newyorkpost--2020-02-16--Harvey Weinstein’s case might be too weak to convict: Devine

Harvey Weinstein appeared to nod off at times during Friday 's ...

The trial of Harvey Weinstein has provided ample evidence that he is a grotesque pig lacking empathy for the many women he preyed upon, but probably not enough to prove he should be convicted as a rapist.
Prepare for an acquittal or a deadlock after the jury goes out Tuesday, because anyone who has sat through the trial can see the prosecution has struggled to prove its case.
If Weinstein does walk, it will be a tragedy for his accusers, who at the very least were degraded by their association with him and have suffered brutal courtroom cross-examination.
But it will be a well-overdue check on the power of the #MeToo movement that was spawned by the Weinstein case, and which depends on his guilt.
What started as a reasonable comeuppance for a powerful movie producer who preyed on aspiring actresses went too far when it mutated into a toxic feminist movement designed to demonize all men.
#MeToo has become a tyranny of its own, a crusade to overturn a mythical patriarchy in which women have no agency or power.
Of course, it’s easy to condemn Weinstein, with his grotesque physical appearance, brutish behavior and self-pity.
But “in a criminal trial, proof matters,” Weinstein’s defense lawyer, Donna Rotunno, told the jury. “This is not a popularity contest. But you have to remember that we are not here to criminalize morality.”
Rotunno has been branded a “traitor to her sex” and a “woman of escalating infamy” for defending Weinstein, after less lion-hearted lawyers dropped out, but she has appealed to the “New York City common sense” of the jury.
At least 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual predation, but, in the end, this jury was told to consider the cases of only two.
Jessica Mann, now 34, an aspiring actress from a dairy farm in Washington state, met Weinstein at a Hollywood party when she was 25 and testified that he raped her in 2013 at a hotel in Manhattan.
Yet she continued a relationship with him for several years afterward, during which time she had consensual sex with him, attended Oscar parties as his guest and sent hundreds of affectionate messages, some of which Rotunno read aloud to the court.
In the weeks after the alleged rape, Mann emailed Weinstein to thank him for arranging an audition for a vampire movie: “I appreciate all you do for me, it shows.”
“Miss you big guy,” she wrote six months later.
She asked him to meet her mother in another email: “You can see how good my genes are.”
And four years later, she wrote, “I love you, I always do. But I hate feeling like a booty call. ;)”
Rotunno read out another message in which Mann wrote she was “blowing a super-rich Hollywood producer.”
“This is not the way you would characterize your relationship with your rapist,” said Rotunno.
“She made a choice that she wanted the life that he could potentially provide for her.”
The other accuser before the jury, production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi, now 42, also continued a consensual relationship with Weinstein after he allegedly forced oral sex on her in 2006.
According to evidence presented by Rotunno, Haleyi went on to accept hotel stays, limo rides and flights to Los Angeles and London, and sent Weinstein affectionate messages, including one signed, “lots of love.”
It is hard not to feel sympathy for these women, whose vulnerabilities were exploited by Weinstein.
But that is different from a criminal conviction for rape.
The prosecution case raises the frightening prospect that any man could be found guilty for retrospective rape, years later, over a consensual sexual encounter.
It relies on the “Believe all women” slogan at the center of #MeToo, which only disrupts healthy heterosexual interactions and places every man under suspicion of rape.
As Rotunno told Vanity Fair, “Regret sex is not rape.”
Summing up the defense Thursday, she described the prosecution’s case as an alternate universe in which “women are not responsible for the parties they attend, the men they flirt with, the hotel room invitations, the plane tickets they expect, the jobs they hope to obtain.”
It is no favor to women to pretend they are not responsible for their own choices, including entering into a sexual relationship with a powerful older man who can do them favors in a competitive industry.
To equate those choices with rape is an obscene disservice to genuine victims.
But the pendulum has swung so far toward “believe all women” that it will require courage for those seven men and five women on the jury to come to an unpopular verdict, which will be seen as a referendum on the #MeToo movement.
Don’t expect the activists who banged on pots and screamed “The rapist is you” outside the Lower Manhattan courtroom to accept anything but a conviction.
But even if Weinstein does walk free in New York, he has not escaped punishment.
He faces another trial in Los Angeles — and his reputation and once-mighty career are already in ruins.
Shoddy reporting at trial
Pulitzer Prizes are among the rewards for journalists who exposed Harvey Weinstein’s predatory ways.
But evidence in the trial indicates much of the reporting was one-sided.
“Courtrooms are where slogans go to die,” says Irish journalist Phelim McAleer. With wife Ann McElhinney, he has been in court every day to produce their riveting podcast, “The Harvey Weinstein Trial: Unfiltered.”
“A lot of bad journalism has been exposed in this case because the jury has heard how the accusers neglected to share, but were also never asked about very significant information that would have cast their interactions with Weinstein in a different light,” he said.
The podcast, which features actors reading verbatim from court transcripts, also addresses the pressure placed by liberal activists on the justice system.
Monday, cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, who told jurors that human memory easily can be distorted and contaminated, will tell the podcast that she was dropped as a “distinguished lecturer” by New York University after her association with Weinstein’s defense became public.
Australia obit is premature
The opportunistic fearmongering by climate activists over Australia’s far from unprecedented bushfires — and subsequent heavy rain — is getting ridiculous.
The latest is the New York Times’ weekend essay “The End of Australia As We Know It.”
The fact is that Australia always has been a “willful, lavish land” of “flood and fire and famine,” of “droughts and flooding rains,” as the famous poem by Dorothea Mackellar puts it.
The poem was written in 1908, decades before climate alarmism became a thing.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Mike Tauchman was close to changing Yankees’ playoff fate

TAMPA — J.A .
Happ stood in his front of his ...

TAMPA — A year ago, Mike Tauchman was buried in the Rockies’ system before being dealt to the Yankees in a late spring training transaction that cost Tyler Wade a big-league roster spot.
Acquired for lefty Phillip Diehl to provide outfield depth, Tauchman developed into a productive left-handed hitting outfielder and helped cover for injuries to Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks before a strained left calf in September ended his season. In 87 games, Tauchman batted .277 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I got,’’ Tauchman said Monday morning at Steinbrenner Field where position players reported to camp. “Our team dealt with significant injuries last year. We won a lot of games [103], but at the same time it is the New York Yankees and [we are] expected to win a championship.’’
Had Tauchman been healthy enough, he might have helped the Yankees overcome the Astros in last year’s ALCS which they lost when Jose Altuve won Game 6 with a series-ending home run off Aroldis Chapman.
At the least Tauchman would have been available to play left field where Stanton started Game 1 after playing in just 18 regular-season games or center field where Hicks started the final four regular-season games after not playing since Aug. 3 because of a right elbow problem that required Tommy John surgery following the ALCS.
General manager Brian Cashman said there was a chance Tauchman would be healthy enough to be a roster consideration for the World Series. Monday, Tauchman said he was “very close’’ when asked about his chances of potentially being on the World Series roster.
With third base Gio Urshela’s to lose and Miguel Andujar playing in only a dozen games last season due to a right shoulder injury suffered in April that required surgery, Andujar will get a look at first base and the outfield.
Andujar took fly balls in the outfield of Field 3 with Aaron Judge on Monday.
“We will get him out there in a lot of different situations and positions but also being mindful of the demands that creates,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “That being something new we have to be mindful of. Even though he is in a good place physically, we have to make sure that continues. I could see him bouncing around a little bit fairly early in spring training.’’
J.A. Happ and Masahiro Tanaka threw live batting practice without drawing the attention Gerrit Cole did on Sunday when the Steinbrenner Field crowd was bigger and the media intensely watching the new Yankees ace’s every movement.
Happ threw a total of 28 pitches in two innings and Tanaka 20 in one frame.
According to Boone, Tanaka is working on a cut fastball to go with a regular fastball, a slider and split.
“I thought it was sharp today,’’ Boone said of the cutter. “The slider was a little bit off, but I thought he executed his split and really the cutter which is a focal point for him. If he can incorporate that, I think it becomes something that really opens up the other half of the plate and goes a long way in setting up his split and his slider.’’
Boone represented the Yankees on Sunday at commissioner Rob Manfred’s press conference at the new spring training home of the Braves in North Port, Fla. On Monday he was asked if the Yankees received guidance on how MLB is going to change the access to TV monitors this season after the Astros’ cheating scandal.
“It was talked about a lot so we got a lot of thoughts, but nothing has been finalized yet,’’ Boone said. “I think there is a negotiating element to it, a little bit of back and forth. But it is my understanding that some significant changes will be on the way for this year.’’


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Yoenis Cespedes looks ‘really good’ after boycotting media

In May when Yoenis Cespedes fractured his right ankle at ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — Yoenis Cespedes won’t discuss it, but Monday he resembled a baseball player again, even if only in one facet of the game.
Hours after telling reporters at his locker he won’t be speaking to the media this season, Cespedes was on a back field at Clover Park to take live batting practice against Michael Wacha and nearly homered. Then, with bullpen coach Ricky Bones on the mound for a more routine batting practice session, Cespedes pounded shots over the fence.
“He has got the same swing,” Robinson Cano said.
But then, noting that Cespedes missed the last 1 ½ seasons, Cano cautioned: “It doesn’t matter how he feels, we have got to understand we have got to give him time. It’s hard when you miss a month not playing and now when you miss two years how hard it is.”
Manager Luis Rojas indicated Cespedes is going through a “progression” and isn’t yet participating in full workouts with teammates. It remains unclear if he will be ready to begin the season with the club.
Cespedes arrived in camp well before Saturday’s official reporting date for position players, but team media relations officials indicated he would not speak to reporters for the first time since spring training 2019 until this week. But Cespedes issued only a brief message Monday when approached by a group of reporters who asked if he had a few minutes to talk.
“Not today, not tomorrow, not at all year this year,” Cespedes said.
Why not?
“Because I don’t want to,” Cespedes said.
Cespedes, who is recovering from multiple right ankle fractures sustained after encountering a wild boar on his ranch last May, was asked if he could say how he was feeling. He declined.
Does Cespedes, who previously underwent surgery to remove calcifications from both heels, want to speak to the fans about how he is feeling?
“To my fans, maybe,” he said, before walking away.
Cespedes, who is entering the final year of his contract, agreed to a restructured deal for 2020 that guarantees him just $6 million (with incentives that could push the figure to $20 million). He was originally slated to earn $29.5 million, but took the pay cut to avoid the possibility his contract would be nullified by an arbitrator, following the incident with the wild boar on his ranch. Cespedes was keeping boar traps on the ranch, and sources indicated he was in the process of freeing the animal from one when the injury occurred, in an attempt to avoid an attack. As part of the restructuring, Cespedes’ contract was reduced from $29 million to $22.9 million in 2019. Cespedes signed a four-year contract worth $110 million after the 2016 seasons, but has appeared in only 129 games since then.
Cespedes was fooled by Wacha on his first swing of the day, sending his bat flying over the caged-in third base bench. Later, Cespedes hit a drive to left that cleared the fence in foul territory.
“Going back to the timing when he saw Wacha, he looked really good, almost like he hasn’t missed a beat facing pitchers,” Rojas said. “He’s taking the ball, he hit a shot that just went foul, a little bit out front, but he’s got so much power. The ball left the yard there on Field 7, so big day for him.”
Rojas was asked if he had any problems with his players not to speaking to the media.
“With Cespedes in particular, we are happy he went through the day today,” Rojas said. “It was a big day for him. He joined the guys and that’s where our focus is going to be with him, that he’s going through the day and he’s being able to progress into playing at some point, so we don’t have the timeline so we’re happy he did some activity with the rest of his teammates today.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--New York Assemblyman Steve Englebright urges changes to bail reform law

A top Assembly Democrat from Long Island said he wants the controversial bail reform law revised to bar dangerous criminal defendants from being released pending trial .
“ We need to protect people .
We need to protect the public , ” Assemblyman Steve Englebright ( D-Suffolk ) , the environmental committee chairman told The Post Monday .
“ People with long rap sheets are treated the same as first offenders .
That ’ s not appropriate , ” added Englebright , who was first elected in 1992 .
“ It ’ s not good when you have one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new law and become repeat offenders.
” He said he backs a proposal pushed by some Senate Democrats that would give judges more discretion to detain defendants deemed a public threat .
The law eliminates cash bail and allows more than 400 nonviolent offenses to walk free pending trial .
Those offenses include most misdemeanors and even some felonies , running the gamut from criminally negligent homicide to peddling drugs on or near school grounds .
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie ( Bronx ) – a booster of the new bail law — said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering changes .
“ We need to differentiate fact from fiction and not rely on sensationalism and cherry-picked stories , ” Heastie said last week .

A top Assembly Democrat from Long Island said he wants the controversial bail reform law revised to bar dangerous criminal defendants from being released pending trial.
“We need to protect people. We need to protect the public,” Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Suffolk), the environmental committee chairman told The Post Monday.
“People with long rap sheets are treated the same as first offenders. That’s not appropriate,” added Englebright, who was first elected in 1992.
“It’s not good when you have one of these bad actors take advantage of the new law and become repeat offenders.”
He said he backs a proposal pushed by some Senate Democrats that would give judges more discretion to detain defendants deemed a public threat.
The law eliminates cash bail and allows more than 400 nonviolent offenses to walk free pending trial. Those offenses include most misdemeanors and even some felonies, running the gamut from criminally negligent homicide to peddling drugs on or near school grounds.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (Bronx) – a booster of the new bail law — said he wants to see hard data before considering changes.
“We need to differentiate fact from fiction and not rely on sensationalism and cherry-picked stories,” Heastie said last week.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Court order ‘beheading’ UWS tower could impact another super tall building

That ’ s quite the haircut .
A court ruling this past week ...

Sam Raskin, Jennifer Gould Keil, Nolan Hicks

An opportunistic lawmaker hopes to use a controversial ruling that would knock 20 stories off of a nearly-complete Upper West Side condo highrise to cut another building in Midtown down to size.
“We’re going to file a motion to [re]argue based on this,” said Councilman Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan), who represents a swath of Midtown and the Upper East Side.
The lawmaker’s target is an 847-foot pencil-thin skyscraper currently under construction at 430 East 58th Street that he would like to see cut down to just 400 feet.
Currently, developer Gamma Real Estate plans to include 121 pricey units in the 65-story structure. The firm did not return repeated calls from The Post seeking comment.
The two buildings on opposite sides of Manhattan were originally built so high because they had managed to avoid height regulations enacted after both projects broke ground.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Franc Perry nixed the exemption granted to the Upper West Side project, 200 Amsterdam Avenue, by the Board of Standards and Appeals on Thursday and ruled it must comply with the area’s traditional zoning.
Kallos is hoping that Perry’s decision will lay the groundwork to overturn a similar exemption granted to the Midtown East project by regulators, allowing the tower to soar upward despite the neighborhood imposing new restrictions on building size in a bid to stop construction.
“We’re relying on the judiciary to enforce the law even if the Department of Buildings or the developers don’t think it applies to them,” Kallos said.
Meanwhile, developers of the 55-story Upper West Side project near Sherman Square again vowed to appeal Perry’s ruling Monday as their opponents — including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Congressman Jerry Nadler and local Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal — celebrated.
Representatives for the firm, SJP Properties, contends the judge inappropriately and retroactively applied a draft Building Department memo that would make it more difficult for builders to assemble the needed air rights to build skyscrapers.
“The Board of Standard and Appeals says ‘was this ever adopted,” said Scott Mollen, who is representing the firm. “There is no evidence anywhere that this draft bulletin was ever adopted by the buildings department and is contrary to 40 years of precedent.”
Real estate sources told The Post the ruling would throw a wrench into SJP’s ability to sell the building’s pricing condos — the 42nd story apartment, which spans the whole floor, is priced at $21 million — while the legal battle continues.
“It is a beautiful building with beautiful views and purchasers are very upset. They love the building. It is too early to know whether they will have to cancel their contracts,” said one broker who repped clients who are buying in the building.
But Upper West Siders celebrated the win, hoping it would dramatically downsize a building they didn’t want in the first place.
“This is completely out-of-scale for the Upper West Side. The Upper West Side is a neighborhood,” said Barbara Bernhard, a 67-year-old retiree who lives around the corner. “It’s still a neighborhood of families, it’s not a neighborhood for billionaires.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Astros’ Francis Martes suspended 162 games for PEDs

Rob Manfred is an avid golfer , so he is quite ...

MLB finally came down hard on an Astros player this spring, but it had nothing to do with illegal sign-stealing.
Right-handed pitcher Francis Martes on Monday was suspended 162 games — a full season — without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, MLB announced.
This is the second PED strike for Martes, who was suspended 80 games last spring after testing positive for another banned substance.
The harsh punishment comes as players and fans around baseball have been calling on commissioner Rob Manfred to further punish the Astros for putting together one of the biggest cheating schemes in sports.
Players were granted immunity from MLB for cooperating in the league investigation, which confirmed Houston illegally stole signs in their 2017 championship season, as well as during parts of the 2018 season.
The Astros were fined $5 million and docked four draft picks for the scandal, while manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow were suspended one year each by MLB and subsequently were canned by Houston.
Martes hasn’t pitched since 2017, when he went 5-2 with a 5.80 ERA in 54 ¹/₃ innings, due to Tommy John surgery.
Once considered one of the top prospects in baseball, Martes this season was a candidate for the Astros’ fifth starter job and the bullpen.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Nets report card: Grading Brooklyn’s tumultuous first half

The NFL season officially ended Sunday night , and it ’ s been ...

It’s hard to imagine a team having a more tumultuous half-year, from owner Joe Tsai confirming his takeover to the drama around the China trip to the injuries that have ravaged what should be a talented roster.
Kevin Durant hasn’t played this season, and isn’t expected to. And Kyrie Irving has missed 33 of the Nets’ 53 games while Caris LeVert has sat for 25. Losing defensive revelation David Nwaba to an Achilles hurt as well.
Despite season-long struggles against winning teams, victories in Indiana and against Toronto sent the Nets (25-28) into the All-Star break on a high note. They currently own the final playoff spot in the East.
Before witnessing how the second half will play out, beginning Thursday in Philadelphia, we first look back at their midseason grades.
Jarrett Allen: A
The Nets have always been besotted with Allen, but now he’s living up to that potential, his improved rebounding (9.7 boards) closer to the level of his roll game and rim protection. They even turned down an offer for him that would’ve netted them Clint Capela.
DeAndre Jordan: A-
Fans see his reduced mobility and a rich contract ($40 million guaranteed over four years), but the Nets have gotten their money’s worth. Jordan leads the team in PIE, is second in Win Shares and provides size and strength. Nobody knows what Year 4 of this deal will look like, but Year 1 has been a clear win.
Kyrie Irving: B+
If one doesn’t downgrade for health, this is an A. Irving is averaging a career-high 27.4 points and 6.4 assists. But he’s hurt again, having sat out the last five games with a sprained knee and when he’ll return is up in air.
Spencer Dinwiddie: B
Dinwiddie carried the Nets while Irving and LeVert were out. He’s averaging 21 points and a team-high 6.6 assists. Even with his new deal, at $10.6 million per, he’s a bargain and can opt-out after next season.
Joe Harris: B-
In a tumultuous season, Harris has been one of the rare constants. He’s second on the team in minutes and shooting 40.8 percent from behind the arc. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he’s due a big raise from his team-friendly $7.6 million deal.
Nic Claxton: C+
Claxton, 20, has the look of a second-round steal. His youth and wiry frame have largely limited him to G-League action. But in his 14 NBA games — including scoring 15 and 14 points in consecutive tilts last month — he teased what he can become with strength and experience.
Garrett Temple: C
He’s been a steadying presence in the locker room, has surprisingly logged the fifth-most minutes on the team and been vital in terms of both defensive communication and veteran leadership. At 33, he’s better when less is demanded of him.
Caris LeVert: C
Like Irving, he’s the victim of injuries. After missing 24 games due to thumb surgery, he came off the bench in his next 14 before finally getting back in the lineup for the past five. His 24-point, five-assist average in those shows what this season could’ve been.
Taurean Prince: C
On one hand, Prince has been in the starting lineup every single game this season. On the other, he’s shooting just 38.3 percent and must improve his decision-making for a player who got a two-year, $29 million extension.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot: C
Not even with the Nets at the start of the season, TLC signed a two-way deal, then not one but two 10-day contracts before earning a two-year NBA deal by proving he could defend at this level.
Rodions Kurucs: C-
In and out of the rotation, he hasn’t looked like the same player who was a Rising Star last season as a rookie. That’s his own doing, after an offseason misdemeanor assault charge in which he was charged with choking his then-girlfriend . A sports psychologist has helped. In limited time he’s shooting 46.3 percent from deep.
Wilson Chandler: C-
He’s been stout defensively but struggling offensively; and like Kurucs, the woes are partly his own fault. A 25-game PED suspension to start the season set him back, and he’s shooting just 33.3 percent this month.
Dzanan Musa: C-
After getting on the court for just 39 minutes as a rookie, Musa has taken a step forward. There is some creativity and confidence there; but the 20-year-old has far to go in terms of defense and efficiency.
Theo Pinson: D
Went from undrafted rookie last season to a two-way deal to an NBA contract. But injuries forced Pinson into having to play backup point guard, and he was ill-suited, shooting just 29.5 percent overall, 19.5 percent from 3.
Sean Marks: A-
This was an A-plus on June 30, when he inked Durant and Irving. Marks massaged the cap to squeeze in Jordan, Temple and an extra year for Claxton. But an extension for Prince and deals for Chandler and Pinson are question marks that drop the grade ever so slightly. Still a rousing success.
Kenny Atkinson: B
After years of coaching rookies, overachievers and reclamation projects, Atkinson finally has expectations. But the Nets have been so injury-riddled, it’s hard to gauge just what kind of job he’s doing. He’s kept them from quitting and his ATOs are solid; but he’s taken awhile to learn his new players and fully embrace the coach’s challenges.
NOTE: Two-way players (Chris Chiozza, Jeremiah Martin), and players no longer with Brooklyn (Nwaba, Iman Shumpert, Henry Ellenson, Justin Anderson) were not graded.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Man who allegedly slit French tourist’s throat arrested

The French tourist who was randomly slashed in the neck ...

The man who allegedly slit a French tourist’s throat last week has been arrested, the NYPD announced Monday.
Khalief Young, 28, was busted by an officer who spotted him on the street around 3:50 p.m. Monday, police sources told The Post.
He was charged with two counts of assault in the second degree, police said.
Young is accused of slashing 27-year-old Gabriel Bascou in the neck on Valentine’s Day just as he and his girlfriend were walking out of an IHOP around 11 a.m. on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard near West 132nd Street.
Bascou was caught on video bleeding on a sidewalk as passersby rushed to help him.
He’s been recovering at Harlem Hospital.
Young lives approximately two blocks from the pancake restaurant and has randomly attacked at least two others in the past, police sources said.
Warning: Graphic image
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Gabriel Bascou in Harlem Hospital today DANIEL WILLIAM MCKNIGHT DANIEL WILLIAM MCKNIGHT Advertisement
On Oct. 20 last year, he rang his neighbor’s doorbell and punched the woman in the face and kicked her several times, the sources said.
Four months earlier in June, he went into a deli on West 135th Street and slashed a deli worker in the neck, police sources said.
Prior to those two incidents, Young was arrested in March 2015 for criminal possession of a loaded firearm and spent a little less than two years in an upstate prison.
He was released on parole in April 2017.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Pete Davidson jokes about rehab during late-night stand-up show

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 ) “ SNL ” star Pete Davidson seemed to confirm during a late-night stand-up show that he did , in fact , go to rehab recently .
In December , Davidson sparked speculation when he said on “ Weekend Update ” he was going on vacation — “ the kind of vacation where , like , insurance pays for some of it , and they take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly splitting with model Kaia Gerber at the time .
During a midnight stand-up set at Carolines on Broadway Sunday , Davidson told the crowd he ’ d worked on some of the jokes while in rehab at the Sierra Tucson facility in Arizona .
He said that he went by the pseudonym “ Howard ” at the facility , and he also kidded that during his stay , he ’ d hung out at a place called the “ butt hut ” — the spot where patients smoke cigarettes .
During his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phones were locked in pouches — Davidson also discussed having suicidal thoughts .
But he joked that he signed “ a pledge ” saying he wouldn ’ t kill himself until the Knicks won the championship , adding he has “ at least five more years to go ” before the hapless team breaks through .
“ The audience seemed really supportive of him , ” said a spy .
On a more light-hearted note , Davidson said that — after pictures of him smooching Kate Beckinsale at a Rangers game went viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to make out with a girl again at a game because it got so much press .
Davidson , who has an upcoming Netflix special , told jokes that will be in the show , he said , including a bit on how Louis CK tried to get him fired during his first season on “ SNL ” when he was 20 .
Davidson claims that CK caught him smoking weed in the office , and chastised Davidson by saying , “ You ’ ll smoke away your career.
” Davidson was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , he said , but joked he could tell , “ Lorne ’ s eyes were saying , ‘ People used to do coke here.
’ ” He wasn ’ t fired , but recalled being crushed until the “ glorious day ” when news of CK ’ s sexual-misconduct scandal broke .

“SNL” star Pete Davidson seemed to confirm during a late-night stand-up show that he did, in fact, go to rehab recently.
In December, Davidson sparked speculation when he said on “Weekend Update” he was going on vacation — “the kind of vacation where, like, insurance pays for some of it, and they take your phone and shoelaces.”
He was reportedly splitting with model Kaia Gerber at the time.
During a midnight stand-up set at Carolines on Broadway Sunday, Davidson told the crowd he’d worked on some of the jokes while in rehab at the Sierra Tucson facility in Arizona.
He said that he went by the pseudonym “Howard” at the facility, and he also kidded that during his stay, he’d hung out at a place called the “butt hut” — the spot where patients smoke cigarettes.
For more on Pete Davidson’s revealing stand-up show, listen to this episode of the Page Six podcast, “We Hear“:
During his sold-out set — at which attendees’ phones were locked in pouches — Davidson also discussed having suicidal thoughts. But he joked that he signed “a pledge” saying he wouldn’t kill himself until the Knicks won the championship, adding he has “at least five more years to go” before the hapless team breaks through.
“The audience seemed really supportive of him,” said a spy.
On a more light-hearted note, Davidson said that — after pictures of him smooching Kate Beckinsale at a Rangers game went viral — MSG owner James Dolan jokingly asked him to make out with a girl again at a game because it got so much press.
Davidson, who has an upcoming Netflix special, told jokes that will be in the show, he said, including a bit on how Louis CK tried to get him fired during his first season on “SNL” when he was 20. Davidson claims that CK caught him smoking weed in the office, and chastised Davidson by saying, “You’ll smoke away your career.”
Davidson was called to Lorne Michaels’ office over the incident, he said, but joked he could tell, “Lorne’s eyes were saying, ‘People used to do coke here.’ ”
He wasn’t fired, but recalled being crushed until the “glorious day” when news of CK’s sexual misconduct scandal broke.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Trump campaign, Obama spar over credit for US economy’s growth

President Trump was back in the saddle at an event ...

President Trump and his predecessor got into a Presidents Day spat Monday over who deserved the credit for America’s ongoing economic expansion.
“Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history,” former President Obama tweeted at 10:46 a.m., along with a photo of his John Hancock on the bill.
But the Trump campaign, in a statement to Fox News, countered that the economy was only booming because Trump dismantled many of Obama’s policies.
“President Trump reversed every single failed Obama-era economic policy, and with it, reversed the floundering Obama/Biden economy,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany asserted.
“Obama and Biden orchestrated the worst economic recovery in modern history. By contrast, though, deregulating, lowering taxes, and supporting free-market policies, President Trump has created the hottest economy on record, with unemployment hitting generational lows and all-time lows for African Americans, Hispanics, the disabled, veterans and many other hard-working Americans,” she continued.
“Paychecks are growing at the fastest pace in a decade and twice as fast for low- and middle-income Americans. It’s no wonder Democrats seek to take credit for the Trump economy after eight years of betraying blue-collar workers and inflicting pain upon the middle class as Americans everywhere suffered. But the failed days of Democrat stagnation are over, and the soaring Trump economy is here to stay.”
The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed in February 2009 — about 14 months after the recession began in December 2007 and about eight months before the national unemployment rate peaked at 10 percent in October 2009, Fox reported.
Obama officials credit the spending package with helping set the economy back on track following the Great Recession.
Under Obama, the unemployment rate steadily fell after reaching a high of 10 percent early in his first term.
It has continued to fall under Trump, with the unemployment rate now at its lowest level in the past 50 years.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Bloomberg accuses Sanders of acting like Trump over farmer video

Mike Bloomberg ’ s campaign accused Bernie Sanders of acting like President Trump by engaging in attacks against the billionaire former three-term New York City mayor and misrepresenting his comments about farmers .
Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey slammed the Sanders campaign for circulating a 2016 video of Bloomberg making remarks about farming that he claimed were “ completely out of context.
” The heading on the statement said , “ Bernie ’ s New Bro….Donald Trump.
” “ It ’ s a shameful turn of events to see Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump deploy the very same attacks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear .
At this point , the primary is Bernie ’ s to lose , and ours to win .
Bernie knows this .
Trump knows this .
That ’ s why they are united in the campaign against Mike , ” Sheekey said .
Sanders responded by snarkily tweeting out a photo of Bloomberg with Trump together on a golf course .
The back and forth began after Trump supporters started circulating a video in which Bloomberg suggested during a 2016 talk that farming and factory work require less “ gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ campaign also posted the video .
Sheekey claimed the video of the Bloomberg comments circulated by the Sanders ’ campaign — also retweeted by Donald Trump Jr. — was “ taken completely out of context.
” “ The video cuts off Mike ’ s first sentence where he is referring to agrarian society that lasted 3,000 years , not farmers today .
In just the past three months , Mike has traveled to 26 states .
During that time , he has met with farmers and heard directly about the struggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is choosing to push out falsehoods and sow divisions within the Democratic party , ” he said .
Sheekey said the controversy surrounding the video was just the latest Sanders ’ camp attack against Bloomberg .
He noted that in just the past week , Sanders ’ national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray , senior advisor David Sirota and national campaign co-chair Nina Turner have referred to Bloomberg as a “ racist ” and an “ oligarch , ” and “ implied Donald Trump is better than a fellow Democratic candidate for president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” The racism charge was a response to Bloomberg ’ s prior comments defending the NYPD ’ s stop and frisk policy when he was mayor — particularly in a 2015 Aspen Institute speech , an audio of which was leaked last week .
“ Mike is in this race to defeat Donald Trump , and he ’ s the Democratic candidate who can get that done .
This campaign will not sit idly by and allow these false attacks to stand without response , ” Sheekey said .
Sanders could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already spent $ 400 million in ads on his presidential campaign , has the resources to run commercials unloading on Sanders .

Mike Bloomberg’s campaign accused Bernie Sanders of acting like President Trump by engaging in attacks against the billionaire former three-term New York City mayor and misrepresenting his comments about farmers.
Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey slammed the Sanders campaign for circulating a 2016 video of Bloomberg making remarks about farming that he claimed were “completely out of context.”
The heading on the statement said, “Bernie’s New Bro….Donald Trump.”
“It’s a shameful turn of events to see Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump deploy the very same attacks and tactics against Mike, but the reason is clear. At this point, the primary is Bernie’s to lose, and ours to win. Bernie knows this. Trump knows this. That’s why they are united in the campaign against Mike,” Sheekey said.
Sanders responded by snarkily tweeting out a photo of Bloomberg with Trump together on a golf course.
The back and forth began after Trump supporters started circulating a video in which Bloomberg suggested during a 2016 talk that farming and factory work require less “gray matter” than modern technology jobs. Sanders’ campaign also posted the video.
Sheekey claimed the video of the Bloomberg comments circulated by the Sanders’ campaign — also retweeted by Donald Trump Jr. — was “taken completely out of context.”
“The video cuts off Mike’s first sentence where he is referring to agrarian society that lasted 3,000 years, not farmers today. In just the past three months, Mike has traveled to 26 states. During that time, he has met with farmers and heard directly about the struggles they face. The Bernie Sanders campaign is choosing to push out falsehoods and sow divisions within the Democratic party,” he said.
Sheekey said the controversy surrounding the video was just the latest Sanders’ camp attack against Bloomberg.
He noted that in just the past week, Sanders’ national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray, senior advisor David Sirota and national campaign co-chair Nina Turner have referred to Bloomberg as a “racist” and an “oligarch,” and “implied Donald Trump is better than a fellow Democratic candidate for president, and called Bloomberg supporters ‘enablers.’ ”
The racism charge was a response to Bloomberg’s prior comments defending the NYPD’s stop and frisk policy when he was mayor — particularly in a 2015 Aspen Institute speech, an audio of which was leaked last week.
“Mike is in this race to defeat Donald Trump, and he’s the Democratic candidate who can get that done. This campaign will not sit idly by and allow these false attacks to stand without response,” Sheekey said.
Sanders could be playing with fire. Bloomberg, who has already spent $400 million in ads on his presidential campaign, has the resources to run commercials unloading on Sanders.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--The bags beloved by stars from Bella Hadid to Beyoncé are on sale at Shopbop

Chanel flap bags , Hermès Birkins and Louis Vuitton satchels may be a dime a dozen in Hollywood , but when young stars are looking to stand out with something a bit more unexpected , they reach for bags by Australia-based brand By Far .
Inspired by ’ 90s minimalism , the label ’ s mostly-mini purses — a mix of sleek shoulder bags , clutches and bucket silhouettes — are a favorite of famous sister acts like Bella and Gigi Hadid and Kylie and Kendall Jenner .
You might have also spotted them on the arms of Beyoncé , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gerber , to name but a few .
And thanks to Shopbop ’ s sprawling sale section , now ’ s a great time to scoop up one ( or more ) of these celeb-loved carryalls .
Nearly two dozen By Far styles are majorly marked down — and did we mention the brand also makes shoes , too ?
By Far Pelle Bag ( $ 435.60 , was $ 726 ) By Far Amber Shoulder Bag ( $ 500.50 , was $ 715 ) By Far Ball Bag ( $ 412.80 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jamie Bag ( $ 325 , was $ 650 ) By Far Mini Satchel Bag ( $ 393.40 , was $ 562 ) By Far Eric Bag ( $ 412.80 , was $ 688 ) By Far Rachel Baguette Bag ( $ 308 , was $ 440 ) By Far Uma Mini Crushed Velvet Shoulder Bag ( $ 393.40 , was $ 562 ) By Far Monet Snake Print Leather Tote ( $ 396 , was $ 792 ) By Far Capria Bag ( $ 313.50 , was $ 627 )

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Chanel flap bags, Hermès Birkins and Louis Vuitton satchels may be a dime a dozen in Hollywood, but when young stars are looking to stand out with something a bit more unexpected, they reach for bags by Australia-based brand By Far.
Inspired by ’90s minimalism, the label’s mostly-mini purses — a mix of sleek shoulder bags, clutches and bucket silhouettes — are a favorite of famous sister acts like Bella and Gigi Hadid and Kylie and Kendall Jenner. You might have also spotted them on the arms of Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Hailey Baldwin and Kaia Gerber, to name but a few.
And thanks to Shopbop’s sprawling sale section, now’s a great time to scoop up one (or more) of these celeb-loved carryalls. Nearly two dozen By Far styles are majorly marked down — and did we mention the brand also makes shoes, too?
By Far Pelle Bag ($435.60, was $726)
By Far Amber Shoulder Bag ($500.50, was $715)
By Far Ball Bag ($412.80, was $688)
By Far Mini Jamie Bag ($325, was $650)
By Far Mini Satchel Bag ($393.40, was $562)
By Far Eric Bag ($412.80, was $688)
By Far Rachel Baguette Bag ($308, was $440)
By Far Uma Mini Crushed Velvet Shoulder Bag ($393.40, was $562)
By Far Monet Snake Print Leather Tote ($396, was $792)
By Far Capria Bag ($313.50, was $627)


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Giants assistant Bret Bielema could already be on way out

Bret Bielema might not stop at one job change this offseason .
Hired away from the Patriots to be the Giants ’ outside linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant , Bielema is interviewing to be the head coach at the University of Colorado , according to NFL Network .
The vacancy was created when Mel Tucker was hired by Michigan State — another job Bielema was connected to during the search .
Bielema , 50 , wants to run his own college program again sooner or later , but will not take just any job without confidence elements are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source told The Post .
He went 97-58 in 12 seasons as a college coach at Wisconsin ( 2006-12 ) and Arkansas ( 2013-17 ) , leading the Badgers to three straight Big Ten titles before leaving for the SEC .
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy — who interviewed with the Giants before they hired Joe Judge as head coach — is considered the top target for Colorado , his alma mater .
Bielema spent the last two seasons working alongside Judge with the Patriots , as a staff consultant and then as @ @ @ @

Bret Bielema might not stop at one job change this offseason.
Hired away from the Patriots to be the Giants’ outside linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant, Bielema is interviewing to be the head coach at the University of Colorado, according to NFL Network. The vacancy was created when Mel Tucker was hired by Michigan State — another job Bielema was connected to during the search.
Bielema, 50, wants to run his own college program again sooner or later, but will not take just any job without confidence elements are in place to ensure his success, a source told The Post. He went 97-58 in 12 seasons as a college coach at Wisconsin (2006-12) and Arkansas (2013-17), leading the Badgers to three straight Big Ten titles before leaving for the SEC.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy — who interviewed with the Giants before they hired Joe Judge as head coach — is considered the top target for Colorado, his alma mater.
Bielema spent the last two seasons working alongside Judge with the Patriots, as a staff consultant and then as defensive line coach.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--How Rob Manfred can really punish Astros in badly needed mulligan

Now , Jose Altuve will go topless .
With his shyness conquered ...

Rob Manfred is an avid golfer, so he is quite familiar with the concept of a mulligan. And this commissioner of baseball has never needed a second chance more.
No leader of any entity wants to set the precedent that he can be backed off of a decision by public/employee sentiment and outrage. But Manfred has to see now that his ruling in the Astros sign stealing scandal is inadequate. It has left an entire industry — including fans and rival players and front offices — believing that crime pays, namely that the Houston players skated with zero penalties except public rebuke by their peers, media and fans.
Manfred should not worry that amending his initial sanctions will look weak — since that is the general sense already, that he was afraid to take on the Players Association or punish one of his bosses, Astros owner Jim Crane. A mulligan would make Manfred appear open-minded to the ongoing rightful indignation. He would look bigger, not smaller, for accepting that not all he does is flawless and that when there is a wrong to right, he will try to make it right, even when it was his wrong initially. By the way, my wrong, too — I thought his initial punishment hit the Astros hard. The unprecedented player vs. player on-the-record ire has forced reconsideration.
Manfred cannot renege on his agreement with the Players Association that gave immunity to any player who testified to MLB during the investigation in exchange for honesty. So as much as so many want to see suspensions of 2017 Astros, the commissioner cannot go there. He would have to find ways in the margin or by rethinking his first ruling to better hit at the cheaters.
Here is a way to do that:
1. A three-year ban for any 2017 Astro — hitter or pitcher — from appearing in the All-Star Game. Not every hitter on the team participated in the scheme, and the pitchers obviously did not hit. But the pitchers benefited from the hitters’ success by being backed by run scoring. Plus, the message here is: Moving forward, if your team is cheating, say something even if you are not directly involved, or else you too will be punished.
The Players Association would probably fight back, in part because many players’ contracts contain All-Star bonuses. MLB should be up for the fight — and force the union into picking a side between the players. Because the rest of the union members who are not 2017 Astros do not want to see those players enjoy further rewards. If Yordan Alvarez (not a 2017 Astro) makes the All-Star Game, fine. But no Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman or Justin Verlander, etc. By the way, would any 2017 Astros want to go to a game in which they may be criticized and ostracized by their peers?
The Players Association also could argue that the promise was not to punish players — and this is a punishment. But the tacit understanding was no suspensions for the players in the way that now former GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were levied suspensions. I would argue this as less a punishment and more not conveying an honor to players.
2. No member of the 2017 Astros should ever receive a postseason share again. Once more the union would probably bark. But this is where the other players should step up. The playoff share pool will not be decreased one penny. This merely means a bunch of players who cheated their way to one title and one World Series share check should never receive another. It is more money for the non-cheaters.
3. For 2020 and 2021, in their 81 home games, the Astros have to bat in the top of all innings, rather than the bottom. Thus, they get the home field edge of the fan base, but not (among other things) last licks. This acknowledges the sign stealing was done mainly at Minute Maid Park.
4. No home playoff games for the next three seasons. There has been some calls that — like in college — the Astros should be banned from the playoffs for a period of time. But then why would they call up prospects and start their service clock or why would their best pitchers push themselves in September, etc.? Houston still can get into the tournament, but the players do not derive the benefit of a home crowd and ownership does not receive the benefit of gates. Yes, I can imagine the AL playoff teams that do not face the Astros thinking that is an advantage for the club playing Houston. So be it. There are no perfect punishments, and the key here is to hurt the Astros tactically and in their ownership’s pocket.
5. Houston does not get to host the All-Star Game for the next 15 years. Ownership did not receive nearly enough penalties for overseeing such a rogue organization.
6. No international signings for 2021 and 2022. It is too late for this year. In the first go-around, Manfred merely stripped the Astros of first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. That will hurt. But not enough, since the Astros will definitely be picking late in 2020 and probably 2021. The international ban will curtail this renegade organization from reloading easily.
7. Suspend Crane for two years. Manfred exonerated Crane the first time. Even if Crane was oblivious to what was going on — which he claims — he hired Luhnow. He hired Hinch. He created the tenor of an organization that claimed it had zero tolerance for domestic abuse, then traded for Roberto Osuna (so forgive me if I don’t believe Astros leadership’s word now that it will have zero tolerance for any further cheating). Crane ran an organization that not only hired and elevated Brandon Taubman but put out a malicious and incorrect press release to defend him during last year’s playoffs.
If Luhnow and Hinch are going to be punished for horrific oversight, then the ultimate leader has to feel that wrath, too.
Here is the thing: Crane should be the one coming forward to essentially ask for the sanction. This is what a real leader would do, not talk about his complete innocence and say he did everything to fix matters by firing other people to look tough on crime.
If Crane refuses — the likely outcome — Manfred needs to step up. Because part of the distrust with how the commissioner adjudicated is a sense he tried to find the middle ground by doing a deal with the players and protecting one of his bosses. And as we have seen, he is sinking on that middle ground.
He needs to take another swing at this. Time for a mulligan.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--What to know about the ninth Democratic debate in Las Vegas

The ninth Democratic debate kicks off in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening and the candidates are gearing up for a showdown — including possible former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg .
The Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary failed to winnow the bloated field and each of the five presidential wannabes on stage at the Paris Theater will be hoping for a big boost in both financial donations and support ahead of the Nevada caucus on Feb. 22 .
You can watch the debate , hosted by NBC News and MSNBC , from 8 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • The biggest wildcard ahead of the debate is whether Big Apple billionaire Michael Bloomberg will qualify in time .
His campaign is not accepting political donations , which prevented him from joining previous debate .
The Democratic National Committee removed the donor threshold for the Feb. 19 debate but the former New York mayor must reach 10 percent in four polls approved by the party to qualify .
He needs one more before the Tuesday night deadline and Monmouth state poll on Virginia released Tuesday may get him over the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will debate , ” Bloomberg spokeswoman Galia Slayen told The Hill on Sunday .
• Five candidates have already qualified so far : Sen. Bernie Sanders ( D. VT ) , former Vice President Joe Biden , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. MA ) , Ex-South Bend , Ind .
mayor Pete Buttigieg , and Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. MN ) .
• After a dismal fourth-place finish in Iowa and fifth-place finish in New Hampshire , Joe Biden is in the fight for his political life and is hoping to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more diverse Nevada .
• Bernie Sanders is the clear front runner .
A Nevada Poll released Friday showed the septuagenarian socialist leading by a solid 25 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers .
• Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar will also be looking to prove that they can attract support from Latino and African American voters , a problem plaguing both of their campaigns .

The ninth Democratic debate kicks off in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening and the candidates are gearing up for a showdown — including possible former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
The Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary failed to winnow the bloated field and each of the five presidential wannabes on stage at the Paris Theater will be hoping for a big boost in both financial donations and support ahead of the Nevada caucus on Feb. 22.
You can watch the debate, hosted by NBC News and MSNBC, from 9 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 19.
Here are the key things to know:


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Weinstein’s lawyer pens op-ed that jurors should ‘look past the headlines’

The lawyer told the jury that “ the time to do ...

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Harvey Weinstein’s lead defense lawyer penned an op-ed urging jurors to ignore media coverage and focus on testimony and evidence — just two days before the panel was scheduled to deliberate on the disgraced producer’s guilt.
In the Newsweek op-ed titled “Jurors in My Client Harvey Weinstein’s Case Must Look Past the Headlines,” Donna Rotunno blasts the biased news coverage and unflattering courtroom sketches. The panel has a duty to ignore the media storm, she said.
Rotunno added that the judge has barred the jury from reading any coverage related to Weinstein, but said it’s unlikely they’ve heeded the order.
“In a high-profile case like Harvey Weinstein’s, does anyone think that’s realistically possible?” she asked in the piece that was published on Sunday.
She went on to urge the jury to be fair and impartial.
“Mr. Weinstein’s jurors have an obligation to themselves and their country, to base their verdict solely on the facts, testimony and evidence presented to them in the courtroom. I expect a fair and impartial jury for Mr. Weinstein and every other American,” she wrote.
“I implore the members of this jury to do what they know is right and was expected of them from the moment they were called upon to serve their civic duty in a court of law. The facts are the facts. Harvey Weinstein is innocent. His fate hangs in the balance, and the world is watching.”
The Manhattan Supreme Court panel is slated to begin deliberations in Weinstein’s rape and sex-assault trial on Tuesday.
Some lawyers called the op-ed a clear ethical breach, while others defended the column.
“This case has seen many odd moments, but addressing the jury in an editorial piece immediately before the jury gets the case is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” said former Manhattan prosecutor-turned-defense lawyer Mark Bederow.
“It almost certainly violates the rule of professional responsibility regarding prejudicial extra-judicial statements by parties,” he said, referring to the New York Rules of Professional Conduct.
Rotunno could face sanctions, grievance committee proceedings or be held in contempt if she is found guilty of a professional transgression.
Ethics lawyer Richard Grayson said he doesn’t think that the op-ed broke any rules of professional conduct.
“I don’t think this is a violation because of the exception which states that a lawyer can respond with a statement to protect a client from ‘substantial prejudicial effect of recent publicity not initiated by the lawyer or the lawyer’s client,’ ” the attorney said.
Grayson primarily represents lawyers and judges who are under investigation and consults for law firms on ethics matters.
The DA’s office declined to comment. Rotunno didn’t immediately return a request for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Former volleyball stars and their daughters killed in car crash

Two former volleyball stars and their 12-year-old daughters were killed in a horrific car accident in Missouri .
Former Syracuse University star Carrie Urton McCaw , 44 and Lesley Drury Prather , 40 , who played for the University of Louisville , were on their way to a volleyball tournament Friday morning with the two kids when their car was hit “ head on ” by a Ford F-250 , according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report .
The driver , 29-year-old Elijah Henderson , was traveling on Interstate 64 in St. Charles County , Missouri around 10:38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the north side of the road , went through a cable barrier and “ started to overturn ” before hitting Prather ’ s 2014 Honda Odyssey and another car , the crash report states .
Prather and McCaw , who were riding in the front seat , were both pronounced dead at the scene while the two kids were rushed to local hospitals but could not be saved , WDRB reported .
Stephanie Huttegger witnessed the crash and “ jumped over the guard rail ” to try and help , FOX 6 reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a parent , as a human being , it was horrific , ” Huttegger told the outlet .
“ It was horrible .
Checked the first car .
It was two elderly people .
Thumbs up is what they gave me.
” But when she saw Prather ’ s minivan , she knew the worst had happened .
“ Seen the two people [ in the front seat ] , knew immediately , ” Huttegger said .
“ I guess they had airbags in the back , and we kinda pushed it back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the little girl… we just grabbed her , went over right to the grass , started CPR.
” Hutteger , who happens to have EMT training , said she and another man did chest compressions for 12 minutes on the little girl before paramedics arrived but she couldn ’ t be saved .
They smashed a window to get to the other girl but they weren ’ t able to get her out .
The crash is under criminal investigation by the St. Charles County Prosecutor ’ s office while they await @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver , who has a history of drug charges , KSDK reported .
McCaw played volleyball at Syracuse from 1994 to 1997 , breaking multiple records , and was captain of the team her senior year , CNN reported .
Prather played at Louisville from 1998 to 2001 and was considered a “ standout player , ” the outlet reported , citing the school .
“ This will never , ever , ever make sense .
I can ’ t wrap my head around this .
I ’ m struggling to put into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human Lesley was , ” a former teammate Stacey Mercer , told CNN .
“ These words could never do justice to the sorrow we are all feeling .
”

Two former volleyball stars and their 12-year-old daughters were killed in a horrific car accident in Missouri.
Former Syracuse University star Carrie Urton McCaw, 44 and Lesley Drury Prather, 40, who played for the University of Louisville, were on their way to a volleyball tournament Friday morning with the two kids when their car was hit “head on” by a Ford F-250, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.
The driver, 29-year-old Elijah Henderson, was traveling on Interstate 64 in St. Charles County, Missouri, around 10:38 a.m. local time when he veered off the north side of the road, went through a cable barrier and “started to overturn” before hitting Prather’s 2014 Honda Odyssey and another car, the crash report states.
Prather and McCaw, who were in the front seats, were both pronounced dead at the scene while the two kids were rushed to local hospitals but could not be saved, WDRB reported.
Stephanie Huttegger witnessed the crash and “jumped over the guardrail” to try to help, FOX 6 reported.
“As a mom, as a parent, as a human being, it was horrific,” Huttegger told the outlet.
“It was horrible. Checked the first car. It was two elderly people. Thumbs up is what they gave me.”
But when she saw Prather’s minivan, she knew the worst had happened.
“Seen the two people [in the front seat], knew immediately,” Huttegger said.
“I guess they had airbags in the back, and we kinda pushed it back, and that’s when we saw the little girl … we just grabbed her, went over right to the grass, started CPR.”
Hutteger, who happens to have EMT training, said she and another man did chest compressions for 12 minutes on the little girl before paramedics arrived but she couldn’t be saved.
They smashed a window to get to the other girl but weren’t able to get her out.
The crash is under criminal investigation by the St. Charles County Prosecutor’s Office while authorities await toxicology reports for the driver, who has a history of drug charges, KSDK reported.
McCaw played volleyball at Syracuse from 1994 to 1997, breaking multiple records, and was captain of the team her senior year, CNN reported.
Prather played at Louisville from 1998 to 2001 and was considered a “standout player,” the outlet reported, citing the school.
“This will never, ever, ever make sense. I can’t wrap my head around this. I’m struggling to put into words how beautiful and powerful of a human Lesley was,” a former teammate, Stacey Mercer, told CNN.
“These words could never do justice to the sorrow we are all feeling.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--NYPD has officially gone digital with new app replacing paper

Stand clear of the motorized bikes , please .
Three people were ...

Old paper logs used by NYPD officers to track their daily activity have now been replaced by an app on cops’ phones, officials revealed Monday.
But the woman who made it happen told The Post it was no easy feat to convince the 175-year-old department to ditch the traditional pen and paper method to join the 21st century.
“When I told people that this is what we were going to do and this is what we should do, people laughed at me. One person said, ‘You go get em, kid,’ ” said Jessica Tisch, who spearheaded the upgrade in her former post as the NYPD’s technology chief.
“I don’t think people thought it was something that would work.”
Cops had been scribbling down the details about the issues they confronted throughout their day in leather binders.
But Tisch — who now heads the city’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications — believed the laborious paper method needed to be tossed for something more efficient and began pushing for the technology a few years ago.
“One of my pet peeves is seeing all these inefficient processes in the police department, meaning processes that could be better with the use of technology,” Tisch said. “For me one of the most glaring was the activity log.”
“Imagine how many activity logs officers use every year,” she said of the NYPD’s roughly 36,000 members. “So the activity log for me for a very long time was one of the most appealing candidates for modernization. For me it was like the holy grail.”
Tisch says she initially received pushback from those around her at NYPD headquarters in 1 Police Plaza when she proposed the digital log.
But the brass warmed to the idea when they realized it would make it easier to comply with the state’s new discovery law, which requires district attorneys to share detailed information about crimes with defense attorneys within 15 days.
It also gives bosses a way to see exactly what cops are doing, and links up with a separate 911 app on officers’ phones.
The department started to roll out the e-log city-wide in early January after test runs in a few precincts, and it is now on every cop’s department-issued phone.
“As of today, everyone is supposed to use the digital activity log,” Tisch said. “The paper books will no longer be authorized.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Another royal split: Princess Margaret’s son and wife to divorce

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 ) It ’ s turning out to be another annus horribilis for the Queen .
The Monarch ’ s nephew , the Earl of Snowdon has announced he and his wife Serena are splitting after more than 25 years of marriage .
The news comes less than a week after the Queen ’ s grandson Peter Phillips split from his Canadian wife Autumn .
The Earl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the son of the late Princess Margaret , the Queen ’ s younger sister , and photographer Lord Snowdon .
A spokesman for the royal couple told the press : “ The Earl and Countess of Snowdon have amicably agreed that their marriage has come to an end and that they shall be divorced .
“ They ask that the press respect their privacy and that of their family.
” The Earl , who runs a prestigious furniture company , and his wife Serena have two children , Charles Armstrong-Jones and Margarita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marriage marred by alcohol , bitter fighting and extramarital affairs .
They wed in 1960 and finally divorced in 1978 .

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It’s turning out to be another annus horribilis for the Queen.
The monarch’s nephew the Earl of Snowdon has announced he and his wife, Serena, are splitting after more than 25 years of marriage. The news comes less than a week after the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips split from his Canadian wife, Autumn.
The earl — known professionally as David Linley — is the son of the late Princess Margaret, the Queen’s younger sister, and photographer Lord Snowdon.
A spokesman for the royal couple told the press: “The Earl and Countess of Snowdon have amicably agreed that their marriage has come to an end and that they shall be divorced.
“They ask that the press respect their privacy and that of their family.”
The earl, who runs a prestigious furniture company, and his wife have two children, Charles Armstrong-Jones and Margarita Armstrong-Jones.
His parents had a tempestuous marriage marred by alcohol, bitter fighting and extramarital affairs. They wed in 1960 and finally divorced in 1978.


newyorkpost--2020-02-17--Woman brings mini-service horse onto plane, into first class

A Michigan woman startled other passengers on a recent series of flights when she brought aboard a mini-service horse and traveled with him in first class to California .
Ronica Froese made the journey starting on Feb. 7 with her equine companion Fred , who was specially trained to make the high-altitude trip , according to WXMI .
“ I paid an arm and a leg for tickets , but I did so because it was Fred ’ s first time and I wanted him to be comfortable , ” Froese told the station .
“ I wanted him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has trained Fred — who dressed in a sleek suit that made him look like a Lucha Libre wrestler — to be a therapy and a service horse , said everyone was “ sweet as pie.
” She said that the “ experience was way better than I actually anticipated.
” Fred ’ s flying days may soon be a thing of the past , however , with the US Transportation Department recently announcing plans to tighten the laws so that only dogs actually trained to help the disabled qualify for flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part — telling WXMI that the system is “ out of control.
” “ It ’ s a very abused process — there are a lot of untrained service animals on the plane that are not trained , ” Froese told the station .
“ It ’ s definitely an abused system , but the sad part is what the DOT is looking at doing , they are looking at excluding me as a handler from taking my horse on the plane , ” she said .

This flyer wasn’t horsing around.
A Michigan woman startled other passengers on a recent series of flights when she brought aboard a mini-service horse and traveled with him in first class to California.
Ronica Froese made the journey starting on Feb. 7 with her equine companion Fred, who was specially trained to make the high-altitude trip, according to WXMI.
“I paid an arm and a leg for tickets, but I did so because it was Fred’s first time and I wanted him to be comfortable,” Froese told the station.
“I wanted him to have the most room.”
Froese, who has trained Fred — who dressed in a sleek suit that made him look like a Lucha Libre wrestler — to be a therapy and a service horse, said everyone was “sweet as pie.”
She said that the “experience was way better than I actually anticipated.”
Fred’s flying days may soon be a thing of the past, however, with the US Transportation Department recently announcing plans to tighten the laws so that only dogs actually trained to help the disabled qualify for flights.
Surprisingly, Froese seems to agree in part — telling WXMI that the system is “out of control.”
“It’s a very abused process — there are a lot of untrained service animals on the plane that are not trained,” Froese told the station.
“It’s definitely an abused system, but the sad part is what the DOT is looking at doing, they are looking at excluding me as a handler from taking my horse on the plane,” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--‘Knives Out’ star Ana de Armas is Hollywood’s next big thing

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 ) Hollywood ’ s next big thing is coming to a screen near you .
Ana de Armas , the 31-year-old Cuban starlet who ’ ll grace the cover of March ’ s Vanity Fair , is hot on the heels of her success in Rian Johnson ’ s “ Knives Out ” and is well on her way to becoming a “ worldwide sensation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is remarkable , ” Curtis , who starred alongside de Armas in “ Knives Out , ” told the magazine .
“ She ’ s going to be like Sophia Loren , one of those rare crossover worldwide sensations .
She ’ s got this exquisite depth and is singularly gentle and insanely beautiful , but also she is a girl from Cuba so there ’ s that tenacity and perseverance and fierceness to her.
” And it looks like the rest of Hollywood is taking a look .
She ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deep Water ” alongside Ben Affleck , “ The Night Clerk ” with Helen Hunt and has been tapped as the latest “ Bond Girl ” in the upcoming 25th rendition of the franchise “ No Time to Die.
” Oh , and she ’ s also playing Marilyn Monroe in the imminent biopic “ Blonde.
” “ I only had to audition for Marilyn once , ” de Armas told Vanity Fair .
“ I knew I could do it .
Playing Marilyn was groundbreaking .
A Cuban playing Marilyn Monroe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armas , who used to hitchhike to theater school while growing up in Cuba , isn ’ t the typical Hollywood darling .
She only just learned to speak English a few years ago and managed to do so in just four months .
“ People ask , ‘ how did you learn English so quickly ?
’ I ’ m like , ‘ because my life depended on it , ’ ” de Armas told Vanity Fair .
She credits this type of hard work with her success .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to do is work , ” she told the glossy .
“ All I want to do is get something challenging and prove to myself that I can do it .
”

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Hollywood’s next big thing is coming to a screen near you.
Ana de Armas, the 31-year-old Cuban starlet who’ll grace the cover of March’s Vanity Fair, is hot on the heels of her success in Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” and is well on her way to becoming a “worldwide sensation.” Just ask Jamie Lee Curtis.
“She is remarkable,” Curtis, who starred alongside de Armas in “Knives Out,” told the magazine.
“She’s going to be like Sophia Loren, one of those rare crossover worldwide sensations. She’s got this exquisite depth and is singularly gentle and insanely beautiful, but also she is a girl from Cuba so there’s that tenacity and perseverance and fierceness to her.”
And it looks like the rest of Hollywood is taking a look.
She’ll be starring in the upcoming thriller “Deep Water” alongside Ben Affleck, “The Night Clerk” with Helen Hunt and has been tapped as the latest “Bond Girl” in the upcoming 25th rendition of the franchise, “No Time to Die.”
Oh, and she’s also playing Marilyn Monroe in the imminent biopic “Blonde.”
“I only had to audition for Marilyn once,” de Armas told Vanity Fair.
“I knew I could do it. Playing Marilyn was groundbreaking. A Cuban playing Marilyn Monroe. I wanted it so badly.”
De Armas, who used to hitchhike to theater school while growing up in Cuba, isn’t the typical Hollywood darling. She only just learned to speak English a few years ago and managed to do so in just four months.
“People ask, ‘How did you learn English so quickly?’ I’m like, ‘Because my life depended on it,’” de Armas told Vanity Fair.
She credits her success to this type of hard work.
“I’ve never had an agenda. All I want to do is work,” she told the glossy. “All I want to do is get something challenging and prove to myself that I can do it.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Mesmerizing sand art will take your breath away

Wow .
This amazingly talented artist , from the island of Gorée in Senegal , crafts designs out of sand @ @ @ @ @ different colors of sand on top of one another , ultimately creating the most stunning @ @ @ @ @ s face .

Wow. This amazingly talented artist, from the island of Gorée in Senegal, crafts designs out of sand. Watch as he layers different colors of sand on top of one another, ultimately creating the most stunning portrait of a woman’s face.
Subscribe to our YouTube!


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Jeff Bezos goes Hollywood

Jeff Bezos goes Hollywood

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 ) The Amazon billionaire is benefiting from the Lauren Sanchez effect .
Steph and Ayesha Curry are spicing things up with a risqué Instagram post and Amanda Bynes has a new face tattoo and fiancé .
Sure , Jeff Bezos is the world ’ s richest man , but insiders say he didn ’ t really start flaunting his money and position — or using it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Lauren Sanchez .
It ’ s all a far cry from the Seattle suburbs , where then-geeky Bezos — who grew up in the Southwest — moved after quitting his job at a New York hedge fund .
There he set up Amazon.com in the garage of his rental house in 1994 .
Photos from that time show him with already thinning hair and clad in decidedly uncool pleated khakis .
Meanwhile , when Bezos and Sanchez made their red-carpet debut at an Amazon Prime event in Mumbai , India , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flashy black-and-white patterned tuxedo jacket , while she chose a sexy gown with a neckline that plunged to her waist and a skirt cut high on her thigh .
“ Jeff has clearly ‘ gone Hollywood , ’ ” said a former long-term friend of Sanchez .
“ Risky fashion choices , lunch with Anna Wintour , a nonstop barrage of shameless selfies with A-listers He ’ s .
.
.
a narcissist with poor judgment , and Lauren is calling the shots.
” NBA All-Star weekend looks a bit different for Steph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 31 , who was sidelined in November with a hand injury , enjoyed some quality time with his longtime Valentine , wife Ayesha Curry .
“ Vacation vibes with my one and only 😍 like dat !
” Steph captioned a sexy snap Sunday on Instagram .
Amanda Bynes followed up Friday ’ s engagement announcement with a photo of her “ lover.
” Taking to Instagram on Saturday , the 33-year-old actress posted a photo of herself standing beside a mystery man wearing a blue-and-black checkered shirt and glasses .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Valentine ’ s Day , Bynes revealed she was engaged to the “ love of my life , ” sharing a photo of her emerald-cut engagement ring on social media .
The estimated 8-carat sparkler appears to be set in a platinum setting with two side stones , according to The Diamond Pro .
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 .

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The Amazon billionaire is benefiting from the Lauren Sanchez effect.
Steph and Ayesha Curry are spicing things up with a risqué Instagram post and Amanda Bynes has a new face tattoo and fiancé.
Here’s a closer look at today’s stories:
Jeff Bezos has ‘gone Hollywood’ for girlfriend Lauren Sanchez
Sure, Jeff Bezos is the world’s richest man, but insiders say he didn’t really start flaunting his money and position — or using it as celebrity clout — until he hooked up with Lauren Sanchez.
It’s all a far cry from the Seattle suburbs, where then-geeky Bezos — who grew up in the Southwest — moved after quitting his job at a New York hedge fund.
There he set up Amazon.com in the garage of his rental house in 1994. Photos from that time show him with already thinning hair and clad in decidedly uncool pleated khakis.
Meanwhile, when Bezos and Sanchez made their red-carpet debut at an Amazon Prime event in Mumbai, India, last month, he upgraded to a flashy black-and-white patterned tuxedo jacket, while she chose a sexy gown with a neckline that plunged to her waist and a skirt cut high on her thigh.
“Jeff has clearly ‘gone Hollywood,’” said a former long-term friend of Sanchez. “Risky fashion choices, lunch with Anna Wintour, a nonstop barrage of shameless selfies with A-listers He’s . . . a narcissist with poor judgment, and Lauren is calling the shots.”
Ayesha Curry straddles husband Steph Curry in sexy vacation snap
NBA All-Star weekend looks a bit different for Steph Curry this year.
The Warriors superstar, 31, who was sidelined in November with a hand injury, enjoyed some quality time with his longtime Valentine, wife Ayesha Curry.
“Vacation vibes with my one and only 😍 like dat!” Steph captioned a sexy snap Sunday on Instagram.
Amanda Bynes posts photo of ‘lover’ after engagement announcement
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mh0i3htSQ/
Amanda Bynes followed up Friday’s engagement announcement with a photo of her “lover.”
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the 33-year-old actress posted a photo of herself standing beside a mystery man wearing a blue-and-black checkered shirt and glasses. She captioned the snap, “lover.”
On Valentine’s Day, Bynes revealed she was engaged to the “love of my life,” sharing a photo of her emerald-cut engagement ring on social media. The estimated 8-carat sparkler appears to be set in a platinum setting with two side stones, according to The Diamond Pro.
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--2020-02-18--Bloomberg qualifies for Las Vegas debate, facing Democratic rivals for first time

The ninth Democratic debate kicks off in Las Vegas on ...

Michael Bloomberg has officially qualified for Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, marking the first time the billionaire 2020 contender will come face to face with his rivals.
Bloomberg, who made a late entry into the primary, met the Democratic National Committee’s qualifications to get on stage with the Tuesday release of a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll that put the former mayor in second place with 19 percent support.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was in first place with 31 percent support, according to the poll.
“Mike is looking forward to joining the other Democratic candidates on stage and making the case for why he’s the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite the country,” Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said.
“Since Mike launched his campaign 13 weeks ago, he’s met with voters in 25 states and 62 cities. Our crowds continue to grow, and our coalition continues to broaden,” Sheeky added. “There’s a desire in every corner of this country for a proven leader, for someone who will stand up to bullies and special interests and get things done. That person is Mike Bloomberg, and we look forward to more Americans seeing that on Wednesday night.”
In order to qualify, Bloomberg needed to register at least 10 percent support in four national polls or 12 percent support in two state polls in Nevada and South Carolina. Candidates could have also qualified by getting at least one delegate out of the Iowa caucuses or New Hampshire primary — except Bloomberg entered the race too late to compete in either.
In late January, the DNC announced a major revision to its qualification criteria that paved the way for Bloomberg’s inclusion.
Bloomberg was originally ineligible to qualify for Democratic debates because he is self-funding his entire campaign and accepting no donations, which left him unable to meet the previous donor requirements.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--‘Price Is Right’ on hiatus after death of Drew Carey’s ex-fiancée Amie Harwick

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 ) The production company behind “ Price Is Right ” said on Monday that it would take a break from taping the hit show after the sudden death of host Drew Carey ’ s ex-fiancée , reports said .
The popular daytime game show has been postponed for this week and may be delayed until March 2 due to the death of Amie Harwick , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the balcony of a Hollywood Hills home , according to Fox News .
Harwick , 38 , a Los Angeles family therapist , apparently plummeted from a third-floor balcony to her death early Saturday , according to a news release from the LAPD .
Her ex-boyfriend , 41-year-old Gareth Pursehouse , was taken into custody and charged with murder .
The pair had recently broken up .
An order of protection had been issued at some point , but was expired at the time of the incident , according to Deadline .
Carey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post on Monday .
“ I hope you ’ re lucky enough to have someone in your life that loves as much as she did , ” he wrote .

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The production company behind “The Price Is Right” said Monday that it would take a break from taping the hit show after the sudden death of host Drew Carey’s ex-fiancée, reports said.
The popular daytime game show has been postponed for this week and may be delayed until March 2 due to the death of Amie Harwick, who was found dead after she fell off the balcony of a Hollywood Hills home, according to Fox News.
Harwick, 38, a Los Angeles family therapist, apparently plummeted from a third-floor balcony to her death early Saturday, according to a news release from the LAPD.
Her ex-boyfriend, 41-year-old Gareth Pursehouse, was taken into custody and charged with murder.
Related Video Drew Carey's ex-fiancee allegedly killed by former boyfriend
The pair had recently broken up. An order of protection had been issued at some point, but was expired at the time of the incident, according to Deadline.
Carey remembered his former fiancee in a Twitter post Monday.
“I hope you’re lucky enough to have someone in your life that loves as much as she did,” he wrote.
TMZ first reported the story.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Robber armed with rifle hits NYC smoke shop, video shows

Two robbers — one armed with a black rifle — held up a Manhattan smoke shop on Monday and made @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The suspects walked into the N & N Delancey Smoke Shop on @ @ @ @ @ in the Lower East Side at about 4:20 p.m. , cops said .
Once inside @ @ @ @ @ stood at the counter and asked for cigarettes while the other robber walked to the @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The second suspect then pulled the rifle and pointed it at @ @ @ @ @ the stick-up shows .
The store worker turned over $ 3,500 , 30 packs of @ @ @ @ @ a cellphone , cops said .
The suspects ran off and have not been caught @ @ @ @ @ in the robbery , police said .

Two robbers — one armed with a black rifle — held up a Manhattan smoke shop on Monday and made off with $3,500, police said.
The suspects walked into the N&N Delancey Smoke Shop on Delancey Street near Allen Street in the Lower East Side at about 4:20 p.m., cops said.
Once inside, one of the suspects stood at the counter and asked for cigarettes while the other robber walked to the other end of the counter, police said.
The second suspect then pulled the rifle and pointed it at the clerk, shouting, “I’m going to kill you, you don’t want to get killed do you? I’m going to kill you right now!” according to police and video of the stick-up.
The store worker turned over $3,500, 30 packs of cigarettes, lottery tickets and a cellphone, cops said.
The suspects ran off and have not been caught. No one was injured in the robbery, police said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy amid rash of sex abuse claims, declining membership

The Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday in an effort to keep operating while thousands of claims of sexual abuse by former members against the national youth group are litigated .
The organization filed for bankruptcy in Delaware early Tuesday , according to court documents .
As a result , all civil suits against the youth organization will be suspended , CNN reported .
Through the bankruptcy filing , the organization will likely have to pay victims , but will also avoid lengthy and damaging jury trials in a number of states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting .
We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children , ” Roger Mosby , the Boy Scouts ’ president and chief executive officer , said in a statement Tuesday .
“ While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered , we believe the Chapter 11 process — with the proposed Trust structure — will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
The Boy Scouts have struggled with declining membership and rising costs , The Post reported earlier this month .
The group has $ 1.4 billion in assets , according to its 2018 tax filing , and would also have to publicize the bankruptcy to reach as many victims as possible , lawyers previously told The Post .

The Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday in an effort to keep operating while thousands of claims of sexual abuse by former members against the national youth group are litigated.
The organization filed for bankruptcy in Delaware early Tuesday, according to court documents. As a result, all civil suits against the youth organization will be suspended, CNN reported.
Through the bankruptcy filing, the organization will likely have to pay victims, but will also avoid lengthy and damaging jury trials in a number of states.
“The BSA cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” Roger Mosby, the Boy Scouts’ president and chief executive officer, said in a statement Tuesday.
“While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process — with the proposed Trust structure — will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA’s important mission,” he added.
The Boy Scouts have struggled with declining membership and rising costs, The Post reported earlier this month. The group has $1.4 billion in assets, according to its 2018 tax filing, and would also have to publicize the bankruptcy to reach as many victims as possible, lawyers previously told The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Return of squeegee men a sign of the decline of de Blasio’s New York

No wonder there ’ s squeegee men and graffiti everywhere .
Summonses for ...

What goes around, comes around — including that venerable symbol of pre-Giuliani municipal disorder, the squeegee man.
So what’s next, trashed autos in West Side Highway pull-off alcoves, no wheels, sitting on cinder blocks and waiting endlessly for a city tow truck?
Hey, why not?
When French tourists can be slashed randomly in Harlem, when double-digit index crime increases are the new normal, and with subway cars serving as rolling homeless shelters, Midtown sidewalk traffic impeded by peddlers’ blankets and public spaces everywhere crammed with aggressive panhandlers, why wouldn’t there be squeegee men in busy intersections — like there were over the past weekend, around the approaches to the Lincoln Tunnel.
Though it’s not just over the weekend, it seems: Neighborhood folks say they’ve been there for some time.
Again, why not? Disorder unresisted is disorder triumphant — or soon to become so. And Bill de Blasio — ideologically blinkered and epically lazy — has shown no appetite whatsoever for pushing back.
Squeegee men essentially are extortionists: They shmush dirty water on your windshield, sort of wipe it off, hold out a hand for a “tip” and are as likely as not to key your car if you don’t cough it up.
It’s an easy field to enter: All one needs is a dirty rag, a squirt bottle of water, a cheap squeegee — and, critically, the tacit acquiescence of the police.
When all that is forthcoming — as it was in the ’80s and early ’90s — the result is a socially debilitating sense of municipal chaos, followed by rising crime of a more serious nature.
Sounds sort of like de Blasioville, 2020.
Case in point: John Jay College is reporting a massive drop in quality-of-life law enforcement since 2017, with high double-digit declines in tickets and arrests for public urination, open-container violations and so on.
Combine that with the de facto decriminalization of both turnstile-jumping and the public use of marijuana — where can one go in Midtown and not smell it? — and why be surprised that some people take it all as permission to flout the law, if not an open invitation?
Then blend in Albany’s misbegotten criminal justice “reforms” and the sharp increase in serious crime noted since New Year’s Day seems almost to have been inevitable.
Indeed, taken against the 27 percent increase in shootings so far this year and the 35 percent hike in robberies, the return of the squeegee men might seem like small beer.
But it’s not. Symbols matter.
Back in the Dinkins era, the ever-present squeegee men broadcast a message: Gotham, a great global city, had all but given up on itself.
And those who took a second look saw the abandoned cars, the cracked-out vagrants arrayed across public spaces and a legion of highly aggressive beggars — a confirmation of surrender.
Sound familiar?
New York’s not quite there yet — thank God for the dramatic decline of crack — but it’s not hard to see the trend lines. That is, the fissures in the facade that signal real crises.
The sad fact is that New Yorkers have elected a political class lacking the fundamental self-respect, and the courage, to stand up to the nihilists now dragging the city down. And, indeed, some of them are nihilists themselves.
Political squeegee men and women, even.
They put up with it, but there’s no reason for hardworking New Yorkers to. Not with any of it.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Quality of life summonses in NYC dropped by half since 2017 reforms, report says

A top Assembly Democrat from Long Island said he wants ...

No wonder there’s squeegee men and graffiti everywhere.
Summonses for quality of life infractions like public urinating, littering and open containers were cut nearly in half since they were decriminalized in 2017, a new report has found.
The Big Apple has seen a 48-percent drop in such citations under the Criminal Reform Act, according to a John Jay College study funded by the Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice.
The law took five infractions — littering, drinking in public, urinating in public, unreasonable noise and parks department violations — and made them largely civil violations that are dealt with in an administrative hearing rather than a courtroom.
That has led to cops writing fewer and fewer summonses.
“Usually when there is a change in the way police deal with a violation — decriminalizes it, like what happened here — there is sort of less of a desire to follow up and issue the summonses,” said Maria Haberfeld, a police science professor at John Jay.
“It’s very hard to convince police that very serious behavior is not serious behavior with reform or by politicians,” Haberfeld said. “It demoralizes them.”
Quality of life summonses had been steadily declining since hitting 210,000 in 2013 — but dipped sharply since the reforms.
On Sunday, The Post reported on the reemergence of panhandling squeegee men in Manhattan, with a trio of the window-washing beggars peddling their services unhampered by police.
A full 87 percent of quality of life summonses in the city are now civil cases that end up before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, where scofflaws are more likely to be sentenced to perform community service or pay fines.
Cops writing tickets for the five infractions still have the option of deeming them criminal summonses — but that’s if the scofflaw in question has an open warrant, is on probation or parole, is facing multiple citations or if the officer has “a legitimate law enforcement reason to issue a criminal summons.”
But giving officers that kind of leeway could also be affecting the number of summonses they’re writing, Haberfeld said.
“When you give them more discretion there is going to be less enforcement,” she said.
“There is a tremendous push for police-community relations, so if you can not issue summonses because it’s not so serious anymore, it’s sort of a conflicting message between improving police-community relations and enforcing.
“Officers do realize fewer summonses equals better police-community relations,” she added.
Still, the 2017 reforms have all but eliminated criminal summonses for quality of life offenses.
According to the report, there were 79,259 criminal citations for the infractions in 2016 — and only 5,486 in 2017, after the law was enacted.
The drop was so radical that one academic questioned the findings.
“Normally, we would call this a reclassification,” said Christopher Hermann, an assistant professor at John Jay. “That’s weird.”
“I’m just wondering if it’s recording or reporting issues,” he said. “We haven’t seen that sort of crime go down.”
Not all five boroughs followed the trend, however.
The report found that law-and-order Staten Island still “issued criminal summonses for CJRA offenses at rates well above the city average.”
State Island’s 120th Precinct accounted for the highest percentage of the post-reform criminal citations, at 6.5 percent.
Manhattan’s 22nd Precinct had the highest percentage of the civil citations, with 8.7 percent, the report said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-18--Man with ‘CRIME PAYS’ tattoo on forehead arrested after police chase

He may have to go into retirement .
For the second time since December , an Indiana man with the @ @ @ @ @ tattooed on his forehead was arrested after leading cops on a car chase , according @ @ @ @ @ , 38 , was busted Monday after leading officers from the Terre Haute Police Department @ @ @ @ @ several Indiana streets , the report said .
He was charged with resisting law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ and auto theft .
Murray was featured on an episode of the TV show “ @ @ @ @ @ November fleeing from cops who spotted him driving without lights .
Police said Murray drove @ @ @ @ @ before running away on foot .
He left behind a passenger who told authorities that @ @ @ @ @ his name .
He was also arrested in December and charged with criminal recklessness and @ @ @ @ @ reported .
He was released from jail on Jan. 14 .

He may have to go into retirement.
For the second time since December, an Indiana man with the words “Crime Pays” tattooed on his forehead was arrested after leading cops on a car chase, according to WTWO.
Donald Murray, 38, was busted Monday after leading officers from the Terre Haute Police Department on a short pursuit through several Indiana streets, the report said.
He was charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and auto theft.
Murray was featured on an episode of the TV show “Live PD” in late November fleeing from cops who spotted him driving without lights.
Police said Murray drove the car into a tree before running away on foot. He left behind a passenger who told authorities that he didn’t know his name.
He was also arrested in December and charged with criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement, WTWO reported.
He was released from jail on Jan. 14.