newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Buddy Games’ on VOD, an Offensive Yukfest Directed by and Starring Josh Duham

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Buddy Games’ on VOD, an Offensive Yukfest Directed by and Starring Josh Duhamel

Now on VOD , Buddy Games is the first film ever written and directed by Josh Duhamel , and it is indeed an audacious debut .
It ’ s a theoretical comedy that was filmed in 2017 and now emerges as a product of the pandemic cinematic dumping grounds , possibly because there hasn ’ t been enough testicle-centric humor to brighten the hellscape we ’ re in .
So we proceed with caution to determine whether this men-behaving-badly arrested-development movie makes The Hangover look like Lawrence of Arabia .
BUDDY GAMES : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old pals have gathered annually to “ ruthlessly demoralize ” each other via ridiculous competitions .
We see Shelly ( Dan Bakkedahl ) ambush Bender ( Nick Swardson ) and pelt him with paintballs until he welts up , taking the Buddy Games championship yet again .
The other participating dipshits are Bob ( Duhamel ) , Durfy ( Dax Shepard ) , Doc ( Kevin Dillon ) and Zane ( James Roday Rodriguez ) .
Durfy tries to pick up a female by telling her he operates a backhoe for a living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so one assumes he also wrote this screenplay .
Sloshed as eff , Shelly assaults a sleeping partier by dragging his sweaty gonads across his face multiple times .
Bender sees a golden opportunity for revenge , so he grabs a paintball gun and bullseyes Shelly ’ s dangly boys , seriously injuring him .
FIVE YEARS LATER .
The Buddy Games are kaputskies .
As the writer and director of the movie , Duhamel plays a character who , during that half-decade , became a hundred-millionaire who lives in a house that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating Olivia Munn , who bakes pies in peekaboo skirts .
The rest of the dudes are all pathetic in one way or another — Doc is a lousy chiropractor , Durfy is a struggling actor and Zane is probably gay , which a braindead and tasteless movie like this insists is a horrible thing .
Which leads us to Shelly .
He ’ s suicidal .
He lost one ball in the incident .
The second one followed it like a lemming .
He has no balls no more .
Bob catches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , snorting crushed-up Smarties .
Y ’ know what ’ d perk him up ?
Resurrecting the Buddy Games , of course .
But on one condition : Bender can ’ t participate .
Blood ’ s too bad between ’ em .
Bender has been living in a van , and when Bob lies to him that he needs to throw $ 10,000 in the pot to participate in the Games , Bender pimps himself out to horny old ladies and suchlike , frantically scraping together cold nickels and soggy singles wherever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Games , Bender shows up and Shelly isn ’ t happy .
So Bob smooths things over by coughing up $ 150,000 for the prize pot .
They go to work , battling in remedial American Gladiator competitions , hitting the dance floor with a gutful of laxatives , deep-throating corn dogs , drinking jizz cocktails ’ til their pants fall down , etc .
Who will win ?
And will all these longtime friendships endure all this unwavering moronitude ?
I don ’ t know , nor did I ever care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the most relevant question .
What Movies Will It Remind You Of ?
: Buddy Games is Jackass meets Grown Ups meets Tag meets I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell meets the murder slide from Class Action Park during its less homicidal moments .
You ’ ll wish it was more homicidal .
Performance Worth Watching : Olivia Munn takes a swing at injecting a little charm into the proceedings , but it ’ s one teensy dandelion growing on a giant mountain of moldering pangolin dung .
Memorable Dialogue : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot a man in the balls !
I love balls !
I have two of them !
” Our Take : Buddy Games is sexist , homophobic and desperate for a laugh .
It never gets one .
It assumes that oatmeal-brained white guys acting like petulant , territorial , drunken apes is hilarious ; it also assumes Swardson ’ s presence is automatically funny .
It is wrong on both fronts .
I was shocked to learn it isn ’ t a Happy Madison product ; rather , it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relative dramatic subtlety of Monday Night Raw .
Watching this movie is the equivalent of your buddy running a marathon then shoving your face in his taint , I assume .
It ’ s pretty unpleasant .
The movie , I mean .
The other thing hasn ’ t happened to me yet , but I hope it doesn ’ t , because it sure seems not great .
However , this movie happened to me , and all I can say is , I hope it doesn ’ t happen to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Occasionally , reviewing a movie is a humanitarian exercise .
This is one of those times .
John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids , Michigan .
Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter : @ johnserba .

Now on VOD, Buddy Games is the first film ever written and directed by Josh Duhamel, and it is indeed an audacious debut. It’s a theoretical comedy that was filmed in 2017 and now emerges as a product of the pandemic cinematic dumping grounds, possibly because there hasn’t been enough testicle-centric humor to brighten the hellscape we’re in. So we proceed with caution to determine whether this men-behaving-badly arrested-development movie makes The Hangover look like Lawrence of Arabia.
BUDDY GAMES: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: For many years, six old pals have gathered annually to “ruthlessly demoralize” each other via ridiculous competitions. We see Shelly (Dan Bakkedahl) ambush Bender (Nick Swardson) and pelt him with paintballs until he welts up, taking the Buddy Games championship yet again. The other participating dipshits are Bob (Duhamel), Durfy (Dax Shepard), Doc (Kevin Dillon) and Zane (James Roday Rodriguez). Durfy tries to pick up a female by telling her he operates a backhoe for a living, digging cesspools and sewer mains, so one assumes he also wrote this screenplay. Sloshed as eff, Shelly assaults a sleeping partier by dragging his sweaty gonads across his face multiple times. Bender sees a golden opportunity for revenge, so he grabs a paintball gun and bullseyes Shelly’s dangly boys, seriously injuring him.
FIVE YEARS LATER. The Buddy Games are kaputskies. As the writer and director of the movie, Duhamel plays a character who, during that half-decade, became a hundred-millionaire who lives in a house that looks like 25 bed-and-breakfasts and has been dating Olivia Munn, who bakes pies in peekaboo skirts. The rest of the dudes are all pathetic in one way or another — Doc is a lousy chiropractor, Durfy is a struggling actor and Zane is probably gay, which a braindead and tasteless movie like this insists is a horrible thing.
Which leads us to Shelly. He’s suicidal. He lost one ball in the incident. The second one followed it like a lemming. He has no balls no more. Bob catches up with him in a rehab center, snorting crushed-up Smarties. Y’know what’d perk him up? Resurrecting the Buddy Games, of course. But on one condition: Bender can’t participate. Blood’s too bad between ’em. Bender has been living in a van, and when Bob lies to him that he needs to throw $10,000 in the pot to participate in the Games, Bender pimps himself out to horny old ladies and suchlike, frantically scraping together cold nickels and soggy singles wherever he can.
The weekend of the new Games, Bender shows up and Shelly isn’t happy. So Bob smooths things over by coughing up $150,000 for the prize pot. They go to work, battling in remedial American Gladiator competitions, hitting the dance floor with a gutful of laxatives, deep-throating corn dogs, drinking jizz cocktails ’til their pants fall down, etc. Who will win? And will all these longtime friendships endure all this unwavering moronitude? I don’t know, nor did I ever care. Whether you’ll survive it is the most relevant question.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Buddy Games is Jackass meets Grown Ups meets Tag meets I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell meets the murder slide from Class Action Park during its less homicidal moments. You’ll wish it was more homicidal.
Performance Worth Watching: Olivia Munn takes a swing at injecting a little charm into the proceedings, but it’s one teensy dandelion growing on a giant mountain of moldering pangolin dung.
Memorable Dialogue: Bender: “I wouldn’t shoot a man in the balls! I love balls! I have two of them!”
Sex and Skin: Full-frontal male yuck; an older woman reverse-cowgirls Bender; scrotums scrotums scrotums scrotums.
Our Take: Buddy Games is sexist, homophobic and desperate for a laugh. It never gets one. It assumes that oatmeal-brained white guys acting like petulant, territorial, drunken apes is hilarious; it also assumes Swardson’s presence is automatically funny. It is wrong on both fronts. I was shocked to learn it isn’t a Happy Madison product; rather, it’s a WWE Studios thing, but without the relative dramatic subtlety of Monday Night Raw. Watching this movie is the equivalent of your buddy running a marathon then shoving your face in his taint, I assume. It’s pretty unpleasant. The movie, I mean. The other thing hasn’t happened to me yet, but I hope it doesn’t, because it sure seems not great. However, this movie happened to me, and all I can say is, I hope it doesn’t happen to you.
Our Call: SKIP IT. Occasionally, reviewing a movie is a humanitarian exercise. This is one of those times.
John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter: @johnserba.
Where to stream Buddy Games


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving combo means changes for two key Nets

The Los Angeles Clippers ’ disappointing playoff implosion has been attributed ...

Whether it’s astronomy or the NBA, the rules are still the same. Everybody and everything orbits the stars, not the other way around.
For the Nets, that means everybody adjusts to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
With training camp having officially started Tuesday, and the players having been working out informally well before that, nobody had to tell them that specifically. After all, it’s common sense.
“There hasn’t been any explicit talks,” Spencer Dinwiddie said via Zoom. “Moreso just look at KD and Kyrie and they’re going to be ball-dominant; you’ve got to know that.
“One is the greatest scorer of all time. You’ve got to really recognize that, and get the ball where it needs to go. So you know everybody else needs to process and act accordingly, and then do what’s best to help the team win. There hasn’t been any explicit conversations, but to think that you’re going to be trying to take the ball out of KD’s hands probably isn’t the smartest thing.”
Part of the benefit of Durant — and to an extent Irving — isn’t just what they can do, but what they can help others do.
Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie Getty Images; Corey Sipkin
Both stars have such gravity that they’ll draw defenses, and get the other Nets open looks. Now they’ll just have to adjust to better take advantage of them.
That means Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert — who’ve both been ball-dominant, high-usage rate players themselves over the past couple of years — will have to play more off the ball, and should benefit from additional catch-and-shoot opportunities, a more efficient look than trying to score off the bounce. (Players shot almost six points higher on catch-and-shoot 3s than pull-ups from 2013-14 to midway through 2018-19.)
“I’ve been working on a lot of different things; I’ve been working on that as well,” LeVert said of catch-and-shoot efficiency. “But honestly that hasn’t been something I’ve been asked to do at a large volume in the NBA.
“When I was in college I did it a lot. That’s something that I’m honestly looking forward to not even showing people that I can do, just doing it. I haven’t really been asked to do that stuff in the NBA. So I love playing off the ball. It’s fun for me. I can’t wait to do that this season; it’s going to be very beneficial for all of us.”
While Dinwiddie hasn’t been known as a reliable threat from deep, Durant and Irving can help them. He shot just 27.7 percent on pull-ups from behind the arc last season, but was a solid 37.3 on catch-and-shoot 3s.
After only 14.3 percent of his attempts last season were of the catch-and-shoot variety, that figure is almost certain to go up — as, the Nets hope, will his efficiency.
LeVert — who was fourth in the league in isolation attempts last season, and had a career-high 28.4 usage rate — took an even lower percentage of catch-and-shoot attempts than Dinwiddie at just 10.8. One of those rare players who’s more effective off the bounce, LeVert worked on his catch-and-shoot over the summer — as did wing Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, vying for a rotation spot.
“The way the team is built, I know and I believe that I’m not going to be on the ball, with the ball that much on the court. So just work on catch-and-shoot, rhythm shots, running in transition, get some dribble shots, pull over behind the screen, all these types of things,” Luwawu-Cabarrot said.
“We have … a higher level with our goals as a team this year, way higher. We want to get to the top, and that has to come from us. Everybody in this team has to put his work in and has to do his job on the court, so if it has to come from catch-and-shoot during practices, get better at that, that’s what we’re going to do.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Facebook’s next ‘anti-hate’ algorithm seems to assume that only some bigotry matters

Facebook is overhauling its algorithms for removing hate speech , The Washington Post reports , because policies it thought were race-blind were upsetting a lot of black users and employees .
Specifically , it ’ s telling its robots to focus on “ the worst of the worst , ” according to internal documents the paper obtained : “ slurs directed at Blacks , Muslims , people of more than one race , the LGBTQ community and Jews.
” Bigotry against men , whites and Americans won ’ t be automatically flagged , as they ’ re “ low sensitivity.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted towards underrepresented groups can be the most harmful , which is why we have focused our technology on finding the hate speech that users and experts tell us is the most serious , ” Facebook spokeswoman Sally Aldous told The Post .
The old algorithms apparently auto-deleted posts in which blacks were simply recounting experiences of racism .
But rather than rectifying that problem , Facebook decided that racism against whites either isn ’ t racism — or doesn ’ t really count .
You can write “ whites are stupid ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But if you said it about another race .
.
.
How is this the answer ?
If Facebook feels its algorithms aren ’ t finding hate speech , improve them .
But how does flagging less of one thing mean you ’ re going to find more of another ?
This doesn ’ t seem like a fix at all : It sounds like Facebook ’ s employees have decided that only certain kinds of bigotry matter .

Facebook is overhauling its algorithms for removing hate speech, The Washington Post reports, because policies it thought were race-blind were upsetting a lot of black users and employees.
Specifically, it’s telling its robots to focus on “the worst of the worst,” according to internal documents the paper obtained: “slurs directed at Blacks, Muslims, people of more than one race, the LGBTQ community and Jews.”
Bigotry against men, whites and Americans won’t be automatically flagged, as they’re “low sensitivity.”
“We know that hate speech targeted towards underrepresented groups can be the most harmful, which is why we have focused our technology on finding the hate speech that users and experts tell us is the most serious,” Facebook spokeswoman Sally Aldous told The Post.
The old algorithms apparently auto-deleted posts in which blacks were simply recounting experiences of racism. But rather than rectifying that problem, Facebook decided that racism against whites either isn’t racism — or doesn’t really count. You can write “whites are stupid” for instance, and not get flagged. But if you said it about another race . . .
How is this the answer? If Facebook feels its algorithms aren’t finding hate speech, improve them. But how does flagging less of one thing mean you’re going to find more of another?
This doesn’t seem like a fix at all: It sounds like Facebook’s employees have decided that only certain kinds of bigotry matter.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--This plague of shootings is NYC’s other 2020 ‘pandemic’

Welcome back to The Club .
Car theft has gotten so ...

New York City is approaching the end of a year that’s been absolutely horrific thanks not just to COVID-19 but also crime — especially shootings. There’s no vaccine for that, but local elections in 2021 could usher in new political leaders committed to restoring public safety.
As of Nov. 22, murders in the city were up a whopping 37 percent over the same period last year — by far the largest spike in decades. Burglaries rose 42 percent, car thefts 66 percent.
Scariest of all, the 1,386 shootings — an average of four every day — nearly doubled last year’s figure. This, when the virus had many people off the streets and thus less exposed. (That’s likely why rates of crimes like rape and grand larceny fell.)
Yet a lot of people got the idea that the city is now OK with shooters and killers, and they’ve gone after their targets with a vengeance. Most recently:
• Over last weekend, a full dozen separate shootings rang out through the city.
• On Monday, a 29-year-old man was blasted in the back at a Queens birthday party, while a 39-year-old was struck in the groin and stomach in Brooklyn.
• Tuesday, a gunman hit a 24-year-old in a drive-by shooting in Queens, and a 20-year-old was shot in Manhattan.
• Wednesday, a 32-year-old man was killed in a shooting in the Concourse section of The Bronx.
• And on Thursday morning, a 27-year-old got blasted in the chest in Brooklyn.
Some violent, often fatal, crimes don’t involve guns. On Wednesday, for example, a man was slashed in the face by a total stranger in a Manhattan subway station, in what a police source said might be a case of mistaken identity.
Consider, too, the rash of attacks where subway riders get pushed onto the tracks — three in a single week last month.
Meanwhile, the summer’s rioting, vandalism and other assorted protest-related violence also added to the year’s chaos.
Make no mistake: This lawlessness isn’t just taking a toll on the victims; it’s also contributing to mass flight out of the city. As The Post’s Melissa Klein reported last month, 300,000 New Yorkers fled Gotham between March and October.
“I think people are afraid,” explains the Manhattan Institute’s Michael Hendrix. “They’re afraid of catching a deadly virus — and they’re afraid of crime and other quality-of-life concerns.”
Mayor de Blasio and police officials are right that several factors are driving the out-of-control gunfire. Yet Hizzoner refuses to admit to those he and other officials are responsible for.
He cites backups in the courts, for example, that have left potentially dangerous suspects out on the streets — but not the masses of inmates he freed from city jails to curb the spread of COVID. Or the state’s mindless no-bail law, the NYPD’s scrapping of its undercover anti-crime units (which rounded up illegal guns), his own defunding of the department and the rollback of Broken Windows policing.
Perhaps most significant is the city’s war on cops, which de Blasio himself enflamed, not least by supporting the anti-cop Black Lives Matter movement. That also includes the numerous handcuffs he and the City Council have placed on cops, such as the so-called anti-chokehold law that goes well beyond banning chokeholds.
“With laws put out by the City Council, you can’t arrest a violent person without violating the law,” says detectives’ union head Paul DiGiacomo. “It’s becoming an impossible task to police this city.”
Sinking police morale has retirements up 25 percent through the first week of October. “There’s a faction of the city that doesn’t support us,” one soon-to-retire cop said. “You can’t do your job if you’re not given the support you need.”
Vaccines can end the pandemic. But only new political leadership can reverse violent crime’s alarming rise.
The good news: Voters will have a chance to elect that leadership next November.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Wayne Gallman looked deep inside before Giants breakout: ‘Kinda forgot … me’

At the bye week , receiver Darius Slayton was looking forward ...

Post columnist Steve Serby scored a Q&A with Giants running back and touchdown machine Wayne Gallman:
Q: Can you be a feature back in this league?
A: Of course.
Q: Tell me why you believe you can be.
A: ’Cause I believe I’m a great back. I know I can be a starting back. Of course right now I’m starting, but of course I didn’t want it to be this way. I would like to have earned it. But I believe I can do that.
Q: This is your contract year.
A: Yes sir.
Q: When Saquon Barkley returns next season, he’ll be the feature back again.
A: I’m just focused on right now.
Q: You’ve scored a touchdown in five straight games, what does that mean you?
A: It doesn’t mean a lot, man, honestly, just gotta keep on taking advantage of all my opportunities, and doing what’s best for the team.
Q: When are you going to break out a touchdown dance?
A: Shoot, when I get time, my offensive line is already on me by the time I get up. I haven’t really had time to go any of that.
Q: But you might if they give you time?
A: Yeah, when I finally break one, yeah I’ll do something … yeah, I’ll get to it.
Q: You have one planned?
A: No, but (chuckle) I’ll start thinking about it.
Giants running back Wayne Gallman Getty Images
Q: Sometimes it takes years for a person to become an overnight success — from your Instagram.
A: Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes a long time to work at your craft, and sometimes it takes just takes lot of patience.
Q: How did hardly playing in 2018 and 2019 affect you in your day-to-day existence?
A: I started to forget pretty much my style of running. As a running back, you develop what you’re comfortable with, and not having that be consistent, I kind of fell out of it, and was trying to find it again. I kinda forgot … me.
Q: That’s not a good feeling, is it?
A: Nah, it’s not.
Q: Who gave you support or advice during that difficult period?
A: My mom’s always been there, my agent’s always been there, my girlfriend.
Q: Describe your running style now.
A: I would say I’m a physical runner always fighting for that extra yard. I feel like I can do whatever is needed.
Q: Where is your confidence level in yourself right now on a scale of 1-10?
A: Confidence in myself is 10. As far as my line and everyone else goes, I trust my whole team, that’s where I get my confidence from.
Q: How low did your confidence in yourself drop when you were barely playing?
A: Not really playing something that you really like, it’s like a dog only being able to go to a dog park once a week. It wasn’t that fun, but at the same time I made sure that I came to work and did what I needed to do to get better on a daily basis, not just for myself but for my teammates.
Q: What was your reaction when the Giants drafted Saquon?
A: I was honestly in a bind with myself. I was happy that we got a great player — he’s a great back, that’s my brother. But at that moment, just from the previous year, how hard of a season that was, how hard I had worked, and having to deal with everyone getting fired, people that drafted, that was just a whole new process that you had to go through to learn. And really, when we drafted Saquon, man, I was pretty down. But, at the same time, it was just another process in learning a new role and what I had to do,
Q: What was your reaction this season when Devonta Freeman was signed?
A: I welcomed him with open arms. Same thing with Saquon. There’s nothing you can really do in those situations, that’s how the business goes. Devonta’s somebody that I’ve watched for a long time and somebody I thought I can learn from.
Q: The day of the Kobe tragedy.
A: I actually cried. The previous year he had these inspirational videos on YouTube that I used to watch.
Q: What was the inspiration that he gave you?
A: Being yourself. Being you. That’s all you really need.
Q: Why did that resonate with you at that time?
A: Because that’s something that I abandoned myself for a couple of years. That’s something that my mom has brought me up on.
Q: What is Colt McCoy like in the huddle?
A: Very focused. Colt has been preparing for this every week. The past few weeks, on tape, there’d be clips where Daniel’s going through his reads, but Colt’s right behind him reenacting, doing the same thing.
Q: Is Daniel Jones different from Colt in the huddle?
A: It’s not the same presence, Daniel’s a different guy. We look at the quarterback as our leader, so I would say I look at ’em both the same.
Q: Give me your favorite single Eli Manning memory.
A: I wouldn’t say it was my favorite, but this is my most memorable — we’re in the locker room before a game, he was doing his stretching while I was sitting in my chair listening to music, and he walked by and he farted by my face. And walked away.
Q: You didn’t get him back?
A: There was no way I could get him back after that. Had to do something real nasty.
Q: But you didn’t do anything.
A: I didn’t get a chance to (chuckle).
Q: What was it like playing with him?
A: It was great, man. Eli is one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s a great leader, I’ve learned a lot with him of how he could handle adversity. Just the way he handled himself as a player — being on time, how he comes to work, how he comes to practice, how he comes to games prepared, take care of his body. He showed a lot.
Q: Can you see any similar characteristics in Daniel Jones that remind you of Eli?
A: They both look alike still. Daniel still has that same charisma about himself. Daniel’s here before everyone. Daniel’s one of the toughest people I know. I don’t know anyone tougher than him. He just comes to work prepared and ready to lead us every day.
Q: Can you give me an example of Daniel’s toughness?
A: Just how he plays the game. Every time he runs the ball, like he just fights for all the extra yards, he never stops.
Q: Nick Gates?
A: He has an aggressive mindset. He really likes to take charge, and he does a very good job.
Q: He’s a good trash talker?
A: Yeah he’s pretty good at it. He got a lot of people mad.
Q: Andrew Thomas?
A: Andrew is very talented. He’s just very big, very physical, strong, very athletic.
Q: Shane Lemieux?
A: Shane is a dog. He really wants it, he’s strong, athletic.
Q: Is this the best line you’ve been behind as a Giant?
A: Productively, yes this is the best line we’ve had so far, but those guys have always been great.
Q: RBs coach Burton Burns?
A: He has a lot of knowledge in his game. He’s more than a coach.
Q: Eli Penny?
A: Eli Penny is a jack of all trades, man, he can do whatever you ask him to. Our fullback, he’s strong, he really goes into the hole with some pop, he’s been on special teams. That’s my boy.
Q: Joe Judge?
A: He makes sure all of us have the same mindset as we come to work each day knowing that we can’t take each week for granted.
Q: Why is he fun to play for?
A: He’s just a good coach. He’s brought us along well. We’ve trusted his process, and we trust in him.
Q: Jamal Adams?
A: He’s a very aggressive player. He can do whatever the defense asks him to do. He really comes downhill. He’s strong.
Wayne Gallman dives into the end zone. Getty Images
Q: Bobby Wagner?
A: He’s one of the top backers in the league. He’s strong. He can cover, he’s very lateral.
Q: Snacks Harrison?
A: Snacks is a great player.
Q: How do you see the NFC East right now?
A: I would say it’s up for grabs.
Q: The Giants haven’t beaten a team with a winning record. Now you have to play a few of them. Do you feel like the Giants are ready for this?
A: Of course. I believe that we go into each week preparing the right way, and we prepare to win. We don’t go into it to lose.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Sound of Metal’ on Amazon Prime, an Immersive Drama Starring Riz Ahmed as a D

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Sound of Metal’ on Amazon Prime, an Immersive Drama Starring Riz Ahmed as a Drummer Who Loses His Hearing

Now on Amazon Prime , Sound of Metal began as an experimental film by Derek Cianfrance ( Blue Valentine ) , who followed the husband-wife two-piece metal band Jucifer as they toured the U.S. , nomads who called an RV their permanent home .
The unreleased project , called Metalhead , eventually evolved into Sound of Metal , helmed by Darius Marder , co-writer of Cianfrance ’ s The Place Beyond the Pines .
The end result is an enthralling character drama anchored by Riz Ahmed , who gives one of the year ’ s truly great performances .
SOUND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IT ?
The Gist : Ruben ( Ahmed ) sits behind a drumkit , his eyes wide , the words PLEASE KILL ME tattooed across his bare chest .
He waits for his cue to rumble and crash — a lumbering behemoth one moment , a skittering-jazz creature the next .
In front of him , Lou ( Olivia Cooke ) wails her pain into the microphone and skrangs a guitar .
They play loose and intense .
What they ’ re doing is sort of metal , definitely noise and absolutely art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacefully ; her wrist bears a dozen or so horizontal scars .
Ruben gently wakes her by tapping her arm with drumsticks .
He made smoothies , eggs , a veggie hash .
It ’ s time to roll on to the next gig .
They ’ re unpacking LPs and shirts at the merch table when Ruben hears an odd pop and ringing in his ears .
He plays through it .
The next day , it ’ s significantly worse .
He sets off by himself to find a doctor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hearing is gone , and it ’ ll get worse if he keeps exposing himself to loud music .
What are his options ?
Well , stop playing loud concerts .
And maybe spend tens of thousands of dollars on cochlear implants .
That night , he loses his place in a song , gets frustrated , runs out the back door of the club .
Lou follows .
He finally tells her .
He wants to soldier through the tour .
She refuses and calls Ruben ’ s counselor , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are also addicts .
They ’ re led by a kindly Vietnam veteran named Joe ( Paul Raci ) .
To join , Ruben would need to hand over his keys and phone and be away from Lou .
That ’ s the only way to fix what ’ s up here , Joe says , tapping his forehead .
Ruben wants nothing to do with it .
Lou seems especially distraught and fragile .
She books a plane ticket and leaves Ruben in the RV .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right thing to do .
Ruben returns to the community .
He can ’ t speak sign language , but Joe reads lips , and others use computers to share their thoughts .
He attends a group meeting for addicts .
Ruben used heroin , but is now four years clean .
Everyone has a job on the property , and Joe gives him one task : “ learn how to be deaf , ” he writes on the whiteboard .
It ’ s an awkward transition , but soon he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of deaf children , giving kids drum lessons on buckets .
Joe assigns him to sit in an empty room with nothing but a pen and paper every morning , to find “ the stillness.
” Maybe he ’ s finding it , but in the back of his mind , he ’ s restless for the way things were .
What Movies Will It Remind You Of ?
: James White adheres to a similarly immersive point-of-view , albeit that of a more actively self-destructive protagonist .
Performance Worth Watching : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metal proves his potential as a Hollywood powerhouse .
Memorable Dialogue : “ Today ’ s not a good day.
” — Ruben is bluntly honest when Joe asks him if he ’ s tempted to use again .
Our Take : Sound of Metal is authentic , immersive and thoroughly engrossing .
I hung on every dramatic , potentially precarious minute of this film as Ruben yearns to go back to the way things were , held in stasis as the world keeps turning and turning , cruelly .
The film is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our empathy via the sudden and traumatic way Ruben ’ s life has changed .
Marder frequently shifts from third- to first-person so we can experience what Ruben hears then abruptly back to third-person — most effectively during a dinner with the deaf folks , and the sound is a jarring transition to the slapping of hands on hands , bodies and table as they speak expressively in sign language .
It ’ s a stunningly effective way of getting inside his head .
The film wouldn ’ t function without this method @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-energy individual who wears his past quite literally on his skin — a collection of tattoos showing how he owns the most troublingly self-destructive part of himself .
He ’ s uptempo and impatient , and he responds to this significant life setback with anger and defensiveness .
The film wouldn ’ t function if it didn ’ t accurately and authentically portray the deaf community ( Marder employed a deaf cast ) , and align us with Ruben as an outsider torn between resistance and assimilation .
Ahmed gives the character an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery from this trauma feel dangerous and wildly uncertain .
All it takes is one bad decision , and Ruben clinging to the idea that cochlear implants will save him might be exactly that .
This world is full of noise .
Does he really want to restore the clatter and bang ?
Will Ruben ever find his stillness ?
Our Call : STREAM IT .
Sound of Metal is a stunner .
It ’ s one of the year ’ s best films .
John Serba is a freelance writer and film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter : @ johnserba .

Now on Amazon Prime, Sound of Metal began as an experimental film by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine), who followed the husband-wife two-piece metal band Jucifer as they toured the U.S., nomads who called an RV their permanent home. The unreleased project, called Metalhead, eventually evolved into Sound of Metal, helmed by Darius Marder, co-writer of Cianfrance’s The Place Beyond the Pines. The end result is an enthralling character drama anchored by Riz Ahmed, who gives one of the year’s truly great performances.
SOUND OF METAL: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: Ruben (Ahmed) sits behind a drumkit, his eyes wide, the words PLEASE KILL ME tattooed across his bare chest. He waits for his cue to rumble and crash — a lumbering behemoth one moment, a skittering-jazz creature the next. In front of him, Lou (Olivia Cooke) wails her pain into the microphone and skrangs a guitar. They play loose and intense. What they’re doing is sort of metal, definitely noise and absolutely art. The next morning, Lou sleeps peacefully; her wrist bears a dozen or so horizontal scars. Ruben gently wakes her by tapping her arm with drumsticks. He made smoothies, eggs, a veggie hash. It’s time to roll on to the next gig.
They’re unpacking LPs and shirts at the merch table when Ruben hears an odd pop and ringing in his ears. He plays through it. The next day, it’s significantly worse. He sets off by himself to find a doctor, who tests him. Nearly three-quarters of his hearing is gone, and it’ll get worse if he keeps exposing himself to loud music. What are his options? Well, stop playing loud concerts. And maybe spend tens of thousands of dollars on cochlear implants. That night, he loses his place in a song, gets frustrated, runs out the back door of the club. Lou follows. He finally tells her. He wants to soldier through the tour. She refuses and calls Ruben’s counselor, who directs them to a community of deaf people who are also addicts. They’re led by a kindly Vietnam veteran named Joe (Paul Raci). To join, Ruben would need to hand over his keys and phone and be away from Lou. That’s the only way to fix what’s up here, Joe says, tapping his forehead. Ruben wants nothing to do with it. Lou seems especially distraught and fragile. She books a plane ticket and leaves Ruben in the RV. It’s a difficult thing to do. But probably the right thing to do.
Ruben returns to the community. He can’t speak sign language, but Joe reads lips, and others use computers to share their thoughts. He attends a group meeting for addicts. Ruben used heroin, but is now four years clean. Everyone has a job on the property, and Joe gives him one task: “learn how to be deaf,” he writes on the whiteboard. It’s an awkward transition, but soon he’s making friends, working with a group of deaf children, giving kids drum lessons on buckets. Joe assigns him to sit in an empty room with nothing but a pen and paper every morning, to find “the stillness.” Maybe he’s finding it, but in the back of his mind, he’s restless for the way things were.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: James White adheres to a similarly immersive point-of-view, albeit that of a more actively self-destructive protagonist.
Performance Worth Watching: Ahmed commitment to character in Sound of Metal proves his potential as a Hollywood powerhouse.
Memorable Dialogue: “Today’s not a good day.” — Ruben is bluntly honest when Joe asks him if he’s tempted to use again.
Sex and Skin: None.
Our Take: Sound of Metal is authentic, immersive and thoroughly engrossing. I hung on every dramatic, potentially precarious minute of this film as Ruben yearns to go back to the way things were, held in stasis as the world keeps turning and turning, cruelly.
The film is a technically adroit sonic experience, invoking our empathy via the sudden and traumatic way Ruben’s life has changed. Marder frequently shifts from third- to first-person so we can experience what Ruben hears then abruptly back to third-person — most effectively during a dinner with the deaf folks, and the sound is a jarring transition to the slapping of hands on hands, bodies and table as they speak expressively in sign language. It’s a stunningly effective way of getting inside his head. The film wouldn’t function without this method of invoking empathy.
Ruben is a high-energy individual who wears his past quite literally on his skin — a collection of tattoos showing how he owns the most troublingly self-destructive part of himself. He’s uptempo and impatient, and he responds to this significant life setback with anger and defensiveness. The film wouldn’t function if it didn’t accurately and authentically portray the deaf community (Marder employed a deaf cast), and align us with Ruben as an outsider torn between resistance and assimilation. Ahmed gives the character an unspoken sense of volatility that makes his recovery from this trauma feel dangerous and wildly uncertain. All it takes is one bad decision, and Ruben clinging to the idea that cochlear implants will save him might be exactly that. This world is full of noise. Does he really want to restore the clatter and bang? Will Ruben ever find his stillness?
Our Call: STREAM IT. Sound of Metal is a stunner. It’s one of the year’s best films.
John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter: @johnserba.
Stream Sound of Metal on Amazon Prime


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Namibia auctioning off 170 ‘high value’ wild elephants

Who wants their very own elephant ?
The southwest African country of Namibia will be auctioning off 170 “ high value ” wild elephants to domestic and international bidders , the southern African country ’ s environmental ministry announced this week .
All potential elephant owners will have to meet strict criteria including quarantine facilities and a game-proof fence certificate for the property where the elephants will be kept , according to CNN .
“ Foreign buyers must also provide proof that conservation authorities in their countries will permit them to export elephants to their countries.
” A raise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale , according to an advertisement in the state-owned daily New Era , according to CNN .
Namibia ’ s elephants are among a number of species facing risk of extinction due to poaching , illegal wildlife trade and ecological factors.
” The move comes during a severe drought and increased human/wildlife contact in a country that has been hailed for its conservation efforts .
The country ’ s elephant population “ jumped from about 7,500 in 1995 to 24,000 in 2019 , ” according to CNN .
The country previously sold 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buffaloes , in 2019 .

Who wants their very own elephant?
The southwest African country of Namibia will be auctioning off 170 “high value” wild elephants to domestic and international bidders, the southern African country’s environmental ministry announced this week.
All potential elephant owners will have to meet strict criteria including quarantine facilities and a game-proof fence certificate for the property where the elephants will be kept, according to CNN. “Foreign buyers must also provide proof that conservation authorities in their countries will permit them to export elephants to their countries.”
A raise in human-elephant conflict is the motivation for the sale, according to an advertisement in the state-owned daily New Era, according to CNN.
Namibia’s elephants are among a number of species facing risk of extinction due to poaching, illegal wildlife trade and ecological factors.”
The move comes during a severe drought and increased human/wildlife contact in a country that has been hailed for its conservation efforts.
The country’s elephant population “jumped from about 7,500 in 1995 to 24,000 in 2019,” according to CNN. The country previously sold 1,000 animals from national parks, including 500 buffaloes, in 2019.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Photograph’ On HBO, An Intimate Romance Starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Sta

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Photograph’ On HBO, An Intimate Romance Starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield

A good romance is hard to find .
Romantic comedies have certainly made a comeback the last few years , but romantic dramas ?
They ’ re either far too soapy or lack the chemistry needed to leave a lasting impression .
The Photograph , now streaming on HBO , combines a stellar cast with a decades-spanning love story .
We ’ re here to tell you if this one will steal your heart , or if it ’ s better to let go .
THE PHOTOGRAPH : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT ?
The Gist : Michael ( Lakeith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on assignment in New Orleans .
His interview subject is a man named Isaac ( Rob Morgan ) , who tells him about life post-Hurricane Katrina , but Michael ’ s interests begin to shift when he is struck by a photo in his home of a woman named Christina Eames .
Isaac tells Michael about their romance and how she moved to New York to pursue her dreams , and how the regret of not going after her haunts him .
Michael returns to New York to find out more about Christina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the process meets Mae ( Issa Rae ) , the assistant curator of the Queens Museum who also happens to be Christina ’ s daughter .
Mae is in a strange state of mourning following the recent loss of her mother , whom she had a difficult relationship .
Despite just having emerged from a long term relationship , Michael is totally enamored by Mae , and after some flirting and a planned “ chance ” encounter , the two go out .
As sparks begin to fly between Michael and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christina ’ s love story in flashbacks to 1980s Louisiana .
Christina ’ s mother doesn ’ t approve of Isaac , but that doesn ’ t stop Christina from falling for him .
She desperately wants to leave Louisiana and pursue a career in New York , but Isaac has no interest in leaving New Orleans .
Eventually , she goes , and their love story ends .
As we watch the pain of the flashbacks , we also see the parallels in Mae and Michael ’ s relationship .
Michael plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mae struggles to be open about her feelings .
By the end , Michael and Mae must decide if they are to repeat the past or avoid being plagued with the regret of those who came before them .
What Movies Will It Remind You Of ?
: The Photograph occasionally feels like a more introspective take on The Notebook , but the film ’ s patient , intimate storytelling is something pretty unique .
Performance Worth Watching : Lil Rel Howery , who emerged as a total scene stealer in Get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s got the kind of electrifying screen presence that stars are made of , the ability to inject scenes that might otherwise feel like a drag with a sense of humor and tons of heart .
We clearly aren ’ t the only ones mesmerized by him , because if the projects listed on his IMDb are any indication , he ’ s going to be a very busy man for the foreseeable future .
Memorable Dialogue : There are some great lines sprinkled throughout The Photograph , but one line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while they discuss her future really stuck with me : “ My greatest accomplishment each day can not be cooking your dinner.
” Sex and Skin : The couples in both timelines have sex , and it ’ s pretty tastefully filmed .
A woman undressing from behind , lots of close shots on skin and faces .
Nothing too crazy .
Our Take : With the help of Robert Glasper ’ s jazzy score , we ’ re totally immersed in the world of The Photograph from the very first shot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stanfield and Rae have undeniable chemistry , but Stanfield is the real star here , full of all the tenderness and charm one hopes for in a romantic leading man .
He ’ s totally at home in this role , and his whole face lights up when he sees Mae .
That ’ s all we can ask for in films like these , and Stanfield seems more than happy to deliver .
Rae does her best with what is a bit of an underwritten role , but she seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuels a lot of her performances .
Despite this , however , I totally bought her journey and the pain that comes with trying to understand a parent who never really told you who they were while they were still around .
I also bought why she might be wary of Michael , even with his dreamy eyes and their easy banter .
It ’ s their unconventional chemistry that helps make The Photograph ‘ s contemporary storyline really work ; their first date perfectly captures the discomfort and delight of that inaugural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ random topics of conversation one brings up in a nervous attempt to fill the silence .
Stanfield ’ s easy energy may be the most infectious of the film , but it ’ s beautifully tempered by Rae ’ s more jittery vibes .
While Michael and Mae ’ s love story is totally affecting , it ’ s the tale of Christina and Isaac that pulls at the heartstrings the most .
Theirs feels incredibly high stakes and painful , the kind of bond marked by regret that haunted both parties for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart hurts when they both yearn for one another and don ’ t express how they really feel , and it sings when they ’ re laughing and dancing and loving .
It ’ s this relationship that is the true anchor of The Photograph , though Michael and Mae definitely add a certain electrifying quality to the film .
The Photograph falls victim to cliches on more than a few occasions and could benefit from another pass or two on the script , but it ’ s not trying to reinvent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ romantic melodrama , something most filmmakers won ’ t even attempt these days .
It ’ s not all life-or-death or set against the backdrop of some bigger thing ; it ’ s a story about people and their hearts and their power to change .
This is a character-driven story , one that boldly chooses to linger in scenes a little longer than most might because it offers us a better glimpse of humanity and heartache .
It all feels like a throwback to the heyday of theater-filling dramas that left you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm-and-fuzzy feeling only a good romance could provide .
The Photograph is a beguiling slow dance of a film , the kind of thing that may not appeal to everyone but will almost certainly win the hearts of any lover of love stories .
Our Call : STREAM IT .
The Photograph takes its time , but it isn ’ t afraid to let the simmering chemistry between its performers do all the talking , and the film is better for it .
Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow her on Twitter : @ jadebudowski .
Stream The Photograph on HBO Now

A good romance is hard to find. Romantic comedies have certainly made a comeback the last few years, but romantic dramas? They’re either far too soapy or lack the chemistry needed to leave a lasting impression. The Photograph, now streaming on HBO, combines a stellar cast with a decades-spanning love story. We’re here to tell you if this one will steal your heart, or if it’s better to let go.
THE PHOTOGRAPH: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: Michael (Lakeith Stanfield) is a New York journalist on assignment in New Orleans. His interview subject is a man named Isaac (Rob Morgan), who tells him about life post-Hurricane Katrina, but Michael’s interests begin to shift when he is struck by a photo in his home of a woman named Christina Eames. Isaac tells Michael about their romance and how she moved to New York to pursue her dreams, and how the regret of not going after her haunts him. Michael returns to New York to find out more about Christina and her life as a photographer, and in the process meets Mae (Issa Rae), the assistant curator of the Queens Museum who also happens to be Christina’s daughter. Mae is in a strange state of mourning following the recent loss of her mother, whom she had a difficult relationship. Despite just having emerged from a long term relationship, Michael is totally enamored by Mae, and after some flirting and a planned “chance” encounter, the two go out.
As sparks begin to fly between Michael and Mae, we also follow Isaac and Christina’s love story in flashbacks to 1980s Louisiana. Christina’s mother doesn’t approve of Isaac, but that doesn’t stop Christina from falling for him. She desperately wants to leave Louisiana and pursue a career in New York, but Isaac has no interest in leaving New Orleans. Eventually, she goes, and their love story ends. As we watch the pain of the flashbacks, we also see the parallels in Mae and Michael’s relationship. Michael plans to take a job in London, and Mae struggles to be open about her feelings. By the end, Michael and Mae must decide if they are to repeat the past or avoid being plagued with the regret of those who came before them.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: The Photograph occasionally feels like a more introspective take on The Notebook, but the film’s patient, intimate storytelling is something pretty unique.
Performance Worth Watching: Lil Rel Howery, who emerged as a total scene stealer in Get Out, does the same here. He’s got the kind of electrifying screen presence that stars are made of, the ability to inject scenes that might otherwise feel like a drag with a sense of humor and tons of heart. We clearly aren’t the only ones mesmerized by him, because if the projects listed on his IMDb are any indication, he’s going to be a very busy man for the foreseeable future.
Memorable Dialogue: There are some great lines sprinkled throughout The Photograph, but one line from an exchange between Christina and Isaac while they discuss her future really stuck with me: “My greatest accomplishment each day cannot be cooking your dinner.”
Sex and Skin: The couples in both timelines have sex, and it’s pretty tastefully filmed. A woman undressing from behind, lots of close shots on skin and faces. Nothing too crazy.
Our Take: With the help of Robert Glasper’s jazzy score, we’re totally immersed in the world of The Photograph from the very first shot, invested in the relationships in both timelines. Stanfield and Rae have undeniable chemistry, but Stanfield is the real star here, full of all the tenderness and charm one hopes for in a romantic leading man. He’s totally at home in this role, and his whole face lights up when he sees Mae. That’s all we can ask for in films like these, and Stanfield seems more than happy to deliver. Rae does her best with what is a bit of an underwritten role, but she seems to struggle to overcome the nervous energy that fuels a lot of her performances. Despite this, however, I totally bought her journey and the pain that comes with trying to understand a parent who never really told you who they were while they were still around. I also bought why she might be wary of Michael, even with his dreamy eyes and their easy banter. It’s their unconventional chemistry that helps make The Photograph‘s contemporary storyline really work; their first date perfectly captures the discomfort and delight of that inaugural outing, all the awkward beats and random topics of conversation one brings up in a nervous attempt to fill the silence. Stanfield’s easy energy may be the most infectious of the film, but it’s beautifully tempered by Rae’s more jittery vibes.
While Michael and Mae’s love story is totally affecting, it’s the tale of Christina and Isaac that pulls at the heartstrings the most. Theirs feels incredibly high stakes and painful, the kind of bond marked by regret that haunted both parties for the rest of their lives. Your heart hurts when they both yearn for one another and don’t express how they really feel, and it sings when they’re laughing and dancing and loving. It’s this relationship that is the true anchor of The Photograph, though Michael and Mae definitely add a certain electrifying quality to the film.
The Photograph falls victim to cliches on more than a few occasions and could benefit from another pass or two on the script, but it’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. The film is a full-blown romantic melodrama, something most filmmakers won’t even attempt these days. It’s not all life-or-death or set against the backdrop of some bigger thing; it’s a story about people and their hearts and their power to change. This is a character-driven story, one that boldly chooses to linger in scenes a little longer than most might because it offers us a better glimpse of humanity and heartache. It all feels like a throwback to the heyday of theater-filling dramas that left you with your heart full of that rare warm-and-fuzzy feeling only a good romance could provide. The Photograph is a beguiling slow dance of a film, the kind of thing that may not appeal to everyone but will almost certainly win the hearts of any lover of love stories.
Our Call: STREAM IT. The Photograph takes its time, but it isn’t afraid to let the simmering chemistry between its performers do all the talking, and the film is better for it.
Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.
Stream The Photograph on HBO max
Stream The Photograph on HBO Now


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--‘Robin Hood’ hits Brazil, leaving cash in streets after brazen bank heists

That ’ s a knee-jerk reaction .
A Queens man says he was ...

A gang of thieves in Brazil are being compared to Robin Hood and his Merry Men after leaving bank notes strewn behind in the wake of two brazen bank heists in Criciúma and Cametá.
Last week, 30 armed thieves in large vehicles stormed Criciúma and blocked main access roads and laid siege to the police station, while others made off with the loot from a bank, Yahoo News reported. Two people were hurt, one a police officer.
However, the men were careful to not injure civilians.
“I saw the men outside, they were shouting: ‘get away from the windows, we don’t want to kill anyone,’” a resident told the news site.
Afterward, the streets were filled with banknotes and locals were rushing out to grab as much as they could carry, Yahoo reports.
An almost identical heist took place a day later across the country in the town of Cametá — where a hostage was killed.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Police look at equipment suspected of being used to make explosives at the scene of a bank robbery in Criciuma, Brazil. AFP via Getty Images Police officers stand guard outside the bank which robbers struck just in Criciuma, Brazil. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement
It is thought that the robberies, which are very similar to a wave of heists that have hit the country recently, were orchestrated by the First Command of the Capital (PCC), South America’s biggest drug cartel.
“Think of the cost of carrying out a crime like this and repeating it 24 hours later on the other side of Brazil”, federal judge Ivana David told Yahoo. “You need money, cars, safe houses, weapons, explosives — all this is extremely expensive. They walked away with a truck full of cash”.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Roald Dahl’s family quietly issues apology for late author’s anti-Semitism

The family of Roald Dahl , who penned the children ’ s classics “ Matilda ” and “ James and the Giant Peach , ” has quietly apologized for the late writer ’ s “ prejudiced ” anti-Semitic comments .
Dahl , who died at age 74 in 1990 , had made offensive declarations in several interviews , including a 1983 interview with The New Statesman , reports The Sunday Times of London .
“ There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity , maybe it ’ s a kind of lack of generosity towards non-Jews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere , ” Dahl said .
“ Even a stinker like Hitler didn ’ t just pick on them for no reason.
” In 1990 , Dahl told The Independent : “ I ’ m certainly anti-Israeli and I ’ ve become anti-Semitic in as much as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism.
” Even some of Dahl ’ s characters are considered anti-Semitic portrayals , including the large-nosed child snatcher he added in his screenplay of Ian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bang Bang.
” Dahl ’ s relatives posted their apology on the author ’ s website .
The statement isn ’ t dated and wasn ’ t sent to any Jewish groups or promoted publicly .
“ The Dahl family and the Roald Dahl Story Company deeply apologise [ sic ] for the lasting and understandable hurt caused by some of Roald Dahl ’ s statements .
Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew… , ” the apology reads .
“ We hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his best , at his absolute worst , Roald Dahl can help remind us of the lasting impact of words.
” In a statement to the Sunday Times , the family members acknowledged both their love for Dahl and the pain he caused .
“ Apologising [ sic ] for the words of a much-loved grandparent is a challenging thing to do , but made more difficult when the words are so hurtful to an entire community .
We loved Roald , but we passionately disagree with his anti-Semitic comments….These comments do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – a desire for the acceptance of everyone equally – and were entirely unacceptable .
We are truly sorry .
”

The family of Roald Dahl, who penned the children’s classics “Matilda” and “James and the Giant Peach,” has quietly apologized for the late writer’s “prejudiced” anti-Semitic comments.
Dahl, who died at age 74 in 1990, had made offensive declarations in several interviews, including a 1983 interview with The New Statesman, reports The Sunday Times of London.
“There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity, maybe it’s a kind of lack of generosity towards non-Jews. I mean, there’s always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere,” Dahl said. “Even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason.”
In 1990, Dahl told The Independent: “I’m certainly anti-Israeli and I’ve become anti-Semitic in as much as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism.”
Even some of Dahl’s characters are considered anti-Semitic portrayals, including the large-nosed child snatcher he added in his screenplay of Ian Fleming’s classic “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Dahl’s relatives posted their apology on the author’s website. The statement isn’t dated and wasn’t sent to any Jewish groups or promoted publicly.
“The Dahl family and the Roald Dahl Story Company deeply apologise [sic] for the lasting and understandable hurt caused by some of Roald Dahl’s statements. Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew…,” the apology reads. “We hope that, just as he did at his best, at his absolute worst, Roald Dahl can help remind us of the lasting impact of words.”
In a statement to the Sunday Times, the family members acknowledged both their love for Dahl and the pain he caused.
“Apologising [sic] for the words of a much-loved grandparent is a challenging thing to do, but made more difficult when the words are so hurtful to an entire community. We loved Roald, but we passionately disagree with his anti-Semitic comments….These comments do not reflect what we see in his work – a desire for the acceptance of everyone equally – and were entirely unacceptable. We are truly sorry.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Creepy characters sought in gunpoint robbery in NYC

These were no trick-or-treaters .
Cops are looking for help in identifying five creepy characters who pulled a gunpoint robbery in Brooklyn the morning after Halloween .
Police on Saturday released surveillance photos and a 30-second video in connection with the Nov. 1 stickup inside Chupetas Night/Bar Club at 87 Central Ave. in Bushwick .
The drama unfolded shortly before 5 a.m. , when five unidentified men brandishing firearms entered Chupetas and ordered a 24-year-old man to hand over his property , the NYPD said .
The victim complied , and the five robbers fled on foot with four cellphones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 700 , police said .
No one was injured in the holdup .
Police said one of the suspects had a medium build and was last seen wearing all black with a hooded sweater , light-colored face mask and carrying a red and black book bag .
Another had a slim build and was clad in a black coat with brown fur around the hood , black pants , a white monster Halloween mask and seen holding a black firearm .
A third suspect had a medium build and was last spotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , white t-shirt underneath , black jeans , a white dinosaur-like Halloween mask and seen holding a red and black book bag .
A fourth suspect with a medium build took a pass on the Halloween mask .
He wore a large black hoodie jacket , red sweat pants , black winter hat and a black face mask under his chin .
A fifth wanted individual is slim and was last seen wearing all black with a hooded sweater , yellow hat , black face mask and holding a black firearm .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is asked to call the NYPD ’ s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS ( 8477 ) .

These were no trick-or-treaters.
Cops are looking for help in identifying five creepy characters who pulled a gunpoint robbery in Brooklyn the morning after Halloween.
Police on Saturday released surveillance photos and a 30-second video in connection with the Nov. 1 stickup inside Chupetas Night/Bar Club at 87 Central Ave. in Bushwick.
The drama unfolded shortly before 5 a.m., when five unidentified men brandishing firearms entered Chupetas and ordered a 24-year-old man to hand over his property, the NYPD said.
The victim complied, and the five robbers fled on foot with four cellphones, a yellow metal necklace and approximately $700, police said. No one was injured in the holdup.
Police said one of the suspects had a medium build and was last seen wearing all black with a hooded sweater, light-colored face mask and carrying a red and black book bag.
Another had a slim build and was clad in a black coat with brown fur around the hood, black pants, a white monster Halloween mask and seen holding a black firearm.
A third suspect had a medium build and was last spotted wearing a black and red hooded sweater, white t-shirt underneath, black jeans, a white dinosaur-like Halloween mask and seen holding a red and black book bag.
A fourth suspect with a medium build took a pass on the Halloween mask. He wore a large black hoodie jacket, red sweat pants, black winter hat and a black face mask under his chin.
A fifth wanted individual is slim and was last seen wearing all black with a hooded sweater, yellow hat, black face mask and holding a black firearm.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Hospitals in Idaho, Pennsylvania, Texas overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients

Hospitals in several states are starting to turn away COVID-19 patients as they run out of beds and staff to care for them .
The nation had a new daily high of nearly 228,000 infections on Friday , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
At least 2,607 people died Friday , bringing the seven-day average of deaths over 2,000 for the first time since spring .
Hospitalizations are also at a record , with at least 101,276 people receiving in-patient treatment nationwide as of Friday , the Daily Mail reported .
Hospitalizations are rising in 38 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , the COVID Tracking Project reports .
They have been steady in 10 states over the past 14 days , and fallen in just eight states .
But while more people are being hospitalized for the virus , the percentage of people with the disease who are getting admitted to hospitals is dropping , according to the Atlantic , as the surge of sick people nears overwhelming health care systems in several states .
As hospitalizations soar and health care systems get overwhelmed , an increasing number of virus patients who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being sent home because there ’ s not enough space to care for them , according to The Atlantic .
In Idaho , National Guard troops were called in to help triage patients outside an urgent-care facility turned COVIID-19 clinic , while the staff inside work 12-hour shifts .
Just over 1,000 people have died from the disease in the state , as hospitals cancel elective surgeries and send hundreds of patients home with devices to monitor their blood oxygen levels themselves .
Officials fear a continued surge of infections could force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients when there ’ s no more room or anyone available to treat them .
“ When would we reach absolute capacity ?
I just don ’ t know .
But we ’ re nervous , ” Barton Hill , vice president of St. Luke ’ s Health System , which has hospitals in southwestern and central Idaho , told The Associated Press .
He suggested that health care workers could have to start choosing who gets treatment and who doesn ’ t in the next two weeks .
Hospitals in Pennsylvania are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media to find an ICU bed for his mother on Tuesday .
A nurse in a nearby city saw the post and was able to help find her a bed .
In Texas , patients are waiting for beds in emergency rooms as capacity reaches its limits , and one region of the state is warning they may have to start asking people to wait in their cars to avoid overcrowding .
Meanwhile , in Wyoming , where 257 people have died from COVID and 222 people were hospitalized as of Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Health Department doctor involved in the state ’ s response questioned the legitimacy of the pandemic at an event last month .
Dr. Igor Shepherd , readiness and countermeasures manager for the Wyoming Department of Health , called the crisis a “ so-called pandemic ” invented by Russia and China as a tool to spread communism across the globe .
He also share a debunked conspiracy theory about the coming COVID-19 vaccine , saying it had been developed as a biological weapon and would reprogram a person ’ s immune system .

Hospitals in several states are starting to turn away COVID-19 patients as they run out of beds and staff to care for them.
The nation had a new daily high of nearly 228,000 infections on Friday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. At least 2,607 people died Friday, bringing the seven-day average of deaths over 2,000 for the first time since spring.
Hospitalizations are also at a record, with at least 101,276 people receiving in-patient treatment nationwide as of Friday, the Daily Mail reported.
Hospitalizations are rising in 38 states compared to two weeks ago, including New York, the COVID Tracking Project reports. They have been steady in 10 states over the past 14 days, and fallen in just eight states.
But while more people are being hospitalized for the virus, the percentage of people with the disease who are getting admitted to hospitals is dropping, according to the Atlantic, as the surge of sick people nears overwhelming health care systems in several states.
As hospitalizations soar and health care systems get overwhelmed, an increasing number of virus patients who might have gotten admitted to the hospital are being sent home because there’s not enough space to care for them, according to The Atlantic.
In Idaho, National Guard troops were called in to help triage patients outside an urgent-care facility turned COVIID-19 clinic, while the staff inside work 12-hour shifts.
Just over 1,000 people have died from the disease in the state, as hospitals cancel elective surgeries and send hundreds of patients home with devices to monitor their blood oxygen levels themselves. Officials fear a continued surge of infections could force difficult choices about what to do with patients when there’s no more room or anyone available to treat them.
“When would we reach absolute capacity? I just don’t know. But we’re nervous,” Barton Hill, vice president of St. Luke’s Health System, which has hospitals in southwestern and central Idaho, told The Associated Press. He suggested that health care workers could have to start choosing who gets treatment and who doesn’t in the next two weeks.
Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. AP
Hospitals in Pennsylvania are so strained, one man took to social media to find an ICU bed for his mother on Tuesday. A nurse in a nearby city saw the post and was able to help find her a bed.
In Texas, patients are waiting for beds in emergency rooms as capacity reaches its limits, and one region of the state is warning they may have to start asking people to wait in their cars to avoid overcrowding.
Meanwhile, in Wyoming, where 257 people have died from COVID and 222 people were hospitalized as of Thursday, the Casper Star Tribune reported that a Health Department doctor involved in the state’s response questioned the legitimacy of the pandemic at an event last month.
Dr. Igor Shepherd, readiness and countermeasures manager for the Wyoming Department of Health, called the crisis a “so-called pandemic” invented by Russia and China as a tool to spread communism across the globe. He also share a debunked conspiracy theory about the coming COVID-19 vaccine, saying it had been developed as a biological weapon and would reprogram a person’s immune system.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--PA man begs Facebook  friends to help find ICU bed for COVID-19-stricken mom

A Pennsylvania man ’ s desperate appeal to find an ICU to take his severely ill , COVID-19-stricken mother has gone viral .
Shawn Rider ’ s mom Karen contracted the coronavirus in mid-November .
She was admitted to Hanover Hospital , about two hours west of Philadelphia , and had been on a ventilator since Nov. 23 , her son wrote on social media .
But as her condition worsened , Karen needed an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ( ECMO ) machine — a device Hanover Hospital didn ’ t have .
“ We can ’ t make any promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to try ECMO , ” a doctor told Rider .
Since the recent tide of COVID-19 rates spiking , ICU beds in Pennsylvania have been at capacity .
In a series of heartbreaking messages on his Facebook page , Rider wrote : “ Is there anyone in the York Hospital , Hershey Hospital , Penn State , Temple or Maryland Hospitals that has connections to the COVID ICU ?
My mom is not doing well and is maxed out at Hanover Hospitals capabilities .
“ We are looking for a hospital that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so Hanover can transfer her to you .
I ’ m sorry to be blunt but FB is the fastest way to get news out .
Hanover Hospital is making calls , but I can ’ t move forward without giving it my best shot.
” “ Mom… please continue to fight .
We love you so much and aren ’ t ready to lose you , ” Rider pleaded in his Dec. 1 post .
Four hours later , a doctor from York Hospital called and facilitated a transfer the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw my post and took it right to a Doctor in the COVID ICU and he immediately called my cell phone , ” Rider later wrote .
“ I gave him Mom ’ s Dr ’ s name at Hanover and he immediately called them and Mom is being prepped for transfer as we speak to York .
Another post went into further detail about the lifesaving call .
“ I get a random number calling me… a Doctor at York .
He ’ s calm .
He ’ s clear .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ ‘ Shawn , this is Dr. Zubkus from York Hospital .
Tell me about your Mom and give me her doctor ’ s name and phone number , ’ ” Rider recalled .
A few minutes later Zubkus called Rider and said , “ Shawn , we are taking her.
” “ Now , THAT ’ S F–KING LEADERSHIP , right there ladies and gentlemen .
That ’ s a human being who not only cares about other human beings but is confident in his abilities .
That ’ s someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame to someone else and shy away from a challenge .
That ’ s who I will always get in the corner of and that ’ s who my Mom needs right now , ” Rider wrote .
Though Rider ’ s mother is still in serious condition and on a ventilator , his father was able to see her , and Rider has been able to talk to her via Zoom .
“ Our family is humbled by the outpouring of support everyone has shown through our Mom ’ s continued fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayers for friends who lost loved ones to COVID-19 .
“ My Dad also has learned he lost one of his best friends to COVID-19 , Jeff Cunningham .
Real people .
Real lives .
Real virus .
”

A Pennsylvania man’s desperate appeal to find an ICU to take his severely ill, COVID-19-stricken mother has gone viral.
Shawn Rider’s mom Karen contracted the coronavirus in mid-November. She was admitted to Hanover Hospital, about two hours west of Philadelphia, and had been on a ventilator since Nov. 23, her son wrote on social media.
But as her condition worsened, Karen needed an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine — a device Hanover Hospital didn’t have.
“We can’t make any promises that a hospital is available to take her to try ECMO,” a doctor told Rider.
Since the recent tide of COVID-19 rates spiking, ICU beds in Pennsylvania have been at capacity.
In a series of heartbreaking messages on his Facebook page, Rider wrote: “Is there anyone in the York Hospital, Hershey Hospital, Penn State, Temple or Maryland Hospitals that has connections to the COVID ICU? My mom is not doing well and is maxed out at Hanover Hospitals capabilities.
“We are looking for a hospital that has an ECMO machine and a bed so Hanover can transfer her to you. I’m sorry to be blunt but FB is the fastest way to get news out. Hanover Hospital is making calls, but I can’t move forward without giving it my best shot.”
“Mom… please continue to fight. We love you so much and aren’t ready to lose you,” Rider pleaded in his Dec. 1 post.
Four hours later, a doctor from York Hospital called and facilitated a transfer the next day.
“A nurse at York Hospital saw my post and took it right to a Doctor in the COVID ICU and he immediately called my cell phone,” Rider later wrote. “I gave him Mom’s Dr’s name at Hanover and he immediately called them and Mom is being prepped for transfer as we speak to York.
Another post went into further detail about the lifesaving call.
“I get a random number calling me… a Doctor at York. He’s calm. He’s clear. He’s affirmative,” Rider wrote. “ ‘Shawn, this is Dr. Zubkus from York Hospital. Tell me about your Mom and give me her doctor’s name and phone number,’ ” Rider recalled.
A few minutes later Zubkus called Rider and said, “Shawn, we are taking her.”
“Now, THAT’S F–KING LEADERSHIP, right there ladies and gentlemen. That’s a human being who not only cares about other human beings but is confident in his abilities. That’s someone who isn’t going to pass blame to someone else and shy away from a challenge. That’s who I will always get in the corner of and that’s who my Mom needs right now,” Rider wrote.
Though Rider’s mother is still in serious condition and on a ventilator, his father was able to see her, and Rider has been able to talk to her via Zoom.
“Our family is humbled by the outpouring of support everyone has shown through our Mom’s continued fight,” he said, asking for prayers for friends who lost loved ones to COVID-19. “My Dad also has learned he lost one of his best friends to COVID-19, Jeff Cunningham. Real people. Real lives. Real virus.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--‘The Crown’ is polishing
the royal reputation: poll

Britain ’ s government plans to ask Netflix to give warnings before ...

Netflix’s spicy historical drama “The Crown” is polishing — not tarnishing — the royal family’s reputation, a new poll shows.
More than a third of the show’s viewers — 35% –told the polling firm Focaldata that their opinion of the British monarchy improved “a bit” or “a lot,” The Sunday Times of London reported.
And 42% didn’t feel any differently about the family, even after watching Season 4, released just last month. A few of the episodes detail Princess Diana’s loneliness and Prince Charles’ affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. Charles and Camilla married in 2005.
However, 23% told pollsters that their impression worsened — 18% by “a bit” and 5% by “a lot.”
Those viewers seem to be the ones who the royals fear the most.
Charles and Camila’s official Twitter account turned off comments on a post about charity work after users replied with hateful jabs about the couple’s treatment of Diana.
As for the future king, 39% viewers still have the same opinion of him as they did before, while 34% think better of him.
Only Prince Andrew, whose alleged penchant for pedophilia was finally explored in Season 4, had consistently negative ratings.
The UK government wants the streaming service to remind viewers that the show is only loosely based on real-life events.
“It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. “Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.”
Helena Bonham Carter, who portrays Princess Margaret, agrees: “It is dramatized. I do feel very strongly, because I think we have a moral responsibility to say, ‘Hang on, guys, this is not … it’s not a drama-doc, we’re making a drama.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Georgia GOP Senate candidates promise rally crowd they’ll stand with Trump

Thousands of President Trump ’ s most devoted Georgia followers gathered Saturday to cheer his first rally since Election Day — as the Peach State prepares for yet another election , a double runoff that has both of its Republican senators fighting for their political lives .
“ We ’ re going to stand with President Trump because he is fighting for us , ” Sen. Kelly Loeffler told the crowd at Valdosta Regional Airport as they awaited the expected arrival of Air Force One , carrying both the president and First Lady Melania Trump .
She did not directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attempt to get Georgia ’ s Republican secretary of state , Brad Raffensperger , to order a signature audit of the state ’ s mailed-in ballots — but the crowd did .
Chants of “ Stop the Steal !
” rang out throughout Loeffler ’ s five-minute speech .
It fell to Sen. David Perdue , fighting to win a second Senate term , to broach the elephant in the room .
“ I ’ m going to fight with this president until he gets every legal vote cast counted correctly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Perdue promised .
But he quickly pivoted to the party ’ s main theme : convincing dispirited Republican voters that wins for himself and Loeffler are their only shot at preserving Trump ’ s presidential legacy and thwarting the Democrats ’ congressional agenda .
“ We ’ re not ready to give Georgia up , y ’ all , ” he said .

Thousands of President Trump’s most devoted Georgia followers gathered Saturday to cheer his first rally since Election Day — as the Peach State prepares for yet another election, a double runoff that has both of its Republican senators fighting for their political lives.
“We’re going to stand with President Trump because he is fighting for us,” Sen. Kelly Loeffler told the crowd at Valdosta Regional Airport as they awaited the expected arrival of Air Force One, carrying both the president and First Lady Melania Trump.
She did not directly address the continuing controversy over Trump’s attempt to get Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to order a signature audit of the state’s mailed-in ballots — but the crowd did.
Chants of “Stop the Steal!” rang out throughout Loeffler’s five-minute speech.
It fell to Sen. David Perdue, fighting to win a second Senate term, to broach the elephant in the room.
“I’m going to fight with this president until he gets every legal vote cast counted correctly, and every illegal vote counted thrown out,” Perdue promised.
But he quickly pivoted to the party’s main theme: convincing dispirited Republican voters that wins for himself and Loeffler are their only shot at preserving Trump’s presidential legacy and thwarting the Democrats’ congressional agenda.
“We’re not ready to give Georgia up, y’all,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-05--Oregon suspends license of defiant anti-mask doctor

An Oregon physician has stubbornly refused to wear a mask ...

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An Oregon doctor who refuses to wear a face mask and compares the coronavirus to the common cold can’t practice medicine in the state anymore.
Steven LaTulippe, a family practitioner, closed his clinic in Dallas, after the state’s medical board voted Thursday to suspend his license, Portland NBC affiliate KGW reported.
At a Nov. 7 “Stop the Steal” rally, LaTulippe bragged that neither he nor his staff wore masks at clinic, defying the state’s order that health-care professionals wear face coverings while treating their patients.
“I want you to know that I never shut down during the entire COVID season. … I might scare you, but I and my staff, none of us once wore a mask in my clinic,” he told the crowd, claiming he hadn’t any problems and adding that he wanted to “expose what I call corona mania.”
He challenged others to shun masks as well, despite advice to wear them from the Centers for Disease Control and mandates in many states. So far, COVID-19 has killed nearly 280,000 Americans.
“I petition all of you to take off the mask of shame,” LaTulippe said. “It is a mask that is just designed to control you.”
Despite his anti-mask stance, LaTulippe maintained that did require his COVID-19 patients to wear face coverings, KGW reported.


newyorkpost--2020-12-06--China prepares large-scale rollout of COVID-19 vaccines

Hospitals in Pennsylvania are so strained , one man took to ...

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TAIPEI, Taiwan — Provincial governments across China are placing orders for experimental, domestically made coronavirus vaccines, though health officials have yet to say how well they work or how they may reach the country’s 1.4 billion people.
Developers are speeding up final testing, the Chinese foreign minister said during a U.N. meeting last week, as Britain approved emergency use of Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine candidate and providers scrambled to set up distribution.
Even without final approval, more than 1 million health care workers and others in China who are deemed at high risk of infection have received experimental vaccines under emergency use permission. There has been no word on possible side effects.
China’s fledgling pharmaceutical industry has at least five vaccines from four producers being tested in more than a dozen countries including Russia, Egypt and Mexico. Health experts say even if they are successful, the certification process for the United States, Europe, Japan and other developed countries might be too complex for them to be used there. However, China said it will ensure the products are affordable for developing countries.
One developer, China National Pharmaceutical Group, known as Sinopharm, said in November it applied for final market approval for use of its vaccine in China. Others have been approved for emergency use on people deemed at high risk of infection.
“We must be prepared for large-scale production,” said Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who has overseen much of the country’s response, during a visit Wednesday to developers, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Sun visited one of Sinopharm’s Beijing subsidiary companies; another producer, Sinovac, and a research lab under the National Medical Products Administration, a regulatory agency that approves medical products for public use.
The government has yet to say how many people it plans to vaccinate. Sun said plans call for vaccinating border personnel and other high-risk populations this month.
The companies are using more traditional techniques than Western developers.
They say unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, which must be kept frozen at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 Fahrenheit), theirs can be stored at 2 to 8 C (36 to 46 F). The Chinese producers have yet to say how they might be distributed.
Health experts question why China is using experimental vaccines on such a vast scale now that the outbreak is largely under control within its borders.
Health officials previously said China will be able to manufacture 610 million doses by the end of this year and ramp up to 1 billion doses next year.
The government of Jiangsu province, where the major city of Nanjing is located, issued a procurement notice for vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm on Wednesday for emergency use vaccinations.
Authorities in Sichuan province in the west, which has about 85 million people, announced Monday they were already buying vaccines. An official newspaper in Anhui province, southeast of Beijing, said a local residential committee issued a notice asking whether residents want a vaccine.
The Sichuan and Anhui announcements said the vaccine, given in two shots, would cost a total of 400 yuan ($60).
Vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm were approved for emergency use in July.
In October, Zhejiang province south of Shanghai offered the public vaccination under emergency use authorization. It said people considered high-risk would get priority.
In November, the Communist Party secretary for Sinopharm said almost 1 million people had received its vaccine.
In September, Sinovac’s CEO said about 3,000 of its employees had taken their vaccine. He said the company provided tens of thousands of doses to the Beijing city government.
Developers have yet to disclose how effective their vaccines are and possible side effects.
Sinopharm has clinical trials under way in 10 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Peru and Argentina with nearly 60,000 volunteers. It has built two facilities in China capable of producing 200 million doses per year.
Sinovac has trials in Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia. Its most recent publicized data, a study in the science journal the Lancet, showed its candidate produced lower levels of antibodies in people than those who had recovered from COVID-19. The company projects it will be able to produce a few hundred million doses of the vaccine by February or March of next year.
Another producer, CanSino, is testing in Russia, Pakistan and Mexico and pursuing partnerships in Latin American countries. Its vaccine, which has been used on an emergency basis with the Chinese military, uses a harmless adenovirus to carry genes into human cells to generate an immune response.
A fourth company, Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy Co., is conducting final stage trials across China.


newyorkpost--2020-12-06--Bengals vs. Miami prediction, line: Cincinnati the pick

Dave Tuley , senior reporter at VSiN.com , is in his third season with the Post ’ s Bettor ’ s Guide .
His handicapping pieces appear in VSiN ’ s online magazine , Point Spread Weekly .
Yes , the Dolphins are 7-4 , continue to play well whether it ’ s Tua Tagovailoa or Ryan Fitzpatrick in the starting lineup and just covered as 7.5-point road favorites at the Jets .
And , yes , the Bengals are 2-8-1 and are without rookie QB Joe Burrow , but this line shouldn ’ t be double digits .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 7-4 ATS and just covered in a 19-17 loss to the Giants .
Brandon Allen was just 17-for-29 for 136 yards , but he also had some dropped passes and the offense should be more in sync this week .
The Bengals should be able to stick around as the Dolphins will be content to get out with the win .
We know it ’ s hard to bet against the Chiefs , but they ’ re just 6-5 ATS despite a 10-1 SU record as they tend to let lesser teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ugly to the Saints and were blown out 43-16 by the Chiefs in their earlier meeting in Denver , but they get Drew Lock and their other real quarterbacks back and have been competitive in most of their other games .
They should be able to stay within two touchdowns , or at least get the backdoor cover like the Buccaneers did against the Chiefs this past Sunday .

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Dave Tuley, senior reporter at VSiN.com, is in his third season with the Post’s Bettor’s Guide. His handicapping pieces appear in VSiN’s online magazine, Point Spread Weekly.
Cincinnati Bengals (+11.5) over MIAMI DOLPHINS
Yes, the Dolphins are 7-4, continue to play well whether it’s Tua Tagovailoa or Ryan Fitzpatrick in the starting lineup and just covered as 7.5-point road favorites at the Jets. And, yes, the Bengals are 2-8-1 and are without rookie QB Joe Burrow, but this line shouldn’t be double digits. The Bengals have been surprisingly competitive all year at 7-4 ATS and just covered in a 19-17 loss to the Giants. Brandon Allen was just 17-for-29 for 136 yards, but he also had some dropped passes and the offense should be more in sync this week. The Bengals should be able to stick around as the Dolphins will be content to get out with the win.
Denver Broncos (+14) over KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
We know it’s hard to bet against the Chiefs, but they’re just 6-5 ATS despite a 10-1 SU record as they tend to let lesser teams stick around. The Broncos obviously lost ugly to the Saints and were blown out 43-16 by the Chiefs in their earlier meeting in Denver, but they get Drew Lock and their other real quarterbacks back and have been competitive in most of their other games. They should be able to stay within two touchdowns, or at least get the backdoor cover like the Buccaneers did against the Chiefs this past Sunday.
Last week: 1-1, Titans (W), Jets (L).
2020 season: 11-12-1.


newyorkpost--2020-12-06--Save up to 75 percent on face masks that offer 80 percent filtration

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store , from our partner StackCommerce .
NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
According to the CDC , “ face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the { corona } virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting.
” Thus , when it comes to protecting yourself and your family , having high-quality masks that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time is of utmost importance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ upwards of $ 15 , and , while they are better than wearing nothing , many options on the market offer little filtration effectiveness .
Thankfully , there are a plethora of companies working towards creating functional face masks for an affordable price .
One consumer electric company even hopped into the market when its suppliers in China grew desperate for supplies .
Since then , the local government in Southern China has helped them to start providing masks both there and in the U.S .
In turn , it designed the 3D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a price that can not be beaten .
Using an outer layer of non-woven stretch fabric , these masks were created to snuggly cover all the contours of your face .
The best part ?
Purchasing Brio Protection products will help fight COVID-19 in more ways than just one .
For every mask pack you buy , BRIO donates a mask to local healthcare workers , food pantries , and other essential workers who are fighting the virus on the front lines .
The BRIO 3D Comfort Masks come in a variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-pack for $ 24.99 ( 38 % off ) , a 20-pack for $ 39.99 ( 50 % off ) , a 50-pack for $ 74.99 ( 62 % off ) , or a 100-pack for $ 99.99 ( 75 % off ) .
Plus , since each mask can be worn for two weeks , these packs will last you through quarantine .

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store, from our partner StackCommerce. NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
According to the CDC, “face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the {corona} virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting.” Thus, when it comes to protecting yourself and your family, having high-quality masks that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time is of utmost importance.
Unfortunately, most re-usable cloth masks cost upwards of $15, and, while they are better than wearing nothing, many options on the market offer little filtration effectiveness.
Thankfully, there are a plethora of companies working towards creating functional face masks for an affordable price. One consumer electric company even hopped into the market when its suppliers in China grew desperate for supplies. Since then, the local government in Southern China has helped them to start providing masks both there and in the U.S.
In turn, it designed the 3D Comfort Mask that features 80% filtration for a price that cannot be beaten. Using an outer layer of non-woven stretch fabric, these masks were created to snuggly cover all the contours of your face.
The best part? Purchasing Brio Protection products will help fight COVID-19 in more ways than just one. For every mask pack you buy, BRIO donates a mask to local healthcare workers, food pantries, and other essential workers who are fighting the virus on the front lines.
The BRIO 3D Comfort Masks come in a variety of packages. You can score a 10-pack for $24.99 (38% off), a 20-pack for $39.99 (50% off), a 50-pack for $74.99 (62% off), or a 100-pack for $99.99 (75% off). Plus, since each mask can be worn for two weeks, these packs will last you through quarantine.


newyorkpost--2020-12-06--Expert-led digital marketing training is on sale for $35

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store , from our partner StackCommerce .
NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving .
Just think : it wasn ’ t long ago that TikTok was unheard of and billboards were prime real estate .
If you want to succeed in the world of digital marketing , you need to stay on your toes — constantly educating yourself on what moves the needle today , not yesterday .
Whether you ’ re new to marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills for the new year , the 2021 Ultimate Digital Marketing Super Bundle is about as relevant as it gets .
With 22 hours of content spread over 11 unique courses , this self-paced training covers everything from Reddit to podcasts to Zoom .
What says 2020 more than Zoom ?
All 11 courses were created by Entrepreneur Academy , an international social media management company that truly practices what it preaches on a daily basis .
They ’ ve worked with a range of clients from fashion companies to fitness experts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re learned with students like you .
That ’ s why they ’ ve earned an exceptional 4.4 out of 5-star rating from past students .
You ’ ll specifically be hearing from Benjamin Wilson , an entrepreneur from Melbourne , Australia , as you navigate the coursework .
So , what tools will you be learning ?
Of course , you ’ ll start with an eight-hour course on just Facebook — from ads to chatbots .
You ’ ll then move onto Snapchat , Reddit , Instagram , and Pinterest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra time on the course covering search engines and SEO , which is essential to any modern-day marketing strategy .
There ’ s a lot here , and we ’ ve barely skimmed the surface of what you ’ ll learn .
Each of these courses typically sells for $ 200 , but luckily , you won ’ t be paying that with this bundle .
In fact , you can pay just $ 34.99 to access all of the included courses and take your marketing know-how to the next level .

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store, from our partner StackCommerce. NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving. Just think: it wasn’t long ago that TikTok was unheard of and billboards were prime real estate. If you want to succeed in the world of digital marketing, you need to stay on your toes — constantly educating yourself on what moves the needle today, not yesterday.
Whether you’re new to marketing or just looking to freshen up your skills for the new year, the 2021 Ultimate Digital Marketing Super Bundle is about as relevant as it gets. With 22 hours of content spread over 11 unique courses, this self-paced training covers everything from Reddit to podcasts to Zoom. What says 2020 more than Zoom?
All 11 courses were created by Entrepreneur Academy, an international social media management company that truly practices what it preaches on a daily basis. They’ve worked with a range of clients from fashion companies to fitness experts and are passionate about sharing what they’re learned with students like you. That’s why they’ve earned an exceptional 4.4 out of 5-star rating from past students. You’ll specifically be hearing from Benjamin Wilson, an entrepreneur from Melbourne, Australia, as you navigate the coursework.
So, what tools will you be learning? Of course, you’ll start with an eight-hour course on just Facebook — from ads to chatbots. You’ll then move onto Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram, and Pinterest. You’ll definitely want to spend extra time on the course covering search engines and SEO, which is essential to any modern-day marketing strategy.
There’s a lot here, and we’ve barely skimmed the surface of what you’ll learn. Each of these courses typically sells for $200, but luckily, you won’t be paying that with this bundle. In fact, you can pay just $34.99 to access all of the included courses and take your marketing know-how to the next level.
Prices subject to change.