csmonitor--2020-10-16--Two visions for America: Trump, Biden deliver dueling town halls

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden squared off , in a way , in dueling televised town halls that showcased striking differences in temperament , views on racial justice , and approaches to a pandemic that has reshaped the nation .
Coming just two and a half weeks before Election Day , the events Thursday night offered crystalizing contrasts and a national , if divided , audience .
But it seemed unlikely to have produced a needed moment for a president running out of time or opportunities to appeal beyond his core base .
He was defensive about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , which has claimed more than 217,000 lives in the United States , and evasive when pressed about whether he took a required COVID-19 test before his first debate with Mr. Biden .
Angry and combative , Mr. Trump refused to denounce the QAnon conspiracy group – and only testily did so regarding white supremacists .
The Republican president also appeared to acknowledge revelations from a recent New York Times report that he was in debt and left open the possibility that some of it was owed to a foreign bank .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t owe any money to Russia or any “ sinister people ” and suggested that $ 400 million in debt was a “ very , very small percentage ” compared to his overall assets .
Mr. Biden denounced the White House ’ s handling of the virus , declaring that it was at fault for closing a pandemic response office established by the Obama administration in which he served .
Though vague at times , he suggested he will offer clarity on his position on expanding the Supreme Court if Mr. Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Election Day .
After Mr. Biden ’ s 90-minute town hall event formally concluded , the candidate spent another half-hour taking questions from those in the audience who didn ’ t get an opportunity during the televised program .
Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden were supposed to spend Thursday night on the same debate stage in Miami .
But that face-off was scuttled after Mr. Trump ’ s coronavirus infection , which jolted the race and threatened the health of the American president .
Mr. Trump wouldn ’ t say whether he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first debate with Mr. Biden on Sept. 29 , allowing only , “ Possibly I did , possibly I didn ’ t. ” Debate rules required that each candidate , using the honor system , had tested negative prior to the Cleveland , Ohio , event , but Mr. Trump spoke in circles when asked when he last tested negative .
The presidential rivals took questions in different cities on different networks : Mr. Trump on NBC from Miami , Mr. Biden on ABC from Philadelphia .
Mr. Trump backed out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the evening after debate organizers said it would be held virtually following his COVID-19 diagnosis .
The town halls offered a different format for the two candidates to present themselves to voters , after the pair held a chaotic and combative first debate late last month .
The difference in the men ’ s tone was immediate and striking .
Mr. Trump was Mr. Trump .
He was loud and argumentative , rebuking his FBI director , fighting with the host , Savannah Guthrie , complaining about the questioning – and eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would honor the results of a fair election , but only after casting an extraordinary amount of doubt on the likeliness of fairness .
“ And then they talk , ‘ Will you accept a peaceful transfer ?
’ ” Mr. Trump said .
“ And the answer is , ‘ Yes , I will.
’ But I want it to be an honest election , and so does everybody else.
” He again sought to minimize revelations from a New York Times investigation that he has more than $ 400 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he paid little or no federal income taxes in most years over the past two decades .
Mr. Biden , meanwhile , took a far different , softer approach with audience questions .
The former vice president , who struggled growing up with a stutter , stuttered slightly at the start of the program and at one point squeezed his eyes shut and slowed down his response to clearly enunciate his words .
At times his answers droned on .
Holding a white cloth mask in one hand , the Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and referred to it while promising to roll back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans .
He said doing so would save , as he consulted his notes , “ let me see ... $ 92 billion.
” Mr. Biden vowed to say before Election Day whether he will support expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court if Democrats win the presidency and the Senate and hold the House after November .
He has for weeks refused to answer the question but went further Thursday night .
He said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of expanding the court , but said his ultimate decision depended on how the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court “ is handled ” and “ how much they rush this.
” Mr. Biden also blasted Mr. Trump ’ s foreign policy , declaring that “ ‘ America first ’ has made ‘ America alone , ’ ” and , “ This president embraces all the thugs in the world.
” He turned introspective when asked what it would say if he lost .
“ It could say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I didn ’ t do a good job , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ But I think , I hope that it doesn ’ t say that we ’ re as racially , ethnically , and religiously at odds as it appears the president wants us to be.
” Mr. Biden said he plans to participate in next week ’ s debate but he would ask Mr. Trump to take a COVID-19 test before arriving .
“ It ’ s just decency ” for everyone around him , including non-candidates like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two men are still scheduled to occupy the same space for a debate for a second and final time next week in Nashville .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Additional reporting was provided by AP writers Bill Barrow in Wilmington , Delaware , and Zeke Miller and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Jonathan Lemire, Will Weissert, and Darlene Superville

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden squared off, in a way, in dueling televised town halls that showcased striking differences in temperament, views on racial justice, and approaches to a pandemic that has reshaped the nation.
Coming just two and a half weeks before Election Day, the events Thursday night offered crystalizing contrasts and a national, if divided, audience. But it seemed unlikely to have produced a needed moment for a president running out of time or opportunities to appeal beyond his core base.
He was defensive about his administration’s handling of the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 217,000 lives in the United States, and evasive when pressed about whether he took a required COVID-19 test before his first debate with Mr. Biden. Angry and combative, Mr. Trump refused to denounce the QAnon conspiracy group – and only testily did so regarding white supremacists.
The Republican president also appeared to acknowledge revelations from a recent New York Times report that he was in debt and left open the possibility that some of it was owed to a foreign bank. But he insisted that he didn’t owe any money to Russia or any “sinister people” and suggested that $400 million in debt was a “very, very small percentage” compared to his overall assets.
Mr. Biden denounced the White House’s handling of the virus, declaring that it was at fault for closing a pandemic response office established by the Obama administration in which he served. Though vague at times, he suggested he will offer clarity on his position on expanding the Supreme Court if Mr. Trump’s nominee to the bench is seated before Election Day.
After Mr. Biden’s 90-minute town hall event formally concluded, the candidate spent another half-hour taking questions from those in the audience who didn’t get an opportunity during the televised program.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden were supposed to spend Thursday night on the same debate stage in Miami. But that face-off was scuttled after Mr. Trump’s coronavirus infection, which jolted the race and threatened the health of the American president.
Mr. Trump wouldn’t say whether he had tested negative on the day of his first debate with Mr. Biden on Sept. 29, allowing only, “Possibly I did, possibly I didn’t.” Debate rules required that each candidate, using the honor system, had tested negative prior to the Cleveland, Ohio, event, but Mr. Trump spoke in circles when asked when he last tested negative.
The presidential rivals took questions in different cities on different networks: Mr. Trump on NBC from Miami, Mr. Biden on ABC from Philadelphia. Mr. Trump backed out of plans for the presidential face-off originally scheduled for the evening after debate organizers said it would be held virtually following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
The town halls offered a different format for the two candidates to present themselves to voters, after the pair held a chaotic and combative first debate late last month. The difference in the men’s tone was immediate and striking.
Mr. Trump was Mr. Trump. He was loud and argumentative, rebuking his FBI director, fighting with the host, Savannah Guthrie, complaining about the questioning – and eventually saying for the first time that he would honor the results of a fair election, but only after casting an extraordinary amount of doubt on the likeliness of fairness.
“And then they talk, ‘Will you accept a peaceful transfer?’” Mr. Trump said. “And the answer is, ‘Yes, I will.’ But I want it to be an honest election, and so does everybody else.”
He again sought to minimize revelations from a New York Times investigation that he has more than $400 million in debt and suggested that reports are wrong that he paid little or no federal income taxes in most years over the past two decades.
Mr. Biden, meanwhile, took a far different, softer approach with audience questions. The former vice president, who struggled growing up with a stutter, stuttered slightly at the start of the program and at one point squeezed his eyes shut and slowed down his response to clearly enunciate his words. At times his answers droned on.
Holding a white cloth mask in one hand, the Democratic nominee brought a small card of notes onstage and referred to it while promising to roll back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. He said doing so would save, as he consulted his notes, “let me see ... $92 billion.”
Mr. Biden vowed to say before Election Day whether he will support expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court if Democrats win the presidency and the Senate and hold the House after November.
He has for weeks refused to answer the question but went further Thursday night. He said, “I’m still not a fan” of expanding the court, but said his ultimate decision depended on how the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court “is handled” and “how much they rush this.”
Mr. Biden also blasted Mr. Trump’s foreign policy, declaring that “‘America first’ has made ‘America alone,’” and, “This president embraces all the thugs in the world.” He turned introspective when asked what it would say if he lost.
“It could say that I’m a lousy candidate, that I didn’t do a good job,” Mr. Biden said. “But I think, I hope that it doesn’t say that we’re as racially, ethnically, and religiously at odds as it appears the president wants us to be.”
Mr. Biden said he plans to participate in next week’s debate but he would ask Mr. Trump to take a COVID-19 test before arriving. “It’s just decency” for everyone around him, including non-candidates like camera operators, Mr. Biden said.
The two men are still scheduled to occupy the same space for a debate for a second and final time next week in Nashville.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Additional reporting was provided by AP writers Bill Barrow in Wilmington, Delaware, and Zeke Miller and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-10-17--Readers write: Keen observations, all that plastic, and more

I am writing to express my appreciation for correspondent and columnist Ned Temko .
His astute “ Global Perspectives ” column and his contributions to the “ Navigating Uncertainty ” series of articles have been very insightful .
Mr. Temko ’ s seasoned understanding reminds me of my favorite Monitor columnist , Joseph C. Harsch , whose weekly column taught me the basics of geopolitical analysis during the twilight of the Cold War .
Mr. Temko continues in that excellent tradition , perceptively explaining the geopolitics of this brave new world .
Thank you for including his keen observations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the destination and municipal profits of the items we recycle , I have never researched the answers .
Doug Struck ’ s article in the Aug. 31 Monitor Weekly regarding the state of recycling in New England and the U.S. , titled “ Is recycling broken ?
Don ’ t toss it out yet , say insiders , ” is both informative and motivating .
The update on the fluctuating economies of recycling in our state of Maine and of new incentive programs elsewhere makes me want to get more involved beyond our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , which consists of recycling paper , metal , plastic , and glass at our local transfer station on the Boothbay Peninsula of Maine .
As Mr .
Struck points out ( in the practical and inspirational style of the Monitor ) , the challenges of China ’ s 2018 ban on receiving America ’ s recyclables provide great opportunities for more individuals and municipalities to carry the recycling habit forward while still earning profits .
As a decadeslong reader of the Monitor , I appreciate the diversity of topics covered – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would know nothing otherwise .
This includes the Points of Progress feature .
However , one of the points in the July 27 Monitor Weekly only seemed to me to be partially “ progressive.
” It reported that in Kentucky the elk population has greatly increased .
At first glance , this seemed good to me , until I read that this also creates an emerging elk market , which includes the hunting and killing of elk .
It doesn ’ t feel right to try to increase the elk population so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be killed by hunters for sport or game .
Is this really progress ?
Sightseeing , yes , but killing , no .
At least not in my view .
Regarding The Home Forum essay “ Heeding her invitation , six decades later ” by David C. Holzman in the Aug. 10 Monitor Weekly : This unique belated tribute to a one-of-a-kind imaginative mother remains in my mind and makes me wonder why we could not indulge our funny humanity in her creative ways .
Mr. Holzman deserves a thousand accolades for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .

Keen observations
I am writing to express my appreciation for correspondent and columnist Ned Temko. His astute “Global Perspectives” column and his contributions to the “Navigating Uncertainty” series of articles have been very insightful.
Mr. Temko’s seasoned understanding reminds me of my favorite Monitor columnist, Joseph C. Harsch, whose weekly column taught me the basics of geopolitical analysis during the twilight of the Cold War.
Mr. Temko continues in that excellent tradition, perceptively explaining the geopolitics of this brave new world. Thank you for including his keen observations in the Monitor.
Larry Dean
Brownstown, Michigan
All that plastic
Despite often wondering about the destination and municipal profits of the items we recycle, I have never researched the answers. Doug Struck’s article in the Aug. 31 Monitor Weekly regarding the state of recycling in New England and the U.S., titled “Is recycling broken? Don’t toss it out yet, say insiders,” is both informative and motivating.
The update on the fluctuating economies of recycling in our state of Maine and of new incentive programs elsewhere makes me want to get more involved beyond our current “household routine” of 40 years, which consists of recycling paper, metal, plastic, and glass at our local transfer station on the Boothbay Peninsula of Maine.
As Mr. Struck points out (in the practical and inspirational style of the Monitor), the challenges of China’s 2018 ban on receiving America’s recyclables provide great opportunities for more individuals and municipalities to carry the recycling habit forward while still earning profits.
Margot Stiassni
Edgecomb, Maine
Elk populations
As a decadeslong reader of the Monitor, I appreciate the diversity of topics covered – I feel informed about subjects of which I would know nothing otherwise. This includes the Points of Progress feature.
However, one of the points in the July 27 Monitor Weekly only seemed to me to be partially “progressive.” It reported that in Kentucky the elk population has greatly increased. At first glance, this seemed good to me, until I read that this also creates an emerging elk market, which includes the hunting and killing of elk.
It doesn’t feel right to try to increase the elk population so some of them can be made available to be killed by hunters for sport or game. Is this really progress? Sightseeing, yes, but killing, no. At least not in my view.
Elisabeth Seaman
Mountain View, California
Creative mother
Regarding The Home Forum essay “Heeding her invitation, six decades later” by David C. Holzman in the Aug. 10 Monitor Weekly: This unique belated tribute to a one-of-a-kind imaginative mother remains in my mind and makes me wonder why we could not indulge our funny humanity in her creative ways. Mr. Holzman deserves a thousand accolades for giving us this memorable story. Thank you.
Mary Rose Hoffman
Palm Coast, Florida


csmonitor--2020-10-17--New Zealand’s Ardern wins 2nd term in election landslide

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions .
With most votes counted , Ardern 's liberal Labour Party was winning 49 % of the vote compared to 27 % for its main challenger , the conservative National Party .
Labour was on target to win an outright majority of the seats in Parliament , something that hasn ’ t happened since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago .
Typically , parties must form alliances to govern , but this time Ardern and Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory speech in front of hundreds of cheering supporters in Auckland , Ardern said her party had gotten more support from New Zealanders that at any time in at least 50 years .
“ This has not been an ordinary election , and it 's not an ordinary time , ” she said .
“ It 's been full of uncertainty and anxiety , and we set out to be an antidote to that . ''
Ardern promised not to take her new supporters for granted and to govern for all New Zealanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly polarized world , a place where , more and more , people have lost the ability to see one another 's point of view , ” she said .
“ I think in this election , New Zealanders have shown that this is not who we are.
” A record number of voters cast early ballots in the two weeks leading up to the election .
On the campaign trail , Ardern was greeted like a rock star by people who crammed into malls and spilled onto streets to cheer her on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popularity soared earlier this year after she led a successful effort to stamp out the coronavirus .
There is currently no community spread of the virus in the nation of 5 million and people are no longer required to wear masks or social distance .
Ardern , 40 , won the top job after the 2017 election when Labour formed an alliance with two other parties .
The following year , she became only the second world leader to give birth while in office .
She became a role model for working mothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw her as a counterpoint to President Donald Trump .
And she was praised for her handling of last year ’ s attack on two Christchurch mosques , when a white supremacist gunned down 51 Muslim worshippers .
She moved quickly to pass new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons .
In late March this year , when only about 100 people had tested positive for COVID-19 , Ardern and her health officials put New Zealand into a strict lockdown with a motto of “ Go hard and go early.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitious goal of eliminating the virus entirely rather than just trying to control its spread .
With New Zealand having the advantage of being an isolated island nation , the strategy worked .
The country eliminated community transmission for 102 days before a new cluster was discovered in August in Auckland .
Ardern swiftly imposed a second lockdown in Auckland and the new outbreak faded away .
The only new cases found recently have been among returning travelers , who are in quarantine .
The Auckland outbreak also prompted Ardern to postpone the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early voter turnout .
The National Party ’ s leader , Judith Collins , is a former lawyer .
She served as a minister when National was in power and prides herself on a blunt , no-nonsense approach , a contrast to Ardern ’ s empathetic style .
Collins , 61 , was promising sweeping tax cuts in response to the economic downturn caused by the virus .
In a speech to her supporters in Auckland , Collins said she 'd called Ardern to congratulate her .
“ It is an outstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins said .
“ It has been a tough campaign . ''
Collins promised that the party would be back to fight another day .
The election also saw Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his small New Zealand First party voted out .
The libertarian ACT Party increased its support to 8 % and the Green Party won 7.5 % of the votes .
Labour Minister David Parker said it was a landslide win for his party .
“ It ’ s a tremendous accolade first and foremost to the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team and the Labour movement , ” he said .
In the election , voters also had a say on two contentious social issues — whether to legalize marijuana and euthanasia .
Polls taken before the election indicated the euthanasia referendum was likely to pass while the outcome of the marijuana vote remained uncertain .
The results of both referendums will be announced Oct. 30 .

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in an election landslide of historic proportions.
In the election, Ms. Ardern’s liberal Labour Party got 49% of the vote, crushing the conservative National Party, which got 27%. Ms. Ardern said the margin of the victory exceeded their expectations.
The result will give Labour an outright majority in Parliament, the first time any party has achieved that since New Zealand implemented a proportional voting system 24 years ago. Typically parties have formed alliances to govern but this time Ms. Ardern and Labour can go it alone.
In a victory speech in front of hundreds of cheering supporters in Auckland, Ms. Ardern said her party had gotten more support from New Zealanders that at any time in at least 50 years.
“This has not been an ordinary election, and it’s not an ordinary time,” she said. “It’s been full of uncertainty and anxiety, and we set out to be an antidote to that.”
Ms. Ardern promised not to take her new supporters for granted and to govern for all New Zealanders.
“We are living in an increasingly polarized world, a place where, more and more, people have lost the ability to see one another’s point of view,” she said. “I think in this election, New Zealanders have shown that this is not who we are.”
On Sunday, a day after winning a second term, Ms. Ardern said she sees the election result as an endorsement of her government’s efforts to stamp out the coronavirus and reboot the economy.
Speaking at a cafe near her Auckland home, Ms. Ardern said she expects to form a new government within three weeks and to prioritize work on the virus response.
“We’re cracking on very quickly with the work we need to do as a new team,” Ms. Ardern said.
Her comments came as health officials reported one new case of community transmission after New Zealand went three weeks without any new infection. Officials said the man works on foreign ships at the ports, and they believe they caught his case early enough to contain the threat of further spread.
A record number of voters cast early ballots in the two weeks leading up to the election.
On the campaign trail, Ms. Ardern was greeted like a rock star by people who crammed into malls and spilled onto streets to cheer her on and get selfies with her.
Her popularity soared earlier this year after she led a successful effort to stamp out the coronavirus. There is currently no community spread of the virus in the nation of 5 million and people are no longer required to wear masks or social distance.
Ms. Ardern, 40, won the top job after the 2017 election when Labour formed an alliance with two other parties. The following year, she became only the second world leader to give birth while in office.
She became a role model for working mothers around the world, many of whom saw her as a counterpoint to President Donald Trump. And she was praised for her handling of last year’s attack on two Christchurch mosques, when a white supremacist gunned down 51 Muslim worshippers.
She moved quickly to pass new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.
In late March this year, when only about 100 people had tested positive for COVID-19, Ms. Ardern and her health officials put New Zealand into a strict lockdown with a motto of “Go hard and go early.” She shut the borders and outlined an ambitious goal of eliminating the virus entirely rather than just trying to control its spread.
With New Zealand having the advantage of being an isolated island nation, the strategy worked. The country eliminated community transmission for 102 days before a new cluster was discovered in August in Auckland. Ms. Ardern swiftly imposed a second lockdown in Auckland and the new outbreak faded away. The only new cases found recently have been among returning travelers, who are in quarantine.
The Auckland outbreak also prompted Ms. Ardern to postpone the election by a month and helped increase the early voter turnout.
The National Party’s leader, Judith Collins, is a former lawyer. She served as a minister when National was in power and prides herself on a blunt, no-nonsense approach, a contrast to Ms. Ardern’s empathetic style. Ms. Collins, 61, was promising sweeping tax cuts in response to the economic downturn caused by the virus.
In a speech to her supporters in Auckland, Ms. Collins said she’d called Ms. Ardern to congratulate her.
“It is an outstanding result for the Labour Party,” Ms. Collins said. “It has been a tough campaign.”
Ms. Collins promised that the party would be back to fight another day.
The election also saw Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his small New Zealand First party voted out. The libertarian ACT Party increased its support to 8% and the Green Party won 7.5% of the votes.
Labour Minister David Parker said it was a landslide win for his party. “It’s a tremendous accolade first and foremost to the prime minister, but also to the wider Labour team and the Labour movement,” he said.
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In the election, voters also had a say on two contentious social issues – whether to legalize marijuana and euthanasia. Polls taken before the election indicated the euthanasia referendum was likely to pass while the outcome of the marijuana vote remained uncertain. The results of both referendums will be announced Oct. 30.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-10-17--Women rally across US, urging a vote for change

Thousands of mostly young women in masks rallied Saturday in the nation 's capital and other U.S. cities , exhorting voters to oppose President Donald Trump and his fellow Republican candidates in the Nov. 3 elections .
The latest of rallies that began with a massive women ’ s march the day after Trump ’ s January 2017 inauguration was playing out during the coronavirus pandemic , and demonstrators were asked to wear face coverings and practice social distancing .
Rachel O ’ Leary Carmona , executive director of the Women ’ s March , opened the event by asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another , saying that the only superspreader event would be the recent one at the White House .
She talked about the power of women to end Trump ’ s presidency .
“ His presidency began with women marching and now it ’ s going to end with woman voting .
Period , ” she said .
“ Vote for your daughter 's future , ” read one message in the sea of signs carried by demonstrators .
“ Fight like a girl , ” said another .
Dozens of other rallies were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to signal opposition to Trump and his policies , especially the push to fill the seat of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day .
One march was held at Cornell University in Ithaca , New York , outside the dormitory where Bader Ginsburg lived as an undergraduate student .
In New York , a demonstrator wearing a Donald Trump mask stood next to a statue of George Washington at Federal Hall during the the women 's march outside the New York Stock Exchange .
“ We Dissent , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young woman wearing a red mask with small portraits of the liberal Supreme Court justice whose Sept. 18 death sparked the rush by Republicans to replace her with a conservative .
In Washington , the demonstrators started with a rally at Freedom Plaza , then marched toward Capitol Hill , finishing in front of the Supreme Court , where they were met by a handful of anti-abortion activists .
In one of several speeches at the rally , Sonja Spoo , director of reproductive rights campaigns at Ultraviolet , said she has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether he will accept a peaceful transfer of power if he loses his reelection bid .
“ When we vote him out , come Nov. 3 , there is no choice , '' said Spoo .
`` Donald Trump will not get to choose whether he stays in power . ''
`` That is not his power , that is our power , ” she said .

Thousands of mostly young women in masks rallied Saturday in the nation’s capital and other American cities, exhorting voters to oppose President Donald Trump and his fellow Republican candidates in the Nov. 3 elections.
The latest of rallies that began with a massive women’s march the day after Mr. Trump’s January 2017 inauguration was playing out during the coronavirus pandemic, and demonstrators were asked to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March, opened the event by asking people to keep their distance from one another, saying that the only superspreader event would be the recent one at the White House.
She talked about the power of women to end Mr. Trump’s presidency.
“His presidency began with women marching and now it’s going to end with woman voting. Period,” she said.
“Vote for your daughter’s future,” read one message in the sea of signs carried by demonstrators. “Fight like a girl,” said another.
Dozens of other rallies were planned from New York to San Francisco to signal opposition to Mr. Trump and his policies, especially the push to fill the seat of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day.
One march was held at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, outside the dormitory where Justice Ginsburg lived as an undergraduate student.
In New York, a demonstrator wearing a Donald Trump mask stood next to a statue of George Washington at Federal Hall during the the women’s march outside the New York Stock Exchange.
“We Dissent,” said a cardboard sign carried by a young woman wearing a red mask with small portraits of the liberal Supreme Court justice whose Sept. 18 death sparked the rush by Republicans to replace her with a conservative.
In Washington, the demonstrators started with a rally at Freedom Plaza, then marched toward Capitol Hill, finishing in front of the Supreme Court, where they were met by a handful of anti-abortion activists.
In one of several speeches at the rally, Sonja Spoo, director of reproductive rights campaigns at Ultraviolet, said she has to chuckle when she hears reporters ask Ms. Trump whether he will accept a peaceful transfer of power if he loses his reelection bid.
“When we vote him out, come Nov. 3, there is no choice,” said Ms. Spoo. “Donald Trump will not get to choose whether he stays in power.”
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“That is not his power, that is our power,” she said.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-10-18--Why Trump and Biden campaigns are in hard-to-flip states

President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden went on offense Sunday , with each campaigning in states they are trying to flip during the Nov. 3 election that is just over two weeks away .
Trump began his day in Nevada , making a rare visit to church before a fundraiser and an evening rally in Carson City .
Once considered a battleground , Nevada has n't swung for a Republican presidential contender since 2004 .
Biden , a practicing Catholic , attended mass in Delaware before campaigning in North Carolina , where a Democrat has n't won in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 .
Both candidates are trying to make inroads in states that could help secure a path to victory , but the dynamics of the race are remarkably stable .
Biden enjoys a significant advantage in national polls , while carrying a smaller edge in battleground surveys .
With Trump seated in the front row at the nondenominational International Church of Las Vegas , the senior associate pastor , Denise Goulet , said God told her the president is the apple of his eye and would secure a second term .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , ‘ I am going to give your president a second win , ’ ” she said , telling Trump , “ you will be the president again.
” Trump offered brief remarks , saying “ I love going to churches ” and that it was “ a great honor ” to attend the service .
The president also said that “ we have a group on the other side that doesn ’ t agree with us , ” and he urged people to “ get out there on Nov. 3 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wad of $ 20 bills in the collection plate before leaving .
Despite the pandemic , there were no efforts to social distance or limit singing , which health officials classify as a high-risk activity .
Few attendees wore masks inside the church .
Trump also attended a fundraiser at the Newport Beach home of top GOP donor and tech mogul Palmer Luckey , which raised $ 12 million for his election .
The Beach Boys performed .
The message was far different later in the day , when Biden attended a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around the country .
Biden held up a rosary , which he said he carries in his pocket every day , and described it as “ what the Irish call a prisoner ’ s rosary ” since it was small enough to be smuggled into prisons .
“ I happen to be a Roman Catholic , ” Biden said .
“ I don ’ t pray for God to protect me .
I pray to God to give me strength to see what other people are dealing with.
” Earlier , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , Biden focused heavily on promoting criminal justice changes to combat institutional racism and promised to help build wealth in the Black community .
He noted that Trump had said at one of his rallies that the country had turned the corner on the pandemic .
“ As my grandfather would say , this guy ’ s gone around the bend if he thinks we ’ ve turned the corner .
Turning the corner ?
Things are getting worse , ” Biden said .
In addition to public polling that indicates Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president enjoys another considerable advantage over Trump : money .
Over the past four months , his campaign has raised over $ 1 billion , and that has enabled him to eclipse Trump 's once-massive cash advantage .
That 's become apparent in advertising , where Biden and his Democratic allies are on pace to spend twice as much as Trump and the Republicans in the closing days of the race , according to data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG .
Though Trump has pulled back from advertising in Midwestern states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invested heavily elsewhere , including North Carolina , where he is on pace to slightly outspend Biden in the days ahead .
In Nevada , which Trump came close to winning in 2016 , Democrats are set to outspend Trump in the closing days by a more than 3-to-1 ratio .
Trump 's visit to the state is part of an aggressive schedule of campaign events , where he has leaned heavily on a law-and-order message .
As he tries to keep more voters from turning against him , Trump has sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a “ crusade against American history.
” He told moderate voters they had a “ a moral duty ” to join the Republican Party .
If elected , Biden would be only the second Roman Catholic president in U.S. history and first since John F. Kennedy .
Biden speaks frequently about his faith and its importance in his life .
Biden started his day with Mass in Delaware at St. Joseph ’ s on the Brandywine , as he does nearly every week .
He and his wife , Jill , entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bunch of flowers that including pink roses .
The church is a few minutes ’ drive from Biden ’ s home .
Biden 's son Beau , who died of brain cancer in 2015 , is buried in the cemetery on its grounds .
Joe and Jill Biden visited the grave after the service .
Trump attends church far less often but has drawn strong support from white Evangelical leaders and frequently hosts groups of pastors at the White House .
Trump often goes to the Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea near Mar-a-Lago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Easter , and he attended a Christmas Eve service last year at Family Church in West Palm Beach before the onset of the pandemic .
As the virus forced most churches to pause in-person services this spring , Trump announced plans to tune into live-streamed worship led by some leading evangelical supporters , including Texas-based megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress ’ Easter service and a March service by Georgia-based pastor Jentezen Franklin .
Slodysko reported from Washington and Weissert from Durham , North Carolina .
Associated Press Writer Elana Schor in Washington contributed to @ @ @

Brian Slodysko, Jill Colvin, and Will Weissert

President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden went on offense Sunday, with each campaigning in states they are trying to flip during the Nov. 3 election that is just over two weeks away.
Mr. Trump began his day in Nevada, making a rare visit to church before a fundraiser and an evening rally in Carson City. Once considered a battleground, Nevada hasn't swung for a Republican presidential contender since 2004.
Mr. Biden, a practicing Catholic, attended mass in Delaware before campaigning in North Carolina, where a Democrat hasn't won the White House race since Barack Obama in 2008.
Both candidates are trying to make inroads in states that could help secure a path to victory, but the dynamics of the race are remarkably stable. Mr. Biden enjoys a significant advantage in national polls, while carrying a smaller edge in battleground surveys.
With Mr. Trump seated in the front row at the nondenominational International Church of Las Vegas, the senior associate pastor, Denise Goulet, said God told her the president is the apple of his eye and would secure a second term.
“At 4:30, the Lord said to me, ‘I am going to give your president a second win,’” she said, telling Mr. Trump, “you will be the president again.”
Mr. Trump offered brief remarks, saying “I love going to churches” and that it was “a great honor” to attend the service. The president also said that “we have a group on the other side that doesn’t agree with us,” and he urged people to “get out there on Nov. 3 or sooner” to vote. He dropped a wad of $20 bills in the collection plate before leaving.
Despite the pandemic, there were no efforts to social distance or limit singing, which health officials classify as a high-risk activity. Few attendees wore masks inside the church.
Mr. Trump also attended a fundraiser at the Newport Beach home of top GOP donor and tech mogul Palmer Luckey, which raised $12 million for his election. The Beach Boys performed.
The message was far different later in the day, when Mr. Biden attended a virtual discussion with African American faith leaders from around the country.
Mr. Biden held up a rosary, which he said he carries in his pocket every day, and described it as “what the Irish call a prisoner’s rosary” since it was small enough to be smuggled into prisons.
“I happen to be a Roman Catholic,” Mr. Biden said. “I don’t pray for God to protect me. I pray to God to give me strength to see what other people are dealing with.”
Earlier, at a drive-in rally in Durham, North Carolina, Mr. Biden focused heavily on promoting criminal justice changes to combat institutional racism and promised to help build wealth in the Black community.
He noted that Trump had said at one of his rallies that the country had turned the corner on the pandemic.
“As my grandfather would say, this guy’s gone around the bend if he thinks we’ve turned the corner. Turning the corner? Things are getting worse,” Biden said.
In addition to public polling that indicates Mr. Biden has an edge, the former vice president enjoys another considerable advantage over Mr. Trump: money. Over the past four months, his campaign has raised over $1 billion, and that has enabled him to eclipse Trump's once-massive cash advantage.
That's become apparent in advertising, where Mr. Biden and his Democratic allies are on pace to spend twice as much as Mr. Trump and the Republicans in the closing days of the race, according to data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG.
Though Mr. Trump has pulled back from advertising in Midwestern states that secured his 2016 win, he's invested heavily elsewhere, including North Carolina, where he is on pace to slightly outspend Biden in the days ahead.
In Nevada, which Mr. Trump came close to winning in 2016, Democrats are set to outspend Mr. Trump in the closing days by a more than 3-to-1 ratio.
Mr. Trump's visit to the state is part of an aggressive schedule of campaign events, where he has leaned heavily on a law-and-order message.
As he tries to keep more voters from turning against him, Mr. Trump has sought to paint Democrats as “anti-American radicals” on a “crusade against American history.” He told moderate voters they had a “a moral duty” to join the Republican Party.
If elected, Mr. Biden would be only the second Roman Catholic president in U.S. history and first since John F. Kennedy. Mr. Biden speaks frequently about his faith and its importance in his life.
Mr. Biden started his day with Mass in Delaware at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine, as he does nearly every week. He and his wife, Jill, entered wearing dark-colored face masks. She carried a bunch of flowers that including pink roses.
The church is a few minutes’ drive from Mr. Biden’s home. Mr. Biden's son Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015, is buried in the cemetery on its grounds. Joe and Jill Biden visited the grave after the service.
Mr. Trump attends church far less often but has drawn strong support from white Evangelical leaders and frequently hosts groups of pastors at the White House. Trump often goes to the Church of Bethesda-By-The Sea near Mar-a-Lago in Florida for major holidays, including Easter, and he attended a Christmas Eve service last year at Family Church in West Palm Beach before the onset of the pandemic.
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As the virus forced most churches to pause in-person services this spring, Mr. Trump announced plans to tune into live-streamed worship led by some leading evangelical supporters, including Texas-based megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress’ Easter service and a March service by Georgia-based pastor Jentezen Franklin.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Slodysko reported from Washington and Weissert from Durham, North Carolina. AP writer Elana Schor in Washington contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-10-18--Pandemic defeat depends on individual choices, Merkel says

Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to come together like they did in the spring to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the country posted another daily record of new cases Saturday .
“ Difficult months are ahead of us , ” she said in her weekly video podcast .
“ How winter will be , how our Christmas will be , that will all be decided in these coming days and weeks , and it will be decided by our behavior.
” Meanwhile , new restrictions went into effect in several other European nations in an effort to staunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris and eight other French cities , restaurants , bars , movie theaters and other establishments were being forced to close no later than 9 p.m. to try to reduce contact among people .
The country was deploying 12,000 extra police officers to enforce the new rules .
Many restaurant owners have bristled at the order .
An earlier months-long lockdown devastated the sector .
“ I have the right to question the government ’ s approach , I think it ’ s a catastrophic measure for the industry , ” said Xavier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several other bistros in Paris 's chic Le Marais district , saying that if nothing else , the curfew should be 11 p.m. “ At least that would not destroy us , ” he said .
“ There ’ s no evidence that this difference of a couple of hours will have any effect on the virus circulating.
” In Britain , a three-tier regional approach to battle the pandemic introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson went into effect , with each level bringing progressively tighter restrictions .
On Saturday , tier-2 cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban on socializing with people from other households indoors , while the county of Lancashire joined Liverpool in tier 3 with the tightest restrictions .
Among other things , that means pubs have been forced to close and socializing with others is banned even in many outdoor settings .
In Northern Ireland a lockdown lasting four weeks came into force Friday .
All pubs and restaurants must close except for takeaway services , and schools will close for two weeks for an extended half-term holiday .
Data from Friday showed that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus , bringing the total official toll to 43,429 .
Switzerland announced tighter restrictions on Sunday , including a nation-wide obligation to wear masks and a ban on large scale public gatherings , Reuters reported .
The World Health Organization has warned that intensive care units in a number of European cities could reach maximum capacity in the coming weeks if the number of infections does n't slow .
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg joined the list of top politicians who have tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed no symptoms , his office told Austria 's APA news agency .
The Vatican , meanwhile , said someone who lives in the same hotel as Pope Francis tested positive for the virus , adding to the 11 cases of COVID-19 among the Swiss Guards who protect him .
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier , the country 's head of state , was quarantined after a bodyguard was infected , his office said .
A first test came out negative .
Germany , which was widely lauded for rapidly slowing the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , has seen rapidly climbing numbers in recent days .
On Saturday , the country 's disease control center , the Robert Koch Institute , reported 7,830 cases overnight , a new record .
Like most countries , Germany has been grappling with how to keep schools and businesses open while trying to prevent people from coming into close contact with one another .
Germany has registered a total of 356,387 coronavirus cases and a relatively low 9,767 deaths .
Merkel urged Germans to avoid unnecessary travel , cancel parties and remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought us so well through the first half year of the pandemic ?
” she asked .
“ It was that we stood together and obeyed the rules out of consideration and common sense .
This is the most effective remedy we currently have against the pandemic and it is more necessary now than ever.
” In the neighboring Czech Republic , the number of new infections surpassed 10,000 for the first time , surging to 11,105 on Friday , the Health Ministry said .
The country has now registered a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite new restrictive measures to slow the surge , Health Minister Roman Prymula said he still expects a rise in those testing positive for about two weeks .
Next door , Slovakia said it was acquiring 13 million rapid antigen tests — enough to test each member of the population twice — and would establish 6,000 testing sites .
Prime Minister Igor Matovic said testing will take place over the next two weekends , starting with the three or four hardest hit counties .
It was not immediately clear whether tests would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , where the European outbreak began in late February , has taken new measures to contain rebounding infections , limiting bar service and alcohol sales , banning contact sports and closing bingo parlors .
The regional government late Friday called for high schools to adopt hybrid schedules , with students alternating in-person with online learning .
The measures were taken after Lombardy , Italy ’ s most populous region , once again became the most affected , adding more than 2,000 infections a day .
Hospitals are coming under strain and intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new measures allow only table service for bars from 6 p.m. , ban takeout alcohol sales from that time and prohibit all consumption of booze in public spaces .
Italy ’ s other hardest hit region , southern Campania , has taken similarly strict measures , including a shutdown of schools for two weeks .
After parents protested , the regional governor backed off Friday and allowed daycare centers to remain open .
In the capital , Rome , residents grumbled as cases climbed , fearing a return to the strict country-wide measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading out of control .
“ The situation is critical thanks to the morons , because I call them morons , who have not respected the rules , '' said resident Mario Massenzi .
`` And if we fall back into the same situation as in March , we are finished.
” On Sunday , Italy 's prime minister announced new restrictions Sunday but stop short of a curfew like those imposed in major French cities .
Still , Italian mayors can close public squares and other gathering places after 9 p.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses .
Restaurants and bars are restricted to table service only after 6 p.m. , three hours earlier than the previous measures allowed , but can maintain the current midnight closing time .
Local festivals have been banned .
Gyms and public swimming pools may remain open -- but Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said they would be closed in a week if they don ’ t do a better job of following restrictions .
Thomas Adamson in Paris , Sylvia Hui in London , Nicole Winfield in Rome , Colleen Barry in Milan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report .

Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to come together like they did in the spring to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the country posted another daily record of new cases Saturday.
“Difficult months are ahead of us,” she said in her weekly video podcast. “How winter will be, how our Christmas will be, that will all be decided in these coming days and weeks, and it will be decided by our behavior.”
Meanwhile, new restrictions went into effect in several other European nations in an effort to staunch the resurgence of the pandemic.
In Paris and eight other French cities, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and other establishments were being forced to close no later than 9 p.m. to try to reduce contact among people. The country was deploying 12,000 extra police officers to enforce the new rules.
Many restaurant owners have bristled at the order. An earlier months-long lockdown devastated the sector.
“I have the right to question the government’s approach, I think it’s a catastrophic measure for the industry,” said Xavier Denamur, who owns Les Philosophes and several other bistros in Paris's chic Le Marais district, saying that if nothing else, the curfew should be 11 p.m.
“At least that would not destroy us,” he said. “There’s no evidence that this difference of a couple of hours will have any effect on the virus circulating.”
In Britain, a three-tier regional approach to battle the pandemic introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson went into effect, with each level bringing progressively tighter restrictions.
On Saturday, tier-2 cities like London and York were subject to a ban on socializing with people from other households indoors, while the county of Lancashire joined Liverpool in tier 3 with the tightest restrictions.
Among other things, that means pubs have been forced to close and socializing with others is banned even in many outdoor settings.
In Northern Ireland a lockdown lasting four weeks came into force Friday. All pubs and restaurants must close except for takeaway services, and schools will close for two weeks for an extended half-term holiday.
Data from Friday showed that a further 136 people died in the U.K. within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total official toll to 43,429.
Switzerland announced tighter restrictions on Sunday, including a nation-wide obligation to wear masks and a ban on large scale public gatherings, Reuters reported.
The World Health Organization has warned that intensive care units in a number of European cities could reach maximum capacity in the coming weeks if the number of infections doesn't slow.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg joined the list of top politicians who have tested positive for the virus, and was quarantined though he showed no symptoms, his office told Austria's APA news agency.
The Vatican, meanwhile, said someone who lives in the same hotel as Pope Francis tested positive for the virus, adding to the 11 cases of COVID-19 among the Swiss Guards who protect him.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the country's head of state, was quarantined after a bodyguard was infected, his office said. A first test came out negative.
Germany, which was widely lauded for rapidly slowing the spread of the virus when the pandemic first broke out, has seen rapidly climbing numbers in recent days.
On Saturday, the country's disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, reported 7,830 cases overnight, a new record.
Like most countries, Germany has been grappling with how to keep schools and businesses open while trying to prevent people from coming into close contact with one another.
Germany has registered a total of 356,387 coronavirus cases and a relatively low 9,767 deaths.
Ms. Merkel urged Germans to avoid unnecessary travel, cancel parties and remain at home whenever possible.
“What brought us so well through the first half year of the pandemic?” she asked. “It was that we stood together and obeyed the rules out of consideration and common sense. This is the most effective remedy we currently have against the pandemic and it is more necessary now than ever.”
In the neighboring Czech Republic, the number of new infections surpassed 10,000 for the first time, surging to 11,105 on Friday, the Health Ministry said. The country has now registered a total of 160,112 cases, including 1,283 deaths.
Despite new restrictive measures to slow the surge, Health Minister Roman Prymula said he still expects a rise in those testing positive for about two weeks.
Next door, Slovakia said it was acquiring 13 million rapid antigen tests – enough to test each member of the population twice – and would establish 6,000 testing sites.
Prime Minister Igor Matovic said testing will take place over the next two weekends, starting with the three or four hardest hit counties. It was not immediately clear whether tests would be mandatory.
Italy’s northern Lombardy region, where the European outbreak began in late February, has taken new measures to contain rebounding infections, limiting bar service and alcohol sales, banning contact sports and closing bingo parlors.
The regional government late Friday called for high schools to adopt hybrid schedules, with students alternating in-person with online learning.
The measures were taken after Lombardy, Italy’s most populous region, once again became the most affected, adding more than 2,000 infections a day. Hospitals are coming under strain and intensive care units are filling up.
The new measures allow only table service for bars from 6 p.m., ban takeout alcohol sales from that time and prohibit all consumption of booze in public spaces.
Italy’s other hardest hit region, southern Campania, has taken similarly strict measures, including a shutdown of schools for two weeks. After parents protested, the regional governor backed off Friday and allowed daycare centers to remain open.
In the capital, Rome, residents grumbled as cases climbed, fearing a return to the strict country-wide measures that were imposed when the virus was spreading out of control.
“The situation is critical thanks to the morons, because I call them morons, who have not respected the rules," said resident Mario Massenzi. "And if we fall back into the same situation as in March, we are finished.”
On Sunday, Italy's prime minister announced new restrictions Sunday but stopped short of a curfew like those imposed in major French cities. Still, Italian mayors can close public squares and other gathering places after 9 p.m., permitting access only to reach homes or businesses. Restaurants and bars are restricted to table service only after 6 p.m., three hours earlier than the previous measures allowed, but can maintain the current midnight closing time.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Local festivals have been banned. Gyms and public swimming pools may remain open – but Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said they would be closed in a week if they don’t do a better job of following restrictions.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Thomas Adamson in Paris, Sylvia Hui in London, Nicole Winfield in Rome, Colleen Barry in Milan, and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-10-19--Monday Sunrise Briefing: Record early voting. Democracy surge?

In-person early voting began in many states this week and total turnout is setting records around the United States .
Americans are driven by the pandemic , say analysts , distrust of voting by mail , and perhaps , a renewed engagement in the democratic process .
More than 28 million Americans have voted ( by mail and in-person ) already , according to the U.S .
Elections Project .
That ’ s six times the votes cast at this point - two weeks before the election - in 2016 .
Democrats have cast nearly twice as many early votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legitimacy of mail-in votes .
Democrats are seeing a surge in first-time voters .
But University of Florida Prof. Michael McDonald cautions that high Democratic turnout now should not be seen as an indicator of final results .
Democrats typically vote early in bigger numbers than Republicans , he notes .
2 .
New leadership test .
To battle a resurgence of coronavirus cases , European countries are adopting targeted measures .
A curfew went into effect this weekend for restaurants , bars , and movie theaters in Paris and eight other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the 9 p.m. curfew as undermining their livelihoods .
In Britain , a three-tier regional approach to battle the pandemic went into effect .
Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to avoid unnecessary travel , to cancel parties , and remain at home .
“ What brought us so well through the first half year of the pandemic ?
” she asked .
“ It was that we stood together and obeyed the rules out of consideration and common sense .
This is the most effective remedy we currently have against the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever.
” Europe ’ s fresh restrictions come as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern credited her government ’ s handling of the pandemic and reboot of the economy to her landslide reelection Saturday .
Economic insights .
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak to the International Monetary Fund .
Best of baseball .
The 2020 World Series begins with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Tampa Bay Rays .
The American League and National League champions will play all games at Globe Life Field in Arlington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow 11,500 fans into the stadium for each game of the series .
All games will be broadcast on Fox TV .
International cooperation .
Today , US astronaut Chris Cassidy is scheduled to hand over command of the International Space Station to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov .
Cassidy has been aboard the ISS for six months .
Ryzhikov arrived last week .
A new frontier .
NASA 's Osiris-Rex spacecraft will attempt to descend on an asteroid and snatch a few handfuls of rubble and return to Earth .
The mission will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting at 5 p.m .
ET .
One last time .
The final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled for 9 p.m. E.T .
The topics : `` Fighting COVID-19 , '' `` American Families , '' `` Race in America , '' `` Climate Change , '' `` National Security '' and `` Leadership . ''
Voting for a new justice .
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on high court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
The process for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
To serve and protect , and sometimes to go the extra mile .
This past summer , North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Colby Pridgen came across a family of six waiting on a busy highway near Durham for AAA to help fix a flat tire .
Monica Hines wrote on Facebook that they ’ d been waiting for five and a half hours on a hot day when Trooper Pridgen came to the rescue .
He helped them get one new tire , then paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - out of his own pocket .
The kids were hungry so he paid for a trip to McDonald ’ s before filling up their gas tank , again picking up the tab .
“ I know there are still good people out there this man just showed me that there are , ” wrote Ms. Hines .
“ He did all of this out of the kindness of his heart and I really do appreciate him and hope that he is blessed the same way that he blessed us.
” Start your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monitor readers : Can you dance to it ?
The world takes on the ‘ Jerusalema ’ challenge In tonight ’ s Daily Edition , watch for our commentary piece about why some Black Americans support President Trump .
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • It ’ s the world according to Trump : Could Biden turn back the clock ?
• When migrants fall through the cracks in France , volunteers step in • A jungle has developed in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all our pandemic coverage .
If you value our hopeful and respectful approach , please consider subscribing .
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday morning news update .
Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think .
Thank you !

In-person early voting began in many states this week and total turnout is setting records around the United States. Americans are driven by the pandemic, say analysts, distrust of voting by mail, and perhaps, a renewed engagement in the democratic process. More than 28 million Americans have voted (by mail and in-person) already, according to the U.S. Elections Project. That’s six times the votes cast at this point - two weeks before the election - in 2016. Democrats have cast nearly twice as many early votes as Republicans, who say they distrust the legitimacy of mail-in votes. Democrats are seeing a surge in first-time voters. But University of Florida Prof. Michael McDonald cautions that high Democratic turnout now should not be seen as an indicator of final results. Democrats typically vote early in bigger numbers than Republicans, he notes.
2. New leadership test. To battle a resurgence of coronavirus cases, European countries are adopting targeted measures. A curfew went into effect this weekend for restaurants, bars, and movie theaters in Paris and eight other French cities. Some business owners bristled at the 9 p.m. curfew as undermining their livelihoods. In Britain, a three-tier regional approach to battle the pandemic went into effect. Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to avoid unnecessary travel, to cancel parties, and remain at home. “What brought us so well through the first half year of the pandemic?” she asked. “It was that we stood together and obeyed the rules out of consideration and common sense. This is the most effective remedy we currently have against the pandemic and it is more necessary now than ever.”
Europe’s fresh restrictions come as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern credited her government’s handling of the pandemic and reboot of the economy to her landslide reelection Saturday.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports View caption Hide caption Embracing victory. The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate defeating the Atlanta Braves in game seven of the 2020 National League Championship Series in Arlington, Texas, Sunday evening.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, October 19, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are two news events from this past weekend (while you may have been pumpkin carving, pogo sticking, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
Look Ahead
Monday, Oct. 19
Economic insights. U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak to the International Monetary Fund.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Best of baseball. The 2020 World Series begins with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Tampa Bay Rays. The American League and National League champions will play all games at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Tex. Major League Baseball will only allow 11,500 fans into the stadium for each game of the series. All games will be broadcast on Fox TV.
International cooperation. Today, US astronaut Chris Cassidy is scheduled to hand over command of the International Space Station to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov. Cassidy has been aboard the ISS for six months. Ryzhikov arrived last week.
A new frontier. NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft will attempt to descend on an asteroid and snatch a few handfuls of rubble and return to Earth. The mission will be broadcast on NASA’s website starting at 5 p.m. ET.
Thursday, Oct. 22
One last time. The final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled for 9 p.m. E.T. The topics: "Fighting COVID-19," "American Families," "Race in America," "Climate Change," "National Security" and "Leadership."
Voting for a new justice. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on high court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The process for a full-Senate vote could begin the next day, said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Generosity Watch
North Carolina State Highway Patrol View caption Hide caption North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Colby Pridgen with Monica Hines, her boyfriend, and four children after getting their tires replaced in Durham, N.C., July 26, 2020.
To serve and protect, and sometimes to go the extra mile.
This past summer, North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Colby Pridgen came across a family of six waiting on a busy highway near Durham for AAA to help fix a flat tire. Monica Hines wrote on Facebook that they’d been waiting for five and a half hours on a hot day when Trooper Pridgen came to the rescue. He helped them get one new tire, then paid for all four tires to be replaced - out of his own pocket.
The kids were hungry so he paid for a trip to McDonald’s before filling up their gas tank, again picking up the tab.
“I know there are still good people out there this man just showed me that there are,” wrote Ms. Hines. “He did all of this out of the kindness of his heart and I really do appreciate him and hope that he is blessed the same way that he blessed us.”
Hidden gem
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
Can you dance to it? The world takes on the ‘Jerusalema’ challenge
Sneak preview
In tonight’s Daily Edition, watch for our commentary piece about why some Black Americans support President Trump.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Finally, check out the Monitor’s selected stories from Friday's subscription-only Daily Edition:
You have unlimited access to all our pandemic coverage. If you value our hopeful and respectful approach, please consider subscribing.
This is a beta test - an experiment with an early Monday morning news update. Please give us your feedback via the link below and let us know what you think. Thank you!