newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Trump asked advisers about military strike on Iran nuclear facility: reports

President Trump asked top military officials and other senior advisers about attacking an Iranian nuclear complex last week , but decided against a military strike , two reports said Monday .
Trump asked advisers , including Vice President Mike Pence and General Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , what options he had for attacking the country ’ s main nuclear facility in an Oval Office meeting last Thursday , the New York Times reported .
A number of advisers , including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , dissuaded the president from taking the drastic action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broader military conflict in the region , according to the report .
Reuters confirmed the Times ’ account of the meeting , citing an unnamed US official .
“ He asked for options .
They gave him the scenarios and he ultimately decided not to go forward , ” the source told the news outlet .
The Times reported that a military strike in Iran by the US “ would almost certainly ” target Natanz , a nuclear facility in the country where uranium stockpiles have risen to more than 12 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pulled out of in 2018 .
While officials believe they talked Trump out of a US strike in the country , the president may be considering targeting other Iranian allies , including militias in Iraq , the Times reported .

President Trump asked top military officials and other senior advisers about attacking an Iranian nuclear complex last week, but decided against a military strike, two reports said Monday.
Trump asked advisers, including Vice President Mike Pence and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, what options he had for attacking the country’s main nuclear facility in an Oval Office meeting last Thursday, the New York Times reported.
A number of advisers, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, dissuaded the president from taking the drastic action, which they believed could lead to a broader military conflict in the region, according to the report.
Reuters confirmed the Times’ account of the meeting, citing an unnamed US official.
“He asked for options. They gave him the scenarios and he ultimately decided not to go forward,” the source told the news outlet.
The Times reported that a military strike in Iran by the US “would almost certainly” target Natanz, a nuclear facility in the country where uranium stockpiles have risen to more than 12 times those allowable by the nuclear deal that Trump pulled out of in 2018.
While officials believe they talked Trump out of a US strike in the country, the president may be considering targeting other Iranian allies, including militias in Iraq, the Times reported.


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Katheryn Winnick says ‘Big Sky’ is full of ‘drama and quirkiness’

President Trump on Monday celebrated what he called a “ Big ...

“Big Sky” star Katheryn Winnick knows a thing or two about the setting of David E. Kelley’s new series, which unfolds in scenic Montana.
While the “Twin Peaks”-ish drama is actually shot in Vancouver, it’s not much of a geographical stretch for Winnick, the former “Vikings” star who plays emotionally wounded ex-cop Jenny Hoyt on the ABC series.
“I actually have a house in Montana at the Big Sky, so I’m very familiar with the landscape,” says Winnick of the area, which borders Yellowstone National Park. “We were originally supposed to shoot [the series] in Santa Fe, but because of COVID we moved to Vancouver.
“In terms of the feeling of being up in the mountains and having access to rivers and lakes and fly fishing and horseback riding — and bears! — it can definitely double as Montana.”
Premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m. — and adapted from CJ Box’s 2013 novel, “The Highway” — “Big Sky” revolves around Jenny, her estranged husband, Det. Cody Hoyt (Ryan Phillippe), and his colleague, Det. Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury). In the opener, Jenny discovers that Cody and Cassie are having an affair, throwing her life — and her friendship with Cassie — into a tailspin.
‘It definitely has an eerie vibe around it and is full of suspense.’
As this plays out, two young sisters driving along a remote Montana highway suddenly vanish, the latest in a string of alarming disappearances — throwing Jenny and Cassie together to search for the young women as “Big Sky” twists and turns into unexpected territory.
“It definitely has an eerie vibe around it and is full of suspense,” Winnick says. “All that drama and quirkiness; you never know in which direction the characters will go. I think the audience will be pleasantly surprised how it all unfolds.”
A good chunk of the drama derives from the relationship, or lack thereof, between Jenny and Cassie, Winnick says.
“We just re-shot the opening scene when Jenny comes into the office [to confront Cassie and Cody],” she says. “It was important to add a little more backstory, in that Jenny had a relationship with Cassie. We see a little bit more of [Jenny’s] personality, that she’s caught off-guard. When we originally shot it, it came off extremely one-sided with Jenny going in after finding out her husband cheated on her. This way it’s even better … and is definitely a little more empathetically written.
“It’s interesting to have two strong women side-by-side who are completely opposite, in a lot of different ways,” she says. “But what drives them to work together comes from the same place, deep down in their hearts.
“It’s important to tell the story of these two badass chicks.”
Winnick describes Jenny “as a woman unhinged” who can be emotionally erratic. “You never really know what you’re going to get with her,” she says. “She wears her heart on her sleeve in a lot of ways and is righteous — she fights for what she truly believes in. She’s an ex-cop who hasn’t been on the force for a long time. She and Cody were childhood sweethearts. There’s a lot of history and passion and love and hurt between them.
“She feels betrayed not only by her husband — but by her friend.”
Winnick, who’s trained in the martial art of taekwondo, says she “purposely didn’t want to to that” in the series.
“There was a fight scene where they wanted me to throw some kicks and I was like, ‘No, she’s an ex-cop, she’s not going to do that,’ ” she says. “It’s important to keep that authenticity and to be grounded. Even though [‘Big Sky’] is on ABC, we wanted to keep it very cable-like in terms of shooting and effects and hair and makeup.
“I sat down with David E. Kelley and said, ‘Can you please give [Jenny] a black eye? I want to show that she’s been through the wringer.’ It was a bit of a struggle at the beginning with ABC; people want [series] leads to look a certain way and be pretty,” she says.
“For me, coming off a show like ‘Vikings,’ where blood and guts were celebrated, I felt it was important to show the real grounding base of Jenny — someone who’s gone through what she’s gone through.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Trump hails ‘Big victory’ in Nevada after county board tosses local election results

President Trump on Monday celebrated what he called a “ Big victory ” in Nevada after Clark County commissioners declined to certify the election results for a county commission race — though the decision does not directly impact the presidential election results , which commissioners certified .
“ Big victory moments ago in the State of Nevada .
The all Democrat County Commissioner race , on same ballot as President , just thrown out because of large scale voter discrepancy .
Clark County officials do not have confidence in their own election security .
Major impact !
” Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governs the Las Vegas area , certified the results of the Nov. 3 election with the exception of county commissioner for District C , which was divided by 10 votes .
District C voters split 76,586 for Democrat Ross Miller and 76,576 for Republican Stavros Anthony , KLAS-TV reports .
Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria told commissioners , “ We have found discrepancies that we can ’ t explain that would cast a doubt on whether or not that margin of victory is solid.
” Gloria said there were 139 discrepancies in District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice , according to local reporters who covered the Monday certification hearing .
The county commissioners asked Gloria to report back on options to re-run the single local election .
He said that only that race needed to be repeated because “ that ’ s the only race in the entire election we have any concern related to the outcome .
And it ’ s because of the margin , ” reported Megan Messerly of the Nevada Independent .
Trump lost the state to Democrat Joe Biden by 33,596 votes according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s most populous , with about 70 percent of votes in the presidential race .
County commissioners on Monday certified that Biden received 521,852 votes and Trump got 430,930 .
It ’ s unclear if Trump ’ s campaign will seek to challenge the presidential results in Nevada citing the commission decision on the District C race .
Trump has not conceded to Biden and argues he can still win a second term through recounts and litigation in swing states including Arizona , Georgia and Pennsylvania .
The recount in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Floyd County that narrowed by about 800 votes what had been Biden ’ s 14,000-vote advantage .

President Trump on Monday celebrated what he called a “Big victory” in Nevada after Clark County commissioners declined to certify the election results for a county commission race — though the decision does not directly impact the presidential election results, which commissioners certified.
“Big victory moments ago in the State of Nevada. The all Democrat County Commissioner race, on same ballot as President, just thrown out because of large scale voter discrepancy. Clark County officials do not have confidence in their own election security. Major impact!” Trump tweeted.
The Clark County Commission, which governs the Las Vegas area, certified the results of the Nov. 3 election with the exception of county commissioner for District C, which was divided by 10 votes.
District C voters split 76,586 for Democrat Ross Miller and 76,576 for Republican Stavros Anthony, KLAS-TV reports. Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria told commissioners, “We have found discrepancies that we can’t explain that would cast a doubt on whether or not that margin of victory is solid.”
Gloria said there were 139 discrepancies in District C, including six people who voted twice, according to local reporters who covered the Monday certification hearing.
The county commissioners asked Gloria to report back on options to rerun the single local election. He said only that race needed to be repeated because “that’s the only race in the entire election we have any concern related to the outcome. And it’s because of the margin,” reported Megan Messerly of the Nevada Independent.
Trump lost the state to Democrat Joe Biden by 33,596 votes, according to the Associated Press. Clark County is the state’s most populous, with about 70 percent of votes in the presidential race. County commissioners on Monday certified that former Vice President Joe Biden received 521,852 votes and Trump got 430,930.
It’s unclear if Trump’s campaign will seek to challenge the presidential results in Nevada by citing the commission decision on the District C race.
Trump has not conceded to Biden and argues he can still win a second term through recounts and litigation in swing states including Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania. The recount in Georgia on Monday turned up 2,600 uncounted ballots in Floyd County, which narrowed by about 800 votes what had been Biden’s 14,000-vote advantage.


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Justice Alito is right: The pandemic brought an assault on our basic rights

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is warning against threats to ...

The usual mainstream-media suspects wasted no time in blasting as inappropriate Samuel Alito’s address last week to the Federalist Society. Which is another way of saying they didn’t like what he had to say. The Supreme Court justice warned that “religious liberty is fast becoming a disfavored right,” that freedom of speech is also “becoming a second-tier constitutional right.”
He was exactly right — and his wake-up call was urgently timely: Democrats threaten to “reform” the high court by packing it with liberals, while the pandemic has imposed what Alito called a “stress test” on the Constitution, creating a new ranking order of fundamental rights.
Simply put: Basic respect for some rights is dying.
The justice made clear that he wasn’t “diminishing the severity of the virus’ threat to public health,” nor even “saying anything” about whether lockdown rules are “good public policy.” Even so, “the pandemic has resulted in previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty” — and this happened “by executive fiat, rather than legislation.”
The unchecked growth of the administrative state and the rule of unaccountable “experts” long precede the appearance of the novel coronavirus. What we have experienced in the last nine months is a sweeping away of legal norms that deserves more than a passing glance, even in the midst of an emergency.
Alito pointed out that in Nevada, the courts had deferred to the judgment of the governor of that state about how to halt the spread of the virus. The result was a rule that allowed casinos to operate while severely restricting the right to attend a house of worship. We’re supposed to think that these kinds of arbitrary and illogical rules are kosher; anyone who notices that something is very wrong is framed as either a partisan troublemaker or a “conspiracy theorist.”
As Alito noted, treating the right to render worship to God as being as important as the right to gamble shouldn’t have been a “tough call.” If you look in the Constitution, “you will see the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, which protects religious liberty.” But “you will not find a craps clause or a blackjack clause or a slot-machine clause.”
And yet the courts let those restrictions stand, just as they have elsewhere, including in New York, where the state and the city have cracked down hard against believers for violating COVID-19 rules while cheering other events, such as Black Lives Matter riots or Biden victory celebrations — barely even bothering to hide that political or theological content is the deciding factor.
This didn’t take place in a vacuum. Religious freedom was already under siege. Even before the pandemic, our laws and the wider culture were squeezing believers who don’t accept the dictates of liberalism about issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. A society that began by allowing rampaging online mobs to “cancel” religious conservatives would soon attempt to cancel religious freedom altogether.
You may not want to attend a church, a synagogue or a mosque during a pandemic. You don’t have to agree with the Little Sisters of the Poor about birth control and abortion, or with an evangelical baker about gay marriage. But you should be alarmed about how they’re losing their rights because their faith is out of fashion. The same thing can happen to any of us, no matter our religion or point of view. And advocating for preserving the Constitution even during a public-health crisis doesn’t make someone an “extremist.”
Some judges have tried to push back against the demands of an intolerant, majoritarian, secular mindset to marginalize religious freedom and to restrict the right of free speech to only those who parrot politically correct views. But the courts can only do so much. In the absence of a popular defense of liberty, it won’t survive, especially when the unprecedented power of social media and pop culture are arrayed against it.
Rather than jeer Alito’s warnings, decent Americans — whether they are people of faith or unbelievers, conservative or liberal — should be cheering him.
Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS.org.
Twitter: @JonathanS_Tobin


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Dem lawmaker targeted by police unions projected to win reelection

A Long Island state legislator who was targeted by police unions and his Republican foe as backing anti-cop legislation has pulled off a big comeback and is now projected to be re-elected , according to the New York Democratic Party .
State Sen. Kevin Thomas came roaring back in the vote totals on Monday after thousands of absentee ballots were counted that favored the incumbent by about 70 percent , the state Democratic Party said .
Thomas had lagged behind GOP challenger Dennis Dunne after in-person voting concluded , but now leads him by more than 1,400 votes with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Kevin was truly a fighter and a leader for his district in his first term — from saving homeowners money by making the property tax cap permanent to cleaning up Long Island ’ s water sources , voters recognized the important achievements Senator Thomas accomplished and have rewarded him with another term in the New York State Senate , ” Jay Jacobs , the state Democratic chairman , said in a statement .
Thomas was one of several state senators targeted by a coalition of 23 police unions for backing legislation like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Democrats in the New York State Senate need to learn that their votes have consequences .
It doesn ’ t matter if they claim to support police officers , ” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said in September about the senators .
“ It doesn ’ t matter if they put a blue line bumper sticker on their car .
None of that keeps our communities safe , ” he added .
A spokesperson for the State Senate GOP said the Democratic Party ’ s declaration of victory was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tightened , a significant number of ballots have yet to be counted .
We believe any declaration is premature and we look forward to making sure every legal vote is counted before determining the outcome of this race , ” GOP spokeswoman Candice Giove said .

A Long Island state legislator who was targeted by police unions and his Republican foe as backing anti-cop legislation has pulled off a big comeback and is now projected to be re-elected, according to the New York Democratic Party.
State Sen. Kevin Thomas came roaring back in the vote totals on Monday after thousands of absentee ballots were counted that favored the incumbent by about 70 percent, the state Democratic Party said.
Thomas had lagged behind GOP challenger Dennis Dunne after in-person voting concluded, but now leads him by more than 1,400 votes with some 6,000 ballots left to be counted.
“Kevin was truly a fighter and a leader for his district in his first term — from saving homeowners money by making the property tax cap permanent to cleaning up Long Island’s water sources, voters recognized the important achievements Senator Thomas accomplished and have rewarded him with another term in the New York State Senate,” Jay Jacobs, the state Democratic chairman, said in a statement.
In a statement to Newsday, Dunne said it was clear Thomas would secure a second term.
“The voters have spoken, and I respect their decision. I extend my best wishes to Kevin Thomas as he embarks upon his second term in the New York State Senate,” the statement said.
Thomas was one of several state senators targeted by a coalition of 23 police unions for backing legislation like bail reform and other criminal justice matters.
“The Democrats in the New York State Senate need to learn that their votes have consequences. It doesn’t matter if they claim to support police officers,” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said in September about the senators.
“It doesn’t matter if they put a blue line bumper sticker on their car. None of that keeps our communities safe,” he added.
A spokesperson for the State Senate GOP said the Democratic Party’s declaration of victory was premature.
“While this race has tightened, a significant number of ballots have yet to be counted. We believe any declaration is premature and we look forward to making sure every legal vote is counted before determining the outcome of this race,” GOP spokeswoman Candice Giove said.


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Airlines hiding name of Boeing’s 737 MAX as planes set to resume flying

Boeing ’ s troubled 737 MAX is expected to take flight again next week — but in an apparent rebranding move , some airlines are already trying to hide the name .
The jetmaker first slapped the “ MAX ” title to its latest 737 as a marketing strategy in 2011 .
Billed for its stellar performance , the branding name took a hit after two fatal crashes that left 346 people dead .
But after being grounded for nearly two years during a safety-review , Boeing is set to win approval to get the commercial planes back in operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MAX flights on Dec. 29 from Miami to New York City .
The MAX name will appear on booking systems , but was removed from seat pocket safety cards , sources told Reuters .
An American spokeswoman confirmed the move the Reuters , chalking it up as a simplicity measure .
“ We changed the Boeing 737 safety cards to simplify the cards and ensure the correct card is placed on each aircraft , ” the spokeswoman said .
“ This approach is consistent with other fleet types where we do not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
In August , Poland ’ s Enter Air referred to the MAX only as the “ 737-8 ” in a news release .
The same numbered designation was used last week by Air Canada in a press release on quarterly earnings .
“ MAX ” only appeared in footnotes .
Industry insiders predicted to Reuters that the “ MAX ” name will eventually be phased out .
“ If Boeing ’ s customers want it dropped , it will be dropped , ” a source told Reuters , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name MAX is tainted .
”

Boeing’s troubled 737 MAX is expected to take flight again next week — but in an apparent rebranding move, some airlines are already trying to hide the name.
The jetmaker first slapped the “MAX” title to its latest 737 as a marketing strategy in 2011. Billed for its stellar performance, the branding name took a hit after two fatal crashes that left 346 people dead.
But after being grounded for nearly two years during a safety-review, Boeing is set to win approval to get the commercial planes back in operation.
American Airlines plans to relaunch their MAX flights on Dec. 29 from Miami to New York City. The MAX name will appear on booking systems, but was removed from seat pocket safety cards, sources told Reuters.
An American spokeswoman confirmed the move the Reuters, chalking it up as a simplicity measure.
“We changed the Boeing 737 safety cards to simplify the cards and ensure the correct card is placed on each aircraft,” the spokeswoman said. “This approach is consistent with other fleet types where we do not have different safety cards for sub-fleets,” she added.
In August, Poland’s Enter Air referred to the MAX only as the “737-8” in a news release.
The same numbered designation was used last week by Air Canada in a press release on quarterly earnings. “MAX” only appeared in footnotes.
Industry insiders predicted to Reuters that the “MAX” name will eventually be phased out.
“If Boeing’s customers want it dropped, it will be dropped,” a source told Reuters, adding that some key “customers are saying the name MAX is tainted.”
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--NYC restaurants lose money, battle with customers over 10 p.m. curfew

If you thought restaurateurs were unhappy about New York ’ s 10 p.m. dining curfew , you should see their customers .
Big Apple eatery owners say revenues dropped by roughly 30 percent over the weekend as they were forced to comply with the governor ’ s latest efforts to rein in rising coronavirus cases .
Adding to their misery — they ’ ve been turned into bouncers who are forced to kick customers out at 10 p.m. on the dot or risk onerous $ 10,000 fines .
It ’ s been challenging , they say , to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never sleeps now winds down just as the 10 o ’ clock news is getting started .
“ It ’ s not easy to get people to leave , ” said Erin Bellard , owner of e ’ s BAR on the Upper West Side .
“ We tell them they have to leave by 10 p.m. but it ’ s definitely awkward .
There ’ s always a couple of people who push back .
We try to be hospitable but it ’ s like we are herding people out — we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 fine .
We are struggling to stay afloat.
” In order to cope with the changes , e ’ s BAR plans to start opening earlier on Thursdays , Fridays and Saturdays for brunch .
But she also frets whether it will work for an eatery that caters to late-night crowds seeking “ lots of burgers and beer and first dates.
” “ That ’ s a big loss for us , ” said Bellard , who was previously full around 10 p.m. with 27 people inside and another 27 people outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restaurants had been permitted to stay open outdoors until 11 p.m. and indoors until midnight .
They were also allowed to let customers linger a half hour or so to finish their meals and pay the bills .
The curfew comes with a hard deadline that ’ s forcing restaurants to shutter their kitchen as early as 9 p.m. or 9:30 , squeezing even the 8 p.m. dinner hour and crushing workers ’ pay .
“ Now our last reservation is at 8 p.m. , ” said Garry Kanfer , owner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At 9:45 p.m. , the check drops and they are out by 10 p.m. People are leaving but they ’ re upset , even though they know it ’ s not our fault .
One diner called to tell me his party would have ordered more food , but there wasn ’ t enough time.
” Kanfer ’ s Kissaki , which has outposts on the Upper West Side and Long Island City , suffered a 30 percent loss in revenue over the weekend — as did Tao Group , which owns Tao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking reservations no later than 8:30 p.m. “ We are getting killed , ” said Noah Tepperburg , co-founder of the Tao Group , which owns Tao and Lavo restaurants .
“ They are just hurting people who are already hurting , throwing out a curfew without giving anyone time to prepare.
” “ Our staff were coming in from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Now they ’ re working 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. , ” Tepperburg added .
Cuomo ’ s curfew kicked off Nov. 13 and applies to all restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alcohol and fitness centers .
It was aimed to curb gathering in establishments that have proven to be COVID hotspots as cases rise .
Still , restaurateurs argue that limiting their hours only squeezes more people into indoor spaces instead of spreading them out .
They also take issue with the governor ’ s reasoning that the curfew would help NY avoid spillover from neighboring states that have enacted their own 10 p.m. deadlines .
“ I heard scuttlebutt about matching NJ and CT because of interstate travel for dining , which seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s possible in hotspots like Bedford , NY ?
People running from Darien , CT to Bedford to eat an hour later ?
” quipped James Mallios , owner of Greek restaurant Amali in midtown and Bar Marseilles in the Rockaways .
“ It ’ s not like it ’ s last call and they can stay .
It puts us in a weird position , like parents telling kids to hurry up and finish their dessert.
” Mallio , who also saw sales decline by 30 percent over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on waiters , busboys , chefs and other kitchen workers .
“ My guys are freaking out .
They have kids to feed .
It ’ s the first thing we thought of when the curfew was announced , ” Mallios said , adding that he might introduce a rolling furlough , and that some restaurant workers may be better off on unemployment .
“ If restaurants shut down altogether , the unemployment insurance system may crash again , so people might be better off filing now .
The last time people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks .
”

If you thought restaurateurs were unhappy about New York’s 10 p.m. dining curfew, you should see their customers.
Big Apple eatery owners say revenues dropped by roughly 30 percent over the weekend as they were forced to comply with the governor’s latest efforts to rein in rising coronavirus cases.
Adding to their misery — they’ve been turned into bouncers who are forced to kick customers out at 10 p.m. on the dot or risk onerous $10,000 fines. It’s been challenging, they say, to have to remind New Yorkers that the city that never sleeps now winds down just as the 10 o’clock news is getting started.
“It’s not easy to get people to leave,” said Erin Bellard, owner of e’s BAR on the Upper West Side. “We tell them they have to leave by 10 p.m. but it’s definitely awkward. There’s always a couple of people who push back. We try to be hospitable but it’s like we are herding people out — we just can’t risk a $10,000 fine. We are struggling to stay afloat.”
“It’s not easy to get people to leave … there’s always a couple of people who push back.” — Erin Bellard, owner of e’s BAR
In order to cope with the changes, e’s BAR plans to start opening earlier on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for brunch. But she also frets whether it will work for an eatery that caters to late-night crowds seeking “lots of burgers and beer and first dates.”
“That’s a big loss for us,” said Bellard, who was previously full around 10 p.m. with 27 people inside and another 27 people outside.
Prior to the 10 p.m. curfew, restaurants had been permitted to stay open outdoors until 11 p.m. and indoors until midnight. They were also allowed to let customers linger a half-hour or so to finish their meals and pay the bills.
The curfew comes with a hard deadline that’s forcing restaurants to shutter their kitchen as early as 9 p.m. or 9:30, squeezing even the 8 p.m. dinner hour and crushing workers’ pay.
“Now our last reservation is at 8 p.m.,” said Garry Kanfer, owner of Japanese eatery Kissaki on Bowery. “At 9:45 p.m., the check drops and they are out by 10 p.m. People are leaving but they’re upset, even though they know it’s not our fault. One diner called to tell me his party would have ordered more food, but there wasn’t enough time.”
Kanfer’s Kissaki, which has outposts on the Upper West Side and in Long Island City, suffered a 30 percent loss in revenue over the weekend — as did Tao Group, which is now taking reservations no later than 8:30 p.m.
“We are getting killed,” said Noah Tepperburg, co-founder of the Tao Group, which owns Tao and Lavo restaurants. “They are just hurting people who are already hurting, throwing out a curfew without giving anyone time to prepare.”
“Our staff were coming in from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Now they’re working 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” Tepperburg added.
Cuomo’s curfew kicked off Nov. 13 and applies to all restaurants with a waitstaff, establishments that serve alcohol and fitness centers. It was aimed to curb gatherings in establishments that have proven to be COVID hot spots as cases rise.
Still, restaurateurs argue that limiting their hours only squeezes more people into indoor spaces instead of spreading them out. They also take issue with the governor’s reasoning that the curfew would help New York avoid spillover from neighboring states that have enacted their own 10 p.m. deadlines.
“It puts us in a weird position, like parents telling kids to hurry up and finish their dessert.” — James Mallios, owner of Greek restaurant Amali
“I heard scuttlebutt about matching New Jersey and Connecticut because of interstate travel for dining, which seems tenuous, but sure, I guess it’s possible in hot spots like Bedford, New York? People running from Darien, Connecticut, to Bedford to eat an hour later?” quipped James Mallios, owner of Greek restaurant Amali in Midtown and Bar Marseille in the Rockaways.
“It’s not like it’s last call and they can stay. It puts us in a weird position, like parents telling kids to hurry up and finish their dessert.”
Mallios, who also saw sales decline by 30 percent over the weekend, notes that the biggest impact will be on waiters, busboys, chefs and other kitchen workers.
“My guys are freaking out. They have kids to feed. It’s the first thing we thought of when the curfew was announced,” Mallios said, adding that he might introduce a rolling furlough, and that some restaurant workers may be better off on unemployment. “If restaurants shut down altogether, the unemployment insurance system may crash again, so people might be better off filing now. The last time, people waited up to three months for their checks.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Antonio Brown allegedly destroyed security camera in wild temper tantrum

Are you ready for Antonio Brown again , NFL fans ?
Didn ’ t ...

Antonio Brown just can’t stay out of trouble.
In his latest incident off the field, the seven-time Pro Bowler and Buccaneers wide receiver in October was accused by his Florida gated community of destroying a security camera and throwing his bicycle at the security gate arm after being asked to come down to the gate so he could escort a guest inside, the Miami Herald reported Monday.
That request did not sit well with Brown, who in the midst of his temper tantrum yelled at the security guard, “Why are you wasting my f—ing time, you need to let my guest through the f—ing gate,” according to police report.
But Brown, already under probation for a prior arrest, avoided having criminal mischief charges pressed against him by the luxury development where he owns a $6.6 million mansion, because the president of the Hollywood Oaks homeowners association feared the 32-year-old “may retaliate against her employees,” she told police.
Sylvia Berman, the HOA president, later downplayed the incident in an interview with the newspaper. She said the board thought the incident was too minor to press charges and that Brown, who earlier had been fined for undisclosed rule violations within the community, agreed to replace the broken camera.
Berman then defended what she called Brown’s “emotional” reaction to being called down to the gate and called him a “hero” for having seven receptions and 69 yards during Sunday’s 46-23 win over Carolina.
The case was eventually cleared by Hollywood police on Nov. 5, less than two weeks after Brown signed a one-year contract carrying a $750,000 base salary with Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers said in a statement that they were aware of the incident before signing Brown as he neared the end of an eight-week suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
“When Antonio joined us, we were clear about what we expected and required of him,” the team said. “Thus far, he has met all the expectations we have in place.”
Brown appears to have left the gated community for now, as it was previously reported that he moved in with Tom Brady in the future Hall of Famer’s $7.7 million Tampa Bay-area mansion that is being rented from Derek Jeter.
It is unclear whether this incident would violate the terms of Brown’s two-year probational plea deal, which he agreed upon after being was arrested in January after physically attacking a moving truck driver outside his 12-bedroom mansion over a $4,000 fee.
Brown pleaded no contest to burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief following that incident. As part of the plea deal, he was required to attend a 13-week anger management course and undergo mandatory psychological evaluation.
One of the most gifted wide receivers over the past decade, Brown’s career has been derailed by run-ins with the law as well as teams he has played for.
The Steelers traded a disgruntled Brown to the Raiders in 2019 after the two sides failed to reach a contract extension, but Brown was released after repeatedly feuding with Oakland. He later signed with the Patriots and then was released again after one game because he was accused by his former trainer and college classmate of sexual assault and rape.
Brown denied the accusations, which led to a civil suit that is set for trial in December. Another woman accused Brown of sending her threatening text messages after Sports Illustrated reported that Brown made unwanted sexual advances on her as she painted a mural in one of his homes.
Prior to these incidents, in 2018, Brown was sued after throwing furniture off a 14th floor balcony in a fit of rage, nearly hitting a toddler, according to a lawsuit. He later said that suit was resolved.


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--‘Fargo’ Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: Reap the Whirlwind

So there are a few things I have questions about .
I ’ m not sure why Fargo Season 4 Episode 9 was shot in black and white .
I mean , I get the Wizard of Oz reference—by the end of the episode , with its Kansas setting and its adorable dog and its shift to color and its vicious twister , it ’ s impossible not to—but that only raises the further question of why make reference to The Wizard of Oz at all .
Not that I ’ m complaining about the black and white !
Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself Fargo director elsewhere in the season , make it seem stark and intimidating .
But I have questions .
I ’ m not sure why this episode changes the font of Fargo ‘ s infamous “ This is a true story ” legend , which begins each episode , from sans serif typeface to scribbled handwriting .
I ’ m not sure why it begins with an epigraph ( “ Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim ” —Bertrand Russell ) when none of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure why it eschews the monologue-heavy style of speech all the characters have previously reverted to when confronting one another , unless it ’ s to suit the spare , black-and-white imagery .
Actually , strike that , yeah , I ’ m pretty sure about that one .
I ’ m not sure why it reintroduces the concept of The History of True Crime in the Midwest , the fictional book from which the stories told by the Fargo television show are ostensibly drawn .
I ’ m not sure why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or rather a torn-out page from the book , is…the thing that happens in this episode , rather than the thing that ’ s been happening in all the other episode .
Particularly if you look closely at the fine print , which begins “ Two African Americans , two Italians , and an Irishman walk into an outlying gas station , ” you ’ d know that the titular mystery , “ Who Shot Willy Bupor ?
” , shouldn ’ t be particularly mysterious , given the identities of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , one of the African Americans ( one-eyed Omie Sparkman ) , and the Irishman ( sad-eyed Rabbi Milligan ) , all of whom have been busy little beavers in the gang war back in Kansas City all season long .
And I ’ m definitely not sure why the book , and this chapter in it , are found in what appears to be the wreckage of the very service station at which Willy Bupor was shot , destroyed that same day .
Maybe the aliens from Season Two warped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe—probably—I ’ m wrong and it ’ s a different wrecked building , from a different time .
Beats me .
Let ’ s say you ’ re a child who ’ s been sent by his father to live with his father ’ s enemies .
You ’ ve been raised during that time by an Irish guy with a Jewish nickname who himself lives with Italians , having been traded similarly not once but twice .
The one constant in your life during this time has been the Irishman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he will pack up and go , and that if he leaves and never returns he ’ s either dead or in jail .
The Irishman takes you to the middle of nowhere , specifically the preposterously named Liberal , Kansas ( with the still more preposterous slogan “ PANCAKE HUB OF THE UNIVERSE , ” right beneath a population figure of 408 ) .
He moves you into a hotel where the elderly owners , a pair of sisters , have divided everything in half because they can ’ t stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other the satisfaction of selling their share and moving on .
Everyone there is either overly friendly , salesmen and young men on the make and whatnot , or overtly racist .
There ’ s a veteran of the massacre at Wounded Knee—on the white side , not the victims ’ —and his niece , who is decades younger and doesn ’ t call him uncle .
There ’ s a reverend and his mother , whom you spot folding an American flag into a memorial triangle .
There are the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s a man wrapped in bandages with an elaborate system of tubes attached to him , attended to by a teenage assistant in mad-scientist goggles .
Outside of town there ’ s a billboard that simply reads “ THE FUTURE IS , ” which drives the Irishman to distraction .
You pass it on your way back into town , where you are nearly shot by a policeman for the crime of sitting with the dog you found in the armoire in your room—did I not mention the dog in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat of a parked car , until the Irishman intervenes .
( The Irishman , at that point , has his own problems in the form of a hapless pair of brothers who found and spent most of his stashed-away fortune , not having any idea whose it was or how to return it even if they ’ d wanted to . )
Also , it ’ s your birthday , and no one remembered .
You mention it to the Irishman , and suddenly he disappears .
He ’ s gone looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a present , though you have no way of knowing that .
If he ’ d told you , well , that would have spoiled the surprise .
Eventually you realize he ’ s not coming back , and he ’ s drilled what that means into you over the course of months and years .
So you take your dog and you go for a walk down the road , past a set of ruins that wasn ’ t there before .
You arrive in front of the billboard , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOW .
For you , I suppose , it is .
You ’ d have questions too , wouldn ’ t you ?
Deliberately disorienting and strange , the better to mimic the world in which Satchel Cannon now finds himself alone , this episode of ( “ East/West ” ) is by far the season ’ s best .
Coming as it does after the bloodbath of Episode 8 , it relies less on sheer body count for its power than on the mysteries described above—the meta mysteries of why the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-world mysteries of Satchel and Rabbi ’ s fellow guests at the Barton Arms hotel ( it hardly needs to be said that this is a reference to , which is itself set largely in a strange hotel ) , and the general feeling that some horrible future awaits .
That future manifests itself in the tornado that strikes the service station where Sparkman , Calamita , and Milligan have their final shootout—before Calamita guns Sparkman down , before he ’ s pulled into the vortex , and before Milligan is drawn in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from The History of True Crime in the Midwest that we see , it seems likely that Milligan ’ s body , along with that of Calamita and Sparkman and the foot soldier Sparkman abducted and the owner of the service station himself , will at some point be recovered and identified .
( If so , “ Who Shot Willy Bupor ?
” is less about tracking down an unknown assailant and more about trying to figure out which of the gangsters present at his station actually did the deed . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the event that killed them is a shot of the Rabbi struggling against the wind that suddenly goes still , allowing you to think perhaps he ’ ll weather the storm , before he begins to spin and , in an instant , gets blown away , his future along with him .
Sean T. Collins ( @ theseantcollins ) writes about TV for Rolling Stone , Vulture , The New York Times , and anyplace that will have him , really .
He and his family live on Long Island .

So there are a few things I have questions about.
I’m not sure why Fargo Season 4 Episode 9 was shot in black and white. I mean, I get the Wizard of Oz reference—by the end of the episode, with its Kansas setting and its adorable dog and its shift to color and its vicious twister, it’s impossible not to—but that only raises the further question of why make reference to The Wizard of Oz at all. Not that I’m complaining about the black and white! Director Mike Uppendahl and cinematographer Dana Gonzales, himself a Fargo director elsewhere in the season, make it seem stark and intimidating. But I have questions.
I’m not sure why this episode changes the font of Fargo‘s infamous “This is a true story” legend, which begins each episode, from sans serif typeface to scribbled handwriting.
I’m not sure why it begins with an epigraph (“Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim” —Bertrand Russell) when none of the others have.
I’m not sure why it eschews the monologue-heavy style of speech all the characters have previously reverted to when confronting one another, unless it’s to suit the spare, black-and-white imagery. Actually, strike that, yeah, I’m pretty sure about that one.
I’m not sure why it reintroduces the concept of The History of True Crime in the Midwest, the fictional book from which the stories told by the Fargo television show are ostensibly drawn. I’m not sure why the story we see referenced in the book, or rather a torn-out page from the book, is…the thing that happens in this episode, rather than the thing that’s been happening in all the other episode. Particularly if you look closely at the fine print, which begins “Two African Americans, two Italians, and an Irishman walk into an outlying gas station,” you’d know that the titular mystery, “Who Shot Willy Bupor?”, shouldn’t be particularly mysterious, given the identities of one of the Italians (skeletal Constant Calamita), one of the African Americans (one-eyed Omie Sparkman), and the Irishman (sad-eyed Rabbi Milligan), all of whom have been busy little beavers in the gang war back in Kansas City all season long.
And I’m definitely not sure why the book, and this chapter in it, are found in what appears to be the wreckage of the very service station at which Willy Bupor was shot, destroyed that same day. Maybe the aliens from Season Two warped the spacetime continuum to make it so. Maybe—probably—I’m wrong and it’s a different wrecked building, from a different time. Beats me.
But.
Let’s say you’re a child who’s been sent by his father to live with his father’s enemies. You’ve been raised during that time by an Irish guy with a Jewish nickname who himself lives with Italians, having been traded similarly not once but twice. The one constant in your life during this time has been the Irishman’s warning that when the shooting starts you and he will pack up and go, and that if he leaves and never returns he’s either dead or in jail.
The Irishman takes you to the middle of nowhere, specifically the preposterously named Liberal, Kansas (with the still more preposterous slogan “PANCAKE HUB OF THE UNIVERSE,” right beneath a population figure of 408). He moves you into a hotel where the elderly owners, a pair of sisters, have divided everything in half because they can’t stand each other but won’t give each other the satisfaction of selling their share and moving on.
Everyone there is either overly friendly, salesmen and young men on the make and whatnot, or overtly racist. There’s a veteran of the massacre at Wounded Knee—on the white side, not the victims’—and his niece, who is decades younger and doesn’t call him uncle. There’s a reverend and his mother, whom you spot folding an American flag into a memorial triangle. There are the two sisters, who argue using ear trumpets. There’s a man wrapped in bandages with an elaborate system of tubes attached to him, attended to by a teenage assistant in mad-scientist goggles.
Outside of town there’s a billboard that simply reads “THE FUTURE IS,” which drives the Irishman to distraction. You pass it on your way back into town, where you are nearly shot by a policeman for the crime of sitting with the dog you found in the armoire in your room—did I not mention the dog in the armoire in the room—in the passenger seat of a parked car, until the Irishman intervenes. (The Irishman, at that point, has his own problems in the form of a hapless pair of brothers who found and spent most of his stashed-away fortune, not having any idea whose it was or how to return it even if they’d wanted to.)
Also, it’s your birthday, and no one remembered. You mention it to the Irishman, and suddenly he disappears. He’s gone looking for a candy bar to give you as a present, though you have no way of knowing that. If he’d told you, well, that would have spoiled the surprise.
Eventually you realize he’s not coming back, and he’s drilled what that means into you over the course of months and years. So you take your dog and you go for a walk down the road, past a set of ruins that wasn’t there before. You arrive in front of the billboard, which, completed, reads THE FUTURE IS NOW. For you, I suppose, it is.
You’d have questions too, wouldn’t you?
Deliberately disorienting and strange, the better to mimic the world in which Satchel Cannon now finds himself alone, this episode of Fargo (“East/West”) is by far the season’s best. Coming as it does after the bloodbath of Episode 8, it relies less on sheer body count for its power than on the mysteries described above—the meta mysteries of why the show uses the techniques it does, the in-world mysteries of Satchel and Rabbi’s fellow guests at the Barton Arms hotel (it hardly needs to be said that this is a reference to Barton Fink, which is itself set largely in a strange hotel), and the general feeling that some horrible future awaits. That future manifests itself in the tornado that strikes the service station where Sparkman, Calamita, and Milligan have their final shootout—before Calamita guns Sparkman down, before he’s pulled into the vortex, and before Milligan is drawn in after him.
Based on the chapter from The History of True Crime in the Midwest that we see, it seems likely that Milligan’s body, along with that of Calamita and Sparkman and the foot soldier Sparkman abducted and the owner of the service station himself, will at some point be recovered and identified. (If so, “Who Shot Willy Bupor?” is less about tracking down an unknown assailant and more about trying to figure out which of the gangsters present at his station actually did the deed.) But for now, my lingering memory of the event that killed them is a shot of the Rabbi struggling against the wind that suddenly goes still, allowing you to think perhaps he’ll weather the storm, before he begins to spin and, in an instant, gets blown away, his future along with him.
Sean T. Collins (@theseantcollins) writes about TV for Rolling Stone, Vulture, The New York Times, and anyplace that will have him, really. He and his family live on Long Island.
Watch Fargo Season 4 Episode 9 ("East/West") on Hulu


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Michael Avenatti’s Nike extortion sentencing delayed to 2021

A federal judge Monday pushed back disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti ’ s sentencing for trying to shakedown nearly $ 25 million from Nike due to the spike in COVID-19 infections .
It marked the fourth sentencing adjournment in the case — and was granted over the objection of Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky , who said a number of in-person proceedings had been safely conducted in Manhattan federal court .
U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe ’ s one-page order delayed the sentencing currently scheduled for Dec. 9 to Feb. 17 , 2021 .
Avenatti faces up to 42 years behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been riding out the pandemic in home confinement in Venice , California , had argued that cumbersome coronavirus protocols made it difficult to travel to New York .
Avenatti , who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in a failed suit against President Trump , faces three more trials on both coasts .
Manhattan prosecutors plan to try him next year for allegedly ripping off $ 300,000 from Daniels , who claims to have had a pre-White House affair with Trump .
He also has two upcoming trials in California for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank and tax fraud .

A federal judge Monday pushed back disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti’s sentencing for trying to shakedown nearly $25 million from Nike due to the spike in COVID-19 infections.
It marked the fourth sentencing adjournment in the case — and was granted over the objection of Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky, who said a number of in-person proceedings had been safely conducted in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe’s one-page order delayed the sentencing currently scheduled for Dec. 9 to Feb. 17, 2021. Avenatti faces up to 42 years behind bars.
Lawyers for the embattled attorney, who has been riding out the pandemic in home confinement in Venice, California, had argued that cumbersome coronavirus protocols made it difficult to travel to New York.
Avenatti, who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in a failed suit against President Trump, faces three more trials on both coasts.
Manhattan prosecutors plan to try him next year for allegedly ripping off $300,000 from Daniels, who claims to have had a pre-White House affair with Trump. He also has two upcoming trials in California for allegedly stealing from other clients and committing bank and tax fraud.


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Andy Cohen to Host, Executive Produce ‘For Real: The Story of Reality TV’

Andy Cohen is adding another TV hosting gig to his resume , this time at the E !
network .
Cohen will lead For Real : The Story of Reality TV , E !
announced today .
The series , which will look back on shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians , The Bachelorette , and The Real Housewives , “ will rewind the clock and revisit some of the most iconic reality television moments that have undoubtedly shaped the world we live in today and share the inside scoop from the icons who lived it , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Story of Reality TV will premiere in 2021 and will include seven episodes .
In each one , Cohen will focus on a theme or moment from reality TV .
And he ’ ll have help too , bringing in some industry insiders as well as big names in the reality world .
“ I ’ m thrilled to look back at the shows that formed my love for reality TV , and interview the icons of the genre , ” Cohen , who will also executive produce For Real , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series is like great candy !
” “ A reality connoisseur in his own right , Andy takes viewers on a deep and captivating journey into a genre that ’ s forever captivated audiences and impacted pop culture , ” added Rachel Smith , Executive Vice President , Development , Bravo and E !
.
“ At a time where the world is constantly changing , For Real : The Story of Reality TV offers the perfect escape we all need ; an opportunity to sit back , relax and submerge into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Here ’ s what else you may have missed today : Judd Apatow is developing his next project for Netflix , Deadline reports .
The comedian behind hits like Superbad and 40 Year Old Virgin is teaming up with the streamer for a movie for the first time , working on an untitled film that “ follows a group of actors and actresses stuck inside a pandemic bubble at a hotel attempting to complete a film.
” Apatow is collaborating with South Park ‘ s Pam Brady on the script , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Michael Bay ’ s Songbird is heading to VOD , Variety reports .
The coronavirus thriller , which takes place in the future with a more deadly mutation of the virus , stars KJ Apa as an immune courier who falls in love with an artist ( Sofia Carson ) who ’ s become infected with the virus .
Songbird made history as the first movie to film entirely during the pandemic , and now audiences can watch it from their homes .
Beginning Dec. 11 , Songbird will be available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
Kelsey Grammer and Alec Baldwin are getting their very own sitcom , The Wrap reports .
The two are set to star in an ABC series from Modern Family ‘ s Chris Lloyd and Vali Chandrasekaran .
According to the series description , the untitled comedy will follow “ three men who were roommates in their twenties until their warring egos drove them apart .
The trio reunites decades later for one more run at the lives they ’ ve always wanted.
” Grammer and Baldwin have already been cast as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third has yet to be announced .
Wonder Girl is coming to The CW !
Variety reports that Greg Berlanti is bringing another DC series to the network , developing a Wonder Girl series based on characters created by Joëlle Jones .
The new series will follow Yara Flor , the new Wonder Woman .
The character is described as “ a Latina Dreamer who was born of an Amazonian Warrior and a Brazilian River God , learns that she is Wonder Girl .
With her newfound power must fight the evil forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Wonder Girl is in its very beginnings , but it ’ s already making history — if it debuts on The CW , the series will mark the first time a Latina superhero is the lead of a DC TV series .

Andy Cohen is adding another TV hosting gig to his resume, this time at the E! network. Cohen will lead For Real: The Story of Reality TV, E! announced today. The series, which will look back on shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Bachelorette, and The Real Housewives, “will rewind the clock and revisit some of the most iconic reality television moments that have undoubtedly shaped the world we live in today and share the inside scoop from the icons who lived it,” according to its official description.
For Real: The Story of Reality TV will premiere in 2021 and will include seven episodes. In each one, Cohen will focus on a theme or moment from reality TV. And he’ll have help too, bringing in some industry insiders as well as big names in the reality world. “I’m thrilled to look back at the shows that formed my love for reality TV, and interview the icons of the genre,” Cohen, who will also executive produce For Real, said in a statement. “This series is like great candy!”
“A reality connoisseur in his own right, Andy takes viewers on a deep and captivating journey into a genre that’s forever captivated audiences and impacted pop culture,” added Rachel Smith, Executive Vice President, Development, Bravo and E!. “At a time where the world is constantly changing, For Real: The Story of Reality TV offers the perfect escape we all need; an opportunity to sit back, relax and submerge into a world that’s captured so many.”
Here’s what else you may have missed today:
Judd Apatow is developing his next project for Netflix, Deadline reports. The comedian behind hits like Superbad and 40 Year Old Virgin is teaming up with the streamer for a movie for the first time, working on an untitled film that “follows a group of actors and actresses stuck inside a pandemic bubble at a hotel attempting to complete a film.” Apatow is collaborating with South Park‘s Pam Brady on the script, and Barry Mendel will serve as executive producer.
Michael Bay’s Songbird is heading to VOD, Variety reports. The coronavirus thriller, which takes place in the future with a more deadly mutation of the virus, stars KJ Apa as an immune courier who falls in love with an artist (Sofia Carson) who’s become infected with the virus. Songbird made history as the first movie to film entirely during the pandemic, and now audiences can watch it from their homes. Beginning Dec. 11, Songbird will be available to rent for $19.99 for a 48-hour period.
Kelsey Grammer and Alec Baldwin are getting their very own sitcom, The Wrap reports. The two are set to star in an ABC series from Modern Family‘s Chris Lloyd and Vali Chandrasekaran. According to the series description, the untitled comedy will follow “three men who were roommates in their twenties until their warring egos drove them apart. The trio reunites decades later for one more run at the lives they’ve always wanted.” Grammer and Baldwin have already been cast as two of the roommates, and the third has yet to be announced.
Wonder Girl is coming to The CW! Variety reports that Greg Berlanti is bringing another DC series to the network, developing a Wonder Girl series based on characters created by Joëlle Jones. The new series will follow Yara Flor, the new Wonder Woman. The character is described as “a Latina Dreamer who was born of an Amazonian Warrior and a Brazilian River God, learns that she is Wonder Girl. With her newfound power must fight the evil forces that would seek to destroy the world.” Wonder Girl is in its very beginnings, but it’s already making history — if it debuts on The CW, the series will mark the first time a Latina superhero is the lead of a DC TV series.


newyorkpost--2020-11-16--Jeff Ross sues woman who went public with underage relationship claim

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Comedian Jeff Ross has launched a defamation suit against a woman accusing him of having a relationship with her in the late 1990s when she was underage .
According to the papers , filed in New York on Monday and obtained by Page Six , Ross , 55 , admits he knew Jessica Radtke from a New York comedy club .
He describes a consensual relationship with her that took place in 2002 when she was of legal age .
Ross ’ filing paints Radtke ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a minor — outlined in August in a piece by Vulture — as “ completely false.
” ( Vulture is named in the filing , which says the outlet “ failed to properly vet Radtke or the veracity of her outrageous and bizarre accusations.
” ) The suit claims Radtke has been attempting to discredit Ross since 2017 , and that the story of their relationship chronicled since late 2019 on a Facebook page Radtke started , “ Iwas15hewas33 , ” is an outgrowth of that campaign .
Ross says Radtke “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ross ’ s ‘ date ’ at a number of high-profile public events , including celebrity roasts , that were attended by thousands of people , ” adding , “ to make her false allegations as salacious as possible , Radtke also falsely accused Ross of frequently having unprotected sex with her while she was underage and claimed Ross proposed to marry her.
” The filing suggests that Ross has multiple witnesses who corroborate he did not start dating Radtke until she was 18 .
Echoing his initial statement on the accusations from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ Radtke is a habitual accuser who has lied about criminal conduct on multiple occasions .
Indeed , Radtke has repeatedly falsely accused her family members and others of crimes.
” Ross is seeking a gag injunction against “ Radtke and/or her agents , employees , and those acting in concert with her , ” damages and court costs .

Comedian Jeff Ross has launched a defamation suit against a woman accusing him of having a relationship with her in the late 1990s when she was underage.
According to the papers, filed in New York on Monday and obtained by Page Six, Ross, 55, admits he knew Jessica Radtke from a New York comedy club. He describes a consensual relationship with her that took place in 2002 when she was of legal age.
Ross’ filing paints Radtke’s accusations of his sexual relationship when she was a minor — outlined in August in a piece by Vulture — as “completely false.” (Vulture is named in the filing, which says the outlet “failed to properly vet Radtke or the veracity of her outrageous and bizarre accusations.”)
The suit claims Radtke has been attempting to discredit Ross since 2017, and that the story of their relationship chronicled since late 2019 on a Facebook page Radtke started, “Iwas15hewas33,” is an outgrowth of that campaign.
Ross says Radtke “made the preposterous claim that she was Ross’s ‘date’ at a number of high-profile public events, including celebrity roasts, that were attended by thousands of people,” adding, “to make her false allegations as salacious as possible, Radtke also falsely accused Ross of frequently having unprotected sex with her while she was underage and claimed Ross proposed to marry her.”
The filing suggests that Ross has multiple witnesses who corroborate he did not start dating Radtke until she was 18.
Echoing his initial statement on the accusations from June, Ross says in the suit that “Radtke is a habitual accuser who has lied about criminal conduct on multiple occasions. Indeed, Radtke has repeatedly falsely accused her family members and others of crimes.”
Ross is seeking a gag injunction against “Radtke and/or her agents, employees, and those acting in concert with her,” damages and court costs.


newyorkpost--2020-11-17--Stocks slide after Wall Street’s record-setting COVID-19 vaccine rally

The Dow surged to close at an all-time high — ...

US stocks tumbled Tuesday as Wall Street retraced some of the prior day’s record-setting rally that was fueled by hopes for a coronavirus vaccine.
The Dow Jones industrial average dropped as much as 430.15 points, or 1.4 percent, nearly erasing the 470-point gain it posted Monday on news that Moderna’s COVID-19 shot was nearly 95 percent effective. By the session’s end, the blue-chip index pared the losses to 167.09 points, or about 0.6 percent, to close at 29,783.35.
The benchmark S&P 500 fell 0.5 percent a day after closing at an all-time high alongside the Dow. The tech-heavy Nasdaq also slipped 0.2 percent in a choppy session.
“The market had a tremendous move and you always expect digesting of the gains. That’s the market’s job,” Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial, told The Post.
Adding to Wall Street’s cautious mood was a disappointing US Census Bureau report that showed retail sales increasing just 0.3 percent in October, down from a 1.6 percent jump in September and below economists’ expectations for a 0.5 percent rise.
The Dow was also dragged down by pharmacy giant Walgreens, whose stock price tumbled as much as 10 percent after Amazon announced a prescription delivery service. The news also hammered shares in CVS Health and Rite Aid.
Moderna’s breakthrough vaccine announcement came just a week after Pfizer revealed that its shot was more than 90 percent effective, boosting optimism that an inoculation could soon help the global economy recover from the deadly pandemic. The two drugmakers expect to have millions of doses ready by the end of the year.
But the timeline for distributing the shots remains uncertain amid a massive surge in coronavirus infections that’s led to renewed restrictions in parts of the US and Europe.
“The uncertainty about how long those lockdowns could last is prompting some investors to remain on the sidelines,” said Milan Cutkovic, market analyst at Axi. “Nevertheless, chances of a strong year-end rally are solid.”
Investors will now be watching whether the Food and Drug Administration clears the vaccines for emergency use, according to Krosby. Moderna and Pfizer expect to apply for that clearance in the coming weeks.
“That’s the kind of news that then takes you ever closer to the other side of the pandemic — albeit it will be a long time before we get to that,” Krosby said.