newyorkpost--2020-08-14--This is a revolution and other commentary

Commentary ’ s Abe Greenwald declares : “ The battle for the survival of the United States of America is upon us.
” Leftist radicals “ are demanding , and in some cases getting , a new and exotic country .
The police are indeed being defunded .
The statues are coming down .
The heretics are being outed .
The dissenters are being silenced .
The buildings are burning , and the demands are ever growing.
” Yet mainstream media play down the violence of the movement , liberal politicians pooh-pooh or even encourage it and too many ordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the true nature of events , whether out of fear or complacency .
A revolution “ is the transformation of popular ideas and beliefs and , most important , of a country ’ s national character.
” By that standard , what we are living through might well be akin to the French or Russian revolutions .
Joe Biden ’ s choice of Kamala Harris is the latest example of “ how he has outsourced his agenda to the radical elements of his party , ” snaps ex-Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkably hard-left positions , including co-sponsoring Bernie Sanders ’ “ extreme ” Medicare for All plan and the Green New Deal and supporting “ sanctuary cities and open borders.
” At the same time , “ Biden is a creature of Washington ” who will “ say and do just about anything to get elected president.
” Far from appearing “ reasonable to swing voters , ” then , the Biden-Harris ticket will come off as parroting the views of the “ far left.
” When a photo of a nude woman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ phalanx ” of Portland cops went viral , it became a symbol of the city ’ s Black Lives Matter protests , Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke observe at City Journal .
Yet the local NAACP head wasn ’ t impressed and blasted “ people with their own agenda ” for “ co-opting ” the movement .
Fact is , Naked Athena is just one of “ many activists ” who “ embrace protests as a stage on which to preen.
” They “ employ moral talk for self-promotion and status-seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with words aimed not at helping others ” but provoking and turning “ discourse into a vanity project.
” Too bad : “ The point of political action is to solve problems ” — not to “ create a forum for the glorification of those who participate.
” The Washington foreign-policy establishment , which has blasted the Trump administration ’ s Middle East approach for four years , will have to put “ its tail between its legs once again ” after the US-brokered normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grenell snarks at The Hill .
Such establishment critics , many of whom “ have now accepted prominent roles with the Biden campaign , ” care less about the “ consent of regional stakeholders ” than about “ the blessing of the European Union.
” The Trump administration , on the other hand , prioritizes “ the US national interest ” and then cooperates with allies with “ the most skin in the game.
” Ignoring “ the Washington foreign-policy establishment , ” as Trump has done , leads to “ not starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing peace deals.
” If you want to “ explain critical race theory to your baby , ” announces the pseudonymous Katie Miller at The Federalist , “ you ’ re in luck ” : In “ Antiracist Baby , ” Ibram X. Kendi guides your child into “ becoming a budding political activist.
” Among other things , the book depicts Black Lives Matter protests and divides babies into “ racist or antiracist ” categories .
“ Clearly , if babies aren ’ t being active in their antiracism , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age seems like an eon away ” for small children , but Kendi still wants to teach them undefined “ antiracist policies , ” thereby planting “ seeds for upcoming generations ” to support reparations and similar programs .
And , as Kendi wants 2-year-olds to learn his ideas , we should expect “ ‘ Antiracist Baby ’ in nursery schools and elementary schools in the upcoming years.
” Joy .

Neocon: This Is a Revolution
Commentary’s Abe Greenwald declares: “The battle for the survival of the United States of America is upon us.” Leftist radicals “are demanding, and in some cases getting, a new and exotic country. The police are indeed being defunded. The statues are coming down. The heretics are being outed. The dissenters are being silenced. The buildings are burning, and the demands are ever growing.” Yet mainstream media play down the violence of the movement, liberal politicians pooh-pooh or even encourage it and too many ordinary Americans can’t bring themselves to see the true nature of events, whether out of fear or complacency. A revolution “is the transformation of popular ideas and beliefs and, most important, of a country’s national character.” By that standard, what we are living through might well be akin to the French or Russian revolutions.
Campaign watch: Biden’s Outsourced Agenda
Joe Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris is the latest example of “how he has outsourced his agenda to the radical elements of his party,” snaps ex-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at The Washington Times. Harris has remarkably hard-left positions, including co-sponsoring Bernie Sanders’ “extreme” Medicare for All plan and the Green New Deal and supporting “sanctuary cities and open borders.” At the same time, “Biden is a creature of Washington” who will “say and do just about anything to get elected president.” Far from appearing “reasonable to swing voters,” then, the Biden-Harris ticket will come off as parroting the views of the “far left.”
Culture critic: Beware Self-Promoting Activists
When a photo of a nude woman, dubbed “Naked Athena,” facing a “phalanx” of Portland cops went viral, it became a symbol of the city’s Black Lives Matter protests, Justin Tosi and Brandon Warmke observe at City Journal. Yet the local NAACP head wasn’t impressed and blasted “people with their own agenda” for “co-opting” the movement. Fact is, Naked Athena is just one of “many activists” who “embrace protests as a stage on which to preen.” They “employ moral talk for self-promotion and status-seeking,” clogging “the public square with words aimed not at helping others” but provoking and turning “discourse into a vanity project.” Too bad: “The point of political action is to solve problems” — not to “create a forum for the glorification of those who participate.”
Ric Grenell: Israel-UAE Deal a Win for Trump
The Washington foreign-policy establishment, which has blasted the Trump administration’s Middle East approach for four years, will have to put “its tail between its legs once again” after the US-brokered normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, former Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell snarks at The Hill. Such establishment critics, many of whom “have now accepted prominent roles with the Biden campaign,” care less about the “consent of regional stakeholders” than about “the blessing of the European Union.” The Trump administration, on the other hand, prioritizes “the US national interest” and then cooperates with allies with “the most skin in the game.” Ignoring “the Washington foreign-policy establishment,” as Trump has done, leads to “not starting new wars, bringing troops home and signing peace deals.”
Conservative: Hating White People — for Babies
If you want to “explain critical race theory to your baby,” announces the pseudonymous Katie Miller at The Federalist, “you’re in luck”: In “Antiracist Baby,” Ibram X. Kendi guides your child into “becoming a budding political activist.” Among other things, the book depicts Black Lives Matter protests and divides babies into “racist or antiracist” categories. “Clearly, if babies aren’t being active in their antiracism, they are racists.” Yes, “the voting age seems like an eon away” for small children, but Kendi still wants to teach them undefined “antiracist policies,” thereby planting “seeds for upcoming generations” to support reparations and similar programs. And, as Kendi wants 2-year-olds to learn his ideas, we should expect “ ‘Antiracist Baby’ in nursery schools and elementary schools in the upcoming years.” Joy.
— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--No, Kamala Harris’ citizenship is not in doubt

Kamala Harris was born in Oakland , Calif. That makes her an American citizen and eligible for the vice presidency @ @ @ @ @ of the United States .
It ’ s pure nonsense to suggest otherwise — as @ @ @ @ @ “ I heard it today that [ Harris ] doesn ’ t meet the requirements @ @ @ @ @ .
Harris was born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother who were in the @ @ @ @ @ The 14th Amendment says : “ All persons born or naturalized in the United States @ @ @ @ @ of the United States.
” And the Supreme Court confirmed that anyone born on US @ @ @ @ @ People are worried about the virus , about the economy , about crime , about @ @ @ @ @ in bizarre , false and insulting conspiracy theories like birtherism and QAnon , Mr. President @ @ @ @ @ ’ s important .

Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, Calif. That makes her an American citizen and eligible for the vice presidency (and even presidency) of the United States. It’s pure nonsense to suggest otherwise — as President Trump has done.
“I heard it today that [Harris] doesn’t meet the requirements,” he said Thursday.
Well, you heard wrong, Mr. President.
Harris was born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother who were in the United States as students. The 14th Amendment says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . are citizens of the United States.” And the Supreme Court confirmed that anyone born on US soil is a citizen.
People are worried about the virus, about the economy, about crime, about our future. Stop trafficking in bizarre, false and insulting conspiracy theories like birtherism and QAnon, Mr. President, and concentrate on what’s important.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Don’t believe the left: This anti-Trump FBI lawyer’s abuse was outrageous

Kevin Clinesmith will plead guilty to falsifying an e-mail that ...

Democrats — and their puppets in the media — are pooh-poohing news that anti-Trump ex-FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith will plead guilty to lying in Robert Mueller’s Russiagate probe.
They want you to believe it was all “an innocent mistake.” Don’t buy it. This is an outrageous case of official abuse.
Clinesmith, for starters, was not a bit player in Crossfire Hurricane — nor was he innocent. He changed an e-mail to delete the fact that Trump aide Carter Page had provided information to the CIA. His clear goal was to make Page’s interactions with foreigners look more suspicious — as if he was trying to hide information, rather than feeding intelligence to the United States. Clinesmith’s ultimate goal: further a dubious investigation of President Trump, whom he despised.
If the roles were reversed and a pro-Trump lawyer lied to hide info and promote an unwarranted investigation, Democrats would be screaming bloody murder.
Clinesmith also worked with another disgraced FBI official, Peter Strzok, to arrange sending an agent into the Trump-Michael Flynn counterintelligence briefing. He was one of the FBI lawyers who took part in interviews with George Papadopoulos in February 2017 and was a material part of the FISA process to obtain wiretaps.
Later, he himself was so concerned about his role in framing the Trump campaign that he wrote fretful text messages: “I am so stressed about what I could have done differently,” he sighed. “Plus, my god damned name is all over the legal documents investigating [Trump’s] staff.”
It’s beyond doubt that Clinesmith longed to see Trump toppled: In a Nov. 22, 2016, text message discussion about Trump, Clinesmith cheered: “Viva le Resistance!”
Make no mistake: A lawyer who worked for the nation’s top law-enforcement agency worked to take down the president. That’s a big deal. No matter what Democrats would have you believe.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Trump donates $100K of salary to help repair monuments damaged by protests

President Trump on Friday said he will donate $ 100,000 of his salary to help repair national monuments damaged during anti-police brutality protests .
The funds — a quarter of the presidents $ 400,000 annual pay — will go toward the National Park Service for the restorations , according to Trump .
“ I promised YOU I would not take a dime of salary as your President , ” Trump tweeted Friday .
“ I donate the entire $ 400,000 !
It is my honor to give $ 100,000 to @ NatlParkService to help repair and restore our GREAT National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American History !
” he went on .
“ Thank You !
!
” Statues across the country were damaged or toppled during the civil unrest over the police killing of George Floyd — with protesters targeting monuments to slaveholders or figures with ties to slavery or colonialism .
It ’ s not clear how much $ 100,000 will go toward fixing the monuments .
Officials in cities that had endured weeks and months of protests have estimated tens of millions of dollars in damage to property , buildings and public works including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.3 million in damage in early July , the Oregonian reported .
Denver businesses in late June reported similar damages of around $ 2 million , according to the Denver Post .

President Trump on Friday said he will donate $100,000 of his salary to help repair national monuments damaged during anti-police brutality protests.
The funds — a quarter of the presidents $400,000 annual pay — will go toward the National Park Service for the restorations, according to Trump.
“I promised YOU I would not take a dime of salary as your President,” Trump tweeted Friday.
“I donate the entire $400,000! It is my honor to give $100,000 to @NatlParkService to help repair and restore our GREAT National Monuments.”
“So important to our American History!” he went on. “Thank You!!”
Statues across the country were damaged or toppled during the civil unrest over the police killing of George Floyd — with protesters targeting monuments to slaveholders or figures with ties to slavery or colonialism.
It’s not clear how much $100,000 will go toward fixing the monuments. Officials in cities that had endured weeks and months of protests have estimated tens of millions of dollars in damage to property, buildings and public works including statues.
Portland businesses estimated roughly $2.3 million in damage in early July, the Oregonian reported.
Denver businesses in late June reported similar damages of around $2 million, according to the Denver Post.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Jets finally back on field together as one team

The Jets were missing one of their top draft picks ...

The Jets took the field just after 9 a.m. on Friday for the first time as a team in 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic erased any on-field practices in the spring and delayed the practices this summer. Friday morning, finally, the Jets got to step on the field as a full team and practice.
“I thought today, great energy by the guys,” coach Adam Gase said on a Zoom call with the media after the practice. “You can see they’re excited to be out there. It’s good to get to go against each other. It’s been a long time. It’s the first practice we’ve had since December, and maybe like 60 percent of the guys we have are new it feels like. So, it was a good start for us.”
The rust was evident. The offense, with seven new starters from last season, looked like a group that lacks cohesion, as you’d expect. There were several false start penalties and hiccups like Sam Darnold throwing outside and his receiver cutting inside. But, overall, the first day of training camp looked largely what the first day of training camp always looks like.
That is, except for the masks and the reminders around the Jets’ training center that we are still dealing with the pandemic. All of the Jets coaches wore masks during practice as did the players not participating. Players only could use water bottles designated for them instead of sharing bottles like in the past.
“I think the masks have become part of everyday life,” center Connor McGovern said. “It’s something where I know I’m walking into a building, it’s almost natural now to throw a mask on. I felt like I was at a camp practice.”
It seemed like the Jets went back into normal football mode when practice started.
“You’re wearing the mask, and that’s the only thing that kind of reminds you, really,” Gase said. “You can see the spacing around the field, how everybody was aware. But I do think you get lost in the moment a little bit as far as it’s football, you see guys out there working extremely hard and you’re reminded it’s your back to work. But at the same time, you’re not forgetting about the protocols that are put in place and you’re trying to do everything right.”
The Jets have been doing strength and conditioning for two weeks and they began doing some on-field drills this week with the offense and defense separate. Friday was the first day the entire team was practicing together and the offense went against the defense. The Jets will put the pads on Monday.
This is a condensed training camp, so the Jets don’t have much time to jell. There are no preseason games and just 14 padded practices. The Jets are scheduled to open the season four weeks from Sunday against the Bills.
McGovern noted the offense had false start issues during the first team period, but none in the second team period. He said players are going to have to clean up things like that much quicker this year than in a normal training camp.
“I think everyone realizes the urgency we’re under and the urgency we have to improve with and the pressure we’re under to fix that little stuff,” McGovern said. “Once a game starts, that’s not a little thing anymore. I think we fixed it fast and it shows how ready we are to knock the rust off and get ready for a game.”
Gase emphasized not looking ahead and worrying about only having four weeks. He is keeping the focus on the short term.
“We can’t panic just because we only have four weeks to get ready for the first game,” Gase said. “We’ve got to find a way to get better every day.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Epstein accuser alleging abuse by Victoria’s Secret honcho knew his ‘sexual hang ups’: docs

A Jeffrey Epstein accuser used details about former Victoria Secret head Les Wexner ’ s tastes in lingerie to accuse him of sexual abuse , according to newly unsealed court documents .
The documents were unsealed Friday in the Manhattan federal court legal battle between Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz and Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre .
Dershowitz claims Giuffre is trying to extort him by claiming he had sex with her while she was underage — and is battling to prove she did the same thing to Wexner .
According to a phone call transcript , Wexner ’ s attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse allegation against him with Dershowitz is 2015 .
Dershowitz opened the call by saying he remembered that a lawyer for Giuffre had told Zeiger that her client knew Wexner ’ s “ sexual hang ups.
” “ My recollection is [ Giuffre ’ s attorney ] did … say something about how he liked his girls dressed in — I don ’ t know what , negligees or , ” Dershowitz said .
“ I think there was a general reference to the type of lingerie and — and things like that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded .
“ It sounds like , you know , she knows he — he owns Victoria ’ s Secret , and imagines that as a result of that , he must be into the kind of lingerie that ’ s sold in the company .
But I mean , she has a good imagination , ” Dershowitz said .
Later in the call , Dershowitz claims he has a recording of one of Giuffre ’ s friends who allegedly admitted they were trying to squeeze the underwear baron for money .
Zeiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other men are being “ shaken down ” — a point Dershowitz ’ s lawyers say support their claim that he was being extorted .
In other documents that were unsealed earlier this week , however , Wexner claimed to have no knowledge that he could share in a deposition that backs up Dershowitz ’ s claim he was extorted by Giuffre .
In a June 19 letter to Dershowitz ’ s attorney , a lawyer for Wexner said he could provide no information “ relevant ” to the claim .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant to a claim or defense on Mr. Dershowitz ’ s allegations of an extortion scheme , ” the letter states .
“ As for the remaining allegations in the Lawsuit , we believe Mr. Wexner ’ s deposition would impose an unreasonable burden on him as his testimony would not be relevant and/or proportional to the needs of the Lawsuits and , in fact , is at best merely inadmissible extrinsic , collateral evidence , ” it adds .

A Jeffrey Epstein accuser used details about former Victoria Secret head Les Wexner’s tastes in lingerie to accuse him of sexual abuse, according to newly unsealed court documents.
The documents were unsealed Friday in the Manhattan federal court legal battle between Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz and Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Dershowitz claims Giuffre is trying to extort him by claiming he had sex with her while she was underage — and is battling to prove she did the same thing to Wexner.
According to a phone call transcript, Wexner’s attorney, John Zeiger, discussed the sexual abuse allegation against him with Dershowitz is 2015.
Dershowitz opened the call by saying he remembered that a lawyer for Giuffre had told Zeiger that her client knew Wexner’s “sexual hang ups.”
“My recollection is [Giuffre’s attorney] did … say something about how he liked his girls dressed in — I don’t know what, negligees or,” Dershowitz said.
“I think there was a general reference to the type of lingerie and — and things like that, but no specifics,” Zeiger responded.
“It sounds like, you know, she knows he — he owns Victoria’s Secret, and imagines that as a result of that, he must be into the kind of lingerie that’s sold in the company. But I mean, she has a good imagination,” Dershowitz said.
Later in the call, Dershowitz claims he has a recording of one of Giuffre’s friends who allegedly admitted they were trying to squeeze the underwear baron for money.
Zeiger responds by asking if he knows if other men are being “shaken down” — a point Dershowitz’s lawyers say support their claim that he was being extorted.
In other documents that were unsealed earlier this week, however, Wexner claimed to have no knowledge that he could share in a deposition that backs up Dershowitz’s claim he was extorted by Giuffre.
In a June 19 letter to Dershowitz’s attorney, a lawyer for Wexner said he could provide no information “relevant” to the claim.
“We believe Mr. Wexner has no non-privileged information relevant to a claim or defense on Mr. Dershowitz’s allegations of an extortion scheme,” the letter states.
“As for the remaining allegations in the Lawsuit, we believe Mr. Wexner’s deposition would impose an unreasonable burden on him as his testimony would not be relevant and/or proportional to the needs of the Lawsuits and, in fact, is at best merely inadmissible extrinsic, collateral evidence,” it adds.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Bill Gates-backed vaccine maker CureVac shares nearly triple in Nasdaq debut

Here 's a list of the most promising treatments and potential ...

Shares of German biotechnology firm CureVac nearly tripled in their Nasdaq debut Friday, marking the first stock market debut of a company developing a potential vaccine to combat the novel coronavirus.
The stock opened at $44 per share, up from the initial public offering price of $16 per share.
CureVac, backed by Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates, sold 13.33 million shares at $16 apiece, the top end of its indicated price range of between $14 and $16 per share.
The company, which started an early-stage coronavirus trial in healthy volunteers in June with results expected in the final quarter of 2020, raised $213.3 million in the IPO.
Proceeds from the IPO would be used to fund its COVID-19 vaccine program and manufacturing capabilities, CureVac said in a regulatory filing.
The company is working to expand its capacity with a new manufacturing facility in Germany that will be capable of producing billions of vaccine doses.
CureVac is in talks with large drugmakers about a partnership to help market and distribute its prospective vaccine, its chief executive officer told German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Friday.
The company is researching how to use messenger RNA to fight cancer, rabies and other illnesses, including the coronavirus.
In June, the German government took a 23 percent stake in CureVac for about $343 million. In July, GlaxoSmithKline and the Qatar Investment Authority also bought a stake in the company.
Tuebingen-based CureVac secured a 75-million-euro loan from the European Investment Bank last month.
SAP SE co-founder Dietmar Hopp owns a controlling stake in CureVac and is expected to hold a little less than 50 percent after the listing, according to a company filing.
Bank of America, Jefferies, and Credit Suisse are lead underwriters for the IPO.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--UN Security Council rejects US bid to extend Iran arms embargo: Pompeo

The United Nations Security Council on Friday rejected a US bid to extend an arms embargo on Iran , US @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The Security Council “ rejected a reasonable resolution to extend @ @ @ @ @ on Iran and paved the way for the world ’ s leading state sponsor of @ @ @ @ @ conventional weapons without specific UN restrictions in place for the first time in over a @ @ @ @ @ .

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council on Friday resoundingly defeated a U.S. resolution to indefinitely extend the U.N. arms embargo on Iran, with the Trump administration getting support from only the Dominican Republic but vowing further action to prevent Tehran’s sale and export of conventional weapons.
The vote in the 15-member council was two in favor, two against and 11 abstentions, leaving it far short of the minimum nine “yes” votes required for adoption. Russia and China strongly opposed the resolution, but didn’t need to use their vetoes.
The Trump administration has said repeatedly it will not allow the arms embargo provision in the Security Council resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers to expire as scheduled Oct. 18.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the defeat of the resolution ahead of a very brief virtual council meeting to reveal the vote.
He said Israel and the six Arab Gulf nations who supported the extension “know Iran will spread even greater chaos and destruction if the embargo expires, but the Security Council chose to ignore them.”
“The United States will never abandon our friends in the region who expected more from the Security Council,” Pompeo said in a statement. “We will continue to work to ensure that the theocratic terror regime does not have the freedom to purchase and sell weapons that threaten the heart of Europe, the Middle East and beyond.”
U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft said “the United States stands sickened — but not surprised — as the clear majority of council members gave the green light to Iran to buy and sell all manner of conventional weapons.”
“The council’s failure today will serve neither peace nor security,” she warned. “Rather, it will fuel greater conflict and drive even more insecurity.”
Pompeo suggested the U.S. would invoke the “snap back” mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal that would restore all U.N. sanctions on Iran — and Craft said the United States will go ahead “in the coming days” and keep America’s “promise to stop at nothing to extend the arms embargo.”
“Snap back” was envisioned in the event Iran was proven to be in violation of the accord, under which it received billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, known as the JCPOA, in 2018. But the U.S. circulated a six-page memo Thursday from State Department lawyers outlining why the United States remains part of the 2015 Security Council resolution that endorsed the deal and still has the right to use the `snap back’ provision.
The five other powers — Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany — remain committed to the deal, and diplomats from several of these countries have voiced concern that extending the arms embargo would lead Iran to exit the nuclear agreement and speed up its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
China’s U.N. ambassador, Zhang Jun, reiterated after the vote the Chinese contention that since the U.S. is no longer party to the 2015 agreement, it is “ineligible to demand the Security Council invoke a snap back.” He said the overwhelming majority of council members “believe the U.S. attempt has no legal basis.”
“Should the U.S. insist regardless of international opinion, it is doomed to fail like today,” Zhang said in a statement, adding that the vote showed “that unilateralism receives no support and bullying will fail.”
Iranian Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi accused the U.S. of seeking to use the arms embargo “as a pretext of killing the JCPOA forever through the snap back mechanism.”
“As we have already stated, imposition of any sanctions or restrictions on Iran by the Security Council will be met severely by Iran and our options are not limited. And the United States and any entity which may assist it or acquiesce in its illegal behavior, will bear the full responsibility,” he said.
While voting on the U.S. draft resolution was under way, Russia said President Vladimir Putin called for a meeting of leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Council along with Germany and Iran to avoid escalation over U.S. attempts to extend the Iranian arms embargo.
In a statement released by the Kremlin, Putin said “the question is urgent,“ adding that the goal of the video conference would be “to outline steps to avoid confrontation and exacerbation of the situation in the U.N. Security Council,”
”If the leaders are fundamentally ready for a conversation, we propose to promptly coordinate the agenda,” Putin said. “The alternative is to further build up tension, to increase the risk of conflict. This development must be avoided.”
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed France’s “availability in principle” to Putin’s proposal. “We have in the past deployed initiatives in the same spirit,” it said.
Whether Trump and the others agree to participate in the meeting remains to be seen.
On Thursday, U.S. envoy Craft said in an interview with The Associated Press that the United States is “keeping the space open” for talks with Britain, France and Germany, as well as Russia and China.
She urged the three European nations that support the nuclear deal — Britain, France and Germany — to put in writing their ideas to extend the expiring arms embargo on Iran, indicating the Trump administration may be willing compromise on its demand for an indefinite extension. She said they had mentioned a six-month or one-year extension.
European diplomats said the three countries share the U.S. goal of maintaining the arms embargo but need to find a compromise with Russia and China. The diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions have been private, said the Europeans had offered a compromise proposal but the U.S., Russia and China showed no willingness to compromise.
The U.S. administration wants to end the Iran nuclear agreement before the American elections Nov. 3, the Europeans said, pointing to the time pressure the U.S. is exerting since the arms embargo doesn’t expire until October and there would still be time for negotiations.
Germany’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Günter Sautter, said after the vote that Germany remains committed to the nuclear deal, but remains deeply concerned about Iran’s transfers of weapon to Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq in violation of the 2015 council resolution.
He said Germany has been engaging with council members and is ready to continue discussions “in order to find a pragmatic way forward, which addresses our collective concerns.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Columbia University nixes plans for in-person classes this fall

The New York Times surveyed hundreds of colleges from Connecticut ...

Columbia University will hold all classes for undergraduates online this fall, officials announced Friday.
President Lee Bollinger had hoped that 60 percent of classes could have been in person, but reversed course due to coronavirus constraints, he wrote in a letter to the students and staff.
The school will now only host a limited number of students who must live on campus due to “personal or academic” circumstances, according to the letter.
“While New York City is well along in its phased reopening process, as we all know, the surges of the pandemic continue and its grip on American life has not eased,” he said. “This, unfortunately, has consequences for us.”
Bollinger said he made the decision to curb campus living due to severe restrictions imposed by coronavirus safety precautions.
He noted that most out-of-town Columbia students would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine after the start of school.
“And, of course, after the quarantine period ends, various restrictions related to social interactions and other forms of gatherings on campus will remain in place, limiting the quality of life for students residing on campus because of the nature of dormitory-style spaces,” he said. “These two considerations combined are a major part of our decision.”
The reversal also spurred Bollinger to hold all undergraduate classes online in the fall.
“With few undergraduate students living on campus, we have decided that all undergraduate courses will be virtual,” Bollinger wrote. “There is the physical capacity to conduct many undergraduate courses in person, but students now will be living in so many locations, and under such varied circumstances, that online instruction is the only realistic approach.”
Bollinger said he would reassess the school’s housing arrangements in the spring.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--Breaking down Stipe Miocic-Daniel Cormier UFC 252 bout

The main event of Saturday ’ s UFC 252 is the trilogy fight between heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and former champ Daniel Cormier .
The winner of this rubber match will be regarded as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history .
Compelling reasons exist for why each man could win this fight , but both face questions .
Cormier had been dominating world-class freestyle wrestling talent from the time he was in the NCAA to 2009 , when he set his sights on mixed martial arts .
Like a bulldozer , Cormier won 15 straight before losing to Jon Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top challengers before moving from the light-heavyweight division to heavyweight and dominating there .
Were it not for two defeats to Jones , Cormier ’ s sole loss would be his latest bout , when Miocic regained his heavyweight strap .
Cormier ’ s wrestling gives him an advantage against anyone except Jones , and that holds true here .
Cormier thinks he got a little punch-happy in the second fight with Miocic and has vowed to make this a wrestling affair .
Should he , at 41 , be able to execute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would win this fight as well as stump Father Time .
With a 25-foot cage , a totally focused Cormier is vowing to wrestle Miocic .
He has had a full camp to train for one thing and one thing only — his legacy .
A highly motivated Cormier is something this handicapper respects .
Unrelenting pressure wrestling consumes abundant energy .
It usurps strength and may greatly affect one ’ s endurance .
So the question for Cormier ’ s camp is : At his age , will he be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miocic , who has sound wrestling ability and a more refined precision striking game ?
Miocic enters this fight looking to defend the title he took back from Cormier last August .
Miocic is younger and taller with an 8-inch reach advantage .
After two bouts , he knows he has a great edge if he can keep this fight standing and at range .
He needs to measure the early rounds when Cormier comes at him hard , then take this fight deep , where his opponent ’ s older legs may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in this small octagon to take Miocic to the ground and keep him there for a seven-course meal of ground and pound .
Wrestling and the mat are keys to Cormier ’ s success outside of a one-punch power shot , which Cormier must not rely on .
For Miocic , it ’ s stick and move and make the portly wrestler utilize precious energy , then take the fight into Rounds 4 and 5 and transition into a more power striking game .
Miocic ’ s biggest problem is that Cormier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as stay in top position .
Cormier has been living with his championship loss and has been using it to fuel him , for he has shown in every test that he is of championship mettle .
He has had more than a full camp without distraction , and I know Saturday we ’ ll get the absolute best he has .
For Miocic , it ’ s simple : Stuff the takedown attempts from Cormier and stay on the move and at distance , especially early .
Make Cormier use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes , the more Cormier will telegraph his strikes , and the more one-dimensional he ’ ll become in his attempts to take down Miocic .
This fight opened Cormier -120 to Miocic +105 , went to pick ’ em , and now Cormier is again a slight favorite .
The total is 2.5 rounds ( Over -163 ) .
If Cormier is to win , the Under seems to correlate .
Those thinking Miocic has the advantage may side with the Over .

Want even more betting news? Sign up for VSiN's free daily newsletter. Listen Live to VSiN's sports betting shows.
The main event of Saturday’s UFC 252 is the trilogy fight between heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and former champ Daniel Cormier. The winner of this rubber match will be regarded as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history. Compelling reasons exist for why each man could win this fight, but both face questions.
Let’s break them down.
Stipe Miocic (-105 at William Hill) vs. Daniel Cormier (-115), heavyweight (265-pound) championship
Cormier had been dominating world-class freestyle wrestling talent from the time he was in the NCAA to 2009, when he set his sights on mixed martial arts.
Like a bulldozer, Cormier won 15 straight before losing to Jon Jones. He then ran through six other top challengers before moving from the light-heavyweight division to heavyweight and dominating there. Were it not for two defeats to Jones, Cormier’s sole loss would be his latest bout, when Miocic regained his heavyweight strap.
Cormier’s wrestling gives him an advantage against anyone except Jones, and that holds true here. Cormier thinks he got a little punch-happy in the second fight with Miocic and has vowed to make this a wrestling affair. Should he, at 41, be able to execute that plan for five rounds, he would win this fight as well as stump Father Time.
With a 25-foot cage, a totally focused Cormier is vowing to wrestle Miocic. He has had a full camp to train for one thing and one thing only — his legacy. A highly motivated Cormier is something this handicapper respects.
Unrelenting pressure wrestling consumes abundant energy. It usurps strength and may greatly affect one’s endurance. So the question for Cormier’s camp is: At his age, will he be able to execute a plan of effective wrestling against Miocic, who has sound wrestling ability and a more refined precision striking game?
Miocic enters this fight looking to defend the title he took back from Cormier last August. Miocic is younger and taller with an 8-inch reach advantage. After two bouts, he knows he has a great edge if he can keep this fight standing and at range. He needs to measure the early rounds when Cormier comes at him hard, then take this fight deep, where his opponent’s older legs may begin to flail.
Cormier will sell out in this small octagon to take Miocic to the ground and keep him there for a seven-course meal of ground and pound. Wrestling and the mat are keys to Cormier’s success outside of a one-punch power shot, which Cormier must not rely on.
For Miocic, it’s stick and move and make the portly wrestler utilize precious energy, then take the fight into Rounds 4 and 5 and transition into a more power striking game. Miocic’s biggest problem is that Cormier has shown he can take Miocic down as well as stay in top position.
Cormier has been living with his championship loss and has been using it to fuel him, for he has shown in every test that he is of championship mettle. He has had more than a full camp without distraction, and I know Saturday we’ll get the absolute best he has.
For Miocic, it’s simple: Stuff the takedown attempts from Cormier and stay on the move and at distance, especially early. Make Cormier use his energy. The longer this fight goes, the more Cormier will telegraph his strikes, and the more one-dimensional he’ll become in his attempts to take down Miocic.
There’s where Miocic’s opportunity lies — catching Cormier coming in.
This fight opened Cormier -120 to Miocic +105, went to pick ’em, and now Cormier is again a slight favorite.
The total is 2.5 rounds (Over -163).
If Cormier is to win, the Under seems to correlate. Those thinking Miocic has the advantage may side with the Over.


newyorkpost--2020-08-14--‘Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On’ Brings The Feels With Big-Hearted Video Memoir Of Country Icon

Everything about Garth Brooks is big .
Big songs .
Big emotions .
Big sales .
Big show .
As big as NASCAR .
OK , maybe not that big but definitely bigger than Major League Soccer .
As big as the wide open range in his home state of Oklahoma and maybe even Texas .
He of the omnipresent headset mic , with more two-toned striped tops than a ska band .
There ’ s not a lot that ’ s subtle about Garth Brooks .
Except his music .
It can simmer with feeling just as easily as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vocals are as nuanced and emotive as anyone in country music ’ s illustrious history .
The 2-part biodoc Garth Brooks : The Road I ’ m On tells his story as he sees it but with plenty of input from his loved ones , including both wives , one of whom is fellow country superstar Trisha Yearwood .
Beefy and barrel chested , Garth is…intense .
At times he reminds me of such other exaggerated middle-aged alpha males as Alex Jones , minus the far-right politics and conspiracy theories , and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He cries .
A lot .
He cries talking about his Dad .
He cries talking about his Mom .
More than once .
He cries talking about his kids .
He cries talking about playing Central Park to a million people .
He cries talking about the concession stand girl who was crying so he brought her up on stage and then she cried some more and then he starts crying at the memory of it all .
You know , the big guys , they got big feels .
Brooks grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his words , “ The land of common sense.
” He fought for attention as the youngest of 6 kids in a blended family .
According to his siblings , he usually got it .
His mother was a dreamer who gave up her career as a country singer for motherhood , a sacrifice he ’ ll never forget .
His dad was an old school man ’ s man who installed in him a sense of hard work , sincerity and focus .
Brooks played team sports and attended Oklahoma State University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singer George Strait inspired Brooks to pursue a life in country music but he had big ears and was also a fan of 1970s singer-songwriters and classic rock .
Playing around Stillwater , OK , Brooks covered Billy Joel and Elton John alongside his own material and country hits of the day .
As he explains , “ the greatest entertainers , the greatest of all time are those lucky f***ers that get to do what they want to do and it ’ s exactly what that crowd came to see.
” Early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed .
Like many a country singer before him , Brooks made his way to Nashville and found that all that glitters is not gold .
He and first wife Sandy Mahl struggled financially .
According to Brooks , “ seven visits to seven labels , ” resulted in “ seven ‘ No ’ s. ” After seeing him live , one of the people who had passed on him decided they ’ d missed something .
He was signed in 1988 and released his first album in April 1989 .
“ Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he says with characteristic melodrama .
Brooks estimates he played over 300 shows his first year on the road .
While his record sales were initially driven by ballads , his live show featured theatrics on par with the arena rockers of his youth .
It would become an essential part of his allure .
His popularity soon eclipsed country and crossed into the mainstream , where he battled for chart space with the likes of Nirvana , Metallica and Michael Jackson .
“ He just reinvented the wheel , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we know from every single music documentary ever made , fame and fortune come at a price .
Brooks and Mahl ’ s marriage was already on the rocks but when he realized his three young daughters were growing up without him , he decided it was time for a change .
After a decade as one of the biggest artists in the world , Brooks announced his retirement in 2000 .
He and the family , ex-wife included , moved back to Oklahoma , where Brooks and Mahl shared custody on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2005 , Brooks married country singer Trisha Yearwood , who he had met when they were both unknowns singing songwriter demos .
After his daughters went off to college , Yearwood encouraged him to tour again .
Brooks says he worried no one would show up after announcing his comeback tour in 2014 .
It would go on to be the highest grossing country tour of all time .
Garth Brooks is an all or nothing proposal .
You ’ re either in or out .
You love him , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Road I ’ m On is either a narcissistic one man show or a moving video memoir of a man who cares about his family as much as his career and cares about both of them a heck of a lot ( if it ’ s not obvious , my opinion is the latter ) .
Sometimes his “ awww shucks ” modesty is a bit hard to take , like , dude , you sold over 170 million records and you ’ re really scared people aren ’ t going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his emotional extremism seems sincere and that heart on sleeve sentimentality is an essential part of who he is and why people love him .
As he describes the years on the road , the endless cycle of shows , autograph sessions and late night drives , he says with no regret , “ We were the luckiest guys on the planet.
” Benjamin H. Smith is a New York based writer , producer and musician .
Follow him on Twitter : @ BHSmithNYC .

Everything about Garth Brooks is big. Big songs. Big emotions. Big sales. Big show. As big as NASCAR. OK, maybe not that big but definitely bigger than Major League Soccer. As big as the wide open range in his home state of Oklahoma and maybe even Texas. He of the omnipresent headset mic, with more two-toned striped tops than a ska band. There’s not a lot that’s subtle about Garth Brooks. Except his music. It can simmer with feeling just as easily as it swings for the fences and his vocals are as nuanced and emotive as anyone in country music’s illustrious history.
The 2-part biodoc Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On tells his story as he sees it but with plenty of input from his loved ones, including both wives, one of whom is fellow country superstar Trisha Yearwood. Beefy and barrel chested, Garth is…intense. At times he reminds me of such other exaggerated middle-aged alpha males as Alex Jones, minus the far-right politics and conspiracy theories, and in his more contemplative moments Joe Rogan. He cries. A lot. He cries talking about his Dad. He cries talking about his Mom. More than once. He cries talking about his kids. He cries talking about playing Central Park to a million people. He cries talking about the concession stand girl who was crying so he brought her up on stage and then she cried some more and then he starts crying at the memory of it all. You know, the big guys, they got big feels.
Brooks grew up in Yukon, OK, in his words, “The land of common sense.” He fought for attention as the youngest of 6 kids in a blended family. According to his siblings, he usually got it. His mother was a dreamer who gave up her career as a country singer for motherhood, a sacrifice he’ll never forget. His dad was an old school man’s man who installed in him a sense of hard work, sincerity and focus. Brooks played team sports and attended Oklahoma State University on a partial javelin scholarship.
Country singer George Strait inspired Brooks to pursue a life in country music but he had big ears and was also a fan of 1970s singer-songwriters and classic rock. Playing around Stillwater, OK, Brooks covered Billy Joel and Elton John alongside his own material and country hits of the day. As he explains, “the greatest entertainers, the greatest of all time are those lucky f***ers that get to do what they want to do and it’s exactly what that crowd came to see.” Early performance tapes show his voice already fully developed.
Like many a country singer before him, Brooks made his way to Nashville and found that all that glitters is not gold. He and first wife Sandy Mahl struggled financially. According to Brooks, “seven visits to seven labels,” resulted in “seven ‘No’s.” After seeing him live, one of the people who had passed on him decided they’d missed something. He was signed in 1988 and released his first album in April 1989. “Now the war was about to begin,” he says with characteristic melodrama.
Brooks estimates he played over 300 shows his first year on the road. While his record sales were initially driven by ballads, his live show featured theatrics on par with the arena rockers of his youth. It would become an essential part of his allure. His popularity soon eclipsed country and crossed into the mainstream, where he battled for chart space with the likes of Nirvana, Metallica and Michael Jackson. “He just reinvented the wheel,” says Billboard magazine’s Melinda Newman.
As we know from every single music documentary ever made, fame and fortune come at a price. Brooks and Mahl’s marriage was already on the rocks but when he realized his three young daughters were growing up without him, he decided it was time for a change. After a decade as one of the biggest artists in the world, Brooks announced his retirement in 2000. He and the family, ex-wife included, moved back to Oklahoma, where Brooks and Mahl shared custody on alternate days for the next 14 years.
In 2005, Brooks married country singer Trisha Yearwood, who he had met when they were both unknowns singing songwriter demos. After his daughters went off to college, Yearwood encouraged him to tour again. Brooks says he worried no one would show up after announcing his comeback tour in 2014. It would go on to be the highest grossing country tour of all time.
Garth Brooks is an all or nothing proposal. You’re either in or out. You love him, or you don’t. Likewise, The Road I’m On is either a narcissistic one man show or a moving video memoir of a man who cares about his family as much as his career and cares about both of them a heck of a lot (if it’s not obvious, my opinion is the latter). Sometimes his “awww shucks” modesty is a bit hard to take, like, dude, you sold over 170 million records and you’re really scared people aren’t going to come to your show? Still, his emotional extremism seems sincere and that heart on sleeve sentimentality is an essential part of who he is and why people love him. As he describes the years on the road, the endless cycle of shows, autograph sessions and late night drives, he says with no regret, “We were the luckiest guys on the planet.”
Benjamin H. Smith is a New York based writer, producer and musician. Follow him on Twitter:@BHSmithNYC.


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Save up to 66% on these pots, pans and cookware sets that will upgrade your kitchen

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store , from our partner StackCommerce .
NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
In the era of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , our lives have changed rather dramatically .
With many traditional restaurants closed for business and brunch trips with friends canceled indefinitely , you have likely found yourself whipping up home-cooked meals much more often than usual .
However , if six months into quarantine you are still using that single , beat-up frying pan leftover from your last roommate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s probably time for a kitchen upgrade .
To help you out , we rounded up 15 of the best cookware , bakeware , pots , and pans that you can score on sale right now .
With savings up to 66 % off , you are bound to find something that suits your needs .
Abbio Cookware : The Set , now on sale for $ 287 This complete set of skillets , pans , and pots features a uniquely designed , nonstick coating that ’ s free from harmful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now on sale for $ 599.99 ( 33 % off ) Cook perfect meals every time with this super-smart cookware set powered by the Hestan Cue™ app .
HD Classic 7″ Nonstick Saucepan with Lid , now on sale for $ 114.99 ( 14 % off ) Say goodbye to soaking and scrubbing—this nonstick saucepan makes cleaning up a total breeze .
Dockside Bakeware 5-Piece Ceramic Stoneware Baking Set , now on sale for $ 99.99 ( 33 % off ) Every piece in this gorgeous bakeware set doubles as an eye-catching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Set : Ultimate Kitchen Kit , now on sale for $ 535.99 ( 14 % off ) Each pot and pan in this 10-piece cookware set is made of cast aluminum and is fitted with ergonomic stay-cool handles .
HD Classic 8″ Nonstick Fry Pan , now on sale for $ 55.99 ( 13 % off ) Thanks to this pan ’ s superior heat conduction , you can whip up your favorite meals without the use of any oil .
HD Classic 11″ Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid , now on sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) This heavy-duty , cast aluminum pan is ideal for braising and sauteing your favorite cuts of meat .
Swiss Diamond® 11″ Nonstick Wok with Lid , now on sale for $ 149.99 ( 24 % off ) With sloped sides and a cast aluminum body , this nonstick wok makes cooking food mess-free .
HD Classic 9.5″ Nonstick Fry Pan , now on sale for $ 84.99 ( 14 % off ) This incredibly versatile , nonstick fry pan is a must-have in any kitchen .
Hestan Cue™ Smart Pan & Sauce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 449.99 ( 24 % off ) Follow along to the recipe of your choice in the Hestan Cue™ app with this Smart Pan , Sauce Pot , and Induction Cooktop .
Swiss Diamond® HD Classic 7″ Nonstick Fry Pan , now on sale for $ 33.99 ( 14 % off ) This 7″ skillet is perfect for small kitchens without a lot of storage space .
Epicurious 11-Piece Cookware Set , now on sale for $ 109.99 ( 21 % off ) This oven-safe cooking set includes everything you need to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20-Piece Non-Stick Cookware With Lids & Bakeware Set , now on sale for $ 179.99 ( 28 % off ) This ultimate cookware set is both oven and dishwasher safe , making every piece incredibly versatile .
Inspired Home 5-Piece Enameled Cast Iron Cookware + Bakeware Set , now on sale for $ 99.99 ( 66 % off ) This 5-piece enameled cast iron cookware and bakeware set doesn ’ t sacrifice style for functionality .
Swiss Diamond® XD 10.25″ Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid , now on sale for $ 119.99 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Vegetarian Association for plant-based cooking , this nonstick fry pan is perfect for sautéing vegetables .

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store, from our partner StackCommerce. NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
In the era of the coronavirus (COVID-19), our lives have changed rather dramatically. With many traditional restaurants closed for business and brunch trips with friends canceled indefinitely, you have likely found yourself whipping up home-cooked meals much more often than usual. However, if six months into quarantine you are still using that single, beat-up frying pan leftover from your last roommate to cook all your recipes, then it’s probably time for a kitchen upgrade.
To help you out, we rounded up 15 of the best cookware, bakeware, pots, and pans that you can score on sale right now. With savings up to 66% off, you are bound to find something that suits your needs.
Abbio Cookware: The Set, now on sale for $287
This complete set of skillets, pans, and pots features a uniquely designed, nonstick coating that’s free from harmful chemicals.
Hestan Cue™ Smart Cooking System, now on sale for $599.99 (33% off)
Cook perfect meals every time with this super-smart cookware set powered by the Hestan Cue™ app.
HD Classic 7″ Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, now on sale for $114.99 (14% off)
Say goodbye to soaking and scrubbing—this nonstick saucepan makes cleaning up a total breeze.
Dockside Bakeware 5-Piece Ceramic Stoneware Baking Set, now on sale for $99.99 (33% off)
Every piece in this gorgeous bakeware set doubles as an eye-catching serving tray.
Swiss Diamond® XD 10-Piece Set: Ultimate Kitchen Kit, now on sale for $535.99 (14% off)
Each pot and pan in this 10-piece cookware set is made of cast aluminum and is fitted with ergonomic stay-cool handles.
HD Classic 8″ Nonstick Fry Pan, now on sale for $55.99 (13% off)
Thanks to this pan’s superior heat conduction, you can whip up your favorite meals without the use of any oil.
HD Classic 11″ Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid, now on sale for $127.99 (14% off)
This heavy-duty, cast aluminum pan is ideal for braising and sauteing your favorite cuts of meat.
Swiss Diamond® 11″ Nonstick Wok with Lid, now on sale for $149.99 (24% off)
With sloped sides and a cast aluminum body, this nonstick wok makes cooking food mess-free.
HD Classic 9.5″ Nonstick Fry Pan, now on sale for $84.99 (14% off)
This incredibly versatile, nonstick fry pan is a must-have in any kitchen.
Hestan Cue™ Smart Pan & Sauce Pot Bundle, now on sale for $449.99 (24% off)
Follow along to the recipe of your choice in the Hestan Cue™ app with this Smart Pan, Sauce Pot, and Induction Cooktop.
Swiss Diamond® HD Classic 7″ Nonstick Fry Pan, now on sale for $33.99 (14% off)
This 7″ skillet is perfect for small kitchens without a lot of storage space.
Epicurious 11-Piece Cookware Set, now on sale for $109.99 (21% off)
This oven-safe cooking set includes everything you need to create delicious meals for the whole family.
20-Piece Non-Stick Cookware With Lids & Bakeware Set, now on sale for $179.99 (28% off)
This ultimate cookware set is both oven and dishwasher safe, making every piece incredibly versatile.
Inspired Home 5-Piece Enameled Cast Iron Cookware + Bakeware Set, now on sale for $99.99 (66% off)
This 5-piece enameled cast iron cookware and bakeware set doesn’t sacrifice style for functionality.
Swiss Diamond® XD 10.25″ Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid, now on sale for $119.99 (19% off)
Recommended by the American Vegetarian Association for plant-based cooking, this nonstick fry pan is perfect for sautéing vegetables.


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--President Trump touts NYPD police union endorsement

President Trump took a victory lap Saturday after he received the effusive endorsement of the New York City Police Benevolent Association .
In a tweet , Trump also offered a shout out to union boss Pat Lynch .
“ Thank you to the great Pat Lynch & the @ NYCPBA I will never let you down !
” he said .
“ I have deeply and profoundly admired the brave men and women of the # NYPD for my entire life .
New York ’ s Finest are truly the best of the best , ” he added later that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynch said his union rarely made political endorsements for the land ’ s highest office , but current circumstances justified the move .
“ I have 36 years on this job … I can not remember when we have ever endorsed for the office of President of the United States until now , ” he said to cheers .
“ That ’ s how important this is , Mr. President , we ’ re fighting for our lives out there .
We don ’ t want this to spread to the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice across the country.
” Violent anti-police protests and looting have gripped New York and cities across the nation after the death of George Floyd in May .
President Trump has rarely missed an opportunity to condemn the agitators , who he has in the past called “ domestic terrorists .
”

President Trump took a victory lap Saturday after he received the effusive endorsement of the New York City Police Benevolent Association.
In a tweet, Trump also offered a shout out to union boss Pat Lynch.
“Thank you to the great Pat Lynch & the @NYCPBA I will never let you down!” he said.
“I have deeply and profoundly admired the brave men and women of the #NYPD for my entire life. New York’s Finest are truly the best of the best,” he added later that evening.
In his remarks Friday, Lynch said his union rarely made political endorsements for the land’s highest office, but current circumstances justified the move.
“I have 36 years on this job … I cannot remember when we have ever endorsed for the office of President of the United States until now,” he said to cheers. “That’s how important this is, Mr. President, we’re fighting for our lives out there. We don’t want this to spread to the rest of the country. We need your strong voice across the country.”
Violent anti-police protests and looting have gripped New York and cities across the nation after the death of George Floyd in May. President Trump has rarely missed an opportunity to condemn the agitators, who he has in the past called “domestic terrorists.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Man killed in early morning West Village street fight: cops

A man was killed in an early morning street fight in the West Village , police said .
A 911 @ @ @ @ @ front of 82 Christopher Street around 4:30 a.m .
When police arrived , they found @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
EMS crews took him to Lenox Health Complex , where he was @ @ @ @ @ have been made and the victim ’ s name has not been released .

An East New York man out celebrating a birthday died after becoming embroiled in an early morning street fight in the West Village, police and family said.
Dashawn Bush, 36, of Pitkin Avenue, was found unconscious on the ground in front of 82 Christopher St. and was later pronounced dead at Lenox Health Complex, police said.
“We are taking it pretty hard,” Dashawn’s heartbroken sister, Tamara, 31, told The Post Saturday afternoon.
The birthday bash with a female pal was spoiled, Tamara said, after Bush “had an encounter with another person, who was a friend.”
She said there was a fight but believed “there was no visible marks on him. We don’t know if he had a heart attack or hit his head or broke his neck. We have no clue.”
“We don’t know why two friends were fighting like that,” she added.
Bush worked as a sorter for Amazon in Brooklyn and he’d been on the job for about “two or three months,” his sister said.
A 911 caller reported an assault at the Christopher Street spot around 4:20 a.m. Saturday.
When police arrived, they discovered Dashawn, unconscious. His attacker has not been arrested.


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Kids in Space’ on Netflix, an Animated Adve

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Kids in Space’ on Netflix, an Animated Adventure Aboard the International Space Station

The Magic School Bus Rides Again : Kids in Space is a super-sized special episode of Netflix ’ s Magic School Bus reboot , clocking in at 46 minutes of quality animated EDUTAINMENT .
The bus is extra-magic this time , taking the form of a rocket piercing Earth ’ s atmosphere and zooming to the International Space Station , where there will no doubt be some quality learning experiences , and surely no giant monsters , although I could be wrong..
THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS RIDES AGAIN : KIDS IN SPACE : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE AMAZING YEAR FOUR HUNDRED BILLION .
Ms. Fiona Frizzle ( voice of Kate McKinnon ) , teacher and pilot , docks the bus at the ISS , and her students pile in , spewing facts such as : The station is 400 kilometers above the surface of the Earth , which is 248 miles .
It circles the planet 16 times every 24 hours .
They ’ re in microgravity which makes them all floaty You can ’ t eat things that make crumbs because they fly all over the station and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaned and filtered on the station so you can drink it again .
Oh , and check out this tardigrade under the microscope — it ’ s the only living thing that can survive in “ the irradiated vacuum of space , ” one of the kids chirps .
Neat !
That ’ s the EDU part , and for the TAINMENT , Ms. Frizzle introduces a doohickey known as a porta-shrinker , which can zap things and make them bigger or smaller .
This is where the practical-learning thing gets elbowed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What with one thing and another , the porta-shrinker accidentally big-ifies the tardigrade and its eight legs and claws and bloated bearlike body and weird proboscis , freaking out all the kids — and now you know why this special is rated TV-Y for “ fear.
” It floats around breaking things as Ms. Frizzle naps .
Rambunctious Ralphie ( Matthew Mintz ) is to blame for not taking care of the porta-shrinker , so he becomes Responsible Ralphie and tries to come up with a fix for this problem .
Did I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also poops .
What Movies Will It Remind You Of ?
: Alien !
It also makes a blatant Wrath of Khan reference .
Memorable Dialogue : Ralphie : “ I don ’ t have the handbook memorized , but I think this is well beyond normal chief maintenance officer duties.
” Pause .
“ Heh heh heh .
‘ Duties . '
” Our Take : Kids in Space is way more tense than I expected , but that isn ’ t to say it ’ ll give six-year-olds nightmares or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a beanbag chair , and the proboscis doesn ’ t even have a tinier , nastier proboscis that shoots out to put a hole in your face .
The action is mostly rooted in comedy , except for the part that brought to mind one of the more terrifying scenes from Gravity ( or maybe that ’ s just my neurotic baggage kicking in ) .
Giant crapping tardigrade aside , it aims to give kids a realistic tour of the ISS , and rebuts some of its more fanciful elements by backloading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the station .
It ’ s a quick-paced 46 minutes , colorful in character and animation , relatively sophisticated for kid ’ s fare , upbeat in tone and not too fixated on grossout humor .
It also won ’ t inspire adults to run screaming to the liquor cabinet .
The point of this space-station adventure is to depict children using logical problem-solving methods — if their first solution doesn ’ t save their classmate from the freezing-cold , unforgiving , hellish , endless void of outer space , then they try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one until they deduce the right way to rescue the kid from an airless black eternity .
That ’ s the scientific method in action , yo .
Our Call : STREAM IT .
Does Kids in Space make learning fun ?
DAMN RIGHT IT DOES .
John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids , Michigan .
Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter : @ johnserba .
Stream The Magic School Bus Rides Again : Kids in Space on Netflix

Where to Stream: The Magic School Bus Rides Again
Powered by Reelgood
The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Kids in Space is a super-sized special episode of Netflix’s Magic School Bus reboot, clocking in at 46 minutes of quality animated EDUTAINMENT. The bus is extra-magic this time, taking the form of a rocket piercing Earth’s atmosphere and zooming to the International Space Station, where there will no doubt be some quality learning experiences, and surely no giant monsters, although I could be wrong..
THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS RIDES AGAIN: KIDS IN SPACE: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: BLAST OFF TO ADVENTURE IN THE AMAZING YEAR FOUR HUNDRED BILLION. Ms. Fiona Frizzle (voice of Kate McKinnon), teacher and pilot, docks the bus at the ISS, and her students pile in, spewing facts such as: The station is 400 kilometers above the surface of the Earth, which is 248 miles. It circles the planet 16 times every 24 hours. They’re in microgravity which makes them all floaty You can’t eat things that make crumbs because they fly all over the station and gunk up the equipment. Urine is cleaned and filtered on the station so you can drink it again. Oh, and check out this tardigrade under the microscope — it’s the only living thing that can survive in “the irradiated vacuum of space,” one of the kids chirps. Neat!
That’s the EDU part, and for the TAINMENT, Ms. Frizzle introduces a doohickey known as a porta-shrinker, which can zap things and make them bigger or smaller. This is where the practical-learning thing gets elbowed out of the picture for a minute. What with one thing and another, the porta-shrinker accidentally big-ifies the tardigrade and its eight legs and claws and bloated bearlike body and weird proboscis, freaking out all the kids — and now you know why this special is rated TV-Y for “fear.” It floats around breaking things as Ms. Frizzle naps. Rambunctious Ralphie (Matthew Mintz) is to blame for not taking care of the porta-shrinker, so he becomes Responsible Ralphie and tries to come up with a fix for this problem. Did I mention the tardigrade drools green goo? It also poops.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Alien! It also makes a blatant Wrath of Khan reference.
Performance Worth Watching: McKinnon’s energetic voice-acting gives Ms. Frizzle some enjoyable comic juice.
Memorable Dialogue: Ralphie: “I don’t have the handbook memorized, but I think this is well beyond normal chief maintenance officer duties.” Pause. “Heh heh heh. ‘Duties.'”
Sex and Skin: None.
Our Take: Kids in Space is way more tense than I expected, but that isn’t to say it’ll give six-year-olds nightmares or anything. The monster here looks like a beanbag chair, and the proboscis doesn’t even have a tinier, nastier proboscis that shoots out to put a hole in your face. The action is mostly rooted in comedy, except for the part that brought to mind one of the more terrifying scenes from Gravity (or maybe that’s just my neurotic baggage kicking in). Giant crapping tardigrade aside, it aims to give kids a realistic tour of the ISS, and rebuts some of its more fanciful elements by backloading some scientific truths about humans living in the station.
It’s a quick-paced 46 minutes, colorful in character and animation, relatively sophisticated for kid’s fare, upbeat in tone and not too fixated on grossout humor. It also won’t inspire adults to run screaming to the liquor cabinet. The point of this space-station adventure is to depict children using logical problem-solving methods — if their first solution doesn’t save their classmate from the freezing-cold, unforgiving, hellish, endless void of outer space, then they try another one and another one and another one until they deduce the right way to rescue the kid from an airless black eternity. That’s the scientific method in action, yo.
Our Call: STREAM IT. Does Kids in Space make learning fun? DAMN RIGHT IT DOES.
John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter: @johnserba.
Stream The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Kids in Space on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Aroldis Chapman could return to Yankees’ lineup this weekend

He is 28 years old , and suddenly troubling questions , chilling ...

While the Yankees’ outfield added another big name to the injured list on Friday when Aaron Judge went down with a right calf strain and joined Giancarlo Stanton, the bullpen might be getting a big reinforcement.
Closer Aroldis Chapman faced live hitters at the alternate training site on Friday. Though manager Aaron Boone hadn’t received a report on how the gas-throwing lefty did, there is a possibility Chapman could join the Yankees this weekend. Chapman has been on the COVID-19 IL since the season began. He tested negative for the coronavirus during the intake program but positive afterward.
Talking about the bullpen after he beat the Red Sox 10-3 Friday night, Gerrit Cole said he was optimistic the unit would be getting stronger.
“It looks like we are getting Chappy back relatively soon,’’ Cole said.
Adding Chapman would strengthen an area that has been very strong despite not having Chapman and losing Tommy Kahnle to Tommy John surgery. Chad Green has dominated and Zack Britton led the majors in saves with seven entering Friday night’s action.
In his previous throwing session, Chapman said he felt better than he expected, which was an encouraging sign. So, too, was pushing the speed gun to 99-mph.
Hal Steinbrenner watched the game from the owners’ box with sister, Jennifer, club president Randy Levine and COO Lonn Trost.
James Paxton’s dip in velocity has people searching for a reason. There has been talk that during the shutdown he might not have been throwing with enough intensity and that resulted in an arm strength issue.
Nevertheless, Paxton said he doesn’t think that is the reason.
“I don’t think it is an arm strength thing. When I was coming back from back surgery I was protecting my back and I created some bad habits that weren’t putting me in a position to create power,’’ said Paxton, who will make his fourth start of the season Saturday night against the Red Sox, hoping to build off a solid outing last Sunday against the Rays when he started with six shutout innings before faltering in the seventh. Paxton struck out 11 in 6 ¹/₃ innings.
In order to increase the velocity from 93 mph, Paxton has been working on getting better drive from his legs.
“Trying to get into my hips a little better,’’ Paxton said. “We are hoping that will show a little bit more velocity.’’
Paxton’s first two starts consisted of four innings, 12 hits and six earned runs and a 0-1 ledger.
Before baseball was flooded with information for every aspect of the game the best avenue to find out about a player was to go to a member of that fraternity.
A lot has changed in the game because of analytics, training methods and the mental approach but players remain the best judge of other players.
When asked about fellow outfielder Clint Frazier on Friday afternoon, Mike Tauchman painted a positive picture that included an evaluation long before Frazier went 3-for-4 with a home run in Wednesday night’s 6-3 win over the Braves at Yankee Stadium. He also had a two-run double in Friday night’s victory.
“[Wednesday] was a really good game [for him], but I thought in spring training 1 and spring training 2 he looked really good. I thought he was extremely consistent with his move. Last year was the first time I played with him and early in the year he was dialed in with his knowledge of the strike zone, recognize strikes versus non strikes,’’ Tauchman said of Frazier. “That got him into a lot of really advantageous counts and he was able to do some damage. That is the guy we are seeing right now, a guy who can control the strike zone and is obviously a presence in the batter’s box.’’


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Robinson Cano has big night in return to Mets’ lineup

Robinson Cano was the Mets ’ hottest hitter before he went on the injured list and though his homer and RBI single weren ’ t enough Friday night , Cano looked like he picked up where he left off .
Serving as the DH in his first game back from a left groin strain , Cano hit a long home run in the third and tied the game in the top of the ninth before the Mets lost it in the bottom of the inning in a 6-5 loss to the Phillies .
“ It ’ s almost like he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day he got hurt , ’ ’ manager Luis Rojas said .
Though the 37-year-old showed he ’ s capable of performing as a DH , Rojas stressed the Mets still need him at second base .
The season started with Yoenis Cespedes as the Mets ’ primary DH , but various players have been inserted into the spot since Cespedes opted out from the season nearly two weeks ago .
“ We have to get [ Cano ] on the field , as well , ” Rojas said before the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us .
He can do a lot of things and we can use that DH spot for other guys to keep them fresh as well in that rotation .
… That DH spot is crucial for the health of the players throughout this quick ramp up and the heat and everything the guys are encountering the season.
” It ’ s also important that Cano hit like he did on Friday , as he proved he was healthy .
After Dom Smith homered with two outs in the third , Cano went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot off the second deck at Citizens Bank Park .
Then , with the Mets down to their final out against Phillies ’ closer Hector Neris , Cano delivered again .
Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto reached to start the inning , but Pete Alonso and Smith both struck out .
Cano drilled the first pitch he saw from Neris into right field , scoring Nimmo to tie the game .
Wilson Ramos then grounded out to end the inning and Seth Lugo lost it in the bottom of the ninth when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harper , but the Mets remain encouraged by what Cano did before he hit the IL — and what he did again Friday .
“ He feels really good , ’ ’ Rojas said .
“ In conversations with him and how he looks on the field and he ’ s also coming out of the box looks really good .
He ’ s swung the bat good .
I have no concerns with him .
”

Robinson Cano was the Mets’ hottest hitter before he went on the injured list and though his homer and RBI single weren’t enough Friday night, Cano looked like he picked up where he left off.
Serving as the DH in his first game back from a left groin strain, Cano hit a long home run in the third and tied the game in the top of the ninth before the Mets lost it in the bottom of the inning in a 6-5 loss to the Phillies.
“It’s almost like he didn’t lose a beat from the day he got hurt,’’ manager Luis Rojas said.
Though the 37-year-old showed he’s capable of performing as a DH, Rojas stressed the Mets still need him at second base.
The season started with Yoenis Cespedes as the Mets’ primary DH, but various players have been inserted into the spot since Cespedes opted out from the season nearly two weeks ago.
“We have to get [Cano] on the field, as well,” Rojas said before the game. “Robbie is a good defender for us. He can do a lot of things and we can use that DH spot for other guys to keep them fresh as well in that rotation. … That DH spot is crucial for the health of the players throughout this quick ramp up and the heat and everything the guys are encountering the season.”
It’s also important that Cano hit like he did on Friday, as he proved he was healthy.
After Dom Smith homered with two outs in the third, Cano went deep, as well, with a shot off the second deck at Citizens Bank Park.
Then, with the Mets down to their final out against Phillies’ closer Hector Neris, Cano delivered again.
Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto reached to start the inning, but Pete Alonso and Smith both struck out.
Cano drilled the first pitch he saw from Neris into right field, scoring Nimmo to tie the game. Wilson Ramos then grounded out to end the inning and Seth Lugo lost it in the bottom of the ninth when he allowed a game-winning RBI single to Bryce Harper, but the Mets remain encouraged by what Cano did before he hit the IL — and what he did again Friday.
“He feels really good,’’ Rojas said. “In conversations with him and how he looks on the field and he’s also coming out of the box looks really good. He’s swung the bat good. I have no concerns with him.”
— Additional reporting by Mike Puma in Philadelphia


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Giants’ Marc Colombo: Andrew Thomas offensive line ‘alpha male’

Watch me .
This is the way I did it .
This ...

Andrew Thomas was widely acknowledged as the most NFL-ready left tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft. His new offensive line coach with the Giants, Marc Colombo, sounds as if he agrees with this assessment.
“Andrew is a tremendous football player,’’ Colombo said Friday.
The compliment came and went and the two are forging a relationship based on a common goal: Getting Thomas, selected No. 4 overall out of Georgia — to be a top-notch offensive tackle, not only for a decade, but also as a rookie asked to play right away.
One of the first conversations between coach and player focused on what Thomas needed to improve on most of all. No patting on the back when there is work to be done.
“One of the first things we talked about was use of hands, hand strike,’’ Colombo said. “Andrew’s aware of where he needs to get better. That was one thing he needs to get better with. That’s something we’ve been working on quite a bit.
“And just the type of pass rusher you’re going to see week in and week out, it’s going to be a premier pass rusher, being able to study that rusher, know how to study him. Know what his moves are, know everything he’s thinking. Love where Andrew’s heading. He’s smart, he knows where some of his deficiencies are right now. And there’s not a lot of deficiencies.’’
With Nate Solder opting out for the season, Thomas likely will embark on his NFL career at left tackle.
Colombo has to find a starting center, with Spencer Pulley, Nick Gates and possibly rookie Shane Lemieux in the mix. Gates, 24, is one of the more intriguing players on the roster. He was signed in 2018 as an undrafted free agent after starting 25 games at left tackle at Nebraska. He started three games last season — two at right tackle, one at right guard. He could fill a valuable role as a swing player up and down the line. Or, if he develops at a brand new position this summer, he could land the starting center job.
“Never played the position before and he’s the alpha male you want at the position, he owns it,’’ Colombo said. “That’s what you love about Nick. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s versatile. Just love the kid so far.’’
Gates at 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds is a bit taller than most centers. This is not a problem, Colombo said, pointing to a Pro Bowl player he worked with in Dallas. Travis Frederick was 6-4 and 317 pounds.
“We like big centers,’’ Colombo said. “We’re looking for centers that can anchor the middle. One of the biggest things is getting depth right off the bat at center just so he can kind of be the ultimate helper in there. It’s working his sets, working the depth of the sets, working the calls, the line stunts. That type of stuff. He’s just got to see it all. He’s new to the position so he’s seeing stuff for the first time.’’
DT Leonard Williams was removed from the non-football list, as his slight hamstring issue has healed. He participated in Friday’s practice.


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Aaron Judge’s injury history brings a troubling question

For the third straight season Aaron Judge has landed on ...

He is 28 years old, and suddenly troubling questions, chilling questions for the Yankees and Yankees fans, surround Aaron Judge:
Have we already seen the best of him?
Will he ever stay on the field long enough to again be the most feared face of the franchise? The imposing Sultan of Swat who bashed 52 home runs three long seasons ago?
Might the Yankees decide to hit the pause button on a mega-extension as Judge limps for now toward free agency in 2022?
Aaron Judge (mild right calf strain) placed on the IL, Yankees fans placed on the ILL.
This is the kind of precaution you are forced to take when your injury-plagued star has a history of day-to-day deteriorating into week-to-week and month-to-month.
For one night, the slumbering bats of Gary Sanchez (a 457-foot Judge-ian two-run HR) and Gleyber Torres (4-for-4, double, two RBIs) awakened with a vengeance in support of Gerrit Cole’s 20th consecutive victory, 10-3 over the Red Sox, and red-haired Clint Frazier (double, two RBIs) stayed red hot.
“It’s obviously a little bit of a blow, but we have a next-man-up mentality here,” Cole said.
As much as it kills Judge to be sidelined yet again, especially when there is so much urgency to each and every game, the sobering reality is no one will confuse him with Cal Ripken Jr. or retired Giants Iron Man Eli Manning.
From his oblique in 2019 to bleak in 2020, with Judge not due back until Aug. 22 at the earliest.
“I just think it’s really important that he not go out there and hurt this thing significantly trying to play through something,” Aaron Boone said. “Hopefully, it should be a pretty short stint on the IL.”
Boone guesstimated it was lower body tightness that prompted him to pull Judge from Tuesday night’s game. Until a Thursday MRI revealed otherwise.
“When you’re talking about calves, when you’re talking about a hamstring,” Boone said, “it’s a situation where you can tweak it more and then all of a sudden we’re looking at a four-to-six-week situation, and that’s really what we’re trying to avoid here.”
If there were no pandemic, Judge’s Chambers might have been as hushed as it was, and is.
“Hopefully we’ve gotten a little bit ahead of this thing,” Boone said. “Hopefully it is a mild situation, and Aaron will be back on the field.”
Hope, however, especially with Judge, is not a strategy.
His marvelous, muscular 6-foot-7, 282-pound body has proven to be both a blessing and a curse. Wear and tear has now become a nagging companion for him.
Judge, granted the benefit of COVID-19 spring training 2.0 following his fractured right rib and collapsed lung was off to a monster start with nine homers, and with Giancarlo Stanton on the IL for the foreseeable future, it will fall on Torres and Sanchez, both of whom have been more Bronx Bummer than Bomber, as well as Frazier, to pick up the slack.
“We’ve lost two MVP-caliber players, that is a blow,” Boone said, “but absolutely we have the people that can withstand this.”
It would help if James Paxton can return to form and help Cole in the rotation, and closer Aroldis Chapman is on his way back, and maybe someone can emerge as this season’s Gio Urshela. Even without Judge, this isn’t The Little Sisters of the Luxury Tax.
“We’ve got four months to win a championship and we want everybody on the field,” Judge said at the beginning of July.
Boone is enough manager and he has enough team to hold the fort until Judge returns … when he returns still sounds like a much better bet than if he returns, but who knows for sure?
“This is a case of just trying to make sure we protect him, and make sure we have him for the long haul,” Boone said. “And even though we’re in a 60-game season, or as many people put it, a 60-game sprint, the bottom line if we hurt that more, we jeopardize the season and we don’t want to do that.”
Mighty Mickey Mantle fought off injuries (and alcohol) and stayed on the field enough to slug 536 HRs. By the time he was 28, he had hit 280 of those HRs in 1,246 games and 4,478 at bats. Judge has 119 HRs in 413 games and 1,479 at bats. What a shame if that 99 jersey has to keep hanging periodically at his locker instead of on his back.
Aaron on the side of caution is always a good idea with Judge. And because hope is not a strategy, World Series-or-Bust Yankees fans might want to go directly to prayer.


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--Mets’ Jeff McNeil feared worst after ‘scary’ crash into wall

PHILADELPHIA — Five runs for a Jacob deGrom start might ...

Jeff McNeil was afraid he’d suffered more than a contusion to his left knee when he crashed into the left-field fence making a run-saving catch of an Asdrubal Cabrera fly ball to end the first inning of Thursday’s win over the Nationals at Citi Field.
He didn’t play in the Mets’ 6-5 loss to the Phillies on Friday night in Philadelphia, but is considered day-to-day.
“As soon as I hit the wall, my knee was kind of numb and it felt weird,’’ McNeil said prior to Friday’s game. “I thought it was much worse. When I stood up, it didn’t feel like my knee was too stable. That’s what was so scary.”
He was carted off the field, but McNeil and the Mets got good news when an MRI exam and X-ray showed only the contusion.
On Friday, he said the knee was “much better, although still sore.
“I’m pretty optimistic about how it feels,’’ McNeil said.
Dom Smith started in left Friday, with Brandon Nimmo in center and Michael Conforto in right.
Despite the initial concern, McNeil said he has no intention of toning down his playing style, which can sometimes lead to injuries like the one he suffered Thursday.
“I’m gonna keep doing that,’’ McNeil said of his aggressiveness. “That’s who I am. I play the game hard. I play the game the right way. So if there’s a ball I need to go into the wall to catch, I’m gonna do it. [On Thursday], it saved a couple runs. I’m never gonna change.That’s who I am as a player and it’s just who I’m gonna be.”
And that’s fine with manager Luis Rojas.
“He plays so hard, always,’’ Rojas said. “The other day, he dove for a ball coming in and was sacrificing his whole body to get the out. That’s how he plays. Sometimes I see him stomping on first base really hard hitting the bag and I’m like ‘oh,’ but that’s how he plays. It’s tough to take the aggressiveness away from the guy [and] to play it safe. He might even get hurt by doing that… I’m just glad there’s nothing more serious in there.”
That includes a head injury, which McNeil said trainers were also fearful of when they first went out to see him following the play.
“I was able to get my hands up and kind of protect my face and head,’’ McNeil said. “My neck was a little bit sore [Thursday] night.
David Peterson was feeling “good,” according to Rojas, a day after he was removed at 74 pitches with arm fatigue. But the Mets won’t have a better idea until the left-hander’s next throwing session on Saturday whether he’s facing any complications.
After Luis Guillorme singled with one out in the top of the eighth — his third hit of the night — he was replaced by pinch runner Billy Hamilton. The speedy Hamilton promptly swiped second, but when the ball dribbled away from Jean Segura at second base, Hamilton made an ill-conceived decision to try to advance to third. Didi Gregorius pounded on the ball and made a strong off-balance throw to third to get Hamilton for the second out. Amed Rosario then whiffed to end the inning.
“He was pretty upset with himself when he came back to the dugout,’’ Rojas said. “He was overly aggressive on the play. … I don’t know if he thought the ball got further away.”
Amed Rosario returned to the starting lineup at shortstop after three days sidelined with a stomach bug. Andres Gimenez, who had been playing shortstop in Rosario’s absence, started at third base to give J.D. Davis a day off. Rojas considered pinch-hitting Davis for Wilson Ramos in the ninth. Ramos grounded out.
“We trust [Ramos] in that at-bat,’’ Rojas said.
Drew Smith was optioned to the Mets’ alternate training site to clear roster space for Cano.


newyorkpost--2020-08-15--This was familiar, but not normal Jets training camp opener

The Jets took the field just after 9 a.m. on ...

It felt good.
It felt familiar.
The opening of Jets training camp, the first day on the field, began with a greeting from owner Christopher Johnson as he surveyed his 2020 team for the first time together on the field.
It was shortly after 9:30 Friday morning and the entire roster was assembled at the Jets’ Florham Park training facility. It all felt and looked natural — other than the four COVID-19 testing tents stationed in the parking lot.
The calendar says the Jets should be two games into their preseason schedule. But the coronavirus has had its say, and that means a truncated training camp, no preseason games and — ready or not — 31 days until the season opener in Buffalo.
It’s going to come fast for the Jets, who have a lot of new parts on the roster, beginning with a completely revamped offensive line. But Adam Gase and his entire coaching staff are back for a second consecutive season with the same systems in place.
You could tell Gase was stoked about having his team on the field together for the first time Friday. He was chatty with reporters in between practice periods — from a proper social distance, of course. He was energetic and enthusiastic.
“You’re wearing the mask, and that’s that only thing that kind of reminds you, really’’ Gase said, referring to the different and surreal world in which we now reside. “I do think you get lost in the moment a little bit as far as it’s football, you see guys out there working extremely hard and you’re reminded it’s your back to work.’’
Full disclosure: Having covered the Jets, Giants and the NFL for some 30 years, training camp has become something I don’t want to say I loathe, but let’s just say it’s not something I particularly look forward to at the end of every July.
I’ve always been about the games. The real games. Get me to Sundays when everything counts. For good or bad, right or wrong, the minutiae before the season and in between the games has never been my strong point of interest.
And training camp, standing in the 90-degree heat in the blazing sun for a couple hours at a time, always has been more of a nuisance for me than what I’d term a pleasure.
Friday was different, though.
Friday, even with the hot sun searing the sideline, felt good.
It felt good to hear defensive coordinator Gregg Williams barking at his troops again, constantly jawing at players, pushing them to be better and do it quickly.
Seeing Mekhi Becton, the 6-foot-7, 363-pound rookie tackle, in the flesh for the first time was a sight. The Jets first-round draft pick towered over his offensive line teammates, who are not a small lot themselves.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how quickly Becton can adapt of the pro game and truly become the bodyguard on the left side that quarterback Sam Darnold needs. Jets general manager Joe Douglas told Darnold’s parents last year that he was going to make it his business to protect their son, and Becton has the chance to be that gift.
“When you see Becton on that left side … that’s a big man protecting our quarterback,’’ Gase said. “I’m glad he’s here.’’
Becton is the shiniest of the new pieces on the offensive line, which will also boast newcomers in George Fant, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten and Conor McDermott.
“When you look at our offensive line, we’re a lot bigger than last year,’’ Gase said. “It’s a really good-looking group. It’s very deep.’’
Darnold, in his third NFL season but second in Gase’s system, looked in command on Friday — as the Jets need him to be and as he should. Gase said there were small telltale signs on Friday that showed him Darold is further along than he was a year ago.
“It starts with the simplest thing — play calling,’’ Gase said. “He doesn’t have to think about it. Like, I’ll start to call the play and he’s walks away [because] he knows what’s coming.’’
In the first 11-on-11 period, Darold connected with newcomer receiver Breshad Perriman over the middle for a completion, hopefully the first of many of those to come in real games, with the former Tampa Bay receiver a critical cog in a Jets offense that’s thin on receiving talent.
This leads to the one disappointment from Friday: No Denzel Mims sighting.
The 6-3, 207-pound receiver out of Baylor the Jets drafted in the second round stood on the sideline wearing a mask and no helmet for the entire practice because he tweaked a hamstring in workouts before Friday.
A hamstring injury for a rookie receiver in training camp always is an ominous sign. During a pandemic, when practice time is pared down, this is something to keep an eye on.
Alas, there was something concerning to chew on while watching the Jets. In that way, everything indeed felt back to normal.