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Opinion: The Panama Canal is running dry, and it is a major U.S. problem

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

A slight competition between transit and human consumption.That’s how Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, an official with the Panama Canal Authority, described a possible water crunch in the region as a historic drought threatens the trade route he oversees.Although the canal connects two oceans, its operation depends upon fresh water from a nearby lake, which has been dwindling during a 20-year drought. As a result, there is not as much water for vessels to sail through — or for local communities to drink.In August, the average wait time for ships went from less than a week to nearly a week and a half, creating a bottleneck. At one point more than 160 ships were hanging out waiting for a Panama official to swipe right.Today that number is down, but part of the relief came from using more fresh water.Did I mention the region is experiencing a 20-year drought?It’s similar to the two-decade drought that has choked the Colorado River and left Nevada’s Lake Mead at 34% of capac...

FactSet: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) — NORWALK, Conn. (AP) — FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $65.1 million.On a per-share basis, the Norwalk, Connecticut-based company said it had profit of $1.68. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $2.93 per share.The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $3.49 per share.The financial data firm posted revenue of $535.8 million in the period, exceeding Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $534.9 million.For the year, the company reported profit of $468.1 million, or $12.03 per share. Revenue was reported as $2.09 billion.FactSet expects full-year earnings in the range of $15.65 to $16.15 per share, with revenue in the range of $2.21 billion to $2.23 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks ...

Bank of England joins US Fed in avoiding another interest rate hike after inflation declines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England has paused nearly two years of interest rate increases after a surprising fall in U.K. inflation eased concerns about the pace of price rises.In a development Thursday that few predicted just two days ago, the central bank kept its main interest rate unchanged at a 15-year high of 5.25%. It comes to the relief of millions of homeowners who are facing higher mortgage rates.The decision was split, with four of the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee voting for a hike.Central banks worldwide appear to be near the end of an aggressive rate-hiking cycle meant to curb an outburst of inflation triggered by the bounceback from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The U.S. Federal Reserve left rates unchanged Wednesday.Clearly influencing the bank’s decision was news Wednesday that inflation unexpectedly fell to 6.7% in August, its lowest level since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Inflation, however, is still way above the b...

Darden Restaurants: Fiscal Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI) on Thursday reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $194.5 million.The Orlando, Florida-based company said it had profit of $1.59 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and to account for discontinued operations, were $1.78 per share.The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.73 per share.The owner of Olive Garden and other chain restaurants posted revenue of $2.73 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts. Eleven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $2.7 billion.Darden Restaurants expects full-year earnings in the range of $8.55 to $8.85 per share._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on DRI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/DRISource

Bellingham can’t stop scoring for Real Madrid but faces challenge at Atletico in his first derby

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Jude Bellingham has surpassed all expectations since arriving at Real Madrid by scoring big goal after big goal to keep his team with a perfect six wins across all competitions.Bellingham has scored in all but one of his appearances with Madrid. The 20-year-old England midfielder will now face his first derby on Sunday at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league when the hosts will aim to stop him increasing his tally of six goals in as many games.Bellingham has shown a knack of being where he needs to be to snatch last-gasp winners. He was there to turn in a rebound and secure a 1-0 win over Union Berlin in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, after having scored a similar goal against Getafe in the Spanish league earlier this month.For Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, Bellingham “has talent and it looks like he’s lucky” with the ball bouncing his way.“This goal is similar to the one against Getafe, but you have to be there,” Ancelotti said about his new st...

Bank of England holds main interest rate steady after nearly two years of hikes in wake of surprise fall in inflation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Bank of England holds main interest rate steady after nearly two years of hikes in wake of surprise fall in inflation.Source

Best places to pick pumpkins near Denver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — 'Tis the season for pumpkin picking, carving, painting and anything else you can do with a pumpkin. The official start of fall is this Saturday, Sept. 23, and pumpkin patches began to open for the season in mid-September with the last of them opening this weekend. 7 corn mazes to try near Denver Pick up your pumpkins at these nearby patches.Maize in the CityJust north of Denver, you can choose between 15 pumpkin and gourd varieties at this patch. The pumpkins range in price from free up to $20, and it's all based on size. Pumpkin picking is open starting on Sept. 23. 7th Generation FarmStarting on Sept. 30 in Louisville, pre-picked or you-pick pumpkins are available. Admission is $6 per person for everyone above the age of three.Mile High FarmsOpening on Sept. 30 in Bennett, you can get admission to the pumpkin patch, corn maze and other fall-related activities. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for kids. For pumpkins, it's 85 cents per pound up to 40 lbs and 60 ...

Denver weather: More dry weather and sunshine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver's weather will stay sunny and near 80 degrees for the end of the week and through the weekend. Weather today: Mostly sunny Thursday will start with showers in the high county. Best scenic drives to see the fall colors in Colorado in 2023 Down in Denver, clouds will clear through the day alongside a southerly breeze. High temperatures will reach the lower 80s, about 5 degrees warmer than normal. Pinpoint Weather: Forecast highs on Sept. 21. Weather tonight: Mostly clear, seasonal Thursday night will stay mostly clear and dry. Low temperatures will fall to around 50 degrees, which is in line with seasonal norms. Pinpoint Weather: Forecast lows on Sept. 21Looking ahead: Slight cooldown this weekend Friday will stay sunny and a bit breezy with a southerly wind gusting up to 25 mph. This combination will help to boost highs back up to around 80 degrees. The fall equinox isn’t what you think it is Pinpoint Weather 7-day forecast for Denver on Sept. 21. A cold ...

Adrienne Arsht Center unveils ‘Live on the Plaza’: A night of music under the stars

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

The Adrienne Arsht Center is widely known for the amazing performances that happen inside the building, but now, the performing art center is giving musicians a new stage outside! Just in time for the cooler months in Miami, the Arsht Center is hosting an outdoor music showcase and Deco is giving you all the details. If you love live music and outdoor partying — and you do — the Adrienne Arsht Center has the perfect event for you. Suzette Espinosa Fuentes: “We are inviting Miami audiences to come and enjoy a concert under the stars right here on the Arsht Centers Plaza.”It’s called “Live on the Plaza” and it’s an outdoor concert series, that gives local musicians a chance to shine.Suzette Espinosa Fuentes: “It’s an opportunity to see amazing Miami artists, but also take advantage of the weather and really enjoy something outside on the plaza in the middle of downtown.” Once a month guests can come out to the plaza and...

Poland’s PiS makes a risky political bet in attacking Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:03:59 GMT

WARSAW — Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is in the fight of its political life ahead of next month’s general election — and in its scramble for votes it’s taking aim at the country’s alliance with Ukraine. The latest blow came from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who on Wednesday said that Poland has halted shipments of its own armaments to Ukraine.“We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,” Morawiecki told Poland’s Polsat television.It’s true that Poland has sent most of its Soviet-era tanks, fighters and other weapons to Ukraine and doesn’t have much left in its stocks. Warsaw will also continue allowing arms shipments from other allies to pass through its territory.“Poland still functions as a hub for international aid,” said government spokesperson Piotr Müller, adding that the country is fulfilling its existing military supply contracts wi...