upi--2020-10-13--Watch live: Senators question Amy Coney Barrett on Day 2 of confirmation hearings

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will answer questions from lawmakers Tuesday on the second day of her confirmation hearings before the Senate judiciary committee .
Barrett will likely field questions on abortion , the Affordable Care Act and her qualifications to sit on the nation 's high court following an opening day that illuminated deep partisan divides between her Republican supporters and Democratic opponents on the committee .
Each of the 22 committee members will get 30 minutes to question Barrett on Day 2 of the hearings , set to begin at 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning will be held Wednesday , followed by a committee vote on Thursday , when Barrett is expected to be confirmed along party lines .
If approved , her nomination would move to the full Senate for a final vote , where she needs only a simple majority to be confirmed .
Barrett , 48 , vowed in her opening statement on Monday that she would be fair and impartial on the Supreme Court .
Barrett , who has served for three years on U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals , praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she clerked after graduating from law school , and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg , who died last month and whom she would replace on the high court .
During her testimony , Barrett sought to allay Democratic concerns that she would be a conservative activist on the high court by saying that she has tried in the 7th Circuit `` to reach the result required by the law , whatever my own preferences might be . ''
Skepticism was evident among the opening statements from Democratic senators Monday , many of whom focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act .
They voiced fears that Barrett could be the pivotal vote in a case brought by Republican state officials seeking to dismantle the ACA , which Democrats say could strip insurance coverage for 20 million Americans during a pandemic .
Republicans have defended their decision to go ahead with Barrett 's nomination , despite several GOP members being ill with COVID-19 and the close proximity to the Nov. 3 election .
They praised Barrett as well-qualified and warned against applying a `` religious test '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her devout Catholic faith , which opponents say could lead to bias in consideration of cases challenging the landmark Roe vs. Wade case , which legalized abortion in 1973 .

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Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett answers questions Tuesday on the second day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Pool Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett refused to share her views on the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion in the United States during her high court confirmation hearing Tuesday. Asked by Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., if she agreed with the view of her late mentor, Justice Antonin Scalia, that Roe vs. Wade was "wrongly decided," Barrett demurred, saying it would be inappropriate to comment on controversial issues such as abortion. Advertisement
"It would be wrong for me to do that as a sitting judge," she said, adding she would not "grade" decisions made by Scalia or other justices.
Feinstein pressed further, saying Barrett's views on Roe vs. Wade could affect "millions of women. You could be a very important vote."
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But Barrett again would not answer, saying, "Senator, I completely understand why you are asking the question, but again, I can't pre-commit or say 'yes, I'm going in with some agenda.'"
She referenced the so-called Ginsburg rule -- "no hints, no forecasts, no previews" -- a quote by then-nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg who similarly refused to share her personal opinion on issues during her confirmation.
"That had been the practice of nominees before her, but everybody calls it the Ginsburg rule because she stated it so concisely and it has been the practice of every nominee since," Barrett said.
Barrett faced questioning Tuesday from lawmakers on the second day of her confirmation hearings. On Monday, she and members of the Senate judiciary committee read opening statements and settled procedural matters.
Each of the 22 committee members were given 30 minutes to question Barrett.
A second day of questioning will be held Wednesday, followed by a scheduled committee vote on Thursday. Barrett is expected to be confirmed along party lines. If approved, her nomination would move to the full Senate for a final vote, where she needs a simple majority to become a Supreme Court justice.
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Earlier Tuesday, President Donald Trump's third high court nominee told committee members she will be able to set aside her own strong religious beliefs and rule with impartiality on all legal matters presented to the high court.
Asked by committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., if she can put aside her Catholic beliefs as a Supreme Court justice, Barrett was insistent.
"I can. I have done that in my time on the 7th Circuit," she answered. "If I stay on the 7th Circuit, I'll continue to do that. If I'm confirmed to the Supreme Court, I will do that."
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., declined to ask Barrett any questions Tuesday and instead used his time to present his thoughts on the Federalist Society, a conservative group with which Barrett has been involved. He accused the group of being involved in a coordinated effort to stack the federal courts.
"It's one scheme, with the same funders selecting judges, funding campaigns for the judges and then showing up in courts in these orchestrated amicus flotillas and telling judges what to do," he said.
Barrett was a member of the group in 2005-06 and again in 2014-17.
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Barrett vowed in her opening statement on Monday that she would be fair and impartial on the Supreme Court.
Barrett, 48, praised the conservative Scalia, who died four years ago, as well as the liberal Ginsberg, whose death last month created the new vacancy on the high court bench.
During her testimony, Barrett sought to allay Democratic concerns that she would be a conservative activist by saying she has tried in the 7th Circuit "to reach the result required by the law, whatever my own preferences might be."
Skepticism was evident among the opening statements from Democratic senators Monday, many of whom focused on how Barrett might rule in an upcoming legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act.
They voiced fears that Barrett could be the pivotal vote in a case brought by Republican state officials seeking to dismantle the ACA, which Democrats say could strip insurance coverage for 20 million Americans during a pandemic.
Barrett testified Tuesday that she has never discussed the ACA with Trump or anyone else, saying under questioning that she has never been pressured to strike it down.
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Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., used her time to frame Barrett's nomination as part of the Republicans' push to scrap ACA, stating the confirmation hearing is not in line with what Americans need from the government amid the pandemic.
She said, via teleconference from her office, that Republicans over the last nine years have tried 70 times to repeal or roll back the ACA in Congress and that they were now "scrambling to confirm this nominee as fast as possible because they need one more Trump judge on the bench before Nov. 10 to win and strike down the entire Affordable Care Act."
"This is not hyperbole," she said. "This is not a hypothetical. This is happening."
Harris, the last Democrat of the day to question Barrett, grilled the nominee over her previous criticisms on the ACA and asked if she had been aware of Trump's comments on seeking to nominate a justice who would strike down the ACA.
"I don't recall hearing about or seeing such statements," she said.
Harris later asked her as a sitting judge if she considers the impacts of her rulings on people's lives as the repeal of the ACA will impact millions.
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"Every case has consequences on people's lives, so of course I do on every case that's part of the judicial process," Barrett responded.
Democrats also voiced demands that Barrett recuse herself from any case pertaining to the Nov. 3 election after Trump linked her confirmation with the need for nine justices to decide cases arising from a contested presidential race.
Barrett's participation in any case involving Trump's election "would immediately do explosive enduring harm to the court's legitimacy and to your own credibility," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in his opening statement Monday. "You must recuse yourself."
Judge Amy Coney Barrett sworn in to U.S. Supreme Court


upi--2020-10-13--Apple expected to unveil 5G-capable iPhone 12 at event Tuesday

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Apple is expected to announce its first 5G-compatible iPhone during a highly anticipated digital event on Tuesday .
The company has teased the event with the tagline `` Hi , Speed '' ahead of the event , scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT .
The announcement is expected to come in a pre-recorded video from Apple Park featuring CEO Tim Cook and other executives providing a look at the company 's latest smartphone lineup .
The new device , which would be the iPhone 12 , is expected to come in four different models with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.7 inches .
The retail cost is rumored to begin at $ 700 and rise to $ 1,100 for the top-end model .
Apple is also rumored to be developing two new wireless chargers that could release alongside the new phones , after the company canceled its AirPower charger last year .
The release of a 5G iPhone comes at a time when just 13 % of smartphones sold in the first half of 2020 were capable of using the next-generation broadband cellular network , Canalys analyst Ben Stanton told CNN .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as smartphones with 5G have not yet seen mass adoption , '' he said .
`` Part of the reason is that the Killer use-case for 5G on mobile has not yet emerged . ''
Other rumored announcements expected at Tuesday 's event include an update to the Apple TV hardware and a device designed to compete with Amazon 's line of Echo smart speakers .
During an event last month , Apple introduced new versions of its Watch and iPad devices , in addition to a new fitness service and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Click below to watch Apple 's announcement live stream when it begins at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday .

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The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini will come in a blue aluminum finish along with four other colors. Photo courtesy of Apple
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Apple on Tuesday unveiled its first 5G-comptable iPhones, including a new Mini smartphone and an update of its Pro device. The new smartphones will be available as a standard iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max -- all with 5G capability. Advertisement
"Every decade there's a new generation of technology that provides a step change in what we can do with our iPhones," CEO Tim Cook said in the virtual announcement. "This is a huge moment for all of us."
Though 5G capability promises a faster experience for iPhone 12 users, not all cities and carriers offer the technology. The iPhone 12 lineup of phones is the first by Apple to offer 5G.
Prior to the Apple release, 13% of smartphones sold in the first half of 2020 were capable of using the next-generation broadband cellular network, Canalys analyst Ben Stanton told CNN.
"Apple is not too late to 5G, as smartphones with 5G have not yet seen mass adoption," he said. "Part of the reason is that the killer use case for 5G on mobile has not yet emerged."
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In addition to 5G, all four new phones will be charged using a wireless MagSafe charger -- no phones will be shipped with plug-in power adapters or EarPods to cut down on waste.
The Pro models will feature an A14 Bionic dual-camera system that includes ultra wide lens, 27% more light for low-light photos and additional photo editing options.
The phones will come in a variety of sizes and colors.
The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 Mini and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will come in blue, green, black, white and red aluminum finishes; and the 6.06-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.68-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max will come in graphite, silver, gold and pacific blue stainless steel finishes.
With the older generation iPhone SE, iPhone X and iPhone 11 still in production, costs for Apple's smartphones will range from $399 to $1,099.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro can be preordered starting Friday and will be in stores Oct. 23; Mini and Pro Max preorders start Nov. 6, with store availability Nov. 13.
Other rumored announcements expected at Tuesday's event include an update to the Apple TV hardware and a device designed to compete with Amazon's line of Echo smart speakers.
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During an event last month, Apple introduced new versions of its Watch and iPad devices, in addition to a new fitness service and a bundle of its various subscription offerings.
Click below to watch Apple's announcement live stream when it begins at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday.


upi--2020-10-13--South Korea introduces mask mandate in COVID-19 fight

SEOUL , Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- South Korean health authorities issued a new order that makes wearing face masks mandatory in high-risk areas , including public transportation , hospitals , long-term care facilities and mass rallies , the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Tuesday .
Individual violators of the rule will face fines of up to $ 87 , while operators of facilities and organizers of rallies who fail to enforce the mandate can be hit with fines of $ 2,600 and could face closure .
The new regulations went into effect on Tuesday , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in effect before the fines are implemented , the KDCA said .
The announcement comes a day after South Korea eased its social distancing guidelines from Level 2 to Level 1 on its three-tier scale as the country has managed to drive down infections from a widespread outbreak that began in August .
High-risk venues that had been shut down , such as nightclubs , karaoke rooms , gyms , buffet restaurants and cram schools were allowed to reopen on Monday , although they are still required to follow distancing guidelines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul area , which had been a major source of the August outbreak , were also allowed to resume in-person services with a 30 % capacity limit .
Professional sports leagues , including baseball and soccer , are allowed to reintroduce fans at 30 % of seating capacity , while limits on gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors were lifted .
South Korea , like many other Asian countries , has seen widespread face mask usage since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Health officials have consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protective measure against the spread of the virus .
Kwon Jun-wook , deputy director of the KDCA , on Tuesday praised the sense of responsibility among the South Korean public in fighting the pandemic .
`` Many countries in Europe and in North America are going back to severe lockdowns and also intensifying their penalties , '' he said at a press briefing .
`` In South Korea , we are based on solidarity , credibility and trust in officials and each other and we have been able to contain the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea did see a rise in new cases on Tuesday , reaching triple digits for the first time in six days with 102 new infections reported , including 33 coming from overseas arrivals .
The country experienced an outbreak in mid-August tied to a conservative Christian church in northern Seoul and a large anti-government rally .
New daily cases reached a peak of 441 in late August and stayed in the triple digits until Sept. 20 .
The total caseload in South Korea rose to 24,805 on Tuesday , the KDCA announced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 434 .

South Korea implemented a mask mandate on Tuesday, requiring face coverings on public transport and in high-risk locations such as hospitals and long-term care facilities in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- South Korean health authorities issued a new order that makes wearing face masks mandatory in high-risk areas, including public transportation, hospitals, long-term care facilities and mass rallies, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Tuesday. Individual violators of the rule will face fines of up to $87, while operators of facilities and organizers of rallies who fail to enforce the mandate can be hit with fines of $2,600 and could face closure. Advertisement
The new regulations went into effect on Tuesday, but a grace period of one month will be in effect before the fines are implemented, the KDCA said.
The announcement comes a day after South Korea eased its social distancing guidelines from Level 2 to Level 1 on its three-tier scale as the country has managed to drive down infections from a widespread outbreak that began in August.
High-risk venues that had been shut down, such as nightclubs, karaoke rooms, gyms, buffet restaurants and cram schools were allowed to reopen on Monday, although they are still required to follow distancing guidelines and keep entry logs.
Churches in the Seoul area, which had been a major source of the August outbreak, were also allowed to resume in-person services with a 30% capacity limit.
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Professional sports leagues, including baseball and soccer, are allowed to reintroduce fans at 30% of seating capacity, while limits on gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors were lifted.
South Korea, like many other Asian countries, has seen widespread face mask usage since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials have consistently stressed the use of face coverings as a protective measure against the spread of the virus.
Kwon Jun-wook, deputy director of the KDCA, on Tuesday praised the sense of responsibility among the South Korean public in fighting the pandemic.
"Many countries in Europe and in North America are going back to severe lockdowns and also intensifying their penalties," he said at a press briefing. "In South Korea, we are based on solidarity, credibility and trust in officials and each other and we have been able to contain the virus to a large extent."
South Korea did see a rise in new cases on Tuesday, reaching triple digits for the first time in six days with 102 new infections reported, including 33 coming from overseas arrivals.
The country experienced an outbreak in mid-August tied to a conservative Christian church in northern Seoul and a large anti-government rally. New daily cases reached a peak of 441 in late August and stayed in the triple digits until Sept. 20.
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The total caseload in South Korea rose to 24,805 on Tuesday, the KDCA announced, while total deaths increased by one to 434.


upi--2020-10-13--EU agrees to sanction Lukashenko

EU agrees to sanction Lukashenko

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The foreign ministers of the European Union have agreed to impose sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and other high-ranking officials as the country 's security forces have been permitted to use lethal force against protesters .
The EU adopted a resolution Monday stating it `` stands ready '' to target the president after declaring his August election to a sixth term as `` neither free nor fair '' and condemning his government 's repressive response to protests .
The governmental body had already made the proclamation against the Aug. 9 election in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have imposed travel bans and asset freezes against 40 people it sees responsible for the election but said Monday in the resolution that it will add Lukashenko and other entities and high-ranking officials to the list of those subject to `` restrictive measures . ''
`` Today , ministers reconfirmed that Mr. Lukashenko lacks any democratic legitimacy and gave their political green light to start preparing the next sanctions package , which will include Lukashenko himself , '' EU High Representative Josep Borrell said during a press conference on Monday .
The foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Belarusian central-level authorities , increase support to the Belarusian people and civil society and recalculate bilateral financial assistance to the country , among other moves .
`` The EU stands with the Belarusian people and has immediately made available additional financial resources for victims of violence , civil society organizations and independent media , '' it said .
The EU is calling on the Lukashenko regime to participate in negotiations on a democratic transition of power following the recent election that has been widely discredited and the subsequent protests that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the streets in the capital Minsk every weekend since the election and the government has been accused of confronting it with a violent crackdown .
On Sunday , protester rallies were confronted with stun grenades , water cannons and police batons .
Gennady Kazakevich , first deputy of the interior ministry , said in a video statement Monday that the protesters `` had become organized and extremely radical '' and that security forces have been permitted to use lethal force against them .
`` We 're confronted not just by aggression , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anarchists and football hooligans , '' he said .
`` On behalf of the interior ministry , I say that we will not leave the streets and guarantee the law in the country .
Law enforcement personnel and interior troops will use special equipment and lethal weapons if need be . ''

The European Union has ruled the recent re-election of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenko was "neither free or fair." Photo by Amanda Voisard/United Nations
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The foreign ministers of the European Union have agreed to impose sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and other high-ranking officials as the country's security forces have been permitted to use lethal force against protesters. The EU adopted a resolution Monday stating it "stands ready" to target the president after declaring his August election to a sixth term as "neither free nor fair" and condemning his government's repressive response to protests. Advertisement
The governmental body had already made the proclamation against the Aug. 9 election in the days after the results were announced and have imposed travel bans and asset freezes against 40 people it sees responsible for the election but said Monday in the resolution that it will add Lukashenko and other entities and high-ranking officials to the list of those subject to "restrictive measures."
"Today, ministers reconfirmed that Mr. Lukashenko lacks any democratic legitimacy and gave their political green light to start preparing the next sanctions package, which will include Lukashenko himself," EU High Representative Josep Borrell said during a press conference on Monday.
The foreign ministers also agreed to scale down cooperation with Belarusian central-level authorities, increase support to the Belarusian people and civil society and recalculate bilateral financial assistance to the country, among other moves.
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"The EU stands with the Belarusian people and has immediately made available additional financial resources for victims of violence, civil society organizations and independent media," it said.
The EU is calling on the Lukashenko regime to participate in negotiations on a democratic transition of power following the recent election that has been widely discredited and the subsequent protests that have been met with force.
Protesters have taken to the streets in the capital Minsk every weekend since the election and the government has been accused of confronting it with a violent crackdown.
On Sunday, protester rallies were confronted with stun grenades, water cannons and police batons.
Gennady Kazakevich, first deputy of the interior ministry, said in a video statement Monday that the protesters "had become organized and extremely radical" and that security forces have been permitted to use lethal force against them.
"We're confronted not just by aggression, but by groups of militants, radicals, anarchists and football hooligans," he said. "On behalf of the interior ministry, I say that we will not leave the streets and guarantee the law in the country. Law enforcement personnel and interior troops will use special equipment and lethal weapons if need be."


upi--2020-10-13--Trump touts health at Florida rally after consecutive negative COVID-19 tests

Oct. 12 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said he felt `` powerful '' during a rally in Florida on Monday , hours after his doctor said he tested negative for COVID-19 `` on consecutive days '' after testing positive for the virus 10 days ago .
The president in his first public appearance outside the White House since testing positive for the virus touted his health and repeated claims during a rally in Sanford , Fla. , -- north of Orlando -- that he is `` immune '' to the virus , which has sickened 7.8 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 215,000 .
`` They say I 'm immune .
I feel so powerful , '' Trump told the crowd Monday evening .
`` I 'll walk into that audience .
I 'll walk in there , I 'll kiss everyone in that audience .
I 'll kiss the guys and the beautiful women ... everybody .
I 'll just give you a big fat kiss . ''
The rally came hours after White House physician Dr. Sean Conley announced Trump had tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days in a memo on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly declined to say whether Trump had tested negative .
Conley , however , did not state which days the negative tests were produced .
Conley 's memo also noted that laboratory data showed the virus is no longer active in Trump 's body , after previously clearing Trump for an `` active schedule '' and stating he was `` no longer considered a transmission risk to others . ''
Trump 's repeated claims that he is immune , despite no such notes from his doctors , came just a day after Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he claimed immunity .
Monday 's rally came just a week after Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where he received three days of treatment for the virus .
Addressing the crowd , Trump fired back at Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , who in a rally in Ohio on Monday evening said Trump `` does n't know what he 's doing '' in terms of virus response .
He alleged Biden would seek to implement `` a draconian , unscientific lockdown '' while also claiming he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm the economy of Florida and other states .
`` When you 're the president you ca n't lock yourself in a basement and say I 'm not going to bother with the world , '' Trump said of his decision to return to the campaign trail .
`` And it 's risky but you 've got to get out . ''
Bill Stepien , Trump 's campaign manager , said he believes the president 's return to the campaign trail will be a `` big shot in the arm for the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stamina to hold rallies at the same pace he has in the past .
`` I 've spoken with the President every single day since he entered Walter Reed .
He is strong , he is energetic , he is raring to go , '' Stepien said .
`` I think his campaign calendar reflects his health and well-being and enthusiasm to get back on the trail . ''
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said Monday that the large in-person rallies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We know that is asking for trouble when you do that , '' Fauci said when asked by CNN 's Jake Tapper about the health consequences of the rallies .
`` We 've seen that when you have situations of congregate settings where there are a lot of people without masks , the data speak for themselves . ''

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President Donald Trump touted his health in his first in-person rally outside of the White House since testing positive for COVID-19 in Florida on Monday, saying he felt "powerful." Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 12 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said he felt "powerful" during a rally in Florida on Monday, hours after his doctor said he tested negative for COVID-19 "on consecutive days" after testing positive for the virus 10 days ago. The president in his first public appearance outside the White House since testing positive for the virus touted his health and repeated claims during a rally in Sanford, Fla., -- north of Orlando -- that he is "immune" to the virus, which has sickened 7.8 million people in the United States and killed more than 215,000. Advertisement
"They say I'm immune. I feel so powerful," Trump told the crowd Monday evening. "I'll walk into that audience. I'll walk in there, I'll kiss everyone in that audience. I'll kiss the guys and the beautiful women ... everybody. I'll just give you a big fat kiss."
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The rally came hours after White House physician Dr. Sean Conley announced Trump had tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days in a memo on Monday evening after the White House had repeatedly declined to say whether Trump had tested negative. Conley, however, did not state which days the negative tests were produced.
Conley's memo also noted that laboratory data showed the virus is no longer active in Trump's body, after previously clearing Trump for an "active schedule" and stating he was "no longer considered a transmission risk to others."
Trump's repeated claims that he is immune, despite no such notes from his doctors, came just a day after Twitter on Sunday flagged a tweet in which he claimed immunity.
Monday's rally came just a week after Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he received three days of treatment for the virus.
Addressing the crowd, Trump fired back at Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who in a rally in Ohio on Monday evening said Trump "doesn't know what he's doing" in terms of virus response.
He alleged Biden would seek to implement "a draconian, unscientific lockdown" while also claiming he would delay the production of a vaccine and harm the economy of Florida and other states.
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"When you're the president you can't lock yourself in a basement and say I'm not going to bother with the world," Trump said of his decision to return to the campaign trail. "And it's risky but you've got to get out."
Bill Stepien, Trump's campaign manager, said he believes the president's return to the campaign trail will be a "big shot in the arm for the campaign" when asked whether he still has the stamina to hold rallies at the same pace he has in the past.
"I've spoken with the President every single day since he entered Walter Reed. He is strong, he is energetic, he is raring to go," Stepien said. "I think his campaign calendar reflects his health and well-being and enthusiasm to get back on the trail."
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Monday that the large in-person rallies are ill-advised amid rising cases in the country.
"We know that is asking for trouble when you do that," Fauci said when asked by CNN's Jake Tapper about the health consequences of the rallies. "We've seen that when you have situations of congregate settings where there are a lot of people without masks, the data speak for themselves."


upi--2020-10-13--Alaska Supreme Court upholds axing absentee ballot witness requirement

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The Alaska Supreme Court has upheld a lower court 's ruling to eliminate the state 's requirement for absentee ballots to be signed by a witness .
The court issued its ruling Monday in favor of the Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law who filed the lawsuit in early September against the state , accusing its law of requiring voters who wish to cast absentee ballots by mail have their ballot envelopes signed by a notary , official or someone over the age of 18 to be unconstitutional amid the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , said following the decision that they are happy the court ruled in their favor as `` Alaska 's election officials failed to take common-sense steps to protect the fundamental right to vote . ''
`` No Alaska voter will have to sacrifice their health and well-being to cast their vote this November , '' Chaudhuri said in a statement .
`` Today 's ruling is another victory in the fight against voter suppression efforts . ''
The Alaska Supreme Court said in its ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The court 's decision follows Anchorage Superior Court Judge Dani Crosby ruling on Oct. 5 that the witness requirement for absentee ballots was unconstitutional as it `` impermissibly burdens the right to vote '' during the pandemic .
The Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , which filed the lawsuit with the Native American Rights Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska , had argued the requirement would force those who live alone , are immunocompromised or have been self-isolating since the beginning of the pandemic to risk their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep fighting coast to coast to protect voters from being disenfranchised amid the pandemic , '' Kristen Clarke , president and executive director of Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Right Under Law , said following the announcement of the decision on Twitter .

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of a lower court's injunction against the state requiring absentee ballots to be signed by a witness. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The Alaska Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's ruling to eliminate the state's requirement for absentee ballots to be signed by a witness. The court issued its ruling Monday in favor of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law who filed the lawsuit in early September against the state, accusing its law of requiring voters who wish to cast absentee ballots by mail have their ballot envelopes signed by a notary, official or someone over the age of 18 to be unconstitutional amid the pandemic. Advertisement
Pooja Chaudhuri, an attorney with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said following the decision that they are happy the court ruled in their favor as "Alaska's election officials failed to take common-sense steps to protect the fundamental right to vote."
"No Alaska voter will have to sacrifice their health and well-being to cast their vote this November," Chaudhuri said in a statement. "Today's ruling is another victory in the fight against voter suppression efforts."
The Alaska Supreme Court said in its ruling that a full opinion would follow.
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The court's decision follows Anchorage Superior Court Judge Dani Crosby ruling on Oct. 5 that the witness requirement for absentee ballots was unconstitutional as it "impermissibly burdens the right to vote" during the pandemic.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which filed the lawsuit with the Native American Rights Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, had argued the requirement would force those who live alone, are immunocompromised or have been self-isolating since the beginning of the pandemic to risk their health to vote.
"We'll keep fighting coast to coast to protect voters from being disenfranchised amid the pandemic," Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of Lawyers' Committee for Civil Right Under Law, said following the announcement of the decision on Twitter.


upi--2020-10-13--Cancer takes heavy toll on women's work, finances, study shows

Young women with cancer are at a high risk for employment and financial consequences , a new study finds .
`` Our study addresses the burden of employment disruption and financial hardship among young women with cancer -- a group who may be at particular risk for poor financial outcomes after cancer given their age and gender , '' said researcher Clare Meernik , a fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center .
She and her colleagues surveyed more than 1,300 women in North Carolina and California a median of seven years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they were 15 to 39 years of age and working .
Following their diagnosis , 32 % of the women had to stop working or cut back on their hours .
Twenty-seven percent said they had to borrow money , go into debt or file for bankruptcy because of cancer treatment .
Women with disrupted employment were more likely -- by 17 percentage points -- to have these problems than women who were able to keep working .
Half of the women said they were stressed about their big medical bills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to suffer psychological distress by 8 percentage points than women who were able to keep working .
The findings were published online Oct. 12 in the journal Cancer .
`` Our findings highlight the need for effective interventions to promote job maintenance and transition back to the workforce after cancer treatment , as well as increased workplace accommodations and benefits , to improve cancer outcomes for young women , '' Meernik said in a journal news release .
To learn more about work and financial effects of cancer , visit the American @ @ @

Young women with cancer are at a high risk for employment and financial consequences, a new study finds.
"Our study addresses the burden of employment disruption and financial hardship among young women with cancer -- a group who may be at particular risk for poor financial outcomes after cancer given their age and gender," said researcher Clare Meernik, a fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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She and her colleagues surveyed more than 1,300 women in North Carolina and California a median of seven years after diagnosis. Their cancer was diagnosed when they were 15 to 39 years of age and working.
Following their diagnosis, 32% of the women had to stop working or cut back on their hours. Twenty-seven percent said they had to borrow money, go into debt or file for bankruptcy because of cancer treatment.
Women with disrupted employment were more likely -- by 17 percentage points -- to have these problems than women who were able to keep working.
Half of the women said they were stressed about their big medical bills, and women with disrupted employment were more likely to suffer psychological distress by 8 percentage points than women who were able to keep working.
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The findings were published online Oct. 12 in the journal Cancer.
"Our findings highlight the need for effective interventions to promote job maintenance and transition back to the workforce after cancer treatment, as well as increased workplace accommodations and benefits, to improve cancer outcomes for young women," Meernik said in a journal news release.
More information
To learn more about work and financial effects of cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-13--Watch live: Blue Origin plans 3rd try to launch New Shepard rocket mission

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Blue Origin plans to try again Tuesday morning to launch a NASA moon landing experiment aboard the company 's reusable New Shepard rocket from Texas .
Liftoff is scheduled for 9:35 a.m. EDT at the company 's launch facilities about 150 miles east of El Paso .
The company postponed the launch twice before -- once due to cloudy weather and again the next day due to a power supply problem on board the rocket .
The NASA experiment is part of the agency 's Tipping Point program , which seeks to demonstrate technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The project includes a collection of sensors designed to help locate a safe site on the moon for upcoming landings , according to NASA and Blue Origin 's mission description .
`` A NASA-developed sensor suite could allow robotic and crewed missions to land precisely on the lunar surface within half the distance of a football field , '' NASA said of the project .
`` The rocket 's flight path is relevant to lunar landings , providing a unique opportunity to mature sensors and algorithms for potential use on Artemis [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require clear skies to function properly and that was the cause of the initial delay .
Lunar landings are important to Blue Origin because it leads the so-called National Team in developing a human lander for future moon missions .
The team includes Lockheed Martin , Northrop Grumman and Draper .
The sensors are the first payload to fly mounted on the exterior of a New Shepard booster rather than inside its capsule , which the company said could open up opportunities for other exterior technology , including `` a wide range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payloads . ''
The launch would be the 13th New Shepard mission and the seventh consecutive flight for the rocket , which is 60 feet high and emits 110,000 pounds of thrust .
The company , owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , one day wants to fly space tourists in a capsule designed for six people as it also develops its larger New Glenn rocket .
At least two plant experiments are in the rocket 's capsule for the so-called NS-13 mission , one of which was designed by researchers at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lab .
Other payloads on board the so-called NS-13 mission include experiments from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland , NASA 's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California and Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies .

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Blue Origin had a successful 13th launch for its New Shepard rocket on Tuesday morning in Texas, carrying sensors for a NASA moon landing experiment. Photo courtesy of Blue Origin
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Blue Origin successfully launched a NASA moon landing experiment aboard the company's reusable New Shepard rocket Tuesday morning in Texas. Liftoff took place from the company's launch facilities about 150 miles east of El Paso. Advertisement
The capsule separated from the rocket minutes into the flight and spent about 3 minutes at the height of an arc just over the Kármán line, the altitude at which space begins.
The rocket booster, with NASA sensors mounted on the exterior, landed smoothly about 7 minutes, 30 seconds after launch. The capsule landed with the aid of parachutes a few minutes later, kicking up a cloud of dust and sand.
The NASA experiment is part of the agency's Tipping Point program, which seeks to demonstrate technology that can be adopted by private industry.
The project includes a collection of sensors designed to help locate a safe site on the moon for upcoming landings, according to NASA and Blue Origin's mission description. Some of the sensors use LIDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging technology, which uses laser light to map out the surface.
"A NASA-developed sensor suite could allow robotic and crewed missions to land precisely on the lunar surface within half the distance of a football field," NASA said of the project. "The rocket's flight path is relevant to lunar landings, providing a unique opportunity to mature sensors and algorithms for potential use on Artemis [moon] missions."
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Those sensors require clear skies to function properly, which is why the mission had been delayed once in September due to cloudy weather at the launch site. But Tuesday's weather was ideal, Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith said.
"It's a great day for us to actually try that new type of experimentation on the outside of the vehicle," Smith said during a prelaunch broadcast.
Lunar landings are important to Blue Origin because it leads the so-called National Team in developing a human lander for future moon missions. The team includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper.
The sensors are the first payload to fly mounted on the exterior of a New Shepard booster rather than inside its capsule, which the company said could open up opportunities for other exterior technology, including "a wide range of future high-altitude sensing, sampling and exposure payloads."
The launch would be the 13th New Shepard mission and the seventh consecutive flight for the rocket, which is 60 feet high and emits 110,000 pounds of thrust.
The company, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, one day wants to fly space tourists in a capsule designed for six people as it also develops its larger New Glenn rocket.
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At least two plant experiments are in the rocket's capsule for the so-called NS-13 mission, one of which was designed by researchers at the University of Florida's Ferl/Paul Space Plants Lab.
Other payloads on board the so-called NS-13 mission include experiments from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California and Colorado-based Space Lab Technologies.


upi--2020-10-13--Celebrities encourage voting with movie re-enactments, parody videos

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Hollywood stars have become involved in get-out-the-vote efforts , encouraging registration and participation with various stunts including movie reenactments , parody videos and unusual educational offers .
Here are seven ways celebrities are encouraging voter participation in November 's election .
Jane Fonda , who reigned as the queen of home workout videos in the 1980s and 1990s , donned her exercise leotard one more time for `` Exercise That Vote , '' a parody of her classic videos that features the Grace and Frankie star encouraging voter participation alongside famous friends Vanessa Hudgens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , Ashley Benson , Katy Perry , Amy Schumer and Orlando Bloom .
Actor Jeff Goldblum vowed on Instagram that he would re-enact favorite moments from one of his most iconic characters , Jurassic Park 's Dr. Ian Malcolm , if 1,000 people used headcount.org/jeffgoldblum to check their voter registrations .
He celebrated his first 1,000 by enlisting the help of co-star Sam Neill to re-enact the `` chaos theory '' scene from the 1993 film .
Laura Dern , whose role Neill took on for the video , cameos at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to swear in 15 languages Actor Samuel L. Jackson , whose characters are known for their prolific and often-creative uses of profanity , said in an Instagram post that he will `` teach you to swear in 15 different languages '' if 2,500 people use his Head Count link , http : //headcount.org/samjackson , to check their registrations .
The stars of 2004 film Mean Girls celebrated Oct. 3 's Mean Girls Day -- and 5,000 people using http : //headcount.org/meangirls to check their registration status -- by re-enacting a scene from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of voting .
The video , organized by Mean Girls writer Tina Fey , features stars Lindsay Lohan , Rachel McAdams , Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried re-enacting the scene over video chat .
An 'important message for voters ' from naked celebs Voting rights nonprofit RepresentUs gathered disrobed celebrities including Chris Rock , Sarah Silverman , Tiffany Haddish , Amy Schumer , Chelsea Handler , Naomi Campbell , Mark Ruffalo , Josh Gad , Ryan Michelle Bathe and Borat to encourage voters to make sure they follow all required procedures when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are returned in a timely fashion .
Cast members from various stage productions of Lin-Manuel Miranda 's musical Hamilton came together online to rework the lyrics for a medley of songs encouraging registration and early voting .
The video , created in partnership with voting rights organization When We All Vote , features Miranda , Deon'te Goodman , Daniel Yearwood , Mandy Gonzalez , Justice Moore , Fergie L. Phillipe , Miguel Cervantes , Tamar Greene , David Guzman , Karla Garcia and more , along with a special appearance by Michelle Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video showing him explaining the steps involved in Pennsylvania 's vote-by-mail process to a group of his `` fans '' -- the cardboard cutouts that populated the stands during the recent baseball season .
The video includes cameos from Rob McElhenney , Abbi Jacobson , JuJu Smith-Schuster , Michael Keaton , Adam Rippon and the Phillie Phanatic .

Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Hollywood stars have become involved in get-out-the-vote efforts, encouraging registration and participation with various stunts including movie reenactments, parody videos and unusual educational offers.
Here are seven ways celebrities are encouraging voter participation in November's election.
Advertisement
'Exercise That Vote' with Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda, who reigned as the queen of home workout videos in the 1980s and 1990s, donned her exercise leotard one more time for "Exercise That Vote," a parody of her classic videos that features the Grace and Frankie star encouraging voter participation alongside famous friends Vanessa Hudgens, Ken Jeong, Shaq, Kerry Washington, Ashley Benson, Katy Perry, Amy Schumer and Orlando Bloom.
Jeff Goldblum reenacts 'Jurassic Park'
Actor Jeff Goldblum vowed on Instagram that he would re-enact favorite moments from one of his most iconic characters, Jurassic Park's Dr. Ian Malcolm, if 1,000 people used headcount.org/jeffgoldblum to check their voter registrations. He celebrated his first 1,000 by enlisting the help of co-star Sam Neill to re-enact the "chaos theory" scene from the 1993 film. Laura Dern, whose role Neill took on for the video, cameos at the end.
Samuel L. Jackson will teach you to swear in 15 languages
Actor Samuel L. Jackson, whose characters are known for their prolific and often-creative uses of profanity, said in an Instagram post that he will "teach you to swear in 15 different languages" if 2,500 people use his Head Count link, http://headcount.org/samjackson, to check their registrations.
'Mean Girls' reunion
The stars of 2004 film Mean Girls celebrated Oct. 3's Mean Girls Day -- and 5,000 people using http://headcount.org/meangirls to check their registration status -- by re-enacting a scene from the movie that deals with a lower-stakes type of voting. The video, organized by Mean Girls writer Tina Fey, features stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried re-enacting the scene over video chat.
Advertisement View this post on Instagram reunited sign up for Katie Couric's newsletter for more behind the scenes clips from the Mean Girls reunion (and for a summary of the day's top news stories!). @katiecouric @mingey @thereallacey with Rachel McAdams A post shared by Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) on Oct 9, 2020 at 3:47am PDT Advertisement
An 'important message for voters' from naked celebs
Voting rights nonprofit RepresentUs gathered disrobed celebrities including Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, Naomi Campbell, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Gad, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Borat to encourage voters to make sure they follow all required procedures when voting and ensure that any mail-in ballots are returned in a timely fashion.
The cast of 'Hamilton' reworks lyrics
Cast members from various stage productions of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton came together online to rework the lyrics for a medley of songs encouraging registration and early voting. The video, created in partnership with voting rights organization When We All Vote, features Miranda, Deon'te Goodman, Daniel Yearwood, Mandy Gonzalez, Justice Moore, Fergie L. Phillipe, Miguel Cervantes, Tamar Greene, David Guzman, Karla Garcia and more, along with a special appearance by Michelle Obama.
Andrew McCutchen explains voting by mail
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Philadelphia Phillies left fielder tweeted a video showing him explaining the steps involved in Pennsylvania's vote-by-mail process to a group of his "fans" -- the cardboard cutouts that populated the stands during the recent baseball season. The video includes cameos from Rob McElhenney, Abbi Jacobson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Michael Keaton, Adam Rippon and the Phillie Phanatic.


upi--2020-10-13--Famous birthdays for Oct. 13: Ashanti, Nancy Kerrigan

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra .
-- Jesse @ @ @ @ @ African-American naval aviator , in 1926 -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Paul @ @ @ @ @ 79 ) -- Chris Carter , creator of The X-Files , in 1956 ( age @ @

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Ashanti rides down Central Park West in the 93rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 28. The singer turns 40 on October 13. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Libra. They include: Advertisement
-- American Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher in 1754
-- Editorial cartoonist Herbert Block in 1909
-- Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1925
-- Jesse L. Brown, the first African-American naval aviator, in 1926
-- Actor Melinda Dillon in 1939 (age 81)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Paul Simon in 1941 (age 79)
File Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI
-- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in 1942 (age 78)
-- Musician Robert Lamm in 1944 (age 76)
-- Rocker Sammy Hagar in 1947 (age 73)
-- Horse racing Hall of Fame member Pat Day in 1953 (age 67)
-- Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files, in 1956 (age 64)
-- Entertainer Marie Osmond in 1959 (age 61)
-- NBA coach Doc Rivers in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Kelly Preston in 1962
-- Football Hall of Fame member Jerry Rice in 1962 (age 58)
-- Cuban Olympic gold medal high jump specialist Javier Sotomayor in 1967 (age 53)
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-- Actor Kate Walsh in 1967 (age 53)
-- Actor Tisha Campbell-Martin in 1968 (age 52)
-- Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in 1969 (age 51)
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
-- Actor Sacha Baron Cohen in 1971 (age 49)
-- Singer Ashanti Douglas in 1980 (age 40)
-- Australian Olympic gold medal swimmer Ian Thorpe in 1982 (age 38)
-- First daughter Tiffany Trump in 1993 (age 27)
-- Singer Jimin, born Park Ji-min, in 1995 (age 25)
-- Actor Caleb McLaughlin in 2001 (age 19)


upi--2020-10-13--On This Day, Oct. 13: 1st of Chilean miners brought to safety

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1775 , the Continental Congress ordered construction of America 's first naval fleet .
In 1792 , the cornerstone to the White House in Washington was laid .
It would be November 1800 before the first presidential family -- that of John Adams -- moved in .
In 1903 , the Boston Americans ( later known as the Red Sox ) beat the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the first modern World Series , five games to three .
In 1917 , up to 100,000 people gathered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miracle of the Sun '' and its strange solar activity and , for many , a reported glimpse of the Virgin Mary .
In 1943 , conquered by the Allies , Italy declared war on Germany , its Axis former partner .
In 1972 , Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 carrying 45 people , including a rugby team from Montevideo , crashed in the Andes mountains .
It would take 72 days for rescuers to learn the fate of the survivors , and by that time , only 16 were left to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story was brought to the big screen in the 1993 feature film , Alive .
In 1972 , more than 170 people were killed in a Soviet airliner crash near Moscow 's Sheremetyevo International Airport .
In 1987 , Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize -- the first winner from Central America .
Arias was recognized for his work promoting democracy and peace in Central America .
In 1990 , Syrian forces moved into Lebanon , removing Christian militia leader General Michel Aoun from power , effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1994 , two months after the Irish Republican Army announced a cease-fire , the Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Freedom Fighters , the two main paramilitary groups fighting to keep Northern Ireland with its Protestant majority in the United Kingdom , announced a cease-fire .
In 2010 , after more than two months entombed half a mile under the Chilean desert , the first of 33 trapped miners was pulled to safety in a narrow passageway drilled through more than 2,000 feet of rock , to be followed in the next 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dramatic finale to a remarkable rescue mission .
In 2013 , a stampede by masses of worshipers crossing a bridge over the Sindh River at a Hindu festival in India 's Madhya Pradesh state killed more than 100 people and injured scores of others .
A police official said people panicked as rumors spread that the bridge was collapsing .
In 2019 , American Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast in history with her record 25th gold medal at the World Championships in Stuttgart , Germany .

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Chilean miner Florencio Avalos, the first of 33 trapped miners to be rescued, hugs President Sebastian Pinera and his son at the surface of the San Jose Mine near Copiapo, Chile, just after midnight October 13, 2010. Photo courtesy the Chilean government | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1775, the Continental Congress ordered construction of America's first naval fleet. Advertisement
In 1792, the cornerstone to the White House in Washington was laid. It would be November 1800 before the first presidential family -- that of John Adams -- moved in.
In 1903, the Boston Americans (later known as the Red Sox) beat the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the first modern World Series, five games to three.
In 1917, up to 100,000 people gathered in Fatima, Portugal, for the "Miracle of the Sun" and its strange solar activity and, for many, a reported glimpse of the Virgin Mary.
In 1943, conquered by the Allies, Italy declared war on Germany, its Axis former partner.
In 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 carrying 45 people, including a rugby team from Montevideo, crashed in the Andes mountains. It would take 72 days for rescuers to learn the fate of the survivors, and by that time, only 16 were left to tell their story. The survivor's harrowing story was brought to the big screen in the 1993 feature film, Alive.
Advertisement
In 1972, more than 170 people were killed in a Soviet airliner crash near Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport.
In 1987, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize -- the first winner from Central America. Arias was recognized for his work promoting democracy and peace in Central America.
File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI
In 1990, Syrian forces moved into Lebanon, removing Christian militia leader General Michel Aoun from power, effectively ending the Lebanese Civil War.
In 1994, two months after the Irish Republican Army announced a cease-fire, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Freedom Fighters, the two main paramilitary groups fighting to keep Northern Ireland with its Protestant majority in the United Kingdom, announced a cease-fire.
In 2010, after more than two months entombed half a mile under the Chilean desert, the first of 33 trapped miners was pulled to safety in a narrow passageway drilled through more than 2,000 feet of rock, to be followed in the next 24 hours by the rest of the crew in a dramatic finale to a remarkable rescue mission.
Advertisement
In 2013, a stampede by masses of worshipers crossing a bridge over the Sindh River at a Hindu festival in India's Madhya Pradesh state killed more than 100 people and injured scores of others. A police official said people panicked as rumors spread that the bridge was collapsing.
In 2019, American Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast in history with her record 25th gold medal at the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.


upi--2020-10-13--Jason Blum: 'Blumhouse' series gives underrepresented filmmakers a platform

LOS ANGELES , Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Blumhouse is a company responsible for some of the biggest horror movies of the last 10 years .
It produces the Insidious and The Purge franchises , the new Halloween reboot and its upcoming sequels , as well as Jordan Peele 's Get Out and Us .
Welcome to the Blumhouse is the company 's new streaming series for Amazon Prime .
It 's an anthology of four films that premiere in October , with four more on the way .
Producer and Blumhouse founder Jason Blum said each Welcome to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to tell a story to the massive Amazon Prime subscriber audience .
`` I think that it 's important when you 're telling stories about underrepresented groups that someone on the storytelling side has to be from that group , '' Blum told UPI in a Zoom interview .
`` So , it feels authentic . ''
Black Box , which premiered Oct. 6 , is a product of co-writer and director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour , whose family is from Ghana .
The Lie , which also premiered that day , comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eye , which premieres Tuesday , comes from Indian American writer Madhuri Shekar and Indian American director brothers Elan and Rajeev Dassani .
Nocturne , also premiering Tuesday , is from British writer/director Zu Quirke .
Blum said films by underrepresented filmmakers can deal with race , like Peele 's films do , but they do n't have to .
If underrepresented filmmakers can only tell stories about their race or gender , Blum felt that would be too limiting .
`` Every movie with White people in it is not about race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie with Black people in it should n't be about race . ''
The first four films in the Welcome to the Blumhouse collection run the gamut from dealing specifically with underrepresented cultures to simply featuring actors of color in leading roles .
Black Box was a science-fiction tale that happens to feature Black families as its protagonists .
The Lie was about a White family covering up a murder , but included a subplot about racial profiling of the victim 's Pakistani father .
Evil Eye is steeped in Indian culture .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her abusive ex-boyfriend has returned to attack her family via reincarnation .
Nocturne tells the tale of female musicians at a music academy , whose competition becomes intensified by supernatural forces .
The first four Welcome to Blumhouse films coincidentally share a theme of family , said Blumhouse Television co-president Jeremy Gold .
Gold said the company sought out the best material , and each filmmaker it chose happened to deal with a similar theme .
`` The ones that floated to the surface all happened to have these stories of family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside a family , '' Gold said in a phone interview .
The notion of family dramas compounded by horror also fits the Blumhouse aesthetic , Blum said .
His Insidious films deal with families haunted by ghosts .
Get Out is about a Black man meeting his girlfriend 's White family , who happened to practice occult arts on Black victims .
`` I always think the litmus test for a good horror movie is if you take out the genre , does it work as a drama ? ''
Blum asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scary movies are movies that are edge-of-your-seat , taut dramas without the genre in them , and then the genre makes them even scarier . ''
As Blumhouse expands its footprint on television , it also is learning that different things scare people at home than scare them in a movie theater .
In movies , Blum said , you can rely on `` jump scares '' that startle viewers in a quiet theater with a loud noise or scary creature jumping out of the dark .
At home , where the lights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessarily quiet , horror relies on more pervasive dread .
`` You can do things that make you feel uneasy or unnerved or disturbed , as opposed to jumps , '' Blum said .
Gold concurred that the first four Welcome to Blumhouse films maintain a consistent tension through their 90-minute running times .
`` To keep scares going , you have to keep the tension going and keep it taut , '' Gold said .
Blumhouse also aims to keep Osei-Kuffour , Sud , Shekar , the Dassanis and Quirke in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already made deals with some of the filmmakers , and the company always is interested in retaining talent .
It has made several movies with James Wan , Leigh Whannell , Peele and other behind-the-scenes artists .
`` I always say there 's no higher compliment when you work with artists than repeat business , '' Gold said .
`` We tend to work with everybody quite a bit . ''

1/3
Producer Jason Blum says "Welcome to the Blumhouse" features four new stories from underrepresented filmmakers. File Photo by Serena Xu-Ning Carr/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Blumhouse is a company responsible for some of the biggest horror movies of the last 10 years. It produces the Insidious and The Purge franchises, the new Halloween reboot and its upcoming sequels, as well as Jordan Peele's Get Out and Us. Welcome to the Blumhouse is the company's new streaming series for Amazon Prime. It's an anthology of four films that premiere in October, with four more on the way. Advertisement
Producer and Blumhouse founder Jason Blum said each Welcome to the Blumhouse film gives an underrepresented filmmaker a chance to tell a story to the massive Amazon Prime subscriber audience.
"I think that it's important when you're telling stories about underrepresented groups that someone on the storytelling side has to be from that group," Blum told UPI in a Zoom interview. "So, it feels authentic."
Advertisement
Black Box, which premiered Oct. 6, is a product of co-writer and director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, whose family is from Ghana. The Lie, which also premiered that day, comes from Indian-Filipino writer-director Veena Sud.
Evil Eye, which premieres Tuesday, comes from Indian American writer Madhuri Shekar and Indian American director brothers Elan and Rajeev Dassani. Nocturne, also premiering Tuesday, is from British writer/director Zu Quirke.
Blum said films by underrepresented filmmakers can deal with race, like Peele's films do, but they don't have to. If underrepresented filmmakers can only tell stories about their race or gender, Blum felt that would be too limiting.
"Every movie with White people in it is not about race," Blum said. "Every movie with Black people in it shouldn't be about race."
The first four films in the Welcome to the Blumhouse collection run the gamut from dealing specifically with underrepresented cultures to simply featuring actors of color in leading roles.
Black Box was a science-fiction tale that happens to feature Black families as its protagonists. The Lie was about a White family covering up a murder, but included a subplot about racial profiling of the victim's Pakistani father.
Evil Eye is steeped in Indian culture. A mother (Sarita Choudhury) worries that her abusive ex-boyfriend has returned to attack her family via reincarnation.
Advertisement
Nocturne tells the tale of female musicians at a music academy, whose competition becomes intensified by supernatural forces.
The first four Welcome to Blumhouse films coincidentally share a theme of family, said Blumhouse Television co-president Jeremy Gold. Gold said the company sought out the best material, and each filmmaker it chose happened to deal with a similar theme.
"The ones that floated to the surface all happened to have these stories of family, deception inside a family or betrayal inside a family," Gold said in a phone interview.
The notion of family dramas compounded by horror also fits the Blumhouse aesthetic, Blum said. His Insidious films deal with families haunted by ghosts. Get Out is about a Black man meeting his girlfriend's White family, who happened to practice occult arts on Black victims.
"I always think the litmus test for a good horror movie is if you take out the genre, does it work as a drama?" Blum asked rhetorically. "I think the best scary movies are movies that are edge-of-your-seat, taut dramas without the genre in them, and then the genre makes them even scarier."
As Blumhouse expands its footprint on television, it also is learning that different things scare people at home than scare them in a movie theater. In movies, Blum said, you can rely on "jump scares" that startle viewers in a quiet theater with a loud noise or scary creature jumping out of the dark.
Advertisement
At home, where the lights may be on and the room is not necessarily quiet, horror relies on more pervasive dread.
"You can do things that make you feel uneasy or unnerved or disturbed, as opposed to jumps," Blum said.
Gold concurred that the first four Welcome to Blumhouse films maintain a consistent tension through their 90-minute running times.
"To keep scares going, you have to keep the tension going and keep it taut," Gold said.
Blumhouse also aims to keep Osei-Kuffour, Sud, Shekar, the Dassanis and Quirke in the Blumhouse company. Gold said Blumhouse already made deals with some of the filmmakers, and the company always is interested in retaining talent. It has made several movies with James Wan, Leigh Whannell, Peele and other behind-the-scenes artists.
"I always say there's no higher compliment when you work with artists than repeat business," Gold said. "We tend to work with everybody quite a bit."


upi--2020-10-13--Trump returns to his economy message at Pennsylvania rally

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump returned to well-worn themes of economic prosperity and attacked his opponent Joe Biden , asking for the votes of suburban women at a rally Tuesday night in Johnstown , Pa .
Since leaving the hospital after being infected with the coronavirus , Trump and his campaign have announced rallies in Florida , Iowa , Georgia and North Carolina .
Pennsylvania is a battleground state for Trump , who won in 2016 over Hilary Clinton by less than 1 % of the vote , with a victory of 44,292 votes out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport , Tuesday , Trump bragged that his health had returned since being treated for COVID-19 , saying that he was now immune from the virus .
He asked for a show of hands of people in the crowd who had been diagnosed with what he called the `` China virus . ''
`` Yeah , a lot of people .
A lot of people , '' he said looking at the tightly packed crowd , which had been gathered for hours .
About half did not wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did at his rally Monday in Florida , and his remarks , which lasted more than an hour , were tighter and more coherent , attacking his rivals and touching on his campaign topics of building a border wall , strengthening the U.S. military and chastising China .
Trump also promised , in his second term , to put the `` first woman on the moon '' and `` an American on Mars . ''
Trump , who attended Philadelphia 's Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , promised voters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries like manufacturing , coal mining and steel production .
`` They 'll be saying to me , 'Pennsylvania 's not used to winning this much , you got ta slow it down a little bit , ' '' Trump promised voters .
`` You lost long enough !
You lost your factories and your plants where you had stupid leadership , but you will be winning like never before , '' Trump said .
In Pennsylvania , coal production has dropped by more than 57 % in the past 12 years to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 , down from 266 mines producing 65.4 million tons , according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration .
Steel exports to China from Pennsylvania fell due to tariffs imposed during Trump 's trade wars , and steel companies were forced to idle their plants , laying off hundreds of workers .
But Trump threatened that economic pain would worsen under a Joe Biden administration .
`` We will surrender our jobs to China , '' Trump said .
`` China will own the United States if that sleepy guy gets the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century , Biden twisted his blade into the great heart of the American worker , he should n't be asking for your vote , he should be asking for forgiveness , '' Trump said .
Trump also asked suburban women for their votes .
`` Somebody said , ' I do n't know if the suburban woman likes you , ' '' Trump told the audience .
He announced he would block `` low-income housing '' in the suburbs and stoked racial fears by invoking Black Democratic presidential candidate New Jersey Sen. Cory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he got one percent [ of the vote ] , '' and claiming that Booker would be the person in charge of filling suburbs with low income-housing under a Biden presidency .
`` But I 'm about law and order .
I 'm about having you safe , '' Trump said .
`` Suburban women , will you please like me ?
I saved your damn neighborhood , OK ? ''

1/4
President Donald Trump addresses his supporters during a rally at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, near Johnstown, Pa., on Tuesday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump returned to well-worn themes of economic prosperity and attacked his opponent Joe Biden, asking for the votes of suburban women at a rally Tuesday night in Johnstown, Pa. Since leaving the hospital after being infected with the coronavirus, Trump and his campaign have announced rallies in Florida, Iowa, Georgia and North Carolina. Advertisement
Pennsylvania is a battleground state for Trump, who won in 2016 over Hilary Clinton by less than 1% of the vote, with a victory of 44,292 votes out of more than 6 million cast.
At the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, Tuesday, Trump bragged that his health had returned since being treated for COVID-19, saying that he was now immune from the virus. He asked for a show of hands of people in the crowd who had been diagnosed with what he called the "China virus."
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"Yeah, a lot of people. A lot of people," he said looking at the tightly packed crowd, which had been gathered for hours. About half did not wear masks.
Trump appeared more robust than he did at his rally Monday in Florida, and his remarks, which lasted more than an hour, were tighter and more coherent, attacking his rivals and touching on his campaign topics of building a border wall, strengthening the U.S. military and chastising China.
Trump also promised, in his second term, to put the "first woman on the moon" and "an American on Mars."
Trump, who attended Philadelphia's Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, promised voters that Pennsylvanians would soon return to prosperity through industries like manufacturing, coal mining and steel production.
"They'll be saying to me, 'Pennsylvania's not used to winning this much, you gotta slow it down a little bit,'" Trump promised voters.
"You lost long enough! You lost your factories and your plants where you had stupid leadership, but you will be winning like never before," Trump said.
In Pennsylvania, coal production has dropped by more than 57% in the past 12 years to 151 active mines producing 49.8 million tons in 2018, down from 266 mines producing 65.4 million tons, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
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Steel exports to China from Pennsylvania fell due to tariffs imposed during Trump's trade wars, and steel companies were forced to idle their plants, laying off hundreds of workers.
But Trump threatened that economic pain would worsen under a Joe Biden administration.
"We will surrender our jobs to China," Trump said. "China will own the United States if that sleepy guy gets the position.
"For half of a century, Biden twisted his blade into the great heart of the American worker, he shouldn't be asking for your vote, he should be asking for forgiveness," Trump said.
Trump also asked suburban women for their votes.
"Somebody said, 'I don't know if the suburban woman likes you,'" Trump told the audience.
He announced he would block "low-income housing" in the suburbs and stoked racial fears by invoking Black Democratic presidential candidate New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, calling him "that loser, he got one percent [of the vote]," and claiming that Booker would be the person in charge of filling suburbs with low income-housing under a Biden presidency.
"But I'm about law and order. I'm about having you safe," Trump said. "Suburban women, will you please like me? I saved your damn neighborhood, OK?"


upi--2020-10-13--New York Jets release Pro Bowl RB Le'Veon Bell

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The New York Jets have released disgruntled Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell , the team announced Tuesday .
Earlier in the day , league sources told ESPN the Jets were attempting to trade Bell amid the team 's nightmarish season .
According to reports , Bell was unhappy with his role in Jets head coach Adam Gase 's offense .
The Jets had been trying to find a trade partner for Bell since the beginning of the season , according to ESPN .
Then the tailback pulled his hamstring in Week 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the end , the franchise opted to release him .
`` After having conversations with Le'Veon and his agent and exploring potential trade options over the past couple of days , we have made the decision to release Le'Veon , '' Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in a statement Tuesday .
`` The Jets organization appreciates Le'Veon 's efforts during his time here and we know he worked hard to make significant contributions to this team .
We believe this decision is in the best interests of both parties and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had $ 6 million remaining on his 2020 salary -- all of it fully guaranteed .
That would have made it challenging for the Jets to deal him before the NFL 's Nov. 3 trade deadline .
As a vested veteran , Bell is n't subject to waivers .
He will become a free agent at 4 p.m. EST Wednesday .
Bell shared his thoughts on social media shortly after the team 's announcement , saying that he has `` got a lot to prove . ''
The breaking point between Bell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running back was upset with the Jets for his limited role in their 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals .
`` I know he 's frustrated that we have n't won , '' Gase said Monday after Bell had only one target in the loss to the Cardinals .
`` It was n't necessarily the plan of not targeting him in the pass game .
It just kind of ended up being that way with how they were playing us .
So that 's what it is .
`` I mean , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football .
That 's all we 're trying to do , and it does n't always go exactly as planned . ''
After the Jets ' loss , Bell refused to speak with the media but `` liked '' multiple posts on social media that suggested he should be traded because Gase has misused him .
On Monday , Gase voiced his displeasure about Bell 's method of communication .
`` I hate that that 's the route we go with all this instead of just talking about it , but it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it nowadays , '' Gase said .
This was n't the first tense exchange between Gase and Bell this year .
The pair also had a disagreement in training camp , when Bell criticized Gase on social media after he removed him from an intrasquad scrimmage .
Bell , who missed the past three games because of a hamstring injury , returned to the lineup Sunday and notched 60 yards on only 13 carries .
He caught his only target for seven yards .
In 17 career games with the Jets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdowns .
Under Gase , the Jets are 0-5 this season ahead of a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6 .

New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell returned to the lineup Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and notched 60 yards on only 13 carries. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The New York Jets have released disgruntled Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell, the team announced Tuesday. Earlier in the day, league sources told ESPN the Jets were attempting to trade Bell amid the team's nightmarish season. According to reports, Bell was unhappy with his role in Jets head coach Adam Gase's offense. Advertisement
The Jets had been trying to find a trade partner for Bell since the beginning of the season, according to ESPN. Then the tailback pulled his hamstring in Week 1, forcing the team to delay a deal. In the end, the franchise opted to release him.
"After having conversations with Le'Veon and his agent and exploring potential trade options over the past couple of days, we have made the decision to release Le'Veon," Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in a statement Tuesday.
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"The Jets organization appreciates Le'Veon's efforts during his time here and we know he worked hard to make significant contributions to this team. We believe this decision is in the best interests of both parties and wish him future success."
Bell had $6 million remaining on his 2020 salary -- all of it fully guaranteed. That would have made it challenging for the Jets to deal him before the NFL's Nov. 3 trade deadline.
As a vested veteran, Bell isn't subject to waivers. He will become a free agent at 4 p.m. EST Wednesday.
Bell shared his thoughts on social media shortly after the team's announcement, saying that he has "got a lot to prove."
got a lot to prove. i'm ready to go. pic.twitter.com/oDqBM62JfN— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) October 14, 2020
The breaking point between Bell and the organization came Sunday, when the running back was upset with the Jets for his limited role in their 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
"I know he's frustrated that we haven't won," Gase said Monday after Bell had only one target in the loss to the Cardinals. "It wasn't necessarily the plan of not targeting him in the pass game. It just kind of ended up being that way with how they were playing us. So that's what it is.
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"I mean, just try to find ways to move the football. That's all we're trying to do, and it doesn't always go exactly as planned."
After the Jets' loss, Bell refused to speak with the media but "liked" multiple posts on social media that suggested he should be traded because Gase has misused him. On Monday, Gase voiced his displeasure about Bell's method of communication.
"I hate that that's the route we go with all this instead of just talking about it, but it seems that's the way guys want to do it nowadays," Gase said.
This wasn't the first tense exchange between Gase and Bell this year. The pair also had a disagreement in training camp, when Bell criticized Gase on social media after he removed him from an intrasquad scrimmage.
Bell, who missed the past three games because of a hamstring injury, returned to the lineup Sunday and notched 60 yards on only 13 carries. He caught his only target for seven yards.
In 17 career games with the Jets, Bell rushed for 873 yards and three touchdowns.
Under Gase, the Jets are 0-5 this season ahead of a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.
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upi--2020-10-13--Florida Gators halt football activities after coronavirus outbreak

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Just four days before their scheduled game against LSU , the Florida Gators have halted football activities because of a coronavirus outbreak .
The university announced Tuesday that it has five new COVID-19 cases within the football program .
However , sources told ESPN and The Independent Florida Alligator that number has ballooned to 19 positive tests over the last several days .
`` The University of Florida football team has experienced an increase in positive COVID-19 tests among players this week , '' Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution , team activities are paused as of Tuesday afternoon .
`` Head coach Dan Mullen has been in communication with football players and their parents , and I have had conversations with the Southeastern Conference office , last week 's opponent Texas A & M , and this week 's opponent LSU .
These circumstances will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department 's sports medicine staff Wednesday . ''
The team recorded 21 positive cases when players returned to campus in late May .
The Gators had no positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Florida ( 2-1 ) is scheduled to play the LSU Tigers ( 1-2 ) on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville , Fla .

Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Just four days before their scheduled game against LSU, the Florida Gators have halted football activities because of a coronavirus outbreak.
The university announced Tuesday that it has five new COVID-19 cases within the football program. However, sources told ESPN and The Independent Florida Alligator that number has ballooned to 19 positive tests over the last several days.
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"The University of Florida football team has experienced an increase in positive COVID-19 tests among players this week," Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement Tuesday. "Out of an abundance of caution, team activities are paused as of Tuesday afternoon.
"Head coach Dan Mullen has been in communication with football players and their parents, and I have had conversations with the Southeastern Conference office, last week's opponent Texas A&M, and this week's opponent LSU. These circumstances will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department's sports medicine staff Wednesday."
The team recorded 21 positive cases when players returned to campus in late May. The Gators had no positive cases in August and seven in September.
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Florida (2-1) is scheduled to play the LSU Tigers (1-2) on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.


upi--2020-10-13--U.S. assumes control of NATO's air policing in North Atlantic

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Air Force assumed full control of NATO 's air policing mission in the North Atlantic this week .
According to the Department of Defense , U.S. F-15C/D Eagles assigned to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in Lakenheath , England , were deployed to Keflavik Air Base , Iceland , last week .
The deployment is part of a NATO mission that began in 2008 with periodic rotations to Iceland .
The United States scaled back its military presence in the North Atlantic when the Cold War ended , but it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invaded eastern Ukraine and annexed the Crimean Peninsula .
`` The routine deployment demonstrates Alliance solidarity and the transatlantic linkage at work , '' said U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Andrew Hansen , NATO Allied Air Command Deputy Chief of Staff Operations .
In September the Air Force awarded three contracts totaling $ 38 million to improve the airfield at Keflavik .
The construction projects are intended support the European Deterrence Initiative implemented by U.S. European Command , which includes military exercises and training like the annual Dynamic Mongoose exercise , which this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iceland .
EDI also includes a rotational presence of U.S. forces in Europe .

A U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, departs Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, for Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, in support of NATO Air Police operations Thursday. The United States Air Force assumed full control of NATO's commitment to the region Monday. Photo by Jessi Monte/U.S. Air Force
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force assumed full control of NATO's air policing mission in the North Atlantic this week. According to the Department of Defense, U.S. F-15C/D Eagles assigned to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in Lakenheath, England, were deployed to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, last week. Advertisement
The aircraft will patrol Icelandic air space.
The deployment is part of a NATO mission that began in 2008 with periodic rotations to Iceland.
The United States scaled back its military presence in the North Atlantic when the Cold War ended, but it has been reinvesting resources in the area since Russia invaded eastern Ukraine and annexed the Crimean Peninsula.
"The routine deployment demonstrates Alliance solidarity and the transatlantic linkage at work," said U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Andrew Hansen, NATO Allied Air Command Deputy Chief of Staff Operations.
In September the Air Force awarded three contracts totaling $38 million to improve the airfield at Keflavik.
The construction projects are intended support the European Deterrence Initiative implemented by U.S. European Command, which includes military exercises and training like the annual Dynamic Mongoose exercise, which this year was held off the coast of Iceland.
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EDI also includes a rotational presence of U.S. forces in Europe.


upi--2020-10-13--Justice Department sues Stephanie Wolkoff for tell-all book about Melania Trump

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department on Tuesday sued Melania Trump 's former adviser and friend , Stephanie Winston Wolkoff , for allegedly violating a non-disclosure agreement when she wrote a tell-all book about the first lady .
The department said Wolkoff broke a confidentiality agreement by publishing the book -- Melania and Me : The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady -- in September .
The complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia asked a judge to order Wolkoff to surrender all profits she receives from the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratuitous services agreement when she volunteered to be an adviser to Trump upon her husband assuming the presidency in January 2017 .
Under the agreement , she `` promised to maintain strict confidentiality over 'non-public , privileged and/or confidential information ' that she might obtain during her service , '' the complaint says .
The lawsuit says Wolkoff never submitted a draft of the book to the first lady or other members of the White House legal team and never received permission to disclose the information contained in it .
Wolkoff was hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she later came under scrutiny for how much her events planning company made off the day .
Wolkoff told The View she worked with lawyers ahead of the book 's publishing to ensure she did n't violating any NDAs .
`` I 've been working with First Amendment lawyers the entire time , pre-publishing lawyers , so this was handled extremely carefully , '' she said .

The Department of Justice said Stephanie Winston Wolkoff signed an agreement not to disclose certain information about first lady Melania Trump and her work as her adviser. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The Justice Department on Tuesday sued Melania Trump's former adviser and friend, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, for allegedly violating a non-disclosure agreement when she wrote a tell-all book about the first lady. The department said Wolkoff broke a confidentiality agreement by publishing the book -- Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady -- in September. Advertisement
The complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia asked a judge to order Wolkoff to surrender all profits she receives from the book.
Court documents indicate Wolkoff signed a gratuitous services agreement when she volunteered to be an adviser to Trump upon her husband assuming the presidency in January 2017. Under the agreement, she "promised to maintain strict confidentiality over 'non-public, privileged and/or confidential information' that she might obtain during her service," the complaint says.
The lawsuit says Wolkoff never submitted a draft of the book to the first lady or other members of the White House legal team and never received permission to disclose the information contained in it.
Wolkoff was hired to organize President Donald Trump inauguration, and she later came under scrutiny for how much her events planning company made off the day.
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Wolkoff told The View she worked with lawyers ahead of the book's publishing to ensure she didn't violating any NDAs.
"I've been working with First Amendment lawyers the entire time, pre-publishing lawyers, so this was handled extremely carefully," she said.


upi--2020-10-13--StormBreaker bomb approved for use on F-15E

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Air Force 's Air Combat Command has approved Raytheon 's StormBreaker smart weapon for use on the F-15E , Raytheon announced Tuesday .
`` StormBreaker delivers an unprecedented capability to pilots in the field , '' said Paul Ferraro , vice president of Raytheon 's Air Power business , in a press release .
`` The weapon gives airmen a significant advantage - the ability to strike maritime or land-based maneuvering targets at range in adverse weather . ''
The StormBreaker , which entered operational testing in 2018 , is a small diameter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide the weapon with infrared , millimeter-wave radar and semi-active lasers in addition to or with GPS and inertial system guide .
The Air Force 's fielding decision means F-15E squadrons can now be equipped with the weapon .
The Navy and Marines intend to use it on their versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter .
The StormBreaker 's small size means fewer aircraft can address the same number of targets compared to larger weapons , which require multiple jets .
The bomb can also fly more than 40 miles to hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven itself in many complex test scenarios , against a variety of targets in extreme environmental conditions , and is now ready to fly , '' said Cristy Stagg , StormBreaker program director at Raytheon .
`` With its multimode seeker and datalink , StormBreaker will make adverse weather irrelevant . ''
In February Raytheon was awarded a $ 15 million increase to a previous contract for StormBreaker technical support .

The StormBreaker smart bomb has been approved for use on the F-15E. Photo courtesy of Raytheon
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command has approved Raytheon's StormBreaker smart weapon for use on the F-15E, Raytheon announced Tuesday. "StormBreaker delivers an unprecedented capability to pilots in the field," said Paul Ferraro, vice president of Raytheon's Air Power business, in a press release. "The weapon gives airmen a significant advantage - the ability to strike maritime or land-based maneuvering targets at range in adverse weather." Advertisement
The StormBreaker, which entered operational testing in 2018, is a small diameter bomb that features a multimode seeker to guide the weapon with infrared, millimeter-wave radar and semi-active lasers in addition to or with GPS and inertial system guide.
The Air Force's fielding decision means F-15E squadrons can now be equipped with the weapon. The Navy and Marines intend to use it on their versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The StormBreaker's small size means fewer aircraft can address the same number of targets compared to larger weapons, which require multiple jets.
The bomb can also fly more than 40 miles to hit mobile targets.
"The weapon has proven itself in many complex test scenarios, against a variety of targets in extreme environmental conditions, and is now ready to fly," said Cristy Stagg, StormBreaker program director at Raytheon. "With its multimode seeker and datalink, StormBreaker will make adverse weather irrelevant."
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In February Raytheon was awarded a $15 million increase to a previous contract for StormBreaker technical support.


upi--2020-10-13--World No. 1 Dustin Johnson tests positive for COVID-19, out of CJ Cup

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Dustin Johnson , the top-ranked golfer in the world , withdrew Tuesday from this week 's CJ Cup after testing positive for COVID-19 , the PGA Tour said .
The organization said in a statement that Johnson experienced symptoms common to the novel coronavirus , prompting him to alert officials and take a test .
Players are tested before traveling each week and on site as part of the Tour 's coronavirus testing protocols .
`` Obviously , I am very disappointed , '' said Johnson , who won the Tour Championship to capture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I was really looking forward to competing this week but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible .
`` I have already had a few calls with the tour 's medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me . ''
David Winkle , Johnson 's agent at Hambric Sports , told ESPN that Johnson took an on-site COVID-19 test Sunday that came back negative .
But the 23-time PGA Tour winner began feeling symptoms Sunday night and stayed away from the course Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to the positive test result .
Since the symptoms started Sunday , it 's possible Johnson could return at next week 's Zozo Championship if his symptoms have subsided .
He would be unable to practice on site before the tournament .
The 36-year-old Johnson has n't played since he finished in a tie for sixth at the U.S. Open last month .
J.T .
Poston was the first alternate and replaces Johnson in the 78-player field .
The CJ Cup begins Thursday at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas @

Dustin Johnson hasn't played since he finished in a tie for sixth at the U.S. Open last month. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Dustin Johnson, the top-ranked golfer in the world, withdrew Tuesday from this week's CJ Cup after testing positive for COVID-19, the PGA Tour said. The organization said in a statement that Johnson experienced symptoms common to the novel coronavirus, prompting him to alert officials and take a test. Players are tested before traveling each week and on site as part of the Tour's coronavirus testing protocols. Advertisement
"Obviously, I am very disappointed," said Johnson, who won the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup title last month. "I was really looking forward to competing this week but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible.
"I have already had a few calls with the tour's medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me."
David Winkle, Johnson's agent at Hambric Sports, told ESPN that Johnson took an on-site COVID-19 test Sunday that came back negative. But the 23-time PGA Tour winner began feeling symptoms Sunday night and stayed away from the course Monday. He didn't feel better Tuesday, leading to the positive test result.
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Since the symptoms started Sunday, it's possible Johnson could return at next week's Zozo Championship if his symptoms have subsided. He would be unable to practice on site before the tournament.
The 36-year-old Johnson hasn't played since he finished in a tie for sixth at the U.S. Open last month. J.T. Poston was the first alternate and replaces Johnson in the 78-player field.
The CJ Cup begins Thursday at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.