upi--2020-10-05--Study: 7 in 10 appendicitis patients treated with antibiotics avoid surgery

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Antibiotics and surgery are both good options for treating appendicitis , according to a study published Monday in the New England Journal of Medicine that found 7 in 10 patients treated with the drugs ultimately avoid surgery .
`` About three in 10 patients in the antibiotic group ultimately underwent an appendectomy within 90 days , '' study co-principal investigator Dr. David Flum said in a statement .
`` There were advantages and disadvantages to each treatment , and patients will value these differently based on their unique characteristics , concerns , and perspectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated chair of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine .
The Comparison of the Outcomes of antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy is the largest study to date comparing antibiotics for appendicitis to appendectomy , which is a surgery to remove the appendix , researchers said .
The goal of the study is to help nearly 300,000 people who visit the hospital each year for appendicitis-related issues choose the treatment that would be best for them with support from the evidence in the study .
Inflammation of the appendix , usually occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery though some mild cases are treated with antibiotics alone .
The study involved 1,552 participants from 25 sites across 14 states , researchers said .
One month after treatment , participants rated their general health as about the same in both groups .
In the antibiotics group , about 71 % did not have surgery within three months , and participants in the antibiotic group missed missed about 3 1/2 fewer days of work .
However , more participants in the antibiotics group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent care clinic within three months , 9 % , compared with the surgery group , at 4 % .
When surgery is successful , the appendix is fully removed , but with the antibiotics , appendicitis can come back and researchers said they will determine how often that happens in follow-up reports .
For every 100 participants in the antibiotics group , there were about eight unexpected problems .
By comparison , in the surgery group , there were about four such problems .
The higher rate of problems in the antibiotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appendicolith , which is a calcified deposit within the appendix .
These participants had a higher rate of having surgery within three months at 41 % compared to the overall group rate for participants using antibiotics of 29 % .

Researchers say that antibiotics are as good an option for appendicitis as surgery -- 7 in 10 patients avoid surgery -- based a new study. Photo by Sasint/Pixabay
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Antibiotics and surgery are both good options for treating appendicitis, according to a study published Monday in the New England Journal of Medicine that found 7 in 10 patients treated with the drugs ultimately avoid surgery. "About three in 10 patients in the antibiotic group ultimately underwent an appendectomy within 90 days," study co-principal investigator Dr. David Flum said in a statement. Advertisement
"There were advantages and disadvantages to each treatment, and patients will value these differently based on their unique characteristics, concerns, and perspectives," said Flum, professor and associated chair of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
The Comparison of the Outcomes of antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy is the largest study to date comparing antibiotics for appendicitis to appendectomy, which is a surgery to remove the appendix, researchers said.
The goal of the study is to help nearly 300,000 people who visit the hospital each year for appendicitis-related issues choose the treatment that would be best for them with support from the evidence in the study.
Inflammation of the appendix, usually occurring in the teens or 20s, is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery though some mild cases are treated with antibiotics alone.
Advertisement
The study involved 1,552 participants from 25 sites across 14 states, researchers said. One month after treatment, participants rated their general health as about the same in both groups.
In the antibiotics group, about 71% did not have surgery within three months, and participants in the antibiotic group missed missed about 3 1/2 fewer days of work.
However, more participants in the antibiotics group needed to visit an emergency room or urgent care clinic within three months, 9%, compared with the surgery group, at 4%.
When surgery is successful, the appendix is fully removed, but with the antibiotics, appendicitis can come back and researchers said they will determine how often that happens in follow-up reports.
For every 100 participants in the antibiotics group, there were about eight unexpected problems. By comparison, in the surgery group, there were about four such problems.
The higher rate of problems in the antibiotics group was related to participants with an appendicolith, which is a calcified deposit within the appendix. These participants had a higher rate of having surgery within three months at 41% compared to the overall group rate for participants using antibiotics of 29%.


upi--2020-10-05--Dow climbs 465 points after Trump announces he will leave hospital

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- U.S. markets climbed on Monday after President Donald Trump announced he would be discharged from the hospital in the evening after testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 465.83 , or 1.68 % , while the S & P 500 rose 1.8 % and the Nasdaq Composite closed the day up 2.32 % .
Stocks shot to their session highs after Trump tweeted that he will be leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , easing concerns among investors about the president 's condition .
Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital in Maryland at 6:30 p.m. after being admitted Friday when his oxygen levels dropped .
The president said he was `` feeling really good '' but his physician Dr. Sean Conley said he `` may not entirely be out of the woods yet . ''
Stock for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals surged 7.13 % after the White House said Trump received an 8-gram dose of its antibody drug cocktail as a precautionary measure .
Companies developing COVID-19 vaccine candidates also benefitted Monday as BioNTech stock soared 9.5 % , Novavax stock rose 6.34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 465 points on Monday as U.S. markets rose after President Donald Trump announced he would be discharged from the hospital in the evening. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. markets climbed on Monday after President Donald Trump announced he would be discharged from the hospital in the evening after testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 465.83, or 1.68%, while the S&P 500 rose 1.8% and the Nasdaq Composite closed the day up 2.32%. Advertisement
Stocks shot to their session highs after Trump tweeted that he will be leaving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, easing concerns among investors about the president's condition.
Trump tweeted Monday afternoon that he would depart from the hospital in Maryland at 6:30 p.m. after being admitted Friday when his oxygen levels dropped. The president said he was "feeling really good" but his physician Dr. Sean Conley said he "may not entirely be out of the woods yet."
Stock for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals surged 7.13% after the White House said Trump received an 8-gram dose of its antibody drug cocktail as a precautionary measure.
Companies developing COVID-19 vaccine candidates also benefitted Monday as BioNTech stock soared 9.5%, Novavax stock rose 6.34% and Moderna climbed 4.56%.


upi--2020-10-05--Watch: Man puts 125 scoops on an ice cream cone for world record

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- An Italian man who once held the Guinness World Record for most ice cream @ @ @ @ @ recaptured his record on a TV special .
Guinness said Dimitri Panciera originally captured the @ @ @ @ @ he balanced 85 scoops of ice cream on a single cone .
The record was @ @ @ @ @ who upped the ante with 123 scoops .
Panciera recaptured his record during filming of @ @ @ @ @ a Guinness TV special in Italy .
He topped the record with 125 scoops .
@ @ @ @ @ served by the spoonful to the special 's studio audience .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- An Italian man who once held the Guinness World Record for most ice cream scoops balanced on a cone recaptured his record on a TV special.
Guinness said Dimitri Panciera originally captured the record in 2013, when he balanced 85 scoops of ice cream on a single cone.
Advertisement
The record was captured by Ashrita Furman, who upped the ante with 123 scoops.
Panciera recaptured his record during filming of La Notte dei Record, a Guinness TV special in Italy. He topped the record with 125 scoops.
The ice cream was then served by the spoonful to the special's studio audience.


upi--2020-10-05--Woman wins $700,000 playing her late mother's lottery numbers

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman won a lottery jackpot of more than $ 700,000 using a set of numbers she inherited from her late mother .
The Seaford Rise , South Australia , woman told The Lott officials the ticket she purchased bought online for the Sept. 30 Monday & Wednesday X Lotto drawing bore a set of numbers her mother used to play before her death .
The numbers earned the woman a top prize of $ 718,700 .
`` You know those were my mum 's numbers .
After she passed away , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner said .
`` I feel like she helped deliver my win .
God bless her ! ''
The woman said the windfall will come as a great help after `` a tough couple of months . ''
`` As soon as we saw the win last night , my partner retired !
It was amazing , '' she said .
`` I am going to help my dad out too , because he just got diagnosed with cancer . ''
`` We 'd love to go on a holiday once the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relax and take it all in , '' the woman said .

A Seaford Rise, Australia, woman collected a lottery jackpot of more than $700,000 using a set of numbers she inherited from her late mother. Photo courtesy of The Lott
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Oct. 5 (UPI) -- An Australian woman won a lottery jackpot of more than $700,000 using a set of numbers she inherited from her late mother. The Seaford Rise, South Australia, woman told The Lott officials the ticket she purchased bought online for the Sept. 30 Monday & Wednesday X Lotto drawing bore a set of numbers her mother used to play before her death. Advertisement
The numbers earned the woman a top prize of $718,700.
"You know those were my mum's numbers. After she passed away, I started using her numbers," the winner said. "I feel like she helped deliver my win. God bless her!"
The woman said the windfall will come as a great help after "a tough couple of months."
"As soon as we saw the win last night, my partner retired! It was amazing," she said. "I am going to help my dad out too, because he just got diagnosed with cancer."
"We'd love to go on a holiday once the money is in our account, just to relax and take it all in," the woman said.


upi--2020-10-05--Human biology appears to have two seasons, not four, study says

The human body apparently disagrees with Mother Nature on how many seasons there are .
Instead of four seasons , human biology appears to have two , according to a team of Stanford University researchers .
`` We 're taught that the four seasons -- winter , spring , summer and fall -- are broken into roughly equal parts throughout the year , and I thought , 'Well , who says ? '
`` said Michael Snyder , a professor and chair of genetics .
`` It did n't seem likely that human biology adheres to those rules . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ study guided by people 's molecular compositions to let the biology reveal how many seasons there are .
They analyzed four years of molecular data from 105 people , aged 25 to 75 .
About four times a year , participants provided blood samples that were analyzed for molecular information about immunity , inflammation , heart health , metabolism , the microbiome and more .
Participants ' diet and exercise habits were also tracked .
Overall , the study found that more than 1,000 molecules ebb and flow during the year , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter .
For example , late spring coincided with a rise in inflammatory biomarkers known to play a role in allergies , a spike in molecules involved in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis , a peak in HbAc1 , a protein that signals risk for type 2 diabetes , and the highest annual levels of the gene PER1 , an important regulator of the sleep-wake cycle .
In early winter , there were increases in immune molecules that help fight viral infections molecules involved in acne development and markers of high blood pressure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were insulin-resistant -- their bodies do n't process glucose normally -- and those who were n't .
Insulin-resistant people had higher levels of Veillonella , a type of bacteria involved in lactic acid fermentation and the processing of glucose , throughout the year , except during mid-March through late June , according to findings published this month in the journal Nature Communications .
Snyder noted that the study involved people in California , and it 's likely that the molecular patterns of people in other regions would differ .
Understanding such seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care and the design of clinical drug trials , he suggested .
NASA has more on Earth 's seasons .

While color changes to trees during the fall is an annual highlight for many -- including the tourists pictured in Forest Park in St. Louis in November 2019 -- researchers say the human body only registers two seasons, not the four marked on the calendar. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
The human body apparently disagrees with Mother Nature on how many seasons there are. Instead of four seasons, human biology appears to have two, according to a team of Stanford University researchers. Advertisement
"We're taught that the four seasons -- winter, spring, summer and fall -- are broken into roughly equal parts throughout the year, and I thought, 'Well, who says?' " said Michael Snyder, a professor and chair of genetics. "It didn't seem likely that human biology adheres to those rules."
So he and his colleagues conducted a study guided by people's molecular compositions to let the biology reveal how many seasons there are.
They analyzed four years of molecular data from 105 people, aged 25 to 75. About four times a year, participants provided blood samples that were analyzed for molecular information about immunity, inflammation, heart health, metabolism, the microbiome and more. Participants' diet and exercise habits were also tracked.
Overall, the study found that more than 1,000 molecules ebb and flow during the year, especially during late spring-early summer and late fall-early winter.
For example, late spring coincided with a rise in inflammatory biomarkers known to play a role in allergies, a spike in molecules involved in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, a peak in HbAc1, a protein that signals risk for type 2 diabetes, and the highest annual levels of the gene PER1, an important regulator of the sleep-wake cycle.
Advertisement
In early winter, there were increases in immune molecules that help fight viral infections molecules involved in acne development and markers of high blood pressure.
The researchers also found differences between people who were insulin-resistant -- their bodies don't process glucose normally -- and those who weren't.
Insulin-resistant people had higher levels of Veillonella, a type of bacteria involved in lactic acid fermentation and the processing of glucose, throughout the year, except during mid-March through late June, according to findings published this month in the journal Nature Communications.
Snyder noted that the study involved people in California, and it's likely that the molecular patterns of people in other regions would differ.
Understanding such seasonal changes in human biology could help guide health care and the design of clinical drug trials, he suggested.
More information
NASA has more on Earth's seasons.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-05--House bill would reinforce Israel's 'qualitative military edge'

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House which essentially guarantees Israel 's qualitative military edge over Middle East countries .
The bill , led by Rep. Brad Schneider , D-Ill. , calls for a commitment to Israel 's qualitative military edge , a legislated U.S. pledge to Israel under the Arms Export Control Act .
`` This bill strengthens that commitment and reminds the administration of its obligations under the law , '' Schneider said in a statement .
Introduced Friday , the legislation comes after Israeli concerns that President Donald Trump 's administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Arab Emirates .
Israel is currently the only Middle East country with the advanced fighter planes , and the UAE purchase could destabilize a balance of power , members of Congress have warned .
`` With all due respect , it does n't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if Israel 's the only country in the Middle East that has F-35s , that selling it to someone else no longer produces that qualitative military edge in the air , '' Sen. Bob Menendez , R-N.J. , said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 24 .
Schneider was joined in submitting the House bill on Friday by two Republicans and 13 Democrats , which seeks to reaffirm the role of congressional consultation regarding Israel 's qualitative military edge , a practice employed since the 1960s , in U.S. sale of arms , they said .
The bill would require the White House to report to Congress on how any arms sale would impact Israel within 60 days .
While not providing Israel with blanket veto power over U.S. sales , `` Israel is our single most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Congress will not let any President undermine her security with unapproved weapons sales , '' Schneider said .

A bill introduced last week in the U.S. House virtually guarantees Israel's qualitative military edge in armaments, specifically the F-35s flown by it's air force. Photo courtesy of Israeli air force
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House which essentially guarantees Israel's qualitative military edge over Middle East countries. The bill, led by Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., calls for a commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge, a legislated U.S. pledge to Israel under the Arms Export Control Act. Advertisement
"This bill strengthens that commitment and reminds the administration of its obligations under the law," Schneider said in a statement.
Introduced Friday, the legislation comes after Israeli concerns that President Donald Trump's administration plans to sell F-35 fighter planes to the United Arab Emirates.
Israel is currently the only Middle East country with the advanced fighter planes, and the UAE purchase could destabilize a balance of power, members of Congress have warned.
"With all due respect, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if Israel's the only country in the Middle East that has F-35s, that selling it to someone else no longer produces that qualitative military edge in the air," Sen. Bob Menendez, R-N.J., said at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Sept. 24.
Advertisement
Schneider was joined in submitting the House bill on Friday by two Republicans and 13 Democrats, which seeks to reaffirm the role of congressional consultation regarding Israel's qualitative military edge, a practice employed since the 1960s, in U.S. sale of arms, they said.
The bill would require the White House to report to Congress on how any arms sale would impact Israel within 60 days.
While not providing Israel with blanket veto power over U.S. sales, "Israel is our single most important ally in the Middle East, and Congress will not let any President undermine her security with unapproved weapons sales," Schneider said.


upi--2020-10-05--U.S., Morocco renew military ties to 2030

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Morocco and the United States , in an alliance dating to 1777 , renewed a defense cooperation road map through 2030 , the Defense Department announced .
U.S. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark Esper and Morocco 's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita signed the cooperation plan in Rabat , Morocco , on Friday as Esper toured Middle Eastern countries .
`` Morocco is a country we have been friends with for many , many years , and I am confident that we will remain friends and strategic partners for generations to come , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives , he noted a specific military training drill , Exercise African Lion .
The annual exercise includes participants from across the African continent .
`` It is a key training and exercise event for many , many years , not just between the United States and Morocco , '' Esper said .
Morocco , in North Africa , is regarded as a major ally of the United States , although not a NATO member .
While meeting with Bourita , Esper noted his full support for Moroccan force modernization initiatives and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional threats together , a Defense Department statement on Friday said .

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, second from L, received a welcome of Friday in Rabat, Morocco, where the United States and Morocco agreed to a 10-year military cooperation plan. Photo courtesy of U.S. Defense Department
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Morocco and the United States, in an alliance dating to 1777, renewed a defense cooperation road map through 2030, the Defense Department announced. U.S. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark Esper and Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita signed the cooperation plan in Rabat, Morocco, on Friday as Esper toured Middle Eastern countries. Advertisement
"Morocco is a country we have been friends with for many, many years, and I am confident that we will remain friends and strategic partners for generations to come," Esper said.
In listing cooperative defense initiatives, he noted a specific military training drill, Exercise African Lion. The annual exercise includes participants from across the African continent.
"It is a key training and exercise event for many, many years, not just between the United States and Morocco," Esper said.
Morocco, in North Africa, is regarded as a major ally of the United States, although not a NATO member.
While meeting with Bourita, Esper noted his full support for Moroccan force modernization initiatives and said the U.S. and Morocco will better face regional threats together, a Defense Department statement on Friday said.
Advertisement


upi--2020-10-05--Watch: Lost wedding ring found after two years at Vermont reservoir

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- A New Jersey man was reunited with his wedding ring two years after he lost it during a day at a reservoir in Vermont .
Lou Rider said he and his family drove from New Jersey to the Waterbury Reservoir for a Labor Day weekend family reunion in 2018 , and he did n't discover until he was in the car to drive home that his wedding ring was missing from his finger .
`` We were from one end of the reservoir to the other .
We were in and out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rocks and everything , so we were everywhere , '' Rider told WVNY/WFFF .
The ring was thought to be lost forever , until Lorraine Tallcott , Rider 's aunt , was reading an online forum for residents of her area in Vermont .
and saw a post that a man 's wedding ring had been found at Waterbury Reservoir .
Tallcott discovered a man visiting from out of state had found the ring at the reservoir and handed it off to a local family , who posted about it on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be Rider 's missing wedding band , and it was returned to him via mail .
`` It is in perfect condition after being out in the elements for two years , you know , with the snow and ice and everything , it 's amazing .
It 's just in the same condition it was when I lost it , '' he said .
A New Hampshire man 's story of losing his class ring involved a similar body of water -- but a much longer period of time .
Steve Rowell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class ring when it slipped off his fingers while he was skipping stones at Drew 's Pond in 1967 .
Repeated attempts were made to locate the ring over the years , but his wife , Kathy , renewed her efforts to find it when a recent drought caused the pond to partially drain .
She enlisted the help of a neighbor with a metal detector and the ring was returned to Rowell 's finger 53 years after it flew into the water .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A New Jersey man was reunited with his wedding ring two years after he lost it during a day at a reservoir in Vermont.
Lou Rider said he and his family drove from New Jersey to the Waterbury Reservoir for a Labor Day weekend family reunion in 2018, and he didn't discover until he was in the car to drive home that his wedding ring was missing from his finger.
Advertisement
"We were from one end of the reservoir to the other. We were in and out of the boats, hiking through, jumping with the rocks and everything, so we were everywhere," Rider told WVNY/WFFF.
The ring was thought to be lost forever, until Lorraine Tallcott, Rider's aunt, was reading an online forum for residents of her area in Vermont. and saw a post that a man's wedding ring had been found at Waterbury Reservoir.
Tallcott discovered a man visiting from out of state had found the ring at the reservoir and handed it off to a local family, who posted about it on the forum.
The ring was confirmed to be Rider's missing wedding band, and it was returned to him via mail.
Advertisement
"It is in perfect condition after being out in the elements for two years, you know, with the snow and ice and everything, it's amazing. It's just in the same condition it was when I lost it," he said.
A New Hampshire man's story of losing his class ring involved a similar body of water -- but a much longer period of time. Steve Rowell of Barrington lost his Spaulding High School class ring when it slipped off his fingers while he was skipping stones at Drew's Pond in 1967.
Repeated attempts were made to locate the ring over the years, but his wife, Kathy, renewed her efforts to find it when a recent drought caused the pond to partially drain. She enlisted the help of a neighbor with a metal detector and the ring was returned to Rowell's finger 53 years after it flew into the water.


upi--2020-10-05--CDC updates website to include airborne transmission of COVID-19

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted a long-awaited update on the agency 's COVID-19 website Monday clarifying that the disease can sometimes be spread through airborne transmission and can travel more than 6 feet in unventilated spaces .
The agency said evidence shows the coronavirus can spread from particles that linger in the air even after an infected person has left , like the way tuberculosis , measles , and chicken pox are spread .
`` The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza but not as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most contagious viruses known to affect people , '' the website said .
`` People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others . ''
The update said that under certain conditions , people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away in poorly ventilated spaces .
Some cases appear to have been transmitted when an infected person was breathing heavily , for example while singing or exercising , the agency 's updated website said .
The update is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared earlier on the federal health agency 's website and was then removed .
The agency said that so-called aerosol transmission was not the most common way to acquire the virus .
The easiest way to catch the highly contagious disease is to be in close contact ( within 6 feet ) of an infected person and inhale respiratory droplets when that person coughs , sneezes , sings , talks , or breathes , the agency said .
Wearing a cloth covering over the nose and mouth significantly reduces the spread of both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
The agency recommended avoiding crowded indoor spaces and making sure that indoor spaces were properly ventilated to bring outdoor air in as much as possible .
`` In general , being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets , '' the agency 's website said Monday .
The CDCs update now aligns with research from the World Health Organization , which has said since July that research showed the virus was spread , in certain cases , by airborne transmission in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gymnasiums .

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the agency's website Monday to clarify that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread by airborne transmission in poorly ventilated areas. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted a long-awaited update on the agency's COVID-19 website Monday clarifying that the disease can sometimes be spread through airborne transmission and can travel more than 6 feet in unventilated spaces. The agency said evidence shows the coronavirus can spread from particles that linger in the air even after an infected person has left, like the way tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox are spread. Advertisement
"The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza but not as efficiently as measles, which is among the most contagious viruses known to affect people," the website said. "People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others."
The update said that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away in poorly ventilated spaces. Some cases appear to have been transmitted when an infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising, the agency's updated website said.
The update is a re-stating of an unapproved draft that appeared earlier on the federal health agency's website and was then removed.
Advertisement
The agency said that so-called aerosol transmission was not the most common way to acquire the virus.
The easiest way to catch the highly contagious disease is to be in close contact (within 6 feet) of an infected person and inhale respiratory droplets when that person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes, the agency said.
Wearing a cloth covering over the nose and mouth significantly reduces the spread of both respiratory droplets and airborne transmission, the agency said.
The agency recommended avoiding crowded indoor spaces and making sure that indoor spaces were properly ventilated to bring outdoor air in as much as possible.
"In general, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets," the agency's website said Monday.
The CDCs update now aligns with research from the World Health Organization, which has said since July that research showed the virus was spread, in certain cases, by airborne transmission in nursing homes, restaurants, choirs and gymnasiums.


upi--2020-10-05--Russia, U.S. meet for arms treaty discussions ahead of New START expiration

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Diplomats from Russia and the United States met on Monday in Helsinki to discuss a replacement for the strategic arms limitations which will expire in February , according to officials .
Chief U.S. arms negotiator Marshall Billingslea met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov .
They met in Vienna in August , and Monday 's discussions are regarded as a continuation of that negotiation .
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto served as host and moderator , and met separately with each negotiator on Monday morning .
`` Two interesting discussions , '' Niinisto said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current world situation , all dialogue is important , and welcome its continuation between the United States and Russia .
I wish further progress in agreeing on arms control . ''
The landmark Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty , or START , was agreed to by the United States and Russia in 1991 , and was enforced beginning in 1994 .
It limited the number of bombs and missiles available to each side .
The United States has insisted that China should be included in any updated or new arms limitation treaty .
START @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treaty of Moscow replacing it as negotiations for what eventually became New START .
New START went into effect in 2011 , and its ten-year term will expire in 2021 .
All three treaties contain similar goals of reducing nuclear weapons held between the two countries .
`` The next treaty will have to be multilateral , it will have to include China , and the framework that we are articulating together as two great powers , us and the Russians , will be the framework going forward that China will be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August .
It is possible that a bilateral deal with Russia can be resolved , with a separate treaty China to be negotiated later .
President Donald Trump 's administration has recently reduced its demand for China 's inclusion , and the tone of the talks suggests the White House is prepared to let the current treaty lapse , experts have said .

Russia's Strategic Missile Forces is pictured firing a ground-based Topol missile. Talks to continue the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between Russia and the United States began on Monday in Helsinki. Photo courtesy of the Russian Defense Ministry
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Diplomats from Russia and the United States met on Monday in Helsinki to discuss a replacement for the strategic arms limitations which will expire in February, according to officials. Chief U.S. arms negotiator Marshall Billingslea met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. They met in Vienna in August, and Monday's discussions are regarded as a continuation of that negotiation. Advertisement
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto served as host and moderator, and met separately with each negotiator on Monday morning.
"Two interesting discussions," Niinisto said in a statement. "In the current world situation, all dialogue is important, and welcome its continuation between the United States and Russia. I wish further progress in agreeing on arms control."
The landmark Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, was agreed to by the United States and Russia in 1991, and was enforced beginning in 1994. It limited the number of bombs and missiles available to each side. The United States has insisted that China should be included in any updated or new arms limitation treaty.
START expired in 2009, with the 2002 Treaty of Moscow replacing it as negotiations for what eventually became New START. New START went into effect in 2011, and its ten-year term will expire in 2021. All three treaties contain similar goals of reducing nuclear weapons held between the two countries.
Advertisement
"The next treaty will have to be multilateral, it will have to include China, and the framework that we are articulating together as two great powers, us and the Russians, will be the framework going forward that China will be expected to join," Billingslea told reporters in August.
It is possible that a bilateral deal with Russia can be resolved, with a separate treaty China to be negotiated later. President Donald Trump's administration has recently reduced its demand for China's inclusion, and the tone of the talks suggests the White House is prepared to let the current treaty lapse, experts have said.


upi--2020-10-05--Look: Firefighters rescue rat stuck in manhole cover

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters responded to a road in Germany to rescue a rat that became stuck @ @ @ @ @ a manhole cover .
The Bad Kreuznach Volunteer Fire Department said firefighters were summoned to @ @ @ @ @ the rat was spotted stuck in a manhole cover in the middle of the road @ @ @ @ @ firefighter attempted to grab the rat to wriggle the creature free , but the rat @ @ @ @ @ , injuring its mouth .
The firefighter was not hurt .
The crew ended up @ @ @ @ @ push the rat out from the bottom .
The rat was taken to a veterinary @ @ @ @ @ food and treatment for its mouth injury .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Firefighters responded to a road in Germany to rescue a rat that became stuck in a narrow hole in a manhole cover.
The Bad Kreuznach Volunteer Fire Department said firefighters were summoned to the Steubenstr area Sunday when the rat was spotted stuck in a manhole cover in the middle of the road.
Advertisement
The department said a firefighter attempted to grab the rat to wriggle the creature free, but the rat bit the firefighter's glove, injuring its mouth. The firefighter was not hurt.
The crew ended up removing the manhole cover to push the rat out from the bottom.
The rat was taken to a veterinary clinic, where it received food and treatment for its mouth injury.


upi--2020-10-05--St. Louis ties record with 207 homicides after bar shooting

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- St. Louis has already tied its all-time record homicide rate , after a bar shooting killed a 38-year-old man .
Authorities said the man , William Edwards of of Cahokia , Ill. , was shot at the bar Sunday in north St. Louis .
Cahokia is about five miles south of the bar , across the Mississippi River .
With Edwards ' death , St. Louis homicides reached 207 for 2020 .
Last year at this time , there had been 158 killings .
The all-time record was set in 1993 , when there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sunday 's shooting tied the homicide rate -- 69 per 100,000 residents , which was also set in 1993 .
In all the homicides this year , 281 firearms were used , according to a St. Louis Metro Police Department analysis .
Police investigators have closed 53 cases and more than 150 remain open , the department said .
Maj. Shawn Dace , commander in the Bureau of Investigations for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department , told KSDK-TV the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest have taxed police resources .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've had civil unrest , so we 've had to deploy our resources in a lot of places , which causes us to lose visibility at times , '' he said .
The St. Louis County Sheriff 's department said last month it would increase patrols for the Metro transit system .
A woman was arrested for Edwards ' death after she went to a hospital with gunshot wounds .
Investigators are not yet sure about a motive .
`` [ The high homicide rate ] is a function of persistent and high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of joblessness especially now given the impact of COVID on the economy , continuing high levels of racial segregation , '' said Richard Rosenfeld , criminologist with the University of Missouri-St. Louis .

Downtown St. Louis, Mo., is seen from atop the Gateway Arch on March 10. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- St. Louis has already tied its all-time record homicide rate, after a bar shooting killed a 38-year-old man. Authorities said the man, William Edwards of of Cahokia, Ill., was shot at the bar Sunday in north St. Louis. Cahokia is about five miles south of the bar, across the Mississippi River. Advertisement
With Edwards' death, St. Louis homicides reached 207 for 2020. Last year at this time, there had been 158 killings. The all-time record was set in 1993, when there were 267 total homicides for the year.
Sunday's shooting tied the homicide rate -- 69 per 100,000 residents, which was also set in 1993.
In all the homicides this year, 281 firearms were used, according to a St. Louis Metro Police Department analysis. Police investigators have closed 53 cases and more than 150 remain open, the department said.
Maj. Shawn Dace, commander in the Bureau of Investigations for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, told KSDK-TV the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest have taxed police resources.
"We've had to quarantine people, we've had civil unrest, so we've had to deploy our resources in a lot of places, which causes us to lose visibility at times," he said.
Advertisement
The St. Louis County Sheriff's department said last month it would increase patrols for the Metro transit system.
A woman was arrested for Edwards' death after she went to a hospital with gunshot wounds. Investigators are not yet sure about a motive.
"[The high homicide rate] is a function of persistent and high poverty rates in the city, persisting levels of joblessness especially now given the impact of COVID on the economy, continuing high levels of racial segregation," said Richard Rosenfeld, criminologist with the University of Missouri-St. Louis.


upi--2020-10-06--DHS report cites White supremacists as most 'persistent and lethal' U.S. terror threat

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday said that White supremacist extremists remain the most `` persistent and lethal '' threat among Domestic Violent Extremists in the United States .
The agency 's Homeland Threat Assessment report declares that White supremacists have conducted more lethal attacks in the United States than any other domestic terror movement since 2018 .
It further states White supremacist groups have `` longstanding intent '' to target racial and religious minorities , members of the LGBTQ+ community , politicians and those `` they believe promote multi-culturalism and globalization '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As secretary , I am concerned about any form of violent extremism , '' acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf wrote in the report .
`` However , I am particularly concerned about White supremacist violent extremists who have been exceptionally lethal in their abhorrent , targeted attacks in recent years . ''
The report also highlighted Russia as `` the likely primary covert influence actor and purveyor of disinformation and misinformation '' within the United States , while anticipating foreign entities will seek to influence the 2020 presidential election .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to increase its global standing and influence by weakening America -- domestically and abroad -- through efforts to sow discord , distract , shape public sentiment and undermine trust in Western democratic institutions and processes , '' the report stated .
The DHS further said that China and Iran may also seek to use cyber capabilities to compromise the 2020 elections .
The agency added it is `` increasingly concerned '' about the threat posed by China including `` damaging the U.S. economy through intellectual property theft , production and distribution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' It warned that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new opportunities for economic competitors to the United States to exploit the American people .
The report also cited transnational criminal organizations and natural disasters as significant threats to the United States .

White supremacist groups remain the most "persistent and lethal" terror threat in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said in its Homeland Threat Assessment report on Tuesday. File Pool Photo by Alex Wong/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday said that White supremacist extremists remain the most "persistent and lethal" threat among Domestic Violent Extremists in the United States. The agency's Homeland Threat Assessment report declares that White supremacists have conducted more lethal attacks in the United States than any other domestic terror movement since 2018. Advertisement
It further states White supremacist groups have "longstanding intent" to target racial and religious minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, politicians and those "they believe promote multi-culturalism and globalization" at the expense of their identity.
"As secretary, I am concerned about any form of violent extremism," acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf wrote in the report. "However, I am particularly concerned about White supremacist violent extremists who have been exceptionally lethal in their abhorrent, targeted attacks in recent years."
The report also highlighted Russia as "the likely primary covert influence actor and purveyor of disinformation and misinformation" within the United States, while anticipating foreign entities will seek to influence the 2020 presidential election.
"We assess that Moscow's primary objective is to increase its global standing and influence by weakening America -- domestically and abroad -- through efforts to sow discord, distract, shape public sentiment and undermine trust in Western democratic institutions and processes," the report stated.
Advertisement
The DHS further said that China and Iran may also seek to use cyber capabilities to compromise the 2020 elections.
The agency added it is "increasingly concerned" about the threat posed by China including "damaging the U.S. economy through intellectual property theft, production and distribution of counterfeit goods and unfair trade practices."
It warned that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new opportunities for economic competitors to the United States to exploit the American people.
The report also cited transnational criminal organizations and natural disasters as significant threats to the United States.


upi--2020-10-06--Rangers select LW Alexis Lafreniere with No. 1 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- The New York Rangers picked left wing Alexis Lafreniere with the No .
1 overall pick in the virtual 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday .
The 18-year-old Lafreniere was the consensus top prospect in this year 's draft class after his remarkable season with the QMJHL 's Rimouski Oceanic and Team Canada at the World Junior Championship .
He led the QMJHL in scoring with 112 points in only 52 games to earn league MVP honors for the second consecutive season .
Lafreniere also was named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby as the only players to win that award twice .
The Rangers held the top-overall selection for only the second time in the franchise 's 94-year history after winning August 's draft lottery .
The team had never previously selected with the No .
1 pick in the entry draft era , which began in 1979 .
The Los Angeles Kings selected center Quinton Byfield of the Ontario Hockey League at No .
2 .
With the third-overall selection , the Ottawa Senators chose forward Tim Stutzle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winger Lucas Raymond with the fourth-overall pick .
The Senators picked again at No .
5 and chose defenseman Jake Sanderson .

Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The New York Rangers picked left wing Alexis Lafreniere with the No. 1 overall pick in the virtual 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Lafreniere was the consensus top prospect in this year's draft class after his remarkable season with the QMJHL's Rimouski Oceanic and Team Canada at the World Junior Championship. He led the QMJHL in scoring with 112 points in only 52 games to earn league MVP honors for the second consecutive season.
Advertisement
Lafreniere also was named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year for the second straight season, joining Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby as the only players to win that award twice.
The Rangers held the top-overall selection for only the second time in the franchise's 94-year history after winning August's draft lottery. The team had never previously selected with the No. 1 pick in the entry draft era, which began in 1979.
With the first pick in the 2020 NHL Draft the New York Rangers are proud to select from Rimouski Oceanic Alexis. Lafrenière. pic.twitter.com/MlykPSmGTU— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 6, 2020
Advertisement
The Los Angeles Kings selected center Quinton Byfield of the Ontario Hockey League at No. 2. With the third-overall selection, the Ottawa Senators chose forward Tim Stutzle of Germany.
The Detroit Red Wings grabbed winger Lucas Raymond with the fourth-overall pick. The Senators picked again at No. 5 and chose defenseman Jake Sanderson.


upi--2020-10-06--Air Force to launch space fundamentals course in January

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force Test Center 's Test Pilot School is selecting students for the first Space Test Fundamentals course , which begins January 2021 .
`` Today , here in this building , a board is selecting the first class of space professionals to attend our new space test fundamentals course , '' said Maj. Gen. Christopher Azzano , AFTC commander , during the Multi-Domain Test Force activation ceremony held Oct. 1 in the Test Pilot School Scobee auditorium .
`` How fitting that we 're talking about a new paradigm for domain-integrated test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot schoolhouse . ''
The school has received 166 applicants for the three planned courses , the first of which is slated to begin in January and lasts 13 weeks .
TPS plans to notify students who have been selected for the program in November .
It 's a hands-on program designed to train personnel in the fundamentals of space domain test and evaluation .
`` This course coalesces test and space expertise from Test Pilot School , the Space Force , NASA , the Air Force Academy and others , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test and Evaluation director and NASA astronaut .
`` It is just the first step in training the cadre of space test professionals we need - space operators , engineers , space acquisition test managers - to deliver on-orbit capabilities for the nation . ''
The course curriculum is based on the same test and evaluation foundation that grounds the current USAF Test Pilot School .
It is broken up into six modules that include introduction to air vehicle flight test , introduction to systems testing , basics of the space environment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development , test and operations facilities , a capstone exercise featuring a graduation project -- and a course wrap-up .
The Air Force Academy will also teach a week of instruction specific to astronautical engineering , including orbital mechanics , satellite bus design and space environment .
The course , which expects to host 15 students per class and which should be held three times a year , is open to military officers as well as enlisted and civilian personnel who meet the eligibility criteria .

U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School students conduct a qualitative evaluation flight on a B-52 Stratofortress at Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 8. Photo by Ethan Wagner/U.S. Air Force
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Air Force Test Center's Test Pilot School is selecting students for the first Space Test Fundamentals course, which begins January 2021. "Today, here in this building, a board is selecting the first class of space professionals to attend our new space test fundamentals course," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Azzano, AFTC commander, during the Multi-Domain Test Force activation ceremony held Oct. 1 in the Test Pilot School Scobee auditorium. "How fitting that we're talking about a new paradigm for domain-integrated test in the halls of our own test pilot schoolhouse." Advertisement
The school has received 166 applicants for the three planned courses, the first of which is slated to begin in January and lasts 13 weeks.
TPS plans to notify students who have been selected for the program in November. It's a hands-on program designed to train personnel in the fundamentals of space domain test and evaluation.
"This course coalesces test and space expertise from Test Pilot School, the Space Force, NASA, the Air Force Academy and others," said Col. Nick Hague, U.S. Space Force Test and Evaluation director and NASA astronaut. "It is just the first step in training the cadre of space test professionals we need - space operators, engineers, space acquisition test managers - to deliver on-orbit capabilities for the nation."
Advertisement
The course curriculum is based on the same test and evaluation foundation that grounds the current USAF Test Pilot School.
It is broken up into six modules that include introduction to air vehicle flight test, introduction to systems testing, basics of the space environment, a field trip to see U.S. space development, test and operations facilities, a capstone exercise featuring a graduation project -- and a course wrap-up.
The Air Force Academy will also teach a week of instruction specific to astronautical engineering, including orbital mechanics, satellite bus design and space environment.
The course, which expects to host 15 students per class and which should be held three times a year, is open to military officers as well as enlisted and civilian personnel who meet the eligibility criteria.


upi--2020-10-06--Petco to stop selling electronic 'shock' collars

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- Petco on Tuesday announced it will no longer sell specific electronic `` shock '' collars and launched a campaign to curb wider use of the devices .
The pet store chain issued a statement saying it will halt the sale of `` all human- and bark-activated electronic pet collars , '' removing them from the company 's in-store and online selection .
`` Shock collars have been shown to increase fear , anxiety and stress in dogs and we believe there is a better way -- positive reinforcement training , '' Petco CEO Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners who visit the stores will instead be encouraged to seek products and services `` rooted in positive reinforcement training methods backed by experts '' including a series of online and in-home training classes from trainers certified by the company .
The company added it will offer a free introductory class to customers .
Additionally , Petco launched an online petition calling on other retailers to stop selling the collars or regulate them to only be available for purchase by certified training professionals .
Tuesday 's announcement was accompanied by Petco seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ + Wellness Co. '' '' As a health and wellness company , our mission is focused on improving pets lives and we think selling shock collars does the opposite , '' Coughlin said .
`` It 's our responsibility to ensure that we , and others , are n't putting potentially harmful products in the wrong hands . ''

Petco announced it will no longer sell specific electronic "shock" collars, like the one pictured above, on Tuesday, launching a petition encouraging other retailers to do the same or restrict their sale to certified trainers. Photo by Polymath38/ Wikimedia Commons
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Petco on Tuesday announced it will no longer sell specific electronic "shock" collars and launched a campaign to curb wider use of the devices. The pet store chain issued a statement saying it will halt the sale of "all human- and bark-activated electronic pet collars," removing them from the company's in-store and online selection. Advertisement
"Shock collars have been shown to increase fear, anxiety and stress in dogs and we believe there is a better way -- positive reinforcement training," Petco CEO Ron Coughlin said.
Petco said that pet owners who visit the stores will instead be encouraged to seek products and services "rooted in positive reinforcement training methods backed by experts" including a series of online and in-home training classes from trainers certified by the company.
The company added it will offer a free introductory class to customers.
Additionally, Petco launched an online petition calling on other retailers to stop selling the collars or regulate them to only be available for purchase by certified training professionals.
Tuesday's announcement was accompanied by Petco seeking to rebrand as "Petco, The Health + Wellness Co."
"As a health and wellness company, our mission is focused on improving pets lives and we think selling shock collars does the opposite," Coughlin said. "It's our responsibility to ensure that we, and others, aren't putting potentially harmful products in the wrong hands."
Advertisement


upi--2020-10-06--Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo to play in Game 4 of NBA Finals; Goran Dragic out

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- Miami Heat All-Star big man Bam Adebayo will return for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers .
About an hour before tipoff , the team announced that Adebayo -- who was listed as questionable for Tuesday 's game because of a neck strain -- will play after missing Games 2 and 3 .
Heat point guard Goran Dragic , who has been dealing with a foot injury and also missed the past two games , was ruled out for Game 4 against the Lakers .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inactive .
Adebayo said Monday that he was attempting to `` get back as quickly as possible , '' but noted the team is `` trying to make sure I 'm safe and I 'm ready to play . ''
`` To be in the Finals and the medical staff is telling me I ca n't play ... it sucks , but I understand , '' said Adebayo , who also has been hampered by a shoulder injury .
Meyers Leonard started at center in each of the past two games for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the championship series .
Kelly Olynyk -- another 7-foot big man -- scored 41 points off the bench in the last two matchups with Adebayo and Dragic out .
Tipoff between the Heat and Lakers is set for 9 p.m. EST Tuesday inside the NBA bubble near Orlando , Fla .

Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo (C) watches warmups before the start of Game 3 in the NBA Finals. Adebayo has missed the past two games of the series due to injuries. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Miami Heat All-Star big man Bam Adebayo will return for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. About an hour before tipoff, the team announced that Adebayo -- who was listed as questionable for Tuesday's game because of a neck strain -- will play after missing Games 2 and 3. Advertisement
Heat point guard Goran Dragic, who has been dealing with a foot injury and also missed the past two games, was ruled out for Game 4 against the Lakers. He was listed as doubtful before being declared inactive.
Adebayo said Monday that he was attempting to "get back as quickly as possible," but noted the team is "trying to make sure I'm safe and I'm ready to play."
"To be in the Finals and the medical staff is telling me I can't play ... it sucks, but I understand," said Adebayo, who also has been hampered by a shoulder injury.
Meyers Leonard started at center in each of the past two games for the Heat, who trail the Lakers 2-1 in the championship series. Kelly Olynyk -- another 7-foot big man -- scored 41 points off the bench in the last two matchups with Adebayo and Dragic out.
Advertisement
Tipoff between the Heat and Lakers is set for 9 p.m. EST Tuesday inside the NBA bubble near Orlando, Fla.


upi--2020-10-06--Texas death row inmate Charles Flores asks Supreme Court for new trial citing 'junk science'

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- A death row inmate in Texas appealed his case to the Supreme Court on Tuesday , saying his conviction using evidence gleaned through hypnosis was based on `` junk science . ''
Charles Don Flores , 40 , was sentenced to death in 1999 for the slaying of Elizabeth `` Betty '' Black during a home invasion in Farmers Branch , Texas , in 1998 .
Prosecutors said Richard Lynn Childs killed Black , but convicted Flores under the state 's `` law of parties , '' which targets accomplices .
Childs pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in prison , and was released on parole in 2016 .
Flores ' lawyers say there was no evidence tying their client to the murder , but an eyewitness told police they saw two men leaving a vehicle and going into Black 's home .
The witness initially described the accomplice as a thin white man with long hair , but during a later interview under hypnosis described someone who looked like Flores -- a heavyset Latino man with long hair .
Flores ' appeal to the high court comes five months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied him a new trial under the state 's `` junk science law . ''
`` The fundamental unfairness of a conviction and death sentence that hinges on hypnotically induced testimony merits the consideration of our nation 's highest court , particularly now that a majority of U.S. jurisdictions have deemed it inadmissible in criminal trials , '' defense attorney Gretchen Sween said Tuesday .
`` There is no legitimate scientific basis for 'investigative hypnosis ' to be used , under any circumstances , to recover memories for use in criminal court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin with . ''

Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A death row inmate in Texas appealed his case to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, saying his conviction using evidence gleaned through hypnosis was based on "junk science."
Charles Don Flores, 40, was sentenced to death in 1999 for the slaying of Elizabeth "Betty" Black during a home invasion in Farmers Branch, Texas, in 1998.
Advertisement
Prosecutors said Richard Lynn Childs killed Black, but convicted Flores under the state's "law of parties," which targets accomplices. Childs pleaded guilty to the slaying in exchange for 35 years in prison, and was released on parole in 2016.
Flores' lawyers say there was no evidence tying their client to the murder, but an eyewitness told police they saw two men leaving a vehicle and going into Black's home.
The witness initially described the accomplice as a thin white man with long hair, but during a later interview under hypnosis described someone who looked like Flores -- a heavyset Latino man with long hair.
Flores' appeal to the high court comes five months after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied him a new trial under the state's "junk science law."
Advertisement
"The fundamental unfairness of a conviction and death sentence that hinges on hypnotically induced testimony merits the consideration of our nation's highest court, particularly now that a majority of U.S. jurisdictions have deemed it inadmissible in criminal trials," defense attorney Gretchen Sween said Tuesday.
"There is no legitimate scientific basis for 'investigative hypnosis' to be used, under any circumstances, to recover memories for use in criminal court, particularly of observations that were nebulous to begin with."


upi--2020-10-06--New Navy shipbuilding plan calls for about 500 ships -- including 150 drones

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon plans to build up a fleet of about 500 ships -- with 355 of those being manned and the rest being drones , according to documents released this week .
In late September Navy documents sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper saying between 480 and 534 total ships should be at sea , with a mix of manned and unmanned vessels , and earlier in the month Esper referred to a future Navy of `` over 350 ships '' in a speech to the Rand Corp. Esper commissioned two groups to design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they suggested fleets of anywhere from 480 to 534 ships -- a 35 % increase in fleet size from the previous 355 target .
Esper 's plan , dated Oct. 1 , seeks `` eight to 11 '' nuclear carriers and possibly more conventionally powered amphibious assault ships .
Esper also seeks 70 to 80 submarines , up from roughly 55 today .
`` If we do nothing else , the Navy must reach production of three new Virginia-class subs per year , '' the defense secretary said Tuesday at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank in Washington , D.C .
Currently contractors deliver about two new Virginia-class vessels to the Navy .

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper testifies before the House Armed Services Committee hearing to discuss the Department of Defense in civilian law enforcement on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC in July. Pool Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Pentagon plans to build up a fleet of about 500 ships -- with 355 of those being manned and the rest being drones, according to documents released this week. In late September Navy documents sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper saying between 480 and 534 total ships should be at sea, with a mix of manned and unmanned vessels, and earlier in the month Esper referred to a future Navy of "over 350 ships" in a speech to the Rand Corp. Advertisement
Esper commissioned two groups to design what a future Navy should look like, and they suggested fleets of anywhere from 480 to 534 ships -- a 35% increase in fleet size from the previous 355 target.
Esper's plan, dated Oct. 1, seeks "eight to 11" nuclear carriers and possibly more conventionally powered amphibious assault ships.
Today's fleet has 11 nuclear carriers.
Esper also seeks 70 to 80 submarines, up from roughly 55 today.
"If we do nothing else, the Navy must reach production of three new Virginia-class subs per year," the defense secretary said Tuesday at a virtual event hosted by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank in Washington, D.C.
Advertisement
Currently contractors deliver about two new Virginia-class vessels to the Navy.


upi--2020-10-06--North Dakota State QB Trey Lance to enter 2021 NFL Draft

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- North Dakota State star quarterback Trey Lance , who is expected to be taken in the first round of next year 's NFL Draft , will skip his final two-plus seasons at the school and enter the draft process .
The Bison will play a spring season in 2021 , but Lance will forego that and instead prepare for the draft .
He ran for two touchdowns and threw for two additional scores in North Dakota State 's 39-28 win over Central Arkansas on Saturday -- the school 's only scheduled game this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced his decision to enter the upcoming draft on social media Tuesday .
`` After an amazing experience here at North Dakota State University , it is time for me to begin my next chapter , '' Lance wrote on Twitter .
`` I am excited to announce that I will be taking the next step in chasing my dreams and will be declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft . ''
In his first season as the Bison 's starting quarterback in 2019 , Lance did n't throw an interception in 287 passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for attempts in a season without a pick .
He completed 66.9 % of his passes for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns and added 169 rushes for 1,100 yards and 14 scores .
Lance was named the most outstanding player in North Dakota State 's 28-20 victory over James Madison in January 's FCS national title game .
The championship win helped the Bison achieve the first 16-0 season in college football since 1894 .
Lance , a draft-eligible sophomore , went 17-0 in parts of three seasons with the Bison .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Award as the top offensive player at the FCS level and the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman , becoming the first player to win both honors .
Lance is projected as the third-best quarterback available in the 2021 draft , according to outlets .
He is ranked behind only Clemson 's Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State 's Justin Fields .

Oct. 6 (UPI) -- North Dakota State star quarterback Trey Lance, who is expected to be taken in the first round of next year's NFL Draft, will skip his final two-plus seasons at the school and enter the draft process.
The Bison will play a spring season in 2021, but Lance will forego that and instead prepare for the draft. He ran for two touchdowns and threw for two additional scores in North Dakota State's 39-28 win over Central Arkansas on Saturday -- the school's only scheduled game this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
Lance announced his decision to enter the upcoming draft on social media Tuesday.
"After an amazing experience here at North Dakota State University, it is time for me to begin my next chapter," Lance wrote on Twitter. "I am excited to announce that I will be taking the next step in chasing my dreams and will be declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft."
In his first season as the Bison's starting quarterback in 2019, Lance didn't throw an interception in 287 passing attempts, setting the NCAA all-division record for attempts in a season without a pick. He completed 66.9% of his passes for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns and added 169 rushes for 1,100 yards and 14 scores.
Advertisement
Lance was named the most outstanding player in North Dakota State's 28-20 victory over James Madison in January's FCS national title game. The championship win helped the Bison achieve the first 16-0 season in college football since 1894.
Lance, a draft-eligible sophomore, went 17-0 in parts of three seasons with the Bison. In 2019, he won the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player at the FCS level and the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman, becoming the first player to win both honors.
Lance is projected as the third-best quarterback available in the 2021 draft, according to outlets. He is ranked behind only Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State's Justin Fields.


upi--2020-10-06--Hurricane Delta explodes into Category 4 storm

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- AccuWeather meteorologists have put the Gulf Coast of the United States on high alert for what could be a disastrous strike later this week by a very dangerous hurricane .
Overnight and through early Tuesday morning , Hurricane Delta escalated quickly into a Category 4 storm and forecasters warn it could strengthen even more before it strikes the Yucatan Peninsula .
After that , forecasters expect Delta to emerge over the extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico , where it could maintain its strength for a time .
The hurricane 's winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EDT Tuesday .
The eye of the storm was about 215 miles east-southeast of Cozumel , Mexico and 240 miles east-southeast of Tulum .
It was moving west-northwest at 17 mph .
Delta is the first major hurricane to churn over the Atlantic basin during the month of October since Hurricane Michael in 2018 .
Delta 's intensification was the most extreme in 15 years for an October hurricane .
The storm 's maximum sustained winds increased by a whopping 70 mph -- from 40 mph to 110 mph -- in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only Hurricane Wilma in 2005 exploded in a more significant fashion over that same 24-hour period .
Satellite images showed that Delta was an incredibly compact hurricane on Tuesday morning .
Hurricane-force winds extended outward only up to 25 miles from the storm 's center , but a small eye about 4 miles across had developed , a sign that forecasters said signified rapid strengthening .
U.S. officials were already urging Gulf Coast residents to be prepared ahead of the intense hurricane .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said early Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now as the fourth storm of the season to threaten Louisiana .
Delta is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane of at least Category 3 strength over over south-central or southeastern part of the state late Friday or early Saturday , becoming the first-ever hurricane named after a Greek letter to strike the United States , and the 10th storm of the season to make landfall in the continental United States -- a new record .
`` Now is the time for Louisianans to prepare [ for ] Hurricane # Delta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone needs to prepare accordingly , '' Edwards tweeted Tuesday morning .
Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency midday Tuesday ahead of the hurricane , noting that coastal areas of the state are still recovering from Sally 's blow in mid-September .
Hurricane Delta `` could potentially have a significant impact '' on Alabama , she tweeted .
It 's possible that Delta could peak as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds exceeding 155 mph .
If the storm were to reach that strength , it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Category 5 force .
Hurricanes Laura and Teddy peaked at Category 4 intensity .
Delta is forecast to take a fairly steady west-northwest path into Thursday , which will take the storm over part of Mexico 's Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday with dangerous , damaging and perhaps deadly consequences .
From Thursday to Friday , the hurricane is projected to begin a curved path to the north over the west-central Gulf .
As the storm approaches the Louisiana coast late Friday it may begin to turn more to the northeast .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will start to encounter increasing wind shear and slightly cooler water , but the forward speed of Delta and the degree of shear it encounters will determine its wind strength at landfall , '' AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , Dan Kottlowski , explained .
Wind shear is the increase in wind speed with altitude as well as the sudden change in wind direction from one location to another .
Wind shear and changes in the structure of the eye are some of the main challenges in forecasting the overall strength of hurricanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare for a direct strike by a major hurricane late Friday or early Saturday , and conditions are expected to deteriorate from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon even well ahead of landfall .
`` Once Delta reaches major hurricane strength the wind field developing around it will remain very strong .
Regardless of a loss in wind intensity near the core , surge and wind impacts will still be potentially devastating along and near where the hurricane makes landfall along the central Gulf coast from late Friday to early Saturday , '' Kottlowski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes for the United States will be formulated .
This scale , developed by AccuWeather , provides a more comprehensive outlook for impacts from tropical storms and hurricanes on land areas than the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , which is based solely on wind speed .
During Wednesday , Thursday and Friday , winds and seas will build over the Gulf of Mexico , especially in the central part of the Gulf .
However , dangerous surf conditions are likely to develop throughout the Gulf of Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strong rip currents from Florida to Louisiana and Texas into the start of the weekend .
Even though the eye containing Delta 's strongest winds may avoid the greatest concentration of petroleum rigs in the western Gulf of Mexico , operations of these rigs may be suspended for a few days .
The projected path of Delta and its high winds could impact oil refining operations in portions of southern Louisiana .
Wave action well ahead of the storm will begin to cause overwash and coastal flooding prior to Friday from part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and just east of where the storm makes landfall , most likely in south-central Louisiana , a major and potentially life-threatening storm surge can occur .
Any shift in the storm track could cause the area of greatest storm surge to shift correspondingly .
`` It is possible the storm surge could be greater from Delta than from Laura , which was estimated to be 17.5 feet , '' Kottlowski added .
As is often the case with hurricanes forecast to make landfall , exact track and strength will determine the severity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's current forecast track and strength , AccuWeather StormMax winds of 125 mph are forecast for part of southern Louisiana on Friday .
But , this could trend higher depending on how much the storm strengthens over the central Gulf .
A faster forward motion may prevent Delta from quickly weakening prior to or upon landfall .
The risk of damaging winds can extend well inland and not only result in a significant amount of power outages , but also property damage .
Trees may block streets and secondary roads .
The power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the hardest-hit communities .
Delta 's fast pace should prevent a repeat of staggering rainfall amounts and flooding from Harvey in 2017 or a lesser extent from Marco , Sally and Beta this year .
A general 4-8 inches of rain is predicted near where Delta makes landfall in the U.S. with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 12 inches .
But , should Delta strike as a strong Category 3 or even Category 4 storm , which is possible , rainfall could be more intense along a portion of the Interstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to diminish as Delta picks up even more forward motion while taking a curved path to the northeast over the interior southeastern U.S. this weekend .
Despite the increasing forward speed , river and bayou flooding are expected in part of the Deep South and there can still be localized urban and small stream flooding hundreds of miles inland as well as significant rises on the rivers in the storm 's path .
`` Since 1964 , there have only been three hurricanes to make landfall along the Louisiana coast during October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Forecasting Manager Dan DePodwin .
`` Those hurricanes were Lili from 2002 , Juan from 1985 and Hilda from 1964 , '' DePodwin said .
There are two major hurricanes that have made landfall along the Louisiana coast in October prior to 1964 .
`` In 1893 , an unnamed storm made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130-156 mph , and in 1886 , an unnamed storm made landfall southwest of Lake Charles as a Category 3 hurricane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landfall in Louisiana , it would be the fourth storm to do so this season .
Cristobal was the first of the season , crashing into southeastern parts of the state as a tropical storm in June , followed by Category 4 Hurricane Laura and Tropical Storm Marco , which both hit in August .
Sally originally threatened to strike Louisiana , but made a northward turn which spared the state the worst .

Delta was expected to remain a tropical depression through Monday morning. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Delta weakened to a tropical depression as it pushed into Mississippi on Saturday, forecasters said. In its 10 a.m. CDT update, the National Hurricane Center said the hurricane had 35 mph maximum sustained winds. The eye was located 65 miles north-northwest of Jackson, Miss., and was moving northeast at 16 mph. Advertisement
The eye of the storm was close to Mississippi's border with Louisiana and Arkansas.
"On the forecast track, the center of Delta should move across western and northern Mississippi today and into the Tennessee Valley tonight and Sunday," the NHC said in its advisory.
It's expected to remain a depression through Monday morning, when it'll be situated over Ohio.
Delta had previously been projected to make landfall somewhere between far eastern Texas and western Mississippi, a region that has been threatened twice this year by hurricanes -- Laura and Sally, both in September.
The track narrowed late Thursday and early Friday as Delta neared the U.S. Gulf Coast. The storm made landfall in Creole, La., around 6 p.m. Friday.
Delta exploded into a Category 4 hurricane on Monday before gradually weakening. On Tuesday, its intensification was the most extreme in 15 years for an October hurricane.
Advertisement
Delta also set a speed record for strengthening from a depression to a Category 4 hurricane, just over 36 hours, surpassing Keith from 2000 -- and strengthened into the second-most intense hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season on Tuesday. The only storm to become stronger this season was Hurricane Laura, which packed peak winds of 150 mph.


upi--2020-10-06--Opposition forces seize government in Kyrgyzstan post-election protests

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- Opposition groups in Kyrgyzstan took hold of much of the country 's government amid post-election protests Tuesday , but the president remained at the helm .
Protesters stormed the Parliament building , known as the White House , and released a number of political detainees in the wake of a parliamentary election which they said was rigged to benefit parties with ties to President Sooronbai Jeenbekov .
The opposition government said it set up a coordination council to discuss who would serve in a provisional government .
Opposition groups freed Sadyr Japarov , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest in 2013 , and proposed he serve as interim prime minister .
They also released former President Almazbek Atambayev , who was jailed on corruption charges after a conflict with Jeenbekov but did not name him to any role .
In a statement published on his Facebook account , the pro-Kremlin president described the acts of protesters who broke into the buildings in the capital of Bishkek as an illegal attempt to seize state power .
He said he ordered security forces to not open fire to prevent bloodshed and claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to prevent the situation from worsening .
Demonstrators clashed with riot police Monday night , resulting in at least one death and 590 people injured , the health ministry said , according to AKI Press .
`` I urge the leaders of political party leaders to calm their supporters and move them away from their places of concentration .
I call on all my compatriots to keep the peace and not give in to the calls of the provocative forces , '' Jeenbekov said in the statement released hours after opposition forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Committee jail .
`` I call on all forces to put the fate of the country above political ambitions and return to the legal field . ''
Jeenbekov in an interview with BBC called on protesters to return to the `` legitimate field '' to avoid further unrest .
`` To solve this issue , I am ready to give the responsibility to strong leaders , no matter which group they belong to .
I am even ready to help them , '' he said .
He said he has also ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's parliamentary elections and , `` if necessary , annul the results . ''
The Central Election Commission annulled the results of the election `` in consideration of the political situation in the country '' and Parliament held an extraordinary session in the capital of Biskek to replace the government while demonstrators hurled stones at the windows .
Protests in the city erupted Monday after the parliamentary election results were released , stating that four of the 16 parties in the election had secured 7 % of the vote necessary for entry into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close ties to Jeenbekov , the BBC reported .
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said in a 16-page report on Monday that the elections were generally `` well run and candidates could campaign freely . ''
However , opposition parties and candidates have voiced allegations of vote buying , which the international security organization said was `` a serious concern . ''

Protests erupted in Kyrgyzstan over parliamentary elections as President Sooronbay Jeenbekov called for calm on Tuesday. Photo by Igor Kovalenko/EPA-EFE
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Opposition groups in Kyrgyzstan took hold of much of the country's government amid post-election protests Tuesday, but the president remained at the helm. Protesters stormed the Parliament building, known as the White House, and released a number of political detainees in the wake of a parliamentary election which they said was rigged to benefit parties with ties to President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Advertisement
The opposition government said it set up a coordination council to discuss who would serve in a provisional government.
Opposition groups freed Sadyr Japarov, a politician jailed for charges of hostage-taking during unrest in 2013, and proposed he serve as interim prime minister.
They also released former President Almazbek Atambayev, who was jailed on corruption charges after a conflict with Jeenbekov but did not name him to any role.
In a statement published on his Facebook account, the pro-Kremlin president described the acts of protesters who broke into the buildings in the capital of Bishkek as an illegal attempt to seize state power. He said he ordered security forces to not open fire to prevent bloodshed and claimed that they have taken "all possible measures" to prevent the situation from worsening.
Advertisement
Demonstrators clashed with riot police Monday night, resulting in at least one death and 590 people injured, the health ministry said, according to AKI Press.
"I urge the leaders of political party leaders to calm their supporters and move them away from their places of concentration. I call on all my compatriots to keep the peace and not give in to the calls of the provocative forces," Jeenbekov said in the statement released hours after opposition forces freed the senior politicians from the National Security Committee jail. "I call on all forces to put the fate of the country above political ambitions and return to the legal field."
Jeenbekov in an interview with BBC called on protesters to return to the "legitimate field" to avoid further unrest.
"To solve this issue, I am ready to give the responsibility to strong leaders, no matter which group they belong to. I am even ready to help them," he said.
He said he has also ordered the Central Election Commission to investigate Sunday's parliamentary elections and, "if necessary, annul the results."
The Central Election Commission annulled the results of the election "in consideration of the political situation in the country" and Parliament held an extraordinary session in the capital of Biskek to replace the government while demonstrators hurled stones at the windows.
Advertisement
Protests in the city erupted Monday after the parliamentary election results were released, stating that four of the 16 parties in the election had secured 7% of the vote necessary for entry into Parliament with three of the four having close ties to Jeenbekov, the BBC reported.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said in a 16-page report on Monday that the elections were generally "well run and candidates could campaign freely."
However, opposition parties and candidates have voiced allegations of vote buying, which the international security organization said was "a serious concern."


upi--2020-10-06--Stephen Miller tests positive for COVID-19; Pentagon leaders quarantine

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- White House senior adviser Stephen Miller , a top Coast Guard official and a third deputy for press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday as the virus continued to spread among the highest levels of the U.S. government .
The positive results come four days after President Donald Trump announced his own diagnosis .
`` Over the last five days I have been working remotely and self-isolating , testing negative every day through yesterday , '' Miller said in a statement .
`` Today , I tested positive for COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a senior adviser for policy for Trump and has had a hand in much of the administration 's immigration policy .
Meanwhile , several members of Pentagon leadership , including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Army Gen. Mark Milley , are in quarantine and working from home after a top Coast Guard official tested positive .
The Coast Guard confirmed Tuesday that Adm. Charles Ray , vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Coast , tested positive for the virus Monday , and a spokesman for the Pentagon said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for meetings with other top military leaders .
`` On Monday , the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard , Admiral Charles Ray , tested positive for COVID-19 .
He was tested the same day , after feeling mild symptoms over the weekend , '' said a statement from the Coast Guard issued Tuesday .
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said Ray was at the Pentagon for meetings last week with other senior military leaders and that `` all potential close contacts '' from those meetings were self-quarantining and were tested Tuesday .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exhibited symptoms or tested positive for the virus .
Lt. Cmdr .
Scott McBride , a Coast Guard spokesman , said it 's not clear where Ray contracted the virus , but multiple sources reported that Ray -- along with Milley , Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger , Air Force chief of staff Charles `` CQ '' Brown and Army chief of staff Gen. James McConville -- attended an event honoring Gold Star Families at the White House on Sept. 27 .
That event took place one day after President Donald Trump held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Several people who attended that event have since tested positive for the virus .
Those reporting positive tests include Trump , as well as his wife Melania and several members of his staff , including White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , as well as campaign manager Bill Stepien , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie and former White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway .
At least three White House press aides have also tested positive , including Jalen Drummond , whose positive result @ @ @ @

1/2
Trump administration senior policy adviser Stephen Miller waits to speak during television interview outside the West Wing of the White House on July 15. He announced Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, a top Coast Guard official and a third deputy for press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday as the virus continued to spread among the highest levels of the U.S. government. The positive results come four days after President Donald Trump announced his own diagnosis. Advertisement
"Over the last five days I have been working remotely and self-isolating, testing negative every day through yesterday," Miller said in a statement. "Today, I tested positive for COVID-19 and am in quarantine."
Miller serves as a senior adviser for policy for Trump and has had a hand in much of the administration's immigration policy.
Meanwhile, several members of Pentagon leadership, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, are in quarantine and working from home after a top Coast Guard official tested positive.
The Coast Guard confirmed Tuesday that Adm. Charles Ray, vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Coast, tested positive for the virus Monday, and a spokesman for the Pentagon said Ray was at the Pentagon last week for meetings with other top military leaders.
Advertisement
"On Monday, the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Charles Ray, tested positive for COVID-19. He was tested the same day, after feeling mild symptoms over the weekend," said a statement from the Coast Guard issued Tuesday.
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said Ray was at the Pentagon for meetings last week with other senior military leaders and that "all potential close contacts" from those meetings were self-quarantining and were tested Tuesday.
According to Hoffman, no Pentagon contacts have exhibited symptoms or tested positive for the virus.
Lt. Cmdr. Scott McBride, a Coast Guard spokesman, said it's not clear where Ray contracted the virus, but multiple sources reported that Ray -- along with Milley, Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger, Air Force chief of staff Charles "CQ" Brown and Army chief of staff Gen. James McConville -- attended an event honoring Gold Star Families at the White House on Sept. 27.
That event took place one day after President Donald Trump held a ceremony announcing the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Several people who attended that event have since tested positive for the virus.
Those reporting positive tests include Trump, as well as his wife Melania and several members of his staff, including White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, as well as campaign manager Bill Stepien, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway.
Advertisement
At least three White House press aides have also tested positive, including Jalen Drummond, whose positive result was revealed Tuesday.


upi--2020-10-06--Toothless, two-fingered dinosaur species illuminates diversification of ancient parrot-like animals

Oct. 6 ( UPI ) -- Some 68 million years ago , a new dinosaur species showed up with one less digit than its closest relatives .
The toothless , two-fingered oviraptor species , described Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science , has offered scientists new insights into the diversification of a group of parrot-like animals during the the Late Cretaceous Period .
Paleontologists recently unearthed several complete skeletons of the two-fingered dinosaur species , named Oksoko avarsan , in Mongolia 's Gobi Desert .
Unlike its three-fingered relatives , the oviraptor had just two digits at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teeth , the feathered dinosaur sported a large , curved beak similar to the beak of modern parrots .
Researchers surveyed the oviraptor fossil record to trace the reduction in size and eventual loss of a third digit .
Their analysis revealed how the group of parrot-like animals adapted their arms and hands to suit new diets and lifestyles as they migrated into new environments -- including what 's now North America and the Gobi Desert .
At the Mongolian dig site , researchers found four young Oksoko avarsan specimens resting side by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social .
`` Oksoko avarsan is interesting because the skeletons are very complete and the way they were preserved resting together shows that juveniles roamed together in groups , '' said lead researcher Gregory Funston .
`` But more importantly , its two-fingered hand prompted us to look at the way the hand and forelimb changed throughout the evolution of oviraptors -- which had n't been studied before , '' said Funston , geoscientist at the University of Edinburgh .

Newly discovered oviraptor fossils suggest juvenile Oksoko avarsan dinosaurs were social. Photo by Michael W. Skrepnick
Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Some 68 million years ago, a new dinosaur species showed up with one less digit than its closest relatives. The toothless, two-fingered oviraptor species, described Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science, has offered scientists new insights into the diversification of a group of parrot-like animals during the the Late Cretaceous Period. Advertisement
Paleontologists recently unearthed several complete skeletons of the two-fingered dinosaur species, named Oksoko avarsan, in Mongolia's Gobi Desert.
Unlike its three-fingered relatives, the oviraptor had just two digits at the end of each forearm. Instead of teeth, the feathered dinosaur sported a large, curved beak similar to the beak of modern parrots.
Researchers surveyed the oviraptor fossil record to trace the reduction in size and eventual loss of a third digit. Their analysis revealed how the group of parrot-like animals adapted their arms and hands to suit new diets and lifestyles as they migrated into new environments -- including what's now North America and the Gobi Desert.
At the Mongolian dig site, researchers found four young Oksoko avarsan specimens resting side by side, suggesting the juvenile dinosaurs were social.
"Oksoko avarsan is interesting because the skeletons are very complete and the way they were preserved resting together shows that juveniles roamed together in groups," said lead researcher Gregory Funston.
Advertisement
"But more importantly, its two-fingered hand prompted us to look at the way the hand and forelimb changed throughout the evolution of oviraptors -- which hadn't been studied before," said Funston, geoscientist at the University of Edinburgh.