newyorkpost--2020-08-12--‘Shakuntala Devi’ Interrogates Whether Women Can Have it All

Shakuntala Devi ’ s legend is immense .
The Indian mathematician traveled the world with her one-woman show , showing off mental math skills that earned her the nickname “ The Human Computer.
” Given any math problem—seventh roots , multiplication of thirteen-digit numbers , you name it—and Devi could give you an answer within seconds .
Devi ’ s accomplishments also extended to publishing : her 1977 book , “ The World of Homosexuals , ” was ahead of its time in accepting and celebrating homosexuality in a global atmosphere that publicly decried it .
Shakuntala Devi was as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hyper-focused on math , sexually free , and unconcerned with following the status quo in both her personal and professional life .
She married and divorced quickly , denounced formal education for her daughter , and lived comfortably off of the riches her mind afforded her .
But when it came to the relationships in her life , she seemed to clash with those who did not compute things the same way .
She viewed her relationship with her mother as transactional , she ( perhaps falsely ) declared her husband as gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointed when her daughter had different priorities than her own .
With the world at her feet , was the gifted and prosperous Shakuntala Devi allowed to have it all ?
This is a question that seemingly only women have to grapple with , and comes down to a woman ’ s ability to flourish in both personal and professional aspects of her world .
The new Anu Menon biopic Shakuntala Devi : Human Computer ( released straight to Amazon Prime due to coronavirus ) stars Vidya Balan in the titular role and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her childhood into adulthood , through the lens of her relationship with her daughter Anu , which draws this question into sharp focus .
Midway through the film , the greatest tension between characters is borne out of a sequence in which the newlywed Shakuntala Devi decides that the one thing missing in her life is motherhood .
She desperately wishes to get pregnant but after giving birth , Devi expects to return back to her normal on-the-go life .
Her husband is supportive of this arrangement and Devi is ecstatic…until she hears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the equivalent of “ dad.
” Devi rushes back to India to take custody of Anu , citing her 3-inch C-Section scar as an earned right to her daughter .
As she grows up , there ’ s an obvious push and pull as Anu yearns for an ordinary life that Devi is incapable of giving her .
They spar over everything : where to live , how to vacation , who to marry , what to value in life .
Through Balan ’ s central performance , we see easily that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accomplished , was still narrow in her ability to see things from a different angle .
Devi was unable to give Anu a “ normal ” upbringing and nurture her in the typical ways , but she still pushed her to greatness and provided for her materially .
What does that say about her love for her daughter ?
The balance of motherhood with career aspirations is not a new concept .
Invariably , modern society expects women to make more sacrifices to keep their personal and professional spheres intact than men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which disproportionately falls on the shoulders of females .
According to a Catalyst study published earlier this year , only 1.5 % of men provide full-time childcare compared to 21.6 % of women globally .
Further , mothers are more likely to be unemployed compared to both fathers and women without children .
If the facts in the film are to be believed completely , Devi certainly didn ’ t help herself in this battle .
She had such a desire to prove she had control of the situation that after the divorce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s father to see his daughter for over a decade , while still pulling Anu across the world at her whim .
Anu ’ s desires to go home to her father and attend school were disregarded while Devi provided for her child in the only way she knew how : through her global math shows .
Their feud buys into not only Devi ’ s ego , but also societal mores and expectations of what a mother should be .
At the time , females were expected to dutifully stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen positively .
While times have changed and women are now more actively part of the workforce , the majority of women have not suddenly been stripped of our home duties .
Instead , it is a gradual fight to be seen as equals with our partners .
It feels reductive ( and even downright wrong ) to bring this ambitious woman ’ s worth down to whether or not she can be considered a good mother—after all , this balancing act is still relevant to mothers across the world today .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anu and Shakuntala Devi have made concessions in the name of repairing their relationship , and have taken steps toward finding the happy medium between the various realms of their lives .
But as a society , we still haven ’ t figured out how to allow women the space for nurturing a family and a profession in the same breath , without having to compromise .
And until the scale is tipped back towards actual gender equality , women will never have the opportunity to have it all .
Radhika Menon ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based in New York City .
Her work has appeared on Paste Magazine , Teen Vogue , and Brown Girl Magazine .
At any given moment , she can ruminate at length over Friday Night Lights , the University of Michigan , and the perfect slice of pizza .
You may call her Rad .

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Shakuntala Devi’s legend is immense. The Indian mathematician traveled the world with her one-woman show, showing off mental math skills that earned her the nickname “The Human Computer.” Given any math problem—seventh roots, multiplication of thirteen-digit numbers, you name it—and Devi could give you an answer within seconds. Devi’s accomplishments also extended to publishing: her 1977 book, “The World of Homosexuals,” was ahead of its time in accepting and celebrating homosexuality in a global atmosphere that publicly decried it.
Shakuntala Devi was as nontraditional as they came: she was hyper-focused on math, sexually free, and unconcerned with following the status quo in both her personal and professional life. She married and divorced quickly, denounced formal education for her daughter, and lived comfortably off of the riches her mind afforded her. But when it came to the relationships in her life, she seemed to clash with those who did not compute things the same way. She viewed her relationship with her mother as transactional, she (perhaps falsely) declared her husband as gay and divorced him, and she was disappointed when her daughter had different priorities than her own. With the world at her feet, was the gifted and prosperous Shakuntala Devi allowed to have it all?
This is a question that seemingly only women have to grapple with, and comes down to a woman’s ability to flourish in both personal and professional aspects of her world. The new Anu Menon biopic Shakuntala Devi: Human Computer (released straight to Amazon Prime due to coronavirus) stars Vidya Balan in the titular role and depicts Devi’s life, from her childhood into adulthood, through the lens of her relationship with her daughter Anu, which draws this question into sharp focus.
Midway through the film, the greatest tension between characters is borne out of a sequence in which the newlywed Shakuntala Devi decides that the one thing missing in her life is motherhood. She desperately wishes to get pregnant but after giving birth, Devi expects to return back to her normal on-the-go life. Her husband is supportive of this arrangement and Devi is ecstatic…until she hears that her daughter’s first word is the equivalent of “dad.” Devi rushes back to India to take custody of Anu, citing her 3-inch C-Section scar as an earned right to her daughter.
As she grows up, there’s an obvious push and pull as Anu yearns for an ordinary life that Devi is incapable of giving her. They spar over everything: where to live, how to vacation, who to marry, what to value in life. Through Balan’s central performance, we see easily that Devi’s worldview, though vast and accomplished, was still narrow in her ability to see things from a different angle. Devi was unable to give Anu a “normal” upbringing and nurture her in the typical ways, but she still pushed her to greatness and provided for her materially. What does that say about her love for her daughter?
The balance of motherhood with career aspirations is not a new concept. Invariably, modern society expects women to make more sacrifices to keep their personal and professional spheres intact than men, and this often includes unpaid childcare which disproportionately falls on the shoulders of females. According to a Catalyst study published earlier this year, only 1.5% of men provide full-time childcare compared to 21.6% of women globally. Further, mothers are more likely to be unemployed compared to both fathers and women without children.
If the facts in the film are to be believed completely, Devi certainly didn’t help herself in this battle. She had such a desire to prove she had control of the situation that after the divorce, she didn’t allow Anu’s father to see his daughter for over a decade, while still pulling Anu across the world at her whim. Anu’s desires to go home to her father and attend school were disregarded while Devi provided for her child in the only way she knew how: through her global math shows. Their feud buys into not only Devi’s ego, but also societal mores and expectations of what a mother should be. At the time, females were expected to dutifully stay home to cook and clean—having ambition was not seen positively. While times have changed and women are now more actively part of the workforce, the majority of women have not suddenly been stripped of our home duties. Instead, it is a gradual fight to be seen as equals with our partners.
It feels reductive (and even downright wrong) to bring this ambitious woman’s worth down to whether or not she can be considered a good mother—after all, this balancing act is still relevant to mothers across the world today. By the film’s end, both Anu and Shakuntala Devi have made concessions in the name of repairing their relationship, and have taken steps toward finding the happy medium between the various realms of their lives. But as a society, we still haven’t figured out how to allow women the space for nurturing a family and a profession in the same breath, without having to compromise. And until the scale is tipped back towards actual gender equality, women will never have the opportunity to have it all.
Radhika Menon (@menonrad) is a TV-obsessed writer based in New York City. Her work has appeared on Paste Magazine, Teen Vogue, and Brown Girl Magazine. At any given moment, she can ruminate at length over Friday Night Lights, the University of Michigan, and the perfect slice of pizza. You may call her Rad.
Watch Shakuntala Devi: Human Computer on Amazon Prime


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Why Dwayne Johnson is Hollywood’s highest-paid actor again

Dwayne “ The Rock ” Johnson has nabbed the title of the world ’ s highest-paid actor for the second year in a row .
Between June 2019 and June 2020 , Johnson racked up $ 87.5 million , making $ 23.5 million alone from his starring role in the upcoming Netflix film “ Red Notice , ” according to Forbes .
In addition , Johnson has found monetary success with his Under Armour clothing line , Project Rock .
However , this is a slight decrease from 2019 , during which Johnson brought home $ 89.4 million from starring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” among other projects .
Johnson first topped the list in 2016 , with earnings totaling $ 64.5 million .
Just behind Johnson is his “ Red Notice ” co-star Ryan Reynolds with $ 71.5 million .
Reynolds was paid $ 20 million for the film , in addition to another $ 20 million from Netflix for “ Six Underground.
” A third Netflix film starring Reynolds is also in the works , bringing another hefty paycheck .
Another Netflix favorite , Mark Wahlberg , came in third with $ 58 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comedy “ Spenser Confidential , ” as well as his production roles on documentaries like “ McMillions ” and “ Wahl Street.
” Ben Affleck follows with $ 55 million in earnings from his return to the big screen in “ The Way Back ” and “ The Last Thing He Wanted.
” Coming in at No .
5 is Vin Diesel , who still made $ 54 million despite the release date of “ Fast and Furious 9 ” being pushed back .
His production role on Netflix ’ s animated spin-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” kept his wallet warm .
Rounding out the top ten are Bollywood star Akshay Kumar , “ Hamilton ” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda , Will Smith , Adam Sandler and Jackie Chan .
Combined , these 10 actors were paid over $ 545 million .
Though Forbes ’ list of highest-paid actresses in 2020 has not been published yet , the earnings of the top ten actresses on last year ’ s list totaled only $ 314.6 million .
Below , find the ten highest-paid actors of 2020 :

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has nabbed the title of the world’s highest-paid actor for the second year in a row.
Between June 2019 and June 2020, Johnson racked up $87.5 million, making $23.5 million alone from his starring role in the upcoming Netflix film “Red Notice,” according to Forbes. In addition, Johnson has found monetary success with his Under Armour clothing line, Project Rock.
However, this is a slight decrease from 2019, during which Johnson brought home $89.4 million from starring in “Jumanji: The Next Level,” among other projects. Johnson first topped the list in 2016, with earnings totaling $64.5 million.
Just behind Johnson is his “Red Notice” co-star Ryan Reynolds with $71.5 million. Reynolds was paid $20 million for the film, in addition to another $20 million from Netflix for “Six Underground.” A third Netflix film starring Reynolds is also in the works, bringing another hefty paycheck.
Another Netflix favorite, Mark Wahlberg, came in third with $58 million. His earnings come from the action comedy “Spenser Confidential,” as well as his production roles on documentaries like “McMillions” and “Wahl Street.”
Ben Affleck follows with $55 million in earnings from his return to the big screen in “The Way Back” and “The Last Thing He Wanted.”
Coming in at No. 5 is Vin Diesel, who still made $54 million despite the release date of “Fast and Furious 9” being pushed back. His production role on Netflix’s animated spin-off, “Fast and Furious Spy Races,” kept his wallet warm.
Rounding out the top 10 are Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Will Smith, Adam Sandler and Jackie Chan. Combined, these 10 actors were paid over $545 million.
Though Forbes’ list of highest-paid actresses in 2020 has not been published yet, the earnings of the top 10 actresses on last year’s list totaled only $314.6 million.
Below, find the 10 highest-paid actors of 2020:


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Tesla shares surge after Elon Musk announces stock split

The company plans to give investors five shares of stock for each share they own on Aug. 28 in an effort “ to make stock ownership more accessible to employees and investors , ” it said after Tuesday ’ s closing bell .
The move will divide Tesla ’ s stock price — which had jumped nearly 6.6 percent to $ 1,465.00 by 7:30 a.m. Wednesday — by five without reducing its market value , currently the largest of any automaker in the world .
“ Given its lofty stock price a stock split makes a ton of sense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appetite for Tesla ’ s stock and [ the electric vehicle ] market is robust among retail investors globally , ” Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives told The Post .
Tesla ’ s share price has increased sixfold over the past year as the company opened a new factory in China , beat expectations for vehicle deliveries and posted four straight profitable quarters despite disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic , making it eligible for inclusion in the benchmark S & P 500 stock index .
Tesla CEO Musk — who is paid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his company ’ s stock price is “ too high ” even though the recent surge has added $ 37.8 billion to his wealth so far this year .
He ’ s currently the world ’ s 10th-richest person with a fortune of $ 65.4 billion , according to Bloomberg ’ s Billionaires Index .
Companies often use stock splits to make their shares cheaper and more attractive to small investors .
But they ’ ve become relatively uncommon among big US companies — only three S & P 500 firms have announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will execute a 4-for-1 split at the end of this month .
Both Tesla and Apple are hot stocks among retail traders .
They ’ ve seen the biggest increases in popularity over the past month among Robinhood investors , according to Robintrack , which compiles data from the trading app .

Tesla shares soared in premarket trading Wednesday after Elon Musk’s electric car-maker announced a 5-for-1 stock split.
The company plans to give investors five shares of stock for each share they own on Aug. 28 in an effort “to make stock ownership more accessible to employees and investors,” it said after Tuesday’s closing bell.
The move will divide Tesla’s stock price — which had jumped nearly 6.6 percent to $1,465.00 by 7:30 a.m. Wednesday — by five without reducing its market value, currently the largest of any automaker in the world.
In after-hours trading Wednesday, the stock hit $1,561.25 after closing at $1,544.76.
“Given its lofty stock price a stock split makes a ton of sense, especially at a time in when the appetite for Tesla’s stock and [the electric vehicle] market is robust among retail investors globally,” Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives told The Post.
Tesla’s share price has increased sixfold over the past year as the company opened a new factory in China, beat expectations for vehicle deliveries and posted four straight profitable quarters despite disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, making it eligible for inclusion in the benchmark S&P 500 stock index.
Tesla CEO Musk — who is paid in performance-based equity awards — has opined that his company’s stock price is “too high” even though the recent surge has added $37.8 billion to his wealth so far this year. He’s currently the world’s 10th-richest person with a fortune of $65.4 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.
Companies often use stock splits to make their shares cheaper and more attractive to small investors. But they’ve become relatively uncommon among big US companies — only three S&P 500 firms have announced them this year, including Apple, which will execute a 4-for-1 split at the end of this month.
Both Tesla and Apple are hot stocks among retail traders. They’ve seen the biggest increases in popularity over the past month among Robinhood investors, according to Robintrack, which compiles data from the trading app.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Yankees’ Mike Ford thrives in first crack at replacing Giancarlo Stanton

People involved in making decisions about what the trade landscape ...

Mike Ford isn’t Giancarlo Stanton on many levels.
Yet, it was the left-handed hitting Ford getting the first crack at replacing the right-handed hitting Stanton as Aaron Boone’s designated hitter Tuesday night against the Braves at Yankee Stadium.
Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a strained left hamstring he suffered running the bases Saturday against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Obviously losing G is a big down for our team, but I am pretty confident in myself and hopefully get more regular at-bats, get to string some things together,” Ford said before going 2-for-4 and driving in three runs with two doubles in the Yankees’ 9-6 win. “Once I was getting regular at-bats last year I seemed to settle in so it is an opportunity for me but obviously a big loss. I hope I can fill the void.”
In his first seven games this season, Ford hit .167 (3-for-18) with a homer and four RBIs.
As for Stanton, Boone described the strain as a Grade 1-plus and said the DH could be out three-to-four weeks.
“That timeline seems about right, but we are in the early days here so it’s kind of recovery, treatment kind of week,” Boone said. “We will have a better idea where we are by the end of the week, how he is responding and when he is allowed to start ramping up from a baseball standpoint.”
Given a chance to play last year when Luke Voit was injured, Ford produced to the point that Boone has said multiple times the former Princeton first baseman/pitcher could be a productive big-league hitter.
From Aug. 4 to Sept. 29 last season, Ford appeared in 39 games (27 starts) and hit .274 (31-for-113) with 11 homers, 23 RBIs and a .953 OPS.
Boone was aware of a report Tuesday that MLB is talking about setting up bubbles for the postseason.
“I haven’t communicated with anyone, coaches or front office,’’ Boone said. “I think it’s probably smart to have everything on the table moving forward. It’s part of the due diligence MLB has to probably take on.”
When Boone met with the media via Zoom on Tuesday he hadn’t received a report on how Aroldis Chapman did facing hitters at the alternate site in Scranton.
“I know he is doing well so we will evaluate after each and every [session] but I don’t have a date for you,’’ Boone said of when he might expect the lefty closer to return from the COVID-19 IL.
According to Boone, backup catcher Kyle Higashioka’s MRI of his strained right oblique muscle was encouraging.
“The MRI looked pretty good which is good news. He still has the symptoms that go along with the oblique injury so hoping it is not something serious,’’ Boone said of Higashioka, who went on the 10-day IL Saturday. “He still won’t be doing any baseball activities for a handful of days.”
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With MLB suspending Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron for 20 games and A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano for six and fining each for their part in a bench-clearing incident Sunday, and the Indians putting starting pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger on the restricted list for going out in Chicago on Sunday night, Boone was asked about reminding his players, and even coaches, about being diligent about following the protocols designed to keep players away from each other.
“All these things that come up, are subtle or a hit-you-over-the-head reminder how serious things are and how important it is that protocols get followed,’’ Boone said. “Obviously the on-field incidents that MLB is trying to avoid at all costs, so when there are there are going to be serious consequences. These are all reminders of how fragile this can be right now. How mindful you have to be about all your actions.”
Masahiro Tanaka makes his third start of the season Wednesday night against the Braves, and the Yankees will gladly accept a repeat of the right-handers last outing when he provided five shutout innings in a 1-0 loss to the Rays on Saturday. Tanaka, who threw 59 pitches, didn’t get tagged with a tough loss.
“The stuff looks great. He is throwing the ball really well. The splitter has been good, the life on the fastball has been excellent, the slider has been good,’’ Boone said. “I feel he has been incredibly sharp right now and the stuff is coming out good.’’
Tanaka got a late start to the season after suffering a concussion on July 4, when a batted ball by Stanton hit the pitcher in the head.
“I feel pretty built up, physically I feel fine,” said Tanaka, who threw 51 pitches in his first outing on Aug. 1. “As for how deep I will go in [Wednesday’s] game, I don’t think there is much of a drastic increase in the number of pitches I will be able to get. But within that given pitch amount I am going to go out there and do my best.”
On Aug. 6 the Yankees signed right-hander Nick Tropeano to a major league contract. Two days later he was designated for assignment. Tuesday he was claimed on waivers by the Pirates.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Overweight Chinese man’s big belly saves him from falling down a well

An overweight Chinese man found his big belly to be a lifesaver — after it got wedged in a well and stopped him falling down , according to officials .
The 28-year-old only identified as Liu got trapped in his family ’ s well after breaking through wood that had been used to cover it in his hometown of Fuliudian Village in Henan Province , the Luoyang fire service reported .
An official fire service video clip shared on social media showed rescuers arriving last Friday as the shirtless man patiently waited with his arms crossed .
He remained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of at least five firefighters tie a strong rope around his waist to finally heave him out to safety — totally unharmed , they said .
The fire service had estimated his weight at 500 pounds , although The Sun cited other reports that he was closer to 300 pounds .
Either way , the force said he was only survived because he was “ too fat ” to fall down as he seemingly jumped on the wood covering the well .
Liu — who is said to suffer from a mental illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the wood which was left over the well as his parents prepared to have it filled .

Luckily, he’s got guts!
An overweight Chinese man found his big belly to be a lifesaver — after it got wedged in a well and stopped him falling down, according to officials.
The 28-year-old only identified as Liu got trapped in his family’s well after breaking through wood that had been used to cover it in his hometown of Fuliudian Village in Henan Province, the Luoyang fire service reported.
An official fire service video clip shared on social media showed rescuers arriving last Friday as the shirtless man patiently waited with his arms crossed.
He remained that way as gobsmacked locals watched a team of at least five firefighters tie a strong rope around his waist to finally heave him out to safety — totally unharmed, they said.
The fire service had estimated his weight at 500 pounds, although The Sun cited other reports that he was closer to 300 pounds.
Either way, the force said he was only survived because he was “too fat” to fall down as he seemingly jumped on the wood covering the well.
Liu — who is said to suffer from a mental illness — appears to have fallen after jumping on the wood which was left over the well as his parents prepared to have it filled.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Biden reportedly mocked for using script to tap Kamala Harris as his running mate

Shortly after Joe Biden called Sen. Kamala Harris about tapping her as his running mate , the gaffe-prone former veep was mocked for using a script during his virtual chat , according to reports .
“ I have the great honor to announce that I ’ ve picked @ KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy , and one of the country ’ s finest public servants — as my running mate , ” Biden wrote on Instagram .
A photo posted on his account shows the 77-year-old speaking on a laptop with the beaming California senator as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaker facing the computer , suggesting someone else was on their call , the Daily Mail reported .
But it was a sheet of paper seen under the phone that caught people ’ s attention .
“ I ’ ve decided I would like you to join this effort to win back the soul of our country and be our nation ’ s next Vice President , ” the text reads .
“ I think you are entitled to know why I chose you .
There are three reasons.
” Biden was soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a script during his call with his newly minted running mate .
“ Biden ’ s staff had to write a script for him so he ’ d know why he was even talking to Kamala Harris .
‘ I ’ m calling you today because… , ” wrote Sean Davis , co-founder of conservative online mag The Federalist .
Benny Johnson , chief creative officer of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA , also took a swipe .
“ 3 VERY IMPORTANT THINGS about this photo of Joe Biden calling Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has to read from a script that is clearly visible 2 .
Biden does not know how to hold an iPhone ( it ’ s upside down ) 3 .
The cartoon on Biden ’ s desk is a man screaming “ WHY ME ?
!
” The Trump fundraising account @ TrumpWarRoom weighed in , too .
“ ‘ I am calling you today … There are three reasons.
’ Joe Biden needed a script to understand why his handlers chose Phony Kamala Harris to be his VP , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused by some of cropping the script to spare Biden the embarrassment , ” Fox News reported .
“ MSNBC cropped the photo of Joe Biden video chatting with Kamala Harris , removing Biden ’ s talking points from the image .
It ’ s an embarrassment Biden needed talking points to talk to his own VP , ” GOP rapid response chief Steve Guest tweeted .
“ Biden is clearly a puppet of the left , ” he added .
Conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec wrote : “ MSNBC doctored the image of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was using.
” MSNBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Post .

Shortly after Joe Biden called Sen. Kamala Harris about tapping her as his running mate, the gaffe-prone former veep was mocked for using a script during his virtual chat, according to reports.
“I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” Biden wrote on Instagram.
A photo posted on his account shows the 77-year-old speaking on a laptop with the beaming California senator as he holds up his iPhone with its speaker facing the computer, suggesting someone else was on their call, the Daily Mail reported.
But it was a sheet of paper seen under the phone that caught people’s attention.
“I’ve decided I would like you to join this effort to win back the soul of our country and be our nation’s next Vice President,” the text reads. “I think you are entitled to know why I chose you. There are three reasons.”
Biden was soon mocked in pro-President Trump social media for resorting to a script during his call with his newly minted running mate.
“Biden’s staff had to write a script for him so he’d know why he was even talking to Kamala Harris. ‘I’m calling you today because…,’” wrote Sean Davis, co-founder of conservative online mag The Federalist.
Benny Johnson, chief creative officer of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, also took a swipe.
“3 VERY IMPORTANT THINGS about this photo of Joe Biden calling Kamala to offer her VP spot:
1. Biden has to read from a script that is clearly visible
2. Biden does not know how to hold an iPhone (it’s upside down)
3. The cartoon on Biden’s desk is a man screaming “WHY ME?!”
The Trump fundraising account @TrumpWarRoom weighed in, too.
“ ‘I am calling you today … There are three reasons.’ Joe Biden needed a script to understand why his handlers chose Phony Kamala Harris to be his VP,” it said.
Meanwhile, MSNBC was accused by some of cropping the script “to spare Biden the embarrassment,” Fox News reported.
“MSNBC cropped the photo of Joe Biden video chatting with Kamala Harris, removing Biden’s talking points from the image.
“It’s an embarrassment Biden needed talking points to talk to his own VP,” GOP rapid response chief Steve Guest tweeted.
“Biden is clearly a puppet of the left,” he added.
Conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec wrote: “MSNBC doctored the image of Biden calling Kamala to remove the script he was using.”
MSNBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Family in shock after shark steals freshly caught fish

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A family fishing trip in Bay de Verde, off the coast of Newfoundland, took a shocking twist when a shark decided to bite a freshly caught fish as it was being reeled in. Alexandria Batten said her father even tried to step in with a heavier rod to fight for the cod, but the shark refused to give up, even becoming aggressive and thrashing into the boat. After battling for nearly 45 minutes, Batten said, they finally gave up and cut the line, releasing the fish to the shark.
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newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Buzz off: Mississippi removes ‘mosquito’ option for state flag replacement

Mississippi officials zapped the idea of the next state flag featuring a huge mosquito — saying the blood-sucking insect design was included in the final selections by mistake .
A nine-member commission tasked with redesigning Mississippi ’ s flag had narrowed down the number of public submissions from 3,000 to 147 — and on Monday posted the results which included one with a giant mosquito surrounded by a circle of stars .
But the state Department of Archives and history said Tuesday that the flag was advanced as a finalist due to a typo submitted by one of the commissioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flag be removed from the Round Two gallery , and MDAH staff has complied , ” the agency said in a statement .
The eventual replacement for the state ’ s former Confederate battle flag — which was retired last month — can not include the Confederate symbol and must feature the phrase “ In God We Trust , ” the MDAH said .
On Friday , the commission will choose the final five flags .
Many of the remaining designs have magnolias and stars .
Some have wavy lines that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the Gulf of Mexico .
By early September , they will agree on a single design to put on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot .

Mississippi officials zapped the idea of the next state flag featuring a huge mosquito — saying the blood-sucking insect design was included in the final selections by mistake.
A nine-member commission tasked with redesigning Mississippi’s flag had narrowed down the number of public submissions from 3,000 to 147 — and on Monday posted the results which included one with a giant mosquito surrounded by a circle of stars.
But the state Department of Archives and history said Tuesday that the flag was advanced as a finalist due to a typo submitted by one of the commissioners.
“That commissioner has requested that the flag be removed from the Round Two gallery, and MDAH staff has complied,” the agency said in a statement.
The eventual replacement for the state’s former Confederate battle flag — which was retired last month — cannot include the Confederate symbol and must feature the phrase “In God We Trust,” the MDAH said.
On Friday, the commission will choose the final five flags. Many of the remaining designs have magnolias and stars. Some have wavy lines that could represent the waters of the Mississippi River or the Gulf of Mexico.
By early September, they will agree on a single design to put on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Decades-old corpse found during renovations of $41M Parisian mansion

The decomposing corpse of a homeless man was reportedly found inside the basement of a $ 41 million Parisian mansion @ @ @ @ @ for 30 years .
The discovery at the property — once occupied by French poet @ @ @ @ @ was made shortly after the mansion was purchased at auction by an investment banker in @ @ @ @ @ , citing local newspaper Le Monde .
Workers restoring the grounds located the body underneath @ @ @ @ @ a cellar , the reports said .
The grisly find halted renovations and led local @ @ @ @ @ investigation , as the remains contained broken bones and knife cuts , Le Monde reported @ @ @ @ @ by a police source to the French newspaper as Jean-Pierre Renaud .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ in the mansion or was brought there , and we may never find out who @ @ @ @ @ police source told the paper .
“ It ’ s quite possible the murderer is @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family was made aware of his discovery .

The decomposing corpse of a homeless man was reportedly found inside the basement of a $41 million Parisian mansion undergoing renovations after sitting vacant for 30 years.
The discovery at the property — once occupied by French poet and playwright François Coppée — was made shortly after the mansion was purchased at auction by an investment banker in February, The Guardian reported, citing local newspaper Le Monde.
Workers restoring the grounds located the body underneath a pile of debris inside a cellar, the reports said.
The grisly find halted renovations and led local police to launch a murder investigation, as the remains contained broken bones and knife cuts, Le Monde reported.
The man was identified by a police source to the French newspaper as Jean-Pierre Renaud.
“It’s unclear whether he died in the mansion or was brought there, and we may never find out who was responsible,” the police source told the paper. “It’s quite possible the murderer is himself now dead.”
Renaud’s family was made aware of his discovery.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Connecticut Congressional candidate quits race following domestic violence arrest

A Republican candidate for Congress in Connecticut dropped out of the race Tuesday as voters were going to the polls in his primary election following his arrest in an assault case .
Thomas Gilmer , the party-endorsed candidate , was arrested Monday night on charges of first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation .
He posted a $ 5,000 bond .
The charges stem from a May 2017 attack on a former girlfriend and July 22 interview with the victim , according to Wethersfield police .
“ I can not in good conscience move forward in this campaign while I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And clear my name I will , ” Gilmer said in a statement .
Phone calls and emails seeking comment were made to Gilmer by The Associated Press on Tuesday .
Gilmer was arraigned Tuesday and is due back in court Sept. 23 .
He is not allowed to contact the victim .
According to the arrest warrant affidavit , police have a video of the incident that was provided by Gilmer ’ s Republican opponent , Justin Anderson .
It shows Gilmer “ punch the victim in the face and jump on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
Gilmer then attempts to choke the victim followed by multiple closed fist punches to the victim ’ s face , ” according to the report .
He then places her in a chokehold and she appears to be “ struggling for her life , ” according to the affidavit .
Gilmer , 29 , of Madison , had received the party ’ s endorsement in the race .
With voting already underway , his name could not be removed from ballots , and many already have been cast in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballot amid the coronavirus .
If Gilmer wins after formally withdrawing , the Republican Party will be able to nominate someone to take his place in the general election , according to Gabe Rosenberg , a spokesman for the Connecticut Secretary of the State .
Votes were still being tallied late Tuesday .
The ultimate Republican candidate will face U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney , a Democrat who is favored to win reelection , to represent a district spanning eastern Connecticut .
Anderson , of East Haddam , is a lieutenant colonel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two combat tours in Afghanistan .
On Sunday , he called for Gilmer to drop out of the race , saying he had evidence that the endorsed candidate was involved in domestic abuse .
Anderson said the victim had reached out to him in April with the video evidence .
“ Instead of investigating the issues over the last 3 months , party leaders participated in cajoling , victim shaming and shunning Mr. Anderson , questioning his integrity , ” Anderson ’ s campaign said in a statement .
“ It was Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations privately among leaders to protect the victim , however , party leaders brought this out publicly to discredit Mr. Anderson for standing up and bringing this to attention.
” J.R. Romano , the state Republican Party chairman , acknowledged that he was aware of Anderson ’ s allegations .
“ I have a primary challenger , they are running against each other , who comes to me with an allegation .
I said , ‘ Bring it to the proper authorities to investigate , ’ ” Romano said .
He said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee to come up with a candidate should Gilmer win .

A Republican candidate for Congress in Connecticut dropped out of the race Tuesday as voters were going to the polls in his primary election following his arrest in an assault case.
Thomas Gilmer, the party-endorsed candidate, was arrested Monday night on charges of first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation. He posted a $5,000 bond. The charges stem from a May 2017 attack on a former girlfriend and a July 22 interview with the victim, according to Wethersfield police.
“I cannot in good conscience move forward in this campaign while I am simultaneously forced to clear my name. And clear my name I will,” Gilmer said in a statement.
Phone calls and emails seeking comment were made to Gilmer by the Associated Press on Tuesday.
Gilmer was arraigned Tuesday and is due back in court Sept. 23. He is not allowed to contact the victim.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, police have a video of the incident that was provided by Gilmer’s Republican opponent, Justin Anderson. It shows Gilmer “punch the victim in the face and jump on top of her as she falls to the ground. Gilmer then attempts to choke the victim followed by multiple closed fist punches to the victim’s face,” according to the report.
He then places her in a chokehold and she appears to be “struggling for her life,” according to the affidavit.
Gilmer, 29, of Madison, had received the party’s endorsement in the race. With voting already underway, his name could not be removed from ballots, and many already have been cast in an election where huge numbers are voting by absentee ballot amid the coronavirus.
If Gilmer wins after formally withdrawing, the Republican Party will be able to nominate someone to take his place in the general election, according to Gabe Rosenberg, a spokesman for the Connecticut secretary of the state. Votes were still being tallied late Tuesday.
The ultimate Republican candidate will face US Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who is favored to win re-election, to represent a district spanning eastern Connecticut.
Anderson, of East Haddam, is a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard who served two combat tours in Afghanistan. On Sunday, he called for Gilmer to drop out of the race, saying he had evidence that the endorsed candidate was involved in domestic abuse. Anderson said the victim had reached out to him in April with the video evidence.
“Instead of investigating the issues over the last 3 months, party leaders participated in cajoling, victim shaming and shunning Mr. Anderson, questioning his integrity,” Anderson’s campaign said in a statement. “It was Justin’s goal to deal with the allegations privately among leaders to protect the victim, however, party leaders brought this out publicly to discredit Mr. Anderson for standing up and bringing this to attention.”
J.R. Romano, the state Republican Party chairman, acknowledged that he was aware of Anderson’s allegations.
“I have a primary challenger, they are running against each other, who comes to me with an allegation. I said, ‘Bring it to the proper authorities to investigate,’” Romano said.
He said it would be up to the state central committee to come up with a candidate should Gilmer win.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Tennessee woman renews license online, but ID arrives with picture of empty chair

A Tennessee woman who recently renewed her driver ’ s license online received the ID card back with a photo of an empty chair on it instead of her face .
“ I was with my mom and we were going to eat lunch and I said , ‘ you need to see this , this isn ’ t right , ’ ” Jade Dodd told WKRN of discovering the errant photo .
The chair ended up on the 25-year-old ’ s license since it was the last photo mistakenly taken and saved to Dodd ’ s file at her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security told the outlet .
“ When the Department was made aware of her situation , we immediately made things right with the customer and provided her with a license with her actual photo and have addressed this situation internally , ” the agency said .
Dodd last Wednesday posted a picture of the ID to her Facebook , which has been shared more than 18,000 times .
The snafu has been a source of comic relief , especially with her coworkers .
“ I was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair outside of his office door and was like , ‘ I thought this was you , I waved at it this morning .
’ ”

A Tennessee woman who recently renewed her driver’s license online received the ID card back with a photo of an empty chair on it instead of her face.
“I was with my mom and we were going to eat lunch and I said, ‘You need to see this, this isn’t right,’” Jade Dodd told WKRN of discovering the errant photo.
The chair ended up on the 25-year-old’s license since it was the last photo mistakenly taken and saved to Dodd’s file at her last visit to the DMV, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security told the outlet.
“When the Department was made aware of her situation, we immediately made things right with the customer and provided her with a license with her actual photo and have addressed this situation internally,” the agency said.
Dodd last Wednesday posted a picture of the ID to her Facebook, which has been shared more than 18,000 times.
The snafu has been a source of comic relief, especially with her co-workers.
“My boss thinks it’s funnier than anyone,” Dodd told the news station.
“I was at work Friday and he pointed to a chair outside of his office door and was like, ‘I thought this was you, I waved at it this morning.’”


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Colorado Springs cop suspended for ‘KILL THEM ALL’ comment on protest livestream

A Colorado Springs cop has been temporarily suspended after an investigation found he commented “ KILL THEM ALL ” on a live stream video of a police brutality protest in June .
Colorado Springs Sgt .
Keith Wrede used a pseudonym on Facebook to write “ KILL THEM ALL ” and “ KILL EM ALL ” in response to a local ABC affiliate ’ s video of the protest on June 30 , his department announced Monday .
Wrede was suspended for 40 hours and will lose more than $ 2,000 in wages — but he will still be employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the force , he ’ s been kicked off his specialized unit and reassigned to a different position , CSPD Chief Vince Niski wrote in an open letter .
“ It was determined that the comments were made off-duty out of frustration and there was no indication of any physical action or intent to cause harm , ” Niski said .
“ I am in no way minimizing Sergeant Wrede ’ s words .
His comments were unacceptable , have damaged our relationship with members of our community , and fell short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmed had blocked traffic highway as part of a Black Lives Matter demonstration , according to the local CBS affiliate .
The local station carrying the stream on Facebook , an ABC affiliate , had gone to the police to report the incident after a tipster outed Wrede as man who wrote the comments under the Facebook account with the name “ Steven Eric , ” according to Niski .
An investigation was launched “ immediately ” and the office was “ able to quickly determine Sergeant Wrede ’ s involvement ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chief went on to call the comments “ unprofessional , distasteful , and not reflective of our department , ” but opted against firing Wrede after considering his record at the department as a “ good police officer.
” “ Please remember officers are human too and make mistakes .
Throughout his 20-year career , Sergeant Wrede has professionally served this community , ” the chief wrote .
“ While his statements were harmful and reprehensible , I can not deprive the community of a good police officer and his services because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in judgment .
”

A Colorado Springs cop has been temporarily suspended after an investigation found he commented “KILL THEM ALL” on a livestream video of a police brutality protest in June.
Colorado Springs Sgt. Keith Wrede used a pseudonym on Facebook to write “KILL THEM ALL” and “KILL EM ALL” in response to a local ABC affiliate’s video of the protest on June 30, his department announced Monday.
Wrede was suspended for 40 hours and will lose more than $2,000 in wages — but will still be employed by the department. After two decades on the force, he’s been kicked off his specialized unit and reassigned to a different position, CSPD Chief Vince Niski wrote in an open letter.
“It was determined that the comments were made off-duty out of frustration and there was no indication of any physical action or intent to cause harm,” Niski said.
“I am in no way minimizing Sergeant Wrede’s words. His comments were unacceptable, have damaged our relationship with members of our community, and fell short of our standards.”
The protesters being filmed had blocked traffic on a highway as part of a Black Lives Matter demonstration, according to the local CBS affiliate.
The local station carrying the stream on Facebook, an ABC affiliate, had gone to the police to report the incident after a tipster outed Wrede as the man who wrote the comments under a Facebook account with the name “Steven Eric,” according to Niski.
An investigation was launched “immediately” and the office was “able to quickly determine Sergeant Wrede’s involvement” in penning the messages, Niski added.
The chief went on to call the comments “unprofessional, distasteful, and not reflective of our department,” but opted against firing Wrede after considering his record at the department as a “good police officer.”
“Please remember officers are human too and make mistakes. Throughout his 20-year career, Sergeant Wrede has professionally served this community,” the chief wrote. “While his statements were harmful and reprehensible, I cannot deprive the community of a good police officer and his services because of an isolated incident of an error in judgment.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Walker Lockett set for crack at Mets’ rotation vacancy

The first crack at filling the vacancy in the Mets rotation could belong to Walker Lockett .
The right-hander was removed from the injured list Tuesday and added to the bullpen for at least one night ( he didn ’ t pitch in the Mets ’ 2-1 loss to the Nationals ) , but team brass has bigger plans : He is the front-runner to take Michael Wacha ’ s turn in the rotation Wednesday .
Wacha was recently placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation and Marcus Stroman ’ s subsequent decision to opt out from the season before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mets with that need .
Lockett , 26 , went 1-4 with an 8.84 ERA in 13 appearances last season with the Mets .
He spent summer camp sidelined with lower-back stiffness .
The right-hander has recently added a cutter , according to manager Luis Rojas .
“ He ’ s a contact pitcher — a guy that can induce some contact so can get through a lineup with fewer pitches , ” Rojas said .
“ And adding the cutter , which can be another contact pitch for him , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is.
” Brandon Nimmo will likely begin playing deeper in center field , according to Rojas , to get a better route on fly balls .
Nimmo has been playing 315-317 feet from home plate and Rojas , the team ’ s former outfield coach , would like to see him in the 325-327 range .
Nimmo has looked overmatched at the position at times .
He shifted to left field Tuesday with Billy Hamilton in the lineup in center .
“ Some of the adjustments we can start making and then obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reaction off the bat , ” Rojas said .
“ We have to keep doing just to get the guys into that mode where they get the better reads off the bat.
” Amed Rosario did not play as he battled a stomach bug , according to Rojas .
He was available off the bench .
Pete Alonso was on the bench for his first missed start of the season .
Alonso pinch hit in the seventh inning and was retired .
Robinson Cano was at Citi Field for a workout in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The veteran second baseman , who is on the injured list with a strained left groin , is eligible for a return to the team on Friday .
Jake Marisnick played three innings in center field Monday during a game at the team ’ s alternate workout site in Brooklyn and took at-bats , according to Rojas .
The veteran outfielder is rehabbing from a strained left hamstring .
Paul Sewald was designated for assignment and Ali Sanchez optioned to the alternate site to clear roster space for Lockett and Brad Brach @

The first crack at filling the vacancy in the Mets rotation could belong to Walker Lockett.
The right-hander was removed from the injured list Tuesday and added to the bullpen for at least one night (he didn’t pitch in the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Nationals), but team brass has bigger plans: He is the front-runner to take Michael Wacha’s turn in the rotation Wednesday.
Wacha was recently placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation and Marcus Stroman’s subsequent decision to opt out from the season before completing his injury rehab, has left the Mets with that need.
Lockett, 26, went 1-4 with an 8.84 ERA in 13 appearances last season with the Mets. He spent summer camp sidelined with lower-back stiffness.
The right-hander has recently added a cutter, according to manager Luis Rojas.
“He’s a contact pitcher — a guy that can induce some contact so can get through a lineup with fewer pitches,” Rojas said. “And adding the cutter, which can be another contact pitch for him, is just adding more to the pitcher he is.”
Brandon Nimmo will likely begin playing deeper in center field, according to Rojas, to get a better route on fly balls. Nimmo has been playing 315-317 feet from home plate and Rojas, the team’s former outfield coach, would like to see him in the 325-327 range.
Nimmo has looked overmatched at the position at times. He shifted to left field Tuesday with Billy Hamilton in the lineup in center.
“Some of the adjustments we can start making and then obviously the drills and different stuff we do, reaction off the bat,” Rojas said. “We have to keep doing just to get the guys into that mode where they get the better reads off the bat.”
Amed Rosario did not play as he battled a stomach bug, according to Rojas. He was available off the bench.
Pete Alonso was on the bench for his first missed start of the season. Alonso pinch hit in the seventh inning and was retired.
Robinson Cano was at Citi Field for a workout in which he planned to test his legs. The veteran second baseman, who is on the injured list with a strained left groin, is eligible for a return to the team on Friday.
Jake Marisnick played three innings in center field Monday during a game at the team’s alternate workout site in Brooklyn and took at-bats, according to Rojas. The veteran outfielder is rehabbing from a strained left hamstring.
Paul Sewald was designated for assignment and Ali Sanchez optioned to the alternate site to clear roster space for Lockett and Brad Brach.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Patrick Graham poised to give Giants’ defense multiple looks

“ Yes.
’ ’ That was Patrick Graham ’ s answer to what seemed much more like an either-or question .
The new Giants defensive coordinator arrives with a history filled with Bill Belichick-inspired theories as to how to best stop the opponent .
Joe Judge , the head coach who hired Graham , has said he wants his defense to be “ multiple ’ ’ in design — meaning different looks each week .
With this in mind , Graham on Tuesday was asked if his base defense will be a 4-3 front , a 3-4 front , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I always answer with ‘ yes , ’ ’ ’ he said .
“ Whatever you want to say , I ’ ll say yes .
I ’ m not trying to make a joke of it .
We are going to do what ’ s best with what we have in terms of the people , the personnel we have and what we think is best for the game .
I would say this , the game is mostly made up of sub plays when you look at the percentages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three receivers out there .
I think you have to look at it from a sub perspective in terms of how you are going to deploy the guys and then go from there.
’ ’ Graham , 41 , was a defensive lineman at Yale and spent seven years with the Patriots .
Four of those years ( 2012-15 ) coincided with Judge ’ s time in New England .
In 2016 , Ben McAdoo hired Graham to coach the Giants defensive line .
It was short-lived stay for McAdoo , and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Brian Flores — another former Patriots assistant on Belichick ’ s staff with Judge and Graham — in 2019 was named the Dolphins head coach , he hired Graham to run the Dolphins ’ defense .
In a rare lateral move , Graham moved to the Giants after Judge came calling , though Graham was also named assistant head coach along with his defensive coordinator title .
“ Obviously , I have familiarity with Joe , ’ ’ Graham said .
“ He presented an opportunity to work with the Giants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s close to home , so it ’ s been positive .
I ’ m excited to be here now in 2020 .
That ’ s pretty much the extent of that.
’ ’ Graham in his first go-round with the Giants was a dutiful assistant , with his media sessions pleasant but mostly generic .
He showed more personality in this first introduction as the defensive coordinator , mixing in colorful praise for linemen Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams with a playful shot at himself .
After describing Lawrence as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham countered with , “ I would say that counters my demeanor , which is usually not too bubbly.
’ ’ The Giants signed OT Jackson Dennis ( Holy Cross ) and WR Cody White ( Michigan State ) and waived TE Kyle Markway and LB Mark McLaurin .
The Giants had veteran cornerback Ross Cockrell in for testing but a deal could not be reached .
An experienced cornerback could still interest the Giants , who are depleted at the position after Sam Beal opted out and DeAndre Baker was placed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges .

“Yes.’’ That was Patrick Graham’s answer to what seemed much more like an either-or question.
The new Giants defensive coordinator arrives with a history filled with Bill Belichick-inspired theories as to how to best stop the opponent. Joe Judge, the head coach who hired Graham, has said he wants his defense to be “multiple’’ in design — meaning different looks each week. With this in mind, Graham on Tuesday was asked if his base defense will be a 4-3 front, a 3-4 front, a 2-4 front or perhaps a 3-3-5 design.
Graham smiled.
“I always answer with ‘yes,’ ’’ he said. “Whatever you want to say, I’ll say yes. I’m not trying to make a joke of it. We are going to do what’s best with what we have in terms of the people, the personnel we have and what we think is best for the game. I would say this, the game is mostly made up of sub plays when you look at the percentages. Most of the time there is three receivers out there. I think you have to look at it from a sub perspective in terms of how you are going to deploy the guys and then go from there.’’
Graham, 41, was a defensive lineman at Yale and spent seven years with the Patriots. Four of those years (2012-15) coincided with Judge’s time in New England. In 2016, Ben McAdoo hired Graham to coach the Giants defensive line. It was short-lived stay for McAdoo, and in 2018 Graham moved to the Packers. When Brian Flores — another former Patriots assistant on Belichick’s staff with Judge and Graham — in 2019 was named the Dolphins head coach, he hired Graham to run the Dolphins’ defense. In a rare lateral move, Graham moved to the Giants after Judge came calling, though Graham was also named assistant head coach along with his defensive coordinator title.
“Obviously, I have familiarity with Joe,’’ Graham said. “He presented an opportunity to work with the Giants. I have familiarity with the organization and it’s close to home, so it’s been positive. I’m excited to be here now in 2020. That’s pretty much the extent of that.’’
Graham in his first go-round with the Giants was a dutiful assistant, with his media sessions pleasant but mostly generic. He showed more personality in this first introduction as the defensive coordinator, mixing in colorful praise for linemen Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams with a playful shot at himself.
After describing Lawrence as having “a bubbly personality’’ Graham countered with, “I would say that counters my demeanor, which is usually not too bubbly.’’
The Giants signed OT Jackson Dennis (Holy Cross) and WR Cody White (Michigan State) and waived TE Kyle Markway and LB Mark McLaurin.
The Giants had veteran cornerback Ross Cockrell in for testing but a deal could not be reached. An experienced cornerback could still interest the Giants, who are depleted at the position after Sam Beal opted out and DeAndre Baker was placed on the Exempt List while facing serious criminal charges.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Sea life around Mauritius dying as Japanese ship’s oil spill spreads

Mauritian volunteers fished dead eels from oily waters on Tuesday as they tried to clean up damage to the Indian Ocean island ’ s most pristine beaches after a Japanese bulk carrier leaked an estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil .
The ship , MV Wakashio , owned by Nagashiki Shipping and operated by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd , struck a coral reef on Mauritius ’ southeast coast on July 25 and began leaking oil last week , raising fears of a major ecological crisis .
Activists told Reuters that dead eels were floating in the water and dead starfish were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crabs and seabirds are also dying .
“ We don ’ t know what may happen further with the boat , it may crack more , ” said clean up volunteer Yvan Luckhun .
The MV Wakashio is still holding some 2,000 tonnes of oil and it is expected to eventually break up , Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said late on Monday , warning that the country must brace for the worst .
Tourism is a leading part of the Mauritius economy .
The government , which declared an emergency on Friday due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former colonial ruler France to try to remove the oil .
The spill has set back two decades worth of restoring the natural wildlife and plants in the lagoon , which started after the government banned sand harvesting in the area back in 2000 , said Vikash Tatayah , conservation director at Mauritius Wildlife Foundation , a non-governmental organization .
The fragmentation of the oil in the sea is expected to damage corals when the heavier particles in the oil settle on them , he said , adding that the steps taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being scrutinized .
“ There is some anger and some criticism from the civil society that the government may have taken too much time to respond , ” Tatayah said .
The ship was grounded for nearly two weeks before it started leaking oil .
There was no immediate comment from Mauritian government officials .
The Wakashio passed an annual inspection in March without any problems , Japan ’ s ClassNK inspection body said .
Mitsui OSK Lines said in a statement : “ We will do our utmost towards resolving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any details .
The company said it has sent six employees to the site and was considering sending more , along with transport supplies .
The International Maritime Organization said it had joined efforts to tackle the spill by providing technical advice and coordinating the response .
U.N. agencies and other international groups were also mobilizing environmental and oil spill experts .

Mauritian volunteers fished dead eels from oily waters on Tuesday as they tried to clean up damage to the Indian Ocean island’s most pristine beaches after a Japanese bulk carrier leaked an estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil.
The ship, MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and operated by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, struck a coral reef on Mauritius’ southeast coast on July 25 and began leaking oil last week, raising fears of a major ecological crisis.
Activists told Reuters that dead eels were floating in the water and dead starfish were marked by the sticky black liquid. Crabs and seabirds are also dying.
“We don’t know what may happen further with the boat, it may crack more,” said clean up volunteer Yvan Luckhun.
The MV Wakashio is still holding some 2,000 tonnes of oil and it is expected to eventually break up, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said late on Monday, warning that the country must brace for the worst.
Tourism is a leading part of the Mauritius economy. The government, which declared an emergency on Friday due to the spill, is working with former colonial ruler France to try to remove the oil.
The spill has set back two decades worth of restoring the natural wildlife and plants in the lagoon, which started after the government banned sand harvesting in the area back in 2000, said Vikash Tatayah, conservation director at Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, a non-governmental organization.
The fragmentation of the oil in the sea is expected to damage corals when the heavier particles in the oil settle on them, he said, adding that the steps taken by the government to prevent the disaster are also being scrutinized.
“There is some anger and some criticism from the civil society that the government may have taken too much time to respond,” Tatayah said. The ship was grounded for nearly two weeks before it started leaking oil.
There was no immediate comment from Mauritian government officials.
The Wakashio passed an annual inspection in March without any problems, Japan’s ClassNK inspection body said.
Mitsui OSK Lines said in a statement: “We will do our utmost towards resolving the situation quickly.” It did not provide any details. The company said it has sent six employees to the site and was considering sending more, along with transport supplies.
The International Maritime Organization said it had joined efforts to tackle the spill by providing technical advice and coordinating the response. U.N. agencies and other international groups were also mobilizing environmental and oil spill experts.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Jordan Montgomery should savor this after overcoming Yankees turbulence

These are the games that allow you to come all the way back , at last .
These are the nights when you start to believe your body doesn ’ t hold a grudge against you .
When you are young and strong and bulletproof , the last thing you worry about is that the very thing that made you special — a golden left arm , say — will ever betray you .
Until it does .
And then you need a night like the night Jordan Montgomery had Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium , when it was easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not 2017 , when he ’ d fallen out of the sky and announced himself as the next Andy Pettitte .
That was before the elbow barked .
That was before Tommy John .
That was before he learned the lesson no athlete wants to learn .
“ Confidence , ” Montgomery said Tuesday after the Yankees finished off a 9-6 win , finding the word to best describe how beautiful he looked for six innings against a depleted but still formidable Atlanta lineup .
“ I really went after them , trusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more , executed more fastballs and changeups late.
” A return of the Yankees ’ “ A ” offense didn ’ t hurt , either .
“ Yes , ” he said , laughing .
“ Especially when they get you eight runs.
” The smile gives voice to the humbling that Montgomery has endured the last couple of years , after he ’ d burst on the scene in 2017 with a 9-7 record and 3.88 ERA in 29 starts , when he emerged as every bit as vital a part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres .
But the forearm started to stiffen early the next year , and he was diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon , and by early June he was on Dr. Christopher Ahmad ’ s operating table .
Doctors can tell you about how much better your arm might be afterward .
They can give you stats — you hear numbers like a “ 90 percent success rate.
” Still , you wouldn ’ t step on a plane advertising a 90 percent success rate .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And you just never know until you know .
He ’ d pitched well against Boston in his debut this year , then got knocked around pretty good last Thursday in Philadelphia , the Phillies denting him for five runs in four innings .
He pitched quickly .
He mixed his repertoire .
He can be as self-deprecating as he wants to be , talking about pitching with a lead but the fact is he set the tone for the night with a terrific first inning , getting Dansby Swanson , Travis d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 13 pitches .
Nothing better than hanging the first zero .
Except when your teammates make sure it ’ s 3-0 by the time you go out there again .
And then 6-0 a few innings later .
And then 8-0 .
“ I really felt like I was in a good rhythm , ” Montgomery said .
“ I think I can build off this.
” Aaron Boone thinks he will .
“ His stuff was good , ” the Yankees manager said .
“ He was dictating some counts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ night.
” He staggered a bit in the sixth , allowing a line-drive single to d ’ Arnaud , a scratch single to Freeman and then a prodigious bomb by Marcell Ozuna .
He seemed to lose his sharpness that third tour through the order .
“ And they made me pay , ” Montgomery said .
Still : Six innings , three runs , four hits , four strikeouts ?
It seemed that ’ s what Montgomery gave the Yankees every fifth day three years ago , back when he was young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned its back on him temporarily , before the long road through rehab and back to The Bronx .
There are no guarantees and he knows that — “ Major league hitters , ” he laughed , “ are pretty good ” — but every step forward is one to be savored , at least until the next start .
These are the games that allow you to come all the way back .

These are the games that allow you to come all the way back, at last. These are the nights when you start to believe your body doesn’t hold a grudge against you. When you are young and strong and bulletproof, the last thing you worry about is that the very thing that made you special — a golden left arm, say — will ever betray you.
Until it does.
And then you need a night like the night Jordan Montgomery had Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, when it was easy to forget that this was 2020 and not 2017, when he’d fallen out of the sky and announced himself as the next Andy Pettitte. That was before the elbow barked. That was before Tommy John. That was before he learned the lesson no athlete wants to learn.
“Confidence,” Montgomery said Tuesday after the Yankees finished off a 9-6 win, finding the word to best describe how beautiful he looked for six innings against a depleted but still formidable Atlanta lineup. “I really went after them, trusted my pitches better, threw my cutter more, executed more fastballs and changeups late.”
A return of the Yankees’ “A” offense didn’t hurt, either.
“Yes,” he said, laughing. “Especially when they get you eight runs.”
The smile gives voice to the humbling that Montgomery has endured the last couple of years, after he’d burst on the scene in 2017 with a 9-7 record and 3.88 ERA in 29 starts, when he emerged as every bit as vital a part of the Yankees’ youth movement that year as Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres.
But the forearm started to stiffen early the next year, and he was diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon, and by early June he was on Dr. Christopher Ahmad’s operating table. Doctors can tell you about how much better your arm might be afterward. They can give you stats — you hear numbers like a “90 percent success rate.”
Still, you wouldn’t step on a plane advertising a 90 percent success rate.
This is a pitcher’s professional life. And you just never know until you know. He’d pitched well against Boston in his debut this year, then got knocked around pretty good last Thursday in Philadelphia, the Phillies denting him for five runs in four innings.
And then: Tuesday.
He pitched quickly. He mixed his repertoire. He can be as self-deprecating as he wants to be, talking about pitching with a lead but the fact is he set the tone for the night with a terrific first inning, getting Dansby Swanson, Travis d’Arnaud and Freddie Freeman out 1-2-3 on 13 pitches. Nothing better than hanging the first zero.
Except when your teammates make sure it’s 3-0 by the time you go out there again. And then 6-0 a few innings later. And then 8-0.
“I really felt like I was in a good rhythm,” Montgomery said. “I think I can build off this.”
Aaron Boone thinks he will. “His stuff was good,” the Yankees manager said. “He was dictating some counts. He looked awfully comfortable most of the night.”
He staggered a bit in the sixth, allowing a line-drive single to d’Arnaud, a scratch single to Freeman and then a prodigious bomb by Marcell Ozuna. He seemed to lose his sharpness that third tour through the order.
“And they made me pay,” Montgomery said.
Still: Six innings, three runs, four hits, four strikeouts? It seemed that’s what Montgomery gave the Yankees every fifth day three years ago, back when he was young and bulletproof, back before his money-maker turned its back on him temporarily, before the long road through rehab and back to The Bronx.
There are no guarantees and he knows that — “Major league hitters,” he laughed, “are pretty good” — but every step forward is one to be savored, at least until the next start. These are the games that allow you to come all the way back.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Chicago locals fight off protesters and shut down BLM rally to prevent looting

Chicago residents infuriated by looters blighting the city are fighting back — angrily kicking out a Black Lives Matter protest .
As access was again blocked to downtown overnight to stop more marauding — with bridges raised and expressway ramps closed — protesters turned to the troubled South Side neighborhood where a man allegedly started a shootout with cops in an arrest that sparked the chaos .
But the Englewood locals pushed back , insisting the agitators are nothing to do with the area — and kicking out the protesters from BLM and groups campaigning to defund the police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ain ’ t from Englewood , get the F–k out of here , ” longtime local resident Darryl Smith shouted at protesters during tense confrontations .
“ Y ’ all don ’ t come out when a kid gets shot .
Y ’ all come out when it ’ s got something to do with the f—ing police , ” he yelled through a loudspeaker , according to the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ If your issue is with the police , take it to 35th and Michigan , ” he shouted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t come in Englewood with it.
” The rally made its way to the police station for the officers involved in Sunday ’ s shootout with Latrell Allen — but again was quickly dispersed after angry push back by locals who said the looting was nothing to do with the neighborhood .
“ None of these motherf—ers are gon na be here tomorrow .
That ’ s why I got a problem , ” lifelong Englewood resident Duane Kidd , 42 , told the Sun-Times .
“ If they would ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who ’ s got ta deal with it tomorrow ?
The community .
Not them .
“ They ’ ll be somewhere sipping sangria somewhere .
I ’ m telling you like it is.
” The march dispersed after less than an hour following the standoff , with an organizer saying they did not feel safe .
“ We refuse to let anyone come to Englewood and tear it up , ” one local , Charles McKenzie , told the station .
Even a grandmother of Allen — who was hit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , triggering the looting — hit out at the carnage , saying there is “ no excuse ” for it .
“ I don ’ t agree with the looting because that ’ s just an excuse to get what they want , ” Joyce Brown told the Sun-Times .

A largely black group of Chicago residents infuriated by looters blighting the city pushed back against a Black Lives Matter protest.
As access was again blocked to downtown overnight to stop more marauding — with bridges raised and expressway ramps closed — protesters turned to the South Side, where a man allegedly started a shootout with cops in an arrest that sparked chaos.
The Englewood locals resisted, kicking out the protesters from BLM and groups campaigning to defund the police, according to Fox 32.
“If you ain’t from Englewood, get the f–k out of here,” longtime local resident Darryl Smith shouted at protesters during tense confrontations.
“Y’all don’t come out when a kid gets shot. Y’all come out when it’s got something to do with the f—ing police,” he yelled through a loudspeaker, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“If your issue is with the police, take it to 35th and Michigan,” he shouted, referring to Chicago police HQ. “Don’t come in Englewood with it.”
The rally made its way to the police station for the officers involved in Sunday’s shootout with Latrell Allen — but again was quickly dispersed after angry pushback by locals who said the looting was nothing to do with the neighborhood.
“None of these motherf—ers are gonna be here tomorrow. That’s why I got a problem,” lifelong Englewood resident Duane Kidd, 42, told the Sun-Times.
“If they would’ve gotten something incited with the police, who’s gotta deal with it tomorrow? The community. Not them.
“They’ll be somewhere sipping sangria somewhere. I’m telling you like it is.”
The march dispersed after less than an hour following the standoff, with an organizer saying they did not feel safe.
“We refuse to let anyone come to Englewood and tear it up,” one local, Charles McKenzie, told the station.
Even a grandmother of Allen — who was struck by return fire after shooting at cops Sunday, triggering the looting — lashed out at the carnage, saying there is “no excuse” for it.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Demonstrators protest outside the 7th District station of the Chicago Police Department. Getty Images A small group of Englewood residents clash with demonstrators protesting outside the 7th District station of the Chicago Police Department. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement
“I don’t agree with the looting because that’s just an excuse to get what they want,” Joyce Brown told the Sun-Times.
A Chicago Black Lives Matter organizer, Ariel Atkins, previously defended the looting, calling it a “reparation.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Poker pro Susie Zhao allegedly assaulted and ‘lit on fire’ in twisted murder

The 60-year-old Michigan man charged in the death of professional ...

Professional poker player Susie Zhao was bound with zip ties, sexually assaulted and “lit on fire” after meeting a convicted sex offender at a motel the night before her badly burned body was found in Michigan, court documents show.
The gruesome new details, obtained Tuesday by WXYZ in the ongoing FBI and White Lake Township investigation, show that cellphone records indicate that the 33-year-old rising poker star met Jeffrey Bernard Morris on July 12.
Police responded to a secluded area of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area one day later to find Zhao’s charred body, authorities said.
Morris, a homeless convicted sex offender whose last known address was in Pontiac, was arrested on July 31 after being pulled over on a warrant in Ypsilanti. After he was taken into custody, he told cops he picked up Zhao before they both checked into Sherwood Motel in Waterford Township late on July 12.
Morris told investigators the pair then left the motel to pick up some alcohol before returning. Zhao later left at midnight and “took all of her belongings including her cellphone with her,” Morris said.
But cellphone records show Zhao’s device didn’t leave the motel until 5 a.m., according to court documents.
Surveillance footage from near the motel, as well as phone records, also indicate that Morris left early July 13 and drove to a secluded section of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a 3,745-acre park in Oakland County where Zhao’s body was found.
Other evidence shows Morris was at the park for about seven minutes, WXYZ reports.
Morris, who was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 1989, was found with a fitted bedsheet with apparent bloodstains when he was arrested, court documents show.
He was also found in possession of a wooden baseball bat that was possibly stained with blood — and investigators found several footwear impressions, hairs and other items with possible bloodstains inside his vehicle.
Zhao, known as “Susie Q” on the poker circuit, had raked in nearly a quarter-million dollars in poker winnings since 2009, according to an online poker database. Since 2009, she won $187,441 at World Series of Poker events, her WSOP player profile shows.
Police have said no evidence has been found indicating that poker or gambling was connected to Zhao’s death. She had been living in Los Angeles but moved to Michigan in June to stay with her parents as she confronted “challenges in her personal life,” friends have said.
Detectives are still seeking a motive in the slaying, police told reporters last week.
Morris has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder in her death.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Sumner Redstone, Viacom and CBS Titan, Dies at 97

Media titan Sumner Redstone has died at the age of 97 .
The hard-charging exec , who famously turned his father ’ s drive-in theater business into a global media conglomerate that now includes Viacom , Paramount Pictures , and CBS , died on Tuesday afternoon at his home in Los Angeles , Variety reports .
Redstone ’ s private holding company National Amusements , which controls ViacomCBS , confirmed news of his passing early Wednesday .
For the past year , the mogul and daughter Shari Redstone oversaw the newly merged ViacomCBS as controlling shareholder and chairman , respectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life that not only shaped entertainment as we know it today , but created an incredible family legacy , ” Shari Redstone said in a statement provided to Variety .
“ Through it all , we shared a great love for one another and he was a wonderful father , grandfather and great-grandfather .
I am so proud to be his daughter and I will miss him always.
” “ Sumner was a man of unrivaled passion and perseverance , who devoted his life to his belief in the power of content , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his passing , the media industry he loved so dearly loses one of its great champions .
Sumner , a loving father , grandfather and great-grandfather , will be greatly missed by his family who take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on for generations to come.
” In the 1980s and 1990s , Redstone , a lawyer and film exhibitor , won control of Viacom and Paramount in a series of tenacious lawsuits against the companies .
In 1999 , he negotiated a deal to take over CBS , but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again , but continued to serve as chairman of both corporations .
In recent years , Redstone ’ s legacy was tarnished by allegations that he paid former girlfriends millions of dollars in exchange for “ sexual favors ” ( his legal team denied the allegations ) .
In early 2016 , he was forced to step down as chairman of CBS and Viacom after shareholders called his mental acuity into fitness , but he declined to choose a successor , kicking off a long battle between Shari and longtime associates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assets will now be taken over by the family trust , which will manage his controlling stake in ViacomCBS .
Shari Redstone and other family members will serve as trustees , solidifying control of the company with his family .

Media titan Sumner Redstone has died at the age of 97. The hard-charging exec, who famously turned his father’s drive-in theater business into a global media conglomerate that now includes Viacom, Paramount Pictures, and CBS, died on Tuesday afternoon at his home in Los Angeles, Variety reports.
Redstone’s private holding company National Amusements, which controls ViacomCBS, confirmed news of his passing early Wednesday. For the past year, the mogul and daughter Shari Redstone oversaw the newly merged ViacomCBS as controlling shareholder and chairman, respectively.
“My father led an extraordinary life that not only shaped entertainment as we know it today, but created an incredible family legacy,” Shari Redstone said in a statement provided to Variety. “Through it all, we shared a great love for one another and he was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. I am so proud to be his daughter and I will miss him always.”
“Sumner was a man of unrivaled passion and perseverance, who devoted his life to his belief in the power of content,” National Amusements added. “With his passing, the media industry he loved so dearly loses one of its great champions. Sumner, a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, will be greatly missed by his family who take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on for generations to come.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, Redstone, a lawyer and film exhibitor, won control of Viacom and Paramount in a series of tenacious lawsuits against the companies. In 1999, he negotiated a deal to take over CBS, but in 2006, he famously split them up once again, but continued to serve as chairman of both corporations.
In recent years, Redstone’s legacy was tarnished by allegations that he paid former girlfriends millions of dollars in exchange for “sexual favors” (his legal team denied the allegations).
In early 2016, he was forced to step down as chairman of CBS and Viacom after shareholders called his mental acuity into fitness, but he declined to choose a successor, kicking off a long battle between Shari and longtime associates. According to Variety, Redstone’s assets will now be taken over by the family trust, which will manage his controlling stake in ViacomCBS. Shari Redstone and other family members will serve as trustees, solidifying control of the company with his family.


newyorkpost--2020-08-12--Sumner Redstone, billionaire media mogul, dead at 97

Sumner Redstone , the billionaire media magnate whose family company controls CBS and Viacom , and whose career spilled over from boardrooms to gossip sheets , has died .
He was 97 .
Redstone ’ s health had been declining before his passing Tuesday , according to the Hollywood Reporter .
President and CEO of ViacomCBS Bob Bakish hailed the mogul as “ a brilliant visionary , operator and dealmaker , who single-handedly transformed a family-owned drive-in theater company into a global media portfolio.
” He was a force of nature and fierce competitor , who leaves behind a profound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bakish said .
“ ViacomCBS will remember Sumner for his unparalleled passion to win , his endless intellectual curiosity , and his complete dedication to the company .
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Redstone family today.
” Though buffeted in the past decade by physical decline , succession battles and warring ex-girlfriends , Redstone in his day was a business juggernaut and once the richest man in entertainment .
Through his prescient confidence in the future of cable TV , Redstone built Viacom — and himself — into a powerhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am Viacom , ” he was famous for saying .
Under the Viacom umbrella , Redstone grew some of America ’ s favorite entertainment brands , including Paramount Pictures , Showtime , Comedy Central , MTV , VH-1 , Nickelodeon and the Blockbuster video chain .
In 1999 , he added the Tiffany Network to his holdings .
The $ 37 billion merger with CBS catapulted Redstone from the business pages onto the public stage at age 76 .
Behind it all was his love of great entertainment , encapsulated in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Sumner Redstone was one of the great media moguls of the 21st century , ” said his biographer , Keach Hagey .

Sumner Redstone, the billionaire media magnate whose family company controls CBS and Viacom, and whose career spilled over from boardrooms to gossip sheets, has died. He was 97.
Redstone’s health had steadily deteriorated over the past decade before his passing on Tuesday. National Amusements, the media holding company he controlled, confirmed his death in a Wednesday statement.
“Sumner played a critical role in shaping the landscape of the modern media and entertainment industry,” the company said. “Sumner, a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, will be greatly missed by his family who take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on for generations to come.”
Though buffeted in the past decade by physical decline, succession battles and warring ex-girlfriends, Redstone in his day was a business juggernaut and once the richest man in entertainment.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement Sumner Redstone (from left), former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Christopher Polk Ted Turner (left) and Sumner Redstone ASSOCIATED PRESS Advertisement Sumner Redstone Jesse Grant/WireImage Advertisement
Through his prescient confidence in the future of cable TV, Redstone built Viacom — and himself — into a powerhouse.
“Viacom is me, and I am Viacom,” he was famous for saying.
Redstone took a small chain of drive-in theaters started by his father and, through bare-knuckle takeover battles and sheer determination, became a dominant force in entertainment.
As the chairman and controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, he presided over an array of media businesses that included CBS, Paramount Pictures, Showtime, Simon & Schuster, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
In 1999, he added the Tiffany Network to his holdings. The $37 billion merger with CBS catapulted Redstone from the business pages onto the public stage at age 76.
“What I’m proudest of is taking a bunch of drive-in movie theaters and building them up into two of the best media companies in the world,” he told Forbes in October 2007.
He also rose to become one of America’s richest men, amassing a personal fortune estimated by Forbes at more than $6 billion.
Redstone claimed credit for coining the phrase, “Content is king” — a mantra he would repeat when asked about emerging threats to his empire.
In his relentless drive, Redstone earned a reputation as a limelight-loving CEO, a win-at-any-cost dealmaker and a mercurial leader obsessed with his own stock price.
His fractious relationships with family members set up a decades-long struggle over who would gain control of an irrevocable trust that holds his interests in CBS and Viacom.
His personal life — including a penchant for squiring around much younger women — provided ample fodder for the gossip pages.
The twice-divorced media mogul ended his 52-year-marriage to Phyllis Redstone in 1999. He split from his second wife, Paula Fortunato, a school teacher, in 2008 after a five-year marriage. He has two children from his first marriage, Brett and Shari.
Redstone made no secret of his desire to outlast his rivals and retain his grip on his empire. Despite his fading health, he refused to talk about his succession plans, declaring that he intended to live forever.
“I have no intention of dying,” the then-91-year-old Redstone told The Hollywood Reporter in September 2014.
Early years
Sumner Murray Rothstein was born May 27, 1923, on Boston’s West End. His parents, the late Belle and Michael Rothstein, changed the family’s name to Redstone in 1940. He was born in a tenement, but his father had done well enough to move the family to the affluent suburb of Brighton when Redstone was still a young boy.
Redstone attended Harvard and Harvard Law School. As an undergraduate, he was tapped by a Japanese history professor to help break Japan’s military codes. After law school, Redstone was a special assistant to US Attorney General Thomas C. Clark. He later headed up the tax department at a law firm.
In 1954, he joined his father’s Dedham, Mass., business, Northeast Theater Corp. His father also owned the Boston branch of the Latin Quarter nightclub. Redstone went to work alongside his younger brother, Edward, and his arrival would spawn the first of several family feuds that spanned decades and several court battles.
Edward sued his father and brother, accusing them of mismanagement and other wrongdoing. He left the business after they bought out his stake. Redstone eventually took over the company from his father, built it into one of the largest theater chains in the country and changed its name to National Amusements Inc., or NAI.
Redstone had a close call at Boston’s Copley Plaza Hotel in March 1979. He survived a fire that raged through the building by clinging to a ledge outside his room, but was badly burned. The harrowing ordeal left him was scars on his arms and legs. It took him more than a year and multiple surgeries to recover, but he insisted the incident played no role in fueling his ambitions.
“It doesn’t take near death to bring you to life. Life begins whenever you want it to begin,” he wrote in his 2001 autobiography, “A Passion to Win.”
The mogul
At the age of 64, a time when most CEOs are thinking about retiring, Redstone seized the opportunity to become a bigger player in the entertainment world. Worried that pay TV and VCRs would hurt movie theater attendance, he started to look for a “cutting edge” company to future-proof his business.
In 1987, he borrowed billions to fund a bruising takeover battle for Viacom, then the owner of MTV and Showtime, and shrugged off criticism that he vastly overpaid. He went on to wage a similar takeover battle for Paramount Communications, beating fellow media moguls Barry Diller and John Malone with a nearly $10 billion bid, and then bought movie rental giant Blockbuster Entertainment for $8 billion.
In 2000, Redstone pulled off what was then the largest media marriage ever, when Viacom acquired its former corporate parent, CBS, for $35 billion. He tapped CBS president Mel Karmazin as his eventual replacement in 2000, gushing over his new lieutenant in announcing the deal to buy CBS.
But after four years and numerous reports of a frayed relationship, Karmazin stepped down as president and chief operating officer of the combined company.
The falling out was part of a pattern for Redstone: He would gush over his top lieutenants, only to turn on them when they didn’t move fast enough or failed to share his fixation on the stock price.
Empire divided
Redstone seemed headed for semi-retirement in 2005, when the then-82-year-old mogul announced plans to split his empire into two publicly traded companies and set up a succession race. Viacom got the faster-growing cable networks and film studio, while the slower-growing broadcast, radio and book publishing businesses went with CBS.
MTV pioneer Tom Freston was named head of Viacom, while broadcast veteran Les Moonves led CBS. Redstone remained the chairman of both companies, controlling the shares through NAI.
But a year later, Redstone forced out Freston, a stunning move that Redstone said stemmed from his frustration with Viacom’s internet strategy — or lack thereof — and lagging stock price.
Freston was replaced by Philippe Dauman, a member of the Viacom board of directors and a close confidant of Redstone’s.
Just a few weeks earlier, Redstone had split with one of Paramount’s biggest film stars, Tom Cruise. Redstone cited the actor’s embrace of Scientology as well as his controversial behavior — jumping on Oprah Winfrey’s couch and declaring his love for then-wife Katie Holmes — as the reason for the split.
Succession
Redstone had a falling out with his only son, Brent, who sued his father for trying to cut him out of the company. Redstone settled the suit by buying out Brent’s stake. The two didn’t speak for years.
He was also estranged from his only daughter, Shari, with whom he feuded over whether she would one day succeed him as the chairman of both companies. Redstone threatened to oust Shari altogether — at one point communicating with her only by fax — until she backed off and turned her energies to building her own business endeavors.
Shari nonetheless rejected her father’s $1 billion offer to buy out her 20 percent stake in NAI. And in 2015, a stunning reversal brought the two back together. They set about ejecting Viacom chief Dauman, whom Sumner once called “the wisest man I ever met.”
Dauman resisted being ousted on grounds that Shari was orchestrating the coup to seize company control for herself. He also questioned Sumner’s mental capacity, claiming his former ally lacked the wherewithal to know what he was doing.
Dauman settled with Viacom for $72 million in August 2016, resolving a handful of lawsuits. His forced exit, however, signaled that the long-estranged Redstones — father and daughter — were on the same page.
The two then explored reuniting CBS and Viacom, but temporarily pulled back after encountering resistance from Moonves and his board.
Shari’s constant revisiting of the idea prompted CBS to file suit in May 2018. But two months later, The New Yorker published a bombshell article citing multiple instances of alleged sexual harassment by Moonves. He resigned after a second expose surfaced, and CBS and National Amusements reached a broad settlement that increased Shari Redstone’s power over the companies.
After investigating Moonves’ alleged misconduct, the CBS board in December 2018 fired him for cause, depriving him of $120 million in severance.
CBS and Viacom agreed to merge last year, united the companies after a split that Redstone had engineered 13 years earlier. Redstone was among the National Amusements directors who gave unanimous approval to the reunion.
A ‘living ghost’
After decades spent building his empire, Redstone’s participation at corporate events became minimal in 2014 and he spoke only a few words on earnings calls. Fortune magazine reported he attended his last board meetings that year and cited a witness who said he dozed and drooled during it, which raised the question about whether he was fit to run the company.
The next year, the Wall Street Journal reported Redstone had suffered mini-strokes that made speaking difficult, although he remained mentally sharp. In 2018, the paper reported that the aging media tycoon had been communicating with an iPad that was preloaded with audio clips of his voice saying “Yes,” “No” and “F–k you.”
Former girlfriend Manuela Herzer challenged Redstone’s mental competence in a November 2015 lawsuit after he kicked her out of his estate, referring to him as a “living ghost.” The suit revealed a bizarre, secluded life in his Beverly Park mansion that included frequent demands for sex and steak.
The suit alleged Redstone was hospitalized numerous times in 2014, leaving him with a feeding tube, catheter and severe speech impediments. A judge rejected the suit, but Herzer continued to pursue legal action against Shari Redstone, alleging criminal racketeering.
The suit was thrown out in May 2016 by a California judge who ruled that Redstone’s testimony had disproved Herzer’s claims. Herzer appealed the judge’s ruling, and the parties settled in 2019.
With Post wires