monitors for gaming and work

Fortnite ’s latest game mode, Ballistic, plays a lot like Valorant or Counter-Strike . The mode, currently labeled as being in “Early Access,” is rough around the edges and feels more like a demo than a full game. However, Ballistic is also proof that Epic can build first-person shooters that work in Fortnite, and that’s exciting. Launched on December 11 on all platforms , Ballistic is a 5v5 tactical round-based first-person shooter in which one team defends two bomb sites while the other team of five attacks and tries to plant an explosive device. There are no respawns until the next round and between rounds, you buy guns and equipment with money you earn from kills and winning. That probably sounds a lot like Counter-Strike and that’s because, yeah, Ballistic is basically Fortnite ’s version of Valve’s popular FPS. Before I played a few matches, I was curious how well FPS gameplay would work in Fortnite . After a few matches of Ballistic , I came away impressed. Epic has done the work to make animations and movement feel and look good in the first-person perspective. Sprinting, climbing, aiming down sights, reloading, and all that feels snappy and responsive, like you’d expect from a well-made first-person shooter. I do have some quibbles with the controls. I really want a button that lets me swap between my rifle and pistol. I’d love to be able to map my grenade and gadgets to specific buttons, too, instead of using Fortnite ’s default inventory and hotbar system. But these are minor issues that could be fixed in future updates. For now, what’s here is a solid FPS that just happens to live in Fortnite and uses all the character and weapon skins you already own. Yes, that means Darth Vader can snipe Goku while Leatherface helps Snoop Dogg plant the bomb at location A. Weird shit, but it also is a big selling point to someone like me who owns all these characters (and more). As for the mode itself, Ballistic is fun and tense, like Counter-Strike or Valorant . However, I experienced some issues with menus not loading properly, random sound effects happening for no reason, long waits between matches, and janky post-game victory screens. While I had a good time taking out Fortnite kiddies who have never played a game like Counter-Strike , I understand why Epic labeled this an “Early Access” experiment. It’s enjoyable, but far from finished or stable. Still, even in this janky, early access form, Epic’s latest mode is a promising first step toward the developer adding more FPS modes and games into Fortnite . Epic has also, with the launch of Ballistic , given the community the ability to start publicly uploading games using the company’s FPS tools. I expect that in the coming days and weeks, we’ll see people recreating famous Counter-Strike maps and more. That sounds exciting, though if I was someone working on a first-person shooter that wasn’t Call of Duty , I’d be nervous. If Epic can build upon Ballistic and add more modes, games, and options, it might be able to bring a whole new audience into its ever-growing ecosystem , and it might get even tougher than it already is to launch a multiplayer shooter. .A handful of Senate Democrats are taking an unexpectedly conciliatory approach toward President-elect Donald Trump’s slate of cabinet nominees , even pledging to be “open-minded” when the confirmation process begins. The Dems’ approach signals a big departure from 2017, when many of Trump’s cabinet picks endured overwhelmingly acrimonious confirmation hearings. “Until these folks are scheduled to face the Senate, Democrats are going to let the Republicans do the knifing,” one senior congressional Democratic aide told The Post. The move suggests that at least some Dems — particularly incumbents in the swing states Trump swept last month — are more willing to reach across the aisle as they brace themselves to be the minority by a margin of 53-47 come January. “I will give any president’s nominees good-faith consideration and will be eager to learn how they believe their tenure, should they be confirmed, will benefit Georgia,” Sen. Jon Ossoff (R-Ga.) told Punchbowl News , adding, “I am, as always, open-minded.” Michigan Democrat Gary Peters closely echoed Ossoff’s sentiment, saying he will act in good faith and consider “every candidate on their own qualifications and on their own merit.” Still, it is unlikely any Senate Democrats will vote to confirm Trump’s more divisive choices such as Kash Patel for FBI chief or Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense. “If they are reasonable, we will be reasonable. I think you will see less blanket opposition than the first time around, but we will not give up our roles,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) told the outlet. “Hegseth is a huge person of interest — just because of the lack of international experience and alcohol issues and sexual misconduct as well,” the Democratic aide also told The Post, referencing recent allegations of personal and professional misconduct against Trump’s Pentagon pick. “That’s judgment, could be at 3 a.m.,” the aide added of the round-the-clock job. This means nominees including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state or Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer for secretary of labor are unlikely to be held up as vulnerable Dems look to pick their battles more carefully. “I’m going to give everybody a fair shake,” said Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who watched last month as the Garden State tilted to the right by 10 points. Sen. Jon Fetterman (D-Pa.) was pragmatic when summing up the shift in tone among his colleagues. “That’s what happens when the other side wins. “They get their choices in those things,” he said. The junior senator from the Keystone State even spared a kind word for Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken a highly visible role in the nascent Trump administration and is set to co-head the Department of Government Efficiency with fellow MAGA magnate Vivek Ramaswamy. “I admire Elon Musk. He has been involved in very important parts of American society,” Fetterman said from the Capitol on Thursday. “Yes, he’s on a different team, but that doesn’t make me an enemy. ... He has made our economy and our nation better, and our politics are different, [but] that doesn’t make him an enemy.” The Senate has not scheduled any confirmations yet, but the hearings will kick off in January after the new Congress is sworn in.monitors for gaming and work 。

The Los Angeles Chargers got back in the win column on Sunday just in time to face their rival, the Chiefs, for the second time this season. Below are ways they can hopefully, finally, beat this Chiefs team. Protect Quarterback Justin Herbert Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones really got the best of Herbert in their Week Four matchup as according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) he had two sacks on Herbert along with three hurries and one hit. Jones currently leads the team in sacks at six with Chiefs defensive edge George Karlaftis close behind with five. The increased pressure during that game can be partially blamed on the fact that the offensive line wasn’t at full strength, as both right tackle Joe Alt and left tackle Rashawn Slater were out. Overall the pass blocking has been much improved for the Los Angeles Chargers, so though the pressure will be intense, with the line at full strength and the help of players like tight end Will Dissly and defensive lineman/fullback Scott Matlock, Herbert should be in better shape. According to Fox Sports the Chiefs rank 23rd in passing defense and third in rushing defense, so without running back J.K.Dobbins, Herbert’s arm may be their best bet to win. Contain Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes When watching the Chiefs, even if they’re losing and it’s the last quarter, as long as there is time on the clock and Mahomes is on the field, the game may still go the Chiefs’ way. Because if nothing is working, Mahomes will find a way to escape the pocket and get a first down or get the ball to his playmakers. The Los Angeles Chargers can’t let him be the hero and that’s where their defense comes in. Outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu has played the most pass rush snaps of the Chargers this season with the most sacks to show for it (eight), while outside linebacker Khalil Mack has the second most sacks (five), tied with outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Defensive lineman Poona Ford has also been very consistent in the pass rush. The Chiefs are vulnerable this year as they almost lost to the Panthers in Week 12 and the Raiders last Friday, so the Chargers need to throw everything they can at Mahomes. Don’t Let The Chiefs Offensive Playmakers Cook The Chiefs rank 15th in total offense and 12th in passing offense, and despite some of their close-call games, they still have some playmakers. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce may not be playing at the same level of seasons past but his connection with Mahomes is magic, so he can never be counted out. The addition of former Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has added some explosiveness back to the passing game, while Chiefs tight end Noah Gray is having a career-high season in areas like receiving yards ( 373 ) and receiving touchdowns (four). Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy is still finding his rhythm on the team but has had some real bright spots, while the return of running back Isiah Pacheco will add some pep to the step of the Chiefs’ run game. Any of these guys could break this Los Angeles Chargers team if Mahomes has a hot streak, so if Mahomes can’t be stopped, it’s a matter of cutting off his weapons. Cornerback Kristian Fulton has been all over receivers this season, really amping up the aggression, while safety Derwin James Jr. is always up for a Kelce battle. Linebacker Daiyan Henley will be a big help against Pacheco, if he’s able to play on Sunday, as he has the most snaps in run defense this season with the most STOPs ( 41 ) to show for it. The defense will need to turn up the dial just as they did against the Falcons. Los Angeles Chargers Must Create Turnovers The Los Angeles Chargers were able to get four interceptions out of their game against the Falcons, one of which resulted in a pick-six during the third quarter from cornerback Tarheeb Still. Mahomes hasn’t had a huge amount of interceptions this year but just one should be enough to set the tone for the Chargers defense to start to take advantage of any cracks. And if the defense can’t manage to contain Mahomes or his weapons, then creating turnovers is the next best option. Both Still and cornerback Elijah Molden currently lead the Chargers in interceptions with three each, while a handful of others have at least one like defensive lineman Teair Tart. The defense will need to create more opportunities for their offense to get going this coming week, so turnovers are a good first step. Shock Some Life Into The Offense The Los Angeles Chargers offense could not get a lot going on Sunday as there were no passing touchdowns, just one two-point conversion, and only 56 total yards of rushing offense. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey was the savior with 117 receiving yards and was targeted 12 times. McConkey, though, has been dealing with a shoulder injury and injured his knee during the matchup, so it’s unclear if he’ll be healthy for this next game, and without him, the team loses a bit of their explosiveness. Also Read: Los Angeles Chargers Share Injury Update On Ladd McConkey Though I’ve talked a lot about what the Chargers need to do defensively, they cannot beat the Chiefs by solely relying on that unit or their kicker. They need to score touchdowns. This offense needs some life either in the run or passing game, or both, to keep winning. This Chiefs game will be a test as to whether the Los Angeles Chargers will be able to contend with the type of teams they’re bound to encounter if they make the playoffs. This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.What was 2024's best movie? From 'The Substance' to 'Conclave,' our top 10

Charities, food banks and homeless shelters are to receive access to a £15m fund to help use surplus farm food. The government scheme, set to be launched next year, will give grants of £20,000 and upwards to non-profit redistribution groups in England. It aims to help those groups secure new equipment - like hoppers and balers - or to train staff and set up new technology so they can get food that would be wasted to those who need it most. According to government figures, it's estimated that around 330,000 tonnes of edible food a year are or used for animal feed before leaving farms. Announcing the scheme, circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: "With families gathering to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, it's important to remember those in our communities who may be going hungry this festive period. "Nobody wants to see good food go to waste - especially farmers who work hard to put food on family tables across the country." Charlotte Hill and Kris Gibbon-Walsh, chief executives of charities The Felix Project and FareShare, said they were "thrilled" that the fund had been announced after years of campaigning. "We have a proven model which funds farmers to redistribute their unsold food, which means that together, we can take meaningful steps toward achieving a zero-waste Britain," they said. It comes after the Trussel Trust, an anti-poverty charity that runs food banks across the UK, said in November that more than 1.42 million emergency food parcels had been distributed in the previous six months. The charity also reported a 37% increase in demand for food parcels between 2021/22 and 2022/23, and another 4% increase was recorded between 2022/23 and 2023/24.Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams

Ukraine's Defence Ministry starts testing mobile command post for UAV units