In the days since devastating fires began sweeping through Los Angeles, vast swaths of neighborhoods like Altadena and the Pacific Palisades are likely all but lost. Dozens of people have died; more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. As of Monday, January 13, many of the fires are still raging, and 150,000 residents have been forced to evacuate.Im almost certain the apocalypse in LA right now will be one of the worst things I see or experience in my life, wrote AD100 designer Mark D. Sikes in an Instagram post. Calling the catastrophe a complete tragedy, Sikes noted, thankfully, that his own home near the Hollywood Hills was spared. Our team is safe.Sadly, not all were so lucky. Word of the impact on the citys vibrant architecture and design communities came quickly and mostly online. On Wednesday, designer Suzanne Tucker posted a photo of a clients house in ruins. I finished [it] a few months ago, she wrote. They are safe. The house is completely gone. And there will be thousands of photos like this of unfathomable loss and utter heartbreak. She was right: Over the course of the next day, numerous designers, including Leanne Ford, shared their own tragedies. Three weeks ago we got keys to our new LA place in Rustic Canyon. It was a place to write, to create. Three days ago we lost it, Ford wrote. We are the lucky ones. Still, to be affected by fires is shocking. Ive been praying hard for the peace that passes understanding through thisfor everyone.While the conflagrations are unprecedented, they are not unimaginable in an area plagued by recurring wildfires. Last week, the design writer Gregory Han and his wife went through their 1963 Altadena foothills home inch by inch, preparing for the worst. (Han even wrote a Wirecutter article on protecting homes in high-risk zones, publishing it the day the fires arrived.) But little can stop 100 mile-per-hour winds. Our home is currently in a Schrdingers state, with firefighters still on the adjacent hillside hardening the [land] and dropping water to keep our neighborhood from adding to the toll, he wrote to me on Friday. For now the house is still standing. Not knowing has been a very challenging part of the situation, all the while learning this friend or that acquaintance has lost their home. Theres an element of survivors guilt and gratitude battling incessantly.As Han and thousands more wait and see, the tally of confirmed losses increases. Dozens of historic landmarks are gone, including Altadenas Bunny Museum, the Brutalist Robert Bridges House above Sunset Boulevard in the Palisades, and William Randolph Hearsts Topanga Ranch Motel. Some are still in danger, including Case Study House #8 (the Eames House), and are being closely monitored.Retail shops have not been spared: Amber Lewis posted that her Shoppe Amber Interiors store in the Palisades is gone. Our company values are deeply rooted in our love and appreciation for all things home and we are absolutely devastated for all those who have lost theirs, she posted. JJ Martins forthcoming DoubleJ store was also destroyed. This was doublejs very first shop in the United States, a labor of love, enthusiasm and total joy, conceived and painstakingly designed by our team over the last 9 months. We are unfathomably heartbroken, she wrote on Instagram. It has been excruciating watching the homes on Enchanted Way where I grew up burn to the ground, including our childhood home, the Gundershaugs down the street, seeing videos of family friends driving through walls of flame.

New York's Affordable Broadband Act New York starts enforcing $15 broadband law that ISPs tried to kill Fresh off court victory, NY says low-income plans must be available Wednesday. Jon Brodkin Jan 13, 2025 2:27 pm | 33 Credit: Getty Images | Yuichiro Chino Credit: Getty Images | Yuichiro Chino Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe New York law requiring Internet providers to offer cheap plans to people with low incomes will take effect on Wednesday this week following a multi-year court battle in which the state defeated broadband industry lobby groups.A US appeals court upheld the law in April 2024, reversing the ruling of a district judge who blocked it in 2021. The Supreme Court last month decided not to hear the broadband industry's challenge, leaving the appeals court ruling in place. The state law requires Internet providers to offer $15- or $20-per-month service to people with low incomes.As we've written, the battle between New York and ISPs was an important test case for how states can regulate broadband providers when the Federal Communications Commission isn't doing so. The Biden-era FCC's attempt to reinstate net neutrality rules and regulate broadband providers as common carriers was blocked in court, but ISPs lost the fight against the New York affordability law and an earlier fight against California's net neutrality law.New York-based ISPs can comply by offering $15 broadband plans with download speeds of at least 25Mbps, or $20-per-month service with 200Mbps speeds. The price must include "any recurring taxes and fees such as recurring rental fees for service provider equipment required to obtain broadband service and usage fees." Price increases are to be capped at 2 percent per year, and state officials will periodically review whether minimum required speeds should be raised.New York Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian last week issued an order stating that the law will take effect on January 15. "On December 16, 2024, the United States Supreme Court denied the Plaintiff's request for further review," the order said. "As part of the litigation, the [New York attorney general] agreed not to enforce the ABA [Affordable Broadband Act] until 30 days after the date when the US Supreme Court decided the writ of Certiorari. Thus, the ABA will once again take effect and may be enforced in New York on January 15, 2025."1.7 million New York households lost FCC discountThe order said quick implementation of the law is important because of "developments at the federal level impacting the affordability of broadband service." About 1.7 million New York households, and 23 million nationwide, used to receive a monthly discount through an FCC program that expired in mid-2024 after Congress failed to provide more funding."For this reason, consumer benefit programs assisting low-income householdssuch as the ABAare even more critical to ensure that the digital divide for low-income New Yorkers is being addressed," the New York order said.New York ISPs can obtain an exemption from the low-cost broadband law if they "provide service to no more than 20,000 households and the Commission determines that compliance with such requirements would result in 'unreasonable or unsustainable financial impact on the broadband service provider,'" the order said.Over 40 small ISPs filed for exemptions in 2021 before the law was blocked by a judge. Those ISPs and potentially others will be given one-month exemptions if they file paperwork by Wednesday stating that they meet the subscriber threshold. ISPs must submit detailed financial information by February 15 to obtain longer-term exemptions."All other ISPs (i.e., those with more than 20,000 subscribers) must comply with the ABA by January 15, 2025," the order said. Failure to comply can be punished with civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. The law applies to wireline, fixed wireless, and satellite providers.Charter Spectrum currently advertises a $25-per-month plan with 50Mbps speeds for low-income households. Comcast and Optimum have $15 plans. Verizon has a low-income program reducing the cost of some home Internet plans to as low as $20 a month.Disclosure: The Advance/Newhouse Partnership, which owns 12.3 percent of Charter, is part of Advance Publications, which also owns Ars Technica parent Cond Nast.Jon BrodkinSenior IT ReporterJon BrodkinSenior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 33 Comments

Image: NintendoIt's a new week and that means a brand new update for the Nintendo Music app on mobile devices. This week Nintendo has added the GameCube soundtrack The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.This includes 133 tracks with a total runtime of 3 hours and 40 minutes - you've got songs like the title theme, Outset Island, Windfall Island, Dragon Roost Island, The Great Sea, and much more - and be warned, there are some potential story spoilers if you haven't played this game before.Here's the full soundtrack for the latest Nintendo Music update:Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube792kWatch on YouTube The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube)Title themeFile SelectionLegend of the HeroOutset IslandHouse ThemeOld Man's HouseWays of the SwordBeedle's Shop ShipA Monstrous BirdTetra LocatedOutset Island ForestBokoblins OverheadBattle ThemeMeeting TetraAryll AbductedGrandmaSetting SailPiratesBelow DeckHatching a Rescue PlanExecuting the Rescue PlanForsaken FortressThe PrisonerReuniting with AryllMeeting the King of Red LionsThe Tale of GanonSearch for a SailWindfall IslandPotion ShopDaybreakThe Great SeaClash at SeaBattle at SeaGot a TreasureOpening a Treasure ChestImportant Item AcquiredItem AcquiredDragon Roost IslandDragon Roost CavernIntense BattleGame OverGohma AppearsGohma Battle (First Phase)Gohma Battle (Second Phase)Boss DefeatedHeart Container AcquiredSacred Gem AcquiredWind's Requiem (Wind Waker)Wind's RequiemMelody LearnedBoat GameBoat Game VictoryBoat Game FailureSong of Passing (Wind Waker)Song of PassingForest HavenInside the Forest HavenDeku Tree in CrisisThe Deku Tree and FriendsForbidden WoodsKalle Demos AppearsKalle DemosForest CeremonyNext Year's CeremonyThe Cursed SeaSacred ShineJabunTHe Tower of the Gods EmergesTower of the GodsCommand Melody (Wind Waker)Gohdan AppearsGohdan BattleTo HyruleSeald Hyrule CastleMaster Sword acquiredHyrule CastlePhantom Ganon BattleReunited with AryllTetra to the RescueTetra Spies the SwordA Short-Lived ReunionConfronting the Helmaroc KingForksaken Fortress TowerHelmaroc King AppearsHelmaroc King BattleMaster of the Forsaken FortressThe Pirate's CharmThe King of Hyrule AppearsHeir of the Royal FamilyZelda's ThemeBallad of Gales (Wind Waker)Ballad of GalesFairy FountainFairy QueenDungeon ThemeEarth God's Lyric (Wind Waker)Sage LarutoMedli, the Sage of EarthEarth God's LyricThe TempleJalhalla AppearsJalhalla BattleMedli's PrayerWind God's Aria (Wind Waker)Sage FadoMakar, the Sage of WindWind God's AriaWind TempleMolgera AppearsMolgera BattleMakar's PrayerHero of WindsGanon's TowerGohma Battle, Ganon's Tower (First Phase)Gohma Battle, Ganon's Tower (Second Phase)Kalle Demos Battle, Ganon's TowerJalhalla Battle, Ganon's TowerMolgera Battle, Ganon's TowerPhantom Ganon's MazeGanondorf SpeaksPuppet Ganon (Puppet Form)Puppet Ganon TransformsPuppet Ganon (Spider Form)Puppet Ganon (Snake Form)Puppet Ganon's DemiseBefore the ShowdownGanondorf BattleParting WaysEnding ThemeStaff CreditsEpilogueAryll's ThemeGame Demo ThemeTo listen to this soundtrack on the Nintendo Music mobile app, you'll need to have an active Switch Online membership. This latest soundtrack follows on from Skyward Sword's soundtrack joining this music library last December. A new mobile app exclusive to Switch Online members186 tracks from Skyward Sword take flightWhat do you think about the latest soundtrack to join the Nintendo Music app service? Let us know in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related Articles'Nintendo Music' Adds Another Donkey Kong Soundtrack, Here's Every Song IncludedIt's double trouble with Dixie and KiddyZelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Has Been Nominated For Another AwardFingers crossedRandom: Modder Shows Off Unused N64 Mic Support In Zelda: Majora's MaskIncluding multiple actions "triggered by using voice"Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: Zelda II: The Adventure Of LinkSecond innings

In BriefPosted:5:44 PM PST January 13, 2025Image Credits:abin Botsford/The Washington Post / Getty ImagesChina is reportedly open to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok USChinese government officials have reportedly discussed a scenario where ByteDance sells TikToks United States arm to Elon Musk, should the Supreme Court uphold the law banning the app on January 19th. Bloomberg reports that China would strongly prefer for TikTok to stay under ByteDances ownership, but says government officials have considered a sale to Musk as part of a broader plan to work with incoming president Donald Trumps administration. In that scenario, Musks X would acquire TikTok US, effectively absorbing the vertical video platforms 170 million American users and billions in potential ad revenue.A TikTok spokesperson called the report pure fiction in a statement to Variety.The report states it is unclear how much ByteDance and TikTok know about Chinas discussions of a Musk sale, potentially highlighting Chinas alleged influence over the platform which brought about this law in the first place.Topics

Built before the American Revolution, this large Georgian residence is one of the oldest extant houses in the charming town of Cornwall, Connecticut. Located on Popple Swamp Road just outside the central village, the Pierce Homestead dates to circa 1750 (the sign dates the house to 1768, but information from the town history mentions a house there earlier) and is a stellar example of a simple, two-story Georgian house with five-bay facade and 12-over-12 sash windows. This property was purchased by Joshua Pierce in 1748 and included over 300-acres of farmland, the farmhouse was likely built within a matter of years. The house was likely expanded and modernized by his son, Seth Pierce, who inherited the property in the 1790s. The farm remained in the Pierce Family for generations and was lovingly restored in the 20th century. It is a great example of a well-preserved 18th century farmhouse in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Though many apply, only a few have the skills and patience to make it as a watcher an MI5 training manual published for the first time by the National Archives reveals.Despite the rise in electronic surveillance, watchers still play a crucial role in following and observing suspects to gather what might prove to be important snippets of intelligence.But only a select few have the skills and patience to successfully observe and follow suspects, a war time MI5 training manual published for the first time reveals.A successful watcher is a rarity according to the anonymous author of MI5s guide to Observation.Hundreds of men have been interviewed as prospective trainees but very few have been accepted, for the reason that when tried out they are found to lack one essential qualification, viz patience, the presumably male trainer writes.Non-descript and unlike a policemanThe ideal watcher should not be too short or too tall and they should look as unlike a policeman as possible. They should be non-descript, have good eyesight and good hearing to allow them to overhear conversations when the opportunity arises.Dress style is important. A watcher must wear old clothes, such as a cap or a muffler in the slum quarters and be better dressed in the West End.A false moustache or beard is easily detected, especially under the high lights of a restaurant, pub or in a tube train, the trainer warns.An accurate report of a suspects movements is essential for testing the accuracy of a suspects statements.And getting spotted by the suspect is a fatal mistake that could result in serious harm to an investigation.Identifying a suspect at a known address can be a difficult job, requiring time and a process of elimination if no recent photograph or description is available.Watchers are told to keep a distance of 25 to 30 yards behind the suspect and to walk on the opposite side of the pavement. Ideally a second watcher should also follow on the same side of the street as the suspect.Be prepared for the suspect to board a moving vehicle such as a bus, tram, or train, or haling a cruising taxi, or any such device to shake off a tail, the manual advises.Watchers are urged to have plenty of spare change with them to buy a ticket in case the suspect jumps on to the underground. On escalators, MI5s advice is to gradually move closer towards the subject as the escalator reaches its destination.When he is suspicious a suspect will often board a train just before the doors close, making himself the last one on the train, or he may alight at the last moment: so do not give him any rope on such occasions, watchers are told.If a suspect enters a restaurant or a caf, it is essential to memorise a description of the people he meets. Be ready for a quick exit, with plenty of loose change to pay the bill without being delayed by the cash desk.Finding the home address, street name, and house number, of a suspect is difficult during conditions of war-time blackout.Watchers are advised to observe whether the person being followed uses a key, knocks, rings the bell, or enters by a communal hallway as that can provide clues whether he is a visitor or a resident. It may be necessary to return early the next day to verify observations.Car chases - offer cabbies a good tipFor watchers that find themselves following a suspect in a cab, a good tip for the cabby is a prerequisite. The MI5 instructor suggests watchers enthuse a little extra activity into the driver in order that he may avoid the suspects detecting the following cab in mirrors or from the rear window.If a suspect buys a train ticket, watchers are told to move in to overhear the destination, so they can buy their own ticket and continue the chase.Post offices are particularly useful sources of intelligence, the guide notes. If the suspect goes to a writing desk it is often possible to get a brief glance at the name or address of a letter or telegram. A watcher can also learn a lot by standing close to the suspect at the counter.To avoid getting spotted themselves, watchers are encouraged to leave home, walk around the block, return now, and start off again in another direction heading away from the most direct route to his assignment.He will know is own neighbourhood intimately and use such knowledge to alternate his means of conveyance by bus, tram or train, but always gradually making towards his objective and ascertaining at the same time if he has a tail.The security service, MI5, still relies on highly trained watchers, these days rebranded as mobile surveillance officers, to follow suspects and to gather intelligence.These days, watchers are just as likely to be women as men, and represent a diversity of ethnicities.But the wartime manual may be right on one thing: the ideal watcher is born, not made. As the manual notes, unless he has a natural flair for the work he will never rise above a mediocre standard.Other documents released by the National Archives today, include:MI5s investigation files into Holywood actor Dirk Bogarde, following information that Russian Intelligence had approached a young actor while visiting Moscow. MI5 found no grounds for suspicion.Files dealing with claims that Russian intelligence agent Constantin Volkov in 1945 had made to the British embassy that Russian spies were working in the UK government. Russian intelligence was tipped off and Volkov disappeared. MI6 double agent Kim Philby was suspected of tipping off the Russians.A telegram from Washington stating that MI6 counter-intelligence officer, John Cairncross, later identified as the fifth man in the Cambridge spy ring, had admitted spying for Russia.An account of an interview between an MI5 interrogator and MI5 officer Antony Blunt, in which Blunt confesses to spying for the Soviet Union. Blunt, the fourth man in the Cambridge spy ring passed on secrets including German communications decrypted by Bletchley Park to Russia. He was responsible for recruiting Cairncross.Kim Philbys typewritten confession, largely considered unreliable which he, handed over to an MI5 officer in Beirut admitting that he spied for Russia between 1934 and 1946. Philby admitted tipping off Donald Mclean another member of the Cambridge spy ring that his cover was about to be blown, resulting in his defection to Russia with Guy Burgess.MI5 and the National Archives will feature an exhibition on the work of MI5 at the National Archives in Kew in the Spring. The exhibition, the first in MI5s 115 year history, features original case files, photographs, and papers, and espionage equipment, alongside videos of former MI5 directors general.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: UFC president Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 272 press ... [+] conference on March 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCUFC President Dana White said he wanted Holly Holm to retire. Holm doesnt want to retire, so the promotion has granted her release, per The Uncrowneds Ariel Helwani.Holm, 43, still had two fights left on her UFC contract, but per Helwani, she asked to become a free agent so she could pursue other opportunities.Holms agent, Lenny Fresquez, says his client is open to a return to boxing or fighting in other MMA organizations.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 21: Holly Holm prepares to fight Ketlen Vieira of Brazil in a bantamweight ... [+] bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 21, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCDuring Holms legendary career in the UFC, she tallied an 8-7 record with one no contest. Holm won the UFC womens bantamweight championship in November 2015 when she scored a head-kick KO win over Ronda Rousey in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.MORE FOR YOUMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: (R-L) Holly Holm kicks Ronda Rousey in their UFC women's ... [+] bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesHolm lost the title to Miesha Tate in her first defense, but over the course of her career, she fought a whos who of womens MMA. Here is a list of the top fighters and former champions Holm faced and her record against them:Raquel Pennington: 2-0Ronda Rousey: 1-0Miesha Tate: 0-1Marion Reneau: 1-0Valentina Shevchenko: 0-1Bethe Correia: 1-0Irene Aldana: 1-0Germaine de Randamie: 0-1Ketlen Vieira: 0-1Cris Cyborg: 0-1Amanda Nunes: 0-1Kayla Harrison: 0-1Besides Julianna Pea, Holm has fought every woman who ever wore the UFC womens bantamweight crown. Shes also fought all three of the former UFC womens featherweight champions.Quite honestly, many will say she was robbed in her unanimous decision loss to de Randamie in 2017. Had that decision gone Holms way, she would hold double-champion distinction.The accomplishment Holm has that we may never see again is her status as the only person to be a legitimate world champion in both boxing and MMA.Based on that and a few of her legendary wins, Holm should be a lock for the UFC Hall of Fame.Holms UFC career didnt end on a strong note. She was easily defeated by Harrison via second-round submission at UFC 300 in April and has been inactive since the defeat.At 43, Holm doesnt have a ton of fighting ahead of her. She is an accomplished boxer, but the game has changed since she boxed full-time. Its tough to imagine her stepping into the ring and defeating fighters like Amanda Serrano, Mikaela Mayer, or even Claressa Shields, but theres a chance she could make a solid paycheck against those women.ALBUQUERQUE, NM - JUNE 10: IBA & WBAN Junior welterweight champion Holly Holm (l) (29-1-3) battles ... [+] Victoria Cisneros (5-11-2) at Route 66 Casino's Legends Theater on June 10, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo by Steve Snowden/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHolm trained with Shields when the latter was preparing for MMA, so theyre familiar with one another.Holm could potentially sign with the Professional Fighters League to compete as a featherweight, or she could look at the Global Fight League, where they are embracing older fighters on their roster.Its tough to say which route makes more sense, but it depends on Holms goals. If she is looking to maximize the time she has left in combat sports while collecting the biggest paydays, moving to boxing might be the best option.However, if she aspires to capture more championship gold, the GFL could be an attractive option for Holm.No matter what, its been a strong run for the former champion.

What just happened? A federal judge has given the Department of Justice the green light to sell off thousands of Bitcoins tied to the government's shutdown of the Silk Road online black market. A Nevada-based venture capital firm, Battle Born Investments, attempted to block the sale as it sought to learn the identity of "Individual X." According to the government, Individual X hacked the Silk Road and stole the Bitcoins in question. The 69,370 Bitcoins have a street value of more than $6.3 billion. A single Bitcoin trades for $91,832 as of this writing.The timing of the decision is worth noting. Donald Trump, who said at a Bitcoin conference last year that the government would hold on to 100 percent of the Bitcoins in its possession if he were to be elected, is set to take office on January 20. It is unclear if Trump will attempt to block the liquidation.A sudden sell-off of nearly 70,000 Bitcoins would have an adverse impact on the market, so it's unlikely the government would take that route. Instead, they'd probably break the coins up into smaller batches as they've done in the past.It's also worth noting that the court's decision doesn't mandate a sale but rather, simply paves the way for a potential sale.It's unclear exactly how many Bitcoins the US government has seized over the years that are tied to the Silk Road. In mid-2014, the government auctioned off nearly 30,000 coins all of which were purchased by investor Tim Draper. Another auction in December of the same year saw the government offload 50,000 more Bitcoins. Another 50,000 Bitcoins were auctioned off in March 2015. // Related StoriesBitcoin has been on the upswing ever since early November, and hit a new all-time high of $106K in mid-December. The market has cooled a bit since then but with Trump's second term kicking off next week, the volatile cryptocurrency could very well be gearing up for yet another wild run.Image credit: Diana Light

There were high hopes for the maiden launch of Blue Origins New Glenn rocket on Sunday, but sadly, it wasnt to be.The late-night NG-1 mission was supposed to be a giant leap for Blue Origin rocket technology, but the 98-meter-tall vehicle failed to get off the ground as planned.Recommended VideosBlue Origins live stream kicked off at midnight ET, 60 minutes before the three-hour launch window opened for the New Glenns departure from Cape Canaveral in Florida.Please enable Javascript to view this contentWelcoming viewers to the stream, presenters Ariane Cornell and Denisse Aranda beamed enthusiastically as they shared their excitement for the debut flight of Blue Origins first orbital rocket.This is happening, Ariane said. Except that it wasnt.At around 12:30 a.m., with 27 minutes to go until the first launch opportunity, the stream dropped in on a bunch of kids and their parents waiting to watch the launch from a park close to Cape Canaveral. The children smiled and cheered, perhaps in anticipation of the imminent liftoff, though definitely because they were up way past their bedtimes. We also visited Blue Origin employees at multiple sites across the U.S., cheering excitedly ahead of launch. The one that didnt quite happen.Early on, things seemed to be going smoothly enough for the spaceflight company founded by Jeff Bezos. But then, just 17 minutes from liftoff, the countdown clock on the screen suddenly disappeared before quickly reappearing with an extra 20 minutes added. If you blinked, you wouldve missed it.They just need a couple more minutes that is A OK with all of us, Ariane said in a reassuring voice that gave no indication of what was coming.It was fine, anyway, as the delay gave the live stream more time to play all of the prepared video inserts explaining everything about the New Glenn rocket and its Blue Ring Pathfinder payload.But disappointingly, 11 minutes later, the countdown clock jumped again, adding another 14 minutes to take it back to 33 minutes. Folks watching the stream at home may have started to wonder if the problem was with the clock itself, not with the rocket. At this rate, unless the engineers could work out why the darn clock kept adding minutes, we could be stuck here for weeks.But then things began to look up as the clock ticked all the way down to 9 minutes before launch before suddenly resetting to 29 minutes. There was mention of a checklist that the Blue Origin engineers had to get through.Popular YouTuber Tim Dodd of Everyday Astronaut, who was running his own live stream commentating on the commentators, took a deep breath. Oh no, another delay. You know, its not ideal for my sleep schedule, its really not, Tim said.Back at the park, the kids werent smiling anymore. Approaching 2 a.m. ET, it really was way past their bedtime now. Even some of the parents had a its way past my bedtime, too, look on their faces. Heck, even Bezos was probably stifling a yawn or two. One little girl, who fortunately was still awake, was asked what she was most looking forward to about the launch. Going home once this is all over, she probably wanted to say, but staying on-message like a true Blue Origin believer, she responded: For the rocket to go up into space. She didnt know it then, but it was asking a lot.Promisingly, the clock continued to tick down, all the way to 14 minutes. And then reset to 35 minutes. This time around, Ariane, perhaps not wanting to believe it, didnt even acknowledge the delay. Exhausted folks at home may have started to wonder if their mind was playing tricks on them.Tim emitted a chuckle of despair but tried to stay clear-headed about the situation. I expect this, I expect delays, I am not shocked by this, he said in a tone of voice that made you wonder if he really believed what he was saying.By 2:15 a.m., the official Blue Origin live stream appeared to have run out of video inserts, leaving viewers to stare at footage of a rocket still very much on terra firma.The New Glenn on the launchpad. Hey, I aint going nowhere! Blue OriginAt 11 minutes until liftoff, the countdown clock jumped yet again, resetting to 38 minutes. Noooo, noooo, nooooo! Tim said, noting that Blue Origins launch window was rapidly closing.Theyre working through their checklist, Ariane said again, leaving viewers to wonder if the oft-mentioned checklist, if laid out on a single piece of paper, might reach all the way to the moon.The countdown clock made it to 12 minutes, and then, in its oddest switch yet, flipped to zero seconds. Its lifting off, its lifting off, Tim said, adding, Its not lifting off that is not a good sign.The Blue Origin live stream camera stayed firmly fixed on the New Glenn rocket, which itself appeared to be firmly fixed to the ground. Ariane and Denisse stayed silent. Perhaps theyd fallen asleep. Folks watching the live stream continued to stare at the rocket. The silence was deafening. Had everyone gone home and forgotten to tell them?At around 3 a.m., and possibly having just enjoyed a brief power nap, Ariane returned to the stream to announce that the launch had been scrubbed. The reason? Not a faulty countdown clock, but a vehicle subsystem issue.Tim summed it up before heading to bed. I kind of expected that, to be honest. Better to be safe than sorry.Hes right. Its not unusual for maiden launches like this to face such issues. Blue Origin has to get it right, and its just bad luck for the folks who stayed up late in anticipation of enjoying what should eventually be a spectacular launch. Therell be another chance soon, and hopefully the New Glenn will finally get to fire up its rocket engines and head skyward.Fancy trying for another launch? SpaceXs Starship megarocket is supposed to lift off on its seventh test flight on Wednesday. But do keep an eye on that countdown clock.Editors Recommendations

Screven gave his notice Jan. 8 and intends to depart in February, the cloud software company said Monday. Screven has worked at Oracle for 38 years.