upi--2020-11-06--CDC: Mask mandates, stay-at-home orders cut COVID-19 cases, deaths in Delaware this spring

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Statewide stay-at-home orders and mask mandates issued by officials in Delaware in the spring reduced COVID-19 cases by 82 % and hospitalizations associated with the disease by 88 % , while dropping deaths from the virus down to zero , according to new data .
The figures , published Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , cover the period from March 11 , when the first case of infection was identified in the state , through the end of June , agency researchers said .
The state implemented stay-at-home orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used in public places statewide after April 28 .
`` Implementation of mitigation measures , including mandated mask use , coupled with public health interventions , was followed by reductions in COVID-19 incidence and associated hospitalizations and mortality , '' the CDC researchers wrote .
New case rates , as well as hospitalizations and deaths linked to COVID-19 , peaked in Delaware in mid-April , according to the CDC .
In addition to the measures intended to contain the spread of the virus , public health officials in Delaware launched a contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to identify close contacts of those infected and encourage them to self-isolate to limit further transmission , the CDC said .
Of the 9,762 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the state as of June 25 , public health officials interviewed two-thirds of the individuals for contract tracing , the data showed .
Among those interviewed , 60 % completed a two-week isolation to avoid contact with others , and a total of 2,834 close contacts were reported .
Of those , 31 % were interviewed and 82 % reported completing quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state-mandated community mitigation efforts and routine public health interventions can reduce the occurrence of new COVID-19 cases , hospitalizations and deaths , '' CDC researchers said .

Mask mandates and stay-at-home orders resulted in significant drops in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Delaware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers said. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Statewide stay-at-home orders and mask mandates issued by officials in Delaware in the spring reduced COVID-19 cases by 82% and hospitalizations associated with the disease by 88%, while dropping deaths from the virus down to zero, according to new data. The figures, published Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cover the period from March 11, when the first case of infection was identified in the state, through the end of June, agency researchers said. Advertisement
The state implemented stay-at-home orders March 24 and required that face coverings be used in public places statewide after April 28.
"Implementation of mitigation measures, including mandated mask use, coupled with public health interventions, was followed by reductions in COVID-19 incidence and associated hospitalizations and mortality," the CDC researchers wrote.
New case rates, as well as hospitalizations and deaths linked to COVID-19, peaked in Delaware in mid-April, according to the CDC.
In addition to the measures intended to contain the spread of the virus, public health officials in Delaware launched a contact tracing program May 12. The program sought to identify close contacts of those infected and encourage them to self-isolate to limit further transmission, the CDC said.
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Of the 9,762 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the state as of June 25, public health officials interviewed two-thirds of the individuals for contract tracing, the data showed.
Among those interviewed, 60% completed a two-week isolation to avoid contact with others, and a total of 2,834 close contacts were reported. Of those, 31% were interviewed and 82% reported completing quarantine.
The findings show that "the combination of state-mandated community mitigation efforts and routine public health interventions can reduce the occurrence of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths," CDC researchers said.


upi--2020-11-06--Scientists demonstrate new kind of superconductivity once thought impossible

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Under certain conditions , electricity can flow through a medium or circuit without any resistance .
The phenomenon is called superconductivity , and it can happen several different ways .
Until now , scientists thought most of these different methods for inciting superconductivity were incompatible , but for the first time , researchers were able to combine two of these strategies .
Scientists described the breakthrough in a new paper published Friday in the journal Science Advances .
The breakthrough involves what scientists call a Bose-Einstein condensate , or BEC , the fifth state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the other end of the thermal spectrum .
`` A BEC is a unique state of matter as it is not made from particles , but rather waves , '' Kozo Okazaki said in a news release .
`` As they cool down to near absolute zero , the atoms of certain materials become smeared out over space .
This smearing increases until the atoms -- now more like waves than particles -- overlap , becoming indistinguishable from one another , '' said Okazaki , an associate professor at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
BECs behave like a uniform material with entirely new properties , like superconductivity .
Previously , BECs were only theoretical , but lab scientists were recently able to produce a superconducting BEC using a novel material derived from iron and selenium .
As mentioned , there are other methods for achieving superconductivity .
When some materials are cooled to absolute zero , what 's called a Bardeen-Cooper-Shrieffer regime , or BCS , is achieved .
The material 's atoms slow down and rigidly align , allowing electrons to pass seamlessly through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regimes involve dramatically slowing a material 's atoms by cooling materials to extremely frigid temperatures , the two regimes are distinct .
Scientists have previously hypothesized that by combining BEC and BCS states , researchers might be able to gain new insights into the phenomena of superconductivity .
`` Demonstrating the superconductivity of BECs was a means to an end -- we were really hoping to explore the overlap between BECs and BCSs , '' said Okazaki .
`` It was extremely challenging but our unique apparatus and method of observation has verified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between these regimes .
And this hints at a more general underlying theory behind superconduction .
It is an exciting time to be working in this field . ''
Using an imaging technique called laser-based photoemission spectroscopy , Okazaki and his research partners were able monitor electron behavior as the novel material transitioned from BCS to BEC .
The experiments confirmed that electrons behaved differently during the two regimes -- differences that could ultimately yield insights into how superconductivity emerges as a material quality .
Superconductivity holds tremendous potential , but for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each new insight into the mechanics of superconductivity , researchers hope to inch closer to the the construction of a superconductor that do n't require extremely cold temperatures .
`` With conclusive evidence of superconducting BECs , I think it will prompt other researchers to explore superconduction at higher and higher temperatures , '' said Okazaki .
`` It may sound like science fiction for now , but if superconduction can occur near room temperature , our ability to produce energy would greatly increase , and our energy needs would decrease .
@

Researchers used polarized light to image electrons as a novel material transitioned between two different superconductive states. Photo by University of Tokyo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Under certain conditions, electricity can flow through a medium or circuit without any resistance. The phenomenon is called superconductivity, and it can happen several different ways. Until now, scientists thought most of these different methods for inciting superconductivity were incompatible, but for the first time, researchers were able to combine two of these strategies. Scientists described the breakthrough in a new paper published Friday in the journal Science Advances. Advertisement
The breakthrough involves what scientists call a Bose-Einstein condensate, or BEC, the fifth state of matter -- like plasma, but at the other end of the thermal spectrum.
"A BEC is a unique state of matter as it is not made from particles, but rather waves," Kozo Okazaki said in a news release.
"As they cool down to near absolute zero, the atoms of certain materials become smeared out over space. This smearing increases until the atoms -- now more like waves than particles -- overlap, becoming indistinguishable from one another," said Okazaki, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo's Institute for Solid State Physics.
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BECs behave like a uniform material with entirely new properties, like superconductivity. Previously, BECs were only theoretical, but lab scientists were recently able to produce a superconducting BEC using a novel material derived from iron and selenium.
As mentioned, there are other methods for achieving superconductivity. When some materials are cooled to absolute zero, what's called a Bardeen-Cooper-Shrieffer regime, or BCS, is achieved. The material's atoms slow down and rigidly align, allowing electrons to pass seamlessly through the material.
Though both BEC and BCS regimes involve dramatically slowing a material's atoms by cooling materials to extremely frigid temperatures, the two regimes are distinct.
Scientists have previously hypothesized that by combining BEC and BCS states, researchers might be able to gain new insights into the phenomena of superconductivity.
"Demonstrating the superconductivity of BECs was a means to an end -- we were really hoping to explore the overlap between BECs and BCSs," said Okazaki. "It was extremely challenging but our unique apparatus and method of observation has verified it -- there is a smooth transition between these regimes. And this hints at a more general underlying theory behind superconduction. It is an exciting time to be working in this field."
Using an imaging technique called laser-based photoemission spectroscopy, Okazaki and his research partners were able monitor electron behavior as the novel material transitioned from BCS to BEC.
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The experiments confirmed that electrons behaved differently during the two regimes -- differences that could ultimately yield insights into how superconductivity emerges as a material quality.
Superconductivity holds tremendous potential, but for now, the technology remains impractical.
But with each new insight into the mechanics of superconductivity, researchers hope to inch closer to the the construction of a superconductor that don't require extremely cold temperatures.
"With conclusive evidence of superconducting BECs, I think it will prompt other researchers to explore superconduction at higher and higher temperatures," said Okazaki. "It may sound like science fiction for now, but if superconduction can occur near room temperature, our ability to produce energy would greatly increase, and our energy needs would decrease."


upi--2020-11-06--Markets mostly flat Friday, finish best week since April

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Stocks were mostly flat at the close of markets Friday but finished up a strong week in reaction to jobs news and the growing likelihood of a presidential win for Joe Biden .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 28,323.40 , a dip of 0.2 % , while the S & P 500 fell 0.03 % and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.1 % .
The major U.S. indexes , though , had their best weeks since April , with the Nasdaq jumping 9 % , the S & P 500 up 7.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC said the S & P 500 posted its biggest election week gain since 1932 .
Friday 's tepid results ended a four-day winning street likely boosted by Biden 's performance at the polls , MarketWatch reported .
He 's within 17 electoral votes of winning the 2020 presidential election against President Donald Trump .
`` At least the market has a narrative : A Democrat president who does n't control the Senate , will be less combative on trade , but will be more limited where fiscal policy is concerned , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Société Générale .

Pedestrians walk by a U.S. flag that hangs outside at the New York Stock Exchange on Election Night on Wall Street in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Stocks were mostly flat at the close of markets Friday but finished up a strong week in reaction to jobs news and the growing likelihood of a presidential win for Joe Biden. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 28,323.40, a dip of 0.2%, while the S&P 500 fell 0.03% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.1%. Advertisement
The major U.S. indexes, though, had their best weeks since April, with the Nasdaq jumping 9%, the S&P 500 up 7.3% and the Dow up 6.9%.
CNBC said the S&P 500 posted its biggest election week gain since 1932.
Friday's tepid results ended a four-day winning street likely boosted by Biden's performance at the polls, MarketWatch reported. He's within 17 electoral votes of winning the 2020 presidential election against President Donald Trump.
"At least the market has a narrative: A Democrat president who doesn't control the Senate, will be less combative on trade, but will be more limited where fiscal policy is concerned," said Kit Juckes, a macro strategist at Société Générale.


upi--2020-11-06--Clerk correctly predicts Michigan man's lottery jackpot

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- A Michigan man who won a lottery prize of $ 5,000 a week for life said his jackpot was correctly predicted by the clumsy clerk who sold him the ticket .
The 42-year-old player Wayne County man told Michigan Lottery officials he bought his Cash For Life scratch-off ticket at the Allways Gas convenience store in Westland .
`` I asked the clerk for a $ 10 Cash For Life ticket and when he pulled it , it fell on the floor , '' the man said .
`` He handed it to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a winner . '
Boy , was he right . ''
The player said he later discovered the clerk 's prediction had been prophetic .
`` I scratched the ticket when I got home and in the third spot , I saw letters .
My jaw hit the floor , and I have n't been able to pick it up since , '' he said .
The ticket won the man a top prize of $ 5,000 a week for life .
He chose the option of a $ 5.5 million lump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling to know I can live comfortably , take care of my kids , and worry a whole lot less , '' he said .

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Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A Michigan man who won a lottery prize of $5,000 a week for life said his jackpot was correctly predicted by the clumsy clerk who sold him the ticket.
The 42-year-old player Wayne County man told Michigan Lottery officials he bought his Cash For Life scratch-off ticket at the Allways Gas convenience store in Westland.
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"I asked the clerk for a $10 Cash For Life ticket and when he pulled it, it fell on the floor," the man said. "He handed it to me and said: 'This is going to be a winner.' Boy, was he right."
The player said he later discovered the clerk's prediction had been prophetic.
"I scratched the ticket when I got home and in the third spot, I saw letters. My jaw hit the floor, and I haven't been able to pick it up since," he said.
The ticket won the man a top prize of $5,000 a week for life. He chose the option of a $5.5 million lump sum.
"It's a great feeling to know I can live comfortably, take care of my kids, and worry a whole lot less," he said.


upi--2020-11-06--Washington state cat hitches 2,500-mile ride to Alaska

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- A Washington state couple 's cat went on an incredible journey when he wandered into a shipping container and ended up at a Home Depot store 2,500 miles away in Alaska .
Christina and Josh Clevenger said their tuxedo cat , Panda , wandered away from their Thurston County home and they spent more than a week searching the neighborhood and posting alerts online in the hopes of finding their wayward pet .
The couple were shocked when a photo posted to a Seattle lost pets group on Facebook revealed Panda had turned up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It turned out Panda had apparently hitched a ride in a mail truck or similar vehicle and ended up at a transit center in Rochester , Wash. , where he wandered into the shipping container bound for the Kenai store .
An employee at the store took Panda to a local veterinarian , where he was given a microchip and received clearance to fly home .
United Angels , a Washington state nonprofit that raises money for pets with medical emergencies , helped coordinate Panda 's flight home , which was provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Panda 's owners said he is settling back in at home and recovering from the approximately 10 days he spent trapped in the shipping container .

Christina and Josh Clevenger of Thurston County, Wash., reunite with their cat, Panda, after the feline wandered into a shipping container and took a 2,500-mile trip to a Home Depot store in Alaska. Photo courtesy of United Angels
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A Washington state couple's cat went on an incredible journey when he wandered into a shipping container and ended up at a Home Depot store 2,500 miles away in Alaska. Christina and Josh Clevenger said their tuxedo cat, Panda, wandered away from their Thurston County home and they spent more than a week searching the neighborhood and posting alerts online in the hopes of finding their wayward pet. Advertisement
The couple were shocked when a photo posted to a Seattle lost pets group on Facebook revealed Panda had turned up at a Home Depot store in Kenai.
It turned out Panda had apparently hitched a ride in a mail truck or similar vehicle and ended up at a transit center in Rochester, Wash., where he wandered into the shipping container bound for the Kenai store.
An employee at the store took Panda to a local veterinarian, where he was given a microchip and received clearance to fly home.
United Angels, a Washington state nonprofit that raises money for pets with medical emergencies, helped coordinate Panda's flight home, which was provided free of charge by Grant Aviation.
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Panda's owners said he is settling back in at home and recovering from the approximately 10 days he spent trapped in the shipping container.


upi--2020-11-06--'Electronic skin' offers cheap, eco-friendly alternative to wearable devices

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Scientists at the University of Colorado , Boulder , have developed a thin and flexible wearable circuit board that could replace wearable devices .
The new e-skin , described Friday in the journal Science Advances , is cheap to produce and fully-recyclable .
Inspired by real skin , the new technology is also self-healing and can perform an array of sensory tasks , from tracking steps to measuring a heartbeat .
Researchers suggest the circuit board 's thinness and flexibility allow it to easily be reshaped to form to variety of places on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear this like a watch , you can put it around your wrist , '' Jianliang Xiao , an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Boulder , said in a news release .
`` If you want to wear this like a necklace , you can put it on your neck . ''
According to Xiao , the new technology 's most important attributes are its recyclability and thinness .
`` Smart watches are functionally nice , but they 're always a big chunk of metal on a band , '' said Wei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boulder .
`` If we want a truly wearable device , ideally it will be a thin film that can comfortably fit onto your body . ''
The new e-skin is the latest iteration of a technology Xiao and Zhang have been working on for several years .
The latest version is more flexible and functional than the wearable circuit they unveiled in 2018 .
Researchers created the new wearable circuit by screen printing a network of liquid metal wires , before sandwiching the tech between two layers of a super flexible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be stretched up to 60 percent without interfering with the circuitry .
`` It 's really stretchy , which enables a lot of possibilities that were n't an option before , '' Xiao said .
If the e-skin rips , wearers only need to pinch together the torn edge for a few seconds , and within 13 minutes , the material 's bonds will reform .
`` Those bonds help to form a network across the cut .
They then begin to grow together , '' Zhang said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're talking about covalent chemical bonds here . ''
The technology 's most important attribute may be its recyclability .
With Earth always facing a plastic pollution crisis , the rise in the production and use of wearable devices threatens to exacerbate the problem of plastic and electronic waste .
When plunged into a a recycling solution , the new e-skin depolymerizes , allowing the electronic wires to sink to the bottom .
The stretchy polyimine layers and metal circuitry can be collected and reused .
The e-skin is n't quite ready for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still requires an external power source , but they hope to soon integrate a self-powering mechanism .

The flexible electronic skin developed by scientists at the University of Colorado can be fitted to a variety of body parts. Photo by Chuanqian Shi
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Scientists at the University of Colorado, Boulder, have developed a thin and flexible wearable circuit board that could replace wearable devices. The new e-skin, described Friday in the journal Science Advances, is cheap to produce and fully-recyclable. Inspired by real skin, the new technology is also self-healing and can perform an array of sensory tasks, from tracking steps to measuring a heartbeat. Advertisement
Researchers suggest the circuit board's thinness and flexibility allow it to easily be reshaped to form to variety of places on the body.
"If you want to wear this like a watch, you can put it around your wrist," Jianliang Xiao, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Boulder, said in a news release. "If you want to wear this like a necklace, you can put it on your neck."
According to Xiao, the new technology's most important attributes are its recyclability and thinness.
"Smart watches are functionally nice, but they're always a big chunk of metal on a band," said Wei Zhang, a professor of chemistry at Boulder. "If we want a truly wearable device, ideally it will be a thin film that can comfortably fit onto your body."
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The new e-skin is the latest iteration of a technology Xiao and Zhang have been working on for several years. The latest version is more flexible and functional than the wearable circuit they unveiled in 2018.
Researchers created the new wearable circuit by screen printing a network of liquid metal wires, before sandwiching the tech between two layers of a super flexible, self-healing material called polyimine.
The e-skin can be stretched up to 60 percent without interfering with the circuitry.
"It's really stretchy, which enables a lot of possibilities that weren't an option before," Xiao said.
If the e-skin rips, wearers only need to pinch together the torn edge for a few seconds, and within 13 minutes, the material's bonds will reform.
"Those bonds help to form a network across the cut. They then begin to grow together," Zhang said. "It's similar to skin healing, but we're talking about covalent chemical bonds here."
The technology's most important attribute may be its recyclability. With Earth always facing a plastic pollution crisis, the rise in the production and use of wearable devices threatens to exacerbate the problem of plastic and electronic waste.
When plunged into a a recycling solution, the new e-skin depolymerizes, allowing the electronic wires to sink to the bottom. The stretchy polyimine layers and metal circuitry can be collected and reused.
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The e-skin isn't quite ready for primetime, though. Researchers say it still requires an external power source, but they hope to soon integrate a self-powering mechanism.


upi--2020-11-06--U.S.-Japan joint exercise, involving 46,000 troops, called a success

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Keen Sword 21 , an 11-day military exercise involving 9,000 U.S. and 37,000 Japan Self-Defense Force personnel , was declared a success at its conclusion .
`` Keen Sword was a tremendous success with respect to operating and integrating with our allies , '' said Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider , commander of U.S .
Forces Japan , in a statement at the conclusion of the exercises on Thursday .
`` By learning from and working alongside each other , not only did we improve our joint and bilateral capabilities , we once again demonstrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has been the foundation of peace , stability , and security in the Indo-Pacific region for the past 60 years , '' Schneider said .
The field training event , in and around Japan , involved U.S. Army , Navy , Air Force and Marine Corps forces and assets , and included maritime operations , amphibious landings , air operations , resupply efforts , integrated air and missile defense exercises , cybersecurity and space operations , and base security events .
A frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy , the HMCS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 5 in the exercise .
Major portions of the exercise focused on integration , demonstrating the inherent flexibility and capability of the U.S .and Japanese militaries , the statement noted .
Personnel of the U.S. Marines joined forces with the Japan Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in troop-landing and territory-defense exercise , a Marine Corps statement noted .
`` Working with the Japanese forces , I could tell they are masters of their trade , '' commented said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader with the1st Battalion , 3rd Marines .
`` Setting up bilateral security upon insertion and relaying information across units came with ease . ''
Elsewhere on the Japanese coast , a complex joint targeting and fire support coordination was conducted by elements of the U.S. Army 's 17th Field Artillery Brigade , 12th Marine Regiment and 3rd Marine Division , enabling the bilateral amphibious force to arrive on land from the sea .
Keen Sword 21 was designed to provide a comprehensive scenario to test critical capabilities needed to support the defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region , the Navy said in a statement prior to the exercise .
`` As we develop new and better ways to operate and integrate , exercises like this clearly demonstrate the growing strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance , '' U.S .
Forces Japan Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider said .

U.S. Marines conduct field maneuvers in Japan during "Keen Sword 21," and 11-day exercise involving 9,000 U.S. troops and 37,00 members of the Japan Self-Defense Force. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marines
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Keen Sword 21, an 11-day military exercise involving 9,000 U.S. and 37,000 Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, was declared a success at its conclusion. "Keen Sword was a tremendous success with respect to operating and integrating with our allies," said Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, in a statement at the conclusion of the exercises on Thursday. Advertisement
"By learning from and working alongside each other, not only did we improve our joint and bilateral capabilities, we once again demonstrated our unwavering resolve to the U.S.-Japan Alliance, which has been the foundation of peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region for the past 60 years," Schneider said.
The field training event, in and around Japan, involved U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps forces and assets, and included maritime operations, amphibious landings, air operations, resupply efforts, integrated air and missile defense exercises, cybersecurity and space operations, and base security events.
A frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy, the HMCS Winnipeg, joined the carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 5 in the exercise.
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Major portions of the exercise focused on integration, demonstrating the inherent flexibility and capability of the U.S .and Japanese militaries, the statement noted.
Personnel of the U.S. Marines joined forces with the Japan Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in troop-landing and territory-defense exercise, a Marine Corps statement noted.
"Working with the Japanese forces, I could tell they are masters of their trade," commented said Cpl. Juan Pena, a team leader with the1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. "Setting up bilateral security upon insertion and relaying information across units came with ease."
Elsewhere on the Japanese coast, a complex joint targeting and fire support coordination was conducted by elements of the U.S. Army's 17th Field Artillery Brigade, 12th Marine Regiment and 3rd Marine Division, enabling the bilateral amphibious force to arrive on land from the sea.
Keen Sword 21 was designed to provide a comprehensive scenario to test critical capabilities needed to support the defense of Japan and response to a crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region, the Navy said in a statement prior to the exercise.
"As we develop new and better ways to operate and integrate, exercises like this clearly demonstrate the growing strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance," U.S. Forces Japan Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider said.


upi--2020-11-06--Your corneas may be safe from COVID-19, study finds

A new study suggests that COVID-19 does n't infect the eye 's cornea .
Although viruses such as herpes simplex can infect the cornea and Zika has been found in corneal tissue and tears , this does not appear to be the case with COVID-19 , according to researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis .
They said the cornea appears to resist infection from the novel coronavirus .
It 's not clear , however , if other tissue in and around the cornea , such as the tear ducts and the conjunctiva ( loose connective tissue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be infected .
`` Our findings do not prove that all corneas are resistant , '' said first author Dr. Jonathan Miner , an assistant professor of medicine .
`` But every donor cornea we tested was resistant to the novel coronavirus .
It 's still possible a subset of people may have corneas that support growth of the virus , but none of the corneas we studied supported growth of [ COVID-19 ] , '' he said in a university news release .
Co-author Dr. Rajendra Apte said some COVID-19 patients get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- but it could be related to secondary inflammation and not caused by the viral infection itself .
`` The cornea and conjunctiva are known to have receptors for the novel coronavirus , but in our studies , we found that the virus did not replicate in the cornea , '' said Apte , a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences .
`` Our data suggest that the novel coronavirus does not seem to be able to penetrate the cornea . ''
But because of unknowns that involve the tear ducts and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss the importance of eye protection , the researchers said .
`` It 's important to respect what this virus is capable of and take appropriate precautions , '' Miner said .
`` We may learn that eye coverings are not necessary to protect against infection in the general community , but our studies really are just the beginning . ''
The findings were published online this week in the journal Cell Reports .
For tips on protecting yourself from coronavirus , visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Some COVID-19 patients get eye symptoms such as pinkeye -- conjunctivitis -- but it could be related to secondary inflammation and not caused by the viral infection itself, researchers say. Photo by Requieri Tozzi from Pixabay
A new study suggests that COVID-19 doesn't infect the eye's cornea. Although viruses such as herpes simplex can infect the cornea and Zika has been found in corneal tissue and tears, this does not appear to be the case with COVID-19, according to researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Advertisement
They said the cornea appears to resist infection from the novel coronavirus.
It's not clear, however, if other tissue in and around the cornea, such as the tear ducts and the conjunctiva (loose connective tissue that covers the eyeball), can be infected.
"Our findings do not prove that all corneas are resistant," said first author Dr. Jonathan Miner, an assistant professor of medicine.
"But every donor cornea we tested was resistant to the novel coronavirus. It's still possible a subset of people may have corneas that support growth of the virus, but none of the corneas we studied supported growth of [COVID-19]," he said in a university news release.
Co-author Dr. Rajendra Apte said some COVID-19 patients get eye symptoms such as pinkeye -- conjunctivitis -- but it could be related to secondary inflammation and not caused by the viral infection itself.
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"The cornea and conjunctiva are known to have receptors for the novel coronavirus, but in our studies, we found that the virus did not replicate in the cornea," said Apte, a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences. "Our data suggest that the novel coronavirus does not seem to be able to penetrate the cornea."
But because of unknowns that involve the tear ducts and the conjunctiva, it's too soon to dismiss the importance of eye protection, the researchers said.
"It's important to respect what this virus is capable of and take appropriate precautions," Miner said. "We may learn that eye coverings are not necessary to protect against infection in the general community, but our studies really are just the beginning."
The findings were published online this week in the journal Cell Reports.
For tips on protecting yourself from coronavirus, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SOURCE: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, news release, Nov. 3, 2020
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-06--Marines' maintenance unit deploys to Okinawa

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Marines at Camp Kinser at Okinawa , Japan , are performing specialized checks of 3rd Maintenance Battalion equipment , a statement on Friday said .
The battalion 's 3rd Marine Logistics Group , an element of the Marine Depot Maintenance Command , left its home base at Logistics Base Albany , Ga. , in October and was deployed to Okinawa to conduct calibration tests in support of the Fleet Marine Force .
It is now the forward-deployed combat unit offering service support for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force , known as III MEF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of responsibility .
`` Marine Fleet calibration facilities do not possess all the required specialized calibration equipment , space or power required to support all general-purpose mechanical test equipment throughout the Marine Corps , so support from MDMC is crucial to helping us accomplish our mission , '' said Gunnery Sergeant Joshua Gibson , calibrations maintenance chief .
While in Okinawa , the unit has helped produce instructional videos for maintenance of equipment , an example of the MDMC 's ability to support the Fleet Marine Force , said Schyler Yacono , MDMC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We maintain a deployable posture here at MDMC so we can respond quickly to the needs of the FMF , '' he said .

The U.S. Marines Depot Maintenance Command’s Calibration Contract Team produces an instructional video at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. Photo by LCpl. Alpha Hernandez/U.S. Marines
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Marines at Camp Kinser at Okinawa, Japan, are performing specialized checks of 3rd Maintenance Battalion equipment, a statement on Friday said. The battalion's 3rd Marine Logistics Group, an element of the Marine Depot Maintenance Command, left its home base at Logistics Base Albany, Ga., in October and was deployed to Okinawa to conduct calibration tests in support of the Fleet Marine Force. Advertisement
It is now the forward-deployed combat unit offering service support for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, known as III MEF, and operating in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.
"Marine Fleet calibration facilities do not possess all the required specialized calibration equipment, space or power required to support all general-purpose mechanical test equipment throughout the Marine Corps, so support from MDMC is crucial to helping us accomplish our mission," said Gunnery Sergeant Joshua Gibson, calibrations maintenance chief.
While in Okinawa, the unit has helped produce instructional videos for maintenance of equipment, an example of the MDMC's ability to support the Fleet Marine Force, said Schyler Yacono, MDMC Test Measure and Diagnostic Equipment division manager.
"We maintain a deployable posture here at MDMC so we can respond quickly to the needs of the FMF," he said.
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upi--2020-11-06--Look: Florida angler breaks record with 18.19-inch lionfish

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- A Florida angler broke a state record when he landed a non-native lionfish measuring @ @ @ @ @ in the Gulf of Mexico .
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Donald @ @ @ @ @ snapper off the coast of Destin when he spotted the big lionfish .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ immediately knew I wanted to measure it , '' Vautrinot said .
`` I got @ @ @ @ @ the Gulf record was around 18 inches but I did n't know exactly and we @ @ @ @ @ signal to check it out there . ''
Bautrinot 's fish measured 18.19 inches long @ @ @ @ @ of Mexico record of 18.07 inches .
Lionfish are considered an invasive species in Florida @ @ @ @ @ for the fish lasts all year long .

Donald Bautrinot (R) shows off the record-breaking lionfish he caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A Florida angler broke a state record when he landed a non-native lionfish measuring a staggering 18.19 inches long in the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Donald Bautrinot was spearfishing for red snapper off the coast of Destin when he spotted the big lionfish. Advertisement
"I saw a monster lionfish and immediately knew I wanted to measure it," Vautrinot said. "I got really excited because I knew the Gulf record was around 18 inches but I didn't know exactly and we didn't have a cell signal to check it out there."
Bautrinot's fish measured 18.19 inches long, beating the previous Gulf of Mexico record of 18.07 inches.
Lionfish are considered an invasive species in Florida and "open season" for the fish lasts all year long.


upi--2020-11-06--Navy, Marines agree to integrated plan for southern commands

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commanders signed a plan codifying areas of responsibility to strengthen partnerships in the U.S. Southern Command .
The Integrated Maritime Campaign Support Plan , a document regularly updated and modified , spells out strategies to better coordinate the 4th Fleet 's Southern Command and Marine Corps Forces South .
Each command focuses on Central and South American waters .
`` We have competitors who seek to replace our influence in the maritime domain with an alternative form of partnership in the USSOUTHCOM AOR [ the Southern Command 's area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jon Wilkins , the Marine Corps ' lead planner .
`` This plan acknowledges the nature of this competition , and seeks to maintain a continuous competitive advantage in the maritime domain by using old tools , common to security cooperation , in new ways , '' Wilkins said .
Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson , commander of U.S .
Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S .
4th Fleet , and Brig .
Gen. Phillip Frietze , commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South , signed the compact on Wednesday in a ceremony aboard the USS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plan acknowledges the requirement to meet the challenges of long-term competition for influence with China and Russia .
It also specifies a continuation of cooperative maritime security operations with partner nations in the Caribbean Sea and in Central and South America .
`` The MCSP provides clear guidance for what we need to do to expand and improve our operational readiness at sea , to further engage with our partners and increase our maritime awareness , '' said Frietze .
`` We look forward to putting this plan into action , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about upcoming opportunities to operate and exercise together . ''

Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson of the U.S. Navy, L, and Brig. Gen. Phillip Frietze, R, sign the Joint Maritime Component Commander Maritime Campaign Support Plan in a ceremony aboard USS Wichita on Nov. 4, 2020. Photo by MCS1 Jacob Sippel/U.S. Navy 4th Fleet
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commanders signed a plan codifying areas of responsibility to strengthen partnerships in the U.S. Southern Command. The Integrated Maritime Campaign Support Plan, a document regularly updated and modified, spells out strategies to better coordinate the 4th Fleet's Southern Command and Marine Corps Forces South. Advertisement
Each command focuses on Central and South American waters.
"We have competitors who seek to replace our influence in the maritime domain with an alternative form of partnership in the USSOUTHCOM AOR [the Southern Command's area of responsibility]," said Maj. Jon Wilkins, the Marine Corps' lead planner.
"This plan acknowledges the nature of this competition, and seeks to maintain a continuous competitive advantage in the maritime domain by using old tools, common to security cooperation, in new ways," Wilkins said.
Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, and Brig. Gen. Phillip Frietze, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South, signed the compact on Wednesday in a ceremony aboard the USS Wichita at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
The plan acknowledges the requirement to meet the challenges of long-term competition for influence with China and Russia.
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It also specifies a continuation of cooperative maritime security operations with partner nations in the Caribbean Sea and in Central and South America.
"The MCSP provides clear guidance for what we need to do to expand and improve our operational readiness at sea, to further engage with our partners and increase our maritime awareness," said Frietze. "We look forward to putting this plan into action, and I know our partners are excited about upcoming opportunities to operate and exercise together."


upi--2020-11-06--Watch: Exotic lizard rescued after three days on power line

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in Pennsylvania said a chameleon was rescued after being stranded on a power line for three days .
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA said personnel responded to a neighborhood in Daly City , where a caller reported an exotic lizard had been clinging to a power line for three days .
The organization said officials spoke with an electrical line worker to develop a plan to rescue the chameleon .
A rescuer ended up using a wooden-handled tool to capture the chameleon in a net .
Officials said the lizard attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was eventually pulled free and brought back to the ground .
The chameleon is now in the care of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA , which said the animal is believed to be an escaped pet or an escapee from a pet store .
`` Since these lizards are native only to Africa , the chameleon is either someone 's exotic pet or an escapee from a pet shop .
To date , we have n't found a lost report that fits this little animal , '' spokeswoman Buffy Martin Tarbox said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find a suitable home should that prove necessary . ''

A chameleon was rescued after being stranded for three days on a power line in Daly City, Pa. Photo courtesy of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Pennsylvania said a chameleon was rescued after being stranded on a power line for three days. The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA said personnel responded to a neighborhood in Daly City, where a caller reported an exotic lizard had been clinging to a power line for three days. Advertisement
The organization said officials spoke with an electrical line worker to develop a plan to rescue the chameleon.
A rescuer ended up using a wooden-handled tool to capture the chameleon in a net. Officials said the lizard attempted to cling to the line, but was eventually pulled free and brought back to the ground.
The chameleon is now in the care of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, which said the animal is believed to be an escaped pet or an escapee from a pet store.
"Since these lizards are native only to Africa, the chameleon is either someone's exotic pet or an escapee from a pet shop. To date, we haven't found a lost report that fits this little animal," spokeswoman Buffy Martin Tarbox said. "But we are well prepared to find a suitable home should that prove necessary."


upi--2020-11-06--Soldier involvement driving development of IVAS headset system

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Army is preparing its augmented reality headset for 2021 rollout with its latest `` soldier touchpoint '' for feedback , the third development milestone , having just been completed .
Soldiers of the U.S. Marines and the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army participated in field tests and demonstrations of the next-generation Integrated Visual Augmentation System in late October at Fort Pickett , Va. , the Army announced on Thursday .
It was the third of four scheduled `` soldier touchpoint '' events in a process of involving Army personnel at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The team employs a Soldier Centered Design methodology that involves Soldiers at every step of the process , from design to development , thereby reducing the traditional 10-year acquisitions timeline to roughly 28 months and eliminating the historical probability of fielding a system Soldiers reject , '' an Army statement explained .
`` Soldier Centered Design means IVAS is designed and built by the Soldiers who give the constructive , candid feedback developers use to turn over new prototypes and upgrade systems constantly , '' officials said .
The headset under development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without taking eyes off the battlefield , thermal and low-light sensors , rapid target acquisition , and upgraded target identification .
It includes a `` fight-rehearse-train '' system using augmented reality , making the system endlessly applicable for training and rehearsing operations .
Events at Fort Pickett included land navigation , live fire , mission planning , rapid target acquisition , trench clearing , and after-action review using augmented reality , the Army said .
The device , in development for two years , is based on the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battlefield and weather conditions .
October 's touchpoint meeting offered a sturdier and more rugged device for test purposes .
By the end of the October event , over 40,000 hours of data and soldier feedback was collected .
`` If we want to develop systems at the speed of relevance , and systems that our Soldier want to use , this is the way we have to do it , '' commented Brig .
Gen. Tony Potts , commander of Program Executive Office Army , the Army 's equipment field testing agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Soldier Centered Design .
Our real desire is to let soldiers design it , and then our engineers build what they design .
It 's about listening to our soldiers , '' Potts said .

U.S. Army soldiers tested the next-generation Integrated Visual Augmentation System at For Pickett, Va., in late October. Pictured, Army Futures Command leadership tests the IVAS system. Photo by Luke Allen/Army Futures Command
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is preparing its augmented reality headset for 2021 rollout with its latest "soldier touchpoint" for feedback, the third development milestone, having just been completed. Soldiers of the U.S. Marines and the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army participated in field tests and demonstrations of the next-generation Integrated Visual Augmentation System in late October at Fort Pickett, Va., the Army announced on Thursday. Advertisement
It was the third of four scheduled "soldier touchpoint" events in a process of involving Army personnel at each stage of development of IVAS.
"The team employs a Soldier Centered Design methodology that involves Soldiers at every step of the process, from design to development, thereby reducing the traditional 10-year acquisitions timeline to roughly 28 months and eliminating the historical probability of fielding a system Soldiers reject," an Army statement explained.
"Soldier Centered Design means IVAS is designed and built by the Soldiers who give the constructive, candid feedback developers use to turn over new prototypes and upgrade systems constantly," officials said.
The headset under development offers a digital display to access information without taking eyes off the battlefield, thermal and low-light sensors, rapid target acquisition, and upgraded target identification.
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It includes a "fight-rehearse-train" system using augmented reality, making the system endlessly applicable for training and rehearsing operations.
Events at Fort Pickett included land navigation, live fire, mission planning, rapid target acquisition, trench clearing, and after-action review using augmented reality, the Army said.
The device, in development for two years, is based on the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality business headset, but with significant enhancements for battlefield and weather conditions. October's touchpoint meeting offered a sturdier and more rugged device for test purposes.
By the end of the October event, over 40,000 hours of data and soldier feedback was collected.
"If we want to develop systems at the speed of relevance, and systems that our Soldier want to use, this is the way we have to do it," commented Brig. Gen. Tony Potts, commander of Program Executive Office Army, the Army's equipment field testing agency.
"We have learned so much through Soldier Centered Design. Our real desire is to let soldiers design it, and then our engineers build what they design. It's about listening to our soldiers," Potts said.


upi--2020-11-06--Rhode Island resort offering experiences in 'hobbit houses'

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- A Rhode Island property is offering Lord of the Rings fans the opportunity to live out their Middle Earth fantasies in rental `` hobbit homes . ''
The Preserve at Boulder Hills Club and Residences , a sports club with luxury residential housing in Richmond , said the hobbit houses have been under construction for 36 months and two of the structures are now complete and ready to be rented for events .
The houses are based on those used by the hobbits in the Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R .
Tolkien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes , '' Paul Mihailides , chairman of The Preserve at Boulder Hills , told WJAR-TV .
`` Three are under construction two are completed .
They are always themed , right now the themed hobbit house is the pumpkin patch which will also be decorated for Thanksgiving and then Christmas and we actually do it in spring too with tulips . ''
Daniel Hostettler , the president of the Ocean House Management Club , which is responsible for resort operations for The Preserve , said the houses can be rented for groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties , dinners and other events .
`` I think with COVID this is going to be a huge hit , absolutely , '' Hostettler said .
`` This is an opportunity to dine with a group of friends , or your family , in a private atmosphere with your own server taking care of you . ''
The rentals start at $ 660 and get more expensive as the number of guests grows .
`` We had our first guests on Halloween and what better place than to celebrate Halloween , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you would remember for a lifetime and that 's what we 're doing here . ''

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Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A Rhode Island property is offering Lord of the Rings fans the opportunity to live out their Middle Earth fantasies in rental "hobbit homes."
The Preserve at Boulder Hills Club and Residences, a sports club with luxury residential housing in Richmond, said the hobbit houses have been under construction for 36 months and two of the structures are now complete and ready to be rented for events.
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The houses are based on those used by the hobbits in the Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien.
"We will have five hobbit homes," Paul Mihailides, chairman of The Preserve at Boulder Hills, told WJAR-TV. "Three are under construction two are completed. They are always themed, right now the themed hobbit house is the pumpkin patch which will also be decorated for Thanksgiving and then Christmas and we actually do it in spring too with tulips."
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Daniel Hostettler, the president of the Ocean House Management Club, which is responsible for resort operations for The Preserve, said the houses can be rented for groups of up to eight people to hold parties, dinners and other events.
"I think with COVID this is going to be a huge hit, absolutely," Hostettler said. "This is an opportunity to dine with a group of friends, or your family, in a private atmosphere with your own server taking care of you."
The rentals start at $660 and get more expensive as the number of guests grows.
"We had our first guests on Halloween and what better place than to celebrate Halloween," Hostettler said. "We wanted something that you would remember for a lifetime and that's what we're doing here."


upi--2020-11-07--U.S. Senate control: 2 races in Georgia head to runoff

Incumbent Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., has been forced into a January 5 runoff against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff. File Photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Both U.S. Senate races in Georgia will head to a runoff after neither Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff were able to meet a 50% threshold to win their election. Perdue's lead shrunk below 50% Friday as absentee ballots counted from suburbs and Democratic-leaning areas favored Ossoff. State law requires candidates to have more than 50% of the vote in statewide contests to avoid a runoff. Advertisement
Control of the chamber hinges on this and Georgia's other Senate race between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock, which will also go to a runoff. Neither candidate secured at least 50% of the vote.
Loeffler was named to the seat of former Sen. Johnny Isakson more than a year ago when he retired for health reasons.
Both races will have a Jan. 5 runoff.
Georgia was the only state with two Senate races this year.
Perdue had a hefty campaign account and unlike Loeffler's race, he didn't have primary challenger.
Ossoff, an investigative journalist, who three years ago narrowly lost a runoff in a U.S. House race, scored an outright win in the Democratic primary.
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Perdue has lambasted Ossoff for business dealings with a Hong Kong-based company with ties to China, which oversaw production of a video for his London-based investigative documentary company.
Former President Barack Obama stumped for both Ossoff and Warnock at a rally in Atlanta the night before the election, accusing Perdue and Loeffler of being "shady" as they were concerned about their stock market portfolios while downplaying the coronavirus pandemic.
Ossoff similarly questioned Perdue's character, saying he has put his loyalty to President Donald Trump over the interest of people in Georgia.
Campaign managers for Perdue and Ossoff expressed confidence they could win in the runoff.
U.S. Election 2020


upi--2020-11-07--Tropical Depression Eta expected to strengthen again into tropical storm

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Depression Eta is likely to strengthen and strike Cuba before it churns toward the Florida Keys and possibly the South Florida mainland over the weekend , forecasters said Saturday .
AccuWeather meteorologists warn that Eta could reach hurricane force before striking the south-central coast of Cuba late Saturday night to Sunday morning with torrential rain , high winds and significant storm surge .
People over central Cuba are being urged to prepare for flooding , mudslides and power outages .
Tropical storm warnings and watches were issued for the Cayman Islands , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cuba .
As of 7 a.m. CST Friday , Eta skirted about 190 west-southwest of Grand Cayman , with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph .
It was moving east-northeastward at 13 mph .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Eta will approach the Cayman Islands later [ Saturday ] , be near central Cuba [ Saturday night ] and Sunday , and near the Florida Keys or South Florida Sunday night and Monday , '' the NHC said..
The amount of rain , wind and storm surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will depend on the strength and forward speed of Eta .
Rainfall averaging 8-12 inches with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 16 inches are forecast with the greatest amounts over the mountains .
Winds of 60-80 mph are forecast over central Cuba with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 100 mph .
A storm surge up to several feet is possible .
The storm may have another opportunity to strengthen once it emerges over the Florida Straits to the north of Cuba during the day Sunday .
Because of the potential for Eta to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torrential rain and the potential for life-threatening flooding , damaging winds and storm surge , forecasters have rated Eta as a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes in Cuba and Florida .
Unlike the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale , which only factors in winds to rate hurricanes , the RealImpact Scale takes a broad range of impacts and economic factors into account .
The system will emerge along the north coast of Cuba , most likely during the midday and afternoon hours on Sunday , and gusty winds are expected to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cuba and Florida .
Overwash and downpours could lead to flooding , including in the city of Havana and perhaps as far away as Nassau in the Bahamas .
Officials have been asking Floridians to take precautions ahead of the storm .
Crews spent Thursday cleaning storm drains in Miami Beach in anticipation of Eta .
Meanwhile , The City of Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , distributed free sandbags to residents on Friday .
One southwest Florida resident told AccuWeather national reporter Emmy Victor that people seem to be more caught up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing for Eta , but long lines were seen at grocery stores as people stocked up on necessities .
`` After crossing Cuba later this weekend , Eta is forecast to make a westward turn , likely somewhere in the Florida Straits between Cuba and the Florida Keys or South Florida , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said .
`` Exactly where and when Eta makes this turn will determine the extent and magnitude of impacts in Florida , although locally damaging winds , heavy rain and some flooding are likely in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keys , '' Pydynowski said .
The strength and track of Eta as it nears Florida may be dependent on how far west versus east the storm travels over Cuba and the amount of wind shear present .
Wind shear is the increase in wind speed with increasing altitude .
When wind shear is strong , it can inhibit tropical development or cause an established tropical system to weaken .
However , in smaller amounts , wind shear can help vent a tropical system and cause it to strengthen .
Winds wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm 's strength .
Interaction with Cuba and hilly terrain will cause Eta to weaken as the storm moves northward over the large island .
But even if wind shear prevents the storm from reaching hurricane force and land interaction greatly weakens the storm , forecasters expect it to be a big rainmaker and pose a number of other threats .
Regardless of the exact strength , enough heavy rain and strong winds are expected to extend outward from the storm 's center to cause problems in South Florida .
People should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy rainfall and storm surge as well as power outages from strong winds , according to forecasters .
At this time , a general 8-12 inches of rain is forecast over the Florida Keys and part of South Florida with locally higher amounts possible .
Wind gusts of 40-60 mph are forecast with an AccuWeather Local StormMax gust of 80 mph .
Rainfall and winds could be greater or lesser in South Florida , depending on Eta 's exact track and strength .
`` Should Eta strengthen beyond a Category 1 hurricane prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than projected , rain and wind could be greater than anticipated , not only in Cuba , but also later in Florida , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mike Doll said .
Most models showing Eta tracking over the Florida Keys , but AccuWeather forecasters say landfall somewhere on the southern part of the Florida Peninsula is not out of the question .
Should Eta track more toward the western part of Cuba , then the southwestern part of the Keys would be more directly affected by the storm 's winds and storm surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst effects .
A track over western Cuba would also give Eta less time to strengthen prior to reaching the Keys .
If Eta tracks farther to the east in Cuba , perhaps over the Gulf of Ana Maria , the storm may have more time to strengthen prior to reaching Cuba and conceivably more time to strengthen as it is projected to track west-northwest in the waters between Cuba , the Bahamas and Florida .
In this scenario , there will be a much greater chance of Miami experiencing strong tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as significant storm surge flooding .
With either scenario or a track in between , interests in the Florida Keys should be prepared for the impacts of a strong tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane from Sunday afternoon to Monday .
The Florida Keys and peninsula have largely dodged impacts amid a record-setting Atlantic hurricane season , which has spawned 28 named systems .
No landfalls have occurred in the state yet this season , but forecasters say the region is not out of the woods yet .
Eta may pose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at the very least , an interruption to daily activities and travel late this weekend and early next week .
The circulation from Eta , even as a tropical storm , is likely to create a storm surge over the Florida Keys .
Storm surge could inundate some roads and escape routes should Eta affect the region as a hurricane .
The exact path that Eta will take through Cuba and around Florida is uncertain , but the possibilities are even less certain for where the storm will head later next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely scenario is for Eta to emerge into the Gulf of Mexico after it impacts Florida .
`` One scenario for later next week is for Eta to be scooped up and pulled northward into the upper Gulf Coast of the U.S. , but its exact track during the middle and latter part of next week is highly uncertain , '' Pydynowski said .
Eta has already made history and matched the strength of the strongest storm of the tumultuous 2020 hurricane season -- Hurricane Laura -- when its winds peaked at 150 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ranks of eight other tropical systems in the Atlantic this season and underwent rapid strengthening , which is defined by a tropical system that experiences an increase its maximum sustained winds by 35 mph within 24 hours .
Its winds increased from 70 mph when it was at tropical-storm force late Sunday evening to 150 mph -- just shy of Category 5 strength -- late Monday evening -- in just 24 hours .

Tropical Storm Eta was expected to remain offshore over the next few days but bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the southeastern coast of the United States. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Nov. 11 (UPI) -- After making its second landfall in Florida overnight, Tropical Storm Eta began moving offshore, where it's expected to skirt along the East Coast before heading out to sea. In its 10 p.m. EST advisory, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was located about 65 miles east-southeast of Charleston, S.C., and was moving northeast at 17 mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 45. Advertisement
Eta is likely to remain a tropical storm over the next few days as it picks up speed, but could intensify into a non-tropical cyclone over the weekend.
"On the forecast track, Eta is expected to accelerate over the western Atlantic and move parallel to, but offshore of the Carolinas tonight and early Friday before heading well east of the Mid-Atlantic coast by late Friday," the NHC said in an earlier update.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in place throughout the region.
Eta was expected to bring an additional 1 inch to 3 inches of rain to the Florida peninsula Thursday, with localized flooding in some areas. The storm was also forecast to bring swells along the southeastern coast, including life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.


upi--2020-11-07--On This Day, Nov. 7: Palmer Raids against communists begin

Nov. 7 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1805 , the Lewis and Clark Expedition sighted the Pacific Ocean for the first time .
They would arrive two weeks later .
In 1874 , the first cartoon depicting the elephant as the symbol of the Republican Party was printed in Harper 's Weekly .
In 1916 , Democratic President Woodrow Wilson was re-elected and Republican Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives .
In 1917 , the Bolshevik revolution began in Russia .
Because it took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known as the October Revolution .
In 1918 , the global influenza epidemic arrives in Western Samoa , killing roughly 20 percent of the population in the final two months of the year .
In 1919 , on the second anniversary of the Russian Revolution , the first Palmer Raid results in the roundup of more than 10,000 suspected communists and anarchists across twenty-three U.S. cities .
In 1929 , New York City 's Museum of Modern Art opens to the public .
In 1940 , only four months after its completion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , the third longest suspension bridge in the world at the time , collapsed .
No one was injured .
In 1944 , U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected to a fourth term during World War II .
Roosevelt , the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms , died the following April and was succeeded by Harry S. Truman .
In 1972 , Republican Richard Nixon was re-elected as president of the United States , defeating Democrat George McGovern .
In 1983 , a bomb exploded in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the Senate chamber .
There were no injuries .
In 1989 , Virginia voters elected Democrat Douglas Wilder to be the first African-American governor in the United States .
The vote was n't finalized until later in the month after Republican Marshall Coleman challenged the election .
In 1989 , `` Night Stalker '' Richard Ramirez , who terrorized Los Angeles , was formally sentenced to die in the gas chamber for 13 killings .
Ramirez died of lymphoma in prison June 7 , 2013 .
In 1989 , New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's first African-American mayor .
He defeated Rudolph Giuliani in his first bid for the office .
In 1991 , basketball star Earvin `` Magic '' Johnson disclosed he was HIV-positive and announced he was retiring from the NBA 's Los Angeles Lakers .
In 2000 , in one of the closest U.S. presidential elections , Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore wound up in almost a dead heat .
Bush was eventually declared the winner following turmoil over Florida results that ultimately involved the U.S. Supreme Court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , mostly students , were killed when a church-run school collapsed on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince in Haiti .
In 2009 , the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Care for American Act -- colloquially known as Obamacare -- on a 220-21 vote .
President Obama would sign it into law five months later .
In 2013 , the U.S.Food and Drug Administration said companies that produce food would be required to gradually phase out trans fats , a major contributor to heart disease .
In 2018 , a Marine Corps veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bar and fatally shot 12 people .
The shooter also killed himself .

1/5
A. Mitchell Palmer, attorney general of the United States, boarding a train on April 10, 1920. He is best known for overseeing the Palmer Raids, the first of which took place November 7, 1919. File Photo by Library of Congress
Nov. 7 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition sighted the Pacific Ocean for the first time. They would arrive two weeks later. Advertisement
In 1874, the first cartoon depicting the elephant as the symbol of the Republican Party was printed in Harper's Weekly.
In 1916, Democratic President Woodrow Wilson was re-elected and Republican Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1917, the Bolshevik revolution began in Russia. Because it took place under the old czarist calendar, it is known as the October Revolution.
In 1918, the global influenza epidemic arrives in Western Samoa, killing roughly 20 percent of the population in the final two months of the year.
In 1919, on the second anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the first Palmer Raid results in the roundup of more than 10,000 suspected communists and anarchists across twenty-three U.S. cities.
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In 1929, New York City's Museum of Modern Art opens to the public.
In 1940, only four months after its completion, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state, the third longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, collapsed. No one was injured.
In 1944, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected to a fourth term during World War II. Roosevelt, the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms, died the following April and was succeeded by Harry S. Truman.
In 1972, Republican Richard Nixon was re-elected as president of the United States, defeating Democrat George McGovern.
In 1983, a bomb exploded in the U.S. Capitol, causing heavy damage just outside the Senate chamber. There were no injuries.
In 1989, Virginia voters elected Democrat Douglas Wilder to be the first African-American governor in the United States. The vote wasn't finalized until later in the month after Republican Marshall Coleman challenged the election.
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In 1989, "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez, who terrorized Los Angeles, was formally sentenced to die in the gas chamber for 13 killings. Ramirez died of lymphoma in prison June 7, 2013.
In 1989, New York City voters elected Democrat David Dinkins to be the city's first African-American mayor. He defeated Rudolph Giuliani in his first bid for the office.
In 1991, basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson disclosed he was HIV-positive and announced he was retiring from the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
In 2000, in one of the closest U.S. presidential elections, Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore wound up in almost a dead heat. Bush was eventually declared the winner following turmoil over Florida results that ultimately involved the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2008, authorities said about 90 people, mostly students, were killed when a church-run school collapsed on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince in Haiti.
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In 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Care for American Act -- colloquially known as Obamacare -- on a 220-21 vote. President Obama would sign it into law five months later.
In 2013, the U.S.Food and Drug Administration said companies that produce food would be required to gradually phase out trans fats, a major contributor to heart disease.
In 2018, a Marine Corps veteran walked into a Thousand Oaks, Calif., bar and fatally shot 12 people. The shooter also killed himself.


upi--2020-11-07--Famous birthdays for Nov. 7: Adam DeVine, Lorde

Nov. 7 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio .

Adam DeVine arrives for the 71st annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles on September 22. The actor turns 36 on November 7. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio. They include: Advertisement
-- British explorer Capt. James Cook in 1728
-- Marie Curie, discoverer of radium, in 1867
-- Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky in 1879
-- Bandleader Phil Spitalny in 1890
-- Writer/film director Herman Mankiewicz in 1897
-- French novelist Albert Camus in 1913
-- Evangelist Billy Graham in 1918
UPI File Photo
-- Jazz trumpeter Al Hirt in 1922
-- Australian opera star Joan Sutherland in 1926
-- Singer Johnny Rivers in 1942 (age 78)
-- Singer Joni Mitchell in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor Christopher Knight in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Adam DeVine in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor Lucas Neff in 1985 (age 35)
-- Rapper Tinie Tempah, born Patrick Okogwu, in 1988 (age 32)
File Photo by Sven Hoogerhuis/UPI
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- Actor Algee Smith in 1994 (age 26)
-- Singer Lorde, born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, in 1996 (age 24)
-- Actor Hannah Zeile in 1997 (age 23)


upi--2020-11-07--COVID-19 could make ringing in the ears worse, study says

Tinnitus , a common hearing problem , may be worsened by COVID-19 or possibly even triggered by the new coronavirus , new research indicates .
Moreover , people with tinnitus are further struggling because of lifestyle changes forced by the pandemic , the study found .
Tinnitus includes the perception of noise , like ringing , in the ears and head .
It 's associated with reduced emotional well-being , depression and anxiety .
`` The findings of this study highlight the complexities associated with experiencing tinnitus and how both internal factors , such as increased anxiety and feelings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as changes to daily routines , can have a significant effect on the condition , '' study author Eldre Beukes said in a news release from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge , England .
Beukes is a research fellow at Anglia Ruskin and Lamar University in Beaumont , Texas .
The researchers studied more than 3,100 people from 48 countries , most from the United States and United Kingdom .
They found that 40 % of those who had COVID-19 symptoms experienced a worsening of their existing tinnitus .
Some participants reported their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
This could mean that tinnitus could be a `` long COVID '' symptom for some , the study said .
Researchers also learned that many respondents believe social distancing measures are worsening their condition .
About 46 % from the United Kingdom and 29 % in North America reported this .
They blamed increased video calls , noisier home environments and greater consumption of coffee and alcohol for their increasing discomfort .
About one-third also cited fear of getting COVID-19 , financial concerns , loneliness and trouble sleeping as contributors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their tinnitus particularly problematic during the pandemic .
The pandemic has also made it more difficult for patients to access health care support for their condition , according to the study .
The findings were published this week in the journal Frontiers in Public Health .
`` Poor treatment of tinnitus in the early stages often leads to much worse cases , and severe tinnitus can have a huge impact on mental health , '' said study co-author David Stockdale , chief executive of the British Tinnitus Association .
`` With this in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes hold , the health care system needs to ensure that anyone who develops tinnitus or experiences a worsening of their condition can access the professional health care support they need as quickly as possible , '' he said in the release .
Learn more about tinnitus from the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders .

Tinnitus, a common hearing problem, may be worsened by COVID-19 or possibly even triggered by the new coronavirus, new research indicates.
Moreover, people with tinnitus are further struggling because of lifestyle changes forced by the pandemic, the study found.
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Tinnitus includes the perception of noise, like ringing, in the ears and head. It's associated with reduced emotional well-being, depression and anxiety.
"The findings of this study highlight the complexities associated with experiencing tinnitus and how both internal factors, such as increased anxiety and feelings of loneliness, and external factors, such as changes to daily routines, can have a significant effect on the condition," study author Eldre Beukes said in a news release from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England.
Beukes is a research fellow at Anglia Ruskin and Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
The researchers studied more than 3,100 people from 48 countries, most from the United States and United Kingdom. They found that 40% of those who had COVID-19 symptoms experienced a worsening of their existing tinnitus.
Some participants reported their tinnitus was initially triggered by developing coronavirus symptoms.
This could mean that tinnitus could be a "long COVID" symptom for some, the study said.
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Researchers also learned that many respondents believe social distancing measures are worsening their condition. About 46% from the United Kingdom and 29% in North America reported this.
They blamed increased video calls, noisier home environments and greater consumption of coffee and alcohol for their increasing discomfort.
About one-third also cited fear of getting COVID-19, financial concerns, loneliness and trouble sleeping as contributors. Women and people under age 50 found their tinnitus particularly problematic during the pandemic.
The pandemic has also made it more difficult for patients to access health care support for their condition, according to the study.
The findings were published this week in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.
"Poor treatment of tinnitus in the early stages often leads to much worse cases, and severe tinnitus can have a huge impact on mental health," said study co-author David Stockdale, chief executive of the British Tinnitus Association.
"With this in mind, as the COVID-19 second wave takes hold, the health care system needs to ensure that anyone who develops tinnitus or experiences a worsening of their condition can access the professional health care support they need as quickly as possible," he said in the release.
Learn more about tinnitus from the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
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Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-07--In photos: U.S. Election 2020

In photos: U.S. Election 2020

President-elect Joe Biden is joined by his wife Dr. Jill Biden after defeating Republican President Donald Trump in the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ , Delaware on Saturday , November 7 , 2020 .
After four additional days of @ @ @ @ @ pulled ahead winning several swing states by a narrow margin .
Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

Trump supporters demonstrate as votes continue to be counted in a few states where the presidential race remained too close to call. Joe Biden had garnered enough Electoral College votes by Saturday to be the projected winner. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-11-07--Joe Biden, Kamala Harris call for unity: It's 'time to heal'

Nov. 7 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden emphasized healing and cooperation -- and the need to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control -- during a Saturday night victory address .
Speaking several hours after he was projected to win the presidency and five days after polls closed , Biden vowed to `` work as hard for those who did n't vote for me as those who did . ''
`` It 's time to put away the harsh rhetoric , lower the temperature , see each other again , listen to each other , '' Biden told an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Del .
`` The Bible tells us to everything there is a season , a time to reap and a time to sow and a time to heal .
This is the time to heal in America . ''
In addition to stressing that he intended to usher in an era of bipartisanship and cooperation , Biden , who frequently criticized President Donald Trump 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic on the campaign trail , said his first priority is to get the virus under control .
`` I will spare no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn around this pandemic , '' he said .
To that end , he told the crowd that on Monday he plans to release the names of a `` team of leading scientists and advisers '' who will serve on his coronavirus task force .
Biden also thanked voters , especially Black voters , for turning out in record numbers this election , and talked about running mate Kamala Harris 's historic rise to the role of vice president-elect .
Harris will be the first woman and the first Black or Asian-American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do n't tell me it 's not possible in the United States , '' Biden said .
`` It 's long overdue . ''
Speaking before Biden , Harris also stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation and thanked the generations of women of all races who fought for the 19th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act , making it possible for her to be elected .
`` I stand on their shoulders , '' said Harris , who entered the stage walking between two screens projecting the words , `` The people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address with a quote from civil rights icon and longtime congressman John Lewis , who died in July .
`` Congressman John Lewis , before his passing , wrote , 'Democracy is not a state .
It is an act . '
And what he meant is that America 's democracy is not guaranteed .
It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it , '' Harris said .
She , too , thanked voters for turning out in record numbers to support Biden .
`` You chose hope and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , truth .
You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America , '' Harris said .

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President-elect Joe Biden (2nd R), his wife, Jill Biden (R), Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (2nd L) and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, appear onstage Saturday night with their families in Delaware. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 7 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden emphasized healing and cooperation -- and the need to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control -- during a Saturday night victory address. Speaking several hours after he was projected to win the presidency and five days after polls closed, Biden vowed to "work as hard for those who didn't vote for me as those who did." Advertisement
"It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other," Biden told an audience outside the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. "The Bible tells us to everything there is a season, a time to reap and a time to sow and a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America."
In addition to stressing that he intended to usher in an era of bipartisanship and cooperation, Biden, who frequently criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic on the campaign trail, said his first priority is to get the virus under control.
"I will spare no effort -- none -- or any commitment to turn around this pandemic," he said.
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To that end, he told the crowd that on Monday he plans to release the names of a "team of leading scientists and advisers" who will serve on his coronavirus task force.
Biden also thanked voters, especially Black voters, for turning out in record numbers this election, and talked about running mate Kamala Harris's historic rise to the role of vice president-elect.
Harris will be the first woman and the first Black or Asian-American person to hold the office.
"Don't tell me it's not possible in the United States," Biden said. "It's long overdue."
Speaking before Biden, Harris also stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation and thanked the generations of women of all races who fought for the 19th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act, making it possible for her to be elected.
"I stand on their shoulders," said Harris, who entered the stage walking between two screens projecting the words, "The people have chosen empathy."
Harris opened her address with a quote from civil rights icon and longtime congressman John Lewis, who died in July.
"Congressman John Lewis, before his passing, wrote, 'Democracy is not a state. It is an act.' And what he meant is that America's democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it," Harris said.
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She, too, thanked voters for turning out in record numbers to support Biden.
"You chose hope and unity, decency, science -- and yes, truth. You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America," Harris said.


upi--2020-11-07--Ivory Coast opposition leader arrested for forming rival government

Nov. 7 ( UPI ) -- Ivory Coast opposition leader and former prime minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan has been arrested for creating a rival government after President Alassane Ouattara 's election victory .
Prosecutors are pursuing terrorism charges against more than a dozen opposition leaders who boycotted the Oct. 31 vote , which resulted in a third term for Ouattara , who won 94 % of the vote .
The opposition leaders also announced they were creating a transitional council , and have said Ouattara is violating the constitution by seeking a third term .
Ouattara has said the approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mandate and allowed him to run again .
N'Guessan served as prime minister from 2000-2003 under President Laurent Gbagbo .
In 2010 Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara , leading to a civil war that killed about 3,000 people .
More than 40 people have died in clashes in the country , which is the world 's leading exporter of cacao , since August .
Ivorian police have not publicly confirmed N'Guessan 's arrest , but both N'Guessan 's wife and a publicist have told reporters he was detained Friday .

Ivory Coast opposition leader and former prime minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan has been arrested on terrorism charges. Photo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Ivory Coast opposition leader and former prime minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan has been arrested for creating a rival government after President Alassane Ouattara's election victory. Prosecutors are pursuing terrorism charges against more than a dozen opposition leaders who boycotted the Oct. 31 vote, which resulted in a third term for Ouattara, who won 94% of the vote. Advertisement
The opposition leaders also announced they were creating a transitional council, and have said Ouattara is violating the constitution by seeking a third term.
Ouattara has said the approval of a new constitution in 2016 restarted his mandate and allowed him to run again.
N'Guessan served as prime minister from 2000-2003 under President Laurent Gbagbo.
In 2010 Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara, leading to a civil war that killed about 3,000 people.
More than 40 people have died in clashes in the country, which is the world's leading exporter of cacao, since August.
Ivorian police have not publicly confirmed N'Guessan's arrest, but both N'Guessan's wife and a publicist have told reporters he was detained Friday.


upi--2020-11-07--Eta restrengthens to tropical storm, aims for Cuba and South Florida

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Eta , now back to tropical storm strength , is spinning over the warm waters of the northwest Caribbean Saturday after leaving behind a trail of catastrophic damage and a rising death toll in Central America .
The reorganizing tropical system is likely to continue strengthening and strike Cuba before it churns toward the Florida Keys and possibly the South Florida mainland as a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes .
In a 4 p.m. EST update Saturday , the National Hurricane Center said Eta was moving away from the Cayman Islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The storm , with 60 mph .
winds was moving northeast at 16 mph .
People in central Cuba are being urged to prepare for flooding , mudslides and power outages .
Tropical storm warnings and watches were issued for areas in South Florida and Cuba .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Eta will be near central Cuba [ Saturday night ] and Sunday , and near the Florida Keys or South Florida Sunday night and Monday , '' the NHC said .
A storm surge watch is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida from Golden Beach to Bonita Beach , including Biscayne Bay , and for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas , including Florida Bay , the NHC said .
The agency also issued a hurricane watch for the same area , meaning hurricane conditions in the area are possible .
The agency issued a tropical storm warning from north of Golden Beach to Jupiter Inlet , Florida , and west of Chokoloskee , Florida to Bonita Beach , including Lake Okeechobee .
`` After crossing Cuba later this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ westward turn , likely somewhere in the Florida Straits between Cuba and the Florida Keys or South Florida , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said .
`` Exactly where and when Eta makes this turn will determine the extent and magnitude of impacts in Florida , although locally damaging winds , heavy rain and some flooding are likely in at least South Florida and the Florida Keys , '' Pydynowski said .
The amount of rain , wind and storm surge in central Cuba from later Saturday to Sunday will depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , weather experts said .
Rainfall averaging 8-12 inches with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 16 inches are forecast with the greatest amounts over the mountains .
Winds of 60-80 mph are forecast over central Cuba with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 100 mph .
A storm surge up to several feet is possible .
Because of the potential for Eta to regain hurricane status and the likelihood of torrential rain and the potential for life-threatening flooding , damaging winds and storm surge , forecasters have rated Eta as a 1 on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Florida .
Unlike the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale , which only factors in winds to rate hurricanes , the RealImpact Scale takes a broad range of impacts and economic factors into account .
The system will emerge along the north coast of Cuba , most likely during the midday and afternoon hours on Sunday , and gusty winds are expected to raise seas in the waters between the Bahamas , Cuba and Florida .
Overwash and downpours could lead to flooding , including in the city of Havana and perhaps as far away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been asking Floridians to take precautions ahead of the storm .
Crews spent Thursday cleaning storm drains in Miami Beach in anticipation of Eta .
Meanwhile , The City of Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , distributed free sandbags to residents on Friday .
One southwest Florida resident told AccuWeather national reporter Emmy Victor that people seem to be more caught up in following election and coronavirus news than preparing for Eta , but long lines were seen at grocery stores as people stocked up on necessities .
The strength and track of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dependent on how far west versus east the storm travels over Cuba and the amount of wind shear present .
Wind shear is the increase in wind speed with increasing altitude .
When wind shear is strong , it can inhibit tropical development or cause an established tropical system to weaken .
However , in smaller amounts , wind shear can help vent a tropical system and cause it to strengthen .
Winds wo n't be the only factor to determine the storm 's strength .
Interaction with Cuba and hilly terrain will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves northward over the large island .
But even if wind shear prevents the storm from reaching hurricane force and land interaction greatly weakens the storm , forecasters expect it to be a big rainmaker and pose a number of other threats .
Regardless of the exact strength , enough heavy rain and strong winds are expected to extend outward from the storm 's center to cause problems in South Florida .
People should be prepared for low-lying area flooding due to heavy rainfall and storm surge as well as power outages from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At this time , a general 8-12 inches of rain is forecast over the Florida Keys and part of South Florida with locally higher amounts possible .
Wind gusts of 40-60 mph are forecast with an AccuWeather Local StormMax gust of 80 mph .
Rainfall and winds could be greater or lesser in South Florida , depending on Eta 's exact track and strength .
`` Should Eta strengthen beyond a Category 1 hurricane prior to reaching Cuba and/or move more slowly than projected , rain and wind could be greater than anticipated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also later in Florida , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mike Doll said .
Most models showing Eta tracking over the Florida Keys , but AccuWeather forecasters say landfall somewhere on the southern part of the Florida Peninsula is not out of the question .
Should Eta track more toward the western part of Cuba , then the southwestern part of the Keys would be more directly affected by the storm 's winds and storm surge , and South Florida might be spared the worst effects .
A track over western Cuba would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reaching the Keys .
If Eta tracks farther to the east in Cuba , perhaps over the Gulf of Ana Maria , the storm may have more time to strengthen prior to reaching Cuba and conceivably more time to strengthen as it is projected to track west-northwest in the waters between Cuba , the Bahamas and Florida .
In this scenario , there will be a much greater chance of Miami experiencing strong tropical storm or perhaps hurricane conditions as well as significant storm surge flooding .
With either scenario or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida Keys should be prepared for the impacts of a strong tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane from Sunday afternoon to Monday .
The Florida Keys and peninsula have largely dodged impacts amid a record-setting Atlantic hurricane season , which has spawned 28 named systems .
No landfalls have occurred in the state yet this season , but forecasters say the region is not out of the woods yet .
Eta may pose a significant threat to lives and property and , at the very least , an interruption to daily activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week .
The circulation from Eta , even as a tropical storm , is likely to create a storm surge over the Florida Keys .
Storm surge could inundate some roads and escape routes should Eta affect the region as a hurricane .
The exact path that Eta will take through Cuba and around Florida is uncertain , but the possibilities are even less certain for where the storm will head later next week and beyond .
Forecasters say the most likely scenario is for Eta to emerge into the Gulf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One scenario for later next week is for Eta to be scooped up and pulled northward into the upper Gulf Coast of the U.S. , but its exact track during the middle and latter part of next week is highly uncertain , '' Pydynowski said .
Eta has already made history and matched the strength of the strongest storm of the tumultuous 2020 hurricane season -- Hurricane Laura -- when its winds peaked at 150 mph earlier this week .
Eta joined the ranks of eight other tropical systems in the Atlantic this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is defined by a tropical system that experiences an increase its maximum sustained winds by 35 mph within 24 hours .
Its winds increased from 70 mph when it was at tropical-storm force late Sunday evening to 150 mph -- just shy of Category 5 strength -- late Monday evening -- in just 24 hours .