News The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Will Likely Power On for a Third Season The showrunners have also made an exclusive overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios. By Vanessa Armstrong | Published on February 29‚ 2024 icon-comment 0 Share New Share Twitter Facebook Pinterest RSS Feed The second season of Amazon MGM Studios’ The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has yet to make its way onto Prime Video. That hasn’t stopped the showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne‚ however‚ from beginning to break the story for season three. This update comes along with the news that McKay and Payne have signed a three-year exclusive overall deal with Amazon MGM under their new company‚ 10:40 PM Productions. “We began this remarkable journey with JD and Patrick more than five and a half years ago and have never looked back‚” Vernon Sanders‚ head of television‚ Amazon MGM Studios‚ said in a statement. “We continue to be amazed by the scope and scale of their vision and the enormous global success achieved by The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in its record-breaking first season. We can’t wait for Prime Video customers to experience the epic adventure and high-stakes drama that JD and Patrick are continuing to build throughout season two and beyond. Naturally‚ the studio is thrilled to extend our overall deal with these brilliant creative minds as they continue to deliver on their passion for great storytelling.” The press release also states that season two of The Rings of Power will premiere sometime in 2024‚ and that if/when production on season three begins‚ the show will move from Bray Studios to Shepperton Studios‚ both of which are in the U.K. We don’t have news yet on what we’ll see plot-wise after the events of the season one finale‚ for season two or season three. But it looks like we won’t have to wait until 2025 to watch new episodes. [end-mark] The post <;i>;The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power<;/i>; Will Likely Power On for a Third Season appeared first on Reactor.

Excerpts Horror Read an Excerpt From Gwendolyn Kiste’s The Haunting of Velkwood A suburban ghost story about a small town that trapped three young women who must confront the past if they’re going to have a future. By Gwendolyn Kiste | Published on February 29‚ 2024 icon-comment 0 Share New Share Twitter Facebook Pinterest RSS Feed We’re thrilled to share an excerpt from Gwendolyn Kiste’s The Haunting of Velkwood‚ a horror novel about three childhood friends who miraculously survive the night everyone in their suburban hometown turned into ghosts—out from Saga Press on March 5. The Velkwood Vicinity was the topic of occult theorists‚ tabloid one-hour documentaries‚ and even some pseudo-scientific investigations as the block of homes disappeared behind a near-impenetrable veil that only three survivors could enter—and only one has in the past twenty years‚ until now.Talitha Velkwood has avoided anything to do with the tragedy that took her mother and eight-year-old sister‚ drifting from one job to another‚ never settling anywhere or with anyone‚ feeling as trapped by her past as if she was still there in the small town she so desperately wanted to escape from. When a new researcher tracks her down and offers to pay her to come back to enter the vicinity‚ Talitha claims she’s just doing it for the money. Of all the crackpot theories over the years‚ no one has discovered what happened the night Talitha‚ her estranged‚ former best friend Brett‚ and Grace‚ escaped their homes twenty years ago. Will she finally get the answers she’s been looking for all these years‚ or is this just another dead end? My head spins‚ everything in me going numb. It feels like I’ve been turned inside out‚ my skin flayed and tacked back on again‚ and maybe that’s exactly what’s happened. Maybe that’s the only way to get into this place. But what I know for sure: I’m here. Back on this street‚ back where I used to belong. When I woke up this morning‚ it was the end of fall‚ but in this neighborhood‚ it’s summertime‚ jubilant sprinklers cascading over lawns‚ the solstice sun baking the pale concrete. The street’s bathed in jaundice yellow‚ the whole world like a desaturated photo. I try to remember if it ever really looked like this‚ or if this is merely a trick of the afterlife‚ this place becoming more a memory than a flesh-and-blood reality. Either way‚ I’m looking into the past‚ and I’m not sure yet that I like what I see. I inhale a ragged breath‚ and the thin air burns my lungs. I wonder how long I can survive here. I wonder how long anyone can survive. At least I already know how long I’ll stay. One hour and not a minute over. That’s what Jack suggested‚ and after what happened to Grace‚ I won’t take any chances. At least not any more chances than I’ve already taken. With my hands steady‚ I start the timer and then I start walking‚ right down the middle of Velkwood Street. It’s only a few steps at first‚ my vision gauzy‚ as though I’m peering through a hundred layers of chiffon. The pavement is solid beneath my feet‚ but it barely feels real. Our neighborhood was never built for subtlety‚ every house arrayed in candy-colored siding‚ the roofs with sharp‚ almost comical angles. We all lived in split-levels with the same floorplans‚ the mid-century equivalent to making it in suburbia‚ but that dream was a short-lived one. The street was dated‚ almost kitsch‚ by the time we started high school. “We’re stuck in the past‚” Brett once said‚ as she and I sat together on the curb‚ each of us devouring one half of a cherry twin pop we procured from the local ice cream truck. “We’ll never escape it.” “You don’t know that‚” I said‚ my fingers stained red. But maybe she did. As I keep moving‚ I count the houses. All eight of them are here‚ right where they belong‚ three on the left side of the street‚ and five on the right. A lopsided arrangement‚ but it wasn’t supposed to stay like this forever. We were supposed to get new houses‚ new neighbors‚ new possibilities. But that never happened. Instead‚ two of the houses had been vacant since we were in junior high‚ the For Sale signs still in the front yards‚ like a promise nobody could keep. I don’t look too long at them. I keep heading toward the place where I once belonged‚ the fourth house on the right‚ almost at the end of the street. Almost at the end of the world. Buy the Book The Haunting of Velkwood Gwendolyn Kiste Buy Book icon-close The Haunting of Velkwood Gwendolyn Kiste Buy this book from: AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksIndieBoundTarget Nearby‚ there are empty cans of Coca-Cola abandoned on the curb‚ ants swarming around the sweetness‚ hundreds of them coming from every direction. I’m passing Grace’s house now‚ the second on the right‚ the slider windows gazing out at me‚ the pink trim glinting in the sun. Everything in Grace’s life was always pink and bright and cheerful. Her mother would have it no other way. “The problem with you girls is that you need to smile more‚” she used to tell us when we all stayed for sleepovers‚ and my stomach would always clench‚ because from the look on Brett’s face‚ she wasn’t ever thinking about smiling. She was always thinking of spitting right in Mrs. Spencer’s eye. The sun shifts in the sky‚ disappearing behind a patch of pale clouds‚ thick as marshmallow fluff. That’s when I see them. Two people walking across the verdant yard. Grace’s younger brothers maybe. It looks like them‚ arrayed in grimy Mötley Crüe T-shirts and hand-me-down Levi’s‚ one of them holding a Spalding basketball. This is it‚ a chance to finally meet someone. To ask them what’s happened. To ask them about Sophie. They drift out of the yard and onto the street‚ their figures obscure and wavering. I squint at them‚ shielding my eyes from the blazing sun‚ but I still can’t recognize them‚ and as they get closer‚ I realize why. My vision’s clear now‚ but they’re not. Their faces are blurred out‚ almost as if they’re moving too fast‚ a hundred expressions flashing by at once‚ joy and dread and rage mingling together. Their skin’s gray as a thunderstorm‚ but they don’t seem to notice. They just keep moving forward. Moving right toward me. I seize up‚ my feet turned to lead‚ a scream lodged in my throat. I’m sure they’ve spotted me here‚ I’m sure this is it. But they pass me by‚ as though everything’s normal‚ as though they don’t see me at all. And that’s probably for the best‚ because without a clear mouth to speak‚ I doubt they could help me much. I doubt they can help themselves much either. I’m running now‚ away from them‚ away from everything‚ heading deeper into this neighborhood‚ even though I should retreat‚ back the way I came‚ back into reality. Except right now I’m not sure where reality is. So I run toward the place where I grew up. Toward where my family should be. Up ahead‚ at the house next to ours‚ there’s another figure sitting out front. Only this one isn’t the same as the other two. She has a face‚ and I recognize her in an instant. Mrs. Owens‚ creaking back and forth on her half-rotted porch swing. A widow from way back‚ we used to think she was the only lonely person on Velkwood Street. That was a long time ago‚ back when we didn’t know much about loneliness. Or much about ourselves. “You don’t belong here‚” she’s saying‚ and hope threads through me‚ because I’m convinced she’s talking to me. I sprint across the sidewalk‚ rushing onto her lawn‚ just glad to see a face‚ an actual face. “How are you?” I blurt out‚ but she doesn’t move‚ doesn’t even flinch at the question. I watch her for a while before waving my hands in front of her. There’s nothing‚ not a hint of recognition. I’m right here‚ but I’m nowhere at the same time. “Don’t you listen?” she asks‚ her voice like rusted nails. “I told you already you don’t belong here.” She’s scowling hard at something‚ and I follow her gaze until I spot it. A frog sitting on her front step‚ staring off at nothing‚ its expression as impassive as the seasons. “You should move along‚” Mrs. Owens says‚ still glaring at the frog. “You don’t have much time.” And I don’t have much time either. My house is only next door. I’m almost there. I’m almost home. “Maybe we can talk later‚” I say to her‚ and I hope I’m right. Grass crunches like brittle bone beneath my feet as I cross the yard. A sharp breeze shivers down the street‚ the air turning thick and fragrant with honeysuckle‚ like something out of a dream. I hold my breath and keep going‚ all the way up the narrow walkway that leads to my front door. Gladiolas creep along the perimeter of the house. The summer before I left for college‚ I planted the bulbs with Sophie‚ the two of us in old overalls‚ dirt caked beneath our fingernails. “How long will it take them to grow?” she asked‚ her arms wrapped around my legs. “A few weeks until we see the first sprouts.” I pulled her close‚ and she hugged me a little tighter. “Three or four months before flowers.” She crinkled up her nose. “Why do they take so long to grow?” “The same reason you do‚” I said with a laugh. “You’ve got to give things time.” Now the flowers have all the time in the world. And so does Sophie. I’m on the front step now‚ everything I want and everything I fear wrapped up in this moment. My heart squeezed tight in my chest‚ I reach to knock on the front door‚ but I don’t have a chance. The lock clicks on the other side‚ and my mother is suddenly standing right in front of me. She doesn’t look like those terrible figures from the sidewalk. Instead‚ everything about her is the same as I remember. Her wide eyes as blue as tidepools‚ a bolt of gray tucked behind one ear‚ the same furrowed lines between her brows. “I’m home‚” I whisper‚ but the same as Mrs. Owens‚ she doesn’t see me. Nobody can. In here‚ I’m the ghost‚ the trespasser‚ the spirit who can barely disturb the air. From the book: The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste. Copyright © 2024 by Gwendolyn Kiste. Reprinted courtesy of Saga Press‚ an imprint of Simon and Schuster. The post Read an Excerpt From Gwendolyn Kiste’s <;em>;The Haunting of Velkwood<;/em>; appeared first on Reactor.

Although the release of Coral Island 1.0 was exciting‚ there’s still much more on the horizon. The Coral Island 1.1 roadmap reveals new features like ocean farming‚ festivals‚ and much more. It’s not just a reveal for 1.1 content‚ but a roadmap for content up to version 1.3. This developer update is sure to get you pumped for what’s coming for this life and farming sim. Coral Island developer update reveals 1.1 roadmap On February 27‚ Stairway Games posted a developer update on its website speaking on the state of Coral Island and the future for updates. This new 1.1 roadmap for Coral Island reveals many new features like ocean farming‚ festivals‚ and plenty more. Image: Stairway Games In the image above you can see plenty of features for update 1.1‚ and a few others teased for 1.2 and 1.3. Some of the biggest new features explained are a Town Rank S questline‚ Attractions‚ a Tourist system‚ more Merfolk storylines and romances‚ ocean farming and ranch...

Enemy of Justice is a permanent condition that can ruin forward progress in Baldur’s Gate 3. Figure out what Enemy of Justice is‚ learn how to get rid of it‚ and press on after reading this guide. What is Enemy of Justice in Baldur’s Gate 3 and how to get rid of it Enemy of Justice is a condition that marks you as someone who has killed a guard. Enemy guards will attack upon sight. Once you are marked with Enemy of Justice‚ you won’t be able to take the condition off unless you do one of three things. It can be tough to continue forward‚ especially in places like the Goblin Camp of Moonrise Towers‚ which is why you need to try one of these fixes to remove Enemy of Justice. Related: Best Baldur’s Gate 3 College of Swords Bard Build Guide Kill the witness Sometimes‚ the easiest way to get rid of Enemy of Justice is to kill the witness. I did this with all the guards in the prison area of Moonrise Towers and it completely removed my Enemy of Justice cond...

By the time you get your bearings in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth‚ you’re already inundated with a plethora of Materia. Because of this‚ you’ll want to make sure you have the best items for your party. Let’s scan some rocks and figure out where to get Item Economizer Materia in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Where to find Item Economizer Materia in FF7 Rebirth Screenshot: PC Invasion The name might not be recognizable for most FF7 Rebirth players‚ however‚ the Item Economizer Materia is one of the most helpful Command Materias in the game. And luckily for us‚ this Materia can be obtained early into your adventures. You can get 2 Item Economizer Materia from Chadley in the Junon Region during Chapter 4. Related: Where to get Planet’s Blessing in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Like all other Materia Development‚ you’ll need to earn enough Data Points to collect these shiny orbs. The first Item Economizer Materia costs you 30 Data Points‚ with the second one costing...

The deeper you go into the AI-powered game Infinite Craft‚ the more creative you can become. For example‚ you can create the characters from Undertale. If you’ve done something like that in the past‚ why not push yourself even more? Creating Apex Legends in Infinite Craft is a great challenge‚ but a hard one. You can use this guide to help build it quickly.  Infinite Craft: How to create Apex Legends The good thing about making the battle royal in Infinite Craft is that it surprisingly feels less complicated than many other games. I had an easier time making Apex Legends than I did with Final Fantasy. You should also be less stressed out when making the shooter.  To help you create Apex Legends in Infinite Craft‚ use the steps below. They are probably the fastest way to make the game. On top of that‚ the game has a lot of basic ingredients that spawn more creative ones. In turn‚ you could have even more things to make because now you have more avenues. Creating ...

The current state of Destiny 2 might be a bit like purgatory for people who play the game regularly. And the extended wait for The Final Shape definitely doesn’t help with this. However‚ the Guardian Games are bringing a brand new legendary vehicle for all players to earn. So let’s join in on the fun and figure out how to permanently keep The Allstar Vector Skimmer in Destiny 2. How to obtain and keep The Allstar Vector Skimmer in Destiny 2 Image: Bungie Bungie put out their usual This Week in Destiny blog post before the week of the Guardian Games. People were expecting to see the usual preamble the week before the yearly Olympic-esque event takes place. Surprisingly‚ this year’s Guardian Games All-Stars comes with a brand new vehicle for players to ride around on: The Allstar Vector Skimmer. Destiny 2 players first need to unlock the Skimmer for the Guardian Games‚ before getting the chance to permanently keep it. Once you complete the onboarding quest ...

The Rat Pack emerged in the 1950s as a group of Hollywood friends who initially gathered at the home of Humphrey Bogart. Members Frank Sinatra‚ Dean Martin‚ Sammy Davis Jr.‚ Peter Lawford‚ and Joey Bishop collaborated on films in the '60s‚ but they weren't the only ones in the group. Other prominent figures like Cary Grant and Mickey Rooney were Rat Packers‚ along with various leading ladies. Source

In the days since special counsel Robert Hur released a report that described President Joe Biden’s memory as “significantly limited‚” there’s been a notable response from presidential appointees and allies. They have been quick to defend the president’s mental acuity‚ emphasizing his attention to “pertinent questions” and care for “minute details.” However‚ not all are convinced by this defensive stance; a former House Democrat pointedly noted that the special counsel has merely stated what many have been hesitant to acknowledge openly. In Biden’s unannounced annual physical exam Wednesday‚ a key component appeared to be conspicuously absent: his cognitive test. This is the very test that former President Donald Trump took and passed‚ much to the amusement and criticism of the media and late-night talk show hosts. Yet when it comes to Biden‚ there’s a stark silence on the matter. This glaring double standard by mainstream media outlets and late-night personalities is deeply troubling. It reveals a partisan bias that not only misleads the public but divides it‚ propagating half-truths and outright falsehoods. Figures like Stephen Colbert‚ who once mocked the simplicity of the cognitive test‚ now remain silent on why Biden hasn’t taken one. The anticipation surrounding Hur’s upcoming testimony March 12 before the House Judiciary Committee is mounting. It’s a crucial moment that not only scrutinizes Biden’s capabilities but tests the principles of transparency and accountability fundamental to our democracy. This testimony is expected to delve into the significant concerns raised by Hur’s report and its implications for Biden’s presidency and potential reelection. In the lead-up to Hur’s testimony‚ there’s a palpable effort to shore up the president’s image‚ with allies emphasizing his mental sharpness. Yet these efforts seem inadequate against the serious questions raised about Biden’s cognitive health. The omission of the cognitive test from Biden’s annual exam is not just an oversight; it’s a significant concern that echoes past criticisms aimed at Trump‚ highlighting a disturbing bias in media coverage. This selective outrage and reporting by the media and entertainment industry undermines public trust and highlights a concerning divide in our national discourse. As March 12 approaches‚ the nation is poised to witness a pivotal moment. Hur’s testimony is more than a procedural formality; it’s a test of our democratic values and the commitment to fairness and equality. It’s a time for the American people to demand transparency and impartiality from our leaders and the institutions that represent us. The testimony represents a critical examination of our democracy’s health and the integrity of our public discourse. The situation underscores the urgent need for a media landscape that prioritizes truth over partisanship and for political leaders who are held accountable to the highest standards of transparency and integrity. As the nation watches‚ the testimony of Robert Hur before the House Judiciary Committee becomes a pivotal moment for reflection on our collective commitment to the principles of democracy‚ the rule of law‚ and the pursuit of a more perfect union. In this charged environment‚ it’s incumbent upon every American to engage critically with the unfolding events; to demand accountability from our leaders; and to advocate public discourse that elevates truth‚ fosters unity‚ and respects the dignity of all citizens. Hur’s testimony March 12 is not just a litmus test for Biden or the Democratic Party; it’s a crucial moment for American democracy‚ challenging us to confront the disparities in our political and media ecosystems and to reaffirm our commitment to the values that define us as a nation. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post The Critical Testimony of Robert Hur appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Kids’ social media safety is at a crossroads in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis is considering whether to sign HB 1‚ which—if it becomes law—would become the new national gold standard for protecting kids online. Critics claim that the bill‚ which the Florida legislature approved on Feb. 22‚ is inconsistent with privacy and parental rights‚ but their concerns don’t pass muster. The governor has until Friday to decide whether to sign it. HB 1 would require social media platforms that use algorithmic recommendation systems or addictive design features to verify the age of account holders. Social media platforms would be prohibited from allowing children under 16 to hold an account. Section 2 would require porn sites to bar minors under 18 from accessing their platforms. Some critics assert that the bill would harm anonymity online. But HB 1 requires platforms to provide at least one “anonymous age-verification method” to their users. A user need not upload an ID or biometric scan to access covered websites. Instead‚ with existing technology‚ a person could easily verify his age one time through a trusted third-party “verifier” using a credit card. The verified user could then enter a special code generated by the independent “verifier” to access covered platforms without those sites knowing anything about the user’s identity. HB 1 also goes a step further to protect user privacy by requiring that verifiers be private and independent from the affected platforms. Under the bill‚ independent verifiers would be required to have their primary place of business in the U.S. and could not be owned or controlled by a foreign entity. On top of that‚ no verifier would be allowed to retain any personal identifying information and would need to keep all other data anonymous. With such robust privacy safeguards‚ there’s hardly a legitimate trade-off between protecting kids and preserving anonymity. Beyond privacy‚ critics object that preventing kids under 16 from holding social media accounts violates parental rights. But that’s also mistaken. Florida has determined that parents cannot allow their kids to engage in a whole host of risky activities‚ including gambling‚ purchasing tobacco‚ or performing at adult-themed venues. DeSantis has previously suggested that parents should not be allowed to take their kids to drag performances due to the sexually explicit nature of those events. He’s right on that. Some activities are so harmful that minors should be barred from them entirely. The same logic applies to social media. Social media is a clear and present danger to kids’ mental health and well-being. Reports and whistleblowers reveal that social media is a breeding ground for child sexual exploitation and abuse. Platforms knowingly incorporate features and design elements that may be rewiring children’s brains. And some social media platforms‚ such as TikTok‚ are weaponized by the radical left and the Chinese Communist Party to propagandize our kids.    In light of social media’s devastating impact on children‚ the Florida legislature is right to impose an age threshold for account holders. Parents should be skeptical when the very companies that oppose parental consent requirements for social media turn around and say that they want to “empower parents.” If this were true‚ why isn’t every social media platform voluntarily implementing age verification and obtaining verifiable parental consent before giving access to users under 18? Platforms claim to care and preach rhetoric about “empowering parents.” Groups representing parents need to recognize that for the shameless manipulation that it is. Big Tech will continue to stonewall attempts to check its power. Thankfully‚ though‚ Florida has a proud history of standing up to corporate power when the good of the state demands it. DeSantis has the opportunity to continue leading the fight by holding Big Tech accountable and protecting children. Florida’s kids are counting on him. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Florida Can and Should Lead on Social Media Safety for Kids appeared first on The Daily Signal.