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NFL star sells NRL Las Vegas dreamTrump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan
Terrell Owens isn't thrilled with Deebo Samuel's play for the San Francisco 49ers this season. Owens, who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the 49ers, called out Samuel this week for not playing up to his usual standards. "Deebo is not really playing up to Deebo's standards," Owens said , ( first transcribed by Sports Illustrated ). "It seems like he's more focused on his pregame attire than the game. If we can shift that focus, maybe that can energize and create some more production from an offensive standpoint. I'm just being tongue-in-cheek with that." George Gojkovich/Getty Images Samuel has had a bit of a down season in 2024, compiling 33 receptions for 490 yards and a touchdown. He didn't do that much against the Seahawks this past Sunday, posting only four receptions for 22 yards and no touchdowns. In fact, Samuel hasn't gone over 100 receiving yards since October 10 when he had three receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in the first matchup against the Seahawks. The 49ers won that game before the Seahawks went to San Francisco on Sunday and won on the road in the final seconds. Owens wants to see more from Samuel since the 49ers find themselves in the thick of the playoff race. They're 5-5 through their first 10 games and are only a game behind the Arizona Cardinals for first in the NFC West. The 49ers will need to run the table down the stretch if they want to make the playoffs. Their next game will be this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Kickoff will be at 4:25 p.m. ET. Related: Christian McCaffrey Has Message For 'Instagram Doctors' After Returning From InjuryI’ve often wondered if maybe there is a genetic influence in the love of gardening. I think there might be. My grandmother gave a presentation to her garden club in Tyler in about 1952 about her grandmother’s garden. Her grandmother’s house (my great-great grandmother) sat on the corner of Bonner and Fan Street (now called Woldert Street). My mother remembers it as a sprawling house with a packed dirt yard that was swept with a broom every day. Here are some excerpts from that presentation describing gardening in 1900s Tyler: When I first remember the garden, there were no cars, no paved streets, no street lights and no stock laws in Tyler. Everybody had a fence to keep out the neighbors’ cows and chickens. This grandmother of mine knew that a garden was not made by saying “oh, how beautiful” and sitting in the shade, but that it took constant, hard work to make flowers grow and keep out the weeds. There was no particular pattern to their garden. They (my great-great grandmother and her widowed sister who lived with her) had planted a row of cedar trees across the front of their place and from the front gate to the house on either side of a wide gravel walk. I remember the trees were quite tall and in between the cedars there were violets, pansies, paper-white narcissus, jonquils, candytuff, nasturtiums and sweet alyssum. Occasionally one of the huge old forest trees in the back lot would die and have to be cut down to be used as firewood in the nine fireplaces and grandmother would save the stump to hold pots or make a seesaw for her great grandchildren. Yes, there was a pit and through the windows in the winter, you could always find something in bloom. In the spring out came plumbago, huge banana plants, geraniums, hibiscus, ponderosa, lemons, begonias – oh, everything – and all kinds of seeds just sprouting, ready to go in the ground. The front porch was “l” shaped. On one end grew the loveliest running roses; at the other end were steps leading to the pergola also rose covered. There were trellises in front of the windows all around the house covered in morning glories, moon vines, white clematis, coral vine, honeysuckle, gourd vines and running roses. Cape jasmines, roses, lilies of all kinds, tuberoses, golden glow, poppies, vincas, peonies and on and on. At night there was a big grey-green leafed bush that bloomed out in big white flowers that always smelled so good. There were four o’clocks all over the front yard. The grandchildren’s favorite place was the scuppernong arbor housing our playhouses. She also had plenty of sunflowers planted for the chickens. One day I went through the back lot to grandmother’s little store on the corner of Front and Bonner and there was the prettiest hollyhock plant, so thinking it had just volunteered, I dug it up and took it home and planted it. Grandmother came by and admired it. She said, “Do you know, I planted a whole row of hollyhocks in the back lot but had no luck, not one of then came up!” I didn’t say a word! One wet spring morning as grandmother was getting flowers out of the pit, she slipped and fell in. We thought she was broken all to pieces; she wouldn’t let anybody touch her. We carried her hot water to soak her ankle and liniment for the scratches. At noon, she made us bring down a bridge table and chair. The cook made a good lunch. Grandmother ate but was still to hurt to be brought into the house. As the night time came, she finally allowed the yard man to help her out of the pit and into the house. Bright and early the next morning, she was out in the garden again, humming as she worked. On winter days when it was too cold to work outside, grandmother and auntie poured over the dozens of seed catalogs, ooh’ing and aah’ing over every plant. Seeds were much less expensive then but their orders were still about $50! After working in the yard all day, grandmother loved to get dressed and sit on the front porch, enjoying her flowers, the birds that were there by the dozens, the butterflies, the bees, the humming birds and sometimes an old hen and her chickens scratching about. Company nearly always dropped in as she sat on her porch. Sometimes she would invite the grandchildren over for tea cakes and lemonade – she was really a good cook as well as a good gardener.
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AP News Summary at 11:16 a.m. ESTLetters for Dec. 11: US economy may be thriving, but it didn’t resonate with votersPresident-elect Donald Trump announced Monday he is nominating Kimberly Guilfoyle to be U.S. ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host-turned-political fundraiser, was dating Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. "For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally," Trump said in a statement. "Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad." Guilfoyle's nomination would require Senate confirmation. Guilfoyle wrote on social media following the announcement, "I'm honored to accept President Trump's nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate." "As ambassador, I look forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity," she added. Guilfoyle, 55, appeared on stage with the Trump family on election night . She traveled the country to raise money for Trump's presidential campaign and spoke at the Republican convention in July. "In our vision, America will combat foreign aggressors and ensure our service members are protected, not abandoned, as they carry out their dangerous missions abroad, because we know we can only have peace through strength," she said in the speech. Guilfoyle, a lawyer by training, served as a prosecutor in California early in her career before turning to television. She is divorced from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Trump has a history of naming family members and people with close personal ties to key positions. He has chosen Charles Kushner , his son-in-law's father, to serve as ambassador to France, and has tapped the father-in-law of daughter Tiffany Trump to be a Middle East adviser. Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka, and her husband Jared Kusher, were senior White House officials during Trump's first term. Arden Farhi contributed to this report.While discussing a bitter election in which both major parties feared the other returning to power in 2025, Orioles owner David Rubenstein was asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation” what lessons could be learned from the clash between politics and the law — especially the multiple legal challenges Trump faced. “I think there is a feeling among many people that it wasn’t a good idea to indict the president of the United States,” Rubenstein said. “I think the trial in New York where Trump was convicted, I think really helped him in his election effort. And I think there are many people who are Trump supporters who believe that the indictments that came out of the special prosecutor Jack Smith were really political as well.” What do you think? var pd_tags = new Array;pd_tags["14842919-src"]="poll-oembed-simple"; The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here.
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The Detroit Tigers are still pressing toward the mark in their pursuit of All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman . Alex Bregman could be real difference maker for Tigers The Tigers impressed last season, making the playoffs with an 86-76 record. Detroit added the talented two-time All-Star Gleyber Torres this offseason to man second base. They’re now continuing their talks with Bregman, who could elevate their ball club with his stellar play. Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold said this about the dynamic between both parties at this stage of the winter (h/t CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry): “Mutual interest remains, but there is a gap in perceived value between the two sides as negotiations continue, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly on the situation. Notable progress has been made since the start of the offseason, particularly in the past month,” Petzold reported. Bregman is an elite two-way talent at third base Bregman is one of the best third basemen in the MLB. Conveniently up for the taking in free agency, the 30-year-old was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2024. The former Houston Astros pillar would be a significant upgrade from the Tigers’ third basemen from a season ago in Gio Urshela and Jace Jung. Urshela manned the hot corner in 74 games for Detroit last time out. He committed five of his seven errors on the campaign in the Motor City, the latter of which was seventh-most at the position, on his way to a -0.3 WAR. Jung committed four errors in 27 games played for a lackluster .917 fielding percentage. Tigers need to make big play to beat out Bregman suitors On the other side of the token, Bregman led all third basemen in the MLB with 103 putouts, 242 assists and 23 double plays turned. Though, he did commit 10 errors of his own on his way to a .972 fielding percentage. The former MVP candidate would help make plays for the Tigers on defense and give them a slugger that is liable to hit 30 home runs or more on the upcoming campaign. Detroit will have to present the New Mexico native with a offer that exceeds that of other suitors heavily linked to Bregman including the New York Mets . That’ll likely have to near $30 million annually. This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.College Football Playoff betting guide: First-round odds, title favoritesDilip Kumar And Saira Banu’s Heartfelt Love Story Revealed | Unseen Video/Photo Inside
Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. 2024 was a year of triumphs and setbacks for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Here's how it unfolded The year 2024 saw President Vladimir Putin further cement his power as he sought to counter Russia's isolation over the war in Ukraine. He won a fifth term that will keep him in office until 2030 following an election with only token opposition. He tightened a political crackdown on Russian society, and his top opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in prison under still unknown circumstances. But gunmen massacred scores of people in a Moscow concert hall, and a bomb killed a top general in attacks that underscored security flaws. Ukrainian forces swept into the Russian region of Kursk, Putin boasted about a lethal new hypersonic missile, and a new Trump administration raised concerns about continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Russian man arrested for allegedly running LGBTQ+ travel agency found dead in custody A Russian man arrested for allegedly running a travel agency for gay customers has been found dead in custody in Moscow. That's according to independent news outlet Mediazona on Sunday. According to OVD-Info, Andrei Kotov of the Men Travel agency was in pretrial detention facing extremism charges. An investigator told Kotov’s lawyer that her client had died by suicide and was found dead in his cell. Just over a year ago, Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlawed any LGBTQ+ activism in a ruling that designated “the international LGBT movement” as extremist. The move exposed anyone in the community or connected to it to criminal prosecution and prison. Syria's dwindling Jewish community can visit one of the world's oldest synagogues again JOBAR, Syria (AP) — Syria's civil war left one of the world's oldest synagogues partially destroyed. Now Syria's handful of remaining Jews are making pilgrimages to the synagogue in a Damascus suburb where people from throughout the region once came to pray. Syria used to have one of the world's largest Jewish communities, but in past decades their numbers dropped to nine in the capital. The head of the Jewish community there says Jewish personalities are offering to rebuild the Jobar synagogue that dates back nearly 3,000 years. It was badly damaged by bombardment when the neighborhood was controlled by opposition fighters. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career.Boxing Legend Mosquito Zvenyika Apologises For Exposing Cheating Wife’s Adulterous Affair, Says He Forgives Her
Read Christina Hendry's full tribute to her uncle Alex SalmondFrame Scaffolding Market Current Status and Future Prospects | Layher, PERI, Altrad
Rabada unlikely batting star as South Africa edge Pakistan in thrillerBy CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.
PETER VAN ONSELEN: When will Albo call the election? Two insiders pull back the curtain on the PM's secret calculations - and make a brave boast about Peter Dutton and Trump By PETER VAN ONSELEN, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 16:23, 30 November 2024 | Updated: 16:23, 30 November 2024 e-mail 1 View comments With the parliamentary year now over, and after Labor rushed through no less than 31 bills in its final days , attention has turned to when the Prime Minister will call next year’s election . Daily Mail Australia has spoken to two well-placed Labor strategists who explained the upsides and downsides for Anthony Albanese of bringing the election date forward, rather than waiting until after the budget and serving a full parliamentary term as promised. ‘If we go early that would mean holding the election in late February or sometime before the end of March’, one Labor MP with inside knowledge of campaign strategy said. ‘An election on February 22 would require Albo to call the election no later than Sunday, January 19 . Or he could do it around Australia Day and have the election on March 1 instead.' With an interest rate cut early in the new year looking less and less likely, the MP said going early becomes a good option because it would avoid having to hand down a budget in April ‘covered in wall-to-wall red numbers’. Next year’s budget is expected to reveal a sizeable budget deficit for the current fiscal year - as well as all four years after that. ‘By going early we can campaign on having delivered two straight budget surpluses and take advantage of our campaign overlapping with the state [election] campaign in WA.' The Western Australian election date is fixed for March 8 , and the state Liberals in WA are in disarray. If Anthony Albanese leaves the election to the last minute, it's in the hopes he can turn things around, Labor insiders told Daily Mail Australia Anthony Albanese launched his 2022 election campaign in Perth and Labor picked up five seats that helped to secure majority government, benefiting from the popularity of then WA Labor Premier Mark McGowan . It is even possible Albo calls the election for the same day that the WA election is due, forcing the state to delay its poll. The Australian Electoral Commission has asked for a two-week gap between the elections, but that’s not required by law. The other Labor strategist thinks that there are too many risks calling the election on or before the Australia Day weekend. ‘That might piss voters off’, he said. ‘Nobody wants an election campaign starting during that time of year. January is sacred time off for Australians.' The other option for an early election would be to let parliament sit for a week or two in February ‘before calling it to happen in late March or even early April’. ‘That way we get the WA election out of the way but still get to the polls before having to hand down a difficult budget with a big deficit’, the strategist said. ‘As soon as an election is called the budget gets delayed.’ One of the party insiders was confident Labor would be able to 'paint Peter [Dutton] as extreme' That opens up the prospect of an early election anytime before May, as long as it doesn’t clash with Easter. Both Labor insiders agree that whether the election is held in late February or sometime in March or April, the government will also be sure to preface the formal campaign with a barrage of taxpayer-funded advertising. ‘Of course, that always helps’, one says. Labor’s decision to rush so many bills through parliament this year has created speculation that despite promising to serve a full term ahead of a May election, Anthony Albanese is considering going early. One reason is that it would allow him to take advantage of the uncertainty expected to follow Donald Trump’s return as U.S. President. Trump's inauguration will take place on January 20, which is Wednesday, January 21, here in Australia. ‘We wouldn’t choose to directly criticise the uncertainty Trump’s return is likely to generate - obviously’, the Labor MP said. ‘But our messaging would be that in uncertain times you are better off sticking with the government you know, and not risking electing someone like Peter Dutton. ‘It’s a pretty good theme for us.’ Coming soon, on January 20: Labor also hopes it will be able to capitalise on the global uncertainty caused by Donald Trump's return to office in America The second Labor strategist agrees: ‘Trump’s return might work for us. Sure he’s popular over there and he won, but our electoral system is different and voting is compulsory in Australia.’ ‘You need to carry the centre with you and painting Peter [Dutton] as extreme shouldn’t be that hard’, he adds. ‘But ultimately it’s Albo’s call,' the Labor MP points out. ‘He’ll take advice from those around him and he’ll know what the polling says, but if he’s worried going early might be too risky he’ll hold off in the hope things get better.' No first-term government has lost a re-election attempt since 1931, but the Albanese government is currently behind in the published polls. Laughing, the Labor MP said: ‘Albo might not want to become the turkey who "brought forward Thanksgiving" by calling an early election if he thinks he’ll lose. 'He might not even want to do it if he looks like being reduced to leading a minority government either.’ Either way, the odds of an early election appear to have shortened now that the sun has set on the 2024 parliamentary year. ‘Basically he’ll call it when he thinks he can win. If he’s worried he can’t win he’ll just hold off until the very last minute hoping that things turn around.’ Peter Dutton Perth Anthony Albanese Share or comment on this article: PETER VAN ONSELEN: When will Albo call the election? Two insiders pull back the curtain on the PM's secret calculations - and make a brave boast about Peter Dutton and Trump e-mail Add comment'Unanimous decision' on long march to be made on Dec 17: JUI-F chief
Witcher 3 modders Moonknight, Ferroxius, Crygreg, and Glassfish (who contributed to the Brothers in Arms cut content restoration mod) have released the first volume of What Lies Unseen , a planned series chronicling the development history and evolution of The Witcher 3. RPG YouTuber xLetalis has put out a three-hour video going over the first volume, which covers a prototype version of The Witcher 3's story that would have been upwards of three times as long as the game we got. Some of the biggest changes and surprises in this version of The Witcher 3 include: The game was subtitled "A Time of Sword and Axe" instead of "The Wild Hunt." The Witcher 3 had a VATS-like focus system that let you target weak points on monsters. There was a lot more travel back and forth between Velen, Skellige, and Novigrad, and plotlines and characters that were more contained in the final game would extend across multiple acts. Your choice between Yennefer or Triss would mean that the other sorceress would be absent from the final third of the game. The Witcher 2's Iorveth appeared and had a major role. There was a multipart heist quest in Novigrad that required allies like the Kaer Morhen siege. The Bloody Baron's story was very different, and continued late into the game. The endings were much more ambiguous and melancholy. Geralt and Avallac'h would teleport to Cyberpunk 2077's Night City in one quest. The game didn't have Gwent , and instead saw the return of arm wrestling and dice poker from TW1 and 2. This project came about thanks to the release of CD Projekt 's REDKit modding tools, with the authors writing that prior to these tools becoming available, community knowledge of The Witcher 3's development "stemmed from interviews with the company as well as leaked material that was incomplete." "The big breakthrough occurred in 2024 when CD Projekt RED released REDkit for The Witcher 3 ," the modders wrote in the introduction to volume one. "Included with this development kit was a string database, containing almost every single line of text that was written between the earliest and latest point in Witcher 3's development. From this database, we collectively worked to translate the data into a tangible synopsis that makes up the bulk of these documents." And boy is there some bulk to these documents: Volume one, covering this circa-2012 stage of development, weighs in at a doorstopper 584 pages. It contains area descriptions, scene directions, rough drafts of dialogue, concept art, and some prototype models and assets still accessible in REDKit. The overarching story was still the same: Find Ciri, fight the Wild Hunt, explore Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige, but there just would have been way more of it. The maps and areas seem to have been decided on very early in development, and this longer game would have had a lot more backtracking between zones as the story went on. A lot of stuff that's side content in the final game would have been integral to the main quest here, and there were also a lot more new or returning characters to fill things out. "Unlike the 2013 and 2014 builds of the game, we cannot be certain as to what the 2012 build looked like at this point in development," the team wrote. "Most characters, locations, and other entities would have been using placeholders and the environments were still being sculpted. As such most of the images we included are concept arts or early assets and locations. However, a few work-in-progress models from this time period did make it into the game files." As for why the game was rescoped, that doesn't take a lot of expertise or imagination: The Witcher 3 is already a massive game with a reputation for being difficult to stick with and complete, despite its quality. Nobody would have been able to beat this damn game if it was 150 hours (an estimate quoted by the modders several times in volume one) just to finish the main quest. It also would have been an incredibly taxing game to ship in any kind of reasonable timeframe. The Novigrad plotline in particular just seems like a mess in this iteration of The Witcher 3, with way more characters and complicating elements. With that said, there are more than a few scenarios laid out in volume one that made me go "Wow, that would have been rad as hell." The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. The serial killer quest in Novigrad would have uncovered a hidden vampire society in the city, like something out of Vampire: The Masquerade. The killer would have been a rogue member of this group, with the other vampires helping your investigation while the Witcher 1's Shani would have made an appearance. Both of these ideas would be revisited in The Witcher 3's DLC. The Witcher 2's Iorveth was also meant to have a major role in this version of Novigrad, and I've always really missed the character in The Witcher 3. The game's endings were also much darker no matter what choices you made. Stopping the White Frost would require Ciri and Avallac'h's deaths, and keeping Ciri alive would mean allowing the world-eating force to continue unabated, as well as an emotional final boss fight with an emotional, betrayed Avallac'h who, in this version of the game, had a more developed and friendly relationship with Geralt. The empress of Nilfgaard ending was very different but tonally similar to the final game, but Ciri's Witcher ending would have seen her quickly become disillusioned with the monster hunting lifestyle, while she also felt guilty about Avallac'h's death and the White Frost's continuation. Ciri would then resolve to travel the planes searching for another way to stop it. The downscoping of The Witcher 3 reminds me of all the areas and ideas Larian has talked about having cut from Baldur's Gate 3 : More is not always better, and these incredible games required some disciplined, difficult decision making to ensure that they were well paced and able to be delivered on-time and on-budget. More than anything else, I appreciate the historical value of what Glassfish, Ferroxius, Moonknight, Crygreg, and xLetalis are doing: Shedding light on the creative process behind one of the best games ever made. I'll be eager to see what's revealed by the later volumes of What Lies Unseen. Early mockup's of The Witcher 3's user interface shared by the What Lies Unseen team.
NEW YORK — The last of the crystal triangles that make up this year's Times Square New Year's Eve ball were installed Friday morning. It's the first time in 10 years that all 2,688 were replaced at once. Singer Pitbull attends the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Crystal Installation on Friday at One Times Square in New York. Rapper Pitbull and inventor Joy Mangano were among those on hand to help the organizers of the celebration put the final pieces in place atop One Times Square, the skyscraper from which the 11,875-pound geodesic sphere drops to mark the new year. Singer Pitbull, left, and Joy Mangano, right, founder of CleanBoss, install a crystal Friday during the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Crystal Installation at One Times Square in New York. A New Year's Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt lightbulbs. Six newer versions of the ball were featured in the century-plus since that first celebration. Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is displayed Friday at One Times Square in New York. The only years no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly "dimout" during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square. As the new year approaches, many people begin thinking about their resolutions—typically focusing on physical health, saving money, or spending more time with family. One area that often gets overlooked is mental health. The pressure to "get fit" or "eat better" is well-known, but taking care of mental well-being is just as important as improving physical health, especially since mental health impacts every aspect of life. At first glance, mental health goals can seem intangible and subjective, but there are scientifically-proven ways to set achievable, measurable, and personalized mental wellness goals that will help anyone thrive in 2025. Vivian Chung Easton, a mental health therapist at Blueprint , a company focused on building AI-powered tools to help therapists, shares recommendations for setting mental health resolutions. One of the most important mental wellness goals for 2025 is to prioritize self-compassion and resilience. In a culture that often celebrates hustle and perfection, it's easy to push yourself too hard, setting unrealistic expectations that only add to stress and anxiety. But research shows that self-compassion and resilience are critical factors in coping with stress and maintaining long-term mental well-being. A 2021 study by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer highlights that self-compassion—treating yourself with kindness when things don't go as planned—can reduce emotional distress and improve resilience. Instead of criticism for not meeting a goal or making a mistake, practice affirmations or positive self-talk. A simple goal, like being kinder to yourself during setbacks, can help reduce stress and boost mental wellness. A goal can look something like this: Making room for self-compassion this year can be a transformative step toward building resilience and enhancing overall mental health. Social connection is one of the most important factors in mental wellness, yet it's often overlooked in favor of individual self-improvement goals. Physical isolation can lead to loneliness, but social isolation is also strongly linked to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, according to a study by Juliannee Holt-Lundstad. Meaningful relationships and community support can improve how satisfied you feel in your life on a day-to-day basis. This year, make it a goal to strengthen and nurture social connections, whether that means reconnecting with old friends, regularly scheduling family time, or joining social groups and clubs—like a book club, gym, or church group. For example, a social wellness goal can look like: Building mental wellness isn't just about managing thoughts and feelings; it's also about fostering a strong support network. Social connections are integral to building emotional resilience. Just as physical fitness is associated with physical health, mindfulness is often associated with mental fitness. However, practicing mindfulness is just as important as going for a run or lifting weights when it comes to mental wellness. Mindfulness-based practices—such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises—have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve focus, and boost emotional well-being according to research by Stefan Hofman in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Incorporating mindfulness into a routine doesn't have to be time-consuming or difficult. Start small by committing to 5–10 minutes of mindfulness practice a few times a week . Focus on breath, practice guided meditation, or even engage in mindful walking or eating. A simple goal might be: These exercises are called a practice for a reason: doing them consistently and often can strengthen your ability over time. These practices not only reduce stress in the moment but also help to build resilience over time, making it easier to handle future challenges. Whatever New Year's resolution you might have, a large obstacle is setting goals that are too ambitious or unrealistic. Whether it's aiming to exercise every day or cutting out all sugar, overambitious goals can lead to burnout and disappointment when progress isn't immediate. This is especially true for mental health goals, which often require patience and consistency. Using these suggestions for mental health goals, focus on how to personalize them to make them realistic and achievable for your life. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that people are more likely to succeed in their resolutions when they set realistic and incremental goals. Instead of vague, broad goals like "be happier" or "stress less," focus on small, concrete actions that can lead to big changes over time. One effective approach is to use SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example: These specific, measurable actions make it easier to track progress and feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. Plus, they're more realistic and achievable, which increases your chances of success. It happens every year—gyms always seem to empty out before spring starts. One of the challenges of New Year's resolutions is that many people abandon their goals as early as January. However, mental health goals require ongoing attention and flexibility. Unlike weight loss or fitness goals, mental wellness is a journey, not an endpoint. Regularly tracking progress is essential. By setting aside time to evaluate personal progress, it's easier to adjust your goals and make necessary changes to keep things on track. Research shows that regular goal check-ins increase the likelihood of long-term success. Consider setting quarterly check-ins with yourself to assess your mental health goals: If you're not meeting your targets, adjust them to make them more realistic. Mental health progress doesn't always follow a straight line, so it's important to be flexible and forgiving with yourself. The new year is inherently a time of change, and that can be a helpful mindset in seeing new potential for growth and taking action. As you set your resolutions for 2025, don't forget to prioritize mental wellness. By focusing on achievable, realistic goals—you're setting yourself up for a healthier, more fulfilling year. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and nurturing it can help to reach other goals more effectively. Even if, in a month or two, you feel like you're falling behind—mental health goals can and should be flexible and adaptable. You can always adjust your approach if things aren't serving you, and check in with yourself regularly to stay on track. Goals are personal, and you're always in control. Here's to a year of growth, balance, and emotional well-being in 2025. This stor y was produced by Blueprint and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / Shutterstock As anyone who’s ever started a business knows, getting one off the ground is not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges in the early years, from solidifying business plans to navigating the complexities of hiring employees and acquiring licenses and insurance. These hurdles often determine the fate of a startup, making the journey from an idea to a successful enterprise both difficult and uncertain. Each year, millions of Americans file new business applications , but only a fraction of these ventures transition to hiring employees. Among those that do, surviving the critical first few years can still be an uphill battle. However, survival rates differ significantly by location, influenced by a variety of factors such as economic conditions, state policies, and industry-specific demand. The good news is that businesses that weather the initial hurdles see a much greater likelihood of long-term success. This analysis explores the states where new businesses are most likely to survive their earliest years based on the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The findings reveal important insights into how location and time impact the chances of business success. The chances of staying in business increase dramatically after the first few years Source: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply Business One of the most significant challenges for new business owners is simply staying in operation. The risk of failure is highest during the first year, but it diminishes considerably over time. For those businesses that survive the initial hurdles, the likelihood of long-term success grows each year. According to recent BLS data, only about 79% of businesses survive their first year, making it the most difficult period for startups. However, for businesses that survive their first year, roughly 85% make it to the next. By the fifth year, 91% of businesses manage to continue operations, and for those that reach the 10-year mark, an impressive 93% make it through to another year. These figures underscore the importance of persistence and adaptability, especially during the critical early years when the risk of failure is highest. They also highlight that while starting a business is undeniably challenging, those who endure the startup years enjoy far better odds moving forward. Washington & California lead the country in new business survival rates Source: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply Business New business success varies widely across the United States, with some states providing a more favorable environment for startups to thrive. Based on survival rates for the first three years of operation, Washington and California stand out as the nation’s leading states. Washington claims the top spot, with businesses in the state enjoying an 86.4% chance of surviving their first year, 89.3% in their second year, and an impressive 91.8% in their third year. These figures highlight Washington's robust support for young businesses, likely fueled by its thriving tech ecosystem and a generally favorable economic climate. California ranks second, with survival rates of 86.0% in the first year, 89.8% in the second, and 91.4% in the third. Despite challenges such as high costs of living and regulatory complexities, California’s strong economy, innovation hubs, and access to venture capital contribute to its high ranking. Outside of the West Coast, West Virginia —whose economy is deeply rooted in energy production, natural resources, and manufacturing—ranks third, boasting the highest third-year survival rates at 91.9%. North Carolina —a major banking center and home of the Research Triangle—follows closely with similar numbers. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Minnesota businesses face the toughest challenges in their early years, with only 72.3% surviving their first year and 80.2% their second. These regional differences highlight the importance of local economic conditions in shaping a startup's odds of success. For entrepreneurs planning their next move, this analysis offers insight into where businesses are thriving and where challenges are more pronounced. Factors like industry presence, regulatory environments, and access to resources can create opportunities—or hurdles—that significantly affect survival rates in the critical early years. Choosing the right location isn’t just about personal preference; it can mean the difference between failure and success. This analysis was conducted by Simply Business —an online insurance marketplace for small businesses—using 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For complete results, see the original post: States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed . Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / Shutterstock The data in this report comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics . To determine the states where new businesses are most likely to succeed, researchers at Simply Business developed a business survival index. This index is based on a weighted average of the most recent survival rates for private-sector establishments during their first, second, and third years of operation, as of March 2024. The survival rates were calculated using sequential benchmarks. The first-year survival rate is the percentage of businesses still active one year after opening. The second-year rate is the percentage of those first-year survivors that remained operational for another year. Similarly, the third-year rate is the percentage of second-year survivors that continued into the following year. The data focuses exclusively on private-sector businesses with at least one employee. For complete results, see States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed on Simply Business. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
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