upi--2020-10-23--Donald Trump's 'America first' agenda has damaged global human rights

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- Even before Donald Trump was elected U.S. president in 2016 , researchers who study democratic backsliding , the rise of authoritarian regimes and their policies , feared his `` America first '' agenda would pose a serious threat to democratic norms and the rule of law .
In office , the president repeatedly refused to commit to accept the results of the election .
He has called for criminal prosecution of his political enemies , criticized judges for ruling against his administration and rewarded his political allies with pardons when they broke the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of Human Rights , we reviewed a wide array of evidence about the Trump administration 's apparent threats to various international commitments , as well as democratic rule .
We show how Trump 's America first policies have directly undermined the international human rights regime .
While critics of U.S. foreign policy have argued before that the United States often falls short in upholding human rights , the current moment is particularly fraught .
Trump 's America first agenda , and especially his administration 's overt transgressions against many longstanding international norms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Trump administration barely pretends to care about human rights in comparison with other priorities .
This both directly undermines human rights protection in the United States and emboldens other world leaders to violate human rights .
Consider Trump 's reaction to the conclusion by U.S. intelligence agencies that Saudi Arabia 's leadership had ordered the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul , Turkey .
Trump explained why he continued to back Saudi Arabia : `` It 's all about 'America First . '
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of billions of dollars in ( arms ) orders . ''
Even before his election , Trump was advocating policies in contravention of long-established international norms .
During his 2016 campaign , he infamously called for the use of torture against terror suspects , which is unconditionally prohibited by international law .
As president , Trump has followed up by pardoning various war criminals , including soldiers convicted of brutal acts , which military legal scholars argue `` can encourage criminal behavior with anticipated impunity on the battlefield . ''
Perhaps even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a manner that directly and openly transgresses major human rights accords .
It is also very much an outsider to the main international human rights institutions .
The 1951 Refugee Convention explicitly bans discrimination based on `` race , religion or country of origin . ''
However , the administration notoriously implemented a travel ban , which also affected refugees , based on Trump 's repeated call for a Muslim ban .
Broader hostility to immigrants and refugees were also cruelly reflected in a widely condemned policy to separate family members from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cages .
In June 2018 , the day after the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights dubbed the U.S. family separation practice `` government-sanctioned child abuse , '' the Trump administration withdrew from the organization , decrying its politics .
The Trump government ratcheted up U.S. hostility to another major institution , the International Criminal Court , apparently for having the audacity to consider possible violations of human rights by the United States .
In March , an ICC prosecutor was given the go-ahead to launch a formal investigation of war crimes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. personnel .
When the Trump administration retaliated in June by imposing vindictive economic sanctions and visa restrictions on court personnel , it explicitly referenced America first .
Some of Trump 's most troublesome practices concern his uncomfortable veneration for an array of autocrats and tyrannical regimes .
Over the years , Trump has openly admired North Korea 's Kim Jong Un , Russia 's Vladimir Putin and China 's Xi Jinping for their authoritarian policies .
Trump 's words and deeds often seem to emulate their behavior .
He uses authoritarian rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the enemy of the people , '' and has called Democrats un-American and treasonous for opposing some of his policies .
During Black Lives Matter protests in early June , federal law enforcement officials dispersed a peaceful protest near the White House with chemical gas and rubber bullets .
Trump urged U.S. governors to `` dominate the streets '' and cheered the use of `` overwhelming force '' on Twitter .
He also repeatedly promised to send in the military to quell domestic `` insurrection . ''
As one of us , Kurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also unsettled by overt U.S. efforts to redefine and strictly limit the global human rights agenda .
The Commission on Unalienable Rights , created by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , has argued for a narrow understanding of human rights , prioritizing what it called `` natural rights '' such as religious rights .
This is at odds with the international consensus on rights , and could greatly reduce protections for many groups of vulnerable people , including LGBTQ people .
In contrast to some past American human rights transgressions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and performative .
They send worrying signals about U.S. identity .
If Americans re-elect Trump in November , it will send a strong message to the world that the United States does not prioritize human rights , the rule of law and democracy .
This could have devastating consequences at home and abroad .
Domestically , rights will continue to be undermined and constrained , while human rights abuses around the world will be implicitly sanctioned , making it harder for human rights advocates to challenge these abuses .
Rodger A. Payne is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Louisville .
Kurt Mills is a professor of international relations and human rights a the University of Dundee .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

President Donald Trump has repeatedly refused to commit to accept the results of the election. He has called for criminal prosecution of his political enemies, criticized judges for ruling against his administration and rewarded his political allies with pardons when they broke the law. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Even before Donald Trump was elected U.S. president in 2016, researchers who study democratic backsliding, the rise of authoritarian regimes and their policies, feared his "America first" agenda would pose a serious threat to democratic norms and the rule of law. In office, the president repeatedly refused to commit to accept the results of the election. He has called for criminal prosecution of his political enemies, criticized judges for ruling against his administration and rewarded his political allies with pardons when they broke the law. Advertisement
In a recent article in the Journal of Human Rights, we reviewed a wide array of evidence about the Trump administration's apparent threats to various international commitments, as well as democratic rule. We show how Trump's America first policies have directly undermined the international human rights regime.
Advertisement
While critics of U.S. foreign policy have argued before that the United States often falls short in upholding human rights, the current moment is particularly fraught.
America first
Trump's America first agenda, and especially his administration's overt transgressions against many longstanding international norms, has damaged America's global reputation. The Trump administration barely pretends to care about human rights in comparison with other priorities. This both directly undermines human rights protection in the United States and emboldens other world leaders to violate human rights.
Consider Trump's reaction to the conclusion by U.S. intelligence agencies that Saudi Arabia's leadership had ordered the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Trump explained why he continued to back Saudi Arabia: "It's all about 'America First.' We're not going to give up hundreds of billions of dollars in (arms) orders."
Even before his election, Trump was advocating policies in contravention of long-established international norms. During his 2016 campaign, he infamously called for the use of torture against terror suspects, which is unconditionally prohibited by international law.
As president, Trump has followed up by pardoning various war criminals, including soldiers convicted of brutal acts, which military legal scholars argue "can encourage criminal behavior with anticipated impunity on the battlefield."
Advertisement
Conventions out the window
Perhaps even more problematically, the United States now acts in a manner that directly and openly transgresses major human rights accords. It is also very much an outsider to the main international human rights institutions.
The 1951 Refugee Convention explicitly bans discrimination based on "race, religion or country of origin." However, the administration notoriously implemented a travel ban, which also affected refugees, based on Trump's repeated call for a Muslim ban.
Broader hostility to immigrants and refugees were also cruelly reflected in a widely condemned policy to separate family members from one another -- effectively locking children in cages. In June 2018, the day after the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights dubbed the U.S. family separation practice "government-sanctioned child abuse," the Trump administration withdrew from the organization, decrying its politics.
The Trump government ratcheted up U.S. hostility to another major institution, the International Criminal Court, apparently for having the audacity to consider possible violations of human rights by the United States. In March, an ICC prosecutor was given the go-ahead to launch a formal investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan, potentially including acts committed by U.S. personnel. When the Trump administration retaliated in June by imposing vindictive economic sanctions and visa restrictions on court personnel, it explicitly referenced America first.
Advertisement
Authoritarian playbook
Some of Trump's most troublesome practices concern his uncomfortable veneration for an array of autocrats and tyrannical regimes. Over the years, Trump has openly admired North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping for their authoritarian policies.
Trump's words and deeds often seem to emulate their behavior. He uses authoritarian rhetoric to refer to the media as "the enemy of the people," and has called Democrats un-American and treasonous for opposing some of his policies.
During Black Lives Matter protests in early June, federal law enforcement officials dispersed a peaceful protest near the White House with chemical gas and rubber bullets. Trump urged U.S. governors to "dominate the streets" and cheered the use of "overwhelming force" on Twitter. He also repeatedly promised to send in the military to quell domestic "insurrection."
As one of us, Kurt Mills, has argued elsewhere, we are also unsettled by overt U.S. efforts to redefine and strictly limit the global human rights agenda. The Commission on Unalienable Rights, created by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has argued for a narrow understanding of human rights, prioritizing what it called "natural rights" such as religious rights. This is at odds with the international consensus on rights, and could greatly reduce protections for many groups of vulnerable people, including LGBTQ people.
Advertisement
In contrast to some past American human rights transgressions, these Trump administration's violations are public and performative. They send worrying signals about U.S. identity.
If Americans re-elect Trump in November, it will send a strong message to the world that the United States does not prioritize human rights, the rule of law and democracy. This could have devastating consequences at home and abroad. Domestically, rights will continue to be undermined and constrained, while human rights abuses around the world will be implicitly sanctioned, making it harder for human rights advocates to challenge these abuses.
Rodger A. Payne is a professor of political science at the University of Louisville. Kurt Mills is a professor of international relations and human rights a the University of Dundee.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
President Trump, Joe Biden meet for final presidential debate


upi--2020-10-23--California court says Lyft, Uber must classify drivers as employees

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- After months of legal dispute , a California appellate court has ruled that ride-share operators Uber and Lyft must consider their drivers employees -- a prospect that has both companies threatening to leave the state .
The ruling Thursday came five months after California first demanded the companies reclassify their drivers as employees , saying they 're violating a new state law that took effect this year that says companies can only consider workers independent contractors if they 're entirely free from company control and perform work outside the company 's core business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyft and Uber to provide benefits like a minimum wage , overtime pay , sick leave and unemployment insurance .
`` Uber and Lyft have used their muscle and clout to resist treating their drivers as workers entitled to those paycheck and benefit protections , '' California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement .
`` The courts saw right through their arguments .
Today 's decision comes on the same day that the federal government reports that more than one million Americans filed for unemployment benefits -- and 3 of every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-employed . ''
A San Francisco court also ruled in August the companies must reclassify their drivers as employees .
Both ride-share companies have said they would leave the state if they 're forced to reclassify drivers .
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said making such a dramatic and costly change would `` cripple '' the company 's business model .
`` Our analysis found that 158,000 work opportunities would be eliminated in California alone , leaving 76 % of California drivers without the ability to earn on Uber , '' Khosrowshahi said earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 30 days to comply with the state law after the appeals process ends .
It 's possible , however , that both could ultimately ignore Thursday 's ruling .
The companies , along with other similar services like DoorDash and Instacart , are promoting a ballot initiative next month that would exempt them from the state law .
California voters will decide the initiative , Proposition 22 , on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election .
Uber said if the proposition fails , it could effectively shut down all ride-sharing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people out of work .

Uber says hundreds of thousands of California drivers could be out of work if it's forced to comply with state law. File Photo by Will Oliver/EPA-EFE
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- After months of legal dispute, a California appellate court has ruled that ride-share operators Uber and Lyft must consider their drivers employees -- a prospect that has both companies threatening to leave the state. The ruling Thursday came five months after California first demanded the companies reclassify their drivers as employees, saying they're violating a new state law that took effect this year that says companies can only consider workers independent contractors if they're entirely free from company control and perform work outside the company's core business. Advertisement
Classifying drivers as employees would force both Lyft and Uber to provide benefits like a minimum wage, overtime pay, sick leave and unemployment insurance.
"Uber and Lyft have used their muscle and clout to resist treating their drivers as workers entitled to those paycheck and benefit protections," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
"The courts saw right through their arguments. Today's decision comes on the same day that the federal government reports that more than one million Americans filed for unemployment benefits -- and 3 of every 10 of them are gig workers or self-employed."
Advertisement
A San Francisco court also ruled in August the companies must reclassify their drivers as employees.
Both ride-share companies have said they would leave the state if they're forced to reclassify drivers. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said making such a dramatic and costly change would "cripple" the company's business model.
"Our analysis found that 158,000 work opportunities would be eliminated in California alone, leaving 76% of California drivers without the ability to earn on Uber," Khosrowshahi said earlier this month.
Lyft and Uber will have 30 days to comply with the state law after the appeals process ends. It's possible, however, that both could ultimately ignore Thursday's ruling.
The companies, along with other similar services like DoorDash and Instacart, are promoting a ballot initiative next month that would exempt them from the state law.
California voters will decide the initiative, Proposition 22, on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election.
Uber said if the proposition fails, it could effectively shut down all ride-sharing in California and put hundreds of thousands of people out of work.


upi--2020-10-23--Spike Lee to be honored with American Cinematheque Award

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- Spike Lee is set to be honored with the 34th American Cinematheque Award during a virtual event that will take place on Jan. 14 .
American Cinematheque , a non-profit organization , holds the event annually as a fundraiser for the company 's year-round programming at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood , Calif. , and the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica , Calif .
The American Cinematheque Award is given to filmmakers and actors who have made significant contributions to the film industry .
Details on the virtual ceremony including who will be participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced at a later date .
`` As a cultural organization that celebrates the importance of film in our society , Spike Lee is the perfect choice for the Cinematheque 's annual award , '' American Cinematheque chair Rick Nicita said in a statement .
`` Spike 's ability to perceive and depict the tone of contemporary society is shown in his movies , ranging from Do the Right Thing , She 's Got ta Have It , Malcom X and BlacKkKlansman to name only a few .
He continues his outstanding output @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and American Utopia .
We look forward with great anticipation to where he will next shine his light , '' he continued .
Lee last released in September a filmed version of David Byrne 's American Utopia on HBO .
Byrne , a founding member of the Talking Heads , performed songs from his album American Utopia and Talking Heads hits , along with 11 other musicians .

Spike Lee (R) and his wife Tonya Lewis Lee arrive for the 92nd annual Academy Awards on February 9. Spike Lee will receive the American Cinematheque Award. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Spike Lee is set to be honored with the 34th American Cinematheque Award during a virtual event that will take place on Jan. 14. American Cinematheque, a non-profit organization, holds the event annually as a fundraiser for the company's year-round programming at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., and the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Calif. Advertisement
The American Cinematheque Award is given to filmmakers and actors who have made significant contributions to the film industry.
Details on the virtual ceremony including who will be participating in the Lee tribute, will be announced at a later date.
"As a cultural organization that celebrates the importance of film in our society, Spike Lee is the perfect choice for the Cinematheque's annual award," American Cinematheque chair Rick Nicita said in a statement.
"Spike's ability to perceive and depict the tone of contemporary society is shown in his movies, ranging from Do the Right Thing, She's Gotta Have It, Malcom X and BlacKkKlansman to name only a few. He continues his outstanding output with this year's Da 5 Bloods and American Utopia. We look forward with great anticipation to where he will next shine his light," he continued.
Advertisement
Lee last released in September a filmed version of David Byrne's American Utopia on HBO. Byrne, a founding member of the Talking Heads, performed songs from his album American Utopia and Talking Heads hits, along with 11 other musicians.


upi--2020-10-23--Philadelphia Eagles rally in 4th to beat New York Giants on TNF, take NFC East lead

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- Quarterback Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles staged a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football and rise to first place in the NFC East .
Wentz threw two touchdown passes in the final five minutes of the 22-21 victory at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia .
`` There was n't a lot of time , but we said there was enough time , '' Wentz told reporters .
`` There 's enough time , we just have to keep believing and just take it one play at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turbo , on-the-ball , two-minute mode the rest of the game .
[ But it was ] the same thing that I echo every game when we 're down , 'Just keep believing , just one play at a time and big play is going to hit .
It 's going to happen . '
'' Giants quarterback Daniel Jones expanded New York 's lead to 21-10 , when he connected with Sterling Shepard on a two-yard touchdown pass with 6:21 remaining , before the Eagles rallied .
Wentz responded with a four-play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a three-yard touchdown toss to Greg Ward .
The Eagles defense forced the Giants to punt on the next possession before the Eagles used a six-play , 75-yard drive to take the lead .
Wentz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Boston Scott to end the drive and give the Eagles a 22-21 lead with 46 seconds remaining .
On the Giants ' final possession , Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham sacked Jones and forced a fumble that was recovered by Philly defender Vinny Curry with 29 seconds remaining .
The Eagles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victory .
With the win , the 2-4-1 Eagles move ahead of the 2-4 Dallas Cowboys atop the NFC East .
Philadelphia has the edge because a tie in the NFL is considered a half-win , giving the Eagles a winning percentage of .357 compared to .333 for Dallas .
In addition to his two touchdown tosses and a rushing score , Wentz completed 25 of 43 passes for 359 yards and threw an interception for Philadelphia .
Scott totaled 92 yards from scrimmage and a score on 15 touches .
Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards , two scores , ran for 92 yards and threw an interception for the Giants .
Golden Tate had a 39-yard touchdown catch for New York .
Jabrill Peppers , Markus Golden and Dexter Lawrence each had sacks in the loss .
Graham , Nate Gerry and Derek Barnett had sacks for the Eagles .
`` We came down here and knew it was going to be a sixty-minute game , '' Giants coach Joe Judge said .
`` Every time the Eagles and Giants play , it always comes down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of regardless of who is here , whether it 's coaches , players , whoever it is .
That 's just a rivalry that 's going to go that way .
We expected this to be a tough , physical , sixty-minute game .
That 's exactly what we got . ''
The Eagles next host the Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. EDT on Nov. 1 and the Giants ( 1-6 ) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Monday Night Football clash on Nov. 2 at MetLife Stadium .

1/3
Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) catches the game-winning touchdown pass in a game against the New York Giants on Thursday in Philadelphia. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Quarterback Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles staged a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football and rise to first place in the NFC East. Wentz threw two touchdown passes in the final five minutes of the 22-21 victory at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Advertisement
"There wasn't a lot of time, but we said there was enough time," Wentz told reporters. "There's enough time, we just have to keep believing and just take it one play at a time.
"Obviously we were in turbo, on-the-ball, two-minute mode the rest of the game. [But it was] the same thing that I echo every game when we're down, 'Just keep believing, just one play at a time and big play is going to hit. It's going to happen.'"
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones expanded New York's lead to 21-10, when he connected with Sterling Shepard on a two-yard touchdown pass with 6:21 remaining, before the Eagles rallied. Wentz responded with a four-play, 68-yard scoring drive, capped off with a three-yard touchdown toss to Greg Ward.
The Eagles defense forced the Giants to punt on the next possession before the Eagles used a six-play, 75-yard drive to take the lead.
Wentz threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Boston Scott to end the drive and give the Eagles a 22-21 lead with 46 seconds remaining.
On the Giants' final possession, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham sacked Jones and forced a fumble that was recovered by Philly defender Vinny Curry with 29 seconds remaining. The Eagles ran out the the clock to secure the victory.
With the win, the 2-4-1 Eagles move ahead of the 2-4 Dallas Cowboys atop the NFC East. Philadelphia has the edge because a tie in the NFL is considered a half-win, giving the Eagles a winning percentage of .357 compared to .333 for Dallas.
Advertisement
In addition to his two touchdown tosses and a rushing score, Wentz completed 25 of 43 passes for 359 yards and threw an interception for Philadelphia. Scott totaled 92 yards from scrimmage and a score on 15 touches.
Jones completed 20 of 30 passes for 187 yards, two scores, ran for 92 yards and threw an interception for the Giants. Golden Tate had a 39-yard touchdown catch for New York.
Jabrill Peppers, Markus Golden and Dexter Lawrence each had sacks in the loss. Graham, Nate Gerry and Derek Barnett had sacks for the Eagles.
"We came down here and knew it was going to be a sixty-minute game," Giants coach Joe Judge said. "Every time the Eagles and Giants play, it always comes down to the last drive.
"That's kind of regardless of who is here, whether it's coaches, players, whoever it is. That's just a rivalry that's going to go that way. We expected this to be a tough, physical, sixty-minute game. That's exactly what we got."
The Eagles next host the Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. EDT on Nov. 1 and the Giants (1-6) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Monday Night Football clash on Nov. 2 at MetLife Stadium.
Advertisement


upi--2020-10-23--Senate begins debate on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- The full Senate will begin debate Friday on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ahead of an expected final vote on Monday .
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said this week the Senate will remain in session over the weekend to debate Barrett 's appointment , President Donald Trump 's third to the high court since he took office nearly four years ago .
Debate on her nomination is expected to begin at about noon EDT Friday .
The debate portion of the process comes a day after the Senate judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs only a simple majority of 51 votes in the full Senate for confirmation .
Democrats are still hoping to convince four Republicans to block her nomination to the court as Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's successor .
Democrats on the judiciary committee boycotted Thursday 's vote as a show of opposition , which resulted in a 12-0 vote by the panel 's Republican members .
Trump nominated Barrett to the high court on Sept. 26 , a week after Ginsburg 's death .
Republicans have moved quickly to confirm her before the Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuck Schumer has promised to disrupt `` business as usual here in the Senate while Republicans try to use an illegitimate process to jam through a Supreme Court nominee . ''
Democrats are expected to put up procedural roadblocks and deliver impassioned floor speeches between now and Monday , calling attention to what they say would be threats to the Affordable Care Act , abortion rights and other key issues under a Supreme Court with a 6-3 conservative edge .

Amy Coney Barrett is sworn in as a U.S. Supreme Court justice in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, October 26, 2020. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The full Senate will begin debate Friday on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ahead of an expected final vote on Monday. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said this week the Senate will remain in session over the weekend to debate Barrett's appointment, President Donald Trump's third to the high court since he took office nearly four years ago. Advertisement
Debate on her nomination is expected to begin at about noon EDT Friday.
The debate portion of the process comes a day after the Senate judiciary committee approved Barrett's confirmation. She needs only a simple majority of 51 votes in the full Senate for confirmation.
Democrats are still hoping to convince four Republicans to block her nomination to the court as Ruth Bader Ginsburg's successor. Democrats on the judiciary committee boycotted Thursday's vote as a show of opposition, which resulted in a 12-0 vote by the panel's Republican members.
Advertisement
Trump nominated Barrett to the high court on Sept. 26, a week after Ginsburg's death. Republicans have moved quickly to confirm her before the Nov. 3 presidential election.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has promised to disrupt "business as usual here in the Senate while Republicans try to use an illegitimate process to jam through a Supreme Court nominee."
Democrats are expected to put up procedural roadblocks and deliver impassioned floor speeches between now and Monday, calling attention to what they say would be threats to the Affordable Care Act, abortion rights and other key issues under a Supreme Court with a 6-3 conservative edge.


upi--2020-10-23--Ariana Grande releases new song 'Positions' with music video

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- Ariana Grande released on Friday her new single titled `` Positions , '' alongside an accompanying music video .
`` Positions '' is available on music streaming services such as Spotify , Apple Music , Amazon Music , Pandora , Tidal and YouTube Music .
`` Switchin ' the positions for you/ Cookin ' in the kitchen and I 'm in the bedroom/ I 'm in the Olympics , way I 'm jumpin ' through hoops/ Know my love infinite , nothin ' I would n't do/ That I wo n't do , switchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the track .
The music video features the pop star as the president of the United States working from the White House .
Grande meets with her staff , makes a mess in the kitchen , gets ready to sign a bill into law and awards members of the United States Postal Service .
`` Positions '' will appear on Grande 's upcoming sixth studio album .
The singer has yet to announce a release date for the new album .
The 27-year-old last released Thank U , Next in February 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Next , '' `` 7 Rings '' and `` Break Up with Your Girlfriend . ''

positions out now href="https://t.co/qNum5allXG">https://t.co/qNum5allXG pic.twitter.com/xtprSYiKi5— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) October 23, 2020
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Ariana Grande released on Friday her new single titled "Positions," alongside an accompanying music video.
"Positions" is available on music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Tidal and YouTube Music.
Advertisement
"Switchin' the positions for you/ Cookin' in the kitchen and I'm in the bedroom/ I'm in the Olympics, way I'm jumpin' through hoops/ Know my love infinite, nothin' I wouldn't do/ That I won't do, switchin' for you," Grande sings on the track.
The music video features the pop star as the president of the United States working from the White House. Grande meets with her staff, makes a mess in the kitchen, gets ready to sign a bill into law and awards members of the United States Postal Service.
"Positions" will appear on Grande's upcoming sixth studio album. The singer has yet to announce a release date for the new album.
The 27-year-old last released Thank U, Next in February 2019 which included the singles "Thank U, Next," "7 Rings" and "Break Up with Your Girlfriend."


upi--2020-10-23--Epsilon moves away from Bermuda

Epsilon moves away from Bermuda

Oct. 21 -- Hurricane Epsilon continued to move away from Bermuda early Friday after passing well east of the island the night prior .
Epsilon had rapidly strengthened into a major hurricane on Wednesday , though weakened a bit the next day as it crept toward Bermuda , which was forecast to experience tropical storm conditions .
In its 5 a.m. EDT Friday update , the National Hurricane Center said Epsilon weakened to a Category 1 hurricane , with 85 mph maximum sustained winds .
The storm was 310 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and was moving north at 7 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in forward speed through to early Saturday and is expected to continue to move away from Bermuda .
`` Some fluctuations in strength could occur for the next day or so before gradual weakening begins on Saturday , '' it said .
The Bermuda Weather Service has discontinued its tropical storm watch though the NHC warned large swells generated by the system will affect the island , the Bahamas , the Greater Antilles , the Leeward Islands and the east coast of the United States and Canada over the next few days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ life-threatening surf and rip current conditions , '' the advisory said .
The 26th storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday night and continued to rapidly intensify throughout the remainder of the night and early on Wednesday .
On Wednesday afternoon , it became just the fourth major hurricane of the season when its maximum sustained winds peaked at 115 mph .
Hurricane-force winds extended outward from the storm 's center by about 25 miles , but tropical-storm force winds extended even farther out from the center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definition , Epsilon rapidly intensified , its intensity increased more than 30 kt [ 35 mph ] during the past 24 hours , '' the NHC said in its 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday advisory when winds had picked up to 85 mph .
The hurricane 's well-defined eye become less visible on satellite images early on Thursday as it churned miles east-southeast of Bermuda .
On Wednesday afternoon , the Hurricane Hunters flew a mission through Epsilon to gather data about the storm and flew right through the hurricane 's eye .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Atlantic Basin spawned a storm named Epsilon on Monday , within just three hours after it developed into a tropical depression .
The only other Epsilon in history was an unusually late storm , and it formed just before the official end of hurricane season on Nov. 30 in the open Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 29 , 2005 .
It went on to strengthen into Hurricane Epsilon on Dec. 2 .
By the time winds subsided back below hurricane strength on Dec. 7 , it had become the longest-lived December hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought this season even closer to the record of 28 named storms set in 2005 -- the only other year to use the Greek alphabet to name storms .
Epsilon is the 10th hurricane to develop in the basin this season .
Epsilon formed in 2020 over a month earlier than the previous record holder .
Now , only one Greek letter , Zeta , that has been used before to name a tropical system will remain on the list for the next tropical storm that brews .
After that , should storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , it would be uncharted territory .
AccuWeather is rating Epsilon less than one on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes for Bermuda .
The scale was created by the company in 2019 to offer a more comprehensive outlook for tropical storm and hurricane impacts than the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .
The current forecast would bring a glancing blow to the nation , with tropical-storm-force winds ( 39-73 mph ) , gusts and occasional downpours from the outer bands of the system .
`` In this scenario , damage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but some downed tree limbs and power lines as well as localized street and poor drainage flooding would remain possible , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said .
However , AccuWeather meteorologists warn that residents should still prepare for the worst .
Back in mid-September , Hurricane Paulette ended up making a direct hit on the island as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale .
Paulette became the first storm to make landfall in Bermuda since Hurricane Gonzalo on Oct.17 , 2014 .
Paulette ended up causing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and government that lasted for days .
`` For a small island like Bermuda out in the middle of the ocean , small changes in the track , size and intensity of a storm can all have a big effect on the impacts , '' Miller said .
`` The time to make preparations is now , before you realize a dangerous storm is in fact bearing down on you and it 's too late . ''
The fall of 2014 was also the last and only time that Bermuda endured two direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Hurricane Fay made landfall in Bermuda less than a week before Gonzalo .

Forecasters warned that large swells generated by Hurricane Epsilon will affect the eastern coast of the United States over the next few days. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Oct. 25 -- Hurricane Epsilon headed northeast away from the U.S. mainland and was projected to become a powerful post-tropical cyclone by Sunday night. In its 9 p.m. GMT update Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said Epsilon had 70 mph maximum sustained winds. The storm was 420 miles east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and was moving east-northeast at 46 mph. Advertisement
No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.
A faster east-northeastward to northeastward motion is expected later Sunday through Monday.
The 26th storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday night and continued to rapidly intensify throughout the remainder of the night and early on Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, it became the fourth major hurricane of the season when its maximum sustained winds peaked at 115 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended outward from the storm's center by about 25 miles, but tropical-storm force winds extended even farther out from the center at about 310 miles.
For the second time in recorded history, the Atlantic Basin spawned a storm named Epsilon on Monday, within 3 hours after it developed into a tropical depression.
The only other Epsilon in history was an unusually late storm, and it formed just before the official end of hurricane season on Nov. 30 in the open Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 29, 2005. It went on to strengthen into Hurricane Epsilon on Dec. 2. By the time winds subsided back below hurricane strength on Dec. 7, it had become the longest-lived December hurricane on record.
Advertisement
The formation of Epsilon brought this season even closer to the record of 28 named storms set in 2005 -- the only other year to use the Greek alphabet to name storms. Epsilon is the 10th hurricane to develop in the basin this season.
Epsilon formed in 2020 over a month earlier than the previous record holder. Now, only one Greek letter, Zeta, that has been used before to name a tropical system will remain on the list for the next tropical storm that brews. After that, should storms continue to form through the end of the year, it would be uncharted territory.
AccuWeather is rating Epsilon less than one on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes for Bermuda. The scale was created by the company in 2019 to offer a more comprehensive outlook for tropical storm and hurricane impacts than the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The fall of 2014 was also the last and only time that Bermuda endured two direct hits from hurricanes in the same season, when Hurricane Fay made landfall in Bermuda less than a week before Gonzalo.


upi--2020-10-23--Russia grants Edward Snowden permanent residency, says his lawyer

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- Russia has granted former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden permanent residency , @ @ @ @ @ Anatoly Kucherena told Russian state-run Tass news agency on Thursday that `` Snowden was granted @ @ @ @ @ by Russia earlier in the day .
Snowden has been living in Russia since 2013 @ @ @ @ @ for charges related to his leaking of information on U.S. intelligence and surveillance operations .
@ @ @ @ @ living in the Asian nation on three-year permits since , with his most recent document @ @ @ @ @ 30 but was automatically extended until June 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic , his @ @ @ @ @ Snowden applied for its extension once lockdown measures were eased .
Kucherena said his client @ @ @ @ @ Russian citizenship .
Russia first granted Snowden asylum in 2013 after arriving from Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ sought his extradition .
He was granted a three-year extension to stay in Russia in @ @ @ @ @ a further three years in 2017 .

Edward Snowden has been living in Russia to evade U.S. prosecution since 2013. Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Russia has granted former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden permanent residency, his lawyer said. Attorney Anatoly Kucherena told Russian state-run Tass news agency on Thursday that "Snowden was granted an open-ended residence permit" by Russia earlier in the day. Advertisement
Snowden has been living in Russia since 2013 in evasion of U.S. prosecution for charges related to his leaking of information on U.S. intelligence and surveillance operations.
The 37-year-old whistleblower has been living in the Asian nation on three-year permits since, with his most recent document set to expire on April 30 but was automatically extended until June 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic, his lawyer said, adding that Snowden applied for its extension once lockdown measures were eased.
Kucherena said his client is not considering applying for Russian citizenship.
Russia first granted Snowden asylum in 2013 after arriving from Hong Kong, where U.S. authorities had sought his extradition.
He was granted a three-year extension to stay in Russia in 2014, which was extended a further three years in 2017.


upi--2020-10-23--New York, Portland, Seattle sue Trump over 'anarchist' label

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- New York , Seattle and Portland , Ore. , have filed a lawsuit to invalidate President Donald Trump 's memorandum to withhold federal funds from the cities after the Justice Department labeled them as `` anarchist jurisdictions . ''
The lawsuit filed Thursday in the Western District of Washington at Seattle accuses the Trump administration of lacking the authority to add conditions to congressionally appropriated funds and for doing so due to a label applied to the three cities based on `` an arbitrary and capricious list . ''
`` On top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the administration is now attempting to strip Seattle of funding , which could be used to help our residents during the pandemic in many important ways , '' Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said in a statement .
`` This lawsuit was necessary to protect our city 's interests and we expect the president 's actions to be declared unlawful as have his similar past attempts to remove federal funding . ''
Trump early last month issued a memorandum declaring federal tax dollars would cease flowing to so-called anarchist jurisdictions , directing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that follow under this category .
The memorandum was issued months after protests erupted nationwide against police brutality and racial inequality following the Memorial Day police-involved killing of George Floyd .
Trump has repeatedly chastised predominately Democratic-led cities for not taking a harsh stance toward the unrest and in July sent federal agents into Portland .
On Sept. 21 , Barr designated the three cities as anarchist jurisdictions , citing rising rising gun violence in New York , protests in Portland continuing for more than 100 consecutive nights and government officials in Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-square blocks of the city 's Capitol Hill neighborhood . ''
The cities called Trump 's memorandum `` offensive to both the Constitution and common sense '' while lambasting the anarchist jurisdiction designations as being handed down based on `` an arbitrary and capricious list of misleading and cherry-picked bullet-points about each City that in no way supports the assertion that the Cities have chosen to abandon their jurisdictions to lawlessness and violence . ''
James Johnson , corporation counsel at the New York City 's Law Department , told the press during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose as much as $ 12 billion in federal funding because of Barr 's designation .
Johnson said they filed the lawsuit now because the federal government has taken `` concrete steps '' to include the anarchist designation in applications for federal grants .
`` We 're not going to wait for them to include it in more , '' he said .
`` We 're moving now . ''
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told the press that the lawsuit is making good on his threat from weeks ago that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anarchist jurisdiction designations he 'd take them to court .
`` What we 've seen from President Trump , threatening funding from New York City and other cities , it 's morally wrong .
It 's legally unacceptable .
It 's unconstitutional .
And we 're going to fight it , '' he said .
The lawsuit seeks for the anarchist jurisdiction labels to be ruled illegal and to enjoin the Trump administration from taking further steps to carry out the directives Trump laid out in the memorandum .

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday's lawsuit is making good on a threat he made weeks ago to fight the Trump administration in court if it threatened the city's federal funding. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- New York, Seattle and Portland, Ore., have filed a lawsuit to invalidate President Donald Trump's memorandum to withhold federal funds from the cities after the Justice Department labeled them as "anarchist jurisdictions." The lawsuit filed Thursday in the Western District of Washington at Seattle accuses the Trump administration of lacking the authority to add conditions to congressionally appropriated funds and for doing so due to a label applied to the three cities based on "an arbitrary and capricious list." Advertisement
"On top of the bungled federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration is now attempting to strip Seattle of funding, which could be used to help our residents during the pandemic in many important ways," Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said in a statement. "This lawsuit was necessary to protect our city's interests and we expect the president's actions to be declared unlawful as have his similar past attempts to remove federal funding."
Advertisement
Trump early last month issued a memorandum declaring federal tax dollars would cease flowing to so-called anarchist jurisdictions, directing Attorney General William Barr to identify cities that fall under this category.
The memorandum was issued months after protests erupted nationwide against police brutality and racial inequality following the Memorial Day police-involved killing of George Floyd. Trump has repeatedly chastised predominately Democratic-led cities for not taking a harsh stance toward the unrest and in July sent federal agents into Portland.
On Sept. 21, Barr designated the three cities as anarchist jurisdictions, citing rising gun violence in New York, protests in Portland continuing for more than 100 consecutive nights and government officials in Seattle permitting "anarchists and activists to seize six-square blocks of the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood."
The cities called Trump's memorandum "offensive to both the Constitution and common sense" while lambasting the anarchist jurisdiction designations as being handed down based on "an arbitrary and capricious list of misleading and cherry-picked bullet-points about each City that in no way supports the assertion that the Cities have chosen to abandon their jurisdictions to lawlessness and violence."
James Johnson, corporation counsel at the New York City's Law Department, told the press during a briefing Thursday that the city could lose as much as $12 billion in federal funding because of Barr's designation.
Advertisement
Johnson said they filed the lawsuit now because the federal government has taken "concrete steps" to include the anarchist designation in applications for federal grants.
"We're not going to wait for them to include it in more," he said. "We're moving now."
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told the press that the lawsuit is making good on his threat from weeks ago that if the Trump administration persisted with its anarchist jurisdiction designations he'd take them to court.
"What we've seen from President Trump, threatening funding from New York City and other cities, it's morally wrong. It's legally unacceptable. It's unconstitutional. And we're going to fight it," he said.
The lawsuit seeks for the anarchist jurisdiction labels to be ruled illegal and to enjoin the Trump administration from taking further steps to carry out the directives Trump laid out in the memorandum.


upi--2020-10-23--Study: Obamacare repeal may leave young cancer patients in the lurch

If Obamacare -- officially called the Affordable Care Act , or ACA -- is repealed , pediatric cancer patients could lose critical insurance coverage , a new study warns .
Kids with cancer often require intensive treatment and long-term follow-up to beat the disease .
The ACA allows them to stay on their parents ' insurance coverage to age 26 and bans exclusion of patients with preexisting conditions .
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on the future of the ACA this fall .
Researchers at the University of California , San Francisco 's Benioff Children 's Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studied the potential impact of dismantling it on 18- to 25-year-old cancer patients .
`` We know that even brief disruptions in insurance have been associated with harmful health consequences , '' said first author Dr. Lena Winestone , of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF .
`` Strict adherence to chemotherapy regimens , for example , is essential for those patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia , '' the most common pediatric cancer .
Researchers tracked patients born in 1982 or later who were diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or tumors of the brain or spine .
The investigators contrasted insurance status in four age groups , including a group who turned 19 within two years of the ACA 's adoption .
They were matched by cancer type , diagnosis date , demographics and treatment characteristics to patients who were two years older and , therefore , unprotected by the ACA .
They did similar comparisons with patients who were 23 to 25 years of age and between 26 and 28 when the ACA went into effect .
The average time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to 22 months for the older group -- a 15 % lower risk of insurance loss .
The younger patients also were more likely to retain coverage for four years -- 37 % versus 31 % .
Winestone was senior author on a 2019 study that showed private insurance coverage may boost survival in pediatric cancer patients .
In that study , 71 % of patients with private insurance were alive five years after being diagnosed with bone and soft-tissue sarcomas , compared to 61 % of patients with public insurance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ income and financial burden related to their medical issues , '' Winestone said in a UCSF news release .
`` At a time when unemployment is rising to unprecedented levels , due to the economic fallout of the pandemic , the Affordable Care Act provides a mechanism for patients to maintain access to their parents ' health insurance . ''
The findings were published this week in JCO Oncology Practice .
More information To learn more about pediatric cancer , visit Kids Health from Nemours .

If Obamacare -- officially called the Affordable Care Act, or ACA -- is repealed, pediatric cancer patients could lose critical insurance coverage, a new study warns.
Kids with cancer often require intensive treatment and long-term follow-up to beat the disease. The ACA allows them to stay on their parents' insurance coverage to age 26 and bans exclusion of patients with preexisting conditions.
Advertisement
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on the future of the ACA this fall. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco's Benioff Children's Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia studied the potential impact of dismantling it on 18- to 25-year-old cancer patients.
"We know that even brief disruptions in insurance have been associated with harmful health consequences," said first author Dr. Lena Winestone, of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF. "Strict adherence to chemotherapy regimens, for example, is essential for those patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia," the most common pediatric cancer.
Researchers tracked patients born in 1982 or later who were diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2015. Most had leukemia, lymphoma or tumors of the brain or spine.
The investigators contrasted insurance status in four age groups, including a group who turned 19 within two years of the ACA's adoption. They were matched by cancer type, diagnosis date, demographics and treatment characteristics to patients who were two years older and, therefore, unprotected by the ACA.
Advertisement
They did similar comparisons with patients who were 23 to 25 years of age and between 26 and 28 when the ACA went into effect.
The average time to end of coverage was 26 months, compared to 22 months for the older group -- a 15% lower risk of insurance loss. The younger patients also were more likely to retain coverage for four years -- 37% versus 31%.
Winestone was senior author on a 2019 study that showed private insurance coverage may boost survival in pediatric cancer patients. In that study, 71% of patients with private insurance were alive five years after being diagnosed with bone and soft-tissue sarcomas, compared to 61% of patients with public insurance.
"Cancer survivors experience ongoing loss of income and financial burden related to their medical issues," Winestone said in a UCSF news release. "At a time when unemployment is rising to unprecedented levels, due to the economic fallout of the pandemic, the Affordable Care Act provides a mechanism for patients to maintain access to their parents' health insurance."
The findings were published this week in JCO Oncology Practice.
More information To learn more about pediatric cancer, visit Kids Health from Nemours.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-23--UPI News Quiz: space ventures, cyberthreats, Pope Francis

U.S. News // 7 hours ago
Search for victims of Maui wildfire ongoing as death toll climbs to 101
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The death toll from the Maui wildfires has risen to 101, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday night, as he announced plans to reopen the Lahaina Bypass for several hours a day to "reunite the pieces of Maui."


upi--2020-10-23--World Series, Big Ten college football launch weekend sports schedule

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- The 2020 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers is the premier event of the weekend sports schedule .
College football 's Big Ten Conference begins its regular season schedule Friday .
Dozens of other college football and NFL games be held Saturday and Sunday as the gridiron slate continues amid the coronavirus pandemic .
NASCAR drivers will also be on the track in Texas for a Cup Series playoff race .
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje will enter the Octagon Saturday in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Liga , Germany 's Bundesliga , France 's Ligue 1 , England 's Premier League and Italy 's Serie A also will produce dozens of weekend soccer matches .
But stateside , it will be the `` Fall Classic '' that draws the most eyes to tablets , TV screens and smartphones as Major League Baseball wraps up one of the most unique seasons in history .
The Rays ' win in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday ensured that the best-of-seven series will go to at least five games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The win also means the MLB campaign , which had its regular season shortened from 162 games to 60 games due to the pandemic , will last a little bit longer for baseball fans .
`` We are having fun , '' Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger told reporters this week .
`` We know how hard it is .
To put extra pressure on yourself is just not the way to do this . ''
Los Angeles and Tampa Bay is a matchup between one of MLB 's biggest spenders -- in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's most-frugal clubs .
The Dodgers payroll of nearly $ 108 million is nearly four times more than the $ 28.3 million the Rays disperse to their players .
The Dodgers also entered the MLB season and series as heavy favorites to win the Commissioner 's Trophy .
A decorated starting rotation and abundance of All-Star hitters have the National League West squad poised to snatch their first title since 1988 .
But first , the Dodgers will need to fend off the pesky Rays .
Tampa Bay 's offense has been inconsistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top hitters this postseason in rookie Randy Arozarena .
The Rays ' pitching staff also features Cy Young award winner Blake Snell and several other terrific arms .
Fellow Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw led the Dodgers to a Game 1 win .
Snell led the Rays to a victory in Game 2 .
A pair of right-handed pitchers will face off in Game 3 .
Walker Buehler will start for the Dodgers .
Charlie Morton will take the mound for the Rays .
Game 3 is at 8:08 p.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas .
Game 4 is at 8:08 p.m. EDT Saturday .
Game 5 will be at the same time Sunday .
The Big Ten Conference will begin its college football schedule on Friday with Wisconsin set to host Illinois at 8 p.m. EDT on the Big Ten Network .
The conference slate continues with Ohio State hosting Nebraska at noon EDT Saturday on Fox .
Michigan State also hosts Rutgers on Saturday .
Penn State will face Indiana at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday .
Iowa has a matchup Saturday against Purdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwestern will host Maryland in the final Big Ten matchup this weekend at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on the Big Ten Network .
The Big Ten announced in September that it would allow its member schools to play conference-only football schedules this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The conference announced in August that it would postpone the 2020 season until the spring of 2021 before conference officials changed that plan .
Big Ten schools had original plans to start seasons in early September before the campaigns were disrupted by the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi .
The winner of the rivalry match will claim a unified lightweight title belt .
Gaethje ( 22-2 MMA , 5-2 UFC ) is the interim lightweight belt holder after he won a UFC 249 bout against Tony Ferguson in May .
He has won four consecutive fights , but the 31-year-old is a heavy underdog for Saturday 's bout on Yas Island .
Nurmagomedov ( 28-0 MMA , 12-0 UFC ) snatched the lightweight title on April 7 , 2018 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32-year-old then beat Conor McGregor on Oct. 6 , 2018 .
Nurmagomedov won his last bout on Sept. 7 , 2019 , at UFC 242 against Dustin Poirier .
The UFC 254 main card will begin at 2 p.m. and airs on pay-per-view .
Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba open the card with a light heavyweight bout .
Lauren Murphy then takes on Liliya Shakirova before Jacob Malkoun battles Phil Hawes in a middleweight bout .
Heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Walt Harris will be in the fourth fight .
Robert Whittaker then battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main event .
Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays at 8:08 p.m. EDT on Fox Bundesliga : Eintracht Frankfurt at Bayern Munich at 9:30 a.m. EDT on ESPN+ La Liga : Real Madrid at Barcelona at 10 a.m. EDT on beIN Sports USA Premier League : Chelsea at Manchester United at 12:30 p.m. EDT on NBC Premier League : Sheffield at Liverpool at 3 p.m. EDT on Peacock Premium Ligue 1 : Dijon at PSG at 3 p.m. EDT on DAZN Syracuse at Clemson at noon EDT on ACC Network North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EDT on ESPN Nebraska at Ohio State at noon EDT on Fox Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina at noon EDT on ESPNU Kansas at Kansas State at noon EDT on FS1 Alabama at Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. EDT on CBS Notre Dame at Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ABC Iowa State at Oklahoma State at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Fox Penn State at Indiana at 3:30 p.m. EDT on FS1 Virginia Tech at Wake Forest at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN3 Michigan at Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC Virginia at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network Cincinnati at SMU at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN2 Texas State at BYU at 10:15 p.m. EDT on ESPN Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba at 2 p.m. EDT on pay-per-view Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova after first fight Jacob Malkoun vs. Phil Hawes after second fight Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris after third fight Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje after fifth fight Zozo Championship : Third round from 5 to 8 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays at 8:08 p.m. EDT on Fox Verona at Juventus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Titans at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS Cowboys at Washington Football Team at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox Bills at Jets at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS Panthers at Saints at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox Packers at Texans at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox Browns at Bengals at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS Lions at Falcons at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox Seahawks at Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. EDT on Fox Jaguars at Chargers at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS 49ers at Patriots at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS Chiefs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buccaneers at Raiders at 8:20 p.m. EDT on NBC Zozo Championship : Fourth round from 5 to 8 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays at 8:08 p.m. EDT on Fox

1/3
Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers can win the franchise's first World Series since 1988 if they beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the best-of-seven series. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The 2020 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers is the premier event of the weekend sports schedule. College football's Big Ten Conference begins its regular season schedule Friday. Dozens of other college football and NFL games be held Saturday and Sunday as the gridiron slate continues amid the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
NASCAR drivers will also be on the track in Texas for a Cup Series playoff race.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje will enter the Octagon Saturday in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi. Spain's La Liga, Germany's Bundesliga, France's Ligue 1, England's Premier League and Italy's Serie A also will produce dozens of weekend soccer matches.
But stateside, it will be the "Fall Classic" that draws the most eyes to tablets, TV screens and smartphones as Major League Baseball wraps up one of the most unique seasons in history.
Advertisement
World Series
The Rays' win in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday ensured that the best-of-seven series will go to at least five games after the Dodgers won Game 1. The win also means the MLB campaign, which had its regular season shortened from 162 games to 60 games due to the pandemic, will last a little bit longer for baseball fans.
"We are having fun," Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger told reporters this week. "We know how hard it is. To put extra pressure on yourself is just not the way to do this."
Los Angeles and Tampa Bay is a matchup between one of MLB's biggest spenders -- in the Dodgers -- and one of the league's most-frugal clubs. The Dodgers payroll of nearly $108 million is nearly four times more than the $28.3 million the Rays disperse to their players.
The Dodgers also entered the MLB season and series as heavy favorites to win the Commissioner's Trophy. A decorated starting rotation and abundance of All-Star hitters have the National League West squad poised to snatch their first title since 1988.
But first, the Dodgers will need to fend off the pesky Rays. Tampa Bay's offense has been inconsistent, but is led by one of the top hitters this postseason in rookie Randy Arozarena. The Rays' pitching staff also features Cy Young award winner Blake Snell and several other terrific arms.
Advertisement
Fellow Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw led the Dodgers to a Game 1 win. Snell led the Rays to a victory in Game 2.
A pair of right-handed pitchers will face off in Game 3. Walker Buehler will start for the Dodgers. Charlie Morton will take the mound for the Rays.
Game 3 is at 8:08 p.m. EDT Friday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Game 4 is at 8:08 p.m. EDT Saturday. Game 5 will be at the same time Sunday.
Big Ten returns
The Big Ten Conference will begin its college football schedule on Friday with Wisconsin set to host Illinois at 8 p.m. EDT on the Big Ten Network.
The conference slate continues with Ohio State hosting Nebraska at noon EDT Saturday on Fox. Michigan State also hosts Rutgers on Saturday.
Penn State will face Indiana at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday. Iowa has a matchup Saturday against Purdue, while Michigan plays at Minnesota. Northwestern will host Maryland in the final Big Ten matchup this weekend at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on the Big Ten Network.
The Big Ten announced in September that it would allow its member schools to play conference-only football schedules this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. The conference announced in August that it would postpone the 2020 season until the spring of 2021 before conference officials changed that plan.
Advertisement
Big Ten schools had original plans to start seasons in early September before the campaigns were disrupted by the pandemic.
UFC 254
Khabib Nurmagomedov battles Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The winner of the rivalry match will claim a unified lightweight title belt.
Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is the interim lightweight belt holder after he won a UFC 249 bout against Tony Ferguson in May. He has won four consecutive fights, but the 31-year-old is a heavy underdog for Saturday's bout on Yas Island.
Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) snatched the lightweight title on April 7, 2018, with a win over Al Iaquinta. The 32-year-old then beat Conor McGregor on Oct. 6, 2018. Nurmagomedov won his last bout on Sept. 7, 2019, at UFC 242 against Dustin Poirier.
The UFC 254 main card will begin at 2 p.m. and airs on pay-per-view. Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba open the card with a light heavyweight bout.
Lauren Murphy then takes on Liliya Shakirova before Jacob Malkoun battles Phil Hawes in a middleweight bout.
Heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Walt Harris will be in the fourth fight. Robert Whittaker then battles Jared Cannonier in a middleweight bout before the main event.
Advertisement
Friday
Baseball -- World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays at 8:08 p.m. EDT on Fox
Saturday
Soccer
Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt at Bayern Munich at 9:30 a.m. EDT on ESPN+
La Liga: Real Madrid at Barcelona at 10 a.m. EDT on beIN Sports USA
Premier League: Chelsea at Manchester United at 12:30 p.m. EDT on NBC
Premier League: Sheffield at Liverpool at 3 p.m. EDT on Peacock Premium
Ligue 1: Dijon at PSG at 3 p.m. EDT on DAZN
College football
Syracuse at Clemson at noon EDT on ACC Network
North Carolina State at North Carolina at noon EDT on ESPN
Nebraska at Ohio State at noon EDT on Fox
Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina at noon EDT on ESPNU
Kansas at Kansas State at noon EDT on FS1
Alabama at Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. EDT on CBS
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ABC
Iowa State at Oklahoma State at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Fox
Penn State at Indiana at 3:30 p.m. EDT on FS1
Virginia Tech at Wake Forest at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN3
Michigan at Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC
Virginia at Miami at 8 p.m. EDT on ACC Network
Advertisement
Cincinnati at SMU at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN2
Texas State at BYU at 10:15 p.m. EDT on ESPN
UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba at 2 p.m. EDT on pay-per-view
Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova after first fight
Jacob Malkoun vs. Phil Hawes after second fight
Alexander Volkov vs. Walt Harris after third fight
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier after fourth fight
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje after fifth fight
Golf
Zozo Championship: Third round from 5 to 8 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel
Baseball -- World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays at 8:08 p.m. EDT on Fox
Sunday
Soccer
Verona at Juventus at 3:45 p.m. EDT on ESPN+
NFL
Steelers at Titans at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS
Cowboys at Washington Football Team at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox
Bills at Jets at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS
Panthers at Saints at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox
Packers at Texans at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox
Browns at Bengals at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS
Lions at Falcons at 1 p.m. EDT on Fox
Seahawks at Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. EDT on Fox
Jaguars at Chargers at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS
Advertisement
49ers at Patriots at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS
Chiefs at Broncos at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS
Buccaneers at Raiders at 8:20 p.m. EDT on NBC
NASCAR
Cup Series: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at 3:30 p.m. EDT on NBCSN
Golf
Zozo Championship: Fourth round from 5 to 8 p.m. EDT on Golf Channel
Baseball -- World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays at 8:08 p.m. EDT on Fox


upi--2020-10-23--On This Day, Oct. 23: Brooklyn Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1707 , the British Parliament met for the first time after the Treaty of Union dissolved both the Parliaments of England and Scotland and created a new Kingdom of Great Britain .
The Parliament of Great Britain eventually became the Parliament of the United Kingdom .
In 1915 , an estimated 25,000 women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote throughout the United States .
In 1942 , the British Eighth Army launched an offensive at El Alamein in Egypt , a World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of North Africa .
In 1945 , Jackie Robinson , the first black baseball player hired by a major league team , was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and sent to their Montreal farm team .
He moved up to the Dodgers in 1947 and became one of the sport 's greatest stars .
In 1946 , the United Nations General Assembly convened for the first time , at an auditorium in Flushing , Queens , New York City .
In 1962 , President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3504 , authorizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovery of Soviet missiles on the island .
In 1972 , earthquakes killed more than 10,000 people in Nicaragua .
In 1983 , suicide bomb attacks on peacekeeping troops in Beirut killed 241 U.S. Marines and 58 French soldiers .
Warnings ignored , defenses left vulnerable in attack on Marines in Lebanon .
In 1987 , the U.S. Senate rejected U.S. President Ronald Reagan 's nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court by the biggest margin in history , 58-42 .
In 1989 , Hungary formally declared an end to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself a republic , setting the stage for creation of Western-style democracy in the Eastern Bloc state .
In 1998 , Dr. Barnett Slepian , an obstetrician who performed abortions , was killed by a sniper who fired a bullet through a window of Slepian 's home in Amherst , N.Y .
The shooter , James Kopp , received life plus 10 years in prison in 2007 for the shooting .
In 2005 , a Nigerian plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Lagos , killing all 117 people aboard .
In 2006 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand the Panama Canal to allow larger ships to pass through .
In 2008 , former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told a U.S. House committee the United States is `` in the midst of a once-in-a-century credit tsunami '' that left him in a state of `` shocked disbelief . ''
In 2018 , Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the world 's longest sea bridge , the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge , which is 34 miles long .
In 2019 , the Hong Kong government officially withdrew a proposed extradition bill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other types of unrest in the Chinese territory .

1/5
National Baseball Hall of Fame member Lou Brock getrs a closer look at the Jackie Robinson display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City on July 9, 2012. On October 23, 1945, Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player hired by a major league team, was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and sent to their Montreal farm team. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1707, the British Parliament met for the first time after the Treaty of Union dissolved both the Parliaments of England and Scotland and created a new Kingdom of Great Britain. The Parliament of Great Britain eventually became the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Advertisement
In 1915, an estimated 25,000 women marched in New York City demanding the right to vote throughout the United States.
In 1942, the British Eighth Army launched an offensive at El Alamein in Egypt, a World War II battle that eventually swept the Germans out of North Africa.
In 1945, Jackie Robinson, the first Black baseball player hired by a major league team, was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and sent to their Montreal farm team. He moved up to the Dodgers in 1947 and became one of the sport's greatest stars.
A sculpture of Jackie Robinson is part of the sports exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on September 14, 2016 in Washington, D.C. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Advertisement
In 1946, the United Nations General Assembly convened for the first time, at an auditorium in Flushing, Queens, New York City.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3504, authorizing the naval blockade of Cuba following the discovery of Soviet missiles on the island.
In 1972, earthquakes killed more than 10,000 people in Nicaragua.
In 1983, suicide bomb attacks on peacekeeping troops in Beirut killed 241 U.S. Marines and 58 French soldiers. Warnings ignored, defenses left vulnerable in attack on Marines in Lebanon.
In 1987, the U.S. Senate rejected U.S. President Ronald Reagan's nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court by the biggest margin in history, 58-42.
In 1989, Hungary formally declared an end to 40 years of communist rule and proclaimed itself a republic, setting the stage for creation of Western-style democracy in the Eastern Bloc state.
In 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian, an obstetrician who performed abortions, was killed by a sniper who fired a bullet through a window of Slepian's home in Amherst, N.Y. The shooter, James Kopp, received life plus 10 years in prison in 2007 for the shooting.
Advertisement
In 2005, a Nigerian plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Lagos, killing all 117 people aboard.
In 2006, Panamanians voted overwhelmingly to support a proposal to expand the Panama Canal to allow larger ships to pass through.
File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI
In 2008, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told a U.S. House committee the United States is "in the midst of a once-in-a-century credit tsunami" that left him in a state of "shocked disbelief."
In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the world's longest sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, which is 34 miles long.
In 2019, the Hong Kong government officially withdrew a proposed extradition bill that led to months of protests, violence and other types of unrest in the Chinese territory.


upi--2020-10-23--Washington fines Dwayne Haskins for violating team's COVID-19 protocols

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- The Washington Football Team fined second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins for violating the team 's coronavirus protocols .
League sources told ESPN and the Washington Post on Friday that Haskins made a reservation for a family friend at the team 's hotel the night before Washington played the New York Giants last week .
According to the outlets , Haskins was fined $ 4,833 for the incident .
Under NFL rules , the maximum Washington could have fined him was $ 14,650 .
According to ESPN , Haskins made the reservation for the person , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived , meaning there was never any contact .
Washington has n't recorded any positive COVID-19 cases since the team reported for training camp in July .
The organization was the first to prevent its scouts from traveling in the spring when the pandemic struck and among the first to close its facilities .
Haskins -- the No .
15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State -- was inactive for Washington 's 20-19 loss against the Giants .
The team benched him two weeks ago in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosts the Dallas Cowboys ( 2-4 ) on Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover , Md .

Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins was fined $4,833 for the violation. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The Washington Football Team fined second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins for violating the team's coronavirus protocols. League sources told ESPN and the Washington Post on Friday that Haskins made a reservation for a family friend at the team's hotel the night before Washington played the New York Giants last week. According to the outlets, Haskins was fined $4,833 for the incident. Advertisement
Under NFL rules, the maximum Washington could have fined him was $14,650. According to ESPN, Haskins made the reservation for the person, but it was discovered before the individual arrived, meaning there was never any contact.
Washington hasn't recorded any positive COVID-19 cases since the team reported for training camp in July. The organization was the first to prevent its scouts from traveling in the spring when the pandemic struck and among the first to close its facilities.
Haskins -- the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State -- was inactive for Washington's 20-19 loss against the Giants. The team benched him two weeks ago in favor of Kyle Allen.
Advertisement
Washington (1-5) hosts the Dallas Cowboys (2-4) on Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.


upi--2020-10-23--NBA considering 72 games, pre-Christmas start for 2020-21 season

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- The NBA is eyeing a pre-Christmas Day start and a reduced regular-season schedule for the 2020-21 season .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Friday that the league proposed multiple changes to next season that include a 72-game regular season , a play-in tournament and the likelihood of no All-Star weekend in Indianapolis .
According to the outlets , the NBA is targeting Dec. 22 to begin the upcoming season .
The league also is considering a two-week break at the halfway point of the season , according to ESPN .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call with team owners on Friday afternoon , and the league wants to move quickly to finalize negotiations with the National Basketball Players Association to implement the plan .
The reduction in the number of regular-season games -- which would help accommodate a play-in tournament format for the Eastern and Western conferences -- would allow the NBA to finish its season before the Summer Olympics in Japan next year .
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , the NBA wants to avoid another bubble format , according to reports .
Instead , the league continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would keep teams in cities for a longer amount of time to play multiple games , similar to a Major League Baseball series .
The NBA and the NBPA agreed that Oct. 30 would be the deadline to complete ongoing talks on modifications to the collective bargaining agreement for the 2020-21 campaign .
That deadline date requires the league or players ' union to provide 45 days notice if either side opts to terminate the CBA .
The league recently completed its 2019-20 season in a bubble format on the Walt Disney World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited number of family members and friends were allowed to attend during the playoffs , but games were mostly held without anyone in attendance .

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA is considering a Dec. 22 start date for the upcoming 2020-21 season. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The NBA is eyeing a pre-Christmas Day start and a reduced regular-season schedule for the 2020-21 season. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Friday that the league proposed multiple changes to next season that include a 72-game regular season, a play-in tournament and the likelihood of no All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. Advertisement
According to the outlets, the NBA is targeting Dec. 22 to begin the upcoming season.
The league also is considering a two-week break at the halfway point of the season, according to ESPN. The NBA shared its plans in a conference call with team owners on Friday afternoon, and the league wants to move quickly to finalize negotiations with the National Basketball Players Association to implement the plan.
The reduction in the number of regular-season games -- which would help accommodate a play-in tournament format for the Eastern and Western conferences -- would allow the NBA to finish its season before the Summer Olympics in Japan next year.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA wants to avoid another bubble format, according to reports. Instead, the league continues to discuss travel and game schedules that would keep teams in cities for a longer amount of time to play multiple games, similar to a Major League Baseball series.
Advertisement
The NBA and the NBPA agreed that Oct. 30 would be the deadline to complete ongoing talks on modifications to the collective bargaining agreement for the 2020-21 campaign. That deadline date requires the league or players' union to provide 45 days notice if either side opts to terminate the CBA.
The league recently completed its 2019-20 season in a bubble format on the Walt Disney World Resort campus near Orlando, Fla. A limited number of family members and friends were allowed to attend during the playoffs, but games were mostly held without anyone in attendance.


upi--2020-10-23--Saints WR Emmanuel Sanders put on COVID-19 list, out vs. Panthers

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- The New Orleans Saints will be without top wide receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders for their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday .
The team announced Friday that Sanders , the Saints ' second-leading receiver this season , is out for Sunday 's matchup after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
Thomas , who was already dealing with an ankle sprain , was ruled out with a hamstring injury .
Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters Friday that Sanders -- who practiced Wednesday and Thursday -- tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the COVID-19 list .
The team then tested about 20 people who might have been in contact with Sanders , but all of them tested negative .
However , Payton said backup cornerback Ken Crawley will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a precaution because of his close contact with Sanders .
`` We found out [ Thursday ] .
He was n't feeling well , '' Payton said .
`` Right away , [ director of sports medicine ] Beau [ Lowery ] sent him to our doctors for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive .
After that happened , we traced those players he was around , coaches -- we actually tested about 20 more people that might have been near him , and those all came back negative .
`` Ken Crawley , for instance , came back with a time frame that puts him out , so he 'll show up as COVID but without a positive test .
It 's more of a precaution . ''
Sanders becomes the second Saints player to test positive for the coronavirus this season .
Running back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's COVID-19 list in training camp and early in the season .
Sanders caught a career-best 12 passes for 122 yards in the Saints ' Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers .
New Orleans had a bye in Week 6 .
Thomas will now miss his fifth straight game .
He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and was benched for disciplinary reasons in Week 5 .

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints will be without top wide receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders for their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The team announced Friday that Sanders, the Saints' second-leading receiver this season, is out for Sunday's matchup after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Thomas, who was already dealing with an ankle sprain, was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Advertisement
Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters Friday that Sanders -- who practiced Wednesday and Thursday -- tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, leading to his placement on the COVID-19 list. The team then tested about 20 people who might have been in contact with Sanders, but all of them tested negative.
However, Payton said backup cornerback Ken Crawley will be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a precaution because of his close contact with Sanders.
"We found out [Thursday]. He wasn't feeling well," Payton said. "Right away, [director of sports medicine] Beau [Lowery] sent him to our doctors for one of our tests. That came back positive. After that happened, we traced those players he was around, coaches -- we actually tested about 20 more people that might have been near him, and those all came back negative.
Advertisement
"Ken Crawley, for instance, came back with a time frame that puts him out, so he'll show up as COVID but without a positive test. It's more of a precaution."
Sanders becomes the second Saints player to test positive for the coronavirus this season. Running back Dwayne Washington spent time on the team's COVID-19 list in training camp and early in the season.
Sanders caught a career-best 12 passes for 122 yards in the Saints' Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. New Orleans had a bye in Week 6.
Thomas will now miss his fifth straight game. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and was benched for disciplinary reasons in Week 5.


upi--2020-10-23--October snowstorm set to smash early-season records

In conjunction with the record-challenging cold that is set to surge southward across the central and western United States , another potentially record-setting snowstorm is set to target millions of Americans in the coming days .
This time , the dose of wintry precipitation will target areas much farther south , including some that typically do n't pick up snow until much later in the season .
With this storm coming on the heels of recent winterlike weather that shattered a 115-year-old snowfall record in the Twin Cities , residents across the Plains and Upper Midwest may check their calendars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
AccuWeather meteorologists expect the next storm to be one of the most disruptive so far this season for the western and central United States over the coming days .
It is projected to bring record-challenging cold and snow , howling winds and even the threat of severe thunderstorms to areas farther east .
The Washington Cascades as well as the mountains across the interior Northwest will be first in line Friday and Friday night as snow expands southward from southern British Columbia .
Those traveling across some of the mountain passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eastern-facing slopes of the Washington Cascades and into the northern Rockies -- could face dangerous travel conditions as heavy , wet snow falls .
As a result , winter storm warnings have been put into effect for the impending weather .
Progressing through the day and into the nighttime hours Friday , snow will continue to expand to the south and east , spreading into Montana , Idaho and Wyoming .
Places such as Great Falls and Helena , Mont.
, could both potentially be buried under double-digit snowfall totals from late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snow comes to an end .
And for the mountainous areas in between the two cities , snowfall totals of more than 2 feet will be possible , providing a hefty early-season snowpack for people itching to hit the ski slopes .
Snow will continue to advance southeastward through the day on Saturday , into Wyoming , as well as the High Plains of Montana and the Dakotas .
On Sunday , the leading edge of snowfall will continue its trek into Colorado and the central Plains .
Along with the snow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with the storm , with blizzard conditions and nearly impossible travel predicted .
Stretches of Interstates 90 , 80 , 25 and 15 , just to name a few , could all be shut down for a time due to deteriorating and dangerous conditions this weekend .
`` Even in areas that are n't expected to get snow , powerful wind gusts will bring the threat of blowing over high-profile vehicles .
Almost every major transportation route in the Mountain West will experience this wind threat for a period of time this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Strong and gusty winds will also create difficult firefighting conditions once again in northern Colorado on Saturday where the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires continue to burn and force evacuations .
By Saturday night , however , Mother Nature will begin to lend a hand in the battle against those blazes by spreading snow into the area .
Snow will also begin to spread across the more populous areas of the Wyoming and Colorado Front Range on Saturday night .
Cheyenne , Wyo.
, as well as Fort Collins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could all get snow as early as Saturday night , and with the temperatures already expected to be below freezing , it should begin to stick to the ground rather quickly .
Players and the limited number of fans being permitted at Sunday 's NFL football game between Kansas City and Denver will have to brace for bitterly cold , blustery and snowy conditions .
The AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature is expected to hover between a harsh 5 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit during the matchup .
The storm 's snowfall area will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , expanding into the Plains and even portions of the Midwest .
North Platte , Neb.
, Sioux Falls , S.D.
, and even places as far east as Minneapolis could get snow during the day on Sunday .
Minneapolis has had quite the stretch of winterlike conditions this October , with just over 8 inches of snow already observed .
If the city picks up just 0.10 of an inch of snow from this storm , a new monthly snowfall record for October will fall .
And the city is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 inches of new snow expected by the end of the weekend .
Even though it 's not too unusual to see snowfall in all of the aforementioned cities during the month of October , this winterlike storm does n't look like it will quit there .
The continued surge of cold and snowy weather will continue to shift southward into portions of the southern Plains and Southwest by early next week , including places that are n't so accustomed to getting snowfall this early in the season .
Some of these same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even for October standards .
The average temperature in Albuquerque , New Mexico , has been nearly 6 degrees above normal for the month so far .
The panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma are no strangers to snowy and icy conditions , but this impending storm system would prove to be unusual given the time of year .
However , what may be even more unusual is that these locales also had an October snowstorm last year , when places like Amarillo picked up nearly a half of a foot of snow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Monday morning commute all the way from Kansas City to Albuquerque .
Portions of the drought-stricken Southwest may also get their first bouts of precipitation in weeks as the storm continues to dive southward by next Monday .
Residents of Flagstaff , Arizona , could even see snowflakes fly early next week .

In conjunction with the record-challenging cold that is set to surge southward across the central and western United States, another potentially record-setting snowstorm is set to target millions of Americans in the coming days.
This time, the dose of wintry precipitation will target areas much farther south, including some that typically don't pick up snow until much later in the season.
Advertisement
With this storm coming on the heels of recent winterlike weather that shattered a 115-year-old snowfall record in the Twin Cities, residents across the Plains and Upper Midwest may check their calendars twice to make sure it's still October.
AccuWeather meteorologists expect the next storm to be one of the most disruptive so far this season for the western and central United States over the coming days. It is projected to bring record-challenging cold and snow, howling winds and even the threat of severe thunderstorms to areas farther east.
Advertisement
The Washington Cascades as well as the mountains across the interior Northwest will be first in line Friday and Friday night as snow expands southward from southern British Columbia. Those traveling across some of the mountain passes Friday afternoon and night -- especially on the eastern-facing slopes of the Washington Cascades and into the northern Rockies -- could face dangerous travel conditions as heavy, wet snow falls. As a result, winter storm warnings have been put into effect for the impending weather.
Progressing through the day and into the nighttime hours Friday, snow will continue to expand to the south and east, spreading into Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Places such as Great Falls and Helena, Mont., could both potentially be buried under double-digit snowfall totals from late Friday afternoon through Saturday morning before the snow comes to an end.
And for the mountainous areas in between the two cities, snowfall totals of more than 2 feet will be possible, providing a hefty early-season snowpack for people itching to hit the ski slopes.
Snow will continue to advance southeastward through the day on Saturday, into Wyoming, as well as the High Plains of Montana and the Dakotas. On Sunday, the leading edge of snowfall will continue its trek into Colorado and the central Plains.
Advertisement
Along with the snow, roaring winds will further increase the hazards associated with the storm, with blizzard conditions and nearly impossible travel predicted. Stretches of Interstates 90, 80, 25 and 15, just to name a few, could all be shut down for a time due to deteriorating and dangerous conditions this weekend.
"Even in areas that aren't expected to get snow, powerful wind gusts will bring the threat of blowing over high-profile vehicles. Almost every major transportation route in the Mountain West will experience this wind threat for a period of time this weekend," AccuWeather meteorologist Jake Sojda said.
Strong and gusty winds will also create difficult firefighting conditions once again in northern Colorado on Saturday where the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires continue to burn and force evacuations. By Saturday night, however, Mother Nature will begin to lend a hand in the battle against those blazes by spreading snow into the area.
Snow will also begin to spread across the more populous areas of the Wyoming and Colorado Front Range on Saturday night. Cheyenne, Wyo., as well as Fort Collins, Boulder and even Denver, Colo., could all get snow as early as Saturday night, and with the temperatures already expected to be below freezing, it should begin to stick to the ground rather quickly.
Advertisement
Players and the limited number of fans being permitted at Sunday's NFL football game between Kansas City and Denver will have to brace for bitterly cold, blustery and snowy conditions. The AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature is expected to hover between a harsh 5 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit during the matchup.
The storm's snowfall area will continue to spread out during the day on Sunday, expanding into the Plains and even portions of the Midwest. North Platte, Neb., Sioux Falls, S.D., and even places as far east as Minneapolis could get snow during the day on Sunday.
Minneapolis has had quite the stretch of winterlike conditions this October, with just over 8 inches of snow already observed. If the city picks up just 0.10 of an inch of snow from this storm, a new monthly snowfall record for October will fall. And the city is expected to shatter that record with 2 inches to 4 inches of new snow expected by the end of the weekend.
Even though it's not too unusual to see snowfall in all of the aforementioned cities during the month of October, this winterlike storm doesn't look like it will quit there. The continued surge of cold and snowy weather will continue to shift southward into portions of the southern Plains and Southwest by early next week, including places that aren't so accustomed to getting snowfall this early in the season. Some of these same regions have been experiencing unusually warm weather even for October standards. The average temperature in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been nearly 6 degrees above normal for the month so far.
Advertisement
The panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma are no strangers to snowy and icy conditions, but this impending storm system would prove to be unusual given the time of year. However, what may be even more unusual is that these locales also had an October snowstorm last year, when places like Amarillo picked up nearly a half of a foot of snow.
Snow and ice could cause major disruptions to the Monday morning commute all the way from Kansas City to Albuquerque.
Portions of the drought-stricken Southwest may also get their first bouts of precipitation in weeks as the storm continues to dive southward by next Monday. Residents of Flagstaff, Arizona, could even see snowflakes fly early next week.