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THE Executive Branch’s social service programs, which have become an object of dispute between administration officials and leaders of Congress, are seen to become the sticking point once the Senate approves the 2025 budget bill and a the legislative bicameral conference committee is convened to reconcile conflicting provisions between the two chambers. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Anna Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros acknowledged this stark possibility of a clash between senators and congressmen, who insist on retaining the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap), which the Senate deleted in its version of the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act. House Speaker Martin Romualdez has vowed to fight for AKAP’s retention, despite serious concerns by several senators that it partakes of a soft pork barrel that allows politicians to dispense of billions of funds on the eve of elections, and that it skews the authentic, sustained social service programs of government. Former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, reputedly the most zealous in scrutinizing budget bills when he chaired the Senate Committee on Accounts, weighed in on the issue at the weekend. Review social programs Lacson is seeking at least a review of the Executive Department’s various social service programs, to make sure they are investments and not mere doleouts. Lacson said the agencies tasked with implementing such programs should have at least a reliable database of recipients as well as clear goals that will improve the lives of Filipinos. In a radio interview, he also cited persistent information that the aid from such programs do not reach their recipients. “At the very least, we must review these programs. If they have reliable databases and clear goals, that’s okay. And what direction will these programs have? They should not be for mere doleouts, because this will hurt the economy,” he said in the same interview. Lacson said agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health must have such databases to make sure the help goes to those who need it. In addition, Lacson said the programs must have clear goals for the beneficiaries—like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) introduced during the incumbency of former President Gloria Arroyo, which seeks to let children from poor families graduate so they can become productive taxpayers while helping improve their families’ lot. “If the programs are mere doleouts, that is sad. Social service programs must improve the lives of Filipinos so they can give back in terms of revenues and taxes. But it seems many such programs cannot because they are not well-planned,” he said. Romualdez: We want Akap back CITING four million Filipino beneficiaries, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the House will fight for the continuation of the program after the Senate removed the P39.8-billion allocation for the AKAP, which was inserted by the House. Romualdez also challenged senators to engage directly with communities to understand the importance of Akap. “Some of our colleagues in the Senate fail to grasp the significance of this program because they rarely go to the grassroots level. That’s why I ask my friends in the Senate: visit communities, talk to the people, and ask them what they need. Everywhere we go, the people express their strong support for this program,” Romualdez said. With this, Romualdez called on the Senate to reconsider proposals to defund Akap, echoing Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s appeal to protect the program in the 2025 budget. “We stand with Secretary Gatchalian in urging our colleagues in the Senate to uphold the AKAP budget. This is about ensuring that no Filipino family falls back into poverty because of insufficient support. The House of Representatives is ready to champion this cause in the bicameral discussions if necessary,” Romualdez stated. He insisted that “Akap is not just a safety net; it is a lifeline for millions of Filipino families teetering on the edge of poverty.” The initiative, he claimed, has proven its value by providing immediate relief to struggling households, empowering them to weather economic challenges, and ensuring their resilience against inflation and other shocks.” The program, conceptualized under Romualdez’s leadership, has been instrumental in supporting working families with insufficient income. It provides a one-time cash assistance of P3,000 to P5,000 to qualified beneficiaries whose incomes fall below the poverty threshold and who are not covered by other government aid programs. Romualdez noted that Akap’s impact is evident in its extensive reach, with P20.7 billion of the P26.7 billion allocation already utilized, benefiting millions across all regions, including over 589,000 families in the National Capital Region (NCR) alone. Regions like Central Luzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas have also achieved significant fund utilization rates exceeding 70 percent. With earlier report by Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz Butch Fernandez is BusinessMirror’s senior political reporter based at the Senate. He has covered Malacañang (3 presidencies), the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, local governments and defense since 1984.
Path of Exile 2 has a three-act campaign experience in early access plus loads of endgame content to dive into. You can take part in the story as a solo character, only relying on your abilities for help, or as a part of a six-player party. Five additional players are supported to join you on your journey, but you're free to make a party of any size up to that number. While making a party for your friends and blasting your way through Path of Exile 2 together sounds great, the logistics of getting that set up can be complicated. Allow us to explain everything you need to know about adding friends and making a party in Path of Exile 2. How to add friends in Path of Exile 2 Path of Exile 2 makes it easy to add friends, as all you need is their username and tag number. As we've explained in a previous guide, Path of Exile 2 is fully cross-play , so you can add any friend regardless of their system. To add a friend, simply open the Social tab (J on keyboard by default) and find the "Friends" tab. From there, just type in your friend's username and the number that follows the "#" sign after their name in the "Friend Invite" box. If you've typed in everything correctly, press "Send" and your friend will get the request in their Social tab. Alternatively, you can find your friend requests in the Social tab as well. You can view your requests in the "Friends" tab under the "Invitations Received" box. You'll also be able to view all of your online and offline friends from here as well. As a note, the Social tab looks differently if you're on keyboard and mouse or controller. However, the menu acts the same way, as you still need to view the Friends tab and type in a friend's name and tag to add them. If you're already a part of a Guild in Path of Exile 2, scroll over one tab to view the "Guild" section of the Social menu. Here, you can view your Guild and see everyone that's online. This allows you to message them privately and invite them to a party in-game. If you're not part of a Guild yet, this is also where you can join one or view your invites to a Guild. How to make a party in Path of Exile 2 Once you add some friends in Path of Exile 2, it's time to get all of you in a party together. To do this, follow the steps below: Scroll over to the "Create Party" tab from the Social menu. Here, you'll have the option to create a party or join a party. If you want to create a party, select that option and invite any online friends to join it. You can also make your party public and have anyone join it. You can set certain restrictions on your party, which include opening it up to friends only or invite only. Once someone joins the party, you'll be notified so you can all group up in the same location. To join a party, select that option. However, this will only allow you to join Public Parties, which are parties that others have made. To join a friend's party, click on their name in your friends list and if their party is open to friends, you can join it. If your friend's party is set to invite only, you'll need an invite from them to join the party. Everything relating to friends and parties is managed through the Social menu, so when all else fails, check there to view any requests, invites, or your friends list. How to play couch co-op in Path of Exile 2 Of course, going through the friends list isn't the only way to play in a party in Path of Exile 2. The game also supports couch co-op, meaning you can play with another person from the same system you're using. To play in couch co-op, you need two controllers connected to your system and you'll need to make two separate characters as well. This is not possible with two sets of keyboards and mice. With your two controllers connected, go to the character selection screen. In the top-left, press the settings cog and go to the Input menu. Make sure your input is set to "Controller." Once that's done, go back to the character selection screen and each controller should have the ability to create or select a character. Player 1 will be on the left side of the screen and Player 2 is on the right. If you don't see the option to make a second character, you'll likely see "P2: Connect a controller" in the top-right of the screen. This means your second controller either isn't connected or isn't working. After you get both characters up and running, you can play Path of Exile 2 as you normally would. Only now, your screen will be split into two. Can you disable cross-play in Path of Exile 2? While Path of Exile 2 offers full cross-play between PS5, Xbox, and PC, some players might only want to see players from their specific system in-game. However, there doesn't appear to be a way to fully disable cross-play. If you go through all the settings and the Social menu, you won't find an option to disable or enable the feature. 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Published 23:29 IST, December 29th 2024 Let’s reflect on ten pivotal moments that shaped 2024 and promise to influence the future. As the clock ticks down to 2025, it’s hard not to feel the weight of the year gone by. If you’re exhausted by the upheavals of 2024, you’re not alone. But before the new year begins, let’s reflect on ten pivotal moments that shaped 2024 and promise to influence the future. The Space Race Heats Up In 2024, humanity’s aspirations reached new heights, even as geopolitical rivalries extended to the stars. Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) touched down in a lunar crater in January, relaying data for three months. Meanwhile, China returned soil samples from the far side of the moon, and NASA’s Perseverance rover reported possible evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars. The European Union and Japan’s joint mission captured stunning images of Mercury’s south pole, while SpaceX showcased its innovative “chopstick arms” technology for rocket recovery. Yet, space exploration wasn’t all scientific achievement. The United States accused Russia of deploying a nuclear anti-satellite weapon, while China significantly increased its military satellite network. With agreements like the Artemis Accords gaining traction but still excluding China and Russia, the militarization of space remains an ominous trend. The Shadow of China Shock 2.0 China’s economic turbulence has reignited global trade tensions. Following years of internal economic challenges, Beijing leaned heavily on its old strategy of subsidized exports, flooding international markets with low-cost goods. While inexpensive solar panels and electric vehicles have environmental benefits, countries like the United States, Brazil, and members of the European Union scrambled to impose tariffs to protect their domestic industries. Economists warn this “China Shock 2.0” could lead to heightened trade disputes in 2025, though it may also prompt a new wave of international negotiations to address economic imbalances. The Sudanese Civil War’s Devastation Sudan’s brutal civil war continued unabated, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, rooted in a power struggle between former allies Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has caused immense human suffering. With Khartoum and much of Darfur in ruins, estimates of war-related deaths surpass 60,000. A famine in Darfur and the displacement of 11 million people have compounded the tragedy. International mediation efforts, including a UN Security Council meeting, yielded little progress. As external powers back both sides, the outlook for peace remains bleak. AI Advances and Ethical Challenges Artificial intelligence made groundbreaking strides in 2024, with far-reaching applications in medicine, manufacturing, and beyond. Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry recognized AI-driven innovations, including advances in protein structure prediction. Yet, the rapid evolution of AI has raised questions about regulation and ethical use. With the United States leading in most measures and China dominating research publications, the global AI race highlights disparities in technological access. As we navigate this brave new world, the debate over AI’s role in society will only intensify. Russia Regains Momentum in Ukraine The war in Ukraine entered its third year with Russia taking the upper hand. Employing a “meat-grinder” strategy, Russia made gains in eastern Ukraine at a staggering human cost. Ukrainian forces attempted counterattacks, including a bold incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. However, Moscow’s acquisition of North Korean troops and continued Western hesitance to provide advanced weaponry complicated Kyiv’s efforts. With casualties mounting and Western support wavering, the prospect of a negotiated ceasefire looms. Yet, Russian demands for Ukrainian capitulation remain a formidable obstacle. Global Political Shake-Ups Elections in 80 countries underscored a global anti-incumbency trend. Voters punished ruling parties in India, Japan, South Africa, and beyond, often forcing them into precarious coalitions. The United States and United Kingdom saw their incumbent parties ousted, while French President Emmanuel Macron’s snap parliamentary elections backfired spectacularly. Economic discontent and a yearning for strong leadership seem to have fueled this wave of change, but the future of democracy may hinge on addressing systemic challenges rather than simply replacing leaders. Climate Crisis Intensifies The climate crisis reached alarming new heights in 2024. Average global temperatures surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time, while natural disasters caused unprecedented damage. In the United States alone, 24 weather-related events each inflicted over $1 billion in damages. Northern South America endured record drought, with parts of the Amazon drying up. While COP 29 made limited progress on funding climate adaptation, the global response still falls short of what scientists say is necessary. Technologies to mitigate climate change are advancing, but their impact may not come soon enough. Middle East Upheaval The aftermath of Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel reverberated across 2024, as Israel waged war in Gaza and retaliated against Iran and Hezbollah. With 45,000 dead in Gaza and northern regions nearing famine, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. Israel’s targeted operations weakened Hezbollah and Hamas but escalated tensions with Iran. In December, the Syrian government fell to Turkish-backed forces, further isolating Tehran. Whether these developments pave the way for peace or greater turmoil remains to be seen. A New Challenge for America? A growing alignment among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea has raised alarms about a new geopolitical bloc. This quartet has deepened military and economic ties, challenging Western dominance. Iran supplied Russia with drones, North Korea provided artillery shells, and China bolstered Russia’s defense industry. Joint military exercises and technology exchanges signal closer cooperation, but the lack of shared vision among these nations may limit their cohesion. How the West, or America to be more precise, responds to this challenge will shape global politics for years to come. Trump’s Historic Comeback Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election marked a historic political comeback. Following his controversial departure in 2020, Trump capitalized on economic discontent and immigration concerns to secure a narrow win. While claiming a sweeping mandate, his administration faces challenges, including a divided Congress. Trump’s return underscores the outsized influence of U.S. presidential elections on global affairs. How his leadership will reshape the international order remains a critical question as 2025 begins. As we reflect on these defining moments, it’s clear that 2024 was a year of profound transformation. From the heights of human achievement to the depths of political and environmental crises, these events will continue to shape our shared future. Updated 23:29 IST, December 29th 2024
As the train rolls past the town of Hohen Neuendorf ten miles north of Berlin, a screen on the wall flashes up an astonishing figure: 553 megabits per second (Mbps). It is monitoring the real-time download speed of the wireless internet. It is a big number. The median speed for UK households is 73 Mbps. Mine is not any old railway carriage, however. Welcome to the Advanced Train Lab, which Deutsche Bahn (DB) uses to test the latest technology. When I boarded the four-carriage “fastest lab on rails”, I stepped into a rolling internet café, hooked up with the latest and best in wi-fi. It is a far cry from the passenger experience on UK railways, where travellers can watch a video at best —
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DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick on Monday denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys , who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package. McCormick concluded in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent. The compensation package initially carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla’s stock price. Following the court ruling, Tesla shareholders met in June and ratified Musk’s 2018 pay package for a second time, again by an overwhelming margin. Defense attorneys then argued that the second vote makes clear that Tesla shareholders, with full knowledge of the flaws in the 2018 process that McCormick pointed out, were adamant that Musk is entitled to the pay package. They asked the judge to vacate her order directing Tesla to rescind the pay package. McCormick, who seemed skeptical of the defense arguments during an August hearing, said in Monday’s ruling that those arguments were fatally flawed. “The large and talented group of defense firms got creative with the ratification argument, but their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law,” McCormick wrote in a 103-page opinion. The judge noted, among other things, that a stockholder vote standing alone cannot ratify a conflicted-controller transaction. “Even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here due to multiple, material misstatements in the proxy statement,” she added. Meanwhile, McCormick found that the $5.6 billion fee request by the shareholder’s attorneys, which at one time approached $7 billion based on Tesla’s trading price, went too far. “In a case about excessive compensation, that was a bold ask,” McCormick wrote. Attorneys for the Tesla shareholder argue that their work resulted in the “massive” benefit of returning shares to Tesla that otherwise would have gone to Musk and diluted the stock held by other Tesla investors. They value that benefit at $51.4 billion, using the difference between the stock price at the time of McCormick’s January ruling and the strike price of some 304 million stock options granted to Musk. While finding that the methodology used to calculate the fee request was sound, the judge noted that the Delaware’s Supreme Court has noted that fee award guidelines “must yield to the greater policy concern of preventing windfalls to counsel.” “The fee award here must yield in this way, because $5.6 billion is a windfall no matter the methodology used to justify it,” McCormick wrote. A fee award of $345 million, she said, was “an appropriate sum to reward a total victory.” The fee award amounts to almost exactly half the current record $688 million in legal fees awarded in 2008 in litigation stemming from the collapse of Enron.A considerable snowstorm this weekend has put the Prairies on notice that winter isn't far away, and the region can expect more of this weather in the months to come. The storm, which began in earnest on Friday night in southern Alberta, ramped up on Saturday across much of the region and through central and southern Saskatchewan, and is now making its impacts felt in southern Manitoba on Sunday. Roads are still snow-covered and reduced visibility has been reported throughout much of and throughout the storm. Conditions in have now begun to deteriorate as the storm moves eastward. Numerous , including in the city of Calgary, as a result of the snow and the slippery road conditions it produced. ALERT: Multi-vehicle incident on WB 14 St and Glenmore Tr SW, blocking the left lane. — YYC Transportation (@yyctransport) Snowfall totals in Alberta have started rolling in to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as of Saturday evening. Some impressive totals to date include 20 cm and 30 cm, in western and northeastern Calgary, respectively, 26 cm in Beaver Mines, 23 cm in Waterton, 22 cm in Milk River, 20 cm in Wainwright, 19 cm in Edmonton and 18 cm at the Calgary airport. By the end of the storm, final totals of 30-40 cm of snow are possible from southeastern Alberta through southern Saskatchewan, including the cities of Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Regina may be on track for 20-30 cm of snow by the end of the storm. We’re looking at totals closer to 5-10 cm farther east toward Winnipeg. While some snowfall warnings have been dropped in southern Alberta, some continue in the eastern section along the Saskatchewan border, extending across into Manitoba as the disruptive storm continues its eastward track. Although the majority of the snow will wrap up by Sunday afternoon, drifting snow will make travel tough across Saskatchewan. The storm will quickly become moisture-starved Sunday, and will be far from an impactful storm by the time it reaches northwestern Ontario Ontario. Blustery winds of 30-40 km/h will cause blowing snow and reduced visibility. Drivers are being urged to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. "Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the snowfall warning. "Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow." STILL snowing early this morning in Red Deer, AB. ❄️❄️❄️ November 24, 2024. 5:59am mst — Corey Robertson (@_CoreyRobertson) While Edmonton fell short of 20 cm, the last time the city saw that much snow was on April 15, 2002 when 23.7 cm fell. Meanwhile, you'd have to head back even further for 30 cm of snowfall, and that was when 36.2 cm hit the region on April 6, 1991. That was, in fact, the largest, single-day snowfall ever recorded for Edmonton airport. Once the snow started falling, it didn't take long for the visuals to surface on social media. Below is a selection of photos and videos making the rounds on X. Road conditions at 5:30am MDT the grid roads are 100% snow covered with drifts in places, Hwy 29 into St.Paul is partly covered and fully covered in places. — Trenten Pentelichuk (@Trenten_WX) Conditions west central near Eatonia as of 8:30 pm. Lots of snow covered highways and travel not recommended across the region — Jenny Hagan LostInSk (@LostInSk) — Silas Smith (@neufmille_hal1) The rate of snowfall is pretty intense in parts of Calgary at the moment. If you're hiding in bed and want a look, here ya go: — Connor O'Donovan (@ConnODonWeather) It’s just starting here now. South of Virden — Drummer Boy Kurt J. (@kurt_drummer) Must be 20cm and counting here at Wilkie Saskatchewan Canada, just my guess. I’ll measure tomorrow. — Hank Vlietstra (@FlatlanderHank) Snowstorm today November 23, 2024 Regina Saskatchewan live downtown snow cam: — Jared Mysko (@jaredmysko) Let's document my journey to work in round 2. Got to my car at 4:50 a.m. took 20 minutes to clear. Got some false hope pulling out of my spot....Got stuck about 3 feet later. Having a great time so far 😓😅 — Erin McNutt (@ErinMcNutt) Snow still falling, roads are terrible but there is a serene winter charm ❄️ November 23, 2024. — Corey Robertson (@_CoreyRobertson) Snow has settled down a little but it’s a mess out there — Brandon Houck ⚡️ (@HouckisPokisewx)
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