newyorkpost--2020-08-21--USPS launches new website to help Americans vote by mail

The US Postal Service announced Friday it has launched a new website to help Americans navigate mail-in voting .
The new page offers general “ FAQ ” information , guidance for finding states election websites and other helpful links .
“ The Postal Service recognizes that many states are choosing to expand mail-in voting options in the upcoming elections and that there will likely be a significant increase in demand among postal customers to participate in those elections by using the mail , ” the agency wrote in a news release .
The site comes in the midst of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with his postmaster general , Louis DeJoy , face increasing outrage over USPS management .
Trump has railed repeatedly against mail-in voting , claiming it would create the most “ fraudulent ” presidential election in US history .
He has said he ’ s withholding additional funding Democrats have asked for the postal service to make widespread mail-in voting during the pandemic unfeasible .
DeJoy , who took office in May , testified in front of a Senate committee Friday , and denied widespread criticism that he has removed mailboxes , cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt hinder mass mail-in ballots .
DeJoy acknowledged reports that mail delivery times have declined , but blamed the service slowdown on the coronavirus .
He said the USPS would prioritize ballots over first-class mail to make sure they reach election officials on time .
“ Our employees are experiencing the COVID pandemic also , ” DeJoy testified , “ and we have a significant issue in employee availability in many , many parts of the country that are leading to delays in delivery of mail .
”

The US Postal Service announced Friday it has launched a new website to help Americans navigate mail-in voting.
The new page offers general “FAQ” information, guidance for finding states election websites and other helpful links.
“The Postal Service recognizes that many states are choosing to expand mail-in voting options in the upcoming elections and that there will likely be a significant increase in demand among postal customers to participate in those elections by using the mail,” the agency wrote in a news release.
The site comes in the midst of a service crisis and as President Trump, along with his postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, face increasing outrage over USPS management.
Trump has railed repeatedly against mail-in voting, claiming it would create the most “fraudulent” presidential election in US history.
He has said he’s withholding additional funding Democrats have asked for the postal service to make widespread mail-in voting during the pandemic unfeasible.
DeJoy, who took office in May, testified in front of a Senate committee Friday, and denied widespread criticism that he has removed mailboxes, cut overtime and withdrawn mail-sorting machines in an attempt hinder mass mail-in ballots.
DeJoy acknowledged reports that mail delivery times have declined, but blamed the service slowdown on the coronavirus.
He said the USPS would prioritize ballots over first-class mail to make sure they reach election officials on time.
“Our employees are experiencing the COVID pandemic also,” DeJoy testified, “and we have a significant issue in employee availability in many, many parts of the country that are leading to delays in delivery of mail.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Trump’s basically right about California’s blackouts

President Trump ’ s tweet blaming Democrats for California ’ s rolling blackouts was basically right .
As Trump noted @ @ @ @ @ to “ intentionally implemented ” blackouts when your anti-carbon energy policies leave power generators “ @ @ @ @ @ energy demand.
” Also correct : A Green New Deal “ would take California ’ @ @ @ @ @ American.
” Overall demand in the Golden State hasn ’ t been especially high , @ @ @ @ @ have reduced the output of the solar and wind plants that it ’ s decided @ @ @ @ @ much electricity as possible .
The carbon-based plants it ’ s been closing down aren @ @ @ @ @ Cali Democrats demanded all-renewables power just as Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is here — and @ @ @ @ @ do nationwide .
As much as the media may want to blast Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ is : Don ’ t put all your eggs in one basket — or in @ @ @ @ @ .

President Trump’s tweet blaming Democrats for California’s rolling blackouts was basically right.
As Trump noted this week, it amounts to “intentionally implemented” blackouts when your anti-carbon energy policies leave power generators “unable to keep up with energy demand.” Also correct: A Green New Deal “would take California’s failed policies to every American.”
Overall demand in the Golden State hasn’t been especially high, but clouds and low winds have reduced the output of the solar and wind plants that it’s decided to rely on for as much electricity as possible. The carbon-based plants it’s been closing down aren’t so weather-dependant.
Cali Democrats demanded all-renewables power just as Gov. Andrew Cuomo is here — and Joe Biden has vowed to do nationwide.
As much as the media may want to blast Trump’s tone, the real lesson is: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket — or in solar farms and wind turbines.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--John Kerry’s just mad that Trump’s foreign policy is working far better than his

It took approximately 20 seconds for former Secretary of State John Kerry to drop the first flagrant lie in his Democratic National Convention speech , when he claimed that the Obama administration ’ s so-called Iran deal had “ eliminated the threat of an Iran with a nuclear weapon.
” It didn ’ t get any better from there .
Kerry knows well that sunset provisions in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action provided Iran ’ s government with a pathway to building nuclear weapons in a few years .
He knows well that Israel uncovered a giant cache of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program to build a nuclear arsenal , which undermined both the spirit and the rationale of the nonproliferation agreement Iran signed .
He knows that Iran was developing ballistic-missile programs .
Kerry ’ s big accomplishment was to destroy a sanctions program that was working , thereby saving the Islamic Republic from economic ruin .
This allowed the Islamist government to strengthen its proxies in Syria , Lebanon , the Palestinian territories , Yemen and Iraq .
Now Kerry says Trump “ doesn ’ t know how to defend the troops ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that the man who oversaw the billions in direct cash payments to a government that had a hand in murdering and maiming hundreds of American troops has the moral authority to level that criticism .
Kerry himself acknowledged that sanctions relief would likely end up in the coffers of Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard — now a designated terror group .
Surely , then , he knew that the pallets of euros and Swiss francs he was shipping to Tehran in an unmarked cargo plane would also find their way to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — not to mention subjugating people at home .
While many argued for a maximum-pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic , Kerry preferred the no-pressure route .
The Iran deal , in fact , often seemed to be the Obama administration ’ s top obsession .
Nothing would stand in the way .
And while the media echo chamber was misleading the public at home , Kerry was placating Russia and allowing a humanitarian disaster to unfold in Syria in an effort to save the deal .
Around the time the Obama administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syrian government , backed by the Islamic Republic , was crossing the president ’ s “ red line ” and gassing civilians .
Even when the United States began funding rebel forces in Syria , the administration reportedly wouldn ’ t allow Iran ’ s ally to be touched .
When pressed on the matter by some Syrian civil-society workers in London , then-Secretary Kerry snapped , “ What do you want me to do , go to war with Russia ?
” Obama officials — led by Kerry — long peddled this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war .
Well , we are no longer a party to the Iran deal , and there is no war .
Kerry would continue to entertain Iranian officials even after he was out of government .
When Trump ordered a drone strike on terrorist Qassem Soleimani , a man who masterminded the killing of American soldiers and thousands of Iraqi civilians , Kerry said the world was in “ no way at all ” safer and claimed that Trump was risking an “ outright war.
” Kerry was wrong about Iran .
Kerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US embassy was about to be moved to Jerusalem , Kerry warned it would lead to “ an explosion ” in the Middle East — more specifically , “ an absolute explosion in the region , not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel itself , but throughout the region.
” Moreover , Kerry declared , it would have serious and negative repercussions on relations between Israel and the Arab world , making peace far less likely .
Of course , outside of some typical Palestinian noise , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to a historic deal that normalized relations between them .
Other Arab Gulf states are expected to join the UAE , though it is well-known that many of them already have clandestine working relationships with Israel .
This week , Sudan , the third-largest Arab nation , announced it was close to reaching its own peace deal with the Jewish state .
All of this seems pretty significant .
It would surely have been massive news if the Obama administration had helped forge the pacts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one more Nobel Prize than he does a peace agreement .

It took approximately 20 seconds for former Secretary of State John Kerry to drop the first flagrant lie in his Democratic National Convention speech, when he claimed that the Obama administration’s so-called Iran deal had “eliminated the threat of an Iran with a nuclear weapon.” It didn’t get any better from there.
Kerry knows well that sunset provisions in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action provided Iran’s government with a pathway to building nuclear weapons in a few years. He knows well that Israel uncovered a giant cache of documents with instructions on how to jumpstart a program to build a nuclear arsenal, which undermined both the spirit and the rationale of the nonproliferation agreement Iran signed. He knows that Iran was developing ballistic-missile programs.
Kerry’s big accomplishment was to destroy a sanctions program that was working, thereby saving the Islamic Republic from economic ruin. This allowed the Islamist government to strengthen its proxies in Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Yemen and Iraq.
Now Kerry says Trump “doesn’t know how to defend the troops”? Well, I’m not sure that the man who oversaw the billions in direct cash payments to a government that had a hand in murdering and maiming hundreds of American troops has the moral authority to level that criticism.
Kerry himself acknowledged that sanctions relief would likely end up in the coffers of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — now a designated terror group.
Surely, then, he knew that the pallets of euros and Swiss francs he was shipping to Tehran in an unmarked cargo plane would also find their way to the groups triggering conflicts across the Middle East — not to mention subjugating people at home.
While many argued for a maximum-pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic, Kerry preferred the no-pressure route. The Iran deal, in fact, often seemed to be the Obama administration’s top obsession. Nothing would stand in the way. And while the media echo chamber was misleading the public at home, Kerry was placating Russia and allowing a humanitarian disaster to unfold in Syria in an effort to save the deal.
Around the time the Obama administration was chasing an Iran deal, the Syrian government, backed by the Islamic Republic, was crossing the president’s “red line” and gassing civilians. Even when the United States began funding rebel forces in Syria, the administration reportedly wouldn’t allow Iran’s ally to be touched.
When pressed on the matter by some Syrian civil-society workers in London, then-Secretary Kerry snapped, “What do you want me to do, go to war with Russia?” Obama officials — led by Kerry — long peddled this false choice: the Iran deal or war. Well, we are no longer a party to the Iran deal, and there is no war.
Kerry would continue to entertain Iranian officials even after he was out of government. When Trump ordered a drone strike on terrorist Qassem Soleimani, a man who masterminded the killing of American soldiers and thousands of Iraqi civilians, Kerry said the world was in “no way at all” safer and claimed that Trump was risking an “outright war.”
Kerry was wrong about Iran. Kerry was also wrong about Israel. When the US embassy was about to be moved to Jerusalem, Kerry warned it would lead to “an explosion” in the Middle East — more specifically, “an absolute explosion in the region, not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel itself, but throughout the region.”
Moreover, Kerry declared, it would have serious and negative repercussions on relations between Israel and the Arab world, making peace far less likely.
Of course, outside of some typical Palestinian noise, the opposite has happened. Only recently, Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to a historic deal that normalized relations between them. Other Arab Gulf states are expected to join the UAE, though it is well-known that many of them already have clandestine working relationships with Israel.
This week, Sudan, the third-largest Arab nation, announced it was close to reaching its own peace deal with the Jewish state.
All of this seems pretty significant. It would surely have been massive news if the Obama administration had helped forge the pacts. Right now, though, Obama has one more Nobel Prize than he does a peace agreement.
And time keeps proving John Kerry wrong.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--This case proves that de Blasio’s sleaze will never end

Even during the pandemic , it seems Mayor Bill de Blasio couldn ’ t resist rewarding his donors at the public ’ s risk and expense .
That ’ s the clear bottom line of his scandalous favors for Charlie Tebele , the CEO of the New Jersey firm Digital Gadgets .
Tebele and his family gave $ 32,000 to de Blasio ’ s hopeless 2020 presidential run and $ 12,750 to his 2017 re-election campaign .
This year , his firm won $ 91 million in lucrative “ emergency ” contracts to provide the city with much-needed personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to deliver : City Hall had to cancel the main contracts after shelling out $ 9.1 million .
( The firm did deliver on contracts to provide $ 28 million in surgical and N95 masks . )
Kudos to The City for breaking the story .
“ This raises big and bad questions about pay-to-play .
It smells bad , ” said John Kaehny , executive director of the good-government group Reinvent Albany .
Digital Gadgets had never before sold goods to New York City — and the emergency order let the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comptroller Scott Stringer .
Let ’ s hope Stringer can at least offer an after-the-fact public accounting of all de Blasio ’ s emergency outlays — including via the city-run Economic Development Corp. , where Tebele sits on the board .
Other agencies that should review these deals , like the Department of Investigation , are under de Blasio ’ s thumb .
A decade ago , the mayor ’ s pattern of rewarding donors would have seen him indicted by federal prosecutors .
But a US Supreme Court ruling means pols are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals or are caught in an explicit quid pro quo .
But de Blasio ’ s routine practices still fail the smell test .
The sooner that stink leaves City Hall , the better .

Even during the pandemic, it seems Mayor Bill de Blasio couldn’t resist rewarding his donors at the public’s risk and expense. That’s the clear bottom line of his scandalous favors for Charlie Tebele, the CEO of the New Jersey firm Digital Gadgets.
Tebele and his family gave $32,000 to de Blasio’s hopeless 2020 presidential run and $12,750 to his 2017 re-election campaign. This year, his firm won $91 million in lucrative “emergency” contracts to provide the city with much-needed personal protective equipment and ventilators.
Yet it proved unable to deliver: City Hall had to cancel the main contracts after shelling out $9.1 million. (The firm did deliver on contracts to provide $28 million in surgical and N95 masks.)
Kudos to The City for breaking the story.
“This raises big and bad questions about pay-to-play. It smells bad,” said John Kaehny, executive director of the good-government group Reinvent Albany.
Digital Gadgets had never before sold goods to New York City — and the emergency order let the deal skip the standard review by city Comptroller Scott Stringer.
Let’s hope Stringer can at least offer an after-the-fact public accounting of all de Blasio’s emergency outlays — including via the city-run Economic Development Corp., where Tebele sits on the board.
Other agencies that should review these deals, like the Department of Investigation, are under de Blasio’s thumb.
A decade ago, the mayor’s pattern of rewarding donors would have seen him indicted by federal prosecutors. But a US Supreme Court ruling means pols are safe unless they personally profit off such deals or are caught in an explicit quid pro quo.
But de Blasio’s routine practices still fail the smell test. The sooner that stink leaves City Hall, the better.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Feds charge former Green Beret with espionage with Russia

Two Americans accused of helping Carlos Ghosn flee Tokyo have ...

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — A former Army Green Beret living in northern Virginia was arrested on Friday, charged with divulging military secrets about his unit’s activities in former Soviet republics during more than a decade of contacts with Russian intelligence.
Peter Rafael Dzibinski Debbins, 45, told Russian intelligence he considered himself a “son of Russia,” according to an indictment made public after his arrest.
“Debbins thought that the United States was too dominant in the world and needed to be cut down to size,” prosecutors alleged.
The indictment also states that Debbins was motivated in part because of bitterness over his Army career and a desire to establish business contacts in Russia.
The espionage took place from 1996 to 2011, prosecutors say.
The case against Debbins is the second Justice Department prosecution announced this week accusing a government or military official of transmitting US secrets to a foreign country. The other case, in Hawaii, charged a former CIA officer with spying for China.
The two prosecutions “demonstrate that we must remain vigilant against espionage from our two most malicious adversaries — Russia and China,” Assistant Attorney General John Demers, the Justice Department’s top national security official, said in a statement.
Debbins’ mother was born in the Soviet Union, and Debbins met his wife in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, where they were married in 1997, according to the indictment.
Debbins, of Gainesville, periodically met Russian intelligence beginning in 1996, when he was an ROTC student at the University of Minnesota, through 2011. As far back as 1997, he was even assigned a code name by Russian intelligence agents — Ikar Lesnikov — after signing a statement saying that he wanted to serve Russia, according to prosecutors.
Debbins received nominal payments for his information, even though he initially refused the money. In one meeting with Russian intelligence, he accepted a bottle of Cognac and a Russian military uniform as payment, according to the indictment.
“When service members collude to provide classified information to our foreign adversaries, they betray the oaths they swore to their country and their fellow service members,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, whose office is prosecuting the case. “As this indictment reflects, we will be steadfast and dogged in holding such individuals accountable.”
Debbins, who was arrested Friday, will have an initial court appearance on Monday. Online court records remained sealed, so it was unclear whether Debbins has an attorney. He is charged under the Espionage Act with providing national defense information to those not entitled to receive it. He could face up to life in prison.
Debbins held Secret and later Top Secret security clearances during the time of his criminal conduct, and served in the Army Special Forces as well, according to the indictment.
The indictment alleges Debbins’ espionage began in late 1996 when he gave one of his Russian handlers the names of four Catholic nuns he had visited while in Russia.
He was assigned to a chemical unit in South Korea in 1998 and 1999, and the indictment says he provided his Russian handlers information about that deployment. He later deployed with his Special Forces unit to Azerbaijan and Georgia. He also allegedly provided information and names of his fellow Special Forces members.
On multiple occasions, the Russian handlers asked Debbins for US military field manuals. Debbins explained that he was unable to provide them because he believed that carrying the manuals would prompt Homeland Security to stop him at the airport and seize his electronic devices.
The indictment states that Debbins lost his security clearance and command of his unit for an unspecified security violation in 2004 or 2005, and then left the military in 2005 with an honorable discharge. He worked from 2005 through 2010 in Minnesota for a Ukrainian steel manufacture and a transportation company.
His security clearance was restored in 2010 by an Army adjudicator, according to the indictment, though the reinstatement came with a warning that his family and business connections to Russia might make him ”the target of a foreign intelligence service.”
Debbins had told his Russian handlers as far back as 1997 that he wanted to leave the military, but they encouraged him to stay. They also encouraged his decision to join the Special Forces, saying “he was of no use to the Russian intelligence service as an infantry commander.”
According to the indictment, military officers questions Debbins about his travel after visits to Russia in 2000 and 2003, but he failed to disclose his interactions with Russian intelligence.
The court papers do not explain what led prosecutors to bring charges now or how he came to be under criminal investigation.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--If Cuomo won’t allow outside review of NY nursing home COVID-19 horror, he admits guilt

Albany lawmakers are pushing for an independent , bi-partisan commission that ...

Will Gov. Andrew Cuomo allow anything resembling an outside review of New York’s coronavirus nursing-home horrors? The test case is a bipartisan bill from state Sen. Jim Tedisco and Assemblyman Ron Kim.
At the height of the pandemic, the state’s March 25 mandate put infected patients among the elderly — who Cuomo has acknowledged are the most vulnerable to the virus. The gov insists any criticism of that order is pure politics.
The bill calls for an independent investigation to, as sponsors put it, “fully examine policies that led to the deaths of thousands of New Yorkers in nursing-home facilities” during the pandemic.
Team Cuomo has stonewalled all efforts to get answers, and lawmakers are furious.
“Some issues transcend partisan politics,” said Tedisco (R-Glenville), and the needless deaths of thousands is one of them.
“Don’t be publishing a damn book right now. Take responsibility for what is happening,” an exasperated Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) fumed at this week’s Empire Report forum on the issue.
One key point: Cuomo officials won’t provide data on nursing-home residents who died in hospitals. “If you die in the nursing home, it’s a nursing-home death. If you die in the hospital, it’s called a hospital death,” Cuomo told WAMC Radio in defending the decision to stop giving a public count of the latter — though New York is the only significant state to keep that info secret.
“It seems, sir . . . you are choosing to define it differently so that you can look better,” Rivera told Health Commissioner Howard Zucker at an Aug. 3 hearing.
Zucker admitted the state has both numbers — but refused to provide even a rough estimate when lawmakers demanded one. Weeks later, he still hasn’t shared the data.
The bipartisan bill isn’t perfect. The five members of its commission would be appointed by the Senate majority and minority leaders, the Assembly speaker and minority leader and the state attorney general. The Democratic leaders almost never cross Cuomo, while AG Letitia James owes her position to his sponsorship. That makes for a real risk of a whitewash.
That the gov pulled the mandate in May suggests he knows it was a deadly error. The virus killed at least 6,400 nursing-home residents — and the real number, the one Zucker refuses to reveal, could be twice that.
The people of New York deserve answers. If Cuomo and his allies don’t even allow this commission to look for them, it’s compelling proof of guilt.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--The Upper West Side rebels in the face of de Blasio’s homeless plague

Residents in the once peaceful Upper West Side reveal why ...

Hell hath no fury like a liberal neighborhood recently mugged by Bill de Blasio. Therein lies a salutary tale.
Manhattan’s leftier-than-thou Upper West Side last month got a vagrant transfusion courtesy of de Blasio’s social-services apparatchiks — hundreds of profoundly troubled men dumped without warning, services or supervision into three hotels in a 10-square-block section of a neighborhood previously best known for Zabar’s bagels and sending Jerry Nadler to Congress.
What followed was predictable enough: “Public urination, defecation, masturbation, aggressive panhandling, cat-calling, failure to wear masks, stalking, drug dealing and crime,” as one disgusted neighborhood eyewitness described it.
Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in the 70s and 80s were overrun; disorder began to leach into adjoining streets, and local parks became problematic for many dog-walkers, joggers and folks simply out for a stroll.
It wasn’t everywhere, of course, and not all at once. But a little bit of ranting insanity, public drug use and in-your-face cardboard-cup shaking can go a very long way indeed.
Official reaction was no surprise: Craven silence, spiced up by a condescending ration of please-sir-may-we-have-another from City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal — who first implied objectors to the new policy were racists and then said another platoon or two of “people we haven’t seen before in our community” would be more than welcome.
But the neighborhood is having none of Rosenthal’s arrogance, nor de Blasio’s nonsense, either. A Facebook page meant to confront the crisis, Upper West Siders for Safer Streets, went from scratch to 10,500-plus members in the blink of an eye. A spinoff group, West Side Community Organization, set up a GoFundMe that raised more than $65,000 in three days. And then hired a smart lawyer.
It’s not just that Randy Mastro, a partner at Gibson Dunn, will bring lawyerly skills to the effort to re-stabilize the area. New York does not lack for able attorneys.
It’s that Mastro, as deputy mayor for operations in the first Giuliani administration, helped write the book on humanely dealing with street-level aberrational behavior — a process that is as much art as it is science, one that requires clear thinking, seriousness of purpose and an understanding that while aggressive vagrancy can’t be cured, it can be controlled.
It certainly was out of control when Rudy Giuliani became mayor in 1994. While the Upper West Side and similarly afflicted neighborhoods across the five boroughs may be heading in that direction today, their circumstances by no means compare to the crack-cocaine-driven chaos that prevailed then.
The addled and addicted were everywhere — crammed into single-room-occupancy hotels; on the streets; in the subways; in transportation terminals and under bridges and sidewalk scaffolding. Blue construction-tarp-capped vagrant encampments, rat-infested and garbage-strewn, were ubiquitous.
Then, almost overnight, all that changed. The city had reclaimed its public spaces — not completely, of course; it never will. But almost. What had happened?
The crack plague had begun to fade, which mattered — but official tolerance for chronic public disorder evaporated with Giuliani’s inauguration, and that made the difference.
“We understood that you can’t cram people into hotels without support,” says Mastro. “We coordinated proper shelter with appropriate services and [suddenly] people had alternatives. It worked.”
Left unsaid, because some things can’t be talked about, was the firmness with which the new policies were applied. The NYPD couldn’t force people into shelter, but it could keep vagrants in motion until most got tired and came in on their own. Think of it as well-coordinated, humanitarian persuasion.
An over-simplification? Perhaps. But the Giuliani programs worked well enough for Mike Bloomberg to adopt and maintain through his 12-year tenure — much to the city’s benefit.
Team de Blasio — especially the mayor himself — has neither the commitment nor the attention span for that sort of thing. Certainly the pandemic has accelerated things, but vagrants have been pooping in the Broadway medians for some time now, unbothered by the police.
That’s mostly going to end — that, and the lunatic ranting, the sexist harassment, the drug-addled lounging and the high-intensity panhandling — if Mastro and his angry clients have their way.
Yes, de Blasio has promised to make things better — but, as is well-known, follow-through isn’t what he does best. What happens if (when?) he boots it?
“Court,” says Mastro — a fellow who’s been there and done that. Good for him. Good for the Upper West Side.
Twitter: @rlmac2


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--New York needs a plan for reopening indoor dining or the whole industry will collapse

Mayor Bill de Blasio bluntly said he has “ no plan ” ...

It’s been more than six weeks since indoor dining in the city was placed on pause — again. Meanwhile, officials have rolled out plans for reopening schools, bowling alleys and other venues. It’s long past time restaurant and bar owners saw a similar roadmap to reopening, which could mean the life or death of their businesses.
These owners are truly desperate. They were all set for indoor service at 50 percent occupancy under Phase Three of the reopening back on July 6. (Restaurants elsewhere in the state have been serving customers inside since June 17.)
And by now, the city’s coronavirus infection rate has dropped to less than 1 percent, near the lowest in the nation. Credit the state’s lockdowns and its careful reopening plans. Officials, and New Yorkers, appear to have flattened the curve.
That doesn’t mean the crisis is over — it’s vital we continue to remain vigilant. But conditions have certainly improved enough for Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio to at least provide a rough timeline for our industry.
Again, it’s been more than two months since indoor dining successfully began reopening statewide. And the city’s COVID metrics now exceed those required for restaurants outside the city to reopen.
Public schools here are even planning to allow kids to gather indoors (with restrictions, of course) for at least some of the time.
So why are government leaders still mum about when indoor dining can hope to return?
As matters stand, you can eat a burger inside a diner on Long Island at 3 a.m. but are only permitted to eat outdoors at a cafe in Queens, and not later than 11 p.m.
In Schenectady, a struggling small-business owner can generate sales indoors on a rainy day, but a restaurateur in Staten Island who’s barely hanging on is effectively closed when clouds open up.
If the August swelter is too much to sit outside and have a shepherd’s pie and Guinness at your favorite bar and grill in the northern Bronx, just walk 100 yards up the street and over the Westchester County border, and another pub will gladly serve you a meal inside.
Nor is the city’s density an excuse; 50 percent occupancy with social distancing in a 100-seat restaurant here is no different than 50 percent occupancy with social distancing in a similar-size restaurant in Rochester.
It’s true there have been reports that some restaurants aren’t complying with pandemic rules. But it’s also true that between 90 percent and 98 percent of restaurants pass inspections meant to keep customers and staff healthy. And remember: Businesses can’t make money if they’re being ticketed and shut down.
We understand, of course, that any effort to move forward will have to grapple with numerous health and ethical considerations. But that’s no reason for further delay.
And it’s not just because the restaurant business is thinking only of itself: Fact is, the city’s 25,000 eateries and drinking establishments are the social and economic fabric of our city. If they can’t open, it will slow down the recovery for the city’s entire economy.
Meanwhile, a lack of information from public officials is only swelling the fear and uncertainty of the nearly 200,000 workers in the industry who’ve lost their jobs and the overwhelming majority of small businesses that cannot to pay rent.
According to a survey conducted by my organization, 83 percent of the nearly 500 restaurant respondents couldn’t pay their full rent in July, and only one in 10 have renegotiated their lease. The situation is dire — and unsustainable.
Of the New York City restaurateurs with whom I speak, all agree that an indefinite closure without a transparent path to reopening and insufficient government aid will unquestionably lead to a significant increase in restaurant closures and continued high unemployment.
Keeping New Yorkers safe and healthy must be paramount. But New York cannot move forward if the city’s restaurants are at a standstill.
Andrew Rigie is executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Who is Megan Thee Stallion? Everything to know about the viral rapper

She was allegedly shot by Tory Lanez .

She’s the most provocative star of 2020: When not topping the Billboard charts with a song so raunchy we can’t name it, she’s appeared on the crime pages for a mysterious night of gunplay.
Meet Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, aka Megan Thee Stallion, a 25-year-old health care college student from Texas who has become the “it’’ girl of the music world thanks to her raps, her men — and the ensuing mayhem that always seems to follow her.
“She is a hustler,’’ Megan’s hairdresser, Jonathan Wright, told Page Six.
Of the controversy that accompanies her, the pal said it has only made Megan stronger, insisting, “She has grown a lot mentally, physically and everything in between.’’
Megan as a child
As a kid, Megan knew what it was like to struggle, growing up in the South Park section of Houston Texas, which she has described as half “ ’hood s- -t,’’ half “family environment’‘ to Rolling Stone.
Her mom, Holly Thomas, was a bill collector and Houston rapper known as Holly-Wood who raised Megan on UGK and the Notorious B.I.G. Thomas was also Megan’s first manager.
Megan has characterized her mom’s music as “hardcore gangster,” saying, “When I started rapping, and cussing and s–t, she was like, ‘I don’t know where you get it from.’ [But] she was a potty-mouth, worse than me.’’
The rapper has said her dad, Joe Pete, was a “full-time hustler” who was imprisoned for the first eight years of her life and died when she was just 15.
How Megan Thee Stallion got her name — and rep
Megan was in high school when she says grown men started calling her a “stallion” — Southern slang for a voluptuous, tall woman. The curvy 5-foot-10 rapper says she eventually figured why not embrace it — and Megan Thee Stallion was born.
She started rapping as a young teen, and by her freshman year at Houston’s Prairie View A&M University in 2013, she was already grabbing plenty of attention locally — although it wasn’t always for what she wanted.
Megan got into trouble with the school administration for posting twerking videos.
“Believe it or not, I used to be a little shy,” Megan has said. “I never wanted anybody to know that I could even rap. Even when I got to college and I told my best friend I could rap, she’ll be like, ‘OK. Well, then rap.’
“I wouldn’t do it. But then we went to a kickback, and I just started rapping. . . . I was confident in myself, but I didn’t really know how people would react to how I thought about myself on the inside.”
She ended up dropping out of school, got busted for fighting with an ex after she discovered he had a secret baby — and saw her freestyles start to go viral on YouTube.
‘Hot Girl Summer’
Megan’s rising star finally caught fire in August 2019 with her hit “Hot Girl Summer’’ featuring Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla $ign — and a thong-filled video that has wracked up more than 53 million views on YouTube.
Her latest hit, No. 1 on the Hot 100, is a collaboration with Cardi B called “WAP” (you can look up what it stands for). The video features the duo dancing in various stages of undress.
Megan is now well known for her outrageousness — but the controversy that comes with it doesn’t always make her happy.
“A man can be as mediocre as he wants to be but still be praised,” Megan has said. “A man can talk about how he’s about to do all of these drugs and then come and shoot your house up. But as soon as I say something about my vagina, it’s the end of the world?”
Legal trouble
In March, not to be bowed by anyone, Megan filed suit against her old record label, alleging that the contract she signed when she was 20 was “not only entirely unconscionable, but ridiculously so.’’
While “FREETHEESTALLION” trended on Twitter, the rapper was in court fighting the label, 1501, and its CEO, former baseball star Carl Crawford, who called her a liar and a fraud in the press.
A Texas judge eventually ruled in her favor, and Megan celebrated the victory on Instagram, posting, “I will stand up for myself and won’t allow two men to bully me. I am NO ONES PROPERTY.”
Megan, Tory Lanez and that shooting
Then in July, Megan was caught up in a new controversy.
Los Angeles cops were called amid reports of gunfire from her rumored rapper boyfriend Tory Lanez’s chauffeur-driven SUV around 4:30 a.m. July 12 — and Megan was seen stumbling away and eventually treated at the hospital for bullet wounds in her feet.
She refused to identify the shooter — until Friday.
That’s when Megan publicly fingered Lanez as the man who shot her last month.
“Yes, this n—a Tory shot me,” Megan said in an Instagram Live video.
“You shot me, and you got your publicist and your people going to these blogs lyin’ and s–t. Stop lyin’. Why lie?” she said.
Asked how Megan had been handling the shooting, Wright told Page Six, “She don’t like people to feel sorry for her.
“I just can’t believe this really happened to her.’’
The LA District Attorney’s Office has said it is considering bringing assault charges against Lanez in the shooting.
Who Meagan is dating
It’s not clear who if anyone the star is now dating. She was spotted with rapper Future at a strip club in Atlanta this past week, still sporting a bandage on her foot. Megan also has been linked with G-Eazy and Moneybagg Yo.
But she hardly needs a man at the moment.
The song that made Megan this summer
“WAP’s’’ salacious video has already racked up more than 113 million views on YouTube alone.
Cardi B even bought her pal a custom-made Birkin bag with a painted stallion on it, in the same black-and-white costume that Megan wore in their video, to celebrate the pair’s success.
But while fans go crazy over it, the work has critics bashing it as bad for women and just too vulgar. Singer and rapper CeeLo Green called the work “desperate’’ and “salacious,’’ although he has since apologized.
Megan’s plans for the future
Either way, Megan has plans for herself outside of the rap world.
She is currently enrolled at Texas Southern University studying health care, saying, “My grandmother would be very pissed off at me if I just stopped college right now.
“I got to get this degree. I already started it, and I’m interested in what I’m doing because I want to open up assisted-living facilities in the city.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Giants defense setting training camp tone for Daniel Jones’ offense

Two wrongs don ’ t make a right , but three healthy second-tier ...

By the time T.J. Brunson lowered the boom, the Giants defense already had sent a message worthy of an exclamation point.
Widely perceived as the inferior side of the ball for the Giants, the defense held Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and a dangerous receiving corps in check for most of Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage. It is rare to see tackling-to-the-ground on any NFL practice field nowadays, and Brunson knocking receiver C.J. Board off his feet only added to the shock value.
“Defensively, our guys have done their homework, they stayed ahead a little bit,” coach Joe Judge said. “Obviously they studied and they knew what to expect in certain situations.”
Similar to how pitchers often are ahead of hitters early in spring training, NFL camps favor defense in the first week of contact drills.
“It’s gone back and forth every day,” Judge said. “When you play a common opponent, which is intrasquad right now, you get a tendency on your own teammates. Our offense ran plays that they installed throughout the week. Our defense saw a lot of these. They weren’t carbon copies, but different versions.”
Jones started off slowly but came on strong, finishing 16-for-27 with touchdowns to Kaden Smith to finish a long no-huddle drive and to David Sills over the top, behind James Bradberry.
Darnay Holmes made an acrobatic interception of Jones’ “poor decision” on a double-move by Golden Tate, and other incompletions were batted down, sailed high or were slightly behind the target.
“There were some things we need to work on, but that’s part of the reason we’re out there,” Jones said. “As we got into some of the more play-it-out situations, I thought we got into a rhythm and made some plays. Overall, I was encouraged by what we were able to do — move the ball down the field and execute.”
The Giants could feature eight or nine returning starters from a defense that ranked No. 25 in yardage and No. 30 in scoring last season, so improvement will be based on development. Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence controlled the line of scrimmage.
“I thought our energy was pretty spot on,” safety Julian Love said. “We kind of set the tone [Thursday] night even. They are not giving us preseason game reps, so we tried to really take it seriously and play with high focus. We wanted to fly around.”
Judge stood behind the offensive huddle during the scrimmage to fill in the gaps that can’t be gleaned off film.
“I was very pleased with the tone [Jones] set in the huddle,” Judge said. “He has good command situationally. He knows how to use some of the variety of calls and checks within our offense.”
Here are some other scrimmage observations:
• Holmes tried to return his interception and was stripped-tackled by Andrew Thomas. “I was very pleased to see our offensive line hustle in that situation,” Judge said. “It’s good to have things you preach in the classroom show up on the field.”
• With Corey Coleman sidelined, Sills and Alex Bachman took advantage of an opportunity at receiver.
Sills was the first Giant placed on the restricted/COVID-19 list and returned after one week: “This guy busts his butt every day,” Judge said. “He’s shown up a lot for us on offense. He’s shown up for us in the kicking game.”
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Bachman caught a touchdown pass from Colt McCoy. “He’s productive in drills, he’s productive in team periods,” Judge said. “It’s no surprise to see him making plays.”
• The Giants won’t make the same mistake as last year when they were caught short-handed behind Saquon Barkley. Wayne Gallman broke off a couple long runs as he tries to hold off veteran Dion Lewis for No. 2. And undrafted rookie Javon Leake, who averaged 9.1 yards per touch at Maryland, showed why he is a big-play threat when he sidestepped a sideline tackle.
“He’s a guy who is really coming on right now,” Judge said. “Very in-tune in meetings. He has improved on a daily basis. Today he had an opportunity to just play, and that’s always how you want to see it.”
• Jones and Nick Gates — a guard or tackle playing center for the first time in his career — did not have any mishandled snaps. “He’s done a good job,” Jones said.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Post report shames Cuomo into asking Trump for unemployment assistance

More than a dozen states have been approved to pay ...

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More than one-quarter of America’s states have qualified to pay their laid-off workers $300 a week in unemployment insurance authorized by President Trump — but only after a nudge from The Post did New York finally seek some of the cash.
Texas became the 14th state approved to distribute up to $44 billion in total funding from the Lost Wages Assistance program, according to a Friday afternoon announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Laid-off workers in Arizona were already getting the coronavirus-related benefits, CNBC reported.
And a dozen other states — Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah — have also been approved to receive grants, according to FEMA.
New York — which leads the US with more than 32,000 deaths — acknowledged late Friday afternoon that it hadn’t yet applied for funding and was about to do so.
The abrupt reversal came little more than an hour after The Post published an online report exposing the situation.
But a spokesman for Cuomo insisted that the decision to apply for the funding had been made Friday morning.
Trump authorized the federal unemployment insurance by executive order on Aug. 8 after the $600-a-week payments provided by the CARES Act expired on July 31 and Congress deadlocked on an extension plan.
Gov. Cuomo initially opposed Trump’s program as “laughable” and “impossible” when it was first announced because it included a requirement that states kick in an additional $100 a week for each unemployed worker.
But that mandate was eased by the US Department of Labor on Aug. 12 to include unemployment benefits that were already being paid by states.
In a statement, New York Budget Director Robert Mujica said officials decided to reverse course despite Cuomo’s earlier assertion that, “I don’t believe the whole executive order mechanism is legal, so I think this is all an artificial construction for political reasons.”
Mujica said, “Now that the federal government has blinked and will no longer make states provide funding they do not have, New York State will apply for the Lost Wages Assistance program.
“As Gov. Cuomo has said, politics does not impact policy — especially during a pandemic — and if New Yorkers are in need, this administration will do everything we can to support them.”
Earlier in the day, upstate Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning) accused Cuomo of refusing to apply for the funds because he was “prioritizing political optics over the financial needs of New Yorkers.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Roddy Ricch, J Balvin pull out of MTV VMAs lineup of performers

An awards show is a tough thing to pull off in a pandemic , and although the VMAs set forth with an admirably ambitious agenda and a power-packed artist lineup , Roddy Ricch and J Balvin have both pulled out , Variety has confirmed .
“ Unfortunately , J Balvin and Roddy Ricch are no longer performing , ” a source close to the show tells Variety .
“ As with every awards show , there are always last-minute talent changes .
That said , this year has more logistical hurdles than most and the health and safety of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance.
” While Ricch is one of the breakout stars of the year — powered by his ubiquitous hit “ The Box ” — and Balvin is a mesmerizing performer with elaborate stage sets , the lineup is still strong : Performers on tap at the time of this article ’ s publication include Lady Gaga , Ariana Grande , The Weeknd , BTS , Miley Cyrus , DaBaby , Doja Cat , Maluma , CNCO and a throwback slot occupied by the Black Eyed Peas , with additional artists to be announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show was originally scheduled to take place at Brooklyn ’ s Barclays Center with several performances being staged at various “ iconic locations across New York City , ” the realities of the pandemic have forced the producers to abandon the Barclays plan and for the performances to take place at the New York locations and at a soundstage in Los Angeles .
Grande and Lady Gaga lead this year ’ s nominations with nine , followed by Billie Eilish and the Weeknd with six nominations .
All four artists have been nominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VMAs will air live on Sunday , August 30th at 8pm ET/PT .
See the full list of nominees here .

An awards show is a tough thing to pull off in a pandemic, and although the VMAs set forth with an admirably ambitious agenda and a power-packed artist lineup, Roddy Ricch and J Balvin have both pulled out, Variety has confirmed.
“Unfortunately, J Balvin and Roddy Ricch are no longer performing,” a source close to the show tells Variety. “As with every awards show, there are always last-minute talent changes. That said, this year has more logistical hurdles than most and the health and safety of our employees and partners is of the utmost importance.”
While Ricch is one of the breakout stars of the year — powered by his ubiquitous hit “The Box” — and Balvin is a mesmerizing performer with elaborate stage sets, the lineup is still strong: Performers on tap at the time of this article’s publication include Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, BTS, Miley Cyrus, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Maluma, CNCO and a throwback slot occupied by the Black Eyed Peas, with additional artists to be announced in the coming days.
While the show was originally scheduled to take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center with several performances being staged at various “iconic locations across New York City,” the realities of the pandemic have forced the producers to abandon the Barclays plan and for the performances to take place at the New York locations and at a soundstage in Los Angeles.
Grande and Lady Gaga lead this year’s nominations with nine, followed by Billie Eilish and the Weeknd with six nominations. All four artists have been nominated for video of the year.
The VMAs will air live on Sunday, August 30th at 8pm ET/PT. See the full list of nominees here.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Gov. Gavin Newsom didn’t take promised pay cut after slashing state workers’ wages

Almost all of California ’ s 6.2 million students will be starting ...

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom failed to take a promised pay cut after slashing state workers’ wages has reportedly failed to take the ten percent pay cut he promised to give himself after ordering reductions in state workers’ salaries due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Newsom had pledged to reduce his governor’s salary by the same amount he was slashing salaries of state workers — 10 percent — back in May when he laid out sweeping reductions in spending.
While most government workers were handed smaller paychecks beginning last month, Newsom still received his full monthly salary of $17,479., the Sacramento Bee first reported.
Newsom’s spokesman, Nathan Click, told the Bee that Newsom was only issued his full paycheck because of an oversight.
The governor has now requested the Controller’s Office reduce his pay retroactively to July 1.
“I know this is the last thing that our partners want to hear,” Newsom had said during the May 14 press briefing announcing the budget cuts.
“But unfortunately we’re in a position where [a pay reduction] is required of all of us — and by the way, including me and including my entire staff.”
The Bee found State Controller Betty Yee to be the only one of the state’s eight elected constitutional officers to take a pay cut last month.
Since the Bee’s reporting, most other constitutional officers have followed suit in requesting their pay reductions at the urging of the governor’s office, the paper reported.
The head of the state’s largest labor union, SEIU Local 1000, which represents service workers, was willing to give the governor the benefit of the doubt.
“If there’s one thing we know, it’s that our governor keeps his word,” Yvonne Walker, the union’s president, said in an emailed statement.
“We can only imagine that with all the things going on in our state…it wouldn’t be surprising if processing the necessary paperwork has taken a backseat to more pressing matters.
“We remain confident that this will take place as promised and that it will be retroactive,” she added.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--David Pecker leaves helm of National Enquirer owner American Media

David Pecker has pulled out of American Media for good .
The 68-year-old media tycoon — whose 20-year reign as the owner of the National Enquirer got mired in scandals over “ catch and kill ” tactics to bury damaging stories about President Trump — has stepped down as chief executive of the supermarket tabloid ’ s owner , the company said in a statement Friday .
Pecker is exiting as part of a deal to combine American Media — which also publishes celebrity-focused titles like Us Weekly and Star magazine — with a wholesale distribution company as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management , a hedge fund that owns 80 percent of American Media .
A longtime friend of President Donald Trump , Pecker was involved in making hush money payments to two women who claimed they had affairs with Donald Trump .
He became entangled in a fresh controversy in February when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos claimed that Pecker and the National Enquirer were trying to blackmail him over his affair with Lauren Sanchez .
At the time , American Media had already cooperated with a federal investigation into the so-called “ catch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never published in order to silence accusers of Trump who said they had flings with him years before he decided to run for president .
In exchange for turning rat , Pecker and former Enquirer editor Dylan Howard were granted immunity in the federal case in the US Southern District of New York .
One of the terms of the deal was that the company stay out of legal trouble for the next three years .
The Bezos and Karen McDougal controversies were said to be a major reason that Chatham sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pecker tried to broker a deal but it never happened .
Pecker has headed American Media since 1999 when he teamed up with Evercore to take the publisher of the National Enquirer and Star private .
Over the years , Evercore , Thomas H. Lee , Avenue Capital , Angelo Gordon and Capital Research and Management all lost their equity .
The magazine wholesale company that is now the parent company was purchased from Canadian billionaire James Pattison in late 2018 , when it was known as the News Group .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American News Company .
Under the restructuring unveiled late Friday , the wholesale distributor is being renamed Accelerate 360 .
In addition to magazines , it also distributes candy , gum , health bars mini-hand sanitizers and other items sold at the front of 55,000 retail outlets nationally .
The publishing side of the operation will be called A360Media and will continue to publish the Enquirer , Star , Life & Style , OK !
and other titles but will now be headed by former group publisher Chris Scardino .
Pecker will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately ” according to an announcement late Friday .
Said one knowledgeable source , “ It is a way to deleverage American Media ” which is still believed to be carrying $ 400 million in debt even after selling off Mr. Olympia and Muscle & Fitness .

David Pecker has pulled out of American Media for good.
The 68-year-old media tycoon — whose 20-year reign as the owner of the National Enquirer got mired in scandals over “catch and kill” tactics to bury damaging stories about President Trump — has stepped down as chief executive of the supermarket tabloid’s owner, the company said in a statement Friday.
Pecker is exiting as part of a deal to combine American Media — which also publishes celebrity-focused titles like Us Weekly and Star magazine — with a wholesale distribution company as part of a debt-restructuring deal arranged by Chathan Asset Management, a hedge fund that owns 80 percent of American Media.
The announcement about the restructuring was made by David Parry, the CEO of the wholesale distribution company now known as Accelerate 360 LLC. It was “effective immediately” according to the announcement that went out stunned staffers Friday afternoon.
A longtime friend of President Donald Trump, Pecker was involved in making hush money payments to two women who claimed they had affairs with Donald Trump. He became entangled in a fresh controversy in February when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos claimed that Pecker and the National Enquirer were trying to blackmail him over his affair with Lauren Sanchez.
At the time, American Media had already cooperated with a federal investigation into the so-called “catch and kill” stories that it purchased but never published in order to silence accusers of Trump who said they had flings with him years before he decided to run for president. Trump has denied the affairs.
In exchange for turning rat, Pecker and former Enquirer editor Dylan Howard were granted immunity in the federal case in the US Southern District of New York. One of the terms of the deal was that the company stay out of legal trouble for the next three years.
The Bezos and Karen McDougal controversies were said to be a major reason that Chatham sought to sell the Enquirer. In early 2019, Pecker tried to broker a deal but it never happened.
Pecker has headed American Media since 1999 when he teamed up with Evercore to take the publisher of the National Enquirer and Star private. Over the years, Evercore, Thomas H. Lee, Avenue Capital, Angelo Gordon and Capital Research and Management all lost their equity.
The magazine wholesale company that is now the parent company was purchased from Canadian billionaire James Pattison in late 2018, when it was known as the News Group. More recently under Chatham, it was called American News Company.
Under the restructuring unveiled late Friday, the wholesale distributor is being renamed Accelerate 360. In addition to magazines, it also distributes candy, gum, health bars mini-hand sanitizers and other items sold at the front of 55,000 retail outlets nationally.
The publishing side of the operation will be called A360Media and will continue to publish the Enquirer, Star, Life & Style, OK! and other titles but will now be headed by former group publisher Chris Scardino. Pecker will be a senior executive advisor, “effective immediately” according to an announcement late Friday.
Said one knowledgeable source, “It is a way to deleverage American Media” which is still believed to be carrying $400 million in debt even after selling off Mr. Olympia and Muscle & Fitness.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--West Virginia teacher accused of sexually assaulting 11th-grader inside classroom

A West Virginia high school teacher is accused of sexually assaulting an 11th-grader in his classroom , authorities said .
Jonathan Michael McNemar , a 27-year-old social studies teacher at Petersburg High School , is facing charges after a 19-year-old woman told Grant County deputies in late July that he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions at the school during a three-month period in 2018 , The Inter-Mountain reports .
The victim said McNemar told her he “ wanted to speak to her about rumors ” floating around the school about the pair , claiming he wanted to talk privately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out , ” according to a criminal complaint obtained by the newspaper .
The teacher then “ squeezed ” the student ’ s backside , prompting her to leave the classroom immediately , the complaint states .
McNemar later asked the girl to send him explicit images and videos of herself , which she did via private messages , authorities said .
McNemar also instructed the student to set up a fake Facebook account so they could swap nude photos and sex videos , she told deputies .
Using Facebook Messenger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the school year to his classroom , where he touched her breasts before the student performed oral sex on him , according to the complaint .
“ The oral sex escalated to [ intercourse ] after she verbally expressed ‘ no ’ and ‘ stop ’ multiple times , ” authorities allege .
One week later , McNemar again asked the girl to come to his classroom , where they had sex a second time .
The student kept possession of a dress that she wore at the time , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the complaint .
Officers confirmed that the victim had been in McNemar ’ s class at the time of the allegations , the newspaper reports .
McNemar , who has been charged with second-degree sexual assault , sexual abuse by a guardian , displaying obscene matter to a minor and soliciting a minor via computer , was arrested on Aug. 10 , WHSV reports .
He remained jailed Friday in lieu of $ 115,000 bond .
McNemar has since resigned his position and the Grant County Board of Education will recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , the Cumberland Times-News reports .

A West Virginia high school teacher is accused of sexually assaulting an 11th-grader in his classroom, authorities said.
Jonathan Michael McNemar, a 27-year-old social studies teacher at Petersburg High School, is facing charges after a 19-year-old woman told Grant County deputies in late July that he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions at the school during a three-month period in 2018, The Inter-Mountain reports.
The victim said McNemar told her he “wanted to speak to her about rumors” floating around the school about the pair, claiming he wanted to talk privately in a classroom closet to “hug it out,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by the newspaper.
The teacher then “squeezed” the student’s backside, prompting her to leave the classroom immediately, the complaint states.
McNemar later asked the girl to send him explicit images and videos of herself, which she did via private messages, authorities said.
McNemar also instructed the student to set up a fake Facebook account so they could swap nude photos and sex videos, she told deputies.
Using Facebook Messenger, McNemar then summoned the girl toward the end of the school year to his classroom, where he touched her breasts before the student performed oral sex on him, according to the complaint.
“The oral sex escalated to [intercourse] after she verbally expressed ‘no’ and ‘stop’ multiple times,” authorities allege.
One week later, McNemar again asked the girl to come to his classroom, where they had sex a second time. The student kept possession of a dress that she wore at the time, which is now being processed for evidence, according to the complaint.
Officers confirmed that the victim had been in McNemar’s class at the time of the allegations, the newspaper reports.
McNemar, who has been charged with second-degree sexual assault, sexual abuse by a guardian, displaying obscene matter to a minor and soliciting a minor via computer, was arrested on Aug. 10, WHSV reports.
He remained jailed Friday in lieu of $115,000 bond. McNemar has since resigned his position and the Grant County Board of Education will recommend to accept it at a meeting later this month, the Cumberland Times-News reports.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Trump holds White House funeral for late brother Robert Trump

Donald Trump and first lady Melania joined family members at the White House Friday for a funeral service for the president ’ s younger brother , Robert .
Bagpipers played the hymn “ Abide With Me ” as Trump ’ s family solemnly watched Robert ’ s casket being transferred to a hearse and carried from White House grounds around 5:20 p.m. Robert , 71 , who served as a top executive at the Trump Organization , died on Saturday after being hospitalized last Friday in New York City .
Trump also mourned the passing of his “ best friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a great weekend .
It ’ s very hard .
You knew it was going to happen , but still , when it happens it ’ s a very tough thing , ” the president said on Fox News ’ “ Fox and Friends ” on Monday .
“ He was a great guy .
He was a tremendous guy .
He was my friend .
I guess they say best friend , and that ’ s true .
And losing him , not easy.
” The event marked one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is brought to the White House .
The last instance was in 1963 , after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas , according to ABC News .
A private citizen has not been brought to the White House for a funeral since 1936 , when a service was held for Louis Howe , an adviser to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt .
“ I think he ’ d be greatly honored , ” Trump said earlier this week at the idea of a White House funeral for his brother .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country so much .
”

Donald Trump and first lady Melania joined family members at the White House Friday for a funeral service for the president’s younger brother, Robert.
Bagpipers played the hymn “Abide With Me” as Trump’s family solemnly watched Robert’s casket being transferred to a hearse and carried from White House grounds around 5:20 p.m.
Robert, 71, who served as a top executive at the Trump Organization, died on Saturday after being hospitalized last Friday in New York City.
“Robert, I Love You,” Trump tweeted Friday night. “Rest In Peace!”
Trump also mourned the passing of his “best friend” last weekend.
“This was not a great weekend. It’s very hard. You knew it was going to happen, but still, when it happens it’s a very tough thing,” the president said on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” on Monday.
“He was a great guy. He was a tremendous guy. He was my friend. I guess they say best friend, and that’s true. And losing him, not easy.”
The event marked one of the rare instances during which a deceased person is brought to the White House.
The last instance was in 1963, after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, according to ABC News.
A private citizen has not been brought to the White House for a funeral since 1936, when a service was held for Louis Howe, an adviser to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
“I think he’d be greatly honored,” Trump said earlier this week at the idea of a White House funeral for his brother. “He loves our country. He loved our country so much.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--William Barr ‘vehemently opposed’ to pardoning NSA leaker Edward Snowden

President Trump and his top law enforcement chief appear at odds over the fate of whistleblower Edward Snowden .
Attorney General William Barr told the Associated Press he was “ vehemently opposed ” to pardoning Snowden — days after Trump said he was “ very strongly ” considering forgiving the National Security Agency leaker .
“ He was a traitor and the information he provided our adversaries greatly hurt the safety of the American people , ” Barr said .
“ He was peddling it around like a commercial merchant .
We can ’ t tolerate that.
” Snowden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on federal charges of government property and espionage .
Trump floated a pardon for Snowden twice last week , saying those around him felt he was unfairly treated for leaking highly classified NSA documents on the agency ’ s mass surveillance and intelligence gathering programs .
If Trump were serious , it would signify a remarkable change of heart for the president , who before taking office described Snowden as a traitor worthy of execution .
“ I ’ m not that aware of the Snowden situation .
I ’ m going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many many people , it seems to be a split decision , ” Trump said last weekend .
“ Many people think that he should be somehow treated differently and other people think he did very bad things , ” the president went on .

President Trump and his top law enforcement chief appear at odds over the fate of whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Attorney General William Barr told the Associated Press he was “vehemently opposed” to pardoning Snowden — days after Trump said he was “very strongly” considering forgiving the National Security Agency leaker.
“He was a traitor and the information he provided our adversaries greatly hurt the safety of the American people,” Barr said. “He was peddling it around like a commercial merchant. We can’t tolerate that.”
Snowden has been living in Russia to avoid prosecution on federal charges of government property and espionage.
Trump floated a pardon for Snowden twice last week, saying those around him felt he was unfairly treated for leaking highly classified NSA documents on the agency’s mass surveillance and intelligence gathering programs.
If Trump were serious, it would signify a remarkable change of heart for the president, who before taking office described Snowden as a traitor worthy of execution.
“I’m not that aware of the Snowden situation. I’m going to start looking at it. There are many many people, it seems to be a split decision,” Trump said last weekend.
“Many people think that he should be somehow treated differently and other people think he did very bad things,” the president went on.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Georgia cop fired after tasing unarmed woman in viral TikTok video

A Georgia cop has been fired after he was caught on a viral TikTok video tasing an unarmed black woman on her front porch , officials said Friday .
Michael Oxford , formerly of the Gwinnett County Police Department outside of Atlanta , was first placed on desk duty following the Tuesday incident and was fired Friday after an internal probe , the police department said in a statement .
“ The investigation in this case has shown that Officer Oxford violated our policy and did not meet our core values , ” the department said .
“ We strive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotes mutual respect within the community and our peers.
” The incident unfolded Tuesday evening when Oxford responded to a home in Loganville after receiving a report for a damaged car .
The complainant told cops a group of people threw a bottle at her car , which left behind an unknown liquid on the vehicle , AJC reported .
The incident was captured on the homeowner ’ s surveillance system and after police reviewed the video , they recognized Aytra Thomas , who was on a porch across the street .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a group of women , including Thomas ’ s daughter Kyndesia Smith , 22 , began shouting at him , the outlet said , citing an internal police report .
Oxford said the shouting made it “ difficult to speak with Aytra and further conduct my investigation ” and told Smith she needed to pipe down or move away if she didn ’ t want to be thrown in jail on obstruction charges , the police report states , according to AJC .
In a video of the incident , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Smith can be heard saying “ I ’ m not going nowhere ” and “ You ’ re on my property .
We did not call you.
” When Oxford tried to place Smith under arrest , she stood behind her mother , leading the former cop to start grabbing her , the video shows .
When Smith refused Oxford ’ s orders to “ get on the ground , ” he tased her , sending her falling into bushes beneath the porch , video shows .
Smith , who police say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under arrest , was charged with felony obstruction and simple battery against a police officer and was released Wednesday after posting a bond .
Oxford has worked with the department since February 2019 and had no disciplinary history , according to records .

A Georgia cop has been fired after he was caught on a viral TikTok video tasing an unarmed black woman on her front porch, officials said Friday.
Michael Oxford, formerly of the Gwinnett County Police Department outside of Atlanta, was first placed on desk duty following the Tuesday incident and was fired Friday after an internal probe, the police department said in a statement.
“The investigation in this case has shown that Officer Oxford violated our policy and did not meet our core values,” the department said.
“We strive to conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes mutual respect within the community and our peers.”
The incident unfolded Tuesday evening when Oxford responded to a home in Loganville after receiving a report for a damaged car. The complainant told cops a group of people threw a bottle at her car, which left behind an unknown liquid on the vehicle, AJC reported.
The incident was captured on the homeowner’s surveillance system and after police reviewed the video, they recognized Aytra Thomas, who was on a porch across the street.
When Oxford approached Thomas to speak with her, a group of women, including Thomas’s daughter Kyndesia Smith, 22, began shouting at him, the outlet said, citing an internal police report.
Oxford said the shouting made it “difficult to speak with Aytra and further conduct my investigation” and told Smith she needed to pipe down or move away if she didn’t want to be thrown in jail on obstruction charges, the police report states, according to AJC.
In a video of the incident, which has racked up millions of views on TikTok, Smith can be heard saying “I’m not going nowhere” and “You’re on my property. We did not call you.”
When Oxford tried to place Smith under arrest, she stood behind her mother, leading the former cop to start grabbing her, the video shows.
When Smith refused Oxford’s orders to “get on the ground,” he tased her, sending her falling into bushes beneath the porch, video shows.
Smith, who police say kicked Oxford when she was eventually placed under arrest, was charged with felony obstruction and simple battery against a police officer and was released Wednesday after posting a bond.
Oxford has worked with the department since February 2019 and had no disciplinary history, according to records.


newyorkpost--2020-08-21--Fantasy baseball owners should give these Indians players a look

One of your most difficult tasks to complete this fantasy baseball season is to accrue as many at-bats as possible .
The more at-bats , the greater the chances of bulking up on the offensive counting statistics .
Though that may sound simple and basic , understanding that in the time of COVID , it can actually be quite daunting , as we ’ ve seen numerous series postponed .
In addition to postponements , we have our usual rash of injuries hitting every team , as well as numerous managers mixing and matching in an effort to jump-start their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means is you have to be diligent in your research and keep a watchful eye over a variety of ever-changing situations .
Case in point : the Indians outfield .
Manager Terry Francona continues to scratch his head while he attempts to find the right combination of outfielders to boost the team ’ s offensive production .
He has a right-handed power bat in Domingo Santana , but that .167 average is ugly and the two home runs are feeble .
Francona also has Jordan Luplow , but put a right-hander on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whiff City .
Francona also has speed from the right side in the form of Delino DeShields Jr .
If you ’ re fishing for some stolen bases , there is some hope , but all we ’ ve seen since his return from the IL is a pair of runs scored to go with his .269 average .
Can he turn that around ?
If he gets the opportunity , maybe .
He has posted 20-plus steals in four of his past five seasons , but that is all he brings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the average is middling at best .
From the left side , Francona has been using veteran Tyler Naquin for most of the season .
He never has been anything more than a fourth outfielder in his career , and though his defense has been sound , a .250 average with just three runs and three RBIs are hardly the numbers upon which fantasy dreams are built .
And finally , there is post-hype sleeper Bradley Zimmer , a left-handed power/speed combo whose career has been hindered by a rash of injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Zimmer could actually find his way into the lineup and could actually be worth a gamble come waiver time .
The raw numbers right now don ’ t look good , but he has been used predominantly as a pinch hitter .
Most people will pass over the Indians ’ outfield in their search for statistical help , so these players can all be had for a discount .
Zimmer should be first on your radar , followed by DeShields and Naquin .
Take the speed with a splash of power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be facing weak Central Division pitching and have as much chance as anyone to find their groove .
For the cost , it is worth a shot .
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at Fantasy-Alarm.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “ Fantasy Alarm Radio Show ” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball advice .

One of your most difficult tasks to complete this fantasy baseball season is to accrue as many at-bats as possible. The more at-bats, the greater the chances of bulking up on the offensive counting statistics.
Though that may sound simple and basic, understanding that in the time of COVID, it can actually be quite daunting, as we’ve seen numerous series postponed.
In addition to postponements, we have our usual rash of injuries hitting every team, as well as numerous managers mixing and matching in an effort to jump-start their array of struggling players. What that means is you have to be diligent in your research and keep a watchful eye over a variety of ever-changing situations. Case in point: the Indians outfield.
Manager Terry Francona continues to scratch his head while he attempts to find the right combination of outfielders to boost the team’s offensive production. He has a right-handed power bat in Domingo Santana, but that .167 average is ugly and the two home runs are feeble. Francona also has Jordan Luplow, but put a right-hander on the mound and Luplow becomes the king of Whiff City.
Francona also has speed from the right side in the form of Delino DeShields Jr. If you’re fishing for some stolen bases, there is some hope, but all we’ve seen since his return from the IL is a pair of runs scored to go with his .269 average. Can he turn that around? If he gets the opportunity, maybe. He has posted 20-plus steals in four of his past five seasons, but that is all he brings to the table. There is no power and the average is middling at best.
From the left side, Francona has been using veteran Tyler Naquin for most of the season. He never has been anything more than a fourth outfielder in his career, and though his defense has been sound, a .250 average with just three runs and three RBIs are hardly the numbers upon which fantasy dreams are built.
And finally, there is post-hype sleeper Bradley Zimmer, a left-handed power/speed combo whose career has been hindered by a rash of injuries. With the demotion of Oscar Mercado, Zimmer could actually find his way into the lineup and could actually be worth a gamble come waiver time. The raw numbers right now don’t look good, but he has been used predominantly as a pinch hitter.
Most people will pass over the Indians’ outfield in their search for statistical help, so these players can all be had for a discount. Zimmer should be first on your radar, followed by DeShields and Naquin. Take the speed with a splash of power. As the season continues, they’ll be facing weak Central Division pitching and have as much chance as anyone to find their groove. For the cost, it is worth a shot.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at Fantasy-Alarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball advice.


newyorkpost--2020-08-22--Rose McGowan accuses Alyssa Milano of being a ‘fraud’ in ugly Twitter feud

Is she being hypocritical ?

Former “Charmed” co-stars Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowan are caught up in an ugly Twitter feud that started over politics — and quickly became very personal.
The war of words began when McGowan blasted the Democratic party on social media Thursday and questioned its record.
“What have the Democrats done to solve ANYTHING? Help the poor? No. Help black & brown people? No. Stop police brutality? No. Help children? No. You have achieved nothing. NOTHING. Why did people vote Trump? Because of you motherf–kers,” she wrote.
Milano responded with more than 20 Tweets of examples, in chronological order, of the party’s accomplishments. She also suggested McGowan, who accused Harvey Weinstein of rape and became one of the most prominent voices of the #MeToo movement, was a “fraud.”
“Rose and anyone bleating the same “dEmOcRaTs DoNt HeLp PeOpLe” nonsense, your lies are going to hurt people less privileged than you. It’s the kind of thing an ACTUAL fraud would do. Thousands of people are dying a day but you go on with your hyperbolic attention seeking tweets,” Milano Tweeted Friday — prompting McGowan to unleash a tirade of personal insults dating back to their time on the ’90s TV drama.
“You threw a fit in front of the crew, yelling, ‘They don’t pay me enough to do this s–t!’ Appalling behavior on the daily. I cried every time we got renewed because you made that set toxic AF. Now, get off my coattails you f–king fraud,” McGowan wrote.
#AlyssaMilanoIsALie quickly gained steam on Twitter.
Milano mocked the social media mob in her latest Tweet: “Do you think we can get #AlyssaMilanoIsALie to trend number 1 before I fall asleep? Everyone saying sweet things—I see you. Thank you. Everyone saying horrible things—I see you. F–k off. Hurt people hurt people. Empowered people empower people. Loved people love people,” she wrote at 2:09 a.m. eastern time.
Less than six hours later, it was the No. 1 trending hashtag on Twitter.
This isn’t the first time the actresses have battled publicly over politics.
McGowan blasted Milano, who was also an early promoter of #MeToo, when she endorsed Joe Biden for president shortly after he was accused of sexually assaulting a staffer.


newyorkpost--2020-08-22--Russian dissident Alexei Navalny arrives in Germany after suspected poisoning

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny , who fell into a coma after a suspected poisoning , landed in Germany for treatment Saturday following a day-long standoff over whether he would be allowed to leave a Russian hospital .
Navalny remains in a coma but is in stable condition Jaka Bizilj , of the German NGO Cinema For Peace , which arranged the flight out of Russia , told The Associated Press .
“ Navalny is in Berlin , ” Bizilj said .
“ He survived the flight and he ’ s stable.
” He landed around 9 a.m. Berlin time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Berlin ’ s Charite hospital .
The dissident has promoted opposition candidates to Russian President Vladimir Putin since he was kept from running against the longtime leader in 2018 ’ s presidential election .
He fell ill Thursday while on a flight to Moscow and was taken to a Siberian hospital following an emergency landing .
His allies suspect tea he was drinking was poisoned by someone linked to Putin .
Navalny was first OK ’ d to be transferred to a Berlin hospital Friday , but when the German plane equipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors said he was too fragile to travel , leading supporters to believe his transfer was delayed for political reasons — until any poison would be untraceable in his system .
The Omsk medical team finally relented after Cinema For Peace revealed that German doctors examined the politician and said he was fit to be transported .
Navalny ’ s spokesperson confirmed his departure to Germany on Twitter on Saturday .
He left just after 8 a.m. local time .
“ Alexei ’ s plane has taken off for Berlin , ” Kira @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Massive thanks to everyone for their support .
The struggle for Alexei ’ s life and health is just beginning.
” Deputy chief doctor of the Omsk hospital Anatoly Kalinichenko told reporters that Navalny ’ s condition had stabilized and that physicians “ didn ’ t mind ” transferring the politician , given that his relatives were willing “ to take on the risks.
” Alexander Murakhovksy , head doctor of a hospital in Omsk , said Navalny had been diagnosed with a metabolic disease that may have been caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Navalny had been poisoned , Reuters reported .
The Kremlin has denied involvement in the incident but it wouldn ’ t be the first time Putin has been accused of poisoning or murdering someone he sees as a threat .
A Kremlin spokesperson said the delay was a medical decision but the decision to allow him to fly to Berlin came as international pressure grew .

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who fell into a coma after a suspected poisoning, landed in Germany for treatment Saturday following a day-long standoff over whether he would be allowed to leave a Russian hospital.
Navalny remains in a coma but is in stable condition Jaka Bizilj, of the German NGO Cinema For Peace, which arranged the flight out of Russia, told The Associated Press. “Navalny is in Berlin,” Bizilj said. “He survived the flight and he’s stable.”
He landed around 9 a.m. Berlin time and was taken to the downtown campus of Berlin’s Charite hospital.
The dissident has promoted opposition candidates to Russian President Vladimir Putin since he was kept from running against the longtime leader in 2018’s presidential election.
He fell ill Thursday while on a flight to Moscow and was taken to a Siberian hospital following an emergency landing. His allies suspect tea he was drinking was poisoned by someone linked to Putin.
Navalny was first OK’d to be transferred to a Berlin hospital Friday, but when the German plane equipped with medical supplies arrived, his Russian doctors said he was too fragile to travel, leading supporters to believe his transfer was delayed for political reasons — until any poison would be untraceable in his system.
The Omsk medical team finally relented after Cinema For Peace revealed that German doctors examined the politician and said he was fit to be transported.
Navalny’s spokesperson confirmed his departure to Germany on Twitter on Saturday. He left just after 8 a.m. local time.
“Alexei’s plane has taken off for Berlin,” Kira Yarmysh tweeted, according to BBC News. “Massive thanks to everyone for their support. The struggle for Alexei’s life and health is just beginning.”
Deputy chief doctor of the Omsk hospital Anatoly Kalinichenko told reporters that Navalny’s condition had stabilized and that physicians “didn’t mind” transferring the politician, given that his relatives were willing “to take on the risks.”
Alexander Murakhovksy, head doctor of a hospital in Omsk, said Navalny had been diagnosed with a metabolic disease that may have been caused by low blood sugar and did not believe that Navalny had been poisoned, Reuters reported.
The Kremlin has denied involvement in the incident but it wouldn’t be the first time Putin has been accused of poisoning or murdering someone he sees as a threat.
A Kremlin spokesperson said the delay was a medical decision but the decision to allow him to fly to Berlin came as international pressure grew.


newyorkpost--2020-08-22--Plane with comatose Russian dissident leaves for Germany

OMSK , Russia — A plane carrying a Russian dissident who is in a coma after a suspected poisoning left for a German hospital Saturday following much wrangling over Alexei Navalny ’ s condition and treatment .
The plane could be seen taking off from an airport in the Siberian city of Omsk just after 8 a.m. local time .
Navalny ’ s spokesperson , Kira Yarmysh , confirmed the departure on Twitter .
The flight to Berlin was expected to take about five hours .
Navalny , a 44-year-old politician and corruption investigator who is one of Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was admitted to an intensive care unit in Omsk on Thursday .
His supporters believe that tea he drank was laced with poison — and that the Kremlin is behind both his illness and the delay in transferring him to a top German hospital .
When German specialists first arrived on a plane equipped with advanced medical equipment Friday morning at his family ’ s behest , Navalny ’ s physicians in Omsk said he was too unstable to move .
Navalny ’ s supporters denounced that as a ploy by authorities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would no longer be traceable .
The Omsk medical team relented only after a charity that had organized the medevac plane revealed that the German doctors examined the politician and said he was fit to be transported .
Deputy chief doctor of the Omsk hospital Anatoly Kalinichenko then told reporters that Navalny ’ s condition had stabilized and that physicians “ didn ’ t mind ” transferring the politician , given that his relatives were willing “ to take on the risks.
” The Kremlin denied resistance to the transfer was political , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was purely a medical decision .
However , the reversal came as international pressure on Russia ’ s leadership mounted .
It would not be the first time a prominent , outspoken Russian was targeted in such a way — or the first time the Kremlin was accused of being behind it .
On Thursday , leaders of France and Germany said the two countries were ready to offer Navalny and his family any and all assistance and insisted on an investigation into what happened .
On Friday , European Union spokeswoman Nabila @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian authorities to allow him to be taken abroad .
The most prominent member of Russia ’ s opposition , Navalny campaigned to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election but was barred from running .
Since then , he has been promoting opposition candidates in regional elections , challenging members of the ruling party , United Russia .
His Foundation for Fighting Corruption has been exposing graft among government officials , including some at the highest level .
But he had to shut the foundation last month after a financially devastating lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin .
Navalny fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to the hospital after the plane made an emergency landing .
His team made arrangements to transfer him to Charité , a clinic in Berlin that has a history of treating famous foreign leaders and dissidents .
Dr. Yaroslav Ashikhmin , Navalny ’ s physician in Moscow , told The Associated Press that being on a plane with specialized equipment , including a ventilator and a machine that can do the work of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even safer than staying in a hospital in Omsk.
” Yarmysh posted pictures of what she said was a bathroom inside the hospital that showed squalid conditions , including walls with paint peeling off , rusting pipes , and a dirty floor and walls .
While his supporters and family members continue to insist that Navalny was poisoned , doctors in Omsk denied that and put forth another theory .
The hospital ’ s chief doctor , Alexander Murakhovsky , said in a video published by Omsk news outlet NGS55 that a metabolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a drop in blood sugar may have caused Navalny to lose consciousness .
Another doctor with ties to the politician , Dr. Anastasia Vasilyeva , said that diagnosing Navalny with a “ metabolic disorder ” says nothing about what may have caused it — and it could have been the result of poisoning .
Ashikhmin , who ’ s been Navalny ’ s doctor since 2013 , said the politician has always been in good health , regularly went for medical checkups and didn ’ t have any underlying illnesses that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts expressed doubts that a poisoning could have been ruled out so quickly .
“ It takes a while to rule things out .
And particularly if something is highly toxic — it will be there in very low concentrations , and many screening tests would just not pick that substance up , ” said Alastair Hay , an emeritus professor and toxicology expert from the school of medicine at the University of Leeds .
Like many other opposition politicians in Russia , Navalny has been frequently detained by law enforcement and harassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was attacked by several men who threw antiseptic in his face , damaging an eye .
Last year , Navalny was rushed to a hospital from jail — where he was serving a sentence on charges of violating protest regulations .
His team also suspected poisoning then .
Doctors said he had a severe allergic attack and sent him back to detention the following day .
The widow of Alexander Litvinenko , the former Russian agent who died in London in 2006 after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 , said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him transferred abroad .
Marina Litvinenko told the AP via a video call from Italy that “ every day , every hour , sometimes every second ” is important .
She expressed her support for Navalny ’ s family , saying : “ Particularly for his wife , Yulia , be strong , ” she said .
“ And never give up .
Believe he will survive .
”

OMSK, Russia — A plane carrying a Russian dissident who is in a coma after a suspected poisoning left for a German hospital Saturday following much wrangling over Alexei Navalny’s condition and treatment.
The plane could be seen taking off from an airport in the Siberian city of Omsk just after 8 a.m. local time. Navalny’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, confirmed the departure on Twitter. The flight to Berlin was expected to take about five hours.
Navalny, a 44-year-old politician and corruption investigator who is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics, was admitted to an intensive care unit in Omsk on Thursday. His supporters believe that tea he drank was laced with poison — and that the Kremlin is behind both his illness and the delay in transferring him to a top German hospital.
When German specialists first arrived on a plane equipped with advanced medical equipment Friday morning at his family’s behest, Navalny’s physicians in Omsk said he was too unstable to move.
Navalny’s supporters denounced that as a ploy by authorities to stall until any poison in his system would no longer be traceable. The Omsk medical team relented only after a charity that had organized the medevac plane revealed that the German doctors examined the politician and said he was fit to be transported.
Deputy chief doctor of the Omsk hospital Anatoly Kalinichenko then told reporters that Navalny’s condition had stabilized and that physicians “didn’t mind” transferring the politician, given that his relatives were willing “to take on the risks.”
The Kremlin denied resistance to the transfer was political, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying that it was purely a medical decision. However, the reversal came as international pressure on Russia’s leadership mounted.
It would not be the first time a prominent, outspoken Russian was targeted in such a way — or the first time the Kremlin was accused of being behind it.
On Thursday, leaders of France and Germany said the two countries were ready to offer Navalny and his family any and all assistance and insisted on an investigation into what happened. On Friday, European Union spokeswoman Nabila Massrali added that the bloc was urging Russian authorities to allow him to be taken abroad.
The most prominent member of Russia’s opposition, Navalny campaigned to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election but was barred from running. Since then, he has been promoting opposition candidates in regional elections, challenging members of the ruling party, United Russia.
His Foundation for Fighting Corruption has been exposing graft among government officials, including some at the highest level. But he had to shut the foundation last month after a financially devastating lawsuit from a businessman with close ties to the Kremlin.
Navalny fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to the hospital after the plane made an emergency landing. His team made arrangements to transfer him to Charité, a clinic in Berlin that has a history of treating famous foreign leaders and dissidents.
Dr. Yaroslav Ashikhmin, Navalny’s physician in Moscow, told The Associated Press that being on a plane with specialized equipment, including a ventilator and a machine that can do the work of the heart and lungs, “can be even safer than staying in a hospital in Omsk.”
Yarmysh posted pictures of what she said was a bathroom inside the hospital that showed squalid conditions, including walls with paint peeling off, rusting pipes, and a dirty floor and walls.
While his supporters and family members continue to insist that Navalny was poisoned, doctors in Omsk denied that and put forth another theory.
The hospital’s chief doctor, Alexander Murakhovsky, said in a video published by Omsk news outlet NGS55 that a metabolic disorder was the most likely diagnosis and that a drop in blood sugar may have caused Navalny to lose consciousness.
Another doctor with ties to the politician, Dr. Anastasia Vasilyeva, said that diagnosing Navalny with a “metabolic disorder” says nothing about what may have caused it — and it could have been the result of poisoning.
Ashikhmin, who’s been Navalny’s doctor since 2013, said the politician has always been in good health, regularly went for medical checkups and didn’t have any underlying illnesses that could have triggered his condition.
Western toxicology experts expressed doubts that a poisoning could have been ruled out so quickly.
“It takes a while to rule things out. And particularly if something is highly toxic — it will be there in very low concentrations, and many screening tests would just not pick that substance up,” said Alastair Hay, an emeritus professor and toxicology expert from the school of medicine at the University of Leeds.
Like many other opposition politicians in Russia, Navalny has been frequently detained by law enforcement and harassed by pro-Kremlin groups. In 2017, he was attacked by several men who threw antiseptic in his face, damaging an eye.
Last year, Navalny was rushed to a hospital from jail — where he was serving a sentence on charges of violating protest regulations. His team also suspected poisoning then. Doctors said he had a severe allergic attack and sent him back to detention the following day.
The widow of Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian agent who died in London in 2006 after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210, said she understood why Navalny’s family wanted him transferred abroad.
Marina Litvinenko told the AP via a video call from Italy that “every day, every hour, sometimes every second” is important.
She expressed her support for Navalny’s family, saying: “Particularly for his wife, Yulia, be strong,” she said. “And never give up. Believe he will survive.”