newyorkpost--2020-03-25--New Yorkers flee to Hamptons, Catskills amid coronavirus fears

It was just over a week ago that Julia Noran-Johnston , 41 , and her family made the decision — on the heels of the announcement that schools were closed and ahead of recent dire pandemic predictions for the city — to pack their bags for the countryside .
Noran-Johnston , her husband and her two young children bid farewell to their Upper West Side apartment for destinations north — far north .
“ We found a super old farmhouse in Vermont for $ 3,000 for the month .
We will likely stay beyond that , ” says Noran-Johnston , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home , a resource for interior design and home industry professionals .
Noran-Johnston , who chose Vermont because extended family is there , is far from alone in fleeing Manhattan during the city ’ s coronavirus lockdown .
Some of her friends , she says , have rented vacation homes in the Poconos or the Berkshires .
Catskills houses for rent are in high demand for the same reason , brokers say , and many quarantined New Yorkers are making tracks to the Hamptons , boosting the short-term rental market there as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works in post-production and is currently on a project for Netflix , started her search weeks ago to find a work-from-home outpost away from the 1,000-square-foot Upper West Side apartment she shares with her partner , John Sudol , an acting coach .
The jump on looking paid off for Hough , who found a spacious three-bedroom in East Hampton close to the water for $ 3,500 a month , where she plans to stay until mid-May .
“ We needed space and two rooms to be in and need to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who adds that video conferencing is a large component of both of their jobs .
Vanessa , 32 , and Ray Vargas , 40 , founders of Home Sweet Hudson , an Ulster County-based listing and management service for Airbnb properties owned by city dwellers , have seen a significant jump in inquiries for full-home rentals in the last few weeks .
The Vargas ’ roster of rentals — more than 30 properties — are sought after by families “ asking about internet service and Wi-Fi and trying to keep connected but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , ” says Vanessa .
“ We ’ re seeing customers inquiring about staying for a month or two , ” adds Vanessa .
“ If we can ’ t accommodate them at one property , we can relocate them to another one.
” Currently , rentals through Home Sweet Hudson range from $ 75 to more than $ 200 per night depending on the size of the house and its amenities .
“ We ’ re doing our best to work with folks and find the right place for them based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Murray Hill resident Kate McMahon , 50 , an actor , packed up a car with her husband , two teenage sons and the family dog , and opted for a $ 3,250-a-month creek-side three-bedroom home in Callicoon , New York .
The cabin was secured through Red Cottage , a rental service representing 58 cabins , farmhouses and woodland properties in the Catskills and Hudson Valley .
Red Cottage founder Jennifer Grimes , 53 , reports working 70-hour weeks to help connect families — nearly all hailing from Manhattan — with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some properties initially reserved for spring and summer weddings have been canceled , Grimes says , they are just as quickly being scooped up by those seeking to shelter outside of the city for the next few months .
“ Someone just booked a huge house for two , maybe four people , until the Wednesday after Labor Day , ” adds Grimes .
Red Cottage ’ s rental properties skew high-end , often with amenities such as hot tubs and pools , with rates from $ 250 to $ 1,300 per night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also canceling renters ’ reservations so they can also use the properties themselves .
“ We have had eight owners ( out of 58 ) block their calendars for the foreseeable future , ” Grimes says .
“ We have moved everyone to a different house , or have provided full refunds.
” To meet the unusually high demand , Grimes is even encouraging a handful of properties that typically close for the winter to reopen ASAP .
Grimes says there are still places with availability starting in mid-April and new listings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Alana , 34 , an engaged couple who declined to give their last names for privacy reasons , left their rental in Hell ’ s Kitchen for a woodsy three-bedroom rental in Stone Ridge , New York , where they have been working remotely since March 14 .
They are paying $ 5,500 for a 35-night stay — and will likely extend the reservation .
For Patrick , who works in finance , and Alana , who is in advertising , the notion to relocate out of the city for the short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wasn ’ t feasible for us to work remotely from a small apartment in Hell ’ s Kitchen , ” says Patrick .
The area around Stone Ridge was familiar to the couple , who have made prior visits to New Paltz and Phoenicia .
New York ’ s more rural counties are taking notice of the influx , and pleading with city dwellers to reconsider relocating to their quiet towns during the public health crisis .
Last Friday , Greene County , bordered on the south by Ulster County and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press release asking visitors and second homeowners to hold off on travel into the county and also to not expect the same resources .
“ Greene County is a large rural county with NO hospital !
” the release said .
“ This limits our ability to serve a large number of people requiring higher levels of care for COVID-19 patients and other illnesses.
” Greene County currently has four confirmed cases of the coronavirus .
And on Tuesday , the head of the White House coronavirus task force , Dr. Deborah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York metro area to self-quarantine for 14 days in order to stop the spread .
“ We ’ ve taken some steps , like requiring a 14-day minimum for new bookings , to be considerate of our friends and neighbors , ” Grimes says .
“ So it ’ s a legitimate concern.
” But given the orders to stay home except for essential outings — a lockdown-style policy also known as shelter in place — many NYC residents still prefer less-populated environments to wait out the pandemic .
“ My phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two-month rentals , ” Steven Zellman , a real estate agent with Town and Country Real Estate in the Hamptons , tells The Post via email .
“ I have done 11 rentals in the last five days , and am working on four others as I write this.
” Joseph Kazickas of Rosehip Partners Real Estate and HamptonsRentals.com reports a comparable flurry of activity .
“ There ’ s definitely an uptick in inquiries in seasonal rentals , but also this urgency of customers who want to get into a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Kazickas , who primarily serves the area between Westhampton and Montauk .
For Hough , the temporary move out east is about finding solace and safety in turbulent times .
“ I didn ’ t want to be around and see New York City shut down , ” she says .
“ It would be too much to bear ; to be met with closed stores , closed restaurants and not being able to go on the subway .
I didn ’ t want to watch it crumble , and wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
I wanted to be where the environment is beautiful , and where we might be able to find peace of mind through nature .
”

It was just over a week ago that Julia Noran-Johnston and her family made the decision — on the heels of the announcement that schools were closed and ahead of recent dire pandemic predictions for the city — to pack their bags for the countryside.
Noran-Johnston, her husband and her two young children bid farewell to their Upper West Side apartment for destinations north — far north.
“We found a super old farmhouse in Vermont for $3,000 for the month. We will likely stay beyond that,” says Noran-Johnston, founder and president of the Business of Home, a resource for interior design and home industry professionals.
Noran-Johnston, who chose Vermont because extended family is there, is far from alone in fleeing Manhattan during the city’s coronavirus lockdown. Some of her friends, she says, have rented vacation homes in the Poconos or the Berkshires.
Catskills houses for rent are in high demand for the same reason, brokers say, and many quarantined New Yorkers are making tracks to the Hamptons, boosting the short-term rental market there as well.
Leslie Hough, 55, who works in post-production and is currently on a project for Netflix, started her search weeks ago to find a work-from-home outpost away from the 1,000-square-foot Upper West Side apartment she shares with her partner, John Sudol, an acting coach.
The jump on looking paid off for Hough, who found a spacious three-bedroom in East Hampton close to the water for $3,500 a month, where she plans to stay until mid-May. “We needed space and two rooms to be in and need to be able to spread out,” says Hough, who adds that video conferencing is a large component of both of their jobs.
Vanessa, 32, and Ray Vargas, 40, founders of Home Sweet Hudson, an Ulster County-based listing and management service for Airbnb properties owned by city dwellers, have seen a significant jump in inquiries for full-home rentals in the last few weeks.
The Vargas’ roster of rentals — more than 30 properties — are sought after by families “asking about internet service and Wi-Fi and trying to keep connected but get out of the New York City area,” says Vanessa.
“We’re seeing customers inquiring about staying for a month or two,” adds Vanessa. “If we can’t accommodate them at one property, we can relocate them to another one.” Currently, rentals through Home Sweet Hudson range from $75 to more than $200 per night depending on the size of the house and its amenities. “We’re doing our best to work with folks and find the right place for them based on their budget,” says Vanessa.
Murray Hill resident Kate McMahon, 50, an actor, packed up a car with her husband, two teenage sons and the family dog, and opted for a $3,250-a-month creek-side three-bedroom home in Callicoon, New York. The cabin was secured through Red Cottage Inc., a rental service representing 58 cabins, farmhouses and woodland properties in the Catskills and Hudson Valley.
Red Cottage founder Jennifer Grimes, 53, reports working 70-hour weeks to help connect families — nearly all hailing from Manhattan — with rural dwellings amid coronavirus fears.
Though some properties initially reserved for spring and summer weddings have been canceled, Grimes says, they are just as quickly being scooped up by those seeking to shelter outside of the city for the next few months. “Someone just booked a huge house for two, maybe four people, until the Wednesday after Labor Day,” adds Grimes. Red Cottage’s rental properties skew high-end, often with amenities such as hot tubs and pools, with rates from $250 to $1,300 per night.
Owners of second homes upstate are also canceling renters’ reservations so they can also use the properties themselves. “We have had eight owners (out of 58) block their calendars for the foreseeable future,” Grimes says. “We have moved everyone to a different house, or have provided full refunds.”
To meet the unusually high demand, Grimes is even encouraging a handful of properties that typically close for the winter to reopen ASAP. Grimes says there are still places with availability starting in mid-April and new listings in the pipeline.
Patrick, 35, and Alana, 34, an engaged couple who declined to give their last names for privacy reasons, left their rental in Hell’s Kitchen for a woodsy three-bedroom rental in Stone Ridge, New York, where they have been working remotely since March 14. They are paying $5,500 for a 35-night stay — and will likely extend the reservation.
For Patrick, who works in finance, and Alana, who is in advertising, the notion to relocate out of the city for the short term was a no-brainer. “It just wasn’t feasible for us to work remotely from a small apartment in Hell’s Kitchen,” says Patrick. The area around Stone Ridge was familiar to the couple, who have made prior visits to New Paltz and Phoenicia.
New York’s more rural counties are taking notice of the influx, and pleading with city dwellers to reconsider relocating to their quiet towns during the public health crisis. Last Friday, Greene County, bordered on the south by Ulster County and to the east by Columbia County, issued a press release asking visitors and second homeowners to hold off on travel into the county and also to not expect the same resources. “Greene County is a large rural county with NO hospital!” the release said. “This limits our ability to serve a large number of people requiring higher levels of care for COVID-19 patients and other illnesses.”
Greene County currently has four confirmed cases of the coronavirus. And on Tuesday, the head of the White House coronavirus task force, Dr. Deborah Birx, has asked anyone leaving the New York metro area to self-quarantine for 14 days in order to stop the spread.
I didn’t want to watch [New York City] crumble, and wanted to be in denial out in the country. - Leslie Hough
“We’ve taken some steps, like requiring a 14-day minimum for new bookings, to be considerate of our friends and neighbors,” Grimes says. “So it’s a legitimate concern.”
But given the orders to stay home except for essential outings — a lockdown-style policy also known as shelter in place — many NYC residents still prefer less-populated environments to wait out the pandemic.
“My phone is ringing off the hook with one- and two-month rentals,” Steven Zellman, a real estate agent with Town and Country Real Estate in the Hamptons, tells The Post via email. “I have done 11 rentals in the last five days, and am working on four others as I write this.”
Joseph Kazickas of Rosehip Partners Real Estate and HamptonsRentals.com reports a comparable flurry of activity. “There’s definitely an uptick in inquiries in seasonal rentals, but also this urgency of customers who want to get into a home tomorrow for the next few months,” says Kazickas, who primarily serves the area between Westhampton and Montauk.
For Hough, the temporary move out east is about finding solace and safety in turbulent times.
“I didn’t want to be around and see New York City shut down,”she says. “It would be too much to bear; to be met with closed stores, closed restaurants and not being able to go on the subway. I didn’t want to watch it crumble, and wanted to be in denial out in the country. I wanted to be where the environment is beautiful, and where we might be able to find peace of mind through nature.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--David Fizdale imploring Knicks to make this NBA draft move

David Fizdale said he believes the Knicks need a point guard who can shoot from deep to help center Mitchell Robinson ’ s growth .
The Post reported in February Knicks scouts were told earlier this season to hone in on scoring point guards for the team ’ s upcoming lottery pick .
Point guards Frank Ntilikina ( 32 percent ) , Dennis Smith Jr. ( 29.6 percent ) and Elfrid Payton ( 20.3 percent ) are each shooting erratically from 3 .
“ Just looking at the roster where they ’ re at — I love Elfrid , Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them have something in common in that they ’ re not consistent 3-point shooters coming off the pick-and-roll , ” the former Knicks coach told ESPN Radio .
“ And if you have a super talent like Mitchell — and I think Mitchell can end up being one of the best centers over the next 10 years — you have to have a guy coming off that pick and if you have to fight over that pick-and-roll .
… If you do that , all of a sudden Mitchell Robinson looks totally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big time.
” Robinson leads the NBA in field-goal percentage ( 73 percent ) .
That would be an NBA record if the regular season is scrapped .
Robinson has become a master at the alley-oop , but Fizdale , who now works for ESPN after being fired in December with a 4-18 record , feels he ’ d be more lethal with a point guard who is respected from the perimeter .
Fizdale still thinks the Knicks could use an outside-shooting power forward .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Knicks had a gem in 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis , who was traded to the Mavericks 13 months ago .
Julius Randle was signed to a three-year , $ 63 million pact to play power forward , but shot a dismal 27.7 percent from 3 this season .
“ The other piece to that puzzle is a 4-man who can really rope that 3 , ’ ’ Fizdale said .
“ Like I ’ ve always said , the key to player development is spacing .
You want to see players look better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The 2020 draft is not considered strong but is plentiful with lottery-pick point guards .
ESPN ’ s Seth Greenberg believes Iowa State ’ s Tyler Haliburton and LaMelo Ball — without his father — would be the top choices for the Knicks .

David Fizdale said he believes the Knicks need a point guard who can shoot from deep to help center Mitchell Robinson’s growth.
The Post reported in February Knicks scouts were told earlier this season to hone in on scoring point guards for the team’s upcoming lottery pick.
Point guards Frank Ntilikina (32 percent), Dennis Smith Jr. (29.6 percent) and Elfrid Payton (20.3 percent) are each shooting erratically from 3.
“Just looking at the roster where they’re at — I love Elfrid, Frank and Dennis Smith Jr. — but all of them have something in common in that they’re not consistent 3-point shooters coming off the pick-and-roll,” the former Knicks coach told ESPN Radio. “And if you have a super talent like Mitchell — and I think Mitchell can end up being one of the best centers over the next 10 years — you have to have a guy coming off that pick and if you have to fight over that pick-and-roll. … If you do that, all of a sudden Mitchell Robinson looks totally different. And his production goes up big time.”
Robinson leads the NBA in field-goal percentage (73 percent). That would be an NBA record if the regular season is scrapped. Robinson has become a master at the alley-oop, but Fizdale, who now works for ESPN after being fired in December with a 4-18 record, feels he’d be more lethal with a point guard who is respected from the perimeter.
Fizdale still thinks the Knicks could use an outside-shooting power forward.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
The Knicks had a gem in 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Mavericks 13 months ago. Julius Randle was signed to a three-year, $63 million pact to play power forward, but shot a dismal 27.7 percent from 3 this season.
“The other piece to that puzzle is a 4-man who can really rope that 3,’’ Fizdale said. “Like I’ve always said, the key to player development is spacing. You want to see players look better on the court, spread the floor.”
The 2020 draft is not considered strong but is plentiful with lottery-pick point guards. ESPN’s Seth Greenberg believes Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton and LaMelo Ball — without his father — would be the top choices for the Knicks.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Ndamukong Suh re-ups with Buccaneers to join Tom Brady

The Buccaneers defense Tom Brady will rely on this season just got a little bit stronger .
Brady ’ s new team is in agreement with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on a one-year , $ 8 million contract , according to ESPN , bringing back a lynchpin of the Bucs ’ defensive front from last season .
Despite lacking the gaudy numbers of years past — racking up 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks — Suh attracted a lot of attention from opposing linemen .
As the nose tackle in defensive coordinator , and former Jets coach , Todd Bowles ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 261 snaps as the Tampa Bay defense allowed the fewest rushing yards and tied for seventh in the league with 47 sacks .
“ I wanted the entire defense , if we could , to stay together , ” coach Bruce Arians said to ESPN .
“ They played so well together .
Each piece of the puzzle knew each other .
Suh was a big , big part of it .
Not as much in the sack game as much as his interior pressure and the great job he did last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were No .
1 against the run in the league last year , and a lot of it was because of him and Vita [ Vea ] .
” The 33-year-old Suh was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2010 , and was named to the Pro Bowl four times and All-Pro three times in five seasons before signing a six-year , $ 114 million deal with the Miami Dolphins in 2015 to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history to that point .
Now Suh brings his 58.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports Brady on the other side of the ball , and has a serious chance to contend for a Super Bowl with its top-notch defense mostly intact .

The Buccaneers defense Tom Brady will rely on this season just got a little bit stronger.
Brady’s new team is in agreement with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on a one-year, $8 million contract, according to ESPN, bringing back a lynchpin of the Bucs’ defensive front from last season.
Despite lacking the gaudy numbers of years past — racking up 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks — Suh attracted a lot of attention from opposing linemen. As the nose tackle in defensive coordinator, and former Jets coach, Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense, Suh was double-teamed on 261 snaps as the Tampa Bay defense allowed the fewest rushing yards and tied for seventh in the league with 47 sacks.
“I wanted the entire defense, if we could, to stay together,” coach Bruce Arians said to ESPN. “They played so well together. Each piece of the puzzle knew each other. Suh was a big, big part of it. Not as much in the sack game as much as his interior pressure and the great job he did last year against the run. I mean, we were No. 1 against the run in the league last year, and a lot of it was because of him and Vita [Vea].”
The 33-year-old Suh was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2010, and was named to the Pro Bowl four times and All-Pro three times in five seasons before signing a six-year, $114 million deal with the Miami Dolphins in 2015 to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history to that point.
Now Suh brings his 58.5 career sacks back to a team that sports Brady on the other side of the ball, and has a serious chance to contend for a Super Bowl with its top-notch defense mostly intact.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Coronavirus in NY: UES pharmacy fined for ‘drastically’ marking up face masks

Former FBI agent Robert Levinson , who went missing in Iran ...

A Manhattan drug store was slapped with heavy fines for price gouging in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic — for charging customers as much as $200 for a pack of 20 masks.
The city’s Department of Consumer and Workers Protection is seeking $37,500 in fines from Metro Pharmacy, located at 931 Lexington Ave..
According to a release from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office, the Upper East Side shop has been the subject of 23 complaints and has been hit with 75 violations over price gouging.
The DCWP conducted two in-person inspections at the pharmacy and found that face masks — which normally sell for less than $1 — were being hawked at “drastically” marked-up prices.
Under a rule that the department put into effect on March 16, vendors cannot increase prices for goods that can protect consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic — like hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes — by more than 10 percent for a two-month period.
“To the business community, if you incurred additional costs to supply these items, we will take that into account,” DCWP Commissioner Lorelei Salas said in the release.
“But what we cannot tolerate is businesses that are knowingly preying on vulnerable consumers for a profit. Do the right thing. Don’t overcharge.”
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement An employee outside of Metro Pharmacy. Taidgh Barron/NY Post Taidgh Barron/NY Post Advertisement
The department reports that since March 5 it has issued more than 1,000 violations against businesses for price gouging. Cases against the pharmacy and other businesses accused of violations will go before the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Earlier this month, DCWP cracked down on an Ace Hardware franchise in the Garment District for selling 10-packs of 3M respirator masks for $60 — while Home Depot sells the same product for $22.97.
The same store attracted the ire of officials after The Post revealed that it is selling Purell at $80 for a 1,200-milliliter bottle.
A rep for Metro Pharmacy did not return a request for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Ex-FBI agent Robert Levinson believed dead in Iranian custody, family says

Former FBI agent Robert Levinson , who went missing in Iran in 2007 , is believed to have died while in the custody of the Middle Eastern nation , his family said .
“ We recently received information from US officials that has led both them and us to conclude that our wonderful husband and father died while in Iranian custody , ” his family said in a Wednesday statement .
Levinson ’ s family said they don ’ t know how or when he died , but only that it occurred before the global coronavirus outbreak .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the family said .
“ Our family will spend the rest of our lives without the most amazing man , a new reality that is inconceivable to us.
” Levinson vanished in 2007 after being apprehended on Iran ’ s Kish Island while conducting a secret mission for the CIA .
In November 2010 , video emerged of Levinson wearing an orange jumpsuit and pleading to be released and returned to the United States .
But efforts to bring him back home had been impeded by the lack of formal relations between @ @ @ @

Former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who went missing in Iran in 2007, is believed to have died while in the custody of the Middle Eastern nation, his family said.
“We recently received information from US officials that has led both them and us to conclude that our wonderful husband and father died while in Iranian custody,” his family said in a Wednesday statement.
Levinson’s family said they don’t know how or when he died, but only that it occurred before the global coronavirus outbreak.
“It is impossible to describe our pain,” the family said. “Our family will spend the rest of our lives without the most amazing man, a new reality that is inconceivable to us.”
Levinson vanished in 2007 after being apprehended on Iran’s Kish Island while conducting a secret mission for the CIA.
In November 2010, video emerged of Levinson wearing an orange jumpsuit and pleading to be released and returned to the United States.
But efforts to bring him back home had been impeded by the lack of formal relations between the two countries.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Ariana Grande sending money to fans hit by corona shutdowns

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Ariana Grande has been secretly @ @ @ @ @ amid the coronavirus pandemic , Page Six can exclusively reveal .
The “ Sweetener ” @ @ @ @ @ 500 and $ 1,000 — using Venmo , a mobile payment app — to more @ @ @ @ @ struggle with government-forced shutdowns across the U.S. “ She reached out and took care of @ @ @ @ @ , ” one grateful fan told us of her gesture .
Grande ’ s discreet @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ordered non-essential businesses to close as of Sunday night — restaurants @ @ @ @ @ down prior — leaving many out of work .
Hours before Cuomo ’ s directive @ @ @ @ @ Newsom ordered the entire state to stay home in his own bid to slow the @ @ @ @ @

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
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Ariana Grande has been secretly helping her fans out financially amid the coronavirus pandemic, Page Six can exclusively reveal.
The “Sweetener” singer has sent between $500 and $1,000 — using Venmo, a mobile payment app — to more than 20 fans as they struggle with government-forced shutdowns across the U.S.
“She reached out and took care of my salary for the month,” one grateful fan told us of her gesture.
Grande’s discreet generosity comes after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered non-essential businesses to close as of Sunday night — restaurants and bars having been shut down prior — leaving many out of work.
Hours before Cuomo’s directive, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the entire state to stay home in his own bid to slow the pandemic’s spread.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--New coronavirus cases in NYC jails outpacing rest of the city

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The city Department of Correction said on Wednesday that the number of inmates testing positive for coronavirus has jumped to 75 , up from 52 reported on Tuesday .
The number of DOC employees with confirmed COVID-19 cases was 37 , an increase of seven from Tuesday , the department said .
The department does not provide information on which facilities the cases were reported from , though the vast majority of inmates are held on Rikers Island .
With about 5,200 inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate for prisoners is higher than the rest of the city , according to an analysis by the Legal Aid Society .
There are 14.5 infections per 1,000 inmates in city jails compared with about 2 per 1,000 people in New York City , which has more than 16,700 cases .
“ COVID-19 is spreading rapidly at Rikers Island and other local jails , endangering our clients , correction staff and all of New York City , ” said Tina Luongo of the The Legal Aid Society in a news release .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City jails have become the epicenter of COVID-19.
” Compared with federal and state lock-ups in New York , coronavirus has spread like wildfire .
On Wednesday , the federal Bureau of Prisons reported that two of its inmates in New York tested positive — one in Brooklyn ’ s Metropolitan Detention Center and one in Manhattan ’ s Metropolitan Correctional Center .
Meanwhile , the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reported positive tests for 33 of its employees and three inmates .
One of them is disgraced movie mogul Harvey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Wende Correctional Facility in Erie County .
As the number of confirmed cases builds , attorneys with clients in city and federal facilities have filed motions in droves to get them released .
Legal Aid filed a lawsuit against the city on Wednesday in Bronx Supreme Court demanding the release of 110 at-risk Rikers inmates who are being held on technical parole violations .
That ’ s on top of the 148 vulnerable inmates that Legal Aid said should be released from Rikers in a pair of Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuits filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blasio said on Tuesday that the city plans to release 300 inmates and that his administration would review several hundred more in the coming days to determine if they could be set free .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The city Department of Correction said on Wednesday that the number of inmates testing positive for coronavirus has jumped to 75, up from 52 reported on Tuesday.
The number of DOC employees with confirmed COVID-19 cases was 37, an increase of seven from Tuesday, the department said.
The department does not provide information on which facilities the cases were reported from, though the vast majority of inmates are held on Rikers Island.
With about 5,200 inmates in custody, DOC’s infection rate for prisoners is higher than the rest of the city, according to an analysis by the Legal Aid Society.
There are 14.5 infections per 1,000 inmates in city jails compared with about 2 per 1,000 people in New York City, which has more than 16,700 cases.
“COVID-19 is spreading rapidly at Rikers Island and other local jails, endangering our clients, correction staff and all of New York City,” said Tina Luongo of the The Legal Aid Society in a news release. “Based on this analysis, New York City jails have become the epicenter of COVID-19.”
Compared with federal and state lock-ups in New York, coronavirus has spread like wildfire.
On Wednesday, the federal Bureau of Prisons reported that two of its inmates in New York tested positive — one in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and one in Manhattan’s Metropolitan Correctional Center.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reported positive tests for 33 of its employees and three inmates. One of them is disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who began his 23-year sentence at Wende Correctional Facility in Erie County.
As the number of confirmed cases builds, attorneys with clients in city and federal facilities have filed motions in droves to get them released.
Legal Aid filed a lawsuit against the city on Wednesday in Bronx Supreme Court demanding the release of 110 at-risk Rikers inmates who are being held on technical parole violations.
That’s on top of the 148 vulnerable inmates that Legal Aid said should be released from Rikers in a pair of Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuits filed in recent days.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday that the city plans to release 300 inmates and that his administration would review several hundred more in the coming days to determine if they could be set free.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Wimbledon’s coronavirus fate to be determined at ‘emergency meeting’

Tennis legend Serena Williams was candid while detailing her experience ...

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Is Wimbledon next?
The All England Club is holding an “emergency meeting” next week to determine whether the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament might be postponed or canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wimbledon is currently scheduled to begin June 29 in London.
“The AELTC can confirm that it is continuing a detailed evaluation of all scenarios for The Championships 2020, including postponement and cancellation, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak,” an All England Club statement read. “At this time, based on the advice we have received from the public health authorities, the very short window available to us to stage The Championships due to the nature of our surface suggests that postponement is not without significant risk and difficulty. Playing behind closed doors has been formally ruled out.”
The French Open — the sport’s other European Grand Slam — has already pushed back its starting date from May 24 to Sept. 20, creating havoc with the calendar since the U.S. Open is scheduled to conclude just one week prior.
The All England Club is currently closed — outside of security and personnel to maintain the courts — and the celebrated grass court event requires two months of preparation for Wimbledon.
Wimbledon first hosted The Championships at the All England Club in 1877, only failing to hold the event during World War I (1915-18) and World War II (1940-45).
“The unprecedented challenge presented by the Covid-19 crisis continues to affect our way of life in ways that we could not have imagined, and our thoughts are with all those affected in the UK and around the world,” All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis said. “The single most important consideration is one of public health, and we are determined to act responsibly through the decisions we make.
“We are working hard to bring certainty to our plans for 2020 and have convened an emergency meeting of the AELTC main board for next week, at which a decision will be made.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Listen to Episode 17 of ‘Up In The Blue Seats’: Looking Back at Ron Duguay’s Career feat. Chris Roac

Listen to Episode 17 of ‘Up In The Blue Seats’: Looking Back at Ron Duguay’s Career feat. Chris Roach

It ’ s time for a brand new episode of everyone ’ s favorite New York Rangers podcast , “ Up In The Blue Seats ” with Ron Duguay .
Ron and I open the show discussing how he ’ s filling his time during social distancing and how he is staying healthy .
I ask Ron whether he would ever do a reality TV show .
It ’ s a role reversal this time , with NY Post Rangers beat writer Larry Brooks asking Ron the questions .
Larry asks Ron about his persona getting more focus than his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coaches and whether Brad Park should get his No .
2 retired in the rafters at Madison Square Garden .
Comedian , actor and diehard Rangers fan Chris Roach then joins the show .
Roach discusses how he got into comedy , meeting Kevin James and then acting and touring with him , how his love for the Rangers began , punching holes in his wall during the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals , his favorite player during that run and when hockey could return .
Subscribe to the “ Up In The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts .
Ron Duguay is joined every Wednesday by special Rangers guests .

It’s time for a brand new episode of everyone’s favorite New York Rangers podcast, “Up In The Blue Seats” with Ron Duguay.
Ron and I open the show discussing how he’s filling his time during social distancing and how he is staying healthy. I ask Ron whether he would ever do a reality TV show.
It’s a role reversal this time, with NY Post Rangers beat writer Larry Brooks asking Ron the questions. Larry asks Ron about his persona getting more focus than his play, his ending with the Rangers, coaches and whether Brad Park should get his No. 2 retired in the rafters at Madison Square Garden.
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Comedian, actor and diehard Rangers fan Chris Roach then joins the show. Roach discusses how he got into comedy, meeting Kevin James and then acting and touring with him, how his love for the Rangers began, punching holes in his wall during the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, his favorite player during that run and when hockey could return.
Catch up on all episodes of “Up In The Blue Seats,” a New York Rangers podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ron Duguay is joined every Wednesday by special Rangers guests.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--M.I.A. comes out as anti-vaccine: ‘Don’t live in fear!’

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 ) M.I.A .
has joined the ranks of the anti-vaccination movement , it seems .
The singer and activist , 44 , made the comments on Twitter Wednesday , starting off with “ If I have to choose the vaccine or chip I ’ m gon na choose death.
” “ In America they made me vaccinate my child before the school admission , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing .
To not have choice over this as a mother .
I never wan na feel that again .
He was so sick for 3 weeks then Docs had to pump him with antibiotics to reduce the fever from 3 [ vaccines ] .
” The singer , née Mathangi Arulpragasam , has one son , Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman , 11 , with her ex-fiancé , Benjamin Bronfman .
In a now-deleted tweet , she “ clarified ” her reasoning : “ Most of science is in bed with business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks are in bed with tech , tech ’ s in bed with us , [ we ’ re ] in bed with corona .
Corona is in bed with science .
So on … ” Other choice soundbites included : “ Have a healthy life !
Don ’ t live in fear !
” and the following : “ Don ’ t panic you are ok. You are not gon na die .
You can make it without stressing the medical systems .
Just breathe .
You are going to be ok. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the frying pan .
You are fine … ” Unfortunately , there ’ s no vaccine for malapropisms .

M.I.A. has joined the ranks of the anti-vaccination movement, it seems.
The singer and activist, 44, made the comments on Twitter Wednesday, starting off with “If I have to choose the vaccine or chip I’m gonna choose death.”
“In America they made me vaccinate my child before the school admission,” she added. “It was the hardest thing. To not have choice over this as a mother. I never wanna feel that again. He was so sick for 3 weeks then Docs had to pump him with antibiotics to reduce the fever from 3 [vaccines].”
The singer, née Mathangi Arulpragasam, has one son, Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman, 11, with her ex-fiancé, Benjamin Bronfman.
In a now-deleted tweet, she “clarified” her reasoning: “Most of science is in bed with business. Business is in bed with banks, banks are in bed with tech, tech’s in bed with us, [we’re] in bed with corona. Corona is in bed with science. So on …”
Other choice soundbites included: “Have a healthy life! Don’t live in fear!” and the following:
“Don’t panic you are ok. You are not gonna die. You can make it without stressing the medical systems. Just breathe. You are going to be ok. You can make it through without jumping in the frying pan. You are fine …”
Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine for malapropisms.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Coronavirus slams Manhattan real estate market, report says

The Manhattan real estate market is yet another victim of the coronavirus .
The number of new for-sale listings and the number of contracts signed dropped from the same time last year , according to a report from UrbanDigs .
Meanwhile , the number of listings pulled from the market skyrocketed compared with the third week of March in 2019 .
UrbanDigs ’ analysis compares the week beginning March 16 , 2020 to the week of March 18 , 2019 ( both the third full week of March ) .
Sources include the Residential Listing Service from the Real Estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Brooklyn Multiple Listings Service , the city ’ s online property records portal ACRIS , and proprietary data .
• 98 – The number of listings new to the market , compared with 459 during the same week in 2019 , a 70 percent decrease .
• 109 – The number of new contracts signed , compared with 214 in the third week of March last year , a drop of 49 percent .
• 448 – The number of listings taken off the market during the week of March 16 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third week of March last year , a “ startling increase ” of 276 percent .
Inventory is certainly down .
But until there is more data — say , on the median prices of sold properties during this time — it is unclear how badly the Manhattan sales market is and will be affected by the coronavirus .

The Manhattan real estate market is yet another victim of the coronavirus.
The number of new for-sale listings and the number of contracts signed dropped from the same time last year, according to a report from UrbanDigs.
Meanwhile, the number of listings pulled from the market skyrocketed compared with the third week of March in 2019. UrbanDigs’ analysis compares the week beginning March 16, 2020 to the week of March 18, 2019 (both the third full week of March).
Sources include the Residential Listing Service from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Brooklyn Multiple Listings Service, the city’s online property records portal ACRIS, and proprietary data.
The findings’ key numbers are:
98 – The number of listings new to the market, compared with 459 during the same week in 2019, a 70 percent decrease.
– The number of listings new to the market, compared with 459 during the same week in 2019, a 70 percent decrease. 109 – The number of new contracts signed, compared with 214 in the third week of March last year, a drop of 49 percent.
– The number of new contracts signed, compared with 214 in the third week of March last year, a drop of 49 percent. 448 – The number of listings taken off the market during the week of March 16, 2020, compared with 119 in the third week of March last year, a “startling increase” of 276 percent.
Inventory is certainly down. But until there is more data — say, on the median prices of sold properties during this time — it is unclear how badly the Manhattan sales market is and will be affected by the coronavirus.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--Clergyman living in same residence as Pope Francis tests positive for coronavirus

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An Italian man who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for the coronavirus and is being treated at a hospital , according to reports .
The clergyman in the Holy See has spent years in the guesthouse known as Santa Maria , where the 83-year-old pontiff has lived since his election in 2013 , according to Italian news outlets .
The Il Messaggero newspaper said the sickened man works in the Vatican ’ s Secretariat of State and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a priest .
The residence has about 130 rooms and suites but many are unoccupied , a source told Reuters .
Francis , who came down with a cold late last month , has canceled public appearances and has been conducting general audiences on TV and online .
On Tuesday , the Vatican said four people have tested positive inside the city-state , but those it listed do not live in the guesthouse .
Santa Marta , which opened in 1996 , houses cardinals who come to Rome and lock themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new pope .
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told Agence France-Presse he could neither confirm nor deny the latest reports .
Italy has seen more deaths from COVID-19 than any other country , with the latest figures on Wednesday showing that 7,503 people have died in barely a month .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
An Italian man who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for the coronavirus and is being treated at a hospital, according to reports.
The clergyman in the Holy See has spent years in the guesthouse known as Santa Marta, where the 83-year-old pontiff has lived since his election in 2013, according to Italian news outlets.
The Il Messaggero newspaper said the sickened man works in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State and a Vatican source said he is believed to be a priest.
The residence has about 130 rooms and suites but many are unoccupied, a source told Reuters.
Francis, who came down with a cold late last month, has canceled public appearances and has been conducting general audiences on TV and online.
On Tuesday, the Vatican said four people have tested positive inside the city-state, but those it listed do not live in the guesthouse.
Santa Marta, which opened in 1996, houses cardinals who come to Rome and lock themselves up in a conclave to elect a new pope.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told Agence France-Presse he could neither confirm nor deny the latest reports.
Italy has seen more deaths from COVID-19 than any other country, with the latest figures on Wednesday showing that 7,503 people have died in barely a month.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--This veterinarian is a superhero for street dogs

She ’ s dogs ’ best friend .
Meet Dr. Janey Lowes , a veterinarian who left her life in @ @ @ @ @ WECare Worldwide , a charity for street dogs in Sri Lanka .
The 20-person staff @ @ @ @ @ on the island , where there ’ s one dog for every eight people .
@ @ @ @ @ life for these pooches .
“ We deal with everything from road traffic accidents , @ @ @ @ @ wounds , all kinds of things , ” she told The Post .
Watch Lowe @ @ @ @ @ including the heart-wrenching moment she takes in a dog suffering from a huge maggot wound @ @ @ @ @ years , WECare Worldwide has helped more than 6,000 injured animals and vaccinated and neutered @ @ @

She’s dogs’ best friend. Meet Dr. Janey Lowes, a veterinarian who left her life in the UK behind to found WECare Worldwide, a charity for street dogs in Sri Lanka. The 20-person staff provides veterinarian services for strays on the island, where there’s one dog for every eight people. It’s a tough life for these pooches. “We deal with everything from road traffic accidents, wild boar attacks, bomb wounds, all kinds of things,” she told The Post.
Watch Lowe’s inspiring story, including the heart-wrenching moment she takes in a dog suffering from a huge maggot wound. Over the past five years, WECare Worldwide has helped more than 6,000 injured animals and vaccinated and neutered countless canines.
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newyorkpost--2020-03-26--Is Britney Spears leading the revolution?

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Spears is telling her fans online to “ re-distribute wealth ” and “ strike ” amid coronavirus quarantine .
Meanwhile , incarcerated celebrities like Bill Cosby and Tekashi 6ix9ine want to social distance themselves from jail .
And divorce rates skyrocket among quarantined couples .
Britney Spears has called for a socialist-style redistribution of wealth and for workers to strike to support each other during the current crisis .
The 38-year-old pop star — said to be worth $ 59 million — shared the words of writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line , “ We wil [ sic ] feed each other , re-destribute [ sic ] wealth , strike.
” Spears captioned a graphic fearing Zhu ’ s words , “ Communion moves beyond walls , ” and added red rose emojis , a symbol associated with the Democratic Socialists of America .
The left wing organization seemed stirred up by Spears ’ solidarity , taking to social media to proliferate the post , along with the message : ‘ It ’ s Britney , comrade !
’ Zhu ’ s post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ During this time of isolation , we need connection now more than ever .
Call your loved ones , write virtual letters .
Technologies like virtual communication , streaming and broadcasting are part of our community collaboration .
“ We will learn to kiss and hold each other through the waves of the web .
We wil [ sic ] feed each other , re-destribute [ sic ] wealth , strike .
We will understand our own importance from the places we must stay .
Communion moves beyond walls .
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t known for her political commentary , doesn ’ t control her vast fortune .
She has been under the conservatorship of her father , Jamie Spears , since 2008 , but continued to work including touring and a lucrative Las Vegas residency until last year , when she took a break amid reports of her father suffering poor health .
But Spears has been taking part in the # DoYourPartChallenge on Instagram , telling fans in need during the coronavirus crisis to reach out if they need help buying food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also offered advice to calm her followers by alluding to her past troubles and how she overcame them , “ So many of us get stir crazy about what is going on and although I don ’ t have all the answers…I do know how to try to stay strong and positive and show courage.
” Bill Cosby ’ s lawyers want him released from jail amid coronavirus pandemic Bill Cosby ’ s lawyers are filing a motion to get him released from his Pennsylvania jail and put on house arrest amid reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
Cosby , 82 , is serving three to 10 years at SCI Phoenix in Montgomery County , and his attorneys are preparing to file a petition at Pennsylvania Superior Court in the next few days seeking for him to be moved to house arrest .
The disgraced comic has a 9,000-square-foot mansion in Elkins Park , Pa. , where he had lived under house arrest with his wife , Camille , after he was found guilty of sexual assault in 2018 .
The move by Cosby ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of some federal prisoners in an attempt to reduce the risk of a larger outbreak of coronavirus in the nation ’ s prison system .
Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt told Page Six , “ We believe it is only a matter of time before Mr. Cosby ’ s prison likely falls victim to the virus , such a confined space is the perfect place for a virus to spread rapidly , it is hazardous to the prison staff and vulnerable inmates .
“ Bill Cosby is no detriment or danger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go anywhere , he is elderly , he is blind .
He can stay under house arrest with an ankle bracelet , as he did before , with his wife taking care of him .
Let him do his time at home.
” Wyatt said he ’ d been informed that more than one prison officer at the facility had tested positive for COVID-19 , though officials at SCI Phoenix , when contacted by Page Six on Wednesday , would not confirm or deny this .
Divorce filings are skyrocketing from quarantine-weary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matrimonial attorneys , who are experiencing a 50 percent rise in inquiries from potential clients .
According to leading Manhattan family-law experts , some couples forced to spend time together while quarantined in cramped apartments or even in palatial pads haven ’ t fared well during the coronavirus outbreak .
Making matters worse , dramatic sways in the financial markets will further spur a wave of wealthy divorces , because richer spouses may decide they want out while their net worth dips — potentially helping them avoid larger settlements , legal experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zabel , a founding partner of Schulte Roth & Zabel , told Page Six , “ We ’ ve had an increased amount of calls in the past week from people seeking representation for divorce proceedings , a 50 percent increase , and I have been hearing the same from my colleagues at other firms.
” Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday @

Spears is telling her fans online to “re-distribute wealth” and “strike” amid coronavirus quarantine.
Meanwhile, incarcerated celebrities like Bill Cosby and Tekashi 6ix9ine want to social distance themselves from jail. And divorce rates skyrocket among quarantined couples.
Here’s a closer look at today’s stories:
Britney Spears calls for redistribution of wealth, strikes amid coronavirus pandemic
It’s Britney, Comrade!
Britney Spears has called for a socialist-style redistribution of wealth and for workers to strike to support each other during the current crisis.
The 38-year-old pop star — said to be worth $59 million — shared the words of writer Mimi Zhu on her Instagram which includes the line, “We wil [sic] feed each other, re-destribute [sic] wealth, strike.”
Spears captioned a graphic fearing Zhu’s words, “Communion moves beyond walls,” and added red rose emojis, a symbol associated with the Democratic Socialists of America. The left wing organization seemed stirred up by Spears’ solidarity, taking to social media to proliferate the post, along with the message: ‘It’s Britney, comrade!’
Zhu’s post, re-grammed by Spears, declares: “During this time of isolation, we need connection now more than ever. Call your loved ones, write virtual letters. Technologies like virtual communication, streaming and broadcasting are part of our community collaboration.
“We will learn to kiss and hold each other through the waves of the web. We wil [sic] feed each other, re-destribute [sic] wealth, strike. We will understand our own importance from the places we must stay. Communion moves beyond walls. We can still be together.”
Spears, who isn’t known for her political commentary, doesn’t control her vast fortune. She has been under the conservatorship of her father, Jamie Spears, since 2008, but continued to work including touring and a lucrative Las Vegas residency until last year, when she took a break amid reports of her father suffering poor health.
But Spears has been taking part in the #DoYourPartChallenge on Instagram, telling fans in need during the coronavirus crisis to reach out if they need help buying food or provisions for their children. She also offered advice to calm her followers by alluding to her past troubles and how she overcame them, “So many of us get stir crazy about what is going on and although I don’t have all the answers…I do know how to try to stay strong and positive and show courage.”
Bill Cosby’s lawyers want him released from jail amid coronavirus pandemic
Bill Cosby’s lawyers are filing a motion to get him released from his Pennsylvania jail and put on house arrest amid reports that at least one prison officer has tested positive for COVID-19.
Cosby, 82, is serving three to 10 years at SCI Phoenix in Montgomery County, and his attorneys are preparing to file a petition at Pennsylvania Superior Court in the next few days seeking for him to be moved to house arrest.
The disgraced comic has a 9,000-square-foot mansion in Elkins Park, Pa., where he had lived under house arrest with his wife, Camille, after he was found guilty of sexual assault in 2018.
The move by Cosby’s lawyers comes as the Trump administration considers the release of some federal prisoners in an attempt to reduce the risk of a larger outbreak of coronavirus in the nation’s prison system.
Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt told Page Six, “We believe it is only a matter of time before Mr. Cosby’s prison likely falls victim to the virus, such a confined space is the perfect place for a virus to spread rapidly, it is hazardous to the prison staff and vulnerable inmates.
“Bill Cosby is no detriment or danger to the community. He can’t go anywhere, he is elderly, he is blind. He can stay under house arrest with an ankle bracelet, as he did before, with his wife taking care of him. Let him do his time at home.”
Wyatt said he’d been informed that more than one prison officer at the facility had tested positive for COVID-19, though officials at SCI Phoenix, when contacted by Page Six on Wednesday, would not confirm or deny this.
Divorce rates jumping in corona-quarantined couples
Divorce filings are skyrocketing from quarantine-weary and financially stressed couples, according to top matrimonial attorneys, who are experiencing a 50 percent rise in inquiries from potential clients.
According to leading Manhattan family-law experts, some couples forced to spend time together while quarantined in cramped apartments or even in palatial pads haven’t fared well during the coronavirus outbreak.
Making matters worse, dramatic sways in the financial markets will further spur a wave of wealthy divorces, because richer spouses may decide they want out while their net worth dips — potentially helping them avoid larger settlements, legal experts say.
NYC power divorce attorney William D. Zabel, a founding partner of Schulte Roth & Zabel, told Page Six, “We’ve had an increased amount of calls in the past week from people seeking representation for divorce proceedings, a 50 percent increase, and I have been hearing the same from my colleagues at other firms.”
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--Yankees’ Aaron Boone gives injury updates on Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
Aaron Boone provided injury updates about a handful of Yankees on Wednesday , much as he would before any game .
Aaron Hicks has started a throwing program at his home in Arizona in his comeback from Tommy John surgery and James Paxton is continuing his program in Wisconsin following back surgery .
Aaron Judge , who Boone believes suffered his collapsed lung on the same diving play in September that resulted in his fractured rib , is still resting and doing some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a few weeks .
And Giancarlo Stanton is just about fully healed from a strained calf .
But at this point , the Yankees manager has no idea when any of them might actually have a game to play in , as Major League Baseball is still in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic that has halted nearly the entire sports world .
The manager , though , said he is hopeful MLB can still salvage a regular season and playoffs — and that will serve a part in getting past the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m still kind of optimistic [ and ] hoping for the best that we can get in as many games as possible , ’ ’ Boone said during a conference call Wednesday , which would have been the day before Opening Day , prior to the season being suspended indefinitely earlier this month .
“ Obviously , the schedule is gon na be altered to some degree .
But this is something that ’ s bigger , ’ ’ Boone said .
“ We ’ re not gon na be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the perfect outcome .
Our job when we come back , ultimately , is gon na be bigger than the game and all of us , as well.
” Boone said he is confident that when that day comes , baseball will provide relief to the public .
“ As we ’ ve seen throughout time , sports can play a role in the healing , ” Boone said .
“ As a diversion , a distraction [ or ] a sense of normalcy .
All the kinds of things we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And whatever that is , albeit it ’ s certainly going to be different than usual this year , so be it .
We ’ ll be eager to hopefully go out and do our part .
And in our case , our focus will remain the same .
To be the best we can be and try to win another championship.
’ ’ Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag Boone talked again about the possibility the regular season could extend into November using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion that if more doubleheaders are scheduled , they could look into mirroring the minor leagues and playing a pair of seven-inning games .
For now , Boone said there are about eight to 10 players still working out or getting treatment at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa .
That could change once Hillsborough County begins to enforce its “ Safer at Home ” policy on Friday following a Wednesday vote .
The policy means that residents will be asked to stay in their homes 24 hours a day , seven days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from being able to work out at the Yankees ’ complex .
It ’ s unclear whether that would keep rehabbing players from getting treatment .
The Yankees still have one minor leaguer who tested positive for coronavirus under quarantine and the minor league complex in Tampa remains closed at least until Thursday , but they ’ ve had no new cases on either the minor league side or with the major league roster .
Team spokesman Jason Zillo said Wednesday that no one is being tested or awaiting a result after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 , when the first minor leaguer reported symptoms and eventually tested positive .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Aaron Boone provided injury updates about a handful of Yankees on Wednesday, much as he would before any game.
Aaron Hicks has started a throwing program at his home in Arizona in his comeback from Tommy John surgery and James Paxton is continuing his program in Wisconsin following back surgery.
Aaron Judge, who Boone believes suffered his collapsed lung on the same diving play in September that resulted in his fractured rib, is still resting and doing some lower-body work while he awaits further tests in a few weeks.
And Giancarlo Stanton is just about fully healed from a strained calf.
But at this point, the Yankees manager has no idea when any of them might actually have a game to play in, as Major League Baseball is still in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic that has halted nearly the entire sports world.
The manager, though, said he is hopeful MLB can still salvage a regular season and playoffs — and that will serve a part in getting past the impact of the crisis.
“I’m still kind of optimistic [and] hoping for the best that we can get in as many games as possible,’’ Boone said during a conference call Wednesday, which would have been the day before Opening Day, prior to the season being suspended indefinitely earlier this month.
“Obviously, the schedule is gonna be altered to some degree. But this is something that’s bigger,’’ Boone said. “We’re not gonna be able to have our way or our number or the perfect outcome. Our job when we come back, ultimately, is gonna be bigger than the game and all of us, as well.”
Boone said he is confident that when that day comes, baseball will provide relief to the public.
“As we’ve seen throughout time, sports can play a role in the healing,” Boone said. “As a diversion, a distraction [or] a sense of normalcy. All the kinds of things we have a role in our society to play. And whatever that is, albeit it’s certainly going to be different than usual this year, so be it. We’ll be eager to hopefully go out and do our part. And in our case, our focus will remain the same. To be the best we can be and try to win another championship.’’
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Boone talked again about the possibility the regular season could extend into November using neutral sites, and he floated the notion that if more doubleheaders are scheduled, they could look into mirroring the minor leagues and playing a pair of seven-inning games.
For now, Boone said there are about eight to 10 players still working out or getting treatment at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
That could change once Hillsborough County begins to enforce its “Safer at Home” policy on Friday following a Wednesday vote.
The policy means that residents will be asked to stay in their homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which will prevent players from being able to work out at the Yankees’ complex. It’s unclear whether that would keep rehabbing players from getting treatment.
The Yankees still have one minor leaguer who tested positive for coronavirus under quarantine and the minor league complex in Tampa remains closed at least until Thursday, but they’ve had no new cases on either the minor league side or with the major league roster.
Team spokesman Jason Zillo said Wednesday that no one is being tested or awaiting a result after the minor league facility was shut down March 13, when the first minor leaguer reported symptoms and eventually tested positive.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--Red Sox Triple-A voice details frustrating coronavirus scare

On the eve of what was supposed to be Opening ...

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Josh Maurer is like many broadcasters who had traveled throughout the country over the past few weeks concerned about the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Maurer, who works as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Boston College Eagles men’s basketball team and the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, said in a string of tweets that he likely has been having coronavirus symptoms.
“I’ve been told by doctors over the phone to assume I have Covid-19 and have been in quarantine at my house in Providence, R.I.,” Maurer tweeted. “I’m fortunate that my symptoms are manageable. I ask often if it’s possible to get tested, but as of now there is still no way for me to receive one.”
Maurer has been in self-quarantine with symptoms of the virus such as consistent fever or chills along with shortness of breath since returning to his home in Providence on March 12. Maurer said his symptoms are manageable and that he is feeling better.
Maurer told the Boston Herald that he may have picked up the virus while traveling in the last few weeks broadcasting the Eagles’ basketball games in Florida and the ACC Tournament in North Carolina.
Maurer said he knew it was a risk even though he followed guidelines set by medical professionals to use disinfectant wipes and wash his hands wherever he went.
“I was being I thought pretty vigilant, but the reality is, I think in the course of that week between going to Florida State, and then coming home and then going to the ACC tournament, I think I came into contact casually with more people during that week-long stretch than I do in any other week of my year.” Maurer told the website.
“There were a lot of fans there. So as careful as you might try to be, I just know that I exposed myself to the risk more than I should have.”
While Maurer said he would like to have a test to confirm if he is positive, Maurer said he firmly believes that people with severe cases must have priority to take coronavirus kits because of their limited availability.
Maurer expressed his frustration with Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and others leaders in the country, saying they are making decisions without having enough information about how to fight the spread of the virus.
“Our leaders are being asked to make decisions based off of the incorrect numbers they are presented,” he tweeted. “My point is this – our leaders are flying blindly in trying to guide us through the next steps. Please take this threat as seriously as it deserves to be.
“It’s likely that the situation in your community is worse than you realize at the moment. Thanks for reading and letting me get this off my chest! Stay safe and healthy!”


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--RJ Barrett’s father remembers St. John’s teammate Lee Green lost to COVID-19

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Rowan Barrett , father of Knicks prized rookie RJ Barrett , played four seasons at St. John ’ s .
During his first two ( 1992-93 , 1993-94 ) Barrett was backcourt mates with Lee Green .
Green died of coronavirus complications Monday at age 49 .
Green and Rowan Barrett were teammates on the 1992-93 St. John ’ s club that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament .
“ Terrible news — he will be sadly missed , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message .
“ He always had a smile for you and was a pleasure to be around .
I ’ ve been praying for his family.
” Green , a point guard who hailed from The Bronx , averaged just 2.9 points .
He was known for his smarts , handle and defense more than his scoring prowess .
“ He was tremendous ball-handler — tough , athletic , skilled , ’ ’ Rowan Barrett wrote .
“ He played from point guard to small forward offensively and defensively when necessary .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We had a deep team and so he played a role and locked guys up defensively.
’ ’ Former St. John ’ s coach Brian Mahoney said he recalled occasionally pairing Green and Barrett in the backcourt off the bench — with Lee touted for his driving and the 6-foot-6 Barrett reputed for his shooting range .
Barrett , who is from Toronto , met his wife Kesha at St. John ’ s and the couple later had RJ , who became the No .
3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played professionally in Europe , is now the GM of Team Canada ’ s basketball program .

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Rowan Barrett, father of Knicks prized rookie RJ Barrett, played four seasons at St. John’s. During his first two (1992-93, 1993-94) Barrett was backcourt mates with Lee Green.
Green died of coronavirus complications Monday at age 49. Green and Rowan Barrett were teammates on the 1992-93 St. John’s club that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Terrible news — he will be sadly missed,’’ Rowan Barrett said in a text message. “He always had a smile for you and was a pleasure to be around. I’ve been praying for his family.”
Green, a point guard who hailed from The Bronx, averaged just 2.9 points. He was known for his smarts, handle and defense more than his scoring prowess.
“He was tremendous ball-handler — tough, athletic, skilled,’’ Rowan Barrett wrote. “He played from point guard to small forward offensively and defensively when necessary. He had no fear and played to win. We had a deep team and so he played a role and locked guys up defensively.’’
Former St. John’s coach Brian Mahoney said he recalled occasionally pairing Green and Barrett in the backcourt off the bench — with Lee touted for his driving and the 6-foot-6 Barrett reputed for his shooting range.
Barrett, who is from Toronto, met his wife Kesha at St. John’s and the couple later had RJ, who became the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Knicks. Rowan, who played professionally in Europe, is now the GM of Team Canada’s basketball program.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--The Cheesecake Factory won’t make April rent because of coronavirus restrictions

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One of America ’ s most popular restaurants , The Cheesecake Factory , reportedly can not afford April ’ s rent at any of its nearly 300 locations due to the financial strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The Cheesecake Factory ’ s founder and CEO , David Overton , notified the company ’ s landlords of their inability to pay in a March 18 letter obtained by Eater .
Overton said the company ’ s revenue took a hit as some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with government restrictions that have been imposed across the country to prevent the spread of the virus .
Restaurants that have remained open are only able to provide delivery and takeout services , he said .
“ The severe decrease in restaurant traffic has severely decreased our cash flow and inflicted a tremendous financial blow to our business , ” Overton wrote .
He added : “ Unfortunately , I must let you know that The Cheesecake Factory and its affiliated restaurant concepts will not make any of their rent payments for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Factory operates 294 restaurants .
It has locations in 39 states , the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico and Canada , according to Eater .
Overton , in the letter , said the company hopes to resume rent payments “ as soon as reasonably possible.
” A company spokesperson told Eater , “ We have very strong , longstanding relationships with our landlords .
We are certain that with their partnership , we will be able to work together to weather this storm in the appropriate manner .
”

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One of America’s most popular restaurants, The Cheesecake Factory, reportedly cannot afford April’s rent at any of its nearly 300 locations due to the financial strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Cheesecake Factory’s founder and CEO, David Overton, notified the company’s landlords of their inability to pay in a March 18 letter obtained by Eater.
Overton said the company’s revenue took a hit as some restaurants were forced to close in accordance with government restrictions that have been imposed across the country to prevent the spread of the virus.
Restaurants that have remained open are only able to provide delivery and takeout services, he said.
“The severe decrease in restaurant traffic has severely decreased our cash flow and inflicted a tremendous financial blow to our business,” Overton wrote.
He added: “Unfortunately, I must let you know that The Cheesecake Factory and its affiliated restaurant concepts will not make any of their rent payments for the month of April 2020.”
The Cheesecake Factory operates 294 restaurants. It has locations in 39 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, according to Eater.
The company in 2019 acquired Fox Restaurants Concepts.
Overton, in the letter, said the company hopes to resume rent payments “as soon as reasonably possible.”
A company spokesperson told Eater, “We have very strong, longstanding relationships with our landlords. We are certain that with their partnership, we will be able to work together to weather this storm in the appropriate manner.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--The challenges Mets may face in Noah Syndergaard-less world

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Replacing Noah Syndergaard in the Mets ’ rotation might not be as difficult as finding substitutes for his replacement .
With Syndergaard scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday that will keep him sidelined into 2021 , the Mets are minus a high-octane pitcher for this season ( provided it eventually starts ) but hardly in a crisis , according to National League talent evaluators .
“ I think it ’ s more psychological than anything else , ” a NL scout said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a physical presence , he gives you that intimidation factor and you do always have a sense that , ‘ We have got a chance to win today.
’ But if you look at him statistically he ’ s really not that overpowering.
” Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha arrived in the offseason as free agents and gave the Mets six starters for five spots .
Before spring training was suspended two weeks ago due to the coronavirus outbreak , the perception was Wacha and Steven Matz were battling for the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count on both , in addition to a former American League Cy Young Award winner in Porcello .
But their rotation depth has dissipated , leaving a huge question mark once the Mets need another starter .
“ In some respect replacing Syndergaard with Rick Porcello or Michael Wacha may not be as damaging as one would think , ” the scout said .
“ But I would still like to have Syndergaard in my rotation .
I love the guy .
I don ’ t think he ’ s come close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers bear that out .
“ Also , you have got to have depth .
If you don ’ t have depth you are flipping a coin or keeping your fingers crossed thinking you are going to get through a season with 25 guys and this is the concern I have with the Mets is the backup to the backup plan seems to not be there.
” A talent evaluator from an NL East club was asked how Syndergaard ’ s torn ulnar collateral ligament will affect the Mets ’ chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluator still put the Mets on equal footing with the Braves and Nationals , with the Phillies close behind .
“ If you took [ Jacob ] deGrom out of there , you could almost say the Mets are not a factor , ” the talent evaluator said .
“ He brings a lot to the party that transcends being arguably one of the two or three best pitchers in the game.
” The NL scout saw Syndergaard pitch twice in spring training and saw nothing to indicate the right-hander was headed toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag “ He looked totally normal , ” the scout said .
“ He was 97-99 [ mph ] with a nasty breaking ball and didn ’ t look like he was laboring at all .
I saw him twice in one week .
Either he was taking a lot of Advil or not feeling anything or doing a good job of faking it.
” The evaluator from a NL East club called Syndergaard the “ poster child ” for Tommy John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because you watched him pitch , first pitch it was 99 on the black and he never throttled down , ” the talent evaluator said .
“ The percentage of high-leverage pitches were incredible with him , and it just takes a toll.
” The Mets ’ pitching depth options include David Peterson , Franklin Kilome , Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt .
The left-hander Peterson , a former first-round draft pick , has the highest upside of the group , but still hasn ’ t pitched above the Double-A level .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could become essential if MLB resumes in June or July and begins playing a significant number of doubleheaders .
A revised schedule could also eliminate many off days .
“ To get through a major league season everybody thinks , ‘ You have got to have a couple of starters as a backup , ’ ” the NL scout said .
“ It ’ s almost like you need two dozen pitchers to get through a season .
You don ’ t need a dozen , you need two dozen , because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Replacing Noah Syndergaard in the Mets’ rotation might not be as difficult as finding substitutes for his replacement.
With Syndergaard scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday that will keep him sidelined into 2021, the Mets are minus a high-octane pitcher for this season (provided it eventually starts) but hardly in a crisis, according to National League talent evaluators.
“I think it’s more psychological than anything else,” a NL scout said Wednesday. “[Syndergaard] is such a physical presence, he gives you that intimidation factor and you do always have a sense that, ‘We have got a chance to win today.’ But if you look at him statistically he’s really not that overpowering.”
Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha arrived in the offseason as free agents and gave the Mets six starters for five spots. Before spring training was suspended two weeks ago due to the coronavirus outbreak, the perception was Wacha and Steven Matz were battling for the final rotation spot. Now the Mets will count on both, in addition to a former American League Cy Young Award winner in Porcello. But their rotation depth has dissipated, leaving a huge question mark once the Mets need another starter.
“In some respect replacing Syndergaard with Rick Porcello or Michael Wacha may not be as damaging as one would think,” the scout said. “But I would still like to have Syndergaard in my rotation. I love the guy. I don’t think he’s come close to reaching his full potential and I think the numbers bear that out.
“Also, you have got to have depth. If you don’t have depth you are flipping a coin or keeping your fingers crossed thinking you are going to get through a season with 25 guys and this is the concern I have with the Mets is the backup to the backup plan seems to not be there.”
A talent evaluator from an NL East club was asked how Syndergaard’s torn ulnar collateral ligament will affect the Mets’ chances of contending within the division. The talent evaluator still put the Mets on equal footing with the Braves and Nationals, with the Phillies close behind.
“If you took [Jacob] deGrom out of there, you could almost say the Mets are not a factor,” the talent evaluator said. “He brings a lot to the party that transcends being arguably one of the two or three best pitchers in the game.”
The NL scout saw Syndergaard pitch twice in spring training and saw nothing to indicate the right-hander was headed toward Tommy John surgery.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
“He looked totally normal,” the scout said. “He was 97-99 [mph] with a nasty breaking ball and didn’t look like he was laboring at all. I saw him twice in one week. Either he was taking a lot of Advil or not feeling anything or doing a good job of faking it.”
The evaluator from a NL East club called Syndergaard the “poster child” for Tommy John surgery.
“It was an inevitability, because you watched him pitch, first pitch it was 99 on the black and he never throttled down,” the talent evaluator said. “The percentage of high-leverage pitches were incredible with him, and it just takes a toll.”
The Mets’ pitching depth options include David Peterson, Franklin Kilome, Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt. The left-hander Peterson, a former first-round draft pick, has the highest upside of the group, but still hasn’t pitched above the Double-A level.
Rotation options, regardless of health, could become essential if MLB resumes in June or July and begins playing a significant number of doubleheaders. A revised schedule could also eliminate many off days.
“To get through a major league season everybody thinks, ‘You have got to have a couple of starters as a backup,’ ” the NL scout said. “It’s almost like you need two dozen pitchers to get through a season. You don’t need a dozen, you need two dozen, because you need backups to the backups.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--Wood Memorial delayed as Aqueduct shuts until at least April 5

No , not yet racing fans .
The New York Racing Association ( NYRA ) announced Wednesday that live racing @ @ @ @ @ through at least April 5 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Wood Memorial , @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Derby prep and the biggest day on the Aqueduct calendar was slated for April @ @ @ @ @ be postponed to a date to be determined .
“ While this decision is necessary @ @ @ @ @ determine when we can return to racing while prioritizing the health and well-being of everyone @ @ @ @ @ ” NYRA CEO and President Dave O ’ Rourke said .
With the Kentucky Derby @ @ @ @ @ in May to the first Saturday in September , there obviously is no rush to @ @ @ @ @ the new timetable holds , the Travers , Saratoga Race Course ’ s midsummer derby @ @ @ @ @ the biggest prep race on the road to the Derby .
The Florida Derby is @ @ @ @ @ .

No, not yet, racing fans.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Wednesday that live racing at Aqueduct will be suspended through at least April 5 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Wood Memorial, New York’s premier Kentucky Derby prep and the biggest day on the Aqueduct calendar, was slated for April 4. The Wood will be postponed to a date to be determined.
“While this decision is necessary NYRA is working hard to determine when we can return to racing while prioritizing the health and well-being of everyone involved in our operations,” NYRA CEO and President Dave O’Rourke said.
With the Kentucky Derby moved from the first Saturday in May to the first Saturday in September, there obviously is no rush to run the Wood. If the new timetable holds, the Travers, Saratoga Race Course’s midsummer derby, may end up being the biggest prep race on the road to the Derby. The Florida Derby is still scheduled for this Saturday.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--New Zealand mosque shooter pleads guilty to all charges

WELLINGTON , New Zealand — The man who committed the worst atrocity in New Zealand ’ s modern history when he slaughtered 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all charges Thursday .
The attacks targeting people praying at the mosques a year ago shocked the nation and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons .
It also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook , where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people .
The sudden turn in the case took survivors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people across New Zealand .
Many had feared Australian white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant would try to use his trial as a platform to promote his views .
He ’ d outlined those views in a 74-page manifesto he published online shortly before the attacks .
Tarrant , 29 , pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder , 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism at the Christchurch High Court .
He had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial had been scheduled to start in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be found guilty of terrorism in New Zealand under laws passed after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks in the U.S .
The change in plea came less than two weeks after New Zealanders commemorated those who died on the anniversary of the March 15 , 2019 , attacks .
“ Honestly , I ’ m still trying to process what just happened , ” said Aya Al-Umari , whose brother Hussein was killed in the attack on the Al Noor mosque .
“ I feel conflicted.
” She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had wanted to find out more details about what happened at the trial but on the other hand was feeling relieved about not having to face the trauma of sitting through it .
Temel Atacocugu , who survived being shot nine times during the attack at Al Noor , said he was surprised by the turn of events and hoped the judge would set an example at the sentencing by imposing the harshest punishment in the country ’ s history and helping ensure nothing like it would happen again .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is guilty , ” Atacocugu said .
Judge Cameron Mander has not yet set a sentencing date .
Tarrant faces life imprisonment , with the judge having some discretion in deciding the minimum number of years Tarrant must serve before becoming eligible for parole .
The change in plea came at a hastily arranged court hearing at a time that New Zealand was beginning a four-week lockdown to try and combat the new coronavirus .
The lockdown meant Tarrant appeared in the court via video link from his jail cell in Auckland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed inside the courtroom , including the imams from the two mosques that were attacked .
Mander said it was unfortunate the lockdown prevented victims and family members from being able to attend the hearing but the imams were helping to represent them .
He said he wanted to quickly move ahead with the hearing , especially with the COVID-19 response threatening delays to the court schedule .
Tarrant , who was wearing a gray prison sweater , showed little emotion as he pleaded guilty .
He didn ’ t indicate why he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment .
New Zealand ’ s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , who was praised around the world for her empathetic response to the Muslim community after the attacks , said it was “ deeply disappointing ” the victims didn ’ t get to attend the hearing .
But she said there was “ a certain sense of relief that the whole nation , but particularly our Muslim community , are being spared from a trial that could have otherwise acted as a platform.
” Tarrant moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a low profile in the university city of Dunedin .
He frequented a gym , practiced shooting at a rifle club range and built up an arsenal of weapons .
He didn ’ t appear to be employed , and said in some online posts that he ’ d inherited a significant amount of money when his father died .
Tarrant appeared to have a fascination with religious conflicts in Europe and the Balkans , and visited a number of sites in Eastern Europe in the years before he committed the massacre .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tarrant was driving , possibly to carry out a shooting at a third mosque , when two police officers rammed his car off the road , dragged him out and arrested him .

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The man who committed the worst atrocity in New Zealand’s modern history when he slaughtered 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all charges Thursday.
The attacks targeting people praying at the mosques a year ago shocked the nation and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons. It also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook, where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.
The sudden turn in the case took survivors and relatives by surprise, and brought relief to people across New Zealand. Many had feared Australian white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant would try to use his trial as a platform to promote his views. He’d outlined those views in a 74-page manifesto he published online shortly before the attacks.
Tarrant, 29, pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism at the Christchurch High Court. He had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial had been scheduled to start in June.
Tarrant is the first person to be found guilty of terrorism in New Zealand under laws passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S.
The change in plea came less than two weeks after New Zealanders commemorated those who died on the anniversary of the March 15, 2019, attacks.
“Honestly, I’m still trying to process what just happened,” said Aya Al-Umari, whose brother Hussein was killed in the attack on the Al Noor mosque. “I feel conflicted.”
She said that on the one hand, she had wanted to find out more details about what happened at the trial but on the other hand was feeling relieved about not having to face the trauma of sitting through it.
Temel Atacocugu, who survived being shot nine times during the attack at Al Noor, said he was surprised by the turn of events and hoped the judge would set an example at the sentencing by imposing the harshest punishment in the country’s history and helping ensure nothing like it would happen again.
“I’m happy that he has accepted that he is guilty,” Atacocugu said.
Judge Cameron Mander has not yet set a sentencing date. Tarrant faces life imprisonment, with the judge having some discretion in deciding the minimum number of years Tarrant must serve before becoming eligible for parole.
The change in plea came at a hastily arranged court hearing at a time that New Zealand was beginning a four-week lockdown to try and combat the new coronavirus. The lockdown meant Tarrant appeared in the court via video link from his jail cell in Auckland and only a handful of people were allowed inside the courtroom, including the imams from the two mosques that were attacked.
Mander said it was unfortunate the lockdown prevented victims and family members from being able to attend the hearing but the imams were helping to represent them. He said he wanted to quickly move ahead with the hearing, especially with the COVID-19 response threatening delays to the court schedule.
Tarrant, who was wearing a gray prison sweater, showed little emotion as he pleaded guilty. He didn’t indicate why he had changed his pleas, and his lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was praised around the world for her empathetic response to the Muslim community after the attacks, said it was “deeply disappointing” the victims didn’t get to attend the hearing.
But she said there was “a certain sense of relief that the whole nation, but particularly our Muslim community, are being spared from a trial that could have otherwise acted as a platform.”
Tarrant moved to New Zealand in 2017 and kept a low profile in the university city of Dunedin. He frequented a gym, practiced shooting at a rifle club range and built up an arsenal of weapons. He didn’t appear to be employed, and said in some online posts that he’d inherited a significant amount of money when his father died.
Tarrant appeared to have a fascination with religious conflicts in Europe and the Balkans, and visited a number of sites in Eastern Europe in the years before he committed the massacre. After his attack at the second mosque, Tarrant was driving, possibly to carry out a shooting at a third mosque, when two police officers rammed his car off the road, dragged him out and arrested him.


newyorkpost--2020-03-26--Why Damyean Dotson’s future with Knicks is uncertain

Part 4 of a series analyzing the New York Knicks : When Dennis Smith Jr. got booed off the court at the Garden in late October , the lone player to go over to him on the bench was Knicks shooting guard Damyean Dotson .
Those are the type of quiet leadership gestures Dotson does that go unnoticed by a Knicks front office now two administrations removed from drafting him .
That makes the 25-year-old ’ s future highly uncertain as he enters free agency .
Dotson did not play in eight of the last nine games , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta .
“ That seemed the writing on the wall , ’ ’ one NBA scout said of the demotion .
“ You ’ d think they ’ d be still trying to develop him.
’ ’ According to NBA sources , three prominent organizations — the Jazz , Bucks and Warriors — are expected to show some interest in Dotson , who made $ 1.6 million this season as a “ 3-and-D ’ ’ prototype .
“ He ’ s got a great work ethic , leadership qualities and toughness , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Post this week .
“ He ’ s extremely coachable and dedicated teammate .
Totally committed to the culture with a consistently good attitude regardless of his minutes.
’ ’ Former team president Phil Jackson picked Dotson in the second round ( 44th ) in 2017 and was fired days later .
GM Scott Perry didn ’ t draft Dotson nor did new president Leon Rose , the former agent who has barely seen him play since taking command March 2 .
Dotson ’ s offseason shoulder surgery prevented him from working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was still reliable at 36.3 percent this season .
That made it all the more perplexing when he got dumped from the rotation so interim coach Mike Miller could play veterans Wayne Ellington and Reggie Bullock .
Dotson and Frank Ntilikina , the longest-tenured Knicks , achieved the best plus-minus pairing on the squad but never started a game together .
When rookie RJ Barrett went down for nine games , Dotson ’ s minutes rose dramatically and the club went 4-5 .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now an ESPN analyst , said Dotson should have a nice future .
Dotson ’ s weakness coming out of the University of Houston has been ballhandling .
“ He ’ s a game shooter and improved his handle and as a finisher , ’ ’ Fizdale said .
“ He ’ s a good rebounding guard , but he still has to improve defensive awareness on the weak side .
Overall he ’ s a solid NBA player.
’ ’ The 6-foot-6 Dotson , who ’ s built like a linebacker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is holed up in Houston , his hometown , amid the season ’ s suspension .
He ’ s an Astros fan and wore their cap proudly in the Knicks locker room during the ALCS versus the Yankees .
“ He plays with a high motor , ’ ’ another NBA talent evaluator said .
“ He lacks athleticism but he ’ s improved as a 3-point shooter since his rookie year .
He probably has more shot-creating ability than he ’ s shown .
’ ’

Part 4 of a series analyzing the New York Knicks:
When Dennis Smith Jr. got booed off the court at the Garden in late October, the lone player to go over to him on the bench was Knicks shooting guard Damyean Dotson.
Those are the type of quiet leadership gestures Dotson does that go unnoticed by a Knicks front office now two administrations removed from drafting him. That makes the 25-year-old’s future highly uncertain as he enters free agency.
Dotson did not play in eight of the last nine games, including the double-overtime potential season finale March 11 in Atlanta.
“That seemed the writing on the wall,’’ one NBA scout said of the demotion. “You’d think they’d be still trying to develop him.’’
According to NBA sources, three prominent organizations — the Jazz, Bucks and Warriors — are expected to show some interest in Dotson, who made $1.6 million this season as a “3-and-D’’ prototype.
“He’s got a great work ethic, leadership qualities and toughness,’’ former Knicks coach David Fizdale told The Post this week. “He’s extremely coachable and dedicated teammate. Totally committed to the culture with a consistently good attitude regardless of his minutes.’’
Former team president Phil Jackson picked Dotson in the second round (44th) in 2017 and was fired days later. GM Scott Perry didn’t draft Dotson nor did new president Leon Rose, the former agent who has barely seen him play since taking command March 2.
Dotson’s offseason shoulder surgery prevented him from working on his already decent 3-point shot. It was still reliable at 36.3 percent this season.
That made it all the more perplexing when he got dumped from the rotation so interim coach Mike Miller could play veterans Wayne Ellington and Reggie Bullock.
Dotson and Frank Ntilikina, the longest-tenured Knicks, achieved the best plus-minus pairing on the squad but never started a game together. When rookie RJ Barrett went down for nine games, Dotson’s minutes rose dramatically and the club went 4-5.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Fizdale, now an ESPN analyst, said Dotson should have a nice future. Dotson’s weakness coming out of the University of Houston has been ballhandling.
“He’s a game shooter and improved his handle and as a finisher,’’ Fizdale said. “He’s a good rebounding guard, but he still has to improve defensive awareness on the weak side. Overall he’s a solid NBA player.’’
The 6-foot-6 Dotson, who’s built like a linebacker and played Texas high school football, is holed up in Houston, his hometown, amid the season’s suspension. He’s an Astros fan and wore their cap proudly in the Knicks locker room during the ALCS versus the Yankees.
“He plays with a high motor,’’ another NBA talent evaluator said. “He lacks athleticism but he’s improved as a 3-point shooter since his rookie year. He probably has more shot-creating ability than he’s shown.’’