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Who has the best active nickname in the NHL?Oregon beats San Diego State, improves to 7-0
United States, Mauritania held energy security dialogThe Miami Dolphins took care of business on Sunday as they secured a hard-fought home 32-16 win against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in overtime. This was a nice bounceback win for the Dolphins following their 30-17 loss against Rodgers' former team, the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. Tyreek Hill turned in a noteworthy performance in this one, which could potentially prompt an imminent breakout from the five-time All-Pro wide receiver. Hill caught 10 passes against the Jets for a game-high 115 yards and one touchdown. The 30-year-old also added one carry for an additional six yards. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.
Hilton Grand Vacations ( NYSE:HGV – Get Free Report ) and Wynn Macau ( OTCMKTS:WYNMY – Get Free Report ) are both mid-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, valuation and institutional ownership. Insider & Institutional Ownership 97.2% of Hilton Grand Vacations shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.3% of Hilton Grand Vacations shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Hilton Grand Vacations and Wynn Macau, as reported by MarketBeat. Risk and Volatility Hilton Grand Vacations has a beta of 1.82, meaning that its stock price is 82% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Wynn Macau has a beta of 0.6, meaning that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Hilton Grand Vacations and Wynn Macau”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Hilton Grand Vacations has higher revenue and earnings than Wynn Macau. Profitability This table compares Hilton Grand Vacations and Wynn Macau’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Summary Hilton Grand Vacations beats Wynn Macau on 11 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Hilton Grand Vacations ( Get Free Report ) Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a timeshare company, develops, markets, sells, manages, and operates the resorts, plans and ancillary reservation services under the Hilton Grand Vacations brand. It operates through Real Estate Sales and Financing, and Resort Operations and Club Management segments. Real Estate Sales and Financing segment market and sells the VOIs, and source VOIs through fee-for-service agreements with third-party developers; and provides consumer financing and services loans. Resort Operations and Club Management segment manages and operates the clubs which offers exchange, leisure travel, and reservation services, as well as engages in the rental of inventory made available due to ownership exchanges through its club programs, and provides ancillary services including food and beverage, retail and spa at timeshare properties. Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. About Wynn Macau ( Get Free Report ) Wynn Macau, Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, ownership, and operation of integrated destination casino resorts in Macau. The company's Wynn Palace resort features approximately 468,000 square feet of casino space providing 24-hour gaming and various games comprising private gaming salons and sky casinos; a luxury hotel with guest rooms, suites, and villas; and food and beverage outlets. Its Wynn Palace resort also consists of approximately 107,000 square feet of retail shopping; 37,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; recreation and leisure facilities consisting of a cable car ride, health club, spa, salon, and pool; and public entertainment attractions, including a lake, animated floral art displays, and fine art displays. In addition, the company's Wynn Macau resort features approximately 294,000 square feet of casino space offering 24-hour gaming and various games, including private gaming salons, sky casinos, and a poker pit; hotel towers with rooms and suites; food and beverage outlets; and recreation and leisure facilities, such as health clubs and spas, a salon, and a pool. Further, its Wynn Macau resort includes approximately 64,300 square feet of brand-name retail shopping and 31,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Macau. Wynn Macau, Limited operates as a subsidiary of WM Cayman Holdings Limited I. Receive News & Ratings for Hilton Grand Vacations Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hilton Grand Vacations and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Enphase Energy, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ENPH – Free Report ) – Equities researchers at Northland Capmk raised their Q3 2025 EPS estimates for Enphase Energy in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, November 19th. Northland Capmk analyst G. Richard now expects that the semiconductor company will earn $0.74 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $0.63. The consensus estimate for Enphase Energy’s current full-year earnings is $0.91 per share. Several other analysts have also commented on the company. Northland Securities dropped their price objective on Enphase Energy from $110.00 to $90.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of Enphase Energy from $85.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of Enphase Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Roth Mkm dropped their price objective on shares of Enphase Energy from $130.00 to $100.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Enphase Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Enphase Energy currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $101.13. Enphase Energy Price Performance NASDAQ:ENPH opened at $66.29 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.96 billion, a PE ratio of 150.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 18.81 and a beta of 1.77. Enphase Energy has a 52 week low of $58.33 and a 52 week high of $141.63. The company has a quick ratio of 3.88, a current ratio of 4.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $91.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $106.49. Enphase Energy ( NASDAQ:ENPH – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The semiconductor company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.77 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $380.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $392.51 million. Enphase Energy had a net margin of 4.91% and a return on equity of 10.56%. Enphase Energy’s revenue for the quarter was down 30.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.84 earnings per share. Institutional Trading of Enphase Energy Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ENPH. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Enphase Energy by 6,975.0% in the third quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 283 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in Enphase Energy by 784.8% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 292 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the period. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Enphase Energy in the third quarter worth $34,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Enphase Energy during the third quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Enphase Energy in the third quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.12% of the company’s stock. Enphase Energy Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Enphase Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells home energy solutions for the solar photovoltaic industry in the United States and internationally. The company offers semiconductor-based microinverter, which converts energy at the individual solar module level and combines with its proprietary networking and software technologies to provide energy monitoring and control. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Enphase Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enphase Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
US District Judge Arun Subramanian made the decision in a written ruling following a bail hearing last week, when lawyers for the hip-hop mogul argued that a 50 million dollars bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs does not flee and does not try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. Two other judges previously had been persuaded by prosecutors’ arguments that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars. Lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the decision. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. A federal appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan considers his bail request. Prosecutors have insisted that no bail conditions would be sufficient to protect the public and prevent the I’ll Be Missing You singer from fleeing. They say that even in a federal lock-up in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs”.
Cutting in line? American Airlines’ new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Alabama faces a tougher roadblock than it might appear in its quest to maintain positioning for the College Football Playoff. Sure, Oklahoma has struggled in its first Southeastern Conference season. The Sooners (5-5, 1-5 SEC) have lost four straight conference games. The Sooners have fired their offensive coordinator and they have the worst offense in the league. But they have a tough defense, too. Linebacker Danny Stutsman, a midseason AP All-American, anchors a nasty unit that has kept the Sooners competitive in losses at Ole Miss and Missouri. He ranks second in the SEC with 96 tackles. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. has scored four defensive touchdowns since the start of the 2023 season, tied for the most nationally. Defensive end R Mason Thomas has seven sacks, with six coming in the fourth quarter of close games. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is paying attention. “It’s going to take a great week of preparation,” DeBoer said. “A physical football team all around. Their defense is, I think, an extremely tough defense in all ways — just what they do with their scheme and then with their personnel, the way they fly around.” Plus, Oklahoma is motivated. It’s Senior Day for a program that would become bowl eligible with a win. Beating the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide could cure a lot of ills for the Sooners. “I think they know they could be a great example for what fight and what belief and what finishing and what improving and what proving people wrong looks like,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “And I think this is a group of guys that are committed to doing that.” Alabama (8-2, 4-2) has more answers than most. Jalen Milroe has passed for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 17. Freshman receiver Ryan Williams has 40 catches for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. “Yeah, incredibly explosive, and they have great playmakers everywhere," Venables said. “Certainly, it starts — everything goes through the quarterback.” There has been much talk about what a third loss would do to Alabama's playoff hopes. DeBoer said his team isn't focused on that. “I think we're really honed in and the guys really believe on and have understood the significance of really focusing on where we’re at right now,” he said. “We talk about the next play is the most important play, the next game is the most important game. We haven’t thought about anything beyond Oklahoma.” Milroe is only the fourth SEC quarterback since 2007 to have at least 15 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns in a single season. The others won the Heisman Trophy during their seasons — Florida's Tim Tebow in 2007, Auburn's Cam Newton in 2010 and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel in 2012. “I think it just starts with doing what’s best for the team, and that’s what Jalen is all about," DeBoer said. Since returning to the lineup early against South Carolina four games ago, Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold has completed 70 of 112 passes for 705 yards with five touchdowns with no interceptions. Still, his fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the final minute against Missouri was the difference in a 30-23 loss. Arnold has dealt with significant criticism all season. “That goes along with that position at a place like the University of Oklahoma,” Venables said. “That’s a position that’s a little bit ... it’s a bit like the head coach position. There’s a different type of microscope and there’s a different type of focus and that’s okay he’s got broad shoulders to handle that.” Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns against Maine two weeks ago, then he sat out last week's loss to Missouri. He's listed as questionable on this week's injury report. He leads the Sooners with 577 yards rushing this season. Venables is impressed with what DeBoer has done in his first year at Alabama since taking over for Nick Saban. “One of Kalen’s strengths as a football coach — a very successful coach — is he takes a group of players that he has, and their staff figures out what they can do,” Venables said. “They major in that, put them in position to be successful based on the players’ strengths. They’ve done a nice job of doing that throughout the course of the season.” Oklahoma beat heavily favored Alabama 45-31 in the Sugar Bowl to cap the 2013 season, a game that helped pump energy into the Sooner program under Bob Stoops. Alabama got revenge in 2018, beating the Sooners 45-34 in the College Football Playoff. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Share this Story : Ottawa councillor's profane outburst with daycare staff 'bullying and intimidation' Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links News Local News Ottawa councillor's profane outburst with daycare staff 'bullying and intimidation' The city's integrity commissioner recommended official sanctions against rural Coun. Clarke Kelly for his behavior toward daycare staff. Get the latest from Blair Crawford straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Blair Crawford Published Nov 23, 2024 • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly. Photo by JULIE OLIVER / Postmedia Article content Ottawa’s integrity commissioner is recommending an official reprimand for West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly over a heated exchange he had last summer with staff at a daycare next to his rural Ottawa office. In her report on the July 3 incident, commissioner Karen E. Shepherd found Kelly’s “aggressive” behaviour toward the owner and staff of the West Carleton Kids Korner Daycare “did not meet the standards expected of elected officials.” Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content “I find that Councillor Kelly’s actions on July 3, 2024 were aggressive and amounted to bullying and intimidation of the staff of the Daycare, including the owner,” Shepherd wrote in her report, released Nov. 20 . Kelly was participating in a meeting of the Planning and Housing Committee that day via Zoom from his office in the West Carleton Community Complex on Carp Road near Kinburn Side Road. The daycare shares space in the complex and Shepherd found that Kelly had had previous run-ins with the owner because of the noise and behaviour of some of the children who attend. That morning, kids were playing outside his office window and banging on the glass during the meeting. Eventually, Kelly left his desk and went to an outside door to complain to daycare staff “in an aggressive manner” about the noise. Later, daycare staff said they heard Kelly shouting and dropping “F bombs” about the encounter through the walls of his office, although it’s not clear if the profanity was directed at anyone in particular. One daycare employee said children she was with probably heard it too, but couldn’t say if they would have recognized it as cursing. Evening Update The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Evening Update will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Shortly after that, there was a third encounter when Kelly went to the daycare door and argued with the owner, an encounter that was captured by a security camera with video, but no sound. The “kerfuffle in Kinburn” was previously reported by the Ottawa Citizen and in other local media outlets. “There is no question Councillor Kelly’s conduct was inappropriate,” Shepherd wrote. “Under the circumstances, it is understandable that Councillor Kelly was frustrated and felt the need to address the situation. That said, the manner in which Councillor Kelly spoke to the daycare owner, particularly the use of profanities, was aggressive and intimidating. “To be clear, at no time did Councillor Kelly enter Chambers to shout at or use vulgarities directed at daycare workers or children,” she added. Shepherd said she received four separate complaints in the days following the incident, although her report does not say who they were from. The daycare owner also contacted Ottawa police about the encounter. Investigators with the integrity commissioner’s office interviewed 11 people for the report, including Kelly and members of his staff who were in the office that day. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In her findings, Shepherd acknowledged that Kelly’s concerns about the noise and the cleanliness of building’s public washrooms during the daycare’s summer sessions had been well documented. “I believe Councillor Kelly has a reasonable expectation of a professional work environment. Before the start of the 2024 summer camp program, Councillor Kelly and his staff made efforts to address their concerns through the appropriate channels. Though not an excuse for Councillor Kelly’s conduct that day, it does not appear that any action was taken in response to complaints from the Councillor’s Office about the noise and bathroom issues associated with the summer camp in 2023,” she wrote. Nevertheless, that didn’t excuse Kelly’s actions, she wrote. “Councillor Kelly’s actions that day fall within the realm of bullying and intimidation, but they do not meet the threshold for discrimination or harassment. While not acceptable conduct, Councillor Kelly’s interaction with daycare staff and the daycare owner were brief incidents in which he was responding to stressful conditions in his workplace.” Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Kelly admitted to investigators that his swearing was “inexcusable” and said he has since taken anger management training through the city’s employee assistance program. He promised “to learn from his mistakes.” In an email to the Citizen, Kelly said he appreciated the thoroughness of the commissioner’s investigation and that his handling of the incident had been a mistake. “I take responsibility for my reaction and use of strong language during an exchange on July 3rd. Everyone deserves to have a safe and positive work environment, and I am committed to ensuring that I will do my part to contribute to this,” Kelly said. “At the same time, I am grateful that the report concludes that I did not direct profanities at children or staff of the daycare, and that the commissioner carefully considered the context in which this situation occurred.” A call to the daycare for comment was not immediately returned. A reprimand is the lowest level of punishment that can be levelled under Ontario’s Municipal Act. For more serious infractions, councillors can be suspended without pay for up to 90 days. Council is to receive Shepherd’s report and vote on the reprimand recommendation at its next meeting on Nov. 27. West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly, lower right, leaves his seat during a July 3, 2024 planning and housing committee meeting to confront staff of a day care to complain about noise outside his office window. Photo by Postmedia / Postmedia Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Ottawa councillor's profane outburst with daycare staff 'bullying and intimidation' Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. 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OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF ( NYSEARCA:FSTA – Free Report ) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 4,180 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock, valued at approximately $213,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF during the second quarter valued at $25,000. TFC Financial Management Inc. bought a new position in Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $51,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $83,000. Finally, American National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF by 32.6% during the second quarter. American National Bank now owns 2,235 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the last quarter. Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF stock opened at $51.48 on Friday. Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF has a twelve month low of $42.92 and a twelve month high of $51.91. The company has a market cap of $1.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.43 and a beta of 0.48. The company’s 50 day moving average is $50.47 and its 200 day moving average is $49.28. Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF Company Profile The Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA IMI Consumer Staples 25\u002F50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of US consumer staples companies across the entire market-cap spectrum. FSTA was launched on Oct 21, 2013 and is managed by Fidelity. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FSTA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF ( NYSEARCA:FSTA – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .King Charles and Queen Camilla have revealed their official Christmas card for the 2024 holiday season. An image of the card released on the royals' social media accounts shows a photo of the monarchs taken earlier this year, alongside the message, “Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year”. It’s their third Christmas card since Charles, 76, ascended the throne - but the newly-released portrait is much more casual than last year’s card, which showed the pair in the throne room at Buckingham Palace after the coronation. This photo, showing Camilla in a blue dress and Charles in a grey suit, was taken by photographer Millie Pilkington and was released in April 2024 - just as the King announced his return to official duties after his cancer treatment.
Vietnam-based gaming platform Eragon is looking at expanding into the Philippine market with a focus on the play-to-earn (P2E) segment. According to a statement on Friday, Eragon viewed the Philippines’ vibrant gaming community as an ideal destination for its next phase of growth in Southeast Asia. "With nearly 4,000 users in the Philippines, we see great potential to expand our reach in this vibrant market. The Filipino gaming community’s rapid adoption of Web3 technologies and strong community-centric culture aligns well with Eragon’s collaborative and rewards-driven ecosystem,” said Eragon founder Victor Thang. With over 500,000 Web3 users, including 70,000 active players, Eragon intends to engage with local players using campaigns, events, and partnerships, as well as implementing new features to make the platform more accessible. They also plan on including language support and culturally relevant themes to connect with Filipino gamers and encourage collaborations with regional gaming influencers and developers. “The country’s digitally engaged and gaming-savvy population presents a unique opportunity for us to meet the growing demand for Web3 gaming solutions in Southeast Asia,” Thang said. Eragon is currently one of the top gaming platforms on Aptos and ranks 17th globally in unique active wallets. — VBL, GMA Integrated NewsThe South Santiam River looked exactly as expected one recent afternoon in November — like algae as it gushed, brown-green and somewhat opaque over a low-head dam in Lebanon. And that's a weirdly colored, vaguely chlorine-scented problem for nearly 30,000 East Linn County residents who rely on the river as their main source of drinking water. The Green Peter reservoir is being drawn down to a level of 142 feet below the normal winter levels to improve the survival rates of chinook and steel head populations passing through the dam. The move has local drinking water looking more murky, causing some residents concern. Public works officials say it's safe. "This will be the second time we've called for a halt to it," Lebanon City Manager Ron Whitlatch said by phone Wednesday, Nov. 20. He was referring to Lebanon's entreaty, for the second time in consecutive years, to Oregon health officials to stop the drawdown of a nearby reservoir where sediment — dirt and bits of animal and plant — that accumulated for nearly 12 months is now flowing out from behind Green Peter Dam. A federal court has ordered the drawdown, bringing the water levels to historic lows, to help endangered salmon species swim downstream. And just like last year, all of the muck from the drawdown is gumming up the equipment that filters and sanitizes the drinking water channeled from an intake in southeastern Lebanon. "I'm not sure how far it will go — not far, I expect," Whitlatch said of the city's plea. "But we shall see." In October local elected officials declared an emergency to quickly maneuver funds after Lebanon spent nearly $500,000 replacing filters and paying for overtime at its water treatment plant following the last drawdown, in 2023. Sweet Home's city council did the same for their municipality upstream on the South Santiam, declaring an emergency the night before. That was all before this year's drawdown began in earnest. In the wake of last year's drawdown, local and state politicos called upon Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to cover the $45 million in chemical costs and wear and tear on water treatment plants. She turned around and passed the blame to the feds , which operates the dam system in the area. Accordingly, the cities filed a claim last month with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to recover the costs. Such claims are often precursors to lawsuits. Federal rules and salmon advocates, including the Kalapuya people who lived along the Santiam before the arrival of European settlers, say juvenile salmon aren't supposed to swim through deeply pooled reservoirs. Kathleen George, a tribal councilor from the Confederate Tribes of Grand Ronde, said in an emailed statement that chinook salmon caught near the mouth of Columbia River are at "high risk of extinction by 2040," citing federal estimates. "Time is running out, and reservoir drawdowns are an important tool to allow juvenile fish safe passage downstream," George said in the statement. So this year’s drawdown is different ; a modified plan and varying rain levels may be why the water is little less murky — so far. In a letter, Whitlatch urged the state's public health officials to "prompt" the Army Corps to act on the modified order. Writing to the Oregon Health Authority, he predicted that the turbidity, the technical word for murkiness, will continue to rise. "This risks Lebanon's ability to provide safe drinking water and continues to damage our water treatment plant," Whitlatch wrote. Some Lebanites aren't convinced. “This exact thing happened last year,” Lebanon resident Jennifer Griffiths said, referring to her drinking water's appearance and odor. She noticed the color of their bath water was tinged a yellow-green. Griffiths, who lives with her 3-year-old child and husband, said that just standing in the bathroom gives her a headache. She thinks it’s the chlorine added to the water that is making her feel that way. Her pets started throwing up, she added, so her family has started using bottled water instead. When Griffiths called the city, employees told her the changes she was seeing to her water were from the drawdown and that the city was working to continue to produce safe water. The greenish tinge is a result of color from plant matter, public works officials have said. As the drawdown creates less water in the reservoir, the concentration of organic matter is higher. Tannins are a breakdown of vegetation and are not harmful to human health. They can be reduced but it is difficult to get rid of the water completely. A couple of residents have complained so far, with most ask whether their water is safe after seeing discourse on Facebook, Whitlatch said. “Of course the water is safe; we are working to keep it that way,” he said. The city pushed out additional guidance in a news release Friday morning, Nov. 22. “While this discoloration may be alarming, it is not harmful to your health,” Whitlatch said in the release. “If at any time water quality falls below safe standards, providers will issue a public notice.” Lebanon is supplying water with the same levels of microbe-killing chlorine and acidity that it always does, according to city reports based on state-required sampling. But it takes a lot more chlorine, Whitlatch said, to keep up with the muck stirred from the bottom of Green Peter Reservoir, dissolved in the South Santiam and flowing into the headworks of the city’s facilities where water is then disinfected and piped to the rest of the city. Chlorine levels in Lebanon typically hover around 1 or fewer parts per million, or ppm. The city has been adding about 1.5 ppm of chlorine since the drawdown's start, Whitlatch said. The maximum level of chlorine that can be added safely is 4 ppm. For example, the ideal range of an average swimming pool hovers around 2 to 4 ppm. Testing through Tuesday, Nov. 19, showed light passed through untreated water at more than 150 nephelometric turbidity units, a measurement of opacity. Turbidity in South Santiam water measured at a much lower average of 5 units on Oct. 25. "It's been more consistent this year," Whitlatch said compared to last year's spikes. When Sweet Home resident Brandy Wysong-Frick noticed a rash on her husband’s side abdomen, she thought it might be shingles. It was itchy but not painful, she said. Then it got worse the next time he showered, she said. “Within 30 minutes there were rashes over his whole body,” she said. During last year’s drawdown their home was unaffected, so the pair didn’t even consider it was due to the water until he washed his hands and started to get a rash there too, said Wysong-Frick, one of the many candidates this year for City Council . She didn't win. Her husband has always been extremely allergic to chlorine, she said. He can’t even be in a room with an indoor pool. The couple also noticed that their dogs seemed more dehydrated. So, they started to boil their water too and bought a filter for the shower head. Several others posted on the community Facebook group about concerns over the color, smell and feeling itchy from chlorine in the water. But unlike Lebanon, Sweet Home isn’t adding more chlorine to their treated water. There isn’t any more chlorine being added to the water supply than the normal amount, Public Works Director Greg Springman said. The chlorine levels hover around .4 to .7 ppm, which is about the same levels during no-drawdown times. Their city has a different approach than last year, Springman said. This year, employees are only adding more aluminum chloride in the treatment process, which is filtered out before being disinfected, the last step before the water makes its way to households. So really, Sweet Home residents should have less chlorine in their water compared to last year’s drawdown, Springman said. The water is also less murky than it was around this time last year, he said. “This year it’s a little less impactful, but it’s still a high turbidity,” Springman said. By comparison, some of the highest turbidity the city experienced last year was around 300 ntu, and the most recent readings hover above 100, he said. The city hasn’t received many complaints, maybe about three, he said. For those that ask, the city will come out and test the chlorine in their water. Sweet Home is constantly logging the amount of chlorine it uses everyday, he added. The city also has a webpage that provides updated information about the city’s water quality. A Thursday, Nov. 21 update says that the city is expecting higher turbidity with a heavier rainy season. “You may see some discoloration of your water due to the turbidity, or a change in smell due to necessary changes to our treatment methods. Despite these changes, again, all water is tested for quality and safety before it goes to your home or business,” the web page reads. Staff are also working around the clock because to clean the murkier water. With that need for more backwashing, it takes longer to meet the daily water demand, he added. “We want people to know that we are confident in producing clean water, and we are watching this 24/7,” he said. The trend is fairly consistent across other downstream communities. Overall, Public Works Director Chris Bailey confirmed, Albany workers also are noticing the turbidity isn’t spiking as high as it was last year — so far. That may be because the target elevation wasn’t reached at Green Peter until Nov. 10, Water Superintendent Scott LaRoque said. “Now that the banks of Green Peter are exposed, each storm event is washing sediment into the water and making its way downstream. Last year we had a few more significant rain events that contributed to higher turbidity leaving Green Peter than we have seen so far this year.” Albany has received two complaints, both about the color of the water, he said. Baily said there may be a psychological component at play, in that people are more sensitive to the changes because of the visible change in the color of the water, Bailey said. That was something that was difficult to communicate. The city can produce safe water, but the change in color makes it difficult for people to trust it, she said. Like Sweet Home, Albany also isn’t putting extra chlorine in its water this year, LaRoche said. The water is safe, he said, and the city is handling the higher turbidity. Still, officials won’t know for sure what the toll of processing the higher turbidity will be. The city plans to do an analysis on how the drawdown has affected the life expectancy of its their equipment. More Lebanon news More Sweet Home news More Albany news Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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LONDON (AP) — Half a century of rule by the Assad family in Syria crumbled with astonishing speed after insurgents burst out of a rebel-held enclave and converged on the capital, Damascus, taking city after city in a matter of days. Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syria’s ruler for 24 years — succeeding his father, Hafez Assad — fled the country. Russian state media reported that he was in Moscow. It’s a stunning development in Syria’s devastating 13-year conflict . Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syria’s prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country. And there the conflict remained, largely frozen, for years until late November. Here’s a look at a seismic two weeks for the Middle East. Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of over 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances. The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaida and known as the Nusra Front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaida, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the U.S. The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups , says the rebels began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat. The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province amid reports government troops are retreating. The insurgents enter Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 after a grueling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. They meet with little resistance. The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the city’s citadel and occupying the international airport. The Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops and equipment in preparation for a counterattack. By evening, the insurgents have seized at least four towns in the central Hama province and claim to have entered the provincial capital. The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive. But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine , and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of Hama, the country’s fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory . Turkey urges Assad to hold talks with the opposition . After several days of fighting the rebels sweep into Hama . Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army says it has redeployed to positions outside the city to protect civilians. Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs , Syria’s third-largest city. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syria’s two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city. Top diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia, hold talks on Syria in the Qatari capital, Doha. Opposition forces take Homs after government forces abandon it. The insurgents say they have encircled Damascus and are carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” as Syrian state media denies Assad has fled the country. Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assad’s fall a victory for “the Islamic nation.” Russian officials and Iranian state TV say Assad has left Syria. Russian state news agencies later report he and his family are in Moscow and were granted asylum. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali says Syria's government is ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government.
