upi--2020-08-20--Relatives of victims to face 'Golden State Killer' Joseph DeAngelo in court

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Relatives of the 13 people Joseph DeAngelo pleaded guilty to murdering are set to face him in a California court Thursday , as the so-called `` Golden State Killer '' case nears its conclusion .
They will give impact statements during the hearing at the Sacramento County Superior Court .
A judge will hand down DeAngelo 's sentence on Friday .
The hearing is scheduled to begin Thursday at noon EDT and last for several hours .
DeAngelo , 74 , pleaded guilty in June to 13 counts of first-degree murder and more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and burglary charges in multiple California counties .
The pleas were part of a deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty if he admitted to other uncharged crimes .
The statute of limitations had expired for many of the sexual assaults so he could n't be prosecuted for them .
DeAngelo has been linked to at least 45 rapes and hundreds of burglaries over 30 years in Sacramento , the Central Valley and Southern California .
He 's also known as the `` East Area Rapist , '' `` Original Night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` Diamond Knot Killer . ''
DNA evidence collected from genealogy databases uploaded by family members was used to arrest DeAngelo in 2018 .
Prosecutors from six counties consolidated cases with at least 25 counts against him .
Cheryl Temple , Ventura County 's chief assistant district attorney , told the Ventura County Star that several family members and friends of the murder victims will speak on Thursday .
Among them will likely be Jennifer Carole , the daughter of Lyman Smith and stepdaughter of Charlene Smith .
The couple were found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in 1980 .
`` The statements from all victims are designed to enlighten all parties and the public to the swath of damage that violent predators leave in their wave , '' Temple said .
`` They can be cathartic for victims to write and deliver , and they truly shift the focus from the defendant to the societal impact of crime .
In addition to the Smiths , DeAngelo pleaded guilty to murdering Keith Harrington , Patrice Harrington , Manuela Witthuhn , Janelle Cruz , Kate Maggoire , Brian Maggoire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanchez , Cheri Domingo and Claude Snelling .
DeAngelo 's rape victims faced him in court on Tuesday and Wednesday .
Mary Berwert , who was 13 years old when she was raped in her home in 1979 , said DeAngelo ruined her childhood and his prosecution lifted a weight from her shoulders .
`` He stole my innocence , my security , threatened my life , threatened the lives of my family , '' she said .
`` Thirteen-year-old Mary needed justice .
If only back then someone could have said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd be caught .
I ca n't help but think what a difference that would 've made for my future . ''
Another woman , Jane Carson-Sandler , told the court she feared for her then-3-year-old son 's safety when DeAngelo tied them up and `` violently attacked '' her .
`` I was frozen in fear beyond description , '' she said .
`` My attention was not on the rape , but fully on where did you put my son when you removed him from the bed ?
Where did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do to him ? ''
The `` Golden State Killer '' case was the subject of I 'll Be Gone in the Dark , an investigative book written by the late Michelle McNamara and a podcast of the same name featuring interviews with McNamara , her husband Patton Oswalt and others who worked on the book .
Oswalt , an actor and comedian , helped to get McNamara 's book published after her death in 2016 .

Joseph DeAngelo pleaded guilty to 13 murders and admitted to dozens of other rapes and burglaries in exchange for receiving life in prison. File Photo courtesy of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Relatives of the 13 people Joseph DeAngelo pleaded guilty to murdering faced him in a California court Thursday, telling the so-called "Golden State Killer" how his crimes affected their lives for decades. The relatives delivered impact statements during the hearing at the Sacramento County Superior Court. A judge will hand down DeAngelo's sentence on Friday. Advertisement
DeAngelo, 74, pleaded guilty in June to 13 counts of first-degree murder and more than 25 other counts including kidnapping, weapons and burglary charges in multiple California counties.
The pleas were part of a deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty if he admitted to other uncharged crimes. The statute of limitations had expired for dozens of sexual assaults he's accused of so he couldn't be prosecuted for them.
DeAngelo has been linked to at least 45 rapes and hundreds of burglaries over 30 years in Sacramento, the Central Valley and Southern California. He's also known as the "East Area Rapist," "Original Night Stalker," "Visalia Ransacker" and "Diamond Knot Killer."
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DeAngelo shot and killed journalism professor Claude Snelling in front of his daughter Elizabeth Snelling, who spoke in court Thursday, in front of their home in Visalia Calif., on Sept. 11, 1975.
Elizabeth Snelling, who was 16 at the time, said her father twice caught DeAngelo looking into her bedroom window and tried to chase him down but was unable to catch him. On Sept. 11, DeAngelo broke into her room wearing a ski mask, pointed a gun at her head and told her "he was taking me with him and if I made any noise he would kill me."
Her father rushed out of the house to confront DeAngelo, who shot him two times before kicking her in the head and face and running off. Snelling's father died from the gunshot injuries at the age of 45 and Snelling said her family stayed in the same house with "added security" while she slept in her mother's room for the next year.
"Knowing that my dad's murderer was never caught ... left us all feeling very vulnerable," Snelling said. "Since I was the only living witness ... there was a chance he could come after me. The police gave us extra security adn patrolled our neighborhood ... but I still lived in fear."
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Jennifer Carole, whose parents, Charlene Smith and Lyman Smith, were killed by DeAngelo in 1980, said that she was a suspect in the case for two days and "lived with the shame for decades."
"Joe sitting here with his blank face, to ignore what he's done to not validate his victims ... is not justice," Carole said. "Joe spending the rest of his life in prison is not justice ... justice is not possible in this case."
Debbi McMullen, whose mother Cheri Domingo and her boyfriend Gregory Sanchez were killed by DeAngelo in 1981, said she sank into an undiagnosed depression for years after her mother's death.
"Mom would have helped," she said Thursday. "She would have supported me and guided me toward solutions. She would have prodded me into admitting that I needed help."
Michelle Cruz testified that she lost her identity after her sister Janelle Cruz was bound, raped and bludgeoned to death by DeAngelo in 1986.
Cruz said that she "cried and cried for hours" after learning DeAngelo had been arrested.
"I could stop looking over my shoulder with fears of him sneaking up on me," Cruz said. "No more thinking he would try and find and kill me, too. I did not have to stop moving house to house -- all things that haunted my mind for 32 years.
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DNA evidence collected from genealogy databases uploaded by family members was used to arrest DeAngelo in 2018. Prosecutors from six counties consolidated cases with at least 25 counts against him.
Cheryl Temple, Ventura County's chief assistant district attorney, told the Ventura County Star that the victim statements are "designed to enlighten all parties and the public to the swath of damage that violent predators leave in their wake."
"They can be cathartic for victims to write and deliver, and they truly shift the focus from the defendant to the societal impact of crime," Temple said.
DeAngelo's rape victims also faced him in court on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mary Berwert, who was 13 years old when she was raped in her home in 1979, said DeAngelo ruined her childhood and his prosecution lifted a weight from her shoulders.
"He stole my innocence, my security, threatened my life, threatened the lives of my family," she said.
"Thirteen-year-old Mary needed justice. If only back then someone could have said to me with confidence that one day he'd be caught. I can't help but think what a difference that would've made for my future."
The "Golden State Killer" case was the subject of I'll Be Gone in the Dark, an investigative book written by the late Michelle McNamara and a podcast of the same name featuring interviews with McNamara, her husband Patton Oswalt and others who worked on the book.
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Oswalt, an actor and comedian, helped to get McNamara's book published after her death in 2016.


upi--2020-08-20--India, Ukraine set daily case records; Russia surpasses 16K deaths

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- India and Ukraine reported record highs in daily COVID-19 cases on Thursday as Russia surpassed 16,000 deaths to the virus .
Health officials in India counted 69,652 cases over Wednesday , making it not only India 's most infections recorded in a 24-hour period but one of the highest daily totals reported by any country during the nine months since the virus emerged late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
With hitting the 70,000 cases mark four times in mid-July , only the United States has registered more cases in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by researchers at Johns Hopkins University .
However , while the United States ' figures have been dropping since then , India 's are climbing , continuing an upward trend that began with its first infections at the end of January .
The new infections lifted India 's total to 2.84 million , placing it third globally in cases behind Brazil with 3.4 million and the United States with 5.5 million .
India also reported 977 deaths for a total of 53,866 .
Ukraine also inched closer to passing the 100,000-case milestone after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to data from its Cabinet of Ministers .
Its previous high of 1,967 cases was recorded a day earlier .
It also reported a record of 40 deaths for a total of 2,184 .
Russia , which sits fourth worldwide in infections with more than 940,000 , reported it had surpassed the grim 16,000 deaths milestone after registering 110 people lost their lives to the virus over Wednesday .
The new deaths put its total at 16,099 .
It also reported 4,785 new cases , continuing a gradual decline in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian health data .
Globally , there were nearly 22.5 million cases and more 787,909 deaths to the coronavirus , according to Johns Hopkins University .

India on Thursday reported a record 69,652 cases, a continuation of an upward trend that began with its first infections in January. Photo by Sanjeev Gupta/EPA-EFE
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- India and Ukraine reported record highs in daily COVID-19 cases on Thursday as Russia surpassed 16,000 deaths to the virus. Health officials in India counted 69,652 cases over Wednesday, making it not only India's most infections recorded in a 24-hour period but one of the highest daily totals reported by any country during the nine months since the virus emerged late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Advertisement
With hitting the 70,000 cases mark four times in mid-July, only the United States has registered more cases in a single day, according to data collected by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
However, while the United States' figures have been dropping since then, India's are climbing, continuing an upward trend that began with its first infections at the end of January.
The new infections lifted India's total to 2.84 million, placing it third globally in cases behind Brazil with 3.4 million and the United States with 5.5 million.
India also reported 977 deaths for a total of 53,866.
Ukraine also inched closer to passing the 100,000-case milestone after reporting a record 2,134 infections over Wednesday, according to data from its Cabinet of Ministers.
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Its previous high of 1,967 cases was recorded a day earlier.
It also reported a record of 40 deaths for a total of 2,184.
Russia, which sits fourth worldwide in infections with more than 940,000, reported it had surpassed the grim 16,000 deaths milestone after registering 110 people lost their lives to the virus over Wednesday.
The new deaths put its total at 16,099. It also reported 4,785 new cases, continuing a gradual decline in cases that began in June, according to Russian health data.
Globally, there were nearly 22.5 million cases and more 787,909 deaths to the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-08-20--Seoul bans rallies of more than 10 people in effort to contain COVID-19 outbreak

SEOUL , Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- In an effort to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 that has shown no signs of slowing down over the past week , the Seoul metropolitan government tightened social distancing measures on Thursday , prohibiting rallies of more than 10 people until Aug. 30 .
The move comes as South Korea continues to record the highest numbers of cases it has seen since March , with 288 new infections reported Thursday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
After daily local infections had dwindled to single digits earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500 cases over the past week , with most infections concentrated in the greater Seoul area .
The city 's ban comes in response to a large anti-government demonstration held in Seoul last weekend that has become a major source of concern for health authorities .
The rally was attended by members of the Sarang Jeil Presbyterian Church in northern Seoul , which has emerged as the main cluster in the current outbreak .
`` Seoul is a place with the highest concern about the spread of the infection due to its high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city has decided to take pre-emptive measures to block the risk of spreading COVID-19 , '' the mayor 's office said in a statement .
The government has already tightened social distancing guidelines in the Seoul metropolitan area , moving to Level 2 on its three-tier scale .
Indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 are prohibited under the rules .
On Tuesday , the government also banned in-person church services in the Seoul area until Aug. 30 .
`` This is now a more serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul Mayor Seo Jung-hyup in a statement .
`` If the local infection spreads , the disease management system of the health authorities , which has been operating steadily until now , can collapse and an out of control situation can become a reality . ''
Clusters of infections have been found across multiple venues , including apartment buildings , offices , schools and restaurants , making it a challenge for tracing and quarantine efforts .
However , the largest clusters have been centered around churches , especially the Sarang Jeil Presbyterian Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tested positive as of Wednesday afternoon .
Health authorities have traced secondary infections from the church to 13 additional locations and are investigating some 150 related facilities .
The church , led by the Rev .
Jun Kwang-hoon , a right-wing critic of President Moon Jae-in 's government , has been accused of impeding the investigation by providing false information on its gatherings and providing inaccurate membership lists to officials .
Some members have been recalcitrant in coming forward to get tested for the coronavirus and South Korean media has reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said on Thursday that officials are still trying to track down more than 700 people related to the church .
Kim also addressed a conspiracy theory spreading among some of the church 's followers , claiming that the government is creating false-positive results among the Sarang Jeil members .
`` Recently , fake news and ungrounded rumors have been spreading fast , '' Kim said at a briefing .
`` People are reluctant to get tested and this is raising worries from the government . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by private clinics and pointed out that the government can not manipulate the results .
Rev .
Jun , who spoke at the rally on Saturday and claimed that the government has `` terrorized '' his church with the virus , tested positive for COVID-19 , health officials announced on Monday .
The government filed charges earlier this week against Jun for obstructing the investigation and for defying a self-isolation order by participating in the rally .
Vice Health Minister Kim said on Thursday that the government is concerned that the Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a nationwide outbreak .
`` There are increasing sources of unidentified infections and the virus is spreading through other provinces as well , '' he said .
`` The situation that unfolds this week will be crucial in determining the fate of our outbreak . ''
South Korea 's total number of confirmed cases rose to 16,346 on Thursday , while deaths increased by one to 307 , the KCDC reported .

Seoul city officials banned rallies of more than 10 people on Thursday in an effort to curb a COVID-19 outbreak that has South Korea on edge. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- In an effort to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 that has shown no signs of slowing down over the past week, the Seoul metropolitan government tightened social distancing measures on Thursday, prohibiting rallies of more than 10 people until Aug. 30. The move comes as South Korea continues to record the highest numbers of cases it has seen since March, with 288 new infections reported Thursday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement
After daily local infections had dwindled to single digits earlier this month, South Korea has added more than 1,500 cases over the past week, with most infections concentrated in the greater Seoul area.
The city's ban comes in response to a large anti-government demonstration held in Seoul last weekend that has become a major source of concern for health authorities. The rally was attended by members of the Sarang Jeil Presbyterian Church in northern Seoul, which has emerged as the main cluster in the current outbreak.
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"Seoul is a place with the highest concern about the spread of the infection due to its high density and mobile population, so the city has decided to take pre-emptive measures to block the risk of spreading COVID-19," the mayor's office said in a statement.
The government has already tightened social distancing guidelines in the Seoul metropolitan area, moving to Level 2 on its three-tier scale. Indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 are prohibited under the rules. On Tuesday, the government also banned in-person church services in the Seoul area until Aug. 30.
"This is now a more serious crisis than ever," said acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jung-hyup in a statement. "If the local infection spreads, the disease management system of the health authorities, which has been operating steadily until now, can collapse and an out of control situation can become a reality."
Clusters of infections have been found across multiple venues, including apartment buildings, offices, schools and restaurants, making it a challenge for tracing and quarantine efforts.
However, the largest clusters have been centered around churches, especially the Sarang Jeil Presbyterian Church in northern Seoul, where 623 members had tested positive as of Wednesday afternoon.
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Health authorities have traced secondary infections from the church to 13 additional locations and are investigating some 150 related facilities.
The church, led by the Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon, a right-wing critic of President Moon Jae-in's government, has been accused of impeding the investigation by providing false information on its gatherings and providing inaccurate membership lists to officials.
Some members have been recalcitrant in coming forward to get tested for the coronavirus and South Korean media has reported on congregants spitting at and tussling with quarantine workers.
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said on Thursday that officials are still trying to track down more than 700 people related to the church.
Kim also addressed a conspiracy theory spreading among some of the church's followers, claiming that the government is creating false-positive results among the Sarang Jeil members.
"Recently, fake news and ungrounded rumors have been spreading fast," Kim said at a briefing. "People are reluctant to get tested and this is raising worries from the government."
He said that diagnostic tests are carried out by private clinics and pointed out that the government cannot manipulate the results.
Rev. Jun, who spoke at the rally on Saturday and claimed that the government has "terrorized" his church with the virus, tested positive for COVID-19, health officials announced on Monday.
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The government filed charges earlier this week against Jun for obstructing the investigation and for defying a self-isolation order by participating in the rally.
Vice Health Minister Kim said on Thursday that the government is concerned that the Seoul infections are on the verge of leading to a nationwide outbreak.
"There are increasing sources of unidentified infections and the virus is spreading through other provinces as well," he said. "The situation that unfolds this week will be crucial in determining the fate of our outbreak."
South Korea's total number of confirmed cases rose to 16,346 on Thursday, while deaths increased by one to 307, the KCDC reported.


upi--2020-08-20--Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny 'poisoned'

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Russian opposition leader and critic of the Putin regime Alexei Navalny is unconscious at a Siberian hospital with suspected poisoning , his spokeswoman said .
Navalny , 44 , was on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow when he fell ill , forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Omsk , his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter .
`` We assume that Alexei was poisoned with something mixed into the tea , '' she said .
`` It was the only thing that he drank in the morning .
Doctors say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot liquid .
Alexei is now unconscious . ''
She said he was on a ventilator in intensive care .
The hospital 's chief physician , Alexander Murakhovsky , told Russian state-run news agency TASS that Navalny was in serious condition .
Last year , Navalny suggested he was poisoned while under police custody .
Yarmysh said `` obviously '' this was the same thing , adding that the intensive care unit was full of police who have tried to retrieve an explanation from the doctor .
`` The doctor saw me in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 'some things are confidential , ' and took the police to another room , '' she said .
`` The evasive reaction of the doctors only confirms that this is poisoning .
Just two hours ago , they were ready to share any information , and now they are clearly playing for time and do not say what they know . ''
Navalny , his non-profit organization and his close supporters have repeatedly been the target of Russian law enforcement over their opposition to the Kremlin , resulting in their arrests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
Last October , Russia 's justice ministry classified Navalny 's Anti-Corruption Fund as a foreign agent for receiving international funds , a claim it denies .

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was placed on a ventilator Thursday in an intensive care unit at a Siberian hospital due to suspected poisoning. File Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Russian opposition leader and critic of the Putin regime Alexei Navalny is unconscious at a Siberian hospital with suspected poisoning, his spokeswoman said. Navalny, 44, was on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow when he fell ill, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Omsk, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. Advertisement
"We assume that Alexei was poisoned with something mixed into the tea," she said. "It was the only thing that he drank in the morning. Doctors say the toxin was absorbed faster through the hot liquid. Alexei is now unconscious."
She said he was on a ventilator in intensive care.
The hospital's chief physician, Alexander Murakhovsky, told Russian state-run news agency TASS that Navalny was in serious condition.
Last year, Navalny suggested he was poisoned while under police custody.
Yarmysh said "obviously" this was the same thing, adding that the intensive care unit was full of police who have tried to retrieve an explanation from the doctor.
"The doctor saw me in the distance in the corridor, said that 'some things are confidential,' and took the police to another room," she said. "The evasive reaction of the doctors only confirms that this is poisoning. Just two hours ago, they were ready to share any information, and now they are clearly playing for time and do not say what they know."
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Navalny, his non-profit organization and his close supporters have repeatedly been the target of Russian law enforcement over their opposition to the Kremlin, resulting in their arrests and raids on their homes and places of work.
Last October, Russia's justice ministry classified Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund as a foreign agent for receiving international funds, a claim it denies.


upi--2020-08-20--'Morning sickness' often an all-day thing, study confirms

As many expectant mothers can unhappily attest , the nausea and vomiting known as `` morning sickness '' can occur at any time of the day .
In a new study , British researchers analyzed diaries kept by 256 women from the day they learned they were expecting until the 60th day of their pregnancy .
While vomiting was most common between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. , nausea was likely all day long .
And many women reported vomiting even into the evening .
The most common hour for nausea and vomiting was 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % experienced vomiting .
About 94 % of the women had one symptom or the other during the study , and 58 % experienced both , according to findings published recently in the British Journal of General Practice .
By comparing symptoms across the first seven weeks of pregnancy , the researchers found that the chances of nausea and vomiting rose .
The likelihood of nausea was highest in weeks five through seven , and vomiting in week seven .
The study only examined the first seven weeks .
`` If a pregnant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may feel that this is unusual and wrong , or if she experiences no vomiting but feels nauseated all day she might think she is not covered by the term 'morning sickness , ' '' said study author Roger Gadsby .
He 's an associate clinical professor at the University of Warwick Medical School in Coventry , U.K. Gadsby also noted that those women who have severe symptoms feel the term trivializes the condition .
`` Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy [ NVP ] can have a significant negative impact on the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a university news release .
`` It can cause feelings of depression , of being unable to look after the family , and of loss of time from paid work .
Very severe NVP , called hyperemesis gravidarm , is the commonest cause of admission to hospital in the first trimester of pregnancy , '' Gadsby said .
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has more on morning sickness .

While vomiting before women's 60th day of pregnancy was most common between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., nausea was likely all day long, researchers confirmed in a new study. Photo by nastya_gepp /Pixabay
As many expectant mothers can unhappily attest, the nausea and vomiting known as "morning sickness" can occur at any time of the day. In a new study, British researchers analyzed diaries kept by 256 women from the day they learned they were expecting until the 60th day of their pregnancy. Advertisement
While vomiting was most common between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., nausea was likely all day long. And many women reported vomiting even into the evening.
The most common hour for nausea and vomiting was 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., when 82% experienced nausea and 29% experienced vomiting.
About 94% of the women had one symptom or the other during the study, and 58% experienced both, according to findings published recently in the British Journal of General Practice.
By comparing symptoms across the first seven weeks of pregnancy, the researchers found that the chances of nausea and vomiting rose.
The likelihood of nausea was highest in weeks five through seven, and vomiting in week seven. The study only examined the first seven weeks.
"If a pregnant woman experiences sickness in the afternoon she may feel that this is unusual and wrong, or if she experiences no vomiting but feels nauseated all day she might think she is not covered by the term 'morning sickness,'" said study author Roger Gadsby. He's an associate clinical professor at the University of Warwick Medical School in Coventry, U.K.
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Gadsby also noted that those women who have severe symptoms feel the term trivializes the condition.
"Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy [NVP] can have a significant negative impact on the lives of sufferers," he pointed out in a university news release.
"It can cause feelings of depression, of being unable to look after the family, and of loss of time from paid work. Very severe NVP, called hyperemesis gravidarm, is the commonest cause of admission to hospital in the first trimester of pregnancy," Gadsby said.
More information
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has more on morning sickness.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-08-20--Facebook removes 790 QAnon groups

Facebook removes 790 QAnon groups

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Facebook said it has removed 790 groups , 100 pages and 1,500 ads connected to the far right-wing conspiracy theory QAnon as the social media giant targets movements and organizations that are tied to violence .
The U.S. tech company said Wednesday the removals were made under updates to its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy to include groups and movements that have demonstrated `` significant risks to public safety '' but that did not reach its criteria to be banned as a dangerous organization .
Under the expanded policy , Facebook also restricted more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook and more than 10,000 accounts on Instagram , its wildly popular photo-based social media platform , linked to QAnon .
These groups , pages and accounts may be removed as Facebook reviews their content against its updated policy , Facebook said .
`` We have seen growing movements that , while not directly organizing violence , have celebrated violent acts , shown that they have weapons and suggest they will use them or have individual followers with patterns of violent behavior , '' Facebook said in a statement .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook could cause real-world violence , and documented instances of serious crimes including murder and kidnapping having been carried out by adherents to the conspiracy .
Born on the Internet and popular with some supporters of the president , QAnon claims that the world elites maintain a `` Satanic child-murdering sex cult , '' and that President Donald Trump will eventually bring them to justice , the ADL said on its website .
Asked Wednesday at the White House about QAnon 's growing number of followers , Trump told reporters he was unfamiliar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know , really , anything about it other than they do , supposedly , like me , '' Trump said .
The move by Facebook follows Twitter last month announcing it would take action to limit and block accounts associated with the conspiracy , stating it had already removed more than 7,000 such accounts .
Facebook said Wednesday it also removed 980 groups , 520 pages and 160 ads from Facebook while restricting more than 1,400 hashtags associated with militia organizations and groups that encourage rioting , including Antifa .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against all of our content policies in an effort to keep people safe , '' Facebook said .
`` We will remove content from these movements that violate any of our policies , including those against fake accounts , harassment , hate speech and/or inciting violence . ''

Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Facebook said it has removed 790 groups, 100 pages and 1,500 ads connected to the far right-wing conspiracy theory QAnon as the social media giant targets movements and organizations that are tied to violence.
The U.S. tech company said Wednesday the removals were made under updates to its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy to include groups and movements that have demonstrated "significant risks to public safety" but that did not reach its criteria to be banned as a dangerous organization.
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Under the expanded policy, Facebook also restricted more than 1,950 groups and 440 pages on Facebook and more than 10,000 accounts on Instagram, its wildly popular photo-based social media platform, linked to QAnon. These groups, pages and accounts may be removed as Facebook reviews their content against its updated policy, Facebook said.
"We have seen growing movements that, while not directly organizing violence, have celebrated violent acts, shown that they have weapons and suggest they will use them or have individual followers with patterns of violent behavior," Facebook said in a statement.
Last week, the Anti-Defamation League warned that QAnon on Facebook could cause real-world violence, and documented instances of serious crimes including murder and kidnapping having been carried out by adherents to the conspiracy.
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Born on the Internet and popular with some supporters of the president, QAnon claims that the world elites maintain a "Satanic child-murdering sex cult," and that President Donald Trump will eventually bring them to justice, the ADL said on its website.
Asked Wednesday at the White House about QAnon's growing number of followers, Trump told reporters he was unfamiliar with the movement.
"I don't know, really, anything about it other than they do, supposedly, like me," Trump said.
The move by Facebook follows Twitter last month announcing it would take action to limit and block accounts associated with the conspiracy, stating it had already removed more than 7,000 such accounts.
Facebook said Wednesday it also removed 980 groups, 520 pages and 160 ads from Facebook while restricting more than 1,400 hashtags associated with militia organizations and groups that encourage rioting, including Antifa.
"We will continue to review content and accounts against all of our content policies in an effort to keep people safe," Facebook said. "We will remove content from these movements that violate any of our policies, including those against fake accounts, harassment, hate speech and/or inciting violence."


upi--2020-08-20--Bayer funds seed company to boost quality of produce grown indoors

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Pharmaceutical giant Bayer funded a new seed company this summer to overcome a big problem for indoor farms , or greenhouses -- the plants they grow generally are bred for outdoor farms .
The new venture , called Unfold , is based in Davis , Calif. , with commercial and research and development operations in California and Singapore .
The startup company seeks to fill a void for the expanding indoor farming market , where growers often experiment with dozens or hundreds of traditional vegetable varieties before finding one that thrives in a greenhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid growth predicted for indoor farming by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other industry experts .
The company 's chief executive officer , John Purcell , said he saw the need for Unfold when he developed seeds for 30 years at the Monsanto Co. in St. Louis , which Bayer acquired in 2018 .
He said he realized none of the seeds he worked on was tailored to indoor farms .
Growth of indoor farming , also known as vertical farming , led Bayer to begin the business with Singapore-based Temasek , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and media companies .
The founding companies invested $ 30 million in the venture .
Unfold said it is the only firm with a large genetic portfolio of crop varieties that will focus on vertical farming .
The goal is to sell seed directly to vertical farm companies , or to nurseries that grow seedlings for those companies .
`` In most breeding programs for crop seed , you have to worry about the pests and disease and drought tolerance and heat or cold tolerance , '' Purcell said .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with indoor lighting and controlled moisture . ''
For example , Purcell said , Unfold might breed some plants over time to respond to different indoor lighting conditions by becoming more flavorful or containing more vitamins .
Purcell plans to meet with the largest indoor farm companies to understand their needs .
He declined to identify the firms with which he has talked , but he said he will name an advisory board of industry leaders to advise Unfold about the market 's needs .
Purcell did not provide a schedule for Unfold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just getting started .
He said Bayer is attracted to the vertical farming industry because of its rapid growth , which is projected to continue .
The global vertical farming market was valued at $ 2.23 billion in 2018 , and is projected to reach $ 12.77 billion by 2026 , according to a 2019 report by analyst firm Allied Market Research .
Although Bayer is best known for pharmaceuticals , it has operated a crop sciences division since 2002 , focused on agricultural protection chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monsanto is known for the development of the controversial Roundup herbicide and the sale of seeds altered by genetic editing , known as GMOs , or genetically modified organisms .
Monsanto had a large crop seed portfolio from its development of GMO seeds that are resistant to Roundup , dominated by commodity crops such as corn and soybeans .
Unfold will not pursue GMO technology , though , Purcell said .
It will use traditional breeding methods to develop vegetable seeds .
Such seeds that are tailored to an indoor environment would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor farming firm Gotham Greens , said Viraj Puri , the co-founder and chief executive .
`` We are very supportive of this because finding vegetable types to grow indoors has always been a challenge , '' Puri said .
`` We 've tried thousands of plant varieties to see which grow best indoors , knowing they were bred for outdoor growing -- for wind , bugs , disease and drought -- and we have none of that inside our greenhouses , '' he said .
As an example of problems that indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are bred to survive a windstorm have larger stems than are needed indoors .
Unfold will have access to the seed portfolio that Bayer 's Crop Sciences division has developed for decades , with thousands of varieties .
Puri said having a company with Bayer 's resources will be a big boost for the industry .
`` Traditionally , we had to rely on seed catalogs and sales representatives that make recommendations , but may not truly understand indoor farming , '' he said .
Indoor farming is a growing sector of agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local produce in urban areas .
New technology -- computers and artificial intelligence -- allows more efficient lighting and irrigation techniques in greenhouses .
The vertical farming community is pleased with Unfold 's founding , said Joel Cuello , a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at the University of Arizona and vice-chair of the Association for Vertical Farming , based in Munich , Germany .
`` Bayer 's new effort is very welcome , and to me it 's a long time coming , '' Cuello said .
`` This will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big way . ''
Still , there are challenges ahead of Unfold , CEO Purcell said .
`` There 's a lot of excitement , but there are so many different vertical farming structures , '' Purcell said .
`` There are tables , mats hanging on a wall , plants growing in clay , or sand , or just water .
We have to be able to deliver quality for all those environments . ''

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Bayer is funding the startup of a new company, Unfold, to develop new seeds for indoor farming, like these tomato seeds sprouting at a Bayer vegetable research and development facility. Photo courtesy of Bayer
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Pharmaceutical giant Bayer funded a new seed company this summer to overcome a big problem for indoor farms, or greenhouses -- the plants they grow generally are bred for outdoor farms. The new venture, called Unfold, is based in Davis, Calif., with commercial and research and development operations in California and Singapore. Advertisement
The startup company seeks to fill a void for the expanding indoor farming market, where growers often experiment with dozens or hundreds of traditional vegetable varieties before finding one that thrives in a greenhouse.
Unfold said it is responding to rapid growth predicted for indoor farming by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other industry experts.
The company's chief executive officer, John Purcell, said he saw the need for Unfold when he developed seeds for 30 years at the Monsanto Co. in St. Louis, which Bayer acquired in 2018. He said he realized none of the seeds he worked on was tailored to indoor farms.
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Growth of indoor farming, also known as vertical farming, led Bayer to begin the business with Singapore-based Temasek, a conglomerate that owns banks, airlines and media companies. The founding companies invested $30 million in the venture.
Unfold said it is the only firm with a large genetic portfolio of crop varieties that will focus on vertical farming. The goal is to sell seed directly to vertical farm companies, or to nurseries that grow seedlings for those companies.
"In most breeding programs for crop seed, you have to worry about the pests and disease and drought tolerance and heat or cold tolerance," Purcell said. "We will focus on the varieties that grow best with indoor lighting and controlled moisture."
For example, Purcell said, Unfold might breed some plants over time to respond to different indoor lighting conditions by becoming more flavorful or containing more vitamins.
Purcell plans to meet with the largest indoor farm companies to understand their needs. He declined to identify the firms with which he has talked, but he said he will name an advisory board of industry leaders to advise Unfold about the market's needs.
Purcell did not provide a schedule for Unfold's rollout, saying the company is just getting started.
Advertisement
He said Bayer is attracted to the vertical farming industry because of its rapid growth, which is projected to continue.
The global vertical farming market was valued at $2.23 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach $12.77 billion by 2026, according to a 2019 report by analyst firm Allied Market Research.
Although Bayer is best known for pharmaceuticals, it has operated a crop sciences division since 2002, focused on agricultural protection chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides. The division expanded with the Monsanto acquisition.
Monsanto is known for the development of the controversial Roundup herbicide and the sale of seeds altered by genetic editing, known as GMOs, or genetically modified organisms.
Monsanto had a large crop seed portfolio from its development of GMO seeds that are resistant to Roundup, dominated by commodity crops such as corn and soybeans.
Unfold will not pursue GMO technology, though, Purcell said. It will use traditional breeding methods to develop vegetable seeds.
Such seeds that are tailored to an indoor environment would be a welcome addition at Brooklyn, N.Y.-based indoor farming firm Gotham Greens, said Viraj Puri, the co-founder and chief executive.
"We are very supportive of this because finding vegetable types to grow indoors has always been a challenge," Puri said.
Advertisement
"We've tried thousands of plant varieties to see which grow best indoors, knowing they were bred for outdoor growing -- for wind, bugs, disease and drought -- and we have none of that inside our greenhouses," he said.
As an example of problems that indoor farmers encounter, Puri said tomatoes that are bred to survive a windstorm have larger stems than are needed indoors.
Unfold will have access to the seed portfolio that Bayer's Crop Sciences division has developed for decades, with thousands of varieties. Puri said having a company with Bayer's resources will be a big boost for the industry.
"Traditionally, we had to rely on seed catalogs and sales representatives that make recommendations, but may not truly understand indoor farming," he said.
Indoor farming is a growing sector of agriculture due to the demand for fresh, local produce in urban areas. New technology -- computers and artificial intelligence -- allows more efficient lighting and irrigation techniques in greenhouses.
The vertical farming community is pleased with Unfold's founding, said Joel Cuello, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at the University of Arizona and vice-chair of the Association for Vertical Farming, based in Munich, Germany.
"Bayer's new effort is very welcome, and to me it's a long time coming," Cuello said. "This will help to further develop the industry in a big way."
Advertisement
Still, there are challenges ahead of Unfold, CEO Purcell said.
"There's a lot of excitement, but there are so many different vertical farming structures," Purcell said. "There are tables, mats hanging on a wall, plants growing in clay, or sand, or just water. We have to be able to deliver quality for all those environments."


upi--2020-08-20--Adams, Thomas, Beckham top 2020 fantasy football wide receiver rankings

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Green Bay Packers pass-catcher Davante Adams should see an abundance of targets as the No .
1 option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers this year and ranks No .
1 in my top-100 wide receiver rankings for the 2020 fantasy football season .
New Orleans Saints All-Pro Michael Thomas is my No .
2 option at the position .
I expect Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to have a bounce-back campaign this year and he is the No .
3 wide receiver in my pre-draft rankings .
Tyreek Hill , DeAndre Hopkins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thielen and Julio Jones round out my top-10 players at the position .
Strategy will play a huge role in when any of these elite pass catchers joins your roster on draft day .
You likely will need to use a first-round or early second-round pick on any of the players I have ranked in the top-five at the position .
You could add two high-end options if you draw a pick at the back half of your draft .
I split my top targets into five tiers : Hall of Fame , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( early to mid-round targets ) and Deep Sleepers ( mid- to late-round sleepers ) .
The top-100 positional rankings are below .
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams missed four games last season due to injury , but still logged 83 catches for 997 yards and five touchdowns in his 12 appearances .
I expect a huge bounce-back year for the Packers Pro Bowler in 2020 .
Adams had a career-high 1,386 yards and 13 scores in 15 games during his 2018 campaign .
The Packers simply do n't have enough complementary weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an abundance of targets once again for Adams .
Adams also has a decent schedule for the fantasy football regular season -- the first 13 weeks of the 2020 NFL season .
He faces just one defense that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2019 .
He has five matchups against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position , including two such matchups in the first three weeks of the season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrific option for your first pick in your fantasy football draft .
Thomas is about as safe as it gets as far as production .
He has been named an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons and had an NFL-record 149 catches in 2019 .
Thomas has averaged more than 150 targets per season since he entered the NFL in 2016 .
He was targeted a career-high 185 times last season and turned that into 1,725 yards and nine scores .
I expect Thomas to haul in at least 115 catches for 1,300 yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give you a weekly advantage as an elite WR1 .
Odell Beckham Jr. 's first season with the Browns did n't go as planned .
The three-time Pro Bowl selection had just 1,035 yards and four scores on 74 catches in 16 games in 2019 .
The Browns were viewed as a contender to make the playoffs before last season , but have much less buzz as they enter the 2020 campaign .
I expect the Browns to play much better in 2020 and Beckham to flourish under new coach Kevin Stefanski and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an offensive-minded head coach and helped Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen become a very formidable duo during his previous tenure with the Minnesota Vikings .
He could do the same for Jarvis Landry , Beckham and the Browns ' other skill-position players .
Van Pelt also should also provide a boost for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield , which could result in increased production for Cleveland 's entire offense .
I expect Beckham , who played through multiple injuries in 2019 , to return to elite fantasy football status .
I would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller leagues , but I would trust him as a WR1 this season .
He should provide terrific value as a late first-round or early second-round pick in leagues with at least 12 teams .
I project Beckham to haul in at least 95 catches for 1,300 yards if he plays in 16 games this season .
He also has a shot at a double-digit touchdown total .
Tyreek Hill is one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL .
The Chiefs speedster returns as a WR1 at the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect HIll to be an elite option in 2020 , it remains to be seen how much Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the Chiefs ' replenished arsenal of pass catchers could chip into his receptions total .
Hill is my No .
4 option at the position in 2020 and should provide terrific second-round value in most leagues .
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was a perennial top-end WR1 during his tenure with the Houston Texans .
He now is part of an emerging Arizona Cardinals offense after he joined the team in an off-season trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray , but I still expect the three-time All-Pro to post at least 1,200 yards in 2020 .
Hopkins , who has had at least 150 targets in each of the last five seasons , should draw a similar target total in Arizona .
He is a safe second-round pick in 2020 , but may be a bit of a reach as a first-round selection if you are looking for a cornerstone for your fantasy football squad .
The Bears could be a fantasy football surprise in 2020 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allen Robinson .
The former Jacksonville Jaguars playmaker had a career-high 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven scores in 2019 and could have an even better year in 2020 if he has more consistent quarterback play .
The Bears traded for veteran quarterback Nick Foles this off-season and he is expected to compete with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting quarterback job .
The competition itself should improve the team 's quarterback play .
Foles also could elevate the Bears ' offense if he wins the competition in training camp .
Chicago has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide receivers this year , with six games against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points to the position last season .
The Bears have just one game against a team that ranked inside the top-10 for fewest points allowed to wide receivers in 2019 .
Robinson should be a lock to post at least 1,200 yards and 95 catches .
He could provide elite WR1 value if he reaches 10 touchdowns in 2020 .
He is my No .
6 option among wide receivers and should provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top pass-catching option in the Cowboys offense .
He should post another WR1 campaign in 2020 for fantasy football squads .
The Cowboys selected former Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and still have emerging threat Michael Gallup on their roster , but Cooper remains a top-10 fantasy football wide receiver .
I expect the Cowboys wide receiver to haul in at least 80 catches and come close to 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns .
Cooper should provide solid return as a late second-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide excellent value as a late-round pick in your fantasy football draft .
He is my No .
36 option at the position and is worth a reach any time after the eighth round in your draft .
I expect Jefferson to see a lot of targets as the second pass-catching threat in the Vikings ' offense after the team traded away Stefon Diggs this off-season .
He should provide WR3 value at some point this season , but should n't be drafted to be an immediate starter for your squad .
Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your bench after he proves his fantasy football value on the field .
Brandon Aiyuk is another rookie who is worth a dart throw late in your fantasy football draft .
The 49ers took the former Arizona State wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft .
San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel is still recovering from foot surgery .
The 49ers also lost veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders this off-season in free agency .
Wide receiver Jalen Hurd also is expected to miss the season due to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the obvious No .
1 threat in the 49ers ' offense , but the No .
2 role is wide open as we enter the 2020 season .
Aiyuk is a sneaky sleeper target with the talent and opportunity to provide value off of your bench .

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is the No. 3 option in my top-100 wide receiver rankings for the 2020 fantasy football season. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Green Bay Packers pass-catcher Davante Adams should see an abundance of targets as the No. 1 option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers this year and ranks No. 1 in my top-100 wide receiver rankings for the 2020 fantasy football season. New Orleans Saints All-Pro Michael Thomas is my No. 2 option at the position. I expect Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to have a bounce-back campaign this year and he is the No. 3 wide receiver in my pre-draft rankings. Advertisement
Tyreek Hill, DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Adam Thielen and Julio Jones round out my top-10 players at the position.
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Strategy will play a huge role in when any of these elite pass catchers joins your roster on draft day. You likely will need to use a first-round or early second-round pick on any of the players I have ranked in the top-five at the position. You could add two high-end options if you draw a pick at the back half of your draft.
I split my top targets into five tiers: Hall of Fame, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Just Napping (early to mid-round targets) and Deep Sleepers (mid- to late-round sleepers). The top-100 positional rankings are below.
Hall of Fame
1. Davante Adams, 2. Michael Thomas
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams missed four games last season due to injury, but still logged 83 catches for 997 yards and five touchdowns in his 12 appearances. I expect a huge bounce-back year for the Packers Pro Bowler in 2020.
Adams had a career-high 1,386 yards and 13 scores in 15 games during his 2018 campaign. The Packers simply don't have enough complementary weapons in their offense, which should lead to an abundance of targets once again for Adams.
Adams also has a decent schedule for the fantasy football regular season -- the first 13 weeks of the 2020 NFL season. He faces just one defense that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2019.
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He has five matchups against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position, including two such matchups in the first three weeks of the season.
Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is another terrific option for your first pick in your fantasy football draft. Thomas is about as safe as it gets as far as production.
He has been named an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons and had an NFL-record 149 catches in 2019. Thomas has averaged more than 150 targets per season since he entered the NFL in 2016. He was targeted a career-high 185 times last season and turned that into 1,725 yards and nine scores.
I expect Thomas to haul in at least 115 catches for 1,300 yards and eight scores in 2020. He will give you a weekly advantage as an elite WR1.
All-Pro
3. Odell Beckham Jr., 4. Tyreek Hill
Odell Beckham Jr.'s first season with the Browns didn't go as planned. The three-time Pro Bowl selection had just 1,035 yards and four scores on 74 catches in 16 games in 2019. The Browns were viewed as a contender to make the playoffs before last season, but have much less buzz as they enter the 2020 campaign.
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I expect the Browns to play much better in 2020 and Beckham to flourish under new coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Stefanski is an offensive-minded head coach and helped Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen become a very formidable duo during his previous tenure with the Minnesota Vikings.
He could do the same for Jarvis Landry, Beckham and the Browns' other skill-position players. Van Pelt also should also provide a boost for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, which could result in increased production for Cleveland's entire offense.
I expect Beckham, who played through multiple injuries in 2019, to return to elite fantasy football status. I wouldn't use a first-round pick on him in smaller leagues, but I would trust him as a WR1 this season. He should provide terrific value as a late first-round or early second-round pick in leagues with at least 12 teams.
I project Beckham to haul in at least 95 catches for 1,300 yards if he plays in 16 games this season. He also has a shot at a double-digit touchdown total.
Tyreek Hill is one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL. The Chiefs speedster returns as a WR1 at the start of the 2020 fantasy football season.
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While I expect HIll to be an elite option in 2020, it remains to be seen how much Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the Chiefs' replenished arsenal of pass catchers could chip into his receptions total. Hill is my No. 4 option at the position in 2020 and should provide terrific second-round value in most leagues.
Pro Bowl
5. DeAndre Hopkins
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was a perennial top-end WR1 during his tenure with the Houston Texans. He now is part of an emerging Arizona Cardinals offense after he joined the team in an off-season trade.
Hopkins will need to develop chemistry with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, but I still expect the three-time All-Pro to post at least 1,200 yards in 2020. Hopkins, who has had at least 150 targets in each of the last five seasons, should draw a similar target total in Arizona.
He is a safe second-round pick in 2020, but may be a bit of a reach as a first-round selection if you are looking for a cornerstone for your fantasy football squad.
Just Napping
6. Allen Robinson, 7. Amari Cooper
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The Bears could be a fantasy football surprise in 2020 and that movement might begin with wide receiver Allen Robinson. The former Jacksonville Jaguars playmaker had a career-high 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven scores in 2019 and could have an even better year in 2020 if he has more consistent quarterback play.
The Bears traded for veteran quarterback Nick Foles this off-season and he is expected to compete with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting quarterback job. The competition itself should improve the team's quarterback play. Foles also could elevate the Bears' offense if he wins the competition in training camp.
Chicago has one of the most fantasy-football-friendly schedules for wide receivers this year, with six games against teams that ranked inside the top-10 for allowing the most fantasy points to the position last season.
The Bears have just one game against a team that ranked inside the top-10 for fewest points allowed to wide receivers in 2019.
Robinson should be a lock to post at least 1,200 yards and 95 catches. He could provide elite WR1 value if he reaches 10 touchdowns in 2020. He is my No. 6 option among wide receivers and should provide stable WR1 production.
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Amari Cooper remains the top pass-catching option in the Cowboys offense. He should post another WR1 campaign in 2020 for fantasy football squads.
The Cowboys selected former Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and still have emerging threat Michael Gallup on their roster, but Cooper remains a top-10 fantasy football wide receiver.
I expect the Cowboys wide receiver to haul in at least 80 catches and come close to 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cooper should provide solid return as a late second-round pick.
Deep Sleepers
30. Julian Edelman, 35. Justin Jefferson, 44. Brandon Aiyuk
Vikings rookie Justin Jefferson should provide excellent value as a late-round pick in your fantasy football draft. He is my No. 35 option at the position and is worth a reach any time after the eighth round in your draft.
I expect Jefferson to see a lot of targets as the second pass-catching threat in the Vikings' offense after the team traded away Stefon Diggs this off-season.
He should provide WR3 value at some point this season, but shouldn't be drafted to be an immediate starter for your squad. Jefferson is a great option to come off of your bench after he proves his fantasy football value on the field.
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Brandon Aiyuk is another rookie who is worth a dart throw late in your fantasy football draft. The 49ers took the former Arizona State wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel is still recovering from foot surgery. The 49ers also lost veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders this off-season in free agency. Wide receiver Jalen Hurd also is expected to miss the season due to an injury.
Tight end George Kittle is the obvious No. 1 threat in the 49ers' offense, but the No. 2 role is wide open as we enter the 2020 season. Aiyuk is a sneaky sleeper target with the talent and opportunity to provide value off of your bench.
Top 100 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings for 2020
1. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
2. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6
3. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 9
4. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
5. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
6. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 11
7. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 10
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8. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 13
9. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7
10. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 10
11. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
12. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 11
13. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
14. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
15. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 6
16. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13
17. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 13
18. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
19. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
20. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 6
21. Will Fuller, Houston Texans, Bye Week 8
22. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 10
23. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 10
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24. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
25. Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans, Bye Week 8
26. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 8
27. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 7
28. Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
29. Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 8
30. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
31. D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
32. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 9
33. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
34. Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
35. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7
36. Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 7
37. Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
38. Darius Slayton, New York Giants, Bye Week 11
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39. Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 10
40. Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
41. DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 11
42. Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6
43. John Brown, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 11
44. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 11
45. Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 6
46. Sterling Shepard, New York Giants, Bye Week 11
47. Jamison Crowder, New York Jets, Bye Week 11
48. Anthony Miller, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 11
49. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 10
50. Golden Tate, New York Giants, Bye Week 11
51. Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
52. Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 11
53. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
54. Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13
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55. Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 8
56. N'Keal Harry, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
57. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 11
58. Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
59. Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
60. Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
61. Denzel Mims, New York Jets, Bye Week 11
62. Bryan Edwards, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 6
63. Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13
64. Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
65. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
66. Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 6
67. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
68. Kenny Stills, Houston Texans, Bye Week 8
69. James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
70. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 10
71. Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
72. Breshad Perriman, New York Jets, Bye Week 11
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73. John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
74. Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
75. Randall Cobb, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 10
76. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
77. Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 11
78. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
79. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
80. Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
81. Danny Amendola, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
82. Steven Sims Jr., Washington Football Team, Bye Week 8
83. Miles Boykin, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
84. Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6
85. Chris Conley, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
86. Andy Isabella, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
87. Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 10
88. Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 6
89. Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
90. K.J. Hamler, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 8
91. Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
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92. Equanimeous St. Brown, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
93. Phillip Dorsett, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 6
94. Adam Humphries, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 7
95. Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
96. Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
97. DeMarcus Robinson, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
98. Willie Snead, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
99. Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
100. Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6


upi--2020-08-20--Houston rapper Breadman, 8 others charged in drug conspiracies

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department announced Thursday that authorities have arrested nine people , including the Houston rapper Jermaine West , on a slew of drug charges .
Acting Assistant General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department 's Criminal Divison said the 42-year-old West , who goes by the stage name Breadman , has been charged in participating in two conspiracies : one to distribute meth and cocaine and the other to distribute prescription opioids .
West with Jonathan Rawlins , 44 , and Bobby Pharms , 34 , all from Houston , Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy to sell meth and cocaine near schools and other locations in Houston from 2018 to 2019 , prosecutors said .
A federal grand jury returned the indictment under seal Aug. 13 but it was unsealed in its entirety Thursday after authorities took Rawlins into custody , the Justice Department said .
Prosecutors accuse West of also having conducted `` some of the illegal activity '' within 1,000 feet or Houston 's Worthing High School .
The indictment also charges West of being involved with Tersha French , 46 , Ronald Lucas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Houston as well as Cynthia Ngwaba , 46 , of Richmond , Texas ; Leon Covin , 47 , of Katy , Texas ; and Toni Maria Nalintya , 48 , of Pearland , Texas , with distributing prescription opioids .
Prosecutors accuse them of conducting their illegal business via the Ennis Street Pharmacy and Barker Cypress Pharmacy in Houston .
If convicted , West along with Rawling and Pharms could face life in prison and possible fines of up to $ 10 million while for each count related the prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face up to 20 years and fines of up to $ 1 million , the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of Texas said .

Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Justice Department announced Thursday that authorities have arrested nine people, including the Houston rapper Jermaine West, on a slew of drug charges.
Acting Assistant General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department's Criminal Divison said the 42-year-old West, who goes by the stage name Breadman, has been charged in participating in two conspiracies: one to distribute meth and cocaine and the other to distribute prescription opioids.
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West with Jonathan Rawlins, 44, and Bobby Pharms, 34, all from Houston, Texas, have been charged with participating in a conspiracy to sell meth and cocaine near schools and other locations in Houston from 2018 to 2019, prosecutors said.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment under seal Aug. 13 but it was unsealed in its entirety Thursday after authorities took Rawlins into custody, the Justice Department said.
Prosecutors accuse West of also having conducted "some of the illegal activity" within 1,000 feet or Houston's Worthing High School.
The indictment also charges West of being involved with Tersha French, 46, Ronald Lucas, 40, and Antonia Vega, 32, of Houston as well as Cynthia Ngwaba, 46, of Richmond, Texas; Leon Covin, 47, of Katy, Texas; and Toni Maria Nalintya, 48, of Pearland, Texas, with distributing prescription opioids.
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Prosecutors accuse them of conducting their illegal business via the Ennis Street Pharmacy and Barker Cypress Pharmacy in Houston.
If convicted, West along with Rawling and Pharms could face life in prison and possible fines of up to $10 million while for each count related the prescription drug charges, he and his coconspirators face up to 20 years and fines of up to $1 million, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas said.


upi--2020-08-20--Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman suspended, pulled from NFL games after slur

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- The Cincinnati Reds have suspended broadcaster Thom Brennaman after he uttered a homophobic slur , which aired live during the team 's game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday .
The incident occurred just after Fox Sports Ohio 's broadcast of the first game of a doubleheader returned from a commercial break .
A clip of the slur circulated on social media before Brennaman apologized on air during the second game of the doubleheader .
`` The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific , homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Wednesday .
`` He was pulled off the air , and effective immediately was suspended from doing Reds broadcasts . ''
Brennaman left the broadcast and fellow play-by-play announcer Jim Day took over for the remainder of the game .
`` We will be addressing our broadcasting team in the coming days , '' the Reds added .
`` In no way does this incident represent our players , coaches , organization , or our fans .
We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ community in Cincinnati , Kansas City and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Reds embrace a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind , and we are truly sorry to anyone who has been offended . ''
`` To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you , and whoever is against you , is against me , '' Reds pitcher Amir Garrett tweeted .
`` I 'm sorry for what was said [ Wednesday ] . ''
`` LGBTQ community , as a member of the Reds organization , I am so sorry for the way you were marginalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
`` There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here . ''
Fox Sports Ohio said in a statement it agrees with the Reds ' decision to suspend Brennaman .
On Thursday , Fox Sports went a step further and said Brennaman would no longer be part of its NFL broadcasting team this season due to the slur .
`` Fox Sports is extremely disappointed with Thom 's remarks during Wednesday 's telecast , '' the network said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was abhorrent , unacceptable , and not representative of the values of Fox Sports .
... We are moving forward with our NFL schedule , which will not include him . ''
Brennaman , 56 , has worked for Fox Sports for nearly three decades and had been part of the network 's NFL announcer lineup since it started televising the league in 1994 .
In his apology , he said he was `` deeply ashamed '' of the remark .
Brennaman also wrote an apology for the Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something no one should ever say . ''
He said he plans to take part `` in diversity , equity and inclusion training . ''

Thom Brennaman, who has worked for Fox Sports for nearly 30 years, said in an apology Wednesday that he was "deeply ashamed" of the remark. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds have suspended broadcaster Thom Brennaman after he uttered a homophobic slur, which aired live during the team's game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The incident occurred just after Fox Sports Ohio's broadcast of the first game of a doubleheader returned from a commercial break. A clip of the slur circulated on social media before Brennaman apologized on air during the second game of the doubleheader. Advertisement
"The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman," the Reds said late Wednesday. "He was pulled off the air, and effective immediately was suspended from doing Reds broadcasts."
Brennaman left the broadcast and fellow play-by-play announcer Jim Day took over for the remainder of the game.
"We will be addressing our broadcasting team in the coming days," the Reds added. "In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization, or our fans. We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City and all across this country, and beyond.
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"The Reds embrace a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind, and we are truly sorry to anyone who has been offended."
Some Reds players also responded.
"To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me," Reds pitcher Amir Garrett tweeted. "I'm sorry for what was said [Wednesday]."
"LGBTQ community, as a member of the Reds organization, I am so sorry for the way you were marginalized tonight," Reds pitcher Matt Bowman tweeted. "There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here."
Fox Sports Ohio said in a statement it agrees with the Reds' decision to suspend Brennaman.
On Thursday, Fox Sports went a step further and said Brennaman would no longer be part of its NFL broadcasting team this season due to the slur.
"Fox Sports is extremely disappointed with Thom's remarks during Wednesday's telecast," the network said in a statement. "The language used was abhorrent, unacceptable, and not representative of the values of Fox Sports. ... We are moving forward with our NFL schedule, which will not include him."
Brennaman, 56, has worked for Fox Sports for nearly three decades and had been part of the network's NFL announcer lineup since it started televising the league in 1994. In his apology, he said he was "deeply ashamed" of the remark.
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Brennaman also wrote an apology for the Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday, saying that what he uttered is "something no one should ever say." He said he plans to take part "in diversity, equity and inclusion training."
This week in Major League Baseball


upi--2020-08-20--Barr: U.S. will not seek death penalty for 'ISIS Beatles'

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr said the United States would not seek the death penalty for two Islamic State members if British authorities provide evidence to aid in their prosecution .
In a letter to British Home Secretary Priti Patel , Barr gave the British government until Oct. 15 to provide the evidence or El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey , known as the `` ISIS Beatles , '' would be transferred to the Iraqi government for prosecution under its justice system .
`` Time is of the essence , '' Barr wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Kotey and Elsheikh are to be tried in the United States and further delay is an injustice to the families of the victims . ''
Elsheikh and Kotey , both born in Britain , were arrested in Syria in October 2019 and transferred to U.S. custody for suspicion of operating a four-man Islamic State cell in Syria that sought to abduct and kill Westerners .
They remain detained by the U.S. military in Iraq , while Elsheik 's mother filed a lawsuit to prevent the sharing of evidence including voice analysis linking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to Syria .
On Wednesday , a representative for the British Home Office said that the nation would not immediately be able to provide the evidence .
`` Legal proceedings are ongoing before the Supreme Court and we are prevented by a court order from transferring the evidence to the U.S. at this time , '' the representative said .
Barr noted that the British Supreme Court has yet to issue a final ruling on releasing the evidence and that additional legislation could ensue once it has , but asserted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue .
`` If a prosecution is to go forward in the United States , our prosecutors should have the important evidence that we have requested from the United Kingdom available to them in their efforts to hold Kotey and Elshiekh responsible for their terrorist crimes , '' he wrote .

The United States said it would not seek the death penalty for two men known as the "ISIS Beatles," while calling for Britain to release evidence related to their case. Pool Photo by Chip Somodevilla/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr said the United States would not seek the death penalty for two Islamic State members if British authorities provide evidence to aid in their prosecution. In a letter to British Home Secretary Priti Patel, Barr gave the British government until Oct. 15 to provide the evidence or El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey, known as the "ISIS Beatles," would be transferred to the Iraqi government for prosecution under its justice system. Advertisement
"Time is of the essence," Barr wrote. "Further delay is no longer possible if Kotey and Elsheikh are to be tried in the United States and further delay is an injustice to the families of the victims."
Elsheikh and Kotey, both born in Britain, were arrested in Syria in October 2019 and transferred to U.S. custody for suspicion of operating a four-man Islamic State cell in Syria that sought to abduct and kill Westerners.
They remain detained by the U.S. military in Iraq, while Elsheik's mother filed a lawsuit to prevent the sharing of evidence including voice analysis linking them to hostages and details about their path to Syria.
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On Wednesday, a representative for the British Home Office said that the nation would not immediately be able to provide the evidence.
"Legal proceedings are ongoing before the Supreme Court and we are prevented by a court order from transferring the evidence to the U.S. at this time," the representative said.
Barr noted that the British Supreme Court has yet to issue a final ruling on releasing the evidence and that additional legislation could ensue once it has, but asserted that the evidence was necessary for the case to continue.
"If a prosecution is to go forward in the United States, our prosecutors should have the important evidence that we have requested from the United Kingdom available to them in their efforts to hold Kotey and Elshiekh responsible for their terrorist crimes," he wrote.


upi--2020-08-20--Minnesota Timberwolves win No. 1 overall pick in 2020 NBA draft lottery

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the top-overall selection in this year 's draft after winning the 2020 NBA draft lottery Thursday night .
The T-Wolves had a 14 % chance to win the No .
1 overall pick and a 40.1 % chance to land inside the top three .
Before this year , the Timberwolves held the top draft choice only once in franchise history .
With that pick , the organization selected former Kentucky big man Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015 draft .
The Golden State Warriors grabbed the No .
2 pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
3 and the Chicago Bulls at No .
4 .
The Cleveland Cavaliers ( fifth ) , Atlanta Hawks ( sixth ) , Detroit Pistons ( seventh ) , New York Knicks ( eighth ) , Washington Wizards ( ninth ) and Phoenix Suns ( 10th ) rounded out the top 10 .
Georgia standout Anthony Edwards , former NBL star LaMelo Ball and Memphis big man James Wiseman are all considered the top candidates to be selected with the first pick .
Below is the full 2020 NBA draft lottery @ @

Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner and COO of the NBA, holds up the card for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2015 NBA draft Lottery on May 19, 2015, at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. Prior to this year, it was the only time the franchise had won the No. 1 pick. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the top-overall selection in this year's draft after winning the 2020 NBA draft lottery Thursday night. The T-Wolves had a 14% chance to win the No. 1 overall pick and a 40.1% chance to land inside the top three. Advertisement
Before this year, the Timberwolves held the top draft choice only once in franchise history. With that pick, the organization selected former Kentucky big man Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015 draft.
The Golden State Warriors grabbed the No. 2 pick, followed by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls at No. 4. The Cleveland Cavaliers (fifth), Atlanta Hawks (sixth), Detroit Pistons (seventh), New York Knicks (eighth), Washington Wizards (ninth) and Phoenix Suns (10th) rounded out the top 10.
Georgia standout Anthony Edwards, former NBL star LaMelo Ball and Memphis big man James Wiseman are all considered the top candidates to be selected with the first pick.
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Below is the full 2020 NBA draft lottery results:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Atlanta Hawks
7. Detroit Pistons
8. New York Knicks
9. Washington Wizards
10. Phoenix Suns
11. San Antonio Spurs
12. Sacramento Kings
13. New Orleans Pelicans
14. Boston Celtics (from Memphis Grizzlies)


upi--2020-08-20--Chiefs ban fans from wearing headdresses, Native American face paint

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- The Kansas City Chiefs are prohibiting fans from wearing headdresses and Native American-themed face paint into Arrowhead Stadium .
The team announced the new stadium policies Thursday , saying the changes were made in an effort to help raise awareness of Native American cultures and minimize cultural appropriation .
The Chiefs also said they would look into making changes to two fan-favorite traditions at their home stadium : the Arrowhead Chop -- similar to the Tomahawk Chop of MLB 's Atlanta Braves -- and the pre-game beating of a drum , often done by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or coach .
`` In 2014 , we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences , '' the Chiefs said in a statement Thursday .
`` As an organization , our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area .
`` We are grateful for the meaningful conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Indian leaders .
It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics , and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future . ''
Earlier this week , the Chiefs said they planned to have fans at their home games to begin the season .
The franchise announced that it will allow 22 % of the capacity of Arrowhead Stadium due to coronavirus-related safety precautions .
The stadium has a capacity of about 73,000 .
That would mean about 16,000 fans could attend the team 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opener between the Chiefs and the Houston Texans on Sept. 10 .

Kansas City Chiefs fans, wearing headdresses and Native American-themed face paint, cheer on the team during a game against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 19, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Fans will be prohibited from entering the stadium with that attire this season. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Chiefs are prohibiting fans from wearing headdresses and Native American-themed face paint into Arrowhead Stadium. The team announced the new stadium policies Thursday, saying the changes were made in an effort to help raise awareness of Native American cultures and minimize cultural appropriation. Advertisement
The Chiefs also said they would look into making changes to two fan-favorite traditions at their home stadium: the Arrowhead Chop -- similar to the Tomahawk Chop of MLB's Atlanta Braves -- and the pre-game beating of a drum, often done by a local celebrity or a former player or coach.
"In 2014, we began a dialogue with a group of local leaders from diverse American Indian backgrounds and experiences," the Chiefs said in a statement Thursday. "As an organization, our goal was to gain a better understanding of the issues facing American Indian communities in our region and explore opportunities to both raise awareness of American Indian cultures and celebrate the rich traditions of tribes with a historic connection to the Kansas City area.
"We are grateful for the meaningful conversations we have had with all of these American Indian leaders. It is important that we continue the dialogue on these significant topics, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future."
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Earlier this week, the Chiefs said they planned to have fans at their home games to begin the season. The franchise announced that it will allow 22% of the capacity of Arrowhead Stadium due to coronavirus-related safety precautions. The stadium has a capacity of about 73,000.
That would mean about 16,000 fans could attend the team's early-season matchups, including the NFL's opener between the Chiefs and the Houston Texans on Sept. 10.


upi--2020-08-20--Relatives of victims face 'Golden State Killer' Joseph DeAngelo in court

Aug. 20 ( UPI ) -- Relatives of the 13 people Joseph DeAngelo pleaded guilty to murdering faced him in a California court Thursday , telling the so-called `` Golden State Killer '' how his crimes affected their lives for decades .
The relatives delivered impact statements during the hearing at the Sacramento County Superior Court .
A judge will hand down DeAngelo 's sentence on Friday .
DeAngelo , 74 , pleaded guilty in June to 13 counts of first-degree murder and more than 25 other counts including kidnapping , weapons and burglary charges in multiple California counties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allowed him to avoid the death penalty if he admitted to other uncharged crimes .
The statute of limitations had expired for dozens of sexual assaults he 's accused of so he could n't be prosecuted for them .
DeAngelo has been linked to at least 45 rapes and hundreds of burglaries over 30 years in Sacramento , the Central Valley and Southern California .
He 's also known as the `` East Area Rapist , '' `` Original Night Stalker , '' `` Visalia Ransacker '' and `` Diamond Knot Killer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor Claude Snelling in front of his daughter Elizabeth Snelling , who spoke in court Thursday , in front of their home in Visalia Calif. , on Sept. 11 , 1975 .
Elizabeth Snelling , who was 16 at the time , said her father twice caught DeAngelo looking into her bedroom window and tried to chase him down but was unable to catch him .
On Sept. 11 , DeAngelo broke into her room wearing a ski mask , pointed a gun at her head and told her `` he was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any noise he would kill me . ''
Her father rushed out of the house to confront DeAngelo , who shot him two times before kicking her in the head and face and running off .
Snelling 's father died from the gunshot injuries at the age of 45 and Snelling said her family stayed in the same house with `` added security '' while she slept in her mother 's room for the next year .
`` Knowing that my dad 's murderer was never caught ... left us all feeling very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since I was the only living witness ... there was a chance he could come after me .
The police gave us extra security adn patrolled our neighborhood ... but I still lived in fear . ''
Jennifer Carole , whose parents , Charlene Smith and Lyman Smith , were killed by DeAngelo in 1980 , said that she was a suspect in the case for two days and `` lived with the shame for decades . ''
`` Joe sitting here with his blank face , to ignore what he 's done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not justice , '' Carole said .
`` Joe spending the rest of his life in prison is not justice ... justice is not possible in this case . ''
Debbi McMullen , whose mother Cheri Domingo and her boyfriend Gregory Sanchez were killed by DeAngelo in 1981 , said she sank into an undiagnosed depression for years after her mother 's death .
`` Mom would have helped , '' she said Thursday .
`` She would have supported me and guided me toward solutions .
She would have prodded me into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Cruz testified that she lost her identity after her sister Janelle Cruz was bound , raped and bludgeoned to death by DeAngelo in 1986 .
Cruz said that she `` cried and cried for hours '' after learning DeAngelo had been arrested .
`` I could stop looking over my shoulder with fears of him sneaking up on me , '' Cruz said .
`` No more thinking he would try and find and kill me , too .
I did not have to stop moving house to house -- all things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DNA evidence collected from genealogy databases uploaded by family members was used to arrest DeAngelo in 2018 .
Prosecutors from six counties consolidated cases with at least 25 counts against him .
Cheryl Temple , Ventura County 's chief assistant district attorney , told the Ventura County Star that the victim statements are `` designed to enlighten all parties and the public to the swath of damage that violent predators leave in their wake . ''
`` They can be cathartic for victims to write and deliver , and they truly shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ societal impact of crime , '' Temple said .
DeAngelo 's rape victims also faced him in court on Tuesday and Wednesday .
Mary Berwert , who was 13 years old when she was raped in her home in 1979 , said DeAngelo ruined her childhood and his prosecution lifted a weight from her shoulders .
`` He stole my innocence , my security , threatened my life , threatened the lives of my family , '' she said .
`` Thirteen-year-old Mary needed justice .
If only back then someone could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day he 'd be caught .
I ca n't help but think what a difference that would 've made for my future . ''
The `` Golden State Killer '' case was the subject of I 'll Be Gone in the Dark , an investigative book written by the late Michelle McNamara and a podcast of the same name featuring interviews with McNamara , her husband Patton Oswalt and others who worked on the book .
Oswalt , an actor and comedian , helped to get McNamara 's book published after her death @ @ @