newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Mysterious coronavirus condition ‘happy hypoxia’ baffles doctors

One patient described it as `` an electric feeling on my skin . ''

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A strange phenomenon dubbed “happy hypoxia” has baffled doctors treating coronavirus patients who describe themselves as comfortable despite dangerously low oxygen levels that would typically leave them unconscious, or even dead, according to reports.
The mysterious condition that appears to defy basic biology is raising questions about how COVID-19 attacks the lungs, the Guardian reported.
While a healthy person’s blood-oxygen saturation is at least 95 percent, doctors have reported some coronavirus-stricken patients with levels in the 80s or 70s — with some extreme cases below 50 percent, according to the outlet.
And yet these so-called “happy hypoxics” have been observed scrolling on their phones, chatting with their health care providers and describing themselves as generally comfortable, Science Magazine reported.
“There is a mismatch [between] what we see on the monitor and what the patient looks like in front of us,” Dr. Reuben Strayer, an emergency physician at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, told the magazine from his home as he recovered from the illness himself.
Strayer said he and other doctors are seeking to understand the odd condition, which he first noticed in March as patients streamed into his ER, and how to treat it.
Dr. Jonathan Bannard-Smith, a critical care specialist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in the UK, told the Guardian that some patients are unaware that their oxygen saturations are so low.
“We wouldn’t usually see this phenomenon in influenza or community-acquired pneumonia,” he said. “It’s very much more profound and an example of very abnormal physiology going on before our eyes.”
He added: “It’s intriguing to see so many people coming in, quite how hypoxic they are.”
Another British physician said people would ordinarily appear to be extremely ill with other lung conditions that could cause severe hypoxia.
“With pneumonia or a pulmonary embolism they wouldn’t be sat up in bed talking to you,” Dr. Mike Charlesworth of Wythenshawe hospital in Manchester told the Guardian.
“We just don’t understand it. We don’t know if it’s causing organ damage that we’re not able to detect. We don’t understand if the body’s compensating,” added the doctor, who also was infected with COVID-19.
After coming down with a cough and fever, he spent 48 hours in bed, during which he said there were signs he was hypoxic.
“I was sending very strange messages on my phone. I was essentially delirious. Looking back, I probably should’ve come into hospital. I’m pretty sure my oxygen levels were low,” he told the news outlet.
“My wife commented that my lips were very dusky. But I was probably hypoxic and my brain probably wasn’t working very well,” he added.
What causes people suffering from lung diseases to feel breathless is not the fall in oxygen levels but rather the body sensing the rising levels of carbon dioxide.
“The brain is tuned to monitoring the carbon dioxide with various sensors. We don’t sense our oxygen levels,” Paul Davenport, a respiratory physiologist at the University of Florida, told Science Magazine.
But among some coronavirus patients, this response does not appear to be kicking in.
During the early phase of COVID-19, low saturation levels aren’t always accompanied with obvious respiratory difficulties.
Carbon dioxide levels can be normal, and deep breathing may be comfortable, Dr. Elnara Marcia Negri, a pulmonologist at Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo, Brazil, told the magazine.
“The lung is inflating so they feel OK,” she said, though their oxygen saturation can be in the 70s, 60s, 50s or even lower.
Theories about what causes “happy hypoxia” are emerging, as many doctors recognize clotting as a major feature of severe COVID-19.
Negri believes slight clotting might start early in the lungs, perhaps a result of an inflammatory reaction in their fine blood vessels, which could trigger a cascade of proteins that prompts blood to clot.
Strayer also finds it reasonable to imagine that hypoxia may be caused when “small blood vessels of the lung are being showered with clots.”
His hospital and others are beginning to test many coronavirus patients for markers of excess clotting and treat those who show it with blood thinners. Science Magazine reported.
But Strayer stressed that “it is simply not known” whether clotting causes “happy hypoxia.”
Recent imaging of a hypoxic patient showed “almost waxy-looking film all around the lungs,” Caputo said. “I don’t know what is actually going on pathophysiologically down there.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--How St. John’s lost Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and altered basketball forever

That morning , outside the Dyckman Street projects in Inwood , the kid had tried to do what had been impossible for him for years : stay invisible .
Blend in .
But Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. , though blessed with many things , was never granted the privilege of anonymity .
Not at 7-foot-1 .
So as he made his way to the subway for the daily trip south to Power Memorial High School , Alcindor saw a yellow taxi cab stop dead in the street .
As he passed a saloon , a member of the night-shift drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shook his hand .
“ Where are you going to play ?
” the man asked .
“ I ’ m not sure yet , ” the kid said .
But Alcindor did know , even if he kept it locked inside his suit jacket pocket as he waited for the lunch-hour press conference he would hold inside Power ’ s gym at 161 W. 61st St. For three years , he had been the biggest basketball star in New York , much bigger than the rag-tag Knicks , bigger than the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Fordham .
For three years the biggest question in New York basketball had been this : Where would Lew Alcindor play college basketball ?
And on this day — May 4 , 1965 , 55 years ago Monday — that would be revealed at last .
“ You knew , ” Lou Carnesecca told me a few years ago , “ that whoever got him was gon na be some kind of program .
And whoever coached him was gon na look awfully smart.
” Carnesecca was the newly named coach at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 1965 .
Joe Lapchick , the school ’ s legendary basketball boss who ’ d just led the Redmen to the NIT title , was being forced to retire having reached 65 .
The Redmen were in play .
So was NYU .
So was Michigan and Boston College .
And so was UCLA , which had just won its second-straight NCAA title .
Howard Garfinkel , later the founder and proprietor of the Five-Star Basketball Camp , was then a bird-dog scout who ’ d drafted a handicapping chart of where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s was his prohibitive favorite , at 6-to-5 .
Garf listed UCLA at 3-to-1 .
Alcindor had just completed the greatest high school career in New York ’ s history .
He ’ d scored 2,067 points and grabbed 2,002 rebounds .
Take a look at a YouTube video posted a few weeks ago by RawSports.tv , which shows Alcindor getting 32 points , 22 rebounds and 10 blocks in the ’ 65 Catholic League final , a 73-41 rout of Rice at Fordham ’ s Rose Hill Gym .
He was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a 10-year pro , sky hook and all .
Two hundred schools inquired .
Most had seen him play every game his senior year .
John Wooden , the UCLA coach , hadn ’ t seen him play once .
It was school policy to only recruit out-of-state players when the player called first .
But Alcindor visited UCLA in April .
The process lasted another month , but he ’ d made up his mind the moment he walked onto the campus , soaked in the sun , met Wooden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 12:33 p.m. on May 4 , in the cramped Power gym , with dozens of reporters and photographers and classmates and teachers crowding the room , Alcindor said , “ This fall I ’ ll be attending UCLA.
” They were the first words he ’ d ever spoken on the record ; his high school coach , Jack Donohue , had kept him away from the press , and had coordinated much of the recruiting .
Alcindor was charming , handling every question expertly , including the ridiculous ones .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liabilities to being tall in basketball ?
” “ None that I can think of , ” he said .
It was hard to know it , of course , but something changed forever in New York City that day .
Other top-flight city players had found exile elsewhere , many playing for Frank McGuire at North Carolina , but Alcindor was different .
He loved New York .
And for most of his time at Power , he assumed he would choose St. John ’ s .
But he was disappointed when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiring Carnesecca , there had been talk that Donohue would get that job ; he didn ’ t , going to Holy Cross instead ( and there was little chance Alcindor was going to pick Worcester , Mass.
, over New York or Los Angeles ) .
A few years back , Alcindor — known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since 1971 — told me , “ I ’ d known Coach Lapchick since grade school .
It was nothing against Coach Carnesecca , I just didn ’ t know him at all.
” To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I would ’ ve loved to get to know him better.
” Their paths would cross once : Dec. 30 , 1968 , finals of the Holiday Festival at the Garden .
St. John ’ s kept it close for a half .
Alcindor scored 30 .
The Bruins won 74-56 .
It was the first genuinely electric night in the New Garden , which had opened 10 months before , New York recognizing one of its own .
And pondering , no doubt , what might have been .

That morning, outside the Dyckman Street projects in Inwood, the kid had tried to do what had been impossible for him for years: stay invisible. Blend in. But Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., though blessed with many things, was never granted the privilege of anonymity. Not at 7-foot-1.
So as he made his way to the subway for the daily trip south to Power Memorial High School, Alcindor saw a yellow taxi cab stop dead in the street.
“Hope you’re staying home!” the driver said.
As he passed a saloon, a member of the night-shift drinking crew popped out of the door and shook his hand.
“Where are you going to play?” the man asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” the kid said.
But Alcindor did know, even if he kept it locked inside his suit jacket pocket as he waited for the lunch-hour press conference he would hold inside Power’s gym at 161 W. 61st St. For three years, he had been the biggest basketball star in New York, much bigger than the rag-tag Knicks, bigger than the kids at St. John’s or NYU or Fordham.
For three years the biggest question in New York basketball had been this: Where would Lew Alcindor play college basketball? And on this day — May 4, 1965, 55 years ago Monday — that would be revealed at last.
“You knew,” Lou Carnesecca told me a few years ago, “that whoever got him was gonna be some kind of program. And whoever coached him was gonna look awfully smart.”
Carnesecca was the newly named coach at St. John’s in that spring of 1965. Joe Lapchick, the school’s legendary basketball boss who’d just led the Redmen to the NIT title, was being forced to retire having reached 65. The Redmen were in play. So was NYU. So was Michigan and Boston College. And so was UCLA, which had just won its second-straight NCAA title.
Howard Garfinkel, later the founder and proprietor of the Five-Star Basketball Camp, was then a bird-dog scout who’d drafted a handicapping chart of where Alcindor would go; St. John’s was his prohibitive favorite, at 6-to-5. Garf listed UCLA at 3-to-1.
Alcindor had just completed the greatest high school career in New York’s history. He’d scored 2,067 points and grabbed 2,002 rebounds. Take a look at a YouTube video posted a few weeks ago by RawSports.tv, which shows Alcindor getting 32 points, 22 rebounds and 10 blocks in the ’65 Catholic League final, a 73-41 rout of Rice at Fordham’s Rose Hill Gym. He was not yet 18; he looks as polished as a 10-year pro, sky hook and all. Two hundred schools inquired. Most had seen him play every game his senior year.
John Wooden, the UCLA coach, hadn’t seen him play once. It was school policy to only recruit out-of-state players when the player called first. But Alcindor visited UCLA in April. The process lasted another month, but he’d made up his mind the moment he walked onto the campus, soaked in the sun, met Wooden, seen newly built Pauley Pavilion.
And at 12:33 p.m. on May 4, in the cramped Power gym, with dozens of reporters and photographers and classmates and teachers crowding the room, Alcindor said, “This fall I’ll be attending UCLA.”
They were the first words he’d ever spoken on the record; his high school coach, Jack Donohue, had kept him away from the press, and had coordinated much of the recruiting. Alcindor was charming, handling every question expertly, including the ridiculous ones. He was asked, “Are there any liabilities to being tall in basketball?”
“None that I can think of,” he said.
It was hard to know it, of course, but something changed forever in New York City that day. Other top-flight city players had found exile elsewhere, many playing for Frank McGuire at North Carolina, but Alcindor was different. He loved New York. And for most of his time at Power, he assumed he would choose St. John’s.
But he was disappointed when Lapchick was forced to retire. Before hiring Carnesecca, there had been talk that Donohue would get that job; he didn’t, going to Holy Cross instead (and there was little chance Alcindor was going to pick Worcester, Mass., over New York or Los Angeles).
A few years back, Alcindor — known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since 1971 — told me, “I’d known Coach Lapchick since grade school. It was nothing against Coach Carnesecca, I just didn’t know him at all.”
To which Looie later quipped with a laugh: “I would’ve loved to get to know him better.”
Their paths would cross once: Dec. 30, 1968, finals of the Holiday Festival at the Garden. St. John’s kept it close for a half. Alcindor scored 30. The Bruins won 74-56. It was the first genuinely electric night in the New Garden, which had opened 10 months before, New York recognizing one of its own.
And pondering, no doubt, what might have been.


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Hundreds of sheep take over Turkish street during coronavirus lockdown

Hundreds of sheep were caught on camera parading through the streets in Turkey Saturday night amid the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ footage shot in the city of Samsun was reposted to Twitter by Ragip Soylu , @ @ @ @ @ .
The video , as of Sunday night , has been viewed nearly 2.5 million @ @ @ @ @ sheep invades Turkey ’ s city of Samsun last night during the coronavirus lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ majority of sheep can be seen moving in the road at varying speeds .
But @ @ @ @ @ spotted grazing in an adjacent city greenspace .
As of Sunday , Turkey has seen @ @ @ @ @ and 3,397 people have died , according to the country ’ s health minister , @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ranks eighth in confirmed cases , according to Johns Hopkins University , but experts @ @ @ @ @ world is higher than reported .

Hundreds of sheep were caught on camera parading through the streets in Turkey Saturday night amid the country’s coronavirus lockdown.
The astonishing footage shot in the city of Samsun was reposted to Twitter by Ragip Soylu, a reporter based in Turkey. The video, as of Sunday night, has been viewed nearly 2.5 million times.
“Flock of sheep invades Turkey’s city of Samsun last night during the coronavirus lockdown,” wrote Soylu.
The majority of sheep can be seen moving in the road at varying speeds. But some of the animals were spotted grazing in an adjacent city greenspace.
As of Sunday, Turkey has seen more than 126,000 coronavirus cases and 3,397 people have died, according to the country’s health minister, Fahrettin Koca.
Globally, Turkey ranks eighth in confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University, but experts believe the tally around the world is higher than reported.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Iconic Jersey shore nightclub The Osprey closes for summer due to coronavirus

A popular Jersey shore nightclub will not open for the 2020 summer season thanks to the coronavirus pandemic , management announced Sunday night .
The Osprey nightclub , a summertime staple in Manasquan , New Jersey broke the “ heartbreaking ” news in a Facebook post .
“ Due to the expected reduction in capacity and the restrictions already in place as to ‘ social distancing , ’ it is with much regret that the Osprey will not open for the 2020 summer season , ” the post read .
Locals and out-of-towners flock to the Osprey during the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dancing .
Recently , Jersey Shore business owners have expressed growing concerns that if they ’ re forced to stay closed until June or July — due to Governor Phil Murphy ’ s executive orders aimed at diminishing the outbreak — they might never reopen again .
The Osprey said the closure would last only for this season .
“ We will be back to normal in 2021 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Osprey , ” the Facebook post read .
New Jersey has confirmed more than 126,744 COVID-19 cases , @ @ @ @

A popular Jersey shore nightclub will not open for the 2020 summer season thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, management announced Sunday night.
The Osprey nightclub, a summertime staple in Manasquan, New Jersey broke the “heartbreaking” news in a Facebook post.
“Due to the expected reduction in capacity and the restrictions already in place as to ‘social distancing,’ it is with much regret that the Osprey will not open for the 2020 summer season,” the post read.
Locals and out-of-towners flock to the Osprey during the summer season for drinks, live music and dancing.
Recently, Jersey Shore business owners have expressed growing concerns that if they’re forced to stay closed until June or July — due to Governor Phil Murphy’s executive orders aimed at diminishing the outbreak — they might never reopen again.
The Osprey said the closure would last only for this season.
“We will be back to normal in 2021 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Osprey,” the Facebook post read.
New Jersey has confirmed more than 126,744 COVID-19 cases, with 7,871 deaths.


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Trump says US could lose 100,000 people from coronavirus

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President Trump said during a virtual town hall on Sunday night that the US could see up to 100,000 deaths due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump — speaking at the Lincoln Memorial on Fox News — had given the estimate one month after predicting the virus would likely cause the deaths of 60,000 to 70,000 people nationwide .
“ We ’ re going to lose anywhere from 75 , 80 , to 100,000 people , ” Trump said on Sunday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We shouldn ’ t lose one person over this.
” The president said the death toll could have been more drastic if his administration did not take swift action .
“ If we didn ’ t do it , the minimum we would have lost was a million two , a million four , a million five , that ’ s the minimum , ” Trump said .
“ We would have lost probably higher , it ’ s possible higher than 2.2.
” More than 67,000 people in the US have @ @ @ @ @

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump said during a virtual town hall on Sunday night that the US could see up to 100,000 deaths due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump — speaking at the Lincoln Memorial on Fox News — had given the estimate one month after predicting the virus would likely cause the deaths of 60,000 to 70,000 people nationwide.
“We’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80, to 100,000 people,” Trump said on Sunday night. “That’s a horrible thing. We shouldn’t lose one person over this.”
The president said the death toll could have been more drastic if his administration did not take swift action.
“If we didn’t do it, the minimum we would have lost was a million two, a million four, a million five, that’s the minimum,” Trump said.
“We would have lost probably higher, it’s possible higher than 2.2.”
More than 67,000 people in the US have perished from the illness.


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Coronavirus forces NRA to lay off staffers, reduce pay, cancel national convention

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The National Rifle Association has laid off dozens of employees , canceled its national convention and scaled back on fundraising , membership and shooting events just months before the presidential election and during an unprecedented pandemic , as gun advocates are fighting to flex their Second Amendment rights despite restrictions due to COVID-19 .
Dozens of employees have been furloughed , others have had their workweek reduced to four days and senior staff members have seen their salaries slashed by 20 percent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a significant financial impact but , beyond that , the health crisis has caused us to postpone countless fundraising and membership events along with competitions , training seminars and other revenue streams — those disruptions are the primary drivers of our decision-making process , ” Andrew Arulanandam , a spokesman for the NRA , said .
“ Like every other business and nonprofit , we are forced to make tough choices in this new economic environment.
” CEO Wayne LaPierre said the cuts and changes were intended to be temporary , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to uphill regulatory battles ; marketing setbacks ; internal battles about LaPierre ’ s salary , leadership and spending habits ; and public outcries over gun legislation after a string of mass shootings across the country .
Along with this slew of issues , the NRA has filed numerous lawsuits on behalf of gun-shop owners who have been forced to close due to the coronavirus , as state lawmakers deemed they did not fall into the bracket of essential businesses .
In Michigan , a group of protesters , many of them armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to condemn the restrictions .
“ Defending freedom has never been easy .
Over the years , we ’ ve weathered more tough times than most , ” LaPierre said in an email to NRA employees , obtained by The Associated Press .
“ But , we will rise from this stronger and well-positioned to lead the fight to protect our Second Amendment , the First Amendment , and all our constitutional freedoms during the crucial upcoming elections and for years to come.
” Still , the financial troubles looming over other issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence the NRA could have in President Trump ’ s reelection attempt .
In 2016 , the NRA spent $ 30 million toward his campaign but was outspent during the midterms by several other gun-control groups .
Save the Second , a group of NRA members seeking changes to the organization , called the recent cutbacks the result of poor choices over many years , not just the coronavirus .
In a recent email to its followers , the group disputed putting blame on the pandemic : “ Mr .
LaPierre , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran , we wouldn ’ t be in this mess in the first place .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The National Rifle Association has laid off dozens of employees, canceled its national convention and scaled back on fundraising, membership and shooting events just months before the presidential election and during an unprecedented pandemic, as gun advocates are fighting to flex their Second Amendment rights despite restrictions due to COVID-19.
Dozens of employees have been furloughed, others have had their workweek reduced to four days and senior staff members have seen their salaries slashed by 20 percent.
“The cancellation of the annual meeting had a significant financial impact but, beyond that, the health crisis has caused us to postpone countless fundraising and membership events along with competitions, training seminars and other revenue streams — those disruptions are the primary drivers of our decision-making process,” Andrew Arulanandam, a spokesman for the NRA, said. “Like every other business and nonprofit, we are forced to make tough choices in this new economic environment.”
CEO Wayne LaPierre said the cuts and changes were intended to be temporary, but the NRA has long faced challenges due to uphill regulatory battles; marketing setbacks; internal battles about LaPierre’s salary, leadership and spending habits; and public outcries over gun legislation after a string of mass shootings across the country.
Along with this slew of issues, the NRA has filed numerous lawsuits on behalf of gun-shop owners who have been forced to close due to the coronavirus, as state lawmakers deemed they did not fall into the bracket of essential businesses.
In Michigan, a group of protesters, many of them armed, stormed the state’s Capitol to condemn the restrictions.
“Defending freedom has never been easy. Over the years, we’ve weathered more tough times than most,” LaPierre said in an email to NRA employees, obtained by The Associated Press. “But, we will rise from this stronger and well-positioned to lead the fight to protect our Second Amendment, the First Amendment, and all our constitutional freedoms during the crucial upcoming elections and for years to come.”
Still, the financial troubles looming over other issues within the group raised questions about the influence the NRA could have in President Trump’s reelection attempt.
In 2016, the NRA spent $30 million toward his campaign but was outspent during the midterms by several other gun-control groups.
Save the Second, a group of NRA members seeking changes to the organization, called the recent cutbacks the result of poor choices over many years, not just the coronavirus.
In a recent email to its followers, the group disputed putting blame on the pandemic: “Mr. LaPierre, if your organization was squeaky clean and ethically ran, we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--DHS claims China hid coronavirus severity to hoard medical supplies

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US officials believe @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus outbreak in order to stock up on medical supplies needed to fight @ @ @ @ @ show .
In early January , Chinese leaders “ intentionally concealed the severity ” of @ @ @ @ @ , according to a four-page Department of Homeland Security intelligence report obtained by the Associated @ @ @ @ @ says that for much of January China delayed reporting the coronavirus “ was a contagion @ @ @ @ @ Organization so they could import personal protective equipment .
The report , which is dated @ @ @ @ @ for official use only , ” said China increased imports and decreased exports of medical @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
The report ’ s conclusions were based on the 95 percent probability that @ @ @ @ @ imports and export behavior were not within normal range .
There is no public evidence @ @ @ @ @ withheld information for the purpose of hoarding the world ’ s medical supplies .

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US officials believe China deliberately downplayed the country’s coronavirus outbreak in order to stock up on medical supplies needed to fight the illness, intelligence documents show.
In early January, Chinese leaders “intentionally concealed the severity” of the pandemic from the world, according to a four-page Department of Homeland Security intelligence report obtained by the Associated Press.
The analysis also says that for much of January China delayed reporting the coronavirus “was a contagion” to the World Health Organization so they could import personal protective equipment.
The report, which is dated May 1 and marked “for official use only,” said China increased imports and decreased exports of medical supplies while downplaying the growing crisis.
The report’s conclusions were based on the 95 percent probability that China’s changes in imports and export behavior were not within normal range.
There is no public evidence to suggest that China deliberately withheld information for the purpose of hoarding the world’s medical supplies.


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Ex-Green Beret claims he led foiled raid into Venezuela

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) — A former Green Beret has claimed responsibility for a failed attack Sunday aimed at overthrowing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that the socialist government said ended with eight people dead .
Jordan Goudreau ’ s comments in an interview with an exiled Venezuelan journalist capped a bizarre day that started with reports of a pre-dawn amphibious raid near the South American country ’ s heavily guarded capital .
An AP investigation published Friday found that Goudreau had been working with a retired army general now facing U.S. narcotics charges to train dozens of deserting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colombia .
The goal was to mount a cross border raid that would end in Maduro ’ s arrest .
But from the outset the ragtag army lacked funding and U.S. government support , all but guaranteeing defeat against Maduro ’ s well-equipped if demoralized armed forces .
It also appears to have been penetrated by Maduro ’ s extensive Cuban-backed intelligence network .
Both Goudreau and retired Venezuelan Capt .
Javier Nieto declined to speak to the AP on Sunday when contacted after posting a video from an undisclosed location saying they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operation Gideon.
” Both men live in Florida .
“ A daring amphibious raid was launched from the border of Colombia deep into the heart of Caracas , ” Goudreau , in a New York Yankees ball cap , said in the video standing next to Nieto who was dressed in armored vest with a rolled-up Venezuelan flag pinned to his shoulder .
“ Our units have been activated in the south , west and east of Venezuela.
” Goudreau said 60 men were still on the ground inside Venezuela and fighting under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Antonio Sequea .
He said he hoped to join the rebels soon and invited Maduro ’ s troops to join the would-be insurgency although there was no sign of any unrest in the capital or elsewhere as night fell .
In an interview later with Miami-based journalist Patricia Poleo , he presented a contradictory account of his activities and the support he claims to have once had — and then lost — from Juan Guaidó , the opposition leader recognized as Venezuela ’ s interim president by the U.S. and some 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said was an 8-page contract signed by Guaidó and two political advisers in Miami in October for $ 213 million .
The alleged “ general services ” contract doesn ’ t specify what work his company , Silvercorp USA , was to undertake .
There was no immediate comment from Guaidó on Goudreau ’ s claim that the two had signed a contract .
Previously , Guaidó has said that he hadn ’ t signed any contract for a military incursion .
Goudreau said he never received a single penny from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was advising had to scrounge for donations from Venezuelan migrants driving for car share service Uber in Colombia .
“ It ’ s almost like crowdfunded the liberating of a country , ” he said .
Despite not receiving a single penny , Goudreau says he continued to prepare the volunteers for battle , believing in their cause and capabilities .
He said everything he did was legal but in any case he ’ s prepared to pay the cost for anything he did if it saves the lives of Venezuelans trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been a freedom fighter my whole life .
This is all I know , ” said Goudreau , who is a decorated three-time Bronze Star recipient for courage in deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a special forces medic .
The government ’ s claims that it had foiled a beach landing Sunday triggered a frenzy of confusing claims and counterclaims about the alleged plot .
While Maduro ’ s allies said it had been backed by Guaidó , Colombia and the U.S. , the opposition accused Maduro of fabricating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s ongoing humanitarian crisis .
“ Those who assume they can attack the institutional framework in Venezuela will have to assume the consequences of their action , ” said socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello , adding that one of two captured insurgents claimed to be an agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration .
Authorities said they found Peruvian documents , high-caliber weapons , satellite phones , uniforms and helmets adorned with the U.S. flag .
Officials said the attack took place on a beach in La Guaira , about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both U.S. and Colombian officials dismissed the Venezuelan allegations .
“ We have little reason to believe anything that comes out of the former regime , ” said a State Department spokesperson , referring to Maduro ’ s government .
“ The Maduro regime has been consistent in its use of misinformation in order to shift focus from its mismanagement of Venezuela.
” Venezuela has been in a deepening political and economic crisis in recent years under Maduro ’ s rule .
Crumbling public services such as running water , electricity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to migrate .
The United States has led a campaign to oust Maduro , increasing pressure in recent weeks by indicting the socialist leader as a narco-trafficker and offering a $ 15 million reward for his arrest .
The U.S. also has increased stiff sanctions , cutting off Venezuela ’ s oil sector to choke Maduro from a key source of hard cash .
But in addition to U.S. economic and diplomatic pressure , Maduro ’ s government has faced several small-scale military threats , including an attempt to assassinate Maduro with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for a military uprising a year ago .
Cabello linked Sunday ’ s attack to key players in the alleged plot led by Goudreau and Ret .
Maj. Gen. Cliver Alcala , who is now in U.S. custody awaiting trial .
One of the men he said was killed , nicknamed “ the Panther , ” had been identified as involved in obtaining weapons for the covert force in Colombia .
Guaidó accused Maduro ’ s government of seizing on this example of unrest to draw the world ’ s attention away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , including a prison riot days earlier that left at least 40 dead .
“ Of course , there are patriotic members of the military willing to fight for Venezuela , ” Guaidó said .
“ But it ’ s clear that what happened in Vargas is another distraction ploy .
”

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A former Green Beret has claimed responsibility for a failed attack Sunday aimed at overthrowing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that the socialist government said ended with eight people dead.
Jordan Goudreau’s comments in an interview with an exiled Venezuelan journalist capped a bizarre day that started with reports of a pre-dawn amphibious raid near the South American country’s heavily guarded capital.
An AP investigation published Friday found that Goudreau had been working with a retired army general now facing U.S. narcotics charges to train dozens of deserting Venezuelan soldiers at secret camps inside neighboring Colombia. The goal was to mount a cross border raid that would end in Maduro’s arrest.
But from the outset the ragtag army lacked funding and U.S. government support, all but guaranteeing defeat against Maduro’s well-equipped if demoralized armed forces. It also appears to have been penetrated by Maduro’s extensive Cuban-backed intelligence network.
Both Goudreau and retired Venezuelan Capt. Javier Nieto declined to speak to the AP on Sunday when contacted after posting a video from an undisclosed location saying they had launched an anti-Maduro putsch called “Operation Gideon.” Both men live in Florida.
“A daring amphibious raid was launched from the border of Colombia deep into the heart of Caracas,” Goudreau, in a New York Yankees ball cap, said in the video standing next to Nieto who was dressed in armored vest with a rolled-up Venezuelan flag pinned to his shoulder. “Our units have been activated in the south, west and east of Venezuela.”
Goudreau said 60 men were still on the ground inside Venezuela and fighting under the command of Venezuelan National Guardsman Capt. Antonio Sequea. He said he hoped to join the rebels soon and invited Maduro’s troops to join the would-be insurgency although there was no sign of any unrest in the capital or elsewhere as night fell.
In an interview later with Miami-based journalist Patricia Poleo, he presented a contradictory account of his activities and the support he claims to have once had — and then lost — from Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader recognized as Venezuela’s interim president by the U.S. and some 60 countries.
He provided to Poleo what he said was an 8-page contract signed by Guaidó and two political advisers in Miami in October for $213 million. The alleged “general services” contract doesn’t specify what work his company, Silvercorp USA, was to undertake.
There was no immediate comment from Guaidó on Goudreau’s claim that the two had signed a contract. Previously, Guaidó has said that he hadn’t signed any contract for a military incursion.
Goudreau said he never received a single penny from the Guaidó team and instead the Venezuelan soldiers he was advising had to scrounge for donations from Venezuelan migrants driving for car share service Uber in Colombia.
“It’s almost like crowdfunded the liberating of a country,” he said.
Despite not receiving a single penny, Goudreau says he continued to prepare the volunteers for battle, believing in their cause and capabilities. He said everything he did was legal but in any case he’s prepared to pay the cost for anything he did if it saves the lives of Venezuelans trying to restore their democracy.
“I’ve been a freedom fighter my whole life. This is all I know,” said Goudreau, who is a decorated three-time Bronze Star recipient for courage in deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a special forces medic.
The government’s claims that it had foiled a beach landing Sunday triggered a frenzy of confusing claims and counterclaims about the alleged plot. While Maduro’s allies said it had been backed by Guaidó, Colombia and the U.S., the opposition accused Maduro of fabricating the whole episode to distract attention from the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
“Those who assume they can attack the institutional framework in Venezuela will have to assume the consequences of their action,” said socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello, adding that one of two captured insurgents claimed to be an agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Authorities said they found Peruvian documents, high-caliber weapons, satellite phones, uniforms and helmets adorned with the U.S. flag. Officials said the attack took place on a beach in La Guaira, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Caracas.
Both U.S. and Colombian officials dismissed the Venezuelan allegations.
“We have little reason to believe anything that comes out of the former regime,” said a State Department spokesperson, referring to Maduro’s government. “The Maduro regime has been consistent in its use of misinformation in order to shift focus from its mismanagement of Venezuela.”
Venezuela has been in a deepening political and economic crisis in recent years under Maduro’s rule. Crumbling public services such as running water, electricity and medical care have driven nearly 5 million to migrate.
The United States has led a campaign to oust Maduro, increasing pressure in recent weeks by indicting the socialist leader as a narco-trafficker and offering a $15 million reward for his arrest. The U.S. also has increased stiff sanctions, cutting off Venezuela’s oil sector to choke Maduro from a key source of hard cash.
But in addition to U.S. economic and diplomatic pressure, Maduro’s government has faced several small-scale military threats, including an attempt to assassinate Maduro with a drone in 2018 and Guaidó’s call for a military uprising a year ago.
Cabello linked Sunday’s attack to key players in the alleged plot led by Goudreau and Ret. Maj. Gen. Cliver Alcala, who is now in U.S. custody awaiting trial. One of the men he said was killed, nicknamed “the Panther,” had been identified as involved in obtaining weapons for the covert force in Colombia.
Guaidó accused Maduro’s government of seizing on this example of unrest to draw the world’s attention away from embarrassing bloodshed in other parts of the country, including a prison riot days earlier that left at least 40 dead.
“Of course, there are patriotic members of the military willing to fight for Venezuela,” Guaidó said. “But it’s clear that what happened in Vargas is another distraction ploy.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Dollar store security guard may have been fatally shot over face mask policy

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A security guard at a Michigan dollar store was fatally shot Friday and police are looking into whether an argument with a customer who refused to wear a mask triggered the violence , according to reports .
The victim , identified by family members to news station WSMH as Calvin Munerlyn , was shot in the head while working at the Family Dollar Flint .
Police have not yet released a motive , but a number of people claimed Munerlyn was gunned down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy by not wearing a mask , according to the Detroit News .
State authorities told the paper they are investigating that angle .
The Genesee County Prosecutor ’ s office plans to hold a Monday press conference to address the shooting .
Relatives of Munerlyn were torn up over his death .
“ I ’ m just suffocating , I feel like a knife is in my chest , ” his wife of ten years , Latryna Sims Munerlyn , told WSMH .
Courtney Cabine , a family friend , remembered Calvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for his generosity and cheerful disposition .
“ He would have given you the shirt off his back , the food off his table , ” Cabine told the news station .
“ He was the life of the party .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A security guard at a Michigan dollar store was fatally shot Friday and police are looking into whether an argument with a customer who refused to wear a mask triggered the violence, according to reports.
The victim, identified by family members to news station WSMH as Calvin Munerlyn, was shot in the head while working at the Family Dollar Flint.
Police have not yet released a motive, but a number of people claimed Munerlyn was gunned down after confronting a customer for violating store policy by not wearing a mask, according to the Detroit News.
State authorities told the paper they are investigating that angle. The Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office plans to hold a Monday press conference to address the shooting.
Relatives of Munerlyn were torn up over his death.
“I’m just suffocating, I feel like a knife is in my chest,” his wife of 10 years, Latryna Sims Munerlyn, told WSMH.
Courtney Cabine, a family friend, remembered Calvin, who’s also a father, for his generosity and cheerful disposition.
“He would have given you the shirt off his back, the food off his table,” Cabine told the news station. “He was the life of the party.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Nets’ Sean Marks hints at Kevin Durant return if NBA season resumes

A tiny percentage of people ever become the face of ...

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Nets general manager Sean Marks left the door open slightly for Kevin Durant to return to the court should the NBA season resume after shutting down on March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“That’s a $110 million question,” Marks told Newshub of his native New Zealand. “In all seriousness, we’ve tried not to talk about his timeline a lot.”
The Nets have shed little light on Durant’s progress since the season was put on hold. Marks preached caution and not wanting to push a player to come back if he is not 100 percent ready. But the pandemic has given Durant nearly two additional months of recovery time from surgery to repair the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered during last June’s NBA Finals. Marks was already seeing improvement in his superstar in waiting.
“I can tell you this though — before the pandemic, he looked like Kevin Durant and that’s a good thing,” Marks said.
Durant was one of four Nets players to test positive for COVID-19 and has since recovered.
“I just don’t know how coming out of this pandemic will affect anybody, let alone Kevin,” Marks said. “When you’ve got enough invested in a player like Kevin, we’re never going to push him to come back.”
The GM’s statements seem more hopeful than what Durant’s manager Rich Kleiman told Sports Illustrated in April. Kleinman hadn’t discussed it with the former MVP, who signed a four-year, $164 million contract with the Nets last summer, because he saw a return this season as “unrealistic.”
“I promise you, Kevin and I have not talked about that. And I know it sounds crazy, but my assumption has been that that wasn’t very realistic,” Kleiman said in April. “It’s just not … I know when the time will be right to have that conversation; but it just hasn’t been that time and it just doesn’t feel like it’s needed.”
When play stopped the Nets were 30-34, in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and in line for a playoff berth.


newyorkpost--2020-05-03--Leader of Bronx biker gang shot dead Saturday in apparent hit

The leader of a Bronx motorcycle gang was shot dead Saturday in what is believed to be a targeted hit @ @ @ @ @ Rosado , 51 , who heads the Bronx chapter of the Pagan ’ s Motorcycle @ @ @ @ @ by two masked men on Holland Avenue near Mace Avenue in Allerton at about 3:20 @ @ @ @ @ enforcement sources .
The suspects fled the scene in a blue Jeep Cherokee with stolen @ @ @ @ @ .
Rosado was struck in the head and chest and declared dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ of Sunday night , no arrests have been made in the deadly shooting .
The @ @ @ @ @ East Coast with over 1,000 members .
The biker gang has a hand in drugs @ @ @ @ @ clubs and junkyards .

The leader of a Bronx motorcycle gang was shot dead Saturday in what is believed to be a targeted hit, sources said.
Francisco Rosado, 51, who headed the Bronx chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, was gunned down by two masked men on Holland Avenue near Mace Avenue in Allerton at about 3:20 p.m., according to law enforcement sources.
The suspects fled in a blue Jeep Cherokee with stolen license plates, sources said.
Rosado was struck in the head and chest and declared dead at the scene, police said.
As of Sunday night, no arrests had been made in the deadly shooting.
The Pagans operate all along the East Coast with over 1,000 members. The biker gang has a hand in drugs, tattoo parlors, strip clubs and junkyards.


newyorkpost--2020-05-03--‘The Last Dance’ changes Barack Obama’s bizarre title card

Barack Obama has come a long way in two weeks .
The director behind “ The Last Dance ” documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls restored Obama to “ President Barack Obama ” during Sunday nights ’ episodes , this after referring to him as a “ Former Chicago Resident ” two weeks ago , causing a stir .
Former President Bill Clinton had also been labeled “ Former Arkansas Governor , ” and the director of the “ The Last Dance ” explained the early Obama and Clinton references were “ a little inside joke in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adamant that when we have a celebrity , we wanted it to be organic to the story , ” Jason Hehir told Boston.com “ We don ’ t want to just have a president for president ’ s sake .
“ Even though Obama is a basketball fanatic , he ’ s not qualified to speak on the significance of the Chicago Bulls and Michael ’ s style of play like a Bob Ryan would be .
The reason he was in there is that he was a former Chicago resident.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stir , or whether the 44th President was going to get his title back all along .
Obama and Jordan are friends , and the six-time NBA champion received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Obama in 2016 .

Barack Obama has come a long way in two weeks.
The director behind “The Last Dance” documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls restored Obama to “President Barack Obama” during Sunday nights’ episodes, this after referring to him as a “Former Chicago Resident” two weeks ago, causing a stir.
Former President Bill Clinton had also been labeled “Former Arkansas Governor,” and the director of the “The Last Dance” explained the early Obama and Clinton references were “a little inside joke in our edit room.”
“I was pretty adamant that when we have a celebrity, we wanted it to be organic to the story,” Jason Hehir told Boston.com “We don’t want to just have a president for president’s sake.
“Even though Obama is a basketball fanatic, he’s not qualified to speak on the significance of the Chicago Bulls and Michael’s style of play like a Bob Ryan would be. The reason he was in there is that he was a former Chicago resident.”
It unclear if the references were changed after the stir, or whether the 44th President was going to get his title back all along. Obama and Jordan are friends, and the six-time NBA champion received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Obama in 2016.


newyorkpost--2020-05-03--How Yankees’ MLB Draft process is affected by coronavirus

The 2020 MLB Draft is almost certainly to be held ...

Inside six weeks of the MLB draft usually is crunch time for amateur scouting departments.
With a lot of players having not been seen since March, opinions have changed based on health, performance and signability. Cross-checkers are constantly on the move to get additional looks at players the club has interest in.
That was then.
This is now, when the only thing known is the draft will be held June 10 and be no more than 10 rounds, with the possibility it will be five. Last year it was 40.
With the coronavirus shutting down high school and college games, scouts are looking at prospective draft picks on video instead of getting a close-up look from the seats. Instead of a scout talking to the player face-to-face, it is done by video conferencing.
“We talk to them about their [abbreviated] season and how they think it went,’’ said Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees’ head of amateur scouting since 2005, about the hour-long talks with potential draft picks who actually played college and high school games before baseball vanished. “It’s been a fact-finding mission on some of them and it’s been really good. It’s crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. Making sure the medical information that needs to be in is in. It is a lot of video and a lot of discussions. A lot of stuff we wouldn’t normally have the same amount of time to do because of seeing players. We are trying to capitalize on it and do the best we can.’’
While it has been somewhat beneficial partially due to the players being so comfortable about communicating with cell phones, attempting to evaluate players without seeing them in the meat of their schedules runs second to live eyes collecting information.
“I don’t think there is any substitute for watching kids playing baseball, watching them interact, watching them how they perform under pressure and things that aren’t necessarily on video, angles that aren’t on video,’’ said Oppenheimer, whose club owns the No. 28 pick. “You don’t know what the competition looks like. There are so many things that go into scouting an amateur player that don’t necessarily go on scouting a professional player.’’
For some players the last time a big league scout saw them play live was last summer. And while a lot can change from August to now for players 17 to 22, the more detailed those reports are the better.
“It’s a credit to the scouts that across the summer they made a true evaluation of a player and not just an identification of players that you are going to get to [see] them in the spring,’’ Oppenheimer said. “I think a lot of our guys put in the core hard work to evaluate them as if they were going to be drafted sooner.’’
Like so many work environments everywhere, there are hurdles to clear that never existed.
“It’s not ideal. Players get better, players change, players at this age we are scouting they grow and get stronger. The level of competition comes into play. Different levels of pressure, you see them under pressure,’’ Oppenheimer said. “It’s not the best way to do it, but it is what we are dealing with.’’


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Trump says coronavirus comeback underway: People are ‘starting to feel good’

WASHINGTON — President Trump invited The Post into the Oval Office on Monday for an hour-long interview during which he declared “ there ’ s a great optimism ” in America and predicted a strong economic rebound from the coronavirus crisis during the fourth quarter of 2020 .
Trump said he believes a national comeback from the coronavirus pandemic is underway and that Americans are beginning to “ feel good.
” “ I think they ’ re starting to feel good now .
The country ’ s opening again .
We saved millions of lives , I think , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desk with a long list of accomplishments by his administration printed out in front of him .
The president predicted that the steep economic downturn will end soon as states allow businesses to reopen after COVID-19 infected nearly 1.2 million Americans , killed almost 70,000 and left 30 million unemployed — about 18 percent of all US workers .
“ You have to be careful , but you have to get back to work , ” Trump said .
“ People want the country open… I guess we have 38 states that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , wearing a navy suit , blue tie , and with an American flag pin on his lapel , praised Florida ’ s first step Monday toward reopening businesses .
“ Florida is doing great , ” he said , calling Republican Ron DeSantis “ a good governor.
” “ I think they ’ re starting to feel good now .
The country ’ s opening again .
We saved millions of lives , I think , ” he said .
The president also foresaw a dramatic rise in economic indicators by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll open it up and I think your fourth quarter is going to be very good , ” he said .
“ We did the right thing and now we ’ re bringing the country back .
And I think there ’ s a great optimism .
I don ’ t know if you see it , but I think there ’ s a great optimism now.
” Trump said he was optimistic that steps taken by his administration will tamp down COVID-19 .
“ Hopefully we can keep the plague , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a flare up , we can put it out .
We ’ ve learned a lot.
” But Trump dismissed a leaked Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projection of daily deaths nearly doubling over the next month as “ fake news.
” Asked about The New York Times report , he said , “ I know nothing about it .
I don ’ t know anything about it .
Nobody told me that .
I think it ’ s — I think it ’ s false , I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
White House spokesman Judd Deere said Monday that the report — estimating 3,000 deaths per day by early June — had not been “ presented to the coronavirus task force or gone through interagency vetting.
” The Times reported that CDC projection was “ based on government modeling pulled together in chart form by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
” The projection also forecast a surge in new daily infections .
Trump also contrasted the widespread shutdown of businesses with a “ herd immunity ” approach that he said could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to early projections .
Trump said that if there was a silver lining in all the misery it is that Americans are now eager to return supply chains to the US , including the production of medicine from China .
“ Now , the one thing that the pandemic has taught us is that I was right , ” Trump said .
“ You know , I had people say , ‘ No , no , it ’ s good .
You keep — you do this and that.
’ Now those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that includes medicine and other things , you know .
”

WASHINGTON — President Trump invited The Post into the Oval Office on Monday for an hour-long interview during which he declared “there’s a great optimism” in America and predicted a strong economic rebound from the coronavirus crisis during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Trump said he believes a national comeback from the coronavirus pandemic is underway and that Americans are beginning to “feel good.”
“I think they’re starting to feel good now. The country’s opening again. We saved millions of lives,” said Trump, sitting behind the Resolute desk with a long list of accomplishments by his administration printed out in front of him.
The president predicted that the steep economic downturn will end soon as states allow businesses to reopen after COVID-19 infected nearly 1.2 million Americans, killed almost 70,000 and left 30 million unemployed — about 18 percent of all US workers.
“You have to be careful, but you have to get back to work,” Trump said. “People want the country open… I guess we have 38 states that are either opening or are very close.”
Trump, wearing a navy suit, blue tie, and with an American flag pin on his lapel, praised Florida’s first step Monday toward reopening businesses. “Florida is doing great,” he said, calling Republican Ron DeSantis “a good governor.”
The president also foresaw a dramatic rise in economic indicators by the end of year.
“We’ll open it up and I think your fourth quarter is going to be very good,” he said.
“We did the right thing and now we’re bringing the country back. And I think there’s a great optimism. I don’t know if you see it, but I think there’s a great optimism now.”
Trump said he was optimistic that steps taken by his administration will tamp down COVID-19.
“Hopefully we can keep the plague, keep the virus at bay. If we have a flare up, we can put it out. We’ve learned a lot.”
But Trump dismissed a leaked Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projection of daily deaths nearly doubling over the next month as “fake news.”
Asked about The New York Times report, he said, “I know nothing about it. I don’t know anything about it. Nobody told me that. I think it’s — I think it’s false, I think it’s fake news.”
White House spokesman Judd Deere said Monday that the report — estimating 3,000 deaths per day by early June — had not been “presented to the coronavirus task force or gone through interagency vetting.”
The Times reported that CDC projection was “based on government modeling pulled together in chart form by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” The projection also forecast a surge in new daily infections.
Trump also contrasted the widespread shutdown of businesses with a “herd immunity” approach that he said could have killed more than 2 million people, according to early projections.
Trump said that if there was a silver lining in all the misery it is that Americans are now eager to return supply chains to the US, including the production of medicine from China.
“Now, the one thing that the pandemic has taught us is that I was right,” Trump said. “You know, I had people say, ‘No, no, it’s good. You keep — you do this and that.’ Now those people are really agreeing with me. And that includes medicine and other things, you know.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--NYC storing bodies inside refrigerated trucks in Brooklyn parking lot

The Red Sox are open to uniform “ changes ” in addition ...

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The city is storing dead bodies in refrigerated trucks set up in a Brooklyn parking lot as it grapples with a growing number of corpses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The trailers stretched from 36th to 39th streets along Second Avenue in Sunset Park on Monday.
City Hall acknowledged that the trucks are part of a fleet being used for the long-term storage of dead bodies. As of Monday, 30 percent of the trucks were filled.
“In Sunset Park, close to where I live, there are now 27 refrigeration trucks. The scale of this unfathomable,” tweeted Josh Begley, who lives in the neighborhood.
The Medical Examiner’s Office told Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams it is setting up a location at a pier by 39th Street to “store bodies.”
City Hall spokeswoman Avery Cohen said in a statement that “many of these [trucks] are empty and thus require a place to be parked.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Tom Cruise reportedly plans to shoot a film in space with Elon Musk

I ’ m hearing that Tom Cruise and Elon Musk ’ s Space X are working on a project with NASA that would be the first narrative feature film — an action-adventure — to be shot in outer space .
It ’ s not a “ Mission : Impossible ” film and no studio is in the mix at this stage but look for more news as I get it .
But this is real , albeit in the early stages of liftoff .
“ Mission : Impossible Fallout ” took a break , literally when he broke his ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other and he also hung from a helicopter ; he hung from the side of a jet plane during takeoff in “ Mission : Impossible Rogue Nation , ” and in “ Mission : Impossible : Ghost Protocol ” he scaled the Burj Khalifa , the Dubai skyscraper , and executed stunts 123 floors up .
He is meticulous in preparing these stunts he does , which are frightening just to watch .
There has never been a leading man ( Jackie Chan might dispute this ) who puts himself at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name of the most realistic action sequences possible .
If he is successful shooting a project in Musk ’ s space ship , he will be alone in the Hollywood record books .
Stay tuned .

I’m hearing that Tom Cruise and Elon Musk’s Space X are working on a project with NASA that would be the first narrative feature film — an action-adventure — to be shot in outer space. It’s not a “Mission: Impossible” film and no studio is in the mix at this stage but look for more news as I get it. But this is real, albeit in the early stages of liftoff.
“Mission: Impossible Fallout” took a break, literally when he broke his ankle in a leap from one rooftop to the other and he also hung from a helicopter; he hung from the side of a jet plane during takeoff in “Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation,” and in “Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol” he scaled the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai skyscraper, and executed stunts 123 floors up. He is meticulous in preparing these stunts he does, which are frightening just to watch.
There has never been a leading man (Jackie Chan might dispute this) who puts himself at risk as often as does Cruise, in the name of the most realistic action sequences possible. If he is successful shooting a project in Musk’s space ship, he will be alone in the Hollywood record books. Stay tuned.


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--The Red Sox are exploring ‘changes’ to their uniform

The Red Sox are open to uniform “ changes ” in addition to the coming Nike swoosh on the front of the jersey .
Team president Sam Kennedy told The Athletic that the club will be talking with MLB ’ s new uniform provider , Nike , about ways to improve the performance of their classic uniforms .
A full overhaul , much like the NFL ’ s Los Angeles Rams underwent recently , doesn ’ t seem likely .
“ We are looking at changes as we go forward , ” Kennedy said .
“ [ The changes will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a uniform that is geared towards high performance .
We will always be respectful of our incredible traditional look and feel , but we are always open to new and different concepts as time goes by.
” The Red Sox had a similar conversation with Under Armour , which was set to take over MLB ’ s apparel from Majestic until the deal fell through .
Nike , who will have their signature swoosh on the front of every MLB jersey , was able to get the rights instead .
Sportswear continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitting , and lightweight and it appears Boston wants to get the very best for its players .
“ I think our folks on the ownership side are really more focused on fit , ” executive vice president of partnerships Troup Parkinson said .
“ They think that , for example , Nike can bring tons of technology to the fit and hopefully help the performance of the athlete , which has happened in basketball and in football , but , amazingly , in baseball it hasn ’ t .
The [ players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they will say the uniform doesn ’ t fit .
”

The Red Sox are open to uniform “changes” in addition to the coming Nike swoosh on the front of the jersey.
Team president Sam Kennedy told The Athletic that the club will be talking with MLB’s new uniform provider, Nike, about ways to improve the performance of their classic uniforms. A full overhaul, much like the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams underwent recently, doesn’t seem likely.
“We are looking at changes as we go forward,” Kennedy said. “[The changes will be] likely geared to get us to a uniform that is geared towards high performance. We will always be respectful of our incredible traditional look and feel, but we are always open to new and different concepts as time goes by.”
The Red Sox had a similar conversation with Under Armour, which was set to take over MLB’s apparel from Majestic until the deal fell through. Nike, who will have their signature swoosh on the front of every MLB jersey, was able to get the rights instead.
Sportswear continues to evolve, becoming more breathable, fitting, and lightweight and it appears Boston wants to get the very best for its players.
“I think our folks on the ownership side are really more focused on fit,” executive vice president of partnerships Troup Parkinson said. “They think that, for example, Nike can bring tons of technology to the fit and hopefully help the performance of the athlete, which has happened in basketball and in football, but, amazingly, in baseball it hasn’t. The [players], if you talk to them, they will say the uniform doesn’t fit.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Knicks will get first crack at highly coveted Tom Thibodeau

Tom Thibodeau has quarantined in Connecticut — unclear of his next move , just like everyone else in the NBA .
Since being ingloriously ousted in Minnesota amid his third season as coach/president , Thibodeau had attended various NBA/college practices .
He has spent lots of hours imbedded with the Clippers , Warriors and Celtics , among others , trying to keep close to the game .
Minnesota is still on the hook to pay Thibodeau for next season , but indications are the former Knicks assistant coach is itching to get back for 2020-21 .
The Post reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose ’ s short list and looked to be a favorite if the new team president chose not to bring back Mike Miller as head coach .
While his reputation took a hit with the failure in bringing Jimmy Butler to Minnesota and allegedly mishandling young talent , sources told The Post the Nets and Houston will have strong interest , too .
Houston ’ s Mike D ’ Antoni will be a free agent .
It appears Thibodeau would have interest in all three jobs .
But the Knicks would get first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they won ’ t be competing in any potential playoffs .
Plus , Thibodeau , a Creative Artists Agency client , has worked with Rose , who knows his old-school ways with players — and likes that toughness .
According to sources , Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving each like and respect Thibodeau , who coached them as a Team USA assistant .
“ Kevin ’ s a basketball junkie , he loves him , ’ ’ one NBA source familiar with the situation said .
“ Great players want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If they think the coach has a higher basketball IQ than them , they ’ re all in.
’ ’ After his Jan. 6 , 2019 firing , Thibodeau faced claims he ’ s too intense on young players and out of touch with Millennials unfamiliar with long , hard practices in the load-management NBA .
“ If you are going to heap blame on Tom , you have to give him credit as well , ’ ’ said Bernie Lee , Butler ’ s agent .
“ So often , NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fence and don ’ t want to be tied to actual results .
Tom took a big risk that came with big results that ultimately proved to not be sustainable , but it ’ s what was required at that time.
” Indeed , Thibodeau , in his second season in Minnesota , broke the Wolves ’ 13-year playoff drought with a 47-35 record in 2017-18 .
He won 72.1 percent of his home games in his last two seasons and established multiple franchise records , including the highest offensive efficiency — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been well-documented he clashed with Karl-Anthony Towns , who could be a potential Knicks trade target , and Andrew Wiggins .
Last July , Towns said Thibodeau ’ s handling of young players was “ a disrespect and a slap in the face to their development.
” Butler , meanwhile , didn ’ t like what he saw in the attitudes of Wiggins and Towns last season and demanded a trade .
Butler is now leading Miami to a revival .
Thibodeau took the fall in Minnesota as he had lobbied to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the rights to Lauri Markkanen .
Minnesota sources said Thibodeau was too obsessed with bringing in former Bulls players , including current Knick Taj Gibson .
“ I don ’ t think Thibs can be held responsible for a player having free choice and choosing something else , ’ ’ Lee said .
“ I think even after [ Butler ] chose to leave , Thibs showed an ability to block out a ton of noise and focus on the job he was hired to do .
That team was showing signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a bigger Thibs supporter in a real way than Jimmy.
” Thibodeau is known as a defensive taskmaster , but support for his traditional offense flagged in the 3-point mad NBA .
Thibodeau ’ s teams have never finished higher than 16th in the league in 3-pointers per game .
If he doesn ’ t win style points , the best case for Thibodeau is his winning style .
Though he also clashed with Bulls management on the way out , Thibodeau ’ s career winning percentage is .647 — 11th winningest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coached 500-plus games .
While Miller has done a respectable job and status quo amid a global pandemic is a safe play , this was his first season in the NBA .
A Thibodeau hire would mark the Knicks ’ biggest marquee coaching addition since D ’ Antoni .
Of the four Knicks coaches hired after D ’ Antoni , all entered the position with a winning percentage under .500 — Mike Woodson ( .419 ) , Derek Fisher ( who had never coached ) , Jeff Hornacek ( .474 ) and David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s winning percentage wasn ’ t enough to save him , as Minnesota hired Ryan Saunders , the son of a legend Flip Saunders , and the Wolves stand at 19-45 .
“ The character assassination from ownership and management circles in Chicago and Minnesota were horrific , ’ ’ the NBA source said .
“ Owners don ’ t like to be wrong .
They covered their tracks .
In Minnesota , there was a deep history of failure and you have to shock them into knowing how bad they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent that he saw had a poor work ethic .
Are you going to be harder on them than the previous administration ?
’ ’ the source added .
“ Look how happy Towns was with Saunders and look how bad they got .
If they don ’ t like his style or methodology , obviously they want a warm and fuzzy family atmosphere like they have now.
’ ’ Butler ’ s agent believes the key to working with Thibodeau is not taking anything personally .
Thibodeau ’ s two mentors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were gruffer than he is .
“ Tom once threw me out of their practice facility so they could get to work and then took me to dinner and didn ’ t mention a word of it and was on to the next task , ’ ’ Lee said .
In a departure , Thibodeau was a panelist in March at Boston ’ s Sloan Sports Conference — the cathedral of analytics — as he continued to try and develop , according to a source .
Though Thibodeau ’ s teams have never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layups , corner 3s and free throws are priorities because of their high value .
However , Thibodeau said he most prioritized “ diversification of offense.
” According to a transcript of the Sloan event printed by The Athletic , Thibodeau said , “ How are the playoffs being played ?
If you looked at the shot profile of Golden State , they were prolific shooting 3s because of Steph [ Curry ] and Klay [ Thompson ] , but they also were very good at the pick-and-roll game , catch and shoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split game , which got them layups .
To win in the playoffs , you have to have balance.
” The Knicks , Nets and Rockets may decide that ’ s exactly what they need — a little of everything , and a lot of wins .
“ You have to respect his commitment to his craft , ’ ’ Lee said .
“ He ’ s a throwback .
He ’ s the without a doubt the best person on the market .
’ ’

Tom Thibodeau has quarantined in Connecticut — unclear on his next move, just like everyone else in the NBA.
Since being ingloriously ousted in Minnesota amid his third season as coach/president, Thibodeau had attended various NBA/college practices. He has spent lots of hours embedded with the Clippers, Warriors and Celtics, among others, trying to keep close to the game.
Minnesota is still on the hook to pay Thibodeau for next season, but indications are the former Knicks assistant coach is itching to get back for 2020-21.
The Post reported in February that Thibodeau would be on Leon Rose’s short list and looked to be a favorite if the new team president chose not to bring back Mike Miller as head coach.
While his reputation took a hit with the failure in bringing Jimmy Butler to Minnesota and allegedly mishandling young talent, sources told The Post the Nets and Houston will have strong interest, too. Houston’s Mike D’Antoni will be a free agent.
It appears Thibodeau would have interest in all three jobs. But the Knicks would get first crack at their former assistant coach since they won’t be competing in any potential playoffs.
Plus, Thibodeau, a Creative Artists Agency client, has worked with Rose, who knows his old-school ways with players — and likes that toughness.
According to sources, Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving each like and respect Thibodeau, who coached them as a Team USA assistant.
“Kevin’s a basketball junkie, he loves him,’’ one NBA source familiar with the situation said. “Great players want to be coached, except the lazy ones. If they think the coach has a higher basketball IQ than them, they’re all in.’’
After his Jan. 6, 2019, firing, Thibodeau faced claims he’s too intense on young players and out of touch with millennials unfamiliar with long, hard practices in the load-management NBA.
“If you are going to heap blame on Tom, you have to give him credit as well,’’ said Bernie Lee, Butler’s agent. “So often, NBA teams play it safe or stay on the fence and don’t want to be tied to actual results. Tom took a big risk that came with big results that ultimately proved to not be sustainable, but it’s what was required at that time.”
Indeed, Thibodeau, in his second season in Minnesota, broke the Wolves’ 13-year playoff drought with a 47-35 record in 2017-18. He won 72.1 percent of his home games in his last two seasons and established multiple franchise records, including the highest offensive efficiency — 110.8 per 100 possessions.
It has been well documented he clashed with Karl-Anthony Towns, who could be a potential Knicks trade target, and Andrew Wiggins. Last July, Towns said Thibodeau’s handling of young players was “a disrespect and a slap in the face to their development.”
Butler, meanwhile, didn’t like what he saw in the attitudes of Wiggins and Towns last season and demanded a trade. Butler is now leading Miami to a revival.
Thibodeau took the fall in Minnesota as he had lobbied to bring in Butler and gave up Zach LaVine and the rights to Lauri Markkanen. Minnesota sources said Thibodeau was too obsessed with bringing in former Bulls players, including current Knick Taj Gibson.
“I don’t think Thibs can be held responsible for a player having free choice and choosing something else,’’ Lee said. “I think even after [Butler] chose to leave, Thibs showed an ability to block out a ton of noise and focus on the job he was hired to do. That team was showing signs of improvement.
“You will not find a bigger Thibs supporter in a real way than Jimmy.”
Thibodeau is known as a defensive taskmaster, but support for his traditional offense flagged in the 3-point-mad NBA. Thibodeau’s teams have never finished higher than 16th in the league in 3-pointers per game.
If he doesn’t win style points, the best case for Thibodeau is his winning style.
Though he also clashed with Bulls management on the way out, Thibodeau’s career winning percentage is .647 — 11th-winningest coach of all time among those who have coached 500-plus games.
While Miller has done a respectable job and status quo amid a global pandemic is a safe play, this was his first season in the NBA. A Thibodeau hire would mark the Knicks’ biggest marquee coaching addition since D’Antoni.
Of the four Knicks coaches hired after D’Antoni, all entered the position with a winning percentage under .500 — Mike Woodson (.419), Derek Fisher (who had never coached), Jeff Hornacek (.474) and David Fizdale (.495).
Thibodeau’s winning percentage wasn’t enough to save him, as Minnesota hired Ryan Saunders, the son of legend Flip Saunders, and the Wolves stand at 19-45.
“The character assassination from ownership and management circles in Chicago and Minnesota were horrific,’’ the NBA source said. “Owners don’t like to be wrong. They covered their tracks. In Minnesota, there was a deep history of failure and you have to shock them into knowing how bad they’ve been.
“He saw some young talent that he saw had a poor work ethic. Are you going to be harder on them than the previous administration?’’ the source added. “Look how happy Towns was with Saunders and look how bad they got. If they don’t like his style or methodology, obviously they want a warm and fuzzy family atmosphere like they have now.’’
Butler’s agent believes the key to working with Thibodeau is not taking anything personally. Thibodeau’s two mentors, Bill Musselman and Jeff Van Gundy, were gruffer than he is.
“Tom once threw me out of their practice facility so they could get to work and then took me to dinner and didn’t mention a word of it and was on to the next task,’’ Lee said.
In a departure, Thibodeau was a panelist in March at Boston’s Sloan Sports Conference — the cathedral of analytics — as he continued to try to develop, according to a source. Though Thibodeau’s teams have never been devoted to pace-and-space, he agreed that layups, corner 3s and free throws are priorities because of their high value.
However, Thibodeau said he most prioritized “diversification of offense.” According to a transcript of the Sloan event printed by The Athletic, Thibodeau said, “How are the playoffs being played? If you looked at the shot profile of Golden State, they were prolific shooting 3s because of Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson], but they also were very good at the pick-and-roll game, catch and shoot, and utilized the post-up for the split game, which got them layups. To win in the playoffs, you have to have balance.”
The Knicks, Nets and Rockets may decide that’s exactly what they need — a little of everything, and a lot of wins.
“You have to respect his commitment to his craft,’’ Lee said. “He’s a throwback. He’s without a doubt the best person on the market.’’


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Pro-lockdown extremists in denial about why we did it in the first place

California will allow some businesses to reopen with curbside pickup , ...

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We will be in a fight against the novel coronavirus for months, if not years, and yet it is time to declare mission accomplished on one very important goal.
The lockdowns of much of the country were undertaken “to flatten the curve” and largely to prevent the hospital system from being overrun. It was a near-run thing in New York and New Jersey, but the dikes held, thanks to the incredible sacrifices of front-line health workers.
Now, the rhetoric around the shutdowns has shifted, and not very subtly — flattening the curve and saving the hospitals are “out,” and not allowing any additional cases to emerge is “in.”
It’s difficult to remember, but flattening the curve was never supposed to be about eradicating the disease. A piece in the progressive website Vox featured a widely circulated version of the flattening-the-curve graph and noted that shutdown measures “aren’t so much about preventing illness but rather slowing down the rate at which people get sick.”
A viral Medium piece published in mid-March famously called the period of lockdowns to squelch the disease “the Hammer,” and the subsequent period of living with it after the worst had been averted “the Dance.” The article didn’t deny the seriousness of the disease; if anything, it was alarmist. Yet by the standards of the current debate, the piece is unacceptably lax.
“The time needed for the Hammer,” it said, “is weeks, not months.” After that, it predicted, “our lives will go back close to normal.” And it contemplated living in a fuzzy realm of trade-offs between important goals — or, as the author put it, “a dance of measures between getting our lives back on track and spreading the disease, one of the economy vs. health care.”
Such an acknowledgment of the need to strike a balance between the economy and public health is now considered tantamount to murder.
It has become a trope that pro-opening Republicans want to get people killed. A column in the New York Times was headlined: “How Republicans Became the Party of Death.” A Guardian piece opined: “ ‘Trump Is Killing His Own Supporters’ — Even White House Insiders Know It.”
But the curve has been flattened. As former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb notes, the time of doubling of cases nationally has increased to 25 days.
An analysis by Sean Trende of RealClearPolitics shows most states below their peak cases. There are some states — for instance Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, Iowa and Indiana — that are still around their peaks. But others like Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan and Oklahoma passed their peaks weeks ago.
Not too long ago, the Republican who supposedly most wanted to get people killed was Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. In announcing his reopening plan, he recalled all the dire projections of what would befall Florida because he was supposedly late in issuing a stay-at-home order, effective April 3.
Yet Florida is coming out of this phase of the epidemic vastly better off than Louisiana, Massachusetts and New York. About 40 percent of its hospital beds have been available at any given time.
In retrospect, there was wisdom in DeSantis letting municipalities and counties take the initiative in a big, diverse state.
Besides which, people are capable of making their own decisions. They decided to stay at home before the state formally told them to. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the movements of people began declining in mid-March, well before the statewide stay-at-home order.
The reverse is also true. If they are still afraid of the virus, people aren’t going to return to normal, whether their states are formally open or not.
In a better world, the lockdowns wouldn’t have merely avoided the worst but crushed the spread of the disease. That hasn’t happened. We will be engaged in a Dance for some time, even if one faction in our national life only ever wants to wield a Hammer.
Twitter: @RichLowry


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Ryan Conway, three-star guard, commits to reloading Seton Hall

The day was Sept. 19 , 2015 .
Myles Powell committed to ...

The best programs in the country don’t rebuild. They reload. They replace stars with stars. They develop, they recruit well and they build upon previous select group success annually.
Seton Hall is starting to fit into that select group. The Pirates’ on-court success — they would’ve reached their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament in March and received their highest tournament seed since 1993 if not for the novel coronavirus pandemic wiping out the postseason — is now starting to segue into positive recruiting results, too.
The latest domino to fall in Seton Hall’s favor came Monday night, when highly regarded point guard Ryan Conway gave coach Kevin Willard a verbal pledge, becoming the first member of his 2021 class.
“It helps a lot,” Conway told The Post. “A program that wins a lot is very appealing.”
Conway’s commitment continued what has been a strong offseason for Willard and Co. The Pirates landed Harvard sharpshooter Bryce Aiken, one of the premier guards on the transfer market who is projected to be an impact addition immediately. They also picked up Missouri transfer Tray Jackson, a former top-100 recruit who didn’t play much as a freshman, and are firmly in the mix with four-star high school big men Frank Anselem and Adama Sanogo.
Aiken picked Seton Hall over Michigan, Maryland and Iowa State. Jackson was seen as leaning toward Mississippi State for most of his recruitment. Conway, a three-star recruit ranked 132nd in the country by 247Sports.com, chose Willard’s program over Vanderbilt, Rutgers, Providence, Marquette and Stanford.
“They don’t have to rely anymore on under-the-radar guys and hoping they work out,” said Corey Evans, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. “They’re also now getting highly rated prospects, really solid prospects, whether it be transfers like Bryce Aiken or via the high school route.”
Willard said he is “thrilled” by the offseason so far, though he couldn’t discuss Conway’s commitment since he won’t sign until November. He sees it as a result not just of his program’s winning ways, but the individual accomplishments of his players, too. Isaiah Whitehead and Angel Delgado were drafted in back-to-back years, Delgado and Myles Powell won the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (top center) and Jerry West (top shooting guard) Awards, respectively, and Romaro Gill was named the Big East’s Most Improved and Defensive Player of the Year in March. Seton Hall players rarely regress.
“That’s been monstrous for us,” Willard said.
Conway trusted the staff, in particular lead recruiter Tony Skinn. Seton Hall didn’t extend a scholarship offer to Conway until it knew it would have an open spot for him, was honest about what it saw in his game and illustrated to him how he could be successful in its system, showing him film of other small guards that have excelled for them.
“I haven’t had another coaching staff be that transparent with me,” he said.
All three recruits will help in different ways and at different times. Aiken will be an integral part of next year’s team. Jackson will be looked upon to fill the void on the wing the season after that. The 6-foot-1 Conway, thought so highly of he could step into Aiken’s spot, averaged 17.7 points on 41 percent 3-point shooting on the renowned EYBL circuit last summer and scoring 1,481 career points in his first three season at Dulaney High School in Maryland.
“He’s not sexy, he’s not like this high-level athlete, but when it comes to being a true facilitator, a true playmaker, a two-way guard who can defend — high intangibles, high character — he really personifies winning,” Evans said. “He’s going to be someone that impacts that program for all four years.”
This run for Seton Hall began with the blockbuster 2014 recruiting class led by Whitehead and Delgado. Seton Hall hasn’t landed a top-50 recruit since, though that could change if Seton Hall is able to nab Sanogo or Anselem. Willard has won by turning overlooked prospects into stars, helping make Powell into an All-American and developing transfers like Gill and Quincy McKnight into difference-makers.
Prospects are taking notice. The winning is starting to pay off.
“If recruits weren’t seriously considering Seton Hall before,” Aiken said, “they definitely will be now.”


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Obama alums wrong on all counts in attacks on Trump Mideast peace plan

The United States has paid a dear price for its ...

The Obama administration’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Middle East as a whole, is best remembered as “often wrong, never in doubt”: from the disastrous Iran deal, to squeezing Israel without obtaining meaningful peace concessions from the Palestinians, to allowing the UN jackals to demonize and single out the Jewish state.
Now, two of the architects of the last administration’s Mideast policy have publicly offered their advice on how to frustrate President Trump’s bold and creative Vision for Peace and Prosperity, a major step forward in the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Philip Gordon and Robert Malley, champions of the Iran deal and apologists for Palestinian intransigence, published an article last week in Foreign Policy magazine headlined: “Biden Must Speak Out Against Israeli Annexation Plans Before It’s Too Late.”
Gordon and Malley served up a barrage of falsehoods and wrongheaded ideas. Seven especially demand answering.
(1) The authors argue that the limited annexation of West Bank territory envisioned by Trump would jeopardize Israel’s future as a Jewish state. Wrong. Under the Trump vision, Israel would be claiming sovereignty over a fraction of the West Bank, comprising territories that either are sparsely populated or overwhelmingly populated by Israeli Jews. Israel wouldn’t be doing that to territories with significant Palestinian populations. Therefore, the vision wouldn’t alter the Jewish majority within the State of Israel. In fact, it would increase it.
(2) Gordon and Malley also argue that the vision would jeopardize Israel’s democracy. Wrong again. A majority of Israelis, as well as Israel’s democratically elected government, support the president’s vision. It is ironic that so many of Israel’s critics, who purport to care so much about democracy, condemn Israel when it adheres to the will of its own citizens. The vision would only enhance democracy by permitting Israelis to choose their elected leaders — and Palestinians to freely do the same. Two states for two peoples.
(3) Which brings us to their third piece of malarky, as Joe Biden would put it: that the vision would undermine the two-state solution. Wrong. On the contrary, the Trump vision provides for a two-state solution. Ours is the first and only administration to have obtained Israel’s commitment to negotiate based upon specific terms, conditions and territorial dimensions that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state with double the geographic footprint they enjoy now.
(4) The Trump vision, the critics claim, violates international law. False. Settlements of the kind allowed under the deal don’t presumptively violate international law. That’s not our view alone. It is the longstanding position going back to Undersecretary of State Eugene Rostow, who negotiated the 1967 UN resolution setting out peace terms between Israel and her Arab neighbors following the Six-Day War.
(5) The Trump vision relegates Palestinians to second-class status, Gordon and Malley charge. Wrong, yet again. The vision gives Palestinians a clear path to statehood and a huge influx of economic investment that would allow them to live independently with peace, prosperity and dignity.
(6) Gordon and Malley want the United States to reject any action the Israelis take in furtherance of the Trump vision unless the Palestinians agree. Wrong. That approach was taken for 53 years and led nowhere. Giving the Palestinians a veto on progress guarantees stagnation and violence.
(7) The two Obama alumni would withhold aid to Israel and deny it support at the United Nations if the Jewish state declares sovereignty in conformity with the Trump vision. Wrong. Extremely wrong. Israel has made enormous concessions in agreeing to negotiate in accordance with the Trump vision, and it shouldn’t be punished for acting in accordance with its commitment to Washington. To do that isn’t in the region’s interest — or America’s.
Publicly seeking to frustrate the foreign policy of our duly elected president is downright obnoxious. It’s even worse when the effort comes from members of a prior administration that never achieved any steps towards peace and that damaged the US-Israel relationship. And it is still worse than that when the critique is flat-out wrong in so many respects.
David Friedman is the US ambassador to Israel.


newyorkpost--2020-05-04--Corey Johnson’s deranged slam of Samaritan’s Purse — which only helped NYC

The makeshift field hospital set up in Central Park for ...

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No good deed goes unpunished. A group of evangelical Christians discovered the truth of that cruel adage firsthand, after some of our local politicos repaid their charity with savage scorn, with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson calling for their expulsion in a spittle-flecked Twitter rant.
The group in question is Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian medical-relief organization with a sterling record of providing aid across the globe, whenever and wherever emergency help is needed. Having established top-flight, military-grade clinics in far-flung warzones, the group recently did the same in COVID-19-devastated New York City.
Its tent hospital in Central Park, built in cooperation with Mount Sinai Health System, treated hundreds of virus patients just when Gotham’s hospitals feared they were about to be overwhelmed.
True to its name, Samaritan’s Purse asked nothing from New York and gave much by taking some of the burden off the shoulders of our health workers on the front lines of the battle against COVID.
But that wasn’t enough to cause some local politicians to put aside their own lefty prejudices and zeal for smoking out religious-conservative bogeymen. The good Samaritans who came to our aid don’t share the socially liberal beliefs of most New Yorkers.
Samaritan’s Purse is an avowedly religious group. It makes no bones about the fact that its good deeds are an image of its faith in the Gospels. As such, its employees are people who subscribe to the group’s religious beliefs — as would be the case in any religious organization, whether the Catholic Church or Orthodox Jewish or what have you.
As an organization, Samaritan’s Purse doesn’t believe in gay marriage, and that apparently is enough to make it persona non grata to some New Yorkers, including Mayor de Blasio, who vowed to investigate the group — just when it was getting started with its rescue mission.
Rather than welcome the group’s unselfish sacrifice, our local bigs greeted it with suspicion and hostility, thus treating the pandemic as one more culture-war battle line, rather than an opportunity to unite across the old divides.
City bureaucrats pestered the group for information about its cultural practices. Four local Democratic members of Congress — Reps. Jerry Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Adriano Espaillat and AOC — sent a letter to Mount Sinai expressing their “concern” about the group’s efforts and demanding to know how it had received permission to operate in Central Park.
Mount Sinai pointed out that “the virus kills people of every religious belief, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation” and that Samaritan’s Purse treats all patients. But that wasn’t good enough. A well-practiced culture warrior, Johnson was the group’s most vehement, and least gracious, enemy.
Now that the crisis has subsided, the field hospital is no longer needed. But there were plans for some Samaritan’s Purse personnel to relocate to Mount Sinai to continue the fight against the virus. But the pressure on the hospital for daring to cooperate with an evangelical group has caused it to decide to sever ties with the organization.
As far as Johnson is concerned, it’s good riddance.
“It is time for Samaritan’s Purse to leave NYC,” he tweeted Friday. “This group, led by the notoriously bigoted, hate-spewing Franklin Graham, came at a time when our city couldn’t in good conscience turn away any offer of help. That time has passed. Their continued presence here is an affront to our values of inclusion, and is painful for all New Yorkers who care deeply about the LGBTQ community.”
No doubt, Johnson’s posturing is in part a product of his ambitions on Gracie Mansion. But it’s still a disgrace. The same is true for others who did their best to demonstrate their ingratitude.
You don’t have to share Samaritan’s Purse’s faith or assent to its views about gay rights. Nor do you need to like its CEO, Franklin Graham, who is widely disliked here because of his support for President Trump and his rock-ribbed social conservatism.
But nothing justifies the lack of respect for Samaritan’s Purse workers, who put their own lives on the line when New York was in danger. There could be no greater proof of the sincerity of their faith or their commitment to helping those in need in the image of their master. Yet instead of receiving our profound thanks, they’ve been run out of town by hack politicians who think scoring culture war points is more important than saving lives.
Now who are the real zealots?
Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS.org.
Twitter: @JonathanS_Tobin