upi--2020-01-30--NBA alters 2020 All-Star Game format, adds Kobe Bryant tribute

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- The NBA announced it will honor Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by changing the format of the 2020 All-Star Game in Chicago .
The league revealed the significant changes to the All-Star format Thursday on social media , turning every quarter into a mini-game for charity before an untimed fourth quarter with a final target score that will decide the winner .
The score will be reset to 0-0 at the start of the second and third quarters before being restored to begin the fourth quarter .
At that point , each team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be added up for an overall score .
At the beginning of the fourth quarter , the final target score will be determined by adding 24 , the number Bryant famously wore for the second half of his NBA career with the Lakers , to the lead team 's overall score .
For example , if the cumulative score of the first three quarters is 100-95 , the final target score would be set at 124 points .
To win the All-Star Game , the team with 100 points is required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the team with 95 points scores 29 points .
The team that scores the most points in each of the first three quarters will receive $ 100,000 , a total of $ 300,000 donated to charity .
The winning team in the All-Star Game will earn $ 200,000 for its designated community organization .
If one team sweeps all four quarters , the other team will still receive $ 100,000 for its charity .
The NBA said the new format is one of many planned tributes to Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in Sunday 's helicopter crash in Calabasas , Calif. , throughout All-Star weekend .

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was among nine killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, Calif. He famously wore No. 8 and No. 24 during his illustrious 20-year NBA career with the Lakers. File Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The NBA announced it will honor Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by changing the format of the 2020 All-Star Game in Chicago. The league revealed the significant changes to the All-Star format Thursday on social media, turning every quarter into a mini-game for charity before an untimed fourth quarter with a final target score that will decide the winner. Advertisement
The score will be reset to 0-0 at the start of the second and third quarters before being restored to begin the fourth quarter. At that point, each team's points from the first three quarters will be added up for an overall score.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the final target score will be determined by adding 24, the number Bryant famously wore for the second half of his NBA career with the Lakers, to the lead team's overall score.
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For example, if the cumulative score of the first three quarters is 100-95, the final target score would be set at 124 points. To win the All-Star Game, the team with 100 points is required to score 24 points in the fourth quarter before the team with 95 points scores 29 points.
The team that scores the most points in each of the first three quarters will receive $100,000, a total of $300,000 donated to charity. The winning team in the All-Star Game will earn $200,000 for its designated community organization. If one team sweeps all four quarters, the other team will still receive $100,000 for its charity.
The NBA said the new format is one of many planned tributes to Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and the seven others who died in Sunday's helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., throughout All-Star weekend.


upi--2020-01-30--Impeachment: Sen. Susan Collins to vote for witnesses, Sen. Lamar Alexander against

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- Two Republicans who had indicated they might side with Democrats in voting to allow witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump announced their intent on Thursday night .
Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , announced she would vote in favor of allowing witnesses in the impeachment trial , while Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , said he would not .
`` I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case , resolve any ambiguities and provide additional clarity , '' Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I will vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed . ''
Alexander , in a series of tweets , said that he believes the case made against Trump did not meet the Constitution 's `` high bar for an impeachable offense . ''
`` The Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year 's ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate , '' Alexander wrote .
`` The question then is not whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Senate or the American people should decide what to do about what he did . ''
Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , declined to announce her decision on Thursday night .
Democrats are hoping to sway at least four Republican senators to join them in a vote to include witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , arguing they 're essential to providing a fair trial .
Should the Democrats not secure the necessary votes , a motion to acquit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a vote Friday .
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Thursday refused to read aloud a question from Sen. Rand Paul that named the alleged whistle-blower whose complaint launched the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump .
Roberts , who 's presiding over the impeachment trial in the Senate , is responsible for reading senators ' individual questions to Trump 's legal team and Democratic House managers .
The Senate began the two-day question phase of the trial Wednesday , concluding with 180 questions asked on Thursday .
`` The presiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted , '' Roberts said when he looked at Rand 's handwritten question .
Paul has repeatedly called for the identity of the whistle-blower to be made public .
The whistle-blower , a member of the U.S. intelligence community , filed a complaint last year with the office of the director of national intelligence about the July phone conversation in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce an investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , and his son , Hunter Biden .
The complaint prompted the House to formally launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to impeach Trump .
Paul left the Senate chamber after Roberts ' refusal to read the question and tweeted about the justice 's decision .
`` My question was not about a 'whistle-blower ' as I have no independent information on his identity .
My question is about the actions of known Obama partisans within the [ National Security Council ] and house staff and how they are reported to have conspired before impeachment proceedings had even begun , '' he wrote .
Trump 's lawyers used their time Thursday to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again repeated their argument that a removal from office should n't happen in an election year .
`` There are some in this room that are days away from the Iowa caucuses being made , '' Trump 's personal attorney , Jay Sekulow said .
`` So we 're discussing the impeachment and possible removal of the president of the United States not only during the election season -- in the heart of the election season . ''
House manager Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , meanwhile , drew attention to proceedings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ census .
James Burnham , an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice , told a federal judge Thursday that if Congress ca n't get the president to respond to a subpoena , it can use its impeachment powers .
`` In the category of you ca n't make this stuff up , '' Schiff said in the Senate chamber to the laughter of a number of senators .
`` The judge says if the Congress ca n't enforce its subpoenas in court , then what remedy is there ?
And the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

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U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Thursday she would vote in favor of witnesses during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Two Republicans who had indicated they might side with Democrats in voting to allow witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump announced their intent on Thursday night. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced she would vote in favor of allowing witnesses in the impeachment trial, while Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he would not. Advertisement
"I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case, resolve any ambiguities and provide additional clarity," Collins wrote in a statement. "Therefore, I will vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed."
Alexander, in a series of tweets, said that he believes the case made against Trump did not meet the Constitution's "high bar for an impeachable offense."
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"The Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year's ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate," Alexander wrote. "The question then is not whether the president did it, but whether the United States Senate or the American people should decide what to do about what he did."
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, declined to announce her decision on Thursday night.
Democrats are hoping to sway at least four Republican senators to join them in a vote to include witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, arguing they're essential to providing a fair trial.
Should the Democrats not secure the necessary votes, a motion to acquit the president is likely to follow quickly with a vote Friday.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Thursday refused to read aloud a question from Sen. Rand Paul that named the alleged whistle-blower whose complaint launched the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.
Roberts, who's presiding over the impeachment trial in the Senate, is responsible for reading senators' individual questions to Trump's legal team and Democratic House managers. The Senate began the two-day question phase of the trial Wednesday, concluding with 180 questions asked on Thursday.
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"The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted," Roberts said when he looked at Rand's handwritten question.
Paul has repeatedly called for the identity of the whistle-blower to be made public. The whistle-blower, a member of the U.S. intelligence community, filed a complaint last year with the office of the director of national intelligence about the July phone conversation in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce an investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter Biden.
The complaint prompted the House to formally launch an impeachment inquiry and in December, vote to impeach Trump.
Paul left the Senate chamber after Roberts' refusal to read the question and tweeted about the justice's decision.
"My question was not about a 'whistle-blower' as I have no independent information on his identity. My question is about the actions of known Obama partisans within the [National Security Council] and house staff and how they are reported to have conspired before impeachment proceedings had even begun," he wrote.
Trump's lawyers used their time Thursday to make a pitch for the president's acquittal and again repeated their argument that a removal from office shouldn't happen in an election year.
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"There are some in this room that are days away from the Iowa caucuses being made," Trump's personal attorney, Jay Sekulow said. "So we're discussing the impeachment and possible removal of the president of the United States not only during the election season -- in the heart of the election season."
House manager Adam Schiff, D-Calif., meanwhile, drew attention to proceedings in another case, one involving the 2020 census. James Burnham, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, told a federal judge Thursday that if Congress can't get the president to respond to a subpoena, it can use its impeachment powers.
"In the category of you can't make this stuff up," Schiff said in the Senate chamber to the laughter of a number of senators. "The judge says if the Congress can't enforce its subpoenas in court, then what remedy is there? And the Justice Department's lawyer's response is impeachment."


upi--2020-01-30--U.S. reports first human-to-human coronavirus case

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials Thursday confirmed the first `` person-to-person '' transmission of 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States .
It 's the sixth case in the country overall .
The new case , the second in Chicago , is the husband of the first confirmed travel-associated case in the city .
The man did not travel to China -- a sign that the virus , known as 2019 n-CoV , spread as a result of close contact .
`` The risk to general public in Illinois remains low , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Illinois Department of Public Health , said Thursday .
The case involves an `` extremely close contact .
The virus is not spreading widely across community . ''
The United States is the fourth country to report human-to-human transmission , as South Korea also reported its first secondary transmission of the virus on Thursday .
China and Germany have previously reported cases , and the World Health Organization said Wednesday there may be two more cases but did not identify their locations .
CDC Director Robert R. Redfield said Thursday experts do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus spreads .
The agency is not recommending that Americans take any additional precautions -- such as wearing face masks -- beyond what would normally be taken to avoid any respiratory tract infection , including the flu -- namely , practicing good hand hygiene and staying away from others who are stick .
The U.S. State Department on Thursday issued a Level 4 travel advisory warning people not to travel to China due to the coronavirus .
Ezike said public health investigators working with the CDC are investigating several other close contacts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hubei province , China -- ground zero for the virus .
The woman , in her 60s , remains in the hospital and is doing well , Ezike said .
Her husband began reporting symptoms earlier this week .
He was hospitalized and placed in isolation , and is also doing well , officials said .
They received laboratory confirmation that he has 2019 n-CoV from the CDC on Thursday .
Officials believe the virus was passed from the wife to her husband after she was symptomatic .
There has been some concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms arise .
The CDC is working with the hospital treating both patients to ensure that healthcare workers are properly protected .

A woman wears a mask covering her mouth and nose while riding the subway on Monday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials Thursday confirmed the first "person-to-person" transmission of 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States. It's the sixth case in the country overall. The new case, the second in Chicago, is the husband of the first confirmed travel-associated case in the city. The man did not travel to China -- a sign that the virus, known as 2019 n-CoV, spread as a result of close contact. Advertisement
"The risk to general public in Illinois remains low," Ngozi O. Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said Thursday. The case involves an "extremely close contact. The virus is not spreading widely across community."
The United States is the fourth country to report human-to-human transmission, as South Korea also reported its first secondary transmission of the virus on Thursday. China and Germany have previously reported cases, and the World Health Organization said Wednesday there may be two more cases but did not identify their locations.
CDC Director Robert R. Redfield said Thursday experts don't know how easily or rapidly the virus spreads.
The agency is not recommending that Americans take any additional precautions -- such as wearing face masks -- beyond what would normally be taken to avoid any respiratory tract infection, including the flu -- namely, practicing good hand hygiene and staying away from others who are stick.
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The U.S. State Department on Thursday issued a Level 4 travel advisory warning people not to travel to China due to the coronavirus.
Ezike said public health investigators working with the CDC are investigating several other close contacts of the Chicago woman since her return from Hubei province, China -- ground zero for the virus.
The woman, in her 60s, remains in the hospital and is doing well, Ezike said.
Her husband began reporting symptoms earlier this week. He was hospitalized and placed in isolation, and is also doing well, officials said. They received laboratory confirmation that he has 2019 n-CoV from the CDC on Thursday.
Officials believe the virus was passed from the wife to her husband after she was symptomatic. There has been some concern that 2019 n-CoV can be transmitted before symptoms arise.
The CDC is working with the hospital treating both patients to ensure that healthcare workers are properly protected.


upi--2020-01-30--Rocket Lab successfully launches U.S. spy satellite

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- U.S. launch company Rocket Lab launched a U.S. spy satellite from New Zealand on Thursday .
`` Successful Electron lift-off ! ''
RocketLab tweeted on Friday afternoon in New Zealand .
About 20 minutes before the opening of the launch window , the company said it entered a hold in response to ground-level winds in the area .
Rocket Lab said it planned to announce a new launch time `` soon . ''
It was Rocket Lab 's first launch of 2020 , from the firm 's Launch Complex 1 is in New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second launch complex in Virginia last year .
The so-called Birds of a Feather mission is part of the National Reconnaissance Office 's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket program , which is aimed at providing a streamlined , commercial approach for getting small satellites into space .
The Electron rocket for the launch will reenter the atmosphere in another test of Rocket Lab 's plans to develop reusability , but the company wo n't actually try to recover it .
Data from the rocket will be gathered for the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a camera on stage one will attempt to document the re-entry view .
This view will be available during the launch webcast , '' the company said in a news release .

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket launched a U.S. spy satellite on Friday in New Zealand (Thursday evening EST.) Photo courtesy of Rocket Lab
Jan. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. launch company Rocket Lab launched a U.S. spy satellite from New Zealand on Thursday. "Successful Electron lift-off!" RocketLab tweeted on Friday afternoon in New Zealand. Advertisement
The company had experienced a few delays for the launch due to ground-level winds, but otherwise, the mission reportedly went off without any problems.
It was Rocket Lab's first launch of 2020, from the firm's Launch Complex 1 is in New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. Rocket Lab opened a second launch complex in Virginia last year.
Electron's fairing has been jettisoned as Stage 2 continues towards payload deployment. pic.twitter.com/NZ7jzUmHhE— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) January 31, 2020
The so-called Birds of a Feather mission was part of the National Reconnaissance Office's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket program, which is aimed at providing a streamlined, commercial approach for getting small satellites into space.
The Electron rocket for the launch completed another test for Rocket Lab's plans to develop reusability, but the company didn't try to recover it. Data from the rocket was to be gathered for the development of reusable boosters.
"For this mission, a camera on stage one will attempt to document the re-entry view," the company had said in a news release.
Advertisement Propellant loading has begun. Electron's trademark white stripes from the liquid oxygen against Electron's black carbon composite surface are starting to show. pic.twitter.com/KdqhQWzKyE— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) January 30, 2020


upi--2020-01-30--USA Gymnastics offers Larry Nassar survivors $215M to settle lawsuits

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- USA Gymnastics filed a plan on Thursday to pay survivors of Larry Nassar 's sexual abuse $ 215 million to settle their lawsuits against the governing body .
The settlement offer , filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana as part of USA Gymnastic 's plan to emerge from bankruptcy would ask survivors to vote on whether to accept the amount the body 's insurers are willing to pay to settle the claims .
Survivors would also be provided the option to pursue lawsuits and collect the compensation insurers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA Gymnastics president and CEO Li Li Leung said the organization 's hop with the plan was to bring all parties back to the negotiating table .
`` We 're hopeful that mediation will continue , '' she said .
`` At the end of the day , the only meaningful assets we have to offer are our insurance policies . ''
Attorneys John Manly and Jon Little , who represent many of the survivors said the $ 215 million offer was not enough compensation for the 350 girls and young women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raisman , Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney , who said they were abused by Nassar .
`` This amount wo n't even cover the therapy that these women need , probably for the rest of their lives and the excruciating emotional toll and pain , '' Manly said .
`` It 's just one more punch in the gut . ''
USA Gymnastics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 in order to enable it to expedite resolution of claims by the Nassar survivors covered by various insurance policies .
Nassar is serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and federal courts for sexually abusing hundreds of women .

Aly Raisman, two time Olympian and victim of former Team USA Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, stands with fellow victims during a press conference on abuse within gymnastics and youth sports and the necessary reforms needed to keep young athletes safe, on July 24, 2018. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 30 (UPI) -- USA Gymnastics filed a plan on Thursday to pay survivors of Larry Nassar's sexual abuse $215 million to settle their lawsuits against the governing body. The settlement offer, filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana as part of USA Gymnastic's plan to emerge from bankruptcy would ask survivors to vote on whether to accept the amount the body's insurers are willing to pay to settle the claims. Advertisement
Survivors would also be provided the option to pursue lawsuits and collect the compensation insurers for USA Gymnastics would make available.
USA Gymnastics president and CEO Li Li Leung said the organization's hop with the plan was to bring all parties back to the negotiating table.
"We're hopeful that mediation will continue," she said. "At the end of the day, the only meaningful assets we have to offer are our insurance policies."
Attorneys John Manly and Jon Little, who represent many of the survivors said the $215 million offer was not enough compensation for the 350 girls and young women, including Olympic champions Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney, who said they were abused by Nassar.
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"This amount won't even cover the therapy that these women need, probably for the rest of their lives and the excruciating emotional toll and pain," Manly said. "It's just one more punch in the gut."
USA Gymnastics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 in order to enable it to expedite resolution of claims by the Nassar survivors covered by various insurance policies.
Nassar is serving a life sentence after being convicted in state and federal courts for sexually abusing hundreds of women.


upi--2020-01-30--New York Jets LB Brandon Copeland receives NFLPA's Alan Page Award

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- New York Jets linebacker Brandon Copeland was named the 2020 Alan Page Community Award winner for his work in helping communities , the NFL Players Association announced Thursday .
The award is the NFLPA 's highest honor presented to an NFL player each season .
Copeland will receive a $ 100,000 donation either to his foundation or a charity of his choice .
`` The power you have is monumental , '' Copeland told reporters Thursday .
`` Please continue to do the right thing and highlight the good with your pen , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working our tails off to make an impact while we have the platform . ''
Alan Page , a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame ( 1993 ) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame ( 1988 ) , presented the award to Copeland at the NFLPA 's Super Bowl week press conference in Miami .
Copeland received the honor after taking 300 children on a Christmas shopping spree , with each child getting $ 200 gift cards to spend .
`` Receiving this award from the NFLPA and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of those moments where God lets you know that you are on the right path , '' Copeland said .
`` As I have said before , I hope that the legacy I leave here on Earth is much bigger than just being an NFL player .
`` That is the driving force behind why I work so hard to make a positive impact on the people I cross paths with . ''

Jan. 30 (UPI) -- New York Jets linebacker Brandon Copeland was named the 2020 Alan Page Community Award winner for his work in helping communities, the NFL Players Association announced Thursday.
The award is the NFLPA's highest honor presented to an NFL player each season. Copeland will receive a $100,000 donation either to his foundation or a charity of his choice.
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"The power you have is monumental," Copeland told reporters Thursday. "Please continue to do the right thing and highlight the good with your pen, and know that as players, we're working our tails off to make an impact while we have the platform."
Alan Page, a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame (1993) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988), presented the award to Copeland at the NFLPA's Super Bowl week press conference in Miami.
Justice Alan Page and @bcope51-the 2020 Alan Page Community Award winner. pic.twitter.com/EBPGOw7RJN— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 30, 2020
Copeland received the honor after taking 300 children on a Christmas shopping spree, with each child getting $200 gift cards to spend.
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"Receiving this award from the NFLPA and my peers is truly humbling and serves as one of those moments where God lets you know that you are on the right path," Copeland said. "As I have said before, I hope that the legacy I leave here on Earth is much bigger than just being an NFL player.
"That is the driving force behind why I work so hard to make a positive impact on the people I cross paths with."


upi--2020-01-30--Carolina Panthers, Greg Olsen mutually agree to part ways

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- Veteran tight end Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers mutually agreed to part ways after nine seasons , the team announced Thursday .
`` Consistency is the word that comes to mind when I think about Greg , '' Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement .
`` A leader , great teammate , unbelievable family man and true professional .
Greg brought passion and an intense , detailed work ethic to the stadium every day .
`` As the 'Jersey ' guy on the team , it was good to get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he will be remembered as one of the best Panthers to ever play here .
Greg and Kara 's work in the community continues to positively impact so many families in our city and the Carolinas . ''
In a statement released on social media Thursday , Olsen , a three-time Pro Bowl selection , said he 's still interested in playing in the National Football League .
`` At this time I have not closed the door on any potential career options , '' Olsen wrote on Twitter .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heart and will explore all opportunities presented to me . ''
The decision to move on from the Panthers was made after Olsen spoke with general manager Marty Hurney about his future with the franchise .
`` The team and I are both on the same page that it is best we go in different directions for now , '' Olsen said .
`` On the field , I will always cherish the nine seasons we shared together .
The wins , the losses , standing at midfield holding the Halas Trophy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to the Super Bowl was beyond words , as was the disappointment of falling short . ''
The Panthers also lost star linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement earlier this month .
Carolina will have a first-year head coach in Matt Rhule next season .
The Chicago Bears selected Olsen in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft .
Hurney acquired him for a third-round draft pick in a 2011 trade with the Bears .
Olsen had 52 catches for 597 yards and two touchdowns this season .
Since entering the league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receptions for 8,444 yards and 59 touchdowns with the Panthers and Bears .
Olsen became the first tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons ( 2014-16 ) .
He holds the franchise record for most receiving yards ( 1,104 in 2015 ) and receptions ( 84 in 2014 ) in a single season by a Panthers tight end .

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen spent nine seasons with the franchise. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Veteran tight end Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers mutually agreed to part ways after nine seasons, the team announced Thursday. "Consistency is the word that comes to mind when I think about Greg," Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement. "A leader, great teammate, unbelievable family man and true professional. Greg brought passion and an intense, detailed work ethic to the stadium every day. Advertisement
"As the 'Jersey' guy on the team, it was good to get to know Greg over the past two years and he will be remembered as one of the best Panthers to ever play here. Greg and Kara's work in the community continues to positively impact so many families in our city and the Carolinas."
In a statement released on social media Thursday, Olsen, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, said he's still interested in playing in the National Football League.
"At this time I have not closed the door on any potential career options," Olsen wrote on Twitter. "I still have the love of football in my heart and will explore all opportunities presented to me."
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The decision to move on from the Panthers was made after Olsen spoke with general manager Marty Hurney about his future with the franchise.
"The team and I are both on the same page that it is best we go in different directions for now," Olsen said. "On the field, I will always cherish the nine seasons we shared together. The wins, the losses, standing at midfield holding the Halas Trophy as NFC champs. The reality of going to the Super Bowl was beyond words, as was the disappointment of falling short."
The Panthers also lost star linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement earlier this month. Carolina will have a first-year head coach in Matt Rhule next season.
The Chicago Bears selected Olsen in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Hurney acquired him for a third-round draft pick in a 2011 trade with the Bears.
Olsen had 52 catches for 597 yards and two touchdowns this season. Since entering the league in 2007, he has tallied 718 receptions for 8,444 yards and 59 touchdowns with the Panthers and Bears.
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Olsen became the first tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons (2014-16). He holds the franchise record for most receiving yards (1,104 in 2015) and receptions (84 in 2014) in a single season by a Panthers tight end.


upi--2020-01-30--President Donald Trump celebrates USMCA at Michigan factory

Jan. 30 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump celebrated the signing of a new North American trade deal Thursday during a trip to Michigan , saying he `` ended a nightmare '' for manufacturing workers .
Trump appeared at Dana Incorporated in Warren , Mich. , after touring the facility , which manufactures commercial and industrial vehicles .
The visit came one day after he signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on Wednesday , replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement .
`` I just want to say I kept my promise , '' he said .
`` My promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries are n't ripping us off . ''
Trump said his administration has found the `` magic wand '' to create manufacturing jobs , pledging that the deal will create up to 80,000 new jobs .
`` I used to say those are the best jobs , those are great people .
Those are unbelievably talented people , '' he said .
Although Trump referred to NAFTA as a `` nightmare '' and made its obsolescence a key element in his 2016 presidential campaign , the new agreement differs little from its predecessor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most significant , modern and balanced trade agreement in history , '' Trump said at the signing ceremony .
`` All of our countries will benefit greatly . ''
Economists have noted that the USMCA offers few new benefits to the U.S. manufacturing sector .
Trump has predicted that it will improve U.S. economic growth by 1.2 percent , generate $ 68 billion in new economic activity and create 176,000 new jobs .
Under the law , higher automotive rules-of-origin requirements will increase the percentage of parts from North America in new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build cars in Mexico will be reduced .
It also increases intellectual property protections and opens Canada as a market for U.S. dairy products .
The three countries reached an original agreement in 2018 but it required a year of congressional negotiation with the White House to reach a bill that could pass both houses of the U.S. Congress .
Mexico has already ratified the law , and ratification in Canada is pending .

Jan. 30 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump celebrated the signing of a new North American trade deal Thursday during a trip to Michigan, saying he "ended a nightmare" for manufacturing workers.
Trump appeared at Dana Incorporated in Warren, Mich., after touring the facility, which manufactures commercial and industrial vehicles. The visit came one day after he signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on Wednesday, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
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"I just want to say I kept my promise," he said. "My promise of taking care of Michigan so other countries aren't ripping us off."
Trump said his administration has found the "magic wand" to create manufacturing jobs, pledging that the deal will create up to 80,000 new jobs.
"I used to say those are the best jobs, those are great people. Those are unbelievably talented people," he said.
Although Trump referred to NAFTA as a "nightmare" and made its obsolescence a key element in his 2016 presidential campaign, the new agreement differs little from its predecessor.
"The USMCA is the largest, most significant, modern and balanced trade agreement in history," Trump said at the signing ceremony. "All of our countries will benefit greatly."
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Economists have noted that the USMCA offers few new benefits to the U.S. manufacturing sector. Trump has predicted that it will improve U.S. economic growth by 1.2 percent, generate $68 billion in new economic activity and create 176,000 new jobs.
Under the law, higher automotive rules-of-origin requirements will increase the percentage of parts from North America in new cars, and financial incentives for automakers to build cars in Mexico will be reduced. It also increases intellectual property protections and opens Canada as a market for U.S. dairy products.
The three countries reached an original agreement in 2018 but it required a year of congressional negotiation with the White House to reach a bill that could pass both houses of the U.S. Congress. Mexico has already ratified the law, and ratification in Canada is pending.
Ed Adamczyk contributed to this report


upi--2020-02-03--Look: Prince William, Kate Middleton attend BAFTA Film Awards

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- British royals Prince William and Kate Middleton walked the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards .
The duke and duchess of Cambridge attended the awards show Sunday at Royal Albert Hall in London .
Guests were invited to `` dress sustainably , '' which Middleton followed by re-wearing a dress she previously sported at a 2012 state dinner in Malaysia .
The white Alexander McQueen gown features gold trim and floral embroidery .
William , who is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts ( BAFTA ) , gave a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lack of diversity among the BAFTA nominees , which were all white actors in the top four categories .
`` Both here in the U.K. and in many other countries across the world , we are lucky to have incredible filmmakers , actors , producers , directors , and technicians : Men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities , enriching our lives through film , '' William said .
`` Yet , in 2020 and not for the first time in the last few years , we find ourselves talking again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process .
That simply can not be right in this day and age . ''
American actor Joaquin Phoenix , who won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of the title character in Joker , went farther in his acceptance speech , calling on the industry to dismantle a `` system of oppression . ''
William and Middleton laughed off jokes during Brad Pitt 's acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pitt 's speech for him in his absence .
`` He starts by saying , 'Hey , Britain .
Heard you just became single .
Welcome to the club ! '
'' Robbie said , reading Pitt 's joke about Brexit .
`` 'Wishing you the best with the divorce settlement . '
'' Pitt also poked fun at the news William 's brother , Prince Harry , and Harry 's wife , Meghan Markle , are stepping away from the royal family and splitting their time between the U.K. and North America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is going to name this 'Harry , ' because he 's really excited about bringing it back to the [ United ] States with him , '' Robbie said .
William 's grandmother , Queen Elizabeth II , gave the prince a new title and role last week following Harry and Markle 's decision .
William is second in line to the throne , after his father , Prince Charles , and has three children , George , Charlotte and Louis , with Middleton .

Prince William (L) and Kate Middleton attend the BAFTA Film Awards in London on Sunday. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- British royals Prince William and Kate Middleton walked the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards. The duke and duchess of Cambridge attended the awards show Sunday at Royal Albert Hall in London. Advertisement
Guests were invited to "dress sustainably," which Middleton followed by re-wearing a dress she previously sported at a 2012 state dinner in Malaysia. The white Alexander McQueen gown features gold trim and floral embroidery.
William, who is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), gave a speech during the ceremony. He addressed the lack of diversity among the BAFTA nominees, which were all white actors in the top four categories.
"Both here in the U.K. and in many other countries across the world, we are lucky to have incredible filmmakers, actors, producers, directors, and technicians: Men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities, enriching our lives through film," William said. "Yet, in 2020 and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process. That simply cannot be right in this day and age."
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American actor Joaquin Phoenix, who won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of the title character in Joker, went farther in his acceptance speech, calling on the industry to dismantle a "system of oppression."
William and Middleton laughed off jokes during Brad Pitt's acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Pitt's co-star Margot Robbie read Pitt's speech for him in his absence.
"He starts by saying, 'Hey, Britain. Heard you just became single. Welcome to the club!'" Robbie said, reading Pitt's joke about Brexit. "'Wishing you the best with the divorce settlement.'"
Pitt also poked fun at the news William's brother, Prince Harry, and Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, are stepping away from the royal family and splitting their time between the U.K. and North America.
"Oh, and he says that he is going to name this 'Harry,' because he's really excited about bringing it back to the [United] States with him," Robbie said.
Brad Pitt wins the Supporting Actor award for @OnceInHollywood but Margot Robbie was there to accept it on his behalf! #EEBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/GHnkGiEZpI— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 2, 2020
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William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, gave the prince a new title and role last week following Harry and Markle's decision. William is second in line to the throne, after his father, Prince Charles, and has three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, with Middleton.


upi--2020-02-03--No need to follow EU rules for trade deal, British PM Boris Johnson says

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- With Britain now gone from the European Union , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday he sees `` no need '' to align with EU standards on a number of issues to reach an agreement with the bloc in the coming months detailing their post-Brexit relationship .
Johnson , in his first major speech since London officially withdrew from the EU on Friday , said Britain does n't need to accept the coalition 's rules on `` competition policy , subsidies , social protection , the environment , or anything similar , any more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept U.K .
rules . ''
Upon leaving the EU Friday , Britain entered an 11-month transitional period during which it will essentially remain a member of the bloc as the two sides negotiate terms on trade and other aspects .
EU officials have insisted that for Britain , as a non-member , to have access to the bloc 's lucrative single market with no tariffs or customs checks at borders , it must adapt its own national rules to match those of the EU 's on a wide range of issues -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson said he 'll seek a deal similar to that between the EU and Canada , which eliminated tariffs on most imports and exports and required limited regulatory alignment .
But the prime minister said he feels no obligation to adopt the level playing field , warning that if no deal is in place by the end of this year he 's willing to accept a much looser `` Australia-style '' relationship , under which Britain would basically trade with the EU under default World Trade Organization rules .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free trade agreement , similar to Canada 's but in the very unlikely event that we do not succeed , then our trade will have to be based on our existing Withdrawal Agreement with the EU .
`` The choice is emphatically not 'deal or no deal . '
The question is whether we agree a trading relationship with the EU comparable to Canada 's -- or more like Australia 's . ''
EU leaders , making their initial appearances Monday after the historic exit , again said regulatory alignment is necessary if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chief EU trade negotiator Michel Barnier pointed to commitments from Johnson in the non-binding political declaration section of the Brexit agreement to upholding EU standards in state aid , competition , social and environmental standards , climate change and tax .
`` There are some very clear words there , '' he said .
`` A full chapter that talks about the description of the level playing field and the objective of having fair and open competition . ''
Britain and the 27-member coalition will begin negotiating in March .

1/6
Supporters celebrate Britain's departure from the European Union as it becomes official on Friday in London's Parliament Square. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- With Britain now gone from the European Union, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday he sees "no need" to align with EU standards on a number of issues to reach an agreement with the bloc in the coming months detailing their post-Brexit relationship. Johnson, in his first major speech since London officially withdrew from the EU on Friday, said Britain doesn't need to accept the coalition's rules on "competition policy, subsidies, social protection, the environment, or anything similar, any more than the EU should be obliged to accept U.K. rules." Advertisement
Upon leaving the EU Friday, Britain entered an 11-month transitional period during which it will essentially remain a member of the bloc as the two sides negotiate terms on trade and other aspects.
EU officials have insisted that for Britain, as a non-member, to have access to the bloc's lucrative single market with no tariffs or customs checks at borders, it must adapt its own national rules to match those of the EU's on a wide range of issues -- what it calls the level playing field.
Johnson said he'll seek a deal similar to that between the EU and Canada, which eliminated tariffs on most imports and exports and required limited regulatory alignment. But the prime minister said he feels no obligation to adopt the level playing field, warning that if no deal is in place by the end of this year he's willing to accept a much looser "Australia-style" relationship, under which Britain would basically trade with the EU under default World Trade Organization rules.
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"We have made our choice -- we want a free trade agreement, similar to Canada's but in the very unlikely event that we do not succeed, then our trade will have to be based on our existing Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.
"The choice is emphatically not 'deal or no deal.' The question is whether we agree a trading relationship with the EU comparable to Canada's -- or more like Australia's."
EU leaders, making their initial appearances Monday after the historic exit, again said regulatory alignment is necessary if London wants customs-free access to its markets.
Chief EU trade negotiator Michel Barnier pointed to commitments from Johnson in the non-binding political declaration section of the Brexit agreement to upholding EU standards in state aid, competition, social and environmental standards, climate change and tax.
"There are some very clear words there," he said. "A full chapter that talks about the description of the level playing field and the objective of having fair and open competition."
Britain and the 27-member coalition will begin negotiating in March.


upi--2020-02-03--Watch: 'No Time To Die': Daniel Craig, Lashana Lynch team up in new James Bond teaser

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Daniel Craig is back for a new mission as James Bond in a new @ @ @ @ @ Die which aired during Super Bowl LIV .
The teaser , released on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ with fellow agent Nomi ( Lashana Lynch ) .
The pair are preparing for takeoff @ @ @ @ @ `` You ever flown one of these things before ? ''
Bond asks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ before they take to the skies .
The teaser also promises that the 25th film @ @ @ @ @ change everything as agent 007 shoots his way out of a car chase and then @ @ @ @ @ New villain Safin , portrayed by Rami Malek , also makes an apperance .
No @ @ @ @ @ director Cary Joji Fukunaga , is set for release April 3 in the U.K. and @ @ @ @ @ Lea Seydoux as Madeleine Swann , Christoph Waltz as Blofeld , Ralph Fiennes as M @ @ @ @ @ , Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Naomie Harris as Moneypenny also star .

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Daniel Craig is back for a new mission as James Bond in a new teaser for No Time To Die which aired during Super Bowl LIV.
The teaser, released on Sunday, begins with Bond teaming up with fellow agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch). The pair are preparing for takeoff onboard a unique aircraft.
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"You ever flown one of these things before?" Bond asks. "Nope," Nomi says before they take to the skies.
The teaser also promises that the 25th film in the Bond series will change everything as agent 007 shoots his way out of a car chase and then later finds himself underwater.
New villain Safin, portrayed by Rami Malek, also makes an apperance.
No Time To Die, from director Cary Joji Fukunaga, is set for release April 3 in the U.K. and April 8 in the U.S.
Lea Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, Christoph Waltz as Blofeld, Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Naomie Harris as Moneypenny also star.


upi--2020-02-03--In Photos: Moments from the 2020 BAFTA red carpet

Jonathan Pryce was nominated for Best Actor for his role in `` The Two Popes . ''
Photo by Rune @

Jonathan Pryce was nominated for Best Actor for his role in "The Two Popes." Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI


upi--2020-02-03--British PM Boris Johnson says law will prevent early release for terrorists

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday his government will work on a new law aimed at preventing early release for inmates who were convicted of terrorism-related offenses , in light of a stabbing attack in London over the weekend .
Johnson said rehabilitation for radicalized terrorists `` rarely works '' and that more scrutiny should be given those individuals before they are considered for early release .
Sudesh Amman , 20 , who 'd recently been released from prison early after serving time for spreading extremist material , stabbed two people Sunday before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A third person received minor injuries from broken glass after the gunfire .
`` The problems we have with re-educating and reclaiming and rehabilitating people who succumb to Islamism , it 's very , very hard , '' Johnson said .
`` It can happen but the instances of success are really very few and we need to be frank about that . ''
Johnson said his government would create legislation to prevent the early release of any potential conspirators in Sunday 's attack , and indicated the law will apply retroactively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do think it 's time to tackle action to ensure that ... people in the current stream do not qualify automatically for early release , people convicted of terrorist act offenses , '' he said .
Amman 's mother , Haleema Faraz Khan , said Monday her son was radicalized on the Internet and in prison , describing him as a `` polite '' person before .
Khan said she talked to her son hours before the attack , and that he was a `` lovely boy '' whom she could n't believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @

An armed police officer secures the site of a stabbing in southern London, Britain, on Sunday, that injured two people. The attacker was shot dead by police. Photo by EPA-EFE
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday his government will work on a new law aimed at preventing early release for inmates who were convicted of terrorism-related offenses, in light of a stabbing attack in London over the weekend. Johnson said rehabilitation for radicalized terrorists "rarely works" and that more scrutiny should be given those individuals before they are considered for early release. Advertisement
Sudesh Amman, 20, who'd recently been released from prison early after serving time for spreading extremist material, stabbed two people Sunday before he was shot dead by London police. A third person received minor injuries from broken glass after the gunfire.
"The problems we have with re-educating and reclaiming and rehabilitating people who succumb to Islamism, it's very, very hard," Johnson said. "It can happen but the instances of success are really very few and we need to be frank about that."
Johnson said his government would create legislation to prevent the early release of any potential conspirators in Sunday's attack, and indicated the law will apply retroactively to other terror-related cases.
"We do think it's time to tackle action to ensure that ... people in the current stream do not qualify automatically for early release, people convicted of terrorist act offenses," he said.
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Amman's mother, Haleema Faraz Khan, said Monday her son was radicalized on the Internet and in prison, describing him as a "polite" person before.
Khan said she talked to her son hours before the attack, and that he was a "lovely boy" whom she couldn't believe was involved in a terrorist act.


upi--2020-02-03--Reports: BTS label Big Hit Entertainment preps IPO

SEOUL , Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Big Hit Entertainment , which manages K-pop megastar boy band BTS , plans to go public this year , a move that would make it the most valuable entertainment company in South Korea , according to reports .
Big Hit recently sent a request for proposal to Korean and global brokerage houses for an initial public offering , The Bell and Maeil Business News Korea reported Monday , citing unnamed sources .
The list of RFP recipients was not disclosed .
But the Bell reported that they are NH Investment & Securities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global Markets and JPMorgan .
Based on the rising popularity of BTS , the seven-piece boy group , Big Hit chalked up $ 179 million in sales and $ 54 million in profits in 2018 .
During the first six months of last year , its turnover amounted to $ 167 million for a profit of $ 33 million .
The company 's value is expected to be between $ 2.5 billion and $ 3.3 billion .
Big Hit was founded in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk , who owns a 48.1 percent stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BTS in 2013 .
After the IPO , Bang would likely become a billionaire .
The second-largest shareholder is Korean online game publisher Netmarble , which holds 25.55 percent .
The Hyundai Research Institute estimated last year that the value of Big Hit is between $ 1.16 billion and 2.07 billion .

1/3
In 2005, Bang Si-hyuk founded Big Hit Entertainment, which later launched K-pop boy band BTS. Photo courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Big Hit Entertainment, which manages K-pop megastar boy band BTS, plans to go public this year, a move that would make it the most valuable entertainment company in South Korea, according to reports. Big Hit recently sent a request for proposal to Korean and global brokerage houses for an initial public offering, The Bell and Maeil Business News Korea reported Monday, citing unnamed sources. Advertisement
The list of RFP recipients was not disclosed. But the Bell reported that they are NH Investment & Securities, Korea Investment & Securities, Citigroup Global Markets and JPMorgan.
Big Hit hasn't confirmed -- or denied -- the news.
Based on the rising popularity of BTS, the seven-piece boy group, Big Hit chalked up $179 million in sales and $54 million in profits in 2018.
During the first six months of last year, its turnover amounted to $167 million for a profit of $33 million.
The company's value is expected to be between $2.5 billion and $3.3 billion.
Big Hit was founded in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk, who owns a 48.1 percent stake in the Seoul-based label, which launched BTS in 2013. After the IPO, Bang would likely become a billionaire.
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The second-largest shareholder is Korean online game publisher Netmarble, which holds 25.55 percent.
The Hyundai Research Institute estimated last year that the value of Big Hit is between $1.16 billion and 2.07 billion.


upi--2020-02-03--Watch: 'Top Gun: Maverick': Tom Cruise flies jets in new teaser

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Tom Cruise is back in the pilot 's seat in the latest teaser for @ @ @ @ @ aired during Super Bowl LIV .
The 30-second clip released on Sunday , features Cruise @ @ @ @ @ Maverick once again who performs death-defying stunts in the sky .
Maverick is heard being @ @ @ @ @ Bradshaw ( Miles Teller ) , who is the son of Maverick 's late friend @ @ @ @ @ My dad believed in you .
I 'm not gon na make the same mistake @ @ @ @ @ The film , set to arrive in theaters on June 26. is a sequel to @ @ @ @ @ features Maverick training a new group of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission .
@ @ @ @ @ Jerry Bruckheimer returning to produce .
Jennifer Connelly , Jon Hamm , Ed Harris and @ @ @ @ @ , Danny Ramirez , Jay Ellis , Glen Powell and Monica Barbaro also star .
@ @ @ @ @ of the film 's cast members .

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Tom Cruise is back in the pilot's seat in the latest teaser for Top Gun: Maverick which aired during Super Bowl LIV.
The 30-second clip released on Sunday, features Cruise as rebellious U.S. Navy pilot Maverick once again who performs death-defying stunts in the sky.
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Maverick is heard being confronted by Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw (Miles Teller), who is the son of Maverick's late friend and partner Goose.
"My dad believed in you. I'm not gonna make the same mistake," Bradley says.
The film, set to arrive in theaters on June 26. is a sequel to 1986's Top Gun and features Maverick training a new group of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission.
Joseph Kosinski is directing with Jerry Bruckheimer returning to produce. Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris and Val Kilmer, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, Jay Ellis, Glen Powell and Monica Barbaro also star.
Paramount recently released new photos of the film's cast members.


upi--2020-02-03--Iran protests are in the lull before the storm

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- The nationwide uprising last November that saw millions of mostly young Iranians take to the streets of cities , towns and villages across Iran has temporarily subsided .
Sporadic outbursts of protest still take place , as thousands mourn their family members , murdered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , the fascist regime 's Gestapo , during their ruthless crackdown on the uprising .
Thousands more were wounded and dragged from their hospital beds by the IRGC to join the estimated 20,000 imprisoned for taking part in the riots .
Daily reports of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under torture leak from behind the regime 's grim prison walls .
Iran is a powder keg of unrest .
The slightest spark will ignite a revolution , which will drive the theocratic regime from office and restore freedom to Iran 's 80 million enraged citizens .
It is the lull before the inevitable storm .
Recognizing that their days are numbered , the infighting between various factions of the ruling elite has intensified .
Desperate to cling to power , the mullahs , who have stolen the Iranian people 's wealth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayhem across the Middle East and brutalized their own population , are engaged in a blame game , accusing each other of causing the crisis .
The psychotic supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , who for three days lied about the shooting down of the Ukrainian jetliner with 176 people on board , has ordered his Guardian Council , which supervises elections , to turn its fire on supporters of Hassan Rouhani , the Iranian president .
Although the Western media has often portrayed Rouhani as a so-called `` moderate , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took office in 2013 , he has presided over the execution of more than 4,000 people , many of them political prisoners , including numerous women and even children .
Iran is the world 's leading per capita executioner under Rouhani 's `` moderate '' presidency .
He even appointed Alireza Avaie as his justice minister .
Avaie is a listed terrorist in the West and is notorious for his role as a key executioner of political prisoners during a massacre in 1988 , when over 30,000 supporters of the Peoples ' Mojahedin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement were hanged , in batches of over 150 each day , on the orders of Iran 's then supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini .
The Guardian Council , on the orders of Ali Khamenei , has disqualified 90 members of the regime 's current parliament from standing for re-election in the forthcoming parliamentary contest .
This has enraged Rouhani and his followers who are trying to carve out a larger slice of Iran 's dwindling cake for themselves and their cronies .
It is reminiscent of the vicious territorial wars fought between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1980s , and it is a sure sign that the teetering regime is on its last legs .
Rouhani 's threat to distort the election result by using his Interior Ministry 's control of the process to stuff ballot boxes , may create the very spark that ignites the downfall of this gangster government .
Meanwhile , diplomatic efforts to avert the regime 's imminent collapse are accelerating .
With their economy in freefall , Iran 's foreign minister , Mohamad Javad Zarif , has given the clearest evidence yet of the mullahs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that even after the elimination of Iran 's top terrorist , Gen. Qassem Soleimani , his country is still willing to negotiate with the Americans , provided they immediately remove economic sanctions .
This humiliating climbdown by Zarif has caused outrage from some of the opposing factions in Tehran , with Mojtaba Zolnouri , head of the Iranian parliament 's national security commission asking why his government was begging for concessions from America after it had assassinated their homicidal hero Soleimani .
Another incensed MP Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi asked : `` Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Zarif ?
Which nation ?
Which government ?
This nation wants revenge on the killers of Haj Qassem ... do n't you have modesty ?
! ''
The likelihood of any return to the negotiating table by the Americans is zero .
On Jan. 28 , the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution titled `` Supporting the rights of the people of Iran to free expression , condemning the Iranian authorities for their crackdown on legitimate protests and for other purposes . ''
The resolution , which gained bipartisan support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida .
It highlighted the `` lethal force '' used by the IRGC during its crackdown on protesters and it concluded with the statement : `` The House of Representatives stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive , corrupt regime . ''
It is time the European Union followed America 's example .
The twin pillars that have propped up the Iranian regime are violent oppression at home and the export of terror abroad .
Those pillars are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's call of support for the Iranian people .
A new revolution is coming , and the brave PMOI/MEK resistance units who planned and abetted the recent uprising are preparing the ground for the theocratic regime 's overthrow .
The EU must ensure that they are on the right side of history .
The current lull before the storm may be their last chance to do so .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

Iranians light candles for victims of the Ukraine International Airlines flight that was shot down by Iran as they protest in front of the Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The nationwide uprising last November that saw millions of mostly young Iranians take to the streets of cities, towns and villages across Iran has temporarily subsided. Sporadic outbursts of protest still take place, as thousands mourn their family members, murdered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the fascist regime's Gestapo, during their ruthless crackdown on the uprising. Thousands more were wounded and dragged from their hospital beds by the IRGC to join the estimated 20,000 imprisoned for taking part in the riots. Daily reports of prisoners being denied medical attention and dying under torture leak from behind the regime's grim prison walls. Iran is a powder keg of unrest. The slightest spark will ignite a revolution, which will drive the theocratic regime from office and restore freedom to Iran's 80 million enraged citizens. It is the lull before the inevitable storm. Advertisement Advertisement
Recognizing that their days are numbered, the infighting between various factions of the ruling elite has intensified. Desperate to cling to power, the mullahs, who have stolen the Iranian people's wealth, wrecked the economy, spread murder and mayhem across the Middle East and brutalized their own population, are engaged in a blame game, accusing each other of causing the crisis.
The psychotic supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who for three days lied about the shooting down of the Ukrainian jetliner with 176 people on board, has ordered his Guardian Council, which supervises elections, to turn its fire on supporters of Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president. Although the Western media has often portrayed Rouhani as a so-called "moderate," he is anything but.
Since Rouhani took office in 2013, he has presided over the execution of more than 4,000 people, many of them political prisoners, including numerous women and even children. Iran is the world's leading per capita executioner under Rouhani's "moderate" presidency. He even appointed Alireza Avaie as his justice minister. Avaie is a listed terrorist in the West and is notorious for his role as a key executioner of political prisoners during a massacre in 1988, when over 30,000 supporters of the Peoples' Mojahedin of Iran/Mojahedin e-Khalq (PMOI/MEK) opposition movement were hanged, in batches of over 150 each day, on the orders of Iran's then supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
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The Guardian Council, on the orders of Ali Khamenei, has disqualified 90 members of the regime's current parliament from standing for re-election in the forthcoming parliamentary contest. This has enraged Rouhani and his followers who are trying to carve out a larger slice of Iran's dwindling cake for themselves and their cronies. It is reminiscent of the vicious territorial wars fought between the powerful Sicilian Mafia families in the 1980s, and it is a sure sign that the teetering regime is on its last legs. Rouhani's threat to distort the election result by using his Interior Ministry's control of the process to stuff ballot boxes, may create the very spark that ignites the downfall of this gangster government.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to avert the regime's imminent collapse are accelerating. With their economy in freefall, Iran's foreign minister, Mohamad Javad Zarif, has given the clearest evidence yet of the mullahs' weakness, by telling Der Spiegel that even after the elimination of Iran's top terrorist, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, his country is still willing to negotiate with the Americans, provided they immediately remove economic sanctions.
This humiliating climbdown by Zarif has caused outrage from some of the opposing factions in Tehran, with Mojtaba Zolnouri, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission asking why his government was begging for concessions from America after it had assassinated their homicidal hero Soleimani. Another incensed MP Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi asked: "Which country's foreign minister are you, Mr. Zarif? Which nation? Which government? This nation wants revenge on the killers of Haj Qassem ... don't you have modesty?!"
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The likelihood of any return to the negotiating table by the Americans is zero. On Jan. 28, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution titled "Supporting the rights of the people of Iran to free expression, condemning the Iranian authorities for their crackdown on legitimate protests and for other purposes." The resolution, which gained bipartisan support in the House, was sponsored by Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida. It highlighted the "lethal force" used by the IRGC during its crackdown on protesters and it concluded with the statement: "The House of Representatives stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime."
It is time the European Union followed America's example. The twin pillars that have propped up the Iranian regime are violent oppression at home and the export of terror abroad. Those pillars are crumbling. The EU should echo America's call of support for the Iranian people. A new revolution is coming, and the brave PMOI/MEK resistance units who planned and abetted the recent uprising are preparing the ground for the theocratic regime's overthrow. The EU must ensure that they are on the right side of history. The current lull before the storm may be their last chance to do so.
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Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-02-03--Watch: 'Mulan' becomes a warrior in final trailer

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Yifei Liu defends her country from northern invaders in the final trailer for Disney @ @ @ @ @ Mulan .
The trailer , released on Sunday , features Mulan ( Liu ) joining @ @ @ @ @ of her ailing father despite women not being allowed to fight .
Mulan goes undercover @ @ @ @ @ Jun and trains to become a skilled warrior .
Mulan eventually sheds her disguise and @ @ @ @ @ Xianniang ( Gong Li ) .
`` You will die pretending to be something you @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` Yet here I stand , proof that there is a place for @ @ @ @ @ Mulan replies .
Mulan , from director Niki Caro , is set to arrive in @ @ @ @ @ Donnie Yen as Commander Tung , Jason Scott Lee as Bori Khan , Yoson An @ @ @ @ @ Li as the Emperor also star .

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Yifei Liu defends her country from northern invaders in the final trailer for Disney's upcoming live-action remake of Mulan.
The trailer, released on Sunday, features Mulan (Liu) joining the Imperial Army in place of her ailing father despite women not being allowed to fight.
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Mulan goes undercover as a man named Hua Jun and trains to become a skilled warrior. Mulan eventually sheds her disguise and bravely takes on the villainous Xianniang (Gong Li).
"You will die pretending to be something you're not," Xianniang says. "Yet here I stand, proof that there is a place for people like us," Mulan replies.
Mulan, from director Niki Caro, is set to arrive in theaters on March 27. Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Bori Khan, Yoson An as Cheng Honghui and Jet Li as the Emperor also star.


upi--2020-02-03--Golf: Webb Simpson ends drought, beats Tony Finau in Phoenix Open playoff

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Golfer Webb Simpson edged Tony Finau on the first hole of a playoff to win the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open .
`` It feels great .
I has been a year and a half since the [ winning in at ] The Players Championship , '' Simpson told reporters , reminding them of his last tournament win in 2018 .
Simpson and Finau were tied at 17 under par to force the extra hole Sunday at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course in Scottsdale , Ariz. Simpson birdied the final two holes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simpson smacked his tee shot into the fairway on the 437-yard , par-4 18th hole , after Finau sliced his tee shot into a bunker to start the playoff .
Simpson lofted his second shot onto the green .
Finau then stepped up and hit an impressive shot out of the sand and onto the green , rolling the ball close to the hole .
He then rolled his 18-foot birdie attempt just to the left of the target .
He made his next shot to make par on the hole .
Simpson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 17-foot birdie attempt , winning the tournament .
FedEx Cup leader and world No .
4 Justin Thomas tied for third place with Bubba Watson and Nate Lashley at 14 under par .
No .
3 Jon Rahm tied for ninth .
Finau did n't make the cut in his previous four appearances at the Phoenix Open .
He fired a one-under par 70 in the final round after carding a 10-under par 62 in the third round .
Simpson was nine-under par in the second round and eight-under par in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ par 69 in Sunday 's final round .
`` He got the upper hand this time , '' Finau said of Simpson .
`` But I love that guy , and that 's one hell of a finish .
If you 're going to birdie 18 a couple of times , you 're probably going to win . ''

Webb Simpson hadn't won a tournament since The Players Championship in 2018, before claiming the Waste Management Phoenix Open title Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Golfer Webb Simpson edged Tony Finau on the first hole of a playoff to win the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. "It feels great. I has been a year and a half since the [winning in at] The Players Championship," Simpson told reporters, reminding them of his last tournament win in 2018. Advertisement
Simpson and Finau were tied at 17 under par to force the extra hole Sunday at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course in Scottsdale, Ariz. Simpson birdied the final two holes of the fourth round to force the playoff.
Simpson smacked his tee shot into the fairway on the 437-yard, par-4 18th hole, after Finau sliced his tee shot into a bunker to start the playoff. Simpson lofted his second shot onto the green.
Finau then stepped up and hit an impressive shot out of the sand and onto the green, rolling the ball close to the hole. He then rolled his 18-foot birdie attempt just to the left of the target. He made his next shot to make par on the hole.
Simpson then stepped onto the green before draining his 17-foot birdie attempt, winning the tournament.
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FedEx Cup leader and world No. 4 Justin Thomas tied for third place with Bubba Watson and Nate Lashley at 14 under par. No. 3 Jon Rahm tied for ninth.
Finau didn't make the cut in his previous four appearances at the Phoenix Open. He fired a one-under par 70 in the final round after carding a 10-under par 62 in the third round. Simpson was nine-under par in the second round and eight-under par in the third round. He carded a three-under par 69 in Sunday's final round.
"He got the upper hand this time," Finau said of Simpson. "But I love that guy, and that's one hell of a finish. If you're going to birdie 18 a couple of times, you're probably going to win."


upi--2020-02-03--Bernard Ebbers, exec at center of $11B WorldCom fraud, dies at 78

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Bernard John Ebbers , the former telecommunications executive who served more than a decade in prison for orchestrating one of the largest fraud schemes in U.S. history , died Sunday , according to his family .
He was 78 .
Ebbers , the onetime CEO of former telecom giant WorldCom , spent 13 years in prison before a federal judge released him in December because of his deteriorating health .
He was serving a 25-year sentence for his part in an $ 11 billion accounting fraud scandal at WorldCom .
`` My family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had to be with and care for dad in his final days .
We are especially grateful for the team that helped us secure his release , and particularly Graham Carner , our attorney , '' the family said in a statement .
Ebbers ' family had told U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni before his release that he suffered from dementia , had lost a great amount of weight and was legally blind .
Federal prosecutors opposed his release , suggesting Ebbers was faking illness to be released early .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WorldCom was once considered a great U.S. success story , as the Canadian-born Ebbers turned a small Mississippi phone company into an 80,000-employee telecom behemoth .
Ebbers at one time was worth an estimated $ 1 billion .
The company filed for bankruptcy in 2002 , which at the time was the largest in U.S. history , and Ebbers was convicted three years later of securities fraud , conspiracy and filing false reports .
WorldCom employees lost their pensions , insurance and their jobs in the process .
AT & T , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time , laid off thousands in a bid to rival WorldCom 's falsified profits .
WorldCom 's assets were bought by Verizon Communications in 2006 and now operates as the carrier 's business division .
MCI merged with WorldCom in 1997 to form MCI WorldCom , and attempted to merge with Sprint two years later , but the deal failed over antitrust concerns by the Justice Department .
In 2000 , the company dropped `` MCI '' from its name .

Former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers arrives at New York Federal Court during his trial on March 15, 2005, in New York City. He died Sunday at the age of 78. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Bernard John Ebbers, the former telecommunications executive who served more than a decade in prison for orchestrating one of the largest fraud schemes in U.S. history, died Sunday, according to his family. He was 78. Ebbers, the onetime CEO of former telecom giant WorldCom, spent 13 years in prison before a federal judge released him in December because of his deteriorating health. He was serving a 25-year sentence for his part in an $11 billion accounting fraud scandal at WorldCom. Advertisement
"My family and I are thankful for the time that we had to be with and care for dad in his final days. We are especially grateful for the team that helped us secure his release, and particularly Graham Carner, our attorney," the family said in a statement.
Ebbers' family had told U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni before his release that he suffered from dementia, had lost a great amount of weight and was legally blind. Federal prosecutors opposed his release, suggesting Ebbers was faking illness to be released early. He was to remain in prison until 2028.
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WorldCom was once considered a great U.S. success story, as the Canadian-born Ebbers turned a small Mississippi phone company into an 80,000-employee telecom behemoth. Ebbers at one time was worth an estimated $1 billion.
The company filed for bankruptcy in 2002, which at the time was the largest in U.S. history, and Ebbers was convicted three years later of securities fraud, conspiracy and filing false reports. WorldCom employees lost their pensions, insurance and their jobs in the process.
AT&T, in an attempt to keep up with WorldCom at the time, laid off thousands in a bid to rival WorldCom's falsified profits. WorldCom's assets were bought by Verizon Communications in 2006 and now operates as the carrier's business division.
MCI merged with WorldCom in 1997 to form MCI WorldCom, and attempted to merge with Sprint two years later, but the deal failed over antitrust concerns by the Justice Department. In 2000, the company dropped "MCI" from its name.


upi--2020-02-03--K-pop’s GFriend returns with new album and video

SEOUL , Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- K-pop band GFriend released its much-anticipated new album , Labyrinth , on Monday , their first since the group 's label , Source Music , was acquired by Big Hit Entertainment in July .
The popular sextet also unveiled the video for the album 's lead single `` Crossroads , '' which features moody imagery to accompany lyrics that focus on being at a turning point in life .
`` 'Crossroads ' talks about complicated feelings when you look to the future while also looking back on the past , '' band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the album and video release in Seoul on Monday .
The group said that Big Hit Entertainment founder Bang Si-hyuk contributed to the song 's lyrics and that the production team at the label , which manages boy band megastars BTS , assisted in creating a cohesive look , sound and story line across the six-track EP .
`` When we were making this album , we received help from Bang Si-hyuk and Big Hit 's producers and visual arts team , '' said GFriend member Umji .
`` From songwriting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot .
The story we 're telling with this album is very well made , and the content we created has become more connected and defined . ''
The album highlights a maturing image for the group , which formed in 2015 and is known for hits including `` Rough , '' `` Navillera , '' `` Love Whisper '' and `` Fever . ''
The new EP 's title track `` Labyrinth '' takes on the theme of facing difficult decisions in life , while the track `` Eclipse '' features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harpsichord , violin , viola , cello and contrabass .
Other songs on the album are `` Here We Are , '' `` Eclipse '' and `` Dreamcatcher . ''
The group -- consisting of members Sowon , Yerin , Eunha , Yuju , SinB and Umji -- performed `` Crossroads '' and `` Laybyrinth '' for a media audience on Monday .
A live fan showcase set to take place later on Monday evening was instead rescheduled to be held without an audience and live-streamed due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the illness in South Korea as of Monday .
The new EP , the band 's first Korean release since July 's Fever Season , kicks off a busy month on the K-pop scene with albums on the way from several bands , including iKon , Pentagon and Loona .
Big Hit Entertainment labelmates BTS will release their new full-length album `` Map of the Soul : 7 '' on Feb. 21 .

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K-pop stars GFriend premiered a new album, "Labyrinth," and a video for lead single "Crossroads" on Monday at a launch event in Seoul. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- K-pop band GFriend released its much-anticipated new album, Labyrinth, on Monday, their first since the group's label, Source Music, was acquired by Big Hit Entertainment in July. The popular sextet also unveiled the video for the album's lead single "Crossroads," which features moody imagery to accompany lyrics that focus on being at a turning point in life. Advertisement
"'Crossroads' talks about complicated feelings when you look to the future while also looking back on the past," band member Sowon said at a media event for the album and video release in Seoul on Monday.
The group said that Big Hit Entertainment founder Bang Si-hyuk contributed to the song's lyrics and that the production team at the label, which manages boy band megastars BTS, assisted in creating a cohesive look, sound and story line across the six-track EP.
"When we were making this album, we received help from Bang Si-hyuk and Big Hit's producers and visual arts team," said GFriend member Umji. "From songwriting to photos and videos, they helped us a lot. The story we're telling with this album is very well made, and the content we created has become more connected and defined."
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The album highlights a maturing image for the group, which formed in 2015 and is known for hits including "Rough," "Navillera," "Love Whisper" and "Fever."
The new EP's track "Labyrinth" takes on the theme of facing difficult decisions in life, while "Eclipse" features a tango-influenced sound and live instrumentation with harpsichord, violin, viola, cello and contrabass.
Other songs on the album are "Here We Are," "From Me" and "Dreamcatcher."
The group -- consisting of members Sowon, Yerin, Eunha,Yuju, SinB and Umji -- performed "Crossroads" and "Laybyrinth" for a media audience on Monday. A live fan showcase set to take place later on Monday evening was instead rescheduled to be held without an audience and live-streamed due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. There have been 15 confirmed cases of the illness in South Korea as of Monday.
The new EP, the band's first Korean release since July's Fever Season, kicks off a busy month on the K-pop scene with albums on the way from several bands, including iKon, Pentagon and Loona. Big Hit Entertainment labelmates BTS will release their new full-length album "Map of the Soul: 7" on Feb. 21.


upi--2020-02-03--Barcelona soccer phenom Ansu Fati, 17, becomes youngest to score 2 in La Liga

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Barcelona teen phenom Ansu Fati , 17 , became the youngest player to score two goals in La Liga during a 2-1 win against Levante .
Fati scored 30th minute and 31st minute of the win Sunday at Camp Nou in Barcelona .
Former Barcelona player Bojan Krkic had the previous record , scoring two goals for the club at 17 years and 208 days old in 2008 .
Fati was 17 years and 94 days old .
`` I 've always imagined this moment and I 'll try to enjoy it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank my teammates and the coach for the opportunity that I have .
They 're making things a lot easier for me . ''
Barcelona star Lionel Messi assisted both Fati goals .
His first feed to Fati was a beauty .
Messi dribbled at midfield with his back to the goal during that sequence .
He then slid a pass through a group of seven defenders .
Messi 's feed went ahead of Fati , before the young forward caught up to the ball .
He used his first touch to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his second touch to hit a shot through the legs of Levante keeper Aitor Fernandez and into the net .
Fati scored again less than two minutes later .
Messi received a pass on the right flank at the start of that sequence .
He then bolted inside while dribbling toward the box .
Messi toyed with defenders at the top of the box , before sending a feed to Fati on the left side of the box .
Fati gathered the pass before smacking a shot into the near-post netting .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help the team the most , '' Fati said .
`` I 've been watching him [ Messi ] play for years .
He 's incredible and sharing the pitch with him is a dream .
I 'll always grateful . ''
Barcelona faces Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals at 3 p.m. EST Thursday at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao , Spain .

FC Barcelona striker Ansu Fati hadn't scored a La Liga goal in more than four months, before netting two goals in a win against Levante Sunday in Barcelona. Photo by Alejandro Garcia/EPA-EFE
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Barcelona teen phenom Ansu Fati, 17, became the youngest player to score two goals in La Liga during a 2-1 win against Levante. Fati scored 30th minute and 31st minute of the win Sunday at Camp Nou in Barcelona. Former Barcelona player Bojan Krkic had the previous record, scoring two goals for the club at 17 years and 208 days old in 2008. Fati was 17 years and 94 days old. Advertisement
"I've always imagined this moment and I'll try to enjoy it," Ansu told FCBarcelona.com.
"I want to thank my teammates and the coach for the opportunity that I have. They're making things a lot easier for me."
Barcelona star Lionel Messi assisted both Fati goals. His first feed to Fati was a beauty. Messi dribbled at midfield with his back to the goal during that sequence. He then slid a pass through a group of seven defenders. Messi's feed went ahead of Fati, before the young forward caught up to the ball. He used his first touch to get around a defender, before using his second touch to hit a shot through the legs of Levante keeper Aitor Fernandez and into the net.
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Fati scored again less than two minutes later. Messi received a pass on the right flank at the start of that sequence. He then bolted inside while dribbling toward the box. Messi toyed with defenders at the top of the box, before sending a feed to Fati on the left side of the box. Fati gathered the pass before smacking a shot into the near-post netting.
Ruben Rochina scored in stoppage time for Levante.
"I want to keep improving and working to help the team the most," Fati said. "I've been watching him [Messi] play for years. He's incredible and sharing the pitch with him is a dream. I'll always grateful."
Barcelona faces Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals at 3 p.m. EST Thursday at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.


upi--2020-02-03--Marc Anthony is 'proud' of daughter Emme after Super Bowl halftime performance

Feb. 3 ( UPI ) -- Marc Anthony congratulated his 11-year-old daughter Emme on Twitter after she performed alongside her @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl LIV halftime show .
`` Emme Daddy is so proud of you .
@ @ @ @ @ emoji ] and I am forever yours , '' Anthony said on Sunday alongside a @ @ @ @ @ stage alongside other children .
Emme joined Lopez onstage for a rendition of her mother @ @ @ @ @ Get Loud . ''
Lopez performed during the halftime show alongside Shakira .
Anthony and @ @ @ @ @ 's 11-year-old twin brother Maximilian .
Lopez and Anthony were married in 2004 before Anthony @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
Lopez is now engaged to former baseball star Alex Rodriguez .
Lopez performed @ @ @ @ @ and `` Love Do n't Cost a Thing '' during the halftime show while Shakira @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` Hips Do n't Lie . ''

Emme Daddy is so proud of you. You are my and I am forever yours. pic.twitter.com/GLhmZOneBv— Marc Anthony (@MarcAnthony) February 3, 2020
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Marc Anthony congratulated his 11-year-old daughter Emme Maribel Muñiz on Twitter after she performed alongside her mother Jennifer Lopez during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show.
"Emme Daddy is so proud of you. You are my [heart emoji] and I am forever yours," Anthony said on Sunday alongside a photo of Emme taking the stage alongside other children.
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Emme joined Lopez onstage for a rendition of her mother's song "Let's Get Loud." Lopez performed during the halftime show alongside Shakira.
Anthony and Lopez also share together Emme's 11-year-old twin brother Maximilian. Lopez and Anthony were married in 2004 before Anthony filed for divorce in April 2012. Lopez is now engaged to former baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
Lopez performed "Waiting for Tonight" and "Love Don't Cost a Thing" during the halftime show while Shakira performed "Whenever, Wherever" and "Hips Don't Lie."
Jennifer Lopez, Shakira perform at Super Bowl LIV halftime show