upi--2020-12-22--Space tech firm tackles industrial crystals, Jupiter moon probe

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 22 ( UPI ) -- A growing space technology conglomerate in Florida will develop new hardware , including a chamber to grow industrial crystals at the International Space Station and sensors for NASA 's upcoming Jupiter moon probe .
Jacksonville-based Redwire , founded in June , was formed when a private equity firm combined Deep Space Systems with Adcole Space , bringing together a broad variety of space technology and hardware .
Adcole Space , based in Massachusetts , for decades has made sun sensors for spacecraft navigation .
Next up for the solar sensors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe , which NASA plans to launch in 2024 to the moon of Jupiter named Europa , said Mike Kagan , a principal engineer with Adcole .
The probe will search for signs of life on the icy moon .
`` The mission to Jupiter will be quite a challenge for the sensor technology , '' Kagan said .
Sensors on the craft will have to `` operate immediately upon launch , and at Europa , so there 's a wide range of sunlight levels to account for , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sensors will be bathed in high levels of radiation , which could interfere with the devices if they are n't engineered properly , he said .
The sensor will detect the angle of the sun to help direct solar panels so that they receive maximum sunlight .
Another sensor would find the exact location of the sun , so as not to burn out more sensitive equipment that is n't designed for full sun exposure , Kagan said .
The farthest Adcole sensor is on the New Horizons probe , launched in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion miles from Earth .
The probe passed Pluto in 2015 and the Arrokoth asteroid in 2019 .
Other such sensors are on the Parker Solar Probe , which is near the sun at over 90 million miles in the other direction , and on the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft that just took rock samples at the asteroid Bennu 200 million miles away .
Besides the deep space work , Redwire also has new contracts with NASA for work on the International Space Station .
One such contract , at $ 74 million , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sophisticated ceramics used in aerospace and other industrial applications .
One such printing unit is on the space station and is set for a return to Earth in January .
`` You can build structures in space that have , you know , are stronger and more resistant to stress or heat , because gravity introduces imperfections in their structure , '' said Mike Snyder , Redwire 's chief technology officer .
A new project under development at the company is to make industrial crystals in space for high-tech lenses and lasers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquisition last week -- New Mexico-based LoadPath , which makes payload adapters , including some for a 2018 SpaceX mission that carried 65 satellites , a record at the time .
`` There 's a clear opportunity in aerospace now , but there is n't a lot of coordination among the smaller players , so we 're trying to do that , '' said Austin Jordan , the communications director .

NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe, which carries sun sensors made by a company now based in Florida, is near the asteroid Bennu in an artist's sketch. Image courtesy of NASA
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A growing space technology conglomerate in Florida will develop new hardware, including a chamber to grow industrial crystals at the International Space Station and sensors for NASA's upcoming Jupiter moon probe. Jacksonville-based Redwire, founded in June, was formed when a private equity firm combined Deep Space Systems with Adcole Space, bringing together a broad variety of space technology and hardware. Advertisement
Adcole Space, based in Massachusetts, for decades has made sun sensors for spacecraft navigation. Next up for the solar sensors is a trip on the Europa Clipper probe, which NASA plans to launch in 2024 to the moon of Jupiter named Europa, said Mike Kagan, a principal engineer with Adcole.
The probe will search for signs of life on the icy moon.
"The mission to Jupiter will be quite a challenge for the sensor technology," Kagan said.
Sensors on the craft will have to "operate immediately upon launch, and at Europa, so there's a wide range of sunlight levels to account for," he said.
Jupiter's powerful magnetic field also means the sensors will be bathed in high levels of radiation, which could interfere with the devices if they aren't engineered properly, he said.
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The sensor will detect the angle of the sun to help direct solar panels so that they receive maximum sunlight. Another sensor would find the exact location of the sun, so as not to burn out more sensitive equipment that isn't designed for full sun exposure, Kagan said.
The farthest Adcole sensor is on the New Horizons probe, launched in 2006, which is now over 4 billion miles from Earth. The probe passed Pluto in 2015 and the Arrokoth asteroid in 2019.
Other such sensors are on the Parker Solar Probe, which is near the sun at over 90 million miles in the other direction, and on the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft that just took rock samples at the asteroid Bennu 200 million miles away.
Besides the deep space work, Redwire also has new contracts with NASA for work on the International Space Station.
One such contract, at $74 million, is to develop 3D printing in microgravity for sophisticated ceramics used in aerospace and other industrial applications. One such printing unit is on the space station and is set for a return to Earth in January.
"You can build structures in space that have, you know, are stronger and more resistant to stress or heat, because gravity introduces imperfections in their structure," said Mike Snyder, Redwire's chief technology officer.
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A new project under development at the company is to make industrial crystals in space for high-tech lenses and lasers, he said.
Redwire announced another new acquisition last week -- New Mexico-based LoadPath, which makes payload adapters, including some for a 2018 SpaceX mission that carried 65 satellites, a record at the time.
The private equity firm, Boca Raton, Fla.-based AE Industrial Partners, owns Redwire's rollup of companies.
"There's a clear opportunity in aerospace now, but there isn't a lot of coordination among the smaller players, so we're trying to do that," said Austin Jordan, the communications director.
Out-of-this-world images from space
The International Space Station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a flyaround of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port on November 8. Photo courtesy of NASA


upi--2020-12-22--Lebanon’s brain drain: Doctors, nurses, engineers leaving amid crisis

BEIRUT , Lebanon , Dec. 22 ( UPI ) -- Lebanon , which is witnessing the collapse of one professional sector after another due to an unprecedented economic crisis , is losing its highly skilled workforce , with an increasing number of doctors , nurses and engineers leaving out of despair and uncertainty .
The brain drain has grown over the past months at a time of changing dynamics in the embattled region and accelerated normalization between Israel and some Arab states that might greatly impact the tiny country .
Such fears have been fueled by the fact that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
The World Bank 's recent warning against Lebanon 's `` dangerous depletion of resources , including human capital , '' reflected a painful reality that emigration was becoming an `` increasingly desperate option '' for many professionals .
Emigration is not a new phenomenon in Lebanon , which has witnessed in modern times many such waves , provoked by famine as in the First World War , and wars and economic crises since the 1975-90 civil war .
But the new economic crisis , apathy and inaction of the corrupt ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic have plunged the population into deep depression .
The Aug. 4 explosion at the Beirut port , caused by the ignition of a large depository of ammonium nitrate unsafely stored in a warehouse since 2014 , was a turning point .
With more than 200 people killed , 6,500 wounded , 300,000 turned homeless and 200,000 homes destroyed , fear for family safety and the future is an additional factor fueling desire to leave the country at any cost .
Fadlo Khuri , president of the prestigious American University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosion , the brain drain accelerated dramatically , especially in the medical and business sectors .
`` They are sacrificing their professional careers to some degree for financial security and safety , '' Khouri told UPI .
`` They are leaving because of a combination of despair in the country 's future , the lack of faith that the country and its key institutions can survive and the fear for their families ' future . ''
Some 120 AUB physicians and professors , representing nearly 12 percent of a total 1,220 faculty members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's deteriorating conditions .
`` About 60 or so have either retired or resigned , and another 60 have left on leave without pay and some 20 will leave without pay in the next year , '' Khouri said .
`` We are losing some very valuable people for community practice positions in the United States and Europe or to some leadership positions in the Gulf countries . ''
However , he emphasized that `` the cream of the crop is staying '' because of their commitment to AUB , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region , and some retention measures that include pension funds , educational benefits and the payment of the first $ 20,000 of their salary in U.S. dollars per year abroad .
However , most other doctors in the country are not that lucky .
Dr. Charaf Abou Charaf , president of the Lebanese Order of Physicians , said at least 500 of 15,000 registered doctors have left the country this year , taking jobs in Europe , the United States and Persian Gulf nations .
Abou Charaf said the most painful event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four university hospitals and 300 to 400 clinics , leaving many physicians jobless .
`` Those are highly skilled and specialized doctors who studied in Europe and the U.S. and have at some point returned to Lebanon , where they were practicing and teaching .
Suddenly , they found themselves without jobs , but they were easily recruited abroad , '' he told UPI .
`` It is not easy to replace them .
It is not about numbers , but specialties and quality . ''
Abou Charaf can easily leave and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the handful of pediatric cardiologists in the country , two of whom have emigrated .
He decided to stay to also help improve the conditions for the remaining physicians who are struggling to make ends meet .
With their savings stuck in the banks , the national currency having lost 80 percent of its value and inflation exceeding 100 percent in the past year , raising doctors ' official consultation fees from 75,000 Lebanese pounds ( which was worth $ 50 ) to 100,000 LL or even 200,000 LL ( now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is barely enough to keep them .
Nurses are in an even worse situation .
So far , 400 to 500 out of a total of 16,800 registered nurses have emigrated in an accelerated pace since the October Revolution in 2019 .
`` It has become a dangerous trend because those who are leaving , mostly to Europe , the U.S. , Canada and the Gulf countries , where the demands are high for such specialty , are among the 49 % of nurses who have university degrees and years of experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Order of Nurses in Lebanon , told UPI .
`` They are getting good offers and being granted the nationality ...
They have no good reason to stay and this is scary . ''
Despite that they were on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 , some lost their jobs , while others were being paid half or a quarter salary with more workload .
Doumit explained that a nurse who used to care for four patients now has 16 to18 patients to handle for a shrinking salary that is barely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly hit sector is engineering , with many companies relocating , principally in Gulf countries , France and Germany and engineers preparing to leave the country to Europe , Africa and the Gulf countries .
Jad Tabet , president of the Order of Engineers and Architects in Beirut , explained to UPI that during the past two months , emigration has been dramatically on the rise with five to six engineers a day requesting the certificates necessary for new jobs abroad .
Tabet said the biggest driver is the number of engineering companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minimum cost in Lebanon and relocating abroad .
`` This is very dangerous .
We are losing not only the engineers ... but also others working in creative sectors related to the movie industry , publicity , '' he told UPI .
`` Those who are leaving are the most cultured in the country . ''
Some 72,000 engineers and architects are registered in Lebanon , half of whom work outside the country .
Many of those who are staying are restricted by the global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have lost their savings , or their money is stuck in the Lebanese banks .
But there are also those who have decided to stay and support the country and its institutions in bad times .
Bahaa Noureddine , chairman and professor of ophthalmology at AUB Medical Center , is one of them .
`` I did n't consider and I do n't think I will consider leaving unless things become unlivable , mainly because of my blind loyalty to AUB .
And there are many people like me , '' Noureddine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , he has been `` creating chances '' for them in Dubai , and eyeing Kuwait and Qatar , where they can work for one to six weeks , get fresh money and come back .
Ironically , if it was n't for the COVID-19 pandemic and the global recession it has caused , Lebanon would have been losing much more of its talented and skilled people .
`` Now , there are no good job opportunities .
Most of those who left are going to places where they are demoted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to attract back those who left , especially to the Gulf countries , and retain those who remained , according to Khouri and Abou Charaf .
`` I do n't think brain drain is irreversible .
I think there is hope .
I think we have n't hit the bottom ... and the bottom will be even more painful than now , '' Khouri said .

Pictures of victims of the Beirut port explosion hang in the street opposite of a Christmas tree set up in their memory in Beirut, Lebanon on Monday. Photo by Nabil Mounzer/EPA-EFE
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Lebanon, which is witnessing the collapse of one professional sector after another due to an unprecedented economic crisis, is losing its highly skilled workforce, with an increasing number of doctors, nurses and engineers leaving out of despair and uncertainty. The brain drain has grown over the past months at a time of changing dynamics in the embattled region and accelerated normalization between Israel and some Arab states that might greatly impact the tiny country. Advertisement
Such fears have been fueled by the fact that some top companies have also started to relocate abroad.
The World Bank's recent warning against Lebanon's "dangerous depletion of resources, including human capital," reflected a painful reality that emigration was becoming an "increasingly desperate option" for many professionals.
Emigration is not a new phenomenon in Lebanon, which has witnessed in modern times many such waves, provoked by famine as in the First World War, and wars and economic crises since the 1975-90 civil war.
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But the new economic crisis, apathy and inaction of the corrupt ruling political class and the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have plunged the population into deep depression.
The Aug. 4 explosion at the Beirut port, caused by the ignition of a large depository of ammonium nitrate unsafely stored in a warehouse since 2014, was a turning point. With more than 200 people killed, 6,500 wounded, 300,000 turned homeless and 200,000 homes destroyed, fear for family safety and the future is an additional factor fueling desire to leave the country at any cost.
Fadlo Khuri, president of the prestigious American University of Beirut , said that after the port explosion, the brain drain accelerated dramatically, especially in the medical and business sectors.
"They are sacrificing their professional careers to some degree for financial security and safety," Khouri told UPI. "They are leaving because of a combination of despair in the country's future, the lack of faith that the country and its key institutions can survive and the fear for their families' future."
Some 120 AUB physicians and professors, representing nearly 12 percent of a total 1,220 faculty members, have left, mostly because of the country's deteriorating conditions.
"About 60 or so have either retired or resigned, and another 60 have left on leave without pay and some 20 will leave without pay in the next year," Khouri said. "We are losing some very valuable people for community practice positions in the United States and Europe or to some leadership positions in the Gulf countries."
Advertisement
However, he emphasized that "the cream of the crop is staying" because of their commitment to AUB, one of the leading higher education institutions in the region, and some retention measures that include pension funds, educational benefits and the payment of the first $20,000 of their salary in U.S. dollars per year abroad.
However, most other doctors in the country are not that lucky.
Dr. Charaf Abou Charaf, president of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, said at least 500 of 15,000 registered doctors have left the country this year, taking jobs in Europe, the United States and Persian Gulf nations.
Abou Charaf said the most painful event was the port explosion, which destroyed four university hospitals and 300 to 400 clinics, leaving many physicians jobless.
"Those are highly skilled and specialized doctors who studied in Europe and the U.S. and have at some point returned to Lebanon, where they were practicing and teaching. Suddenly, they found themselves without jobs, but they were easily recruited abroad," he told UPI. "It is not easy to replace them. It is not about numbers, but specialties and quality."
Abou Charaf can easily leave and find a good position abroad but he is one of the handful of pediatric cardiologists in the country, two of whom have emigrated. He decided to stay to also help improve the conditions for the remaining physicians who are struggling to make ends meet.
Advertisement
With their savings stuck in the banks, the national currency having lost 80 percent of its value and inflation exceeding 100 percent in the past year, raising doctors' official consultation fees from 75,000 Lebanese pounds (which was worth $50) to 100,000 LL or even 200,000 LL (now worth $10 and $25) is barely enough to keep them.
Nurses are in an even worse situation. So far, 400 to 500 out of a total of 16,800 registered nurses have emigrated in an accelerated pace since the October Revolution in 2019.
"It has become a dangerous trend because those who are leaving, mostly to Europe, the U.S., Canada and the Gulf countries, where the demands are high for such specialty, are among the 49% of nurses who have university degrees and years of experience," Dr. Myrna Doumit, president of Order of Nurses in Lebanon, told UPI. "They are getting good offers and being granted the nationality... They have no good reason to stay and this is scary."
Despite that they were on the front line in the fight against COVID-19, some lost their jobs, while others were being paid half or a quarter salary with more workload. Doumit explained that a nurse who used to care for four patients now has 16 to18 patients to handle for a shrinking salary that is barely worth $150 a month.
Advertisement
Another badly hit sector is engineering, with many companies relocating, principally in Gulf countries, France and Germany and engineers preparing to leave the country to Europe, Africa and the Gulf countries.
Jad Tabet, president of the Order of Engineers and Architects in Beirut, explained to UPI that during the past two months, emigration has been dramatically on the rise with five to six engineers a day requesting the certificates necessary for new jobs abroad.
Tabet said the biggest driver is the number of engineering companies closing their offices or reducing operations to a minimum cost in Lebanon and relocating abroad.
"This is very dangerous. We are losing not only the engineers ... but also others working in creative sectors related to the movie industry, publicity," he told UPI. "Those who are leaving are the most cultured in the country."
Some 72,000 engineers and architects are registered in Lebanon, half of whom work outside the country.
Many of those who are staying are restricted by the global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, finding no great opportunities abroad, or they have lost their savings, or their money is stuck in the Lebanese banks.
But there are also those who have decided to stay and support the country and its institutions in bad times.
Advertisement
Bahaa Noureddine, chairman and professor of ophthalmology at AUB Medical Center, is one of them.
"I didn't consider and I don't think I will consider leaving unless things become unlivable, mainly because of my blind loyalty to AUB. And there are many people like me," Noureddine told UPI.
To retain his faculty members, he has been "creating chances" for them in Dubai, and eyeing Kuwait and Qatar, where they can work for one to six weeks, get fresh money and come back.
Ironically, if it wasn't for the COVID-19 pandemic and the global recession it has caused, Lebanon would have been losing much more of its talented and skilled people.
"Now, there are no good job opportunities. Most of those who left are going to places where they are demoted," Noureddine said.
Lebanon still has a chance to attract back those who left, especially to the Gulf countries, and retain those who remained, according to Khouri and Abou Charaf.
"I don't think brain drain is irreversible. I think there is hope. I think we haven't hit the bottom...and the bottom will be even more painful than now," Khouri said.


upi--2020-12-22--Famous birthdays for Dec. 22: Diane Sawyer, Ralph Fiennes

Dec. 22 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ , the `` dean of baseball , '' in 1862 -- Former first lady Claudia @ @ @ @ @ , wife of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson , in 1912 -- Rock and Roll @ @ @ @ @ Gibb in 1949 -- Rock and Roll Hall of fame member Robin Gibb in 1949

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Diane Sawyer arrives for the "Little Women" premiere at Museum of Modern Art on December 7, 2019, in New York City. She turns 75 on December 22. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Frank Kellogg in 1856
-- Opera composer Giacomo Puccini in 1858
-- Former Philadelphia Athletics Manager Connie Mack, the "dean of baseball," in 1862
-- Former first lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, wife of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1912
-- TV game show host Gene Rayburn in 1917
-- Actor Barbara Billingsley in 1915
-- Actor Hector Elizondo in 1936 (age 84)
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Steve Carlton in 1944 (age 76)
File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
-- Former TV news anchor Diane Sawyer in 1945 (age 75)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of fame member Maurice Gibb in 1949
-- Rock and Roll Hall of fame member Robin Gibb in 1949
-- Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1960
-- Actor Ralph Fiennes in 1962 (age 58)
File Photo by Paul Treadway/ UPI
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-- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 1970 (age 50)
-- Singer Vanessa Paradis in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Chris Carmack in 1980 (age 40)
-- Singer Jordin Sparks in 1989 (age 32)
-- Rapper DaBaby, born Jonathan Kirk, in 1991 (age 29)
-- Singer Meghan Trainor in 1993 (age 27)
-- Actor Bryce Gheisar in 2004 (age 16)


upi--2020-12-23--Russian lawmakers pass bills to block U.S. social media platforms

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- The lower house of Russian Parliament approved draft legislation on Wednesday that would allow @ @ @ @ @ media platforms that `` discriminate '' against Russian news outlets .
Two separate measures on @ @ @ @ @ Duma on Wednesday .
The bills target platforms like Facebook , Twitter and YouTube , @ @ @ @ @ in blocking content from Russian outlets that spread misinformation .
The proposals say platforms that @ @ @ @ @ be added to a blacklist of websites `` involved in violations of the fundamental human @ @ @ @ @ rights and freedoms of Russian citizens . ''
If passed , the proposed laws would @ @ @ @ @ citizens ' access to the social sites .
Lawmaker Anton Gorelkin said Internet platforms that @ @ @ @ @ face financial penalties .
The authors of the legislation said recent actions by YouTube and @ @ @ @ @ led to the proposed laws .

The authors of the legislation said recent actions by YouTube and Facebook to block Russian content led to the need for the proposed laws. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The lower house of Russian Parliament approved draft legislation on Wednesday that would allow Moscow to block U.S. social media platforms that "discriminate" against Russian news outlets. Two separate measures on the issue passed the State Duma on Wednesday. Advertisement
The bills target platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, which have become more aggressive in blocking content from Russian outlets that spread misinformation.
The proposals say platforms that violate the new law would be added to a blacklist of websites "involved in violations of the fundamental human rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens."
If passed, the proposed laws would partly or fully block Russian citizens' access to the social sites.
Lawmaker Anton Gorelkin said Internet platforms that block Russian outlets could also face financial penalties.
The authors of the legislation said recent actions by YouTube and Facebook to block Russian content led to the proposed laws.


upi--2020-12-23--Amy Schumer apologizes to Hilaria Baldwin after postpartum photo joke

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Amy Schumer has apologized to Hilaria Baldwin after sharing a postpartum photo of Baldwin as a joke .
The 39-year-old actress and comedian apologized Tuesday on Instagram after Baldwin , 36 , said she was body shamed after Schumer jokingly re-posted a photo of her in her underwear .
Baldwin shared a photo Sunday of herself holding Eduardo , her 3-month-old son with her husband , actor Alec Baldwin .
In the picture , Baldwin shows her slim postpartum figure in a black bra and underwear .
On Monday , Schumer re-posted the photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as a holiday card from herself and her 19-month-old son , Gene .
`` Gene and I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season .
Enjoy it with whatever family members are talking to you this year , '' she captioned the since-deleted post .
In a video Tuesday , Baldwin said she thought Schumer 's joke was `` very funny '' but was concerned when the comments `` spiraled out of control '' and started body shaming her .
`` If you 're doing body inclusivity , that 's body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There 's that whole thing of 'oh , moms do n't look like that . '
Some moms do .
This mom does .
And I am included in the inclusivity . ''
`` This is what I look like .
I come from smaller people , I have been a fitness person my entire life , and there you go .
Period .
End of story .
There 's no need that I need to apologize for that , just as there 's no need that anyone else needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] and their life story , '' she added .
Schumer responded in the comments , saying , `` I 'm sorry . ''
Baldwin replied by saying Schumer did n't have anything to be sorry for .
`` @ amyschumer Girl , do n't even apologize !
You always make me laugh .
My only intentions were to address some of the the not so namaste behavior some people went running wild with after .
You do n't need to take responsibility for their actions .
Much love and light xoxo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other children , daughter Carmen , 7 , and sons Rafael , 5 , Leonardo , 4 , and Romeo , 2 , with Alec Baldwin .
She and Alec Baldwin introduced baby Eduardo during an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in September .

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Hilaria Baldwin (R), pictured with Alec Baldwin, said she was body shamed after Amy Schumer jokingly re-posted a photo of her in her underwear. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Amy Schumer has apologized to Hilaria Baldwin after sharing a postpartum photo of Baldwin as a joke. The 39-year-old actress and comedian apologized Tuesday on Instagram after Baldwin, 36, said she was body shamed after Schumer jokingly re-posted a photo of her in her underwear. Advertisement
Baldwin shared a photo Sunday of herself holding Eduardo, her 3-month-old son with her husband, actor Alec Baldwin. In the picture, Baldwin shows her slim postpartum figure in a black bra and underwear.
On Monday, Schumer re-posted the photo on her own account and jokingly presented it as a holiday card from herself and her 19-month-old son, Gene.
"Gene and I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season. Enjoy it with whatever family members are talking to you this year," she captioned the since-deleted post.
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In a video Tuesday, Baldwin said she thought Schumer's joke was "very funny" but was concerned when the comments "spiraled out of control" and started body shaming her.
"If you're doing body inclusivity, that's body inclusivity for all," Baldwin said. "There's that whole thing of 'oh, moms don't look like that.' Some moms do. This mom does. And I am included in the inclusivity."
"This is what I look like. I come from smaller people, I have been a fitness person my entire life, and there you go. Period. End of story. There's no need that I need to apologize for that, just as there's no need that anyone else needs to apologize for what they look [like] and their life story," she added.
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Schumer responded in the comments, saying, "I'm sorry." Baldwin replied by saying Schumer didn't have anything to be sorry for.
"@amyschumer Girl, don't even apologize! You always make me laugh. My only intentions were to address some of the the not so namaste behavior some people went running wild with after. You don't need to take responsibility for their actions. Much love and light xoxo," Baldwin said.
Baldwin has four other children, daughter Carmen, 7, and sons Rafael, 5, Leonardo, 4, and Romeo, 2, with Alec Baldwin. She and Alec Baldwin introduced baby Eduardo during an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in September.


upi--2020-12-23--Boca Raton Bowl: Zach Wilson's 5 first-half TDs lead BYU over UCF

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores in the first half of the Cougars ' win over the University of Central Florida in the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl .
Wilson also completed 26 of 34 passes for 425 yards in the 49-23 blowout Tuesday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton , Fla. '' It was a great way to finish this way , but this offense is just going to keep improving into next year and the year after that , '' Wilson told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ great players around that are used to the scheme and know what we 're asking for .
So it 's been an exciting year , but we 're going to keep growing on for next year . ''
The Cougars posted 655 total yards in the blowout and finished 11-1 on the season .
Sophomore running back Tyler Allgeier also had 173 yards and a score on 19 carries for the Cougars .
`` Credit to BYU .
They played really well , '' Knights coach Josh Heupel said .
`` They 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're extremely disappointed with the way that we played in every phase of the football game . ''
Wilson put the Cougars ahead with a 15-yard touchdown to cap off the first possession of the game .
The Cougars then forced a three-and-out from the Knights before Wilson threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Rex to push their lead to 14-0 .
Wilson scored on a four-yard run with 25 seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Cougars a three-score advantage before the Knights finally got on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' 15-play scoring drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown 10:11 before halftime .
The Cougars then responded with a seven-play , 68-yard drive .
Wilson threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Rex to end that possession .
Wilson then threw his third touchdown pass of the first half when he found Neil Pau ' u on a 35-yard connection 3:31 before halftime .
The Knights then added a field goal to make the score 35-10 at the break .
Allgeier and Gunner Romney each scored rushing touchdowns on the Cougars first two drives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dillon Gabriel later added fourth quarter touchdown tosses on UCF 's final two drives of the game .
Gabriel completed 21 of 45 passes for 217 yards , in addition to his two passing touchdowns .
Rex had 95 yards and two scores on five catches for the Cougars .
Allgeier had 233 yards from scrimmage in the victory .
Wilson 's 330 yards in the first half set a BYU record for the most passing yards in a half at a bowl game .
His 425 total passing yards also set a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback has likely played his final college game and is a projected first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft .
`` I 'm just so thankful that I get the coach that guy , '' Cougars coach Kalani Sitake said .
`` His work ethic and his passion for the game is awesome .
`` It 's an honor for me to be his coach .
I 'm really proud of him and the things that he can do on the field . ''

Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores in the first half of the Cougars' win over the University of Central Florida in the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl.
Wilson also completed 26 of 34 passes for 425 yards in the 49-23 blowout Tuesday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.
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"It was a great way to finish this way, but this offense is just going to keep improving into next year and the year after that," Wilson told reporters.
"We have some great coaches and great players around that are used to the scheme and know what we're asking for. So it's been an exciting year, but we're going to keep growing on for next year."
The Cougars posted 655 total yards in the blowout and finished 11-1 on the season. Sophomore running back Tyler Allgeier also had 173 yards and a score on 19 carries for the Cougars.
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"Credit to BYU. They played really well," Knights coach Josh Heupel said. "They're a really good football team, obviously.
"We're extremely disappointed with the way that we played in every phase of the football game."
Wilson put the Cougars ahead with a 15-yard touchdown to cap off the first possession of the game. The Cougars then forced a three-and-out from the Knights before Wilson threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Rex to push their lead to 14-0.
Wilson scored on a four-yard run with 25 seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Cougars a three-score advantage before the Knights finally got on the board.
Greg McCrae ended the Knights' 15-play scoring drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown 10:11 before halftime.
The Cougars then responded with a seven-play, 68-yard drive. Wilson threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Rex to end that possession.
Wilson then threw his third touchdown pass of the first half when he found Neil Pau'u on a 35-yard connection 3:31 before halftime. The Knights then added a field goal to make the score 35-10 at the break.
Allgeier and Gunner Romney each scored rushing touchdowns on the Cougars first two drives of the second half. Knights quarterback Dillon Gabriel later added fourth quarter touchdown tosses on UCF's final two drives of the game.
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Gabriel completed 21 of 45 passes for 217 yards, in addition to his two passing touchdowns. Rex had 95 yards and two scores on five catches for the Cougars. Allgeier had 233 yards from scrimmage in the victory.
Wilson's 330 yards in the first half set a BYU record for the most passing yards in a half at a bowl game. His 425 total passing yards also set a Boca Raton Bowl record.
The Cougars quarterback has likely played his final college game and is a projected first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
"I'm just so thankful that I get the coach that guy," Cougars coach Kalani Sitake said. "His work ethic and his passion for the game is awesome.
"It's an honor for me to be his coach. I'm really proud of him and the things that he can do on the field."


upi--2020-12-23--U.S. gov't secures another 100 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration announced Wednesday that the federal government will buy an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine .
Under the agreement , Pfizer and vaccine development partner BioNTech will deliver at least 70 million doses by June 30 and the rest no later than July 31 .
The new doses add to the initial 100 million Pfizer pledged to the government five months ago .
`` Securing more doses from Pfizer and BioNTech for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 further expands our supply of doses across the Operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement Wednesday .
`` This new federal purchase can give Americans even more confidence that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021 . ''
`` With these 100 million additional doses , the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly , '' Pfizer Chaiman and CEO Albert Bourla added in a company statement .
The federal government , which will pay nearly $ 2 billion for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option for an additional 400 million doses from Pfizer and BioNTech .
The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer 's vaccine earlier this month and distribution began more than a week ago .
Studies have shown the vaccine is 95 % effective in blocking the coronavirus disease .
The FDA has since also given approval for Moderna 's vaccine .

A health worker inoculates a woman with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Jerusalem, Israel, on Tuesday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The Trump administration announced Wednesday that the federal government will buy an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. Under the agreement, Pfizer and vaccine development partner BioNTech will deliver at least 70 million doses by June 30 and the rest no later than July 31. Advertisement
The new doses add to the initial 100 million Pfizer pledged to the government five months ago.
"Securing more doses from Pfizer and BioNTech for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 further expands our supply of doses across the Operation Warp Speed portfolio," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement Wednesday.
"This new federal purchase can give Americans even more confidence that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021."
"With these 100 million additional doses, the United States will be able to protect more individuals and hopefully end this devastating pandemic more quickly," Pfizer Chaiman and CEO Albert Bourla added in a company statement.
The federal government, which will pay nearly $2 billion for the additional vaccine, also now has the option for an additional 400 million doses from Pfizer and BioNTech.
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The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer's vaccine earlier this month and distribution began more than a week ago. Studies have shown the vaccine is 95% effective in blocking the coronavirus disease. The FDA has since also given approval for Moderna's vaccine.


upi--2020-12-23--Look: Cameron Douglas, Viviane Thibes celebrate son's birth

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Cameron Douglas is a dad of two .
The 42-year-old actor recently welcomed his second child , son Ryder , with his girlfriend , Viviane Thibes .
Douglas , the son of actor Michael Douglas and producer Diandra Luker , shared the news Tuesday on Instagram alongside a photo of himself with Thibes , their 3-year-old daughter , Lua Izzy , and baby Ryder .
`` Touch down planet earth , '' he captioned the post .
`` Welcome my Son ... Ryder T .
Douglas . ''
Thibes posted the same photo on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been really tough on all of us , but God has sent us a blessing , '' she wrote .
`` Ryder I love you so much ps : Lua is processing the news . ''
Michael Douglas and his wife , actress Catherine Zeta-Jones , celebrated the news on Instagram .
`` Congratulations Cameron and Viviane !
Welcome to the [ world ] Ryder T. Douglas !
# ProudGrandpa , '' Michael Douglas wrote Wednesday .
`` And a new Douglas is born !
!
!
!
!
!
Welcome to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zeta-Jones said Tuesday on Instagram Stories .
Michael Douglas called Douglas a `` great father '' while attending the Los Angeles premiere of Ant-Man with Douglas in June 2018 .
`` Lua is the most beautiful little girl .
I could n't be more happy , and it 's just great to see him be such a great father , '' he told Entertainment Tonight .
Michael Douglas has two other children , son Dylan , 20 , and daughter Carys , 17 , with Zeta-Jones .
Douglas shared a photo in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great-grandfather , actor Kirk Douglas .
Kirk Douglas died at age 103 in February .

Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Cameron Douglas is a dad of two.
The 42-year-old actor recently welcomed his second child, son Ryder, with his girlfriend, Viviane Thibes.
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Douglas, the son of actor Michael Douglas and producer Diandra Luker, shared the news Tuesday on Instagram alongside a photo of himself with Thibes, their 3-year-old daughter, Lua Izzy, and baby Ryder.
"Touch down planet earth," he captioned the post. "Welcome my Son... Ryder T. Douglas."
Thibes posted the same photo on her own account.
"This year has been really tough on all of us, but God has sent us a blessing," she wrote. "Ryder I love you so much ps: Lua is processing the news."
Michael Douglas and his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, celebrated the news on Instagram.
"Congratulations Cameron and Viviane! Welcome to the [world] Ryder T. Douglas! #ProudGrandpa," Michael Douglas wrote Wednesday.
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"And a new Douglas is born!!!!!! Welcome to the world Ryder T Douglas," Zeta-Jones said Tuesday on Instagram Stories.
Michael Douglas called Douglas a "great father" while attending the Los Angeles premiere of Ant-Man with Douglas in June 2018.
"Lua is the most beautiful little girl. I couldn't be more happy, and it's just great to see him be such a great father," he told Entertainment Tonight.
Michael Douglas has two other children, son Dylan, 20, and daughter Carys, 17, with Zeta-Jones.
Douglas shared a photo in August 2018 of Lua spending time with her great-grandfather, actor Kirk Douglas. Kirk Douglas died at age 103 in February.


upi--2020-12-23--Report: N. Korea hackers linked to site targeting COVID-19 vaccine developer

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- North Korean hackers may be behind a recently created spoof website that targeted the staff at South Korea 's Yonsei University Health System , which is developing a COVID-19 vaccine , according to a South Korean press report .
Donga Ilbo reported Wednesday that North Korea-based threat group Kimsuky is being linked to a fake online site designed to fool employees at Yonsei .
The site was first identified at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday , according to the report .
Cybersecurity providers who spoke to the Donga said the site 's user interface was identical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake email addresses .
Analysts said hackers could be attempting to steal personal information by phishing or email spoofing victims .
The cybercriminals may have been attempting to capture personal information , including IDs and passwords , to gain access to data within company walls , the report said .
Sources also said the hackers may be trying to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine under development .
In May , Yonsei signed a joint research agreement with local firms Gyeongnam Biopharma and Repure Life Science .
North Korean hackers have been previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world .
A computer security specialist said the phishing site was discovered at the early stages .
Other biomedical companies should be on guard , the source said .
South Korea has said COVID-19 vaccines from the United States and Britain will be available by March , but the government is coming under criticism for not procuring the doses sooner , KBS reported Wednesday .
South Korean health ministry spokesman Son Young-rae said Wednesday he is worried about a building sense of urgency or anxiety around the vaccine .
The `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for a new vaccine is of great concern , he said .
Son said Korea will have an `` opportunity '' to observe the vaccine for a month or two before distribution .
`` It is a very fortunate situation , '' he said .

North Korean hackers could be attempting to steal personal information by phishing or email spoofing victims at a South Korean hospital, according to a local press report Wednesday. File Photo by Andrew Wong/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- North Korean hackers may be behind a recently created spoof website that targeted the staff at South Korea's Yonsei University Health System, which is developing a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a South Korean press report. Donga Ilbo reported Wednesday that North Korea-based threat group Kimsuky is being linked to a fake online site designed to fool employees at Yonsei. The site was first identified at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday, according to the report. Advertisement
Cybersecurity providers who spoke to the Donga said the site's user interface was identical to Yonsei's homepage, and included fake email addresses.
Analysts said hackers could be attempting to steal personal information by phishing or email spoofing victims. The cybercriminals may have been attempting to capture personal information, including IDs and passwords, to gain access to data within company walls, the report said.
Sources also said the hackers may be trying to steal information about a coronavirus vaccine under development. In May, Yonsei signed a joint research agreement with local firms Gyeongnam Biopharma and Repure Life Science.
North Korean hackers have been previously connected to breaches to other pharmaceutical companies around the world.
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A computer security specialist said the phishing site was discovered at the early stages. Other biomedical companies should be on guard, the source said.
South Korea has said COVID-19 vaccines from the United States and Britain will be available by March, but the government is coming under criticism for not procuring the doses sooner, KBS reported Wednesday.
South Korean health ministry spokesman Son Young-rae said Wednesday he is worried about a building sense of urgency or anxiety around the vaccine. The "creation of a social atmosphere of competitiveness" for a new vaccine is of great concern, he said.
Son said Korea will have an "opportunity" to observe the vaccine for a month or two before distribution.
"It is a very fortunate situation," he said.


upi--2020-12-23--Democrats urge GOP to act on President Donald Trump's request for larger stimulus payments

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- After a surprise move by President Donald Trump to wade into attack mode for the new COVID-19 relief package , which aims to send direct payments to Americans in the coming days , it 's unclear Wednesday what the next step in the process will be .
Trump assailed the relief bill late on Tuesday , denouncing the $ 600 stimulus payments for most Americans as insufficient and attacking parts of the attached $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill as excessive and `` wasteful . ''
Democrats , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been quick to welcome larger stimulus payments -- which Trump floated at $ 2,000 per person and $ 4,000 per couple .
Republicans , however , have largely been silent since Trump 's surprise video message .
Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, said Wednesday he was `` speechless '' about the president 's abrupt criticisms .
`` He stayed out of these negotiations for weeks , he did not press for a bigger package in the final days before it was enacted , and once the bill has passed and the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted a bigger bill than Republicans were willing to accept , '' Coons told NPR .
Coons said Senate Democrats should `` call Trump 's bluff '' and agree to a larger stimulus amount by unanimous consent , effectively daring Republicans to do the same .
Democrats say they will attempt to make the change on Thursday , but it 's unclear exactly what Republicans ' line on Trump 's sudden dissent will be .
Trump did n't expressly say he would veto the bill , but it passed both chambers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the bill arrived on Trump 's desk and he did nothing , it could still become law after 10 days .
Also , if Trump does n't sign the bill by Monday at midnight , when the latest stopgap funding measure expires , the federal government would shut down and some pandemic-related unemployment benefits would expire .
The latest political delay is not likely to go over well with millions of Americans who are facing great financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic and have been counting on some federal aid during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that Trump wanted to press for larger stimulus payments before the deal was agreed to , but was discouraged by his advisers to do so .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, and others in the upper chamber have been lobbying for greater direct cash payments for weeks .
`` That 's great !
I first introduced a bill to provide a $ 2,000 direct payment with [ Sen. Kamala Harris ] and [ Sen. Ed Markey ] 7 months ago , '' Sanders tweeted late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , get [ Senate Republican leder ] Mitch McConnell and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working class Americans with $ 2,000 .
Let 's do it . ''
`` Trump told me multiple times he wanted higher payments to workers .
That 's what we were fighting for , '' Hawley added in a tweet .
`` Trump is right -- workers deserve much more than $ 600 , as I have repeatedly said and fought for , '' he wrote in another .
`` And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do it -- look at what Congress threw away on corporate giveaways and foreign buyouts .
Let 's get it done . ''
`` Hey Senate Republicans , remember when you rejected bigger checks on Friday ? ''
Schumer asked in a tweet , saying that he supports a larger payment for Americans .
`` I 'm in .
Whaddya say , Mitch ?
Let 's not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS !
The American people deserve it . ''
Rep. Ted Lieu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Steve Mnuchin , who represented Trump in negotiations for the relief deal -- and said this week Americans should start receiving stimulus payments in a matter of days .
`` You failed the American people , '' Lieu told Mnuchin in tweet .
`` You hid that [ Trump ] wanted $ 2,000 stimulus checks .
You are not the president .
You can not substitute your own views .
Your job is to negotiate on behalf of [ the president ] , not mislead Congress about Trump 's views . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ given no warning that Trump was going to attack the relief bill , and many were caught off guard .
The report cited a GOP aide who said party officials had assumed Mnuchin was representing the president 's views .
Mnuchin had not publicly responded to Trump 's position or the criticisms by early Wednesday .

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is seen Monday walking to his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Several Democrats have asked McConnell to meet President Donald Trump's surprise demand to increase stimulus payments to Americans. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- After a surprise move by President Donald Trump to wade into attack mode for the new COVID-19 relief package, which aims to send direct payments to Americans in the coming days, it's unclear Wednesday what the next step in the process will be. Trump assailed the relief bill late on Tuesday, denouncing the $600 stimulus payments for most Americans as insufficient and attacking parts of the attached $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill as excessive and "wasteful." Advertisement
Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Charles Schumer, have been quick to welcome larger stimulus payments -- which Trump floated at $2,000 per person and $4,000 per couple.
Republicans, however, have largely been silent since Trump's surprise video message.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said Wednesday he was "speechless" about the president's abrupt criticisms.
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"He stayed out of these negotiations for weeks, he did not press for a bigger package in the final days before it was enacted, and once the bill has passed and the entire Congress has gone home, he announced he wanted a bigger bill than Republicans were willing to accept," Coons told NPR.
Coons said Senate Democrats should "call Trump's bluff" and agree to a larger stimulus amount by unanimous consent, effectively daring Republicans to do the same.
Democrats say they will attempt to make the change on Thursday, but it's unclear exactly what Republicans' line on Trump's sudden dissent will be. Trump didn't expressly say he would veto the bill, but it passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming and veto-proof majorities.
If the bill arrived on Trump's desk and he did nothing, it could still become law after 10 days.
Also, if Trump doesn't sign the bill by Monday at midnight, when the latest stopgap funding measure expires, the federal government would shut down and some pandemic-related unemployment benefits would expire.
The latest political delay is not likely to go over well with millions of Americans who are facing great financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic and have been counting on some federal aid during the holidays.
Advertisement
The New York Times reported that Trump wanted to press for larger stimulus payments before the deal was agreed to, but was discouraged by his advisers to do so.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and others in the upper chamber have been lobbying for greater direct cash payments for weeks.
"That's great! I first introduced a bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment with [Sen. Kamala Harris] and [Sen. Ed Markey] 7 months ago," Sanders tweeted late Tuesday. "Now, Mr. President, get [Senate Republican leder] Mitch McConnell and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working class Americans with $2,000. Let's do it."
"Trump told me multiple times he wanted higher payments to workers. That's what we were fighting for," Hawley added in a tweet.
"Trump is right -- workers deserve much more than $600, as I have repeatedly said and fought for," he wrote in another. "And there's obviously plenty of [money] to do it -- look at what Congress threw away on corporate giveaways and foreign buyouts. Let's get it done."
"Hey Senate Republicans, remember when you rejected bigger checks on Friday?" Schumer asked in a tweet, saying that he supports a larger payment for Americans.
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"I'm in. Whaddya say, Mitch? Let's not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS! The American people deserve it."
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., directed his frustration at Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who represented Trump in negotiations for the relief deal -- and said this week Americans should start receiving stimulus payments in a matter of days.
"You failed the American people," Lieu told Mnuchin in tweet. "You hid that [Trump] wanted $2,000 stimulus checks. You are not the president. You cannot substitute your own views. Your job is to negotiate on behalf of [the president], not mislead Congress about Trump's views."
CNN reported Wednesday that Republican lawmakers were given no warning that Trump was going to attack the relief bill, and many were caught off guard. The report cited a GOP aide who said party officials had assumed Mnuchin was representing the president's views.
Mnuchin had not publicly responded to Trump's position or the criticisms by early Wednesday.


upi--2020-12-23--Watch: 'The Bachelor': Matt James searches for love in Season 25 trailer

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Matt James takes center stage and meets the women who will be competing for @ @ @ @ @ trailer for The Bachelor Season 25 .
James is introduced to audiences in the clip @ @ @ @ @ the Season 16 finale of The Bachelorette .
The 29-year-old is from North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ estate broker in New York and is the show 's first Black Bachelor .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the heart and the way that I view life , everything is a blessing , @ @ @ @ @ begins his search for love .
James kisses multiple contestants and gets ready to propose @ @ @ @ @ The Bachelor Season 25 will premiere Jan. 4 on ABC .
The Bachelorette Season 16 @ @ @ @ @ engaged to contestant Zac Clark .

Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Matt James takes center stage and meets the women who will be competing for his heart in a new trailer for The Bachelor Season 25.
James is introduced to audiences in the clip released on Wednesday, following the Season 16 finale of The Bachelorette.
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The 29-year-old is from North Carolina, works as a commercial real estate broker in New York and is the show's first Black Bachelor.
"Love for me is about the heart and the way that I view life, everything is a blessing," James says before he begins his search for love.
James kisses multiple contestants and gets ready to propose with an engagement ring.
The Bachelor Season 25 will premiere Jan. 4 on ABC.
The Bachelorette Season 16 ended with Tayshia Adams getting engaged to contestant Zac Clark.


upi--2020-12-23--Seahawks WR Josh Gordon doesn't satisfy reinstatement conditions, out indefinitely

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon had a setback in his recovery from substance abuse and is now out indefinitely after he did not satisfy the terms of his conditional reinstatement .
Sources told NFL Network , ESPN and the Seattle Times late Tuesday that the Seahawks were notified of the setback and that Gordon is no longer eligible to participate in practice or games .
He had been expected to play in the team 's Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams .
The Seahawks added Gordon to their active roster on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league on Dec. 3 .
He was suspended indefinitely on Dec. 16 , 2019 , for violating the league 's performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse policy .
Gordon signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks in September .
He has served five suspensions and missed the entire 2015 and 2016 NFL campaigns due to prior bans .
Gordon can still attend Seahawks meetings and individual workouts , but ca n't participate in practice or games .
The 2013 All-Pro had seven catches for 139 yards in five games last season for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catches for 287 yards and a score in six games for the New England Patriots in 2019 .
Gordon , 29 , totaled 737 yards and four touchdowns on 41 catches in 12 games in 2018 .
He appeared in 11 games that season for the Patriots and in one game for the Cleveland Browns .
The Seahawks host the Rams at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle .

Wide receiver Josh Gordon was expected to play in Week 16 for the Seattle Seahawks, but his NFL future is now in doubt after he didn't satisfy the terms of his reinstatement to the league. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon had a setback in his recovery from substance abuse and is now out indefinitely after he did not satisfy the terms of his conditional reinstatement. Sources told NFL Network, ESPN and the Seattle Times late Tuesday that the Seahawks were notified of the setback and that Gordon is no longer eligible to participate in practice or games. Advertisement
He had been expected to play in the team's Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks added Gordon to their active roster on Monday. He was conditionally reinstated to the league on Dec. 3. He was suspended indefinitely on Dec. 16, 2019, for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse policy.
Gordon signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks in September. He has served five suspensions and missed the entire 2015 and 2016 NFL campaigns due to prior bans.
Gordon can still attend Seahawks meetings and individual workouts, but can't participate in practice or games.
The 2013 All-Pro had seven catches for 139 yards in five games last season for the Seahawks. He also had 20 catches for 287 yards and a score in six games for the New England Patriots in 2019.
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Gordon, 29, totaled 737 yards and four touchdowns on 41 catches in 12 games in 2018. He appeared in 11 games that season for the Patriots and in one game for the Cleveland Browns.
The Seahawks host the Rams at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-23--Holiday travel: Nearly 85 million in U.S. expected to drive, fly over next 2 weeks

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- The traditional busy holiday travel season began in earnest on Wednesday , with millions of Americans expected to hit the road against the advice of top health officials to stay home and curb the spread of COVID-19 .
Wednesday is expected to be one the busiest travel days of the holiday season , both on the road and in the skies .
AAA says nearly 85 million Americans are likely to travel between Wednesday and Jan. 3 -- about 81 million by car and 3 million by airplane .
Another half-million are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train .
The auto group says Wednesday , Jan. 3 and Sunday , two days after Christmas , are expected to be the heaviest travel days .
Top health officials for weeks have advised against traveling and large gatherings during the holidays , as those activities are conducive to spreading the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
Evidence so far , however , indicates that many Americans are ignoring that advice , much as they did during the Thanksgiving holiday .
`` Postpone holiday travel and stay home to protect yourself and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deaths continue to rise across the United States , '' the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged in a tweet on Sunday .
Official statistics show that travel has peaked in recent days .
The Transportation Security Administration said this week that more than 4 million people passed through screening checkpoints at airports nationwide between last Friday and Monday -- the most for a four-day span since travel restrictions were ordered in March .
Still , compared to previous years , experts predict holiday travel this year to be be well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 million fewer travelers this year compared to the same period in 2019 , a decline of about 30 % .
In Michigan alone , it said , about 2.6 million people are expected to travel , also a decline of 30 % from last year .
`` While Thanksgiving is traditionally spent gathering with friends and family , the year-end holidays are when Americans often venture out for longer , more elaborate vacations .
That will not be the case this year , '' AAA spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance not to travel , and an overall decline in consumer sentiment have encouraged the vast majority of Americans to stay home for the holidays . ''
AAA noted that the rise in coronavirus cases will likely lead some Americans to cancel travel plans at the last minute , which also occurred before Thanksgiving .
`` For those who make the personal decision to travel , it is important to understand the risks involved and take steps to keep yourself and others safe , '' the auto club group said .
`` Seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and refer to AAA 's COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions , and to help determine which rest stops , gas stations , restaurants and hotels are open along your route . ''
Meanwhile , gas prices have increased a bit so far this month , which is typical for anticipated travel periods .
AAA says the national average has risen to $ 2.24 per gallon .
States with the least-expensive gas are Mississippi , Louisiana , Texas , Missouri and Oklahoma .
States that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , Washington , Oregon and Nevada .
The national average is the highest since mid-September .

Travelers are seen in a queue at Newark-Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., on November 24 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. AAA expects 85 million Americans to travel between Wednesday and January 3. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The traditional busy holiday travel season began in earnest on Wednesday, with millions of Americans expected to hit the road against the advice of top health officials to stay home and curb the spread of COVID-19. Wednesday is expected to be one the busiest travel days of the holiday season, both on the road and in the skies. Advertisement
AAA says nearly 85 million Americans are likely to travel between Wednesday and Jan. 3 -- about 81 million by car and 3 million by airplane. Another half-million are expected to travel by other modes like bus and train.
The auto group says Wednesday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, two days after Christmas, are expected to be the heaviest travel days.
Top health officials for weeks have advised against traveling and large gatherings during the holidays, as those activities are conducive to spreading the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
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Evidence so far, however, indicates that many Americans are ignoring that advice, much as they did during the Thanksgiving holiday.
"Postpone holiday travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 as cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise across the United States," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged in a tweet on Sunday.
Official statistics show that travel has peaked in recent days.
The Transportation Security Administration said this week that more than 4 million people passed through screening checkpoints at airports nationwide between last Friday and Monday -- the most for a four-day span since travel restrictions were ordered in March.
Still, compared to previous years, experts predict holiday travel this year to be be well below average.
AAA predicts at least 34 million fewer travelers this year compared to the same period in 2019, a decline of about 30%. In Michigan alone, it said, about 2.6 million people are expected to travel, also a decline of 30% from last year.
"While Thanksgiving is traditionally spent gathering with friends and family, the year-end holidays are when Americans often venture out for longer, more elaborate vacations. That will not be the case this year," AAA spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland said in a statement.
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"Public health concerns, official guidance not to travel, and an overall decline in consumer sentiment have encouraged the vast majority of Americans to stay home for the holidays."
AAA noted that the rise in coronavirus cases will likely lead some Americans to cancel travel plans at the last minute, which also occurred before Thanksgiving.
"For those who make the personal decision to travel, it is important to understand the risks involved and take steps to keep yourself and others safe," the auto club group said.
"Seek the advice of a trusted travel advisor and refer to AAA's COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions, and to help determine which rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and hotels are open along your route."
Meanwhile, gas prices have increased a bit so far this month, which is typical for anticipated travel periods.
AAA says the national average has risen to $2.24 per gallon. States with the least-expensive gas are Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma. States that have the most-expensive gas are Hawaii, California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada.
The national average is the highest since mid-September.
Scenes from the holiday season


upi--2020-12-23--George, Clippers spoil Lakers championship party with ring-night win

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Paul George had 33 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on the night that their rivals received their championship rings from the 2020 NBA Finals .
George also had six rebounds and three assists in the 116-109 victory on Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles .
He scored 26 points in the second half .
`` I just played basketball , it 's as simple as that , '' George told reporters .
`` I applied the work I put in this off-season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ every night , but tonight I got it going . ''
Fellow Clippers star Kawhi Leonard chipped in 26 points in the win .
LeBron James had 22 points , five rebounds and five assists for the Lakers .
The Clippers never trailed in the victory .
`` We did n't play like we wanted to in the first quarter and they came out like gangbusters , '' James said .
`` They hit us in the mouth .
They did a good job of closing the third quarter out and we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game after that . ''
Leonard and Serge Ibaka scored eight points apiece in the first quarter to give the Clippers an early 39-19 advantage .
The Lakers then outscored the Clippers 35-17 to cut the deficit to just two points at halftime .
The Lakers went on to tie the score in the third quarter before the Clippers held on down the stretch to secure their first win of the season .
Ibaka had 15 points in the win .
Lou Williams and Ivica Zubac scored 11 points apiece for the Clippers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lakers .
Montrezl Harrell scored 17 points in the loss .
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder had 14 points , 12 rebounds and eight assists .
The Clippers face the Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. EST on Friday at Ball Arena in Denver .
The Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. EST on Friday at Staples Center .

Los Angeles Clippers stars Paul George (13) and Kawhi Leonard (2) combined for 59 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday in Los Angeles. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Paul George had 33 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on the night that their rivals received their championship rings from the 2020 NBA Finals. George also had six rebounds and three assists in the 116-109 victory on Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He scored 26 points in the second half. Advertisement
"I just played basketball, it's as simple as that," George told reporters. "I applied the work I put in this off-season. It's not going to be pretty every night, but tonight I got it going."
Fellow Clippers star Kawhi Leonard chipped in 26 points in the win. LeBron James had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Lakers.
The Clippers never trailed in the victory.
"We didn't play like we wanted to in the first quarter and they came out like gangbusters," James said. "They hit us in the mouth. They did a good job of closing the third quarter out and we weren't able to get back into the game after that."
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Leonard and Serge Ibaka scored eight points apiece in the first quarter to give the Clippers an early 39-19 advantage. The Lakers then outscored the Clippers 35-17 to cut the deficit to just two points at halftime.
The Lakers went on to tie the score in the third quarter before the Clippers held on down the stretch to secure their first win of the season.
Ibaka had 15 points in the win. Lou Williams and Ivica Zubac scored 11 points apiece for the Clippers.
Anthony Davis scored 18 points for the Lakers. Montrezl Harrell scored 17 points in the loss. Lakers guard Dennis Schroder had 14 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The Clippers face the Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. EST on Friday at Ball Arena in Denver. The Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. EST on Friday at Staples Center.
Moments from LeBron James' career


upi--2020-12-23--'Judas and the Black Messiah' moved to Feb. 12 for HBO Max, theaters

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Judas and the Black Messiah starring Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield will be released onto HBO Max and theaters on Feb. 12 , 2021 , studio Warner Bros. has announced .
Warner Bros. had previously delayed the film to early 2021 after it was moved out of its original Aug. 21 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The biographical drama is now set for the 2020-2021 awards season .
Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton who served as the chairman of the Black Panther Party until his assassination in 1969 .
Stanfield portrays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Panther Party and betrayed Hampton in order to avoid jail time .
Shaka King directed the film and also produced the project alongside Black Panther helmer Ryan Coogler and Charles D. King .
Warner Bros. recently announced that the studio 's entire 2021 film slate , which includes Judas and the Black Messiah , The Suicide Squad , Matrix 4 and more , will premiere simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters .
The initiative kicks off on Christmas day with the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max and in @ @

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"Judas and the Black Messiah" star Daniel Kaluuya arrives for the 90th annual Academy Awards on March 2018. Warner Bros. has announced that the film will be released on Feb. 12. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Judas and the Black Messiah starring Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield will be released onto HBO Max and theaters on Feb. 12, 2021, studio Warner Bros. has announced. Warner Bros. had previously delayed the film to early 2021 after it was moved out of its original Aug. 21 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
The biographical drama is now set for the 2020-2021 awards season.
Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton who served as the chairman of the Black Panther Party until his assassination in 1969. Stanfield portrays FBI informant William O'Neal who infiltrated the Black Panther Party and betrayed Hampton in order to avoid jail time.
Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders and Martin Sheen also star.
Shaka King directed the film and also produced the project alongside Black Panther helmer Ryan Coogler and Charles D. King.
Warner Bros. recently announced that the studio's entire 2021 film slate, which includes Judas and the Black Messiah, The Suicide Squad, Matrix 4 and more, will premiere simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters. The initiative kicks off on Christmas day with the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max and in theaters.


upi--2020-12-23--Dr. Deborah Birx, top gov't COVID-19 expert, to retire after Biden transition

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- White House Coronavirus Coordinator Dr. Deborah Brix says she will retire after the transition of President-elect Joe Biden 's administration is complete .
In an interview with Newsy Tuesday , Birx said she will help with the Biden transition but will retire soon after , saying that the holidays have been hard on her family -- primarily after reports that she 'd traveled to Delaware with relatives over the Thanksgiving holiday against the advice of health officials .
`` I will be helpful in any role that people think I can be helpful in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then I will retire , '' Birx said .
`` I only came into the White House to ensure that our COVID response could utilize whatever information I had from confronting epidemics around the globe . ''
Federal health officials have urged Americans to avoid large family gatherings during the holiday season to keep coronavirus transmissions as low as possible .
Birx said in the interview that she 'd traveled to Delaware last month with relatives from separate households , which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised against , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the visit created the negative perception and that she would n't make such a trip again during the holidays .
`` We never visited anyone , we never had anyone into the household , '' she said .
`` It was the same situation [ as ] if we had been here at home , but because of the perception it created , we obviously will not do that through any of the holiday seasons . ''
`` This experience has been a bit overwhelming .
It 's been very difficult on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done in the last week to my family , you know , they did n't choose this for me .
They 've tried to be supportive , but to drag my family into this , '' she added .
Birx , 64 , has served in government and the military for four decades .
Before she was appointed to the coronavirus task force in February , she was U.S .
Global AIDS coordinator , an ambassador-level position at the State Department , under former President Barack Obama .
She has also been U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversaw the CDC 's HIV/AIDS division .
Birx was an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve between 1980 and 1994 , and spent much of that time as a physician at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington , D.C. '' President Donald Trump has great respect for Dr. Birx and likes her very much , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted .
`` We wish her well . ''

White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah L. Birx speaks to reporters during a briefing with members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force at the White House on November 19. File Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI/Pool | License Photo
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- White House Coronavirus Coordinator Dr. Deborah Brix says she will retire after the transition of President-elect Joe Biden's administration is complete. In an interview with Newsy Tuesday, Birx said she will help with the Biden transition but will retire soon after, saying that the holidays have been hard on her family -- primarily after reports that she'd traveled to Delaware with relatives over the Thanksgiving holiday against the advice of health officials. Advertisement
"I will be helpful in any role that people think I can be helpful in [for the Biden transition], and then I will retire," Birx said.
"I only came into the White House to ensure that our COVID response could utilize whatever information I had from confronting epidemics around the globe."
Federal health officials have urged Americans to avoid large family gatherings during the holiday season to keep coronavirus transmissions as low as possible.
Birx said in the interview that she'd traveled to Delaware last month with relatives from separate households, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised against, to winterize a vacation home.
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She said the visit created the negative perception and that she wouldn't make such a trip again during the holidays.
"We never visited anyone, we never had anyone into the household," she said. "It was the same situation [as] if we had been here at home, but because of the perception it created, we obviously will not do that through any of the holiday seasons."
"This experience has been a bit overwhelming. It's been very difficult on my family. I think what was done in the last week to my family, you know, they didn't choose this for me. They've tried to be supportive, but to drag my family into this," she added.
Birx, 64, has served in government and the military for four decades.
Before she was appointed to the coronavirus task force in February, she was U.S. Global AIDS coordinator, an ambassador-level position at the State Department, under former President Barack Obama. She has also been U.S. special representative for global health diplomacy and oversaw the CDC's HIV/AIDS division.
Birx was an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve between 1980 and 1994, and spent much of that time as a physician at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
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"President Donald Trump has great respect for Dr. Birx and likes her very much," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted. "We wish her well."


upi--2020-12-23--Irving, Durant help Nets smash Warriors in NBA opener

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- New teammates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant combined for 48 points in three quarters to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a lopsided victory over the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the 2020-21 NBA season .
Irving scored a game-high 26 points in the 125-99 win on Tuesday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn , N.Y .
The All-Star point guard also had four rebounds and four assists .
Durant chipped in 22 points , five rebounds , three assists and three steals .
`` It was a great start to a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I know Nets fans are looking for us to continue this and I 'm looking forward to it . ''
The Warriors -- known for their sharpshooting -- made just 37.4 % of their shots and 30.3 % of their 3-point attempts .
The Nets shot 45.7 % from the floor and 42.9 % from downtown .
Brooklyn led by as many as 38 points in the blowout .
The Nets trailed 4-2 early on before they used an 8-0 run to take control .
Brooklyn then put together another 10-1 run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 40-25 lead at the end of the frame .
Irving had 17 points in the first quarter to spark the early momentum .
The Nets used a more balanced scoring attack in the second quarter to earn a 63-45 lead at halftime .
Durant poured in 10 points in the third frame and the Nets held a 99-71 edge entering the fourth quarter .
Durant and Irving sat the bench for the entire fourth quarter .
Warriors rookie James Wiseman attempted to rally his squad back into the game with 10 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close the large deficit .
Wiseman -- the No .
2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft -- had 19 points in the loss .
Warriors guard Stephen Curry recorded a team-high 20 points and had 10 assists .
Caris LeVert scored 20 points and had nine rebounds off the Nets bench .
`` I think we got a little frustrated with our shots not falling in the first quarter , '' Curry said .
`` We got some good looks , but missed a bunch of them .
`` It deflated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge off on the defensive end . ''
The Nets face the Boston Celtics at 5 p.m. EST on Friday at TD Garden in Boston .
The Warriors battle the Milwaukee Bucks at 2:30 p.m. EST on Friday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee .

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) got off to hot starts offensively to lead their team to a lopsided win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo by Peter Foley/EPA-EFE
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- New teammates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant combined for 48 points in three quarters to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a lopsided victory over the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the 2020-21 NBA season. Irving scored a game-high 26 points in the 125-99 win on Tuesday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The All-Star point guard also had four rebounds and four assists. Durant chipped in 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Advertisement
"It was a great start to a long journey," Irving told reporters. "I know Nets fans are looking for us to continue this and I'm looking forward to it."
The Warriors -- known for their sharpshooting -- made just 37.4% of their shots and 30.3% of their 3-point attempts. The Nets shot 45.7% from the floor and 42.9% from downtown.
Brooklyn led by as many as 38 points in the blowout.
The Nets trailed 4-2 early on before they used an 8-0 run to take control. Brooklyn then put together another 10-1 run to increase its first-quarter advantage and had a 40-25 lead at the end of the frame.
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Irving had 17 points in the first quarter to spark the early momentum. The Nets used a more balanced scoring attack in the second quarter to earn a 63-45 lead at halftime.
Durant poured in 10 points in the third frame and the Nets held a 99-71 edge entering the fourth quarter.
Durant and Irving sat the bench for the entire fourth quarter. Warriors rookie James Wiseman attempted to rally his squad back into the game with 10 points down the stretch, but could not close the large deficit.
Wiseman -- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft -- had 19 points in the loss. Warriors guard Stephen Curry recorded a team-high 20 points and had 10 assists.
Caris LeVert scored 20 points and had nine rebounds off the Nets bench.
"I think we got a little frustrated with our shots not falling in the first quarter," Curry said. "We got some good looks, but missed a bunch of them.
"It deflated us a little bit and took our edge off on the defensive end."
The Nets face the Boston Celtics at 5 p.m. EST on Friday at TD Garden in Boston. The Warriors battle the Milwaukee Bucks at 2:30 p.m. EST on Friday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.


upi--2020-12-23--'The Bachelorette': Tayshia Adams gets engaged to Zac Clark

Dec. 23 ( UPI ) -- Tayshia Adams got engaged to contestant Zac Clark on the season finale of The Bachelorette Season 16 .
Adams , 30 , chose Clark , 36 , over Ivan Hall and Ben Smith who returned to the finale on Tuesday after being eliminated .
`` I know that I told you that I love you , but it 's more than that .
It 's this wild , wild love that I have tried to come up with so many reasons to not believe and you have truly just made me believe that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that I deserve a love with a man that wo n't run away , '' Adams said to Clark .
Clark then proposed to Adams by getting down on one knee , which she accepted .
`` I 'm going to choose you right now , I 'm going to choose you tomorrow morning , I 'm going to choose you next week and next year .
I 'm going to choose you forever because I love you , '' Clark said before pulling out the engagement ring .
Adams became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bachelorette Clare Crawley became engaged to contestant Dale Moss early in the season .

Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Tayshia Adams got engaged to contestant Zac Clark on the season finale of The Bachelorette Season 16.
Adams, 30, chose Clark, 36, over Ivan Hall and Ben Smith who returned to the finale on Tuesday after being eliminated.
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"I know that I told you that I love you, but it's more than that. It's this wild, wild love that I have tried to come up with so many reasons to not believe and you have truly just made me believe that there doesn't need to be flaws. And that I deserve a love with a man that won't run away," Adams said to Clark.
Clark then proposed to Adams by getting down on one knee, which she accepted.
"I'm going to choose you right now, I'm going to choose you tomorrow morning, I'm going to choose you next week and next year. I'm going to choose you forever because I love you," Clark said before pulling out the engagement ring.
Adams became the new Bachelorette for Season 16 after original Bachelorette Clare Crawley became engaged to contestant Dale Moss early in the season.


upi--2020-12-23--A final Trump Christmas carol, Charles Dickens-style

At this time of year , Charles Dickens makes a regular appearance in this column .
Last year , the `` ghosts '' of Christmas Past , Present and Future who haunted President Donald Trump were Abraham Lincoln , John McCain and Vladimir Putin .
This year , the number of ghosts vying for these three roles were , as Albert Einstein observed about the universe , finite but unbounded .
Readers can pick their favorite or most trenchant ghosts .
Of Christmas Past , consider these main contenders .
The largest group comprises the tens of thousands of angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost or were taken for billions of dollars from the tsunami of Trump failed deals : the Taj Mahal and other casinos ; Trump University , Airlines and Vodka ; the Plaza Hotel ; and most recently how campaign funds were diverted to secret accounts and possibly to Trump family pockets .
Roy Cohn , counsel to the infamous and sanctioned Sen. Joe McCarthy and his destructive pursuit of imagined Communists , is also in the hunt .
The two former Mrs. Trumps might wish to haunt the president , whether in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeat ghosts are discouraged , McCain might remind the president that his demeaning comments about captured war heroes cost him the vote in Arizona and probably the election .
Whomever this Christmas Past may be , the intent is to transport the president to Central Park on the evening of April 19 , 1989 , as jogger Trisha Meili was raped and murdered .
Five young Blacks people were wrongly arrested and convicted of a crime they did not commit .
Trump ran full-page ads calling for the return of the death penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park Five . ''
Christmas Present , likewise , has a full house of aspirants .
North Korean President Kim Jong Un ; Drs .
Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx ; and a litany of senior Trump officials who left or were `` fired , '' including Gen. Jim Mattis ; James Comey ; Jeff Sessions and Anthony Scaramucci .
Trump would be whisked to Moscow by this ghost to watch as Russian cyber experts engineered what is probably the largest hack in history .
Christmas Future nominations are equally swelled .
New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of potential business and tax fraud by the president .
Potential rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination fill a robust list packed with serving senators , former governors and other senior officials .
And where would Christmas Future transport the president in his final days in the White House ?
Two locales are under consideration .
The first is Jan. 20 , 2025 when Trump will not be inaugurated as president for the second time .
The second is a date in 2024 , when the president and key family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 for wrongdoings .
Of course , in Trump world , Dickens would tell a far happier tale .
The three visiting Christmases would be filled by one figure : Fred Trump , the president 's intimidating father .
One can imagine the scene .
Trump is awakened by the specter of his father .
`` Donald , you have committed the ultimate and worst sin possible , one I have always warned you to avoid .
You failed ! ''
`` You were not re-elected .
You left a path strewn with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outright lies .
It is incredible that you were not convicted and thrown out of office after the impeachment .
You were lucky that the Democrats were so incompetent .
Cy Vance may not be so forgiving . ''
For the first time since his father 's death , the president was speechless .
Winning his father 's favor had driven the younger Trump .
In a weak and quaking voice , the president asked his father where they were headed during these visitations .
`` We are making only one stop : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2025 . ''
Suddenly floating above Washington , Trump saw massive crowds flooding into the National Mall .
In front of the Capitol , President Joe and first lady Jill Biden were on the stage next to the chief justice .
But where was he , Donald Trump , as it was approaching noon and the swearing-in of the next president ?
Trump never got the answer .
He woke immediately in his bedroom .
His father was still present .
`` Son , I know the future .
I purposely did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next president will be .
That is up to you . ''
`` But I have one warning .
Do not fail again .
If you do , you will never be welcome in the Trump family again .
I guarantee you that . ''
Still shaken and shaking , Trump stuttered , `` What do I need to do ? ''
`` Win next time -- or else ! ''
Thus began the ex-president 's next campaign and another Christmas Carol story .
Harlan Ullman is UPI 's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD : The Tragic History of How Massive Attacks of Disruption Are Endangering , Infecting , Engulfing and Disuniting a 51 % Nation . ''

President Donald Trump arrives to make the coin toss before the Army-Navy Game at Michie Stadium at West Point on December 12. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
At this time of year, Charles Dickens makes a regular appearance in this column. Last year, the "ghosts" of Christmas Past, Present and Future who haunted President Donald Trump were Abraham Lincoln, John McCain and Vladimir Putin. This year, the number of ghosts vying for these three roles were, as Albert Einstein observed about the universe, finite but unbounded. Readers can pick their favorite or most trenchant ghosts. Of Christmas Past, consider these main contenders. The largest group comprises the tens of thousands of angry, duped investors and campaign contributors who lost or were taken for billions of dollars from the tsunami of Trump failed deals: the Taj Mahal and other casinos; Trump University, Airlines and Vodka; the Plaza Hotel; and most recently how campaign funds were diverted to secret accounts and possibly to Trump family pockets. Advertisement
Roy Cohn, counsel to the infamous and sanctioned Sen. Joe McCarthy and his destructive pursuit of imagined Communists, is also in the hunt. The two former Mrs. Trumps might wish to haunt the president, whether in the White House or at Mar-a-Lago. While repeat ghosts are discouraged, McCain might remind the president that his demeaning comments about captured war heroes cost him the vote in Arizona and probably the election.
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Whomever this Christmas Past may be, the intent is to transport the president to Central Park on the evening of April 19, 1989, as jogger Trisha Meili was raped and murdered. Five young Blacks people were wrongly arrested and convicted of a crime they did not commit. Trump ran full-page ads calling for the return of the death penalty as punishment for the so-called "Central Park Five."
Christmas Present, likewise, has a full house of aspirants. North Korean President Kim Jong Un; Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx; and a litany of senior Trump officials who left or were "fired," including Gen. Jim Mattis; James Comey; Jeff Sessions and Anthony Scaramucci. Trump would be whisked to Moscow by this ghost to watch as Russian cyber experts engineered what is probably the largest hack in history.
Christmas Future nominations are equally swelled. New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance is investigating allegations of potential business and tax fraud by the president. Potential rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination fill a robust list packed with serving senators, former governors and other senior officials. And where would Christmas Future transport the president in his final days in the White House?
Two locales are under consideration. The first is Jan. 20, 2025 when Trump will not be inaugurated as president for the second time. The second is a date in 2024, when the president and key family members are eligible for parole after convictions in 2021 for wrongdoings.
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Of course, in Trump world, Dickens would tell a far happier tale. The three visiting Christmases would be filled by one figure: Fred Trump, the president's intimidating father. One can imagine the scene.
Trump is awakened by the specter of his father. "Donald, you have committed the ultimate and worst sin possible, one I have always warned you to avoid. You failed!"
"You were not re-elected. You left a path strewn with enough evidence of wrongdoing from fraud to outright lies. It is incredible that you were not convicted and thrown out of office after the impeachment. You were lucky that the Democrats were so incompetent. Cy Vance may not be so forgiving."
For the first time since his father's death, the president was speechless. Winning his father's favor had driven the younger Trump. In a weak and quaking voice, the president asked his father where they were headed during these visitations.
"We are making only one stop: Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025." Suddenly floating above Washington, Trump saw massive crowds flooding into the National Mall. In front of the Capitol, President Joe and first lady Jill Biden were on the stage next to the chief justice. But where was he, Donald Trump, as it was approaching noon and the swearing-in of the next president?
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Trump never got the answer. He woke immediately in his bedroom. His father was still present. "Son, I know the future. I purposely did not allow you to see who the next president will be. That is up to you."
"But I have one warning. Do not fail again. If you do, you will never be welcome in the Trump family again. I guarantee you that."
Still shaken and shaking, Trump stuttered, "What do I need to do?"
"Win next time -- or else!"
Thus began the ex-president's next campaign and another Christmas Carol story.
Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist and author of the upcoming book, "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: The Tragic History of How Massive Attacks of Disruption Are Endangering, Infecting, Engulfing and Disuniting a 51% Nation."