newyorkpost--2020-07-23--2020 MLB predictions: Dodgers will take NL West crown

Key Player : Mookie Betts .
This was not the season the Dodgers expected when they pulled off the huge trade that brought Betts and David Price from Boston .
Price has already opted out of the season and Betts has less time to make an impact before a presumed postseason berth following five-plus outstanding seasons with the Red Sox .
The 2018 AL MVP should fit right in .
Player who ’ ll need to step up : Julio Urias .
Without Price in the rotation , Los Angeles ’ starting pitching isn ’ t as deep .
Clayton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Walker Buehler emerged as a top-of-the-rotation starter , but Urias , 23 , will need to build on what he did last season .
The lefty has battled shoulder injuries and is set to be a full-time starter in the majors for the first time this year .
Name you ’ ll get to know : Gavin Lux .
If you don ’ t know the name already following Lux ’ s tremendous 2019 , when he dominated in Double-A and Triple-A before making his MLB debut as a September call-up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but was surprisingly optioned to the minors Tuesday after missing some of spring training 2.0 for unspecified reasons .
Biggest question mark : They already had lost Hyun-Jin Ryu , Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill from last year ’ s rotation before Price decided to sit out .
Do they have enough depth to overcome that ?
How it ’ ll go down : Despite the bad luck of an abbreviated season after acquiring Betts , the Dodgers still have a fearsome lineup that includes defending NL MVP Cody Bellinger , Max @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Betts should thrive in his new setting .
Closer Kenley Jansen , who missed the early part of spring training 2.0 with coronavirus , has seen his performance slip each of the last three seasons , but is still effective .
In this weird year , Los Angeles still has a ton of talent that should be enough to get it another division title .
Key Player : Ketel Marte .
The infielder/outfielder had a career year in 2019 and made the All-Star team .
Arizona is looking for Marte , 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lineup that has been boosted with the addition of Starling Marte — no relation — from the Pirates .
Player who ’ ll need to step up : Madison Bumgarner .
One of the most clutch pitchers of his generation , Bumgarner is coming off a solid , but not spectacular final season with the Giants .
Perhaps a change of scenery — and the potential of pitching for a contender again — will rejuvenate Bumgarner , who finished with the highest ERA ( 3.90 ) of his career a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , but has championship pedigree .
Name you ’ ll get to know : Kevin Ginkel .
The right-hander allowed just four earned runs in 24 ¹/₃ innings as a rookie and should get plenty of opportunities this season setting up Archie Bradley .
Biggest question mark : The Diamondbacks have solid starters in Bumgarner and Robbie Ray , but the bullpen has been shaky .
Can the additions of Junior Guerra and Hector Rondon help ?
How it ’ ll go down : Arizona traded Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greinke to Houston last July , yet have been able to remain competitive .
Though the Dodgers are the clear favorite in the division , the addition of Bumgarner to the rotation and Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun to the outfield makes Arizona a threat to get to the playoffs .
And that ’ s especially true if Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar ( 35 homers ) build on what they did a year ago .
Key Player : Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis lived up to expectations in his rookie season , developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league .
The next step for the 21-year-old will be staying on the field for an entire season .
His 2019 season ended in August with a back injury .
Player who ’ ll need to step up : Manny Machado .
He was a disappointment in his first season in San Diego after signing his 10-year , $ 300 million deal , and at 28 , this would have been a huge year for him .
He still needs to make a bigger impact in a shortened 2020 season .
Name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lefty MacKenzie Gore is 21 and was arguably the top minor league pitcher a year ago .
He finished with a 1.69 ERA between two levels , and while he hasn ’ t pitched above Double-A , he is in the Padres ’ 60-player pool .
Biggest question mark : If Machado ’ s first season with the Padres was a concern , Eric Hosmer ’ s start to his career in San Diego has been an even bigger headache .
Still just 29 , Hosmer finished with the highest strikeout rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to make $ 21 million this season before MLB shut down .
How it ’ ll go down : Though the Padres didn ’ t make any huge free-agent splashes in the offseason , they did trade for two outfielders , Tampa Bay ’ s Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham from Milwaukee , who arrived in the deal that also brought right-hander Zach Davies .
Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan were brought in to bolster an already strong bullpen .
They have a new manager in Jayce Tingler , and all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s brightest young stars in Tatis .
Key Player : Nolan Arenado .
The 29-year-old has hit at least 37 homers in each of the past five seasons and signed an eight-year , $ 260 million deal prior to last season to keep him from free agency .
Whether he remains in Colorado for the duration of the contract remains in doubt , however .
Player who ’ ll need to step up : Left-hander Kyle Freeland will have to bounce back from an ugly 2019 ( 3-11 , 6.73 ) to stabilize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jon Gray .
Name you ’ ll get to know : Ryan Rolison .
The 23-year-old right-hander isn ’ t necessarily in Colorado ’ s plans for this season , but the pitching-starved organization has high expectations for its 2018 first-round pick .
Biggest question mark : Colorado ’ s offseason got interesting when its best player , Arenado , expressed displeasure with the front office .
The third baseman is still around — for now .
How it ’ ll go down : The Rockies have some big bats surrounding Arenado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Daniel Murphy .
But Blackmon battled COVID-19 before joining spring training 2.0 late and Murphy ’ s production has fallen off sharply the last two seasons following his pair of monster years with Washington .
Ian Desmond opted out of the season due to coronavirus concerns and veteran outfielder Matt Kemp was brought in on a minor league deal .
It ’ s doubtful the Rockies have enough pitching to get to the playoffs , especially if closer Wade Davis doesn ’ t vastly improve on his horrendous season of a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ERA in 50 appearances .
Key Player : Mauricio Dubon .
Since the Giants appear to be in reboot mode following the loss of Madison Bumgarner and closer Will Smith , they ’ ll be looking for contributions — and the development — of young players like Dubon , 25 .
The versatile Dubon was acquired last July in a deal that sent Drew Pomeranz to Milwaukee .
Player who ’ ll need to step up : Veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto started just 13 games the previous two seasons as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll get to know : Catcher Joey Bart is considered the team ’ s top prospect and he figures to be in the spotlight more in the wake of former NL MVP Buster Posey ’ s decision to sit out the season due to coronavirus concerns .
Biggest question mark : How does new manager Gabe Kapler adjust after being let go by the Phillies and being hired to replace three-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy ?
How it ’ ll go down : The Giants avoided a teardown a year ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zaidi , thanks to a 20-6 run leading up to the trade deadline .
They got to two games over .500 and then stalled .
They were already set for a down season before Posey decided not to play , which figures to make Kapler ’ s job that much harder .
Two of San Francisco ’ s aging veterans , Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria , will start the season on the IL , perhaps opening up spots for other veterans like Pablo Sandoval and Wilmer Flores .
The high-priced Cueto and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While it seems the organization is focused on the future , the front office insists it intends to compete this season .

The Post’s Dan Martin previews the NL West.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
O/U wins: 38
Key Player: Mookie Betts. This was not the season the Dodgers expected when they pulled off the huge trade that brought Betts and David Price from Boston. Price has already opted out of the season and Betts has less time to make an impact before a presumed postseason berth following five-plus outstanding seasons with the Red Sox. The 2018 AL MVP should fit right in immediately — and for 12 more years.
Player who’ll need to step up: Julio Urias. Without Price in the rotation, Los Angeles’ starting pitching isn’t as deep. Clayton Kershaw delivered another stellar season last year and Walker Buehler emerged as a top-of-the-rotation starter, but Urias, 23, will need to build on what he did last season. The lefty has battled shoulder injuries and is set to be a full-time starter in the majors for the first time this year.
Name you’ll get to know: Gavin Lux. If you don’t know the name already following Lux’s tremendous 2019, when he dominated in Double-A and Triple-A before making his MLB debut as a September call-up. The 22-year-old showed promise with Los Angeles, but was surprisingly optioned to the minors Tuesday after missing some of spring training 2.0 for unspecified reasons.
Biggest question mark: They already had lost Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill from last year’s rotation before Price decided to sit out. Do they have enough depth to overcome that?
How it’ll go down: Despite the bad luck of an abbreviated season after acquiring Betts, the Dodgers still have a fearsome lineup that includes defending NL MVP Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Corey Seager and Justin Turner. Betts should thrive in his new setting. Closer Kenley Jansen, who missed the early part of spring training 2.0 with coronavirus, has seen his performance slip each of the last three seasons, but is still effective. In this weird year, Los Angeles still has a ton of talent that should be enough to get it another division title.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
O/U wins: 31
Key Player: Ketel Marte. The infielder/outfielder had a career year in 2019 and made the All-Star team. Arizona is looking for Marte, 26, to be a key part of a lineup that has been boosted with the addition of Starling Marte — no relation — from the Pirates.
Player who’ll need to step up: Madison Bumgarner. One of the most clutch pitchers of his generation, Bumgarner is coming off a solid, but not spectacular final season with the Giants. Perhaps a change of scenery — and the potential of pitching for a contender again — will rejuvenate Bumgarner, who finished with the highest ERA (3.90) of his career a year ago. He’ll turn 31 in August, but has championship pedigree.
Name you’ll get to know: Kevin Ginkel. The right-hander allowed just four earned runs in 24 ¹/₃ innings as a rookie and should get plenty of opportunities this season setting up Archie Bradley.
Biggest question mark: The Diamondbacks have solid starters in Bumgarner and Robbie Ray, but the bullpen has been shaky. Can the additions of Junior Guerra and Hector Rondon help?
How it’ll go down: Arizona traded Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis prior to last season and then shipped Zack Greinke to Houston last July, yet have been able to remain competitive. Though the Dodgers are the clear favorite in the division, the addition of Bumgarner to the rotation and Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun to the outfield makes Arizona a threat to get to the playoffs. And that’s especially true if Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar (35 homers) build on what they did a year ago.
3. San Diego Padres
O/U wins: 31
Key Player: Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis lived up to expectations in his rookie season, developing into one of the top shortstops in the league. The next step for the 21-year-old will be staying on the field for an entire season. His 2019 season ended in August with a back injury.
Player who’ll need to step up: Manny Machado. He was a disappointment in his first season in San Diego after signing his 10-year, $300 million deal, and at 28, this would have been a huge year for him. He still needs to make a bigger impact in a shortened 2020 season.
Name you’ll get to know: Lefty MacKenzie Gore is 21 and was arguably the top minor league pitcher a year ago. He finished with a 1.69 ERA between two levels, and while he hasn’t pitched above Double-A, he is in the Padres’ 60-player pool.
Biggest question mark: If Machado’s first season with the Padres was a concern, Eric Hosmer’s start to his career in San Diego has been an even bigger headache. Still just 29, Hosmer finished with the highest strikeout rate of his career a year ago and was set to make $21 million this season before MLB shut down.
How it’ll go down: Though the Padres didn’t make any huge free-agent splashes in the offseason, they did trade for two outfielders, Tampa Bay’s Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham from Milwaukee, who arrived in the deal that also brought right-hander Zach Davies. Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan were brought in to bolster an already strong bullpen. They have a new manager in Jayce Tingler, and all of that surrounds one of the game’s brightest young stars in Tatis.
4. Colorado Rockies
O/U wins: 27
Key Player: Nolan Arenado. The 29-year-old has hit at least 37 homers in each of the past five seasons and signed an eight-year, $260 million deal prior to last season to keep him from free agency. Whether he remains in Colorado for the duration of the contract remains in doubt, however.
Player who’ll need to step up: Left-hander Kyle Freeland will have to bounce back from an ugly 2019 (3-11, 6.73) to stabilize a rotation that also features German Marquez and Jon Gray.
Name you’ll get to know: Ryan Rolison. The 23-year-old right-hander isn’t necessarily in Colorado’s plans for this season, but the pitching-starved organization has high expectations for its 2018 first-round pick.
Biggest question mark: Colorado’s offseason got interesting when its best player, Arenado, expressed displeasure with the front office. The third baseman is still around — for now.
How it’ll go down: The Rockies have some big bats surrounding Arenado, including Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon and Daniel Murphy. But Blackmon battled COVID-19 before joining spring training 2.0 late and Murphy’s production has fallen off sharply the last two seasons following his pair of monster years with Washington. Ian Desmond opted out of the season due to coronavirus concerns and veteran outfielder Matt Kemp was brought in on a minor league deal. It’s doubtful the Rockies have enough pitching to get to the playoffs, especially if closer Wade Davis doesn’t vastly improve on his horrendous season of a year ago, when he had an 8.65 ERA in 50 appearances.
5. San Francisco Giants
O/U wins: 24
Key Player: Mauricio Dubon. Since the Giants appear to be in reboot mode following the loss of Madison Bumgarner and closer Will Smith, they’ll be looking for contributions — and the development — of young players like Dubon, 25. The versatile Dubon was acquired last July in a deal that sent Drew Pomeranz to Milwaukee.
Player who’ll need to step up: Veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto started just 13 games the previous two seasons as a result of Tommy John surgery.
Name you’ll get to know: Catcher Joey Bart is considered the team’s top prospect and he figures to be in the spotlight more in the wake of former NL MVP Buster Posey’s decision to sit out the season due to coronavirus concerns.
Biggest question mark: How does new manager Gabe Kapler adjust after being let go by the Phillies and being hired to replace three-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy?
How it’ll go down: The Giants avoided a teardown a year ago, the first season under team president Farhan Zaidi, thanks to a 20-6 run leading up to the trade deadline. They got to two games over .500 and then stalled. They were already set for a down season before Posey decided not to play, which figures to make Kapler’s job that much harder. Two of San Francisco’s aging veterans, Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria, will start the season on the IL, perhaps opening up spots for other veterans like Pablo Sandoval and Wilmer Flores. The high-priced Cueto and Jeff Samardzija will lead the rotation. While it seems the organization is focused on the future, the front office insists it intends to compete this season.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Comic-Con@Home Kicks Off Thursday With Star Trek and ‘New Mutants’

Who needs to go to San Diego ?
Not you , not when Comic-Con International is all digital all week long .
This year , Comic-Con @ Home is filling the void left by the cancellation of the San Diego pop culture event , and it ’ s doing so by beaming hundreds of panels to homes across the globe via YouTube .
There ’ s a lot to wade through just on Thursday alone .
The lineup of star-studded panels include hourlong dives into fan favorites like Superstore and Mystery Science Theater 3000 , as well as explorations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But if you don ’ t have a ton of time to kill on Thursday and are looking for the panels with the most buzz , these are the ones you should consider logging into .
And of course , you can always check out all of the TV and movie panels scheduled for Comic-Con @ Home .
And if you miss a panel , it ’ ll be waiting for you on the Comic-Con YouTube channel to watch at your convenience !
You ready to see what ’ s in store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here are Thursday ’ s highlights .

Who needs to go to San Diego? Not you, not when Comic-Con International is all digital all week long. This year, Comic-Con@Home is filling the void left by the cancellation of the San Diego pop culture event, and it’s doing so by beaming hundreds of panels to homes across the globe via YouTube.
There’s a lot to wade through just on Thursday alone. The lineup of star-studded panels include hourlong dives into fan favorites like Superstore and Mystery Science Theater 3000, as well as explorations of new shows like Utopia and Solar Opposites. But if you don’t have a ton of time to kill on Thursday and are looking for the panels with the most buzz, these are the ones you should consider logging into. And of course, you can always check out all of the TV and movie panels scheduled for Comic-Con@Home. And if you miss a panel, it’ll be waiting for you on the Comic-Con YouTube channel to watch at your convenience!
You ready to see what’s in store for Comic-Con@Home attendees today? Here are Thursday’s highlights.
1:00 PM ET — Star Trek Universe Virtual Panel Star Trek fans, your Comic-Con essentially begins and ends with this all-encompassing, truly legendary Star Trek panel that boldly goes. The casts and crews of three CBS All Access Star Trek series—Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks—will all dial in for the panel presentation. The Discovery cast will perform a table read of the Season 2 finale, Lower Decks EP Mike McMahan will show off an extended first look at the premiere episode, and the Picard cast will reunite to spill the tea on all things Picard Season 1. Stream the Star Trek Universe Comic-Con panel
5:00 PM ET — The New Mutants X-Men fans have waited years for the New Mutants to blast onto the silver screen, and they just can’t seem to get liftoff. At least there’s a Comic-Con@Home panel for the Fox/Marvel movie, one featuring writer/director Josh Boone and the up-and-coming cast of new mutants: Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), Blu Hunt (Another Life), and Henry Zaga (Looking for Alaska). With COVID-19 keeping New Mutants out of theaters for the foreseeable future, though, there’s plenty of speculation that the film’s arrival at Comic-Con could come with a big reveal. Is New Mutants going to Disney+ or getting a VOD release? You’ll have to tune in and see. Stream the New Mutants Comic-Con panel


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Anthony Fauci doesn’t believe coronavirus will ever be eradicated

Illicit merchants are selling personal data for thousands of Instacart ...

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Dr. Anthony Fauci said he doesn’t believe coronavirus will ever be eradicated — given how quickly the contagion spreads among humans.
“I don’t see this disappearing the way SARS 1 did,” Fauci said Wednesday at a livestreamed event hosted by TB Alliance, a nonprofit that researches treatments for tuberculosis.
“The reason I say that is it is so efficient in its ability to transmit from human to human that I think we ultimately will get control of it,” the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases added. “I don’t really see us eradicating it.”
Fauci said getting the coronavirus pandemic to a manageable point relies on three things.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement Dr. Anthony Fauci Kevin Dietsch/Pool via REUTERS People wear protective face masks on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Noam Galai/Getty Images Advertisement A waiter wearing a protective mask serves drinks outside a restaurant on July 21, 2020, in New York City. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images Advertisement
“I think with a combination of good public health measures, a degree of global herd immunity and a good vaccine — which I do hope and feel cautiously optimistic that we will get — I think when you put all three of those together, I think we will get very good control of this,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Judge to rule whether Ghislaine Maxwell court documents should be unsealed

A Manhattan judge will rule Thursday on whether to unseal dozens of court documents that could expose a number of names linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell .
Maxwell is fighting against the disclosure of the roughly 80 documents — which are part of a since-settled 2015 defamation lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre .
The filings include part of a seven-hour , 418-page deposition Maxwell gave in 2016 , in which her lawyers say she was subjected to “ intrusive ” questions about her sex life .
They also include flight logs and police reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2007 to state prostitution charges in exchange for 13 months in jail .
Maxwell ’ s lawyers have argued that unsealing the documents could jeopardize Maxwell ’ s criminal sex abuse case and expose many “ non-parties.
” “ The subject matter … is extremely personal , confidential and subject to considerable abuse by the media , ” Maxwell ’ s lawyer Jeffrey Pagliuca wrote last month .
Maxwell testified that a “ very small part ” of her job was to find “ adult professional massage therapists ” for Epstein , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuffre was 17 when she says she was recruited to give Epstein massages in Florida and allegedly sexually abused by him .
“ So she was 17 .
At 17 you are allowed to be a professional masseuse and as far as I ’ m concerned , she was a professional masseuse , ” Maxwell said in the deposition .
“ There is nothing inappropriate or incorrect about her coming at that time to give a massage.
” That portion of the testimony was among some 2,000 documents unsealed — a day before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on sex-trafficking charges .
Manhattan federal court Judge Loretta Preska will make her ruling at a teleconference hearing Thursday morning .
Maxwell is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following her July 2 arrest on charges she recruited and groomed young women to be sexually abused by Epstein .
Prosecutors say she also took part in some of the abuse .

A Manhattan judge will rule Thursday on whether to unseal dozens of court documents that could expose a number of names linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell is fighting against the disclosure of the roughly 80 documents — which are part of a since-settled 2015 defamation lawsuit filed by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
The filings include part of a seven-hour, 418-page deposition Maxwell gave in 2016, in which her lawyers say she was subjected to “intrusive” questions about her sex life.
They also include flight logs and police reports from Florida, where Epstein pleaded guilty in 2007 to state prostitution charges in exchange for 13 months in jail.
Maxwell’s lawyers have argued that unsealing the documents could jeopardize Maxwell’s criminal sex abuse case and expose many “non-parties.”
“The subject matter … is extremely personal, confidential and subject to considerable abuse by the media,” Maxwell’s lawyer Jeffrey Pagliuca wrote last month.
Maxwell testified that a “very small part” of her job was to find “adult professional massage therapists” for Epstein, her longtime pal and former boyfriend.
Giuffre was 17 when she says she was recruited to give Epstein massages in Florida and allegedly sexually abused by him.
“So she was 17. At 17 you are allowed to be a professional masseuse and as far as I’m concerned, she was a professional masseuse,” Maxwell said in the deposition. “There is nothing inappropriate or incorrect about her coming at that time to give a massage.”
That portion of the testimony was among some 2,000 documents unsealed — a day before Epstein hanged himself in jail while locked up on sex-trafficking charges.
Manhattan federal Judge Loretta Preska will make her ruling at a teleconference hearing Thursday morning.
Maxwell is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following her July 2 arrest on charges she recruited and groomed young women to be sexually abused by Epstein. Prosecutors say she also took part in some of the abuse.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Instacart user data reportedly for sale on dark web at $2 per account

Illicit merchants are selling personal data for thousands of Instacart users on the dark web at bargain-bin prices , a new report says .
Information for as many as 278,531 of the grocery delivery service ’ s accounts — including names , order histories , email addresses and partial credit card numbers — was on sale in two dark web stores for roughly $ 2 a pop , BuzzFeed News reported Wednesday .
The trove of accounts appeared to include people who had used Instacart as recently as Tuesday , though some of them could be duplicates or “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sellers reportedly began uploading the data in June and appeared to continue adding listings into this week — but it ’ s uncertain where the data came from or how it was obtained .
Instacart did not immediately respond to The Post ’ s request for comment Thursday morning .
But the San Francisco-based startup told BuzzFeed that it had not suffered a data breach , though hackers may have targeted individual users with “ phishing or credential stuffing techniques.
” Phishing is a form of cyberattack in which hackers use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while credential stuffing uses known pairs of usernames and passwords to break into user accounts .
“ In instances where we believe a customer ’ s account may have been compromised through an external phishing scam outside of the Instacart platform or other action , we proactively communicate to our customers to auto-force them to update their password , ” an Instacart spokesperson told BuzzFeed .
The incident also appeared to affect only a subset of Instacart ’ s users — the company had “ millions of customers ” in the US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BuzzFeed .
But some customers whose data was listed for sale reportedly said Instacart should have told them if it knew their data had been harvested .
“ It ’ s hard to know what to say , not knowing if it ’ s a result of [ Instacart ’ s ] negligence , ” one user , Hannah Chester , told BuzzFeed .
“ But if they ’ re aware that this happened and haven ’ t informed us , that ’ s problematic.
” Instacart ’ s business has boomed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for grocery delivery to surge .
The firm announced last month that it had raised $ 225 million in new financing , growing its valuation to $ 13.7 billion .

Illicit merchants are selling personal data for thousands of Instacart users on the dark web at bargain-bin prices, a new report says.
Information for as many as 278,531 of the grocery delivery service’s accounts — including names, order histories, email addresses and partial credit card numbers — was on sale in two dark web stores for roughly $2 a pop, BuzzFeed News reported Wednesday.
The trove of accounts appeared to include people who had used Instacart as recently as Tuesday, though some of them could be duplicates or “not genuine,” according to the outlet.
The sellers reportedly began uploading the data in June and appeared to continue adding listings into this week — but it’s uncertain where the data came from or how it was obtained.
San Francisco-based Instacart said its platform was not breached, though hackers may have targeted individual users with “phishing or credential stuffing techniques.”
Phishing is a form of cyberattack in which hackers use bogus emails to get personal information, while credential stuffing uses known pairs of usernames and passwords — often obtained from previous data breaches — to break into accounts.
“In instances where we believe a customer’s account may have been compromised through an external phishing scam outside of the Instacart platform or other action, we proactively communicate to our customers to auto-force them to update their password,” an Instacart spokesperson said in a statement.
The incident also appeared to affect only a subset of Instacart’s users — the company had “millions of customers” in the US and Canada as of April, according to BuzzFeed.
But some customers whose data was listed for sale reportedly said Instacart should have told them if it knew their data had been harvested.
“It’s hard to know what to say, not knowing if it’s a result of [Instacart’s] negligence,” one user, Hannah Chester, told BuzzFeed. “But if they’re aware that this happened and haven’t informed us, that’s problematic.”
Instacart’s customer support service told Chester that she was likely affected because she reused a password across her online accounts — but she said she doesn’t do that, according to BuzzFeed.
Instacart’s business has boomed as the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns caused demand for grocery delivery to surge. The firm announced last month that it had raised $225 million in new financing, growing its valuation to $13.7 billion.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Gorgeous Grandma Day: Celebrating sexy real-life grandmas like Martha Stewart

America ’ s favorite homemaker is looking more like a homewrecker .

Call the Slay-A-R-P!
Not that you need an occasion to celebrate hot grandmas, but we’ve got one: July 23 is National Gorgeous Grandma Day.
Indeed, celebs seem to have been priming us for the holiday with sexy Instagram snaps. Martha Stewart, a 78-year-old grandmother of two, posted a pouty photo of herself wearing icy lipstick and eyeshadow in her pool, and earned more than 147,000 likes and comments praising her as a “queen.”
And actresses Susan Lucci, 73, and Jane Seymour, 69, sent out steamy swimsuit snaps earlier this month. “All My Chlidren” star Lucci, who has four grandkids, wore a sleek, black one-piece she first donned in a 2018 photoshoot for Harper’s Bazaar. “I feel as good now as I ever did in my 20s and 30s, maybe even better physically,” she said at the time.
And Seymour, a former Bond Girl and a grandma of six, posed confidently in a scarlet strapless suit by the pool in Malibu.
Today, The Post celebrates a handful of bodacious bubbes from all over the country who are sizzling this summer.
Sandi Feinberg, 76
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Sandi Feinberg Sandi Feinberg Sandi Feinberg Sandi Feinberg Advertisement
“Some people think I’m the mom of my 17-year-old grandson,” said Feinberg, a longtime Upper East Sider and grandmother of four who’s been married for 31 years to her second husband.
During al fresco breakfasts at the Mark Hotel, Feinberg wears her leather shorts, heels and signature sunglasses and watches the reaction. “Heads still turn,” said the lifelong fashionista and former handbag designer.
“Today, I feel better and sexier than ever. I’m so sure of who I am and sure of my look,” she said. “I dress as young as my 12- and 14-year-old granddaughters, who want to borrow my clothes and love to shop with me.”
Despite her love of fashion, she’s not a girly-girl: A 30-year Knicks season ticket holder, Feinberg says people are often impressed with her sports know-how.
And she’s got moves: “All four grandkids say I’m cool and sexy, but I still play basketball and teach them to tango.”
Antonia Martinez, 52
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Antonia Martinez Antonia Martinez Antonia Martinez Antonia Martinez Advertisement
The grandmother of three and Mexico native modeled in her teens, but “she’s every bit as sexy now,” said her son Antonio Estrada, who is a fashion designer. “She wears bikinis and crop tops. She’s a smoke show.”
The single mother of five, who had her first child at 17, devoted her life to her children. “She’s finally living in her 50s,” added Estrada of his beauty-queen mom, who still enters local pageants.
Martinez’s routine would make most millennials blush: She wakes up at 5 a.m. and climbs San Diego’s San Miguel Mountain for four hours a day, five days a week. For Martinez, getting older isn’t a punishment. “The more I age, the more beautiful I feel. I feel more beautiful on every birthday,” she said. “I don’t limit myself based on my age.”
Diane Sweet Friedewald, 55
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A self-described “bon vivant,” the jazz blues singer, who lives in Chelsea, has no trouble keeping up with her granddaughter Ava, 6. “I’ve taught her how to skateboard. I did it when I was a kid and when I bought her her first one, I bought myself one, too,” Friedewald said, adding, “I’m kind of a young grandma.”
Her fountain-of-youth secret? “I drink tons of water and always have. It’s so important to flush out the toxins,” said Friedewald, who normally works out about 20 hours a week — she’s also a personal trainer who sees private clients — and loves to bike ride around the city with Ava.
“I put her on the back seat of my bike and we go.”
Tumia Stokes, 47
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“I feel sexier and more focused as a grandmother,” said Stokes, a mother of three who lives in Atlanta and has a 5-year-old granddaughter.
The flamboyant and outgoing travel blogger, who is vacationing in Jamaica, admitted that her 28-year-old daughter is her “opposite — no visible tattoos and very soft-spoken. No one believes she’s my child.” She also has a 31-year-old son who people assume is her husband when they’re out together. “People are shocked” when they find out she’s his mom.
Being a grandma has also upped her swagger. “Since I was 15, I had chores, diaper bags, purses and car seats all the time,” she said. “I feel younger now; I’ve learned how to sway with a sexy walk in my old age, hands free.”
Randi Luxenberg, 60
The Great Neck, LI, resident earned the nickname “Sexygrandi,” a play on her name and her status as grandma to her 1-year-old grandson, whom she loves “more than anything in the world.”
“I’m always a party girl,” she said. “I’m always the first on the dance floor for a wedding or bat mitzvah.”
And Luxenberg’s home is turning into quite the scene: Her entire family moved in during lockdown, swelling her two-person household — she lives with her husband of 35 years — to eight.
“She’s wild, fun and super kind,” said friend Kim Towers, owner of Runway Couture dress shop in Bellmore, LI, who’s made dozens of couture dresses for her. ”She’s Long Island’s version of Carrie Bradshaw. She’s totally glam and has a grand personality, too.”
Luxenberg said she’s hit her stride at 60. “I take more risks now,” she said. “I’m confident. I’m not afraid to get what I want.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Dave Franco set to play rapper Vanilla Ice in an ‘Extreme’ biopic

Dave Franco confirmed he will portray Vanilla Ice in an upcoming biopic that puts a “ Disaster Artist ” -like spin on the story of the “ Ice Ice Baby ” rapper .
The film “ To the Extreme ” was originally revealed via casting notice in January 2019 , but the biopic has not yet started production .
However , Franco spoke for the first time about playing Vanilla Ice in an interview with Insider .
Franco likened the tone of “ To the Extreme ” to that of “ The Disaster Artist , ” a film directed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franco brothers as the duo responsible for the beloved terrible movie “ The Room.
” “ With [ ‘ The Disaster Artist ’ ] , people expected us to make a broad comedy where we make fun of [ ‘ The Room ‘ director ] Tommy Wiseau , but the more real we played it , the funnier and heartfelt it was — that ’ s the tone we want for this one as well , ” Franco told Insider .
The film — named after Rob “ Vanilla Ice ” Van Winkle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently in preproduction due to the pandemic , with Franco saying he regularly calls the rapper .
“ Rob is such a sweet and intelligent guy and he ’ s been super helpful in the process of getting all the details correct and making us privy to information the public doesn ’ t know , ” Franco said .
“ Just talking to him I can ’ t help but think about the rabbit holes I ’ m going to go down to get ready for the role.
” In January 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listing ’ s logline read , “ From a high school dropout selling cars in Dallas to having the first hip-hop single to top the Billboard charts with ‘ Ice Ice Baby , ’ a young Vanilla Ice struggles with stardom , extortion attempts and selling out as he makes music history .
”

Dave Franco confirmed he will portray Vanilla Ice in an upcoming biopic that puts a “Disaster Artist”-like spin on the story of the “Ice Ice Baby” rapper.
The film “To the Extreme” was originally revealed via casting notice in January 2019, but the biopic has not yet started production. However, Franco spoke for the first time about playing Vanilla Ice in an interview with Insider.
Franco likened the tone of “To the Extreme” to that of “The Disaster Artist,” a film directed by his brother James Franco and starring the Franco brothers as the duo responsible for the beloved terrible movie “The Room.”
“With [‘The Disaster Artist’], people expected us to make a broad comedy where we make fun of [‘The Room ‘director] Tommy Wiseau, but the more real we played it, the funnier and heartfelt it was — that’s the tone we want for this one as well,” Franco told Insider.
The film — named after Rob “Vanilla Ice” Van Winkle’s 1990 debut album — is currently in preproduction due to the pandemic, with Franco saying he regularly calls the rapper. “Rob is such a sweet and intelligent guy and he’s been super helpful in the process of getting all the details correct and making us privy to information the public doesn’t know,” Franco said. “Just talking to him I can’t help but think about the rabbit holes I’m going to go down to get ready for the role.”
In January 2019, the “To the Extreme” casting listing’s logline read, “From a high school dropout selling cars in Dallas to having the first hip-hop single to top the Billboard charts with ‘Ice Ice Baby,’ a young Vanilla Ice struggles with stardom, extortion attempts and selling out as he makes music history.”
Franco’s directorial debut “The Rental” arrives this weekend via video-on-demand.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Sneak peek: Fox to use virtual fans for MLB broadcasts

Mets fans may not be able to attend any games ...

Fox will utilize virtual fans for its MLB game broadcasts beginning Saturday.
The use of augmented reality is designed to make viewers feel as if telecasts are as normal as possible, despite the ongoing pandemic that has left ballparks empty.
“The original concept sounds like something that would never even happen — pie in the sky,” Fox Sports executive vice president Brad Zager told The Post. “Pretty quick after this pandemic hit we thought we could be in a position to produce games without crowds.
“We were dead set on trying to make the broadcast with no crowd feel as authentic and organic as possible. We want to give people an escape.”
Zager provided The Post a sneak peek of what augmented reality is and, while not perfect, it does look realistic.
When you contrast with the view of an empty stadium or cardboard cutouts, the experience probably will be superior.
That said, we will reserve full judgment as we only saw a 90-second demonstration.
Fox also is working with the NFL, which could implement it on games if, as it appears now, most, if not all, could be crowd-less.
“We will learn a lot,” Zager said. “The NFL has been partnering with us and knows where we are in this process, and we will continue to work with them as we get closer to NFL season in rolling it out there, if we do.”
Three weeks ago, Fox, led by senior vice president of graphic technology & integration Zac Fields and their partners on the project, Silver Spoon Animation and SMT, along with MLB, sent officials to Chase Field in Phoenix to see what a virtual crowd would look like during a game. The technology gives the network ways to make the look more appealing.
Saturday’s Yankees-Nationals telecast will feature virtual fans and Fox can gear it the way it pleases.
Fox has the ability to decide the attendance. At Nationals Park on Saturday, it can program whether it wants 30 percent or whatever of the crowd to be Yankees fans.
The fans will dress according to the weather and will show emotion depending on what happens in the game. They could do the wave.
They will not be able to catch a home run ball or, when the Yankees are at home, do a Bleacher Creature chant yet.
There may be critics of adding fans, feeling it is not authentic, and perhaps starting a slippery slope. Fox will not have any permanent graphic that remains up that says “video enhanced,” which we would recommend. Fox’s broadcasters will acknowledge the use of the virtual fans.
“It is not like we are trying to make people feel like there is a crowd there,” Zager said. “We are trying to make them feel that in the normal pitch-by-pitch, shot-by-shot baseball it is what they are used to. We aren’t trying to fool anyone.”
As of now, no other networks are using virtual fans. ESPN, TBS, YES, SNY and all other RSNs will have cardboard cutouts or empty seats. When asked if others would be able to utilize it if it were a success, Zager said he had not thought about it, but seemed open.
“We are good partners with Major League Baseball,” Zager said. “We would work with people if they wanted to adapt also.”
On MLS, Fox has added crowd noise, while ESPN has tried to pick up more of what players and coaches are saying. The added fan chants are superior as, without it, the MLS games feel too much like a random college game you might watch on ESPN+.
For the NBA, hearing players mic’d up may be really good as basketball is more suited for conversations and trash talk than a more spread out game, like soccer.
The response of many soccer fans watching the added sound on MLS or NBC’s Premier League is the enhanced sound becomes unnoticeable after a little bit.
Zager said he is hoping the same impact can happen now with video, though Fox is not trying to trick anyone.
“When people see it I think there is a comfort to seeing sports the way you are used to seeing them in a time like right now,” Zager said. “What sports are is an escape to all the things that are going in the world. We want to make this escape right now as close as it was before and have as much fun as possible.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--2020 MLB predictions: Joe Maddon’s Angels are playoff contenders

Instead of baseball ’ s traditional marathon , its 2020 season will be ...

The Post’s Ken Davidoff previews the AL West.
1. Oakland A’s
O/U wins: 33 ¹/₂
Key player: RHP Mike Fiers. Remember when he was more famous than Dr. Anthony Fauci? The whistleblower in the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal now goes back to work — in a free-agent year, to boot — with considerably less fanfare. Perhaps that will make it easier for him to replicate his strong 2019, when he became Oakland’s most reliable starting pitcher.
Player who’ll need to step up: DH Khris Davis became a metronome of production, exceeding the 40-homer mark from 2016 through 2018 — not to mention the same exact .247 batting average from ’15 through ’18 — and that earned him some multiyear security (through 2021) last year, at which point he plummeted to 23 homers and a lowly .679 OPS. The A’s need more from him.
Name you’ll get to know: You might already know LHP Jesus Luzardo, as he has been a hot shot before — and occupied this precise space last year — and appeared in six big-league games last season after a pair of injuries had slowed him down. Now the A’s want him to be part of their starting rotation.
Biggest question mark: Do they have enough behind the plate? Rookie C Sean Murphy, a touted youngster in his own right, will get the first shot. He has 20 games of major league experience on his résumé.
How it’ll go down: No club is better positioned to capitalize on the Astros’ tumult — which exists thanks to Fiers — than these guys, who are stacked for a real October run. Most Valuable Player candidates 3B Matt Chapman and SS Marcus Semien (in his walk year) will lead the charge to a fun mini-season on California’s East Bay.
2. Los Angeles Angels
O/U wins: 30 ¹/₂
Key player: OF Mike Trout. Yes, yes, we can slap this label on him every season, but this unprecedented campaign stands out because of Trout’s admirable public trepidation over playing this season due to his wife being pregnant. No intelligent person will think less of Trout if he opts out, yet such an action would, obviously, dramatically hurt this team’s 2020 hopes.
Player who’ll need to step up: SS Andrelton Simmons played in only 103 games last year due to a left ankle injury and, when healthy enough to take the field, didn’t honor his own standards. In his walk year, turning 31 in September, can he regain his groove that earned him some MVP love in 2013, 2017 and 2018?
Name you’ll get to know: OF Jo Adell is the Angels’ future star you’re looking for, the key to general manager Billy Eppler’s five-year rebuilding effort. The only upside of a Trout opt-out would be a clear opportunity for Adell.
Biggest question mark: It’s always the starting rotation. Last year, Eppler imported veteran RHPs Trevor Cahill and Matt Harvey and saw both bomb. This time, it’s veteran RHPs Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran getting turns. The most important arm, however, figures to be that of RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani, who is back from Tommy John surgery and intends to resume his double-threat ways.
How it’ll go down: New manager Joe Maddon might just be a great fit for this mix of veterans and youngsters that is aiming high, all the more so after convincing 3B Anthony Rendon to join them for big bucks. The Angels should at least be in the postseason mix after four straight losing campaigns.
3. Texas Rangers
O/U wins: 28
Key player: RHP Corey Kluber, acquired from the Indians last December, will be counted on to reach back to his Cy Young ways after an injury-shortened 2019 and help lead a starting rotation that kept the Rangers afloat for a while last year. He has a team option for next year that can serve as further incentive.
Player who’ll need to step up: While 2B Rougned Odor never has been an offensive juggernaut, his defense slipped last year, turning his value into replacement level. On a team that will ride its arms to whatever success is possible, Odor must regain the prowess with his glove.
Name you’ll get to know: DH/IF Nick Solak, a Yankees draft pick from 2016, enjoyed a cup of coffee last year and might be able to provide a boost to a lineup that could use some pop. He has jumped from the Yankees to the Rays to the Rangers for this opportunity.
Biggest question mark: It’s not a terrible one: Can LHP Mike Minor and RHP Lance Lynn come close to repeating the ace-like production they surprisingly supplied last year? Can lightning strike twice? If it does but the Rangers still don’t contend, Minor, in the last year of his contract, can be a trade chip when many teams figure to be in the race considering the length of the schedule.
How it’ll go down: The Rangers can clock another interesting, forward-moving year if Kluber proves 2019 to be the aberration. While a playoff bid feels unlikely, don’t entirely rule out a group with this sort of pitching, especially if OF/DH Joey Gallo is OK after a coronavirus scare.
4. Houston Astros
O/U wins: 34 ¹/₂
Key player: RHP Justin Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, must keep dominating at age 37 now that his co-ace Gerrit Cole has fled to The Bronx. His spring training 1.0 was disrupted by a lat injury, which also wound up impacting his groin.
Player who’ll need to step up: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. missed all of last year rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery and will be counted on to provide innings with not only Cole but also LHP Wade Miley departing.
Name you’ll get to know: While RHP Forrest Whitley endured a rough 2019 in the minor leagues, the Astros’ pitching needs and this odd campaign could afford him a chance to show his stuff at the highest level.
Biggest question mark: It’s a macro one. Can the Astros continue their five-year reign of excellence after a pair of scandals compelled them to fire their top two baseball operations officials as well as their manager? Dusty Baker replaced A.J. Hinch in the manager’s office for his knack at providing calm amidst a storm. Will that be enough when you throw in the losses they suffered to their starting rotation?
How it’ll go down: There’s no doubt, as crude as it sounds, that the ’Stros benefited from the pandemic shutdown, which gave the world bigger fish to fry and bans paying crowds from the ballparks. But that doesn’t mean they can pick up like everything is fine. They are a wounded franchise and they’ll need time to recover, no matter how much talent they field in their everyday lineup. At least their recovery will occur out of the spotlight, relatively speaking.
5. Seattle Mariners
O/U wins: 23
Key player: LHP Justus Sheffield. He was the main piece the Mariners received from the Yankees in the trade for James Paxton, and he experienced a rough introduction to the Pacific Northwest, registering a 5.50 ERA. Seattle needs far more of its youngsters to emerge and Sheffield stands as important as any of them.
Player who’ll need to step up: OF Mallex Smith established himself as a good all-around outfielder with the Rays, only to fall on his face last year upon getting traded to the Mariners. Perhaps being more acclimated to the team and ballpark will help.
Name you’ll get to know: Will this be the year for OF Jarred Kelenic, whom Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen disposed of quickly after arriving, only to see him further blossom while Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz underwhelmed? In ordinary times, the 21-year-old Kelenic, who finished his 2019 with a 21-game stint for Double-A Arkansas, probably would take another season to refine his skills. With no minor league ball, however, why shouldn’t the M’s let Kelenic get at least a taste of the big leagues?
Biggest question mark: When does the payoff come? GM Jerry DiPoto engineered a teardown , highlighted by the Mets trade, after the 2018 campaign, and he has restocked a gutted farm system. When does that system start reaping dividends? More likely than not, 2021 or later.
How it’ll go down: Teams like the Mariners really suffer from the absence of minor league competition, which would at least give the fan base something to follow and dream on. Instead, the diehards can watch the big-league club stagger to a second straight finish in the cellar.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Amber Heard once compared Johnny Depp to her ‘violent’ dad, texts reveal

“ We were in an argument about whether he was going ...

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Johnny Depp made Amber Heard’s “violent,” alcoholic father “look like a saint,” the actress told a UK court Thursday, claiming she tried to hide her hubby’s unhinged behavior so the “world” wouldn’t know the “monster” he could become.
The “Aquaman” actress, 34, told her mother, Paige, that the star was like “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” according to texts revealed during Depp’s blockbuster libel trial in London’s High Court.
“He makes dad look like a saint when he falls off the wagon,” Heard wrote on March 23, 2013.
Heard on Thursday also described the path of destruction that Depp, 57, left during a series of alleged assaults that she previously referred to as a “three-day hostage situation.”
She said Depp, who she claimed was on the drug MDMA and drinking heavily during the bender, was “out of his mind” at their rental home, scrawling “messages in paint and blood.”
“When I first opened the door that last morning, there was what appears to be mashed potatoes and gravy or something rubbed all over the door,” Heard told the court.
“I remember there was a bird, which scared me to death,” she continued, adding that it likely flew in through a broken window.
Heard said there was “blood, tons of, like, painting, blood on the walls” and raw meat on the floor, as well as “hidden in places.”
“I found raw meat, at first I didn’t know what it was, on the floor,” Heard said.
She said that when she got downstairs, Depp was playing “death metal, blasting really loud” and she could see “tons of broken glass.”
“There was so much glass on the floor I could barely find a pathway to walk,” she said.
The court heard that Heard previously witnessed violence at home growing up.
Heard told the court that her father, David, “struggled with alcohol and drug abuse issues his whole life.”
“He is an addict and an alcoholic and he was very violent but I love him very much,” she said.
Heard said she reached out to her mom after one of Depp’s alleged benders in March 2015 because she wanted “someone to talk to who might understand first hand how it was.”
“My father was violent to my mother growing up,” Heard told the court. “They loved each other but he was very violent to her until the end … she passed away.”
In other messages from the same evening, the actress told her mom that Depp was experiencing “crazy mood swings,” adding that his “binges are really difficult for me to handle.”
“I feel like I’m on a very fast train that’s about to explode, but I don’t want to jump off and leave my love behind,” she wrote.
“So I stay on the train, even though I know it’s about to explode.”
Heard told her mom the “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor was a “madman” — but insisted he was not physically abusive with her.
“It’s ok mom. He’s not being violent with me. He’s just even raging in general,” she wrote.
The “Justice League” actress, however, denied in court that she was being truthful with her mother, saying she “just didn’t want her to tell my dad.”
“I felt safe to tell my mother, but I didn’t know how my dad would react,” she said. “I had never been in this situation before and I didn’t know if he would react violently … to Johnny.”
Heard — who wrapped up her testimony Thursday — said she never wanted a public airing of the details of her tumultuous marriage to the actor, who she has claimed would take on the persona of a “monster.”
“I didn’t want to put Johnny (in a position) where the world or his kids would know fully what he was or what he could do. It’s embarrassing,” Heard told the court.
Heard, who wed the Oscar nominee in 2015, said she didn’t want to be in court and just wanted her ex to “leave me alone.”
“I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to expose the totality of what really happened to me,” she said.
Heard has accused him of being violent toward her more than a dozen times during the course of their relationship.
Depp has vehemently denied all allegations of domestic abuse, saying his ex-wife was the violent one.
He’s suing The Sun over a 2018 story that labeled him a “wife-beater.”
Heard’s younger sister, Whitney Henriquez, also took the stand Thursday in the trial, which is expected to stretch into next week.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Kanye West spotted shopping for kids’ clothes at Wyoming Walmart

Tom Arnold just got divorced this week , but he ’ s telling ...

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Kanye West and his entourage hit up a Wyoming Walmart to shop for kids’ clothes, as rumors of a divorce from Kim Kardashian and fears over his mental health continued to swirl, according to a report.
Sporting newly dyed red hair, the rapper-turned-presidential-candidate visited the big-box store outside Cody, Wyo., on Wednesday, according to The Sun.
Close friend Damon Dash helped Yeezy, 43, add a face mask to his outfit of a blue hoodie and ripped jeans before heading inside the store with his entourage, which included two security guards, the report said.
The group spent about a half-hour shopping, then checked out and hit the road.
The outing came amid a turbulent few days for West, whose apparently troubled mental state has been on full display as he fired off a series of bizarre tweets, including one that claimed Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, tried to get him “locked up.”
In a since-deleted tweetstorm Wednesday, West wrote that he’s “been trying to get divorced since Kim met with Meek at the Warldolf [sic] for ‘prison reform.’”
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Kanye West was spotted shopping at the Walmart in Cody, Wyoming, with Damon Dash. BACKGRID Damon Dash and Kanye West BACKGRID Advertisement
That message was an apparent reference to a criminal-justice reform huddle attended by Kardashian and rapper Meek Mill in November 2018. “Meek is my man and was respectful,” West added. “That’s my dog Kim was out of line.”
Kardashian, 39, has stood by her husband and called for public compassion as he dealt with what she described as a bipolar episode.
“He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bipolar disorder,” she wrote in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, which was signed Kim Kardashian West.
A source close to Kardashian has insisted that a split is not in the works.
Dash, who has been holed up with West at his Wyoming ranch, has told The Post that the rapper is not “crazy” — and that he doesn’t “give a f–k” if the Kardashians disagree.
Related Video Kanye West says he's trying to divorce Kim Kardashian
Meanwhile, Kim’s elder sister, Kourtney, treated her niece and nephew to a brief getaway from the turmoil.
In a Wednesday Instagram post, Kourtney showed off her trip to the Balboa Island area of Newport Beach, Calif., with niece North, 7, and nephew Saint, 4, the older of Kim and Kanye’s four kids.
Accompanied by Kourtney’s own kids, the group lived the sweet life, hitting up a candy store and frozen banana stand.
“Haven’t been back since I was a little girl, and it hasn’t changed,” Kourtney captioned the post, along with a smiley-face emoji.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--MLB predictions 2020: Joel Sherman and Ken Davidoff break down every division

The Post ’ s Joel Sherman and Ken Davidoff go division by division getting fans ready for the start of @ @ @ @ @ a special video series .
Can the Rays challenge the Yankees in the AL East @ @ @ @ @ in a wide-open NL East ?
Where does the Twins offseason additions leave them in @ @ @ @ @ the Reds ready to break through in the NL Central ?
Can the Astros benefit @ @ @ @ @ the AL West after they were outed as cheaters ?
Can the Dodgers finally take @ @ @ @ @ regular season success into a World Series title ?
Sherman and Davidoff answer these questions @ @ @ @ @ series that was a part of The Post ’ s 2020 MLB preview .

The Post’s Joel Sherman and Ken Davidoff go division by division getting fans ready for the start of the 60-game MLB season in a special video series.
Can the Rays challenge the Yankees in the AL East?
Can the Mets emerge in a wide-open NL East?
Where does the Twins offseason additions leave them in the AL Central?
Are the Reds ready to break through in the NL Central?
Can the Astros benefit from fan-less stadiums and conquer the AL West after they were outed as cheaters?
Can the Dodgers finally take the next step and turn regular season success into a World Series title?
Sherman and Davidoff answer these questions and more in the six-part series that was a part of The Post’s 2020 MLB preview.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Barack Obama and Joe Biden to Reunite for Socially-Distanced Conversation — How to Watch

COVID-19 can ’ t stop President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden from palling around .
Over the past few weeks , Obama and Biden sat down for a socially-distanced conversation about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , Trump ’ s COVID response , Biden ’ s presidential campaign , and more .
After a day of hype ( that Obama and Biden campaign ad sure was effective ) , voters will finally be able to watch the Obama Biden video today on their respective social media channels .
The Obama Biden interview serves as the first time the former colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , so fans of 44 — and “ 46 ” as the promo teased — will definitely want to check it out .
When will the Obama Biden conversation go live ?
How do I watch the Obama Biden video ?
Here ’ s everything you need to know .
WHEN CAN I WATCH THE BIDEN OBAMA CAMPAIGN VIDEO ?
Joe Biden and Barack Obama ’ s sit-down interview will go live today , Thursday , July 23 , at 10 a.m ET .
Read on to learn how to watch !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ STREAMING ?
HOW TO WATCH THE BIDEN OBAMA AD The entire Obama-Biden conversation will stream on social media .
Watch via Joe Biden ’ s YouTube and Twitter pages , or on Barack Obama ’ s Twitter .
Considering that the duo will reach a combined 128 million Twitter users ( 121 million of which are Obama ’ s alone ) , this should be a very popular event .
WHEN WAS THE BIDEN OBAMA VIDEO FILMED ?
This is somewhat less clear .
Based on the clues provided in the conversation teaser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duo is sitting more than six feet apart , and they drag Trump ’ s inaction on the COVID-19 outbreak — it seems that the conversation was filmed relatively recently .
Obama and Biden partnered on a virtual fundraiser on June 23 , so it ’ s likely that the two sat down in the few weeks since .
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE BIDEN AND OBAMA CHAT : BIDEN AND OBAMA TROLL TRUMP AND MORE The event ’ s teaser — watch it above –suggests that the crux of the conversation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards the novel coronavirus pandemic .
“ Can you imagine standing up when you were president and saying , ‘ It ’ s not my responsibility .
I take no responsibility , ' ” asks Biden .
“ Those words didn ’ t come out of our mouths when we were in office , ” replies Obama .
According to ABC News , the discussion also touches upon “ how the nation is grappling with systemic racism , and the current opportunity to make lasting change rooting out these historic inequities , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also discuss Biden ’ s effectiveness as VP .
“ If you can sit down with a family , and see your own family and the struggles that you ’ ve gone through , parents went through or your kids are going through , ” Obama tells Biden .
“ If you can connect those struggles to somebody else ’ s struggles , then you ’ re going to work hard for it .
And that ’ s always what ’ s motivated you to get into public service.
” WHEN CAN I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Obama will participate in another virtual conversation next Tuesday , July 28 , so if you miss today ’ s in-person event , don ’ t sweat it .

COVID-19 can’t stop President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden from palling around. Over the past few weeks, Obama and Biden sat down for a socially-distanced conversation about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Trump’s COVID response, Biden’s presidential campaign, and more. After a day of hype (that Obama and Biden campaign ad sure was effective), voters will finally be able to watch the Obama Biden video today on their respective social media channels.
The Obama Biden interview serves as the first time the former colleagues have appeared in person during the 2020 campaign, so fans of 44 — and “46” as the promo teased — will definitely want to check it out. When will the Obama Biden conversation go live? How do I watch the Obama Biden video? Here’s everything you need to know.
WHEN CAN I WATCH THE BIDEN OBAMA CAMPAIGN VIDEO?
Joe Biden and Barack Obama’s sit-down interview will go live today, Thursday, July 23, at 10 a.m ET. Read on to learn how to watch!
WHERE IS THE BIDEN OBAMA CAMPAIGN AD STREAMING? HOW TO WATCH THE BIDEN OBAMA AD
The entire Obama-Biden conversation will stream on social media. Watch via Joe Biden’s YouTube and Twitter pages, or on Barack Obama’s Twitter. Considering that the duo will reach a combined 128 million Twitter users (121 million of which are Obama’s alone), this should be a very popular event.
WHEN WAS THE BIDEN OBAMA VIDEO FILMED?
This is somewhat less clear. Based on the clues provided in the conversation teaser — everyone is wearing masks, the duo is sitting more than six feet apart, and they drag Trump’s inaction on the COVID-19 outbreak — it seems that the conversation was filmed relatively recently. Obama and Biden partnered on a virtual fundraiser on June 23, so it’s likely that the two sat down in the few weeks since.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE BIDEN AND OBAMA CHAT: BIDEN AND OBAMA TROLL TRUMP AND MORE
The event’s teaser — watch it above –suggests that the crux of the conversation will center on Trump’s cavalier attitude towards the novel coronavirus pandemic. “Can you imagine standing up when you were president and saying, ‘It’s not my responsibility. I take no responsibility,'” asks Biden. “Those words didn’t come out of our mouths when we were in office,” replies Obama.
According to ABC News, the discussion also touches upon “how the nation is grappling with systemic racism, and the current opportunity to make lasting change rooting out these historic inequities,” says the Biden campaign.
The two also discuss Biden’s effectiveness as VP. “If you can sit down with a family, and see your own family and the struggles that you’ve gone through, parents went through or your kids are going through,” Obama tells Biden. “If you can connect those struggles to somebody else’s struggles, then you’re going to work hard for it. And that’s always what’s motivated you to get into public service.”
WHEN CAN I WATCH OBAMA AND BIDEN NEXT?
Biden and Obama will participate in another virtual conversation next Tuesday, July 28, so if you miss today’s in-person event, don’t sweat it.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Contactless massage spa is perfect for germaphobes

It ’ s hard to stay six feet apart from your masseuse .
That ’ s why Body Roll Studio @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Tribeca , might be the ideal place to safely get your stress out @ @ @ @ @ massage machines work in this behind-the-scenes tour .
“ It ’ s perfect for post-COVID @ @ @ @ @ contactless , ” Piret Aava , Body Roll Studio owner , said .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ room , nobody is touching you and you can really work your muscles.
” Along @ @ @ @ @ wear long sleeves , leggings , socks and latex gloves .

YES, WE’RE OPEN
It’s hard to stay six feet apart from your masseuse. That’s why Body Roll Studio, in New York City’s Tribeca, might be the ideal place to safely get your stress out. See how their contact-free massage machines work in this behind-the-scenes tour.
“It’s perfect for post-COVID because it’s totally contactless,” Piret Aava, Body Roll Studio owner, said. “You’re in your own room, nobody is touching you and you can really work your muscles.” Along with masks, customers also wear long sleeves, leggings, socks and latex gloves.
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newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Tom Arnold is single and ready to mingle — with his assistant

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) • Tom Arnold just got divorced this week , but he ’ s telling Page Six that hooking up with his 31-year-old assistant , Sasha Boggs , “ could happen.
” • We have updates on Kim Kardashian speaking out about Kanye ’ s mental health .
• And who knew Martha Stewart was such a thirst trap ?
Here ’ s a closer look at some of today ’ s stories : Tom Arnold exclusively told Page Six hooking up with his 31-year-old assistant , Sasha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People are always asking me if me and my assistant are sleeping together , ” Arnold , 61 , exclusively told us on Tuesday .
“ In fact , my rabbi asked that , so I made a video of what it ’ s like to be quarantined with kids , who are in my bed , and how it would be impossible to … have any relationship.
” The “ Happy Endings ” star and his ex-wife , Ashley Groussman , finalized their divorce just this week .
Kim Kardashian has spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipolar disorder episode .
On her Instagram Story , Kardashian shared she felt the need to comment on her husband ’ s health because of “ the stigma and misconceptions about mental health ” as he goes on Twitter tirades .
“ As many of you know , Kanye has bi-polar disorder .
Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does , knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand , ” she wrote .
“ I ’ ve never spoken publicly about how this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am very protective of our children and Kanye ’ s right to privacy when it comes to his health .
But today , I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.
” “ My pool in East Hampton is the place to be on a 89 degree day !
” wrote 78-year-old Stewart under a sexy photo of herself from the shoulders up in a thin-strapped navy swimsuit and wearing light lilac eye shadow and shiny pink-tinged lipstick .
Catch up on all episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

In this episode:
Tom Arnold just got divorced this week, but he’s telling Page Six that hooking up with his 31-year-old assistant, Sasha Boggs, “could happen.”
We have updates on Kim Kardashian speaking out about Kanye’s mental health.
And who knew Martha Stewart was such a thirst trap?
Here’s a closer look at some of today’s stories:
Tom Arnold gets saucy
Tom Arnold exclusively told Page Six hooking up with his 31-year-old assistant, Sasha Boggs, “could happen.”
“People are always asking me if me and my assistant are sleeping together,” Arnold, 61, exclusively told us on Tuesday. “In fact, my rabbi asked that, so I made a video of what it’s like to be quarantined with kids, who are in my bed, and how it would be impossible to … have any relationship.”
The “Happy Endings” star and his ex-wife, Ashley Groussman, finalized their divorce just this week.
Kim defends Kanye
Kim Kardashian has spoken out about Kanye West’s ongoing bipolar disorder episode.
On her Instagram Story, Kardashian shared she felt the need to comment on her husband’s health because of “the stigma and misconceptions about mental health” as he goes on Twitter tirades.
“As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder. Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand,” she wrote. “I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.”
Homemaker? More like homewrecker
Martha Stewart posted a sultry snap on her Instagram page Tuesday.
“My pool in East Hampton is the place to be on a 89 degree day!” wrote 78-year-old Stewart under a sexy photo of herself from the shoulders up in a thin-strapped navy swimsuit and wearing light lilac eye shadow and shiny pink-tinged lipstick.
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Black Lives Matter will have presence at Yankees-Nationals Opening Day

It ’ s not clear yet whether someone in a New York ...

Major League Baseball will look different when it finally returns Thursday — and that will start even before the first pitch is thrown.
With the Yankees and Nationals opening the season in Washington, there will be a Black Lives Matter/MLB stencil on the pitcher’s mound during opening weekend games throughout the league “to express support for the fight against systemic racism and injustice,” the Nationals said in a statement.
Washington reliever Sean Doolittle said he’s considering kneeling during the national anthem, as several players have done during exhibition games this week.
Gerrit Cole, who will make his long-awaited Yankee debut Thursday — weather permitting, said the team was going to meet Wednesday night about whether players would wear a patch or protest in some other way on Opening Day.
“I’m not opposed to wearing a patch,’’ Cole said on a Zoom call.
When asked about the Black Lives Matter stencil, Cole said, “It’s freedom of speech, it’s the Bill of Rights. It’s what the country is founded on, to be able to express yourself freely. I think it’s a wonderful thing.”
General manager Brian Cashman added he wouldn’t have an issue if any member of the Yankees knelt during the anthem.
“Obviously, that’s a manifestation of where our country currently is,’’ Cashman said on a Zoom call. “Our country is in many ways the greatest country in the world. In some ways, it’s broken in certain aspects where we’re not all together and not all as one. Because of that, you’re seeing demonstrations like kneeling at the anthem as part of that process. Part of our community is hurting when it shouldn’t be. It’s been ignored for such a long period of time. The great part of America is there are different ways to express yourself and different platforms to utilize how you express yourself. In some cases, it’s kneeling during the anthem. … I support the ability to protest in the way they see fit, as long as it’s in a legal and healthy way. I think there’s nothing more American than being able to express your beliefs and do it in a safe way.”
There will be plenty of eyes on what happens during the anthem.
“I’ve certainly considered it,” Doolittle said of kneeling. “I’ve been considering it, especially here over the last week. But, as a team, we’re having conversations in our clubhouse the last two days. I know the Yankees are doing the same thing. We’re obviously going first, we’re opening this thing up, so I think it’s really important for us as a league to echo what other sports leagues have done so far.”
But Cashman stressed he wanted to make sure his staff and his team were talking about the subject, as well.
“The most important aspect of all of that is to make sure the conversations are had prior to anybody making any of those decisions and make sure you have a healthy dialogue,’’ Cashman said. “And that’s what we’re trying to do.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Gerrit Cole ‘stoked’ for Opening Day: ‘Having trouble sleeping’

We ’ ve waited this long for the 2020 season to get ...

WASHINGTON — Forget the pinstriped armored truck needed to house the money. Ignore the adulation that flows into a big leaguer’s life.
How many human beings get to do what they have dreamed of since they were kids?
Weather permitting, Gerrit Cole gets to do that when the Yankees face the defending World Series champion Nationals on Thursday in an Opening Day matchup that will reintroduce the world to baseball nearly four months late. An added bonus is Max Scherzer opposes Cole.
When MLB shut down spring training on March 12 due to the coronavirus, nobody had July 23 as Opening Day. Then a battle between MLB and the union threatened to keep the game dark all summer long.
Finally, a 60-game season was cobbled together, and it starts with two of the best pitchers in the game helping to usher baseball back into the daily rhythm without anyone in the seats.
An empty stadium might affect some players’ motivation, but not Cole’s.
“I am stoked, I am already having trouble sleeping,’’ Cole said Wednesday via Zoom while a wicked thunderstorm kept the Yankees from working out at Nationals Park.
Cole grew up in Southern California a Yankees fan, went to UCLA instead of signing with his favorite team when selected in the first round of the 2008 draft and pitched for the Pirates and Astros before inking a nine-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees in January. Little did Cole know he wouldn’t debut until July 23.
After admitting the adrenaline will be high for personal reasons, Cole considered it an honor to be part of ushering baseball back.
“What a wonderful opportunity to kind of lead the game into existence here in 2020,’’ Cole said. “We are thrilled and humbled to have that honor.’’
With thunderstorms forecast for Thursday, Cole’s Yankee debut might have wait until Friday. Either way, the Yankees will be the favorite, even though Scherzer is every bit as good as Cole.
So baseball returns with a matchup akin to Ali-Frazier.
“The first thing you think about is obviously the mound presence, the mound demeanor and a lot of the characteristics that go with that, the durability, the pitch ability and what we all like to call stuff,’’ Cole said of Scherzer. “I think he is the ultimate competitor, I think he has been a great ambassador to the game. He is a true professional in the sense that he toes up the slab every time he gets the opportunity. He gives you what he has got that day for as deep and as long as he can give it to you.’’
Aaron Boone envisioned Cole possibly reaching 100 pitches after the right-hander got to 85 during intrasquad games in spring training 2.0.
“I think Aaron is probably spot on. I wouldn’t assume Aaron would run me out for a full 100 if I wasn’t good or if it was a blowout or something like that,’’ Cole said. “I would say there are other variables that could factor into the pitch count, but I would say that is a fair number, certainly.’’
After a train ride from New York, Boone had to adjust to pitchers and hitters working indoors and had meetings scheduled. Before those tasks he also had let Cole-Scherzer slip into his head.
“I have an appreciation for it already. I saw headshots next to each other and highlighting that matchup and knowing that they are kicking off our season, a unique season, one that we know there will be so many eyes on it,’’ Boone said. “I know that it will be emotional for fans of each team, but I think it will be emotional for sport fans to see that kind of marquee matchup. Hopefully we can go out and put on a good show.’’
For GM Brian Cashman, having Scherzer opposing the Yankees is a serious challenge to overcome.
“It will be a great matchup, a prize fight so to speak see those guys go toe-to-toe,’’ Cashman said.
Since March 12 there have been so many ups and downs for baseball to overcome and COVID-19 may very well force another shutdown. Yet, Thursday night Cole and Scherzer walk the game down the aisle, which is only fitting.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Mets’ Edwin Diaz believes he’s ‘capable of being a closer’

Edwin Diaz insists he is not focused on his role in the Mets bullpen .
But the reliever , who served as the Mets ’ closer for most of last year before losing the job late , believes he has made a case during spring training 2.0 for reclaiming the job this season .
“ I think I ’ ve proved in this second spring training that I put in the work and I ’ m capable of being a closer , ” Diaz said through an interpreter Wednesday at Citi Field , where the Mets held a workout ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Braves .
“ That ’ s the way I prepare myself , but I ’ m not solely focusing on it .
I don ’ t care if it ’ s the eighth or ninth inning , whenever they tell me to come in , I ’ m going to come in and do my job.
” In order to do that more effectively than he did in 2019 , Diaz will need to rein in his command .
It often went missing in his first season with the Mets , as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gave up 15 home runs , as his ERA ballooned to 5.59 .
Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson closed out games late last season and Lugo could be a multi-inning option to do the same again this year .
But Diaz is confident he has addressed his control issues heading into Friday .
“ I think I was able to learn more about the strike zone this offseason and work on commanding my pitches in different ways , ” Diaz said .
“ When [ pitching coach Jeremy ] Hefner came down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we had a lot of intense conversations about how they expected me to perform .
Once I started taking that plan , I came into the first camp in tremendous shape with the ability to control my pitches the way I want to .
I continued to do that in this camp now.
” After Diaz struck out the side in Tuesday ’ s intrasquad scrimmage in his final tuneup before Opening Day , manager Luis Rojas spoke about the 26-year-old getting better extension on his slider .
Diaz said he thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his slider and fastball and has a plan of attack for what he hopes is a bounce-back season .
“ I have tremendous confidence in both pitches that I have , ” he said .
“ If I ’ m able to dominate and overpower with the fastball , I ’ m not going to go away from the game plan .
But when I feel that a hitter can actually catch up with my fastball , then that ’ s when I start to throw different pitches to try to get him @ @ @

Edwin Diaz insists he is not focused on his role in the Mets bullpen.
But the reliever, who served as the Mets’ closer for most of last year before losing the job late, believes he has made a case during spring training 2.0 for reclaiming the job this season.
“I think I’ve proved in this second spring training that I put in the work and I’m capable of being a closer,” Diaz said through an interpreter Wednesday at Citi Field, where the Mets held a workout ahead of Friday’s opener against the Braves. “That’s the way I prepare myself, but I’m not solely focusing on it. I don’t care if it’s the eighth or ninth inning, whenever they tell me to come in, I’m going to come in and do my job.”
In order to do that more effectively than he did in 2019, Diaz will need to rein in his command. It often went missing in his first season with the Mets, as he left too many pitches over the plate and gave up 15 home runs, as his ERA ballooned to 5.59.
Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson closed out games late last season and Lugo could be a multi-inning option to do the same again this year. But Diaz is confident he has addressed his control issues heading into Friday.
“I think I was able to learn more about the strike zone this offseason and work on commanding my pitches in different ways,” Diaz said. “When [pitching coach Jeremy] Hefner came down to Puerto Rico to work with me, we had a lot of intense conversations about how they expected me to perform. Once I started taking that plan, I came into the first camp in tremendous shape with the ability to control my pitches the way I want to. I continued to do that in this camp now.”
After Diaz struck out the side in Tuesday’s intrasquad scrimmage in his final tuneup before Opening Day, manager Luis Rojas spoke about the 26-year-old getting better extension on his slider. Diaz said he thinks he has become more consistent with both his slider and fastball and has a plan of attack for what he hopes is a bounce-back season.
“I have tremendous confidence in both pitches that I have,” he said. “If I’m able to dominate and overpower with the fastball, I’m not going to go away from the game plan. But when I feel that a hitter can actually catch up with my fastball, then that’s when I start to throw different pitches to try to get him out.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Yankees’ Jordan Montgomery set to pitch Game 6

WASHINGTON — According to Aaron Boone , optioning Jordan Montgomery to the Yankees ’ alternate training site on Tuesday was done to provide roster flexibility and nothing more .
“ He will go in Game 6 essentially .
He is with us and he will throw Friday on the off day , ’ ’ Boone said Wednesday via Zoom from Nationals Park , where the Yankees and Nationals open the season Thursday evening if the rain stays away .
After James Paxton starts the second game of the season on Saturday night , the Yankees plan to use relievers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of J.A .
Happ .
“ It lines up with [ Masahiro Tanaka ] potentially .
That is essentially the day Masa is going to pitch again .
He will throw a simulated game down in Scranton .
If everything goes well he could slide into that spot five days later , ’ ’ Boone said of Tanaka , who didn ’ t pitch in intrasquad or exhibition games after getting hit in the head by a Giancarlo Stanton liner on July 4 .
“ Also with Gerrit going [ Thursday ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , we feel we would be set up with not only having guys with length , but guys that we really like in a matchup-type game .
Then you slot J.A .
in there with Geritt potentially coming back and Monty after that.
’ ’ Boone wouldn ’ t commit to a lineup for Thursday ’ s game and said “ still kind of working through that ’ ’ when asked if DJ LeMahieu will play .
LeMahieu played in the final two exhibition games of spring training 2.0 after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .
The Yankees have used trains in the past to get to and from Baltimore , so Wednesday ’ s rail ride to Washington wasn ’ t a first .
“ It was a lot like when we take a train , ’ ’ said Boone , whose club went directly from the train station to Nationals Park for a workout that was forced indoors by rain .
“ Obviously it was different in that we were wearing masks and the food is not laid out like it normally is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt very much like a normal trip.
’ ’ His grandfather , father and brother and he played in the big leagues , so Opening Day has long been a big deal to Boone .
“ Opening Day has been part of my life my entire life , ’ ’ Boone said Wednesday .
“ It is all I know .
It is one of the holidays of the year for me and my family .
It is a privilege to be part of a major league Opening Day .
That will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique circumstances as I have ever experienced probably .
In my mind there is something great about Opening Day .
It ’ s important to celebrate and appreciate.
’ ’ The Yankees will commemorate former general partner/co-chairperson Hank Steinbrenner by wearing a HGS patch on the left sleeve of their home and away jerseys for entire regular season and postseason should the Yankees get in .
Steinbrenner , 63 , passed away on April 14 in Clearwater , Fla. , due to a longstanding health issue .

WASHINGTON — According to Aaron Boone, optioning Jordan Montgomery to the Yankees’ alternate training site on Tuesday was done to provide roster flexibility and nothing more.
“He will go in Game 6 essentially. He is with us and he will throw Friday on the off day,’’ Boone said Wednesday via Zoom from Nationals Park, where the Yankees and Nationals open the season Thursday evening if the rain stays away.
After James Paxton starts the second game of the season on Saturday night, the Yankees plan to use relievers at the beginning of Sunday’s game instead of J.A. Happ.
“It lines up with [Masahiro Tanaka] potentially. That is essentially the day Masa is going to pitch again. He will throw a simulated game down in Scranton. If everything goes well he could slide into that spot five days later,’’ Boone said of Tanaka, who didn’t pitch in intrasquad or exhibition games after getting hit in the head by a Giancarlo Stanton liner on July 4. “Also with Gerrit going [Thursday], off day, and James going on Saturday, we feel we would be set up with not only having guys with length, but guys that we really like in a matchup-type game. Then you slot J.A. in there with Geritt potentially coming back and Monty after that.’’
Boone wouldn’t commit to a lineup for Thursday’s game and said “still kind of working through that’’ when asked if DJ LeMahieu will play. LeMahieu played in the final two exhibition games of spring training 2.0 after his arrival was delayed by a positive test for COVID-19.
The Yankees have used trains in the past to get to and from Baltimore, so Wednesday’s rail ride to Washington wasn’t a first.
“It was a lot like when we take a train,’’ said Boone, whose club went directly from the train station to Nationals Park for a workout that was forced indoors by rain. “Obviously it was different in that we were wearing masks and the food is not laid out like it normally is on our charters but all in all it felt very much like a normal trip.’’
His grandfather, father and brother and he played in the big leagues, so Opening Day has long been a big deal to Boone.
“Opening Day has been part of my life my entire life,’’ Boone said Wednesday. “It is all I know. It is one of the holidays of the year for me and my family. It is a privilege to be part of a major league Opening Day. That will be the case [Thursday night] in unique circumstances as I have ever experienced probably. In my mind there is something great about Opening Day. It’s important to celebrate and appreciate.’’
The Yankees will commemorate former general partner/co-chairperson Hank Steinbrenner by wearing a HGS patch on the left sleeve of their home and away jerseys for entire regular season and postseason should the Yankees get in.
Steinbrenner, 63, passed away on April 14 in Clearwater, Fla., due to a longstanding health issue.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Taraji P. Henson to star in ‘Empire’ spinoff focused on Cookie Lyon

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Taraji P. Henson is set @ @ @ @ @ Empire ” spinoff based around Cookie Lyon , her unforgettable character from the Fox series @ @ @ @ @ , TPH Entertainment , will also produce the show , it announced .
“ Empire @ @ @ @ @ Danny Strong will be her co-executive producers .
It may be an opportunity to provide @ @ @ @ @ , ” which was canceled amid the Jussie Smollett scandal — and then couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ because of the pandemic .
The Hollywood Reporter says that the show will follow Cookie @ @ @ @ @ Angeles .

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Taraji P. Henson is set to star in an “Empire” spinoff based around Cookie Lyon, her unforgettable character from the Fox series.
Her new production company, TPH Entertainment, will also produce the show, it announced. “Empire” creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong will be her co-executive producers.
It may be an opportunity to provide a conclusion for “Empire,” which was canceled amid the Jussie Smollett scandal — and then couldn’t tape its final episodes because of the pandemic.
The Hollywood Reporter says that the show will follow Cookie as she moves to Los Angeles.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Mel Gibson was hospitalized for a week during COVID-19 battle

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 ) Mel Gibson reportedly spent a week in the hospital battling the coronavirus after a spring diagnosis .
The troubled actor and Oscar-winning director tested positive for COVID-19 in April and recovered after a private fight against the virus , the Daily Telegraph reported Thursday .
“ He tested positive in April and spent a week in the hospital , ” Gibson ’ s representative confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was treated with the drug Remdesivir while hospitalized in the US and has since tested negative for the virus several times , the outlet reported .
He ’ s also tested positive for coronavirus antibodies , according to his rep. Gibson has again been the focus of controversy recently for anti-Semitic remarks .
Actress Winona Ryder in a June interview recalled a 1995 party during which Gibson had allegedly asked her if she was an “ oven-dodger ” as a way to question whether she was Jewish .
Gibson has denied the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % untrue , ” Gibson ’ s reps told The Post in an statement .

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Mel Gibson reportedly spent a week in the hospital battling the coronavirus after a spring diagnosis.
The troubled actor and Oscar-winning director tested positive for COVID-19 in April and recovered after a private fight against the virus, the Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.
“He tested positive in April and spent a week in the hospital,” Gibson’s representative confirmed to the British tabloid.
The 64-year-old was treated with the drug Remdesivir while hospitalized in the US and has since tested negative for the virus several times, the outlet reported.
He’s also tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, according to his rep.
Gibson has again been the focus of controversy recently for anti-Semitic remarks.
Actress Winona Ryder in a June interview recalled a 1995 party during which Gibson had allegedly asked her if she was an “oven-dodger” as a way to question whether she was Jewish.
Gibson has denied the incident ever happened.
“This is 100% untrue,” Gibson’s reps told The Post in an statement.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Jermaine Dupri producing ‘We Are the World’-inspired charity song

Jermaine Dupri is producing a charity song , “ Change , ” inspired by “ We Are the World ” — with planned artists including Johntá Austin , Ne-Yo , Kelly Rowland , Monica , Miguel , Gary Clark Jr. , JoJo , Eric Bellinger and Angel .
But hitmaker Dupri revealed that he ’ s taken a page from Quincy Jones when it comes to artists rejecting the opportunity .
“ I ’ ve had a few people who rejected being on the song , a week ago those rejections had me in a f–ked up space , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m trying to do something good for the cause … so I had to get myself out of that funk .
I ’ m a songwriter , so when someone rejects one of my songs , I start thinking the song sucks immediately.
” That ’ s when “ I started reading .
I read that when Quincy and Michael [ Jackson ] did ‘ We Are the World , ’ Prince came to the studio , and he rejected being on the song .
When I saw that , it relieved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ That ’ s why Prince wasn ’ t on the song , because he didn ’ t like the song.
’ “ [ I also read ] Cyndi [ Lauper ] thought the song sounded like a soap commercial or something , and a couple of others said they didn ’ t love the song … So , that gave me my next week of confidence and I started reaching out to the Detroit Choir … It ’ s a song that represents this current time that we ’ re in , @ @ @ @

Jermaine Dupri is producing a charity song, “Change,” inspired by “We Are the World” — with planned artists including Johntá Austin, Ne-Yo, Kelly Rowland, Monica, Miguel, Gary Clark Jr., JoJo, Eric Bellinger and Angel.
But hitmaker Dupri revealed that he’s taken a page from Quincy Jones when it comes to artists rejecting the opportunity. “I’ve had a few people who rejected being on the song, a week ago those rejections had me in a f–ked up space,” he told Page Six.
“I’m trying to do something good for the cause … so I had to get myself out of that funk. I’m a songwriter, so when someone rejects one of my songs, I start thinking the song sucks immediately.”
That’s when “I started reading. I read that when Quincy and Michael [Jackson] did ‘We Are the World,’ Prince came to the studio, and he rejected being on the song. When I saw that, it relieved me because I’m like, ‘That’s why Prince wasn’t on the song, because he didn’t like the song.’
“[I also read] Cyndi [Lauper] thought the song sounded like a soap commercial or something, and a couple of others said they didn’t love the song … So, that gave me my next week of confidence and I started reaching out to the Detroit Choir … It’s a song that represents this current time that we’re in,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-23--Artist Domingo Zapata working on potential streaming show

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Domingo Zapata is working on @ @ @ @ @ travel , food , art and discovering culture , we hear .
He has also @ @ @ @ @ Capri in Southampton , which has been open with new pandemic safety precautions .
Zapata @ @ @ @ @ its new eatery , Naia , and Amy Poehler and Nouriel “ Dr .
Doom @ @ @ @ @ at the hot spot .
Busy Zapata , who ’ s living out East , @ @ @ @ @ art series called “ Bunnies .
”

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Domingo Zapata is working on a potential streaming show about travel, food, art and discovering culture, we hear.
He has also created a mural at the Capri in Southampton, which has been open with new pandemic safety precautions.
Zapata’s art is in its new eatery, Naia, and Amy Poehler and Nouriel “Dr. Doom” Roubini have been seen at the hot spot.
Busy Zapata, who’s living out East, is also working on an art series called “Bunnies.”