stateroom location you wish to sail in for the price of the lowest non-guarantee category within that stateroom type during this Offer only and is subject to availability. Offer is based on availability in like-to-like stateroom types (Interior to Interior, Oceanview to Oceanview, Balcony to Balcony, Mini-Suite to Mini-Suite). Offer excludes upgrades on select categories, including but not limited to Sancturary Collection, premium categories and suites. Offer does not apply to land portion of a cruisetour. In order to take advantage of the upgrade, guest must select and book the upgraded room type during checkout, but cannot select the highest cabin category for such stateroom type as a part of the upgrade. Guests that book a lower room type in a stateroom category may not be upgraded, even if there is availability for the upgrade. Guests that book the highest cabin classification of stateroom category will be charged the full category fare and will NOT receive the lowest fare for such category. Guests will only see (and pay for) the lowest fare within the selected room type and will not see any discounted amount at checkout. If you are unable to book an eligible upgraded room type, the upgrade is not available on such room for that category or cruise. Free 3rd & 4th guest offer applies to cruise fare only for recipient and guests covered by the complimentary offer (if any) and excludes Government Taxes & Fees, and the Required Cruise Fees & Expenses. Also excludes required deposit (if any) and other cruise-related expenses and travel expenses. Actual amounts owed by recipient and applicable guests may vary and shall be calculated at the time of booking. First or Second guest in stateroom will be responsible for their cruise rates as well as the free guest's out of pocket charges and expenses. Offer only applies: (i) to Offer recipient and guests covered by the complimentary cruise Offer (if any) and (ii) to the third or fourth guests booked in the same stateroom as the first and second guests. Approximate value of free sailing for 3rd and 4th guests varies from $99 to $6,759 USD per person. There is no guarantee of Free Offer availability at time of booking. Offer is available on select voyages and guest will know if their selected voyage is available for free 3rd/4th guests if, when selecting to travel with 3rd or 4th guests, whether the fare summary page lists $0 or whether it lists an actual cruise fare amount for such guests. $99 Deposits applies to full, standard deposits only and shall not further reduce already reduced or discounted deposits. Offer not available on World Cruises, Full suites, Sanctuary Collection categories, cruises 45 days or longer, and cruises in which final payment is required. Voyages eligible for select Instant Savings offers require a non-refundable $99 deposit. Princess Cruise Lines LTD's ("PCL") Better Than Best Price Guarantee (the "Guarantee") is only available to legal residents of the 50 US/DC or Canada . If a guest books a cruise between December 16, 2024 and December 15, 2025 for any 2025, 2026, or 2027 cruise departure (the "Original Booking") and such guest finds an active, publicly available (as explained below), and lower Cruise Fare for the identical verified booking on the Princess Cruises' website (Princess.com) prior to the final payment of the cruise (the "Located Cruise Fare"), they can submit a Guarantee claim form and PCL will give the guest an On Board Credit with a value of 120% of the difference between what the guest actually paid for the Original Booking and the Located Cruise Fare. The Located Cruise Fare must be a publicly and currently available Cruise Fare, available on Princess.com , and consist of the identical details as the Original Booking (including but not limited to, on the same ship as the Original Booking, the same sail dates, the same stateroom category, the same number of guests, same bundle (Princess Plus or Princess Premier Package) and be booked under the same conditions) to be eligible. 'Publicly available' means that the Cruise Fare must be available to all guests, without any additional eligibility or required qualifications to qualify; 'publicly available' does not include unpublished, negotiated Cruise Fares with corporations, travel agencies, groups, associations, or other Cruise Fares that are specifically agreed upon by PCL and for a specified and limited group. PCL will only consider/compare the Cruise Fare from the Original Booking against the Cruise Fare from the Located Cruise Fare; no credits or other incentives will be considered. Determination as to whether the Located Cruise Fare is identical to the Original Booking will be in PCL's sole discretion. Located Cruise Fare must be in the same currency that Original Cruise Fare was booked (USD or CAD) and must be live/available for purchase for US/Canadian residents. To submit a Guarantee claim, Guest must fill out a claim form with all required information, including providing screenshot proof of qualifying lower Located Cruise Fare. The form must be submitted prior to the final payment date of the Original Booking's time/date of booking to be considered. Cruise fares on websites that require a password or paid membership to complete the booking, except Princess.com , are also ineligible. Guarantee claim will be denied if PCL is unable to independently verify the Located Cruise Fare and may be rejected if it is incomplete or is submitted in a language not used on Princess.com . PCL may deny claims relating to a time during which there is an outage, technical issue or circumstance beyond PCL's reasonable control. If PCL verifies the guest's Guarantee claim, and PCL awards the guest an OBC, PCL will apply the OBC to the guest's onboard folio. OBC must be used on the Original Cruise, expires at the end of such cruise, and may not be used in the casino . Limit: One (1) Guarantee submission per booking and one (1) OBC per person/booking/stateroom for the Original Booking; such OBC's value cannot exceed $2,000 . OBC will be awarded in the same currency as the currency onboard such cruise. OBC is non-refundable, non-transferable, and has no cash value. All decisions and factors regarding this Guarantee and any claim will be determined by PCL in its sole discretion. PCL reserves discretion for applying this Guarantee and awarding a make good, if any, to a guest. PCL is not responsible for any errors in connection with this Guarantee, including any typos or printing or technology errors. PCL may modify, end, or withdraw this Guarantee or any of its terms for any reason, with or without prior notice. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply. Ships of Bermudan and British Registry. Offer expires: Friday, February 28, 2025 ( 11:59 pm PST ) View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/family-friendly-perks-and-huge-discounts-highlight-princess-cruises-come-aboard-sale-on-2025--2027-sailings-302332930.html SOURCE Princess CruisesBearkats, Flames battle with CUSA Title in limbo