newsweek--2020-12-31--China Marks New Year with Victory Speech and Warning for US

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech ripe with his country 's successes over the past year , one wrought with global hardships , the greatest of which was first detected in his country—the COVID-19 pandemic .
Ties between top world powers China and the U.S. had been deteriorating for some time , and the international crisis only served to exacerbate them .
As the Chinese leader spoke of hope for the new year , his officials issued a stark warning in response to the U.S. military posing a year-end challenge in the sensitive Taiwan Strait .
In the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare double-warship pass through the Taiwan Strait with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur .
In response to the move , the second such sail-through this month , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed China 's `` firm opposition '' and warned against future moves in remarks affirmed to Newsweek by Beijing 's embassy in Washington .
`` The Chinese side was closely following and fully aware of the U.S. military vessels ' passage through the Taiwan Strait , '' Wang said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Taiwan Strait , provoked and stirred up trouble , sent wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces , and seriously jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait . ''
He said the People 's Liberation Army would remain vigilant against such perceived threats .
`` China will continue to be on high alert , ready to respond to all threats and provocations at any time , and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity , '' Wang said .
`` We urge the U.S. side to play a constructive role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing the contrary . ''
Wang also referred to remarks made by PLA Senior Colonel Wu Qian , who issued similar words of caution against the U.S. `` flexing muscles '' at the maritime flashpoint where China routinely scrambles its forces against such moves .
The Taiwan Defense Ministry also issued a statement regarding the passage of the U.S. warships .
`` The Chinese military used joint intelligence , surveillance and reconnaissance as a way to grasp the relevant dynamics and actions of ships and aircraft in the surrounding seas and airspaces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office read .
The U.S. 7th Fleet , for its part , maintained that the action was taken `` in accordance with international law . ''
`` The ships ' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific , '' the fleet 's public affairs department said Wednesday .
`` The United States military will continue to fly , sail and operate wherever international law allows . ''
Those words were recently echoed by a Navy spokesperson who maintained that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PLA '' throughout the region , including the East and South China Seas `` are safe and in accordance with international norms . ''
`` We expect the PLA to operate in accordance with the same , '' the spokesperson told Newsweek , noting that `` attempts to misconstrue or sensationalize our operations are irresponsible and counterproductive . ''
Xi , for his part , adopted a characteristically measured tone on Thursday as he delivered an annual message to reflect on 2020 and set the stage for 2021 .
The Chinese leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists to soldiers and civilian volunteers in the country 's collective fight against the novel coronavirus .
The disease was first observed about a year ago in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread worldwide , infecting 83 million people and killing more than 1.8 million .
While the West continues to suffer the worst of the virus , China has largely recovered , and Xi took the opportunity to tout his country 's return to normalcy and the attainment of its economic growth goals with record-breaking trade figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the only major economy in the world to expand this year .
`` I am proud of our great motherland and people , as well as the unyielding national spirit .
Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested , '' Xi said .
`` Only after polishing can a piece of jade be finer .
We overcame the impact of the pandemic , and made great achievements in coordinating prevention and control and in economic and social development . ''
While fighting the pandemic , China managed to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a robot to plant its flag on the Moon .
However , the year was also rife with tensions .
China consolidated central government influence over restive semi-autonomous Hong Kong and engaged in a deadly high-altitude border clash with neighboring India .
It stepped up pressure on Japan by increasing patrols near disputed East China Sea islands , and engaged in a contentious trade conflict with Australia .
Beijing also drew unprecedented international scrutiny for its reeducation camps in Xinjiang province , where the United Nations has estimated more than a million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority-Muslim Uighur community , were detained .
China has vehemently defended itself against criticisms of its domestic and foreign policies , but nowhere have Chinese officials reacted so strongly as the unprecedented tempo of U.S. challenges to mainland claims of sovereignty over the self-ruling island of Taiwan and its surrounding waters .
Since defeating their nationalist foes in 1949 , the Chinese Communist Party-led central government has maintained itself to be the rightful administrator of Taiwan .
In the seven decades since the rival Taipei government was established in Taiwan , an overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1979 , in a move accompanied by Chinese economic reforms—has switched relations to Beijing , which prohibits diplomatic ties to the breakaway island .
Yet the U.S. provides military assistance to Taiwan in a move that continues to anger China .
Under President Donald Trump , Washington has also sent senior diplomatic officials to the island , despite the absence of formal relations .
At a press conference Thursday in Beijing , Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Tan Kefei railed against `` external forces '' prodding China in the Taiwan Strait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and other officials have also vowed to defend Chinese territorial claims .
In addition to criticizing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan , Tan also denounced the growing U.S.-India relationship amid the ongoing border dispute between Beijing and New Delhi .
He also hit out at the release earlier this month of a U.S .
Naval Institute report that asserted that the `` People 's Republic of China represents the most pressing , long-term strategic threat '' to U.S. maritime security .
`` To the person with the hammer in his hand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tan said .
`` Some people in the United States cling to the outdated Cold War mentality and the narrow concept of zero-sum game , hypothesizing other countries as a threat , disregarding international justice and axioms , frequently inciting disputes and conflicts , and impacting the international system and international order . ''
As People 's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison warships docked at the special administrative region 's recently handed-over Central Military Terminal for the first time , a move potentially signaling a greater Chinese military role in Hong Kong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting the recent jailing of a dozen activists there who attempted to flee to Taiwan .
`` A regime that prevents its own people from leaving can lay no claim to greatness or global leadership , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said .
`` It is simply a fragile dictatorship , afraid of its own people . ''
The Trump administration adopted an especially tough line on China , accusing the People 's Republic of trade abuses , human rights violations and geopolitical aggressions .
With President-elect Joe Biden set to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's protests , however , some Chinese officials have expressed hope for an improvement in U.S.-China relations .
Tan told reporters Thursday he hoped for a more productive relationship between Washington and Beijing moving forward , moving away from `` the twists and turns '' of 2020 toward the U.S. seeking to `` effectively reduce hostility and provocation against China , meet China halfway , and continue to strengthen cooperation in such areas as strategic communication , institutional dialogue , conflict prevention , and crisis management and to jointly promote the stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Others were less optimistic .
The South China Sea Probing Initiative ( SCSPI ) , a Chinese think tank composed of international experts monitoring the region , recently told Newsweek that the threat of war remained all too real , and may even be rising .
`` We still believe that the risk of conflict is rising , '' the SCSPI team said .
`` Though less mentioned in media reports recently , there have always been several encounters of various kinds from two sides every single day .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis management measures , the risk of an accident or unexpected conflict would still be high . ''
The institute also recommended an offramp for tensions , but was skeptical as to whether Washington would take it given the circumstances of their growing international feud .
`` The U.S. needs : 1 ) to refrain from 'taking sides ' on disputed issues and maintain necessary policy balance ; 2 ) to avoid extreme moves on the front line , '' the SCSPI said .
But they were not hopeful .
`` However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition , '' the SCSPI said , `` both mentioned above are hard to be seen . ''

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech ripe with his country's successes over the past year, one wrought with global hardships, the greatest of which was first detected in his country—the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ties between top world powers China and the U.S. had been deteriorating for some time, and the international crisis only served to exacerbate them. As the Chinese leader spoke of hope for the new year, his officials issued a stark warning in response to the U.S. military posing a year-end challenge in the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
In the latest affront, the U.S. Navy conducted a rare double-warship pass through the Taiwan Strait with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur.
In response to the move, the second such sail-through this month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed China's "firm opposition" and warned against future moves in remarks affirmed to Newsweek by Beijing's embassy in Washington.
"The Chinese side was closely following and fully aware of the U.S. military vessels' passage through the Taiwan Strait," Wang said. "The U.S. warships have repeatedly flaunted their prowess in the Taiwan Strait, provoked and stirred up trouble, sent wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces, and seriously jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
He said the People's Liberation Army would remain vigilant against such perceived threats.
"China will continue to be on high alert, ready to respond to all threats and provocations at any time, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wang said. "We urge the U.S. side to play a constructive role for regional peace and stability rather than doing the contrary."
Wang also referred to remarks made by PLA Senior Colonel Wu Qian, who issued similar words of caution against the U.S. "flexing muscles" at the maritime flashpoint where China routinely scrambles its forces against such moves.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year's Eve speech from his office in the capital Beijing, December 31. "We will continue to strive, march ahead with courage, and create brighter glory! At just this moment, the festive lanterns have been lit, and family members gather for reunion. The New Year is coming. I wish our land to be splendid, our country to be prosperous, and our people to live in peace I wish you all a harmonious, smooth and auspicious year, full of happiness!" the Chinese leader signed off. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington in the United States of America
The Taiwan Defense Ministry also issued a statement regarding the passage of the U.S. warships.
"The Taiwanese military used joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as a way to grasp the relevant dynamics and actions of ships and aircraft in the surrounding seas and airspaces," a statement sent to Newsweek by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office read.
The U.S. 7th Fleet, for its part, maintained that the action was taken "in accordance with international law."
"The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the fleet's public affairs department said Wednesday. "The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows."
Those words were recently echoed by a Navy spokesperson who maintained that "the vast majority of our interactions with the PLA" throughout the region, including the East and South China Seas "are safe and in accordance with international norms."
"We expect the PLA to operate in accordance with the same," the spokesperson told Newsweek, noting that "attempts to misconstrue or sensationalize our operations are irresponsible and counterproductive."
Xi, for his part, adopted a characteristically measured tone on Thursday as he delivered an annual message to reflect on 2020 and set the stage for 2021.
Read more China to Visit Africa First for 30th Year in Row, Signaling Priorities China to Visit Africa First for 30th Year in Row, Signaling Priorities
The Chinese leader championed frontline workers from health workers and scientists to soldiers and civilian volunteers in the country's collective fight against the novel coronavirus. The disease was first observed about a year ago in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread worldwide, infecting 83 million people and killing more than 1.8 million.
While the West continues to suffer the worst of the virus, China has largely recovered, and Xi took the opportunity to tout his country's return to normalcy and the attainment of its economic growth goals with record-breaking trade figures.
The People's Republic was set to be the only major economy in the world to expand this year.
"I am proud of our great motherland and people, as well as the unyielding national spirit. Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested," Xi said. "Only after polishing can a piece of jade be finer. We overcame the impact of the pandemic, and made great achievements in coordinating prevention and control and in economic and social development."
While fighting the pandemic, China managed to combat disastrous floods, alleviate poverty and send a robot to plant its flag on the Moon.
However, the year was also rife with tensions.
China consolidated central government influence over restive semi-autonomous Hong Kong and engaged in a deadly high-altitude border clash with neighboring India. It stepped up pressure on Japan by increasing patrols near disputed East China Sea islands, and engaged in a contentious trade conflict with Australia.
Beijing also drew unprecedented international scrutiny for its reeducation camps in Xinjiang province, where the United Nations has estimated more than a million people, most of them members of the majority-Muslim Uighur community, were detained.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain conducts what the Navy called "routine operations in support of stability and security for a free and open Indo-Pacific" in an image released alongside news of the warship transiting the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese People's Liberation Army sent aerial and naval assets to intercept the passage, and issued a warning not to trespass in waters claimed by Beijing. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/U.S. Navy
China has vehemently defended itself against criticisms of its domestic and foreign policies, but nowhere have Chinese officials reacted so strongly as the unprecedented tempo of U.S. challenges to mainland claims of sovereignty over the self-ruling island of Taiwan and its surrounding waters.
Since defeating their nationalist foes in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party-led central government has maintained itself to be the rightful administrator of Taiwan. In the seven decades since the rival Taipei government was established in Taiwan, an overwhelming majority of the global community—including the U.S. in 1979, in a move accompanied by Chinese economic reforms—has switched relations to Beijing, which prohibits diplomatic ties to the breakaway island.
Yet the U.S. provides military assistance to Taiwan in a move that continues to anger China. Under President Donald Trump, Washington has also sent senior diplomatic officials to the island, despite the absence of formal relations.
At a press conference Thursday in Beijing, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Tan Kefei railed against "external forces" prodding China in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, where he and other officials have also vowed to defend Chinese territorial claims.
Read more Could South China Sea Conflict Heat Up Before Joe Biden Presidency? Could South China Sea Conflict Heat Up Before Joe Biden Presidency?
In addition to criticizing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Tan also denounced the growing U.S.-India relationship amid the ongoing border dispute between Beijing and New Delhi.
He also hit out at the release earlier this month of a U.S. Naval Institute report that asserted that the "People's Republic of China represents the most pressing, long-term strategic threat" to U.S. maritime security.
"To the person with the hammer in his hand, everything looks like a nail," Tan said. "Some people in the United States cling to the outdated Cold War mentality and the narrow concept of zero-sum game, hypothesizing other countries as a threat, disregarding international justice and axioms, frequently inciting disputes and conflicts, and impacting the international system and international order."
As People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison warships docked at the special administrative region's recently handed-over Central Military Terminal for the first time, a move potentially signaling a greater Chinese military role in Hong Kong, the State Department issued a statement Thursday targeting the recent jailing of a dozen activists there who attempted to flee to Taiwan.
"A regime that prevents its own people from leaving can lay no claim to greatness or global leadership," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "It is simply a fragile dictatorship, afraid of its own people."
A graph prepared by the South China Sea Probing Initiative details the number of times U.S. warships passed through the Taiwan Strait since 2007. South China Sea Probing Initiative
The Trump administration adopted an especially tough line on China, accusing the People's Republic of trade abuses, human rights violations and geopolitical aggressions. With President-elect Joe Biden set to take office on January 20 in spite of Trump's protests, however, some Chinese officials have expressed hope for an improvement in U.S.-China relations.
Tan told reporters Thursday he hoped for a more productive relationship between Washington and Beijing moving forward, moving away from "the twists and turns" of 2020 toward the U.S. seeking to "effectively reduce hostility and provocation against China, meet China halfway, and continue to strengthen cooperation in such areas as strategic communication, institutional dialogue, conflict prevention, and crisis management and to jointly promote the stable development of relations between the two militaries."
Others were less optimistic.
The South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI), a Chinese think tank composed of international experts monitoring the region, recently told Newsweek that the threat of war remained all too real, and may even be rising.
"We still believe that the risk of conflict is rising," the SCSPI team said. "Though less mentioned in media reports recently, there have always been several encounters of various kinds from two sides every single day. If the U.S. and China couldn't find substantive crisis management measures, the risk of an accident or unexpected conflict would still be high."
The institute also recommended an offramp for tensions, but was skeptical as to whether Washington would take it given the circumstances of their growing international feud.
"The U.S. needs: 1) to refrain from 'taking sides' on disputed issues and maintain necessary policy balance; 2) to avoid extreme moves on the front line," the SCSPI said.
But they were not hopeful.
"However, under the backdrop of the great power competition," the SCSPI said, "both mentioned above are hard to be seen."


newsweek--2020-12-31--Rapper MF Doom Dead at 49

Rapper MF Doom Dead at 49

British rapper MF Doom—whose real name is Daniel Dumile—has died , according to a statement that his wife , Jasmine , shared on Instagram on Thursday .
He was 49 years old .
In her post , Doom 's wife says that he actually died on October 31 , which means word of the artist 's death was kept under wraps for two full months .
`` The greatest husband , father , teacher , student , business partner , lover and friend I could ever ask for .
Thank you for all the things you have shown , taught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our family .
Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance , not to be so quick to judge and write off .
Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be .
My world will never be the same without you .
Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me , I love both and adore you always .
May THE ALL continue to bless you , our family and the planet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MF Doom 's team followed up Jasmine 's statement with a message of their own , shared via XXL .
`` With heavy hearts , we share these words from MF DOOM 's family .
It is our wish to continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time , '' their statement reads .
MF Doom 's cause of death has yet to be revealed .
Born in London and raised on Long Island , New York , MF Doom was known for his elusive demeanor and dramatic skull masks .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he formed the rap group KDM with his brother , DJ Subroc , and friend , Rodan , the latter of whom was eventually replaced by Onyx the Birthstone Kid .
At that time , Dumile was going by the moniker Zev Love X .
After his brother was hit by a car and killed in 1993 , Dumile took a break from rap , before eventually re-emerging under the MF Doom guise .
It was a name and persona very much inspired by the Marvel Comics character Doctor Doom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doom name , dubbed Operation : Doomsday , in 1999 .
Several more full-length albums followed in the ensuing years , including 2004 's Mm.. Food .
The same year of Food 's release , though , MF Doom reached another level of success via a collaboration with American producer Madlib .
In 2004 , the duo put out the psychedelic hip-hop album Madvillainy , under their shared name of Madvillain .
While Doom had previously earned praise from critics and followers of the underground rap scene , Madvillainy cemented his legacy ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this day .
A proper sequel album was always rumored and speculated about , but it has yet to materialize .
Following news of his death on Thursday , fans took to social media to pay tribute to MF Doom .
`` Like his music or not , there 's no denying how much of a legend MF DOOM was in the eyes of many members of the rap community & how significant his impact was on the lives of his fans & those who 've gained inspiration from him in the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a shrinking world , MF DOOM was one of that last artists with true mystique .
One minute he 's transmitting messages from a remote island , the next he 's deploying his army of imposters , the next he 's officiating weddings .
Not even his collaborators could quite get a lock on him , '' another tweet read .

British rapper MF Doom—whose real name is Daniel Dumile—has died, according to a statement that his wife, Jasmine, shared on Instagram on Thursday. He was 49 years old.
In her post, Doom's wife says that he actually died on October 31, which means word of the artist's death was kept under wraps for two full months.
MF Doom performs on stage at The Forum on November 16, 2013, in London, United Kingdom. C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images
"The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be. My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet," her Instagram post reads.
MF Doom's team followed up Jasmine's statement with a message of their own, shared via XXL. "With heavy hearts, we share these words from MF DOOM's family. It is our wish to continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time," their statement reads.
MF Doom's cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Born in London and raised on Long Island, New York, MF Doom was known for his elusive demeanor and dramatic skull masks. He first entered the music scene in 1988, when he formed the rap group KDM with his brother, DJ Subroc, and friend, Rodan, the latter of whom was eventually replaced by Onyx the Birthstone Kid. At that time, Dumile was going by the moniker Zev Love X.
After his brother was hit by a car and killed in 1993, Dumile took a break from rap, before eventually re-emerging under the MF Doom guise. It was a name and persona very much inspired by the Marvel Comics character Doctor Doom. He released his first album under the Doom name, dubbed Operation: Doomsday, in 1999. Several more full-length albums followed in the ensuing years, including 2004's Mm.. Food.
The same year of Food's release, though, MF Doom reached another level of success via a collaboration with American producer Madlib. In 2004, the duo put out the psychedelic hip-hop album Madvillainy, under their shared name of Madvillain. While Doom had previously earned praise from critics and followers of the underground rap scene, Madvillainy cemented his legacy; the album remains an art-rap classic to this day. A proper sequel album was always rumored and speculated about, but it has yet to materialize.
Following news of his death on Thursday, fans took to social media to pay tribute to MF Doom.
"Like his music or not, there's no denying how much of a legend MF DOOM was in the eyes of many members of the rap community & how significant his impact was on the lives of his fans & those who've gained inspiration from him in the industry," one fan tweeted.
like his music or not, there’s no denying how much of a legend MF DOOM was in the eyes of many members of the rap community & how significant his impact was on the lives of his fans & those who’ve gained inspiration from him in the industry
MF DOOM changed the game forever, RIP pic.twitter.com/ArHJmct7rB — Z E N (@real_zen1) December 31, 2020
"In a shrinking world, MF DOOM was one of that last artists with true mystique. One minute he's transmitting messages from a remote island, the next he's deploying his army of imposters, the next he's officiating weddings. Not even his collaborators could quite get a lock on him," another tweet read.


newsweek--2020-12-31--'Madden 21' Player Ratings Update Week 16: Davante Adams Joins 99 Club and Other Changes

As the NFL heads into its final regular season games , Madden 21 has updated player ratings for Week 16 .
The changes include one footballer making the elusive 99 club , and another falling out of that elite tier .
In updating its Madden 21 player ratings to reflect performances in Week 16 , EA Sports ushered Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams into the 99 club , thanks to his masterful performance against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football .
Adams caught 11 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns to help keep the Packers ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the NFC .
The wideout joins Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams , Deandre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals , Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs , and Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots as the only members of the 99-rating club .
There was one more member to that crew , but he actually lost that spot this week .
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey has had a season marred by injuries and after playing in just three games this season , McCaffrey was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players crept up closer to the coveted 99 rating .
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry continued his masterful season and MVP aspirations against the Packers with a gritty 98 yards rushing on 23 attempts .
While Week 16 was n't his best performance , Henry still continued his streak of solid performances ; as a result , his overall rating increased from a 95 to 96 .
Buffalo Bills wideout Stephon Diggs took his Week 16 AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor and got his rating increased from 95 to 96 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 145 yards and three touchdowns , as the Bills stomped the Patriots on Monday Night Football , 38-9 .
Some other players took a hit to their overall rating in Week 16 , including Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook .
Cook rushed for just 73 yards and one touchdown as the New Orleans Saints beat up on the Vikings , 52-33 .
On the other side of the field , Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 155 yards and six touchdowns , in the best offensive performance of the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EA Sports apparently thought this performance was only good enough to raise his rating from a 92 to a 93 .
To see the entire list of ratings , including the changes , head over to the EA Sports database .
What do you think of the latest ratings changes in Madden 21 ?
Let us know in the comments section .

As the NFL heads into its final regular season games, Madden 21 has updated player ratings for Week 16. The changes include one footballer making the elusive 99 club, and another falling out of that elite tier.
In updating its Madden 21 player ratings to reflect performances in Week 16, EA Sports ushered Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams into the 99 club, thanks to his masterful performance against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football.
Adams caught 11 passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns to help keep the Packers' spot as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The wideout joins Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams, Deandre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots as the only members of the 99-rating club.
EA Sports/NFLPA
There was one more member to that crew, but he actually lost that spot this week. Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey has had a season marred by injuries and after playing in just three games this season, McCaffrey was dropped to a 98 rating.
Other players crept up closer to the coveted 99 rating. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry continued his masterful season and MVP aspirations against the Packers with a gritty 98 yards rushing on 23 attempts. While Week 16 wasn't his best performance, Henry still continued his streak of solid performances; as a result, his overall rating increased from a 95 to 96.
Buffalo Bills wideout Stephon Diggs took his Week 16 AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor and got his rating increased from 95 to 96 as well. Diggs caught nine passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns, as the Bills stomped the Patriots on Monday Night Football, 38-9.
Some other players took a hit to their overall rating in Week 16, including Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. Cook rushed for just 73 yards and one touchdown as the New Orleans Saints beat up on the Vikings, 52-33.
On the other side of the field, Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 155 yards and six touchdowns, in the best offensive performance of the entire NFL in Week 16. Unfortunately, EA Sports apparently thought this performance was only good enough to raise his rating from a 92 to a 93.
To see the entire list of ratings, including the changes, head over to the EA Sports database.
What do you think of the latest ratings changes in Madden 21? Let us know in the comments section.


newsweek--2020-12-31--Brawl Breaks Out Between Mississippi State Bulldogs and Tulsa Golden Hurricanes after Armed Forces B

Brawl Breaks Out Between Mississippi State Bulldogs and Tulsa Golden Hurricanes after Armed Forces Bowl

Perhaps the tension of the year just became a little bit too much , and 2020 needed to end with one final blowout .
After the Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in the Armed Forces Bowl , a fight broke out between players , as coaches tried to pull them apart .
Mississippi State defeated Tulsa with a small lead .
The final score was 28-26 , a Bulldog victory .
It 's unclear who exactly started the fight .
One of the ESPN commentators speaking over the brawl noted that this looked like more than just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong men , hitting each other as hard as they can with no helmets on , '' one commentator says in a video , which also shows a Bulldogs player kicking a member of the Golden Hurricanes in the face .
In videos shared on Twitter , coaches in black jackets can be seen trying to get between the players in their maroon and white uniforms .
`` Coaches for both teams desperately trying to get both teams apart , '' an ESPN commentator can be heard saying in the video .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face , another ESPN analyst chimed in , calling the whole fight `` disgraceful . ''
In another clip , the number 7 player for Tulsa can be seen running back onto the field as his helmet was knocked off in the brawl , much to the surprise of the ESPN analysts .
`` You ca n't rip people 's helmets off then kick him in the face , '' the commentator says .
Mississippi State coach Mike Leach said in an interview with ESPN that the whole fight was unexpected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that the entire season .
So I can only guess without seeing the film , but I know prior to this game , we 've never had any trouble with that , '' he said .
When asked what his advice to his team would be , Leach said they should refrain from future fights .
`` Do n't do it anymore .
I mean , yeah , well , it 's just dumb , '' he told a reporter .
Tulsa World reporter Kelly Hines tweeted a statement from Tulsa coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team 's players had each other 's back .
`` The one thing I 'll say is our program , our guys , we 're a team that is going to stand up for each other and we 're going to battle .
... We 're a team that has battled all year long .
We battled again today , '' he said in the statement she tweeted .
In an emailed statement received by Newsweek , the University of Tulsa said it would be taking a look into the players ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reviewing the conduct that followed today 's bowl game .
We take this incident very seriously and will respond appropriately after the review is complete , '' the school 's statement said .
After the game , an ESPN commentator described the scene , saying that there were players that appeared to be stomping on other players that were on the ground .
`` I saw a lot of cowardly stuff going on there , and the more I look at that , the angrier I get .
I get being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's not appropriate , but that was cowardly , '' he said .
In an emailed statement received by Newsweek , Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Executive Director Brant Ringler said , `` Today 's game was played in honor of the Armed Forces .
While it was a hard-fought game , the ending was incredibly unfortunate . ''
Updated 12/31/20 5:29 p.m .
ET : This story has been updated to include the University of Tulsa 's statement .

Perhaps the tension of the year just became a little bit too much, and 2020 needed to end with one final blowout. After the Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in the Armed Forces Bowl, a fight broke out between players, as coaches tried to pull them apart.
FIGHTTTTTTTTTTTT
Mississippi State & Tulsa went at it after the Armed Forces Bowl.... pic.twitter.com/I5X3N2jX4C — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 31, 2020
Mississippi State defeated Tulsa with a small lead. The final score was 28-26, a Bulldog victory. It's unclear who exactly started the fight.
One of the ESPN commentators speaking over the brawl noted that this looked like more than just some post-game rough-housing.
"These are strong men, hitting each other as hard as they can with no helmets on," one commentator says in a video, which also shows a Bulldogs player kicking a member of the Golden Hurricanes in the face.
In videos shared on Twitter, coaches in black jackets can be seen trying to get between the players in their maroon and white uniforms.
"Coaches for both teams desperately trying to get both teams apart," an ESPN commentator can be heard saying in the video.
When the commentator was describing the kick to the face, another ESPN analyst chimed in, calling the whole fight "disgraceful."
#4 on Mississippi State kicked a Tulsa player in the face while he was on the ground. Insane.pic.twitter.com/BszXNkVP8q — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 31, 2020
In another clip, the number 7 player for Tulsa can be seen running back onto the field as his helmet was knocked off in the brawl, much to the surprise of the ESPN analysts.
pic.twitter.com/RK2cQxU8pS — UConn Has A Football Team (@UConnHasAFBTeam) December 31, 2020
"You can't rip people's helmets off then kick him in the face," the commentator says.
Mississippi State coach Mike Leach said in an interview with ESPN that the whole fight was unexpected.
"We've never had any problem with that the entire season. So I can only guess without seeing the film, but I know prior to this game, we've never had any trouble with that," he said.
When asked what his advice to his team would be, Leach said they should refrain from future fights.
"Don't do it anymore. I mean, yeah, well, it's just dumb," he told a reporter.
pic.twitter.com/E55Vl3qSfl — UConn Has A Football Team (@UConnHasAFBTeam) December 31, 2020
In an emailed statement received by Newsweek, Mississippi State Athletics Director John Cohen also said the fight would be reviewed.
"While I'm proud of the representation of our football student-athletes in our previous 10 SEC games and applaud the effort of our team during the Armed Forces Bowl, I'm deeply concerned about the actions of some student-athletes. No matter what led to the situation, fighting is inexcusable and does not represent Mississippi State University's core values. Our administration and Coach Leach are working diligently with the SEC office to review [Thursday's] events and will address the situation in an appropriate manner," he said.
Tulsa World reporter Kelly Hines tweeted a statement from Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery, where he said that his team's players had each other's back.
"The one thing I'll say is our program, our guys, we're a team that is going to stand up for each other and we're going to battle. ... We're a team that has battled all year long. We battled again today," he said in the statement she tweeted.
Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery when asked about the postgame brawl: "The one thing I'll say is our program, our guys, we're a team that is going to stand up for each other and we're going to battle. ... We're a team that has battled all year long. We battled again today." — Kelly Hines (@KellyHinesTW) December 31, 2020
In an emailed statement received by Newsweek, the University of Tulsa said it would be taking a look into the players' conduct.
"The University of Tulsa is reviewing the conduct that followed today's bowl game. We take this incident very seriously and will respond appropriately after the review is complete," the school's statement said.
After the game, an ESPN commentator described the scene, saying that there were players that appeared to be stomping on other players that were on the ground.
"I saw a lot of cowardly stuff going on there, and the more I look at that, the angrier I get. I get being in a fight with somebody, even when it's not appropriate, but that was cowardly," he said.
In an emailed statement received by Newsweek, Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Executive Director Brant Ringler said: "Today's game was played in honor of the Armed Forces. While it was a hard-fought game, the ending was incredibly unfortunate."
A general view of the ball taken during the game between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets on December 18, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Raiders 26-10. Jim McIsaac/Getty
Updated 12/31/20 5:29 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include the University of Tulsa's statement.
Updated 1/2/21 8:07 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include Mississippi State's statement.


newsweek--2020-12-31--How 'Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical' Came Together and How It's Helping Live Theater

Any fan of Pixar 's Ratatouille knows that the film 's core message is `` Anyone can cook , '' whether it 's a rat with a diverse palette or a hopeless line cook .
Well , that lesson does n't apply just to food .
Across several months in 2020 , TikTok creators put together an impromptu , DIY musical adaptation of the 2007 Disney flick .
Really , it was just a trend that took off , with individual creators coming up with their own original song-and-dance numbers inspired by the characters and themes in Ratatouille .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it took on the feel of a group project , almost like virtual community theater—all during a period of time when live theater has been on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Now , all of that material has been adapted into a more professional production : a pre-recorded , virtual concert experience that 's streaming on New Year 's Day , January 1 , and benefiting The Actors Fund .
Presented by Seaview Productions , Ratatouille : The TikTok Musical brings together an all-star cast , including Tituss Burgess as Remy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ André De Shields as Ego and Ashley Park as Colette .
The show will be made up of songs that got their start on the video-sharing app , plus at least one new original song written especially for the benefit .
Disney has given its seal of approval for the event , offering cheeky co-signs across social media .
As of Tuesday , the show had sold almost 60,000 tickets .
The musical can all be traced back to Emily Jacobsen , 26 , a Westchester , New York-based ESL teacher .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok a silly original song inspired by an upcoming Ratatouille-themed ride in Orlando , Florida 's Disney World .
The song has since come to be known as `` Ode to Remy . ''
Despite Jacobsen intending it to just be a silly one-off video , popular TikToker Brittany Broski used the audio in an October video of her own , which was broadcast to her millions of followers , some of whom thought the song sounded like it belonged in a musical .
From there , more and more users decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ideas about inclusion and opening doors for all are key to the Pixar film .
Jacobsen said that hopefully the new production will be a sign that more amateurs , more fans who simply have a passion for things like musicals and Pixar , will be able to participate more in the entertainment industry .
`` These things popping up on TikTok were at first just these everyday , average people and so the project was this great opportunity to contribute towards something and join in on the fun , '' she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only because of these everyday , ordinary people that suddenly the pros started jumping in as well on TikTok and other platforms to be a part of this greater movement for something new , something that 's never been done before , but still based on something that people are familiar with . ''
In October , New York-based composer and arranger Daniel Mertzlufft , 27 , expanded on Jacobsen 's a capella track to add orchestrations and make her `` Ode to Remy '' into a tune fit to close a show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes sense then , that Mertzlufft serves as the music supervisor for Ratatouille : The TikTok Musical .
He also handled arrangements for the production and wrote a new song .
But Mertzlufft was n't alone ; as the idea of really putting together a musical centered on Ratatouille 's Remy the rat gained traction , at least a dozen TikTokers tried to pitch in , and shared their ideas for songs over the app .
`` That was one of my big challenges , was trying to find cohesion between all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score , even though it is written by lots of different people , '' Mertzlufft said in a phone call .
`` The songs are so much fun .
I really loved every single one of them and creating new underscoring and expanding them , and giving them full Broadway treatments was such a pleasure . ''
Aside from looking to his peers on TikTok , Mertzlufft said that when filling out the songs more , he drew on some of the Mouse House 's heavy hitters for inspiration , like tunes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I decided to lean really heavily into the old Disney classics , leaning into those [ Alan ] Menken- [ Howard ] Ashman scores and trying to create that , but also use some modern musical theater ideas and bring that all in , '' he explained .
Brooklyn-based writers and producers Michael Breslin , 29 , and Patrick Foley , 30 , wrote the book for the upcoming concert .
Foley said that while they were doing research for another live-streamed theater project—a queer comedy called Circle J**k , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts about the makeshift Ratatouille musical that was unfolding on TikTok , and they were excited when they were approached to work on the show by producer Greg Nobile .
With ideas coming from both the beloved Pixar movie and the songs on TikTok , Breslin said that their work was primarily about piecing together the existing media into a fresh book .
`` It 's really been a curatorial and dramaturgical job of patching everything together into this bizarre , lovely , fun quilt that people will be seeing on January 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , composer , playwright and director Lucy Moss , 26 , who was one of the masterminds behind the musical Six , was tapped to direct the show via Zoom from London , England .
The sheer amount of people who have shared ideas for the musical on TikTok has weighed on Moss .
`` Every single person who 's invested in this has a different idea of what they want to see , and how they want something to be done , and how they want something to be realized , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be hard to please everyone , '' Moss said in a Zoom interview .
`` I 'm hoping that it 's going to both be a delightful manifestation of some of the things that the TikTokers have been dreaming of , with the cast that we have and the way that they perform it so amazingly , but also [ hoping ] people that are diehard fans [ of theater ] to have a chance to hear and hopefully grow to respect and love the music that this community has created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project is not just about appealing to Disney fans , or celebrating TikTok creators ' ideas .
Everyone Newsweek spoke to who was involved with Ratatouille : The TikTok Musical talked about how important it is to use the show as a way to support The Actors Fund , an organization that provides services like affordable healthcare and financial assistance , among others , to those working in entertainment .
It 's a cause that feels particularly necessary this year , which has obviously been devastating to the entertainment and theater industries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 100 .
Viewers will all witness the same show , regardless of the price they pay ; the only distinction is that more expensive tickets provide a more significant donation to The Actors Fund , as proceeds of the show are going toward that organization .
Actors Fund CEO and President Joseph Benincasa , 71 , said that Disney , TikTok and Seaview all wanting to help benefit The Actors Fund was a key part of the show coming together .
He also said that a short introductory PSA ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of those in the entertainment industry and let them know about all of the services that The Actors Fund provides .
With theater in a `` moment of crisis , '' as writer Michael Breslin put it , Ratatouille : The TikTok Musical may also be an indicator of where theater will go—at least in the immediate future , as the pandemic continues .
`` This project shows that there are ways of employing people and of getting people excited about working on theater and paying them , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired by this show being created in the way that it was—from scratch , thanks to people who just wanted to share their enthusiasm about something .
`` I hope what we take from it is that anyone can be part of a musical .
It 's the same theme of Ratatouille itself : 'Anyone can cook , ' '' he said .
`` The idea of this online collaboration and drawing from grassroots movement , where a teenager from Colorado and a songwriter from Australia and everyone in between can be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's what we take away from it . ''
Tickets to Ratatouille : The TikTok Musical can be bought with a donation online through TodayTix .
For more details about the production and how to watch , head here .

Any fan of Pixar's Ratatouille knows that the film's core message is "Anyone can cook," whether it's a rat with a diverse palette or a hopeless line cook. Well, that lesson doesn't apply just to food.
Across several months in 2020, TikTok creators put together an impromptu, DIY musical adaptation of the 2007 Disney flick. Really, it was just a trend that took off, with individual creators coming up with their own original song-and-dance numbers inspired by the characters and themes in Ratatouille. But, like the best internet trends, it took on the feel of a group project, almost like virtual community theater—all during a period of time when live theater has been on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, all of that material has been adapted into a more professional production: a pre-recorded, virtual concert experience that's streaming on New Year's Day, January 1, and benefiting The Actors Fund.
The artwork shared on the "Ratatouille" musical Twitter account. Screenshot/Twitter
Presented by Seaview Productions, Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical brings together an all-star cast, including Tituss Burgess as Remy, Wayne Brady as Django, Tony-winner André De Shields as Ego and Ashley Park as Colette. The show will be made up of songs that got their start on the video-sharing app, plus at least one new original song written especially for the benefit. Disney has given its seal of approval for the event, offering cheeky co-signs across social media. As of Tuesday, the show had sold almost 60,000 tickets.
The musical can all be traced back to Emily Jacobsen, 26, a Westchester, New York-based ESL teacher. In August, she recorded and posted to TikTok a silly original song inspired by an upcoming Ratatouille-themed ride in Orlando, Florida's Disney World. The song has since come to be known as "Ode to Remy." Despite Jacobsen intending it to just be a silly one-off video, popular TikToker Brittany Broski used the audio in an October video of her own, which was broadcast to her millions of followers, some of whom thought the song sounded like it belonged in a musical. From there, more and more users decided to share their own tributes to Ratatouille.
Ideas about inclusion and opening doors for all are key to the Pixar film. Jacobsen said that hopefully the new production will be a sign that more amateurs, more fans who simply have a passion for things like musicals and Pixar, will be able to participate more in the entertainment industry.
"These things popping up on TikTok were at first just these everyday, average people and so the project was this great opportunity to contribute towards something and join in on the fun," she told Newsweek recently. "And it was only because of these everyday, ordinary people that suddenly the pros started jumping in as well on TikTok and other platforms to be a part of this greater movement for something new, something that's never been done before, but still based on something that people are familiar with."
In October, New York-based composer and arranger Daniel Mertzlufft, 27, expanded on Jacobsen's a capella track to add orchestrations and make her "Ode to Remy" into a tune fit to close a show on the Great White Way.
It makes sense then, that Mertzlufft serves as the music supervisor for Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical. He also handled arrangements for the production and wrote a new song. But Mertzlufft wasn't alone; as the idea of really putting together a musical centered on Ratatouille's Remy the rat gained traction, at least a dozen TikTokers tried to pitch in, and shared their ideas for songs over the app.
"That was one of my big challenges, was trying to find cohesion between all the songs so that it feels like one score, even though it is written by lots of different people," Mertzlufft said in a phone call. "The songs are so much fun. I really loved every single one of them and creating new underscoring and expanding them, and giving them full Broadway treatments was such a pleasure."
Aside from looking to his peers on TikTok, Mertzlufft said that when filling out the songs more, he drew on some of the Mouse House's heavy hitters for inspiration, like tunes from Beauty and the Beast and Hercules. "I decided to lean really heavily into the old Disney classics, leaning into those [Alan] Menken-[Howard] Ashman scores and trying to create that, but also use some modern musical theater ideas and bring that all in," he explained.
Brooklyn-based writers and producers Michael Breslin, 29, and Patrick Foley, 30, wrote the book for the upcoming concert. Foley said that while they were doing research for another live-streamed theater project—a queer comedy called Circle J**k, which was also inspired by TikTok—the pair kept seeing posts about the makeshift Ratatouille musical that was unfolding on TikTok, and they were excited when they were approached to work on the show by producer Greg Nobile.
With ideas coming from both the beloved Pixar movie and the songs on TikTok, Breslin said that their work was primarily about piecing together the existing media into a fresh book. "It's really been a curatorial and dramaturgical job of patching everything together into this bizarre, lovely, fun quilt that people will be seeing on January 1," Breslin said.
Up-and-coming lyricist, composer, playwright and director Lucy Moss, 26, who was one of the masterminds behind the musical Six, was tapped to direct the show via Zoom from London, England. The sheer amount of people who have shared ideas for the musical on TikTok has weighed on Moss.
"Every single person who's invested in this has a different idea of what they want to see, and how they want something to be done, and how they want something to be realized, and knowing that by definition, it's going to be hard to please everyone," Moss said in a Zoom interview. "I'm hoping that it's going to both be a delightful manifestation of some of the things that the TikTokers have been dreaming of, with the cast that we have and the way that they perform it so amazingly, but also [hoping] people that are diehard fans [of theater] to have a chance to hear and hopefully grow to respect and love the music that this community has created."
Ultimately, though, the project is not just about appealing to Disney fans, or celebrating TikTok creators' ideas. Everyone Newsweek spoke to who was involved with Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical talked about how important it is to use the show as a way to support The Actors Fund, an organization that provides services like affordable healthcare and financial assistance, among others, to those working in entertainment. It's a cause that feels particularly necessary this year, which has obviously been devastating to the entertainment and theater industries.
Tickets range in price between $5 and $100. Viewers will all witness the same show, regardless of the price they pay; the only distinction is that more expensive tickets provide a more significant donation to The Actors Fund, as proceeds of the show are going toward that organization.
Actors Fund CEO and President Joseph Benincasa, 71, said that Disney, TikTok and Seaview all wanting to help benefit The Actors Fund was a key part of the show coming together. He also said that a short introductory PSA ahead of the show will tell people about the lives of those in the entertainment industry and let them know about all of the services that The Actors Fund provides.
With theater in a "moment of crisis," as writer Michael Breslin put it, Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical may also be an indicator of where theater will go—at least in the immediate future, as the pandemic continues. "This project shows that there are ways of employing people and of getting people excited about working on theater and paying them," he said.
Mertzlufft said he wants people to be inspired by this show being created in the way that it was—from scratch, thanks to people who just wanted to share their enthusiasm about something. "I hope what we take from it is that anyone can be part of a musical. It's the same theme of Ratatouille itself: 'Anyone can cook,'" he said. "The idea of this online collaboration and drawing from grassroots movement, where a teenager from Colorado and a songwriter from Australia and everyone in between can be a part of these shows. I hope that's what we take away from it."
Tickets to Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical can be bought with a donation online through TodayTix. For more details about the production and how to watch, head here.