Latest news with #Standard
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Standard Lithium Stock Sank on Thursday
The company notched an important agreement for its Arkansas brine project. This set the royalty fee for lithium extraction. 10 stocks we like better than Standard Lithium › Standard Lithium (NYSEMKT: SLI) was the subject of investor interest on Thursday, thanks in no small part to an important operational update. Although the stock traded nearly 7% higher at one point during the trading session, it ultimately deflated to a nearly 3% loss on the news. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 index landed in positive territory, closing up by 0.4% on the day. Before market open, Standard announced that Smackover Lithium -- a joint venture between it and Norway-based energy company Equinor -- has won approval for a 2.5% royalty rate on a project in Arkansas. A royalty rate is the fee that is paid to holders of an asset where a good, such as lithium, is mined. That 2.5% rate will be in force for the Reynolds Unit for phase 1 of Smackover's play stretching across Arkansas' Lafayette and Columbia counties. In the press release announcing the news, Standard didn't hesitate to mention that this is the first royalty rate for lithium derived from brine approved by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC). The royalty is to be dispensed to the brine owners, who will also receive an additional "brine fee," totaling just over $65 per acre annually. Standard said that this will bring the total proposed royalty consideration up to roughly 3%. It's important to note that this is only an early phase of Smackover's project and, particularly considering that Standard hasn't yet launched mining at scale, it must be considered speculative. That might be what ultimately drove the stock down, as investors like it when a company puts its money where its mouth is, rather than reporting news of agreements or fees. Still, this does mark an advancement in Standard's business, so perhaps that bearish market response was unwarranted. The company is certainly moving in an encouraging direction, and hopefully for shareholders, it can continue doing so. Before you buy stock in Standard Lithium, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Standard Lithium wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $651,761!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $826,263!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 978% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 170% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Equinor Asa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Standard Lithium Stock Sank on Thursday was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Metro
6 days ago
- Health
- Metro
I got gonorrhoea, but my doctor doubted my explanation
Sitting in the sexual health clinic early one Saturday morning, the doctor's face was confused. I'd just disclosed that I thought I had contracted gonorrhoea from kissing a stranger in a club. She said: 'I haven't heard of that before.' I immediately felt like I wasn't being taken seriously. As though she assumed I was naive and clinging to a convenient excuse. But I can categorically say that I didn't do anything more than kiss – and that's how I believe I contracted my infection. A few weeks earlier, I was in a nightclub and made out with a guy on the dancefloor. I've been with my partner, Alex*, for several years. We're mostly monogamous, with the exception that I sometimes kiss people in club settings. It's an arrangement that works for us. That night in the club, I kissed this stranger a few times passionately over the course of the evening. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! And that was it. No sex. No other contact. A week later, my throat was covered in white bacterial spots. Tonsillitis, said the doctor. I was prescribed a course of antibiotics and I was better in a few days. But within a few weeks, Alex started experiencing a burning sensation when he urinated. We assumed it was a urinary tract infection so he sought help and was prescribed some medication. But something didn't quite add up. As the weeks went on and Alex's symptoms worsened, I racked my brain for other explanations. I can't remember exactly what made me question it, but I googled 'can you get an STI from kissing?' That's when things changed. One of the first hits, published only a few weeks earlier, was a piece in the Standard that cited an Australian study that suggested 'kissing, but not sex, is the strongest risk factor' for oral gonorrhoea. He's now waiting for an operation that could have life-changing consequences like incontinence if it doesn't go well I discussed it with Alex and we both agreed that this felt plausible given our symptoms and experiences in the weeks previous. So we went to a sexual health clinic one morning for a walk-in appointment. Within a few hours, we both had our answer: gonorrhoea. It wasn't really a surprise, more confirmation. After all, we'd read the study and our symptoms and experience matched up. But this is when I had the interaction with the clinician who felt dismissive of how I contracted the STI. Alex's clinician was even more resolute – categorically saying it wasn't possible to get gonorrhoea from kissing. It left me frustrated. Thankfully, I was lucky. I had a mild case and was treated quickly with an antibiotic injection. But Alex wasn't. The antibiotics cleared the infection and he tested negative a few weeks later. But symptoms persisted. Over time, he developed complications – a fistula near his anus. It took several visits to both the sexual health clinic and his GP before anyone took the problem seriously or made a connection to the infection. Eventually, he had to push hard to be referred to hospital. He's now waiting for an operation that could have life-changing consequences like incontinence if it doesn't go well. But according to UK health guidance, what happened to us isn't even possible. In fact, multiple regional NHS websites categorically state it's not possible. And when we tried to speak up about it, I don't think we were taken seriously. Gonorrhoea is surging in the UK, with case load records being broken year after year. There are even strands of what's being called super gonorrhoea, which is resistant to antibiotic treatments. Men who have sex with men are among the groups worst affected. I believe it's another example in a long history of queer people and other marginalised communities being failed by public health bodies. There are even strands of what's being called super gonorrhoea, which is resistant to antibiotic treatments The recent announcement of a gonorrhoea vaccine being rolled out from August is great news. But the NHS doesn't need to wait until August to broaden their advice. Maybe the evidence around kissing isn't yet conclusive enough. But surely that's a reason to say more, not less. Health authorities and researchers in the United States and Australia both acknowledge that gonorrhea can be transmitted this way. But the NHS has been slow – stubborn even – in updating its guidance. A line in NHS guidance that says something like this would be a start: 'Some research suggests transmission may also be possible through kissing, though more studies are needed'. More Trending Instead, Alex and I were left in the dark. And one of us is now facing a serious operation as a result. For us, this wasn't about being reckless or irresponsible. It was about being denied the information we needed to manage our own risk, and being dismissed when we tried to speak up. The vaccine is welcome. But it won't fix a public health culture that still fails to listen to – or inform – the people most at risk. View More » *Name has been changed Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Peter Tatchell 'laughed at by police before being removed' from Birmingham Pride MORE: My partner told me she was pregnant – my overwhelming emotion was panic MORE: My boss asked if I'd had anal sex with my girlfriend – I'm only 16
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Tensions rise between Pakistan and this Muslim country, Pak deploys tanks, fires bombs on....
Tensions rise between Pakistan and this Muslim country, Pak deploys tanks, fires bombs on… Islamabad: Tensions once again increased between Pakistan and Taliban-led Afghanistan on Thursday morning when the armies of both countries fired at each other in the Barmacha border area. This area is located in Afghanistan, parallel to Pakistan's Balochistan province. As per local officials, the tension has arisen due to the construction of new posts on the border, reported, citing local sources. The officials stated that the firing, which began in the morning from both sides, ceased after some time, however, the situation worsened again in the afternoon. According to Pakistan Standard Time, the firing from both sides resumed after 4:30 pm. Officials of the interim administration of Afghanistan's Helmand province have also confirmed this clash. Sources stated that the Pak army deployed tanks and the posts built on the Afghan border were targeted with heavy artillery. Pakistan And Afghanistan Are Arch Enemies It is noteworthy that Pakistan and Afghan Taliban are staunch enemies, both celebrate the death of each other's soldiers. In fact, Afghanistan supporter-TTP is occupying Islamabad's military posts. Despite a history of military defeats, Pakistani army generals continue to display medals. This practice has drawn mockery not from militaries of other countries, but from the Tehreek-e-Taliban. Faceoff Took Place 5 Months Ago Five months ago, Pakistani troops stationed at a military base in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were confronted when the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) raised its flag at the base's entrance. On December 28th, this incident was followed by cross-border attacks on Pakistani territory by Afghan soldiers, with TTP providing support. As per several media reports, as many as 19 Pak soldiers were killed in the attack. The surprise attack shook the Pakistani government. Pak's foreign department spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch also admitted that the Taliban, which Islamabad had been helping for several years, has now become a problem for it.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic Playland only partially open after Westchester taxpayers dish out $1.7M emergency contract
Playland amusement park in Rye opened with only limited rides this weekend after politicians handed out a $1.7 million no-bid 'emergency' contract – with Westchester County taxpayers on the hook for mounting bills. The county government — which owns the iconic park on the Long Island Sound — signed the deal in a rush to get Playland open for summer with ride manufacturer Zamperla, a company that has done work with County Executive Ken Jenkins' former campaign manager. The scramble came after private operator Standard Amusement told the county it planned to end its management contract after Westchester allegedly failed to live up to the terms of the deal. But Jenkins, a Democrat, has come under fire for the emergency contract after Standard apparently informed the county of its intention to end the agreement in November, then officially opted out in February. 'Mr. Jenkins has misled Westchester residents and is sticking them with a massive bill,' said Christine Sculti, the Republican candidate for county executive earlier this month. She assailed the contract as a 'political emergency' for Jenkins. Jenkins and other county leaders cut the ribbon to the park's opening Saturday – and then patted themselves on the back even though most rides were still closed, leading to long lines at times. 'Opening this park in time for Memorial Day Weekend wasn't easy,' Jenkins said in a statement. 'It took hustle. It took late nights, early mornings, and a team of County employees who refused to give anything less than 100 percent.' So far, only eight of 21 rides at Kiddyland are available while other rides, like the renowned Dragon Coaster and Derby Racer, are closed for now. Five of the 20 rides for older patrons were available with two of three newer rides open Memorial Day weekend. Jenkins previously has blamed the uncertainty on Standard for not keeping rides updated – an assertion the company has called 'fabrications.' He also has slammed Rob Astorino — a Republican former county executive who left office in 2017 — for the park's ongoing struggles. Standard said it poured more than $35 million into the park during its management dating back to 2021 and spent $1 million a year the past three years for ride maintenance. 'The County claims Standard Amusements left the park in 'Heartbreaking Shape' — the reality is that Standard Amusements inherited a park in such condition, and the County is now taking over a much-improved park,' the company said in press release this month. The county might be forced to pay Standard as much as $36 million if an arbitrator finds the county was at fault for the agreement crumbling. Westchester though is fighting to possibly recoup funds from Standard if it's found the company left rides in bad shape. Jenkins has argued the county put $150 million into the park over several years. While Playland is going back to being operated by the county, it's paying Zamperla through the end of September to inspect and maintain certain rides, according to The Journal News. Zamperla had teamed with Jenkins' campaign manager and amusement park consultant Joe Montalto to bid on running the park before Standard was chosen as its operator. In 2019, when Jenkins was deputy county executive, Westchester hired Montalto's High Mountain Enterprises to install a ride in the park — and he helped broker a contract for that work with Zamperla. A county spokesperson told The Post in an email earlier this month Montalto is no longer directly involved in Playland. 'Joe Montalto was a long term County employee who ran Playland for many years, however at this time he is not involved in the County's operation of Playland or in this Administration,' the spokesperson said.
New York Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Iconic Playland only partially open after Westchester taxpayers dish out $1.7M emergency contract
Playland amusement park in Rye opened with only limited rides this weekend after politicians handed out a $1.7 million no-bid 'emergency' contract – with Westchester County taxpayers on the hook for mounting bills. The county government — which owns the iconic park on the Long Island Sound — signed the deal in a rush to get Playland open for summer with ride manufacturer Zamperla, a company that has done work with County Executive Ken Jenkins' former campaign manager. The scramble came after private operator Standard Amusement told the county it planned to end its management contract after Westchester allegedly failed to live up to the terms of the deal. 8 Westchester County's Playland Park opened this weekend with only some rides operating. Stephen Yang But Jenkins, a Democrat, has come under fire for the emergency contract after Standard apparently informed the county of its intention to end the agreement in November, then officially opted out in February. 'Mr. Jenkins has misled Westchester residents and is sticking them with a massive bill,' said Christine Sculti, the Republican candidate for county executive earlier this month. She assailed the contract as a 'political emergency' for Jenkins. Jenkins and other county leaders cut the ribbon to the park's opening Saturday – and then patted themselves on the back even though most rides were still closed, leading to long lines at times. 'Opening this park in time for Memorial Day Weekend wasn't easy,' Jenkins said in a statement. 8 The county signed a $1.7 million no-bid 'emergency' contract with ride operator Zamperla to get the park open in time for summer. Stephen Yang 8 The rush to find a new operator came after Standard Amusement told the county it planned to terminate its contract —claiming Westchester failed to live up to its end of the deal. Stephen Yang 'It took hustle. It took late nights, early mornings, and a team of County employees who refused to give anything less than 100 percent.' So far, only eight of 21 rides at Kiddyland are available while other rides, like the renowned Dragon Coaster and Derby Racer, are closed for now. Five of the 20 rides for older patrons were available with two of three newer rides open Memorial Day weekend. 8 Christine Sculti, the Republican candidate for county executive, blasted Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins for allegedly misleading county residents and sticking them with a 'massive' bill. Stephen Yang Jenkins previously has blamed the uncertainty on Standard for not keeping rides updated – an assertion the company has called 'fabrications.' He also has slammed Rob Astorino — a Republican former county executive who left office in 2017 — for the park's ongoing struggles. Standard said it poured more than $35 million into the park during its management dating back to 2021 and spent $1 million a year the past three years for ride maintenance. 'The County claims Standard Amusements left the park in 'Heartbreaking Shape' — the reality is that Standard Amusements inherited a park in such condition, and the County is now taking over a much-improved park,' the company said in press release this month. 8 Construction materials seen on the ground near a rollercoaster at Playland on May 8, 2025. Stephen Yang 8 Only 8 of 21 rides at Playland's Kiddyland are open. Stephen Yang The county might be forced to pay Standard as much as $36 million if an arbitrator finds the county was at fault for the agreement crumbling. Westchester though is fighting to possibly recoup funds from Standard if it's found the company left rides in bad shape. Jenkins has argued the county put $150 million into the park over several years. While Playland is going back to being operated by the county, it's paying Zamperla through the end of September to inspect and maintain certain rides, according to The Journal News. Zamperla had teamed with Jenkins' campaign manager and amusement park consultant Joe Montalto to bid on running the park before Standard was chosen as its operator. 8 Construction work underway at Playland on May 8, 2025 ahead of the opening. Stephen Yang 8 Residents seen outside Playland on May 8, 2025. Stephen Yang In 2019, when Jenkins was deputy county executive, Westchester hired Montalto's High Mountain Enterprises to install a ride in the park — and he helped broker a contract for that work with Zamperla. A county spokesperson told The Post in an email earlier this month Montalto is no longer directly involved in Playland. 'Joe Montalto was a long term County employee who ran Playland for many years, however at this time he is not involved in the County's operation of Playland or in this Administration,' the spokesperson said.
