upi--2020-10-17--More prostate cancer cases diagnosed at later stage, study shows

While men can take solace in a new government report that shows prostate cancer cases have been declining overall in the past two decades , the same analysis finds that the opposite is true for advanced prostate cancer cases .
In fact , the number of cases of cancer that had already spread from the prostate to other parts of the body doubled between 2003 and 2017 , going from 4 % to 8 % , according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` Understanding who gets prostate cancer and what the survival numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making prostate cancer screening decisions , providers discussing these decisions with their patients , and for informing recommendations for prostate cancer screening , '' said lead researcher Dr. David Siegel , from CDC 's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control .
Why the spike in advanced prostate cancers ?
Dr. Anthony D'Amico , a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston , said the increase was an inevitable consequence of a 2012 recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force against the routine use of prostate cancer screening with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We realized in 2012 , when the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said to stop PSA screening , we would expect that somewhere around 2018 to 2019 that cancer death rates would start to go up , and that about two to three years prior to that , around 2015 to 2016 , we would expect to see distant metastases [ cancer that has spread ] go up because they preceded death by a couple of years , '' he explained .
That 's exactly what this report found , D'Amico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the reversal of the recommendation against PSA screening did n't happen until [ 2018 ] , so it 's going to be a couple of years from now before we start to see a plateauing and eventually a decrease in distant disease , '' he said .
`` We should have PSA brought back . ''
While D'Amico said he believes that men should have their PSA level tested , whether an elevated PSA leads to further diagnosis or treatment should be based on a conversation between a man and his urologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases now , but there 's no problem from my perspective in bringing the PSA back , so that the patients with low-risk cancer can have the discussion whether they want treatment or not , knowing what the side effects are , and the patients who need to be cured can be cured , '' D'Amico said .
Men are getting more metastatic disease and dying , he said .
`` But because of the reversal of PSA screening , it should come back to where it was , and the only difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to treat and who not to treat , '' D'Amico said .
The CDC study also delved into racial differences for prostate cancer survival .
The researchers found that five-year survival was highest among Asian/Pacific Islanders at 42 % , followed by Hispanics at 37 % , American Indian/Alaska Natives at 32 % , Black men at 32 % and White men at 29 % .
Understanding prostate cancer rates and survival can help guide treatment and survivor care planning , Siegel said .
This study did not look at PSA testing trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of PSA testing , Siegel acknowledged .
`` There are a lot of factors , including decreases in PSA testing , that might contribute to the incidence trends we reported in this study . ''
The findings were published Oct. 16 in the CDC 's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report .
For more on PSA tests , see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

While men can take solace in a new government report that shows prostate cancer cases have been declining overall in the past two decades, the same analysis finds that the opposite is true for advanced prostate cancer cases.
In fact, the number of cases of cancer that had already spread from the prostate to other parts of the body doubled between 2003 and 2017, going from 4% to 8%, according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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"Understanding who gets prostate cancer and what the survival numbers are like could be important for men making prostate cancer screening decisions, providers discussing these decisions with their patients, and for informing recommendations for prostate cancer screening," said lead researcher Dr. David Siegel, from CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
Why the spike in advanced prostate cancers? Dr. Anthony D'Amico, a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said the increase was an inevitable consequence of a 2012 recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force against the routine use of prostate cancer screening with the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test.
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"We realized in 2012, when the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said to stop PSA screening, we would expect that somewhere around 2018 to 2019 that cancer death rates would start to go up, and that about two to three years prior to that, around 2015 to 2016, we would expect to see distant metastases [cancer that has spread] go up because they preceded death by a couple of years," he explained.
That's exactly what this report found, D'Amico noted.
"That trend will continue because the reversal of the recommendation against PSA screening didn't happen until [2018], so it's going to be a couple of years from now before we start to see a plateauing and eventually a decrease in distant disease," he said. "We should have PSA brought back."
While D'Amico said he believes that men should have their PSA level tested, whether an elevated PSA leads to further diagnosis or treatment should be based on a conversation between a man and his urologist.
"We're diagnosing less low-risk cases now, but there's no problem from my perspective in bringing the PSA back, so that the patients with low-risk cancer can have the discussion whether they want treatment or not, knowing what the side effects are, and the patients who need to be cured can be cured," D'Amico said.
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Men are getting more metastatic disease and dying, he said. "But because of the reversal of PSA screening, it should come back to where it was, and the only difference is now we're smarter about who to treat and who not to treat," D'Amico said.
The CDC study also delved into racial differences for prostate cancer survival. The researchers found that five-year survival was highest among Asian/Pacific Islanders at 42%, followed by Hispanics at 37%, American Indian/Alaska Natives at 32%, Black men at 32% and White men at 29%.
Understanding prostate cancer rates and survival can help guide treatment and survivor care planning, Siegel said.
This study did not look at PSA testing trends, but past studies have noted decreasing use of PSA testing, Siegel acknowledged. "There are a lot of factors, including decreases in PSA testing, that might contribute to the incidence trends we reported in this study."
The findings were published Oct. 16 in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More information
For more on PSA tests, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-17--Los Angeles Dodgers force NLCS Game 7 with win over Atlanta Braves

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 Saturday in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series , forcing a deciding game Sunday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington , Texas .
For the Dodgers , who have won two games in a row to tie the series at 3-3 , the game Saturday was pretty much over after the first inning , when Los Angeles scored all of its runs -- two of them on back-to-back homers by Corey Seager and Justin Turner .
The Dodgers picked up a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Max Muncy , a single by Will Smith and an RBI single by Cody Bellinger .
Los Angeles pitcher Walker Buehler , who throws a 100-mph fastball , held the Braves at bay through scoreless six innings , allowing seven hits , striking out six and not allowing a walk .
But he was in shaky territory in the second inning , when three Braves hit consecutive singles to load the bases with no one out .
But the bottom of the Atlanta lineup proved a savior for the right-hander .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strikeout , and then struck out Nick Markakis on six pitches .
Christian Pache , a 21-year-old rookie , then grounded out to end the inning .
`` We 're feeling very comfortable right now , '' Buehler said after the victory .
The Dodgers will be seeking their third pennant in four years .
On Sunday , the Braves will be trying to reach the World Series for the first time in 21 years .
Seager set two NLCS records with his fifth home run and 11th RBI of the series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he could reach the ALCS record of six Nelson Cruz set with the Rangers in 2011 .
He has 11 RBIs in the series , two fewer than Cruz 's total in that ALCS series .
Braves pitcher Max Fried was unsteady in the first frame , allowing Seager 's 359-foot homer , followed by Turner 's 418-foot blast .
But he regained his composure and held the Dodgers scoreless for the next 5 2/3 innings .

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager hits a home run in the first inning of the National League Championship Series Game 6 on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Tannen Maury/EPA-EFE
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 Saturday in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, forcing a deciding game Sunday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. For the Dodgers, who have won two games in a row to tie the series at 3-3, the game Saturday was pretty much over after the first inning, when Los Angeles scored all of its runs -- two of them on back-to-back homers by Corey Seager and Justin Turner. Advertisement
The Dodgers picked up a third run in the inning on a walk by Max Muncy, a single by Will Smith and an RBI single by Cody Bellinger.
Los Angeles pitcher Walker Buehler, who throws a 100-mph fastball, held the Braves at bay through scoreless six innings, allowing seven hits, striking out six and not allowing a walk.
But he was in shaky territory in the second inning, when three Braves hit consecutive singles to load the bases with no one out. But the bottom of the Atlanta lineup proved a savior for the right-hander.
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He threw three fastballs past Austin Riley for a strikeout, and then struck out Nick Markakis on six pitches. Christian Pache, a 21-year-old rookie, then grounded out to end the inning.
"We're feeling very comfortable right now," Buehler said after the victory. The Dodgers will be seeking their third pennant in four years. On Sunday, the Braves will be trying to reach the World Series for the first time in 21 years.
Seager set two NLCS records with his fifth home run and 11th RBI of the series, and with a game to go, he could reach the ALCS record of six Nelson Cruz set with the Rangers in 2011. He has 11 RBIs in the series, two fewer than Cruz's total in that ALCS series.
Braves pitcher Max Fried was unsteady in the first frame, allowing Seager's 359-foot homer, followed by Turner's 418-foot blast. But he regained his composure and held the Dodgers scoreless for the next 5 2/3 innings.


upi--2020-10-17--Federal appeals court upholds Kentucky abortion law

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court voted Friday to uphold a Kentucky law that requires abortion clinics to have written agreements with a hospital and ambulance service in case of medical emergencies .
The 2-1 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling reverses a 2018 district court ruling that found the law , which the Kentucky General Assembly enacted in 1998 , violated due process rights .
EMW Women 's Surgical Center challenged the law after then-Gov .
Matt Bevin , a Republican , instituted more strict regulations regarding the agreements and tried to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana and Kentucky joined the suit later on , saying Bevin had used the transfer agreement requirement to block its request for a license to provide abortions .
When Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear took office in 2019 , both Planned Parenthood and EMW Women 's Surgical Center were permitted to provide abortions .
In 2018 a U.S. District court ruling struck down the law , saying `` the scant medical benefits from transfer and transport agreements are far outweighed by the burden imposed on Kentucky women seeking abortions . ''
But Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erred in concluding that Kentucky would be left without an abortion facility , '' and said the law allows clinics to apply for a 90-day waiver if they are denied a licensing agreement .
`` ( We ) must presume that the Inspector General will consider waiver applications in good faith and will not act 'simply to make it more difficult for ( women ) to obtain an abortion , ' '' the ruling said .
Dissenting judge Eric Clay wrote that the majority opinions `` condones the evisceration of the constitutional right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` the majority contends -- without grounding in fact or reason -- that Kentucky 's abortion facilities could continue to provide abortions if they continually and indefinitely applied for ninety-day extensions of the deadline to obtain transfer and transport agreements . ''
`` Planned Parenthood 's doors remain open and we will continue fighting to maintain access to abortion care for all Kentuckians .
It must be stated that we are in a dangerous moment for abortion rights and what this moment calls for is leadership to put all people before politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every person has access to the care they need and deserve , '' said Chris Charbonneau , CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky , in a joint press release issued by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU Friday .

A federal court ruled Friday to uphold a 2018 Kentucky law that requires abortion clinics to have transfer agreements with ambulance services and hospitals, rejecting an appeal from Louisville-based EMW Women's Surgical Center. Photo via EMW Women's Surgical Center via Facebook
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court voted Friday to uphold a Kentucky law that requires abortion clinics to have written agreements with a hospital and ambulance service in case of medical emergencies. The 2-1 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling reverses a 2018 district court ruling that found the law, which the Kentucky General Assembly enacted in 1998, violated due process rights. Advertisement
EMW Women's Surgical Center challenged the law after then-Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, instituted more strict regulations regarding the agreements and tried to get the clinic shut down.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky joined the suit later on, saying Bevin had used the transfer agreement requirement to block its request for a license to provide abortions.
When Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear took office in 2019, both Planned Parenthood and EMW Women's Surgical Center were permitted to provide abortions.
In 2018 a U.S. District court ruling struck down the law, saying "the scant medical benefits from transfer and transport agreements are far outweighed by the burden imposed on Kentucky women seeking abortions."
But Friday's ruling said the "district court erred in concluding that Kentucky would be left without an abortion facility," and said the law allows clinics to apply for a 90-day waiver if they are denied a licensing agreement.
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"(We) must presume that the Inspector General will consider waiver applications in good faith and will not act 'simply to make it more difficult for (women) to obtain an abortion,'" the ruling said.
Dissenting judge Eric Clay wrote that the majority opinions "condones the evisceration of the constitutional right to abortion access in Kentucky" and that "the majority contends -- without grounding in fact or reason -- that Kentucky's abortion facilities could continue to provide abortions if they continually and indefinitely applied for ninety-day extensions of the deadline to obtain transfer and transport agreements."
"Planned Parenthood's doors remain open and we will continue fighting to maintain access to abortion care for all Kentuckians. It must be stated that we are in a dangerous moment for abortion rights and what this moment calls for is leadership to put all people before politics and do what's necessary to ensure every person has access to the care they need and deserve," said Chris Charbonneau, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, in a joint press release issued by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU Friday.


upi--2020-10-17--'Home Improvement' star Zachery Ty Bryan charged with strangulation, assault

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Zachery Ty Bryan , an actor best known for playing Brad Taylor on the 1990s sitcom `` Home Improvement , '' was arrested in Oregon Friday on charges of strangulation and assault of a woman .
As of Saturday afternoon , Bryan was listed on the Lane County Jail 's inmate custody roster on charges of strangulation , assault and interfering with making a police report .
The strangulation charge is a felony ; the other two charges are misdemeanors .
According to information sent to UPI by the Eugene Police Department , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reports of a physical dispute at an apartment complex and found 39-year-old Bryan outside one of the units .
A 27-year-old woman , who police said had been in a relationship with the actor , was waiting for police at a neighbor 's home in the apartment complex where she lived .
Bryan is accused of assaulting the woman , impeding her breathing and taking her phone from her when she tried to call 911 .
According to police , the victim declined medical treatment .
Her name has not been released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Jail at 1:101 a.m .
According to IMDB , Bryan 's most recent acting credit was the 2009 film Thor : Hammer of the Gods .
He is listed as a producer on several projects from the last decade , most recently the documentary Finding 52 : The Search for the Loneliest Whale in the World , which is in post-production .
Earlier this month Bryan announced his separation from Carly Matros , whom he married in 2007 .
They have four children .

Actor Zachery Ty Bryan, 39, was arrested in Eugene, Ore., Friday on charges he strangled a 27-year-old woman. Photo courtesy of Lane County Sheriff's Office
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Zachery Ty Bryan, an actor best known for playing Brad Taylor on the 1990s sitcom "Home Improvement," was arrested in Oregon Friday on charges of strangulation and assault of a woman. As of Saturday afternoon, Bryan was listed on the Lane County Jail's inmate custody roster on charges of strangulation, assault and interfering with making a police report. Advertisement
The strangulation charge is a felony; the other two charges are misdemeanors.
According to information sent to UPI by the Eugene Police Department, on Friday night at 10:24 p.m. officers responded to reports of a physical dispute at an apartment complex and found 39-year-old Bryan outside one of the units.
A 27-year-old woman, who police said had been in a relationship with the actor, was waiting for police at a neighbor's home in the apartment complex where she lived.
Bryan is accused of assaulting the woman, impeding her breathing and taking her phone from her when she tried to call 911.
According to police, the victim declined medical treatment. Her name has not been released.
Bryan was booked into the Lane County Jail at 1:101 a.m.
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According to IMDB, Bryan's most recent acting credit was the 2009 film Thor: Hammer of the Gods. He is listed as a producer on several projects from the last decade, most recently the documentary Finding 52: The Search for the Loneliest Whale in the World, which is in post-production.
Earlier this month Bryan announced his separation from Carly Matros, whom he married in 2007. They have four children.


upi--2020-10-17--United States reports highest daily COVID-19 case count since July

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- The United States reported 69,000 new COVID-19 infections Friday , the highest daily count since July .
The figure is the highest number since a summer surge of daily cases peaked in mid-July at more than 77,000 .
By Sept. 7 , the summer surge waned as the daily count dropped to 31,395 with an uptick a few days after Labor Day to about 34,300 new cases .
Over the past week , daily U.S. cases have been averaging more than 55,000 , up 60 % from the decline in mid-September .
The daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 700 in recent days , down from the average between late July into mid-August of over 1,000 daily deaths .
Worldwide , the United States has reported the highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic , with 8 million cases , and the highest number of deaths at over 218,600 , according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker .
At least 10 states reported their highest daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic start Friday , including Colorado , Idaho , Indiana , Minnesota , New Mexico , North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wyoming , according to John Hopkins .
In Minnesota , public health officials tied at least 20 cases to a campaign rally for President Donald Trump last month .
Of the 20 cases , 16 attended the rally and four engaged in counterprotests .
State contact tracing has also linked one case to a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and three cases were linked to a Minneapolis speech by Vice President Mike Pence in late September .
In Kansas City , Mo.
, some medical facilities turned away ambulances this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients , the Kansas City Star reported .
`` We 're bursting at the seams in the metropolitan area , and really across the state and the region , '' said Marc Larsen , operations director of COVID response at the St. Luke Hospital system , who is also an emergency physician .
More than 100 COVID-19 patients were checked into the St. Luke system on Tuesday .
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero wrote an open letter to remind campaign officials of the `` various ordinances in effect '' ahead of a Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico saw record cases for a third day in a row , reporting 819 new infections Friday , up 147 from the previous record of 672 on Thursday .
If the daily infection rate rises to 900 cases per day for several consecutive days , the intensive care beds will be full in three to four weeks , according to the state Medical Advisory Team projections .
The state also reported six more deaths Friday , including a teenage girl from Eddy County , who became the state 's youngest COVID-19 death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed .
In response to the uptick , New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered new restrictions on mass gatherings and a 10 p.m. closing time for establishments serving alcohol this week .
In New York City , Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said Friday there was an uptick in COVID-19 in Bronx officers .
A police spokeswoman added there were 54 New York Police Department officers out sick due to COVID-19 , which is more than triple the number on Sept. 1 when 16 tested positive .
Shea did not say whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing face masks .
`` It 's impossible to ... we 've seen cases where [ members ] have traveled and come back , '' Shea said , adding that there is contact tracing done within the NYPD .
`` How to pinpoint exactly ... we do our best . ''
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has called for the NYPD to tighten its enforcement of shutdowns in COVID-19 hotspots , including Borough Park in Brooklyn .
Shea said that the NYPD is focused on being able `` to keep everyone safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that movie theatres in certain counties outside of New York City will reopen starting next Friday at 25 % capacity with up to 50 people per screen and masks required .
`` There will be mandatory social distancing and other precautions , '' Cuomo said , adding an image outlining more specific details on measures that will be taken to assure safety .
In Illinois , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker declared a `` new wave '' of the coronavirus as the state reported a record high Friday of 4,544 new daily cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
On Friday , Pritzker signed 30-day extensions of his COVID-19-related executive orders , including extending a mask requirement and a moratorium on evictions .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects a winter surge with 389,087 U.S. COVID-19 deaths by Feb. 1 .
Some states are taking action to curb the spread .
Nebraska Gov .
Pete Ricketts announced a requirement that hospitals reserve at least 10 % of staffed general and intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients .
In Kentucky , Gov .
Andy Beshear said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced Friday that she has recovered from COVID-19 after testing positive earlier this month along with two of her assistant press secretaries .
She was among more than a dozen White House staffers that tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month along with Trump , who also says he has since recovered .

Pedestrians wear face masks to protect from and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Wall Street in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The United States reported 69,000 new COVID-19 infections Friday, the highest daily count since July. The figure is the highest number since a summer surge of daily cases peaked in mid-July at more than 77,000. By Sept. 7, the summer surge waned as the daily count dropped to 31,395 with an uptick a few days after Labor Day to about 34,300 new cases. Advertisement
Over the past week, daily U.S. cases have been averaging more than 55,000, up 60% from the decline in mid-September.
The daily death toll from COVID-19 has hovered around 700 in recent days, down from the average between late July into mid-August of over 1,000 daily deaths.
Worldwide, the United States has reported the highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic, with 8 million cases, and the highest number of deaths at over 218,600, according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
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At least 10 states reported their highest daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic start Friday, including Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, according to John Hopkins.
In Minnesota, public health officials tied at least 20 cases to a campaign rally for President Donald Trump last month. Of the 20 cases, 16 attended the rally and four engaged in counterprotests. State contact tracing has also linked one case to a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and three cases were linked to a Minneapolis speech by Vice President Mike Pence in late September.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged people attending a Trump rally Saturday to wear masks and social distance.
In Kansas City, Mo., some medical facilities turned away ambulances this week because their beds were filled with COVID-19 patients, the Kansas City Star reported.
"We're bursting at the seams in the metropolitan area, and really across the state and the region," said Marc Larsen, operations director of COVID response at the St. Luke Hospital system, who is also an emergency physician. More than 100 COVID-19 patients were checked into the St. Luke system on Tuesday.
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Tucson Mayor Regina Romero wrote an open letter to remind campaign officials of the "various ordinances in effect" ahead of a Trump rally Monday in her city.
New Mexico saw record cases for a third day in a row, reporting 819 new infections Friday, up 147 from the previous record of 672 on Thursday.
If the daily infection rate rises to 900 cases per day for several consecutive days, the intensive care beds will be full in three to four weeks, according to the state Medical Advisory Team projections.
The state also reported six more deaths Friday, including a teenage girl from Eddy County, who became the state's youngest COVID-19 death, governor's office spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett confirmed.
In response to the uptick, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered new restrictions on mass gatherings and a 10 p.m. closing time for establishments serving alcohol this week.
In New York City, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said Friday there was an uptick in COVID-19 in Bronx officers. A police spokeswoman added there were 54 New York Police Department officers out sick due to COVID-19, which is more than triple the number on Sept. 1 when 16 tested positive.
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Shea did not say whether the infections were related to officers not wearing face masks.
"It's impossible to ... we've seen cases where [members] have traveled and come back," Shea said, adding that there is contact tracing done within the NYPD. "How to pinpoint exactly ... we do our best."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for the NYPD to tighten its enforcement of shutdowns in COVID-19 hotspots, including Borough Park in Brooklyn.
Shea said that the NYPD is focused on being able "to keep everyone safe."
Cuomo announced in a tweet Saturday that movie theatres in certain counties outside of New York City will reopen starting next Friday at 25% capacity with up to 50 people per screen and masks required.
"There will be mandatory social distancing and other precautions," Cuomo said, adding an image outlining more specific details on measures that will be taken to assure safety.
In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared a "new wave" of the coronavirus as the state reported a record high Friday of 4,544 new daily cases, above the previous record of 4,015 on Thursday.
On Friday, Pritzker signed 30-day extensions of his COVID-19-related executive orders, including extending a mask requirement and a moratorium on evictions.
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The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects a winter surge with 389,087 U.S. COVID-19 deaths by Feb. 1.
Some states are taking action to curb the spread.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced a requirement that hospitals reserve at least 10% of staffed general and intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said that he instructed authorities to increase mask enforcement.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced Friday that she has recovered from COVID-19 after testing positive earlier this month along with two of her assistant press secretaries. She was among more than a dozen White House staffers that tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month along with Trump, who also says he has since recovered.
Scenes from the White House as coronavirus hot spot


upi--2020-10-17--Azerbaijan and Armenia agree to new ceasefire agreement

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- The governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a new temporary ceasefire agreement beginning on midnight Sunday after military skirmishes and bombing of civilians escalated the conflict between the two countries .
`` The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia have agreed to a humanitarian truce , '' Azerbaijan 's Foreign Ministry said a written statement on Saturday , as reported by the Azerbaijan-based Anadolu news agency .
Diplomats from both sides have been negotiating a ceasefire in Moscow , as part of the so-called OSCE Minsk Group made up of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
But so far , attempts to negotiate peacefully have not held .
Tensions escalated Saturday in the conflict after shelling destroyed homes and killed 13 civilians in the border town of Ganja .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev blamed Armenia and promised `` revenge '' for the shelling , which leveled more than 20 row houses , and killed at least two children and injured 40 people .
The Armenian war ministry denied Saturday that it was behind the Ganja air attack with Soviet-made Scud missiles .
Armenians accused Azerbaijan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's biggest city .
Meanwhile , Azerbaijan 's defense ministry said Saturday that its troops advanced in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh buffer region , and had pushed out some Armenian forces .
Armenians settled the area at the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s , but it is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan .
Aliyev said the town of Fizuli and several other villages in the disputed region had been `` liberated '' and described the troops ' position as a `` strategic edge , '' Al Jazeera reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more intense since Sept. 27 , when Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared martial law .
More than 700 people have died in the skirmishes .
Over the escalating conflict , both Armenia and Azerbaijan have denied bombing civilians , while accusing each other of doing so .

Azerbaijani forces moved forward in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh buffer region after a new wave of shelling killed civilians in the city of Ganja Saturday. File Photo by Aziz Karimov/EPA-EFE
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a new temporary ceasefire agreement beginning on midnight Sunday after military skirmishes and bombing of civilians escalated the conflict between the two countries. "The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia have agreed to a humanitarian truce," Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said a written statement on Saturday, as reported by the Azerbaijan-based Anadolu news agency. Advertisement
Diplomats from both sides have been negotiating a ceasefire in Moscow, as part of the so-called OSCE Minsk Group made up of government officials from Russia, France and the United States. But so far, attempts to negotiate peacefully have not held.
Tensions escalated Saturday in the conflict after shelling destroyed homes and killed 13 civilians in the border town of Ganja.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev blamed Armenia and promised "revenge" for the shelling, which leveled more than 20 row houses, and killed at least two children and injured 40 people.
The Armenian war ministry denied Saturday that it was behind the Ganja air attack with Soviet-made Scud missiles. Armenians accused Azerbaijan of continuing to shell Stepanakert, the region's biggest city.
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Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's defense ministry said Saturday that its troops advanced in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh buffer region, and had pushed out some Armenian forces. Armenians settled the area at the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, but it is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Aliyev said the town of Fizuli and several other villages in the disputed region had been "liberated" and described the troops' position as a "strategic edge," Al Jazeera reported.
The conflict between the two nations has become more intense since Sept. 27, when Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared martial law.
More than 700 people have died in the skirmishes. Over the escalating conflict, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have denied bombing civilians, while accusing each other of doing so.


upi--2020-10-17--7 people, including children, shot in Arizona parking lot

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Police in Mesa , Ariz. , on Saturday were continuing to investigate the scene of a drive-by shooting Friday night that injured seven people , including several children under age 18 .
Mesa Police said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. in a Goodwill parking lot Dobson and Guadalupe Roads in the suburb of Phoenix .
`` A vehicle drove by and opened fire on a crowd that was gathered here on the corner , '' police spokesman Nik Rasheta said Friday night .
Rasheta said Saturday that one of the victims was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The parking lot had been set up for an outdoor fair with booths .
A witness who identified himself as `` Mike '' told Valley News Box Friday he was nearby in a backyard and said he identified that weapon shooting as an automatic rifle .
`` We heard 19 to 20 rounds just go off , boom , boom , boom .
I was in the Army , and an AK-47 has a very distinct sound .
That 's what that was . ''
Police said they believed the shooting was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers and investigators are diligently working to process the scene , speak to all the witnesses and scour through all available physical evidence to help us locate and arrest the person/persons responsible for this shooting , '' officials said in a statement .
The police did not announce any arrests as of Saturday night .

1/2
Mesa, Ariz., police are investigating a drive-by shooting that injured seven people, including several children, in a parking lot Friday night. Photo courtesy Mesa Police Dept.
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Police in Mesa, Ariz., were continuing to investigate the scene of a drive-by shooting that injured seven people from multiple families, including four children under age 18. Mesa Police said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday in a Goodwill parking lot in the suburb of Phoenix. Advertisement
"A vehicle drove by and opened fire on a crowd that was gathered here on the corner," police spokesman Nik Rasheta said Friday night.
Seven people were wounded, including children aged 1, 6, 9 and 16 in addition to three adults.
One of the victims, a 1-year-old child, was in critical condition with a life-threatening injury and other injuries ranged from minor to severe, Mesa police Chief Ken Cost said Saturday.
The parking lot had been set up for an outdoor fair with booths.
A witness who identified himself as "Mike" told Valley News Box on Friday that he was nearby in a backyard and said he identified that weapon shooting as an automatic rifle.
"We heard 19 to 20 rounds just go off, boom, boom, boom. I was in the Army, and an AK-47 has a very distinct sound. That's what that was."
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Police said they believed the shooting was an "isolated incident."
"Our officers and investigators are diligently working to process the scene, speak to all the witnesses and scour through all available physical evidence to help us locate and arrest the person/persons responsible for this shooting," officials said in a statement.
The police did not announce any arrests as of Saturday night.
"They crossed the line. They shot children and it's unacceptable," Cost said. "You need to come forward and do the right thing."


upi--2020-10-17--Jury indicts Texas billionaire in decades-long tax fraud scheme

A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned a 39 count indictment against Brockman on Thursday , a Department of Justice statement said .
Brockman , a 79-year-old resident of Houston , Texas , and Pitkin County , Colorado , has been CEO of an Ohio-based software company , Reynolds and Reynolds , that makes software for car dealerships , since a 2006 merger with Houston-based Universal Computer Systems , according to the indictment .
Tax evasion , wire fraud , money laundering , and other offenses are among the charges officials announced .
The charges stem from alleged decades-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in income from the IRS and to defraud investors in the software 's company 's debt securities .
`` Today 's indictment reflects the Department of Justice 's commitment to finding and prosecuting the costliest and most sophisticated tax crimes in the United States , '' Principal Deputy Assistant General of the Tax Division Richard Zuckerman said in a statement .
Along with the tax offenses , the indictment alleges that Brockman engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $ 67.8 million in the software company 's debt securities .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty on all counts and was released on $ 1 million bond , The Wall Street Journal reported .
`` We look forward to defending him against these charges , '' Brockman 's lawyer Kathryn Keneally said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal .
Brockman used a `` web of offshore entities '' in Bermuda and Nevis to carry out the alleged scheme , according to the indictment .
He also directed untaxed capital gains incomes to secret bank accounts in Bermuda and Switzerland .
According to the indictment , Brockman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to communicate with offshore money handlers .
Among the code names , were fish-themed names like `` Redfish , '' `` Bonefish , '' and `` Snapper , '' according to the indictment .
A spokesman for Reynolds and Reynolds told The Washington Post that the company `` is not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing , and we are confident in the integrity and strength of our business '' noting that Brockman 's actions occurred `` outside of his professional responsibilities . ''
Witness and co-conspirator Robert F. Smith , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco-based private equity fund with a single investor , Brockman , bolstered the case against Brockman , The Post reported .
To avoid taxes , Smith helped Brockman hide profits earned through Vista in offshore accounts , according to prosecutors .
Brockman is a Marine veteran who started out his career working in marketing at Ford Motor and later worked as an IBM salesman before founding Universal Computer Systems in the 1970s and leading the company through its 2006 acquisition by Reynolds and Reynolds .

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Building is seen in Washington, D.C. File Photo by Kevin Dietcsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury has indicted Texas billionaire Robert Brockman in a decades-long, $2 billion tax fraud scheme. A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned a 39 count indictment against Brockman on Thursday, a Department of Justice statement said. Advertisement
Brockman, a 79-year-old resident of Houston, Texas, and Pitkin County, Colorado, has been CEO of an Ohio-based software company, Reynolds and Reynolds, that makes software for car dealerships, since a 2006 merger with Houston-based Universal Computer Systems, according to the indictment.
Tax evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and other offenses are among the charges officials announced. The charges stem from alleged decades-long scheme to hide approximately $2 billion in income from the IRS and to defraud investors in the software's company's debt securities.
"Today's indictment reflects the Department of Justice's commitment to finding and prosecuting the costliest and most sophisticated tax crimes in the United States," Principal Deputy Assistant General of the Tax Division Richard Zuckerman said in a statement.
Along with the tax offenses, the indictment alleges that Brockman engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $67.8 million in the software company's debt securities.
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In a virtual hearing Thursday, Brockman pleaded not guilty on all counts and was released on $1 million bond, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"We look forward to defending him against these charges," Brockman's lawyer Kathryn Keneally said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal.
Brockman used a "web of offshore entities" in Bermuda and Nevis to carry out the alleged scheme, according to the indictment. He also directed untaxed capital gains incomes to secret bank accounts in Bermuda and Switzerland.
According to the indictment, Brockman backdated documents and used encrypted code words to communicate with offshore money handlers. Among the code names, were fish-themed names like "Redfish," "Bonefish," and "Snapper," according to the indictment.
A spokesman for Reynolds and Reynolds told The Washington Post that the company "is not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing, and we are confident in the integrity and strength of our business" noting that Brockman's actions occurred "outside of his professional responsibilities."
Witness and co-conspirator Robert F. Smith, a founder of Vista Equity Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity fund with a single investor, Brockman, bolstered the case against Brockman, The Post reported. To avoid taxes, Smith helped Brockman hide profits earned through Vista in offshore accounts, according to prosecutors.
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Brockman is a Marine veteran who started out his career working in marketing at Ford Motor and later worked as an IBM salesman before founding Universal Computer Systems in the 1970s and leading the company through its 2006 acquisition by Reynolds and Reynolds.


upi--2020-10-17--Colorado fires grow by thousands of acres overnight

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Two Colorado wildfires -- one of which is the largest in the state 's history -- grew by thousands of acres Friday amid high winds and low relative humidity .
On Saturday morning Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin issued an evacuation notice for residents of the area near Colorado Highway 125 due to the East Troublesome fire near the state 's northern border .
That fire grew by more than 6,000 acres and as of Saturday was burning 11,329 acres , or 18 square miles .
Firefighters have not contained the blaze , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section of Highway 125 and the opening of an evacuation center .
The Cameron Peak fire near Fort Collins grew 20,000 acres Friday for a total of 187,537 acres or 293 square miles burning as of Saturday morning .
Authorities have issued a new round of evacuation orders for those living in the foothills immediately west of Fort Collins and south of the Big Thompson Canyon .
The fire , which ignited Aug. 13 , is 57 % contained , and is considered the largest fire in Colorado 's history .
A cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Front Range Saturday evening , reducing winds and reducing temperatures , but until then gusts as high as 50 miles per hour are expected with winds of up to 70 miles per hour about 9,000 feet .
Air quality in the Fort Collins area is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups until Sunday .

Two Colorado wildfires -- one of which is the largest in the state’s history -- grew by thousands of acres Friday. Image via Denver Fire Department/ Twitter
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Two Colorado wildfires -- one of which is the largest in the state's history -- grew by thousands of acres Friday amid high winds and low relative humidity. On Saturday morning Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin issued an evacuation notice for residents of the area near Colorado Highway 125 due to the East Troublesome fire near the state's northern border. Advertisement
That fire grew by more than 6,000 acres and as of Saturday was burning 11,329 acres, or 18 square miles.
Firefighters have not contained the blaze, which has also prompted the closure of a section of Highway 125 and the opening of an evacuation center.
The Cameron Peak fire near Fort Collins grew 20,000 acres Friday for a total of 187,537 acres or 293 square miles burning as of Saturday morning.
Authorities have issued a new round of evacuation orders for those living in the foothills immediately west of Fort Collins and south of the Big Thompson Canyon.
The fire, which ignited Aug. 13, is 57% contained, and is considered the largest fire in Colorado's history.
A cold front is expected to move over the Front Range Saturday evening, reducing winds and reducing temperatures, but until then gusts as high as 50 miles per hour are expected with winds of up to 70 miles per hour about 9,000 feet.
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Air quality in the Fort Collins area is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups until Sunday.


upi--2020-10-17--Justice Department: 21 white supremacists arrested in Utah for drug, gun crimes

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors in Utah announced the arrests of 21 alleged drug ring members tied to Utah white supremacy gangs .
Prosecutors unsealed 15 indictments Friday after a months-long federal investigation of prison-related groups calling themselves the Soldiers of Aryan Culture , Silent Aryan Warriors and Noble Elect Thugs .
Undercover agents purchased 1.65 pounds of illegal meth and recovered 15 firearms as part of the investigation , officials said .
The investigation began in June 2019 with the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms teaming up with two local gang units to target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a Wednesday sting , multiple law enforcement agencies in Ogden and Salt Lake City arrested 11 members of the group , which included suspects with nicknames such as `` Hollywood , '' `` Bones , '' Special K '' , `` Cheeto '' and `` Hymie Sativa . ''
The other 10 members were already in custody , serving time in prison .
One gang , the Soldiers of Aryan Culture , started in the Utah State Prison in the 1990s and has spread to other prison systems across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which tracks hate groups .
Defendants face charges of distribution of methamphetamine , possession of a firearm by a felon , and possession of a firearm during a narcotics trafficking offense .
If convicted , some defendants could have their statutory maximum sentences doubled because of past criminal convictions .

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors in Utah announced the arrests of 21 alleged drug ring members tied to Utah white supremacy gangs.
Prosecutors unsealed 15 indictments Friday after a months-long federal investigation of prison-related groups calling themselves the Soldiers of Aryan Culture, Silent Aryan Warriors and Noble Elect Thugs.
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Members allegedly operated a ring trafficking methamphetamine and guns.
Undercover agents purchased 1.65 pounds of illegal meth and recovered 15 firearms as part of the investigation, officials said.
The investigation began in June 2019 with the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms teaming up with two local gang units to target drug- and gun-trafficking activities in Utah.
In a Wednesday sting, multiple law enforcement agencies in Ogden and Salt Lake City arrested 11 members of the group, which included suspects with nicknames such as "Hollywood," "Bones," Special K", "Cheeto" and "Hymie Sativa." The other 10 members were already in custody, serving time in prison.
One gang, the Soldiers of Aryan Culture, started in the Utah State Prison in the 1990s and has spread to other prison systems across the country, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.
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Defendants face charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm during a narcotics trafficking offense. If convicted, some defendants could have their statutory maximum sentences doubled because of past criminal convictions.


upi--2020-10-17--French police arrest 10 in beheading of teacher

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- French authorities said they 've arrested 10 people in connection in the beheading of a teacher outside Paris by a man they identified as a Russian-born refugee of Chechen origin .
French newspaper Le Monde reported that of the 10 people arrested , four were family members of the accused attacker and two voluntarily presented themselves to police .
A French judicial source described the suspect as an 18-year-old Moscow-born man .
They said he killed Samuel Paty , who taught history and geography at a secondary school in the Conflans-Sainte-Honorine area .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday afternoon near the area where the victim 's body was found after he allegedly refused to drop a weapon .
Authorities said the attacker waited outside the school and asked students to identify his target .
He also posted images on social media of the victim , police added .
French President Emmanuel Macron has described the killing as an `` Islamist terrorist attack . ''
Authorities said Paty had shown students controversial caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad to his students during a discussion of the 2015 attack on the French satirical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints from some Muslim parents .
`` Samuel Paty embodied our Republic 's most noble asset : its schools .
He was cowardly murdered by enemies of freedom .
We will be united , firm and resolute , '' French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer wrote on Twitter .

Children and parents lay flowers in front of Bois d'Aulne middle school to pay their respect after a teacher was assassinated in Conflans Sainte-Honorine, outside Paris on Saturday. Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA-EFE
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- French authorities said they've arrested 10 people in connection in the beheading of a teacher outside Paris by a man they identified as a Russian-born refugee of Chechen origin. French newspaper Le Monde reported that of the 10 people arrested, four were family members of the accused attacker and two voluntarily presented themselves to police. Advertisement
A French judicial source described the suspect as an 18-year-old Moscow-born man. They said he killed Samuel Paty, who taught history and geography at a secondary school in the Conflans-Sainte-Honorine area.
Police said they shot and killed the attacker Friday afternoon near the area where the victim's body was found after he allegedly refused to drop a weapon.
Authorities said the attacker waited outside the school and asked students to identify his target. He also posted images on social media of the victim, police added.
French President Emmanuel Macron has described the killing as an "Islamist terrorist attack."
Authorities said Paty had shown students controversial caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad to his students during a discussion of the 2015 attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
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That decision prompted complaints from some Muslim parents.
"Samuel Paty embodied our Republic's most noble asset: its schools. He was cowardly murdered by enemies of freedom. We will be united, firm and resolute," French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer wrote on Twitter.


upi--2020-10-17--Women's marches protest Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Women marched in Washington , D.C. , and hundreds of cities across the country Saturday to protest President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
Women 's March leaders said they also hope to build momentum to vote Trump out of office , and energize women to get involved in activism and politics .
`` Everything we 've been doing has been leading up to this , '' said Caitlin Breedlove , deputy executive director of organizational advancement for the Women 's March .
`` We 're not only in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we need to build . ''
Saturday 's tent-pole event in Washington was permitted for 10,000 attendees , and organizers said some 380 events were planned throughout the country .
The Women 's March nearly four years ago attracted millions of people to protest in cities nationwide against Trump and for women 's political activism .
Organizers this year said more than 116,000 people have pledged to participate nationwide amid concerns about lower turnout due to COVID-19 .
The marches are being held days before the Senate is set to hold its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a liberal justice and feminist icon .
Barrett would cement a 6-3 conservative advantage on the court .
The D.C. rally began around 11 a.m. Saturday at Freedom Plaza with hundreds of women urging people to vote and call on Congress to suspend the Supreme Court confirmation .
Participants planned to later march down Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court .
About a dozen women lined up a in a row were clothed in red dresses and white bonnets -- a nod to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hanging from their necks , which read `` Trump Pence OUT NOW ! ''
The costumes also were a reference to Barrett 's leadership role in the Christian group People of Praise , a position called `` handmaiden '' until 2017 .
`` Women are threatened in a world where a Christian theocracy is threatening to take over , '' Kelsey Weir , a 29-year-old demonstrator holding a sign with the words , `` Women Against the Patriarchy '' said , as she pointed to the women in the handmaiden costumes .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The next few weeks are going to decide so many things for women . ''
Critics of Barrett fear she will cast a deciding vote that will threaten the reproductive rights of women and the Affordable Care Act .

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Women marched in Washington, D.C., and hundreds of cities across the country Saturday to protest President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
Women's March leaders said they also hope to build momentum to vote Trump out of office, and energize women to get involved in activism and politics.
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"Everything we've been doing has been leading up to this," said Caitlin Breedlove, deputy executive director of organizational advancement for the Women's March. "We're not only in resistance. We're actually fighting for what we need to build."
Saturday's tent-pole event in Washington was permitted for 10,000 attendees, and organizers said some 380 events were planned throughout the country.
The Women's March nearly four years ago attracted millions of people to protest in cities nationwide against Trump and for women's political activism. Organizers this year said more than 116,000 people have pledged to participate nationwide amid concerns about lower turnout due to COVID-19.
The marches are being held days before the Senate is set to hold its first vote to confirm Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal justice and feminist icon. Barrett would cement a 6-3 conservative advantage on the court.
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The D.C. rally began around 11 a.m. Saturday at Freedom Plaza with hundreds of women urging people to vote and call on Congress to suspend the Supreme Court confirmation. Participants planned to later march down Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court.
About a dozen women lined up a in a row were clothed in red dresses and white bonnets -- a nod to The Handmaid's Tale -- with signs hanging from their necks, which read "Trump Pence OUT NOW!"
The costumes also were a reference to Barrett's leadership role in the Christian group People of Praise, a position called "handmaiden" until 2017.
"Women are threatened in a world where a Christian theocracy is threatening to take over," Kelsey Weir, a 29-year-old demonstrator holding a sign with the words, "Women Against the Patriarchy" said, as she pointed to the women in the handmaiden costumes. "This is the crisis for our world. The next few weeks are going to decide so many things for women."
Critics of Barrett fear she will cast a deciding vote that will threaten the reproductive rights of women and the Affordable Care Act.


upi--2020-10-17--Michigan looks like winter wonderland in October as snow sweeps in

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Temperatures tumbled as a preview of winter weather began moving in Friday into Saturday , leaving some areas such as Houghton , Mich. , home to Michigan Technological University and located in the Upper Peninsula of the state , looking like a winter wonderland -- and forecasters say that snow could fall across several states into Sunday .
After residents of many cities in the north-central United States basked in temperatures well above normal to start the month , a snap back to reality occurred on Thursday .
In many locations , temperatures were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to Wednesday .
This meant temperatures went from near normal to well below normal .
The cold air laid the groundworks for some wintry precipitation that may be making some scratch their heads and wonder what season it is anyway .
An area of low pressure ushered rain and snow showers into parts of the north-central U.S. on Friday .
By Friday night , as colder air plunged southward , the rain once again mixed with and changed to snow across more of the region .
Although some areas had snow back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely confined to the higher elevations .
This time , larger cities such as Great Falls , Mont.
, and Fargo , N.D. , experienced their first snowflakes of the season .
During Saturday morning , a swath stretching from eastern North Dakota through northern Minnesota , northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was getting an early taste of winter .
As this wave of snow exits into Canada by Saturday night , a narrow swath of snow is likely to sweep into the Midwest from the northern Rockies into Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question for a few snowflakes to fly in Omaha , Neb .
; Des Moines , Iowa ; and the northwestern suburbs of Chicago Saturday night into Sunday , depending on how quickly cold air surges in .
`` Regardless of where snow may fall , the unseasonable chill is certain to impact the northern Rockies , northern Plains and Upper Midwest for much of the upcoming week , especially during the first half of the week , '' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski .
`` Cities such as Fargo and Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row with highs in the 30s and lower 40s and lows in the 20s , which is more in line with these cities ' temperatures in early November . ''
With highs normally in the 50s F across much of the region , temperatures will be 15-20 degrees below normal .
`` As Pacific storms push across the Northwest and into the Great Plains , snow may continue to streak across the North Central states into the northern Great Lakes next week , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mike LeSeney said .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweeps through a portion of the Midwest , possibly into Minneapolis , by Tuesday .

A few snow bands will continue to affect areas of NE Ontonagon County through the Keweenaw over the next couple of hours. Reduced visibilities and slushy roads can be expected during the brief bursts of heavier snow. This image from a Michigan Tech webcam from around 930 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/PqOwzc33ER— NWS Marquette (@NWSMarquette) October 16, 2020
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Temperatures tumbled as a preview of winter weather began moving in Friday into Saturday, leaving some areas such as Houghton, Mich., home to Michigan Technological University and located in the Upper Peninsula of the state, looking like a winter wonderland -- and forecasters say that snow could fall across several states into Sunday.
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After residents of many cities in the north-central United States basked in temperatures well above normal to start the month, a snap back to reality occurred on Thursday. In many locations, temperatures were 10 degrees to 15 degrees lower as compared to Wednesday. This meant temperatures went from near normal to well below normal.
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The cold air laid the groundworks for some wintry precipitation that may be making some scratch their heads and wonder what season it is anyway. An area of low pressure ushered rain and snow showers into parts of the north-central U.S. on Friday. By Friday night, as colder air plunged southward, the rain once again mixed with and changed to snow across more of the region.
Although some areas had snow back in September, that wintry blast was largely confined to the higher elevations. This time, larger cities such as Great Falls, Mont., and Fargo, N.D., experienced their first snowflakes of the season.
During Saturday morning, a swath stretching from eastern North Dakota through northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was getting an early taste of winter.
As this wave of snow exits into Canada by Saturday night, a narrow swath of snow is likely to sweep into the Midwest from the northern Rockies into Sunday.
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It is not out of the question for a few snowflakes to fly in Omaha, Neb.; Des Moines, Iowa; and the northwestern suburbs of Chicago Saturday night into Sunday, depending on how quickly cold air surges in.
"Regardless of where snow may fall, the unseasonable chill is certain to impact the northern Rockies, northern Plains and Upper Midwest for much of the upcoming week, especially during the first half of the week," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. "Cities such as Fargo and Grand Forks will record several days in a row with highs in the 30s and lower 40s and lows in the 20s, which is more in line with these cities' temperatures in early November."
With highs normally in the 50s F across much of the region, temperatures will be 15-20 degrees below normal.
"As Pacific storms push across the Northwest and into the Great Plains, snow may continue to streak across the North Central states into the northern Great Lakes next week," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mike LeSeney said.
It is possible that a swath of steady snow sweeps through a portion of the Midwest, possibly into Minneapolis, by Tuesday.


upi--2020-10-17--Germany sets another record for new daily COVID-19 cases

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Germany set another record Saturday for its daily COVID-19 case count , according to the Robert Koch Institute .
The German federal agency reported 7,830 new daily cases within a span of 24 hours , up from the last record of 7,334 new daily cases on Friday , and another record of 6,638 new cases a day earlier .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged citizens in a video message to follow government regulations to curb the rising number of cases and `` meet with a lot fewer people '' both inside and outside their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that the virus does not spread in an uncontrolled way , '' Merkel said amid the record highs .
`` Every day counts . ''
The German government 's strategy to control the virus has focused on contact tracing to isolate individuals before they can infect others .
`` Health authorities are doing amazing work in this regard ... but where the number of infections become too high , they simply can not keep up , '' Merkel said .
Merkel added that people should avoid traveling unless necessary .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of contacts outside if [ of ] their own family , then it is possible to stop and even reverse this trend , '' she added .
Germany has reported 359,802 cases and 9,776 deaths since the pandemic began , according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker .
On Friday , the Czech Republic also set a daily record , reporting some 11,105 new daily cases of COVID-19 .
It was the first time the country recorded more than 10,000 cases in a day .
The Czech Republic has reported 164,422 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with over 89,000 cases reported in October .
The government on Friday approved the construction of a field hospital in Prague 's Letnany exhibition grounds .
The army was expected to begin work on the 500-bed hospital this weekend .
Italy reported a new daily record of 10,925 cases , the national Civil Protection Agency said Saturday , amid a second wave of the virus raging through Europe .
Campania , the Italian region that includes Naples , has reported a daily infection rate five times higher than March 's peak .
Campania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed through October and threatened a lockdown if the number of cases continue to rise .
`` Are we dramatizing it ? ''
the regional governor questioned in a Facebook post .
`` No , simply doing a calculation that will prevent use from a crushing situation in our hospitals . ''
Since the pandemic began , Italy has reported 402,536 cases and 36,474 deaths , Johns Hopkins data shows .
France began to impose new restrictions Saturday to control the spread of the coronavirus , including a curfew in Paris and seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. Belgium similarly will impose a curfew starting Monday to curb rising cases , from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. Cafes , bars and restaurants will also be closed .
Belgium has reported 202,151 cases and 10,359 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins .
Britain reported 150 new deaths and 16,171 new cases Saturday , government figures showed .
To date , Britain has reported 692,126 cases and 43,669 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins data .
The British government imposed tighter COVID-19 restrictions on meetings in London earlier this week to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban on people meeting with people outside their household in an indoor setting and ban on people meeting in a group of six or more outside .
According to a CNBC analysis , when adjusting for population , the number of new cases in Europe has overtaken the United States .
Europe has reported 187 new cases per million people based on a seven-day average , compared with 162 new cases per million people in the United States as of Thursday .
Worldwide , COVID-19 has sickened over 39.4 million people and @ @ @ @ @ @

A sign directs people to a coronavirus test station at the central train station, in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Omer Messinger/EPA-EFE
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Germany set another record Saturday for its daily COVID-19 case count, according to the Robert Koch Institute. The German federal agency reported 7,830 new daily cases within a span of 24 hours, up from the last record of 7,334 new daily cases on Friday, and another record of 6,638 new cases a day earlier. Advertisement
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged citizens in a video message to follow government regulations to curb the rising number of cases and "meet with a lot fewer people" both inside and outside their homes.
"We must do everything to ensure that the virus does not spread in an uncontrolled way," Merkel said amid the record highs. "Every day counts."
The German government's strategy to control the virus has focused on contact tracing to isolate individuals before they can infect others.
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"Health authorities are doing amazing work in this regard ... but where the number of infections become too high, they simply cannot keep up," Merkel said.
Merkel added that people should avoid traveling unless necessary.
"If each of us drastically reduces the amount of contacts outside if [of] their own family, then it is possible to stop and even reverse this trend," she added.
Germany has reported 359,802 cases and 9,776 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
On Friday, the Czech Republic also set a daily record, reporting some 11,105 new daily cases of COVID-19. It was the first time the country recorded more than 10,000 cases in a day.
The Czech Republic has reported 164,422 cases and 1,338 deaths to date, with over 89,000 cases reported in October.
The government on Friday approved the construction of a field hospital in Prague's Letnany exhibition grounds. The army was expected to begin work on the 500-bed hospital this weekend.
Italy reported a new daily record of 10,925 cases, the national Civil Protection Agency said Saturday, amid a second wave of the virus raging through Europe.
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Campania, the Italian region that includes Naples, has reported a daily infection rate five times higher than March's peak.
Campania Gov. Vincenzo De Luca ordered schools closed through October and threatened a lockdown if the number of cases continue to rise.
"Are we dramatizing it?" the regional governor questioned in a Facebook post. "No, simply doing a calculation that will prevent use from a crushing situation in our hospitals."
Since the pandemic began, Italy has reported 402,536 cases and 36,474 deaths, Johns Hopkins data shows.
France began to impose new restrictions Saturday to control the spread of the coronavirus, including a curfew in Paris and seven other cities from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
France has reported 876,342 cases and 33,325 deaths, Johns Hopkins data shows.
Belgium similarly will impose a curfew starting Monday to curb rising cases, from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. Cafes, bars and restaurants will also be closed.
Belgium has reported 202,151 cases and 10,359 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
Britain reported 150 new deaths and 16,171 new cases Saturday, government figures showed. To date, Britain has reported 692,126 cases and 43,669 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins data.
The British government imposed tighter COVID-19 restrictions on meetings in London earlier this week to combat the spread of the coronavirus, including a ban on people meeting with people outside their household in an indoor setting and ban on people meeting in a group of six or more outside.
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According to a CNBC analysis, when adjusting for population, the number of new cases in Europe has overtaken the United States. Europe has reported 187 new cases per million people based on a seven-day average, compared with 162 new cases per million people in the United States as of Thursday.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has sickened over 39.4 million people and killed over 1.1 million people.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-10-17--Michigan supporters chant 'lock her up' as Trump attacks Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump railed against Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer at a campaign speech at an airport hangar in Michigan Saturday .
Trump , who did n't mention Whitmer 's name , complained about the governor 's locking down certain areas during the coronavirus pandemic .
Multiple times during the event , crowds began to chant `` lock her up , lock her up '' repeating the phrase used during Trump 's 2016 campaign stumping when he would bring up `` Crooked Hillary '' Clinton .
`` You got ta get your governor to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said , as his crowds began to chant .
Whitmer 's emergency lockdown declarations have provoked lawsuits and a takeover at the state capitol building by armed protestors .
Initially , Detroit had one of the highest rates of COVID-19 in the country with a high of 428 daily cases in April , and has seen more than 1,500 deaths .
The state has seen an increase in cases to more than 2,200 per day with 15 deaths reported Friday , according to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 tracker .
The positivity rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer 's emergency orders as a `` draconian unscientific lockdown '' that keeps Michigan `` locked up and locked down and closed for business . ''
Whitmer was also recently the target of a domestic terrorist plot , foiled by the FBI , to kidnap her , allegedly hold her on a `` trial '' on Nov. 3 and murder her and other state government officials , including Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam .
Fourteen people have been charged with state and federal crimes .
Federal agents said political rhetoric contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd continued to chant `` lock her up '' again , Trump acknowledged that Whitmer had been in danger .
`` Look , she said she was threatened , '' Trump said .
`` And she blamed me .
And our people are the ones that worked with her people , so let 's see what happens , '' he added .
Trump also complained during the rally about Whitmer 's lack of gratitude to the federal government for supplies and PPE during the first wave of the pandemic .
`` She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said .
`` Hopefully you 'll be sending her packing pretty soon . ''
At that , the crowd began chanting again .
Trump 's speech also attacked his traditional campaign stump speech opponents `` sleepy Joe '' Biden , CNN , social media companies and the `` radical leftist agenda . ''
`` The modern left does not use reason or persuasion to advance their cause .
They use intimidation , coercion and control , and worse , '' Trump said .
`` They demand absolute allegiance or else ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heritage . ''
In a newer twist , Trump tried to evoke fear in the crowd by insisting that his opponent Joe Biden would `` flood your great state with immigrants and refugees from terrorist hotspots all around the world . ''
He said Biden had a plan that would `` turn Michigan into a refugee camp '' and `` overwhelm '' the state with `` poorly vetted migrants from jihadist regions . ''
The speech lasted more than an hour and Trump , at times , appeared to have a raspy voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania , Georgia , Iowa and South Carolina as he recovers from treatment for COVID-19 .
The president gave a shoutout to Michigan conservative electric guitarist Ted Nugent and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel , who is also recovering from COVID-19 .
The weather in Muskegon was chilly with temperatures in the mid-40s and windy .
Trump called for a hat several times during his speech , which was finally provided by a staffer .

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump railed against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at a campaign speech at an airport hangar in Michigan Saturday.
Trump, who didn't mention Whitmer's name, complained about the governor's locking down certain areas during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Multiple times during the event, crowds began to chant "lock her up, lock her up" repeating the phrase used during Trump's 2016 campaign stumping when he would bring up "Crooked Hillary" Clinton.
"You gotta get your governor to open up your state, OK?" Trump said, as his crowds began to chant.
Whitmer's emergency lockdown declarations have provoked lawsuits and a takeover at the state capitol building by armed protestors. Initially, Detroit had one of the highest rates of COVID-19 in the country with a high of 428 daily cases in April, and has seen more than 1,500 deaths.
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The state has seen an increase in cases to more than 2,200 per day with 15 deaths reported Friday, according to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 tracker. The positivity rate is 3.74%.
Trump referred to Whitmer's emergency orders as a "draconian unscientific lockdown" that keeps Michigan "locked up and locked down and closed for business."
Whitmer was also recently the target of a domestic terrorist plot, foiled by the FBI, to kidnap her, allegedly hold her on a "trial" on Nov. 3 and murder her and other state government officials, including Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.
Fourteen people have been charged with state and federal crimes. Federal agents said political rhetoric contributed to the actions of the defendants.
As the crowd continued to chant "lock her up" again, Trump acknowledged that Whitmer had been in danger.
"Look, she said she was threatened," Trump said. "And she blamed me. And our people are the ones that worked with her people, so let's see what happens," he added.
Trump also complained during the rally about Whitmer's lack of gratitude to the federal government for supplies and PPE during the first wave of the pandemic.
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"She'd go out and badmouth me," Trump said. "Hopefully you'll be sending her packing pretty soon." At that, the crowd began chanting again.
Trump's speech also attacked his traditional campaign stump speech opponents "sleepy Joe" Biden, CNN, social media companies and the "radical leftist agenda."
"The modern left does not use reason or persuasion to advance their cause. They use intimidation, coercion and control, and worse," Trump said. "They demand absolute allegiance or else ... and they want to cancel our entire heritage."
In a newer twist, Trump tried to evoke fear in the crowd by insisting that his opponent Joe Biden would "flood your great state with immigrants and refugees from terrorist hotspots all around the world."
He said Biden had a plan that would "turn Michigan into a refugee camp" and "overwhelm" the state with "poorly vetted migrants from jihadist regions."
The speech lasted more than an hour and Trump, at times, appeared to have a raspy voice after non-stop campaign appearances in Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina as he recovers from treatment for COVID-19.
The president gave a shoutout to Michigan conservative electric guitarist Ted Nugent and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, who is also recovering from COVID-19.
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The weather in Muskegon was chilly with temperatures in the mid-40s and windy. Trump called for a hat several times during his speech, which was finally provided by a staffer.
Watch Trump's Michigan rally here:


upi--2020-10-17--Emma Roberts producing vampire series for Netflix

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- American Horror Story and Scream Queens icon Emma Roberts is producing a Netflix series @ @ @ @ @ on Victoria `` V. E. '' Schwab 's short story .
Felicia D. Henderson -- @ @ @ @ @ and The Punisher -- is to serve as showrunner .
Schwab is the eight-part , @ @ @ @ @ writer and executive producer .
`` When it 's time for teenage vampire Juliette to @ @ @ @ @ she can take her place among a powerful vampire family , she sets her sights @ @ @ @ @ town named Calliope , '' a synopsis said .
`` But much to Juliette 's @ @ @ @ @ vampire hunter , from a family of celebrated slayers .
Both find that the other @ @ @ @ @ to kill and , unfortunately , way too easy to fall for . ''
No @ @ @ @ @ Roberts recently announced she is pregnant with her first child with her beau , actor @ @ @

Emma Roberts is producing a vampire drama for Netflix. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- American Horror Story and Scream Queens icon Emma Roberts is producing a Netflix series called First Kill, based on Victoria "V. E." Schwab's short story. Felicia D. Henderson -- whose credits include Gossip Girl and The Punisher -- is to serve as showrunner. Advertisement
Schwab is the eight-part, young-adult drama's creator, writer and executive producer.
"When it's time for teenage vampire Juliette to make her first kill so she can take her place among a powerful vampire family, she sets her sights on a new girl in town named Calliope," a synopsis said.
"But much to Juliette's surprise, Calliope is a vampire hunter, from a family of celebrated slayers. Both find that the other won't be so easy to kill and, unfortunately, way too easy to fall for."
No casting has been disclosed.
Roberts recently announced she is pregnant with her first child with her beau, actor Garrett Hedlund.


upi--2020-10-17--Explosion shakes up Harrisonburg, Va., injures 3

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- An explosion Saturday morning at a commercial strip in downtown Harrisonburg , Va. , @ @ @ @ @ multiple businesses , local officials said .
Around 8:30 a.m. , the building caught fire @ @ @ @ @ smoke into the air .
Viewers told local television stations that they felt the explosion @ @ @ @ @ people with serious injuries were airlifted to a hospital and one was treated locally , @ @ @ @ @ .
Ralph Northam said in a tweet that he deployed state emergency personnel for additional @ @ @ @ @ the scene , which he referred to as a gas explosion .
Employees at a @ @ @ @ @ store were not injured , the businesses said .
The cause of the explosion was @ @ @ @ @ Chief Matthew Tobia , who said Saturday morning that fire crews would likely be on @ @ @ @ @ .

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- An explosion Saturday morning at a commercial strip in downtown Harrisonburg, Va., injured three people and destroyed multiple businesses, local officials said.
Around 8:30 a.m., the building caught fire, sending large plumes of smoke into the air. Viewers told local television stations that they felt the explosion several miles away.
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Two people with serious injuries were airlifted to a hospital and one was treated locally, WHSV-TV reported.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said in a tweet that he deployed state emergency personnel for additional support to local firefighters to the scene, which he referred to as a gas explosion.
Employees at a nearby vape shop and music store were not injured, the businesses said.
The cause of the explosion was not confirmed by Harrisonburg Fire Chief Matthew Tobia, who said Saturday morning that fire crews would likely be on the scene for several days.


upi--2020-10-17--Fetty Wap mourns late brother on Instagram

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Rapper Fetty Wap announced on Instagram that he is mourning the death of his @ @ @ @ @ 26 , was shot and killed in New Jersey on Thursday night , the South @ @ @ @ @ The New York Post said Depew was the younger brother of Fetty Wap , the @ @ @ @ @ is Willie Junior Maxwell II .
`` I love you lil bro my twin , @ @ @ @ @ Friday 's Instagram post .
`` R.I.P ...
I failed you bro I 'm sorry @ @ @ @ @ phone and you wo n't pick tf up and that [ expletive ] never ring @ @ @ @ @ straight to vm I love you lil bro I really thought I could get you @ @ @ @ @ to make a post like this lil bro like wtf . ''

Fetty Wap is mourning the death of his younger brother Twyshon Depew this week. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Rapper Fetty Wap announced on Instagram that he is mourning the death of his brother. Twyshon Depew, 26, was shot and killed in New Jersey on Thursday night, the South Passaic Daily Voice reported. Advertisement
The New York Post said Depew was the younger brother of Fetty Wap, the 29-year-old artist whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II.
"I love you lil bro my twin," Fetty Wap wrote in Friday's Instagram post.
"R.I.P ... I failed you bro I'm sorry ... I keep calling ya phone and you won't pick tf up and that [expletive] never ring 3 times now it's straight to vm I love you lil bro I really thought I could get you out before I ever had to make a post like this lil bro like wtf."


upi--2020-10-17--Bangkok protesters hold rallies despite transit shutdown

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Bangkok protesters held rallies Saturday after authorities failed to stop them by closing transit .
About 20,000 people protesting against the government made their way on foot to rallying spots despite the shutdown of the rail system .
The Bangkok Post described the demonstration as `` peaceful . ''
The Metropolitan Police Bureau estimated there were 8,000 protesters at Lat Phrao , 6,000 at Wong Wian Yai , 6,000 at Udom Suk-Bang Na and 1,000 at Ramkhamhaeng University .
Demonstrators have been demanding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha 's resignation and the creation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution allowed Prayut , who took the helm of the country in a 2014 coup , to unfairly hold onto power in last year 's elections .
They also call for reforms related to the wealth of the kingdom 's royals and an end to harassment of government critics .
The youth-led movement , known as the People , announced it would regroup despite a government decree earlier in the week banning protests and aggressive dispersal of protesters Friday where police used a water cannon to clear about 2,000 protesters , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch issued a statement Saturday saying that water cannons were used `` unnecessarily '' Thursday `` against peaceful pro-democracy protesters , '' in violation of international human rights standards .
Still , police defended their use of water cannons .
`` The police abided by international standards to disperse the demonstration , '' police spokesman Maj. Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong said at a news conference .
An undercover officer armed with a warrant arrested protest leader Panupong `` Mike '' Jandnok on Saturday , according to the Bangkok Post .
The newspaper said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators passed around hard hats amid rumors of imminent crackdowns .
The bus routes resumed operation at 8:30 p.m. as protesters began to head back home from the protests .
The protests started Sept. 24 after lawmakers decided not to vote on an amendment to the Constitution despite months of public pressure .

Pro-democracy protesters flash a three-finger salute and shout slogans against the prime minister during an anti-government protest Saturday in Bangkok. Photo by Narong Sangkak/EPA-EFE
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Bangkok protesters held rallies Saturday after authorities failed to stop them by closing transit. About 20,000 people protesting against the government made their way on foot to rallying spots despite the shutdown of the rail system. The Bangkok Post described the demonstration as "peaceful." Advertisement
The Metropolitan Police Bureau estimated there were 8,000 protesters at Lat Phrao, 6,000 at Wong Wian Yai, 6,000 at Udom Suk-Bang Na and 1,000 at Ramkhamhaeng University.
Demonstrators have been demanding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation and the creation of a new Constitution. Protesters say the new Constitution allowed Prayut, who took the helm of the country in a 2014 coup, to unfairly hold onto power in last year's elections. They also call for reforms related to the wealth of the kingdom's royals and an end to harassment of government critics.
The youth-led movement, known as the People, announced it would regroup despite a government decree earlier in the week banning protests and aggressive dispersal of protesters Friday where police used a water cannon to clear about 2,000 protesters, along with the afternoon transit shutdown.
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Human Rights Watch issued a statement Saturday saying that water cannons were used "unnecessarily" Thursday "against peaceful pro-democracy protesters," in violation of international human rights standards.
Still, police defended their use of water cannons.
"The police abided by international standards to disperse the demonstration," police spokesman Maj. Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong said at a news conference.
An undercover officer armed with a warrant arrested protest leader Panupong "Mike" Jandnok on Saturday, according to the Bangkok Post. The newspaper said the police presence was minimal, but front-line demonstrators passed around hard hats amid rumors of imminent crackdowns.
The bus routes resumed operation at 8:30 p.m. as protesters began to head back home from the protests.
The protests started Sept. 24 after lawmakers decided not to vote on an amendment to the Constitution despite months of public pressure.


upi--2020-10-17--Tracee Ellis Ross to receive Fashion Icon Award at People's Choice event

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Black-ish actress Tracee Ellis Ross will be honored with the Fashion Icon of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ E !
People 's Choice Awards ceremony .
Jen Neal -- general manager of E @ @ @ @ @ and lifestyle digital -- announced the distinction in a statement Friday .
`` Tracee Ellis @ @ @ @ @ , '' Neal said .
`` Her influence in the entertainment and fashion spaces are @ @ @ @ @ to honor her with the Fashion Icon Award . ''
`` Well is n't this @ @ @ @ @ otherwise kooky year !
How incredible to be named the # PCAs Fashion Icon of @ @ @ @ @ na be fun !
!
What oh what am I going to wear ... .
@ @ @ @ @ to the news .
The E !
People 's Choice Awards is to be broadcast @ @ @ @ @ Santa Monica , Calif. , on Nov. 15 .
The fan-voted prizes celebrate the year @ @ @ @ @ film and music .

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Tracee Ellis Ross will be honored for her keen sense of style at the People's Choice Awards ceremony on Nov. 15. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Black-ish actress Tracee Ellis Ross will be honored with the Fashion Icon of 2020 Award at next month's E! People's Choice Awards ceremony. Jen Neal -- general manager of E! News, live events and lifestyle digital -- announced the distinction in a statement Friday. Advertisement
"Tracee Ellis Ross' style is transcendent," Neal said. "Her influence in the entertainment and fashion spaces are incomparable and we are delighted to honor her with the Fashion Icon Award."
"Well isn't this a bright spot in an otherwise kooky year! How incredible to be named the #PCAs Fashion Icon of 2020 Now THIS is gonna be fun!! What oh what am I going to wear...." Ross tweeted in response to the news.
The E! People's Choice Awards is to be broadcast from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., on Nov. 15.
The fan-voted prizes celebrate the year's best in TV, film and music.
Well isn't this a bright spot in an otherwise kooky year! How incredible to be named the #PCAs Fashion Icon of 2020 Now THIS is gonna be fun!! What oh what am I going to wear.... https://t.co/chtZL5ojNG— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) October 16, 2020
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upi--2020-10-17--Rhea Seehorn, Jason Lee to lend voices to 'Harper House' characters

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- Rhea Seehorn , Jason Lee , Tatiana Maslany and Ryan Flynn have signed up @ @ @ @ @ adult animated comedy The Harper House , CBS All Access announced .
Created by Brad @ @ @ @ @ `` an overconfident female head of a household , as she struggles to regain a @ @ @ @ @ for her family of oddballs , after losing her job and moving from the rich @ @ @ @ @ of an Arkansas small town , '' a synopsis said .
`` To save money @ @ @ @ @ their inherited Victorian fixer-upper , the historic Harper House . ''
The voice cast will @ @ @ @ @ Lance Krall , Roberta Colindrez , Tessa Skara , John `` Spud '' McConnell , @ @ @ @ @ , Gabourey Sidibe , Nyima Funk and Gary Anthony Williams .
The show is expected @ @ @ @ @

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Rhea Seehorn is to lend her voice to a character in the upcoming animated series, "The Harper House." File Photo Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Rhea Seehorn, Jason Lee, Tatiana Maslany and Ryan Flynn have signed up for voice roles in the adult animated comedy The Harper House, CBS All Access announced. Created by Brad Neely, the show follows "an overconfident female head of a household, as she struggles to regain a higher status for herself and for her family of oddballs, after losing her job and moving from the rich side to the poor side of an Arkansas small town," a synopsis said. Advertisement
"To save money, they've moved into their inherited Victorian fixer-upper, the historic Harper House."
The voice cast will also include VyVy Nguyen, Lance Krall, Roberta Colindrez, Tessa Skara, John "Spud" McConnell, Chris Diamantopoulos, Joanna Hausmann, Gabourey Sidibe, Nyima Funk and Gary Anthony Williams.
The show is expected to debut in 2021.


upi--2020-10-17--SpaceX plans Starlink broadband satellite launch Sunday morning

ORLANDO , Fla. , Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX plans to launch its 14th group of about 60 satellites from Florida on Sunday morning for the company 's Starlink broadband network , which is approaching a full-scale public trial period .
Liftoff is scheduled for 8:25 a.m. EDT aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center .
The launch would boost the number of satellites in orbit to nearly 800 .
After the previous Starlink launch Oct. 6 , SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the launch would soon allow it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' test in the northern United States and `` hopefully '' in southern Canada .
`` Other countries to follow as soon as we receive regulatory approval , '' Musk wrote .
The company said emergency responders in northern Washington State had used the Starlink service in wildfire-stricken areas .
`` The way emergency responders deployed Starlink in this context is representative of how Starlink works best-in remote or rural areas where internet connectivity is unavailable , '' the company reported on its website .
`` Our Starlink network is still in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows our coverage will grow as well . ''
Another initial user of Starlink is the Hoh tribe of Washington , where the service recently allowed it to offer more online education and telehealth services , according to a video produced by the state officials and posted on YouTube on Oct 7 .
`` It 's like out of nowhere , SpaceX came up and just catapulted us into the 21st Century , '' Melvinjohn Ashue , vice chairman of the tribe , said in the video .
SpaceX also won the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bid for $ 16 billion in federal funding to provide broadband service to rural areas of the United States .
The company was listed among 186 qualified bidders for the auction , which also includes such big names as Hughes , CenturyLink , Verizon and ViaSat .
The money be released annually over a period of 10 years to internet providers so they can offer lower rates in rural areas .
Musk also confirmed on Twitter that Starlink is intended to be usable on fast-moving cars and trains , as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear view of the sky .
Starlink 's ground receivers are designed to have the ability to move and track Starlink signals automatically .

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SpaceX plans to launch 60 more Starlink satellites from Florida on Sunday morning aboard a Falcon 9 rocket like this one shown at the same launch pad in September. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- SpaceX plans to launch its 14th group of about 60 satellites from Florida on Sunday morning for the company's Starlink broadband network, which is approaching a full-scale public trial period. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:25 a.m. EDT aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Advertisement
The launch would boost the number of satellites in orbit to nearly 800.
After the previous Starlink launch Oct. 6, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the launch would soon allow it to "roll out a fairly wide public" test in the northern United States and "hopefully" in southern Canada.
"Other countries to follow as soon as we receive regulatory approval," Musk wrote.
The company said emergency responders in northern Washington State had used the Starlink service in wildfire-stricken areas.
"The way emergency responders deployed Starlink in this context is representative of how Starlink works best-in remote or rural areas where internet connectivity is unavailable," the company reported on its website. "Our Starlink network is still in its early stages, but as our network grows our coverage will grow as well."
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Another initial user of Starlink is the Hoh tribe of Washington, where the service recently allowed it to offer more online education and telehealth services, according to a video produced by the state officials and posted on YouTube on Oct 7.
"It's like out of nowhere, SpaceX came up and just catapulted us into the 21st Century," Melvinjohn Ashue, vice chairman of the tribe, said in the video.
SpaceX also won the right from the Federal Communication Commission on Wednesday to bid for $16 billion in federal funding to provide broadband service to rural areas of the United States.
The company was listed among 186 qualified bidders for the auction, which also includes such big names as Hughes, CenturyLink, Verizon and ViaSat. The money be released annually over a period of 10 years to internet providers so they can offer lower rates in rural areas.
Musk also confirmed on Twitter that Starlink is intended to be usable on fast-moving cars and trains, as long as the dish receivers are mounted and have a clear view of the sky.
Starlink's ground receivers are designed to have the ability to move and track Starlink signals automatically.


upi--2020-10-17--Mena Suvari pregnant with first child

Mena Suvari pregnant with first child

Oct. 17 ( UPI ) -- American Pie , American Beauty and American Woman alum Mena Suvari has announced she @ @ @ @ @ child .
`` The greatest , most precious gift has come our way , '' @ @ @ @ @ Instagram on Friday .
`` Through all the trauma , through all the struggle , @ @ @ @ @ our little angel has chosen us .
I will never have enough words to describe @ @ @ @ @ soul coming into our lives , but I wont ever stop trying to give him @ @ @ @ @ You 're all I 've ever wanted and the most important thing that will ever @ @ @ @ @ BabyHope .
We welcome , honor , and cherish you . ''
She also shared @ @ @ @ @ standing with her eyes closed and cradling her baby bump .

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Actress Mena Suvari has announced she is pregnant with her first child. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- American Pie, American Beauty and American Woman alum Mena Suvari has announced she is pregnant with her first child. "The greatest, most precious gift has come our way," the 41-year-old actress wrote on Instagram on Friday. Advertisement
"Through all the trauma, through all the struggle, through all the doubt, our little angel has chosen us. I will never have enough words to describe my love for this beautiful soul coming into our lives, but I wont ever stop trying to give him the best life possible. You're all I've ever wanted and the most important thing that will ever matter.We love you, #BabyHope. We welcome, honor, and cherish you."
She also shared an outdoor photo of her standing with her eyes closed and cradling her baby bump.
Suvari married Michael Hope in 2018.