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Microsoft and Activision add time to seal gaming deal
Microsoft and video gaming giant Activision Blizzard on Wednesday agreed to give themselves more time to complete a blockbuster transaction that still needs a sign off from UK regulators who had earlier rejected the deal. The two companies had previously set 18 July as the cut off point to finalize the $75 billion deal for Microsoft to acquire Activision, which now gets pushed by three months to 18 October. In return, Microsoft agreed to pay Activision an increased break-up fee in case either side walks away from the deal that could reach as high as $4.5 billion, a filing showed. Both sides said they remained firmly committed to the deal and were emboldened by a major victory in a US court which rejected an attempt by the Federal Trade Commission to squash the sale. "The recent decision in the US and approvals in 40 countries all validate that the deal is good for competition, players, and the future of gaming," tweeted Lulu Cheng Meservey, Activision Blizzard's head of corporate affairs. Microsoft President Brad Smith said the extension gave "ample time" to close the sale and that he was "confident about our prospects for getting this deal across the finish line." The acquisition of Activision by Microsoft will create the world's third biggest video-gaming giant and has faced significant scrutiny by antitrust regulators. The companies made substantial commitments to regulators in the European Union and other antitrust authorities in order to win their approval. These answered concerns that Microsoft would bar their rivals access to some of Activision's most popular games, including Call of Duty, one of the world's most popular gaming titles. In April, the UK rejected the deal over its threat to the still developing cloud gaming sector, but agreed to take another look after the FTC's defeat in a US court. The post Microsoft and Activision add time to seal gaming deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Surfin’ in Siargao
If everybody had an ocean, then everybody would be surfin’ like a Siargaonian. It’s very easy to fall in love with Siargao, a small, tear-drop-shaped island in the southern part of the Philippines. For years, the island has been attracting surfers from across the world, and more recently, honeymooners. Indeed, we met several couples spending their post-wedding bliss in Siargao. I visited Siargao in May upon the invitation of Kenneth Shaw, the owner of Siargao Town Center, to chronicle the redevelopment of the island after the twin devastations from the December 2021 super typhoon “Odette” and more than two years of strict lockdown brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. The visit was supposed to be all work, butt, no, no, no way. On our last day in Siargao, the Daily Tribune team — with me were Spaces editor Pauline Songco and creative director Alvin Kasiban — dipped into the waters and tried, of course, surfing. Rising a wave The term surfing refers to a person riding a wave using a board, regardless of the stance. It dates back to 2,000 B.C., according to research by the University of Hawaii, although the first evidence of bodysurfing event was recorded in 1899 when Australian Fred Williams learned of the sport after receiving training from Polynesian islander Tommy Tana. The Moche of Peru would often surf on reed craft, while the native peoples of the Pacific surfed waves on alaia, paipo and other such watercraft. Ancient cultures often surfed on their belly and knees, while the modern-day definition of surfing most often refers to a surfer riding a wave standing on a surfboard; this is also referred to as stand-up surfing. From a pastime, it gained popularity as a sport in the Western world and evolved significantly. It was originally called “Heenalu” by the Hawaiian natives. Courage and a board The sport of surfing involves riding waves in an upright or prone position. You need a breaking wave, courage and a board. Although the concept is simple, the practice is not. Surfers need to catch the waves and glide across the surface of the water until it loses energy or break. Often, surfers are towed in the surf line or paddle in the area of open water to catch the waves’ break. There, you have to sit on your board and take the opportunity when the waves roll into the shore. In Siargao, the best surfing spot is, of course, Cloud 9. The best time of the year to go there is between September and November or during the rainy season when waves can go as high as 12 feet. You will need to hire an instructor. Word of advice, listen to your instructor. Just listen and follow everything he teaches you. For P500, the instructor will teach you the basics of surfing, tow you to the surf line and guide you for an hour of in-person skills training. If you want to document your surfing experience, you have to shell another P500 to hire a “videographer/photographer” to capture your moments on the board. Truly, there is no word to describe the magic and beauty of Siargao. The island has so much more to offer than surfing. The wealth of serene beaches, crystal clear Maasin River, beautiful mountain landscape and some of the friendliest and most accommodating people. I can’t wait to book my next trip. The post Surfin’ in Siargao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Surfing haven that is Siargao
Surfing is what Siargao is all about. The water sport is a year-round activity at the island, with locals and expats trooping to Siargao to experience the water’s swells and waves. Surfing spots are easily accessible in Siargao, with Cloud 9 as its best. The famous surfing break, located in the municipality of General Luna, was dubbed by CNNGo (the travel site of CNN International) as one of the World’s Best Surfing Spots. Its prime waves happen from September to November. [caption id="attachment_135298" align="aligncenter" width="525"] LOCALS earn a living as surfing guides to tourists.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_135296" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CLOUD 9’s viewing deck.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_135294" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BASKING in the sun.[/caption] In 2019, Siargao is named by Conde Nast Traveler as the Best Island in the World. It was also included in the top five of CNT’s 2020 Best Islands in the World: Reader’s Choice Awards. Come 2021, TIME declared Siargao as one of the World’s Greatest Places. “Surfing, I believe, really attracted people to stay here. Part of the surfing lifestyle is mindfulness with nature. They have a spiritual connection with the waves. People are one with nature,” Filipino-French businessman Christophe Bariou told Daily Tribune. [caption id="attachment_135297" align="aligncenter" width="525"] MAGPUPUNGKO Rock Formation.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_135293" align="aligncenter" width="525"] MAGPUPUNGKO’s natural tidal pools are the best for cliff jumping.[/caption] Andi Eigenmann, now Siargao-based with her fiancé champion surfer Philmar Alipayo, was recently seen participating in Mayor Sol’s 1st Local Surfing Competition for Women. In 1996, Knight Rider and Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff visited Siargao to surf. Soon, international surfing competitions were held in the island. “You’re humbled by the sea. You rely totally on the natural elements when surfing. People connect and contribute. Surfers have a mindful attitude,” Bariou said. The post Surfing haven that is Siargao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Giant SpaceX rocket leaves crater, serious damage at Texas base
Flying chunks of concrete, twisted metal sheets, and craters blasted deep into the ground: the thunderous power of SpaceX's first test flight of Starship -- the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built -- inflicted serious damage on its Texas launch site. Repairing the damage from Thursday's unmanned test flight is expected to take months, potentially delaying further launch attempts and slowing the development of a rocket NASA plans to use on its upcoming Moon missions. SpaceX boss Elon Musk had said before the test that just getting Starship in the air without destroying its launch pad would be "a win." Luckily for Musk, the 390-foot-tall (120-meter) rocket successfully lifted off, climbing for about four minutes until it tumbled and exploded, well over the Gulf of Mexico. But SpaceX engineers may have underestimated the damage that Starship's 33 first-stage rocket engines would do. A few days later, the scene around the launch pad is one of desolation, an AFP photographer saw. During takeoff, SpaceX video showed a hail of debris being blasted as far as the Gulf of Mexico, over 1,400 feet (420 meters) away. According to local press reports, a cloud of dust floated over a small town several miles (kilometers) away. Photos of the launch site show the gigantic launch tower still standing while the rocket mount, which supports Starship before liftoff, damaged but still intact. Beneath it, however, lies a huge crater, images posted on social media showed. "The force of the engines when they throttled up may have shattered the concrete, rather than simply eroding it," Musk conceded Saturday on Twitter -- another company in his portfolio. Olivier de Weck, a professor of astronautics and engineering at MIT, told AFP that "the radius of debris and disturbance was probably bigger than anybody anticipated." "The main damage to the launch pad is underneath, where the flames impinge on the ground," he told AFP, adding that repairing the crater "will take several months." De Weck said that Starship's launch site, unlike others used for such large rockets, lacked a "water deluge system." Those are used to flood the pad with water, cooling it and absorbing shock and sound waves. The Texas site also lacks what is known as a flame trench -- tunnels which channel hot exhaust away from the pad. Such features come at a high price though, particularly when they have to stand up to the earth-shaking power of Starship. After Thursday's test, Musk said that SpaceX had begun building "a massive water-cooled steel plate to go under the launch mount." But it "wasn't ready in time," and engineers "wrongly" calculated that the pad could still withstand the test. Known for audacious goal-setting, Musk estimates that a next launch attempt could be carried out as soon as "one to two months." Scientist Philip Metzger, who previously worked for NASA on launch pad physics, said he thought the steel plate plan could have been "a good solution." "The problem," he added, "is that this is such a large rocket and it takes so long to get off the pad," that the heat from the rocket's 33 engines "possibly could melt the steel." That could be solved by pumping water through channels in the steel, "so long as they have a high enough flow rate," said Metzger, now a professor at the University of Central Florida. He said the approach would not entirely solve the problem of shock waves, but he believes it's possible Starship has been designed to be solid enough to survive. Designing a launch pad, Metzger told AFP, can be just as complicated as developing a rocket. The maiden launch in November of NASA's new mega-rocket, the SLS, also caused damage to its launch pad in Florida, notably knocking launch-tower elevators out of service. Before its next test flight, SpaceX will need to determine the exact problems behind Thursday's test. In video broadcast by the company, several of Starship's 33 engines appeared to malfunction. The rocket's two stages also did not separate as planned, forcing SpaceX to trigger a self-destruct mechanism. The private aerospace firm will also have to persuade the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to authorize a new flight, noted de Weck. The US agency, which is leading an investigation into the explosion, has confirmed that no injuries resulted from Thursday's test. It has said that no new tests will be approved if there is any threat to public safety. De Weck echoed Musk's evaluation of the trial, calling it "more a success than a failure." "The reason they're achieving these incredible capabilities," the MIT professor continued, "is because they are willing to take risks and break things. "But they learn from it, and improve very, very quickly." The post Giant SpaceX rocket leaves crater, serious damage at Texas base appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Britain standing by & lsquo;illegal& rsquo; Brexit bill
Brussels, Belgium—Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday, as a make-or-break week of post-Brexit trade talks began under a storm cloud. .....»»
Numerous Individuals and Businesses Profit from Trump Media Stock
Former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, had a successful first official trading session on the Nasdaq, with shares surging and approaching.....»»
Hoffman boosts bid for Paris Paris
Olympics hopeful Lauren Hoffman yesterday set a new national record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a gold medal performance in the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida......»»
Xdinary Heroes make ‘extraordinary’ concert in Manila
Members of the South Korean rock band Xdinary Heroes showed that they were no ordinary musicians during their first world tour, “Break The Brake” last March 23 at the New Frontier Theater......»»
Trending tickers: Trump Media, Tesla, Bitcoin and DS Smith
Former US president Donald Trump’s media firm, Trump Media & Technology Group, had a successful stock market debut in New York, with shares soaring past.....»»
Double pay for workers reporting on Holy Week
Workers nationwide may opt to enjoy a long holiday break or hefty pay this Holy Week......»»
Phl at the crossroads
As we all take a break this Holy Week, some of us will pause and ponder on our own individual journeys and think about what lies ahead......»»
Hoffman sets new Philippine hurdles record at Florida meet
Paris Olympics-hopeful Lauren Hoffman on Wednesday set a new national record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a gold medal performance in the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida......»»
UAAP volleyball enters break amid wide-open semis race
It’s the calm before the storm as teams embark on a much-needed pause ahead of an expected all-out race to the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments Final Four......»»
eTravel pains
You know it’s a popular season for traveling when television news outlets are already reporting live from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to check if there are already hordes of passengers preparing to leave town or the country during the Holy Week break......»»
Trump to face jurors in April before facing US voters in November
Republican strategists say voters have grown accustomed to Donald Trump's norm-shattering behavior, but a guilty verdict could hurt his ability to win over swing voters who decide elections.....»»
ICT spending in AsPac reaches $1.3 trillion in 2023
Information and communications technology spending in Asia and the Pacific reached the $1.3 trillion mark in 2023, as companies increased their investments on automation and cloud to survive and thrive in the digital era......»»
Thin volume seen on short trading week
Local stocks are expected to move sideways this week with only three trading days due to the Holy Week break......»»
Cops on heightened alert, NLEX ready for Lenten break
Police units across the country are on heightened alert starting tomorrow, as part of security preparations for the safety of the public during the Holy Week break......»»
Executioner
Earlier this week, Trump adviser Peter Navarro finally stepped into jail......»»
Investors take profits ahead of Holy Week break
The stock market fell below the 6,900 level once more to end the week in the red as investors cashed in on their profits......»»