newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Kaley Cuoco Avoids Any Signs Of Career Turbulence Thanks To ‘The Flight Attendant’

After an exciting and romantic night out in Bangkok with a sexy passenger she served in First Class on the trip over , flight attendant Cassie Bowden is horrified to awaken the next morning next to his corpse…and barely able to remember what happened , including whether she possibly could have been the one who murdered him .
Though the pilot of The Flight Attendant does make it seem plausible that Cassie ( Kaley Cuoco ) could have killed her date , it seems much less likely that The Flight Attendant will kill Cuoco ’ s career .
To the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on exactly the right trajectory , no turbulence expected .
Recently , Kimberly Ricci published an article at UPROXX assessing this project in the context of the one for which most people know Cuoco : the Chuck Lorre/Bill Prady sitcom The Big Bang Theory .
For 12 seasons , Cuoco played Penny , a cute ditz living across the hall from some very nerdy physicists .
As Ricci notes , Cuoco ’ s work outside The Big Bang Theory during those years did not earn her a lot of prestige or acclaim — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been things Cuoco worried or cared about much then .
After all , Big Bang was never the kind of show that made it onto many critics ’ Top 10 lists ( though it did win a total of 10 Emmys ) , but it was steady , lucrative work , which may have been more important than buzz to someone who ’ d been in the business since the age of 6 .
The extracurricular work Cuoco made time for during her Big Bang tenure is certainly what you ’ d expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliably popular if not especially well-respected show : the hybrid live-action/CGI kids ’ movie Hop ; the Kevin Hart/Josh Gad vehicle The Wedding Ringer ; the Lifetime true crime thriller Drew Peterson : Untouchable ; and ad campaigns for Priceline ( with William Shatner , no less ) and Toyota .
Is any of it memorable ?
Not really .
Did it probably pay for a very nice house and support a lot of dog rescues ?
No doubt .
As Big Bang drew to a close , those who ’ d observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of the same : okay-to-bad movies ; maybe another sitcom ; maybe nothing , since she could definitely afford to retire .
But , in a recent interview with Mikey O ’ Connell at THR , Cuoco describes how her management team , who ’ ve been working with her since she was a teenager , pushed her to think about what the next phase of her career should be , because “ they knew [ she ] wasn ’ t planning.
” To hear her tell it , the pivot was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Flight Attendant , the Chris Bohjalian novel from which the miniseries is adapted , and calling her attorney to make sure Reese Witherspoon hadn ’ t already bought the rights .
Ricci notes that what ’ s so striking about the evolution of Cuoco ’ s post-Big Bang career is that “ [ s ] he ’ s not punching above her weight , ” and it ’ s true ; it ’ s not like Laura Prepon playing notorious Canadian murderer Karla Homolka midway through the run of That ’ 70s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sneak into A Midsummer Night ’ s Dream two years into Ally McBeal .
What Cuoco ’ s doing now is different from Penny , but not too different ; what ’ s most surprising is that it ’ s in shows that are part of the critical conversation , and that you probably can ’ t watch with your grandma .
Before The Flight Attendant , Cuoco ’ s very first post-Big Bang role was as the titular lead of the animated series Harley Quinn , originally on DC Universe and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this character is that , when she was Dr. Harleen Quinzel , she met a lot of supervillains as a therapist at Gotham City ’ s notorious Arkham Asylum .
One of these was the Joker ; they became romantically involved , and before long she was reborn as Harley Quinn , running around the city in hot pants , swinging an enormous mallet and causing mayhem .
As conceived in the animated series , the character ’ s attitude toward “ Mr .
J ” and overall sense of morality can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t say more , because you should watch and discover it on your own ) , but there ’ s an essential sweetness and giddiness to Harley that are Penny-esque — just with the crazy dial turned a few notches further into the red .
Cassie has a lot in common with Penny , too : whereas Penny ’ s job was to serve guests in a restaurant , Cassie brings refreshments to guests in the sky .
Cassie probably drinks a lot more than Penny does , and is generally more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , but again , there ’ s a sense in which Cassie just reads as Dark Penny , who ’ s had a worse start in life and made some bad decisions .
As far as we can tell in the pilot , Cassie ’ s misadventure with Alex ( Michiel Huisman ) , her unfortunate date in Bangkok , is purely bad luck of the sort that could happen to anyone who might go back to a stranger ’ s hotel room ( and since that stranger looks like Michiel Huisman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would not ) .
The point is , these roles are not wild departures from what we know Cuoco for .
But the degree of control she has over them — throughout the development process , in the case of The Flight Attendant , or as an executive producer on Harley Quinn — indicate a level of intentionality with her choices that wasn ’ t especially evident before .
Furthermore , whereas Big Bang was a network sitcom that was expected to draw network numbers , selling a show to a subscription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more niche-y , exactly the kinds of qualities that confer the prestige Cuoco ’ s work may have lacked before .
And , not for nothing , but given the difficulties she describes , to THR , in finishing up shooting on The Flight Attendant after having to shut production down due to COVID , it ’ s not too bad to have an animated series to work on right now : they ’ re a lot more pandemic-proof .
Earlier this month , Mom — another sitcom in Chuck Lorre ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anna Faris , who had formerly been , with Allison Janney , its co-headliner .
The details surrounding Faris ’ s sudden exit from Mom without so much as a single goodbye scene are still mysterious , and as of this writing she hasn ’ t spoken publicly about what she plans to do next .
If she is thinking about ever acting again , maybe she can ask Cuoco over for a socially distanced drink out by the pool I assume she has ; these two should definitely talk strategy .
Writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ariano was the co-founder of Television Without Pity , Fametracker , and Previously.TV .
She co-hosts the podcasts Extra Hot Great and Again With This ( a compulsively detailed episode-by-episode breakdown of Beverly Hills , 90210 and Melrose Place ) , and the co-author with Sarah D. Bunting of A Very Special 90210 Book : 93 Absolutely Essential Episodes From TV ’ s Most Notorious Zip Code ( Abrams 2020 ) .
She has also contributed to New York , the New YorkTimes Magazine , Collider , Vanity Fair , Slate , Mel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Awl , among many others .
She lives in Austin .

After an exciting and romantic night out in Bangkok with a sexy passenger she served in First Class on the trip over, flight attendant Cassie Bowden is horrified to awaken the next morning next to his corpse…and barely able to remember what happened, including whether she possibly could have been the one who murdered him. Though the pilot of The Flight Attendant does make it seem plausible that Cassie (Kaley Cuoco) could have killed her date, it seems much less likely that The Flight Attendant will kill Cuoco’s career. To the contrary, it’s putting her on exactly the right trajectory, no turbulence expected.
Recently, Kimberly Ricci published an article at UPROXX assessing this project in the context of the one for which most people know Cuoco: the Chuck Lorre/Bill Prady sitcom The Big Bang Theory. For 12 seasons, Cuoco played Penny, a cute ditz living across the hall from some very nerdy physicists. As Ricci notes, Cuoco’s work outside The Big Bang Theory during those years did not earn her a lot of prestige or acclaim — but then, those might not have been things Cuoco worried or cared about much then. After all, Big Bang was never the kind of show that made it onto many critics’ Top 10 lists (though it did win a total of 10 Emmys), but it was steady, lucrative work, which may have been more important than buzz to someone who’d been in the business since the age of 6.
The extracurricular work Cuoco made time for during her Big Bang tenure is certainly what you’d expect to see offered to someone on a reliably popular if not especially well-respected show: the hybrid live-action/CGI kids’ movie Hop; the Kevin Hart/Josh Gad vehicle The Wedding Ringer; the Lifetime true crime thriller Drew Peterson: Untouchable; and ad campaigns for Priceline (with William Shatner, no less) and Toyota. Is any of it memorable? Not really. Did it probably pay for a very nice house and support a lot of dog rescues? No doubt.
As Big Bang drew to a close, those who’d observed Cuoco’s career might have expected more of the same: okay-to-bad movies; maybe another sitcom; maybe nothing, since she could definitely afford to retire. But, in a recent interview with Mikey O’Connell at THR, Cuoco describes how her management team, who’ve been working with her since she was a teenager, pushed her to think about what the next phase of her career should be, because “they knew [she] wasn’t planning.” To hear her tell it, the pivot was as easy as reading one line of The Flight Attendant, the Chris Bohjalian novel from which the miniseries is adapted, and calling her attorney to make sure Reese Witherspoon hadn’t already bought the rights.
Ricci notes that what’s so striking about the evolution of Cuoco’s post-Big Bang career is that “[s]he’s not punching above her weight,” and it’s true; it’s not like Laura Prepon playing notorious Canadian murderer Karla Homolka midway through the run of That ’70s Show or Calista Flockhart thinking she could sneak into A Midsummer Night’s Dream two years into Ally McBeal. What Cuoco’s doing now is different from Penny, but not too different; what’s most surprising is that it’s in shows that are part of the critical conversation, and that you probably can’t watch with your grandma.
Before The Flight Attendant, Cuoco’s very first post-Big Bang role was as the titular lead of the animated series Harley Quinn, originally on DC Universe and now at HBO Max. The origin story for this character is that, when she was Dr. Harleen Quinzel, she met a lot of supervillains as a therapist at Gotham City’s notorious Arkham Asylum. One of these was the Joker; they became romantically involved, and before long she was reborn as Harley Quinn, running around the city in hot pants, swinging an enormous mallet and causing mayhem. As conceived in the animated series, the character’s attitude toward “Mr. J” and overall sense of morality can be very changeable (I won’t say more, because you should watch and discover it on your own), but there’s an essential sweetness and giddiness to Harley that are Penny-esque — just with the crazy dial turned a few notches further into the red.
Cassie has a lot in common with Penny, too: whereas Penny’s job was to serve guests in a restaurant, Cassie brings refreshments to guests in the sky. Cassie probably drinks a lot more than Penny does, and is generally more of a mess in most aspects of her life, but again, there’s a sense in which Cassie just reads as Dark Penny, who’s had a worse start in life and made some bad decisions. As far as we can tell in the pilot, Cassie’s misadventure with Alex (Michiel Huisman), her unfortunate date in Bangkok, is purely bad luck of the sort that could happen to anyone who might go back to a stranger’s hotel room (and since that stranger looks like Michiel Huisman, who among us could honestly say we would not).
The point is, these roles are not wild departures from what we know Cuoco for. But the degree of control she has over them — throughout the development process, in the case of The Flight Attendant, or as an executive producer on Harley Quinn — indicate a level of intentionality with her choices that wasn’t especially evident before. Furthermore, whereas Big Bang was a network sitcom that was expected to draw network numbers, selling a show to a subscription service means it can be edgier and more niche-y, exactly the kinds of qualities that confer the prestige Cuoco’s work may have lacked before. And, not for nothing, but given the difficulties she describes, to THR, in finishing up shooting on The Flight Attendant after having to shut production down due to COVID, it’s not too bad to have an animated series to work on right now: they’re a lot more pandemic-proof.
Earlier this month, Mom — another sitcom in Chuck Lorre’s stable — returned to the air without Anna Faris, who had formerly been, with Allison Janney, its co-headliner. The details surrounding Faris’s sudden exit from Mom without so much as a single goodbye scene are still mysterious, and as of this writing she hasn’t spoken publicly about what she plans to do next. If she is thinking about ever acting again, maybe she can ask Cuoco over for a socially distanced drink out by the pool I assume she has; these two should definitely talk strategy.
Writer, editor, and snack enthusiast Tara Ariano was the co-founder of Television Without Pity, Fametracker, and Previously.TV. She co-hosts the podcasts Extra Hot Great and Again With This (a compulsively detailed episode-by-episode breakdown of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place), and the co-author with Sarah D. Bunting of A Very Special 90210 Book: 93 Absolutely Essential Episodes From TV’s Most Notorious Zip Code (Abrams 2020). She has also contributed to New York, the New YorkTimes Magazine, Collider, Vanity Fair, Slate, Mel Magazine, Vulture, Salon, and The Awl, among many others. She lives in Austin.
Watch The Flight Attendant on HBO Max
Watch Harley Quinn on HBO Max


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Man fatally struck by MTA bus in Staten Island identified

In one of the sport ’ s most bizarre moments , female MMA ...

The man fatally struck by an MTA bus in Staten Island was identified by cops early Tuesday.
Patrick Meehan, 63, was attempting to cross Hylan Boulevard at the intersection of Ebbitts Avenue in New Dorp, in the crosswalk but against the light, just after 10 p.m. Monday when an oncoming SIM1C bus struck him, police said.
Meehan, of Tottenville, was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North, where he was pronounced dead.
The 49-year-old bus driver stayed on scene, cops said.
No arrests had been made by early Tuesday, and police are continuing to investigate the incident.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Meghan, Harry ‘may soon be stripped of royal titles’ due to LA move, Netflix deal

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are at risk of a hard break from the Royal Family in a move that could cost them their royal titles , according to new reports .
According to The Express , Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ’ s alleged Royal break comes amid apparent tensions stemming from Netflix ’ s “ The Crown , ” which dramatizes the oft-sensational personal lives of the British Royal Family .
Meghan and Harry signed a publicized deal with the streaming giant earlier this year .
The Royal Family is now undertaking a review of the Duke and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the Royal Family — dubbed “ Megxit ” in reporting .
Queen Elizabeth II , Prince Charles and Prince William are set to review the terms of the break in March 2021 .
Royal experts are claiming that after the review concludes , the world could see Meghan and Harry break off entirely from the Royal Family — titles included .
“ I suspect very little will change and there is no sign of Harry and Meghan wanting to return to the royal fold and all the rigmarole and responsibility that comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Express .
“ There are two titles involved , there is the HRH status and then there is the actual title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex , ” royal author Robert Lacey told the outlet “ Obviously if the review in March concludes they can ’ t stay working royals , then it ’ s quite likely they would lose or forfeit their HRH styles.
” The report of Meghan and Harry ’ s royal break comes at the height of tensions for the British Royal Family with the newest season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix , which many monarchical defenders claim paints the royals in a harsh light .
According to The Sun , The Crown — which is confirmed for two more seasons — could be extended to cover the adult lives of Princes Harry and William after a season focusing on the life of the late Princess Diana .
“ I think originally it was reported that it would stop before William and Harry become adults , I ’ ve certainly heard there is talk within Netflix about the possibility that the show might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author Omid Scobie said .
British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden praised the drama as a “ beautifully produced work of fiction ” and seemed to stress that Netflix should add a disclaimer noting that it is “ fiction ” inspired by history .
Amid reports of a hard break with the Royal Family in March of next year , Meghan and Harry had already stopped using their formal titles following the separation .
According to The BBC , the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had pledged to repay £2.4m of taxpayer money for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will remain their UK family home .
They claim they have already repaid the monies .
They had also already said they will also no longer formally represent the Queen and will not use their HRH titles .
“ Harry , Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family , ” the Queen had said in a previous statement .

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are at risk of a hard break from the Royal Family in a move that could cost them their royal titles, according to new reports.
According to The Express, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's alleged Royal break comes amid apparent tensions stemming from Netflix's "The Crown," which dramatizes the oft-sensational personal lives of the British Royal Family. Meghan and Harry signed a publicized deal with the streaming giant earlier this year.
The Royal Family is now undertaking a review of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's deal to leave the Royal Family — dubbed "Megxit" in reporting.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William are set to review the terms of the break in March 2021.
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry could be facing a irreversible exit from the Royal Family when their Megxit deal is reviewed in March, it has been claimed. Royal Family LIVE: It's all over! Meghan and Harry face total exit with HRH styles banned The Express
Royal experts are claiming that after the review concludes, the world could see Meghan and Harry break off entirely from the Royal Family — titles included.
"I suspect very little will change and there is no sign of Harry and Meghan wanting to return to the royal fold and all the rigmarole and responsibility that comes with that," a commentator told The Express.
"There are two titles involved, there is the HRH status and then there is the actual title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex," royal author Robert Lacey told the outlet
"Obviously if the review in March concludes they can't stay working royals, then it's quite likely they would lose or forfeit their HRH styles."
In March, a year will have passed since Meghan Markle and Harry officially settled in the Los Angeles area. Buckingham Palace issues ‘frigid’ response to Meghan’s miscarriage news amid tensions over her lucrative deal Netflix deal Knewz.com
The report of Meghan and Harry's royal break comes at the height of tensions for the British Royal Family with the newest season of "The Crown" dropping on Netflix, which many monarchical defenders claim paints the royals in a harsh light.
According to The Sun, The Crown — which is confirmed for two more seasons — could be extended to cover the adult lives of Princes Harry and William after a season focusing on the life of the late Princess Diana.
"I think originally it was reported that it would stop before William and Harry become adults, I’ve certainly heard there is talk within Netflix about the possibility that the show might be extended," "Finding Freedom" author Omid Scobie said.
British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden praised the drama as a "beautifully produced work of fiction" and seemed to stress that Netflix should add a disclaimer noting that it is "fiction" inspired by history.
"Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact." Meghan & Harry latest – The Crown ‘could DESTROY royals’ reputation forever unless Netflix admits it’s fiction’ The Sun
Amid reports of a hard break with the Royal Family in March of next year, Meghan and Harry had already stopped using their formal titles following the separation.
According to The BBC, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had pledged to repay £2.4m of taxpayer money for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home. They claim they have already repaid the monies.
They had also already said they will also no longer formally represent the Queen and will not use their HRH titles.
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family," the Queen had said in a previous statement.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--US stocks climb as Wall Street looks to build on November rally

Pfizer and BioNTech have asked European regulators for conditional approval ...

The benchmark S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq and climbed to fresh records Tuesday as Wall Street’s persistent optimism about the course of the coronavirus pandemic kept the market’s rally going into December.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 185.28 points to 29,823.92, clawing back Monday’s 271-point loss after the blue-chip index posted its best monthly gain since 1987 in November.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each jumped as much as 1.5 percent to hit new all-time intraday highs of 3,678.45 and 12,405.79, respectively, and both closed at records.
The gains indicated investors were holding onto hopes that a COVID-19 vaccine will bring an end to the pandemic and return the economy to normal in the coming months. Partner drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech boosted those hopes Tuesday by announcing they had asked European regulators for conditional approval of their shot, a day after Moderna asked the US Food and Drug Administration to clear its vaccine for emergency use.
“Whether that optimism can continue into the end of the year is another thing,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA. “A lot of good news is now priced in and many countries are navigating through a complex second wave of COVID-19, some with more success than others.”
Investors got another encouraging signal on Tuesday from China, where a business survey showed activity in that country’s factory sector speeding up at the fastest pace in a decade last month.
The data “showed there was a solid recovery in play in the world’s manufacturing heart,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG.
But the raging coronavirus pandemic still poses a risk to the market and the economy. Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell told lawmakers Tuesday that the nation’s economic outlook is “extraordinarily uncertain” and could be challenged by the nationwide surge in COVID-19 infections.
Powell’s prepared remarks to the Senate Banking Committee “covered very familiar ground,” but still “provided a stark reminder of economic concerns and challenges faced by US policymakers,” said Stephen Innes, chief global market strategist at Axi.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Photo shows Australian soldier drinking out of Taliban fighter’s prosthetic leg

Defense Force Chief Gen. Angus Campbell on Thursday said the ...

A disturbing photograph has emerged of a member of Australia’s special forces guzzling beer from the prosthetic leg of a dead Taliban soldier at an unauthorized bar in Afghanistan, according to a report.
The senior elite soldier, who is still on active duty, was captured in the sick sculling act at the Fat Lady’s Arms watering hole, which was set up inside Australia’s base in Tarin Kowt in 2009, The Guardian Australia reported.
The news outlet obtained several similar photographs, including one showing two soldiers performing a dance with the artificial leg, which could have been an illegal war trophy.
Some of the troops claimed that the practice of drinking alcohol such a way was tolerated among the brass – and that some of the commanders also took part in the activity, according to the Guardian.
The damning images were published just days after Australian defense force chief Gen. Angus Campbell announced that his country’s elite troops allegedly murdered 39 Afghan civilians, a majority of whom had been captured and were unnamed.
Campbell said the alleged atrocities included cases in which new special forces members would shoot a prisoner in order to record their first kill — a practice known as “blooding.”
The illegal killings began in 2009, with the majority occurring in 2012 and 2013, Campbell said recently in announcing the Brereton report, adding that Special Air Service members encouraged “a self-centered, warrior culture.”
Rank-and-file soldiers said they have been unfairly slammed in the report for conduct they claim officers have been aware of for years, Guardian Australia reported.
The prosthetic leg seen in the photo is believed to have belonged to a suspected Taliban fighter killed during an SASR 2 squadron strike at Kakarak in Uruzgan province in April 2009.
It was then allegedly removed from the battlefield and kept in the bar, where it was eventually mounted on a plaque under the heading Das Boot, along with an Iron Cross – a military decoration used in Nazi Germany.
A former trooper told the Guardian that the leg traveled with the squadron.
“Wherever the Fat Lady’s Arms was set up, then that’s where the leg was kept and used occasionally for drinking out of,” he told the outlet, adding that senior officers would have seen the leg and potentially the practice of drinking from it.
The unredacted sections of the Brereton report cited the Fat Lady’s Arms as an example of how ethical leadership was compromised – but did not mention the leg or whether any soldiers were investigated for taking war trophies.
The Brereton report recommended that 19 troops be investigated in the alleged murder of the 39 prisoners and civilians, as well as for the alleged cruel treatment of two others.
Chief of Army Rick Burr speaks at a news conference in Canberra, Australia, last week. Lukas Coch/EPA
The Department of Defense referred the Guardian to the Brereton report when asked if it was aware of the existence of the prosthesis images and what action had been taken if it was.
“The report has been redacted to remove names and details that could identify individuals against whom the Inquiry has found credible information to support allegations of criminal wrongdoing or other misconduct,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
“Where there is information provided to Defence not addressed as part of the Afghanistan Inquiry, these matters will be investigated thoroughly and acted on,” the spokesperson added. “It is critical that all matters are considered carefully, and any actions are undertaken according to the ADF’s longstanding and well-established processes, ensuring the rights of individuals to due process and fair hearing are protected.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Jim Schwartz’s DK Metcalf compliment backfired spectacularly

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K .
Metcalf is already one of the best young players in the NFL , and doesn ’ t need any extra fuel to be great .
But if you give it to him , watch out .
After the Seahawks ’ 23-17 victory over the Eagles on Monday night , Metcalf told reporters that Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz exchanged words with him before the game , apparently slighting him by saying he wasn ’ t as great as Detroit Lions legend Calvin Johnson .
“ One of the defensive coaches came up to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was like ‘ I was in Detroit with Megatron , but you ’ re not there yet , ’ ” Metcalf said , later confirming the coach in question was Schwartz .
“ In my mind , I ’ m not trying to be Megatron .
I ’ m trying to be me .
So I had a little chip on my shoulder the whole game.
” Metcalf responded by going off for 10 catches and a season-high 177 yards , most of it while being covered by the Eagles ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Schwartz did not speak to the media after the game , but Eagles PR said the coach meant the words to be a compliment .
Still , Metcalf didn ’ t appear to see it that way , tweeting the quote with the Michael Jordan “ and I took that personally ” meme after the game .

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf is already one of the best young players in the NFL, and doesn’t need any extra fuel to be great. But if you give it to him, watch out.
After the Seahawks’ 23-17 victory over the Eagles on Monday night , Metcalf told reporters that Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz exchanged words with him before the game, apparently slighting him by saying he wasn’t as great as Detroit Lions legend Calvin Johnson.
“One of the defensive coaches came up to me and he kind of made me mad that he was like ‘I was in Detroit with Megatron, but you’re not there yet,’” Metcalf said, later confirming the coach in question was Schwartz.
“In my mind, I’m not trying to be Megatron. I’m trying to be me. So I had a little chip on my shoulder the whole game.”
Metcalf responded by going off for 10 catches and a season-high 177 yards, most of it while being covered by the Eagles’ No. 1 cornerback, Darius Slay.
Schwartz did not speak to the media after the game, but Eagles PR said the coach meant the words to be a compliment. Still, Metcalf didn’t appear to see it that way, tweeting the quote with the Michael Jordan “and I took that personally” meme after the game.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Lily Collins says Charlie McDowell romance got stronger in quarantine

“ I think it ’ s just that longing that I had as ...

Lily Collins says her relationship with fiancé Charlie McDowell has gotten stronger during quarantine.
The “Emily in Paris” star — who got engaged to McDowell in September — told L’Officiel magazine that the couple has benefitted from time together “without the layers of society” interfering.
“Quarantine has made and broken up a lot of people, but the time together just solidified what we already knew about each other,” the 31-year-old said. “Everyone has very much been who they are these last few months, because there aren’t any external distractions.”
“We’re all really getting back to the core of who we are without the layers of society,” Collins added. “When you’ve seen someone at their best and at their worst and you’re still right there with them, that’s a beautiful thing.”
Collins, who is British music icon Phil Collins’ daughter, is marrying into a famous family as well: McDowell is the son of Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen, while his stepfather is Ted Danson.
The two dated for over a year before getting engaged this year.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--MMA gets really weird in Russia: Female star destroys 530-pound man

In one of the sport ’ s most bizarre moments , female MMA star Darina Mazdyuk has defeated 530-pound YouTuber Grigory Chistyakov in a fight in Russia .
Mazdyuk is a 135-pound professional fighter who boasts three wins in four matches , while blogger Chistyakov has nearly 120,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel .
The fight lasted 90 seconds , with Chistyakov immediately going on the attack and running the 28-year-old around the cage .
But Mazdyuk proved her class , dropping her rival with a series of strikes to the head .
Chistyakov had recently spent time in hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend ’ s death had motivated him to improve his health .
“ I ’ m starting to train , and I will try to lead a more healthy lifestyle , ” Chistyakov said after the fight .
“ I ’ ll tell you , a man died today — my friend , a blogger .
He weighed ( 420 pounds ) .
Please Lord , all people , take care of yourself .
Recounting the fight , Chistyakov said : “ I lay on her back , but she did not fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what to do.
” Footage of the bout went viral on social media , and former UFC fighter Julie Kedzie congratulated Mazdyuk for her bravery .
“ It takes a certain kind of bravery to fight that last bout , and I sincerely hope it gets funnelled into a career that makes her bravery universally applauded , ” Kedzie said .
But not everyone was impressed by the spectacle , with UFC referee Marc Goddard labelling it a “ sickening ” ordeal .
“ This is what we are dealing with – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is what we are fighting against as the parallels and negative connotations are continually drawn .
To outsiders and detractors , this is MMA .
Shameful .
Sickening .
Abysmal .
”

In one of the sport’s most bizarre moments, female MMA star Darina Mazdyuk has defeated 530-pound YouTuber Grigory Chistyakov in a fight in Russia.
Mazdyuk is a 135-pound professional fighter who boasts three wins in four matches, while blogger Chistyakov has nearly 120,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.
The fight lasted 90 seconds, with Chistyakov immediately going on the attack and running the 28-year-old around the cage.
But Mazdyuk proved her class, dropping her rival with a series of strikes to the head.
Chistyakov had recently spent time in the hospital for an operation, and explained that a friend’s death had motivated him to improve his health.
“I’m starting to train, and I will try to lead a more healthy lifestyle,” Chistyakov said after the fight.
“I’ll tell you, a man died today — my friend, a blogger. He weighed (420 pounds). Please Lord, all people, take care of yourself.”
Recounting the fight, Chistyakov said: “I lay on her back, but she did not fall, and then I didn’t know what to do.”
Footage of the bout went viral on social media, and former UFC fighter Julie Kedzie congratulated Mazdyuk for her bravery.
“It takes a certain kind of bravery to fight that last bout, and I sincerely hope it gets funneled into a career that makes her bravery universally applauded,” Kedzie said.
But not everyone was impressed by the spectacle, with UFC referee Marc Goddard labeling it a “sickening” ordeal.
“This is what we are dealing with — in 2020,” Goddard said.
“This is what we are fighting against as the parallels and negative connotations are continually drawn. To outsiders and detractors, this is MMA. Shameful. Sickening. Abysmal.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Australian  mom allegedly stabbed 100 times, beheaded by ‘demon’ daughter

An Australian woman repeatedly stabbed and beheaded her mother — who paid nearly $ 2,000 for an exorcism to vanquish the “ demon ” from her “ Texas Chainsaw Massacre ” -obsessed daughter , prosecutors said Tuesday .
Gruesome details emerged on the first day of Jessica Callimeri ’ s murder trial , as prosecutors recalled how her mom , Rita Callimeri , was desperate to get her daughter help .
“ The accused said she wanted to give the deceased a taste of her own medicine , ” Crown Prosecutor Tony McCarthy told jurors , news.com.au reported .
Rita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3,600 by a “ she wolf ” medium to “ get the demon out of ” Jessica , 27 — but to no avail .
“ She paid [ $ 1,837 ] but never got any service , ” I believe she was desperate for anything to help , ” a family friend testified .
The bloodbath happened late at night on July 20 , 2019 at Jessica and Rita ’ s home in St. Clair , a suburb of Sydney .
Jessica used multiple knives to butcher her mother — with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her and running outside with her head , which was found in the front of a neighbor ’ s home .
The mother ’ s severed body parts were discovered in the kitchen — including the tip of her nose , McCarthy said .
“ I kept stabbing and stabbing and stabbing her , ” Jessica said at the time , according to the prosecutor .
“ I took off her head.
” Cops found Jessica outside , clutching a water bottle and covered in blood .
“ She immediately told them she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head that was on the footpath , ” McCarthy said .
The killer also claimed her mother yanked her hair inside the house and tried to stab her first , prompting her to call emergency services saying she acted in “ self defense , ” McCarthy said .
She later told police that there had been an argument and then estimated that she stabbed her mom 85 times .
Camilleri has pleaded not guilty to murder charges , though she ’ s not disputing she killed her mother .
Her lawyers claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness at the time .
“ Due to the effects of her mental conditions , she had an impaired capacity at the time of the events , ” said Jessica ’ s defense lawyer Nathan Steel .
McCarthy also laid out disturbing details about Jessica ’ s life , including her obsession with violent horror movies like “ Texas Chainsaw Massacre ” and “ Jeepers Creepers , ” about a flesh-eating “ creeper ” who consumes humans to replace his own body parts .
“ A feature of these movies was killing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy told jurors .
Jessica also had a history of threatening to behead other family members and random people , he said .
A family friend Jade Arena once warned Rita that Jessica could go off the deep end and “ hurt someone , ” the Sydney Morning Herald reported .
But Rita refused to believe her girl was a killer .
“ Not my Jessica , ” the mom said .
Kristy Torrisi , meanwhile , testified about her sister Jessica ’ s battles with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jessica also suffers from multiple mental illnesses , autism spectrum disorder and has a mild intellectual disability .
The breakup of Rita and their father also took a toll on Jessica .
“ Dad had control over her and discipline , ” her sister said , and Jessica ’ s behavior only grew worse when he was no longer there .

An Australian woman repeatedly stabbed and beheaded her mother — who paid nearly $2,000 for an exorcism to vanquish the “demon” from her “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”-obsessed daughter, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Gruesome details emerged on the first day of Jessica Callimeri’s murder trial, as prosecutors recalled how her mom, Rita Callimeri, was desperate to get her daughter help.
“The accused said she wanted to give the deceased a taste of her own medicine,” Crown Prosecutor Tony McCarthy told jurors, news.com.au reported.
Rita, 57, was quoted more than $3,600 by a “she wolf” medium to “get the demon out of” Jessica, 27 — but to no avail.
“She paid [$1,837] but never got any service, I believe she was desperate for anything to help,” a family friend testified.
The bloodbath happened late at night on July 20, 2019, at Jessica and Rita’s home in St. Clair, a suburb of Sydney.
Jessica used multiple knives to butcher her mother — with some even breaking off — before decapitating her and running outside with her head, which was found in front of a neighbor’s home.
The mother’s severed body parts were discovered in the kitchen — including the tip of her nose, McCarthy said.
“I kept stabbing and stabbing and stabbing her,” Jessica said at the time, according to the prosecutor. “I took off her head.”
Cops found Jessica outside, clutching a water bottle and covered in blood.
“She immediately told them she had killed her mother and pointed out the head that was on the footpath,” McCarthy said.
The killer also claimed her mother yanked her hair inside the house and tried to stab her first, prompting her to call emergency services, saying she acted in “self-defense,” McCarthy said.
She later told police there had been an argument and then estimated that she stabbed her mom 85 times.
Camilleri has pleaded not guilty to murder charges, though she’s not disputing she killed her mother. Her lawyers claim she was substantially impaired by a psychiatric illness at the time.
“Due to the effects of her mental conditions, she had an impaired capacity at the time of the events,” said Jessica’s defense lawyer Nathan Steel.
Rita Camilleri Facebook
McCarthy also laid out disturbing details about Jessica’s life, including her obsession with violent horror movies like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Jeepers Creepers,” about a flesh-eating “creeper” who consumes humans to replace his own body parts.
“A feature of these movies was killing people violently and dismembering their bodies,” McCarthy told jurors.
Jessica also had a history of threatening to behead other family members and random people, he said.
Family friend Jade Arena once warned Rita that Jessica could go off the deep end and “hurt someone,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
But Rita refused to believe her girl was a killer.
“Not my Jessica,” the mom said.
Kristy Torrisi, meanwhile, testified about her sister Jessica’s battles with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, saying Jessica had also been bullied at school.
Jessica also suffers from multiple mental illnesses, autism spectrum disorder and has a mild intellectual disability.
The breakup of Rita and their father also took a toll on Jessica.
“Dad had control over her and discipline,” her sister said, and Jessica’s behavior only grew worse when he was no longer there.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Mariah Carey’s love of Christmas  stems from ‘dysfunctional’ holidays as a kid

Christmas queen Mariah Carey revealed the surprisingly sad tale behind her fixation on the holiday .
As she prepared a new Christmas special , and with her classic “ All I Want for Christmas Is You ” at the top of Billboard ’ s Holiday 100 chart , she told Elle : “ I think it ’ s just that longing that I had as a child , that I always wanted things to be perfect for the holidays … And they never were .
It was always somebody ruining the moment , always these dysfunctional family members who came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she “ made a pact ” with herself that “ I wasn ’ t going to allow that to happen anymore.
” She said , “ After I kind of emerged from my first relationship-slash-marriage , I created the Christmases that I wanted to have.
” Her “ Magical Christmas Special ” variety show for Apple TV+ will feature Ariana Grande , Snoop Dogg , Billy Eichner , Tiffany Haddish and Carey ’ s twins , Moroccan and Monroe .
American Ballet Theatre star Misty Copeland will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy @ @ @ @ @ @

Christmas queen Mariah Carey revealed the surprisingly sad tale behind her fixation on the holiday.
As she prepared a new Christmas special, and with her classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at the top of Billboard’s Holiday 100 chart, she told Elle: “I think it’s just that longing that I had as a child, that I always wanted things to be perfect for the holidays … And they never were. It was always somebody ruining the moment, always these dysfunctional family members who came around and foiled everything.”
Carey said she “made a pact” with herself that “I wasn’t going to allow that to happen anymore.” She said, “After I kind of emerged from my first relationship-slash-marriage, I created the Christmases that I wanted to have.”
Her “Magical Christmas Special” variety show for Apple TV+ will feature Ariana Grande, Snoop Dogg, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Haddish and Carey’s twins, Moroccan and Monroe. American Ballet Theatre star Misty Copeland will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy from “The Nutcracker.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Pfizer, BioNTech seek COVID-19 vaccine approval in Europe

Pfizer and BioNTech have asked European regulators for conditional approval of their experimental coronavirus vaccine — and officials say they could make a decision by the end of the month .
The companies said they submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency on Monday for a conditional marketing authorization for their COVID-19 shot , which was shown to be 95 percent effective in a late-stage clinical trial .
The European Union drug regulator will hold a meeting no later than Dec. 29 to decide whether to recommend the approval as long as the drugmakers submitted enough data for officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s quality , safety and effectiveness , the agency said Tuesday .
The European Commission could grant a formal authorization valid in all EU member states “ within days ” after the drug agency makes its decision , according to regulators .
Pfizer and BioNTech say the process could allow their vaccine to be used in Europe before the end of the year if it goes their way .
The companies called the submission another important milestone in their quest to produce and distribute a vaccine that could bring an end to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than two weeks after the drugmakers asked the US Food and Drug Administration to clear the shot for emergency use .
“ We will continue to work with regulatory agencies around the world to enable the rapid distribution , should the vaccine receive the approval , contributing to the joint efforts to let the world heal and regain its normal pace of life , ” Dr. Ugur Sahin , BioNTech ’ s co-founder and CEO , said in a statement .
The European Medicines Agency says it grants conditional marketing authorizations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need ” based on less comprehensive data than it normally requires .
The data has to show that the benefits of the drug outweigh any risks , officials say .
Massachusetts-based biotech firm Moderna has also asked regulators in Europe and the US to clear its experimental vaccine , which was 94.1 percent effective in a late-stage trial .
European regulators say they will make a decision on Moderna ’ s application at a meeting scheduled for Jan. 12 at the latest .
The company has said the FDA officials plan to review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting .

Pfizer and BioNTech have asked European regulators for conditional approval of their experimental coronavirus vaccine — and officials say they could make a decision by the end of the month.
The companies said they submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency on Monday for a conditional marketing authorization for their COVID-19 shot, which was shown to be 95 percent effective in a late-stage clinical trial.
The European Union drug regulator will hold a meeting no later than Dec. 29 to decide whether to recommend the approval as long as the drugmakers submitted enough data for officials to reach conclusions about the vaccine’s quality, safety and effectiveness, the agency said Tuesday.
The European Commission could grant a formal authorization valid in all EU member states “within days” after the drug agency makes its decision, according to regulators. Pfizer and BioNTech say the process could allow their vaccine to be used in Europe before the end of the year if it goes their way.
The companies called the submission another important milestone in their quest to produce and distribute a vaccine that could bring an end to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The application came less than two weeks after the drugmakers asked the US Food and Drug Administration to clear the shot for emergency use.
“We will continue to work with regulatory agencies around the world to enable the rapid distribution, should the vaccine receive the approval, contributing to the joint efforts to let the world heal and regain its normal pace of life,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s co-founder and CEO, said in a statement.
The European Medicines Agency says it grants conditional marketing authorizations to drugs that fulfill an “unmet medical need” based on less comprehensive data than it normally requires. The data has to show that the benefits of the drug outweigh any risks, officials say.
Massachusetts-based biotech firm Moderna has also asked regulators in Europe and the US to clear its experimental vaccine, which was 94.1 percent effective in a late-stage trial.
European regulators say they will make a decision on Moderna’s application at a meeting scheduled for Jan. 12 at the latest. The company has said the FDA officials plan to review its US submission at a Dec. 17 meeting.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Falcons’ stunning blowout win highlights underdogs’ big Sunday

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Listen Live to VSiN 's sports betting shows Sharps , contrarians and sportsbooks feasted on Sunday , as Week 12 dogs went 8-4 ATS with four outright wins and Unders went 8-4 .
Nearly every chalky favorite failed to cover for the public as unpopular ’ dogs barked loudly for those brave enough to grab the points instead of lay them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 49ers ( +5 ) beat Rams , 23-20 ; Falcons ( +3.5 ) beat Raiders , 43-6 ; Titans ( +3 ) beat Colts , 45-26 ; Patriots ( +1 ) beat Cardinals , 20-17 The 49ers ( +7 to +5 ) , Titans ( + 4.5 to +3 ) and Patriots ( +2.5 to +1 ) came up huge for wise guys .
All three were unpopular bets but received big reverse line movement in their favor .
The Falcons cashed as a buy-low , inflated line value play , moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.5 while only receiving about one-third of bets .
“ The Raiders game was clearly the biggest of the day in all facets , the highest ticket count by far , ” said Chuck Esposito , sportsbook director at Stations Casinos .
“ More straight , parlay , moneyline and Over money .
We had a huge all moneyline parlay that would have paid $ 200k with the only loser being the Raiders.
” There were four other underdog covers : Jaguars ( +7.5 ) lost to Browns , 27-25 ; Bengals ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Bucs ( + 3.5 ) lost to Chiefs , 27-24 ; Panthers ( +3 ) lost to Vikings , 28-27 .
The Jaguars ( +6 to +7.5 ) and Bengals ( +4.5 to +6 ) both covered as unpopular home ’ dogs with inflated lines .
The Panthers ( +4.5 to +3 ) received sharp reverse line movement , with the line moving in their favor despite the public pounding the Vikings .
The Buccaneers ( +3 to + 3.5 ) covered as a marquee contrarian play in a heavily bet game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monster decision for us , ” said Thomas Gable , sportsbook director at The Borgata in Atlantic City .
“ We had a steady stream of Giants money coming in all week , even as the point spread kept creeping up .
The backdoor cover by the Bengals was huge , as 88 percent of the money on the spread was on the Giants.
” With ’ dogs going 8-4 ATS , they improve to 98-77 ATS ( 56 percent ) on the season .
’ Dogs with line movement in their favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Short road ’ dogs +6 or less are 43-25 ATS ( 63 percent ) .
Here are the four favorite covers : Saints ( -17 ) beat Broncos , 31-3 ; Packers ( -7.5 ) beat Bears , 41-25 ; Dolphins ( -7.5 ) beat Jets , 20-3 ; Bills ( -4.5 ) beat Chargers , 27-17 .
The books took a big hit as the Saints ( -6 to -17 ) covered easily as a massive public favorite .
Average Joes rushed to lay the points with Denver missing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as New Orleans won by 28 points .
Sharps got it wrong with the Bears ( +9.5 to +7.5 ) and the Chargers ( +6 to +4.5 ) .
Both saw reverse line movement and came up short as the public rolled with the Packers and Bills .
BetMGM reported six-figure winning bets on the Saints -14.5 , Bills -4.5 and Texans -3 ( Thanksgiving ) .

Want even more betting news? Sign up for VSiN's free daily newsletter. Listen Live to VSiN's sports betting shows.
Sharps, contrarians and sportsbooks feasted on Sunday, as Week 12 dogs went 8-4 ATS with four outright wins and Unders went 8-4. Nearly every chalky favorite failed to cover for the public as unpopular ’dogs barked loudly for those brave enough to grab the points instead of lay them.
Here are the four underdog outright winners: 49ers (+5) beat Rams, 23-20; Falcons (+3.5) beat Raiders, 43-6; Titans (+3) beat Colts, 45-26; Patriots (+1) beat Cardinals, 20-17
The 49ers (+7 to +5), Titans (+ 4.5 to +3) and Patriots (+2.5 to +1) came up huge for wise guys. All three were unpopular bets but received big reverse line movement in their favor. The Falcons cashed as a buy-low, inflated line value play, moving from a pick ’em to + 3.5 while only receiving about one-third of bets.
“The Raiders game was clearly the biggest of the day in all facets, the highest ticket count by far,” said Chuck Esposito, sportsbook director at Stations Casinos. “More straight, parlay, moneyline and Over money. We had a huge all moneyline parlay that would have paid $200k with the only loser being the Raiders.”
There were four other underdog covers: Jaguars (+7.5) lost to Browns, 27-25; Bengals (+6) lost to Giants, 19-17; Bucs (+ 3.5) lost to Chiefs, 27-24; Panthers (+3) lost to Vikings, 28-27.
The Jaguars (+6 to +7.5) and Bengals (+4.5 to +6) both covered as unpopular home ’dogs with inflated lines. The Panthers (+4.5 to +3) received sharp reverse line movement, with the line moving in their favor despite the public pounding the Vikings. The Buccaneers (+3 to + 3.5) covered as a marquee contrarian play in a heavily bet game.
“The Giants game was a monster decision for us,” said Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at The Borgata in Atlantic City. “We had a steady stream of Giants money coming in all week, even as the point spread kept creeping up. The backdoor cover by the Bengals was huge, as 88 percent of the money on the spread was on the Giants.”
With ’dogs going 8-4 ATS, they improve to 98-77 ATS (56 percent) on the season. ’Dogs with line movement in their favor are now 49-28 ATS (64 percent). Short road ’dogs +6 or less are 43-25 ATS (63 percent).
Here are the four favorite covers: Saints (-17) beat Broncos, 31-3; Packers (-7.5) beat Bears, 41-25; Dolphins (-7.5) beat Jets, 20-3; Bills (-4.5) beat Chargers, 27-17.
The books took a big hit as the Saints (-6 to -17) covered easily as a massive public favorite. Average Joes rushed to lay the points with Denver missing all of its quarterbacks. It proved successful as New Orleans won by 28 points. Sharps got it wrong with the Bears (+9.5 to +7.5) and the Chargers (+6 to +4.5). Both saw reverse line movement and came up short as the public rolled with the Packers and Bills.
BetMGM reported six-figure winning bets on the Saints -14.5, Bills -4.5 and Texans -3 (Thanksgiving).


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Feisty foxes cheer up lonely guy in quarantine

This guy ’ s pandemic pod is a family of foxes .
See how Simon Everett , 48 , has @ @ @ @ @ her five kits by setting out food in his backyard in Bournemouth , UK — @ @ @ @ @ animals through his bedroom window .

This guy’s pandemic pod is a family of foxes. See how Simon Everett, 48, has befriended a mother fox and her five kits by setting out food in his backyard in Bournemouth, UK — and even feeding the wild animals through his bedroom window.
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newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Brussels cops reportedly bust lockdown orgy attended by diplomats

Police in Brussels have raided a lockdown orgy in the basement of a gay bar – collaring 25 people , @ @ @ @ @ member of the European Parliament , according to reports .
The sex party in the @ @ @ @ @ in the bar on Rue des Pierres , the Brussels Times reported , citing local @ @ @ @ @ official , who has not been identified , allegedly tried to flee but was caught @ @ @ @ @ according to La Dernière Heure .
All of the attendees — most of whom were @ @ @ @ @ for violating the coronavirus measures , a source told Het Laatste Nieuws .
Police also @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .

Police in Brussels have raided a lockdown orgy in the basement of a gay bar – collaring 25 people, including several diplomats and a member of the European Parliament, according to reports.
The sex party in the Belgian capital took place Friday in the bar on Rue des Pierres, the Brussels Times reported, citing local media.
The European Union official, who has not been identified, allegedly tried to flee but was caught and questioned by authorities, according to La Dernière Heure.
He invoked his immunity, local news outlet Het Nieuwsblad reported.
All of the attendees — most of whom were naked men — were fined for violating the coronavirus measures, a source told Het Laatste Nieuws.
Police also recovered drugs at the site, officials said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--NFL Power Rankings for Week 13: Look out for the Giants

PHILADELPHIA — DK Metcalf got extra motivation he didn ’ t even ...

An eventful Week 12 on and off the field featured one continuous COVID-19 postponement — and three new first-place teams — to cause a few notable alterations to The Post’s weekly NFL Power Rankings.
The Giants have advanced to just outside the Top 20 with three straight wins, their highest position of the season, while Tom Brady and the skidding Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen out of the coveted first 10 slots.
1. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-1 (Last week: 1)
Sunday’s explosive showing for Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill might not be the Chiefs’ lone appearance in Tampa this season if they keep rolling and make it back to the Super Bowl LV. Next: Sunday night vs. Denver
2. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-0 (2)
The Steelers are hoping to finally put their perfect record on the line in a rare Wednesday game after their AFC North showdown with Baltimore was postponed a third time since Thanksgiving due to the Ravens’ COVID-19 outbreak. Next: Wednesday vs. Baltimore
3. New Orleans Saints, 9-2 (3)
Taysom Hill threw for only 78 yards Sunday, but he ran for two scores for a second consecutive start in place of Drew Brees. The underrated Saints defense held COVID-ravaged Denver and fifth-string quarterback (elevated practice-squad receiver) Kendall Hinton to 112 total yards. Next: Sunday at Atlanta
4. Buffalo Bills, 8-3 (4)
The AFC East leaders committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter Sunday, but they still held off Justin Herbert and the Chargers to maintain their one-game lead over the Dolphins in their quest for their first division title since 1995. Next: Monday at San Francisco
5. Green Bay Packers, 8-3 (6)
Aaron Rodgers turns 37 on Wednesday, but the 16-year veteran tossed scoring passes to four receivers Sunday, giving him 33 TDs for the season against four interceptions. He now is 20-5 in 25 career starts against NFC North rival Chicago. Next: Sunday vs. Philadelphia
6. Seattle Seahawks, 8-3 (7)
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks took care of Philadelphia for the first-place Giants and the rest of the NFC East on Monday night. They also have moved back into sole possession of the top spot in the West with their second straight impressive win after dropping three of their previous four. Next: Sunday vs. Giants
7. Tennessee Titans, 8-3 (8)
NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry and the Titans shredded the previously second-ranked defense of the Colts for 45 points and 449 total yards in seizing that first-place showdown Sunday in the AFC South. Next: Sunday vs. Cleveland
8. Cleveland Browns, 8-3 (12)
The Browns already have clinched their first non-losing season since they went 10-6 in 2007, even if all but one of their eight wins have come against teams presently with losing records. Next: Sunday at Tennessee
9. Indianapolis Colts, 7-4 (5)
The Colts were missing three defensive starters in getting crushed by the Titans, including Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (COVID-19). But the 35 points they coughed up in the first half represented more than they’d allowed in any full game over their 7-3 start. Next: Sunday at Houston
10. Los Angeles Rams, 7-4 (9)
The Rams’ defense led them back from a 17-3 third-quarter deficit against the Niners with a key pick of Nick Mullens and a fumble recovery for a touchdown, only to lose on a last-second Robbie Gould field goal to fall out of a first-place tie in the NFC West. Next: Sunday at Arizona
11. Miami Dolphins, 7-4 (13)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-5 (10)
13. Baltimore Ravens, 6-4 (14)
14. Arizona Cardinals, 6-5 (11)
15. Las Vegas Raiders, 6-5 (15)
16. Minnesota Vikings, 5-6 (17)
17. New England Patriots, 5-6 (18)
18. San Francisco 49ers, 5-6 (19)
19. Chicago Bears, 5-6 (16)
20. Atlanta Falcons, 4-7 (24)
21. Giants, 4-7 (25)
The first-place Giants have relied more on their running game and an improved defense to win three straight games following a 1-7 start, and they’ll need both to be even better with Colt McCoy likely standing in for Daniel Jones for at least one game. Next: Sunday at Seattle
22. Houston Texans, 4-7 (26)
23. Denver Broncos, 4-7 (20)
24. Detroit Lions, 4-7 (21)
25. Washington Football Team, 4-7 (29)
26. Carolina Panthers, 4-8 (22)
27. Philadelphia Eagles, 3-7-1 (23)
28. Dallas Cowboys, 3-8 (27)
29. Los Angeles Chargers, 3-8 (28)
30. Cincinnati Bengals, 2-8-1 (30)
31. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-10 (31)
32. Jets, 0-11 (32)
Sam Darnold didn’t do anything to quell the calls for Adam Gase’s dismissal or for Trevor Lawrence’s arrival in his first start since Nov. 1 for the winless Jets, with nearly as many interceptions (two) as points (three) against the Dolphins. Next: Sunday vs. Las Vegas


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--LA County supervisor dines outdoors just hours after voting to ban the practice

A Los Angeles County supervisor dined outdoors last Tuesday just hours after voting to ban the practice over COVID-19 concerns , a new report said .
Sheila Kuehl , one of five elected supervisors that govern the county , was seen eating outside Il Forno Trattoria , an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica , Fox 11 reported .
Earlier that day at a board of supervisors meeting , Kuehl called the outdoor dining “ a most dangerous situation ” with regard to the possible spread of COVID-19 .
Kuehl and two other members of the Board of Supervisors voted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 31,000 restaurants , which began last Wednesday , the report said .
“ The servers are not protected from us , and they ’ re not protected from their other tables that they ’ re serving at that particular time , plus all the hours in which they ’ re working , ” Kuehl had said , according to the report .
The supervisor ’ s spokesperson confirmed the Il Forno Trattoria outing to Fox 11 .
“ She did dine al fresco at Il Forno on the very last day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the outlet .
“ She loves Il Forno , has been saddened to see it , like so many restaurants , suffer from a decline in revenue.
” The spokesperson said Kuehl took the proper health precautions while dining .

A Los Angeles County supervisor dined outdoors last Tuesday just hours after voting to ban the practice over COVID-19 concerns, a new report said.
Sheila Kuehl, one of five elected supervisors who govern the county, was seen eating outside Il Forno Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica, Fox 11 reported.
Earlier that day at a Board of Supervisors meeting, Kuehl called outdoor dining “a most dangerous situation” with regard to the possible spread of COVID-19.
Kuehl and two other members of the Board of Supervisors voted to ban outdoor dining at Los Angeles County’s 31,000 restaurants, a decision that took effect last Wednesday, the report said.
“The servers are not protected from us, and they’re not protected from their other tables that they’re serving at that particular time, plus all the hours in which they’re working,” Kuehl had said, according to the report.
The supervisor’s spokesperson confirmed the Il Forno Trattoria outing to Fox 11.
“She did dine al fresco at Il Forno on the very last day it was permissible,” the spokesperson told the outlet. “She loves Il Forno, has been saddened to see it, like so many restaurants, suffer from a decline in revenue.”
The spokesperson said Kuehl took the proper health precautions while dining.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--San Francisco public utilities chief charged with corruption

SAN FRANCISCO — The head of San Francisco ’ s Public Utilities Commission , which oversees millions of dollars in city contracts , was charged with bribery Monday in an ongoing federal probe of corruption .
General Manager Harlan Kelly was indicted for honest services wire fraud for allegedly accepting meals , cash and other gifts from a San Francisco construction company in exchange for providing insider information on public contracts .
Kelly , who isn ’ t in custody , denied wrongdoing but resigned his position on Monday .
“ I am not guilty of these allegations , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the San Francisco Examiner .
“ It is painful for me to end a 35-year career as a result of false allegations , but it is simply not possible for me to do my job to the best of my ability while also defending myself.
” Kelly is accused of having a “ long-running bribery scheme and corrupt partnership ” with construction company executive and permit expediter Walter Wong .
Wong gave Kelly money and paid for meals and international trips including a family vacation to China as he sought a streetlight contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included the plane flight , jewelry and the $ 2,000 cost of a Hong Kong hotel room .
Kelly ’ s wife , San Francisco City Administrator Naomi Kelly , was on the trip .
She hasn ’ t been charged with a crime .
Prosecutors contended that after the China trip , Kelly texted Wong : “ Thank you for the best family vacation ever !
A little something for everyone !
” In the end , Wong withdrew from the contract bidding .
He has pleaded guilty to federal charges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been general manager of the Public Utilities Commission since 2012 .
The commission issues water , power and sewer contracts .
Deputy General Manager Michael Carlin will take over as acting general manager during a national search for a replacement , Mayor London Breed said .
The allegations are “ disturbing and unacceptable for anyone serving in our government , let alone the leader of one of our largest departments , ” Breed said in a statement .
“ As public officials , we have to hold ourselves to the highest standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else.
” Nearly a dozen people have now been charged in an ongoing corruption probe of City Hall that began in January with the arrest of former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru , who resigned his post after being charged with fraud and lying to the FBI .
A slew of others , including city contractors , have faced criminal charges for allegedly participating in schemes to get favorable treatment on contracts .
Multiple city department heads have been forced to resign .

SAN FRANCISCO — The head of San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission, which oversees millions of dollars in city contracts, was charged with bribery Monday in an ongoing federal probe of corruption.
General Manager Harlan Kelly was indicted for honest services wire fraud for allegedly accepting meals, cash and other gifts from a San Francisco construction company in exchange for providing insider information on public contracts.
Kelly, who isn’t in custody, denied wrongdoing but resigned his position on Monday.
“I am not guilty of these allegations,” Kelly said in a statement reported by the San Francisco Examiner. “It is painful for me to end a 35-year career as a result of false allegations, but it is simply not possible for me to do my job to the best of my ability while also defending myself.”
Kelly is accused of having a “long-running bribery scheme and corrupt partnership” with construction company executive and permit expediter Walter Wong.
Wong gave Kelly money and paid for meals and international trips including a family vacation to China as he sought a streetlight contract, prosecutors said. The trip expenses included the plane flight, jewelry and the $2,000 cost of a Hong Kong hotel room.
Kelly’s wife, San Francisco City Administrator Naomi Kelly, was on the trip. She hasn’t been charged with a crime.
Prosecutors contended that after the China trip, Kelly texted Wong: “Thank you for the best family vacation ever! A little something for everyone!”
In the end, Wong withdrew from the contract bidding.
He has pleaded guilty to federal charges and has been cooperating with prosecutors.
Kelly had been general manager of the Public Utilities Commission since 2012. The commission issues water, power and sewer contracts. Deputy General Manager Michael Carlin will take over as acting general manager during a national search for a replacement, Mayor London Breed said.
The allegations are “disturbing and unacceptable for anyone serving in our government, let alone the leader of one of our largest departments,” Breed said in a statement. “As public officials, we have to hold ourselves to the highest standard and put the public good before all else.”
Nearly a dozen people have now been charged in an ongoing corruption probe of City Hall that began in January with the arrest of former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who resigned his post after being charged with fraud and lying to the FBI.
A slew of others, including city contractors, have faced criminal charges for allegedly participating in schemes to get favorable treatment on contracts. Multiple city department heads have been forced to resign.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Kim Jong Un received experimental COVID-19 vaccine from China, analyst says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his family were recently given an experimental coronavirus vaccine from China , a US analyst said on Tuesday .
The Kims were vaccinated “ within the last two to three weeks thanks to a vaccine candidate supplied by the Chinese government , ” Harry Kazianis , a North Korea expert at the Center for the National Interest think tank in Washington , wrote in an article for the online outlet 19FortyFive .
Kazianis added that it ’ s unclear which Chinese company provided its COVID-19 vaccine candidate , or if it was proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese companies were developing a coronavirus vaccine , including Sinophram Group , Sinovac Biotech Ltd and CanSinoBio , Kazianis said , citing US medical scientist Peter Hotez .
None of the companies are known to have launched Phase 3 clinical trials of their coronavirus drugs .
But Sinophram has said nearly one million in China have used its vaccine candidate .
North Korea has not reported any coronavirus infections .
But experts outside the country have been skeptical of that claim — pointing out that it shares a border with China , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccination news comes as the Hermit Kingdom was reported to have beefed up security at its borders to defend against the pandemic .

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his family were recently given an experimental coronavirus vaccine from China, a US analyst said on Tuesday.
The Kims were vaccinated “within the last two to three weeks thanks to a vaccine candidate supplied by the Chinese government,” Harry Kazianis, a North Korea expert at the Center for the National Interest think tank in Washington, wrote in an article for the online outlet 19FortyFive.
Kazianis added that it’s unclear which Chinese company provided its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, or if it was proven to be safe.
At least three Chinese companies were developing a coronavirus vaccine, including Sinophram Group, Sinovac Biotech Ltd and CanSinoBio, Kazianis said, citing US medical scientist Peter Hotez.
None of the companies have revealed results of the Phase 3 clinical trials of their coronavirus drugs, which are being conducted outside of China. But Sinophram has said nearly one million people in China have used its vaccine candidate.
North Korea has not reported any coronavirus infections. But experts outside the country have been skeptical of that claim — pointing out that it shares a border with China, the original source of the outbreak.
The vaccination news comes as the Hermit Kingdom was reported to have beefed up security at its borders to defend against the pandemic.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Nets 2020 training camp roster outlook: The skinny on every player

All too often in the NBA , second-round picks are seen ...

The 2020-21 NBA training camp is upon us. Here is a look at the Nets roster to date.
Jarrett Allen
C, Age: 22, 6’11”, 243 pounds
A great pick-and-roll man and rim protector, Allen was a revelation in the bubble when DeAndre Jordan didn’t take part. Can Allen build on it — if he isn’t traded away in pursuit of a third star?
Jordan Bowden
G, Age: 23, 6’5″, 193 pounds
Handed an Exhibit 10 deal after a four-year career at Tennessee, his modest 13.7 ppg and four rpg as a Vols senior belie impressive physical gifts.
Bruce Brown
G, Age: 24, 6’4″, 202 pounds
He’s given some of the league’s top scorers fits in his first two years with Detroit. Now the Nets’ only elite perimeter defender, they’ll need him on that end of the floor.
Nicolas Claxton
F-C, Age: 21, 6’11”, 220 pounds
Got limited minutes as a rookie and this season is behind Allen, Jordan and Durant. But he’s a near 7-footer who can dribble; he just has to bulk up and hone his jumper to make an impact.
Spencer Dinwiddie
G, Age: 27, 6’6″, 215 pounds
A Sixth Man of the Year candidate, if he’s around. Able to opt out after the season — he’s found his name in trade rumors, not just for James Harden but to teams such as the Clippers and Magic.
Kevin Durant
F, Age: 32, 6’10”, 240 pounds
Back from a ruptured Achilles suffered in June 2019, Durant will play his first game in a year-and-a-half. The Nets’ championship hopes ride on arguably the NBA’s most gifted scorer.
Jeff Green
F, Age: 34, 6’8″, 235 pounds
A more cost-effective alternative to Serge Ibaka, Green had his best offensive season last year as a small-ball stretch 5 in Houston under now-Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni.
Joe Harris
SG-SF, Age: 29, 6’6″, 220 pounds
Second in the league in open 3s (53.9 pct.), he’ll get even more playing with Durant and Kyrie Irving. His new four-year, $72 million deal wasn’t cheap, but was money well-spent.
Kyrie Irving
PG, Age: 28, 6’3″, 195 pounds
With his season cut short to just 20 games (shoulder surgery) last season, the Nets’ title dreams could hinge on keeping the mercurial and oft-injured Irving healthy and focused.
Tyler Johnson
SG, Age: 28, 6’4″, 190 pounds
His 13.8 ppg on 39.8 pct. from deep in the playoffs show what he can do on offense, but his minus-73 shows what he still needs to fix on defense. But on a minimum deal, he’s a bargain.
DeAndre Jordan
C, Age: 32, 6’11”, 265 pounds
Briefly seized the starting center job before the shutdown. Not as mobile as Allen (or as he himself used to be), Jordan still gives a physical presence and elite rebounding.
Rodions Kurucs
PF, Age: 22, 6’9″, 228 pounds
He’s packed on muscle; now he needs consistency. His ongoing legal issues impacted his headspace last season, but there’s a chance to seize minutes as Durant’s backup.
Caris LeVert
SG-SF, Age: 26, 6’7″, 205 pounds
Was outstanding in the seeding games and even better in the playoffs (20.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 6 rpg). Could be on the verge of a breakout — and would be wanted in any potential James Harden deal.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
SG-SF, Age: 25, 6’7″, 22 pounds
Following in the footsteps of Harris and Dinwiddie, TLC could be the Nets’ latest development success story. After averaging 16 ppg in the playoffs, his $1.6 million salary looks like a steal.
Elie Okobo
G, Age: 23, 6’3″, 190 pounds
The Nets liked the lefty point guard in the draft two years ago, and handed the 23-year-old their last camp spot Monday after he was waived by Phoenix.
Jeremiah Martin
G, Age: 24, 6’3″, 185 pounds
Occupies one of the two two-way spots. The Nets are deep on guards, but Martin showed defensive acumen in the bubble — and some offensive potential.
Reggie Perry
PF, Age: 20, 6’9″, 250 pounds
Co-SEC Player of the Year fell to the Nets at No. 57 in the draft. He averaged 17.4 points and 10.1 boards last season and adds physicality, but must learn NBA defense.
Taurean Prince
SF, Age: 26, 6’8″, 220 pounds
His 37.6 pct. shooting and 0.6 Win Shares were both career-worsts. But Prince and Kurucs are the only Nets (other than Durant) who can guard both forward spots.
Nate Sestina
PF, Age: 23, 6’9″, 230 pounds
After four years at Bucknell and a grad season coming off Kentucky’s bench, the Nets handed the stretch 4 an Exhibit 10 deal — essentially an invitation to camp.
Landry Shamet
G, Age: 23, 6’4″, 190 pounds
Still just 23 but he brings playoff experience (19 games) and a sweet 3-point stroke (career 40.2 pct., top 15 among active players) to Brooklyn’s bench.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--James Bradberry nearly perfect for Giants under tough circumstances

Practice makes perfect , but James Bradberry came close to it even with missed reps last week .
The Giants ’ top cornerback delivered his typical shutdown performance Sunday against the Bengals , allowing two catches for 15 yards to a trio of receivers hyped among the NFL ’ s best .
Bradberry missed two practices last week to deal with an undisclosed family emergency .
“ If anyone on this call was dealing with the same thing , we would encourage them , ‘ Go take care of your family and make sure everything is good , ’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James did a great job for us staying engaged .
He was in all the meetings through Zoom .
He showed up and had a good practice on Friday .
He played a good game for us.
” Bradberry was awarded a game ball for the way he handled his business .
“ He really made a lot of sacrifices and was able to combine personal adversity and some sacrifices to make sure he was still there for the team , ” Judge said .
“ I ’ m really proud of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his family ’ s sake and for everyone ’ s sake that he doesn ’ t have to deal with it again .
If it comes back up and he does , same as last week : We ’ ll support him.
” Judge did not rule out Bradberry missing more practices but teammates are on board with their respected leader .
“ When he speaks everybody listens , ” safety Jabrill Peppers said .
“ His play speaks for itself as well .
We all prayed for him .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed engaged so when game day came , he was still able to go out there and be locked in and perform the way we need him to.
” The Giants are bringing in Alex Tanney for a visit with the intention of signing him as an emergency quarterback , according to a source .
Tanney spent the 2018-19 seasons with the Giants and learned Jason Garrett ’ s playbook this offseason before he was cut at the end of the preseason .
Cooper Rush also was with the Giants in the preseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under NFL rules , the Giants needed a player to begin COVID-19 testing Monday to be eligible to fly with the team to Seattle on Saturday .
Tanney was already brought in to begin COVID-19 testing .
With Daniel Jones injured , the Giants only healthy quarterbacks are Colt McCoy and Clayton Thorson .
After watching the Broncos start a wide receiver off the practice squad at quarterback because the depth chart was depleted by COVID-19 , Judge is rethinking putting a quarterback in quarantine — as some other teams have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only just the quarterback position , but several key positions throughout the team , is it worth keeping those guys isolated and having them Zoom in for the meetings ?
” Judge said .
“ That ’ s definitely something we ’ re discussing right now.
” OLB Kyler Fackrell ( calf ) will be evaluated during the week to see if he can play against the Seahawks .
Special teams standout Nate Ebner ( knee ) “ looks like he ’ s going to rebound pretty fast , ” Judge said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a long time is he ’ s kind of like the girl who has eight kids and can tell you she ’ s pregnant before she ’ s taken a test , ” Judge said .
“ He kind of knows what ’ s going on with his body .
”

Practice makes perfect, but James Bradberry came close to it even with missed reps last week.
The Giants’ top cornerback delivered his typical shutdown performance Sunday against the Bengals, allowing two catches for 15 yards to a trio of receivers hyped among the NFL’s best. Bradberry missed two practices last week to deal with an undisclosed family emergency.
“If anyone on this call was dealing with the same thing, we would encourage them, ‘Go take care of your family and make sure everything is good,’ ” coach Joe Judge told reporters. “James did a great job for us staying engaged. He was in all the meetings through Zoom. He showed up and had a good practice on Friday. He played a good game for us.”
Bradberry was awarded a game ball for the way he handled his business.
“He really made a lot of sacrifices and was able to combine personal adversity and some sacrifices to make sure he was still there for the team,” Judge said. “I’m really proud of the way he handled that. I hope for his family’s sake and for everyone’s sake that he doesn’t have to deal with it again. If it comes back up and he does, same as last week: We’ll support him.”
Judge did not rule out Bradberry missing more practices but teammates are on board with their respected leader.
“When he speaks everybody listens,” safety Jabrill Peppers said. “His play speaks for itself as well. We all prayed for him. He did what he had to do but he stayed engaged so when game day came, he was still able to go out there and be locked in and perform the way we need him to.”
The Giants are bringing in Alex Tanney for a visit with the intention of signing him as an emergency quarterback, according to a source.
Tanney spent the 2018-19 seasons with the Giants and learned Jason Garrett’s playbook this offseason before he was cut at the end of the preseason. Cooper Rush also was with the Giants in the preseason but is on the Cowboys practice squad.
Under NFL rules, the Giants needed a player to begin COVID-19 testing Monday to be eligible to fly with the team to Seattle on Saturday. Tanney was already brought in to begin COVID-19 testing. With Daniel Jones injured, the Giants only healthy quarterbacks are Colt McCoy and Clayton Thorson.
After watching the Broncos start a wide receiver off the practice squad at quarterback because the depth chart was depleted by COVID-19, Judge is rethinking putting a quarterback in quarantine — as some other teams have done.
“Considering in the future, not only just the quarterback position, but several key positions throughout the team, is it worth keeping those guys isolated and having them Zoom in for the meetings?” Judge said. “That’s definitely something we’re discussing right now.”
OLB Kyler Fackrell (calf) will be evaluated during the week to see if he can play against the Seahawks.
Special teams standout Nate Ebner (knee) “looks like he’s going to rebound pretty fast,” Judge said.
“One thing being around Nate for a long time is he’s kind of like the girl who has eight kids and can tell you she’s pregnant before she’s taken a test,” Judge said. “He kind of knows what’s going on with his body.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Dellin Betances, Mets players are thrilled about Steve Cohen

It was early December a year ago when the free-agent ...

When word that Steve Cohen was getting closer to buying the Mets, the teams’ fans weren’t the only ones hoping the transaction would be completed and a new era ushered into Citi Field.
“There was a lot of excitement at the end of last year. Players were excited about Cohen being a longtime Met fan,’’ reliever Dellin Betances told The Post on Tuesday at a Players Alliance event across the street from Yankee Stadium at Mullaly Park that was hosted by CC Sabathia.
Betances, whose first year in Queens after eight in The Bronx didn’t go smoothly, is looking to bounce back in 2021 after he wisely took a $6 million player option to return to the Mets.
“I never felt like myself to be honest with you,’’ said Betances, who rehabbed an Achilles injury last offseason and spent 25 days on the injured list this past season with right lat tightness. In 15 games, Betances had a 7.71 ERA and gave up 12 hits and 12 walks in 11 ²/₃ innings.
From 2014-18 many considered the New York City native, who turns 33 in March, to be the best relief pitcher in baseball. But the past two seasons have been a struggle due to injuries.
That Betances is concentrating on throwing and not rehabbing an injury has him encouraged better days are ahead.
“This year I am not rehabbing an Achilles and coming out of a boot,’’ said Betances, who suffered the injury in the only game he pitched for the Yankees in 2019. “This year I have been working out and throwing a lot.’’
As many players have, Betances described the COVID-19 impacted season as weird.
“I was with a brand new team and right away we didn’t start the season,’’ Betances said. “Then in the second spring training you couldn’t be close to your teammates.’’


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Yankees-LeMahieu reunion could happen with this deal

With Thanksgiving arriving this week , DJ LeMahieu has a handful ...

Not going anywhere for a while?
That seems to be the case for DJ LeMahieu and the Yankees, both of whom want to renew their fruitful relationship yet don’t appear to be finding much common ground as the calendar turns to December.
Rather than offer you a Snickers bar to pass the time, however, I’m appointing myself as mediator. As the person who can meet these minds and put this baby to bed with a fair figure that works for all sides:
Four years, $88 million, with a reasonable vesting option — 500 plate appearances in 2024 or a combined 800 in 2023 and 2024 — for a fifth year that will pay $25 million.
I landed on this package with anonymous assistance from a five-person panel featuring three from the player representation population and two from the team baseball operations side.
Here’s why this should work for the team and the player.
1. The years. Not even the Yankees could have projected LeMahieu to be one of the game’s top-10 position players over the span of their two-year, $24 million investment in him. The Machine did just that, putting himself in the conversation alongside studs such as Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger and earning that solid nickname in the process.
So why can’t LeMahieu land anything approaching the job security of Trout (signed through 2030) or Betts (2032)? It starts with the reality that he’s older than those guys, as 2021 will be his age-32 season.
DJ LeMahieu and Hal Steinbrenner N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg; AP
“I see him as a four-ish win player for another two years, at least,” one baseball-ops person said. “If he was 27 or 28 years old, my assessment would be different.”
An obvious LeMahieu comparable is Josh Donaldson, whom the Twins gave $92 million over four years last January as the All-Star third baseman entered his age-34 campaign. Donaldson, though, held a superior track record to LeMahieu; he had put together five years better than LeMahieu’s career peak of 5.9 WAR (as per Baseball-Reference) in 2019. Other comps are the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt, who also tallied a better back of the baseball card to get a five-year, $130 million extension from the Cardinals starting in his age-32 season, and the Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez, who signed a five-year, $110 million free-agent deal that began at age 30.
Now, in recognition of 2021 LeMahieu’s youth relative to 2020 Donaldson, we have the lucrative, attainable vesting option. Of his six full major league seasons that weren’t reduced by a pandemic, LeMahieu has surpassed the 500-plate appearance threshold all six times. As long as he stays healthy and productive — or even if he slows down a little the last two years — he’ll get that fifth year.
2. The dollars. Four of the five panelists thought that LeMahieu deserved at least $20 million annually, with the fifth pegging $18 million as the right number. Like Donaldson, LeMahieu’s number gets dragged down by his rejected qualifying offer (which requires a signing team other than the Yankees to give up draft compensation).
The Yankees took an epic economic beating last year, as they’ve discussed publicly and privately. However, they have a good amount of money coming off the books in LeMahieu ($12 million), Masahiro Tanaka ($22-plus million), J.A. Happ ($17 million), James Paxton ($12.5 million) and Brett Gardner ($10 million).
What if they essentially swapped the salaries of Tanaka and LeMahieu and halved the salary of Gardner, who already has received a $2.5 million buyout? That would save them nearly $35 million, some but not all of which will be eaten up in raises for arbitration-eligible players. The vesting option represents a sizable potential 2025 investment while not impacting the Yankees’ short-term luxury-tax goals.
As the Yankees’ best and perhaps most popular player of the last two years, LeMahieu holds some leverage. By making themselves such a desirable place of employment to LeMahieu, the Yankees hold some leverage.
This package would reward both sides. Should make LeMahieu and the Yankees feel positive about moving forward. Could energize the Yankees and their fans and jump-start the dawdling Hot Stove League. Let’s get it done. It’ll prove far more satisfying than a candy bar.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Jets shouldn’t flinch in bringing Joe Flacco back

There will be plenty of attention paid to the decisions the Jets have to make at quarterback in the coming months .
Do they draft one ?
Do they trade Sam Darnold ?
Can Trevor Lawrence rescue the organization ?
But there is one quarterback on the roster that the Jets should definitely consider keeping .
Joe Flacco has proven to be a solid backup this year and it makes sense to re-sign him this offseason .
You could argue that if the Jets were prioritizing winning right now , Flacco would start .
He threw five touchdowns over his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life for the first time in months .
The Jets made the decision to go back to Darnold , and coach Adam Gase made it clear Monday the team is sticking with Darnold .
That makes sense because the Jets are currently in evaluation mode at 0-11 , not winning mode .
If they do win a game and lose the No .
1 pick , they will have to decide whether to stick with Darnold .
The more evidence they have , the better , although it is hard to see Darnold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Flacco , holding onto him next year would be a smart move .
He could help Lawrence along as a rookie .
You would hope any player taken No .
1 is ready to start the season , but the Jets may decide to let Lawrence sit to start the season like the Browns did with Baker Mayfield or the Rams with Jared Goff who both were selected No .
1 overall .
Flacco would be a good placeholder until Lawrence is ready to play .
The Jets saw on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a rookie , with the Dolphins using Ryan Fitzpatrick to beat them in place of Tua Tagovailoa .
The Jets have plenty of quarterback decisions to make .
Bringing Flacco back should be an easy one .

There will be plenty of attention paid to the decisions the Jets have to make at quarterback in the coming months. Do they draft one? Do they trade Sam Darnold? Can Trevor Lawrence rescue the organization?
But there is one quarterback on the roster that the Jets should definitely consider keeping. Joe Flacco has proven to be a solid backup this year and it makes sense to re-sign him this offseason.
You could argue that if the Jets were prioritizing winning right now, Flacco would start. He threw five touchdowns over his last two starts and the offense showed life for the first time in months.
The Jets made the decision to go back to Darnold, and coach Adam Gase made it clear Monday the team is sticking with Darnold. That makes sense because the Jets are currently in evaluation mode at 0-11, not winning mode. If they do win a game and lose the No. 1 pick, they will have to decide whether to stick with Darnold. The more evidence they have, the better, although it is hard to see Darnold changing minds in the final five games.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
With Flacco, holding onto him next year would be a smart move. He could help Lawrence along as a rookie. You would hope any player taken No. 1 is ready to start the season, but the Jets may decide to let Lawrence sit to start the season like the Browns did with Baker Mayfield or the Rams with Jared Goff who both were selected No. 1 overall. Flacco would be a good placeholder until Lawrence is ready to play.
The Jets saw on Sunday how important a veteran backup can be for a rookie, with the Dolphins using Ryan Fitzpatrick to beat them in place of Tua Tagovailoa.
The Jets have plenty of quarterback decisions to make. Bringing Flacco back should be an easy one.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Sheriffs bust defiant NYC bar in COVID-19 hotspot

At least 76 Catholic nuns have tested positive for COVID-19 ...

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City sheriffs on Tuesday night shut down a Staten Island bar that declared itself an “autonomous zone” and continued to serve indoor customers in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.
The raid at Mac’s Public House also resulted in the arrest of its co-owner, Danny Presti, who was not cooperative as officers issued the pub several violations for flouting city and state health orders, sources said.
Dozens of angry supporters of the bar descended on the establishment as officers with the New York City Sheriff’s Department executed their order.
“Free Keith McAnerney now,” the crowd chanted, referring to the bar’s other owner — though it did not appear he was there at the time.
The angry crowd also yelled, “We’re going to defund the sheriffs!” and vented about Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Presti’s lawyer, Lou Gelormino, told The Post the situation started out calmly, but culminated with three summonses.
“They [sheriff’s officers] were respectful and we were very respectful, and I intervened and inside we were going to be cooperative,” Gelormino said.
“Then 10 minutes later outside, I started filming and that’s when they asked me for my ID, and they gave me three summonses as his attorney.”
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Presti is expected to be released from the sheriff’s office with a desk appearance ticket, sources said. It’s unclear what charges he faces.
State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) showed up to the pub Tuesday night, trying to calm its agitated supporters while seeking answers from authorities.
“This order simply says that they need to cease and desist,” Lanza said. “Nowhere here is there an arrest warrant and nowhere here is anything about arresting anyone on their private property.”
Mac’s Public House, in a state-designated coronavirus hot spot, has garnered headlines for refusing to stop indoor service as dictated by restrictions that went into effect last Wednesday.
The bar had declared itself an “autonomous zone,” taking a page from anti-cop protesters in Seattle, Wash., who took over a section of that city in June.
The establishment has also been slapped with thousands of dollars in fines and had its state liquor license yanked.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Thousands plan to egg Margaret Thatcher’s statue during hometown unveiling

Thousands of Brits are planning to egg Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ’ s statue at its unveiling in her hometown .
More than 2,300 people signed up on social media to attend the “ egg-throwing contest ” during the statue ’ s debut in Grantham , according to the Independent .
“ Bois and girls and me non binarys , we out here holding contest for egg throwing , lassos throwing , and potentially graffiti art , ” the event ’ s organizer , Kass Arif , wrote on Facebook .
“ Where are we doing this you might ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Grantham , and we have a special target being made currently , a beautiful statue of the Iron Lady , now it ’ s a family friendly event so please be respectful and pick up ya litter.
” Thatcher ’ s $ 400,000 statue in Grantham has prompted negative response from some residents who say the local city council should ’ ve spent the money on something else .
The South Kesteven District Council on Tuesday approved spending $ 133,00 to debut the statue .
“ Wasting £100k on a future rubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is being used as a justification to completely wipe out public spending , ” a Twitter user wrote .
Sculptor Douglas Jennings designed the statue of Britain ’ s first woman prime minister .
It ’ s being placed on a 10-foot pedestal — making the overall structure 20 feet tall — over fears it would be vandalized .
There has been no set date for the statue ’ s unveiling .

Thousands of Brits are planning to egg Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s statue at its unveiling in her hometown.
More than 2,300 people signed up on social media to attend the “egg-throwing contest” during the statue’s debut in Grantham, according to the Independent.
“Bois and girls and me non binarys, we out here holding contest for egg throwing, lassos throwing, and potentially graffiti art,” the event’s organizer, Kass Arif, wrote on Facebook.
“Where are we doing this you might ask, well the in the wonderful city of Grantham, and we have a special target being made currently, a beautiful statue of the Iron Lady, now it’s a family friendly event so please be respectful and pick up ya litter.”
Thatcher’s $400,000 statue in Grantham has prompted negative response from some residents who say the local city council should’ve spent the money on something else.
The South Kesteven District Council on Tuesday approved spending $133,00 to debut the statue.
“Wasting £100k on a future rubble pile in the middle of a pandemic which is being used as a justification to completely wipe out public spending,” a Twitter user wrote.
Sculptor Douglas Jennings designed the statue of Britain’s first woman prime minister. It’s being placed on a 10-foot pedestal — making the overall structure 20 feet tall — over fears it would be vandalized.
There has been no set date for the statue’s unveiling.