newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Trump’s Iran game-changer and other commentary

“ Iran ’ s most important military proxy has begun taking credit for terror attacks committed nearly four decades ago , ” notes The Tablet ’ s Lee Smith .
Hezbollah is at long last owning up , for example , to the 1983 Beirut bombing that killed 241 US Marines .
The reason : “ to scare Americans now that Donald Trump has thrown the regime in Tehran off balance by changing the 40-year-old rules of the game.
” By killing Qassem Soleimani , “ Trump is holding Iran accountable for the actions its proxies take in its name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping America play make-believe is gone.
” It is only through Western appeasement “ that an obscurantist regime whose major exports are energy , pistachios — and terror , of course — appears like a formidable adversary ” ; now “ Trump has knocked Iran down to its natural size — and likely made Americans safer from Iranian aggression than they have in fact been at any point in the last 40 years.
” Rolling Stone ’ s Matt Taibbi calls the Democratic contest “ the most unpredictable primary race ever , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hone consensus among donors and media has achieved the opposite.
” The New Hampshire primary , where , as Andrew Yang notes , a vote “ traditionally has roughly 1,000 times the influence of a California vote , ” is supposed to work like this : The “ out-of-town press invades ” the state “ like a siege army , and leans into a presumed frontrunner until he or she wins.
” But this year , says Taibbi , not even party elites are “ close to agreeing on who might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump.
” What happens “ if voters decide to think completely for themselves , and pick a candidate not approved by the party or major media ” ?
Well , “ no one knows … since we ’ ve never seen it , at least not on the Democratic side.
” “ It ’ s a bad week to be Sen. Elizabeth Warren , ” quips the Washington Examiner ’ s Brad Polumbo .
First she was “ resoundingly mocked ” for her “ cringe-worthy ” attempts “ to be relatable to millennials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire.
” Then Facebook rejected her “ campaign clamoring and calls for censorship.
” The “ long-time critic of social media companies ” wants Facebook “ to censor her political opponents ” under the guise of fact-checking them .
But that ’ s “ an inherently subjective process ” — and with a staff that “ overwhelmingly leans liberal , ” Facebook ’ s fact-checks would “ punish Republicans and conservatives ” most .
Its new political-ad rules show Facebook “ isn ’ t falling for Warren ’ s pro-censorship narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t either.
” “ Perhaps nothing so animates the progressive Left today , ” argues Joel Kotkin at City Journal , “ as the notion of an increasingly race-conscious society , segregated by ethnic identity and dismissive of the traditional ideal of assimilation.
” It ’ s no longer the “ reactionary Right ” but lefties who “ embrace a worldview that defines individuals by race.
” Yet , while “ woke ” intellectuals envision “ separate ethnic communities allied against white supremacy , ” trends such as an increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headed for an “ erosion of racial categories.
” The big threat : If “ racialist ideology ” continues to gain “ adherents in the press and academia ” and “ Americans permit our multiracial society to devolve into ruinous tribalism , ” then the country will never be able to “ heal its current divisions.
” “ Six prominent US universities failed to report a combined total of $ 1.3 billion in foreign funding , ” reports the Clarion Project ’ s Alex VanNess .
A Department of Education investigation found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China , Qatar , Russia and others , but ignored their “ clear legal duty ” to report it .
Foreign donations are “ a black hole , ” a DOE lawyer says , because schools “ routinely ” fail to report them .
Many come from governments “ that run influence operations in the US to try to mold public opinion and policy.
” The top known donor is Qatar , ” giving $ 1.5 billion to 28 universities since 2012 — including $ 340 million to Northwestern for a partnership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Al Jazeera , which “ has a long history of spreading anti-Semitism , anti-Americanism and support for terrorist groups .
”

Foreign desk: Trump’s Iran Game-Changer
“Iran’s most important military proxy has begun taking credit for terror attacks committed nearly four decades ago,” notes The Tablet’s Lee Smith. Hezbollah is at long last owning up, for example, to the 1983 Beirut bombing that killed 241 US Marines. The reason: “to scare Americans now that Donald Trump has thrown the regime in Tehran off balance by changing the 40-year-old rules of the game.” By killing Qassem Soleimani, “Trump is holding Iran accountable for the actions its proxies take in its name” so “the leverage gained by helping America play make-believe is gone.” It is only through Western appeasement “that an obscurantist regime whose major exports are energy, pistachios — and terror, of course — appears like a formidable adversary”; now “Trump has knocked Iran down to its natural size — and likely made Americans safer from Iranian aggression than they have in fact been at any point in the last 40 years.”
From the left: Democrats’ Constructive Chaos
Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi calls the Democratic contest “the most unpredictable primary race ever,” as “a year-long process traditionally used to hone consensus among donors and media has achieved the opposite.” The New Hampshire primary, where, as Andrew Yang notes, a vote “traditionally has roughly 1,000 times the influence of a California vote,” is supposed to work like this: The “out-of-town press invades” the state “like a siege army, and leans into a presumed frontrunner until he or she wins.” But this year, says Taibbi, not even party elites are “close to agreeing on who might be the best choice to take on Donald Trump.” What happens “if voters decide to think completely for themselves, and pick a candidate not approved by the party or major media”? Well, “no one knows … since we’ve never seen it, at least not on the Democratic side.”
Eye on 2020: Facebook Nixes Warren Censorship
“It’s a bad week to be Sen. Elizabeth Warren,” quips the Washington Examiner’s Brad Polumbo. First she was “resoundingly mocked” for her “cringe-worthy” attempts “to be relatable to millennials” and polls showed her “struggling in New Hampshire.” Then Facebook rejected her “campaign clamoring and calls for censorship.” The “long-time critic of social media companies” wants Facebook “to censor her political opponents” under the guise of fact-checking them. But that’s “an inherently subjective process” — and with a staff that “overwhelmingly leans liberal,” Facebook’s fact-checks would “punish Republicans and conservatives” most. Its new political-ad rules show Facebook “isn’t falling for Warren’s pro-censorship narrative” — and Polumbo hopes “voters won’t either.”
Culture critic: Against Tribalism
“Perhaps nothing so animates the progressive Left today,” argues Joel Kotkin at City Journal, “as the notion of an increasingly race-conscious society, segregated by ethnic identity and dismissive of the traditional ideal of assimilation.” It’s no longer the “reactionary Right” but lefties who “embrace a worldview that defines individuals by race.” Yet, while “woke” intellectuals envision “separate ethnic communities allied against white supremacy,” trends such as an increase in racial intermarriage suggest most of society is headed for an “erosion of racial categories.” The big threat: If “racialist ideology” continues to gain “adherents in the press and academia” and “Americans permit our multiracial society to devolve into ruinous tribalism,” then the country will never be able to “heal its current divisions.”
Education beat: A Foreign-Funding ‘Black Hole’
“Six prominent US universities failed to report a combined total of $1.3 billion in foreign funding,” reports the Clarion Project’s Alex VanNess. A Department of Education investigation found that schools including Rutgers and Cornell took money from China, Qatar, Russia and others, but ignored their “clear legal duty” to report it. Foreign donations are “a black hole,” a DOE lawyer says, because schools “routinely” fail to report them. Many come from governments “that run influence operations in the US to try to mold public opinion and policy.” The top known donor is Qatar,” giving $1.5 billion to 28 universities since 2012 — including $340 million to Northwestern for a partnership between the university’s journalism school and Al Jazeera, which “has a long history of spreading anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism and support for terrorist groups.”
— Compiled by Karl Salzmann & Kelly Jane Torrance


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Ethan Suplee shocks fans with new, buff appearance

Actor Ethan Suplee , best known for his roles in “ Remember the Titans ” and “ My Name Is Earl , ” is causing intense ripples on the internet Friday after , well , getting ripped .
Suplee , who ’ s been touting his new appearance on Instagram — in between “ Epstein didn ’ t kill himself ” memes — spoke at length about his weight-loss journey on his new podcast , “ American Glutton.
” The 43-year-old explains that his complicated relationship with food and dieting began at an early age : “ I guess the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was 5 years old … I went to visit my grandparents in Vermont and they were kind of shocked at the state of me , ” Suplee said .
“ Now , back then — this was like late- ’ 70s , early- ’ 80s — the fat version of me at 5 years old was probably close to what the average is today , but back then it was startling … So they weighed me and they were just shocked .
I don ’ t know what the numbers were but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started limiting my food .
“ I learned really quickly that when I wanted a second plate of lasagna I had to do it really quickly without them seeing.
” Over 200 pounds by the time he was 10 , Suplee says his father eventually put him on a liquid diet , which was effective , though his mother then took him off it , and his weight ballooned .
As an adult , he experimented with a range of diets , compounded by the fact that his rotund appearance had begun to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , Suplee says , “ Food is a functional fuel I use to live.
” He estimates he ’ s gained and lost over 1,000 pounds in his lifetime .
In case you needed motivation for your own weight-loss goals , he says he ’ s most focused on getting a six-pack right now , and guesses he ’ s not “ far off .
”

More like Ethan Suplex.
Actor Ethan Suplee, best known for his roles in “Remember the Titans” and “My Name Is Earl,” is causing intense ripples on the internet Friday after, well, getting ripped.
Suplee, who’s been touting his new appearance on Instagram — in between “Epstein didn’t kill himself” memes — spoke at length about his weight-loss journey on his new podcast, “American Glutton.”
The 43-year-old explains that his complicated relationship with food and dieting began at an early age:
“I guess the first diet I was ever on, I was 5 years old … I went to visit my grandparents in Vermont and they were kind of shocked at the state of me,” Suplee said. “Now, back then — this was like late-’70s, early-’80s — the fat version of me at 5 years old was probably close to what the average is today, but back then it was startling … So they weighed me and they were just shocked. I don’t know what the numbers were but their response was not good and they started limiting my food.
“I learned really quickly that when I wanted a second plate of lasagna I had to do it really quickly without them seeing.”
Over 200 pounds by the time he was 10, Suplee says his father eventually put him on a liquid diet, which was effective, though his mother then took him off it, and his weight ballooned. As an adult, he experimented with a range of diets, compounded by the fact that his rotund appearance had begun to become integral to his career.
Now, though, Suplee says, “Food is a functional fuel I use to live.” He estimates he’s gained and lost over 1,000 pounds in his lifetime. In case you needed motivation for your own weight-loss goals, he says he’s most focused on getting a six-pack right now, and guesses he’s not “far off.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Man accused of killing elderly Queens woman told cops he gets ‘uncontrollable urges’

The unidentified suspect was picked up earlier in the morning ...

Larry Celona, Tina Moore, Olivia Bensimon, Natalie Musumeci

Kevin C Downs for the New York Post
The man accused of murdering a beloved 92-year-old Queens “cat lady” told cops he gets “uncontrollable urges” — and killed her because of pent-up anger at his family, law-enforcement sources told The Post on Friday.
Reeaz Khan, 21, confessed to the heinous slaying of elderly Maria Fuertes after authorities picked him up Thursday night and hauled him to the 106th Precinct, where he was arrested and hit with murder and sex abuse charges on Friday, sources said.
Khan told cops that he “was abused his whole life” and upset that he had to move to the US with his family from Guyana a few years ago, a source said.
“He was angry at his father and [claimed] his brothers never liked him,” the source said. “He gets uncontrollable urges, but he never acted out on it. This was the first time.”
Fuertes, who sources say was strangled, was found mortally wounded and lying on the sidewalk at Liberty Avenue and 127th Street in Richmond Hill, just a block from her home, around midnight Monday.
Medics rushed the nonagenarian to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, but she could not be saved.
“Ms. Fuertes is a defenseless, 92-year-old woman, minding her own business, walking down the street when she was brutally attacked,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison told reporters Friday.
Khan followed Fuertes from Liberty Avenue onto 127th Street, where he came up behind her, threw her to the ground and attacked and sexually assaulted her, police said.
“There was some sort of physical contact between the two … causing both of them to fall to the ground. where they landed behind a parked car,” Deputy Chief of Detective Bureau Queens South Joseph Kenny said.
The attack was partially captured on surveillance footage, but Kenny said, “The perpetrator and the victim were out of view for approximately 4 to 5 minutes” before Khan reappeared and ran northbound on 127th Street.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said the victim was found “with her clothes pulled above her waist and near death” and called the slaying “a senseless, brutal act of violence.”
Kenny, who called Fuertes a “fixture in the neighborhood of Richmond Hill” and someone who “took strolls in the evening quite often,” said that the autopsy revealed Fuertes suffered “multiple injuries demonstrating intentional harm.”
A source said Fuertes and Khan did not know each other, but Harrison said that detail remains under investigation.
Fuertes was out in the late night hour picking up bottles from the street as part of her regular routine, according to sources.
Harrison said that Fuertes suffered “contusions around the neck” and “some injuries around her private area.”
Investigators tracked the Khan to his home about a half mile from the scene of the crime using surveillance footage and tips from the community.
Khan’s brother even called police after the NYPD released surveillance footage of a man wanted in the murder to say that his brother is the one shown in the video, according to sources.
As Khan was led out of the 106th Precinct station house in handcuffs Friday, he proclaimed his innocence.
“No, I did not,” Khan, donning a gray hoodie and sweatpants, responded after he was asked by a reporter whether he killed Fuertes.
He faces 25 years to life behind bars if convicted of the crime.
Khan was previously arrested on a charge of assault on Nov. 26 for allegedly slicing his father with a broken ceramic mug inside his Queens home, police said.
The father suffered a laceration to his chest and arm and was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Khan was released on his own recognizance at his arraignment where a temporary order of protection was issued, records show.
Meanwhile, neighbors of Fuertes said she was a lover of cats who often spent time walking around the area collecting cans and feeding felines.
“She was willing take any stray cat,” said neighbor Shantie Ram, 57. “Sometimes she would knock on my door and ask if we’ve seen any cats. She’s a very nice person.”
Ram noted that Fuertes “loved to walk in the nights” and that her son, who works at night, used to repeatedly tell her not to walk around at night.
“She would just go walk up and down the block collecting cans, feeding the cats — just so sad,” Ram said.
Jean Hiralal, 76, who lived next door to Fuertes for seven years, called Fuertes “a lovely lady” who “never bothered a soul.”
“Everybody would call her ‘mommy,’ ‘grandma’ or ‘cat lady,’” Hiralal said. “Just a wonderful soul.”
Additional reporting by Israel Salas-Rodriguez


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Trump: Iranian Gen. Soleimani was planning attacks on 4 US embassies

President Trump told Fox News in an interview airing Friday night that the imminent threat from Iran that provoked the US to kill top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani involved planned attacks on four US embassies .
Trump a day earlier cited a planned attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad but he elaborated during the interview with Laura Ingraham that it involved three others as well .
“ I can reveal that I believe it probably would ’ ve been four embassies , ” the commander-in-chief told Fox in an interview that will appear on the network at 10 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the other three embassies are located .
The administration repeatedly said that the strike was an act of self-defense to prevent what it described as an “ imminent threat ” against US interests and troops .
Earlier Friday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was questioned on the specifics of that threat as reporters quizzed him on what he meant by “ imminent.
” “ We had specific information on an imminent threat and that threat stream included attacks on US embassies .
Period .
Full stop , ” Pompeo said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he replied : “ It was going to happen.
” “ I will say this , we caught a total monster and we took him out and that should have happened a long time ago .
We did it because they were looking to blow up our embassy , ” he said , offering the administration ’ s first specific reason for killing Soleimani last Friday .

President Trump told Fox News in an interview airing Friday night that the imminent threat from Iran that provoked the US to kill top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani involved planned attacks on four US embassies.
Trump a day earlier cited a planned attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad but he elaborated during the interview with Laura Ingraham that it involved three others as well.
“I can reveal that I believe it probably would’ve been four embassies,” the commander-in-chief told Fox in an interview that will appear on the network at 10 p.m. eastern time.
He did not specify where the other three embassies are located.
The administration repeatedly said that the strike was an act of self-defense to prevent what it described as an “imminent threat” against US interests and troops.
Earlier Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was questioned on the specifics of that threat as reporters quizzed him on what he meant by “imminent.”
“We had specific information on an imminent threat and that threat stream included attacks on US embassies. Period. Full stop,” Pompeo said.
Asked what he meant by imminent, he replied: “It was going to happen.”
Trump on Thursday ripped Soleimani.
“I will say this, we caught a total monster and we took him out and that should have happened a long time ago. We did it because they were looking to blow up our embassy,” he said, offering the administration’s first specific reason for killing Soleimani last Friday.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Fantasy football: Play Marshawn Lynch and fade DK Metcalf

The key to winning money in daily fantasy sports NFL contests is to find a low-owned player or two who explode .
Last week , those players were DK Metcalf ( in 45 percent ownership range at FanDuel , 30 percent at DraftKings ) and Derrick Henry ( mid-teens at both sites ) .
Who will be those players this week ?
Can last week ’ s heroes repeat the feat ?
We tend to lean our fantasy interests toward the overall volatility of performance by players in general from week to week .
Hence , we have natural reservations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more reasons to fade Metcalf this week than Henry .
Metcalf isn ’ t the key component in the Seattle offense .
Posting a 20- to 30-point fantasy outing in a low-scoring contest , as Metcalf did last week , is rare , and though we expect more scoring in the Seahawks-Packers game than the Seahawks ’ 17-9 win at Philadelphia last week , we don ’ t expect offensive fireworks .
And we haven ’ t forgotten about Tyler Lockett , who could awaken from his newfound obscurity at any moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has a better matchup than last week — when he torched the Patriots league-toughest fantasy run defense for 182 rushing yards — but that isn ’ t saying much .
The Ravens ranked fourth-stingiest against opposing fantasy backs .
Worse , the Ravens employ a rare offensive combination : both run-heavy and explosive .
That means teams often can find themselves playing from behind , against a team equipped to shorten the game .
The Ravens also have enjoyed an extra week off , giving them rest and prep time .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intuition and fade Henry as well .
So where do we look for this week ’ s heroes ?
We really want to play Damien Williams , but his ownership projections are out of whack — forecast to be 48 percent , the highest of anyone this week .
So we look elsewhere .
Marshawn Lynch is where we land .
The Packers have been better against the pass than the run , Lynch has an additional week of acclimation since his return , and weather conditions are forecast to favor the run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison to his running back counterparts .
We also will split shares at wide receiver between Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel , with the thinking one of the two will post a strong day against a substandard Vikings secondary .
Enter duplicate lineups with each 49ers WR , which is easy since they are priced similarly at both sites , and off we go .

The key to winning money in daily fantasy sports NFL contests is to find a low-owned player or two who explode. Last week, those players were DK Metcalf (in 45 percent ownership range at FanDuel, 30 percent at DraftKings) and Derrick Henry (mid-teens at both sites).
Who will be those players this week? Can last week’s heroes repeat the feat?
We tend to lean our fantasy interests toward the overall volatility of performance by players in general from week to week. Hence, we have natural reservations about revisiting Metcalf or Henry.
There are more reasons to fade Metcalf this week than Henry. Metcalf isn’t the key component in the Seattle offense. Posting a 20- to 30-point fantasy outing in a low-scoring contest, as Metcalf did last week, is rare, and though we expect more scoring in the Seahawks-Packers game than the Seahawks’ 17-9 win at Philadelphia last week, we don’t expect offensive fireworks. And we haven’t forgotten about Tyler Lockett, who could awaken from his newfound obscurity at any moment.
Henry, on the other hand, has a better matchup than last week — when he torched the Patriots league-toughest fantasy run defense for 182 rushing yards — but that isn’t saying much. The Ravens ranked fourth-stingiest against opposing fantasy backs.
Worse, the Ravens employ a rare offensive combination: both run-heavy and explosive. That means teams often can find themselves playing from behind, against a team equipped to shorten the game. The Ravens also have enjoyed an extra week off, giving them rest and prep time. We’re going with stick with our intuition and fade Henry as well.
So where do we look for this week’s heroes? We really want to play Damien Williams, but his ownership projections are out of whack — forecast to be 48 percent, the highest of anyone this week. So we look elsewhere. Marshawn Lynch is where we land. The Packers have been better against the pass than the run, Lynch has an additional week of acclimation since his return, and weather conditions are forecast to favor the run. Plus, he is cheap by comparison to his running back counterparts.
We also will split shares at wide receiver between Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel, with the thinking one of the two will post a strong day against a substandard Vikings secondary. Enter duplicate lineups with each 49ers WR, which is easy since they are priced similarly at both sites, and off we go.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Urban Outfitters offers up to 40% off decor, bedding, and furniture during Home Sale

Want to give your home a new look ?
Well , we ’ ve got the perfect sale for you @ @ @ @ @ offering home decor , furniture , and bedding at up to 40 % off during @ @ @ @ @ The four-day sale includes everything from swivel chairs to Fujifilm Instant Cameras .
There is @ @ @ @ @ comforter set you can get for more than 20 % off .
These products are @ @ @ @ @ their space to be sleek and stylish .
We know that you have a lot @ @ @ @ @ home .
And , the new year is the perfect time to make them a @ @ @ @ @ look through our favorite picks from the Home Sale and make your home decor dreams @ @ @

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
Want to give your home a new look?
Well, we’ve got the perfect sale for you.
Urban Outfitters is currently offering home decor, furniture, and bedding at up to 40% off during its huge Home Sale.
The four-day sale includes everything from swivel chairs to Fujifilm Instant Cameras.
There is also a beautiful floral print comforter set you can get for more than 20% off.
These products are perfect for homeowners who want their space to be sleek and stylish.
We know that you have a lot of decorating goals for your home. And, the new year is the perfect time to make them a reality.
So take a look through our favorite picks from the Home Sale and make your home decor dreams come true.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Iranian national armed with knives, cash detained near Mar-a-Lago

An Iranian national armed with knives and large sums of cash was detained in Florida Friday , not far from President Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago estate , according to local reports .
The man was carrying knives , including a machete and pickaxe , as well as $ 22,000 in cash when he was taken into custody on Flagler Memorial Bridge , the Palm Beach Daily News reported .
Palm Beach police identified the man to the paper as Masoud Yareioeill Zoleh and said they had received a call about him at 9:30 a.m .
Officer Michael Ogrodnick told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Palm Beach International Airport and that federal authorities were collaborating in an investigation .
The Palm Beach Police Department did not respond to a request for comment .
The bridge is about a 12-minute drive from Mar-a-Lago .
Earlier in the week , an “ unspecified incident ” involving a local law enforcement agent and a civilian sparked at an investigation at the president ’ s South Florida home .
The beach retreat has been under heightened security following increased tensions with Iran , which threatened to target Mar-a-Lago and other Trump @ @

An Iranian national carrying a machete, a pickax and $20,00 cash was detained in Palm Beach Florida Friday, after he was reported sleeping in a park five miles from President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, according to local police.
The man, Masoud Yareilzoleh, was carrying knives — including a machete and a pickaxe — as well as $22,000 in cash when he was taken into custody just north of Flagler Memorial Bridge, the Palm Beach Daily News reported.
Yareilzoleh was in the country legally and did not pose a national threat, the officer said, though an investigation is ongoing.
“This is not a national security threat–absolutely not,” Ogrodnick said.
Police found Yareilzoleh in Bradley Park, just north of the bridge, after receiving a call around 9:30 a.m. reporting that he was sleeping gazebo there, according to Ogrodnick.
Yareilzoleh was also found to have had a vehicle parked at Palm Beach International Airport, the officer said.
Officer Michael Ogrodnick told the outlet the man had a car parked at Palm Beach International Airport and that federal authorities were collaborating in an investigation.
The Palm Beach Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.
The arrest happened about a 12-minute drive from Mar-a-Lago, near the bridge that connects Palm Beach with West Palm Beach.
Earlier in the week, an “unspecified incident” involving a local law enforcement agent and a civilian sparked at an investigation at the president’s South Florida home.
The beach retreat has been under heightened security following increased tensions with Iran, which threatened to target Mar-a-Lago and other Trump properties.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Yankees, Aaron Judge avoid arbitration, agree to 1-year, $8.5M deal

One of the Yankees ’ best sluggers has put pen to paper .
Aaron Judge and the Bombers agreed Friday @ @ @ @ @ 8.5 million contract according to MLB Network .
The move means both parties get to @ @ @ @ @ taking in easily the largest salary of his young career .
Judge earned a salary @ @ @ @ @ fourth season in 2019 .
The outfielder batted .272 and tallied 27 home runs in @ @ @ @ @ missing the early stages of the season with injury .
The Yankees also locked up @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the day .

One of the Yankees’ best sluggers has put pen to paper.
Aaron Judge and the Bombers agreed Friday to a one-year, $8.5 million contract according to MLB Network. The move means both parties get to avoid arbitration, with Judge taking in easily the largest salary of his young career.
Judge earned a salary of $684,300 during his fourth season in 2019. The outfielder batted .272 and tallied 27 home runs in 102 regular season games after missing the early stages of the season with injury.
The Yankees also locked up Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez earlier in the day.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--De Blasio’s Orthodox allies slam Jewish lawmaker’s call for his ouster

Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s Orthodox allies mounted a blistering defense after a top Jewish lawmaker demanded Hizzoner ’ s resignation over City Hall ’ s sluggish response to a surge in anti-Semitic attacks .
“ We love our Orthodox elected officials who work tirelessly for the betterment of their constituents and our communities but we disagree when they berate openly other elected officials like the @ NYCMayor or others etc , our # Torah teaches us a higher standard that we need to adhere , ” the Satmar Headquarters tweeted Friday .
The Satmars are an ultra-orthodox Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are closely aligned with de Blasio , who faced harsh criticism for failing to crack down on Orthodox yeshivas that don ’ t provide a basic secular education .
The account said the message was approved “ by our leadership and the personal intervention of the Satmar Grand Rebbe Aron.
” The Satmars leader , Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum , is vacationing in Palm Springs , Calif. and could not immediately be reached for comment .
The tweet rebuked state Sen. Simcha Felder ( D-Brooklyn ) for his Jan. 7 open letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his “ dismal failure in responding to the crisis.
” A source close to the debate says the Satmar ’ s warning “ seems justified.
” “ By doing this Felder is screwing up high level conversations between the Jewish community and the mayor ’ s office , ” the source said .
But Felder told The Post he believes Teitelbaum is in the dark about the post .
“ I don ’ t believe the rebbe is approving or reading Tweets , ” Felder said .
“ The feedback that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very positive I think people are sick and tired of what ’ s going on , ” he said .
City Hall spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie defended the mayor ’ s response to the dramatic 26 percent uptick in hate crimes in 2019 .
“ We are committed to working with the Jewish community to prevent any further acts of hatred , ” she said .

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Orthodox allies mounted a blistering defense after a top Jewish lawmaker demanded Hizzoner’s resignation over City Hall’s sluggish response to a surge in anti-Semitic attacks.
“We love our Orthodox elected officials who work tirelessly for the betterment of their constituents and our communities but we disagree when they berate openly other elected officials like the @NYCMayor or others etc, our #Torah teaches us a higher standard that we need to adhere,” the Satmar Headquarters tweeted Friday.
The Satmars are an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect with a large population in Brooklyn. They are closely aligned with de Blasio, who faced harsh criticism for failing to crack down on Orthodox yeshivas that don’t provide a basic secular education.
The account said the message was approved “by our leadership and the personal intervention of the Satmar Grand Rebbe Aron.”
The Satmars leader, Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, is vacationing in Palm Springs, Calif. and could not immediately be reached for comment.
The tweet rebuked state Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) for his Jan. 7 open letter that called on de Blasio to resign for his “dismal failure in responding to the crisis.”
A source close to the debate says the Satmar’s warning “seems justified.”
“By doing this Felder is screwing up high level conversations between the Jewish community and the mayor’s office,” the source said.
But Felder told The Post he believes Teitelbaum is in the dark about the post.
“I don’t believe the rebbe is approving or reading Tweets,” Felder said. “The feedback that I’ve gotten overwhelmingly has been very very positive I think people are sick and tired of what’s going on,” he said.
City Hall spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie defended the mayor’s response to the dramatic 26 percent uptick in hate crimes in 2019.
“We are committed to working with the Jewish community to prevent any further acts of hatred,” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Balenciaga unveils $2,590 Hello Kitty bag

Hello Kitty is moving up in the world .
The collaboration-crazy cat has partnered with luxury Parisian brand Balenciaga on a collection of accessories with the classic Hello Kitty character — and a hefty price tag .
The character , created by Yuko Shimizu in 1974 , started out on a coin purse but expanded to decorate everything from skateboards and sneakers to Polaroid cameras and air purifiers .
And now Hello Kitty has hit runways , too .
In September , at the Balenciaga ’ s spring 2020 show , male models toted black , pink and white versions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag , all emblazoned with the unmistakable cartoon cat .
The fashion world loves a good pop culture collaboration these days — see the recent Levi ’ s hookup with Netflix ’ s “ Stranger Things ” — especially when it comes to referencing childhood favorites .
Throwback brands such as Good Luck Trolls have made their way from trinkets in children ’ s rooms to the runway , when they showed up on Moschino ’ s catwalk in Milan last year .
As for the Balenciaga Hello Kitty collection , the items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they ’ re clearly not for toddlers .
This medium Ville top-handle bag is for serious fans with bank accounts that can handle a price tag of $ 2,590 .
The collaboration includes other items that are bound to be at least a little more accessible , such as a phone holder , an XXS tote and an XS camera bag .
The collection will be available worldwide Jan. 27 .

Hello Kitty is moving up in the world.
The collaboration-crazy cat has partnered with luxury Parisian brand Balenciaga on a collection of accessories with the classic Hello Kitty character — and a hefty price tag.
The character, created by Yuko Shimizu in 1974, started out on a coin purse but expanded to decorate everything from skateboards and sneakers to Polaroid cameras and air purifiers.
And now Hello Kitty has hit runways, too. In September, at the Balenciaga’s spring 2020 show, male models toted black, pink and white versions of the brand’s iconic Ville bag, all emblazoned with the unmistakable cartoon cat.
The fashion world loves a good pop culture collaboration these days — see the recent Levi’s hookup with Netflix’s “Stranger Things” — especially when it comes to referencing childhood favorites. Throwback brands such as Good Luck Trolls have made their way from trinkets in children’s rooms to the runway, when they showed up on Moschino’s catwalk in Milan last year.
As for the Balenciaga Hello Kitty collection, the items still have that familiar cute face, but they’re clearly not for toddlers. This medium Ville top-handle bag is for serious fans with bank accounts that can handle a price tag of $2,590.
The collaboration includes other items that are bound to be at least a little more accessible, such as a phone holder, an XXS tote and an XS camera bag.
The collection will be available worldwide Jan. 27.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--‘68 Whiskey’ tackles life of US Army medics in war-torn Afghanistan

Paramount Network ’ s new military dramedy , “ 68 Whiskey , ” posits itself as an updated take on “ M*A*S*H ” — with Korea swapped out for Afghanistan as the setting for US Army personnel treating soldiers wounded ( or worse ) in wartime .
The 10-episode series , premiering Jan. 15 ( 10 p.m. ) and produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer ’ s Imagine Entertainment , takes a while to get going .
And while it doesn ’ t quite match the darkly comic tonal resonance of “ M*A*S*H ” ( the movie or TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a groove that , if not groundbreaking , offers up a cast of colorful characters who will make you want to revisit them on a weekly basis .
The setting here is the NATO Coalition Base Guardian in the Laghman Province of Afghanistan .
It ’ s close to the front line and is home to soldiers from various countries including the US Army ’ s 22nd Medical Company .
There ’ s medic Cooper Roback ( Irish actor Sam Keeley ) , the unit ’ s rogue troublemaker with ongoing side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret from his past .
He ’ s sleeping with Corporal Grace Durkin ( Gage Golightly , “ The Last Summer ” ) , and his rule-breaking behavior is a problem for the unit ’ s chief doctor , Major Sonia Holloway ( Beth Riesgraf ) , and its exasperated commander , Col. Harlan Austin ( Lamont Thompson ) .
Roback ’ s chief pals are fellow medics Rosa Alvarez ( Cristina Rodlo ) and Mekhi Davis ( Jeremy Tardy ) , his wingman who ( sometimes unwillingly ) goes along with Roback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also newbie soldier Anthony Petrocelli ( Nicholas Coombe ) , who provides the comic relief — he befriends an abandoned goat who he thinks is imbued with the traits of a fallen comrade — and a hulking special ops dude nicknamed Sasquatch ( Derek Theler , “ Dollface ” ) , who ’ s also romantically involved with Durkin and hates Roback ’ s guts .
That ’ s the basic setup of “ 68 Whiskey , ” which tends to occasionally veer into graphic sexual territory ( it ’ s unnecessary ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( to be expected for people living in a war zone and under constant threat ) .
It checks several politically topical boxes : Alvarez is a Mexican immigrant — her father was deported back to Mexico from Texas and now she too faces deportation “ just because some a–hole in Washington wants to get reelected , ” says Roback — and there ’ s a reference to unpaid medical bills due to the high cost of medical care in the US .
These polarizing footballs are few and far between , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available for review , and the series doesn ’ t ( yet ) descend into overt preachiness .
The cast is generally solid and very likeable , with standouts including Coombe — who brings a refreshingly innocent air to Petrocelli — and Thompson who , as Col. Austin , strikes a nice balance between his outward military discipline and obvious humanity ( and sense of humor ) lurking just beneath his gruff exterior .
The series was shot in the mountains of Santa Clarita , Calif. , chosen for its topographical similarity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a plus , as is the military complex ( dubbed “ The Orphanage ” by the soldiers ) and a nearby Afghan village , both specially constructed for the series and both of which make you feel you ’ re in a war zone ( and not a Hollywood backlot ) .
“ 68 Whiskey ” won ’ t make anyone forget “ M*A*S*H ” — or even “ Catch-22 , ” for that matter — but it tries hard to provide at least a taste of what life is like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lurking danger and , at times , death .

Paramount Network’s new military dramedy, “68 Whiskey,” posits itself as an updated take on “M*A*S*H” — with Korea swapped out for Afghanistan as the setting for US Army personnel treating soldiers wounded (or worse) in wartime.
The 10-episode series, premiering Jan. 15 (10 p.m.) and produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment, takes a while to get going. And while it doesn’t quite match the darkly comic tonal resonance of “M*A*S*H” (the movie or TV series), it does eventually settle into a groove that, if not groundbreaking, offers up a cast of colorful characters who will make you want to revisit them on a weekly basis.
The setting here is the NATO Coalition Base Guardian in the Laghman Province of Afghanistan. It’s close to the front line and is home to soldiers from various countries including the US Army’s 22nd Medical Company. There’s medic Cooper Roback (Irish actor Sam Keeley), the unit’s rogue troublemaker with ongoing side hustles who’s hiding a dark secret from his past. He’s sleeping with Corporal Grace Durkin (Gage Golightly, “The Last Summer”), and his rule-breaking behavior is a problem for the unit’s chief doctor, Major Sonia Holloway (Beth Riesgraf), and its exasperated commander, Col. Harlan Austin (Lamont Thompson). Roback’s chief pals are fellow medics Rosa Alvarez (Cristina Rodlo) and Mekhi Davis (Jeremy Tardy), his wingman who (sometimes unwillingly) goes along with Roback’s schemes.
There’s also newbie soldier Anthony Petrocelli (Nicholas Coombe), who provides the comic relief — he befriends an abandoned goat who he thinks is imbued with the traits of a fallen comrade — and a hulking special ops dude nicknamed Sasquatch (Derek Theler, “Dollface”), who’s also romantically involved with Durkin and hates Roback’s guts.
That’s the basic setup of “68 Whiskey,” which tends to occasionally veer into graphic sexual territory (it’s unnecessary) and drops several f-bombs along the way (to be expected for people living in a war zone and under constant threat). It checks several politically topical boxes: Alvarez is a Mexican immigrant — her father was deported back to Mexico from Texas and now she too faces deportation “just because some a–hole in Washington wants to get reelected,” says Roback — and there’s a reference to unpaid medical bills due to the high cost of medical care in the US. These polarizing footballs are few and far between, at least in the first three episodes made available for review, and the series doesn’t (yet) descend into overt preachiness.
The cast is generally solid and very likeable, with standouts including Coombe — who brings a refreshingly innocent air to Petrocelli — and Thompson who, as Col. Austin, strikes a nice balance between his outward military discipline and obvious humanity (and sense of humor) lurking just beneath his gruff exterior. The series was shot in the mountains of Santa Clarita, Calif., chosen for its topographical similarity to the Langham Province of Afghanistan. That’s a plus, as is the military complex (dubbed “The Orphanage” by the soldiers) and a nearby Afghan village, both specially constructed for the series and both of which make you feel you’re in a war zone (and not a Hollywood backlot).
“68 Whiskey” won’t make anyone forget “M*A*S*H” — or even “Catch-22,” for that matter — but it tries hard to provide at least a taste of what life is like in a modern-day war zone fraught with lurking danger and, at times, death.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--How Jane Austen’s unfinished novel ‘Sanditon’ became a TV show

Completing an iconic author ’ s unfinished story is a daunting task — so big-gun literary guru Andrew Davies was brought in to adapt Jane Austen ’ s “ Sanditon ” into a PBS series premiering Sunday night .
The Emmy- and BAFTA-winning Davies , 83 , penned nearly all the major adaptations of classics in the past 30 years , including the 1995 “ Pride and Prejudice ” series starring Colin Firth ; the British “ House of Cards , ” ( 1990 ) ; “ Bleak House ” ( 2005 ) ; “ Sense & Sensibility ” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( 2016 ) ; “ Les Miserables ” ( 2018 ) ; and now “ Sanditon , ” premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. on “ Masterpiece.
” “ Making up the story is not really my strongest point , so I was a bit worried whether I ’ d be able to generate enough plot , ” Davies tells The Post , referring to the fact that Austen wrote just 11 chapters of the book before her death in 1817 .
“ But [ when British network ITV approached me ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
“ As with Austen ’ s other novels , the story comes from the interaction with the characters .
I just thought about what Jane Austen had put in place and thought if it was me , how would I develop those elements ?
“ She didn ’ t write much story , but she did give us nearly all the principal characters and the premise , which is about the building of a seaside town .
There were a lot of promising things to work with.
” Set in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Sanditon ” follows Charlotte Heywood ( Rose Williams , “ Reign ” ) , a young woman who joins entrepreneur Tom Parker ( Kris Marshall , “ Better Things ” ) and his family at Sanditon — a seaside resort he ’ s developing .
There , she encounters an ensemble of characters including the dowager Lady Denham ( Anne Reid , “ Years and Years ” ) , a pair of scheming siblings out for her fortune ( played by Jack Fox and Charlotte Spencer ) and Tom ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convery , “ Poldark ” ) and the dashing-yet-churlish Sidney ( Theo James , “ Downton Abbey ” ) .
Sidney is also guardian to Georgiana Lambe ( Crystal Clarke , “ Black Mirror ” ) , Austen ’ s first black heroine .
“ There were more [ people of various races ] about at England at that time than is generally supposed , ” says Davies .
“ Miss Lambe is an heiress , which makes her extremely eligible .
Even though she would encounter a lot of open prejudice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be quite a match for any young man .
So you ’ ve got that interesting juxtaposition.
” Davies , who lives in England with his wife , is known for spicing up his adaptations from their source material .
For instance , one scene in “ Sanditon ” features Sidney standing in water , echoing “ Pride and Prejudice ’ s ” scene of Colin Firth ’ s Darcy in a lake — a famous moment that ’ s not in the book .
“ People seemed to like it before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it again , ’ ” he says .
“ I was aiming to be true to the time .
Really , we were making up an Austen novel , not just slavishly copying Austen .
There is a bit of nudity ; gentlemen did used to bathe naked in those days .
Fortunately we had some exceptionally finely endowed gentlemen in the cast… although I felt very sorry for them , because it was quite cold and windy weather .
There was considerable danger of hypothermia , but they gritted their teeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes to follow the eight-episode “ Sanditon ” with a Season 2 , which he says will depend on the size of the American audience .
In the meantime , he has no plans to retire .
“ I ’ m currently engaged in doing an adaptation of John Updike ’ s ‘ Rabbit ’ novels , ” he says .
“ I ’ m also looking at doing Hardy ’ s ‘ The Mayor of Casterbridge.
’ Perhaps I ’ m taking it slightly more easy — but I ’ m as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Completing an iconic author’s unfinished story is a daunting task — so big-gun literary guru Andrew Davies was brought in to adapt Jane Austen’s “Sanditon” into a PBS series premiering Sunday night.
The Emmy- and BAFTA-winning Davies, 83, penned nearly all the major adaptations of classics in the past 30 years, including the 1995 “Pride and Prejudice” series starring Colin Firth; the British “House of Cards,” (1990); “Bleak House” (2005); “Sense & Sensibility” (2008); “War & Peace” (2016); “Les Miserables” (2018); and now “Sanditon,” premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. on “Masterpiece.”
“Making up the story is not really my strongest point, so I was a bit worried whether I’d be able to generate enough plot,” Davies tells The Post, referring to the fact that Austen wrote just 11 chapters of the book before her death in 1817.
“But [when British network ITV approached me], it presented an intriguing possibility,” he says. “As with Austen’s other novels, the story comes from the interaction with the characters. I just thought about what Jane Austen had put in place and thought if it was me, how would I develop those elements?
“She didn’t write much story, but she did give us nearly all the principal characters and the premise, which is about the building of a seaside town. There were a lot of promising things to work with.”
Set in early 1800s England in the Regency era, “Sanditon” follows Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams, “Reign”), a young woman who joins entrepreneur Tom Parker (Kris Marshall, “Better Things”) and his family at Sanditon — a seaside resort he’s developing. There, she encounters an ensemble of characters including the dowager Lady Denham (Anne Reid, “Years and Years”), a pair of scheming siblings out for her fortune (played by Jack Fox and Charlotte Spencer) and Tom’s brothers: the goofy Arthur (Turlough Convery, “Poldark”) and the dashing-yet-churlish Sidney (Theo James, “Downton Abbey”). Sidney is also guardian to Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke, “Black Mirror”), Austen’s first black heroine.
“There were more [people of various races] about at England at that time than is generally supposed,” says Davies. “Miss Lambe is an heiress, which makes her extremely eligible. Even though she would encounter a lot of open prejudice, on the other hand she’d be quite a match for any young man. So you’ve got that interesting juxtaposition.”
Davies, who lives in England with his wife, is known for spicing up his adaptations from their source material. For instance, one scene in “Sanditon” features Sidney standing in water, echoing “Pride and Prejudice’s” scene of Colin Firth’s Darcy in a lake — a famous moment that’s not in the book.
“People seemed to like it before, so I thought ‘Let’s do it again,’ ” he says. “I was aiming to be true to the time. Really, we were making up an Austen novel, not just slavishly copying Austen. There is a bit of nudity; gentlemen did used to bathe naked in those days. Fortunately we had some exceptionally finely endowed gentlemen in the cast… although I felt very sorry for them, because it was quite cold and windy weather. There was considerable danger of hypothermia, but they gritted their teeth and got on with it.”
Davies hopes to follow the eight-episode “Sanditon” with a Season 2, which he says will depend on the size of the American audience. In the meantime, he has no plans to retire.
“I’m currently engaged in doing an adaptation of John Updike’s ‘Rabbit’ novels,” he says. “I’m also looking at doing Hardy’s ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge.’ Perhaps I’m taking it slightly more easy — but I’m as busy as I’ve ever been.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Dismissed Weinstein juror says pal had hotel ‘encounter’ with disgraced movie mogul

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 ) Harvey Weinstein ’ s lawyers asked a judge Friday to dismiss all prospective jurors present when a panelist said she couldn ’ t be impartial since her good friend had a run-in with the disgraced movie mogul .
On Jan. 8 , the female juror , whose name is being withheld by the Post , said in open court , “ I have a close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ] defendant in his hotel room , and I do not think I can be a fair juror in this case.
” The juror did not disclose any details about her pal ’ s incident with the portly producer and she was dismissed .
But 32 panelists who are still in the jury pool heard the damning comment , and defense lawyer Arthur Aidala filed a motion Friday asking that they be booted from the case .
Justice James Burke denied the motion in court .
The motion comes on the fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sex assault trial .
The defense filing also raised concerns that another prospective juror said in a tweet to nearly 7,000 followers that he was eager to secure a seat on the panel to promote his novel .
“ If anyone knows how a person might hypothetically leverage serving on the jury of a high-profile case to promote their new novel , [ REDACTED ] , which [ REDACTED ] called ‘ a darkly funny book ’ and ‘ a witty black comedy , ’ dm me , please , ” reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tweet has since been deleted but not the responses to it .
“ Whoever you have to sleep with to get on that jury , do it , ” wrote one man in a reply .
“ I don ’ t know if this counts as jury-tampering but he ’ s guilty , ” wrote another .
The prospective juror “ liked ” both comments , the filing stated .
Another potential juror was asked on Facebook if she had been “ paneled for Weinstein , ” according to the motion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laughing emoji , ” Aidala wrote .
The defense team cited the social media activity as a reason that the second phase of jury selection should be conducted in secret .
The fallen Hollywood titan faces two counts of predatory sex assault , two counts of rape and one count of criminal sex for which he faces up to life in prison .
Opening statements are slated for Jan. 22 .

Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers asked a judge Friday to dismiss all prospective jurors present when a panelist said she couldn’t be impartial since her good friend had a run-in with the disgraced movie mogul.
On Jan. 8, the female juror, whose name is being withheld by the Post, said in open court, “I have a close friend who had an encounter with [the] defendant in his hotel room, and I do not think I can be a fair juror in this case.”
The juror did not disclose any details about her pal’s incident with the portly producer and she was dismissed.
But 32 panelists who are still in the jury pool heard the damning comment, and defense lawyer Arthur Aidala filed a motion Friday asking that they be booted from the case. Justice James Burke denied the motion in court.
The motion comes on the fourth day of jury selection in Weinstein’s sex assault trial.
The defense filing also raised concerns that another prospective juror said in a tweet to nearly 7,000 followers that he was eager to secure a seat on the panel to promote his novel.
“If anyone knows how a person might hypothetically leverage serving on the jury of a high-profile case to promote their new novel, [REDACTED], which [REDACTED] called ‘a darkly funny book’ and ‘a witty black comedy,’ dm me, please,” reads the tweet, which prompted several responses.
The tweet has since been deleted but not the responses to it.
“Whoever you have to sleep with to get on that jury, do it,” wrote one man in a reply. “I don’t know if this counts as jury-tampering but he’s guilty,” wrote another. The prospective juror “liked” both comments, the filing stated.
Another potential juror was asked on Facebook if she had been “paneled for Weinstein,” according to the motion. “This juror reacted with a laughing emoji,” Aidala wrote.
The defense team cited the social media activity as a reason that the second phase of jury selection should be conducted in secret.
The fallen Hollywood titan faces two counts of predatory sex assault, two counts of rape and one count of criminal sex for which he faces up to life in prison. Opening statements are slated for Jan. 22.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--‘Grey’s Anatomy’ fans beg Shonda Rhimes not to kill off Alex Karev

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Shortly after Justin Chambers announced that he ’ ll soon be leaving ABC staple “ Grey ’ s Anatomy , ” fans of his character — Alex Karev — rallied to beg show creator Shonda Rhimes not to kill off the charismatic surgeon , as she ’ s done to several fan favorites over the years .
Fans were disappointed with the news of Chambers ’ departure , but were even more concerned with the fate of Karev , hoping Rhimes doesn ’ t take him out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lexi Grey , Mark Sloan or Derek Shepherd .
“ If Shonda kills off Alex , I ’ ll be no good .
Just let him move away , like Christiana , ” wrote one fan , with another adding , “ I already know Shonda Rhimes about to slaughter his a– and have us more depressed than we was for [ Derek ] .
” Another fan noted how many loved ones protagonist Meredith Grey has lost over the years , writing , “ Shonda bet not kill off Alex Karev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ … now Justin Chambers is leaving so if Alex dies , me and Shonda gone have a problem.
” Other fans complained that viewers have been begging her to get rid of Owen Hunt — played by Kevin McKidd — for at least two seasons .
“ Shonda getting rid of everybody but who we want gone … *cough cough* Owen , ” wrote one tweeter , with another agreeing , “ Shonda Rhimes getting rid of everyone but Owen is really beyond me.
” “ Grey ’ s Anatomy losing Karev is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” tweeted another fan .
“ Greatest character arc of all time .
Ellen is incredible but now we have no core cast members and without fodder for storylines they just keep randomly giving Owen Hunt more babies .
He has enough .
We ’ ve all had enough , Shonda .
”

Shortly after Justin Chambers announced that he’ll soon be leaving ABC staple “Grey’s Anatomy,” fans of his character — Alex Karev — rallied to beg show creator Shonda Rhimes not to kill off the charismatic surgeon, as she’s done to several fan favorites over the years.
Fans were disappointed with the news of Chambers’ departure, but were even more concerned with the fate of Karev, hoping Rhimes doesn’t take him out à la George O’Malley, Lexi Grey, Mark Sloan or Derek Shepherd.
“If Shonda kills off Alex, I’ll be no good. Just let him move away, like Christiana,” wrote one fan, with another adding, “I already know Shonda Rhimes about to slaughter his a– and have us more depressed than we was for [Derek].”
Another fan noted how many loved ones protagonist Meredith Grey has lost over the years, writing, “Shonda bet not kill off Alex Karev. Meredith lost way too many people already … now Justin Chambers is leaving so if Alex dies, me and Shonda gone have a problem.”
Other fans complained that viewers have been begging her to get rid of Owen Hunt — played by Kevin McKidd — for at least two seasons.
“Shonda getting rid of everybody but who we want gone … *cough cough* Owen,” wrote one tweeter, with another agreeing, “Shonda Rhimes getting rid of everyone but Owen is really beyond me.”
“Grey’s Anatomy losing Karev is a fatal loss for the show,” tweeted another fan. “Greatest character arc of all time. Ellen is incredible but now we have no core cast members and without fodder for storylines they just keep randomly giving Owen Hunt more babies. He has enough. We’ve all had enough, Shonda.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Man charged with killing beloved 92-year-old woman proclaims innocence

The man charged with murdering and sexually abusing a beloved 92-year-old Queens “ cat lady ” denied his role in @ @ @ @ @ “ No , I did not , ” Reeaz Khan , 21 , responded after @ @ @ @ @ reporter whether he committed the early Monday murder of elderly Maria Fuertes .
Khan , @ @ @ @ @ sweat pants , made the comment as he was led out of the 106th Precinct @ @ @ @ @ and put into an unmarked police car .
One man shouted , “ I hope @ @ @ @ @ to Khan as he exited the precinct .
Khan was slapped with charges of murder @ @ @ @ @ the slaying that happened at Liberty Avenue and 127th Street in Richmond Hill , just @ @ @ @ @ home .
The elderly victim was known around the area as a “ cat lady @ @ @ @ @ night strolls and collected cans from the streets while feeding local kitties .

The man charged with murdering and sexually abusing a beloved 92-year-old Queens “cat lady” denied his role in the heinous crime Friday.
“No, I did not,” Reeaz Khan, 21, responded after he was asked by a reporter whether he committed the early Monday murder of elderly Maria Fuertes.
Khan, wearing a gray hoodie and sweat pants, made the comment as he was led out of the 106th Precinct by a pair of detectives and put into an unmarked police car.
One man shouted, “I hope you burn in hell” to Khan as he exited the precinct.
Khan was slapped with charges of murder and sex abuse Friday for the slaying that happened at Liberty Avenue and 127th Street in Richmond Hill, just a block from Fuertes’ home.
The elderly victim was known around the area as a “cat lady” who often took late night strolls and collected cans from the streets while feeding local kitties.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--7-year-old German painting prodigy sells work for over $12,000

The owner of Deadspin said it ’ s looking to relaunch the ...

The kid’s a pint-sized Picasso.
Mikail Akar is just 7-years-old but already his work is selling for tens of thousands of dollars and being compared to the most legendary expressionist painters.
Born in Cologne, Germany, in 2012, Akar has been painting since he was 4, when he was given a canvas and hand-printing paints for his birthday — as well as toy cars and action figures, writes the Daily Mail. The German tot has since invaded the international art world with his abstract work, which is said to look like Jackson Pollock’s.
Recently, the young painter collaborated with soccer star Manuel Neuer on a piece that sold for over $12,000. And he boasts more than 46,000 Instagram followers.
“He only paints when he wants to. Sometimes that is once a week, sometimes once a month,” his father, 38-year-old Kerem Akar, tells the Agence France-Presse. “The first picture looked fantastic, and I thought at first that my wife had painted it.”
When Mikail continued to produce brilliant canvases, though, his father realized it was no coincidence: The boy had talent.
“The balance and harmony of the composition — I wouldn’t expect that from a child,” German photographer Arina Dähnick tells AFP.
“As long as he has someone supporting him and not exploiting him, then he has a great future ahead of him,” adds Berlin gallery director Diana Achtzig.
At a recent gallery presentation in Berlin, one woman was rendered “speechless,” when she was told the artist wasn’t even in middle school yet.
As for the pint-sized Picasso, his muses include Michael Jackson and Jean-Michel Basquiat and, as far as technique goes, he wears his daddy’s boxing gloves to punch paint onto canvasses.
Despite being a successful artist at such a young age, Mikail thinks he may have sports in his future.
“When I’m older, I want to be a football player,” Mikail tells AFP. “Painting is quite tiring for me. Sometimes it can take a long time … especially with boxing gloves.”
His dad says that there’s no pressure on the child to paint for any longer than he’d like to.
“If it gets too much for him, we will intervene,” says Akar. “We turn down a lot of requests.”
Mikail’s next exhibition is in Cologne, followed by a show in Paris.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--New Deadspin owner plans to relaunch site in Chicago amid union tension

Things are spinning out of control at Deadspin .
Multiple staffers ...

The owner of Deadspin said it’s looking to relaunch the irreverent sports site in Chicago, even as it breaks off tense conversations with its writers union in New York.
G/O Media — which was forced to shut down Deadspin in November amid a mass exodus of staffers who had clashed with its private equity owners — claims that the union has been “harassing candidates” as it tries to restart the site.
Looking to bring Deadspin to the Windy City under the same roof as its satirical Onion site — and with a different, Chicago-based union local, it says — G/O likewise accuses the union of “influencing our current editorial management to refuse to partake in the recruitment process.”
The site went dark in a dust-up over the types of stories it was publishing — including a scathing expose that blasted G/O Chief Executive Jim Spanfeller for allegedly hiring cronies to run the company.
One editor was fired for disobeying a “stick to sports” edict from management. A stampede of more than 20 writers followed. Eventually the company’s Editorial Director Paul Maidment, who had tried to enforce the strict sports policy, resigned as well.
The union on Friday said Spanfeller — who took over last April following Univision’s sale of the group to private equity firm Great Hill Partners — “has demonstrated a jaw-dropping lack of understanding of the business he acquired. His reckless, ill-informed behavior has had repercussions beyond the mass resignations at Deadspin.”
Deadspin’s lone new staff hire since the walkout posted his first story in early November — only to get shamed on social media. He resigned within hours. No new material has been posted on the site since Nov. 4.
“We have reached a point where our discussions with the GMG Union about potential updates to our current collective bargaining agreement’s editorial independence provisions have stopped being productive given the union’s continued unprecedented and unreasonable demands.”
The company concedes that “editorial control is the crux of the issue here — not pay, working conditions or hours.” What the “union is seeking goes well beyond editorial independence to full editorial control,” the company said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-10--Loot comic book store is a haven for budding artists

Those last two might not be household names , but if Joe Einhorn has his way , it ’ s only a matter of time .
Einhorn is the founder of Loot , a new-ish — we won ’ t say store — more of an arts space in Carroll Gardens that allows kids to create their own comic books .
For a membership fee of $ 30 a month , youngsters can show up seven days a week and work with a revolving roster of experts on illustration , storytelling and all the other skills needed to put together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not enticing enough for the young graphic novel fan in your life , Loot is currently running a contest soliciting new character ideas from New Yorkers .
Anyone under 18 can submit a pitch for a new superhero , including its design and special powers , and the winner ( chosen on Jan. 31 ) will be allowed to produce an action figure of the character .
“ When I was in junior high school , I came in second place in a big science fair , and I got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a hologram , ” Einhorn tells The Post .
Einhorn , now 38 , still has that hologram .
He hopes to spark creativity in kids in the same way that hologram sparked his .
Loot , which opened in July , is something like a clubhouse-meets-library .
The walls are stocked with more than 300 comics that members can borrow ( or buy for $ 5 each ) , but the real draw seems to be the classes .
Kids file in on weekends or after school to learn about character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lifelong comics fan , says he hopes to provide his young customers an alternative to staring at a TV or computer screen .
And one that hones literacy skills .
“ What we ’ re trying to do is come up with activities that are fun for families , wholesome , and ultimately providing an on ramp to maybe even a profession into the industry.
” The average Loot member is around fourth grade , though some older kids do come by .
And half of the participants are girls .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for sale at the shop , and the author will be paid in store credit at Loot or the pizza shop downstairs if it sells .
Loot currently has more than 50 DIY titles on its stands , including “ Wonder Mom , ” “ Castle Escape , ” the popular “ Annoying Family , ” and yes , “ The Taco Boy.
” ( Brooklyn ! )
“ The talent that we ’ re seeing from these kids is really extraordinary , ” Einhorn says .
“ Not just artistic talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff is so incredible , even at younger ages.
” Loot , 465 Court St. , Carroll Gardens .
For the action figure contest , submissions containing a character ’ s name , design and powers must be dropped in person at Loot or sent via direct message to instagram.com/loot .
Contestants must be under 18 years old .
The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges on Jan. 31 .

Superman. Spider-Man. Batman. Goddess of Sparkle. The Taco Boy.
Those last two might not be household names, but if Joe Einhorn has his way, it’s only a matter of time.
Einhorn is the founder of Loot, a new-ish — we won’t say store — more of an arts space in Carroll Gardens that allows kids to create their own comic books.
For a membership fee of $30 a month, youngsters can show up seven days a week and work with a revolving roster of experts on illustration, storytelling and all the other skills needed to put together a comic book.
And if that’s not enticing enough for the young graphic novel fan in your life, Loot is currently running a contest soliciting new character ideas from New Yorkers. Anyone under 18 can submit a pitch for a new superhero, including its design and special powers, and the winner (chosen on Jan. 31) will be allowed to produce an action figure of the character.
“When I was in junior high school, I came in second place in a big science fair, and I got to go to this place in Chelsea and make a hologram,” Einhorn tells The Post.
Einhorn, now 38, still has that hologram.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement Loot, 465 Court St., Carroll Gardens Christopher Ciancimino Loot, 465 Court St., Carroll Gardens Christopher Ciancimino Advertisement Loot, 465 Court St., Carroll Gardens Christopher Ciancimino Loot, 465 Court St., Carroll Gardens Christopher Ciancimino Advertisement
He hopes to spark creativity in kids in the same way that hologram sparked his.
Loot, which opened in July, is something like a clubhouse-meets-library. The walls are stocked with more than 300 comics that members can borrow (or buy for $5 each), but the real draw seems to be the classes.
Kids file in on weekends or after school to learn about character development or creative writing.
Einhorn, a lifelong comics fan, says he hopes to provide his young customers an alternative to staring at a TV or computer screen. And one that hones literacy skills.
“What we’re trying to do is come up with activities that are fun for families, wholesome, and ultimately providing an on ramp to maybe even a profession into the industry.”
The average Loot member is around fourth grade, though some older kids do come by. And half of the participants are girls.
Those who do complete a comic can post it for sale at the shop, and the author will be paid in store credit at Loot or the pizza shop downstairs if it sells.
Loot currently has more than 50 DIY titles on its stands, including “Wonder Mom,” “Castle Escape,” the popular “Annoying Family,” and yes, “The Taco Boy.” (Brooklyn!)
“The talent that we’re seeing from these kids is really extraordinary,” Einhorn says. “Not just artistic talent but critical thinking. Some of the stuff is so incredible, even at younger ages.”
Loot, 465 Court St., Carroll Gardens. For the action figure contest, submissions containing a character’s name, design and powers must be dropped in person at Loot or sent via direct message to instagram.com/loot. Contestants must be under 18 years old. The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges on Jan. 31.


newyorkpost--2020-01-11--Knicks keep reminding they are hopeless

Knicks keep reminding they are hopeless

LaMelo Ball is projected to be among the top picks ...

The Pelicans have gained hope in such youngsters as Zion Williamson, though he has yet to make his NBA debut, and Jaxson Hayes, who was drafted five slots after the Knicks made RJ Barrett the third pick of the 2019 draft.
The Knicks don’t have that. The two teams met at the Garden in a nationally televised game Friday night and the Pelicans (14-25) crushed the Knicks (10-29) from the outside with 3-point shots (18-for-38) and in the paint on their way to an easy 123-111 victory.
Imagine when they get Williamson rolling after he comes back from a knee injury.
In fact, the Knicks’ hero is not yet at the Garden. That hero figures to be the Raptors’ president of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri. Until he arrives to begin to save the Knicks how do you measure hope around here?
Williamson said of the 6-foot-11 Hayes, who scored 18 off the bench with 10 rebounds and two blocks: “Jaxson has come a long way. I think every rookie that comes in has to adjust to the league so he has adjusted very well. He has been giving us big minutes.’’
The bar has been lowered for Knicks fans, whose biggest cheers of the night revolve around T-shirts being shot up into the crowd. In their defense, they have had to lower the bar to survive this parade of year-in and year-out bad basketball.
If you are looking for a single highlight from Friday night, it occurred about an hour before tip-off when Williamson was working his outside shot in the corner of the court closest to the Knicks’ locker room. The No. 1-overall pick from last year’s draft roared into the paint, put the ball between his legs and dunked, drawing a huge cheer from the early arrivals. His right knee is still not ready, but his time is coming.
Knicks fans had hoped Williamson would be their No. 1 pick. It never worked out.
The Knicks went to Barrett with the third pick. He finished Friday with 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting from the field and 1-for-4 from 3-point range as the inept Knicks missed 22 of 27 3-point attempts.
This was the Knicks’ first game back after losing four straight on a western swing. It was as if they are still out west. No matter who is in the lineup, the Knicks always seem to have the same problem. They can’t defend.
Defense comes from the gut, a will not to let the other player beat you. You have to be quick to close out on the 3-point shooter. The Knicks weren’t. You have to guard the paint. The Knicks didn’t. You have to care enough to put your body in jeopardy, but for the most part the Knicks collect players who care only about offense.
Defense is not in their basketball soul. The Knicks knew they had to guard the 3 on this night, but they still couldn’t.
“They are one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the league, we knew that going in, No. 3 in the corners, No. 7 overall so we wanted to try to do a better job covering the line and they came out and hit 12 in the first half which is normally what they get for the game,’’ said interim coach Mike Miller, who has to try to clean up this mess on a nightly basis. “We have to do a better job of getting stops.’’
When I covered the Patrick Ewing Knicks, that team played defense. You could see it by the sweat on the floor. These Knicks go through the motions. In the four games out west, the Knicks surrendered 120, 135, 117 and 128 points. That is just giving up on the defensive end. Hope can start with one defensive close out. The Knicks dropped to 5-13 at home.
“We talked this morning with our group,’’ Miller explained. “This is one of the opportunities that we have, we need to be ready. We need to be bounce back. Every time we go out we tell them we want this to be our best day.’’
Instead, it was another worst day for the groundhog Knicks.
That is how you lose games, lose seasons and lose all hope.


newyorkpost--2020-01-11--Why Joe Judge hire is a directional change for Giants

LANSDALE , Pa. — The rest of the country asked who , ...

The era of the quarterback cocoon ends here. And now.
The Giants promoted Ben McAdoo from offensive coordinator to head coach in large part because they loved what he did to help fix Eli Manning and figured imposing a whole new system on Manning would be counterproductive.
Sure, the Giants hired Pat Shurmur because he was an “adult,’’ but mostly based on his excellence working and developing quarterbacks of all shapes and sizes. If he could get Case Keenum to an NFC Championship game, Shurmur’s hand on Manning and then whichever rookie quarterback the Giants plucked out of the NFL draft, the reasoning went, should lead to similar success.
This line of thinking guided some assessing the coaching search process to connect the dots and assume the Giants this time around would pick someone who best serves Daniel Jones. As it turned out, those dots remain scattered. The Giants did not sell their quarterback, no longer a rookie, on the candidates. None of the six interviews was tinged with “Take our quarterback … please’’ entreaties.
Joe Judge, with a background mostly in special teams, has no trace of ever working with quarterbacks at any stop on his coaching trail. The closest he got was picking up the added responsibility in 2019 of working with the Patriots’ wide receivers — you know, the guys who (sometimes) caught Tom Brady’s passes. Special teams coordinators work with players from virtually every position, blending big and small and fast and slow. They do not, however, put quarterbacks on the return team or turn quarterbacks into gunners on the punt coverage unit.
It is essential for Judge to find seasoned assistants to guide his offense and work with his inherited quarterback. It is important for Judge to get in the head of Daniel Jones and stay there, as there has to be a symbiotic relationship even though Judge will not be calling any plays. This does not mean this is a Judge-Jones production. A team does not get this bad for this long because of the demise of one player at one position.
Judge did not offer even the most perfunctory comment about Jones. He did not even say his name during Thursday’s introductory press conference. When given the opportunity to state what he liked about Jones, Judge put together words that used up oxygen and nothing else.
“I don’t want to get into any analysis of any player right now specifically,’’ Judge said. “I want to take my time, do my homework, and then reflect back on a time when I’ve had time to really break them all down. I understand the question, I appreciate the question, but I want to make sure that instead of just spurting off my mouth from, at this point still an outsider’s view, I’ve got to get the insider’s perspective with all of the information and further analyze what they can do.’’
Judge was reminded he was on the sideline at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 10 when the Patriots hosted the Giants. Jones struggled that night against the mighty Patriots defense, completing only 15 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for a season-worst passer rating of 35.2. Surely, Judge came away with an impression of Jones.
“Again, I’m just going to go back with that one right there as far as that,’’ Judge said.
Judge was the last of five interviews the Giants conducted and every candidate got his chance to opine on what they saw in Jones.
“I will tell you this, it felt good that every person we interviewed loves the quarterback,’’ co-owner John Mara said. “They all said that to us. They all said, ‘We could win with this guy. He has some unique talents.’ That was something that was great for us to hear.’’
There is no reason to believe this is untrue, just as there is much to like about Daniel Jones. Still, it is difficult to believe anyone sitting down trying to get hired by the Giants would say, “Daniel Jones? Meh.’’
General manager Dave Gettleman said he really hasn’t spoken much to Judge about Jones.
“He’s on the outside looking in the periphery,’’ Gettleman said. “We believe Daniel is our guy.’’
Shurmur did the heavy lifting getting a prospect from Duke up to speed in the NFL game and suffered through Jones’ natural growing pains. If Jones goes on to big things, the foundation Shurmur set should always be remembered. Shurmur, though, did say after Jones tossed three interceptions against the Packers that it was a sign of progress: “Well, the turnovers were interceptions, right? Today they weren’t fumbles, right?’’
It is difficult to anticipate that sentiment flowing out of Judge. He said he is here to coach everyone hard. That includes the young quarterback.
For more on the Giants, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-11--Ravens vs. Titans: Preview, predictions, what to watch for

BALTIMORE — No one had seen anything like him , no ...

Serby Says
The bye week and home-field advantage prove to be the difference as the gallant Titans run out of gas in the fourth quarter.
Ravens 24, Titans 20
Marquee matchup
Titans RB Derrick Henry vs. Ravens defense
Henry has rushed for 393 yards on 64 carries in his past two games, including his bullying of the Patriots, and has six 100-yard performances in his last seven games. He is a 6-foot-3, 247-pound brute who will impose his will on a defense if it lets him.
“I think greatness is when the opponent knows that it’s coming, and they can’t stop it,” Tannenbaum said. “He’s one of the 10 best players left playing right now.”
The Ravens did allow 4.4 yards per carry this season. Henry, the regular-season rushing champion, will look to rumble around the edges and avoid the stout Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce inside.
“Baltimore has more big people than any other team in football on the defensive line,” NBC NFL analyst Chris Simms told The Post. “I think this is a game Derrick Henry’s got like 24 rushes for like 88 yards.”
The Ravens believe they are built for a Machismo Bowl. They noticed that the Patriots were not.
“Guys didn’t seem like they were too interested in tackling him,” Ravens safety Earl Thomas said. “So, our mindset is a little different.”
Four Downs
Lamarvelous: Lamar Jackson was flummoxed in last season’s wild-card game and booed at the end by the home fans after the Chargers deployed seven defensive backs on every snap. But that was the fumble-prone rookie Lamar. This is every defense’s worst nightmare, a prolific dual threat game-wrecker with Vick-ian elusiveness. The Titans will try to hit him and hit him some more on zone reads and try to force him laterally whenever possible.
“You just have to get multiple guys around him,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. “Any time you try to do a kill shot, you’ll probably get juked off the screen … and end up on The Checkdown on Instagram. You don’t want to end up on the highlight reels or on ‘C’mon Man!’ ”
“He’s from Mars,” Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey said.
Vrabel instructed Marcus Mariota, a mere earthling, to simulate Jackson in practice.
Cannehill: Ryan Tannehill showed there is Life After Adam Gase once he replaced Mariota in October and lit a fire under the Titans. He has improved dramatically against the blitz behind a trustworthy offensive line, but no one likes to blitz more than Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
Tannehill has completed 63-of-97 passes against the blitz (64.9 percent) for 791 yards, seven TDs and two INTs for a 105.7 passer rating. Tannehill has completed a ridiculous 70.3 percent of all passes and averaged 9.6 yards per completion.
“They could do a lot of different things offensively, and then Ryan’s really good with his feet, he can buy more time … and he hasn’t made a lot of mistakes,” Tannenbaum said.
The Ravens, who own the league’s best first-quarter point margin (plus 97), will look to start fast to lessen Henry’s impact and force Tannehill to play catchup. He won’t get away with throwing only 15 passes for 72 yards against the NFL’s top-scoring offense.
“If Tannehill tries to pass on us, I don’t think that will go in their favor,” Thomas said.
Big Brown: Titans rookie receiver A.J. Brown erupted for games of 4-135-1, 5-153-2, 8-114-1 and 4-124-1 down the stretch. He only had one catch for 4 yards against the Patriots in his first playoff game, but that mostly had to do with the Henry-centric game plan. More will be required of him in a game in which Tannehill could be having to catch up or keep up with Jackson. Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey and Jimmy Smith are a formidable group in the secondary, but Brown is a yards-after-catch threat on any given completion. Martindale has likened him to a young Anquan Boldin.
Rest Versus Rust: Every team welcomes the first-round bye in January. Eight Ravens starters, including Jackson and Earl Thomas, rested Week 17.
“That’s what practice is for,” Thomas said. “You keep the rust off at practice. You get your eyes right, you get your techniques, your alignments and all that stuff right. The game is muscle memory. You sharpen all your tools and you’re going to be ready when the game comes.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-11--Lonzo Ball: LaMelo would be a good fit for Knicks

LaMelo Ball is projected to be among the top picks in the 2020 NBA draft , and his older brother believes he would be an ideal fit for the Knicks .
“ Wherever he lands , he ’ s gon na help out a lot .
Anybody could use him , ” Lonzo Ball told The Post in a brief exchange before the Pelicans ’ 123-111 victory at the Garden .
When asked if LaMelo , a 6-foot-7 point guard currently playing professionally in Australia , would be an ideal fit with the Knicks having a need at this position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure.
” After the game , Ball had more time to talk , and he expanded on his comments about his brother .
“ Whoever has the No .
1 pick , I feel like that ’ s who ’ s gon na get him , ” Lonzo said .
“ He ’ s been in the spotlight since he was 15 , plus I went through everything he ’ s gon na go through .
So he always has me to fall back on .
“ But what he did overseas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it ’ s a fair choice [ as the No .
1-overall pick ] , honestly .
He ’ s been killing grown men in Australia , which is a very good league .
So I expect the same thing here .
It ’ s different for everybody Hopefully , it happens from the first game .
That ’ s what I ’ d love to see.
” The prospect of LaMelo Ball as a Knick certainly would be a match made for the tabloids , especially with outspoken father LaVar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
Of course , LaVar Ball pulled his youngest son out of his California high school in 2018 to play professionally in Lithuania .
LaMelo Ball moved on to Australia this season to prepare for the 2020 draft .
Former NBA player Aaron Brooks , a teammate of Ball ’ s on the Illawara Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia , said in a Bleacher Report story in November that LaMelo once boasted to him that he ’ s already “ better than ” his brother Lonzo .
Lonzo Ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft in 2017 by the Lakers , but the former UCLA star was traded to New Orleans — along with Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart — in the blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles this summer .
The 6-6 point guard is averaging a career-best 12.1 points per game , along with 5.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 31 appearances for the Pelicans .

LaMelo Ball is projected to be among the top picks in the 2020 NBA draft, and his older brother believes he would be an ideal fit for the Knicks.
“Wherever he lands, he’s gonna help out a lot. Anybody could use him,” Lonzo Ball told The Post in a brief exchange before the Pelicans’ 123-111 victory at the Garden.
When asked if LaMelo, a 6-foot-7 point guard currently playing professionally in Australia, would be an ideal fit with the Knicks having a need at this position, Lonzo Ball replied, “For sure.”
After the game, Ball had more time to talk, and he expanded on his comments about his brother.
“Whoever has the No. 1 pick, I feel like that’s who’s gonna get him,” Lonzo said. “He’s been in the spotlight since he was 15, plus I went through everything he’s gonna go through. So he always has me to fall back on.
“But what he did overseas, what he did in high school, I think it’s a fair choice [as the No. 1-overall pick], honestly. He’s been killing grown men in Australia, which is a very good league. So I expect the same thing here. It’s different for everybody Hopefully, it happens from the first game. That’s what I’d love to see.”
The prospect of LaMelo Ball as a Knick certainly would be a match made for the tabloids, especially with outspoken father LaVar Ball regularly interjecting his opinions in the media.
Of course, LaVar Ball pulled his youngest son out of his California high school in 2018 to play professionally in Lithuania. LaMelo Ball moved on to Australia this season to prepare for the 2020 draft.
Former NBA player Aaron Brooks, a teammate of Ball’s on the Illawara Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia, said in a Bleacher Report story in November that LaMelo once boasted to him that he’s already “better than” his brother Lonzo.
Lonzo Ball was the second overall pick in the draft in 2017 by the Lakers, but the former UCLA star was traded to New Orleans — along with Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart — in the blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles this summer. The 6-6 point guard is averaging a career-best 12.1 points per game, along with 5.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 31 appearances for the Pelicans.


newyorkpost--2020-01-11--Vikings vs. 49ers: Preview, predictions, what to watch for

The 49ers are the No .
1-overall seed in the NFC for a reason .
Garoppolo is better than Cousins , who had his day last weekend .
The 49ers defense keeping Cook in check will be the difference .
Diggs , who had a curious temper tantrum in the middle of the Vikings ’ wild-card win ( presumably for lack of targets ) , led the team with 1,130 receiving yards and six TDs .
Thielen , who suffered a cut on his leg during practice this week , but is expected to play , has had an injury-plagued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he still caught six TD passes .
Sherman , the veteran leader of the 49ers defense , picked off three passes this season and earned a Pro Bowl invite .
By George !
Niners tight end George Kittle , Garoppolo ’ s favorite target for good reason , is virtually uncoverable .
What he does against the Vikings ’ defense figures to be a major factor in the outcome .
Kittle , despite missing two games with injuries , still produced 85 catches for 1,053 yards and a team-high five TD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 88 catches for 1,377 yards and five TDs in 2018 .
Minnesota will try to counter Kittle ’ s uncanny skills by throwing a combination of players at him in coverage — linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr , and safeties Andrew Sendejo and Jayron Kearse .
Kittle averages 7.3 yards after a reception , which leads all NFL tight ends by nearly a full yard .
That number , too , is also better than any wide receiver .
Time to Cook : The Vikings — specifically Cousins — would be nowhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who produced 1,135 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs this season .
Cook makes the Minnesota offense go and he opens up the passing game for Cousins .
Cook has scored 10 TDs in the Vikings ’ 11 victories and three in their six losses .
In last week ’ s win in New Orleans , he became the first Vikings player since Adrian Peterson 10 years ago to rush for more than 90 yards and two TDs in a postseason game .
Cook makes Cousins ’ play-action passing game to Thielen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco defense has allowed 4.5 yards per rush and 112.6 yards per game this season , ranked a pedestrian 17th in the league .
Two weeks ago , Seattle ’ s Travis Homer ( not a household name ) rushed for 125 yards on the 49ers .
The San Francisco defense , stronger against the pass , needs big games from defensive end Nick Bosa , DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead .
The expected return of defensive end Dee Ford and linebacker Kwon Alexander from injuries should help .
Secondary is Primary : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyle Shanahan , are highly multiple on offense , which puts a lot of pressure on the back end of the Minnesota defense , particularly cornerback Xavier Rhodes , who has had an off year , allowing an astonishing 83.8 percent completion rate on passes thrown at him .
That ’ s the second-highest of any cornerback since 2015 , and it has to have Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel , as well as Kittle , salivating .
Look for the Vikings to incorporate a lot of safety help , with Sendejo used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines up .
History Majors : Last week , the Vikings won their first road playoff game in 15 years .
Now they go up against a 49ers team that has defeated them in nine of the past 10 meetings in San Francisco ’ s home stadium .
No .
6 seeds have lost eight consecutive games in the divisional round and are 5-19 since 1990 in this round .
The 49ers own a 4-1 record against the Vikings in the postseason .
They , too , have five Super Bowl titles while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Cannizzaro’s Pick
The 49ers are the No. 1-overall seed in the NFC for a reason. Garoppolo is better than Cousins, who had his day last weekend. The 49ers defense keeping Cook in check will be the difference.
49ers 27, Vikings 14
Marquee Matchup
Vikings receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen vs. 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman
Diggs, who had a curious temper tantrum in the middle of the Vikings’ wild-card win (presumably for lack of targets), led the team with 1,130 receiving yards and six TDs. Thielen, who suffered a cut on his leg during practice this week, but is expected to play, has had an injury-plagued season, playing in only 10 games, but he still caught six TD passes. Sherman, the veteran leader of the 49ers defense, picked off three passes this season and earned a Pro Bowl invite.
Four Downs
By George! Niners tight end George Kittle, Garoppolo’s favorite target for good reason, is virtually uncoverable. What he does against the Vikings’ defense figures to be a major factor in the outcome. Kittle, despite missing two games with injuries, still produced 85 catches for 1,053 yards and a team-high five TD receptions this season. That came after 88 catches for 1,377 yards and five TDs in 2018.
Minnesota will try to counter Kittle’s uncanny skills by throwing a combination of players at him in coverage — linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, and safeties Andrew Sendejo and Jayron Kearse.
Kittle averages 7.3 yards after a reception, which leads all NFL tight ends by nearly a full yard. That number, too, is also better than any wide receiver.
Time to Cook: The Vikings — specifically Cousins — would be nowhere without star running back Dalvin Cook, who produced 1,135 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs this season. Cook makes the Minnesota offense go and he opens up the passing game for Cousins. Cook has scored 10 TDs in the Vikings’ 11 victories and three in their six losses.
In last week’s win in New Orleans, he became the first Vikings player since Adrian Peterson 10 years ago to rush for more than 90 yards and two TDs in a postseason game.
Cook makes Cousins’ play-action passing game to Thielen and Diggs a dangerous force. The San Francisco defense has allowed 4.5 yards per rush and 112.6 yards per game this season, ranked a pedestrian 17th in the league. Two weeks ago, Seattle’s Travis Homer (not a household name) rushed for 125 yards on the 49ers.
The San Francisco defense, stronger against the pass, needs big games from defensive end Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead. The expected return of defensive end Dee Ford and linebacker Kwon Alexander from injuries should help.
Secondary is Primary: The 49ers, with creative head coach Kyle Shanahan, are highly multiple on offense, which puts a lot of pressure on the back end of the Minnesota defense, particularly cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who has had an off year, allowing an astonishing 83.8 percent completion rate on passes thrown at him. That’s the second-highest of any cornerback since 2015, and it has to have Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel, as well as Kittle, salivating. Look for the Vikings to incorporate a lot of safety help, with Sendejo used in the slot, where Kittle often lines up.
History Majors: Last week, the Vikings won their first road playoff game in 15 years. Now they go up against a 49ers team that has defeated them in nine of the past 10 meetings in San Francisco’s home stadium. No. 6 seeds have lost eight consecutive games in the divisional round and are 5-19 since 1990 in this round. The 49ers own a 4-1 record against the Vikings in the postseason. They, too, have five Super Bowl titles while the Vikings are 0-4 in Super Bowls.


newyorkpost--2020-01-11--Clemson WR Tee Higgins is ‘banged-up’ but vows to bring it vs. LSU

“ This town is naturally LSU .
It runs deep here .
But ...

NEW ORLEANS — Tee Higgins has avoided the questions as if he were eluding a linebacker while going over the middle.
He hasn’t talked much about the injury that sidelined him for most of the first half of Clemson’s Fiesta Bowl victory over Ohio State, dismissing it as “soreness” and getting “banged up.” The game-breaking junior wide receiver has touched on his performance, though, and while his Tigers prevailed, he remains disappointed in his play and that of his fellow receivers.
“Last game, we really didn’t go out there and play to the best of our ability,” Higgins said this week. “We got to play better. We dropped balls. Didn’t get good releases. … We definitely got to be more physical at the point of attack and go out there and catch more balls.”
The 6-foot-4 Higgins caught four passes for 33 yards. Justyn Ross had six receptions for 47 yards. Amari Rodgers had one catch for 38 yards. It was the first game this season in which each of the trio was held to under 50 yards through the air.
“I was telling them this week that there should never be a secondary that holds all three of us under 50 yards,” Rodgers said, according to 247Sports.com. “I just told them that we have to make up for it this game. Every day in practice, I’ve been pushing them, and we’ve been pushing each other, so we can make those plays in the game.”
A healthy Higgins, a projected first-round pick if he opts to bypass his final year of eligibility, would be a good start. On Clemson’s first drive of the game, Higgins was going for a pass when his helmet got knocked off. As Higgins and Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah fell to the turf, Okudah’s helmet collided with Higgins’ head. He didn’t return until the second half and didn’t look like himself, failing to make an impact against Ohio State’s highly regarded secondary.
Clemson still prevailed, in large part because of its defense’s ability to limit Ohio State to field goals and quarterback Trevor Lawrence running for a career-best 107 yards. Higgins has been practicing fully, so whatever the injury was, it seems to be in the past.
Higgins, tied for the Clemson all-time lead in touchdown catches (27) with Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins, is coming off a stellar season, catching 56 passes for career-highs of 1,115 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 19.9 yards per reception and was the MVP of the ACC Championship game. He was a difference-maker in last year’s playoff, scoring two touchdowns to go with seven receptions for 134 yards, but was unable to match that production against Ohio State.
He’ll get another chance Monday night against LSU. If the stakes aren’t already high enough, Higgins has the Fiesta Bowl as added motivation and another big matchup in front of him, this time against LSU freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., a consensus All-American.
“I just got to go out there and be me,” Higgins said.