upi--2020-10-24--Politics key to views on COVID-19 in U.S., poll shows

The new coronavirus holds no political views .
The pathogen 's only aim is to infect , spread and thrive .
But in what is surely no surprise in a deeply divided America , it turns out that your political views play a large role in your attitude towards COVID-19 prevention efforts .
Republicans tend to be much less worried than Democrats about the COVID-19 pandemic , and therefore less likely to take steps to ward off infection , according to a new HealthDay/Harris Poll survey .
Twice as many Republicans believe the U.S. reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democrats , the survey shows .
Republicans are also more likely than Democrats to be optimistic that COVID-19 will be under control by early 2021 -- 66 % versus 48 % .
Perhaps as a result , about seven in 10 Republicans said they accept certain risks when it comes to COVID-19 so they can go on with life as they choose , compared with about four out of 10 Democrats .
Additionally , eight out of 10 Democrats -- 82 % -- said they `` always '' wear a mask when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Republicans .
Similarly , twice as many Republicans think that restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19 should be lifted across the country , 55 % versus 26 % of Democrats .
`` American attitudes around COVID-19 have been deeply swayed by their political leaning , '' said Robyn Bell Dickson , managing director of The Harris Poll .
`` While perhaps not at all surprising to see a political divide in these results , the magnitude of difference between Republicans and Democrats was not only unexpected , but also alarming as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all to move in the right direction . ''
Douglas Kriner , a professor of government at Cornell University in Ithaca , N.Y. , said he 's not surprised by the poll results , even though `` the response to COVID-19 is not intrinsically a partisan or ideological issue . ''
American opinion simply is reflecting the chasm that 's opened up between America 's political leadership , Kriner said .
`` The partisan split in opinion on so many questions related to COVID-19 is unsurprising given the intense elite polarization on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration itself , '' Kriner said .
`` Many Americans routinely view political and policy questions -- even those with objective answers , such as whether unemployment is rising or falling -- through partisan-tinted lenses . ''
Americans have a chance at the end of the current brutal campaign season to come together and combat COVID-19 as a united front , but Kriner is not optimistic that will occur .
`` The splits observed in this and other polling are driven primarily by the partisan divide in elite rhetoric , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could come to an agreement after the election to actively depoliticize the issue , we might be able to move toward a national consensus on how to combat the virus -- but this is very far from a good bet . ''
Lynn Bufka , senior director of practice transformation and quality for the American Psychological Association , agreed that `` when leaders appeal to what 's good for the larger group , the community , that can make a difference . ''
She said , `` Hopefully , changes in how leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we continue to move forward with this , because we will continue to have COVID among us until there 's a vaccine .
Politicizing it has not resulted in reducing rates of infection . ''
And , Bufka added , `` I 'm sure Democrats want to go on with life as they choose as much as Republicans do .
It 's a matter of knowing what are the risks versus what are the benefits of different kinds of things .
I think that 's part of the challenge that everybody 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these dilemmas in the least political way possible , but to really underscore the benefits of certain decisions for the larger society . ''
The online poll of 2,021 U.S. adults was conducted by The Harris Poll between Oct. 8 and 12 .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 .

A staffer wears a mask while using a cellphone at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in April, ahead of a vote on a coronavirus relief bill. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The new coronavirus holds no political views. The pathogen's only aim is to infect, spread and thrive. But in what is surely no surprise in a deeply divided America, it turns out that your political views play a large role in your attitude towards COVID-19 prevention efforts. Advertisement
Republicans tend to be much less worried than Democrats about the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore less likely to take steps to ward off infection, according to a new HealthDay/Harris Poll survey.
Twice as many Republicans believe the U.S. reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic is overblown, 52% versus 26% of Democrats, the survey shows.
Republicans are also more likely than Democrats to be optimistic that COVID-19 will be under control by early 2021 -- 66% versus 48%.
Perhaps as a result, about seven in 10 Republicans said they accept certain risks when it comes to COVID-19 so they can go on with life as they choose, compared with about four out of 10 Democrats.
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Additionally, eight out of 10 Democrats -- 82% -- said they "always" wear a mask when they go out, compared with 66% of Republicans.
Similarly, twice as many Republicans think that restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19 should be lifted across the country, 55% versus 26% of Democrats.
"American attitudes around COVID-19 have been deeply swayed by their political leaning," said Robyn Bell Dickson, managing director of The Harris Poll. "While perhaps not at all surprising to see a political divide in these results, the magnitude of difference between Republicans and Democrats was not only unexpected, but also alarming as a united front can only help us all to move in the right direction."
Douglas Kriner, a professor of government at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., said he's not surprised by the poll results, even though "the response to COVID-19 is not intrinsically a partisan or ideological issue."
American opinion simply is reflecting the chasm that's opened up between America's political leadership, Kriner said.
"The partisan split in opinion on so many questions related to COVID-19 is unsurprising given the intense elite polarization on the issue, fueled in large part by the Trump administration itself," Kriner said. "Many Americans routinely view political and policy questions -- even those with objective answers, such as whether unemployment is rising or falling -- through partisan-tinted lenses."
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Americans have a chance at the end of the current brutal campaign season to come together and combat COVID-19 as a united front, but Kriner is not optimistic that will occur.
"The splits observed in this and other polling are driven primarily by the partisan divide in elite rhetoric," Kriner said. "If political leaders could come to an agreement after the election to actively depoliticize the issue, we might be able to move toward a national consensus on how to combat the virus -- but this is very far from a good bet."
Lynn Bufka, senior director of practice transformation and quality for the American Psychological Association, agreed that "when leaders appeal to what's good for the larger group, the community, that can make a difference."
She said, "Hopefully, changes in how leadership respond to this will help to depoliticize as we continue to move forward with this, because we will continue to have COVID among us until there's a vaccine. Politicizing it has not resulted in reducing rates of infection."
And, Bufka added, "I'm sure Democrats want to go on with life as they choose as much as Republicans do. It's a matter of knowing what are the risks versus what are the benefits of different kinds of things. I think that's part of the challenge that everybody's wrestling with, and trying to frame these dilemmas in the least political way possible, but to really underscore the benefits of certain decisions for the larger society."
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The online poll of 2,021 U.S. adults was conducted by The Harris Poll between Oct. 8 and 12.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-24--Famous birthdays for Oct. 24: Monica, Kevin Kline

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio .
-- Journalist @ @ @ @ @ of `` Mary Had a Little Lamb , '' in 1788 -- Attorney Belva Lockwood @ @ @ @ @ for U.S. president , in 1830

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Monica attends the 15th annual BET Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 28, 2015. The singer turns 40 on October 24. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio. They include: Advertisement
-- Journalist Sarah Josepha Hale, author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," in 1788
-- Attorney Belva Lockwood, the first woman candidate for U.S. president, in 1830
-- Cartoonist Bob Kane, creator of Batman, in 1915
-- Football Hall of Fame member Y.A. Tittle in 1926
-- Entertainer J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson in 1930
-- Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman in 1936 (age 84)
-- Actor David Nelson in 1936
-- Actor F. Murray Abraham in 1939 (age 81)
-- Actor Kevin Kline in 1947 (age 73)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume in 1948 (age 72)
-- Singer Monica Arnold in 1980 (age 40)
-- Model Tila Tequila, born Thien Thanh Thi Nguyen, in 1981 (age 39)
-- Pop singer Adrienne Bailon in 1983 (age 37)
-- Singer Drake Graham in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Oliver Jackson Cohen in 1986 (age 34)
-- American Olympic gold medal-winning ice dancer Charlie White in 1987 (age 33)
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upi--2020-10-24--On This Day, Oct. 24: Civil rights icon Rosa Parks dies

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1648 , the Treaty of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years ' War in Europe .
In 1861 , the first telegram was transmitted across the United States from California Chief Justice Stephen Field to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in Washington .
In 1901 , daredevil Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel .
In 1929 , $ 5 billion in market values were swept away in the greatest selling wave in the history of the New York Stock Exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would mark the beginning of a 10-year Depression which would affect the entire Western world .
In 1931 , New York City 's George Washington Bridge opened to public traffic .
In 1962 , the blockade of Cuba was in effect , with a ring of U.S. warships and planes under orders to block by whatever means , further aggressive arm deliveries to Fidel Castro .
In 1992 , the Toronto Blue Jays become the first Major League Baseball team based outside the United States to win the World Series .
In 2002 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-week series of Washington-area sniper attacks that killed 10 people and wounded three others .
John Allen Muhammad , 41 , and John Lee Malvo , 17 , were found sleeping in a car at a rest stop near Frederick , Md .
Both were convicted .
Muhammad was executed and Malvo sentenced to life in prison .
In 2003 , an era in aviation history ended when the supersonic Concorde took off from New York to London on its final flight .
In 2005 , civil rights icon Rosa Parks died at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the rights movement in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery , Ala. , bus .
In 2009 , U.S. President Barack Obama declared a national emergency related to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus , also known as swine flu , to aid local authorities in dealing with the pandemic .
Medical officials put the American death toll at 530 with thousands hospitalized .
In 2012 , a 41-mile final stretch of Texas Highway 130 , a toll road from Mustang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seguin , opened with the highest speed limit in the United States -- 85 mph .
In 2012 , Hurricane Sandy made landfall for the first time , in Jamaica , killing two people there .
The storm would go on to cause tens of billions of dollars in the northeast United States and kill more than 200 people along its path .
In 2018 , one person in South Carolina won the biggest lottery jackpot in U.S. history -- $ 1.6 billion -- after three months of no Mega Millions winners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictator Francisco Franco was exhumed from the Valley of the Fallen in San Lorenzo de El Escorial to be moved to Mingorrubio-El Pardo .

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Rosa Parks sits up front of a Montgomery, Ala., bus with UPI reporter Nicholas Chriss in on December 21,1956, one year after she refused to give up her seat to a white man and was arrested. Parks died October 24, 2005. File Photo by UPI
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe. Advertisement
In 1861, the first telegram was transmitted across the United States from California Chief Justice Stephen Field to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in Washington.
In 1901, daredevil Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
In 1929, $5 billion in market values were swept away in the greatest selling wave in the history of the New York Stock Exchange. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 would mark the beginning of a 10-year Depression which would affect the entire Western world.
In 1931, New York City's George Washington Bridge opened to public traffic.
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
In 1962, the blockade of Cuba was in effect, with a ring of U.S. warships and planes under orders to block by whatever means, further aggressive arm deliveries to Fidel Castro.
In 1992, the Toronto Blue Jays become the first Major League Baseball team based outside the United States to win the World Series.
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In 2002, police arrested two suspects in a three-week series of Washington-area sniper attacks that killed 10 people and wounded three others. John Allen Muhammad, 41, and John Lee Malvo, 17, were found sleeping in a car at a rest stop near Frederick, Md. Both were convicted. Muhammad was executed and Malvo sentenced to life in prison.
In 2003, an era in aviation history ended when the supersonic Concorde took off from New York to London on its final flight.
File Photo by Jeff Christensen/Pool
In 2005, civil rights icon Rosa Parks died at age 92. Parks gave new impetus to the rights movement in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Ala., bus.
In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama declared a national emergency related to the outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu, to aid local authorities in dealing with the pandemic. Medical officials put the American death toll at 530 with thousands hospitalized.
In 2012, a 41-mile final stretch of Texas Highway 130, a toll road from Mustang Ridge, south of Austin, to Seguin, opened with the highest speed limit in the United States -- 85 mph.
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In 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall for the first time, in Jamaica, killing two people there. The storm would go on to cause tens of billions of dollars in the northeast United States and kill more than 200 people along its path.
In 2018, one person in South Carolina won the biggest lottery jackpot in U.S. history -- $1.6 billion -- after three months of no Mega Millions winners.
In 2019, the body of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco was exhumed from the Valley of the Fallen in San Lorenzo de El Escorial to be moved to Mingorrubio-El Pardo.


upi--2020-10-24--Exercise boosts physical, mental well-being of older cancer survivors

Active older adults -- cancer survivors included -- are in better physical and mental health than their sedentary peers , a new study finds .
More regular moderate to vigorous physical activity and less sedentary time improve the mental and physical health of older cancer survivors and older people without a cancer diagnosis , say researchers from the American Cancer Society .
`` The findings reinforce the importance of moving more and sitting less for both physical and mental health , no matter your age or history of cancer , '' study co-author Dr. Erika Rees-Punia said .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us , particularly cancer survivors , may be staying home to avoid COVID-19 exposure , and may be feeling a little isolated or down , '' Rees-Punia added in a cancer society news release .
For the study , the research team analyzed aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities , sitting time and mental and physical health of nearly 78,000 people who took part in the society 's Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort .
The researchers found clinically meaningful differences in mental and physical health between the most and least active , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the findings support the importance of regular exercise and less sitting time as a way to improve quality of life for older men and women .
The American Cancer Society physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity a week .
They also advise limiting sedentary behaviors like screen time .
`` A simple walk or other physical activity that you enjoy may be good for your mind and body , '' Rees-Punia said .
The report was published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more on exercise and health , visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Active older adults -- cancer survivors included -- are in better physical and mental health than their sedentary peers, a new study finds.
More regular moderate to vigorous physical activity and less sedentary time improve the mental and physical health of older cancer survivors and older people without a cancer diagnosis, say researchers from the American Cancer Society.
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"The findings reinforce the importance of moving more and sitting less for both physical and mental health, no matter your age or history of cancer," study co-author Dr. Erika Rees-Punia said.
"This is especially relevant now as so many of us, particularly cancer survivors, may be staying home to avoid COVID-19 exposure, and may be feeling a little isolated or down," Rees-Punia added in a cancer society news release.
For the study, the research team analyzed aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, sitting time and mental and physical health of nearly 78,000 people who took part in the society's Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort.
The researchers found clinically meaningful differences in mental and physical health between the most and least active, and the least and most sedentary.
They say the findings support the importance of regular exercise and less sitting time as a way to improve quality of life for older men and women.
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The American Cancer Society physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity a week. They also advise limiting sedentary behaviors like screen time.
"A simple walk or other physical activity that you enjoy may be good for your mind and body," Rees-Punia said.
The report was published this week in the journal Cancer.
More information
For more on exercise and health, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-24--World Series: Dodgers dominate Rays in Game 3, grab 2-1 lead

Oct. 23 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers cruised to a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington , Texas , to take a 2-1 lead in the World Series .
Walker Buehler dominated across six innings and the Dodgers picked apart Rays starter Charlie Morton to earn the Game 3 victory .
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is set for Saturday night .
`` I 've taken the failures that I 've had and tried to learn from them a little bit , '' Buehler said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cushion early so I could be aggressive . ''
Justin Turner got the Dodgers ' offense going with a solo home run to left in the first inning .
Max Muncy 's two-RBI single in the third extended the Dodgers ' lead to 3-0 .
The Dodgers added two more runs in the fifth after Austin Barnes ' sacrifice bunt and Mookie Betts ' RBI single .
Betts also had two stolen bases , giving him three in the series .
The Rays ' bats finally answered in the bottom of the fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score Manuel Margot .
But the Dodgers instantly responded in the next inning with Barnes ' 425-foot solo homer to deep center , giving Los Angeles a 6-1 advantage .
Rays rookie Randy Arozarena -- the 2020 ALCS MVP -- smacked a solo home run in the ninth to bring the final score to 6-2 , tying the record for most homers in a single postseason in the process .
Barry Bonds ( 2002 ) , Carlos Beltran ( 2004 ) and Nelson Cruz ( 2011 ) each recorded eight home runs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed only one run on three hits in his six innings .
He also notched 10 strikeouts and walked one .
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen gave up the solo homer to Arozarena in the final inning .
Morton ( 0-1 ) , who entered the third game of the series unbeaten in seven consecutive postseason decisions , gave up five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings .
He struck out six and issued one walk .
`` I was n't particularly sharp , '' Morton said .
`` I felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty quickly with a lot of guys and just not able to put them away . ''
The Dodgers are expected to send out Julio Urias for Game 4 , while the Rays will throw several relievers .

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers cruised to a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, to take a 2-1 lead in the World Series. Walker Buehler dominated across six innings and the Dodgers picked apart Rays starter Charlie Morton to earn the Game 3 victory. Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is set for Saturday night. Advertisement
"I've taken the failures that I've had and tried to learn from them a little bit," Buehler said. "Obviously our team gave me a cushion early so I could be aggressive."
Justin Turner got the Dodgers' offense going with a solo home run to left in the first inning. Max Muncy's two-RBI single in the third extended the Dodgers' lead to 3-0.
The Dodgers added two more runs in the fifth after Austin Barnes' sacrifice bunt and Mookie Betts' RBI single. Betts also had two stolen bases, giving him three in the series.
The Rays' bats finally answered in the bottom of the fifth when Willy Adames bashed a double to score Manuel Margot. But the Dodgers instantly responded in the next inning with Barnes' 425-foot solo homer to deep center, giving Los Angeles a 6-1 advantage.
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Rays rookie Randy Arozarena -- the 2020 ALCS MVP -- smacked a solo home run in the ninth to bring the final score to 6-2, tying the record for most homers in a single postseason in the process. Barry Bonds (2002), Carlos Beltran (2004) and Nelson Cruz (2011) each recorded eight home runs in one postseason.
Buehler (1-0) allowed only one run on three hits in his six innings. He also notched 10 strikeouts and walked one. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen gave up the solo homer to Arozarena in the final inning.
Morton (0-1), who entered the third game of the series unbeaten in seven consecutive postseason decisions, gave up five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six and issued one walk.
"I wasn't particularly sharp," Morton said. "I felt like I was able to get two strikes pretty quickly with a lot of guys and just not able to put them away."
The Dodgers are expected to send out Julio Urias for Game 4, while the Rays will throw several relievers.


upi--2020-10-24--Obama speaks at drive-in rally for Biden in Miami

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Former President Barack Obama sharply criticized President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic while campaigning in Miami Saturday .
During a 45-minute speech at Florida International University 's Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami , Obama said the Trump administration ignored plans left behind by members of his own administration with guidance on how to fight a pandemic .
The rally took place on the first day of early voting in Florida , in an open field on which 228 cars were permitted to park for his speech .
Instead of cheering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left this White House a pandemic playbook to show them how to respond before a virus reached our shores , '' Obama said .
`` It must be lost along with the Republican healthcare plan . ''
Obama also directly responded to attacks against Biden , who served as his vice president during his administration .
`` Listening to the Republicans , you 'd think Joe was more communist than the Castros .
Do n't fall for that garbage , '' he said .
`` I think folks would know if he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day , Obama made a surprise visit to Miami Springs , a small , majority Latino city outside Miami Saturday , to motivate local campaign workers before they headed out to knock on doors .
`` Many of you were involved when I ran in 2008 and some of you when I ran in 2012 and I am so grateful .
The lifeblood of any campaign is not TV ads .
It 's not position papers .
It 's not the debates .
It 's organizing , going out there and doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democratic strategists are focusing on heavily Latino areas in Florida , where polls say Cuban voters are likely to vote for Trump at a higher rate in 2020 than they did in 2016 .

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Former President Barack Obama campaigns for Biden for president at a drive-in rally at Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, Miami, on Saturday. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Former President Barack Obama sharply criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic while campaigning in Miami Saturday. During a 45-minute speech at Florida International University's Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami, Obama said the Trump administration ignored plans left behind by members of his own administration with guidance on how to fight a pandemic. Advertisement
The rally took place on the first day of early voting in Florida, in an open field on which 228 cars were permitted to park for his speech. Instead of cheering, they honked.
"We literally left this White House a pandemic playbook to show them how to respond before a virus reached our shores," Obama said. "It must be lost along with the Republican healthcare plan."
Obama also directly responded to attacks against Biden, who served as his vice president during his administration.
"Listening to the Republicans, you'd think Joe was more communist than the Castros. Don't fall for that garbage," he said. "I think folks would know if he was a secret socialist."
Earlier in the day, Obama made a surprise visit to Miami Springs, a small, majority Latino city outside Miami Saturday, to motivate local campaign workers before they headed out to knock on doors.
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"Many of you were involved when I ran in 2008 and some of you when I ran in 2012 and I am so grateful. The lifeblood of any campaign is not TV ads. It's not position papers. It's not the debates. It's organizing, going out there and doing it every day," Obama said.
Democratic strategists are focusing on heavily Latino areas in Florida, where polls say Cuban voters are likely to vote for Trump at a higher rate in 2020 than they did in 2016.


upi--2020-10-24--Tropical depression could strengthen to hurricane in Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- A slow-moving tropical depression will cause heavy rainfall in the Caribbean and southern Florida , and may strengthen to a hurricane near the southern Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday , weather experts said .
So-called Tropical Depression 28 was blowing with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph about 240 miles south-southeast of the tip of Cuba , the National Hurricane Center said Saturday night .
The storm was barely moving at 2 mph .
The system may pick up forward speed , strengthening into a tropical storm by Sunday and moving faster Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The storm is predicted to have strengthened significantly and emerge over the southern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday , the agency said .
Heavy rainfall of 4 to 8 inches is expected across portions of central and western Cuba , the Cayman Islands , Jamaica , the northeast Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico , southern Florida and the Florida Keys .
A total of 12 inches of rain may have drenched southern Florida by Wednesday , the agency said .
Meanwhile , Hurricane Epsilon in the mid-Atlantic Ocean was roaring with sustained winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward the northeast about 615 miles northeast of Bermuda .
The storm will cause life-threatening surf and rip currents in Bermuda , the Bahamas , the Greater Antilles , the Leeward Islands and possibly the Eastern coast of the United States during the next couple of days , the agency said .

Tropical depression No. 28 will drench southern Florida with up to 12 inches of rainfall and may strengthen into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said. Photo courtesy of the National Hurricane Center
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A slow-moving tropical depression will cause heavy rainfall in the Caribbean and southern Florida, and may strengthen to a hurricane near the southern Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday, weather experts said. So-called Tropical Depression 28 was blowing with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph about 240 miles south-southeast of the tip of Cuba, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday night. The storm was barely moving at 2 mph. Advertisement
The system may pick up forward speed, strengthening into a tropical storm by Sunday and moving faster Monday, approaching the Yucatan Channel or Yucatan Peninsula. The storm is predicted to have strengthened significantly and emerge over the southern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, the agency said.
Heavy rainfall of 4 to 8 inches is expected across portions of central and western Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the northeast Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, southern Florida and the Florida Keys. A total of 12 inches of rain may have drenched southern Florida by Wednesday, the agency said.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Epsilon in the mid-Atlantic Ocean was roaring with sustained winds of 80 mph traveling about 22 mph toward the northeast about 615 miles northeast of Bermuda.
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The storm will cause life-threatening surf and rip currents in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, the Leeward Islands and possibly the Eastern coast of the United States during the next couple of days, the agency said.


upi--2020-10-24--France withdraws ambassador to Turkey amid rising tension with Erdogan

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- France has withdrawn its ambassador to Turkey for `` consultations '' after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insulted President Emmanuel Macron in television remarks over the treatment of Muslims in France .
Macron has vowed to work against `` Islamist separatism '' in France after a Paris teacher was beheaded in a plot linked to anger over cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad used in a middle school class .
`` What is the problem of this person called Macron with Muslims and Islam ? ''
Erdogan said in the central Turkish city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment on a mental level .
What else can be said to a head of state who does not understand freedom of belief and who behaves in this way to millions of people living in his country who are members of a different faith ? ''
Erdogan said .
`` First of all , have mental checks , '' Erdogan taunted .
The French presidency criticized `` the excess and the rudeness , '' of Ergodan 's remarks , which a spokesman called `` dangerous from all points of view . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message of condolences from Turkey after the death of teacher Samuel Paty .
France and Turkey have been drawn into the increasingly violent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan , with European neighbors attempting to broker a ceasefire in Moscow .
Ergodan has been actively supporting Azerbaijan by criticizing air attacks on civilians from Armenia .
In early October , Macron criticized Turkey for allowing `` jihadist '' fighters from Syria to cross through Turkey into Azerbaijan , calling out the country as a NATO partner and saying `` a red line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports Greece and Cyprus in a simmering conflict with Turkey over off-shore oil drilling in the Mediterranean .
Paris has seen civilian attacks , including a stabbing , in recent weeks connected to the trial of 14 defendants accused of planning a violent shooting attack that killed 17 people in 2015 at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo .

French President Emmanuel Macron has withdrawn an ambassador to Turkey for "consultations" following insulting remarks and aggressive behavior from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. File Photo by Abir Sultan/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- France has withdrawn its ambassador to Turkey for "consultations" after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insulted President Emmanuel Macron in television remarks over the treatment of Muslims in France. Macron has vowed to work against "Islamist separatism" in France after a Paris teacher was beheaded in a plot linked to anger over cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad used in a middle school class. Advertisement
"What is the problem of this person called Macron with Muslims and Islam?" Erdogan said in the central Turkish city of Kayseri on Saturday. "Macron needs treatment on a mental level. What else can be said to a head of state who does not understand freedom of belief and who behaves in this way to millions of people living in his country who are members of a different faith?" Erdogan said.
"First of all, have mental checks," Erdogan taunted.
The French presidency criticized "the excess and the rudeness," of Ergodan's remarks, which a spokesman called "dangerous from all points of view."
The French government also noted the absence of a message of condolences from Turkey after the death of teacher Samuel Paty.
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France and Turkey have been drawn into the increasingly violent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with European neighbors attempting to broker a ceasefire in Moscow. Ergodan has been actively supporting Azerbaijan by criticizing air attacks on civilians from Armenia.
In early October, Macron criticized Turkey for allowing "jihadist" fighters from Syria to cross through Turkey into Azerbaijan, calling out the country as a NATO partner and saying "a red line has been crossed."
France also supports Greece and Cyprus in a simmering conflict with Turkey over off-shore oil drilling in the Mediterranean.
Paris has seen civilian attacks, including a stabbing, in recent weeks connected to the trial of 14 defendants accused of planning a violent shooting attack that killed 17 people in 2015 at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.


upi--2020-10-24--Ethiopian foreign minister accuses Trump of 'incitement to war'

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Ethiopia 's foreign minister contacted U.S .
Ambassador Mike Raynor Saturday to get clarity on statements made by President Donald Trump this week about the Nile dam dispute .
In a statement posted to Facebook Saturday , Ethiopian minister of foreign affairs H.E .
Gedu Andargachew said he told Ambassador Mike Raynor that a statement Trump made Friday was `` incitement of war between Ethiopia and Egypt '' that does n't reflect Ethiopia 's partnership with the United States and is not acceptable under international law .
During a Friday call with Sudan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Israel , Trump referenced a long-simmering dispute -- that involves Ethiopia , Egypt and Sudan -- over a dam on the Blue Nile River .
`` [ Egypt ] will end up blowing up the dam , '' Trump said .
`` And I said it and I say it loud and clear ... they 'll blow up that dam .
And they have to do something . ''
Ethiopia began building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River , which connects the country to Egypt .
The country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project , and it is nearly complete .
But where Ethiopian leaders see it as a vital public works project that will reduce poverty , Egyptian leaders worry the dam will disrupt water access .
Gedu also said the statement was misleading because the dam wo n't stop the flow of the Nile .
`` The minister further informed the ambassador that Ethiopia has never and will not in the future succumb to threats to its sovereignty and will be committed to continue the trilateral negotiations under the framework of the African Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's former prime minister , Hailemariam Dessalegn , also tweeted Friday , calling Trump 's statements `` irresponsible , '' and asserting that Trump `` does n't have a clue on what he is talking about . ''
The United States had previously tried to broker a deal between the three countries over the disagreement , but Ethiopian officials ultimately walked away from negotiations , and in September the State Department suspended millions of dollars in foreign aid to Ethiopia after the country began filling up a reservoir behind the dam .

Ethiopian minister of foreign affairs H.E. Gedu Andargachew described President Donald Trump's comments on a long-simmering dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as an incitement to war. Photo by Dragan Tatic via Wikimedia Commons
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Ethiopia's foreign minister contacted U.S. Ambassador Mike Raynor Saturday to get clarity on statements made by President Donald Trump this week about the Nile dam dispute. In a statement posted to Facebook Saturday, Ethiopian minister of foreign affairs H.E. Gedu Andargachew said he told Ambassador Mike Raynor that a statement Trump made Friday was "incitement of war between Ethiopia and Egypt" that doesn't reflect Ethiopia's partnership with the United States and is not acceptable under international law. Advertisement
During a Friday call with Sudan and Israel to discuss normalizing relations between Sudan and Israel, Trump referenced a long-simmering dispute -- that involves Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan -- over a dam on the Blue Nile River.
"[Egypt] will end up blowing up the dam," Trump said. "And I said it and I say it loud and clear ... they'll blow up that dam. And they have to do something."
Ethiopia began building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River, which connects the country to Egypt.
The country has spent $4.6 billion on the project, and it is nearly complete. But where Ethiopian leaders see it as a vital public works project that will reduce poverty, Egyptian leaders worry the dam will disrupt water access.
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Gedu also said the statement was misleading because the dam won't stop the flow of the Nile.
"The minister further informed the ambassador that Ethiopia has never and will not in the future succumb to threats to its sovereignty and will be committed to continue the trilateral negotiations under the framework of the African Union," the statement said.
Ethiopia's former prime minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn, also tweeted Friday, calling Trump's statements "irresponsible," and asserting that Trump "doesn't have a clue on what he is talking about."
Reckless conversation of the President of US with Sudanese PM. Sorry to say but the man doesn't have a clue on what he is talking about. Ethiopia and Ethiopians will never be threatened by such irresponsible statement. History will teach every one.@AbiyAhmedAli @SudanPMHamdok— Hailemariam Dessalegn (@HMDessalegn) October 24, 2020
The United States had previously tried to broker a deal between the three countries over the disagreement, but Ethiopian officials ultimately walked away from negotiations, and in September the State Department suspended millions of dollars in foreign aid to Ethiopia after the country began filling up a reservoir behind the dam.


upi--2020-10-24--2  U.S. vaccine trials to resume after pauses

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Vaccine trials will resume in the United States for two late-stage COVID-19 medications in production by drugmakers AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson , both of which were halted after participants became ill. AstraZeneca announced Saturday that the Food and Drug Administration had authorized the company to resume trials that stopped in September , after a neurological problem sickened a participant .
`` The restart of clinical trials across the world is great news as it allows us to continue our efforts to develop this vaccine to help defeat this terrible pandemic , '' Pascal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` We should be reassured by the care taken by independent regulators to protect the public and ensure the vaccine is safe before it is approved for use . ''
The AstraZeneca trial is being co-developed at Britain 's Oxford University , and overseas drug trials have continued .
A trial by drugmaker Johnson & Johnson has started up again after it was halted earlier this month when a volunteer participant suffered a stroke , the Washington Post reported Saturday .
An independent board investigates when a participant becomes ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave the OK for Johnson & Johnson to continue , the company said .
`` With the information which we gathered to date and the information from external experts , the company found no evidence the vaccine candidate caused it , '' Paul Stoffels , chief scientific officer told the Washington Post .
Two other companies , Moderna and Pfizer , are also working on stage-three vaccine trials in the United States .
About 30,000 volunteer participants are being tested in FDA-approved trials for each vaccine .
It is not unusual that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become ill , but companies are rushing forward with vaccine trials because the coronavirus has affected so many people , with more than 42.6 million infections worldwide .
Medical experts predict that more than one vaccine will be needed to distribute quickly to people in the United States and around the world .
`` The demand for safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines exceeds any single manufacturer 's production capacity , '' Luciana Borio , a former acting chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration told the New York Times .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The speed of the vaccine development has become a political issue in the 2020 presidential race , with President Donald Trump promising the vaccine `` within weeks '' at the presidential debate against former vice president Joe Biden in Nashville Thursday .
Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris said on the campaign trail that she would not trust the vaccine if it was approved by Trump , but she would accept it if it was approved by `` public health professionals . ''
Federal epidemiologists , such as the National Institute of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine will be available in spring of 2021 at the earliest .

Vaccine trials by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson were approved by the Food and Drug Administration to resume trials that were temporarily halted after participants fell ill. File Photo by Drago Prvulovic/EPA
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Vaccine trials will resume in the United States for two late-stage COVID-19 medications in production by drugmakers AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, both of which were halted after participants became ill. AstraZeneca announced Saturday that the Food and Drug Administration had authorized the company to resume trials that stopped in September, after a neurological problem sickened a participant. Advertisement
"The restart of clinical trials across the world is great news as it allows us to continue our efforts to develop this vaccine to help defeat this terrible pandemic," Pascal Soriot, AstraZaneca's CEO said in a statement. "We should be reassured by the care taken by independent regulators to protect the public and ensure the vaccine is safe before it is approved for use."
The AstraZeneca trial is being co-developed at Britain's Oxford University, and overseas drug trials have continued.
A trial by drugmaker Johnson & Johnson has started up again after it was halted earlier this month when a volunteer participant suffered a stroke, the Washington Post reported Saturday.
An independent board investigates when a participant becomes ill during a vaccine trial. The board gave the OK for Johnson & Johnson to continue, the company said.
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"With the information which we gathered to date and the information from external experts, the company found no evidence the vaccine candidate caused it," Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer told the Washington Post.
Two other companies, Moderna and Pfizer, are also working on stage-three vaccine trials in the United States.
About 30,000 volunteer participants are being tested in FDA-approved trials for each vaccine. It is not unusual that in such large-scale trials, some participants will become ill, but companies are rushing forward with vaccine trials because the coronavirus has affected so many people, with more than 42.6 million infections worldwide.
Medical experts predict that more than one vaccine will be needed to distribute quickly to people in the United States and around the world.
"The demand for safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines exceeds any single manufacturer's production capacity," Luciana Borio, a former acting chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration told the New York Times. "We really need several in the field."
The speed of the vaccine development has become a political issue in the 2020 presidential race, with President Donald Trump promising the vaccine "within weeks" at the presidential debate against former vice president Joe Biden in Nashville Thursday.
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Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris said on the campaign trail that she would not trust the vaccine if it was approved by Trump, but she would accept it if it was approved by "public health professionals."
Federal epidemiologists, such as the National Institute of Health's Anthony Fauci, have predicted that the vaccine will be available in spring of 2021 at the earliest.


upi--2020-10-24--New Yorkers, Californians line up for early voting

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Long lines formed at polling sites in both California and New York as both states opened for in-person voting Saturday .
This is the first election in which New Yorkers have been permitted to vote early , following the state legislature 's approval of early voting in 2019 .
In New York City , lines stretched for blocks near polling sites and election officials dealt with malfunctioning electronic poll machines and anxious voters .
Voters also turned out to vote in California , where nearly 20 % of eligible voters have already cast votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a repeat of problems that troubled March 's primary election , during which 15 counties were unable to connect with the state 's election system .
In New York , most voters wore face masks , some wore gloves and they tried to spread out at least six feet apart as they waited in line .
Last month , New York City 's board of elections sent 100,000 defective absentee ballots to voters , most located in Brooklyn , and some of the individuals standing in line Saturday told reporters they turned out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to casting an absentee ballot .
`` I do n't trust the Postal Service right now , '' New Yorker Denise Gardner told the Washington Post .
And they said this year 's election was important enough to risk contagion .
`` I am one of the ones that truly believes this is one of the most important elections we ever had , '' 60-year-old Bryan Washington , also a New York resident , told the New York Times .
`` I truly believe this is an election for the soul of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a New York election attorney who has represented candidates seeking public office , it 's not unusual to hear reports of long lines and other problems during the first day of early voting -- and that those long lines are sign of better-than-expected turnout .
`` There 's always a couple of glitches .
This is an event for a lot of people , and it is a wonderful sign of civic engagement , '' Steiner said .

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"Vote" is written on a yellow balloon as People gather at the "Plus1Vote's March for National Early Vote Day" rally on the first day of early voting for the 2020 election in New York City on Saturday, October 24, 2020. New York City voters for the first time have the option for early voting for the 2020 election and some waited online hours before their polling site opened at 10 a.m. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Long lines formed at polling sites in both California and New York as both states opened for in-person voting Saturday. This is the first election in which New Yorkers have been permitted to vote early, following the state legislature's approval of early voting in 2019. Advertisement
In New York City, lines stretched for blocks near polling sites and election officials dealt with malfunctioning electronic poll machines and anxious voters.
Voters also turned out to vote in California, where nearly 20% of eligible voters have already cast votes by mail. Officials hope to avoid a repeat of problems that troubled March's primary election, during which 15 counties were unable to connect with the state's election system.
In New York, most voters wore face masks, some wore gloves and they tried to spread out at least six feet apart as they waited in line.
Last month, New York City's board of elections sent 100,000 defective absentee ballots to voters, most located in Brooklyn, and some of the individuals standing in line Saturday told reporters they turned out for in-person voting because they preferred it to casting an absentee ballot.
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"I don't trust the Postal Service right now," New Yorker Denise Gardner told the Washington Post.
And they said this year's election was important enough to risk contagion.
"I am one of the ones that truly believes this is one of the most important elections we ever had," 60-year-old Bryan Washington, also a New York resident, told the New York Times. "I truly believe this is an election for the soul of the country."
According to Sarah Steiner, a New York election attorney who has represented candidates seeking public office, it's not unusual to hear reports of long lines and other problems during the first day of early voting -- and that those long lines are sign of better-than-expected turnout.
"There's always a couple of glitches. This is an event for a lot of people, and it is a wonderful sign of civic engagement," Steiner said.


upi--2020-10-24--Waukegan police fire officer after fatal shooting of 19-year-old Black man

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- A police officer in Waukegan , Ill. , has been fired after shooting and killing a 19-year-old Black man and killing his girlfriend , officials announced Friday .
Wayne Walles , chief of the Waukegan Police Department , said in a press release that the officer -- who the city has not named publicly -- was fired for `` multiple policy and procedure violations '' related to the death of Marcellis Stinnette and the wounding of Tafara Williams .
The city 's release did not name the officer or specify the violations , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic and had worked for the city for about five years .
Stinnette and Williams were shot Tuesday night .
Williams is expected to recover .
The city 's announcement followed an announcement by Lake County state 's attorney , Mike Nerheim , that the Federal Bureau of Investigation will review the shooting .
The Illinois State Police are also investigating the shooting .
`` As I have said before , once the investigation is concluded , all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made with respect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Having all available resources and as many independent fresh eyes as possible is critical to this process . ''
Family members and activists had called for an independent investigation during a Thursday rally in Waukegan .
Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio M. Romanucci announced Friday that they have been retained to represent Williams .
Police said the officer opened fire on Williams and Stinnette , who are both Black , when their vehicle backed toward him as he approached it during a Tuesday traffic stop .
`` Ms. Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into what happened during that incident , because we do not trust the police narrative in this case .
We have seen over and over that the 'official ' report when police kill Black people is far too often missing or misrepresenting details , '' said Crump , who has also represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown , in a press release .
`` We will share our findings with the public when we have uncovered the truth . ''

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A police officer in Waukegan, Ill., has been fired after shooting and killing a 19-year-old Black man and killing his girlfriend, officials announced Friday.
Wayne Walles, chief of the Waukegan Police Department, said in a press release that the officer -- who the city has not named publicly -- was fired for "multiple policy and procedure violations" related to the death of Marcellis Stinnette and the wounding of Tafara Williams.
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The city's release did not name the officer or specify the violations, but city officials have said the officer was Hispanic and had worked for the city for about five years.
Stinnette and Williams were shot Tuesday night. Williams is expected to recover.
The city's announcement followed an announcement by Lake County state's attorney, Mike Nerheim, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation will review the shooting.
The Illinois State Police are also investigating the shooting.
"As I have said before, once the investigation is concluded, all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made with respect to any potential charges," Nerheim said. "Having all available resources and as many independent fresh eyes as possible is critical to this process."
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Family members and activists had called for an independent investigation during a Thursday rally in Waukegan.
Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio M. Romanucci announced Friday that they have been retained to represent Williams.
Police said the officer opened fire on Williams and Stinnette, who are both Black, when their vehicle backed toward him as he approached it during a Tuesday traffic stop.
"Ms. Williams' legal team will begin our own investigation into what happened during that incident, because we do not trust the police narrative in this case. We have seen over and over that the 'official' report when police kill Black people is far too often missing or misrepresenting details," said Crump, who has also represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, in a press release. "We will share our findings with the public when we have uncovered the truth."


upi--2020-10-24--Macy's cancels visits with Santa, offers online experience

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Macy 's has announced that stores will be canceling in-person visits with Santa Claus because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Instead , stores will be hosting an interactive virtual experience called `` Macy 's Santaland at Home , '' the company said .
Macy 's has been hosting visits with Santa in New York since 1861 .
Beginning after Thanksgiving and through Christmas Eve , the online site at macys.com/Santaland will feature interactive games with elves , a chance to upload a Christmas wishlist and a video selfie with Santa .
`` For many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a long-standing highlight of the holiday season , '' Susan Tercero , Macy 's spokeswoman said in a statement .
`` Macy 's is delighted to have found a way to ensure even more families can enjoy this treasured experience safely during this festive time of the year . ''
Macy 's will also go virtual with other holiday events in other cities such as the Dickens Village and Christmas Light Show in Philadelphia , which will also be available online , the company said .
Santa will also beaming appearances on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Across the country , as breakfasts with Santa and department store visits have been put on hold , some enterprising Santas have offered a Zoom alternative or a pre-recorded video message .
The pandemic is also to blame for Macy 's decision to scale back the department store 's annual Thanksgiving Parade .
The parade , broadcast on television , will be slashed to 25 % of its normal size and filmed over two days as floats , balloons and musicians stay on the streets surrounding Herald Square .
Santa will still appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade , the company told CBS .
Department stores across the country have readjusted holiday hours and canceled Thanksgiving Day sales to help slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised against attending crowded shopping centers during the holidays

Macy's department stores announced that in-person visits to Santa Claus will be canceled this year, but the store's Santaland would be available online. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Macy's has announced that stores will be canceling in-person visits with Santa Claus because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, stores will be hosting an interactive virtual experience called "Macy's Santaland at Home," the company said. Macy's has been hosting visits with Santa in New York since 1861. Advertisement
Beginning after Thanksgiving and through Christmas Eve, the online site at macys.com/Santaland will feature interactive games with elves, a chance to upload a Christmas wishlist and a video selfie with Santa.
"For many, visiting Santa at Macy's has become a long-standing highlight of the holiday season," Susan Tercero, Macy's spokeswoman said in a statement. "Macy's is delighted to have found a way to ensure even more families can enjoy this treasured experience safely during this festive time of the year."
Macy's will also go virtual with other holiday events in other cities such as the Dickens Village and Christmas Light Show in Philadelphia, which will also be available online, the company said.
Santa will also beaming appearances on the store's social media accounts.
Across the country, as breakfasts with Santa and department store visits have been put on hold, some enterprising Santas have offered a Zoom alternative or a pre-recorded video message.
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The pandemic is also to blame for Macy's decision to scale back the department store's annual Thanksgiving Parade. The parade, broadcast on television, will be slashed to 25% of its normal size and filmed over two days as floats, balloons and musicians stay on the streets surrounding Herald Square. Santa will still appear at the end of the Macy's parade, the company told CBS.
Department stores across the country have readjusted holiday hours and canceled Thanksgiving Day sales to help slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised against attending crowded shopping centers during the holidays


upi--2020-10-24--Tokyo rally calls for return of individuals abducted by North Korea

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- About 800 people , including Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , gathered in Tokyo on Saturday to call for the immediate return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s .
The rally was held at the same venue as a farewell ceremony for Shigeru Yokota , the father of Megumi Yokota , who was kidnapped by North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13 .
Suga pledged to work toward a resolution of the issue and to seek direct talks with North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korean leadership has said the issue is completely resolved .
`` I will take the lead in making a breakthrough [ on the abduction issue ] without missing any opportunities , '' said Suga , who was elected last month .
Described by Suga as someone `` whose words moved people 's hearts , '' Shigeru Yokota died in June at age 87 from natural causes .
He worked for more than 20 years with family members of other abductees to pressure the Japanese government to rescue their loved ones , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe Megumi is fine , '' Shigeru Yokota 's widow , Sakie , 84 , said at the gathering .
Megumi Yokota disappeared on her way home from school on Nov. 15 , 1977 , prompting her father to form the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea , of which he served as chief for more than 10 years until November 2007 .
`` Many of the parents waiting for their abducted sons and daughters to return home are fighting on the front lines despite their old age , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Takuya , 52 , who is secretary-general of the association .
`` There is no time left . ''
The gathering had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic , and the number of people at the gathering was limited .

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Sakie Yokota speaks during a farewell party for her husband, Shigeru Yokota, in Tokyo Saturday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- About 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, gathered in Tokyo on Saturday to call for the immediate return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. The rally was held at the same venue as a farewell ceremony for Shigeru Yokota, the father of Megumi Yokota, who was kidnapped by North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13. Advertisement
Suga pledged to work toward a resolution of the issue and to seek direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but North Korean leadership has said the issue is completely resolved.
"I will take the lead in making a breakthrough [on the abduction issue] without missing any opportunities," said Suga, who was elected last month.
Described by Suga as someone "whose words moved people's hearts," Shigeru Yokota died in June at age 87 from natural causes.
He worked for more than 20 years with family members of other abductees to pressure the Japanese government to rescue their loved ones, who they believe are still alive.
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"I believe Megumi is fine," Shigeru Yokota's widow, Sakie, 84, said at the gathering.
Megumi Yokota disappeared on her way home from school on Nov. 15, 1977, prompting her father to form the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, of which he served as chief for more than 10 years until November 2007.
"Many of the parents waiting for their abducted sons and daughters to return home are fighting on the front lines despite their old age," said Megumi Yokota's brother, Takuya, 52, who is secretary-general of the association. "There is no time left."
The gathering had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the number of people at the gathering was limited.


upi--2020-10-24--SpaceX launches cluster of Starlink satellites

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket into space Saturday morning , carrying 60 Internet satellites into orbit to help establish connections to remote areas .
The launch , which was originally scheduled for Wednesday , took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .
It went off without a hitch with the booster rocket safely landing on SpaceX 's drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean .
The upper stage of the Falcon 9 deployed the satellites into orbit 63 minutes after takeoff , allowing SpaceX to build on its previous successes .
SpaceX had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday 's launch .
The launch was the mission 's 15th , but only the 14th with operational broadband satellites .
The Starlink constellation currently boasts in excess of 800 mini satellites .
`` The goal of Starlink is to create a network that will help provide internet services to those who are not yet connected , and to provide reliable and affordable Internet across the globe , '' according to the Kennedy Space Center .
SpaceX was originally scheduled to launch Starlink-14 on Wednesday , but bad weather forced officials to scrub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , but when a camera on the rocket 's upper stage failed , officials decided to nix the launch again .
SpaceX fans and media members have taken to referring to October as `` Scrubtober '' on social media , as SpaceX has been continually frustrated by poor weather and launch delays .
Despite the delays , SpaceX is inching closer to being able to offer everyday Internet users the chance to surf the web using Starlink .
Earlier this month , SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted that Starlink 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beta-testing the Internet service system in both the United States and southern Canada .
Earlier this week , SpaceX announced that it would offer Starlink 's broadband services free of charge to families in Texas ' Ector County Independent School District .
More than a third of children and their families in the district are without Internet access .

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off late Saturday morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying a cluster of Starlink communications satellites toward orbit. Photo courtesy of SpaceX
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket into space Saturday morning, carrying 60 Internet satellites into orbit to help establish connections to remote areas. The launch, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It went off without a hitch with the booster rocket safely landing on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Advertisement
The upper stage of the Falcon 9 deployed the satellites into orbit 63 minutes after takeoff, allowing SpaceX to build on its previous successes.
SpaceX had put 180 Starlink satellites into space before Saturday's launch. The launch was the mission's 15th, but only the 14th with operational broadband satellites. The Starlink constellation currently boasts in excess of 800 mini satellites.
"The goal of Starlink is to create a network that will help provide internet services to those who are not yet connected, and to provide reliable and affordable Internet across the globe," according to the Kennedy Space Center.
SpaceX was originally scheduled to launch Starlink-14 on Wednesday, but bad weather forced officials to scrub the launch. Liftoff was rescheduled for Thursday, but when a camera on the rocket's upper stage failed, officials decided to nix the launch again.
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SpaceX fans and media members have taken to referring to October as "Scrubtober" on social media, as SpaceX has been continually frustrated by poor weather and launch delays.
Despite the delays, SpaceX is inching closer to being able to offer everyday Internet users the chance to surf the web using Starlink.
Earlier this month, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted that Starlink's constellation had grown large enough to begin beta-testing the Internet service system in both the United States and southern Canada.
Earlier this week, SpaceX announced that it would offer Starlink's broadband services free of charge to families in Texas' Ector County Independent School District. More than a third of children and their families in the district are without Internet access.


upi--2020-10-24--Singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker dead at 78

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Country music singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker has died at the age of 78 , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He had battled throat cancer for many years , and some other health @ @ @ @ @ representative , John T. Davis , said Saturday .
The native New Yorker , who @ @ @ @ @ , died Friday .
Walker performed with Circus Maximus and the Lost Gonzo Band .
@ @ @ @ @ the classic song `` Mr. Bojangles '' and singing a cover of the Guy Clark @ @ @ @ @ Freeway . ''
Among his other hits are `` Up Against the Wall , Redneck @ @ @ @ @ Wine '' and `` Wheel . ''
He headed up his own record label , @ @ @ @ @ and penned the 1999 autobiography , Gypsy Songman .

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Country music singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker has died at the age of 78, a family spokesman announced Saturday.
"He had battled throat cancer for many years, and some other health issues," Walker's representative, John T. Davis, said Saturday.
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The native New Yorker, who was born Ronald Clyde Crosby, died Friday.
Walker performed with Circus Maximus and the Lost Gonzo Band. He is famous for writing the classic song "Mr. Bojangles" and singing a cover of the Guy Clark song, "L.A. Freeway."
Among his other hits are "Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother," "Sangria Wine" and "Wheel."
He headed up his own record label, Tried & True Music, and penned the 1999 autobiography, Gypsy Songman.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-10-24--Attack on Kabul, Afghanistan, tutoring center kills 18

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- An attack on a Kabul , Afghanistan , tutoring center Saturday killed 18 and wounded 57 others amid negotiations between the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the Taliban .
The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack , while government and U.S. officials had called for calm during negotiations in Qatar .
Those calls , though , have not stopped the violence in provinces throughout Afghanistan .
`` Ambulances are still transferring the bodies , '' Abuzar Motaqi , a hospital official , said .
`` Most of them are very young . ''
Someone at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along a narrow street near the school as he tried to enter .
The suspect set off a suicide vest just outside the facility .
Another explosion at an education center in 2018 killed 48 students .
`` After a week of horrific violence across Afghanistan , [ the attack ] drains every last ounce of energy and hope , '' said Sharhzad Akbar , chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission .
In another attack south of Kabul on Saturday , at least eight civilians were killed in a roadside bomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel who were protecting the Kamal Khan dam in Nimroz province died in the militant attack .
High Council of National Reconciliation head Abdullah Abdullah condemned the school attack saying it violated Islamic principles and values .

Bloodstained books and notebooks of students are seen on the ground at the scene of a suicide attack at an educational center in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday. Photo by Hedayatullah Amid/EPA-EFE
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- An attack on a Kabul, Afghanistan, tutoring center Saturday killed 18 and wounded 57 others amid negotiations between the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the Taliban. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, while government and U.S. officials had called for calm during negotiations in Qatar. Those calls, though, have not stopped the violence in provinces throughout Afghanistan. Advertisement
"Ambulances are still transferring the bodies,"Abuzar Motaqi, a hospital official, said. "Most of them are very young."
Someone at the Kawsar Education Center recognized the suspect along a narrow street near the school as he tried to enter. The suspect set off a suicide vest just outside the facility. Another explosion at an education center in 2018 killed 48 students.
"After a week of horrific violence across Afghanistan, [the attack] drains every last ounce of energy and hope," said Sharhzad Akbar, chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.
In another attack south of Kabul on Saturday, at least eight civilians were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Ghazni City. Six security personnel who were protecting the Kamal Khan dam in Nimroz province died in the militant attack.
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High Council of National Reconciliation head Abdullah Abdullah condemned the school attack saying it violated Islamic principles and values.


upi--2020-10-24--COVID-19: Polish President Duda tests positive; worldwide cases grow to 42.6M

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Polish President Andrzej Duda announced Saturday he tested positive for COVID-19 as worldwide cases of the virus rose to 42.6 million with deaths hitting 1.15 million .
Cases of COVID-19 surged around the world to 42.6 million , with 1,152,061 deaths , growing by about 1 million cases every three days , according to international trackers .
At least 490,000 new cases and 6,541 deaths were reported globally for Friday , according to Worldometers .
On Wednesday , deaths reached 6,845 , the highest number since Aug. 19 .
Duda is among those new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government said .
Duda `` is well and is currently in isolation , '' tweeted government spokesman Błażej Spychalski .
Poland reported 13,368 new cases for Friday with 179 fatalities -- record highs for both figures .
The country has seen a total of 241,946 cases since the pandemic began and 4,351 deaths .
European countries have seen a surge in cases in recent days , collectively reporting at least 150,000 cases and 1,400 deaths on Friday .
There 's been an increase on new lockdowns and restrictions on public gatherings .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Friday .
Despite the surge , President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the country would not be announcing any new lockdowns or restrictions .
`` Regarding the possibility of severe , total , restrictive measures , we are n't planning to do this , '' Putin said in televised remarks .
`` The government does n't have any such plans . ''
The United States remains the country with the highest number of deaths , with 229,551 reported as of Saturday among more than 8.7 million total cases .
Active U.S. cases reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
Brazil had the second-highest number of deaths , with 156,565 reported as of Saturday .
India reported the second-highest number of cases with 7.8 million and the third-highest fatality numbers of 118,236 .
Brazil is third in infections with 5.3 million reported as of Saturday .
Meanwhile , parts of Britain were more tightly zoned for restrictions , and Wales began a 17-day lockdown with all but essential businesses closed in the hopes that the country could re-open in time for families to gather for the Christmas holidays .
In Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55,261 cases , the Irish Cabinet voted Wednesday to impose the highest level restrictions for six weeks .
In France , President Emmanuel Macron warned that the country would need to learn to live with the virus `` at best until next summer . ''
France has instituted a curfew , and the government is mulling more restrictive lockdowns depending on how cases proceed into November .
France reported 42,668 new cases as of Friday , and 299 new deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker .

Polish President Andrzej Duda speaks during his visit to the PGE Narodowy stadium in Warsaw on Friday. Photo by Andrzej Lange/EPA-EFE
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Polish President Andrzej Duda announced Saturday he tested positive for COVID-19 as worldwide cases of the virus rose to 42.6 million with deaths hitting 1.15 million. Cases of COVID-19 surged around the world to 42.6 million, with 1,152,061 deaths, growing by about 1 million cases every three days, according to international trackers. Advertisement
At least 490,000 new cases and 6,541 deaths were reported globally for Friday, according to Worldometers. On Wednesday, deaths reached 6,845, the highest number since Aug. 19.
Duda is among those new cases reported this week, the Polish government said.
Duda "is well and is currently in isolation," tweeted government spokesman Błażej Spychalski.
Poland reported 13,368 new cases for Friday with 179 fatalities -- record highs for both figures. The country has seen a total of 241,946 cases since the pandemic began and 4,351 deaths.
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European countries have seen a surge in cases in recent days, collectively reporting at least 150,000 cases and 1,400 deaths on Friday. There's been an increase on new lockdowns and restrictions on public gatherings.
Russia reported 16,521 new cases and 296 deaths for Friday. Despite the surge, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the country would not be announcing any new lockdowns or restrictions.
"Regarding the possibility of severe, total, restrictive measures, we aren't planning to do this," Putin said in televised remarks. "The government doesn't have any such plans."
The United States remains the country with the highest number of deaths, with 229,551 reported as of Saturday among more than 8.7 million total cases. Active U.S. cases reached a record one-day high of 83,000 on Saturday.
Brazil had the second-highest number of deaths, with 156,565 reported as of Saturday. India reported the second-highest number of cases with 7.8 million and the third-highest fatality numbers of 118,236. Brazil is third in infections with 5.3 million reported as of Saturday.
Meanwhile, parts of Britain were more tightly zoned for restrictions, and Wales began a 17-day lockdown with all but essential businesses closed in the hopes that the country could re-open in time for families to gather for the Christmas holidays.
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In Ireland, which has seen 1,878 deaths and 55,261 cases, the Irish Cabinet voted Wednesday to impose the highest level restrictions for six weeks.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron warned that the country would need to learn to live with the virus "at best until next summer." France has instituted a curfew, and the government is mulling more restrictive lockdowns depending on how cases proceed into November.
France reported 42,668 new cases as of Friday, and 299 new deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.
Japan celebrates belated Sanja Matsuri Festival


upi--2020-10-24--Researchers find first Asian giant hornets nest in the United States

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Washington state entomologists said they have found the first nest of Asian giant hornets , also known as murder hornets , in the United States , north of Seattle .
Researchers found the first hornets , which can devastate honeybees and their hives , in the region last fall and have been on the hunt ever since for possible nests .
After weeks of trapping , searching and radio trackers , entomologists were able to find the nest on a property in Blaine , near the Canadian border .
Washington State Department of Agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They wanted to do it Friday but could n't because of the weather .
The entomologists said they attached radio trackers on three hornets they captured on Thursday , which led them to the nest .
`` The nest is inside the cavity of a tree located on private property near an area cleared for a residential home , '' the agency said .
`` While Asian giant hornets normally nest in the ground , they are occasionally found nesting in dead trees .
Dozens of the hornets were seen entering and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was present . ''
Managing entomologist Sven Spichiger said they expect to eradicate from 100 to 200 hornets from the tree using a vacuum .
`` We will be jamming foam into the entrance and Saran-wrapping it so that we can control the release of hornets from the nest , '' Spichiger said .
`` This will allow us to do the vacuum extraction in a little bit more controlled environment . ''
The first murder hornets were located in British Columbia in Canada last fall and then in Whatcom County , Wash. @ @ @ @

Asian giant hornets can devastate honeybees and their hives. Photo by Allan Smith-Prado/U.S. Department of Agriculture
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Washington state entomologists said they have found the first nest of Asian giant hornets, also known as murder hornets, in the United States, north of Seattle. Researchers found the first hornets, which can devastate honeybees and their hives, in the region last fall and have been on the hunt ever since for possible nests. After weeks of trapping, searching and radio trackers, entomologists were able to find the nest on a property in Blaine, near the Canadian border. Advertisement
Washington State Department of Agriculture crews planned to eradicate the nest Saturday. They wanted to do it Friday but couldn't because of the weather.
The entomologists said they attached radio trackers on three hornets they captured on Thursday, which led them to the nest.
"The nest is inside the cavity of a tree located on private property near an area cleared for a residential home," the agency said. "While Asian giant hornets normally nest in the ground, they are occasionally found nesting in dead trees. Dozens of the hornets were seen entering and exiting the tree while the WSDA team was present."
Managing entomologist Sven Spichiger said they expect to eradicate from 100 to 200 hornets from the tree using a vacuum.
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"We will be jamming foam into the entrance and Saran-wrapping it so that we can control the release of hornets from the nest," Spichiger said. "This will allow us to do the vacuum extraction in a little bit more controlled environment."
The first murder hornets were located in British Columbia in Canada last fall and then in Whatcom County, Wash., in December.


upi--2020-10-24--Deadly listeria outbreak possibly linked to deli meat

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it 's investigating an outbreak of listeria possibly linked to deli-style meats that has caused at least one death .
The outbreak has sickened 10 people , all of whom were hospitalized , in Florida , Massachusetts and New York .
The death was reported in Florida .
The CDC said all those who were sick reported eating Italian-style meats , including salami , mortadella and prosciutto .
The sick said they purchased both prepackaged meats and those sliced at a deli counter .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a specific type of deli meat or common supplier linked to illness , '' the agency said .
The CDC advised those who are at a higher risk of becoming sick with listeriosis to avoid eating deli meats unless they 're cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit .
Listeriosis can cause fever , muscle aches , headaches , stiff neck , confusion , loss of balance , convulsions , diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms .
In pregnant women , the infection can cause early delivery or miscarriage @

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it's investigating an outbreak of listeria possibly linked to deli-style meats that has caused at least one death.
The outbreak has sickened 10 people, all of whom were hospitalized, in Florida, Massachusetts and New York. The death was reported in Florida.
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The CDC said all those who were sick reported eating Italian-style meats, including salami, mortadella and prosciutto. The sick said they purchased both prepackaged meats and those sliced at a deli counter.
"The investigation is ongoing to determine if there is a specific type of deli meat or common supplier linked to illness," the agency said.
The CDC advised those who are at a higher risk of becoming sick with listeriosis to avoid eating deli meats unless they're cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant women, the infection can cause early delivery or miscarriage.


upi--2020-10-24--Alpha Conde wins 3rd term in Guinea as protests turn violent

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- Alpha Conde won a third term as Guinea 's president Saturday amid persistent violence and protests connected with the election .
Kabinet Cisse , head of Guinea 's election commission , said Conde won 59 % of the vote , beating his main challenger , Cellou Dalein Diallo , for a third time .
Diallo received 33 % of the vote .
The country 's new Constitution allowed Conde to run for a third six-year term .
Diallo and his party said they plan to contest the election results by filing fraud charges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kassory Fofana disputed the allegation .
`` The vote is by far the most transparent election ever organized in Guinea , '' Kassory Fofana said .
Ida Sawyer , deputy Africa director for Human Rights Watch , said eight people , including three children , have died in post-election violence by the hands of security forces .
`` The authorities should immediately restore Internet [ and ] phone access so people can communicate , get information [ and ] report on unfolding events , '' Sawyer said on Twitter .
Human Rights Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise restraint in responding to protests .
Continued repression risks inflaming an already tense situation [ and ] could have disastrous repercussions .
Those responsible for excessive force during protests this week should be held to account , '' Sawyer said .

Guinean President Alpha Conde, shown during a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on April 15, 2015, won a third term to lead his country Saturday. Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Alpha Conde won a third term as Guinea's president Saturday amid persistent violence and protests connected with the election. Kabinet Cisse, head of Guinea's election commission, said Conde won 59% of the vote, beating his main challenger, Cellou Dalein Diallo, for a third time. Diallo received 33% of the vote. The country's new Constitution allowed Conde to run for a third six-year term. Advertisement
Diallo and his party said they plan to contest the election results by filing fraud charges in court, but Guinea Prime Minister Ibrahima Kassory Fofana disputed the allegation.
"The vote is by far the most transparent election ever organized in Guinea," Kassory Fofana said.
Ida Sawyer, deputy Africa director for Human Rights Watch, said eight people, including three children, have died in post-election violence by the hands of security forces.
"The authorities should immediately restore Internet [and] phone access so people can communicate, get information [and] report on unfolding events," Sawyer said on Twitter.
Human Rights Watch "calls on Guinea security forces to exercise restraint in responding to protests. Continued repression risks inflaming an already tense situation [and] could have disastrous repercussions. Those responsible for excessive force during protests this week should be held to account," Sawyer said.


upi--2020-10-24--Trump votes at West Palm Beach, Fla., library before heading to rallies in N.C., Ohio, Wis.

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump voted in person at a library in West Palm Beach , Fla. , on Saturday morning before taking off for campaign stumps in three states .
Trump joked with reporters that he `` voted for a guy named Trump , '' and praised the election site as `` very secure '' and added , `` It 's an honor to be voting . ''
Trump traveled by motorcade from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago hotel , passing cheering supporters , to the Palm Beach County Main Library across the street from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president wore a mask and voted with a paper ballot , according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
Trump and first lady Melania Trump have voted by mail in previous election years .
Trump did not respond to a press question about when Melania Trump would be voting .
Early voting started Monday in Florida , a battleground state in the presidential campaign .
With 11 days until the election , 5.3 million ballots have been cast in Florida so far , including 3.5 million mail-in ballots .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in and early ballots returned in the 2016 election .
Republicans have been leading in Florida 's early voting with 803,667 votes to the Democrats ' 608,093 .
Independent and other early in-person voters total 323,123 .
Trump hosted two rallies in Florida on Friday at airfields in The Villages and Pensacola , where he was supported by Gov .
Ron DeSantis and a group of local Republican lawmakers who urged supporters to vote early .
`` We need every single America-loving , constitution-following , God-fearing voter in the Pensacola Panhandle to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrade said .
On Saturday , Trump will appear in regional airport rallies at Lumberton , N.C. , Circleville , Ohio , and Wausheka , Wis .

U.S. President Donald Trump walks toward Marine One prior to departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump voted in person at a library near West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday morning before taking off for campaign stumps in three states. Trump joked with reporters that he "voted for a guy named Trump," praised the election site as "very secure" and added, "It's an honor to be voting." Advertisement
Trump traveled by motorcade from his residence at the Mar-a-Lago hotel, passing cheering supporters, to the Palm Beach County Main Library across the street from the Trump-owned Trump International Golf Club.
The president wore a mask and voted with a paper ballot, according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Trump and first lady Melania Trump have voted by mail in previous election years.
Trump did not respond to a press question about when Melania Trump would be voting.
Early voting started Monday in Florida, a battleground state in the presidential campaign.
With 11 days until the election, 5.3 million ballots have been cast in Florida so far, including 3.5 million mail-in ballots. That's 80% of the 6.6 million mail-in and early ballots returned in the 2016 election.
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Republicans have been leading in Florida's early voting with 803,667 votes to the Democrats' 608,093. Independent and other early in-person voters total 323,123.
Trump hosted two rallies in Florida on Friday at airfields in The Villages and Pensacola, where he was supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis and a group of local Republican lawmakers who urged supporters to vote early.
"We need every single America-loving, constitution-following, God-fearing voter in the Pensacola Panhandle to vote before Nov. 3," Rep. Alex Andrade said.
Trump also was to appear in regional airport rallies at Lumberton, N.C., Circleville, Ohio, and Wausheka, Wis.


upi--2020-10-24--Navy training plane crashes in Alabama; 2 dead

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- A Navy training plane crashed in Baldwin County , Ala. , near an elementary @ @ @ @ @ people on board and setting a home on fire , military officials said .
Navy @ @ @ @ @ said the two people who died were part of the plane 's crew and there @ @ @ @ @ ground .
The Navy T-6B Texan II crashed in the town of Foley near Magnolia @ @ @ @ @ The names of the deceased will not be released until 24 hours after the next-of-kin @ @ @ @ @ from the Naval Air Forces said .
`` The incident is currently under investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ with local authorities . ''
The Baldwin County Sheriff 's Office confirmed one home sustained @ @ @ @ @ but did not give other details .
Several vehicles on the ground were damaged as @ @

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A Navy training plane crashed in Baldwin County, Ala., near an elementary school, killing the two people on board and setting a home on fire, military officials said.
Navy spokesman Cmdr. Zach Harrell said the two people who died were part of the plane's crew and there were no casualties on the ground. The Navy T-6B Texan II crashed in the town of Foley near Magnolia Springs Elementary School.
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"The names of the deceased will not be released until 24 hours after the next-of-kin notification," a statement from the Naval Air Forces said. "The incident is currently under investigation. The Navy is cooperating fully with local authorities."
The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office confirmed one home sustained fire damage from the crash but did not give other details. Several vehicles on the ground were damaged as well.


upi--2020-10-24--East Troublesome Fire kills couple in 80s who refused to leave home

Oct. 24 ( UPI ) -- A Colorado couple in their 80s died this week after the growing East Troublesome Fire overtook their home near Grand Lake , local officials said .
Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said emergency workers found the bodies of Lyle Hileman , 86 , and Marylin Hileman , 84 , at the site of their destroyed home .
`` This couple had been contacted and actually refused to evacuate , wanting to stay with the house that they 'd had for many years in their family , '' Schroetlin said in a Facebook video posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with their family members late Wednesday , and the home was destroyed by Thursday .
The East Troublesome Fire sparked to life Oct. 14 and quickly exploded to more than 188,389 acres as of early Saturday -- the second-largest wildfire in the state 's history .
It 's 45 % contained , according to the U.S. Forest Service .
The blaze is situated in Rocky Mountain Park , nearing the town of Estes Park .
It 's within miles of the boundaries of the Cameron Peak Fire to the north .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado history at 206,977 acres as of Saturday morning and 60 % containment .
It covers a swath of Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and was nearing the town of Masonville , just outside Fort Collins .
Evacuations have been ordered throughout Northern Colorado as several wildfires burn through the region .
Forecasters said cooler temperatures and expected snow should help firefighting efforts .

A massive plume of smoke rises from the CalWood wildfire which is burning in the Boulder County foothills near the town of Jamestown on October 17. Photo by Bob Strong/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A Colorado couple in their 80s died this week after the growing East Troublesome Fire overtook their home near Grand Lake, local officials said. Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said emergency workers found the bodies of Lyle Hileman, 86, and Marylin Hileman, 84, at the site of their destroyed home. Advertisement
"This couple had been contacted and actually refused to evacuate, wanting to stay with the house that they'd had for many years in their family," Schroetlin said in a Facebook video posted late Friday.
The Hilemans last had contact with their family members late Wednesday, and the home was destroyed by Thursday.
The East Troublesome Fire sparked to life Oct. 14 and quickly exploded to more than 188,389 acres as of early Saturday -- the second-largest wildfire in the state's history. It's 45% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The blaze is situated in Rocky Mountain Park, nearing the town of Estes Park. It's within miles of the boundaries of the Cameron Peak Fire to the north.
The Cameron Peak Fire is the largest in Colorado history at 206,977 acres as of Saturday morning and 60% containment. It covers a swath of Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and was nearing the town of Masonville, just outside Fort Collins.
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Evacuations have been ordered throughout Northern Colorado as several wildfires burn through the region. Forecasters said cooler temperatures and expected snow should help firefighting efforts.