newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Key NYC services are stuck in the 1950s — and everyone pays the price

Would you pay hundreds of dollars for a 1950s Western Electric rotary phone when your neighbors have iPhones ?
No , you wouldn ’ t .
But when it comes to public services , New Yorkers are paying for an iPhone — and getting the equivalent of the decrepit rotary .
The city ’ s new budget , passed last week , promises more of the same .
We pay for the best , but get yesterday ’ s technology and work practices .
Take trash collection .
A few years ago , the Citizens Budget Commission took a critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Waste collection in Gotham costs more than it does in other cities .
Not coincidentally , New York also fails to take advantage of modern technology that makes waste collection faster and more efficient .
If you live in a Big Apple apartment building , chances are your trash is picked up by two beefy Department of Sanitation workers who toss bags of trash into the back of their truck .
To accomplish this , your building ’ s porter leaves the bags out overnight on the sidewalk , creating an unsightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Picking up the trash might take 15 or 20 minutes , and if your street is narrow , the sanitation truck blocks traffic for that time .
There is a better way .
Trash could be put out in bins that would be lifted mechanically and emptied into the sanitation truck .
Bin collection is safer , because it makes backbreaking lifting unnecessary .
It ’ s faster , too , and would only require one worker to drive the truck and operate the lift mechanism .
Binned trash would be contained overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced .
Why doesn ’ t the city do it this way ?
Bin collection would require the city to renegotiate union work rules and to acquire new equipment .
New Yorkers , moreover , would need to give up street-parking spaces to house the bins .
The political class views that last ask as an impossibility ; free parking is sacrosanct .
Or is it ?
New Yorkers just gave up street parking so restaurants could offer outdoor service during the COVID-19 lockdown .
Why couldn ’ t they be persuaded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , safer , more efficient trash pickup ?
While we ’ re dreaming , let ’ s talk about firehouses .
The CBC also reports that the New York City Fire Department devotes far more resources to firefighting than it should , given the decline over recent decades in the number of responses to fires .
Indeed , the FDNY spends more time on nonfire emergencies than it does on fires .
Fires are terrifying , and no proposal brings out united community opposition quicker than closing a firehouse .
And yet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staffs more engine companies and ladder companies with firefighters than it needs .
Mayor Mike Bloomberg tried , and failed , to close 20 firehouses in 2011-12 .
Comparing data in the annual Mayor ’ s Management Reports since then , it ’ s clear that the FDNY responds to about the same number of structural fires as a decade ago , but the number of non-structural fires has gone down .
So the questions remains : How many firefighters do we need to have on duty around the clock to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we needed years ago , when the FDNY responded to many more fires ?
Both sanitation workers and firefighters have strong unions , and they enjoy very good pay and benefits — as they should .
But taxpayers ’ commitment to good pay and benefits should come with a proviso that city agencies need to be able to adopt new labor-saving technologies and the right size for services to reflect changing times .
If New York City can ’ t do that , taxpayers will be left funding their grandparents ’ public services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the living standards of our current high-productivity private economy .
This was just about supportable when Gotham ’ s tax base was flush with revenue .
Even then , it wasn ’ t truly justifiable : New Yorkers paid a high cost in unnecessarily steep taxes and foregone opportunities to improve other services .
In the current dire economic situation , however , these arrangements are simply intolerable .
For New York City to remain economically competitive , taxpayers need to demand that the city ’ s services reflect current technology and international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s always been done ” doesn ’ t cut it with phones .
It shouldn ’ t cut it when it comes to public services , either .
Eric Kober , a former director in the New York City Department of City Planning , is a Manhattan Institute adjunct fellow .

Would you pay hundreds of dollars for a 1950s Western Electric rotary phone when your neighbors have iPhones? No, you wouldn’t. But when it comes to public services, New Yorkers are paying for an iPhone — and getting the equivalent of the decrepit rotary. The city’s new budget, passed last week, promises more of the same.
We pay for the best, but get yesterday’s technology and work practices.
Take trash collection. A few years ago, the Citizens Budget Commission took a critical look at New York City waste collection. Waste collection in Gotham costs more than it does in other cities. Not coincidentally, New York also fails to take advantage of modern technology that makes waste collection faster and more efficient.
If you live in a Big Apple apartment building, chances are your trash is picked up by two beefy Department of Sanitation workers who toss bags of trash into the back of their truck. To accomplish this, your building’s porter leaves the bags out overnight on the sidewalk, creating an unsightly and often smelly obstacle for pedestrians. Picking up the trash might take 15 or 20 minutes, and if your street is narrow, the sanitation truck blocks traffic for that time.
There is a better way. Trash could be put out in bins that would be lifted mechanically and emptied into the sanitation truck. Bin collection is safer, because it makes backbreaking lifting unnecessary. It’s faster, too, and would only require one worker to drive the truck and operate the lift mechanism. Binned trash would be contained overnight, spillage would be eliminated and smells reduced.
Why doesn’t the city do it this way? Bin collection would require the city to renegotiate union work rules and to acquire new equipment. New Yorkers, moreover, would need to give up street-parking spaces to house the bins. The political class views that last ask as an impossibility; free parking is sacrosanct. Or is it?
New Yorkers just gave up street parking so restaurants could offer outdoor service during the COVID-19 lockdown. Why couldn’t they be persuaded to do the same in exchange for cheaper, safer, more efficient trash pickup?
While we’re dreaming, let’s talk about firehouses. The CBC also reports that the New York City Fire Department devotes far more resources to firefighting than it should, given the decline over recent decades in the number of responses to fires. Indeed, the FDNY spends more time on nonfire emergencies than it does on fires.
Fires are terrifying, and no proposal brings out united community opposition quicker than closing a firehouse. And yet the city arguably has too many of them and staffs more engine companies and ladder companies with firefighters than it needs.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg tried, and failed, to close 20 firehouses in 2011-12. Comparing data in the annual Mayor’s Management Reports since then, it’s clear that the FDNY responds to about the same number of structural fires as a decade ago, but the number of non-structural fires has gone down. So the questions remains: How many firefighters do we need to have on duty around the clock to be safe? Is it the same number we needed years ago, when the FDNY responded to many more fires?
Both sanitation workers and firefighters have strong unions, and they enjoy very good pay and benefits — as they should. But taxpayers’ commitment to good pay and benefits should come with a proviso that city agencies need to be able to adopt new labor-saving technologies and the right size for services to reflect changing times.
If New York City can’t do that, taxpayers will be left funding their grandparents’ public services but at salaries and benefits that reflect the living standards of our current high-productivity private economy. This was just about supportable when Gotham’s tax base was flush with revenue. Even then, it wasn’t truly justifiable: New Yorkers paid a high cost in unnecessarily steep taxes and foregone opportunities to improve other services.
In the current dire economic situation, however, these arrangements are simply intolerable. For New York City to remain economically competitive, taxpayers need to demand that the city’s services reflect current technology and international best practices.
“The way it’s always been done” doesn’t cut it with phones. It shouldn’t cut it when it comes to public services, either.
Eric Kober, a former director in the New York City Department of City Planning, is a Manhattan Institute adjunct fellow.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Critics of Trump’s 4th of July speech are hating on patriotism itself

If nothing else , President Trump ’ s July 4 speech at Mount Rushmore clarified the battle lines of our culture war .
The New York Times called the president ’ s speech “ dark and divisive ” ; several other outlets used the “ dark ” adjective .
An Associated Press headline blared , “ Trump Pushes Racial Division.
” A Washington Post story said the speech “ crystallized ” Trump ’ s “ unyielding push to preserve Confederate symbols and the legacy of white domination.
” Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D-Ill. ) insisted that Trump “ spent all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To be clear — and despite all this — the media and the left didn ’ t freak out about a speech extolling the valor of Robert E. Lee , the statesmanship of Jefferson Davis or the prowess of Nathan Bedford Forrest .
They didn ’ t scorn a speech pining for antebellum America or expressing ambiguity about the Civil War .
They didn ’ t pan a speech that slighted the quest for justice and civil rights throughout American history .
As a matter of fact , Trump didn ’ t mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abraham Lincoln at length and called the Civil War “ the struggle that saved our union and extinguished the evil of slavery.
” He cited the repulse of Pickett ’ s charge and quoted “ The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
” He said we must defend “ the principles that propelled the abolition of slavery in America ” and “ the ideas that were the foundation of the righteous movement for civil rights.
” It ’ d be difficult to get a more textbook expression of the American civic religion than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be difficult to get a more wide-ranging appreciation of the warriors , inventors , adventurers , reformers , entertainers and athletes who have made the country what it is .
It ’ d be difficult to get a more affirming account of the greatness of America and its meaning to the world .
And yet , the speech was tested and found wanting .
Trump ’ s attacks on what he called “ a new far-left fascism ” and a cultural revolution “ designed to overthrow the American Revolution ” were indeed hard-edged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth of the claims ?
There ’ s a fear afoot in the land , as a merciless authoritarian spirit informs a spate of firings and cancellations .
The day before Trump ’ s speech , a Boeing executive resigned over something he had written .
.
.
in 1987 .
Protesters have targeted commemorations of every single one of the presidents etched on Mount Rushmore , who the day before yesterday would have been completely unassailable giants of American history .
Vandals splashed red paint on statues of Washington in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is open to having a conversation about whether statues of the Father of the Country should still stand .
The setting for Trump ’ s speech is itself now deemed problematic .
A CNN report previewing the event said Trump “ will be at Mount Rushmore , where he ’ ll be standing in front of a monument of two slave owners and on land wrestled away from Native Americans.
” There is no doubt that Trump is a deeply flawed messenger — indeed , days after the speech , he , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter for banning the display of Confederate flags .
But it wasn ’ t just Trump the messenger who was attacked in the aftermath of the Mount Rushmore speech ; it was the message .
Patriotic sentiments of the sort that have adorned American oratory for centuries were deemed hateful and divisive .
A celebration of the Founders that once would have been the stuff of schoolbooks and primers was considered controversial .
A defense of the nation ’ s ideals was waved away .
No , nothing to see here — only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some other Republican president had given the Mount Rushmore speech the pushback wouldn ’ t have been as intense .
But this isn ’ t just about Trump .
It goes much deeper .
Critics of the speech objected to what they said was its widely exaggerated account of the stakes in the culture war — and at the same time vindicated that account by equating patriotism with white supremacy .

If nothing else, President Trump’s July 4 speech at Mount Rushmore clarified the battle lines of our culture war.
The New York Times called the president’s speech “dark and divisive”; several other outlets used the “dark” adjective. An Associated Press headline blared, “Trump Pushes Racial Division.” A Washington Post story said the speech “crystallized” Trump’s “unyielding push to preserve Confederate symbols and the legacy of white domination.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) insisted that Trump “spent all his time talking about dead traitors.”
To be clear — and despite all this — the media and the left didn’t freak out about a speech extolling the valor of Robert E. Lee, the statesmanship of Jefferson Davis or the prowess of Nathan Bedford Forrest. They didn’t scorn a speech pining for antebellum America or expressing ambiguity about the Civil War. They didn’t pan a speech that slighted the quest for justice and civil rights throughout American history.
As a matter of fact, Trump didn’t mention any Confederates at all.
He hailed Abraham Lincoln at length and called the Civil War “the struggle that saved our union and extinguished the evil of slavery.” He cited the repulse of Pickett’s charge and quoted “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
He said we must defend “the principles that propelled the abolition of slavery in America” and “the ideas that were the foundation of the righteous movement for civil rights.”
It’d be difficult to get a more textbook expression of the American civic religion than the speech at Rushmore. It’d be difficult to get a more wide-ranging appreciation of the warriors, inventors, adventurers, reformers, entertainers and athletes who have made the country what it is. It’d be difficult to get a more affirming account of the greatness of America and its meaning to the world.
And yet, the speech was tested and found wanting.
Trump’s attacks on what he called “a new far-left fascism” and a cultural revolution “designed to overthrow the American Revolution” were indeed hard-edged, but who can doubt the basic truth of the claims?
There’s a fear afoot in the land, as a merciless authoritarian spirit informs a spate of firings and cancellations. The day before Trump’s speech, a Boeing executive resigned over something he had written . . . in 1987.
Protesters have targeted commemorations of every single one of the presidents etched on Mount Rushmore, who the day before yesterday would have been completely unassailable giants of American history.
Vandals splashed red paint on statues of Washington in New York City and the aforementioned Tammy Duckworth said she is open to having a conversation about whether statues of the Father of the Country should still stand.
The setting for Trump’s speech is itself now deemed problematic. A CNN report previewing the event said Trump “will be at Mount Rushmore, where he’ll be standing in front of a monument of two slave owners and on land wrestled away from Native Americans.”
There is no doubt that Trump is a deeply flawed messenger — indeed, days after the speech, he, out of nowhere, attacked NASCAR on Twitter for banning the display of Confederate flags.
But it wasn’t just Trump the messenger who was attacked in the aftermath of the Mount Rushmore speech; it was the message.
Patriotic sentiments of the sort that have adorned American oratory for centuries were deemed hateful and divisive. A celebration of the Founders that once would have been the stuff of schoolbooks and primers was considered controversial. A defense of the nation’s ideals was waved away. No, nothing to see here — only hate and division.
Surely, if some other Republican president had given the Mount Rushmore speech the pushback wouldn’t have been as intense. But this isn’t just about Trump. It goes much deeper.
Critics of the speech objected to what they said was its widely exaggerated account of the stakes in the culture war — and at the same time vindicated that account by equating patriotism with white supremacy.
Twitter: @RichLowry


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Plane carrying 860 pounds of cocaine crashes on Mexico highway

A private plane carrying 860 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $ 4.9 million crash-landed on a Mexican highway Sunday , sending the narco-traffickers scrambling into the woods to dodge police , according to a report .
The Hawker 700 , which Mexican authorities said they traced from Venezuela , came crashing down with its illicit cargo on a state highway Sunday morning in Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula , Mexican News Daily reported .
Video of the burning wreckage posted on Twitter by Alberto Capella , the province ’ s security minister , shows smoke billowing from the downed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew fled into the forest before the military reached the scene shortly before 8 a.m. — but authorities said they recovered the drugs nearby when they stopped a truck that had been loaded up with the plane ’ s cargo .
Air Force officials told the Mexican newspaper Millenio , which originally reported the crash , that they began tracking the plane at 5 a.m. after it took off from Maracaibo , Venezuela .
They said a military T-6C Texan plane was sent to intercept the narco plane and ordered it to land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road .
Authorities said it ’ s not the first time narco-traffickers were thwarted in the region — two planes carrying guns and cocaine were seized on consecutive days in January .

A private plane carrying 860 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $4.9 million crash-landed on a Mexican highway Sunday, sending the narco-traffickers scrambling into the woods to dodge police, according to a report.
The Hawker 700, which Mexican authorities said they traced from Venezuela, came crashing down with its illicit cargo on a state highway Sunday morning in Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexican News Daily reported.
Video of the burning wreckage posted on Twitter by Alberto Capella, the province’s security minister, shows smoke billowing from the downed aircraft on the empty highway.
The crew fled into the forest before the military reached the scene shortly before 8 a.m. — but authorities said they recovered the drugs nearby when they stopped a truck that had been loaded up with the plane’s cargo.
Air Force officials told the Mexican newspaper Millenio, which originally reported the crash, that they began tracking the plane at 5 a.m. after it took off from Maracaibo, Venezuela.
They said a military T-6C Texan plane was sent to intercept the narco plane and ordered it to land before it made the forced landing on the road.
Authorities said it’s not the first time narco-traffickers were thwarted in the region — two planes carrying guns and cocaine were seized on consecutive days in January.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Brittany Matthews reacts to Patrick Mahomes’ monster Chiefs contract

Shortly after the Cheifs made their Super Bowl-winning quarterback the holder of the richest contract in sports history — a @ @ @ @ @ million — Mahomes ’ longtime girlfriend celebrated the historic news on social media .
“ @ @ @ @ @ of you , ” Matthews captioned a cozy shot of the pair Monday on her @ @ @ @ @ the day , Matthews also shared a collection of photos from Mahomes ’ signing .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ all about my best friend , he earned that ish💕❣ # Iloveyou , ” @ @ @ @ @ The deal will keep Mahomes in Kansas City through 2031 .
Mahomes and Matthews have @ @ @ @ @ , recently celebrating their anniversary in March .

Brittany Matthews is “so proud” of boyfriend Patrick Mahomes.
Shortly after the Chiefs made their Super Bowl-winning quarterback the holder of the richest contract in sports history — a 10-year deal worth $503 million — Mahomes’ longtime girlfriend celebrated the historic news on social media.
“I’m so proud of you,” Matthews captioned a cozy shot of the pair Monday on her Instagram story.
Related Video Brittany Matthews is just one of the NFL's hottest wives and girlfriends
Later in the day, Matthews also shared a collection of photos from Mahomes’ signing.
“Let me tell y’all about my best friend, he earned that ish💕❣ #Iloveyou,” the fitness instructor gushed.
The deal will keep Mahomes in Kansas City through 2031.
“Here to stay!” the 24-year-old Super Bowl MVP tweeted.
Mahomes and Matthews have been dating for eight years, recently celebrating their anniversary in March.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Chris Evans was hardly low-key arriving at the Corinthia with Lily James

“ Captain America ” star Chris Evans didn ’ t do a stellar job shielding him and his date from the paparazzi when he went out with “ Downton Abbey ” beauty Lily James in London .
James was seen leaving private members ’ club Mark ’ s in Mayfair , with Evans following closely behind , jumping in the same black cab together , around 1 a.m. on Saturday .
They went back to the luxe hotel Corinthia , but he exited the taxi separately from James , who headed to a door at the side of the hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrance — where he had to wait for a member of staff to let him in after waving his guest key card through the glass .
For hard-core “ Captain America ” fans : When informed by the hotel staffer he couldn ’ t immediately be let in , we ’ re told he replied , “ The hell I can ’ t .
I ’ m a captain !
” and “ I know this neighborhood .
I got beat up in that alley .
And that parking lot .
And behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crown ” star Matt Smith for five years until last year .
Evans was last linked to anyone in 2017 , when he dated comic Jenny Slate .

“Captain America” star Chris Evans didn’t do a stellar job shielding him and his date from the paparazzi when he went out with “Downton Abbey” beauty Lily James in London.
James was seen leaving private members’ club Mark’s in Mayfair, with Evans following closely behind, jumping in the same black cab together, around 1 a.m. on Saturday. They went back to the luxe hotel Corinthia, but he exited the taxi separately from James, who headed to a door at the side of the hotel.
Superhero Evans headed to the main entrance — where he had to wait for a member of staff to let him in after waving his guest key card through the glass.
For hard-core “Captain America” fans: When informed by the hotel staffer he couldn’t immediately be let in, we’re told he replied, “The hell I can’t. I’m a captain!” and “I know this neighborhood. I got beat up in that alley. And that parking lot. And behind that diner.”
James dated “The Crown” star Matt Smith for five years until last year. Evans was last linked to anyone in 2017, when he dated comic Jenny Slate.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--2020 Yankees schedule with dates: What to watch for in 60-game slate

The Yankees will face their AL East foes 40 times in the abbreviated 60-game season , with 10 of those games against the Red Sox — seven of them in The Bronx .
There are several spots softer than melted ice cream on the Yankees ’ schedule released on Monday by MLB , but not at the start and that is certainly not the case in a 14-game stretch that bridges August and September .
The Yankees ’ first three games are against the defending World Series champion Nationals in Washington , with two following in Philadelphia against Joe Girardi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition of Didi Gregorius and Zack Wheeler are expected to challenge in the NL East .
Two more versus the Phillies follow in The Bronx when the Yankees hold their home opener on July 29 .
Four games against the pesky Rays from Aug. 6-9 precede a two-game series against the Braves at Yankee Stadium .
Following a four-game set against the Red Sox at the Stadium , the Yankees open a 14-game stretch against the Rays ( three at Yankee Stadium ) , against the Mets ( three at Citi Field ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Rays at the Stadium .
If the Yankees need a strong finish to win the AL East or cop a wild-card spot the schedule will likely cooperate since 20 of the final 23 games are against the Orioles , Blue Jays and Marlins ,

The Yankees will face their AL East foes 40 times in the abbreviated 60-game season, with 10 of those games against the Red Sox — seven of them in The Bronx.
There are several spots softer than melted ice cream on the Yankees’ schedule released on Monday by MLB, but not at the start and that is certainly not the case in a 14-game stretch that bridges August and September.
The Yankees’ first three games are against the defending World Series champion Nationals in Washington, with two following in Philadelphia against Joe Girardi’s Phillies, who with the addition of Didi Gregorius and Zack Wheeler are expected to challenge in the NL East.
Two more versus the Phillies follow in The Bronx when the Yankees hold their home opener on July 29.
Four games against the pesky Rays from Aug. 6-9 precede a two-game series against the Braves at Yankee Stadium.
Following a four-game set against the Red Sox at the Stadium, the Yankees open a 14-game stretch against the Rays (three at Yankee Stadium), against the Mets (three at Citi Field), two at Atlanta and three more with the Rays at the Stadium.
If the Yankees need a strong finish to win the AL East or cop a wild-card spot the schedule will likely cooperate since 20 of the final 23 games are against the Orioles, Blue Jays and Marlins,
Full New York Yankees 2020 schedule
July 23-26: at Washington Nationals (3 games)
July 27-28: at Philadelphia Phillies (2 games)
July 29-30: vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2 games)
July 31-Aug. 2: vs. Boston Red Sox (3 games)
Aug. 3-Aug. 5: at Baltimore Orioles (3 games)
Aug. 6-Aug. 9: at Tampa Bay Rays (4 games)
Aug. 11-12: vs. Atlanta Braves (2 games)
Aug. 14-17: vs. Boston Red Sox (4 games)
Aug. 18-20: vs. Tampa Bay Rays (3 games)
Aug. 21-23: at New York Mets (3 games)
Aug. 25-26: at Atlanta Braves (2 games)
Aug. 28-30: vs. New York Mets (3 games)
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: vs. Tampa Bay Rays (3 games)
Sept. 4-6: at Baltimore Orioles (3 games)
Sept. 7-9: at Toronto Blue Jays (3 games)
Sept. 10-13: vs. Baltimore Orioles (4 games)
Sept. 15-17: vs. Toronto Blue Jays (3 games)
Sept. 18-20: at Boston Red Sox (3 games)
Sept. 21-24 at Toronto Blue Jays (4 games)
Sept. 25-27 vs. Miami Marlins (3 games)


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Trump rejects Hispanic Caucus plea to disinvite Mexico’s president

President Trump on Monday rejected a request from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus that he cancel his meeting Wednesday with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador .
Trump denied the request in a handwritten message scrawled on top of a press release from Democratic caucus members .
“ CHC – Thank you for your very nice letter .
He is my friend and a wonderful man .
I look forward to meeting with the president — will be good + important for both Mexico + the USA , ” Trump wrote .
The response was sent to caucus chairman Rep. Joaquin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week led a dozen fellow caucus Democrats — including New York ’ s Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — to ask Trump to cancel on Lopez Obrador .
Lopez Obrador should be uninvited because the visit “ is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the coronavirus crisis and your failure to lead an adequate response to the pandemic , ” the Democrats wrote to Trump .
The pandemic is “ decimating Latino communities , ” they wrote .
“ Furthermore , any meeting with the President of Mexico should include an explanation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 4,000 troops at the border , ” the Democrats said .
Castro is the brother of failed Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro .
Lopez Obrador , in office since 2018 , is a veteran of leftist politics and often is compared to socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont .
He plans to fly commercial to DC .
It will be the second visit by a world leader since the coronavirus pandemic began in March .
Polish President Andrzej Duda visited last month .
Lopez Obrador last week brushed off Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal immigrants and his vow to make Mexico pay for his border wall .
“ There has been respect from President Donald Trump toward our government , ” the Mexican president told reporters .
“ There has been a relationship of mutual respect ; I won ’ t say more .
Even President Trump ’ s rhetoric toward Mexico has been more respectful than how he expressed himself before , something we are very grateful to him for.
” Although a Mexican leader has not yet visited Trump in the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of then-President Enrique Pena Nieto in 2016 .
A televised press conference was relatively sedate and drew few protesters .

President Trump on Monday rejected a request from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus that he cancel his meeting Wednesday with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Trump denied the request in a handwritten message scrawled on top of a press release from Democratic caucus members.
“CHC – Thank you for your very nice letter. He is my friend and a wonderful man. I look forward to meeting with the president — will be good + important for both Mexico + the USA,” Trump wrote.
The response was sent to caucus chairman Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas).
Castro last week led a dozen fellow caucus Democrats — including New York’s Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — to ask Trump to cancel on Lopez Obrador.
Lopez Obrador should be uninvited because the visit “is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the coronavirus crisis and your failure to lead an adequate response to the pandemic,” the Democrats wrote to Trump.
The pandemic is “decimating Latino communities,” they wrote.
“Furthermore, any meeting with the President of Mexico should include an explanation to why the Pentagon is keeping as many as 4,000 troops at the border,” the Democrats said.
Castro is the brother of failed Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro.
Lopez Obrador, in office since 2018, is a veteran of leftist politics and often is compared to socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He plans to fly commercial to DC.
It will be the second visit by a world leader since the coronavirus pandemic began in March. Polish President Andrzej Duda visited last month.
Lopez Obrador last week brushed off Trump’s past condemnation of crime linked to Mexican illegal immigrants and his vow to make Mexico pay for his border wall.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--14-year-old boy critically injured in Queens shooting

A 14-year-old boy was shot and critically injured on a Queens street Monday evening , police sources said .
The @ @ @ @ @ bullets , including one to the neck , at about 5 p.m. near 166th Street @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Police sources said two suspects fired multiple rounds at the victim @ @ @ @ @ violent week that saw a sharp increase in shootings over the same period last year @ @ @ @ @ 29 through Sunday , 101 people were wounded or killed in 74 shootings citywide , @ @ @ @ @ By comparison , 33 people were struck in 26 incidents during the same period in @ @ @ @ @ time 100 people or more were shot in the span of a week came in @ @ @ @ @ saw 18 murders during the week , a 50-percent increase from the same week in @ @ @ @ @

A 14-year-old boy was shot and critically injured on a Queens street Monday evening, police sources said.
The teen was struck by several bullets, including one to the neck, at about 5 p.m. near 166th Street and Marsden Street in Jamaica, police said.
Police sources said two suspects fired multiple rounds at the victim.
The gunplay follows a violent week that saw a sharp increase in shootings over the same period last year.
From Monday, June 29 through Sunday, 101 people were wounded or killed in 74 shootings citywide, according to police sources.
By comparison, 33 people were struck in 26 incidents during the same period in 2019 — and the last time 100 people or more were shot in the span of a week came in June 1995.
The city saw 18 murders during the week, a 50-percent increase from the same week in 2019, sources said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--‘Cheer’ is Still the Best Netflix Docuseries of 2020 (So Far)

Never forget that Cheer was the first big Netflix show of 2020 .
Forget about Tiger King or The Floor is Lava , the resurgence of Avatar : The Last Airbender , or even The Circle .
When Cheer premiered all the way back on January 8 , 2020 , it became an immediate pop culture hit .
And yet , Cheer now feels like a foggy memory from a different time .
The rest of 2020 has felt closer to the fever dream of Tiger King , but let it not be forgotten that the year kicked off with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s still the best docuseries that Netflix has served up so far ) .
The concept behind Netflix ’ s Cheer was simple .
The series followed the Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team for an entire school year as its championship-winning athletes juggled emotional trauma , strenuous workouts , and paranoia-inducing mind games to “ make mat ” for the biggest event of the year , Daytona .
Under the watchful eye of coach Monica Aldama , star cheerleaders Gabi Butler , La ’ Darius Marshall , Jerry Harris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death-defying feats of acrobatics and delivered up some serious drama for viewers at home .
Cheer was so addictive to watch because it married the Navarro Bulldogs ’ larger-than-life reputation with the painful reality behind their perfect routines .
There were broken bones , shattered dreams , and an ending that left at least one of the subjects ’ futures in severe doubt .
Cheer combined a documentary ’ s careful portrayal of real life with a sports-driven soap opera .
For some , the show ’ s glory came in its stripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of seeing the Navarro College Cheer Team in their game day best , bright white smiles plastered to their made-up faces , we saw them as tired , sore , hungry athletes pushing themselves to the breaking point .
This unvarnished look at the team ’ s practices carried with it a sniff of scandal .
Was it appropriate to push these athletes , many of whom were barely of age , to break their bones in the name of a trophy ?
But Cheer could also be watched as an inspiring fable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
All the de-located shoulders , bruised skin , and muscle tears were worth that moment when the Navarro Cheer Team could run their trophy into the frothy waters at Daytona Beach .
Cheer became a total obsession — heck , even Outlander star Sam Heughan was raving to Decider about it — and with good reason .
It made you fall in love with its subjects to the point where you worried about what happened to them next .
Would high-flying tumbler Lexi be able to bounce back in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a mat ?
Would hard-working Morgan continue to grow in confidence ?
WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO JERRY ?
!
?
!
These questions pushed viewers to hunt down the cheerleaders on Instagram and to follow them after the credits rolled .
And while life has moved on in fascinating ways since Cheer debuted in January , that doesn ’ t mean we should move on from Cheer .
The good and bad thing about Netflix Originals is that there is a never-ending conveyer belt of new releases to enjoy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll always have a new show to obsess over , but it ’ s also a curse because it can bury a really profound series too quickly .
Cheer is one of the series that definitely benefited from premiering during a usually quiet programming spell , but it ’ s since been eclipsed in our memory by newer releases .
Cheer shouldn ’ t fade from our memories even if it does feel like it premiered a lifetime ago .
Cheer not only serves up compelling storytelling , but it also shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written off as nothing but pageantry .
Cheer sticks up for its subjects by showing them at their most bruised , beaten , and vulnerable .
By showing us the human side of the Navarro Cheer Team , it made their feats at Daytona ultimately feel more superhuman , all while breaking our heart .
Cheer was the first Netflix hit of 2020 and it shouldn ’ t be forgotten .

Never forget that Cheer was the first big Netflix show of 2020. Forget about Tiger King or The Floor is Lava, the resurgence of Avatar: The Last Airbender, or even The Circle. When Cheer premiered all the way back on January 8, 2020, it became an immediate pop culture hit. And yet, Cheer now feels like a foggy memory from a different time. The rest of 2020 has felt closer to the fever dream of Tiger King, but let it not be forgotten that the year kicked off with the premiere of Cheer on Netflix (and it’s still the best docuseries that Netflix has served up so far).
The concept behind Netflix’s Cheer was simple. The series followed the Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team for an entire school year as its championship-winning athletes juggled emotional trauma, strenuous workouts, and paranoia-inducing mind games to “make mat” for the biggest event of the year, Daytona. Under the watchful eye of coach Monica Aldama, star cheerleaders Gabi Butler, La’Darius Marshall, Jerry Harris, Lexi Brumback, and Morgan Simianer performed death-defying feats of acrobatics and delivered up some serious drama for viewers at home. Cheer was so addictive to watch because it married the Navarro Bulldogs’ larger-than-life reputation with the painful reality behind their perfect routines. There were broken bones, shattered dreams, and an ending that left at least one of the subjects’ futures in severe doubt.
Cheer combined a documentary’s careful portrayal of real life with a sports-driven soap opera. For some, the show’s glory came in its stripped down portrayal of its subjects. Instead of seeing the Navarro College Cheer Team in their game day best, bright white smiles plastered to their made-up faces, we saw them as tired, sore, hungry athletes pushing themselves to the breaking point. This unvarnished look at the team’s practices carried with it a sniff of scandal. Was it appropriate to push these athletes, many of whom were barely of age, to break their bones in the name of a trophy? But Cheer could also be watched as an inspiring fable about how hard work and discipline win the day. All the de-located shoulders, bruised skin, and muscle tears were worth that moment when the Navarro Cheer Team could run their trophy into the frothy waters at Daytona Beach.
Cheer became a total obsession — heck, even Outlander star Sam Heughan was raving to Decider about it — and with good reason. It made you fall in love with its subjects to the point where you worried about what happened to them next. Would high-flying tumbler Lexi be able to bounce back in her real life as easily as she could on a mat? Would hard-working Morgan continue to grow in confidence? WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO JERRY?!?! These questions pushed viewers to hunt down the cheerleaders on Instagram and to follow them after the credits rolled.
And while life has moved on in fascinating ways since Cheer debuted in January, that doesn’t mean we should move on from Cheer. The good and bad thing about Netflix Originals is that there is a never-ending conveyer belt of new releases to enjoy. It’s a promise that we’ll always have a new show to obsess over, but it’s also a curse because it can bury a really profound series too quickly. Cheer is one of the series that definitely benefited from premiering during a usually quiet programming spell, but it’s since been eclipsed in our memory by newer releases.
Cheer shouldn’t fade from our memories even if it does feel like it premiered a lifetime ago. Cheer not only serves up compelling storytelling, but it also shows us the truth about a sport often written off as nothing but pageantry. Cheer sticks up for its subjects by showing them at their most bruised, beaten, and vulnerable. By showing us the human side of the Navarro Cheer Team, it made their feats at Daytona ultimately feel more superhuman, all while breaking our heart.
Cheer was the first Netflix hit of 2020 and it shouldn’t be forgotten.
Watch Cheer on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Man opens fire outside Brooklyn apartment building moments after child enters

Friends and family paid tribute to the young actor on ...

A gunman opened fire outside a Brooklyn apartment building just moments after a child walked inside, disturbing new video shows.
The footage, released by police Monday night and captured around 12:45 a.m. Friday, shows an adult, followed by a small child wearing a red hat, walking into the Sheepshead Bay Houses on Avenue W near Nostrand Avenue.
A man follows and holds the door open as he fires his handgun in another direction, outside the building, the clip shows.
He fired several shots before fleeing into the building, cops said. Police are still searching for the suspect.
No one was injured.
The incident comes amid a recent surge in shootings citywide.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Ghislaine Maxwell hires Christian Everdell, lawyer who helped take down ‘El Chapo’

Ghislaine Maxwell has hired the former prosecutor who helped bring down drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to try to get her off child sex-trafficking charges.
Recent court filings for the 58-year-old British media heiress show that she is being repped by Christian Everdell, who spent more than a decade as an assistant US attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Everdell’s bio notes how he and his team were awarded a “True American Hero Award” by the Federal Drug Agent Foundation for “their work in the investigation and apprehension of the former head of the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico (‘Chapo’ Guzman).”
Former colleagues believe he may use his experience in such high-profile cases to get Maxwell to turn on others allegedly in Epstein’s inner circle to strike a deal.
“He will of course do what is in the best interests of his client, but no doubt he will be talking to her about the benefits of becoming a cooperating witness,” tweeted Jennifer Rodgers, who used to be his supervisor as a fellow federal Southern District of New York prosecutor.
Maxwell was busted on a six-count Manhattan federal indictment for allegedly recruiting underage girls for Epstein, who killed himself in August in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting a fresh sex-trafficking case.
Maxwell on Monday morning was moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where insiders say they are taking every measure possible to make sure she cannot meet the same fate as her former lover.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--‘Fug Girls’ Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks have royal psychic powers

Long before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’ s relationship was splashed across front pages around the world , Go Fug Yourself bloggers Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks wrote a fictionalized story about the heir to the British throne falling for an American .
“ It was surprising !
Obviously , we were delighted , ” Morgan , who co-wrote 2015 ’ s “ The Royal We ” with Cocks , told Page Six of their accidental prediction .
“ I think it was sort of a surreal thing to have written a book about a prince of England falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made such a big deal in the book about how this was never going to happen , because we truly did not have the conviction of our imaginations to actually think it would happen , and then to see it play out was really fun.
” Cocks added , “ It was really thrilling to see that manifest in real life and we would joke that now that we have these powers , how can we use them in other ways ?
Do we need to write a book really quick about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do a book about a brilliant , young scientist who cures coronavirus in a week ?
” Their new book “ The Heir Affair , ” which hits bookshelves Tuesday , picks up right after Prince Nick and Bex ’ s disastrous royal wedding .
The pair have since gone into hiding , skirting all their royal duties , which also sounds oddly familiar to Megxit .
Cocks says they plotted this book out before Harry and Meghan decided to bow out of the royal family .
So what comes next ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seance or something and figure it out , ” Cocks joked .
“ We have to sit down and tap into our psychic energies.
” Although the characters in the book eventually return to sort out the mess they made , Morgan and Cocks think the Sussexes made the right call .
“ I have the complete expectation and hope that they ’ re going to be super happy here in the United States , ” Morgan said of the couple , who are living in Los Angeles .
“ I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot more personal freedom to work on issues and speak out about causes that are meaningful to them .
I think it was probably the best thing for them.
” Cocks echoed the sentiments , saying , “ Only they know what their family needs.
” As for the fictional royal couple , Cocks said their decision to detail pregnancy struggles in the upcoming book came partly from her real-life experience .
“ You know , a lot of what Bex goes through in the book is slightly altered version of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
“ It wasn ’ t as much needing to research as being able to be like , ‘ Ah , I remember how that felt , ’ or ‘ I remember when we did that and that happened and it sucked . '
” She added , “ It felt like a very therapeutic way to sort of pour out some of the emotions of that whole experience and how challenging it can be and all the ways you feel in conflict with your body as you ’ re going through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-year-old twin boys , said the storyline wasn ’ t included because the situation mirrored her own , but because the writers kept thinking about the immediate pressure that was put on Kate Middleton to get pregnant after her wedding to Prince William .
“ We were like , well , what do you do if that ’ s not easy for you ?
” she explained , adding , “ I always felt , even when I was going through it , that there was a stigma attached to it as there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t need to be there .
Nobody has control over what our body does and you just deal with it the best you can.
” And while it ’ s unclear whether “ The Heir Affair ” will close the book on Nick and Bex forever , Morgan and Cocks provided a quick update on the potential for a “ The Royal We ” movie .
“ The short answer is your guess is as good as ours , ” Cocks said .
“ We weren ’ t involved with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it ’ s currently available .
So , anybody ?
Knock , knock !
” In 2015 , CBS Films picked up the option with Lauren Graham and Mae Whitman set to adapt the novel .
“ That option has expired , ” Morgan confirmed .
“ Lauren is fantastic and we love her , so that wasn ’ t anything other than just regular Hollywood , sometimes stuff doesn ’ t get made .
We will see , it would be great.
” Hello , Netflix ?
You there ?

Long before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship was splashed across front pages around the world, Go Fug Yourself bloggers Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks wrote a fictionalized story about the heir to the British throne falling for an American.
“It was surprising! Obviously, we were delighted,” Morgan, who co-wrote 2015’s “The Royal We” with Cocks, told Page Six of their accidental prediction. “I think it was sort of a surreal thing to have written a book about a prince of England falling in love with an American. We made such a big deal in the book about how this was never going to happen, because we truly did not have the conviction of our imaginations to actually think it would happen, and then to see it play out was really fun.”
Cocks added, “It was really thrilling to see that manifest in real life and we would joke that now that we have these powers, how can we use them in other ways? Do we need to write a book really quick about the 2020 election? Do we need to do a book about a brilliant, young scientist who cures coronavirus in a week?”
Their new book “The Heir Affair,” which hits bookshelves Tuesday, picks up right after Prince Nick and Bex’s disastrous royal wedding. The pair have since gone into hiding, skirting all their royal duties, which also sounds oddly familiar to Megxit.
Cocks says they plotted this book out before Harry and Meghan decided to bow out of the royal family. So what comes next?
“I guess we will have to have a seance or something and figure it out,” Cocks joked. “We have to sit down and tap into our psychic energies.”
Although the characters in the book eventually return to sort out the mess they made, Morgan and Cocks think the Sussexes made the right call.
“I have the complete expectation and hope that they’re going to be super happy here in the United States,” Morgan said of the couple, who are living in Los Angeles. “I do think that this will give them both a lot more personal freedom to work on issues and speak out about causes that are meaningful to them. I think it was probably the best thing for them.”
Cocks echoed the sentiments, saying, “Only they know what their family needs.”
As for the fictional royal couple, Cocks said their decision to detail pregnancy struggles in the upcoming book came partly from her real-life experience.
“You know, a lot of what Bex goes through in the book is slightly altered version of what I went through,” Cocks told us. “It wasn’t as much needing to research as being able to be like, ‘Ah, I remember how that felt,’ or ‘I remember when we did that and that happened and it sucked.'”
She added, “It felt like a very therapeutic way to sort of pour out some of the emotions of that whole experience and how challenging it can be and all the ways you feel in conflict with your body as you’re going through it.”
Cocks, who now has 11-year-old twin boys, said the storyline wasn’t included because the situation mirrored her own, but because the writers kept thinking about the immediate pressure that was put on Kate Middleton to get pregnant after her wedding to Prince William.
“We were like, well, what do you do if that’s not easy for you?” she explained, adding, “I always felt, even when I was going through it, that there was a stigma attached to it as there are with so many medical things that doesn’t need to be there. Nobody has control over what our body does and you just deal with it the best you can.”
And while it’s unclear whether “The Heir Affair” will close the book on Nick and Bex forever, Morgan and Cocks provided a quick update on the potential for a “The Royal We” movie.
“The short answer is your guess is as good as ours,” Cocks said. “We weren’t involved with it, the option has bounced around and I think it’s currently available. So, anybody? Knock, knock!”
In 2015, CBS Films picked up the option with Lauren Graham and Mae Whitman set to adapt the novel.
“That option has expired,” Morgan confirmed. “Lauren is fantastic and we love her, so that wasn’t anything other than just regular Hollywood, sometimes stuff doesn’t get made. We will see, it would be great.”
Hello, Netflix? You there?


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Sebastián Athie, Disney Latin America star, dead at 24

The network shared the following statement on July 4 via Twitter : “ Rest in peace , Sebas .
Your art and your smile stay forever .
We regret the departure of Sebastián Athie and we will always remember him for his talent , companionship , professionalism and above all , enormous heart .
We accompany his family , friends and fans in his farewell.
” Athie starred in Argentinian TV series “ O11CE , ” a teen drama about a prestigious youth soccer league which premiere on the channel in 2017 .
The young actor also worked on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The cause of death was not immediately confirmed , but friends and family paid tribute to the young actor on social media .
“ I am very sad indeed , ” said “ O11CE ” actor Santiago Stieben on Instagram .
“ I hesitated a lot to make this video — but I feel like I want to share with everyone the love I have for you .
My hug to your family , my best memories with you always.
” The show ’ s co-star Guido Pennelli said , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Association of Interpreters of Mexico , with whom Athie also worked as a translator , tweeted , “ Our deepest condolences to his family and friends .
”

Disney Channel Latin America star Sebastián Athie has died at 24.
The network shared the following statement on July 4 via Twitter:
“Rest in peace, Sebas. Your art and your smile stay forever. We regret the departure of Sebastián Athie and we will always remember him for his talent, companionship, professionalism and above all, enormous heart. We accompany his family, friends and fans in his farewell.”
Athie starred in Argentinian TV series “O11CE,” a teen drama about a prestigious youth soccer league that premiered on the channel in 2017. The young actor also worked on the Mexican drama “La Rosa de Guadalupe.”
The cause of death was not immediately confirmed, but friends and family paid tribute to the young actor on social media.
“I am very sad indeed,” said “O11CE” actor Santiago Stieben on Instagram. “I hesitated a lot to make this video — but I feel like I want to share with everyone the love I have for you. My hug to your family, my best memories with you always.”
The show’s co-star Guido Pennelli said, “I love you forever, brother.”
The National Association of Interpreters of Mexico, with whom Athie also worked as a translator, tweeted, “Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--New Jersey student released from Egyptian prison after hunger strike

A 24-year-old medical student from New Jersey who went on a hunger strike in an Egyptian jail has been released and returned home after more than a year behind bars , according to a report .
Mohamed Amashah , a dual US-Egyptian citizen from Jersey City , flew home Monday following his release from the Cairo lockup a day earlier , said the Washington-based Freedom Initiative group , ABC News reported .
He had been on pretrial detention for holding up a sign that read “ Freedom to All Prisoners ” in Tahrir Square — also known as “ Martyr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the news outlet .
“ Yesterday Egyptian-American political prisoner Mohamed Amashah was released from Egyptian prisons after 486 days of arbitrary detention , ” read a statement by the human rights group , which represented him .
“ Mohamed landed in Dulles International Airport this morning and returned home to Jersey City , New Jersey to be with his loved ones , ” it added .
Amashah went on a hunger strike in March amid fears that he might get infected with COVID-19 .
Last month , the rights group Egyptian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a dozen inmates in the city ’ s Tora prison had contracted the deadly bug .
But the Egyptian government denied the existence of any outbreaks in prisons , confirming only that a Tora staffer had tested positive for the disease after he died in May .
Amashah faced charges of “ misusing social media and aiding a terrorist group to achieve its goals , ” referring to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood .
In May , Reem Mohamed Desouky , a Pennsylvania teacher who also is a dual US-Egyptian citizen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 months for criticizing the government on Facebook .

A 24-year-old medical student from New Jersey who went on a hunger strike in an Egyptian jail has been released and returned home after more than a year behind bars, according to a report.
Mohamed Amashah, a dual US-Egyptian citizen from Jersey City, flew home Monday following his release from the Cairo lockup a day earlier, said the Washington-based Freedom Initiative group, ABC News reported.
He had been on pretrial detention for holding up a sign that read “Freedom to All Prisoners” in Tahrir Square — also known as “Martyr Square” — in downtown Cairo, according to the news outlet.
“Yesterday Egyptian-American political prisoner Mohamed Amashah was released from Egyptian prisons after 486 days of arbitrary detention,” read a statement by the human rights group, which represented him.
“Mohamed landed in Dulles International Airport this morning and returned home to Jersey City, New Jersey to be with his loved ones,” it added.
Amashah went on a hunger strike in March amid fears that he might get infected with COVID-19.
Last month, the rights group Egyptian Coordination for Rights and Freedoms claimed that more than a dozen inmates in the city’s Tora prison had contracted the deadly bug.
But the Egyptian government denied the existence of any outbreaks in prisons, confirming only that a Tora staffer had tested positive for the disease after he died in May.
Amashah faced charges of “misusing social media and aiding a terrorist group to achieve its goals,” referring to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
In May, Reem Mohamed Desouky, a Pennsylvania teacher who also is a dual US-Egyptian citizen, was released after being detained for almost 10 months for criticizing the government on Facebook.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Novavax gets $1.6 billion from government to develop coronavirus vaccine

Fauci also said scientists were “ aspirationally hopeful ” there could be ...

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The feds have committed $1.6 billion to help biotech firm Novavax develop its coronavirus vaccine and produce 100 million doses, potentially starting later this year.
The award announced Tuesday is the largest so far from Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s effort to deliver a vaccine by January.
“Adding Novavax’s candidate to Operation Warp Speed’s diverse portfolio of vaccines increases the odds that we will have a safe, effective vaccine as soon as the end of this year,” US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement.
The money will help Novavax kickstart production of its vaccine candidate, known as NVX-CoV2373, and fund a phase 3 clinical trial with up to 30,000 participants that is slated to begin in the fall. That study will be crucial to determining whether the vaccine is safe and effective.
Novavax has yet to announce results from its early-stage trial that started in Australia in May, though it expects to have preliminary data by the end of this month. The Maryland-based company’s agreement with the feds will require it to prove it can manufacture the vaccine on a large scale and distribute large quantities of it when needed, according to a news release.
“The pandemic has caused an unprecedented public health crisis, making it more important than ever that industry, government and funding entities join forces to defeat the novel coronavirus together,” Novavax president and CEO Stanley C. Erck said in a statement.
Novavax’s stock price soared 37.4 percent on the news to $109.19 in premarket trading as of 7:25 a.m.
The race for a vaccine that could help end the deadly global pandemic has so far produced 149 candidates, including 19 that are in clinical evaluation, according to the World Health Organization.
Operation Warp Speed previously committed funding to three potential vaccines that are slated to begin phase 3 trials in the coming months. The awards include $456 million for Johnson & Johnson’s candidate, which is due to start the final round of studies in September; $483 million for a candidate from biotech firm Moderna, which aims to start a phase 3 trial this month; and up to $1.2 billion for a vaccine from AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, slated to begin a late-stage trial in August.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Pentagon draft policy would ban Confederate flag displays

President Trump threatened to veto what is considered a must-pass ...

Pentagon leaders are considering a draft policy that would ban the display of Confederate flags at military installations, according to reports.
According to the draft, a copy of which was obtained by the Associated Press, a ban would preserve “the morale of our personnel, good order and discipline within the military ranks and unit cohesion.”
It adds that a “significant” portion of the military population and their families are minorities and “it is beyond doubt” that many “take grave offense at such a display.”
The draft says the ban applies to public displays of the flag on installations and facilities that are under Defense Department control. It would not apply to things like license plates or monuments not controlled by the Pentagon.
The policy — which has not yet been finalized or signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper — would bring other military services in line with the Marine Corps, which last month banned Confederate displays on its bases.
The other services had been poised to make similar decisions, but they were stalled when the defense chief said he wanted a review of the matter that would yield a consistent department policy.
Officials said the draft was circulated among service leaders last week for their input and feedback.
News about the draft policy emerged Monday as President Trump earlier in the day assailed NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag at its races and venues.
The president said in a tweet that NASCAR’s “Flag decision” and the uproar over a noose found hanging in the garage assigned to Bubba Wallace, the sport’s only full-time black driver, were driving the sport’s ratings down.
He also suggested that Wallace should apologize after the sport rallied around him.
Federal authorities have ruled that the noose had been hanging since October and was not a hate crime.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said during a press briefing that Trump was not “making a judgment call” about the flag.
The president has been publicly defending the preservation of Confederate statues — and has strongly opposed renaming military bases named after Confederate leaders despite Pentagon support for doing so.
Last week, Trump threatened to veto a $740 billion defense spending bill unless it drops a requirement introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to rename US military bases that honor Confederate leaders.
Military leaders who support banning the flag have argued that it is a divisive symbol that negatively impacts the unity of fighting units, according to CNN.
Marines Commandant Gen. David Berger and the head of US forces in Korea, Gen. Robert Abrams, have already banned the display of the flag at Marine bases and in South Korea, the network reported.
“I am mindful that many people believe that flag to be a symbol of heritage or regional pride. But I am also mindful of the feelings of pain and rejection of those who inherited the cultural memory and present effects of the scourge of slavery in our country,” Berger wrote in April, according to CNN.
“My intent is not to judge the specific meaning anyone ascribes to that symbol or declare someone’s personally held view to be incorrect,” he said.
“Rather, I am focused solely on building a uniquely capable warfighting team whose members come from all walks of life and must learn to operate side-by-side,” Berger added.
The Navy, Army and Air Force military commanders and their civilian counterparts have all been working on devising similar bans.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Disturbing video shows moment two men are fatally shot in the Bronx

Accused Jeffrey Epstein procuress Ghislaine Maxwell will use her secret ...

Disturbing footage released by the NYPD shows the moment two men were murdered and another wounded during a wild, close-range shootout in a Bronx apartment building.
The surveillance video — recorded Sunday evening inside the building on East 171st Street near College Avenue in Claremont and tweeted by Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison — shows three men peeking down a staircase and then making a beeline for an apartment.
Two gunmen suddenly emerge, one from the staircase and the other from down the hallway, the footage shows.
One suspect appears to fire his weapon once before disappearing down the staircase, while the other pops off several shots.
The clip cuts out as two of the victims struggle on the floor while the third man desperately tries to open the door.
Cops say Joel Baba, 22, who was shot multiple times, and Eghosa Imafidon, 23, who took a bullet to the neck, were pronounced dead at BronxCare Health System.
The other victim, a 29-year-old, was shot in the arm. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition.
The shooting came amid a tremendous spike in gun violence in the city.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement Two men were killed and another wounded during a wild, close-range shootout in The Bronx. NYPD Two men were killed and another wounded during a wild, close-range shootout in The Bronx. NYPD Advertisement Two men were killed and another wounded during a wild, close-range shootout in The Bronx. NYPD Two men were killed and another wounded during a wild, close-range shootout in The Bronx. NYPD Advertisement
Between Monday, June 29, and Sunday, July 5, the city saw 74 shooting incidents with 101 victims, the sources said. That’s compared to 26 shootings with 33 victims during that time last year.
Meanwhile, 18 people were murdered in the city last week — six more than during the same period last year.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Celeb trainers join new socially distant fitness program in the Hamptons

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Celebrity trainers Isaac Calpito and Stacey Griffith have signed on to be a part of a new outdoor fitness program called CLUBHOUSE at Topping Rose House in the Hamptons that is launching this weekend and will run through the summer , Page Six has exclusively learned .
Calpito , who has trained Kelly Ripa , Faye Dunaway , and Vanessa Hudgens , is known on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torch ’ d workout classes that have gone viral amid the pandemic .
“ Since the quarantine began , the beauty of what has become our Torch ’ d community is that we feel connected despite being physically distant , ” Calpito told Page Six .
“ I can ’ t wait to get back to teaching in-person –socially distant of course– for the first time in five months at Topping Rose House .
I ’ m so excited !
” Meanwhile , SoulCycle star Griffith has trained everyone from Brooke Shields to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s classes involve body resistance and dance conditioning and Griffith ’ s Movecamp class will be a high-intensity bootcamp .
We ’ re told all classes will be held outdoors and participants will stand six feet apart to practice social distancing .
Those interested can sign up for classes on the Clubhouse ’ s website .

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
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Celebrity trainers Isaac Calpito and Stacey Griffith have signed on to be a part of a new outdoor fitness program called CLUBHOUSE at Topping Rose House in the Hamptons that is launching this weekend and will run through the summer, Page Six has exclusively learned.
Calpito, who has trained Kelly Ripa, Faye Dunaway, and Vanessa Hudgens, is known on Instagram as @Isaacboots and teaches virtual Torch’d workout classes that have gone viral amid the pandemic.
“Since the quarantine began, the beauty of what has become our Torch’d community is that we feel connected despite being physically distant,” Calpito told Page Six. “I can’t wait to get back to teaching in-person –socially distant of course– for the first time in five months at Topping Rose House. I’m so excited!”
Meanwhile, SoulCycle star Griffith has trained everyone from Brooke Shields to Madonna.
Calpito’s Torch’s classes involve body resistance and dance conditioning and Griffith’s Movecamp class will be a high-intensity bootcamp. Both cost $100 per class.
We’re told all sessions will be held outdoors and participants will stand six feet apart to practice social distancing.
Those interested can sign up for classes on the Clubhouse’s website.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--The evolution of celeb culture

The evolution of celeb culture

• A-listers are treating podcasts as confessionals .
We ’ ll dive into why celebs are using them to spill the tea .
• Editor-in-chief of Avenue magazine , Ben Widdicombe , chats about celebrity gossip reporting ’ s heyday , which he chronicles in his new book , “ Gatecrasher ” .
• And celebrity psychic Chris Medina gives more details about his reading of former “ Vanderpump Rules ” star Stassi Schroeder – and even reads Maggie and Ian .
Here ’ s a closer look at some of today ’ s stories : As a gossip reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and famous for nearly 20 years in New York City .
Now the editor-in-chief of Avenue magazine , he chronicles his years ‘ gatecrashing ’ in his new book called , “ Gatecrasher : How I Helped the Rich Become Famous and Ruin the World “ .
Can you tell us a little more about the full title of the book ?
“ It ’ s sort of copping to the fact that as a specifically a gossip reporter , it wasn ’ t like all this stuff was happening at arm ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gossip reporters , I feel are kind of complicit in stoking the spectacle .
So while it ’ s a lot of fun and there ’ s a lot of gloriously bad behavior described in the book , I sort of feel like I wasn ’ t exactly begging them to stop because I was a gossip reporter .
And you wanted this outrageous behavior because that was the kind of stuff that they ’ ll call.
” Do you have any regret for making any one star in particular famous or giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not at all .
I mean , because mostly the people we cover are amongst us .
Right ?
I mean , they ’ re desperate for fame .
Entertaining us is their job .
The only people I have any sympathy for whatsoever were the Olsen twins , because I think those two young people never made the choice to get into show business .
Their parents put them on television when they were literal babies in “ Full House , ” and they said that they never had a choice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of movies , you might remember , where they solve crimes and whatnot when they were like [ ages ] 8 , 10 and 12 .
And so it ’ s true that they could have jumped off , I guess .
But , in the aughts , which is where a lot of the action in “ Gatecrasher ” takes place , they were so famous and so hounded .
And those are the only two people that I ever thought , ‘ These are people in a situation not of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsay Lohan ?
All of those people are desperate for attention .
So , no , I don ’ t have any qualms at all about covering them.
” Last year , celebrity psychic Chris Medina read Stassi Schroeder for an episode of her “ Straight Up with Stassi ” podcast .
He talked to Maggie and Ian recently about the experience , and shed some more light on the drama that is unfolding for the ex- “ Vanderpump Rules ” star .
Are we going to see a comeback from Stassi ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You can you can ’ t keep a bad bitch down for too long .
That ’ s what I ’ m going to say .
And I really feel like what Stassi and what people don ’ t realize or remember from that episode was that I wanted to go further into detail when it came to her personal life and things that were going on .
But at the same time , Stassi , we all know her .
She plays very close to the chest when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no problem slapping somebody across the face and getting her point across that way .
But when it comes to her on a personal level , she ’ s going to keep a lot of that in .
So I didn ’ t really get the opportunity to dive in as much as I wanted to .
But this is somebody right now that ’ s getting smacked in the face with evolution and transformation.
” Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

In this episode:
A-listers are treating podcasts as confessionals. We’ll dive into why celebs are using them to spill the tea.
Editor-in-chief of Avenue magazine, Ben Widdicombe, chats about celebrity gossip reporting’s heyday, which he chronicles in his new book, “Gatecrasher”.
And celebrity psychic Chris Medina gives more details about his reading of former “Vanderpump Rules” star Stassi Schroeder – and even reads Maggie and Ian.
Here’s a closer look at some of today’s stories:
‘Gatecrasher’ of the celeb world
As a gossip reporter, Ben Widdicombe has covered the rich and famous for nearly 20 years in New York City. Now the editor-in-chief of Avenue magazine, he chronicles his years ‘gatecrashing’ in his new book called, “Gatecrasher: How I Helped the Rich Become Famous and Ruin the World“.
Can you tell us a little more about the full title of the book?
“It’s sort of copping to the fact that as a specifically a gossip reporter, it wasn’t like all this stuff was happening at arm’s length. And we, as gossip reporters, I feel are kind of complicit in stoking the spectacle. So while it’s a lot of fun and there’s a lot of gloriously bad behavior described in the book, I sort of feel like I wasn’t exactly begging them to stop because I was a gossip reporter. And you wanted this outrageous behavior because that was the kind of stuff that they’ll call.”
Do you have any regret for making any one star in particular famous or giving them airtime time?
“No, not at all. I mean, because mostly the people we cover are amongst us. Right? I mean, they’re desperate for fame. Entertaining us is their job.
The only people I have any sympathy for whatsoever were the Olsen twins, because I think those two young people never made the choice to get into show business. Their parents put them on television when they were literal babies in “Full House,” and they said that they never had a choice. And then they had that long series of movies, you might remember, where they solve crimes and whatnot when they were like [ages] 8, 10 and 12. And so it’s true that they could have jumped off, I guess. But, in the aughts, which is where a lot of the action in “Gatecrasher” takes place, they were so famous and so hounded. And those are the only two people that I ever thought, ‘These are people in a situation not of their own making.’
But Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan? All of those people are desperate for attention. So, no, I don’t have any qualms at all about covering them.”
Psychic connection
Last year, celebrity psychic Chris Medina read Stassi Schroeder for an episode of her “Straight Up with Stassi” podcast. He talked to Maggie and Ian recently about the experience, and shed some more light on the drama that is unfolding for the ex-“Vanderpump Rules” star.
Are we going to see a comeback from Stassi? What are you predicting for her?
“You can you can’t keep a bad bitch down for too long. That’s what I’m going to say. And I really feel like what Stassi and what people don’t realize or remember from that episode was that I wanted to go further into detail when it came to her personal life and things that were going on. But at the same time, Stassi, we all know her. She plays very close to the chest when it comes to her on a personal level. She has no problem slapping somebody across the face and getting her point across that way. But when it comes to her on a personal level, she’s going to keep a lot of that in. So I didn’t really get the opportunity to dive in as much as I wanted to. But this is somebody right now that’s getting smacked in the face with evolution and transformation.”
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Teen stands for first time after ‘hood-surfing’ spinal injury

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“Dude, I’m tall!” Watch the inspiring moment when a teenager who damaged his spinal cord in a car-surfing accident stood for the first time in nine months. “It was awesome and the look on his face was absolutely priceless,” JJ’s mom, Beth Hodge, said after filming the milestone in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Ghislaine Maxwell has copies of Jeffrey Epstein sex tapes, ex-friend says

Accused Jeffrey Epstein procuress Ghislaine Maxwell will use her secret stockpile of the late pedophile ’ s sex tapes as an insurance policy to save herself from federal charges , her friend said in a new report .
The former socialite , who was arrested in New Hampshire last week , was moved Monday to a Brooklyn lockup to await trial on four counts of sex trafficking minors and two counts of perjury for allegedly acting as Epstein ’ s fixer .
Christopher Mason , a TV host and journalist who has known Maxwell since the 1980s , has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple homes with cameras and kept surveillance tapes of everyone and everything that went on in them .
Mason said she has access to the potentially compromising tapes .
And now , Maxwell ’ s former pal told the Daily Mail that she will use those recordings as a way to beat the rap .
“ Ghislaine has always been as cunning as they come .
She wasn ’ t going to be with Epstein all those years and not have some insurance , ” the ex-friend told the news outlet .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe Ghislaine has squirreled away could end up being her get-out-of-jail card if the authorities are willing to trade .
She has copies of everything Epstein had .
They could implicate some twisted movers and shakers , ” the former friend said .
“ If Ghislaine goes down , she ’ s going to take the whole damn lot of them with her.
” The source continued : ‘ Not only did Epstein like to capture himself with underage girls on camera , he wanted to make sure he had something to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took advantage of his sick largesse .
“ I ’ ll bet anything that once it comes out that Ghislaine has those tapes these men will be quaking in their Italian leather boots , ” the person said .
“ Ghislaine made sure that she socked away thumb drives of it all .
She knows where all the bodies are buried and she ’ ll use whatever she had to save her own a—.
” Maxwell is accused of enticing three underage girls to meet Epstein at his various properties in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She also is charged with two counts of perjury for allegedly lying during a deposition , but prosecutors have kept open the door for her to cut a plea deal and cooperate against other unidentified accomplices .

Accused Jeffrey Epstein procuress Ghislaine Maxwell will use her secret stockpile of the late pedophile’s sex tapes as an insurance policy to save herself from federal charges, her friend said in a new report.
The former socialite, who was arrested in New Hampshire last week, was moved Monday to a Brooklyn lockup to await trial on four counts of sex-trafficking minors and two counts of perjury for allegedly acting as Epstein’s fixer.
Christopher Mason, a TV host and journalist who has known Maxwell since the 1980s, has said he was told that Epstein rigged his multiple homes with cameras and kept surveillance tapes of everyone and everything that went on in them.
Mason said she has access to the potentially compromising tapes.
And now, Maxwell’s former pal told the Daily Mail that she will use those recordings as a way to beat the rap.
“Ghislaine has always been as cunning as they come. She wasn’t going to be with Epstein all those years and not have some insurance,” the ex-friend told the news outlet.
“The secret stash of sex tapes I believe Ghislaine has squirreled away could end up being her get-out-of-jail card if the authorities are willing to trade. She has copies of everything Epstein had. They could implicate some twisted movers and shakers,” the former friend said.
“If Ghislaine goes down, she’s going to take the whole damn lot of them with her.”
The source continued: “Not only did Epstein like to capture himself with underage girls on camera, he wanted to make sure he had something to hold over the rich and powerful men who took advantage of his sick largesse.
“I’ll bet anything that once it comes out that Ghislaine has those tapes, these men will be quaking in their Italian leather boots,” the person said.
“Ghislaine made sure that she socked away thumb drives of it all. She knows where all the bodies are buried and she’ll use whatever she had to save her own a—.”
Maxwell is accused of enticing three underage girls to meet Epstein at his various properties in New York, New Mexico and London.
She also is charged with two counts of perjury for allegedly lying during a deposition, but prosecutors have kept open the door for her to cut a plea deal and cooperate against other unidentified accomplices.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--TikTok to leave Hong Kong as security law raises worries

The US Senate voted to pass a sanctions bill punishing ...

HONG KONG — TikTok said Tuesday it will stop operations in Hong Kong, joining other social media companies in warily eyeing ramifications of a sweeping national security law that took effect last week.
The short-form video app’s planned departure from Hong Kong comes as various social media platforms and messaging apps including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google and Twitter balk at the possibility of providing user data to Hong Kong authorities.
The social media companies say they are assessing implications of the security law, which prohibits what Beijing views as secessionist, subversive or terrorist activities or as foreign intervention in the city’s internal affairs. In the communist-ruled mainland, the foreign social media platforms are blocked by China’s “Great Firewall.”
Critics see the law as Beijing’s boldest step yet to erase the legal divide between the former British colony and the mainland’s authoritarian Communist Party system.
TikTok said in a statement that it had decided to halt operations “in light of recent events.”
Facebook and its messaging app WhatsApp said in separate statements Monday that they would freeze the review of government requests for user data in Hong Kong, “pending further assessment of the National Security Law, including formal human rights due diligence and consultations with international human rights experts.”
Hong Kong was convulsed with massive, sometimes violent anti-government protests for much of last year as the former British colony’s residents reacted to proposed extradition legislation, since withdrawn, that might have led to some suspects facing trial in mainland Chinese courts.
The new law criminalizes some pro-democracy slogans like the widely used “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time,” which the Hong Kong government says has separatist connotations.
The fear is that it erodes the special freedoms of the semi-autonomous city, which has operated under a “one country, two systems” framework since China took control in 1997. That arrangement has allowed Hong Kong’s people freedoms not permitted in mainland China, such as unrestricted internet access and public dissent.
Telegram, whose platform has been used widely to spread pro-democracy messages and information about the protests, understands “the importance of protecting the right to privacy of our Hong Kong users,” said Mike Ravdonikas, a spokesperson for the company.
“Telegram has never shared any data with the Hong Kong authorities in the past and does not intend to process any data requests related to its Hong Kong users until an international consensus is reached in relation to the ongoing political changes in the city,” he said.
Twitter also paused all data and information requests from Hong Kong authorities after the law went into effect last week, the company said, emphasizing that it was “committed to protecting the people using our service and their freedom of expression.”
“Like many public interest organisations, civil society leaders and entities, and industry peers, we have grave concerns regarding both the developing process and the full intention of this law,” the company said in a statement.
Google likewise said it had “paused production on any new data requests from Hong Kong authorities.”
Though social platforms have yet to be blocked in Hong Kong, users have begun scrubbing their accounts and deleting pro-democracy posts out of fear of retribution. That retreat has extended to the streets: Many shops and stores that publicly stood in solidarity with protesters have removed the pro-democracy sticky notes and artwork that had adorned their walls.
Under implementation rules of Article 43 of the national security law, which give the city’s police force sweeping powers in enforcing the legislation, platforms, publishers and internet service providers may be ordered to take down any electronic message published that is “likely to constitute an offence endangering national security or is likely to cause the occurrence of an offence endangering national security.”
Service providers who do not comply with such requests could face fines of up to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,903) and receive jail terms of up to six months.
Individuals who post such messages may also be asked to remove the message, or face similar fines and a jail term of one year.
Hong Kong authorities moved quickly to implement the law after it took effect on June 30, with police arresting about 370 people.
The rules allow Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam to authorize police to intercept communications and conduct surveillance to “prevent and detect offences endangering national security.”
Police can conduct searches for evidence without a warrant in “exceptional circumstances” and seek warrants requiring people suspected of violating the national security law to surrender their travel documents, preventing them from leaving Hong Kong.
Written notices or restraining orders also may be issued to freeze or confiscate property if there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect that the property is related to an offense endangering national security.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Brother of Little Rock mayor steals car with two kids inside: cops

The brother of an Arkansas mayor was arrested Monday night for allegedly stealing a car with two children inside , a report said .
Darrell Lamont Scott — brother of Little Rock mayor Frank Scott , Jr. — hopped into the car as the engine was running in the parking lot outside Baptist Hospital , according to KATV .
“ Don ’ t worry , I ’ m the mayor ’ s brother , ” Darell , 31 , told the children ’ s parents after grabbing one of the kids ’ cell phones to speak to them after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the kids to McCain Mall in North Little Rock , where he was later arrested in the parking lot , the report said .
He was charged with kidnapping and theft of property .
Mayor Scott addressed his sibling ’ s arrest in a statement posted to Twitter .
“ This is an extremely difficult season in the life of my younger brother , ” he wrote .
“ My family cares deeply about him , and we are seeking medical and professional help as he manages this crisis .
My heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved , ” his statement said .

The brother of an Arkansas mayor was arrested Monday night for allegedly stealing a car with two children inside, a report said.
Darrell Lamont Scott — brother of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. — hopped into the car as the engine was running in the parking lot outside Baptist Hospital, according to KATV.
“Don’t worry, I’m the mayor’s brother,” Darrell, 31, told the children’s parents after grabbing one of the kids’ cellphones to speak to them after the abduction.
Scott is accused of driving with the kids to McCain Mall in North Little Rock, where he was later arrested in the parking lot, the report said.
He was charged with kidnapping and theft of property.
Mayor Scott addressed his sibling’s arrest in a statement posted to Twitter.
“This is an extremely difficult season in the life of my younger brother,” he wrote.
“My family cares deeply about him, and we are seeking medical and professional help as he manages this crisis. My heart goes out to the children who were involved,” his statement said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--US charges ex-Panama president’s sons with bribery, money laundering

PANAMA CITY – US prosecutors have charged two sons of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli in connection with bribery and money laundering linked to Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht , according to a federal complaint unsealed on Monday .
Luis Enrique Martinelli , 38 , and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli , 40 , were arrested earlier in the day in Guatemala City as they attempted to board a flight to Panama , and face extradition to the United States , Guatemala ’ s police said in a statement .
A Martinelli family spokesman did not immediately reply to a request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement following the arrest that it was working to ensure the sons have legal assistance in Guatemala and are able to transfer the proceedings to Panama .
Odebrecht has been at the center of a far-reaching Latin American corruption scandal uncovered in 2014 , in which the company paid more than $ 700 million in bribes to government officials in various countries .
The US Department of Justice said in a statement the Martinelli sons are accused of having been intermediaries for the payment of about $ 28 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official between 2009 and 2014 , the period in which their father was in office .
The criminal complaint filed in the federal court in Brooklyn , New York , on June 27 , described the brothers as “ close relatives ” of the official , without providing further detail .
The complaint also alleges that the pair managed secret bank accounts under shell company names to facilitate payment of the bribes , with many transactions made through US banks .
Former President Martinelli and his successor , Juan Carlos Varela , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under investigation for money laundering in separate corruption cases .

PANAMA CITY – US prosecutors have charged two sons of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli in connection with bribery and money laundering linked to Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht, according to a federal complaint unsealed on Monday.
Luis Enrique Martinelli, 38, and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli, 40, were arrested earlier in the day in Guatemala City as they attempted to board a flight to Panama, and face extradition to the United States, Guatemala’s police said in a statement.
A Martinelli family spokesman did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the charges.
But the family said in a statement following the arrest that it was working to ensure the sons have legal assistance in Guatemala and are able to transfer the proceedings to Panama.
Odebrecht has been at the center of a far-reaching Latin American corruption scandal uncovered in 2014, in which the company paid more than $700 million in bribes to government officials in various countries.
The US Department of Justice said in a statement the Martinelli sons are accused of having been intermediaries for the payment of about $28 million in bribes from Odebrecht to a high-ranking Panama official between 2009 and 2014, the period in which their father was in office.
The criminal complaint filed in the federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on June 27, described the brothers as “close relatives” of the official, without providing further detail.
The complaint also alleges that the pair managed secret bank accounts under shell company names to facilitate payment of the bribes, with many transactions made through US banks.
Former President Martinelli and his successor, Juan Carlos Varela, were last week banned from leaving Panama while under investigation for money laundering in separate corruption cases.


newyorkpost--2020-07-07--Foreign students must leave US if classes go online, new rules state

The US Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the Trump ...

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International students will be forced to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall, under new guidelines issued Monday by federal immigration authorities.
The guidelines, issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, provide additional pressure for universities to reopen even amid growing concerns about the recent spread of COVID-19 among young adults. Colleges received the guidance the same day that some institutions, including Harvard University, announced that all instruction will be offered remotely.
President Donald Trump has insisted that schools and colleges return to in-person instruction as soon as possible. Soon after the guidance was released, Trump repeated on Twitter that schools must reopen this fall, adding that Democrats want to keep schools closed “for political reasons, not for health reasons.”
“They think it will help them in November. Wrong, the people get it!” Trump wrote.
Under the updated rules, international students must take at least some of their classes in person. New visas will not be issued to students at schools or programs that are entirely online. And even at colleges offering a mix of in-person and online courses this fall, international students will be barred from taking all their classes online.
It creates an urgent dilemma for thousands of international students who became stranded in the U.S. last spring after the coronavirus forced their schools to move online. Those attending schools that are staying online must “depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction,” according to the guidance.
The American Council on Education, which represents university presidents, said the guidelines are “horrifying” and will result in confusion as schools look for ways to reopen safely.
Of particular concern is a stipulation saying students won’t be exempt from the rules even if an outbreak forces their schools online during the fall term. It’s unclear what would happen if a student ended up in that scenario but faced travel restrictions from their home country, said Terry Hartle, the council’s senior vice president.
“It’s going to cause enormous confusion and uncertainty,” Hartle said. “ICE is clearly creating an incentive for institutions to reopen, regardless of whether or not the circumstances of the pandemic warrant it.”
The international education group NAFSA blasted the rules and said schools should be given the authority to make decisions that are right for their own campuses. It said the guidance “is harmful to international students and puts their health and well-being and that of the entire higher education community at risk.”
Nearly 400,000 foreigners received student visas in the 12-month period that ended Sept. 30, down more than 40% from four years earlier. School administrations partly blame visa processing delay.
Colleges across the U.S. were already expecting sharp decreases in international enrollment this fall, but losing all international students could be disastrous for some. Many depend on tuition revenue from international students, who typically pay higher tuition rates. Last year, universities in the U.S. attracted nearly 1.1 million students from abroad.
Trump’s critics were quick to attack the new guidelines. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, said the “cruelty of this White House knows no bounds.”
“Foreign students are being threatened with a choice: risk your life going to class in-person or get deported,” Sanders said in a tweet. “We must stand up to Trump’s bigotry. We must keep all our students safe.”
Dozens of colleges have said they plan to offer at least some classes in person this fall, but some say it’s too risky. The University of Southern California last week reversed course on a plan to bring students to campus, saying classes will be hosted primarily or exclusively online. Harvard on Monday said it will invite first-year students to live on campus, but classes will stay online.
Immigration authorities suspended certain requirements for international students early in the pandemic, but colleges were awaiting guidance on what would happen this fall. ICE notified schools of the changes Monday and said a formal rule would be forthcoming.
The announcement was the Trump administration’s latest pandemic-related strike against legal immigration. Last month, authorities extended a ban on new green cards to many people outside the United States and expanded the freeze to include many on temporary work permits, including at high-tech companies, multinational corporations and seasonal employers.
The administration has long sought deep cuts to legal immigration, but the goal was elusive before the coronavirus.