newsweek--2020-12-15--COVID Vaccine Certificates Could be Issued to Inoculated Across Europe

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , European Union ( EU ) countries may issue `` vaccination certificates to demonstrate a person 's vaccination status , '' a European Commission spokesperson for public health , food safety and transport , Stefan de Keersmaecker , told Newsweek .
`` We are looking at all possible solutions for staying safe while gradually returning back to normal , including the use of vaccination certificates to demonstrate a person 's vaccination status .
`` We are currently in the phase of developing a vaccine , the first step towards a lasting exit out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe vaccine has been developed , it should quickly be deployed , and its safety and effectiveness will continue to be monitored in the process known as 'pharmacovigilance ' .
We are looking at vaccination certificates in the context of this pharmacovigilance , '' the spokesperson told Newsweek .
Pharmacovigilance is `` the science and activities relating to the detection , assessment , understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other medicine-related problem , '' according to the European Medicines Agency .
De Keersmaecker said : `` In order to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this phase , we have adopted in October a recommendation on the preparation of vaccine strategies and the deployment of vaccines .
This is a crucial priority which we closely follow up in close coordination with the member states and with the help of the ECDC [ European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ] .
`` A common approach to pharmacovigilance and trusted , reliable and verifiable vaccination certificates across the EU , could reinforce the success of vaccination programs in member states and the trust of citizens in the vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take any further initiative that supports the member states to keep the spread of the virus under control , '' de Keersmaecker told Newsweek .
While EU countries may introduce vaccine certificates , the U.K. has no plans to do so , a government spokesperson for the country 's Department of Health & Social Care ( DHSC ) told Newsweek .
`` The NHS [ National Health Service ] has started vaccinating patients against coronavirus as part of the biggest immunization program in British history .
We have no plans to introduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the spokesperson said .
The DHSC spokesperson told Newsweek the government 's position remains the same on vaccine certificates or passports .
Immunity passports indicate the level immunity a person has to COVID-19 through the detection of antibodies .
As early as April , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) published guidance regarding immunity passports , noting : `` Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , could serve as the basis for an 'immunity passport ' or 'risk-free certificate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to return to work assuming that they are protected against re-infection .
`` There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection , '' WHO warned .
While the EU considers the use of vaccination certificates , Israel announced it will issue a `` green passport '' to residents who have received the COVID-19 vaccine , becoming the first country in the world to issue COVID-19 vaccine passports .
The passport will lift some restrictions , including mandatory quarantine following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer access to cultural events and restaurants , according to Israel 's Ministry of Health .
Total confirmed cases in Europe have surpassed 22.1 million , with 487 , 632 reported deaths , according to the latest report Monday by WHO .
Weekly case totals in Europe have been rising on a sharper incline since early September , after remaining flat for months from March .
The weekly case count peaked in the week commencing November 2 and flattened out through December , according to data from WHO .
Weekly death totals have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week commencing November 23 , after flattening out for months since early June , according to WHO .
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 72.9 million people , including over 16.5 million in the U.S. , since it was first reported in Wuhan , China .
More than 1.6 million people have died worldwide and over 41.3 million have recovered as of Tuesday , according to John Hopkins University .
The graphic below , provided by Statista , shows the countries with the highest COVID-19 death tolls .
The graphic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries with the most COVID-19 cases .

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, European Union (EU) countries may issue "vaccination certificates to demonstrate a person's vaccination status," a European Commission spokesperson for public health, food safety and transport, Stefan de Keersmaecker, told Newsweek.
"We are looking at all possible solutions for staying safe while gradually returning back to normal, including the use of vaccination certificates to demonstrate a person's vaccination status.
"We are currently in the phase of developing a vaccine, the first step towards a lasting exit out of the current pandemic. When an effective and safe vaccine has been developed, it should quickly be deployed, and its safety and effectiveness will continue to be monitored in the process known as 'pharmacovigilance'. We are looking at vaccination certificates in the context of this pharmacovigilance," the spokesperson told Newsweek.
Pharmacovigilance is "the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other medicine-related problem," according to the European Medicines Agency.
De Keersmaecker said: "In order to make sure that the member states are well prepared for this phase, we have adopted in October a recommendation on the preparation of vaccine strategies and the deployment of vaccines. This is a crucial priority which we closely follow up in close coordination with the member states and with the help of the ECDC [European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control].
"A common approach to pharmacovigilance and trusted, reliable and verifiable vaccination certificates across the EU, could reinforce the success of vaccination programs in member states and the trust of citizens in the vaccination effort.
"The Commission stands ready to take any further initiative that supports the member states to keep the spread of the virus under control," de Keersmaecker told Newsweek.
While EU countries may introduce vaccine certificates, the U.K. has no plans to do so, a government spokesperson for the country's Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) told Newsweek.
"The NHS [National Health Service] has started vaccinating patients against coronavirus as part of the biggest immunization program in British history. We have no plans to introduce immunity passports following this vaccination program," the spokesperson said.
The DHSC spokesperson told Newsweek the government's position remains the same on vaccine certificates or passports.
Immunity passports indicate the level immunity a person has to COVID-19 through the detection of antibodies.
As early as April, the World Health Organization (WHO) published guidance regarding immunity passports, noting: "Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an 'immunity passport' or 'risk-free certificate' that would enable individuals to travel or to return to work assuming that they are protected against re-infection.
"There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection," WHO warned.
While the EU considers the use of vaccination certificates, Israel announced it will issue a "green passport" to residents who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first country in the world to issue COVID-19 vaccine passports.
The passport will lift some restrictions, including mandatory quarantine following exposure to an infected person, and offer access to cultural events and restaurants, according to Israel's Ministry of Health.
Total confirmed cases in Europe have surpassed 22.1 million, with 487, 632 reported deaths, according to the latest report Monday by WHO.
Weekly case totals in Europe have been rising on a sharper incline since early September, after remaining flat for months from March. The weekly case count peaked in the week commencing November 2 and flattened out through December, according to data from WHO.
Weekly death totals have been increasing since late October, peaking in the week commencing November 23, after flattening out for months since early June, according to WHO.
A COVID-19 vaccination record card given to inoculated patients at the Cardiff and Vale Therapy Centre in Cardiff, Wales of the U.K., pictured on December 8. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
The wider picture
The novel coronavirus has infected more than 72.9 million people, including over 16.5 million in the U.S., since it was first reported in Wuhan, China.
More than 1.6 million people have died worldwide and over 41.3 million have recovered as of Tuesday, according to John Hopkins University.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, shows the countries with the highest COVID-19 death tolls.
Statista
The graphic below, provided by Statista, shows countries with the most COVID-19 cases.


newsweek--2020-12-15--Xbox Series X Restock Updates for Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target and More

The Xbox Series X will be restocked at Best Buy today , and with just 10 days to go until Christmas , it 's a great opportunity to try to purchase the highly coveted next-gen console .
However , should gamers be unlucky with today 's drop , there are still options .
The new Xbox consoles were released on November 10 , though fans have had a hard time getting their hands on them .
Along with the PS5 , the Xbox Series X has been in limited stock and has continued to sell out almost immediately each time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a similar story at Best Buy today , though as the retailer announced the release a day before , gamers can now prepare , and will hopefully be ready as soon as the Xbox Series X goes live on the website .
Best Buy will restock the Xbox Series X console today , December 15 .
The consoles will be restocked online sometime after 9 a.m .
ET or 8 a.m. CT , though no specific time has been announced yet .
Therefore , be ready on BestBuy.com at 9 a.m .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Xbox Series X and the PS5 consoles will be available to order online from Best Buy and picked up curbside .
Walmart appears to be ending in-store purchases of the Xbox Series X and will instead move sales online for the foreseeable future .
Shoppers spotted signs instore alerting them that that the next-gen console could not be bought in store any longer and that they should head to the Walmart website .
However , the Xbox Series X is unavailable on the Walmart website so it is unclear when the console @ @ @ @ @ @ @ X is not available at Amazon right now .
Amazon has been restocking the console without warning so keep an eye on the website .
Increase your chances of being ready when the website restocks by turning on Twitter notifications for accounts that have been sharing Amazon stocks in recent weeks .
Track your local Target 's Xbox Series X stock using inventory checkers PopFindr and BrickSeek .
Although their figures are for reference only and may not reflect the stock ready to be sold , it may be helpful to use these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more Xbox Series X stock , the console will be available to purchase online with curbside pickup .
Newsweek has affiliate partnerships .
If you make a purchase using our links , we may earn a share of the sale .

The Xbox Series X will be restocked at Best Buy today, and with just 10 days to go until Christmas, it's a great opportunity to try to purchase the highly coveted next-gen console. However, should gamers be unlucky with today's drop, there are still options.
The new Xbox consoles were released on November 10, though fans have had a hard time getting their hands on them. Along with the PS5, the Xbox Series X has been in limited stock and has continued to sell out almost immediately each time it becomes available.
It will likely be a similar story at Best Buy today, though as the retailer announced the release a day before, gamers can now prepare, and will hopefully be ready as soon as the Xbox Series X goes live on the website.
Microsoft's Xbox Series X (L, in black) and series S (R, in white) gaming consoles are seen on display during its worldwide release at an electronics store in Tokyo on November 10, 2020. Best Buy will restock the Xbox Series X online today, December 15, 2020. Charly Triballeau/Getty
Best Buy Xbox Series X Restock
Best Buy will restock the Xbox Series X console today, December 15. The consoles will be restocked online sometime after 9 a.m. ET or 8 a.m. CT, though no specific time has been announced yet. Therefore, be ready on BestBuy.com at 9 a.m. ET but be prepared to wait.
The Xbox Series X and the PS5 consoles will be available to order online from Best Buy and picked up curbside.
Walmart Xbox Series X Restock
Walmart appears to be ending in-store purchases of the Xbox Series X and will instead move sales online for the foreseeable future. Shoppers spotted signs instore alerting them that that the next-gen console could not be bought in store any longer and that they should head to the Walmart website.
However, the Xbox Series X is unavailable on the Walmart website so it is unclear when the console will become available.
Amazon Xbox Series X Restock
The Xbox Series X is not available at Amazon right now. Amazon has been restocking the console without warning so keep an eye on the website. Increase your chances of being ready when the website restocks by turning on Twitter notifications for accounts that have been sharing Amazon stocks in recent weeks.
Target Xbox Series X Restock
Track your local Target's Xbox Series X stock using inventory checkers PopFindr and BrickSeek. Although their figures are for reference only and may not reflect the stock ready to be sold, it may be helpful to use these sites as a guide.
When Target has more Xbox Series X stock, the console will be available to purchase online with curbside pickup.
Newsweek has affiliate partnerships. If you make a purchase using our links, we may earn a share of the sale.


newsweek--2020-12-15--Alan Dershowitz Says Perjury Will Be Committed at Jeffrey Epstein Libel Trial

Alan Dershowitz has called for the FBI to come to his defamation trial with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre `` because they will hear perjury committed . ''
The attorney is being sued by Giuffre for calling her a `` certified , complete , total liar '' and lodged his own counterclaim against her last year .
Giuffre first claimed she was abused by him in a 2014 Florida court filing , while Dershowitz has repeatedly protested his innocence .
As progress towards the case continues , he has now given an interview to U.K. newspaper the Daily Telegraph .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to the trial , because they will hear perjury committed in the federal courthouse .
`` Either I will be committing perjury because I will swear under oath that I never met this woman , or she will be committing perjury because she will be swearing her oath that she had sex with me on multiple occasions .
`` Only one of us can be telling the truth . ''
Dershowitz claims he met Epstein for the first time in 1996 and in October 2005 agreed to represent him in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was then jailed for 18 months in 2008 after a heavily criticized plea bargain .
The New York financier was charged with new allegations but died in an apparent suicide in his jail cell in August 2019 .
Giuffre previously sued Epstein 's former lover Ghislaine Maxwell , who is currently awaiting trial for trafficking offenses , and won an out-of-court settlement in 2017 .
She today told her social media followers of the pain she still feels in relation to her ongoing battle for justice .
She wrote on Twitter : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some love .
`` My life is n't just a story , this is real life pain & I ca n't stop crying .
It hurts .
`` I 'm supposed to be strong all the time but I am human and I am suffering .
Any tools to help me deal is appreciated .
Love to you all .
# Help # LoveButterfly . ''
Dershowitz previously told Newsweek : `` I never saw Epstein do anything improper .
If I had , I would have reported him .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that to her lawyers , she did not say she had sex with me .
`` Her story changed .
None of it is true .
I never met her .
I never saw Epstein in the presence of anyone underage . ''
Ghislaine Maxwell 's lawyers have lodged a new application for $ 28 million bail through the Manhattan Federal Court .
She denies trafficking underage girls for Epstein to abuse and perjury and is due to stand trial in July .

Alan Dershowitz has called for the FBI to come to his defamation trial with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre "because they will hear perjury committed."
The attorney is being sued by Giuffre for calling her a "certified, complete, total liar" and lodged his own counterclaim against her last year.
Giuffre first claimed she was abused by him in a 2014 Florida court filing, while Dershowitz has repeatedly protested his innocence.
As progress towards the case continues, he has now given an interview to U.K. newspaper the Daily Telegraph.
Attorney Alan Dershowitz, a member of President Donald Trump's legal team, speaks to the press in the Senate Reception Room during the Senate impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on January 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. Mario Tama/Getty
Dershowitz said: "The FBI should come to the trial, because they will hear perjury committed in the federal courthouse.
"Either I will be committing perjury because I will swear under oath that I never met this woman, or she will be committing perjury because she will be swearing her oath that she had sex with me on multiple occasions.
"Only one of us can be telling the truth."
The real me. No makeup, no press- just me talking to those who have been through this journey with me. I cannot thank you all enough for your kindness & support. All my love- V 🦋 #StrongerTogether #LoveWins #BeKind pic.twitter.com/p4fGhaeYnj — Virginia Giuffre (@VRSVirginia) December 15, 2020
Dershowitz claims he met Epstein for the first time in 1996 and in October 2005 agreed to represent him in relation to a criminal investigation in Florida.
Epstein was then jailed for 18 months in 2008 after a heavily criticized plea bargain.
The New York financier was charged with new allegations but died in an apparent suicide in his jail cell in August 2019.
Giuffre previously sued Epstein's former lover Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently awaiting trial for trafficking offenses, and won an out-of-court settlement in 2017.
She today told her social media followers of the pain she still feels in relation to her ongoing battle for justice.
She wrote on Twitter: "I am reaching out to my supporters for some love.
"My life isn't just a story, this is real life pain & I can't stop crying. It hurts.
Read more Ghislaine Maxwell was 'Just as Much a Predator' as Jeffrey Epstein: Author Ghislaine Maxwell was 'Just as Much a Predator' as Jeffrey Epstein: Author
"I'm supposed to be strong all the time but I am human and I am suffering. Any tools to help me deal is appreciated. Love to you all. #Help #LoveButterfly."
Dershowitz previously told Newsweek: "I never saw Epstein do anything improper. If I had, I would have reported him. I have sworn to that. When Guiffre said that to her lawyers, she did not say she had sex with me.
"Her story changed. None of it is true. I never met her. I never saw Epstein in the presence of anyone underage."
Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers have lodged a new application for $28 million bail through the Manhattan Federal Court.
She denies trafficking underage girls for Epstein to abuse and perjury and is due to stand trial in July.
Disclaimer: Alan Dershowitz is a current contributor to Newsweek.


newsweek--2020-12-15--New Mutation of Coronavirus Emerges—Should I Be Worried, Is Vaccine at Risk?

A mutated strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 currently circulated in the U.K. is unlikely to affect vaccine effectiveness , experts say .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told members of parliament in the House of Commons on Monday that genome scientists had identified a variant of SARS-CoV-2 that could be associated with an ongoing surge in cases across the south east of England .
He said the strain seemed to be spreading faster than existing variants and officials had recorded more than 1,000 cases so far , spanning nearly 60 regions .
Hancock noted the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public there was `` nothing to suggest that this variant is likely to cause serious disease '' and that it is `` highly unlikely this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine . ''
In the wake of the announcement , scientists have stressed it is normal for mutations to arise naturally as a virus circulates among the population , and said thousands of strains have been logged in the SARS-CoV-2 genome since the pandemic began .
Dr. Zania Stamataki , a viral immunologist at the University of Birmingham , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither cause for panic nor unexpected '' that a new SARS-CoV-2 strain had surfaced , saying in a statement that the changes in a virus can result from immune responses that are triggered by the human body as it attempts to combat the infection .
Dr. Stamataki said : `` This virus does n't mutate as fast as influenza and , although we need to keep it under surveillance , it will not be a major undertaking to update the new vaccines when necessary in the future .
This year has seen significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure for us to keep up with this coronavirus . ''
COVID-19 Genomics UK ( COG-UK ) , a collective of agencies and scientists conducting rapid whole-genome sequencing on SARS-CoV-2 , said in an advisory on Monday that a probe is ongoing to verify if the new strain contributes to more transmission .
`` There is currently no evidence that this variant ( or any other studied to date ) has any impact on disease severity , or that it will render vaccines less effective , although both questions require further studies performed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The U.K. has recorded over 1.8 million COVID infections and at least 64,402 deaths as of December 14 .
On Monday , the country 's public health agency announced 232 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID test and 20,263 new cases of the virus .
The county has adopted a tiered system that means regions face restrictions based on the severity of their local COVID cases .
London , the capital of England , is entering into the highest tier three restrictions as of Wednesday due to its rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the general consensus in the scientific community about the new strain is there is currently no reason to panic , and testing is ongoing .
`` There is no evidence the newly-reported variant results in a more severe disease , '' said Prof Wendy Barclay , an infectious disease expert at Imperial College London .
`` This variant contains some mutations in spike protein that is the major target of vaccines , and it will be important to establish whether they impact vaccine efficacy by performing experiments in the coming weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the vaccines developed against COVID , which started rollout out to the public this month , can be adapted quickly to combat mutations .
`` The three new vaccines reported in recent completed clinical trials use technologies that encode information for coronavirus spike protein , pass on the information to our own cells , which do the hard work of producing the protein to stimulate our immune system , '' Dr. Stamataki wrote in an article published on Monday in The Guardian .
`` It is remarkably simple for us to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need arises , and to keep them relevant for different parts of the world . ''
The U.K. health secretary said on December 2 as the first batch of vaccines were being given that the county had backed seven vaccines and ordered 357 million doses so far .
The vaccine approved for use inside the U.K. was developed by Pfizer/BioNTech .
For now , studies into the new variant will continue , experts say .
Prof Julian Hiscox , Chair in Infection and Global Health , University of Liverpool , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts on understanding the transmission of this virus and if necessary introducing control measures to prevent its spread .
`` There is a lag between sampling and information .
Currently there is no evidence that this [ new ] virus will evade the vaccine or will lead to increased disease or death . ''

A mutated strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 currently circulated in the U.K. is unlikely to affect vaccine effectiveness, experts say.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told members of parliament in the House of Commons on Monday that genome scientists had identified a variant of SARS-CoV-2 that could be associated with an ongoing surge in cases across the south east of England.
He said the strain seemed to be spreading faster than existing variants and officials had recorded more than 1,000 cases so far, spanning nearly 60 regions.
Hancock noted the World Health Organization (WHO) had been notified and assured the public there was "nothing to suggest that this variant is likely to cause serious disease" and that it is "highly unlikely this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine."
In the wake of the announcement, scientists have stressed it is normal for mutations to arise naturally as a virus circulates among the population, and said thousands of strains have been logged in the SARS-CoV-2 genome since the pandemic began.
Dr. Zania Stamataki, a viral immunologist at the University of Birmingham, in the U.K., said it was "neither cause for panic nor unexpected" that a new SARS-CoV-2 strain had surfaced, saying in a statement that the changes in a virus can result from immune responses that are triggered by the human body as it attempts to combat the infection.
Dr. Stamataki said: "This virus doesn't mutate as fast as influenza and, although we need to keep it under surveillance, it will not be a major undertaking to update the new vaccines when necessary in the future. This year has seen significant advances take place, to build the infrastructure for us to keep up with this coronavirus."
COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK), a collective of agencies and scientists conducting rapid whole-genome sequencing on SARS-CoV-2, said in an advisory on Monday that a probe is ongoing to verify if the new strain contributes to more transmission.
"There is currently no evidence that this variant (or any other studied to date) has any impact on disease severity, or that it will render vaccines less effective, although both questions require further studies performed at pace," the advisory group said.
The U.K. has recorded over 1.8 million COVID infections and at least 64,402 deaths as of December 14. On Monday, the country's public health agency announced 232 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID test and 20,263 new cases of the virus.
The county has adopted a tiered system that means regions face restrictions based on the severity of their local COVID cases. London, the capital of England, is entering into the highest tier three restrictions as of Wednesday due to its rising infections.
At the time of writing, the general consensus in the scientific community about the new strain is there is currently no reason to panic, and testing is ongoing.
"There is no evidence the newly-reported variant results in a more severe disease," said Prof Wendy Barclay, an infectious disease expert at Imperial College London.
"This variant contains some mutations in spike protein that is the major target of vaccines, and it will be important to establish whether they impact vaccine efficacy by performing experiments in the coming weeks." Prof. Barclay continued.
Genome experts say the vaccines developed against COVID, which started rollout out to the public this month, can be adapted quickly to combat mutations.
"The three new vaccines reported in recent completed clinical trials use technologies that encode information for coronavirus spike protein, pass on the information to our own cells, which do the hard work of producing the protein to stimulate our immune system," Dr. Stamataki wrote in an article published on Monday in The Guardian.
"It is remarkably simple for us to change the recipe to update our vaccines when the need arises, and to keep them relevant for different parts of the world."
The U.K. health secretary said on December 2 as the first batch of vaccines were being given that the county had backed seven vaccines and ordered 357 million doses so far. The vaccine approved for use inside the U.K. was developed by Pfizer/BioNTech.
For now, studies into the new variant will continue, experts say.
Prof Julian Hiscox, Chair in Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, said: "We should be cautious and focus efforts on understanding the transmission of this virus and if necessary introducing control measures to prevent its spread.
"There is a lag between sampling and information. Currently there is no evidence that this [new] virus will evade the vaccine or will lead to increased disease or death."


newsweek--2020-12-15--Biden Appointees Are Weak on China | Opinion

Last month , Communist China 's former vice minister for foreign affairs , Fu Ying , made clear what the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) hopes to see from a potential Biden administration : a `` join hands and cooperate '' approach , one that does n't `` point a finger at the Chinese system or take action against Beijing for its policies on domestic matters . ''
What the CCP really means is that it wants America to turn a blind eye to the genocide it is now committing against the Uyghurs , the freedoms it is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its bellicose threats against Taiwan .
The CCP wants an America that wo n't stand up for human rights—one that is simply a passive witness to the ruthless terror China will continue to bring upon its own people and the increasing global dominance that is a centerpiece of Xi Jinping 's agenda .
Lucky for the CCP , it might have just that in a potential Biden administration .
Not coincidentally , Ms. Fu 's call for cooperation came the same day Joe Biden began to announce his appointees who will shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The nominees—all with a history of appeasing adversaries around the world—are part of the strand of foreign policy elites who are more interested in placating the chattering classes in D.C. , Davos and Brussels than in actually representing the American people .
They exist in a bubble of group-thinkers who advocate the old , broken approaches to policy that cower to the interests of dictators like Castro , Maduro , Khamenei and Xi .
Biden has railed against President Trump 's groundbreaking `` America-first '' foreign policy and pledged to work with nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to foreign relations .
As the liberal New York Timeseditorial board put it , Biden gave `` signs of America 's imminent return to a role in the world that better reflects our historical values . ''
Career politicians like Joe Biden have rolled over and allowed Communist China to take advantage of Americans for decades .
And does appeasement of dictators and support of a regime that is committing genocide against its people reflect American values ?
Really ?
From 2009 to 2016 , China harassed American , Vietnamese and Indonesian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intruded on Filipino and Japanese waters , and converted artificial islands into military bases .
Do you think the Obama-Biden alums did anything about it ?
When Obama welcomed Xi Jinping to a Rose Garden press conference , Xi was allowed to lie and spread propaganda about Communist China 's efforts in the disputed waters .
Ely Ratner , former deputy national security advisor to then-Vice President Biden , said the Obama-Biden administration completely `` failed to stop China 's assertiveness in the South China Sea '' — an assertiveness that grows more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Kerry and Linda Thomas-Greenfield were at the State Department , they should have recognized the threat posed by Communist China 's `` Belt and Road Initiative '' to the developing world .
In fact , in 2015 , Kerry traveled to Kenya , Djibouti and Sri Lanka while Communist China was finalizing negotiations for a military base in Djibouti .
China was starting negotiations to take a 99-year lease in Sri Lanka , and it had enlisted Kenya as part of the Belt and Road Initiative .
Yet Kerry and Thomas-Greenfield did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's efforts .
Their silence was deafening , and a signal to Xi that his hegemonic aims around the globe would proceed uninhibited .
And two years after General Secretary Xi visited Xinjiang and began his genocide against the Uyghurs , President Obama traveled to Beijing to laud China 's achievements .
At that time , the CCP was building concentration camps in Xinjiang .
President Trump 's administration rightly understood that Communist China is not a competitor , but an adversary that exploits international systems and wants to reshape the world in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in decades , we had a leader who was committed to putting America first—a leader who was willing to offend the fragile sensibilities of Xi Jinping if it meant putting human rights and the best interests of Americans first .
Liberals and their friends in the media want you to think that putting America first is a bad thing—that protecting our interests and the interests of our allies at all costs is a dangerous approach to foreign policy .
Our adversaries agree .
Communist China is giddy about returning to the failed Obama-Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's new team because it knows there will be cooperation , not adversarial competition .
Introducing his nominees , Biden recently declared that `` America is back , '' and the media lauded the nominees as a return to `` normalcy . ''
Their tired ways of thinking have allowed the CCP to steal American technology and American jobs , and threaten our standing in the world .
If we really care about the future of our country and standing for human rights around the world , we are going to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration 's actions , not leave them behind .
To do otherwise would be a great show of weakness—one that the CCP will surely exploit .
Rick Scott , a Republican , is the junior U.S. senator from Florida .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

Last month, Communist China's former vice minister for foreign affairs, Fu Ying, made clear what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hopes to see from a potential Biden administration: a "join hands and cooperate" approach, one that doesn't "point a finger at the Chinese system or take action against Beijing for its policies on domestic matters."
What the CCP really means is that it wants America to turn a blind eye to the genocide it is now committing against the Uyghurs, the freedoms it is now stripping from the people of Hong Kong and its bellicose threats against Taiwan. The CCP wants an America that won't stand up for human rights—one that is simply a passive witness to the ruthless terror China will continue to bring upon its own people and the increasing global dominance that is a centerpiece of Xi Jinping's agenda.
Lucky for the CCP, it might have just that in a potential Biden administration.
Not coincidentally, Ms. Fu's call for cooperation came the same day Joe Biden began to announce his appointees who will shape the new administration's foreign policy.
The nominees—all with a history of appeasing adversaries around the world—are part of the strand of foreign policy elites who are more interested in placating the chattering classes in D.C., Davos and Brussels than in actually representing the American people. They exist in a bubble of group-thinkers who advocate the old, broken approaches to policy that cower to the interests of dictators like Castro, Maduro, Khamenei and Xi.
Biden has railed against President Trump's groundbreaking "America-first" foreign policy and pledged to work with nations around the world to restore a gentler approach to foreign relations. As the liberal New York Timeseditorial board put it, Biden gave "signs of America's imminent return to a role in the world that better reflects our historical values."
Career politicians like Joe Biden have rolled over and allowed Communist China to take advantage of Americans for decades. And does appeasement of dictators and support of a regime that is committing genocide against its people reflect American values? Really?
From 2009 to 2016, China harassed American, Vietnamese and Indonesian ships in the South China Sea, intruded on Filipino and Japanese waters, and converted artificial islands into military bases. Do you think the Obama-Biden alums did anything about it? When Obama welcomed Xi Jinping to a Rose Garden press conference, Xi was allowed to lie and spread propaganda about Communist China's efforts in the disputed waters. Ely Ratner, former deputy national security advisor to then-Vice President Biden, said the Obama-Biden administration completely "failed to stop China's assertiveness in the South China Sea"— an assertiveness that grows more dangerous with each passing day.
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in 2012 Jay L. Clendenin-Pool/Getty Images
While John Kerry and Linda Thomas-Greenfield were at the State Department, they should have recognized the threat posed by Communist China's "Belt and Road Initiative" to the developing world. In fact, in 2015, Kerry traveled to Kenya, Djibouti and Sri Lanka while Communist China was finalizing negotiations for a military base in Djibouti. China was starting negotiations to take a 99-year lease in Sri Lanka, and it had enlisted Kenya as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Yet Kerry and Thomas-Greenfield did not say a single word about China's efforts. Their silence was deafening, and a signal to Xi that his hegemonic aims around the globe would proceed uninhibited.
And two years after General Secretary Xi visited Xinjiang and began his genocide against the Uyghurs, President Obama traveled to Beijing to laud China's achievements. At that time, the CCP was building concentration camps in Xinjiang.
President Trump's administration rightly understood that Communist China is not a competitor, but an adversary that exploits international systems and wants to reshape the world in its image. For the first time in decades, we had a leader who was committed to putting America first—a leader who was willing to offend the fragile sensibilities of Xi Jinping if it meant putting human rights and the best interests of Americans first.
Liberals and their friends in the media want you to think that putting America first is a bad thing—that protecting our interests and the interests of our allies at all costs is a dangerous approach to foreign policy. Our adversaries agree. Communist China is giddy about returning to the failed Obama-Biden foreign policy. The CCP likes Biden's new team because it knows there will be cooperation, not adversarial competition.
Introducing his nominees, Biden recently declared that "America is back," and the media lauded the nominees as a return to "normalcy." Their tired ways of thinking have allowed the CCP to steal American technology and American jobs, and threaten our standing in the world.
If we really care about the future of our country and standing for human rights around the world, we are going to have to take on Communist China and build upon the Trump administration's actions, not leave them behind.
To do otherwise would be a great show of weakness—one that the CCP will surely exploit.
Rick Scott, a Republican, is the junior U.S. senator from Florida.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-15--Mystery As Retired Couple Found Shot to Death in California Home

A man and woman of retirement age were found shot to death inside a California home on Monday , police say .
Officers responded to a welfare check at the La Mesa home , 9 miles east of San Diego , after a family member raised concerns over not hearing from them in several days .
Deputies arrived at the 4900 block of Resmar Road , north of Grandview Drive , around 12:30 p.m. to find a man and woman who had been shot .
Both were pronounced dead at the scene , according to Lt. Thomas Seiver of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The names of the victims have not been released , however Seiver described the pair as `` elderly . ''
Detectives from the sheriff 's homicide unit are continuing to investigate the deaths but no suspects are believed to be outstanding , The San Diego-Union Tribune reports Newsweek has contacted the San Diego County Sheriff 's Department for comment .
Newsweek has reported on a number of elderly couples to have been found dead from gunshot wounds in recent times .
In October , a couple in their seventies , who had also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off a trail in Colorado Springs .
The pair reportedly died from gunshot wounds .
Lee and Stella Vigil were discovered near the Edmundson trailhead , on Woodmen Rd on the morning of October 3 .
The couple were reported missing to the police around 8:30 p.m. on Friday when they failed to return home from a hike .
The Colorado Springs Police Department investigated the disappearance and found the couple 's car near the trailhead .
After a thorough search with help from El Paso County Search and Rescue , the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , police in Florida discovered two elderly people dead in an apparent murder-suicide after their neighbor reported blood seeping through the ceiling .
The couple was found in their home at Blue Isle apartments in Margate , in September 2018 .
Firefighters , police and paramedics responded to a welfare check request at 3400 Banks Road after a neighbor reported a red liquid oozing through her ceiling .
A maintenance worker attempted to reach the couple but no-one answered the door , police said .
Authorities found the husband and wife dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported .
The couple was identified as 66-year-old Sally Mantzouranis and her husband 84-year-old Nicholas Mantzouranis in a statement sent to Newsweek .
Police said that each had a gunshot wound to the head .
Lt. Joseph Galaska of the Margate Police Department said that Sally was found in her bed with a gunshot wound to the head , while Nicholas was discovered on the floor with a gun nearby .

A man and woman of retirement age were found shot to death inside a California home on Monday, police say.
Officers responded to a welfare check at the La Mesa home, 9 miles east of San Diego, after a family member raised concerns over not hearing from them in several days.
Deputies arrived at the 4900 block of Resmar Road, north of Grandview Drive, around 12:30 p.m. to find a man and woman who had been shot.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Lt. Thomas Seiver of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The names of the victims have not been released, however Seiver described the pair as "elderly."
Detectives from the sheriff's homicide unit are continuing to investigate the deaths but no suspects are believed to be outstanding, The San Diego-Union Tribune reports
Newsweek has contacted the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for comment.
Deputies arrived at the 4900 block of Resmar Road, 9 miles east of San Diego, around 12:30 p.m. to find a man and woman who had been shot. Google Maps
Newsweek has reported on a number of elderly couples to have been found dead from gunshot wounds in recent times.
In October, a couple in their seventies, who had also been reported missing, were found dead off a trail in Colorado Springs. The pair reportedly died from gunshot wounds.
Lee and Stella Vigil were discovered near the Edmundson trailhead, on Woodmen Rd on the morning of October 3. The couple were reported missing to the police around 8:30 p.m. on Friday when they failed to return home from a hike.
The Colorado Springs Police Department investigated the disappearance and found the couple's car near the trailhead. After a thorough search with help from El Paso County Search and Rescue, the couple was found around midnight.
Two years earlier, police in Florida discovered two elderly people dead in an apparent murder-suicide after their neighbor reported blood seeping through the ceiling. The couple was found in their home at Blue Isle apartments in Margate, in September 2018.
Firefighters, police and paramedics responded to a welfare check request at 3400 Banks Road after a neighbor reported a red liquid oozing through her ceiling. A maintenance worker attempted to reach the couple but no-one answered the door, police said.
Authorities found the husband and wife dead after firefighters removed the front door, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
The couple was identified as 66-year-old Sally Mantzouranis and her husband 84-year-old Nicholas Mantzouranis in a statement sent to Newsweek. Police said that each had a gunshot wound to the head.
Lt. Joseph Galaska of the Margate Police Department said that Sally was found in her bed with a gunshot wound to the head, while Nicholas was discovered on the floor with a gun nearby.


newsweek--2020-12-15--'Fortnite' Update 15.10 Adds Operation Snowdown and Cowboy Repeater—Patch Notes

Fortnite update 15.10 is officially live , with Operation : Snowdown Challenges and new weapons like the Cowboy Repeater .
It 's also possible to play Battle Royale in 120 fps if you 've got the right hardware .
Learn all about the changes in our patch notes .
Everything 's been compiled using official Epic Games sources .
• Operation : Snowdown : Winter is coming this week .
Visit Jon Snowmando for new quests , chilling items added to the Island and fan-favorite LTMs you wo n't wan na miss .
Complete all the Operation Snowdown Quests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including two exclusive Outfits .
• New Items : Mancake misplaced his stash of weapons throughout the Island .
The new Cowboy Repeater Rifle combines a rapid shooting style with dead-eye accuracy .
Syr-up !
Save up those Bars because the fire-loving Blaze has also been equipped with an Exotic-class weapon for sale , the fiery Dragon 's Breath sniper .
To combat the heat , a new Character has arrived and will be packing their own chilly armaments .
• New Options : Based on player-requested feedback , we 've added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pre-Edits ; with Pre-Edits off new builds will always appear in their default , unedited state while building .
On the next-gen hardware front , 15.10 brings the '120 fps Mode ' option for a buttery smooth framerate that would make Mancake blush .
Note : In 120 fps mode the resolution display will be capped at 1440p on PS5 and Xbox Series X and 1080p for Xbox Series S. • New LTM : Spy Within : Drop to a new LTM playlist , Sppy Within , featuring new games made by top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must hunt down the team of Agents as they complete objectives .
Do n't act sus , or the agents will vote you off the Island .
• Fixed an issue where players would sometimes spawn on Player Spawner devices despite having Use As Island Start set to NO .
• Fixed an issue where the game could crash when selecting the Devices tab from the Creative inventory menu .
• Added the ability to enter a published island code in the Creative Select a Server screen and be taken directly to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has it enabled .
• Recent Islands and Favorites can also be accessed from this screen .
• Added new options to the My Island Settings menu .
• Pickaxe Range Multiplier : Default , Medium , Large ( Default : Default ) - allows the player 's pickaxe to hit objects or players at a distance .
• Auto Pickup Pickups : Yes , No , Do n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for pickup objects .
• Auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for ammo objects .
• Auto Pickup Consumables : Yes , No , Do n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for consumable objects .
• Auto Pickup Gadgets : Yes , No , Do n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for gadget objects .
• Auto Pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for trap objects .
• Auto Pickup Weapons : Yes , No , Do n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for weapon objects .
• Auto Pickup World Resources : Yes , No , Do n't Override ( Default : Do n't Override ) - allows the game to override players ' auto-pickup settings for resource objects .
• Added a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ menu .
• Player Collision : On , Off ( Default : On ) - Determines whether players will collide with or pass through each other during games .
• Added a new option to the Escape Menu during Matchmaking games .
• Return To Hub - allows players to return directly to the Creative Hub instead of the Lobby .
• Islands which have the Matchmaking Type option in the My Island Game menu set to OFF can now be accessed via Matchmaking portals without being matchmade with other players .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player detected '' errors when players joined parties as party leader .
• Fixed an issue causing the mini-map to appear as gray static .
• Added the Common , Uncommon , Rare , Epic and Legendary variants of the Charge Shotgun .
• Added the Epic and Legendary variants of the Dragon 's Breath Shotgun .
• Using the Prop-o-Matic to become a chest multiple times no longer spawns additional loot .
• Fixed a performance issue that could occur when picking up Chiller Grenades from Item Spawners .
• X-4 Stormwings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while on the ground .
• Fixed an issue where some of the single asset images from the Arid Cliff Gallery were showing up as swamp terrain .
• Fixed an issue with a naming typo for the Ice House Hut A Prefab .
• Fixed an issue with the rounded sidewalk asset from the Weeping Woods Welcome Center Prefab being difficult to place .
• Fixed an issue with the Wood Shanty Floor & Stair Gallery 's Wooden House Floor level of detail .
• Fixed an issue where some beds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue where cash registers were sometimes searchable .
• This new version of the Player Spawner is placed as a prop rather than a trap and can be freely placed , rotated , copied and pasted .
• All existing functionality from the original Player Spawner device has been retained in the new device .
• The new Player Spawn Pad also has a player hologram to make it simple to see the direction of spawn .
• The old Player Spawner device has been renamed to Player Spawn Plate and will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of time .
• This device can be used to store a reference to a player for the purposes of displaying information and relaying their identity to other devices via triggers & receivers .
• When the device is activated , it will pass the currently registered player to other devices listening on the appropriate channel , using them as the signal instigator .
• The device can also be used simply to display player outfits , names and score information .
• This device has the following options : • Show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : On ) - determines whether to show a hologram of the currently registered player .
• Color : Team Relationship , Team Color , White , Sky Blue , Red-Orange , Gold , Apple Green , Fuchsia , Orange , Aquamarine , Beige , Purple , Neon Green , Cerulean , Silver , Aqua , Pink , Green ( Default : White ) - determines the color of the hologram .
Team Relationship dynamically sets the color to be Red if the registered player is hostile , Green if they are Neutral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Visible In Game : On , Off ( Default : On ) - determines whether the device is visible ( and has collision ) during a game .
• Hologram Animation : Idle , Hands on Hips , Flex ( Default : Idle ) - determines the pose that the player hologram displays .
• Show Base : On , Off ( Default : On ) • Show Player Details : Off , Below Player , Mid Player , Above Player ( Default : Off ) - determines where player information should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Player Details Curve Amount : No Curve , Small Curve , Medium Curve , Large Curve ( Default : Large Curve ) - determines how much the player information should curve around the hologram .
• Stat to Track : None , Eliminations , Score , Eliminated ( Default : None ) - determines which player stat should be displayed on the device .
• Track Game Total for Stats : Yes , No ( Default : No ) - determines whether to display stats for the whole game or just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sequencers : On , Off ( Default : On ) - determines whether the device should be activated if hit by a pulse from a Sequencer device .
• Allow Activate without Player Reference : Yes , No ( Default : No ) - determines whether the device can be activated ( and send a trigger signal ) without a player being registered in it .
Note that several devices will only function if a trigger signal has a valid instigator .
• Register Player When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When a signal is received on this channel , the player who instigated the signal will be registered to the device .
• Activate When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - when a signal is received on this channel , the device will immediately send a signal on the channel specified in When Activated Transmit On , using the currently registered player as the instigator .
• Clear Player When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the device will clear any currently registered player .
• Enable When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - enables the device when a signal is received on the selected channel .
• Disable When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - disables the device when a signal is received on the selected channel .
• When Activated Transmit On : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - when the device is activated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected channel , using the currently registered player as the instigator .
• When Tracked Stat Changed Transmit On : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - if the device has a player registered , whenever the stat selected in Stat to Track changes for the registered player , the device will transmit a signal on the selected channel , using the registered player as the instigator .
If no player is registered or no stat is selected in Stat to Track , this will do nothing .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ device .
• Enable Audio : Yes , No ( Default : Yes ) - determines whether the portal will play ambient audio .
• Enable as Art : Yes , No ( Default : No ) - removes the interact prompt from the portal , allowing it to be used as a purely decorative item .
• Added new options to the Damage Volume device .
• Affects Team : Selected , All But Selected ( Default : All But Selected ) • These two options replace the old Safe Team option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams ( Selected Team = None ) , just the Selected Team , or every team except the Selected Team .
• Selected Class : None , Any , 1-16 ( Default : None ) • Affects Class : Selected , All But Selected ( Default : All But Selected ) • These two options replace the old Safe Class option to allow the volume to affect all classes ( Selected Class = Any ) , players without a class ( Selected Class = None ) , just the Selected Class , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Update Selected Team When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - sets the Selected Team on the device to be the same team as the player who instigated the signal .
• Update Selected Class When Receiving From : No Channel , 1-150 ( Default : No Channel ) - sets the Selected Class on the device to be the same class as the player who instigated the signal .
• Changed the default options for the Billboard device .
• When placed , new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no border and a clear background .
They will also be placed with the words 'Sample Text ' on them , so that they are visible when placed .
• In Create mode a ghost image of the billboard border will appear when close to or manipulating a billboard to make it easier to work with .
• These changes are a simple quality of life improvement , since we know that the vast majority of uses for this device revolve around using it for floating text .
• Known Issue : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no text on them may suddenly have the words 'Sample Text ' appear on them in v15.10 .
To remove this , simply edit the billboard and replace the text with a space to have them become invisible again .
• Capture Item Spawner no longer spawns additional flags when a player attempts to pick up a flag while their inventory is full .
• X-4 Stormwings now respawn after being destroyed outside of the island boundary .
• Fixed an issue with the 'Any ' setting of the Tracking Device not working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue where the Elimination Zone Class and Team settings were not being properly updated .
• Fixed an issue where the Elimination Zone shield damage was applying VFX even when disabled .
• Fixed an issue where Creatures were not affected by the Elimination Zone due to class restrictions .
• Fixed an issue where Elimination Zones would not properly apply damage to a player who respawned inside the zone .
• Eliminations by Sentry devices now properly respect the Hide Elimination Feed setting .
• High sensitivity/acceleration on Xbox consoles when using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' names are missing from the Custom Controller settings .
• `` There was a problem '' error when joining Fortnite Crew on PlayStation .
• Incorrect message when cancelling Fortnite Crew on a different platform .
• Fortnite Crew `` time remaining '' timer may appear off by a day .
• Widow 's Light Back Bling not visible on PC with Effects set to Low .
• Certain NPCs are granting Storm Surge credit when damaged in Arena .
• Total Bars may rarely appear as 0 in a match .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ login of the Season on Android .
• Two `` Buy Battle Pass '' buttons on the Battle Pass screen .
Given how long it 's taken Fortnite update 15.10 to get here , it 's no surprise this patch is one of the biggest downloads we 've seen for the game in quite some time .
As far as its main features are concerned , it goes without saying that Operation : Snowdown and the addition of new items are probably the most exciting mentions on this list .
While we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve , the rewards for completing them sound a lot better than what we 've seen from Winterfest in the past .
Being able to get two full skins for finishing the objectives is a real nice perk .
On the hardware end , it 's also interesting that those with next-gen hardware will be able to play the game in full 120 fps if the display supports it .
We thought the next-gen version of Fortnite already ran pretty darn well , and yet Epic managed to make the experience even better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equation , we 're really glad Epic has streamlined the code entry process by allowing digits to be selected straight from the menu rather than having to spawn into a hub .
Not only is the new method easier to understand for new players , but it shaves off about a minute of extra loading for everyone .
Top that off with improved spawning and the hall of fame display , and it becomes very difficult for creators to not be impressed by the new features .
Simply put , Battle Royale fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once Fortnite update 15.10 is installed on their respective platforms .
Fortnite is available now on PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X|S , Xbox One , Switch , PC and Android .
What are your thoughts on Fortnite update 15.10 so far ?
Are you excited for the Operation : Snowdown Challenges ?
Tell us in the comments section !

Fortnite update 15.10 is officially live, with Operation: Snowdown Challenges and new weapons like the Cowboy Repeater. It's also possible to play Battle Royale in 120 fps if you've got the right hardware. Learn all about the changes in our patch notes. Everything's been compiled using official Epic Games sources.
Fortnite update 15.10 Patch Notes
Highlights
'Fortnite' update 15.10 is live with Operation: Snowdown, 120 fps and more. Read the full patch noes below. 'Fortnite' is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC and Android. Epic Games
Operation: Snowdown : Winter is coming this week. Visit Jon Snowmando for new quests, chilling items added to the Island and fan-favorite LTMs you won't wanna miss. Complete all the Operation Snowdown Quests to earn a ton of free snowy cosmetics, including two exclusive Outfits.
: Winter is coming this week. Visit Jon Snowmando for new quests, chilling items added to the Island and fan-favorite LTMs you won't wanna miss. Complete all the Operation Snowdown Quests to earn a ton of free snowy cosmetics, including two exclusive Outfits. New Items : Mancake misplaced his stash of weapons throughout the Island. The new Cowboy Repeater Rifle combines a rapid shooting style with dead-eye accuracy. Syr-up! Save up those Bars because the fire-loving Blaze has also been equipped with an Exotic-class weapon for sale, the fiery Dragon's Breath sniper. To combat the heat, a new Character has arrived and will be packing their own chilly armaments.
: Mancake misplaced his stash of weapons throughout the Island. The new Cowboy Repeater Rifle combines a rapid shooting style with dead-eye accuracy. Syr-up! Save up those Bars because the fire-loving Blaze has also been equipped with an Exotic-class weapon for sale, the fiery Dragon's Breath sniper. To combat the heat, a new Character has arrived and will be packing their own chilly armaments. New Options : Based on player-requested feedback, we've added an option to toggle on or off Pre-Edits; with Pre-Edits off new builds will always appear in their default, unedited state while building. On the next-gen hardware front, 15.10 brings the '120 fps Mode' option for a buttery smooth framerate that would make Mancake blush. Note: In 120 fps mode the resolution display will be capped at 1440p on PS5 and Xbox Series X and 1080p for Xbox Series S.
: Based on player-requested feedback, we've added an option to toggle on or off Pre-Edits; with Pre-Edits off new builds will always appear in their default, unedited state while building. On the next-gen hardware front, 15.10 brings the '120 fps Mode' option for a buttery smooth framerate that would make Mancake blush. Note: In 120 fps mode the resolution display will be capped at 1440p on PS5 and Xbox Series X and 1080p for Xbox Series S. New LTM: Spy Within: Drop to a new LTM playlist, Sppy Within, featuring new games made by top community creators. The team of Spies must hunt down the team of Agents as they complete objectives. Don't act sus, or the agents will vote you off the Island.
Fortnite Creative
'Fortnite' Creative codes can now be entered right from the main menu. Epic Games
Islands Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue where players would sometimes spawn on Player Spawner devices despite having Use As Island Start set to NO.
Fixed an issue where the game could crash when selecting the Devices tab from the Creative inventory menu.
Gameplay
Added the ability to enter a published island code in the Creative Select a Server screen and be taken directly to the island, with matchmaking if the island has it enabled.
Recent Islands and Favorites can also be accessed from this screen.
Added new options to the My Island Settings menu.
Pickaxe Range Multiplier: Default, Medium, Large (Default: Default) - allows the player's pickaxe to hit objects or players at a distance.
Auto Pickup Pickups: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for pickup objects.
Auto Pickup Ammo: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for ammo objects.
Auto Pickup Consumables: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for consumable objects.
Auto Pickup Gadgets: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for gadget objects.
Auto Pickup Traps: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for trap objects.
Auto Pickup Weapons: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for weapon objects.
Auto Pickup World Resources: Yes, No, Don't Override (Default: Don't Override) - allows the game to override players' auto-pickup settings for resource objects.
Added a new option to the My Island Game menu.
Player Collision: On, Off (Default: On) - Determines whether players will collide with or pass through each other during games.
Added a new option to the Escape Menu during Matchmaking games.
Return To Hub - allows players to return directly to the Creative Hub instead of the Lobby.
Gameplay Bug Fixes
Islands which have the Matchmaking Type option in the My Island Game menu set to OFF can now be accessed via Matchmaking portals without being matchmade with other players.
Fixed an issue that produced "Duplicate player detected" errors when players joined parties as party leader.
Fixed an issue causing the mini-map to appear as gray static.
Weapons and Items
Added the Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic and Legendary variants of the Charge Shotgun.
Added the Epic and Legendary variants of the Dragon's Breath Shotgun.
Weapons and Items Bug Fixes
Using the Prop-o-Matic to become a chest multiple times no longer spawns additional loot.
Fixed a performance issue that could occur when picking up Chiller Grenades from Item Spawners.
X-4 Stormwings no longer have their horizontal controls inverted while on the ground.
Prefabs and Galleries Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue where some of the single asset images from the Arid Cliff Gallery were showing up as swamp terrain.
Fixed an issue with a naming typo for the Ice House Hut A Prefab.
Fixed an issue with the rounded sidewalk asset from the Weeping Woods Welcome Center Prefab being difficult to place.
Fixed an issue with the Wood Shanty Floor & Stair Gallery's Wooden House Floor level of detail.
Fixed an issue where some beds and couches became invisible.
Fixed an issue where cash registers were sometimes searchable.
Devices
Added a new Player Spawn Pad device.
This new version of the Player Spawner is placed as a prop rather than a trap and can be freely placed, rotated, copied and pasted.
All existing functionality from the original Player Spawner device has been retained in the new device.
The new Player Spawn Pad also has a player hologram to make it simple to see the direction of spawn.
The old Player Spawner device has been renamed to Player Spawn Plate and will remain available in the device gallery for a period of time.
Added the Player Reference device.
This device can be used to store a reference to a player for the purposes of displaying information and relaying their identity to other devices via triggers & receivers.
When the device is activated, it will pass the currently registered player to other devices listening on the appropriate channel, using them as the signal instigator.
The device can also be used simply to display player outfits, names and score information.
This device has the following options:
Show Hologram: On, Off (Default: On) - determines whether to show a hologram of the currently registered player.
Color: Team Relationship, Team Color, White, Sky Blue, Red-Orange, Gold, Apple Green, Fuchsia, Orange, Aquamarine, Beige, Purple, Neon Green, Cerulean, Silver, Aqua, Pink, Green (Default: White) - determines the color of the hologram. Team Relationship dynamically sets the color to be Red if the registered player is hostile, Green if they are Neutral and Blue if they are friendly.
Visible In Game: On, Off (Default: On) - determines whether the device is visible (and has collision) during a game.
Hologram Animation: Idle, Hands on Hips, Flex (Default: Idle) - determines the pose that the player hologram displays.
Show Base: On, Off (Default: On)
Show Player Details: Off, Below Player, Mid Player, Above Player (Default: Off) - determines where player information should be displayed in relation to the hologram.
Player Details Curve Amount: No Curve, Small Curve, Medium Curve, Large Curve (Default: Large Curve) - determines how much the player information should curve around the hologram.
Stat to Track: None, Eliminations, Score, Eliminated (Default: None) - determines which player stat should be displayed on the device.
Track Game Total for Stats: Yes, No (Default: No) - determines whether to display stats for the whole game or just the current round.
Activated by Sequencers: On, Off (Default: On) - determines whether the device should be activated if hit by a pulse from a Sequencer device.
Allow Activate without Player Reference: Yes, No (Default: No) - determines whether the device can be activated (and send a trigger signal) without a player being registered in it. Note that several devices will only function if a trigger signal has a valid instigator.
Trigger/Receiver Support:
Register Player When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - When a signal is received on this channel, the player who instigated the signal will be registered to the device.
Activate When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - when a signal is received on this channel, the device will immediately send a signal on the channel specified in When Activated Transmit On, using the currently registered player as the instigator.
Clear Player When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - when a signal is received on this channel, the device will clear any currently registered player.
Enable When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - enables the device when a signal is received on the selected channel.
Disable When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - disables the device when a signal is received on the selected channel.
When Activated Transmit On: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - when the device is activated, it will transmit a signal on the selected channel, using the currently registered player as the instigator.
When Tracked Stat Changed Transmit On: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - if the device has a player registered, whenever the stat selected in Stat to Track changes for the registered player, the device will transmit a signal on the selected channel, using the registered player as the instigator. If no player is registered or no stat is selected in Stat to Track, this will do nothing.
Added new options to the Matchmaking Portal device.
Enable Audio: Yes, No (Default: Yes) - determines whether the portal will play ambient audio.
Enable as Art: Yes, No (Default: No) - removes the interact prompt from the portal, allowing it to be used as a purely decorative item.
Added new options to the Damage Volume device.
Selected Team: None, 1-16 (Default: None)
Affects Team: Selected, All But Selected (Default: All But Selected)
These two options replace the old Safe Team option to allow the volume to affect all teams (Selected Team = None), just the Selected Team, or every team except the Selected Team.
Selected Class: None, Any, 1-16 (Default: None)
Affects Class: Selected, All But Selected (Default: All But Selected)
These two options replace the old Safe Class option to allow the volume to affect all classes (Selected Class = Any), players without a class (Selected Class = None), just the Selected Class, or every class except the Selected Class.
Update Selected Team When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - sets the Selected Team on the device to be the same team as the player who instigated the signal.
Update Selected Class When Receiving From: No Channel, 1-150 (Default: No Channel) - sets the Selected Class on the device to be the same class as the player who instigated the signal.
Changed the default options for the Billboard device.
When placed, new billboards will now appear with white text, no border and a clear background. They will also be placed with the words 'Sample Text' on them, so that they are visible when placed.
In Create mode a ghost image of the billboard border will appear when close to or manipulating a billboard to make it easier to work with.
These changes are a simple quality of life improvement, since we know that the vast majority of uses for this device revolve around using it for floating text.
Known Issue: Existing billboards which have been placed with no text on them may suddenly have the words 'Sample Text' appear on them in v15.10. To remove this, simply edit the billboard and replace the text with a space to have them become invisible again.
Text: New default: 'Sample Text'
Show Border: New default: Off
Background Color: New default: Clear
Devices Bug Fixes
Capture Item Spawner no longer spawns additional flags when a player attempts to pick up a flag while their inventory is full.
Fixed a typo in the Speaker device description.
X-4 Stormwings now respawn after being destroyed outside of the island boundary.
Fixed an issue with the 'Any' setting of the Tracking Device not working for all teams.
Fixed an issue where the Elimination Zone Class and Team settings were not being properly updated.
Fixed an issue where the Elimination Zone shield damage was applying VFX even when disabled.
Fixed an issue where Creatures were not affected by the Elimination Zone due to class restrictions.
Fixed an issue where Elimination Zones would not properly apply damage to a player who respawned inside the zone.
Eliminations by Sentry devices now properly respect the Hide Elimination Feed setting.
Bug Fixes
General
High sensitivity/acceleration on Xbox consoles when using keyboard and mouse.
Multiple actions' names are missing from the Custom Controller settings.
The Crew
"There was a problem" error when joining Fortnite Crew on PlayStation.
Fortnite Crew button missing on PlayStation after joining.
Incorrect message when cancelling Fortnite Crew on a different platform.
Fortnite Crew "time remaining" timer may appear off by a day.
Battle Royale
Quests wrongly marked as "New."
Big Chuggus' Character Collection tab lists an extra 3rd location.
Fishing Collection Book leaderboard and friend progress not visible.
Widow's Light Back Bling not visible on PC with Effects set to Low.
Certain NPCs are granting Storm Surge credit when damaged in Arena.
Total Bars may rarely appear as 0 in a match.
Save the World
Husks can damage mission objectives through structures.
Mobile
Unable to accept Gift on first login of the Season on Android.
Two "Buy Battle Pass" buttons on the Battle Pass screen.
Given how long it's taken Fortnite update 15.10 to get here, it's no surprise this patch is one of the biggest downloads we've seen for the game in quite some time. As far as its main features are concerned, it goes without saying that Operation: Snowdown and the addition of new items are probably the most exciting mentions on this list. While we're not quite sure what the aforementioned challenges involve, the rewards for completing them sound a lot better than what we've seen from Winterfest in the past. Being able to get two full skins for finishing the objectives is a real nice perk. On the hardware end, it's also interesting that those with next-gen hardware will be able to play the game in full 120 fps if the display supports it. We thought the next-gen version of Fortnite already ran pretty darn well, and yet Epic managed to make the experience even better.
On the Creative side of the equation, we're really glad Epic has streamlined the code entry process by allowing digits to be selected straight from the menu rather than having to spawn into a hub. Not only is the new method easier to understand for new players, but it shaves off about a minute of extra loading for everyone. Top that off with improved spawning and the hall of fame display, and it becomes very difficult for creators to not be impressed by the new features. Simply put, Battle Royale fans will have a lot to dig into once Fortnite update 15.10 is installed on their respective platforms.
Fortnite is available now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC and Android.
What are your thoughts on Fortnite update 15.10 so far? Are you excited for the Operation: Snowdown Challenges? Tell us in the comments section!


newsweek--2020-12-15--Navy Ship Seizes $106 Million of Cocaine From Alleged Drug Smugglers

A U.S. Navy ship operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean intercepted a massive haul of suspected cocaine , worth an estimated $ 106 million , earlier this month .
The USS Gabrielle Giffords , carrying a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment , intercepted the `` low-profile vessel '' ( LPV ) , also known as a narco submarine , after being diverted during a routine patrol on December 5 .
Approximately 134 bales of cocaine weighing an estimated 2,810 kilograms were found on board the vessel and three crew members were detained on suspicion of drug trafficking .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you conduct them , are different every time , '' Chief Boatswains Mate Daniel Pike said in a statement .
`` Our team is dedicated to exemplifying the qualities of safe , professional mariners during these operations from start to finish . ''
The LPV that was involved in the incident is typical of the narco submarines used in the area to transport illicit drugs from Colombia to North America , with a thin hull that is difficult to detect being powered by three motors , according to the U.S .
Naval Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three fits tightly into cramped and usually unhygienic cockpits , sleeping on bales of drugs kept in one of the holding areas below them .
Identical narco subs have been reported 18 other times since 2017 , but the payload of drugs being transported on the vessel intercepted December 5 was said to be much larger than usual .
The USS Gabrielle Giffords is involved in a Joint Interagency Task Force South mission to combat drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean .
Enhanced counter-narcotics efforts were launched by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Navy ship confiscated 200 kilograms of suspected cocaine , worth an estimated $ 7.5 million , from a `` go fast vessel , '' a speedier type of ship that is capable of carrying a smaller quantity of drugs , only three days before the December 5 incident , while also detaining three suspected drug traffickers .
`` The work our team does out here , not only helps support the counter-narcotics mission , but also makes these waters safer for all who sail , '' said Commander Rion Martin , commanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm extremely proud of the professionalism displayed by our men and women as we continue to enhance regional security and stability in U.S. 4th Fleet . ''
The Gabrielle Giffords was named after former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords , who retired from politics after being targeted and shot in the head during a 2011 mass shooting in Tucson , Arizona .
Giffords ' husband is Sen. Mark Kelly , a former Navy pilot and astronaut who took office earlier this month after defeating former Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona .

A U.S. Navy ship operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean intercepted a massive haul of suspected cocaine, worth an estimated $106 million, earlier this month.
The USS Gabrielle Giffords, carrying a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, intercepted the "low-profile vessel" (LPV), also known as a narco submarine, after being diverted during a routine patrol on December 5. Approximately 134 bales of cocaine weighing an estimated 2,810 kilograms were found on board the vessel and three crew members were detained on suspicion of drug trafficking.
"Interdiction evolutions, no matter how often you conduct them, are different every time," Chief Boatswains Mate Daniel Pike said in a statement. "Our team is dedicated to exemplifying the qualities of safe, professional mariners during these operations from start to finish."
The U.S. military has stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking in recent months. Surridge/Getty
The LPV that was involved in the incident is typical of the narco submarines used in the area to transport illicit drugs from Colombia to North America, with a thin hull that is difficult to detect being powered by three motors, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
In similar vessels, a crew of three fits tightly into cramped and usually unhygienic cockpits, sleeping on bales of drugs kept in one of the holding areas below them. Identical narco subs have been reported 18 other times since 2017, but the payload of drugs being transported on the vessel intercepted December 5 was said to be much larger than usual.
The USS Gabrielle Giffords is involved in a Joint Interagency Task Force South mission to combat drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. Enhanced counter-narcotics efforts were launched by the U.S. Southern Command on April 1.
The Navy ship confiscated 200 kilograms of suspected cocaine, worth an estimated $7.5 million, from a "go fast vessel," a speedier type of ship that is capable of carrying a smaller quantity of drugs, only three days before the December 5 incident, while also detaining three suspected drug traffickers.
"The work our team does out here, not only helps support the counter-narcotics mission, but also makes these waters safer for all who sail," said Commander Rion Martin, commanding officer of the Gabrielle Giffords. "I'm extremely proud of the professionalism displayed by our men and women as we continue to enhance regional security and stability in U.S. 4th Fleet."
The Gabrielle Giffords was named after former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who retired from politics after being targeted and shot in the head during a 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Giffords' husband is Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut who took office earlier this month after defeating former Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona.


newsweek--2020-12-15--Ron DeSantis Refuses To Say 'President-Elect' Despite Accepting Biden Win

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to acknowledge Joe Biden as President-elect on Tuesday , despite Biden 's win in the Electoral College .
Some Republicans have been reticent of acknowledging Biden 's victory in the election .
President Donald Trump has refused to concede the election to Biden .
Trump 's attorneys have filed litigation in some battleground states hoping to reverse the election results .
All but one of the lawsuits filed on Trump 's behalf have failed .
DeSantis told reporters on Tuesday that referring to Biden as the President-elect was `` not for me to do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida , the Electoral College voted , '' DeSantis said .
`` What 's going to happen is going to happen .
But I can tell you I think a lot of the frustration for folks who supported the president is , we were four years with people not accepting him . ''
`` I mean , Hillary [ Clinton ] the last week of the election was saying [ Vladimir ] Putin stole it , '' DeSantis added , `` and I just think that that 's left a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go . ''
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis 's office for comment .
Despite Trump 's attempts to invalidate the election results in some states , the Electoral College cast a majority of its votes for Biden on Monday .
While Trump was awarded 232 electoral votes , Biden obtained 306 electoral votes .
A candidate must receive at least 270 electoral votes to be considered President-elect .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell waited until after Biden had won the Electoral College before acknowledging the incoming administration .
`` The Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Senate floor .
`` Today , I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden . ''
`` Beyond our differences , all Americans can take pride that our nation has a female Vice President-elect for the very first time , '' McConnell said .
Some Republicans have yet to follow McConnell 's lead .
On Tuesday , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy declined to answer a reporter when asked if Biden had won the election .
Among other unsubstantiated election fraud claims , Trump has alleged that tabulation machines distributed by Dominion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from him to Biden .
`` Tremendous problems being found with voting machines , '' Trump tweeted on Tuesday .
`` They are so far off it is ridiculous .
Able to take a landslide victory and reduce it to a tight loss .
This is not what the USA is all about .
Law enforcement shielding machines .
DO NOT TAMPER , a crime .
Much more to come ! ''
Dominion has denied the allegations .
In a statement published on its website , Dominion said that claims about the accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous levels of threats and harassment against the company and its employees , as well as election officials . ''

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to acknowledge Joe Biden as President-elect on Tuesday, despite Biden's win in the Electoral College.
Some Republicans have been reticent of acknowledging Biden's victory in the election. President Donald Trump has refused to concede the election to Biden. Trump's attorneys have filed litigation in some battleground states hoping to reverse the election results. All but one of the lawsuits filed on Trump's behalf have failed.
DeSantis told reporters on Tuesday that referring to Biden as the President-elect was "not for me to do."
"Obviously we did our thing in Florida, the Electoral College voted," DeSantis said. "What's going to happen is going to happen. But I can tell you I think a lot of the frustration for folks who supported the president is, we were four years with people not accepting him."
"I mean, Hillary [Clinton] the last week of the election was saying [Vladimir] Putin stole it," DeSantis added, "and I just think that that's left a lot of people frustrated with how it's going to go."
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis's office for comment.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declined to refer to Joe Biden as the nation's President-elect on Tuesday although Biden obtained victory in the Electoral College. Joe Raedle/Getty
Despite Trump's attempts to invalidate the election results in some states, the Electoral College cast a majority of its votes for Biden on Monday. While Trump was awarded 232 electoral votes, Biden obtained 306 electoral votes. A candidate must receive at least 270 electoral votes to be considered President-elect.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell waited until after Biden had won the Electoral College before acknowledging the incoming administration.
"The Electoral College has spoken," McConnell said Tuesday on the Senate floor. "Today, I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden."
McConnell also congratulated Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
"Beyond our differences, all Americans can take pride that our nation has a female Vice President-elect for the very first time," McConnell said.
Some Republicans have yet to follow McConnell's lead. On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy declined to answer a reporter when asked if Biden had won the election.
Among other unsubstantiated election fraud claims, Trump has alleged that tabulation machines distributed by Dominion Voting Systems were programmed to flip votes from him to Biden.
"Tremendous problems being found with voting machines," Trump tweeted on Tuesday. "They are so far off it is ridiculous. Able to take a landslide victory and reduce it to a tight loss. This is not what the USA is all about. Law enforcement shielding machines. DO NOT TAMPER, a crime. Much more to come!"
Tremendous problems being found with voting machines. They are so far off it is ridiculous. Able to take a landslide victory and reduce it to a tight loss. This is not what the USA is all about. Law enforcement shielding machines. DO NOT TAMPER, a crime. Much more to come! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2020
Dominion has denied the allegations. In a statement published on its website, Dominion said that claims about the accuracy of the company "have resulted in dangerous levels of threats and harassment against the company and its employees, as well as election officials."


newsweek--2020-12-15--'Bachelorette' Tayshia Adams' Final Rose Spoilers May Have Changed: Everything We Know

The Bachelorette spoilers you 've been depending on all season may or may not be accurate when it comes to the final rose .
Reality Steve recently revealed that his sources have provided some questionable information , and the end of Tayshia Adams ' journey is now truly unpredictable .
Early spoilers for this season named Ben Smith and Zac Clark as Adams ' final two choices .
Now , that 's been proven wrong .
Smith will be sent home on Tuesday night , leaving Clark , Ivan Hall and Brendan Morais as Adams ' final three .
Reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' final rose , but that they did n't get engaged .
That part may still be true , though rumor has it that the pair are n't together after filming .
The spoiler blogger revealed what he 's heard about the finale most recently , but stated that there 's no way he can confirm if the latest spoilers are true .
`` If it ends up being right , great .
If it ends up being wrong , great .
I 'm not saying 'here is the ending to the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm just telling you what I 've been told .
And if it does end up being right , I 'm not even gon na claim this as some season spoiler I got correct , '' Reality Steve wrote in a blog post on Tuesday .
So what 's the rumored outcome now ?
Adams reportedly did leave the show with Zac C. , though they apparently broke up eventually .
Now , Adams may be starting a relationship with Morais instead .
What seems to be certain is that Adams was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bachelorette ... or , if she was , she is n't now .
`` Over the last month , I 've had two different people tell me that Tayshia chose Zac at the end , at some point after filming they broke things off , and that she is currently back in touch with Brendan and they are slowly working on a relationship , '' Reality Steve clarified .
This does n't stray too far from the original spoilers .
What 's in question is how reliable the information is , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debunked .
There 's also the early spoiler that Morais would leave the show on his own after the `` Hometown '' dates .
It 's not clear if this actually will end up happening .
`` Does Brendan self eliminate ?
Even that I do n't know anymore , '' he said .
`` Based on the previews for next week that was shown last night , looks like that 's what they 're setting up .
But am I 100 % sure it does ?
No . ''
Most seasons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ franchise spoilers .
Despite the inconsistencies in Adams ' storyline , it 's still worth trusting his reports .
As he wrote , though , no one will really know the outcome of Adams ' season until the very end , which makes it all a bit more exciting .

The Bachelorette spoilers you've been depending on all season may or may not be accurate when it comes to the final rose. Reality Steve recently revealed that his sources have provided some questionable information, and the end of Tayshia Adams' journey is now truly unpredictable.
Early spoilers for this season named Ben Smith and Zac Clark as Adams' final two choices. Now, that's been proven wrong. Smith will be sent home on Tuesday night, leaving Clark, Ivan Hall and Brendan Morais as Adams' final three.
Reality Steve also said that Clark received Adams' final rose, but that they didn't get engaged. That part may still be true, though rumor has it that the pair aren't together after filming.
The spoiler blogger revealed what he's heard about the finale most recently, but stated that there's no way he can confirm if the latest spoilers are true. "If it ends up being right, great. If it ends up being wrong, great. I'm not saying 'here is the ending to the season. This is what happens.' I'm just telling you what I've been told. And if it does end up being right, I'm not even gonna claim this as some season spoiler I got correct," Reality Steve wrote in a blog post on Tuesday.
Brendan Morais (L) and Tayshia Adams (R) spend time with Morais's family on "The Bachelorette." Craig Sjodin/ABC
So what's the rumored outcome now? Adams reportedly did leave the show with Zac C., though they apparently broke up eventually. Now, Adams may be starting a relationship with Morais instead. What seems to be certain is that Adams wasn't engaged at the end of The Bachelorette... or, if she was, she isn't now.
"Over the last month, I've had two different people tell me that Tayshia chose Zac at the end, at some point after filming they broke things off, and that she is currently back in touch with Brendan and they are slowly working on a relationship," Reality Steve clarified.
This doesn't stray too far from the original spoilers. What's in question is how reliable the information is, given that Reality Steve's first spoilers were later debunked. There's also the early spoiler that Morais would leave the show on his own after the "Hometown" dates. It's not clear if this actually will end up happening. "Does Brendan self eliminate? Even that I don't know anymore," he said. "Based on the previews for next week that was shown last night, looks like that's what they're setting up. But am I 100% sure it does? No."
Most seasons, Reality Steve is correct with his Bachelor franchise spoilers.
Despite the inconsistencies in Adams' storyline, it's still worth trusting his reports. As he wrote, though, no one will really know the outcome of Adams' season until the very end, which makes it all a bit more exciting.