newsweek--2020-11-27--Trump May Be Leaving, But 'Fake News' is a Part of All Our Lives Now | Opinion

In the week before the recent US Presidential election , when I feared President Donald J. Trump would be re-elected , I reached out to several Trump supporters in the United States to attempt to comprehend why they so enthusiastically advocated for him .
Many people here in Israel favor Trump , as he has done several things that , at least in the short-term , are perceived to benefit Israel .
However , for Americans who are not tied to Israel , understanding the reasons they support Trump remained a mystery to me .
I believe Trump will go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
While I personally could not fathom why so many people still embrace Trump , that was a conundrum I felt I had to strive to grasp .
What became painfully clear to me was that the Trump supporters I knew live in a totally different media universe than I do .
They regard all of the sources I rely upon to receive credible information as `` fake news . ''
Trump supporters largely take in their information either through social media or through media publications like Breitbart and the Daily Caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often coincidental .
I tried to coax those with whom I spoke to open their eyes to the mainstream media , noting that even though my columns are in the opinion section at Newsweek , my editor regularly requests sources for the facts I put forward .
( A standard policy among most of what President Trump calls `` fake news '' . )
But my efforts seemed of no avail .
My concern has only heightened in the weeks following the election .
Many of the aforementioned people seem persuaded , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that President Trump won the election .
One friend even bet me $ 20 that Trump had won—on Monday after the networks had called for the election for President-elect Biden .
Since then , as the Trump team has lost 32 legal battles in which they raised spurious allegations of irregularities , their claims and contentions of why Trump actually won became increasingly less believable .
The campaigns surrogates put forward a theory of a conspiracy so vast that it 's hard to comprehend , and they did so without providing absolutely any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent polls , the majority of Republicans continue to believe Trump rightfully won .
The willingness of Americans to believe conspiracy theories is nothing new .
In 1964 , Richard Hofstadter wrote , in an article titled , `` The Paranoid Style in American Politics '' : Hofstadter went on to give examples , such as Senator McCarthy in 1951 , who claimed there was a vast Communist conspiracy in the US ... or further back , in 1895 , the Populist party which asserted there was a conspiracy going back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US and Europe ... or the 1855 declaration by a Texas newspaper that the Pope and the Monarch of Europe were conspiring to take away the liberties of Americans .
Of course , back then , conspiracy theories and `` fake news '' could not be spread as they are today via internet sites , instantly to millions —not to mention posts on Facebook or Twitter that reach additional millions in a flash .
The extent of the false statements issued in the last few weeks is simply staggering .
David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NewsHour : `` It 's not that people necessarily believe the lies , they just do n't believe anything . ''
Unfortunately , this is only partially true , since many people seem to actually believe the lies .
Even worse , according to an MIT study false news travels faster on the internet than true news .
The problem of `` fake news '' is not limited to the United States , although it is most acute there .
Last week , Israel 's Institute For National Security Studies ( INSS ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Security , Fake News , and Strategic Communications in the Digital Era '' .
Leading off the conference , Michael Rich , President of Rand Company , warned `` 'Truth Decay ' in the United States has grown more serious and more pervasive over the last two decades . ''
Brigadier General ( ret . )
Itai Brun , who moderated the session , stated in response to Rich commented , `` We see the same trends in Israel . ''
I asked journalist Yael Lavie , who teaches `` Media Ethics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interdisciplinary School in Herzliya , for examples of the Israeli press being careless in ways that counted .
She referred me to a story from 2017 , when Israeli police demolished an illegal Bedouin village .
During the events and the protests , the police shot and killed an innocent Bedouin educator .
The initial , unfounded claim was that he was a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood , and planned to ram the police with his car intentionally .
The media initially went with that story , falsely framing the incident in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Israel and the US is Prime Minister Netanyahu 's constant parroting of his friend in the White House , using the term `` fake news '' to characterize every story related to his alleged corruption .
Though Netanyahu has been indicted and is about to stand trial , his supporters will almost all refer to the charges against him as `` fake news '' .
Israel has Yisrael Hayom , a daily newspaper owned by Sheldon Adelson , one of Netanyahu and Trump 's biggest supporters .
Yisrael Hayom fills the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often trying to slant the news so that it looks favorably upon Netanyahu .
But Israel does not have its own Breitbart or Newsmax , where the line between news and fantasy hardly exists .
Breitbart-style news tends to be limited to WhatsApp and Facebook , both heavily used in Israel .
Despite regular references to Israel , the extraordinary events going on in the United States remained at the forefront of every discussion at this year 's INSS conference .
Prof Yochai Benkler of Harvard Law School took issue with the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevailing political dialogue in the United States .
Benkler stated : '' The United States is suffering an asymmetric polarization .
It is coming from a specific market dynamic since the 1980s in which one part of the nation is operating in a propaganda information loop . ''
Benkler was referring to the right in the United States .
The 1980s marks the rise of Fox News and the beginning of the right-wing echo chamber ; an echo chamber that has brought the United States to where it is today .
When the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written , future historians will ask what collective madness came over the American public that led to a situation in which two weeks after all the significant news networks called the elections for President-elect Biden , 50 percent of Republicans still believed Trump won .
I wish I could say that it is just a temporary passing aberration , but I fear it is not .
In the week before the election , every Trump supporter I spoke to was confident Trump would win .
With the President and his supporters ' claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was some vast conspiracy , in which the election was stolen from him , '' no doubt a large percentage of his voters will continue to believe that baseless narrative even after President Biden is sworn in .
A new conspiracy will have been born — and America will be further divided , not over real policy issues like the environment , minimum wage , or tax policy , but over a fantasy that never existed ; over an election that was lost fair and square at the ballot box , by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would rather undermine American democratic norms than do so .
Trump is but a manifestation of a bigger problem .
Senator Patrick Moynihan famously stated : `` You are entitled to your own opinions , but not to your own facts . ''
Unfortunately , more and more Americans , as well as people throughout the world , ( including here in Israel ) , can not agree on too many basic facts .
The traditional arbiters of fact have been denigrated and seem irrelevant to too many people .
The irony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific research is on the verge of one of its greatest triumphs , i.e.
, the development of a vaccine that will save tens of millions from the ravages of COVID-19 , in record time — too many people have decided to ignore facts .
As noted historian John Meachem stated last week , `` We have managed as a country to consign reason to the sidelines—we do n't think , we feel . '
I do n't feel like wearing a mask , so I do n't . '
'' It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our field of endeavor , to promote what had been the very basis of the enlightenment—the belief in proven facts , the acceptance of a common narrative , and the understanding that not everything is relative .
I fear it may be too late .
I can only hope that it is not .
The views expressed in this article are the author 's own .

In the week before the recent US Presidential election, when I feared President Donald J. Trump would be re-elected, I reached out to several Trump supporters in the United States to attempt to comprehend why they so enthusiastically advocated for him. Many people here in Israel favor Trump, as he has done several things that, at least in the short-term, are perceived to benefit Israel.
However, for Americans who are not tied to Israel, understanding the reasons they support Trump remained a mystery to me. I believe Trump will go down as the worst President in US history. While I personally could not fathom why so many people still embrace Trump, that was a conundrum I felt I had to strive to grasp.
What became painfully clear to me was that the Trump supporters I knew live in a totally different media universe than I do. They regard all of the sources I rely upon to receive credible information as "fake news." Trump supporters largely take in their information either through social media or through media publications like Breitbart and the Daily Caller, whose connection to accurate reporting is often coincidental.
I tried to coax those with whom I spoke to open their eyes to the mainstream media, noting that even though my columns are in the opinion section at Newsweek, my editor regularly requests sources for the facts I put forward. (A standard policy among most of what President Trump calls "fake news".) But my efforts seemed of no avail.
My concern has only heightened in the weeks following the election. Many of the aforementioned people seem persuaded, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that President Trump won the election. One friend even bet me $20 that Trump had won—on Monday after the networks had called for the election for President-elect Biden. Since then, as the Trump team has lost 32 legal battles in which they raised spurious allegations of irregularities, their claims and contentions of why Trump actually won became increasingly less believable. The campaigns surrogates put forward a theory of a conspiracy so vast that it's hard to comprehend, and they did so without providing absolutely any proof. And yet, according to recent polls, the majority of Republicans continue to believe Trump rightfully won.
The willingness of Americans to believe conspiracy theories is nothing new. In 1964, Richard Hofstadter wrote, in an article titled, "The Paranoid Style in American Politics":
American politics has often been an arena for angry minds. In recent years we have seen angry minds at work mainly among extreme right-wingers, who have now demonstrated in the Goldwater movement how much political leverage can be got out of the animosities and passions of a small minority. But behind this, I believe there is a style of mind that is far from new, and that is not necessarily right-wing. I call it the paranoid style simply because no other word adequately evokes the sense of heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy that I have in mind.
Hofstadter went on to give examples, such as Senator McCarthy in 1951, who claimed there was a vast Communist conspiracy in the US ... or further back, in 1895, the Populist party which asserted there was a conspiracy going back to the end of Civil War between gold gamblers in the US and Europe ... or the 1855 declaration by a Texas newspaper that the Pope and the Monarch of Europe were conspiring to take away the liberties of Americans.
Of course, back then, conspiracy theories and "fake news" could not be spread as they are today via internet sites, instantly to millions —not to mention posts on Facebook or Twitter that reach additional millions in a flash. The extent of the false statements issued in the last few weeks is simply staggering. David Brooks argued last week on the PBS NewsHour: "It's not that people necessarily believe the lies, they just don't believe anything." Unfortunately, this is only partially true, since many people seem to actually believe the lies. Even worse, according to an MIT study false news travels faster on the internet than true news.
The problem of "fake news" is not limited to the United States, although it is most acute there. Last week, Israel's Institute For National Security Studies (INSS) held a two-day virtual conference on "National Security, Fake News, and Strategic Communications in the Digital Era". Leading off the conference, Michael Rich, President of Rand Company, warned "'Truth Decay' in the United States has grown more serious and more pervasive over the last two decades." Brigadier General (ret.) Itai Brun, who moderated the session, stated in response to Rich commented, "We see the same trends in Israel."
I asked journalist Yael Lavie, who teaches "Media Ethics in the Digital Age" at that Interdisciplinary School in Herzliya, for examples of the Israeli press being careless in ways that counted. She referred me to a story from 2017, when Israeli police demolished an illegal Bedouin village. During the events and the protests, the police shot and killed an innocent Bedouin educator. The initial, unfounded claim was that he was a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, and planned to ram the police with his car intentionally. The media initially went with that story, falsely framing the incident in Israeli minds.
The most substantial parallel between Israel and the US is Prime Minister Netanyahu's constant parroting of his friend in the White House, using the term "fake news" to characterize every story related to his alleged corruption. Though Netanyahu has been indicted and is about to stand trial, his supporters will almost all refer to the charges against him as "fake news".
Israel has Yisrael Hayom, a daily newspaper owned by Sheldon Adelson, one of Netanyahu and Trump's biggest supporters. Yisrael Hayom fills the role played by Fox News, i.e., often trying to slant the news so that it looks favorably upon Netanyahu. But Israel does not have its own Breitbart or Newsmax, where the line between news and fantasy hardly exists. Breitbart-style news tends to be limited to WhatsApp and Facebook, both heavily used in Israel.
Despite regular references to Israel, the extraordinary events going on in the United States remained at the forefront of every discussion at this year's INSS conference.
Prof Yochai Benkler of Harvard Law School took issue with the general idea that disinformation is part of the prevailing political dialogue in the United States. Benkler stated:
"The United States is suffering an asymmetric polarization. It is coming from a specific market dynamic since the 1980s in which one part of the nation is operating in a propaganda information loop."
Benkler was referring to the right in the United States. The 1980s marks the rise of Fox News and the beginning of the right-wing echo chamber; an echo chamber that has brought the United States to where it is today.
When the history of the last few weeks is written, future historians will ask what collective madness came over the American public that led to a situation in which two weeks after all the significant news networks called the elections for President-elect Biden, 50 percent of Republicans still believed Trump won.
I wish I could say that it is just a temporary passing aberration, but I fear it is not. In the week before the election, every Trump supporter I spoke to was confident Trump would win. With the President and his supporters' claims that "the only reason he lost was some vast conspiracy, in which the election was stolen from him," no doubt a large percentage of his voters will continue to believe that baseless narrative even after President Biden is sworn in.
A new conspiracy will have been born — and America will be further divided, not over real policy issues like the environment, minimum wage, or tax policy, but over a fantasy that never existed; over an election that was lost fair and square at the ballot box, by a President who could not admit defeat, and would rather undermine American democratic norms than do so.
Trump is but a manifestation of a bigger problem. Senator Patrick Moynihan famously stated: "You are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts." Unfortunately, more and more Americans, as well as people throughout the world, (including here in Israel), cannot agree on too many basic facts.
The traditional arbiters of fact have been denigrated and seem irrelevant to too many people. The irony is that at a time when fact-based scientific research is on the verge of one of its greatest triumphs, i.e., the development of a vaccine that will save tens of millions from the ravages of COVID-19, in record time — too many people have decided to ignore facts. As noted historian John Meachem stated last week, "We have managed as a country to consign reason to the sidelines—we don't think, we feel. 'I don't feel like wearing a mask, so I don't.'"
It is incumbent on all of us, whatever our field of endeavor, to promote what had been the very basis of the enlightenment—the belief in proven facts, the acceptance of a common narrative, and the understanding that not everything is relative. I fear it may be too late. I can only hope that it is not.
Marc Schulman is a multimedia historian.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own.


newsweek--2020-11-27--Iran Demands Global Condemnation of Alleged Israeli 'State Terror' Over Scientist's Assassination

Iran 's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said `` terrorists murdered '' Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , calling for global condemnation of Israel—which he suggested carried out the assassination .
Iran 's defense ministry announced Fakhrizadeh 's death on Friday .
The scientist was in charge of the Ministry of Defense 's Research and Innovation Organization .
The ministry said he died after a clash between his security team and assailants .
`` Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today .
This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators , '' Zarif tweeted , commenting on the assassination .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially EU—to end their shameful double standards & condemn this act of state terror , '' he wrote .
Hossein Salami , chief commander of Iran 's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards condemned the attack .
`` Assassinating nuclear scientists is the most violent confrontation to prevent us from reaching modern science , '' he tweeted .
`` In the last days of their gambling ally 's political life , the Zionists seek to intensify and increase pressure on Iran to wage a full-blown war , '' Hossein Dehghan , an adviser to Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate , wrote on Twitter , in what appeared to be a reference to President Donald Trump .
`` We will descend like lightning on the killers of this oppressed martyr and we will make them regret their actions ! ''
Although it remains unclear who was behind the assassination , Israel has previously carried out assasinations in Iran .
Trump retweeted a post from Israeli journalist Yossi Melman , who previously served with an Israel special forces unit .
`` Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has been assassinated in Damavand , east of Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was head of Iran 's secret military program and wanted for many years by Mossad .
His death is a major psychological and professional blow for Iran , '' Melman wrote .
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department and Israel 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment , but they did not immediately respond .
The New York Times reported earlier this month that Israeli agents gunned down Al Qaeda 's second-highest commander , Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah ( known as Abu Muhammad al-Masri ) on August 7 in Iran 's capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out under the approval and request of the U.S. government .
Although the death of the high-level Al Qaeda leader had been rumored for several months , it was not confirmed until The Times report .
At the beginning of 2020 , Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani .
A U.S. drone strike was carried out as Soleimani arrived in Baghdad , Iraq on January 3 , leaving him and nine others dead .
Israeli media reported this week that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo secretly met with Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia ' Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia last Sunday .
Israeli Education Minister Yoav Galant , a member of Netanyahu 's cabinet and political party , confirmed the reports to Israel 's Army Radio .
But Saudi Arabia 's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud denied the report .
Although Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations , both nations urged the Trump administration to take a hardline stance against Iran and its nuclear ambitions after a few years of improving ties under former President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plan of Action—commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal—in May 2018 , despite Tehran remaining in full compliance with the international treaty .
The 2015 deal was signed by the Obama administration , the European Union , France , the United Kingdom , Germany , Russia and China , granting Iran sanctions relief and international investment in exchange for curbing its nuclear program .
Trump withdrew from the deal and reimplemented financial sanctions that had been lifted under Obama .
Despite the pressure from the U.S. , analysts now believe Iran is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nuclear weapon than when Trump first took office .
European allies have criticized the U.S. for its unilateral action against Iran , as they have attempted to preserve the international accord with Russia and China .

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said "terrorists murdered" Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, calling for global condemnation of Israel—which he suggested carried out the assassination.
Iran's defense ministry announced Fakhrizadeh's death on Friday. The scientist was in charge of the Ministry of Defense's Research and Innovation Organization. The ministry said he died after a clash between his security team and assailants.
"Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today. This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators," Zarif tweeted, commenting on the assassination. "Iran calls on int'l community—and especially EU—to end their shameful double standards & condemn this act of state terror," he wrote.
Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today. This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators
Iran calls on int'l community—and especially EU—to end their shameful double standards & condemn this act of state terror. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) November 27, 2020
Hossein Salami, chief commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards condemned the attack. "Assassinating nuclear scientists is the most violent confrontation to prevent us from reaching modern science," he tweeted.
"In the last days of their gambling ally's political life, the Zionists seek to intensify and increase pressure on Iran to wage a full-blown war," Hossein Dehghan, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei and a 2021 presidential candidate, wrote on Twitter, in what appeared to be a reference to President Donald Trump. "We will descend like lightning on the killers of this oppressed martyr and we will make them regret their actions!"
Although it remains unclear who was behind the assassination, Israel has previously carried out assasinations in Iran. Trump retweeted a post from Israeli journalist Yossi Melman, who previously served with an Israel special forces unit.
"Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has been assassinated in Damavand, east of Tehran according to reports in Iran. He was head of Iran's secret military program and wanted for many years by Mossad. His death is a major psychological and professional blow for Iran," Melman wrote.
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
The New York Times reported earlier this month that Israeli agents gunned down Al Qaeda's second-highest commander, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah (known as Abu Muhammad al-Masri) on August 7 in Iran's capital Tehran. The assassination was reportedly carried out under the approval and request of the U.S. government. Although the death of the high-level Al Qaeda leader had been rumored for several months, it was not confirmed until The Times report.
At the beginning of 2020, Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. A U.S. drone strike was carried out as Soleimani arrived in Baghdad, Iraq on January 3, leaving him and nine others dead.
Israeli media reported this week that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo secretly met with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabia' Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia last Sunday. Israeli Education Minister Yoav Galant, a member of Netanyahu's cabinet and political party, confirmed the reports to Israel's Army Radio. But Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud denied the report.
Iranian protestors burn an effigy of President Donald Trump dressed in an Israeli flag during a rally in Tehran, Iran on June 8, 2018 STR/AFP/Getty
Although Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations, both nations urged the Trump administration to take a hardline stance against Iran and its nuclear ambitions after a few years of improving ties under former President Barack Obama. Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal—in May 2018, despite Tehran remaining in full compliance with the international treaty.
The 2015 deal was signed by the Obama administration, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and China, granting Iran sanctions relief and international investment in exchange for curbing its nuclear program. Trump withdrew from the deal and reimplemented financial sanctions that had been lifted under Obama.
Despite the pressure from the U.S., analysts now believe Iran is far closer to being able to create a nuclear weapon than when Trump first took office. European allies have criticized the U.S. for its unilateral action against Iran, as they have attempted to preserve the international accord with Russia and China.


newsweek--2020-11-27--Bizarre Swan Deaths Reported in Europe As Birds Die After Bleeding From Nostrils and Spinning in Cir

Bizarre Swan Deaths Reported in Europe As Birds Die After Bleeding From Nostrils and Spinning in Circles

A virulent strain of avian flu that 's spreading across northwestern Europe may be responsible for a series of mysterious swan deaths in the U.K. , post-mortem examinations have revealed .
In recent weeks , wildlife rescuers have spotted swans spinning in circles and bleeding from their nostrils before dying , The Guardian reported .
In Ulverston , northwest England , where at least 8 swans have died , one volunteer said they had never seen such strange symptoms .
`` Many of them started to spin on their axis in one direction .
It was terrible to see .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nostrils and some of it was bloody , '' Caroline Sim from local swan rescue operation Flying Free told The Guardian .
David Cash , a swan rescuer from Worcester in central England where at least 25 swans have died , witnessed birds suffering from avian flu-like symptoms .
`` The swans were looking lethargic and not wanting food , and doing a lot of coughing—it 's similar to the symptoms of COVID , '' he told The Guardian .
The U.K. Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at least six had contracted the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain , which was detected circulating among farmyard and wild birds in Central Asia in July , 2020 .
The strain has now been detected in northwestern Europe , including the Netherlands , the U.K. , Sweden , Germany , France , Denmark and Ireland , prompting authorities to introduce countermeasures .
Experts think the strain was brought to Europe by birds that migrate westwards to warmer climates between August and December .
While avian flu has caused deaths in swans as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in recent weeks , Ruth Cromie from the U.K. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust told The Guardian that it originally spread from poultry .
`` Wild birds are often seen as evil vectors , but they are victims of a virus that originally spread from poultry .
Wild birds get used as scapegoats for poor biosecurity and people moving chickens around the globe , '' she said .
The H5N8 strain was responsible for a significant outbreak in the winter of 2016-2017 when around five million farmyard birds had to be culled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have already culled hundreds of thousands of farm birds this year after avian flu outbreaks were detected , with a highly contagious strain of the H5 variant thought to be responsible .
There are now fears in the U.K. that the strain will wipe out large numbers of poultry over the winter , with several avian flu outbreaks confirmed across the country in recent weeks .
While the virus is highly lethal to wild birds and poultry , Public Health England has said that the risk to human health from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low . ''

A virulent strain of avian flu that's spreading across northwestern Europe may be responsible for a series of mysterious swan deaths in the U.K., post-mortem examinations have revealed.
In recent weeks, wildlife rescuers have spotted swans spinning in circles and bleeding from their nostrils before dying, The Guardian reported.
In Ulverston, northwest England, where at least 8 swans have died, one volunteer said they had never seen such strange symptoms.
"Many of them started to spin on their axis in one direction. It was terrible to see. Some of them were discharging from their nostrils and some of it was bloody," Caroline Sim from local swan rescue operation Flying Free told The Guardian.
David Cash, a swan rescuer from Worcester in central England where at least 25 swans have died, witnessed birds suffering from avian flu-like symptoms.
"The swans were looking lethargic and not wanting food, and doing a lot of coughing—it's similar to the symptoms of COVID," he told The Guardian.
The U.K. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has tested several dead swans, finding that at least six had contracted the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain, which was detected circulating among farmyard and wild birds in Central Asia in July, 2020.
The strain has now been detected in northwestern Europe, including the Netherlands, the U.K., Sweden, Germany, France, Denmark and Ireland, prompting authorities to introduce countermeasures. Experts think the strain was brought to Europe by birds that migrate westwards to warmer climates between August and December.
While avian flu has caused deaths in swans as well other wild birds, such as geese, in recent weeks, Ruth Cromie from the U.K. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust told The Guardian that it originally spread from poultry.
"Wild birds are often seen as evil vectors, but they are victims of a virus that originally spread from poultry. Wild birds get used as scapegoats for poor biosecurity and people moving chickens around the globe," she said.
The H5N8 strain was responsible for a significant outbreak in the winter of 2016-2017 when around five million farmyard birds had to be culled in Germany, Poland and Hungary.
Dutch authorities have already culled hundreds of thousands of farm birds this year after avian flu outbreaks were detected, with a highly contagious strain of the H5 variant thought to be responsible.
There are now fears in the U.K. that the strain will wipe out large numbers of poultry over the winter, with several avian flu outbreaks confirmed across the country in recent weeks.
While the virus is highly lethal to wild birds and poultry, Public Health England has said that the risk to human health from the virus, for now, is "very low."


newsweek--2020-11-28--Pennsylvania SC Rejects GOP Effort to Block Election Certification, Says It's Too Late in Latest Tru

Pennsylvania SC Rejects GOP Effort to Block Election Certification, Says It's Too Late in Latest Trump Defeat

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Saturday night rejected Republican efforts to block the state 's certification of election results in the latest blow to President Donald Trump 's campaign to overturn his defeat .
The highest court in the Keystone State was unanimous in dismissing a lawsuit from Congressman Mike Kelly and other Republicans that sought to invalidate absentee voting and halt the certification of votes .
In an order , five out of seven judges said that the lawsuit was filed too late—after procedures for mail-in ballots had been confirmed and millions had already voted .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with due diligence in presenting the instant claim , '' the judges wrote .
`` Upon consideration of the parties ' filings in Commonwealth Court , we hereby dismiss the petition for review with prejudice based upon Petitioners ' failure to file their facial constitutional challenge in a timely manner . ''
The decision comes days after Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough ordered officials to stop the process of certifying election results for President-elect Joe Biden .
Pennsylvania Secretary of Commonwealth Kathy Boockwar and Democratic Governor Tom Wolf immediately appealed McCullough 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's Supreme Court .
Kelly and the Republican plaintiffs argued in the suit , which was originally filed in state court last weekend , that a mail-in voting policy passed by the GOP-led state legislature last year was unconstitutional .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment .
With Pennsylvania counties having certified their votes , Biden defeated Trump in the state by about 80,000—a margin of more than one percent .
The lawsuit is part of efforts led by Trump and his Republican allies across numerous key states to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secured 306 Electoral College votes in the aftermath of Election Day , but Trump , with 232 Electoral College votes , has refused to concede .
In an attempt to flip the election , his campaign has filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in Nevada , Georgia and other states alleging widespread voter fraud and seeking to halt certification of results .
But the lawsuits have almost been uniformly tossed out in court , and Saturday 's decision in Pennsylvania now adds to a growing number of losses for Trump 's legal team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ step closer to conceding by committing to leave the White House if the Electoral College—set to meet on December 14 to cast their ballots for the next president—certifies Biden as the winner .
His remarks came after GSA administrator Emily Murphy informed Biden on Monday that the Trump administration was ready to formally begin the transition process .
Trump thanked Murphy and affirmed her decision , but he also promised to continue his lawsuits and maintained that his campaign `` will prevail . ''

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Saturday night rejected Republican efforts to block the state's certification of election results in the latest blow to President Donald Trump's campaign to overturn his defeat.
The highest court in the Keystone State was unanimous in dismissing a lawsuit from Congressman Mike Kelly and other Republicans that sought to invalidate absentee voting and halt the certification of votes.
In an order, five out of seven judges said that the lawsuit was filed too late—after procedures for mail-in ballots had been confirmed and millions had already voted.
"It is beyond cavil that Petitioners failed to act with due diligence in presenting the instant claim," the judges wrote. "Upon consideration of the parties' filings in Commonwealth Court, we hereby dismiss the petition for review with prejudice based upon Petitioners' failure to file their facial constitutional challenge in a timely manner."
President Donald Trump leaves after speaking in the Diplomatic Room of the White House on Thanksgiving on November 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. Erin Schaff/Getty
The decision comes days after Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough ordered officials to stop the process of certifying election results for President-elect Joe Biden. Pennsylvania Secretary of Commonwealth Kathy Boockwar and Democratic Governor Tom Wolf immediately appealed McCullough's ruling, advancing the case to the state's Supreme Court.
Kelly and the Republican plaintiffs argued in the suit, which was originally filed in state court last weekend, that a mail-in voting policy passed by the GOP-led state legislature last year was unconstitutional.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
With Pennsylvania counties having certified their votes, Biden defeated Trump in the state by about 80,000—a margin of more than one percent. The lawsuit is part of efforts led by Trump and his Republican allies across numerous key states to reverse his election defeat.
Biden has secured 306 Electoral College votes in the aftermath of Election Day, but Trump, with 232 Electoral College votes, has refused to concede. In an attempt to flip the election, his campaign has filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in Nevada, Georgia and other states alleging widespread voter fraud and seeking to halt certification of results.
But the lawsuits have almost been uniformly tossed out in court, and Saturday's decision in Pennsylvania now adds to a growing number of losses for Trump's legal team.
On Thanksgiving Day, Trump took one step closer to conceding by committing to leave the White House if the Electoral College—set to meet on December 14 to cast their ballots for the next president—certifies Biden as the winner. His remarks came after GSA administrator Emily Murphy informed Biden on Monday that the Trump administration was ready to formally begin the transition process.
Trump thanked Murphy and affirmed her decision, but he also promised to continue his lawsuits and maintained that his campaign "will prevail."


newsweek--2020-11-28--GOP Lawmaker Slams Republican Trump Loyalists, Calls MAGA Base 'Anti-American,' Says He's 'Damn Sick

GOP Lawmaker Slams Republican Trump Loyalists, Calls MAGA Base 'Anti-American,' Says He's 'Damn Sick of It'

Outgoing Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman of Virginia on Saturday unleashed a barrage of criticism against Donald Trump , his allies and `` anti-American '' supporters , as the president continues to cast doubt on his election loss .
Riggleman is among the few Republicans who have acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden 's victory over Trump .
Most media outlets called the election for the Democrat , who has secured 306 Electoral College votes , over two weeks ago , but Trump has refused to concede .
In an interview with Forbes , Riggleman condemned his fellow Republicans for remaining quiet amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election process by claiming a `` rigged '' and `` stolen '' election .
It 's `` completely unethical , '' he said , explaining that some of his colleagues believe that breaking with Trump would `` cost them their careers . ''
`` The career is more important than the facts , it 's that simple , '' Riggleman added .
`` I 'm so damn sick of it .
I 'm sick of it . ''
Riggleman admitted that there were `` true believers '' of Trump 's claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to suggest that they were not smart people .
`` [ It ] really speaks to where your intelligence level is ... to believe in that type of operation , '' he said .
The lawmaker also criticized Trump for embracing `` anti-Semitic '' and `` anti-American '' supporters and added that it was `` irresponsible '' for the president to retweet QAnon conspiracies .
`` He got so desperate to retain power that he forgot he was serving people and not himself , '' Riggleman said of Trump , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but himself , when you talk about his businesses and what he 's done . ''
Riggleman 's remarks came hours after he shot back at a tweet that accused him of being `` responsible '' for the `` corrupt election '' that led to Trump 's loss .
The tweet named Riggleman and a number of other Republicans who have acknowledged Biden 's win or called for a peaceful transition of power to the incoming Biden administration .
`` I 'm proud to be on this list with my honorable colleagues—it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded .
`` We have been tagged and called 'traitors ' based on our use of data analytics , facts and common sense .
Time for a GOP that represents the core of America , not the manic fringes . ''
Since Election Day , Trump has aggressively alleged widespread voter fraud and a `` rigged '' election in remarks issued to the public through Twitter .
His campaign has also filed a series of lawsuits in key states seeking to overturn his loss , but the suits have been largely unsuccessful in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump campaign promised supporters `` massive bombshells '' pertaining to his claims , but its failure to deliver substantial evidence have caused anger among some loyalists , such as radio host Rush Limbaugh .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment .

Outgoing Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman of Virginia on Saturday unleashed a barrage of criticism against Donald Trump, his allies and "anti-American" supporters, as the president continues to cast doubt on his election loss.
Riggleman is among the few Republicans who have acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's victory over Trump. Most media outlets called the election for the Democrat, who has secured 306 Electoral College votes, over two weeks ago, but Trump has refused to concede.
In an interview with Forbes, Riggleman condemned his fellow Republicans for remaining quiet amid Trump's attempts to cast doubt on the election process by claiming a "rigged" and "stolen" election. It's "completely unethical," he said, explaining that some of his colleagues believe that breaking with Trump would "cost them their careers."
President Donald Trump golfs at Trump National Golf Club on November 27, 2020 in Sterling, Virginia. Tasos Katopodis/Getty
"The career is more important than the facts, it's that simple," Riggleman added. "I'm so damn sick of it. I'm sick of it."
Riggleman admitted that there were "true believers" of Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud, but he went on to suggest that they were not smart people. "[It] really speaks to where your intelligence level is... to believe in that type of operation," he said.
The lawmaker also criticized Trump for embracing "anti-Semitic" and "anti-American" supporters and added that it was "irresponsible" for the president to retweet QAnon conspiracies.
"He got so desperate to retain power that he forgot he was serving people and not himself," Riggleman said of Trump, adding that the president has "never served anything but himself, when you talk about his businesses and what he's done."
In a statement to Newsweek, Riggleman noted that he doesn't think all MAGA supporters are "anti-American," only the ones pushing pro-Trump conspiracy theories. He also affirmed his belief that "conspiracy theories can cause huge damage and those that knowingly spread them and know they are false is dangerous."
Riggleman's remarks came hours after he shot back at a tweet that accused him of being "responsible" for the "corrupt election" that led to Trump's loss. The tweet named Riggleman and a number of other Republicans who have acknowledged Biden's win or called for a peaceful transition of power to the incoming Biden administration.
"I'm proud to be on this list with my honorable colleagues—it's one of many circulating," he responded. "We have been tagged and called 'traitors' based on our use of data analytics, facts and common sense. Time for a GOP that represents the core of America, not the manic fringes."
Since Election Day, Trump has aggressively alleged widespread voter fraud and a "rigged" election in remarks issued to the public through Twitter. His campaign has also filed a series of lawsuits in key states seeking to overturn his loss, but the suits have been largely unsuccessful in court so far.
On November 19, the Trump campaign promised supporters "massive bombshells" pertaining to his claims, but its failure to deliver substantial evidence have caused anger among some loyalists, such as radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
This story has been updated to include additional remarks from Riggleman.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Trump's 'Total Fraud' Election Tweets Follow Template He Used in 2016 and 2012 Against Cruz, Obama

President Donald Trump 's tweets claiming election fraud and demanding the results be overturned follows a template he used in 2016 and 2012 against Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former President Barack Obama .
Most media outlets called the 2020 election for President-elect Joe Biden more than two weeks ago .
The Democrat has secured 306 Electoral College votes , but Trump—with 232 Electoral College votes—has declined to concede .
Instead , he has repeatedly tweeted claims of a `` rigged '' election and his campaign has filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in key states alleging widespread voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A total FRAUD .
Statehouse Republicans , proud , strong and honest , will never let this travesty stand ! ''
the president wrote in a November 27 tweet claiming that the election in Pennsylvania was stolen from him .
Trump 's strategy to cast doubt on the election process is not new .
His cries of election fraud echo similar unproven claims he made in 2016 after Cruz won the Iowa caucuses , and in 2012 after Obama won the White House again .
`` Ted Cruz did n't win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated .
Bad ! ''
Trump tweeted in February 2016 .
`` Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus , either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified . ''
At the time , Trump also tweeted calls for Iowa to `` disqualify '' Cruz on the `` basis that he cheated . ''
Similar to his recent claims against Biden 's victory , the president also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support his allegation that a `` rigged '' and `` stolen '' election caused his loss .
In 2012 , Trump had made similar claims against Obama after the latter prevailed over Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney .
`` More reports of voting machines switching Romney votes to Obama .
Pay close attention to the machines , do n't let your vote be stolen , '' Trump tweeted , one day after the election that year .
While Trump has alleged widespread voter fraud in remarks issued to the public through Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his dozens of lawsuits filed in Georgia , Pennsylvania and other swing states have been narrower , and largely unsuccessfully in court .
On November 19 , the Trump campaign promised supporters `` massive bombshells '' at a press conference , but its failure to deliver substantial evidence caused even Rush Limbaugh to break with the president .
The terminally ill radio host , who Trump awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom at this year 's State of the Union , spent weeks echoing Trump 's efforts to cast doubt on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him earlier this week .
`` They promised blockbuster stuff , and then nothing happened , '' Limbaugh said on Monday .
`` And that 's just , that 's not—well , it 's not good . ''
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment .

President Donald Trump's tweets claiming election fraud and demanding the results be overturned follows a template he used in 2016 and 2012 against Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former President Barack Obama.
Most media outlets called the 2020 election for President-elect Joe Biden more than two weeks ago. The Democrat has secured 306 Electoral College votes, but Trump—with 232 Electoral College votes—has declined to concede. Instead, he has repeatedly tweeted claims of a "rigged" election and his campaign has filed nearly three dozen lawsuits in key states alleging widespread voter fraud in an attempt to reverse his defeat.
"A total FRAUD. Statehouse Republicans, proud, strong and honest, will never let this travesty stand!" the president wrote in a November 27 tweet claiming that the election in Pennsylvania was stolen from him.
Trump's strategy to cast doubt on the election process is not new. His cries of election fraud echo similar unproven claims he made in 2016 after Cruz won the Iowa caucuses, and in 2012 after Obama won the White House again.
"Ted Cruz didn't win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!" Trump tweeted in February 2016. "Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified."
I remember well. When Cruz won caucuses or primaries, Trump cried fraud. “Rigged.” “Hoax.” Etc. He sells that rug over and over again, to millions of eager buyers. Such a strange phenomenon. https://t.co/evlb5NL0xh — Jay Nordlinger (@jaynordlinger) November 28, 2020
At the time, Trump also tweeted calls for Iowa to "disqualify" Cruz on the "basis that he cheated." Similar to his recent claims against Biden's victory, the president also did not provide sufficient evidence in 2016 to support his allegation that a "rigged" and "stolen" election caused his loss.
In 2012, Trump had made similar claims against Obama after the latter prevailed over Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
"More reports of voting machines switching Romney votes to Obama. Pay close attention to the machines, don't let your vote be stolen," Trump tweeted, one day after the election that year.
More reports of voting machines switching Romney votes to Obama. Pay close attention to the machines, don't let your vote be stolen — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2012
While Trump has alleged widespread voter fraud in remarks issued to the public through Twitter this month, the contents and claims in his dozens of lawsuits filed in Georgia, Pennsylvania and other swing states have been narrower, and largely unsuccessfully in court.
On November 19, the Trump campaign promised supporters "massive bombshells" at a press conference, but its failure to deliver substantial evidence caused even Rush Limbaugh to break with the president. The terminally ill radio host, who Trump awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom at this year's State of the Union, spent weeks echoing Trump's efforts to cast doubt on his election loss, before he turned on him earlier this week.
"They promised blockbuster stuff, and then nothing happened," Limbaugh said on Monday. "And that's just, that's not—well, it's not good."
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Doug Collins Attacks Raphael Warnock by Saying 'There's No Such Thing as a Pro-Choice Pastor'

Georgia Republican Congressman Doug Collins took a swipe at Democratic Senate candidate Rev .
Raphael Warnock on Saturday by insisting that `` there is no such thing as a pro-choice pastor . ''
During a campaign event for incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler at a gun range , Collins told the crowd : `` There is no such thing as a pro-choice pastor .
What you have is a lie from the bed of Hell .
It is time to send it back to Ebenezer Baptist Church . ''
Collins went on to invoke his history as a pastor to criticize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Atlanta 's Ebenezer Baptist Church .
`` I pastored for over 11 years , '' he said .
`` I 'm still a United States Air Force reserve chaplain who served in Iraq . ''
`` Let me just touch on a few things .
I 'm not sure , Kelly , what a pro-choice pastor looks like .
I know what it does n't look like .
It does n't look like what my Bible tells me when it says ' I made you and I knitted you in your mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Abortion debates in American are often separated into two categories : religious and secular .
However , some progressive religious figures do not fit into either categories .
According to Pew Research , about 63 percent of members in domestic evangelical churches oppose legal abortion , nearly double the roughly 33 percent who support it .
In 2019 , Bromleigh McCleneghan , an associate pastor at Union Church of Hinsdale , penned an op-ed for The Washington Post detailing his support for abortion rights and encouraging other pro-choice leaders to speak up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious world—I 'm a United Methodist pastor serving in the United Church of Christ outside Chicago—clergy who are advocates of abortion rights are the norm , and we have been for a long time , '' McCheneghan wrote , before noting that 58 percent of the American public supports legal abortion .
In recent months , Republicans have launched a series of aggressive attacks against Warnock , with some ads framing the Democrat as an anti-police Marxist .
Warnock and Loeffler 's battle is one of the two Georgia runoff elections—set to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning on December 14—that will determine control of the Senate and President-elect Joe Biden 's ability to push through his `` very progressive '' agenda .
Democrats control the House with a slim majority and will need to win both Georgia runoff seats for a 50-50 split in the upper chamber .
If Biden is inaugurated , Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would cast the tie-breaking vote .
Either Loeffler or Republican Senator David Perdue will have to prevail against their respective Democratic challengers Warnock and Jon Ossoff in order for the GOP to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to Warnock 's campaign for comment .

Georgia Republican Congressman Doug Collins took a swipe at Democratic Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock on Saturday by insisting that "there is no such thing as a pro-choice pastor."
During a campaign event for incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler at a gun range, Collins told the crowd: "There is no such thing as a pro-choice pastor. What you have is a lie from the bed of Hell. It is time to send it back to Ebenezer Baptist Church."
Collins went on to invoke his history as a pastor to criticize Warnock, who serves as a minister at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church. "I pastored for over 11 years," he said. "I'm still a United States Air Force reserve chaplain who served in Iraq."
"Let me just touch on a few things. I'm not sure, Kelly, what a pro-choice pastor looks like. I know what it doesn't look like. It doesn't look like what my Bible tells me when it says 'I made you and I knitted you in your mother's womb,'" Collins added.
Raphael Warnock attends Hosea Helps Thanksgiving Dinner Drive Thru at Georgia World Congress Center on November 26, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Paras Griffin/Getty
Abortion debates in American are often separated into two categories: religious and secular. However, some progressive religious figures do not fit into either categories. According to Pew Research, about 63 percent of members in domestic evangelical churches oppose legal abortion, nearly double the roughly 33 percent who support it.
In 2019, Bromleigh McCleneghan, an associate pastor at Union Church of Hinsdale, penned an op-ed for The Washington Post detailing his support for abortion rights and encouraging other pro-choice leaders to speak up.
"In my corner of the religious world—I'm a United Methodist pastor serving in the United Church of Christ outside Chicago—clergy who are advocates of abortion rights are the norm, and we have been for a long time," McCheneghan wrote, before noting that 58 percent of the American public supports legal abortion.
In recent months, Republicans have launched a series of aggressive attacks against Warnock, with some ads framing the Democrat as an anti-police Marxist.
Warnock and Loeffler's battle is one of the two Georgia runoff elections—set to take place on January 5 with early voting beginning on December 14—that will determine control of the Senate and President-elect Joe Biden's ability to push through his "very progressive" agenda.
Democrats control the House with a slim majority and will need to win both Georgia runoff seats for a 50-50 split in the upper chamber. If Biden is inaugurated, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would cast the tie-breaking vote.
Either Loeffler or Republican Senator David Perdue will have to prevail against their respective Democratic challengers Warnock and Jon Ossoff in order for the GOP to retain their Senate majority.
Newsweek reached out to Warnock's campaign for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-28--School Board Member Finishes Wine Glass, Flips Off Zoom Meeting, Prompting Demands for Apology

A Buffalo , New York , school board member is being asked to apologize or step down after video emerged showing her finishing the contents of her wine glass before flipping the middle finger and cursing at others during a Zoom meeting .
At least two Buffalo school board members and several local residents are demanding an explanation from Paulette Woods , who appeared to curse and make the hand gesture during last Wednesday 's online video meeting .
Woods initially denied the outburst occurred at all , but video obtained by The Buffalo News Friday shows her gulping down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a kitchen before swearing and holding her middle finger up to her Zoom call camera .
The newspaper 's editorial board joined residents and Western New York educators in calling for Woods to `` apologize for rudeness , then accept the consequences . ''
Later , Woods issued a formal apology Saturday evening , as reported by WGRZ-TV in Buffalo .
During the Zoom meeting , Larry Scott , Woods ' fellow board member , can be seen calling out the profane flare-up , which was in the midst of a contentious ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's contract .
Woods can be seen mouthing the words `` shut the f**k up b***h , shut the f**k up , '' before pushing her middle finger up against the camera .
`` We have a board member who is giving people the middle finger on her screen , '' Scott can be heard saying during the contentious Zoom call .
Baffled board president Sharon Belton-Cottman responds `` Sorry ... what ? ''
as Scott replies : `` There is a board member that was just swearing and giving the middle finger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is either too much competing audio from the dozen or so others on the school board call or she has been muted .
It 's unclear who specifically she is directing her outrage toward .
As a result , the Zoom meeting was derailed and multiple fellow members called for it to be adjourned just moments later .
`` The video is clear as to what occurred , '' Scott told WGRZ .
`` There is ... it is completely absurd to me to claim unfairness — that concerns are unfounded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the parents , the students and community members that have seen that video . ''
Woods has repeatedly denied she was sipping from the wine glass or even cursing during the Zoom meeting .
But The Buffalo News editorial board urged her to take responsibility for the seemingly unprovoked outburst .
`` Her behavior is complicated by her position as a member of the Buffalo School Board , where she represents the Central District and chairs the Board 's Finance and Operations oversight .
In that position , she may be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with teachers and other actual grown-ups , but she is nonetheless a role model – a poor one , based on her behavior last week , but a role model , regardless , '' the editorial board wrote , asking she immediately offer an apology for her actions .
Newsweek reached out to both Scott and Woods for additional remarks about the incident Saturday .
Buffalo residents have taken to Woods ' Facebook page asking her to explain the outburst and to potentially resign her role on the school board .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large impact on others , but what happened at the school board meeting was not acceptable .
Our community needs positive role models and professionalism , not insults and yelling .
Since you can not accept your actions and apologize , please consider stepping down , '' resident Phil Stokes wrote on Woods ' Facebook wall Wednesday .
Zoom calls and other forms of video teleconferencing have become the `` new normal '' amid the coronavirus pandemic , as many workplaces continue to avoid crowding into office workplaces .
Updated 6:09 PM ET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apology on WGRZ Saturday .

A Buffalo, New York, school board member is being asked to apologize or step down after video emerged showing her finishing the contents of her wine glass before flipping the middle finger and cursing at others during a Zoom meeting.
At least two Buffalo school board members and several local residents are demanding an explanation from Paulette Woods, who appeared to curse and make the hand gesture during last Wednesday's online video meeting. Woods initially denied the outburst occurred at all, but video obtained by The Buffalo News Friday shows her gulping down the contents of a wine glass in a kitchen before swearing and holding her middle finger up to her Zoom call camera. The newspaper's editorial board joined residents and Western New York educators in calling for Woods to "apologize for rudeness, then accept the consequences."
Later, Woods issued a formal apology Saturday evening, as reported by WGRZ-TV in Buffalo. She said media focus over the "seven-second incident" is taking away from important problems within the educational system - a critique echoed by many Buffalo parents and residents.
During the Zoom meeting, Larry Scott, Woods' fellow board member, can be seen calling out the profane flare-up, which was in the midst of a contentious ongoing discussion over the extension of a superintendent's contract. Woods can be seen mouthing the words "shut the f**k up b***h, shut the f**k up," before pushing her middle finger up against the camera.
"We have a board member who is giving people the middle finger on her screen," Scott can be heard saying during the contentious Zoom call.
Baffled board president Sharon Belton-Cottman responds "Sorry...what?" as Scott replies: "There is a board member that was just swearing and giving the middle finger to everybody on the screen."
There is either too much competing audio from the dozen or so others on the school board call or she has been muted. It's unclear who specifically she is directing her outrage toward. As a result, the Zoom meeting was derailed and multiple fellow members called for it to be adjourned just moments later.
"The video is clear as to what occurred," Scott told WGRZ. "There is... it is completely absurd to me to claim unfairness — that concerns are unfounded. I mean then try to communicate better to the parents, the students and community members that have seen that video."
Woods has repeatedly denied she was sipping from the wine glass or even cursing during the Zoom meeting. But The Buffalo News editorial board urged her to take responsibility for the seemingly unprovoked outburst.
"Her behavior is complicated by her position as a member of the Buffalo School Board, where she represents the Central District and chairs the Board's Finance and Operations oversight. In that position, she may be a step removed from the students who interact with teachers and other actual grown-ups, but she is nonetheless a role model – a poor one, based on her behavior last week, but a role model, regardless," the editorial board wrote, asking she immediately offer an apology for her actions.
Newsweek reached out to both Scott and Woods for additional remarks about the incident Saturday.
Buffalo residents have taken to Woods' Facebook page asking her to explain the outburst and to potentially resign her role on the school board.
"You've had a decorated career with a large impact on others, but what happened at the school board meeting was not acceptable. Our community needs positive role models and professionalism, not insults and yelling. Since you cannot accept your actions and apologize, please consider stepping down," resident Phil Stokes wrote on Woods' Facebook wall Wednesday.
Zoom calls and other forms of video teleconferencing have become the "new normal" amid the coronavirus pandemic, as many workplaces continue to avoid crowding into office workplaces.
Updated 6:09 PM ET, to include that Woods made an apology on WGRZ Saturday.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Trump Claims 'Massive Proof' of Pennsylvania Voter Fraud, 'Many Illegal Votes' in Wisconsin

President Donald Trump claimed to have `` massive proof '' of voter fraud in Pennsylvania and to have found `` many illegal votes '' in Wisconsin in a series of tweets on Saturday afternoon .
The Trump campaign has filed numerous lawsuits in states he lost to President-elect Joe Biden in the election , many of which have been dismissed .
Trump spoke vaguely about what proof he had and criticized people who have been dismissive of his challenges to the election results .
`` Specific allegations were made , and we have massive proof , in the Pennsylvania case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see it .
They want nothing to do with saving our Country .
Sad , '' he tweeted .
According to the Associated Press , Biden defeated Trump with a margin of 81,660 votes , but during his tweets on Saturday , the president indicated that he was challenging many more than that .
He also said that he planned to appeal .
`` Fraud and illegality ARE a big part of the case .
Documents being completed .
We will appeal , '' he wrote .
A U.S. Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , using language similar to what Trump later used in his tweets .
`` Charges of unfairness are serious .
But calling an election unfair does not make it so .
Charges require specific allegations and then proof .
We have neither here , '' the opinion stated .
The opinion also said that claims made in the Trump lawsuit were `` vague and conclusory . ''
It also remarked that the challenges could not overturn the election .
`` The number of ballots it specifically challenges is far smaller than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it never claims fraud or that any votes were cast by illegal voters , '' the opinion said .
In another tweet , Trump seemed to reference the recount in two Wisconsin counties where his campaign had paid $ 3 million for a partial recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties .
As previously reported , Milwaukee County completed its recount , increasing Biden 's lead in by 132 votes .
Dane County is expected to finish counting on Sunday .
Even though the recount increased Biden 's lead slightly , Trump 's tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that it was n't about discovering errors in the count but rather illegal votes .
He said his team would present evidence of illegal votes on Monday or Tuesday after the recount is completed .
Just after midnight on Saturday , Trump quote-tweeted Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano , who tweeted a disputed claim about more mail-in ballots than were sent out being counted .
Trump wrote that over a million votes `` were created out of thin air . ''
He claimed that he was really the winner in the Keystone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RIGGED .
All other swing states also , '' he tweeted .
A press contact for the Trump campaign did not respond to Newsweek 's emailed request for comment in time for publication .

President Donald Trump claimed to have "massive proof" of voter fraud in Pennsylvania and to have found "many illegal votes" in Wisconsin in a series of tweets on Saturday afternoon.
The Trump campaign has filed numerous lawsuits in states he lost to President-elect Joe Biden in the election, many of which have been dismissed.
Trump spoke vaguely about what proof he had and criticized people who have been dismissive of his challenges to the election results.
"Specific allegations were made, and we have massive proof, in the Pennsylvania case. Some people just don't want to see it. They want nothing to do with saving our Country. Sad," he tweeted.
Specific allegations were made, and we have massive proof, in the Pennsylvania case. Some people just don’t want to see it. They want nothing to do with saving our Country. Sad!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2020
According to the Associated Press, Biden defeated Trump with a margin of 81,660 votes, but during his tweets on Saturday, the president indicated that he was challenging many more than that. He also said that he planned to appeal. "Fraud and illegality ARE a big part of the case. Documents being completed. We will appeal," he wrote.
The number of ballots that our Campaign is challenging in the Pennsylvania case is FAR LARGER than the 81,000 vote margin. It’s not even close. Fraud and illegality ARE a big part of the case. Documents being completed. We will appeal! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2020
A U.S. Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania rejected a Trump lawsuit on Friday, using language similar to what Trump later used in his tweets. "Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here," the opinion stated.
The opinion also said that claims made in the Trump lawsuit were "vague and conclusory." It also remarked that the challenges could not overturn the election. "The number of ballots it specifically challenges is far smaller than the roughly 81,000-vote margin of victory. And it never claims fraud or that any votes were cast by illegal voters," the opinion said.
In another tweet, Trump seemed to reference the recount in two Wisconsin counties where his campaign had paid $3 million for a partial recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties. As previously reported, Milwaukee County completed its recount, increasing Biden's lead in by 132 votes. Dane County is expected to finish counting on Sunday.
Even though the recount increased Biden's lead slightly, Trump's tweet shows that he's unfazed. He wrote that it wasn't about discovering errors in the count but rather illegal votes. He said his team would present evidence of illegal votes on Monday or Tuesday after the recount is completed.
The Wisconsin recount is not about finding mistakes in the count, it is about finding people who have voted illegally, and that case will be brought after the recount is over, on Monday or Tuesday. We have found many illegal votes. Stay tuned! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2020
Just after midnight on Saturday, Trump quote-tweeted Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano, who tweeted a disputed claim about more mail-in ballots than were sent out being counted. Trump wrote that over a million votes "were created out of thin air." He claimed that he was really the winner in the Keystone State. "The Pennsylvania votes were RIGGED. All other swing states also," he tweeted.
The 1,126,940 votes were created out of thin air. I won Pennsylvania by a lot, perhaps more than anyone will ever know. The Pennsylvania votes were RIGGED. All other swing states also. The world is watching! https://t.co/zmnk34Ny23 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2020
A press contact for the Trump campaign did not respond to Newsweek's emailed request for comment in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Trump Calls Fox News 'Virtually Unwatchable,' Points Followers to OANN and Newsmax

President Donald Trump called Fox News `` virtually unwatchable '' on Saturday , and pointed his followers to instead watch conservative media outlets One America News Network ( OANN ) and Newsmax .
`` @ FoxNews daytime is virtually unwatchable , especially during the weekends .
Watch @ OANN , @ newsmax , or almost anything else .
You wo n't have to suffer through endless interviews with Democrats , and even worse ! ''
he wrote .
Trump 's latest tweet highlights a progressively rocky relationship between the president and his formerly favorite news outlet .
For several months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network , at times calling them `` Fake News '' and `` anti-Trump . ''
`` @ FoxNews is no longer the same .
We miss the great Roger Ailes .
You have more anti-Trump people , by far , than ever before .
Looking for a new outlet !
, '' the president tweeted in May .
Trump 's agitation grew increasingly worse throughout the final months of his presidential campaign , as he slammed the network for showing what he called `` fake '' polls that projected Democratic rival Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
After Fox News became the first to project that Biden won Arizona , Trump claimed the network had `` completely collapsed . ''
`` @ FoxNews daytime ratings have completely collapsed .
Weekend daytime even WORSE .
Very sad to watch this happen , but they forgot what made them successful , what got them there .
They forgot the Golden Goose .
The biggest difference between the 2016 Election , and 2020 , was @ FoxNews , '' Trump tweeted on November 12 .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged surrogates to call the network directly to push them to withdraw the Arizona projection .
Rather than showing support for the news outlet that he once praised and even `` thanked God for , '' Trump has recently been urging his followers to support OANN and Newsmax .
Both conservative media channels have been more favorable toward the president , and have seen a rise in viewership since the election .
Newsmax , which was founded by Trump 's longtime friend Chris Ruddy , saw its primetime ratings increase tenfold the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
`` We 're killing it here on Newsmax with a tactic they 've never tried .
It 's called the truth , the stone-cold truth , and once you get a taste of it , you will never tolerate being lied to again , '' Newsmax personality Grant Stinchfield said during election week .
Both news outlets have pushed baseless conspiracy theories regarding voter fraud , and critics have criticized them for purveying misinformation .
Trump 's anti-Fox tweets may have had an effect on the network .
According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped 13 percentage points among Republicans after the election .
Prior to November 3 , about 67 percent of U.S. adults who identify as Republican said they viewed Fox News favorably .
But after the network called Arizona for Biden , that number dropped to just 54 percent .
The average share of those with an unfavorable view of the network nearly doubled , to 30 percent .
Newsweek reached out to Fox News for comment .

President Donald Trump called Fox News "virtually unwatchable" on Saturday, and pointed his followers to instead watch conservative media outlets One America News Network (OANN) and Newsmax.
"@FoxNews daytime is virtually unwatchable, especially during the weekends. Watch@OANN ,@newsmax, or almost anything else. You won't have to suffer through endless interviews with Democrats, and even worse!" he wrote.
.@FoxNews daytime is virtually unwatchable, especially during the weekends. Watch @OANN, @newsmax, or almost anything else. You won’t have to suffer through endless interviews with Democrats, and even worse! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2020
Trump's latest tweet highlights a progressively rocky relationship between the president and his formerly favorite news outlet.
For several months Trump has tweeted criticisms of the conservative network, at times calling them "Fake News" and "anti-Trump."
"@FoxNews is no longer the same. We miss the great Roger Ailes. You have more anti-Trump people, by far, than ever before. Looking for a new outlet!," the president tweeted in May.
Trump's agitation grew increasingly worse throughout the final months of his presidential campaign, as he slammed the network for showing what he called "fake" polls that projected Democratic rival Joe Biden ahead in key swing states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
After Fox News became the first to project that Biden won Arizona, Trump claimed the network had "completely collapsed."
"@FoxNews daytime ratings have completely collapsed. Weekend daytime even WORSE. Very sad to watch this happen, but they forgot what made them successful, what got them there. They forgot the Golden Goose. The biggest difference between the 2016 Election, and 2020, was @FoxNews," Trump tweeted on November 12.
.@FoxNews daytime ratings have completely collapsed. Weekend daytime even WORSE. Very sad to watch this happen, but they forgot what made them successful, what got them there. They forgot the Golden Goose. The biggest difference between the 2016 Election, and 2020, was @FoxNews! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2020
According to The Hill, the Trump campaign even urged surrogates to call the network directly to push them to withdraw the Arizona projection.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participates in a debate sponsored by Fox News at the Fox Theatre on March 3, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. On Saturday, Trump criticized the conservative news network, and directed his followers to other outlets including OANN and Newsmax. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Rather than showing support for the news outlet that he once praised and even "thanked God for," Trump has recently been urging his followers to support OANN and Newsmax. Both conservative media channels have been more favorable toward the president, and have seen a rise in viewership since the election.
Newsmax, which was founded by Trump's longtime friend Chris Ruddy, saw its primetime ratings increase tenfold the week after the election, the Associated Press reported.
"We're killing it here on Newsmax with a tactic they've never tried. It's called the truth, the stone-cold truth, and once you get a taste of it, you will never tolerate being lied to again," Newsmax personality Grant Stinchfield said during election week.
Both news outlets have pushed baseless conspiracy theories regarding voter fraud, and critics have criticized them for purveying misinformation.
Trump's anti-Fox tweets may have had an effect on the network. According to a Morning Consult poll, the networks favorability dropped 13 percentage points among Republicans after the election.
Prior to November 3, about 67 percent of U.S. adults who identify as Republican said they viewed Fox News favorably. But after the network called Arizona for Biden, that number dropped to just 54 percent. The average share of those with an unfavorable view of the network nearly doubled, to 30 percent.
Newsweek reached out to Fox News for comment.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Joe Biden's NSA Nominee Says U.S. Would Send a Message to China Over Coronavirus Response

President-elect Joe Biden 's national security advisor nominee Jake Sullivan said the United States would `` send a very clear message to China '' that the country 's response to the coronavirus pandemic was unacceptable .
Sullivan said that his initial focus of work on the National Security Council ( NSC ) would be to make public health a national security priority by putting a foot down with the growing world power .
`` The way you actually make sure this does n't happen again is by sending a very clear message to China that the United States and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a circumstance in which we do not have an effective public health surveillance system , with an international dimension , in China and across the world going forward , '' Sullivan said in an interview with Politico .
The first known case of COVID-19 was discovered in Wuhan , China , one year ago .
Since then , the coronavirus pandemic has infected over 62 million people worldwide , and killed at least 1.4 million , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Sullivan has repeatedly said that he will work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been neglected under the Trump administration .
`` Unlike the policy of the last few years , we will be able to rally the rest of the world behind us , '' he stated .
But the incoming Biden administration is expected to maintain a tough approach on China .
In March , Biden wrote that `` the United States does need to get tough with China , '' in an article published in Foreign Affairs magazine .
`` The most effective way to meet that challenge is to build a united front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's abusive behaviors and human rights violations , '' he wrote .
Biden has previously called Chinese President Xi Jinping a `` thug '' and said he would lead an international campaign to `` pressure , isolate and punish China . ''
In his Politico interview , Sullivan has added to that sentiment by stating that one of his main foreign policy goals is `` to rally our allies to combat corruption and kleptocracy , and to hold systems of authoritarian capitalism accountable for greater transparency and participation in a rules-based system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally to Biden , having served as his national security advisor when he was vice president in 2013 , and as a former senior policy advisor to Hillary Clinton .
Newsweek reached out the Biden transition team for additional comment , but did not receive a response in time for publication .

President-elect Joe Biden's national security advisor nominee Jake Sullivan said the United States would "send a very clear message to China" that the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic was unacceptable.
Sullivan said that his initial focus of work on the National Security Council (NSC) would be to make public health a national security priority by putting a foot down with the growing world power.
"The way you actually make sure this doesn't happen again is by sending a very clear message to China that the United States and the rest of the world will not accept a circumstance in which we do not have an effective public health surveillance system, with an international dimension, in China and across the world going forward," Sullivan said in an interview with Politico.
The first known case of COVID-19 was discovered in Wuhan, China, one year ago. Since then, the coronavirus pandemic has infected over 62 million people worldwide, and killed at least 1.4 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Sullivan has repeatedly said that he will work to rebuild foreign alliances and partnerships that have been neglected under the Trump administration.
"Unlike the policy of the last few years, we will be able to rally the rest of the world behind us," he stated.
Nominated National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan participates as US President-elect Joe Biden speaks during a cabinet announcement event in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 24, 2020. Sullivan said one of his main national security focuses would be beating the COVID-19 pandemic, and sending a warning to China that the country's response to the pandemic was unacceptable. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP/Getty
But the incoming Biden administration is expected to maintain a tough approach on China.
In March, Biden wrote that "the United States does need to get tough with China," in an article published in Foreign Affairs magazine. "The most effective way to meet that challenge is to build a united front of U.S. allies and partners to confront China's abusive behaviors and human rights violations," he wrote.
Biden has previously called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "thug" and said he would lead an international campaign to "pressure, isolate and punish China."
In his Politico interview, Sullivan has added to that sentiment by stating that one of his main foreign policy goals is "to rally our allies to combat corruption and kleptocracy, and to hold systems of authoritarian capitalism accountable for greater transparency and participation in a rules-based system."
Sullivan has been a longtime ally to Biden, having served as his national security advisor when he was vice president in 2013, and as a former senior policy advisor to Hillary Clinton.
Newsweek reached out the Biden transition team for additional comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-28--Powerball Drawing For 11/28/20, Saturday Jackpot is $216 Million

The Powerball jackpot for 11/28/20 is $ 216 million .
The Saturday night drawing will be shortly after 11 p.m .
This page can be bookmarked and refreshed to see if you hold the winning numbers .
Tonight 's 11/28/20 Powerball jackpot is estimated at $ 216 million , with a cash option of $ 168.4 million .
The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections , according to officials .
The winning numbers on Wednesday ( 11/25/20 ) for the $ 202 million Powerball jackpot were : 02-57-58-60-65 with a Powerball of 26 .
The Power Play was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner on Wednesday , nor was there a ticket sold that matched all five white balls , and just missing out on the red Powerball , for the game 's second prize of $ 1 million .
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12 , 2020 for a jackpot worth $ 169 million .
That ticket was sold in Florida .
Normally , the game would reset to a $ 40 million minimum , but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous winning ticket was sold on June 10 , 2020 .
The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $ 190 million .
The previous grand prize won before that was $ 70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan .
The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20 .
That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Bonita Springs , Florida , for the $ 394 million grand prize , which had a cash option of $ 274.6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 , regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball 's website .
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday , and one of America 's two biggest lottery jackpot games .
Powerball jackpots start at $ 20 million , and other prizes pay from $ 1 million to $ 2 million with a Power Play .
Tickets are $ 2 .
You can check the numbers for tonight , or any past winning numbers , on the official Powerball website .
The other multi-state lottery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesdays and Fridays .
Like Powerball , the jackpot is reset at $ 20 million after a jackpot is won , and one line of numbers is $ 2 , with a $ 1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier .
Here is the Mega Millions website for more information , or to check any potential past numbers .
There are nine ways to win money during the Powerball .
Just getting the powerball with no other numbers pays out $ 4 , and even more if the power play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball , and $ 7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball , or three correct numbers and no powerball .
If all five white , numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct , then the payout is $ 1 million , with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen .
Saturday night we will post the Powerball 11/28/20 drawing payouts and tell if there was a winner and where that winner came from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York Two winning tickets were drawn , one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona

The Powerball jackpot for 11/28/20 was $216 million. Here are the numbers from the Saturday night drawing.
First Five: 08-12-18-44-51
Powerball: 18
Power Play: 2x
Saturday night's 11/28/20 Powerball jackpot was estimated at $216 million, with a cash option of $168.4 million. The jackpot could increase if sales further lottery projections, according to officials.
The winning numbers on Wednesday (11/25/20) for the $202 million Powerball jackpot were: 02-57-58-60-65 with a Powerball of 26. The Power Play was 2x.
There was no grand prize winner on Wednesday, nor was there a ticket sold that matched all five white balls, and just missing out on the red Powerball, for the game's second prize of $1 million.
A Powerball ticket sold in Texas during September 2019. Scott McDonald/Newsweek
The last winning Powerball ticket was sold on August 12, 2020 for a jackpot worth $169 million. That ticket was sold in Florida.
Normally, the game would reset to a $40 million minimum, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Powerball officials to cut the minimum jackpot in half, which began with the 04/11/20 jackpot.
The previous winning ticket was sold on June 10, 2020. The previous winning ticket sold was purchased in New Jersey for the 04/08/20 jackpot worth $190 million. The previous grand prize won before that was $70 million in the 02/12/20 drawing with a ticket purchased in Michigan. The grand prize winner before that was on 01/29/20. That ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Bonita Springs, Florida, for the $394 million grand prize, which had a cash option of $274.6 million.
The odds of hitting the grand prize jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, regardless of the jackpot size—according to Powerball's website.
Powerball is a multi-state lottery played every Wednesday and Saturday, and one of America's two biggest lottery jackpot games. Powerball jackpots start at $20 million, and other prizes pay from $1 million to $2 million with a Power Play. Tickets are $2. You can check the numbers for tonight, or any past winning numbers, on the official Powerball website.
The other multi-state lottery is Mega Millions, which is played on Tuesdays and Fridays. Like Powerball, the jackpot is reset at $20 million after a jackpot is won, and one line of numbers is $2, with a $1 option to multiply their winnings with a Megaplier. Here is the Mega Millions website for more information, or to check any potential past numbers.
There are nine ways to win money during the Powerball. Just getting the powerball with no other numbers pays out $4, and even more if the power play is bought for an extra dollar. The same payout goes for one ball plus the powerball, and $7 is the payout for two correct numbers with the powerball, or three correct numbers and no powerball.
If all five white, numbered balls are chosen but the red powerball is not correct, then the payout is $1 million, with an even higher payout if the power play is chosen.
Here are the all-time top Powerball jackpot prizes
1. $1.586 billion (01/13/2016)
Winning tickets sold in California, Florida and Tennessee
2. $768.4 million (03/27/2019)
Single ticket sold in Wisconsin
3. $758.7 million (08/23/2017)
Single ticket sold in Massachusetts
4. $687.8 million (10/27/2018)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Iowa and one sold in New York
5. $590.5 million (05/18/2013)
Single ticket sold in Florida
6. $587.5 million (11/28/2012)
Two winning tickets were drawn, one sold in Missouri and one sold in Arizona
7. $564.1 million (02/11/2015)
Winning tickets sold in Texas, North Carolina and Puerto Rico


newsweek--2020-11-28--Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. Fight Start Time and How to Watch Online

Mike Tyson makes his return to the ring after a 14-year absence when he faces Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout in Los Angeles on Saturday .
Dubbed `` Frontline Battle , '' the fight will be valid for the newly-formed WBC Frontline Battle Belt and also marks the inaugural event of a series produced by Legends Only League .
Tyson ( 50-6 , 44 KOs ) turned 54 at the end of June and has n't fought professionally since retiring in the sixth round of his 10-round bout against Kevin McBride in 2005 .
A former world champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 66-9 , 47 KOs ) is three years younger than his opponent and last fought in 2018 .
Here 's all you need to know ahead of Saturday .
The bout between Tyson and Jones Jr. is scheduled for Saturday , November 27 .
The undercard gets underway at 8 p.m .
ET , with the main card set to start at 9 p.m .
ET .
Tyson and Jones Jr are expected to make their ring walks between 11 p.m .
ET and midnight .
The fight takes place at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyson nor Jones has previously fought at the arena , which is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers , Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Kings .
The bout will be available via FITE.tv and its streaming apps in the U.S. and Canada , as well as online via TysonOnTriller.com .
The event can be ordered at FITE.TV , TysonOnTriller.com as well as via major cable and satellite TV providers at a cost of $ 49.99 .
DraftKings has Tyson as a 1-2 favorite , while Jones Jr. is at 37-20 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight between Tyson and Jones Jr. is an exhibition bout , which means it will stretch over eight rounds of two minutes each , as opposed to the traditional 12 , three-minute rounds .
Both boxers will wear 12-ounce gloves and neither will be required to wear headgear , despite the non-professional nature of the bout .
The preliminary card features three bouts , with three fights on the main card before Tyson and Jones Jr. step into the ring .

Mike Tyson makes his return to the ring after a 14-year absence when he faces Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Dubbed "Frontline Battle," the fight will be valid for the newly-formed WBC Frontline Battle Belt and also marks the inaugural event of a series produced by Legends Only League.
Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) turned 54 at the end of June and hasn't fought professionally since retiring in the sixth round of his 10-round bout against Kevin McBride in 2005.
A former world champion in four weight classes, Jones Jr. (66-9, 47 KOs) is three years younger than his opponent and last fought in 2018.
Here's all you need to know ahead of Saturday.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. date, time and venue
The bout between Tyson and Jones Jr. is scheduled for Saturday, November 27. The undercard gets underway at 8 p.m. ET, with the main card set to start at 9 p.m. ET.
Tyson and Jones Jr are expected to make their ring walks between 11 p.m. ET and midnight.
The fight takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Neither Tyson nor Jones has previously fought at the arena, which is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Kings.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. TV coverage, live stream
The bout will be available via FITE.tv and its streaming apps in the U.S. and Canada, as well as online via TysonOnTriller.com.
The event can be ordered at FITE.TV, TysonOnTriller.com as well as via major cable and satellite TV providers at a cost of $49.99.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. odds
DraftKings has Tyson as a 1-2 favorite, while Jones Jr. is at 37-20 and the draw is at 8-1.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. rules
The fight between Tyson and Jones Jr. is an exhibition bout, which means it will stretch over eight rounds of two minutes each, as opposed to the traditional 12, three-minute rounds.
Both boxers will wear 12-ounce gloves and neither will be required to wear headgear, despite the non-professional nature of the bout.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight card
The preliminary card features three bouts, with three fights on the main card before Tyson and Jones Jr. step into the ring.
Preliminary card
Jamaine Ortiz vs. Nahir Albright—Lightweight
Irvin Gonzalez vs. Edward Vasquez—Featherweight
Juiseppe Cusumano vs. Nick Jones—Heavyweight
Main card
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.—Heavyweight exhibition
Jake Paul vs. Nate Robinson—Cruiserweight
Badou Jack vs. Blake McKernan—Light Heavyweight
Viddal Riley vs. Rashad Coulter—Cruiserweight