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jwowsworld A recent social media storm erupted over allegations that YesMadam, an India-based beauty services platform, laid off 100 employees citing workplace stress. The viral post claimed the layoffs were a result of a stress survey conducted by the company. However, mounting evidence suggests the claims may be a poorly executed public relations stunt aimed at gaining attention, with critics and analysts raising questions about the authenticity of the narrative. The controversy began with a LinkedIn post by a purported employee named Anushka Dutta , who shared an email allegedly sent by YesMadam's HR department. The email announced the termination of employees who had reported high stress levels in a recent workplace survey. The post quickly gained traction, sparking outrage and debates about workplace ethics. According to her post, the email read: "To ensure that no one remains stressed at work, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with employees who indicated significant stress." The dismissals were described as effective immediately, and the affected workers were promised further details in follow-up communications. Social media users lambasted the company, with one user labelling the move "the weirdest, most unethical reason for employee termination." Others speculated that the email might be part of a PR campaign gone wrong. While there have been several people online who've cried out, "Wolf!", a cybersecurity researcher on LinkedIn, who goes solely by "Akshay," posted an analysis of the viral email , pointing out out numerous inconsistencies suggesting it may not be legitimate. Some of his key observations include: 1. Email Inconsistencies: The email was allegedly sent through Google's GSuite platform but bore labels indicating it was from an external source, a mismatch for internal communications. Additionally, the sender's profile image and the email's font appeared to have been edited, raising suspicions of editing. 2. Unrealistic Claims: The claim that over 100 employees were terminated without a single corroborating post from the affected workers was seen as implausible. Scraping LinkedIn profiles of YesMadam employees failed to reveal any similar posts or grievances. 3. Contradictory Branding: The company name was inconsistently referred to as "YesMadam" and "Yes Madam" across various communications. Such discrepancies suggest a lack of attention to detail, uncharacteristic of a legitimate HR communication. 4. Labour Law Violations: Terminating employees en masse under such circumstances would likely violate labour laws and trigger regulatory scrutiny. Yet, no such legal action or public fallout has been observed. 5. PR Campaign Speculation: Critics noted that YesMadam offers stress-related therapy services, leading to speculation that the viral post was crafted to draw attention to its offerings. However, this alleged stunt appears to have backfired, damaging the brand's reputation rather than enhancing it. 6. Names Mentioned in the Email: Upon reviewing the names mentioned in the email, it was found that Ashu Arora Jha is the company's HR director, boasting over 10 years of experience in human resources. For a seasoned HR professional, a mistake of this magnitude (not using bcc for the email list) would appear unfathomable, though not entirely impossible. Meanwhile, "Mayank" refers to YesMadam's Founder and CEO, Mayank Arya, while "Garima" is identified as the company's director. It is also noteworthy to point out that the only person who's posted their grievance about the email is the company's UX copywriter, Anushka Dutta, who makes a living crafting viral content. While YesMadam has not released an official statement addressing the viral post, analysts and experts caution against exploiting sensitive topics like workplace stress for publicity. Such actions can undermine trust in workplace surveys and employee feedback mechanisms, potentially discouraging honest communication in professional settings. As speculation continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the thin line between clever marketing and reputational damage. If this was indeed a PR stunt, it highlights the pitfalls of sensationalism in corporate branding efforts. Ultimately, organisations must prioritise authenticity and integrity to maintain credibility with their audience and workforce. Whether the viral post is genuine or a calculated move, it has certainly sparked a larger conversation about workplace culture and mental health.The New Orleans Saints will get a chance to take on one of their best picks from a historic 2017 draft class. Ryan Ramczyk, Alvin Kamara, and Marshon Lattimore headline that group. The final piece of that trio was traded before this year's deadline, to the Washington Commanders. Now, he will get an opportunity to beat the team that selected him. Lattimore will also get the chance to play defense against a Saints backup quarterback. Jake Haener will get the start on Sunday. When asked about his return to New Orleans, the former Saints cornerback was honest about his feelings regarding the matchup. Lattimore on return vs. Saints The former Pro Bowler is determined to prove himself against the Saints. "They traded me away. I'm going back to show why they shouldn't have." No pretending from Marshon Lattimore. There is extra motivation facing the Saints in his Commanders debut. "They traded me away. I'm going back to show why they shouldn't have." pic.twitter.com/2nbXwJd4jM Lattimore plans to rub salt in the wound for New Orleans, since they moved on. That being said, it was a smart move. Injuries have derailed Lattimore's availability in recent years. This NFC clash is the first time he's played since being dealt before the deadline. That's six games for Washington. Not to mention, he missed time for the Saints earlier this season. Lattimore played in just seventeen games combined between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 season. Before 2022, the CB was had played in at least thirteen games in every season of his NFL career. It remains to be seen how much Lattimore will play in his return, it sounds like Commanders HC Dan Quinn is confident that he can be on the field early and often in Week 15. He noted that Lattimore was a "full go" in Wednesday's practice. Lattimore will start on the outside, but it remains to be seen if he's moved around on defense, follows the opposition's top wideout, or stays on one side of the field. Another interesting factor will be rookie Mike Sainristil's role once Lattimore is playing. Sainristil is better suited for nickel, but had been playing pretty well on the outside, recently. He'll likely be moved back inside, but Quinn and co. aren't giving anything away when it comes to that thought. -- Evan Winter No matter what - Lattimore is going to play with some extra fire against his former team on Sunday. We'll see if the Saints can overcome his play. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

NBA News: Thomas Bryant Reportedly Traded to Pacers from Heat; Draft Picks SwappedEvery Past Game Of The Year Winner At The Game Awards

US sex-abuse watchdog fires investigator after learning of his arrest for stealing drug money DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport abruptly fired one of its investigators last month after learning he’d been arrested for stealing money confiscated after a drug bust he was part of during his previous job as a police officer. Jason Krasley left his job with the Allentown Police Department in Pennsylvania in 2021 and was hired by the Denver-based SafeSport center to look into sensitive cases involving sex abuse and harassment. The center said it conducts multiple interviews and a “comprehensive background check” of potential employees. The center said it was looking into cases Krasley handled to make sure they were dealt with appropriately. Jim Larrañaga steps down at Miami, Bill Courtney takes over to finish season CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jim Larrañaga has stepped down as Miami’s men’s basketball coach effective immediately. Larrañaga will be replaced by associate head coach Bill Courtney — one of Larrañaga’s best friends for the past three decades or so — for the remainder of the season. The now-former coach says he loves the university but believes it's the right time to step away. Larrañaga says "I’ve tried every which way to keep this going.” Larrañaga joins a long line of prominent college basketball coaches who have left their jobs in recent years citing the changes in the game and the challenge of coaching in the name, image and likeness era. Cowboys shutting down CeeDee Lamb with 2 games to go over receiver's shoulder issue FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb with two games remaining after their 2023 All-Pro receiver spent the second half of the season dealing with a sprained right shoulder. The team says additional exams revealed enough damage to keep Lamb off the field Sunday at Philadelphia and in the final game at home against Washington. The team says surgery isn't expected to be required. Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention a few hours before last weekend’s 26-24 victory over Tampa Bay. NBA's Christmas Day ratings skyrocket, even going up against NFL games The NBA got viewers for Christmas, even while going up against NFL games. The NBA’s five-game Christmas lineup was the league’s most-watched in five years, with the games averaging about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, the league said Thursday based on Nielsen’s preliminary numbers. It’s an 84% rise over the NBA’s Christmas numbers from 2023. Pat Riley says the Miami Heat will not trade Jimmy Butler ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — If Jimmy Butler wants a trade, the Miami Heat have no plans to make him happy. Heat President Pat Riley — in a rare move — spoke out to address rumors Thursday, saying the team has no plans to trade Butler. It’s a clear sign that, if necessary, the team will be willing to let Butler leave as a free agent and get nothing in return. Riley says in a release distributed by the team "we usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches.” Penn State offensive coordinator Kotelnicki's creativity has the Nittany Lions humming in the CFP Penn State's offense is thriving under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The Nittany Lions are one of a handful of Power Four schools averaging 200 yards per game rushing and receiving heading into their College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Boise State. Penn State has one of the most unique offensive weapons in the country in tight end Tyler Warren. Warren has 92 receptions this season and has become a threat out of the backfield, rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Organizers say two sailors have died in Sydney to Hobart yacht race amid wild weather conditions SYDNEY (AP) — Organizers said that two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw among mass retirements. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the yacht race, has said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. The race will continue as the fleet continues its passage to Constitution Dock in Hobart, with the first boats expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning. Haaland penalty failure and Fernandes red card pile on woes for City and United in Premier League Erling Haaland’s failure from the penalty spot and Bruno Fernandes’ latest red card have compounded the woes of Manchester City and Manchester United on another tough day for the two Premier League giants. City dropped more points in its improbably poor run of form by drawing 1-1 at home to Everton. Haaland had a spot kick saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The defending champions have only won one of its last 13 games in all competitions. City is languishing in seventh place while United is 14th after a 2-0 loss at Wolverhampton. Fernandes was sent off in the 47th. First-place Liverpool beat Leicester 3-1 in foggy conditions at Anfield and leads by seven points. Simona Halep withdraws from Australian Open qualifying because of knee and shoulder pain MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, because of pain in her knee and shoulder. Thursday's news represents the latest interruption of her comeback from a drug suspension. Halep posted on social media that she was feeling poorly after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Romanian said she is planning to next enter the Transylvania Open in her home country, where play begins Feb. 3. Halep was granted a wild-card entry for qualifying in the Australian Open last week. Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6). Pittsburgh has dropped three straight to see its chances of capturing the AFC North take another hit. Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce also became the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail by third judge as he awaits sex trafficking trialThe condemnation came as the House of Lords debated regulations paving the way for a scheme which would require animal lovers on the British mainland to have documentation in order to visit Northern Ireland. Critics view the move as further evidence of Northern Ireland still having to follow EU rules post-Brexit and being treated differently from the rest of the UK – a major source of contention to the unionist community. The paperwork, which will be free to apply for, includes a declaration that the owner will not travel onwards to Ireland or another EU country with their pet or assistance dog. Animals will have to be microchipped and have their own individual pet travel document, which will be valid for its lifetime. Northern Ireland residents returning after a stay in Great Britain with their pet or assistance dog will not need a travel document. The scheme is being introduced under the Windsor Framework, a revised deal for Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements aimed at tackling issues caused by the protocol. Raising her concerns in Parliament, Baroness Hoey, a Northern Irish Brexit supporter and former Labour MP, said: “These regulations are in effect about a new aspect of the Irish Sea border that has not had expression until this point because of the grace periods.” She added: “The experience of visiting Northern Ireland with your pet dog or cat, or even a ferret, will be made to feel like a visit to a foreign country. Lady Hoey went on: “This could spell the end of holiday trips for pet owners from GB to NI and then on to the Republic, when they want to explore both Northern Ireland and the Republic. “If they have a pet passport, they will have renounced their right to go to the Republic. That makes the border more of an obstruction than having border control posts on it, because at least in that eventuality, you could still cross over it.” Rejecting claims it was a result of the UK leaving the EU, she said: “The reality is that this is happening precisely because Northern Ireland has not got Brexit. “As we say repeatedly, it is still subject to EU rules and the EU could change the rules overnight.” Former DUP deputy leader Lord Dodds of Duncairn said: “Every one of the statutory instruments that come forward under the Windsor Framework must be properly debated, because these laws are being brought forward to implement what a foreign jurisdiction has decided should be the law of the United Kingdom. “In the 21st century, we should not accept colonial rule. We abolished it elsewhere. We believe it should not be tolerated for one second. People should have the democratic right to decide their laws for themselves, in their interests.” He added: “The ridiculous part about this debate is that we are having to debate European laws regulating the movement of pet animals owned by British citizens between one part of the United Kingdom and another. That is an outrage.” Lord Dodds went on: “As I said, there will be hundreds, thousands more of these regulations, in all areas, affecting the daily lives of people in Northern Ireland. They all add up to a grievous assault on Northern Ireland’s constitutional position.” But former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick said: “I support the Windsor Framework because it is a necessary legal device to deal with the complexities that were presented to us in Ireland, north and south, on the issue of Brexit. “We need a pragmatic solution rather than choosing to have political contests and duels simply for the sake of them.” Introducing the regulations, environment minister Baroness Hayman of Ulloch said: “This scheme will simplify the requirements associated with moving pet dogs, cats and ferrets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland significantly. “It replaces single-use animal health certificates with a free-of-charge lifelong travel document and removes the need for costly pet health treatments. “Pet owners who travel frequently with their pets, or those who rely on the services of an assistance dog to travel independently, will benefit substantially from this change in approach.” However, she acknowledged the concerns raised by peers and promised to continue engagement with them.Mumbai: Maharashtra's new initiatives in higher education are set to prioritise the effective implementation of the National Educational Policy 2020, expanding the reach of the state's reading movement, and providing essential training for academics, according to Chandrakant Dada Patil, the newly appointed Minister of Higher and Technical Education. Patil, who assumed office on Thursday, stressed the importance of higher education in the nation's development, particularly highlighting Maharashtra's significant role in this area. Speaking to the media, he outlined the state's commitment to strengthening a knowledge-based economy, placing students' interests at the forefront, and promoting a culture of reading across Maharashtra. "Developing a reading culture is essential for shaping the personality of young people and fostering social awareness. The 'Reading Sankalp Maharashtra' initiative will run from 1st to 15th January 2025, involving book reviews and storytelling competitions at various levels. The best entries will be awarded certificates and prizes," Patil said. The programme will engage universities, colleges, and public libraries in a state-wide effort to encourage reading among students and faculty. The Minister also highlighted Maharashtra's commitment to aligning with the National Educational Policy 2020, which aims to position the country as a global knowledge hub and superpower in the 21st century. Patil assured that the state would play a key role in the policy's effective implementation, enhancing the quality and accessibility of education. Extension for Maratha students to submit caste certificates In a related development, Patil announced a two-month extension for Maratha students to submit their caste certificates required for admission to professional courses in the 2024-25 academic year. Due to a recent policy change, the state government had ceased issuing Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certificates to Maratha students, replacing them with Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) certificates. This led to delays in the admission process, as the CET Cell had previously required the EWS certificate for Maratha students. In response to the issue, Patil confirmed that the state government would provide Maratha students with additional time to submit the necessary caste certificates, offering significant relief to those facing challenges with their admissions. This decision has been welcomed by the student community, who had faced uncertainty due to the sudden policy shift. The extension will allow Maratha students to complete the required documentation and secure admission to their desired courses.

Purdue vs. Marshall Predictions & Picks: Spread, Total – November 23

By JILL COLVIN NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. Related Articles National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National Politics | About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have signed closer Jordan Romano to a one-year contract, making a short-term bet that the right-hander can return to form following a right elbow injury. The Phillies announced the deal on Monday. They did not provide the terms of the agreement, but it is reportedly worth $8.5 million. An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Romano spent the first six seasons of his major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He has 105 career saves and a 2.90 ERA in 231 relief appearances. Of the 17 pitchers in the majors with at least 100 save opportunities since 2019, Romano’s 88.98% save percentage ranks second, trailing only Josh Hader (187 for 210, 89.04%). Among all pitchers in baseball since 2019, Romano’s 105 saves rank ninth. The 31-year-old Romano was limited to just eight saves in 15 games last season. He had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in July. Romano's arrival could lead to the departures of one or both of Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman from Philadelphia. The former All-Star relievers both closed games for the Phillies last season but each suffered epic meltdowns in the postseason. Both pitchers are free agents. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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Germany to tighten criminal law as people-smuggling ‘action plan’ agreed with UK

C3.ai’s stock experienced a notable uptick on Thursday, rising by 4.7% in the midst of a mostly steady stock market session. While both the S&P 500 index remained unchanged and the Nasdaq Composite inched up by just 0.1%, C3.ai’s performance stood out, thanks to optimistic trends surrounding artificial intelligence stocks. Soaring on AI Enthusiasm The recent Federal Reserve decision to adjust interest rates with a 25 basis-point cut initially caused upheaval for growth-centric and speculative AI stocks. However, as the dust settled, investor sentiment warmed up, particularly towards AI investments, leading to a resurgence. C3.ai rode this wave of investor optimism, gaining momentum along with other AI-focused companies. The Palantir Connection: An Opening for C3.ai? Reports surfaced recently about Palantir’s collaboration with Anduril to form a consortium poised to reshape the defense industry landscape through AI innovations. Although C3.ai was not specifically mentioned as a participant, the company’s existing contracts with the U.S. defense sector and its partnership with Microsoft position it as a potential contender in this new alliance. Investors seem hopeful that C3.ai could emerge as a strategic partner in this initiative, which could amplify its influence and reach in both public and private defense sectors. This optimism among investors indicates a belief that C3.ai is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging defense opportunities, potentially benefiting from this burgeoning consortium spearheaded by Palantir and Anduril. C3.ai: A Rising Star in the AI Revolution In recent stock market activity, C3.ai has caught the attention of investors, emerging as a standout amidst a relatively stable market. The company’s stock rose by 4.7% even as the S&P 500 index remained flat and the Nasdaq Composite showed only a modest increase of 0.1%. This growth highlights the increasing interest and optimism surrounding artificial intelligence stocks, including C3.ai. Pros and Cons of C3.ai’s Market Position Pros: 1. Industry Growth Potential: With AI technology becoming a cornerstone of multiple industries, C3.ai is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. 2. Strategic Partnerships: Its existing collaborations with major industry players like Microsoft provide significant leverage and credibility. 3. Defense Sector Opportunities: Current contracts in the U.S. defense sector could expand, increasing revenue and market visibility. 4. Presence in Emerging Consortia: Recent developments hint at possible collaborations in transformative AI initiatives within the defense sector. Cons: 1. Market Volatility: C3.ai is susceptible to the rapid changes that characterize AI-related stocks, which could lead to unpredictable market performance. 2. Competitive Landscape: The burgeoning field of AI is rife with competition, which may challenge C3.ai’s market share. 3. Dependence on External Partnerships: Heavy reliance on strategic partners may pose risks if any alliances dissolve or fail to deliver expected outcomes. Trends and Predictions in AI The AI landscape is evolving rapidly, with several trends offering insights into the future trajectory of companies like C3.ai: – Integration Across Sectors: As AI gets integrated across various sectors, C3.ai has the potential to expand its impact beyond its current focus, leveraging cross-industry applications. – Increased Defense Spending: With increased investment in defense AI capabilities, companies positioned like C3.ai could experience substantial growth. – Focus on Sustainable AI Solutions: Sustainability in AI development is becoming more critical, and innovation in this space can set companies apart competitively. Insightful Use Cases C3.ai’s technology is already making strides in several key areas: – Efficiency Optimization: Their solutions help industries optimize operational efficiencies, saving costs and enhancing productivity. – Predictive Analytics: By offering advanced predictive analytics, C3.ai enables firms to make data-driven decisions proactively. – Defense AI Innovations: Existing defense contracts place C3.ai in a pivotal position to pioneer innovations specifically tailored for defense applications. Conclusion C3.ai is poised for growth, riding the wave of increasing AI enthusiasm and positioning itself as a formidable player in the market. The optimism surrounding its potential collaboration in defense consortia further highlights its strategic importance. For more information on the cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, explore the resources at C3.ai .

The best players of Deadlock have jumped the turnstile and started organizing their own competitive scene, and I think you should join me in my jealousy of their improvised format. It’s been just over a month since Valve added a ranked mode—and just a few days since ranked became the only mode in Deadlock. The change has encouraged somewhat more serious Deadlock play, and it's great to have a way to track progress and flex competitive muscles. However, there are frustrating hurdles to taking Deadlock more seriously if you, like most players, aren't queuing up with a full stack of friends every night: Deadlock could really use a pre-game phase, and the pros agree. Quick background: Most MOBAs, including Valve's own Dota 2, have a phase before the actual match where players take turns picking and banning heroes. This three minute window is typically used to figure out your team's game plan—assigning lanes, picking complementary heroes, etc. Deadlock, in a likely intentional decision to excise some complexity and downtime from the genre, has no real pre-game phase. There's no pick and ban (you just pick a few preferred heroes before matchmaking) and, as far as planning goes, you only get a few seconds on a rooftop before you’re speeding off to randomly assigned lanes. Valve's calculated trimmings reduce the time between menus and playtime, but they don't gel with Deadlock's burgeoning competitive scene. With Deadlock in residence at the corner of MOBA street and hero shooter avenue, planning and tactics aren’t just a moment-to-moment concern, but a key part of building your team strategy before the game starts. Instead of waiting for Valve to implement these core competitive systems in Deadlock, a grassroots movement of skilled players has taken it upon themselves to create their own competitive format. The most popular so far is Deadlock Fight Night : a weekly invite-only king-of-the-hill style tournament where the current reigning champions return to defend their title each week. With excellent casters and slick graphics, it’s a glimpse at a possible future of organized Deadlock as an esport, but more importantly: Deadlock Fight Night coordinates a pick and ban phase before every game. Organized by the tournament, the phase follows MOBA tradition, giving each team a single hero ban and then letting them trade off on picks—all done manually. A pick/ban phase feels like a missing component for Deadlock, and it’s no surprise that the budding pro scene has homed in on it. Each pre-game in Deadlock Fight Night is its own strategic tug-of-war, something I sorely miss each time I queue myself. Getting the opportunity to see that my opponents are bringing a Bebop so that I can suggest we pick a Viscous is both invaluable and a huge part of the strategic acumen that sucks me into MOBAs. Likewise, the opportunity to build my lane and team composition to function well together is totally lacking in Deadlock, as I’m just tossed into a team and lane automatically. If I’m not with friends to dial in the team compositions we want or get the best duo lane before going to queue, there’s no chance to coordinate at all, and I’m stuck out on the curb in the Cursed Apple futilely trying to assemble a competitive matchup out of pure randomness. 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 most frustrating games I’ve played have been ones where I felt like I was sabotaged from the start. It's just too common that myself and my five teammates all enter the match with our own notions of strategy that don't align even a little. Random team comps assembled by Valve regularly have glaring issues like a lack of late-game damage, few crowd control abilities, or no clear way to initiate fights. You can play or build around these issues of course (some chosen team compositions accept them knowingly), but having to adapt should be a last resort, or something I opt into. If I’ve made a mistake in picking my team composition, or if I’ve knowingly accepted a weakness and then have to adapt, I had agency in the choices that led to my situation. Deadlock's queue in its current state feels like driving an automatic when I’m used to a manual. All three of the biggest facets of a pick/ban phase feel like missing components for Deadlock, and it’s no surprise that the budding pro scene has homed in on them. Seeing the battle of wills between top players, watching them adapt to an unexpected enemy pick or form their strategy around a key ban is the tense balancing act I crave. While I expect to have a lot less coordination and a lot more chaos when I queue with less than a full team, I still want more strategic freedom, and it’s just not there. While we're still working with a very early version of Deadlock, and Valve likely has more updates to come to matchmaking, I am still left pining for the illusory ‘ghost of Christmas future’ version of the game I’ve seen.New York Giants star rookie wideout Malik Nabers (toe) missed practice Thursday and termed himself a game-day decision. He also is unsure if he will be able to participate on Friday. The Giants host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. "I'm hoping so, it all depends on how it feels tomorrow, that's really it," Nabers said Thursday. Nabers, 21, has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants and leads the team with 97 receptions for 969 yards and four touchdown catches in 13 games (12 starts). Selected sixth overall out of LSU, Nabers has caught 10 or more passes on three occasions but has just one touchdown catch over the past 10 games. Though the Giants (2-13) are mired in a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak, Nabers isn't down about the situation. "We're happy where we're at," Nabers said. "Continue to grow every day. A lot of things to fix, a lot of things we can look back on in our rookie year and continue to try to get better for next year." In addition to Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle), center John Michael Schmitz (ankle), linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), cornerbacks Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) and Dee Williams (toe) and safety Raheem Layne (knee) sat out practice Thursday. Quarterback Drew Lock (right shoulder) was a limited participant. --Field Level Media

(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — After losing to San Francisco in the playoffs three of the last five seasons, the Green Bay Packers wouldn’t mind seeing the 49ers get left out of the postseason entirely. The Packers (7-3) could damage San Francisco’s playoff hopes Sunday by beating the 49ers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco (5-5) dropped to .500 after losing at home to the Seattle Seahawks, though the 49ers remain just a game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. “I think we’re motivated to keep winning more than anything,” Packers center Josh Myers said. “Obviously, they have knocked us out quite a bit. There’s that extra motivation behind it, but at this point, we’re just trying to churn out wins.” Green Bay is third in the NFC North and two games behind the Detroit Lions, but the Packers appear on track to at least earn a wild-card playoff berth. History suggests their path to a potential Super Bowl would get much clearer if the 49ers aren’t standing in their way. The 49ers trailed 21-14 in the fourth quarter before rallying to beat the Packers 24-21 in the divisional playoffs last year on Christian McCaffrey’s 6-yard touchdown run with 1:07 left. Now it’s the 49ers who are struggling to protect late leads, as they’ve blown fourth-quarter advantages in three games against divisional opponents. “You could look at, ‘Hey, we’re three possessions away from being 8-2,’ but you can’t really live like that,” 49ers tight end George Kittle said. “Those are the mistakes that we’ve made to be 5-5. It’s not exactly where we want to be. It is frustrating. The nice thing is we have seven games left to go out there and play Niners football and take advantage of those opportunities.” Green Bay’s recent history of playoff frustration against the 49ers also includes a 13-10 loss at Lambeau Field in the 2021 divisional playoffs and a 37-20 road defeat in the 2019 NFC championship game. Even the Packers who weren’t around for last season’s playoff loss realize what this game means. “I think one of the first meetings that I was in here, we had a conversation about the Niners beating us,” said Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney, who joined the Packers this season. “So I understand how important it is, and we all do.” Both teams must figure out how to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. The 49ers are scoring touchdowns on just 48.8% of their drives inside an opponent’s 20-yard line to rank 27th in the NFL. The Packers are slightly worse in that regard, scoring touchdowns on 48.7% of their red-zone possessions to rank 28th. In their 20-19 victory at Chicago on Sunday, Green Bay drove to the Bears 5 without scoring on two separate series. Kittle expects to play Sunday after missing the Seahawks game with a hamstring injury, but four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa’s status is uncertain after he hurt his left hip and oblique in that game. Seattle scored both of its TDs after Bosa left in the third quarter with an injury and averaged 2.7 additional yards per play after he got hurt. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander didn’t play in the second half of the Bears game due to a knee injury that also prevented him from playing in a Nov. 3 loss to Detroit. Green Bay’s defense feasted on turnovers the first part of the season, but hasn’t been as effective in getting those takeaways lately. The Packers have 19 takeaways – already exceeding their 2023 total – but haven’t forced any turnovers in their last two games. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t eased McCaffrey back into the lineup in his return after missing the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey has played 91% of the 49ers’ offensive snaps the past two weeks. Jordan Mason, who rushed for 685 yards during McCaffrey’s absence, has just five snaps on offense the last two games. Shanahan said he’d like to get Mason more opportunities, but it’s hard to take McCaffrey off the field. Green Bay nearly lost to the Bears because of its third-down struggles on both sides of the ball. The Packers were 1 of 5 on third-down opportunities, while the Bears went 9 of 16. The Packers’ defense could have a tough time correcting that problem against San Francisco, which has converted 45.4% of its third-down situations to rank fourth in the league. AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report. 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