newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Passenger flying into US from Vietnam caught with ‘prohibited pork’ stashed in noodle cups

Agents from US Customs and Border Protection confiscated more than two pounds of prohibited pork products that an airline passenger @ @ @ @ @ cups of noodles at a Washington DC-area airport , authorities said Wednesday .
The passenger @ @ @ @ @ screening at Dulles Airport on Jan. 28 and told border agents that he had cup @ @ @ @ @ US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement .
Agents then determined that the @ @ @ @ @ of noodles had been opened , emptied , and stuffed with illegal pork sausage .
@ @ @ @ @ headed to a location in Montgomery County Maryland , had a total of more than @ @ @ @ @ him , authorities said .
A day prior at Dulles Airport , agents seized a @ @ @ @ @ a passenger also headed to Maryland .
The passenger said the birds were cat food @ @ @ @ @ allowed into the United States out of fear they may spread avian flu , US @ @ @

Agents from US Customs and Border Protection confiscated more than two pounds of prohibited pork products that an airline passenger from Vietnam had hidden in cups of noodles at a Washington DC-area airport, authorities said Wednesday.
The passenger was stopped for a second screening at Dulles Airport on Jan. 28 and told border agents that he had cup noodles in his luggage, US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.
Agents then determined that the lids on all 25 cups of noodles had been opened, emptied, and stuffed with illegal pork sausage.
The passenger, who was headed to a location in Montgomery County Maryland, had a total of more than two pounds of sausage with him, authorities said.
A day prior at Dulles Airport, agents seized a bag of dead birds from a passenger also headed to Maryland.
The passenger said the birds were cat food, but they were not allowed into the United States out of fear they may spread avian flu, US Customs said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Nets use smaller big man Wilson Chandler to close out Raptors

For the third straight game , Jarrett Allen didn ’ t play a single second in the fourth quarter .
But this time it wasn ’ t DeAndre Jordan going the whole way in crunch time : It was stretch-4 Wilson Chandler playing the final four minutes as a small-ball 5 .
“ I thought it was great .
We ’ re going to finish the game small sometimes and it was his turn to help win a game for us , ” Jordan said of Chandler after the Nets ’ impressive 101-91 win over the Raptors on Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong guy he ’ s able to box out and guard bigger guys but also quick enough to guard smaller guys too.
” Chandler played the final 4:29 in the fourth quarter at center , battling with Serge Ibaka .
For the night he finished with eight points and six rebounds in 26:57 .
“ I think we ’ re starting to understand what that physicality means against the top teams , especially in the fourth quarter , ” Kenny Atkinson said .
“ The veterans in this league , the Wilson Chandlers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temples , they understand what it takes.
” Caris LeVert had 20 points , seven rebounds , four assists and a season-high four steals .
The steals also matched a Nets season high .
In his last five games since being reinserted into the starting lineup , LeVert is averaging 24 points and 5.2 assists .
But he did have five turnovers , something Atkinson wants him to cut down .
“ He ’ s still got to work on his decision-making , ” Atkinson said .
Spencer Dinwiddie posted 17 points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his last three games , he ’ s averaged 19.7 points , 10.3 assists and six boards .
He has just three turnovers total .
Kyrie Irving missed Wednesday ’ s win over Toronto , his fifth straight , with a knee injury .
And Atkinson wouldn ’ t commit to Irving suiting up in their first game after the All-Star break , Feb. 20 in Philadelphia .
“ We ’ ll wait until we come back to make that decision [ when he ’ ll play ] .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to go out and say something that I ’ d regret later , ” Atkinson said .
“ There ’ s a lot of days in between and we ’ ll see .
When we get back , those first couple practices will determine where he is.
” Nothing can be taken for granted regarding the health of Irving , who missed his 33rd game of the season versus the defending champs .

For the third straight game, Jarrett Allen didn’t play a single second in the fourth quarter. But this time it wasn’t DeAndre Jordan going the whole way in crunch time: It was stretch-4 Wilson Chandler playing the final four minutes as a small-ball 5.
“I thought it was great. We’re going to finish the game small sometimes and it was his turn to help win a game for us,” Jordan said of Chandler after the Nets’ impressive 101-91 win over the Raptors on Wednesday night. “He’s such a strong guy he’s able to box out and guard bigger guys but also quick enough to guard smaller guys too.”
Chandler played the final 4:29 in the fourth quarter at center, battling with Serge Ibaka. For the night he finished with eight points and six rebounds in 26:57.
“I think we’re starting to understand what that physicality means against the top teams, especially in the fourth quarter,” Kenny Atkinson said. “The veterans in this league, the Wilson Chandlers, the DeAndre Jordans, the Garrett Temples, they understand what it takes.”
Caris LeVert had 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a season-high four steals. The steals also matched a Nets season high.
In his last five games since being reinserted into the starting lineup, LeVert is averaging 24 points and 5.2 assists. But he did have five turnovers, something Atkinson wants him to cut down.
“He’s still got to work on his decision-making,” Atkinson said.
Spencer Dinwiddie posted 17 points, six boards and a team-high nine assists. In his last three games, he’s averaged 19.7 points, 10.3 assists and six boards. He has just three turnovers total.
Kyrie Irving missed Wednesday’s win over Toronto, his fifth straight, with a knee injury. And Atkinson wouldn’t commit to Irving suiting up in their first game after the All-Star break, Feb. 20 in Philadelphia.
“We’ll wait until we come back to make that decision [when he’ll play]. There’s a lot of days and I don’t want to go out and say something that I’d regret later,” Atkinson said. “There’s a lot of days in between and we’ll see. When we get back, those first couple practices will determine where he is.”
Nothing can be taken for granted regarding the health of Irving, who missed his 33rd game of the season versus the defending champs.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ movie review: Jim Carrey is back in peak form

The last time we saw Jim Carrey on the big screen was in 2016 ’ s “ Dark Crimes , ” a disgusting drama that was partly set in a fetishistic Polish brothel where prostitutes were beaten for fun .
That dreck seemed to be the end of an era ; the collective obituary for Ace Ventura , Truman , the Cable Guy , Bruce Almighty and the rest of Carrey ’ s classic characters .
But an alien hedgehog has come to the rescue .
Carrey is back in peak comedic form playing the villainous Dr. Robotnik in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new family film based on the old Sega video game .
If the title makes you wince , know the movie is a lot better than it deserves to be .
You ’ ll actually care about what happens to the prickly blue dude , even if you never cared about getting to zone seven .
Sonic ( voiced by Ben Schwartz ) , a spunky extraterrestrial who can run at superspeed and emit electricity , has been hiding out from baddies on his home planet in idyllic Green Hills , Mont .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth also has its fair share of evildoers , and when Sonic accidentally causes a blackout across the Pacific Northwest , one comes looking for him : Robotnik .
Carrey ’ s mad scientist is a mustachioed , wily , anti-social genius who tries to outsmart Sonic with an army of drones and other modern tech .
The actor brings back many of his best quirks : that booming laugh , superfast talking , eyebrow acrobatics .
Robotnik deserves a spinoff .
Sonic evades the crackpot with some help from the local sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who takes him on a road trip to find his missing bag of gold teleportation rings .
“ Sonic the Hedgehog ” is very much in conversation with “ Pokémon : Detective Pikachu , ” which is a sentence Pauline Kael never had to write .
Both films take a cute , albeit flat , video game character , toss him in a buddy-cop story and coax out some surprising humanity .
For instance , Tom is about to take a job with the San Francisco PD to escape dull Green Hills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciation for small-town America .
That didn ’ t happen in the video game .
Director Jeff Fowler ’ s movie also takes full advantage of Sonic ’ s speediness for a number of solid jokes .
In one of the best scenes , the blue guy sprints to resourcefully win a trucker bar brawl .
However , some things still jabbed at me like a certain animal ’ s spines .
Considering Sonic is already a product , there is a preponderance of product placement here that goes beyond the usual Toyota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The film especially leans heavy on gags with tech brands , such as Uber and Apple , which don ’ t jibe with the character .
Why would a naive extraterrestrial hedgehog who innocently refers to the police chief as “ doughnut lord ” make a joke about Amazon using drones to deliver packages ?
It ’ s a kids movie , not “ Weekend Update.
” And , even after the much-publicized rejiggering of Sonic ’ s appearance after online backlash to the movie trailer , the whole movie retains a somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Disney World .
I ’ m not saying they should ’ ve made “ Mad Max , ” but more reality would ’ ve raised the stakes .
And the spikes .

Movie review Sonic the Hedgehog Running time: 99 minutes. Rated PG (action, some violence, rude humor).
The last time we saw Jim Carrey on the big screen was in 2016’s “Dark Crimes,” a disgusting drama that was partly set in a fetishistic Polish brothel where prostitutes were beaten for fun. That dreck seemed to be the end of an era; the collective obituary for Ace Ventura, Truman, the Cable Guy, Bruce Almighty and the rest of Carrey’s classic characters.
But an alien hedgehog has come to the rescue.
Carrey is back in peak comedic form playing the villainous Dr. Robotnik in “Sonic the Hedgehog,” a pleasant new family film based on the old Sega video game. If the title makes you wince, know the movie is a lot better than it deserves to be. You’ll actually care about what happens to the prickly blue dude, even if you never cared about getting to zone seven.
Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), a spunky extraterrestrial who can run at superspeed and emit electricity, has been hiding out from baddies on his home planet in idyllic Green Hills, Mont. But — have you heard? — Earth also has its fair share of evildoers, and when Sonic accidentally causes a blackout across the Pacific Northwest, one comes looking for him: Robotnik.
Carrey’s mad scientist is a mustachioed, wily, anti-social genius who tries to outsmart Sonic with an army of drones and other modern tech. The actor brings back many of his best quirks: that booming laugh, superfast talking, eyebrow acrobatics. Robotnik deserves a spinoff. Sonic evades the crackpot with some help from the local sheriff, Tom (James Marsden), who takes him on a road trip to find his missing bag of gold teleportation rings.
“Sonic the Hedgehog” is very much in conversation with “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,” which is a sentence Pauline Kael never had to write. Both films take a cute, albeit flat, video game character, toss him in a buddy-cop story and coax out some surprising humanity. For instance, Tom is about to take a job with the San Francisco PD to escape dull Green Hills, but clear-eyed Sonic gives him a renewed appreciation for small-town America. That didn’t happen in the video game.
Director Jeff Fowler’s movie also takes full advantage of Sonic’s speediness for a number of solid jokes. In one of the best scenes, the blue guy sprints to resourcefully win a trucker bar brawl.
However, some things still jabbed at me like a certain animal’s spines. Considering Sonic is already a product, there is a preponderance of product placement here that goes beyond the usual Toyota or carefully placed bottle of Champagne. The film especially leans heavy on gags with tech brands, such as Uber and Apple, which don’t jibe with the character. Why would a naive extraterrestrial hedgehog who innocently refers to the police chief as “doughnut lord” make a joke about Amazon using drones to deliver packages? It’s a kids movie, not “Weekend Update.”
And, even after the much-publicized rejiggering of Sonic’s appearance after online backlash to the movie trailer, the whole movie retains a somewhat twee look like Main Street, USA at Disney World. I’m not saying they should’ve made “Mad Max,” but more reality would’ve raised the stakes. And the spikes.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--California high school basketball game ends in ‘racist’ chant: ‘Where’s your passport?’

A California high school basketball game ended with students from one school erupting into a chant of “ Where ’ s your passport ?
” as the opposing team ’ s principal angrily confronts them .
The chant erupted at the conclusion of the contest between St. Joseph High School , a private school , and Righetti High , a public school located across the street in Santa Maria , according to the Santa Maria Times .
Supporters from Righetti High , the visiting team who lost 74-57 , started the taunt in the final seconds of the game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sports editor and posted to Twitter .
Despite the words from Righetti High students , St. Joseph basketball coach Tom Mott told the paper he felt the chant from the rival fans was not racially motivated .
“ I honestly think they were unaware they said a racist thing , ” Mott said .
“ They did not intend for it to be racist.
” Three players on St. Joseph ’ s are from Puerto Rico — a US territory — and one is from France , the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ it ’ s just sad that kids who are 15 , 16 , or 17-years-old are called out for what they look like or where they ’ re from.
” Erinn Dougherty , the St. Joseph ’ s principal who stormed over to condemn the Righetti High student section after the game ended , referred to the chant as “ racially-charged rhetoric , ” but said she didn ’ t feel the students realized “ what they were saying.
” “ Just because I will not allow certain xenophobic statements to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want racially-charged rhetoric here , doesn ’ t mean that I don ’ t love and respect the students of this whole community , ” Dougherty told the Santa Maria Times .
“ Not just the St. Joe students but the whole community .
I think they were good kids who didn ’ t realize what they were saying.
” Dougherty also expressed regret for how she reacted .
“ I ’ ve made mistakes and I probably made a mistake charging over there , ” she said .
“ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I hadn ’ t scolded another administrator ’ s students .
Obviously , that had upset him , but I was in the mode of taking care of kids .
”

A California high school basketball game ended with students from one school erupting into a chant of “Where’s your passport?” as the opposing team’s principal angrily confronts them.
The chant erupted at the conclusion of the contest between St. Joseph High School, a private school, and Righetti High, a public school located across the street in Santa Maria, according to the Santa Maria Times.
Supporters from Righetti High, the visiting team who lost 74-57, started the taunt in the final seconds of the game, according to video captured by the paper’s sports editor and posted to Twitter.
Despite the words from Righetti High students, St. Joseph basketball coach Tom Mott told the paper he felt the chant from the rival fans was not racially motivated.
“I honestly think they were unaware they said a racist thing,” Mott said. “They did not intend for it to be racist.”
Three players on St. Joseph’s are from Puerto Rico — a US territory — and one is from France, the report said.
Mott did say, however, that “it’s just sad that kids who are 15, 16, or 17 years old are called out for what they look like or where they’re from.”
Erinn Dougherty, the St. Joseph’s principal who stormed over to condemn the Righetti High student section after the game ended, referred to the chant as “racially charged rhetoric,” but said she didn’t feel the students realized “what they were saying.”
“Just because I will not allow certain xenophobic statements to be made at my campus and I don’t want racially charged rhetoric here, doesn’t mean that I don’t love and respect the students of this whole community,” Dougherty told the Santa Maria Times.
“Not just the St. Joe students but the whole community. I think they were good kids who didn’t realize what they were saying.”
Dougherty also expressed regret for how she reacted.
“I’ve made mistakes and I probably made a mistake charging over there,” she said.
“All I can say is that I wished that I hadn’t scolded another administrator’s students. Obviously, that had upset him, but I was in the mode of taking care of kids.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Deranged cyberstalker harassed Bronx student for nearly six years, cops say

A Virginia man arrested on Friday was linked to a ...

A deranged cyber-stalker who harassed a Bronx high school student he met on a gaming platform has been arrested, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
The suspect hacked into the girl’s online accounts, sent SWAT teams to her house and even broke into her school’s grading system, authorities said.
Back in 2014, Tristan Rowe, who refers to himself as Angus, first met the victim while they were playing an online video game. But after about four months, the victim stopped playing and told Rowe she didn’t want to speak to him anymore, a criminal complaint alleges.
That’s when Rowe — of Smyrna, Tennessee — began a campaign of cyber harassment that lasted nearly six years and included the victim, her dad, her sister, her ex-boyfriend, her ex’s sister and her mom’s boyfriend, court papers say.
Angus started calling the victim persistently and receiving text messages that were “obsessive,” “lewd” and “threatening,” investigators allege.
“When I get u im putting u in the back of the trunk bitch ass n—a ill cut u from f–king ear to ear and ill pull ur tongue through the slit Columbian style bitch,” one text, allegedly sent by Rowe, reads.
He also allegedly texted her a large kitchen knife, a text asking if he should sign the victim up for “an escorts website,” and a message depicting a detailed map showing the route from Tennessee to the victim’s Bronx home, prosecutors allege.
He allegedly sent a picture of an adult penis to the sister of the victim’s ex-partner, prosecutors said.
Rowe appeared to get a sick pleasure from the harassment and even admitted he was the victim’s cyberstalker in a text he sent her, the papers say.
“Angus(noun): [Victim-2]’s cyberstalker,” one text read as if Rowe’s code name was a definition from a dictionary.
Simultaneously, Rowe was hacking into the victim’s Facebook, email and Snapchat accounts and would send messages to the victim’s friends with demands that they put Rowe in touch with her.
Rowe also allegedly sent emails to the victim’s professors once she was in college that offered to sell nude photos of the victim and her mom’s boyfriend, the complaint states.
He also allegedly called in over 100 fake 911 calls to the victim’s address and subjected them to “multiple ‘swatting’ incidents” — a harassment tactic abusers use to send SWAT teams or emergency units to a person’s home based on a fake threat — court papers say.
“On multiple occasions, police officers responded to her home in the Bronx, New York — often with guns drawn,” the complaint reads.
“She was once awoken by police officers outside her bedroom door, and found the ‘swatting’ incidents to be extremely frightening and upsetting.”
The victim and her dad received texts from Rowe that said “if you do not speak up you will be shot and killed by a swat team,” “I do not play games with swatting,” “next swatting victim will be courtesy of me” and “they killed a man in Witchita [sic] Kansas over some swatting.”
Rowe was seemingly referring to an Ohio gamer, Tyler R. Barriss, who staged a swatting incident that left a 28-year-old innocent man named Andrew Finch dead.
The stalker then targeted the victim’s high school by calling in “multiple threats,” including a bomb threat and an active shooter threat from a person who identified themselves as “Angus” and demanded they be put in contact with the victim, the complaint states.
Rowe also allegedly breached the high school’s grading system and was caught with homework assignments on his computer that had the victim’s name on it, prosecutors allege.
Investigators tracked Rowe down using IP addresses from his hacks and found him in Smyrna where he admitted to much of the harassment and was subsequently arrested.
While reviewing computers seized from his home, police determined he’d also hacked into a police department website, the website for a Bronx hospital and a state law enforcement website.
Prosecutors didn’t immediately return a request for comment seeking Rowe’s age, which was left out their release and their criminal complaint.


newyorkpost--2020-02-12--China sees 242 coronavirus deaths, nearly 15,000 new cases in one day

Nearly 15,000 cases of the deadly coronavirus were reported in one Chinese province on Thursday — a jump officials in the country said was linked to how they ’ re diagnosing new cases , a report said .
The 14,840 new cases in the Hubei Province were recorded because officials stopped using kits to diagnose patients and instead began counting patients who have been screened and identified by doctors , The New York Times reported .
In addition to the new cases , 242 new deaths were also reported in the province on Thursday local time , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , the CDC confirmed a 14th person — who is now under quarantine in California — has been infected by the virus .
The patient , who was not identified , was among a group of people who returned from China on a State Department chartered flight , the agency said .
“ At this time there is no indication of person-to-person spread of this virus at the quarantine facility , but CDC will carry out a thorough contact investigation as part of its current response strategy to detect and contain any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the agency said in a statement .

Nearly 15,000 cases of the deadly coronavirus were reported in one Chinese province on Thursday — a jump officials in the country said was linked to how they’re diagnosing new cases, a report said.
The 14,840 new cases in Hubei province were recorded because officials stopped using kits to diagnose patients and instead began counting patients who have been screened and identified by doctors, the New York Times reported.
In addition to the new cases, 242 new deaths were reported in the province on Thursday local time, according to the report.
In the United States on Wednesday, the CDC confirmed a 14th person — who is now under quarantine in California — has been infected by the virus.
The patient, who was not identified, was among a group of people who returned from China on a State Department chartered flight, the agency said.
“At this time there is no indication of person-to-person spread of this virus at the quarantine facility, but CDC will carry out a thorough contact investigation as part of its current response strategy to detect and contain any cases of infection with this virus,” the agency said in a statement.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--‘Modern Family’ star talks hosting ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’

Jesse Tyler Ferguson says he never imagined he would segue from “ Modern Family ” to hosting the revival of “ Extreme Makeover : Home Edition.
” “ I had been approached about doing other reality-type TV shows but nothing felt really right , ” says Ferguson , 44 , who ’ s garnered five Emmy nominations as Mitchell Pritchett on “ Modern Family , ” ending its 11-season run April 8 on ABC .
“ I ’ m not a designer or a carpenter but , for some reason , this just felt like the right fit , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who loves human connection , loves working with people and I love humanitarian work .
“ The opportunity to meet these families and to mean something and to give them … a better future , home and tomorrow was too good to pass up.
” The original version of “ Extreme Home Makeover : Home Edition ” aired on ABC from 2003 to 2012 with host Ty Pennington , who worked with designers and contractors to surprise hard-luck families with renovated ( and , in some cases , totally new ) homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the manual labor aspect as was Pennington , though he does do some welding in Sunday ’ s series opener , which revolves around the Mosley family in Bakersfield , Calif .
This season will also feature guests including Anthony Anderson ( “ Black-ish ” ) , LeAnn Rimes , Pennington and Laila Ali .
“ Obviously they weren ’ t going to have me making bureaus and console tables , but the blueprint was there , ” says Ferguson .
“ I kind of knew what was going to be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a liaison between the family and the designers and as a stand-in for the audience , as well .
I ’ m a fan of design and renovation and it ’ s a fun fish-out-of-water element we ’ re bringing to this version .
Instead of being a carpenter I ’ m the person that says , ‘ Oh my God .
We ’ re putting this in this room and that in that room ?
!
That ’ s amazing !
’ I experience it as a viewer , as well.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ Extreme Makeover : Home Edition ” despite a challenging shooting schedule .
“ I was also shooting the beginning part of the last season of ‘ Modern Family ’ while doing this season of ‘ Makeover ’ so my time was somewhat limited , ” he says .
“ I had to fly in and out of town and had to really try to make it work with my schedule .
There were times where I had to let the designers take over , but I ’ m an integral part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ Modern Family ” ending , Ferguson says he ’ s comfortable letting the chips fall where they may regarding future acting projects .
“ My career has constantly surprised me , ” he says .
“ I thought I would just be a theater actor in New York and I ’ ve been on TV for the past 15 years — so I ’ ve learned not to question things and to not grip too tightly on the wheel of my career .
“ I ’ m also having a baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Justin Mikita ] and I ’ m told that takes up a little bit of your time , ” he jokes .
“ That ’ s probably going to be my number one priority this next year .
I ’ m so happy I have this [ Broadway ] play this summer [ ‘ Take Me Out , ’ co-starring Patrick J. Adams ] to go to .
I always love going back to the theater , where I feel most at home .
“ I definitely have a lot on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel a huge urgency to nail myself down to the next big thing , ” he says , “ though I might have already done that with ‘ Extreme Makeover : Home Edition ! '
”

Jesse Tyler Ferguson says he never imagined he would segue from “Modern Family” to hosting the revival of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
“I had been approached about doing other reality-type TV shows but nothing felt really right,” says Ferguson, 44, who’s garnered five Emmy nominations as Mitchell Pritchett on “Modern Family,” ending its 11-season run April 8 on ABC. “I’m not a designer or a carpenter but, for some reason, this just felt like the right fit,” he says. “I’m someone who loves human connection, loves working with people and I love humanitarian work.
“The opportunity to meet these families and to mean something and to give them … a better future, home and tomorrow was too good to pass up.”
The original version of “Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition” aired on ABC from 2003 to 2012 with host Ty Pennington, who worked with designers and contractors to surprise hard-luck families with renovated (and, in some cases, totally new) homes. Ferguson isn’t as immersed in the manual labor aspect as was Pennington, though he does do some welding in Sunday’s series opener, which revolves around the Mosley family in Bakersfield, Calif.
This season will also feature guests including Anthony Anderson (“Black-ish”), LeAnn Rimes, Pennington and Laila Ali.
“Obviously they weren’t going to have me making bureaus and console tables, but the blueprint was there,” says Ferguson. “I kind of knew what was going to be expected of me. I’m there as a liaison between the family and the designers and as a stand-in for the audience, as well. I’m a fan of design and renovation and it’s a fun fish-out-of-water element we’re bringing to this version. Instead of being a carpenter I’m the person that says, ‘Oh my God. We’re putting this in this room and that in that room?! That’s amazing!’ I experience it as a viewer, as well.”
Ferguson’s enthusiasm is evident in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” despite a challenging shooting schedule.
“I was also shooting the beginning part of the last season of ‘Modern Family’ while doing this season of ‘Makeover’ so my time was somewhat limited,” he says. “I had to fly in and out of town and had to really try to make it work with my schedule. There were times where I had to let the designers take over, but I’m an integral part of all the episodes.”
And, with “Modern Family” ending, Ferguson says he’s comfortable letting the chips fall where they may regarding future acting projects.
“My career has constantly surprised me,” he says. “I thought I would just be a theater actor in New York and I’ve been on TV for the past 15 years — so I’ve learned not to question things and to not grip too tightly on the wheel of my career.
“I’m also having a baby this year [he’s married to Justin Mikita] and I’m told that takes up a little bit of your time,” he jokes. “That’s probably going to be my number one priority this next year. I’m so happy I have this [Broadway] play this summer [‘Take Me Out,’ co-starring Patrick J. Adams] to go to. I always love going back to the theater, where I feel most at home.
“I definitely have a lot on my plate now so I don’t feel a huge urgency to nail myself down to the next big thing,” he says, “though I might have already done that with ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!'”


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fire UK staff, close Buckingham Palace office

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are continuing to distance themselves from royal life , letting go of all 15 of the UK staffers who served their office in Buckingham Palace , The Daily Mail reports .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly broke the news to their employees last month following their decision to step down as senior royals , aka Megxit .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find their way back into the royal household , but most are now negotiating their severance packages .
Buckingham Palace does not speak on staffing matters , but it is reportedly understood that senior royals such as the Queen , Prince Charles and Prince William are aware of the office closure and lay-offs .
“ Given their decision to step back , an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed , ” a source told The Mail .
“ While the details are still being finalized and efforts are being made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfortunately , there will be some redundancies [ firings ] .
” Clara Loughran — Harry ’ s program coordinator who handed Meghan her bouquet on her wedding day — also got the boot .
“ The Duke and Duchess have a small team , less than 15 people .
The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understand and respect the decision they have taken , ” the source said .
“ They are all close and supporting each other .
The team are busy helping to set their Royal Highnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of final engagements.
” Earlier this month , the couple were keynote speakers at a swanky JPMorgan summit on South Beach in Miami .

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are continuing to distance themselves from royal life, letting go of all 15 of the UK staffers who served their office in Buckingham Palace, the Daily Mail reports.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly broke the news to their employees last month following their decision to step down as senior royals, aka Megxit. One or two of their axed staffers may find their way back into the royal household, but most are now negotiating their severance packages.
Buckingham Palace does not speak on staffing matters, but it is reportedly understood that senior royals such as the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William are aware of the office closure and layoffs.
“Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed,” a source told the Mail. “While the details are still being finalized and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the royal household, unfortunately, there will be some redundancies [firings].”
Fired staffers include communications chief Sara Latham and newly appointed private secretary Fiona Mcilwham.
Clara Loughran — Harry’s program coordinator who handed Meghan her bouquet on her wedding day — also got the boot.
“The Duke and Duchess have a small team, less than 15 people. The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understand and respect the decision they have taken,” the source said. “They are all close and supporting each other. The team are busy helping to set their Royal Highnesses up for the future and working on a series of final engagements.”
Related Video Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship started out like a fairytale
Earlier this month, the couple were keynote speakers at a swanky JPMorgan summit on South Beach in Miami.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Bizarre Kobe Bryant mural removed after social media mockery

A bizarre Kobe Bryant mural was removed in Indiana after fans ridiculed its rendering of the NBA legend , according to a report .
The crude rendering of the Lakers legend appeared outside of a gas station Indianapolis after the athlete died in a helicopter crash last month in Calabasas , California , Black Indy Live reported .
Photos of the mural on social media show Bryant with his face contorted and a hefty amount of underarm hair — and fans tore into the artwork online .
“ Face is terrible , armpit jungle is terrible and jersey wide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan , who shared a photo of the mural , slammed the unidentified artist , saying “ you killed Kobe all over again.
” After the wave of criticism , the mural appeared to have been painted over this week , although the reason for its removal remains unclear , Black Indy Live reported .
Since the athlete ’ s death , a number of memorials and tributes have sprung up across the world , including outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles , where he played for 20 years .
Byrant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gianna , were among nine who died in the helicopter crash Jan. 26 .

A bizarre Kobe Bryant mural was removed in Indiana after fans ridiculed its rendering of the NBA legend, according to a report.
The crude rendering of the Lakers legend appeared outside of a gas station Indianapolis after the athlete died in a helicopter crash last month in Calabasas, California, Black Indy Live reported.
Photos of the mural on social media show Bryant with his face contorted and a hefty amount of underarm hair — and fans tore into the artwork online.
“Face is terrible, armpit jungle is terrible and jersey wide,” wrote one Facebook user.
Another fan, who shared a photo of the mural, slammed the unidentified artist, saying “you killed Kobe all over again.”
After the wave of criticism, the mural appeared to have been painted over this week, although the reason for its removal remains unclear, Black Indy Live reported.
Since the athlete’s death, a number of memorials and tributes have sprung up across the world, including outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where he played for 20 years.
Related Video Vanessa Bryant gets candid about how she 'can't process' loss of Kobe, Gianna
Byrant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among nine who died in the helicopter crash Jan. 26.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--NYPD tried to subpoena NY Post reporter’s Twitter account citing anti-terror law

In an apparent effort to tamp down on leaks , the NYPD subpoenaed a New York Post reporter ’ s Twitter data — oddly citing a post-9/11 anti-terrorism law to try to force the tech company to comply .
The legal papers , requesting electronic information associated with Post Police Bureau Chief Tina Moore ’ s Twitter account , dated Dec. 9 , 2019 — less than two weeks after Commissioner Dermot Shea took the reins of the police department .
The NYPD withdrew the subpoena on Wednesday after Post lawyers contacted the department .
The legal maneuvering comes amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sourced information to the press .
On Monday , the NYPD suspended a pair of cops who accessed and shared videos from Sunday ’ s dramatic shooting inside a Bronx police station , which eventually made their way to the media .
Days earlier , the department changed its patrol guide to crack down on videos and information being shared with the press , a leaked order shows .
The new guidelines specifically note that cops can be disciplined if screenshots or videos of police footage leaks out — even unintentionally .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person who leaked crime scene photos , ” a New York City Police Department official said when asked about the subpoena Thursday .
“ Tina Moore was never the focus of our investigation.
” Legal experts called the NYPD ’ s subpoena of a journalist ’ s Twitter data an “ abuse of authority ” and “ George Orwell-level shocking.
” “ There are absolutely no grounds for a police department to subpoena the social media records of a journalist , ” said former Manhattan prosecutor Andrew Stengel .
The subpoena to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Twitter , directs the social media company to produce all device and contact information associated with the user handle @ Tinamoorereport , as well as all the handle ’ s connection history between Oct. 9 and Oct. 14 .
During that time , Moore obtained and tweeted a gory crime scene photos from a dice-game shooting in Brooklyn that left four dead and three injured .
Those photos appear to be at the center of the NYPD subpoena .
Adam Scott Wandt , an assistant professor of public policy at John Jay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cybersecurity , said the subpoena doesn ’ t appear to be focused on who communicated with Moore over Twitter — but rather “ where she is and what equipment was used.
” The connection data requested by the NYPD could create a “ network trail ” of the reporter over the days requested , according to Wandt .
“ By getting IP address history , they could geo-locate her , ” he said .
The order could also reveal the reporter ’ s cellphone providers — which could point cops where to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order cites the city administrative code and , what lawyers called a strange move , The Patriot Act — a law passed by the US Congress in the wake of 9/11 to “ deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world , to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools , and for other purposes.
” Eric Sanders , a retired NYPD cop-turned-attorney , told The Post the subpoena “ has absolutely nothing to do with the Patriot Act .
“ What are you trying to ferret out terrorism at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the patriot act was intended for.
” The legal papers also asked the company to not inform the reporter for 90 days , so as to not interfere with the investigation .
Twitter , which did not respond for comment , said in an email alerting Moore of the subpoena that their deadline to produce the records was Thursday .
Sanders scoffed at the subpoena , saying it was a witch hunt to scare Moore and officers who share info with the press .
“ They are throwing a hissy fit because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsworthy items , ” Sanders said .
“ This is a fishing expedition.
” “ They are trying to chill her , and they are trying to chill their employees for giving information .
It ’ s a First Amendment issue .
”

In an apparent effort to tamp down on leaks, the NYPD subpoenaed a New York Post reporter’s Twitter data — oddly citing a post-9/11 anti-terrorism law to try to force the tech company to comply.
The legal papers, requesting electronic information associated with Post Police Bureau Chief Tina Moore’s Twitter account, dated Dec. 9, 2019 — less than two weeks after Commissioner Dermot Shea took the reins of the police department.
The NYPD withdrew the subpoena on Wednesday after Post lawyers contacted the department.
The legal maneuvering comes amid a push to stop the flow of sourced information to the press.
On Monday, the NYPD suspended a pair of cops who accessed and shared videos from Sunday’s dramatic shooting inside a Bronx police station, which eventually made their way to the media.
Days earlier, the department changed its patrol guide to crack down on videos and information being shared with the press, a leaked order shows. The new guidelines specifically note that cops can be disciplined if screenshots or videos of police footage leaks out — even unintentionally.
“We are conducting an investigation of a person who leaked crime scene photos,” a New York City Police Department official said when asked about the subpoena Thursday. “Tina Moore was never the focus of our investigation.”
Legal experts called the NYPD’s subpoena of a journalist’s Twitter data an “abuse of authority” and “George Orwell-level shocking.”
“There are absolutely no grounds for a police department to subpoena the social media records of a journalist,” said former Manhattan prosecutor Andrew Stengel.
The subpoena to turn over documents, provided to The Post by Twitter, directs the social media company to produce all device and contact information associated with the user handle @Tinamoorereport, as well as all the handle’s connection history between Oct. 9 and Oct. 14.
During that time, Moore obtained and tweeted a gory crime scene photos from a dice-game shooting in Brooklyn that left four dead and three injured. Those photos appear to be at the center of the NYPD subpoena.
Adam Scott Wandt, an assistant professor of public policy at John Jay College who specializes in digital forensics and cybersecurity, said the subpoena doesn’t appear to be focused on who communicated with Moore over Twitter — but rather “where she is and what equipment was used.”
The connection data requested by the NYPD could create a “network trail” of the reporter over the days requested, according to Wandt.
“By getting IP address history, they could geo-locate her,” he said.
The order could also reveal the reporter’s cellphone providers — which could point cops where to send additional subpoenas, Wandt said.
The order cites the city administrative code and, what lawyers called a strange move, The Patriot Act — a law passed by the US Congress in the wake of 9/11 to “deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes.”
Eric Sanders, a retired NYPD cop-turned-attorney, told The Post the subpoena “has absolutely nothing to do with the Patriot Act.
“What are you trying to ferret out terrorism at a newspaper? This isn’t what the patriot act was intended for.”
The legal papers also asked the company to not inform the reporter for 90 days, so as to not interfere with the investigation.
Twitter, which did not respond for comment, said in an email alerting Moore of the subpoena that their deadline to produce the records was Thursday.
Sanders scoffed at the subpoena, saying it was a witch hunt to scare Moore and officers who share info with the press.
“They are throwing a hissy fit because their employees are telling the press of newsworthy items,” Sanders said. “This is a fishing expedition.”
“They are trying to chill her, and they are trying to chill their employees for giving information. It’s a First Amendment issue.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Gerrit Cole gets Yankees relief far away from Astros dumpster fire

TAMPA — Here on the calm side of the Sunshine State , Gerrit Cole shrugged uncomfortably at the five-alarm dumpster fire engulfing his most recent employers .
The rest of the Yankees don ’ t seem to feel quite as terrible about it .
“ Nobody ’ s getting a win out of this , and it doesn ’ t look very good , ” Cole said , referring to the Astros ’ sign-stealing scandal , Thursday at George M. Steinbrenner Field .
“ I guess I ’ m just fortunate to be able to be here , move past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to experience all the great things about coming to a new team.
” The Yankees agreed to pay Cole $ 324 million over nine years to join them for myriad reasons , starting with his talent , his personality and his age , and it certainly served as an alluring bonus that they directly weakened their top rival by swiping the right-hander directly from the Astros .
And now , as this Astros-hued mushroom cloud keeps expanding thanks to the continued public-relations felonies by Houston ’ s woefully tone-deaf owner Jim Crane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players , all of whom embarrassed themselves as they opened their camp across the way in West Palm Beach , the selection of Cole gains wisdom daily as much by serendipity as anything else .
Think about it : In a vacuum , the Yankees needed an ace most of all , right ?
It just so happened that the best available ace spent the last two seasons pitching for the Astros .
But , critically , only the last two seasons , which means Cole avoided the trash can-banging system of 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manfred ’ s recent report .
That report did conclude an illegal system of sign-stealing , apparently not as egregious as the trash-can usage , continued “ at least for part of the 2018 season ” before petering out , due to perceived ineffectiveness , prior to those playoffs .
Hence when Cole said Thursday he wasn ’ t aware of any illegalities committed by his teammates with bats , it didn ’ t challenge common sense the way such a denial by a 2017 Astros pitcher would .
As for the suspicions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new teammates Aroldis Chapman and Gary Sanchez that the 2019 Astros used wearable devices , including for Jose Altuve ’ s pennant-winning homer off Chapman , Cole could follow the crowd ( and Major League Baseball ’ s announcement that it found no such evidence ) .
“ I wouldn ’ t have seen it or been privy to that information , anyway , ” Cole said .
“ I believe my ex-teammates , I believe those guys.
” The Yankees seem prepared to believe Cole ’ s disavowal .
He has enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pirates traded him to Houston , and with that in mind , let ’ s be honest : Boone and company have nothing to gain by challenging Cole ’ s pinstriped bona fides .
Hence , Cole said he hasn ’ t discussed the Astros disaster with anyone here , and Boone insisted , despite the strong resentment he and many others still hold toward their repeat vanquishers , Cole need not cross any credibility bridge in order to be fully accepted .
“ For whatever reason there ’ s this buzz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m looking for it or not , and it feels really good , ” Cole said , and the usage of “ buzz , ” minutes after discussing wearable devices , set off a round of laughter .
That wordplay aside , it truly is amazing how much more Cole ’ s former team factors into his adjustment here than even someone like Johnny Damon , who traveled straight from the Red Sox to the Yankees .
The dumpster fire shows no sign of cessation .
Cole can be simultaneously excited about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from his past .
What an odd hand Cole has been dealt .
What a great one , more than ever , for the Yankees .
All that ’ s left is to play that hand savvily enough to cash it in for a parade .

TAMPA — Here on the calm side of the Sunshine State, Gerrit Cole shrugged uncomfortably at the five-alarm dumpster fire engulfing his most recent employers.
The rest of the Yankees don’t seem to feel quite as terrible about it.
“Nobody’s getting a win out of this, and it doesn’t look very good,” Cole, referring to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, said Thursday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I guess I’m just fortunate to be able to be here, move past it, and, I guess, get to experience all the great things about coming to a new team.”
The Yankees agreed to pay Cole $324 million over nine years to join them for myriad reasons, starting with his talent, his personality and his age, and it certainly served as an alluring bonus that they directly weakened their top rival by swiping the right-hander directly from the Astros.
And now, as this Astros-hued mushroom cloud keeps expanding thanks to the continued public-relations felonies by Houston’s woefully tone-deaf owner Jim Crane and his merry band of generally insensitive players, all of whom embarrassed themselves as they opened their camp across the way in West Palm Beach, the selection of Cole gains wisdom daily as much by serendipity as anything else.
Think about it: In a vacuum, the Yankees needed an ace most of all, right? It just so happened that the best available ace spent the last two seasons pitching for the Astros. But, critically, only the last two seasons, which means Cole avoided the trash can-banging system of 2017 that served as the centerpiece of Rob Manfred’s recent report.
That report did conclude that an illegal system of sign-stealing, apparently not as egregious as the trash-can usage, continued “at least for part of the 2018 season” before petering out, due to perceived ineffectiveness, prior to those playoffs. Hence when Cole said Thursday he wasn’t aware of any illegalities committed by his teammates with bats, it didn’t challenge common sense the way such a denial by a 2017 Astros pitcher would.
As for the suspicions by his new manager, Aaron Boone, and new teammates Aroldis Chapman and Gary Sanchez that the 2019 Astros used wearable devices, including for Jose Altuve’s pennant-winning homer off Chapman, Cole could follow the crowd (and Major League Baseball’s announcement that it found no such evidence).
“I wouldn’t have seen it or been privy to that information anyway,” Cole said. “I believe my ex-teammates, I believe those guys.”
The Yankees seem prepared to believe Cole’s disavowal. He has enough cover thanks to his timeline of when the Pirates traded him to Houston, and with that in mind, let’s be honest: Boone & Co. have nothing to gain by challenging Cole’s pinstriped bona fides. Hence, Cole said he hasn’t discussed the Astros disaster with anyone here, and Boone insisted, despite the strong resentment he and many others still hold toward their repeat vanquishers, that Cole need not cross any credibility bridge in order to be fully accepted.
“He’s crossed,” Boone said.
“For whatever reason, there’s this buzz permeating through my life, whether I’m looking for it or not, and it feels really good,” Cole said, and the use of “buzz,” minutes after discussing wearable devices, set off a round of laughter. That wordplay aside, it truly is amazing how much more Cole’s former team factors into his adjustment here than even someone like Johnny Damon, who traveled straight from the Red Sox to the Yankees.
The dumpster fire shows no sign of cessation. Cole can be simultaneously excited about his immediate future and relieved to be far from his past.
What an odd hand Cole has been dealt. What a great one, more than ever, for the Yankees. All that’s left is to play that hand savvily enough to cash it in for a parade.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Robert Pattinson’s ‘Batman’ suit revealed, hints at dark reboot

Matt Reeves revealed the first look at Robert Pattinson as Batman in his upcoming film “ The Batman ” on Thursday .
Set to an ominous score , Pattinson steps into a dark frame saturated in red , as his sleek and angular Batman suit slowly comes into focus .
Last September , Pattinson told Variety that he grew up as a massive fan of director Tim Burton ’ s 1989 and 1992 “ Batman ” movies , and once he heard that Reeves was rebooting the Caped Crusader series for Warner Bros. , he actively pursued the part .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mind for a while , ” Pattinson said .
“ It ’ s such an absurd thing to say .
I sort of had an idea to do it , and I ’ d been prodding Matt .
He didn ’ t accept any prods .
I kept asking to meet him.
” But once the audition process kicked into its final stages , Pattinson did try on the iconic costume — or , at least , Reeve ’ s version of it .
“ I remember saying to Matt , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the actor said .
“ He was like , ‘ I would hope it does !
You ’ re literally in the Batsuit .
’ ”

Matt Reeves revealed the first look at Robert Pattinson as Batman in his upcoming film “The Batman” on Thursday. Set to an ominous score, Pattinson steps into a dark frame saturated in red, as his sleek and angular Batman suit slowly comes into focus.
Last September, Pattinson told Variety that he grew up as a massive fan of director Tim Burton’s 1989 and 1992 “Batman” movies, and once he heard that Reeves was rebooting the Caped Crusader series for Warner Bros., he actively pursued the part.
“I’d had Batman in my mind for a while,” Pattinson said. “It’s such an absurd thing to say. I sort of had an idea to do it, and I’d been prodding Matt. He didn’t accept any prods. I kept asking to meet him.”
But once the audition process kicked into its final stages, Pattinson did try on the iconic costume — or, at least, Reeve’s version of it. “I remember saying to Matt, ‘It does feel quite transformative!’” the actor said. “He was like, ‘I would hope it does! You’re literally in the Batsuit.’ ”


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Joe Girardi, Didi Gregorious weigh in on Astros cheating scandal

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. – Suck it up , Yankees .
That ...

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The man who got fired only days after losing to the Astros in the 2017 ALCS said Thursday he is not angry about their illegal sign-stealing program.
Joe Girardi’s former players fall elsewhere on the spectrum, but the ex-Yankees manager insisted he is at peace with what has been revealed about the Astros cheating the game.
“I’m not [angry],” Girardi said. “I’m a man that has a lot of belief in the man upstairs. Things happen for a reason and I’m here in Philadelphia for a reason. And it’s been really good.”
Girardi was fired five days after the Yankees’ Game 7 loss to the Astros in 2017. In that series, the Astros won every game at Minute Maid Park, where their electronic sign-stealing system was housed, including in the postseason. Girardi was out of baseball until being hired to manage the Phillies this year.
That it may have cost people jobs — from pitchers to managers, such as Girardi — is not lost on former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius.
“There’s a lot of things that could have went different,” said Gregorius, now playing for Girardi again with the Phillies.. “It would impact his career and a lot of pitchers that came up. … I feel bad for all the guys that their career got screwed because of that situation.”
Gregorius agreed that it feels like the ALCS got cheated away from the Yankees, a common refrain from players on that team. But he had a more tempered reaction than David Robertson — another Yankee-turned-Phillie, who on Wednesday said what the Astros did was a “disgrace.”
“It doesn’t matter what I say because it’s not going to change the outcome anyways,” Gregorius said. “It is what it is. It was not fair, but ain’t much I can do that’s going to change the whole thing.”
Gregorius said the Yankees knew something was going on with the Astros in 2017, but not to what extent. They felt the same way last season, when they lost to the Astros in the ALCS again, though Gregorius said he wasn’t sure about them possibly wearing buzzers.
While Girardi wasn’t as outraged as some of his former players, he said he understood their reaction.
“Feelings are neither right or wrong,” Girardi said. “Feelings are feelings, so everyone’s going to feel different about it, and I’m OK with that. Express whatever you got inside and get it out. But my expression is, I’m more worried about what I have to do moving forward.”
That will include protecting the Phillies’ signs, he said, which he has already taken steps to ensure.
“That’s kind of how I look at it,” Girardi said. “Because I can’t tell you exactly [what] went on there because I wasn’t there. And I can’t tell you what happens in other clubhouses. But I can tell you what we’re going to try to do here, and that’s protect our stuff.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Cop accused of killing son whines he can’t afford attorney

Disgraced NYPD cop Michael Valva , who ’ s charged with murdering his 8-year-old son , whined in family court Thursday that he ’ s broke and can ’ t afford an attorney .
Valva , 40 , made the declaration during a hearing at Suffolk County Family Court , where he and his fiancée , Angela Pollina , 42 , are charged with severely abusing their six shared children .
“ All I know is I don ’ t have any access to funds or anything , ” the accused murderer murmured .
Valva even claimed that he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a call from Suffolk County Correctional Facility , where ’ s he locked up without bail on a felony murder charge for the hypothermia-induced death of his 8-year-old autistic son , Thomas .
Besides apparently being hard up for cash , Valva also seemed clueless as to his current employment status .
Following his Jan. 24 arrest , the NYPD suspended Valva without pay .
But on Thursday , when Judge Tatone asked him if the police union would get him a lawyer , he said in a quivering voice : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The NYPD did not immediately return a request for comment about Valva ’ s current standing with the department .
The judge told Valva that if he qualifies , the court would provide him with counsel .
Valva ’ s ex-wife Justyna Zubko-Valva , who now has custody of her two surviving sons , Anthony , 10 , and Andrew , 6 , was present at Thursday ’ s hearing .
Zubko-Valva didn ’ t believe Valva has no dough .
“ The fact that he came to the court and tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t buy it , ” she said outside of court .
At Thursday ’ s hearing , an order was issued that granted Child Protective Services clearance to evaluate Zubko-Valva ’ s two sons , meeting with them twice a month .
Zubko-Valva wasn ’ t pleased , telling reporters that she doesn ’ t want CPS involved , claiming they covered up years of abuse suffered by her children at the hands of their father .

Disgraced NYPD cop Michael Valva, who’s charged with murdering his 8-year-old son, whined in family court Thursday that he’s broke and can’t afford an attorney.
Valva, 40, made the declaration during a hearing at Suffolk County Family Court, where he and his fiancée, Angela Pollina, 42, are charged with severely abusing their six shared children.
“I don’t have an attorney,” Valva told Judge Frank Tatone. “I can’t afford one.”
“All I know is I don’t have any access to funds or anything,” the accused murderer murmured.
Valva even claimed that he didn’t have any coins to make a call from Suffolk County Correctional Facility, where’s he locked up without bail on a felony murder charge for the hypothermia-induced death of his 8-year-old autistic son, Thomas.
Besides apparently being hard up for cash, Valva also seemed clueless as to his current employment status.
Since his Jan. 24 arrest, Valva has been suspended from the NYPD without pay.
But on Thursday, when Judge Tatone asked him if the police union would get him a lawyer, he said in a quivering voice: “I think I was terminated from my job.”
Police unions only represent cops in job-related cases.
The judge told Valva that if he qualifies, the court would provide him with counsel.
Valva’s ex-wife Justyna Zubko-Valva, who now has custody of her two surviving sons, Anthony, 10, and Andrew, 6, was present at Thursday’s hearing.
Zubko-Valva didn’t believe Valva has no dough.
“The fact that he came to the court and tried to play victim, I don’t buy it,” she said outside of court.
At Thursday’s hearing, Zubko-Valva agreed have Child Protective Services evaluate her two sons, despite her initial reservations.
“I don’t feel comfortable with Suffolk County CPS being involved,” she told the judge before agreeing.
“I can certainly understand why you feel the way you do … I’m hoping to establish trust,” Judge Tatone told Zubko-Valva. “I need you to trust me. I need to have the children examined.”
The same agency investigated a complaint in 2019 about a child being forced to sleep inside the garage of Valva’s Center Moriches home — where Thomas was exiled before he died — but determined it to be “unfounded.”
After court, Zubko-Valva continued to voice opposition to CPS’s involvement, claiming they covered up years of abuse suffered by her children at the hands of their father.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Antônio Carlos Jobim’s music finally coming to Broadway

As far as I can tell , the one and only time an Antônio Carlos Jobim song was heard on Broadway was in Twyla Tharp ’ s “ Come Fly Away.
” The song was “ Wave , ” which , as I write this , makes me want to be on a beach right now .
Jobim should have written a Broadway score , but never did .
So I ’ m pleased to report that , 25 years after his death , he will be making his Broadway debut in “ Black Orpheus , ” a new musical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birkenhead .
There was a reading this week that , I ’ m told , went — let ’ s catch a wave here — swimmingly .
Based on the 1959 movie , which Barack Obama wrote in his autobiography taught him to embrace his black identity , “ Black Orpheus ” is on the fast track to Broadway .
Reps from a bunch of nonprofit theaters around the country saw the reading and are falling all over themselves to line it up for a tryout , and then invest in the Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The director is George C. Wolfe , who staged the original “ Angels in America ” and went on to run the Public Theater .
Along the way , he directed and co-wrote the lyrics to “ Bring in ‘ da Noise , Bring in ‘ da Funk.
” The choreographer is Camille Brown , who did “ Once ” and the marvelous revival of “ Once on This Island.
” And the producer is Stephen Byrd , who ’ s given us solid revivals of “ A Streetcar Named Desire , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again in “ A Soldier ’ s Story ” ) and “ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ” starring James Earl Jones , Phylicia Rashad and , making his Broadway debut as Brick , Terrence Howard .
The movie “ Black Orpheus , ” which is based on the Greek myth about some guy who wants his dead wife back ( what was he thinking ? )
introduced the samba to America .
And then the song style of Brazil took off .
The song “ A Felicidade , ” one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ella Fitzgerald , Billy Eckstine and Charlie Byrd .
And “ The Girl from Ipanema ” is as good as anything Rodgers and Hart ever wrote .
The last time a show with Brazilian music was on Broadway was “ Oba Oba ” at the Marquis in the early ’ 90s .
I saw it , and I loved it .
The dancers ’ legs didn ’ t stop until they hit the floor .
Wolfe should keep that in mind as he shapes his show .
It has to be as sexy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that caresses you , leads you to temptation and then lets the chips fall where they may .
One of the most underrated movies of all time is Irwin Winkler ’ s “ De-Lovely , ” starring Kevin Kline as the great composer and lyricist Cole Porter .
Any fan of “ Anything Goes ” and “ Kiss Me , Kate ” should see this 2004 movie .
Kline is at his best playing Porter , a gay man struggling to figure out why he desires men but loves his wife .
Winkler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Right Stuff , ” “ Goodfellas , ” “ The Irishman ” and dozens more , says “ De-Lovely ” is his favorite movie .
I ’ ll be interviewing Winkler , Kline and their screenwriter , Jay Cocks , at the 92nd Street Y on Tuesday .
It should be fun , since I hear Kline has a few bones to pick with me .
See you there !
“ Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning ” airs weekdays on WOR Radio 710 .

As far as I can tell, the one and only time an Antônio Carlos Jobim song was heard on Broadway was in Twyla Tharp’s “Come Fly Away.” The song was “Wave,” which, as I write this, makes me want to be on a beach right now.
Jobim should have written a Broadway score, but never did. So I’m pleased to report that, 25 years after his death, he will be making his Broadway debut in “Black Orpheus,” a new musical by playwright Lynn Nottage and lyricist Susan Birkenhead.
There was a reading this week that, I’m told, went — let’s catch a wave here — swimmingly.
Based on the 1959 movie, which Barack Obama wrote in his autobiography taught him to embrace his black identity, “Black Orpheus” is on the fast track to Broadway. Reps from a bunch of nonprofit theaters around the country saw the reading and are falling all over themselves to line it up for a tryout, and then invest in the Broadway production.
How could they not?
The director is George C. Wolfe, who staged the original “Angels in America” and went on to run the Public Theater. Along the way, he directed and co-wrote the lyrics to “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk.”
The choreographer is Camille Brown, who did “Once” and the marvelous revival of “Once on This Island.”
And the producer is Stephen Byrd, who’s given us solid revivals of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Blair Underwood (baring his chest once again in “A Soldier’s Story”) and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” starring James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad and, making his Broadway debut as Brick, Terrence Howard.
The movie “Black Orpheus,” which is based on the Greek myth about some guy who wants his dead wife back (what was he thinking?) introduced the samba to America. And then the song style of Brazil took off. The song “A Felicidade,” one of my favorites, was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine and Charlie Byrd.
And “The Girl from Ipanema” is as good as anything Rodgers and Hart ever wrote.
The last time a show with Brazilian music was on Broadway was “Oba Oba” at the Marquis in the early ’90s. I saw it, and I loved it. The dancers’ legs didn’t stop until they hit the floor.
Wolfe should keep that in mind as he shapes his show. It has to be as sexy as a Jobim song, a song that caresses you, leads you to temptation and then lets the chips fall where they may.
One of the most underrated movies of all time is Irwin Winkler’s “De-Lovely,” starring Kevin Kline as the great composer and lyricist Cole Porter. Any fan of “Anything Goes” and “Kiss Me, Kate” should see this 2004 movie. Kline is at his best playing Porter, a gay man struggling to figure out why he desires men but loves his wife. Winkler, who produced “Rocky,” “The Right Stuff,” “Goodfellas,” “The Irishman” and dozens more, says “De-Lovely” is his favorite movie.
I’ll be interviewing Winkler, Kline and their screenwriter, Jay Cocks, at the 92nd Street Y on Tuesday.
It should be fun, since I hear Kline has a few bones to pick with me.
See you there!
“Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning” airs weekdays on WOR Radio 710.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Lori Loughlin was clueless about daughter Olivia Jade’s bogus resume, report says

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli insist they were clueless about the bogus athletic resume allegedly used to get their daughter into college — and only found about the document when prosecutors released it this month , a new report says .
A source close to the couple told People the pair couldn ’ t have created the document because “ it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even know enough about crew to know what awards are prestigious or not , ” the source told the outlet .
The resume , which appears to belong to the younger of their two daughters , Olivia Jade Giannulli , claims the then-teen was an award-winning crew athlete , though she never participated in the sport .
It also includes a handwritten “ Student Profile ” — which the source claimed doesn ’ t match “ any of their writing.
” The former “ Fuller House ” actress and her fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything about [ the resume ] , ” the source insisted to People .
A second source told the outlet : “ This application was not filled out by anyone in the Giannulli family .
It was filled out unbeknownst to them by someone at USC.
” Prosecutors released the documents this month after Loughlin and her husband ’ s legal team demanded to see more of the feds ’ evidence in the case , which is part of the larger nationwide college admissions scandal .
Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of shelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their daughters ’ way into the University of Southern California .
The couple is arguing that they gave the money in good faith , thinking it was simply a donation to the school , and were unaware of what mastermind college-fixer Rick Singer was up to : posing the girls are athletes to help pave their way into the college , which eventually accepted both of them .
Singer has confessed to helping scores of well-heeled parents get their privileged kids into prestigious schools by inflating their academic and athletic prowess .
Loughlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud .
On Wednesday , their lawyers asked to push off their clients ’ trial to next year .
Sean Berkowitz said the substantial amount of evidence and “ general complexity ” of the case make going to trial this fall as scheduled impossible .
A status hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 27 .

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Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli insist they were clueless about the bogus athletic resume allegedly used to get their daughter into college — and only found about the document when prosecutors released it this month, a new report says.
A source close to the couple told People the pair couldn’t have created the document because “it’s not their world.”
“They don’t even know enough about crew to know what awards are prestigious or not,” the source told the outlet.
The resume, which appears to belong to the younger of their two daughters, Olivia Jade Giannulli, claims the then-teen was an award-winning crew athlete, though she never participated in the sport.
It also includes a handwritten “Student Profile” — which the source claimed doesn’t match “any of their writing.”
The former “Fuller House” actress and her fashion designer hubby “didn’t know anything about [the resume],” the source insisted to People.
A second source told the outlet: “This application was not filled out by anyone in the Giannulli family. It was filled out unbeknownst to them by someone at USC.”
Prosecutors released the documents this month after Loughlin and her husband’s legal team demanded to see more of the feds’ evidence in the case, which is part of the larger nationwide college admissions scandal.
Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of shelling out half a million dollars to buy their daughters’ way into the University of Southern California.
The couple is arguing that they gave the money in good faith, thinking it was simply a donation to the school, and were unaware of what mastermind college-fixer Rick Singer was up to: posing the girls are athletes to help pave their way into the college, which eventually accepted both of them.
Singer has confessed to helping scores of well-heeled parents get their privileged kids into prestigious schools by inflating their academic and athletic prowess.
Loughlin, 55, and Giannulli, 56, have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
On Wednesday, their lawyers asked to push off their clients’ trial to next year.
Sean Berkowitz said the substantial amount of evidence and “general complexity” of the case make going to trial this fall as scheduled impossible.
A status hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 27.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Hugh Hefner’s son Cooper graduates from Air Force training

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Page Six can exclusively reveal that Hugh Hefner ’ s son , 28 , has graduated from Air Force boot camp and will depart San Antonio , Texas , on Friday .
Cooper , a member of the Air Force Reserve , is expected to go back home soon .
Above , Cooper can be seen shaking hands with his drill sergeant during the graduation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper will be headed next .
The Playboy founder ’ s youngest son joined the Air Force in December , months after famously quitting his late father ’ s media company to start his own “ adult ” digital site , which has yet to launch .
His wife , “ Harry Potter ” actress Scarlett Byrne , said on Instagram that she was “ incredibly proud ” of Cooper when he departed for basic training .
Neither Cooper nor Byrne has publicly commented on his graduation as of Thursday .
In 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his father ’ s health declined , bringing back nudity to the iconic men ’ s magazine .
The iconic founder died in 2017 .

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Cooper Hefner is a military man.
Page Six can exclusively reveal that Hugh Hefner‘s son, 28, has graduated from Air Force boot camp and will depart San Antonio, Texas, on Friday. Cooper, a member of the Air Force Reserve, is expected to go back home soon.
Above, Cooper can be seen shaking hands with his drill sergeant during the graduation ceremony. It’s unclear where Cooper will be headed next.
The Playboy founder’s youngest son joined the Air Force in December, months after famously quitting his late father’s media company to start his own “adult” digital site, which has yet to launch.
His wife, “Harry Potter” actress Scarlett Byrne, said on Instagram that she was “incredibly proud” of Cooper when he departed for basic training. Neither Cooper nor Byrne has publicly commented on his graduation as of Thursday.
In 2016, Cooper took over the family business as his father’s health declined, bringing back nudity to the iconic men’s magazine. The founder died in 2017.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Accused Long Island bank robber Romell Nellis flashed cash, drank Champagne on Facebook

The suspected Long Island bank robber who went on the ...

An accused Long Island bank robber flashed wads of cash and went on rants on Facebook — even while police said he was allegedly knocking over banks on Long Island.
In one post on Jan. 17 — just four days after he skipped out on a Nassau County court appearance — Romell Nellis posted a video of a fistful of cash.
“Income tax time….lol$$$$… sike!” he wrote.
On Dec. 30, the same day police say he robbed a bank in Valley Stream, Nellis is seen in another video singing and dancing to music.
A photo posted the same night shows Nellis and an unidentified man drinking Champagne.
“It is what it is,” Nellis, 40, says in one of the longer video posts on Jan. 18.
“Some people call it f–king up, some people call it like he’ll never change. I don’t know, man. I’m just wired different.”
At one point during the clip he’s seen holding a wad of bills.
Police said Nellis is suspected in four bank robberies over the past three months.
Nellis was arrested Jan. 9 and charged with robbing banks in West Hempstead and Valley Stream.
A Nassau County judge briefly had him held but the court was forced to release him under the state’s new bail reform guidelines.
He was re-arrested Sunday and charged with two new heists.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--NYPD warns of another potential cop-shooter on loose in Bronx

The accused cop-shooter who allegedly opened fire on a police cruiser before being arrested for blasting up a Bronx police station may not have committed the first attack , The Post has learned .
The NYPD warned officers on Thursday there was a “ credible threat ” of a possible attack on cops in the Bronx ’ s 41st Precinct — where Robert Williams allegedly committed a pair of assassination attempts on cops — with investigators casting doubt on whether Williams was behind the first attempted hit .
Officers were urged to “ be vigilant and alert ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cops in the 41st Precinct , to be on the lookout for a gunman who may try to fire on NYPD officer .
A screenshot of the alert was shared on Twitter by the Sergeants Benevolent Association .
Police sources told The Post that investigators were concerned there may have been another gunman in two police shootings less than 12 hours apart in Hunts Point this past weekend .
Williams was arrested at the 41st Precinct house and charged with two counts attempted murder in connection with both shootings .
The alert was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution ” in case a second shooter was still hunting cops , sources said .
Both cops survived the shootings and were treated at Lincoln Hospital .

The accused cop-shooter who allegedly opened fire on a police cruiser before being arrested for blasting up a Bronx police station may not have committed the first attack, The Post has learned.
The NYPD warned officers on Thursday there was a “credible threat” of a possible attack on cops in the Bronx’s 41st Precinct — where Robert Williams allegedly committed a pair of assassination attempts on cops — with investigators casting doubt on whether Williams was behind the first attempted hit.
Officers were urged to “be vigilant and alert” in the message sent out department-wide, specifically telling cops in the 41st Precinct, to be on the lookout for a gunman who may try to fire on NYPD officer.
A screenshot of the alert was shared on Twitter by the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
Police sources told The Post that investigators were concerned there may have been another gunman in two police shootings less than 12 hours apart in Hunts Point this past weekend.
Williams was arrested at the 41st Precinct house and charged with two counts attempted murder in connection with both shootings.
The alert was sent out in an “abundance of caution” in case a second shooter was still hunting cops, sources said.
Both cops survived the shootings and were treated at Lincoln Hospital.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Tyler Cameron surprises fans with ultimate Valentine’s Day gift

Who wouldn ’ t want a hot model feeding them candy on Valentine ’ s Day ?
Tyler Cameron — @ @ @ @ @ Bachelorette ” season 15 with Hannah Brown — stopped by Page Six to make two @ @ @ @ @ V-Day dreams come true .
Watch as the blindfolded reality TV fans try to guess @ @ @ @ @ them chocolates .
Cameron plays along until the big reveal at the end .
The @ @ @ @ @ Cupid proud .

Who wouldn’t want a hot model feeding them candy on Valentine’s Day? Tyler Cameron — breakout star of “The Bachelorette” season 15 with Hannah Brown — stopped by Page Six to make two New York Post staffers’ V-Day dreams come true. Watch as the blindfolded reality TV fans try to guess which handsome star is giving them chocolates. Cameron plays along until the big reveal at the end. The ladies’ reactions would make Cupid proud.
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newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Carlos Correa: Astros’ Beltran cheating intimidation is ‘straight up bulls—‘

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. — Astros shortstop Carlos Correa came to the defense of Carlos Beltran on Thursday , after Beltran was painted as a “ steamrolling ’ ’ leader in the Astros ’ 2017 sign-stealing saga in a report earlier in the week .
“ The thing I have a problem with is when I read that report is that we are scared of him , or that we feel intimidated , ’ ’ Correa said of Beltran at the ballpark of the Palm Beaches during the Astros ’ apology tour .
“ We didn ’ t feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the nicest guy , the best teammate that we ever had .
Beltran was a leader of the clubhouse , but we all had a say in everything that we were doing in there .
Whatever he said and whatever we were doing , we had the chance to stop it as a team .
Everybody .
Everybody had the chance to say something and we didn ’ t .
“ So whoever is the anonymous source that was saying we feel intimidated or we were too young to do something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t intimidate nobody .
Beltran is the nicest guy .
“ I know people are going to say , ‘ Oh , he is just trying to protect him , ’ but you can talk to every single guy here that was here in 2017 — Beltran is a straight-up gentleman and nobody , not even you guys , nobody would feel intimidated by his presence , by his leadership and whatever he has to say .
He showed us how to play baseball , hard .
He was a veteran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slumping he was there for us , so I don ’ t see a person that is mentoring you or is there for you when you are struggling as an intimidating person , ’ ’ Correa said .
According to a report Tuesday in The Athletic , Beltran was the ringleader when it came to the scheme and ignored the protests of some coaches and teammates .
Beltran was named the Mets manager this off-season but lost the job when the details of the sign-stealing saga came to light .
Beltran joined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous three years with the Yankees .
According to The Athletic , when Beltran got to Houston , he told the organization its sign-stealing methods were “ behind the times.
” Even when other players — including former Yankees teammate Brian McCann — advised Beltran to put a stop to the cheating , Beltran refused , the report claims .
“ He disregarded it and steamrolled everybody , ” one of the team members alleged to The Athletic .
“ Where do you go if you ’ re a young , impressionable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , ‘ We ’ re doing this ’ ?
What do you do ?
” Correa painted a much different picture on Thursday .

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Astros shortstop Carlos Correa came to the defense of Carlos Beltran on Thursday, after Beltran was painted as a “steamrolling’’ leader in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing saga in a report earlier in the week.
“The thing I have a problem with is when I read that report is that we are scared of him, or that we feel intimidated,’’ Correa said of Beltran at the ballpark of the Palm Beaches during the Astros’ apology tour. “We didn’t feel scared of Beltran or intimidated. He was the nicest guy, the best teammate that we ever had. Beltran was a leader of the clubhouse, but we all had a say in everything that we were doing in there. Whatever he said and whatever we were doing, we had the chance to stop it as a team. Everybody. Everybody had the chance to say something and we didn’t.
“So whoever is the anonymous source that was saying we feel intimidated or we were too young to do something that is straight up bulls—. Beltran didn’t intimidate nobody. Beltran is the nicest guy.
“I know people are going to say, ‘Oh, he is just trying to protect him,’ but you can talk to every single guy here that was here in 2017 — Beltran is a straight-up gentleman and nobody, not even you guys, nobody would feel intimidated by his presence, by his leadership and whatever he has to say. He showed us how to play baseball, hard. He was a veteran. He was inspiring. Whenever we were slumping he was there for us, so I don’t see a person that is mentoring you or is there for you when you are struggling as an intimidating person,’’ Correa said.
According to a report Tuesday in The Athletic, Beltran was the ringleader when it came to the scheme and ignored the protests of some coaches and teammates. Beltran was named the Mets manager this off-season but lost the job when the details of the sign-stealing saga came to light.
Beltran joined the Astros before the 2017 season after spending the previous three years with the Yankees. According to The Athletic, when Beltran got to Houston, he told the organization its sign-stealing methods were “behind the times.”
Even when other players — including former Yankees teammate Brian McCann — advised Beltran to put a stop to the cheating, Beltran refused, the report claims.
“He disregarded it and steamrolled everybody,” one of the team members alleged to The Athletic. “Where do you go if you’re a young, impressionable player with the Astros and this guy says, ‘We’re doing this’? What do you do?”
Correa painted a much different picture on Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Subway, franchisees at odds over sandwich promotion

Subway is clashing with its franchisees over the fast-food chain ’ s plans for an aggressive “ buy a footlong and get a footlong ” sandwich promotion , The Post has learned .
The upcoming deal — which will be available nationwide from March 5 to April 15 — will be available to customers who order online or use Subway ’ s mobile app , according to sources familiar with the plans .
The idea is to boost Subway ’ s online and mobile-based business , which currently accounts for just 1.4 percent of the total , the Subway Franchisee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to questions on a franchisee site .
Subway ’ s goal is to get that number to 5 percent , the company said .
“ Is there going to be any compensation from Subway to the franchisees for the loss they are going to incur with this promotion — after all the franchisee is giving a footlong free for every footlong ?
” Nayanika Barker , chair of the National Association of Subway Franchisees , asked Subway in a back-and-forth exchange on the site .
“ No , similar to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Subway answered , according to a screenshot reviewed by The Post .
Many of Subway ’ s restaurants are already losing money .
More than 1,100 closed on a net basis in both 2018 and 2019 , leaving about 23,600 .
John Chidsey , who became CEO in November , seized control of 95 percent of the fast-food giant ’ s advertising , which used to split about 40-60 between territories and headquarters .
Chidsey became notorious when running Burger King for forcing a $ 1 double cheeseburger promotion that store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having voted twice to reject the promotion .
That resulted in a lawsuit that was settled after private equity group 3G Capital bought the chain in 2010 .
In 2017 , Subway franchisees started a petition drive to protest a $ 4.99 footlong promotion .
Six months later , Subway CEO Suzanne Greco announced her retirement .

Subway is clashing with its franchisees over the fast-food chain’s plans for an aggressive “Buy a footlong and get a footlong” sandwich promotion, The Post has learned.
The upcoming deal — which will be available nationwide from March 5 to April 15 — will be available to customers who order online or use Subway’s mobile app, according to sources familiar with the plans.
The idea is to boost Subway’s online and mobile-based business, which currently accounts for just 1.4 percent of the total, the Subway Franchisee Advertising Trust Fund said earlier this week in response to questions on a franchisee site.
Subway’s goal is to get that number to 5 percent, the company said.
“Is there going to be any compensation from Subway to the franchisees for the loss they are going to incur with this promotion — after all the franchisee is giving a footlong free for every footlong?” Nayanika Barker, chair of the National Association of Subway Franchisees, asked Subway in a back-and-forth exchange on the site.
“No, similar to other offers, there is no additional compensation,” Subway answered, according to a screenshot reviewed by The Post.
Many of Subway’s restaurants are already losing money. More than 1,100 closed on a net basis in both 2018 and 2019, leaving about 23,600.
John Chidsey, who became CEO in November, seized control of 95 percent of the fast-food giant’s advertising, which used to split about 40-60 between territories and headquarters.
Chidsey became notorious when running Burger King for forcing a $1 double cheeseburger promotion that store operators sold for a loss — despite having voted twice to reject the promotion. That resulted in a lawsuit that was settled after private equity group 3G Capital bought the chain in 2010.
In 2017, Subway franchisees started a petition drive to protest a $4.99 footlong promotion. Six months later, Subway CEO Suzanne Greco announced her retirement.
Subway didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Barr says Trump’s tweets about Roger Stone case make it ‘impossible to do my job’

In a rare rebuke of the commander-in-chief , Attorney General Bill Barr said Thursday that President Trump should knock off tweeting about the Roger Stone case because the posts “ make it impossible for me to do my job.
” “ I think it ’ s time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases , ” Barr told ABC News in an exclusive interview .
Asked by the network ’ s Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas if he had an overall problem with the president ’ s tweets , Barr said he did .
“ Yes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of , some of the tweets .
As I said at my confirmation hearing , I think the essential role of the attorney general is to keep law enforcement , the criminal process sacrosanct to make sure there is no political interference in it .
And I have done that and I will continue to do that , ” he said .
“ And I ’ m happy to say that , in fact , the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case.
” Barr ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ startling given that he has vociferously defended the president throughout his tenure — including the end of the probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the entire House impeachment proceeding and Senate trial — and Trump has repeatedly praised his performance as attorney general .
The president most recently thanked and praised Barr this week for overruling veteran prosecutors who had recommended that Stone — Trump ’ s longtime pal — serve between 7 and 9 years behind bars on his conviction for lying to Congress and other charges .
When asked whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr said , “ of course ” because his job is running the Justice Department and doing “ what I think is the right thing to do.
” But he said he wouldn ’ t be pressured by anyone — even Trump .
“ I ’ m not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody … whether it ’ s Congress , a newspaper editorial board , or the president , ” Barr said .
“ I ’ m gon na do what I think is right .
And you know … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.
” The reversal by Barr ’ s Justice Department on the punishment Stone should face prompted questions about whether the attorney general — or Trump himself — had ordered federal prosecutors to lighten up on Stone , a self-described “ dirty trickster ” who has a tattoo of Richard Nixon ’ s face on his back .
Trump had denied meddling in the Washington , DC federal court case before Justice Amy Berman Jackson , an Obama appointee , set to sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told his staff that the recommended sentence was too harsh and to reduce it — hours ahead of Trump ’ s tweet complaining about the initial recommendation .
“ This is a horrible and very unfair situation .
The real crimes were on the other side , as nothing happens to them .
Can not allow this miscarriage of justice !
“ the president tweeted .
Barr said Trump ’ s tweet put him in a bad position because of appearances ; he had already discussed the matter with Justice Department staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Do you go forward with what you think is the right decision or do you pull back because of the tweet ?
And that just sort of illustrates how disruptive these tweets can be , ” he said .
Barr also told ABC News he was “ a little surprised ” that the four federal prosecutors who had handled the case quit in protest after their recommendation was overruled .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham responded : “ The President wasn ’ t bothered by the comments at all and [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like any American citizen , to publicly offer his opinions .
President Trump uses social media very effectively to fight for the American people against injustices in our country , including the fake news .
The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law.
” Asked about Barr ’ s comments , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later told Fox News , “ If the attorney general says it ’ s getting in the way of doing his job , the president should @ @ @ @ @ @ @

In a rare rebuke of the commander-in-chief, Attorney General Bill Barr said Thursday that President Trump should knock off tweeting about the Roger Stone case because the posts “make it impossible for me to do my job.”
“I think it’s time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,” Barr told ABC News in an exclusive interview.
Asked by the network’s Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas if he had an overall problem with the president’s tweets, Barr said he did.
“Yes. Well, I have a problem with some of, some of the tweets. As I said at my confirmation hearing, I think the essential role of the attorney general is to keep law enforcement, the criminal process sacrosanct to make sure there is no political interference in it. And I have done that and I will continue to do that,” he said.
“And I’m happy to say that, in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case.”
Barr’s criticism of his boss was rare and startling given that he has vociferously defended the president throughout his tenure — including the end of the probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the entire House impeachment proceeding and Senate trial — and Trump has repeatedly praised his performance as attorney general.
The president most recently thanked and praised Barr this week for overruling veteran prosecutors who had recommended that Stone — Trump’s longtime pal — serve between 7 and 9 years behind bars on his conviction for lying to Congress and other charges.
When asked whether he expected blowback from the president, Barr said, “of course” because his job is running the Justice Department and doing “what I think is the right thing to do.”
But he said he wouldn’t be pressured by anyone — even Trump.
“I’m not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody … whether it’s Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president,” Barr said.
“I’m gonna do what I think is right. And you know … I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.”
The reversal by Barr’s Justice Department on the punishment Stone should face prompted questions about whether the attorney general — or Trump himself — had ordered federal prosecutors to lighten up on Stone, a self-described “dirty trickster” who has a tattoo of Richard Nixon’s face on his back.
Trump had denied meddling in the Washington, DC federal court case before Justice Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointee, set to sentence Stone on Feb. 20.
Barr said he told his staff that the recommended sentence was too harsh and to reduce it — hours ahead of Trump’s tweet complaining about the initial recommendation.
“This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! “ the president tweeted.
Barr said Trump’s tweet put him in a bad position because of appearances; he had already discussed the matter with Justice Department staffers before the tweet, he said.
“Do you go forward with what you think is the right decision or do you pull back because of the tweet? And that just sort of illustrates how disruptive these tweets can be,” he said.
Barr also told ABC News he was “a little surprised” that the four federal prosecutors who had handled the case quit in protest after their recommendation was overruled.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham responded: “The President wasn’t bothered by the comments at all and [Barr] has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions. President Trump uses social media very effectively to fight for the American people against injustices in our country, including the fake news. The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law.”
Asked about Barr’s comments, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later told Fox News, “If the attorney general says it’s getting in the way of doing his job, the president should listen to the attorney general.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-13--Trailer drops for upcoming Teyana Taylor documentary

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Teyana Taylor has released a trailer for her new Red Bull documentary titled “ Assembly Required : Teyana Taylor ’ s House of Petunia.
” The 60-minute film will give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process of putting together a show , as well as juggling being a wife and mother .
Taylor wed NBA player Iman Shumpert in 2016 and the couple share a 3-year-old daughter named Junie .
In the trailer , the 29-year-old Harlem native can be seen walking through the New York City subway dressed in full glam and shows another intense scene where Taylor is speaking about her performance .
“ I want to see that for myself … I don ’ t care about anyone else ’ s opinion , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels really good to have the opportunity to have my dream show , ” Taylor also says in the trailer .
The film will air on Red Bull TV on Feb. 20 .

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Teyana Taylor has released a trailer for her new Red Bull documentary titled “Assembly Required: Teyana Taylor’s House of Petunia.”
The 60-minute film will give fans an up-close-and-personal look at the creative process of putting together a show, as well as juggling being a wife and mother.
Taylor wed NBA player Iman Shumpert in 2016 and the couple share a 3-year-old daughter named Junie.
In the trailer, the 29-year-old Harlem native can be seen walking through the New York City subway dressed in full glam and shows another intense scene where Taylor is speaking about her performance.
“I want to see that for myself … I don’t care about anyone else’s opinion,” she says to her team.
“It feels really good to have the opportunity to have my dream show,” Taylor also says in the trailer.
The film will air on Red Bull TV on Feb. 20.