newyorkpost--2020-02-20--How Michael Bloomberg made his $65 billion net worth

It sure can ’ t hurt .
The Mike Bloomberg Family Foundation has ...

With a multibillion-dollar net worth, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the wealthiest person to run for president in US history.
The businessman and politician is worth a staggering $65.2 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time net worth tracker, making him the 8th richest person in the world.
He earned his fortune through his financial information and media company Bloomberg LP, which he co-founded in 1981 and now owns 88 percent of, Forbes reports.
Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders described Bloomberg’s wealth as “immoral” during Thursday’s 2020 Democratic presidential debate.
“Mike Bloomberg owns more wealth than the bottom 125 million Americans. That’s wrong. That’s immoral,” Sanders said.
But the mogul grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in Medford, Massachusetts. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1964, he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Following his 1966 graduation, Bloomberg got a job at Salomon Brothers, then a major Wall Street investment bank, working in “The Cage,” a bank vault without air conditioning where the new graduate counted securities by hand — at times, in his underwear due to the heat, according to a 2001 profile in the New York Observer.
A year or so later, according to the profile, Bloomberg was promoted to work at the equities desk where he handled block trading — which essentially allowed larger clients to acquire or unload stocks in bulk.
Bloomberg became a general partner at Salomon Brothers in 1973. At that point, he was in charge of equity trading and systems development for the investment bank.
Bloomberg’s 15-year tenure with Salomon came to an end in 1981, when he was fired after the bank was bought out by Phibro Corporation.
In an interview with the New York Times, Bloomberg said that Phibro offered him a $10 million severance package after laying him off.
It was being fired, he said, which was the real beginning of his empire.
“If I hadn’t gotten fired from Salomon, which became part of Citigroup, I wouldn’t have gotten a $10 million severance, used my electrical engineering degree to begin my own information technology company and program a computer terminal for bond traders. I’d be working for my girlfriend now, who’s on the board of Citibank.”
The same year he was fired, Bloomberg founded Bloomberg LP — where he, along with his three co-founders, created a computerized system to provide real-time market data and other financial calculations to investment banks and Wall Street firms, which they sold as a subscription service.
That computer was eventually named the Bloomberg Terminal.
Merrill Lynch became the company’s first customer in 1983, and invested $30 million in the company in 1985, according to the New York Times. The company then branched out to other forms of media — including Bloomberg News, Bloomberg TV and Bloomberg Radio — during the early 1990s.
The successful businessman stepped down as CEO of Bloomberg LP in 2001 to pursue a political career — and assumed office as the Mayor of New York City in 2002. In 2014, he announced that he would return to Bloomberg LP as CEO but resigned again in 2019 to run for president.
Over this time, Bloomberg LP has grown exponentially. A subscription for a Bloomberg Terminal nowadays costs between $20,000 and $24,000 annually, and the company boasts more than 325,000 subscribers.
The success of the Bloomberg Terminal catapulted all of its founders to billionaire status. Bloomberg LP claimed $10 billion in revenue in 2018 and 2019.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--The sweet way Harvey Weinstein passes time waiting on jury’s verdict

A source said while it 's not a secret in D.C. , ...

Harvey Weinstein has been scarfing down candy and nervously reading books while awaiting the jury’s verdict — but he cleaned the courthouse vendor out of his favorite sweet before the deliberations even began.
The maligned mogul, 67, tore through as many as three rolls of Mentos a day during the trial, single-handedly cleaning out Ray’s Candy Stand in the lobby of Manhattan Supreme Court.
“They sold me out,” said shop owner Ray Lonergan of Weinstein’s team. “We have a new shipment coming in today.”
The jury has deliberated for three days, and Weinstein has had to make do popping Now & Laters and Starburst as he nervously awaits the panel’s decision in a small witness room on the side of the courtroom.
Weinstein faces two counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of rape and one count of criminal sexual act stemming from the allegations of “The Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra, hairstylist Jessica Mann and former “Project Runway” production assistant Mimi Haleyi.
“He can be playful and crack jokes to lighten the mood,” a source said of the agonizing wait for a verdict. He passes the time reading Malcolm Gladwell’s “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know.”
He also chats on one of his two iPhones to his young children or his assistant. Sometimes he writes copious notes on a yellow legal pad, and when he gets stiff, he stands up to stretch, the source said.
Despite the “Pulp Fiction” producer’s penchant for sugary snacks, he has made more sensible lunch decisions. He typically orders a dozen sandwiches, chips and water for his team of six and a salad for himself.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Ray Lonergan, who runs the candy stand, has been forced to order more Mentos. Steven Hirsch Steven Hirsch Advertisement
On Tuesday, he indulged in salad nicoise from Cipriani’s and treated his legal coterie to sandwiches from the upscale Italian restaurant. On Thursday he had another tuna and egg salad.
But the team’s lunch order lacked the typical assortment of chips.
“Where are the chips?” asked defense lawyer Damon Cheronis, in a disappointed tone, said the source.
A car picks up the team’s takeout order and a Weinstein staffer retrieves it and carries it to the small witness room.
Often lunch comes from Pret a Manger or a nearby deli and includes a range of sandwiches like prosciutto and cheese. If Weinstein is still peckish after his modest serving of protein and greens, he’ll nosh on the inside of one of the sandwiches, the source said.
There are always two cups of coffee: one with milk and sugar for him and another for anyone else in need of a pick me up.
The sizable leftovers are handed out to appreciative court staffers and, in the early weeks of the trial, to the press corps.
The seven-man, five-woman panel has been holed up in a larger room not far from Weinstein. The panel sent a total of six notes on Tuesday and Wednesday, while on Thursday they remained silent until late afternoon.
At 4:21 p.m.they sent a note requesting a readback of Sciorra’s cross-examination, and a few minutes later another asking for a list of the people she spoke to about the attack.
They’ll continue their deliberations on Friday morning.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Debate moderator Chuck Todd was Amy Klobuchar’s landlord in Arlington

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) MSNBC host Chuck Todd — who helped moderate Wednesday night ’ s Democratic debate — is likely more familiar with one candidate than any other .
He was Sen. Amy Klobuchar ’ s landlord , sources exclusively told Page Six .
Klobuchar and her husband , lawyer John Bessler , rented a 3-bedroom home owned by Todd in Arlington , VA. , sources said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ renting the house in 2008 .
A source insisted to Page Six that Klobuchar and Bessler are not currently living at the home anymore — but it ’ s unclear when they moved out .
A 2008 report by the Star Tribune on where Minnesota reps live said at the time that Klobuchar and Bessler moved into a 3-bedroom Arlington rental home from a smaller apartment to accommodate family visitors .
They were renting the house for “ $ 3,200/month , plus utilities.
” The report added at the time that , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room for ‘ visiting grandparents , ’ Klobuchar and her family rented a two-bedroom apartment in northern Virginia for $ 2,800 a month.
” The article said that Klobuchar and Bessler still had a Minnesota home , but that her workweek consisted of , “ Four to five days in D.C. , with one family weekend each month in Arlington.
” The house — according to online listings of the address — has 3.5 bedrooms and is approximately 3,000 square feet .
A source said it ’ s not a secret among Beltway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar — though it doesn ’ t seem to have been disclosed publicly .
NBC did not comment , and a Klobuchar press rep did not immediately comment when we reached out .
Luckily none of the questions at the Democratic debate were over damage deposits or leaky sinks .
Klobuchar instead most notably sparred with rival Mayor Pete Buttigieg , even asking him : “ Are you trying to say that I ’ m dumb ?
Are you mocking me here , Pete ?
”

MSNBC host Chuck Todd — who helped moderate Wednesday night’s Democratic debate — is likely more familiar with one candidate than any other. He was Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s landlord, sources exclusively told Page Six.
Klobuchar and her husband, lawyer John Bessler, rented a 3-bedroom home owned by Todd in Arlington, Virginia, sources said. The Minnesota Democrat and Bessler apparently began renting the house in 2008. A source insisted to Page Six that Klobuchar and Bessler are not currently living at the home anymore — but it’s unclear when they moved out.
A 2008 report by the Star Tribune on where Minnesota reps live said at the time that Klobuchar and Bessler moved into a 3-bedroom Arlington rental home from a smaller apartment to accommodate family visitors.
They were renting the house for “$3,200/month, plus utilities.” The report added at the time that, “Before moving in May to provide more room for ‘visiting grandparents,’ Klobuchar and her family rented a two-bedroom apartment in northern Virginia for $2,800 a month.” The article said that Klobuchar and Bessler still had a Minnesota home, but that her workweek consisted of, “Four to five days in D.C., with one family weekend each month in Arlington.”
The house — according to online listings of the address — has 3.5 bathrooms and is approximately 3,000 square feet.
A source said it’s not a secret among Beltway insiders that Todd rented the home to Klobuchar — though it doesn’t seem to have been disclosed publicly.
NBC did not comment, and a Klobuchar press rep did not immediately comment when we reached out.
Luckily none of the questions at the Democratic debate were over damage deposits or leaky sinks. Klobuchar instead most notably sparred with rival Mayor Pete Buttigieg, even asking him: “Are you trying to say that I’m dumb? Are you mocking me here, Pete?”


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Mom shares heartbreaking video of bullied son: ‘I want someone to kill me’

An Australian mom has given a firsthand account of the devastating effects of bullying on her son in a now-viral clip .
In the heart-wrenching anti-bullying video , Yarraka Bayles ’ son Quaden Bayles , who was born with Achondroplasia dwarfism , sobs in the family ’ s car after another child at his school taunted him for his height , she says .
“ I wish I could stab myself in my heart , ” Quaden , 9 , says through tears .
“ I want someone to kill me.
” Yarraka says she wanted to share the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice from other parents on how to deal with the effects , which have included suicide attempts from her young son .
“ I want people to know , this is the effect bullying has , ” she says from behind the camera .
“ This is what bullying does .
All it takes is one more instant , and you wonder why kids are killing themselves.
” Breaking down in tears herself , she adds , “ I want people to know how much this is hurting us as a family … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my eye on him because of the suicide attempts.
” She also says in the video she hopes schools will do a better job of educating other kids about disabilities so that her son can be spared from the constant ridicule .
Since posting the video on Tuesday , it ’ s gotten 11 million views , and has rallied the support of their community , including athletes from the Indigenous Australian professional rugby league .
“ Just want to wish you all the best brother .
We know you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boys are here , we ’ ve got your back .
We ’ re here to support you , bud , ” said one of the team ’ s players , Latrell Mitchell , in a video to Quaden .
“ Just make sure you ’ re thinking the right things , bud , because we want you around .
It ’ s going to mean more to us than it will to you , bud .
Just make sure you ’ re looking after us and hopefully we ’ ll get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of days.
” Stateside , the effects of bullying have impacted kids around the same age as Quaden .
A 10-year-old Texas boy killed himself after he was relentlessly tormented at school by his classmates and an Ohio sixth-grader reportedly took his own life after school bullies told him to commit suicide .
Another 10-year-old boy in Kentucky allegedly committed suicide because of the relentless bullying over his colostomy bag .
“ Nobody knows the battles we face in private , ” Bayles says in the video .
“ I usually share all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be addressed to save our babies ’ lives .
”

An Australian mom has given a firsthand account of the devastating effects of bullying on her son in a now-viral clip.
In the heart-wrenching anti-bullying video, Yarraka Bayles’ son Quaden Bayles — who was born with achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that results in dwarfism — sobs in the family car after another child at his school taunted him about his height, she says.
“I wish I could stab myself in my heart,” Quaden, 9, says through tears. “I want someone to kill me.”
Yarraka says she wanted to share the video to raise awareness about bullying and get advice from other parents on how to deal with the effects, which have included suicide attempts by her young son.
“I want people to know, this is the effect bullying has,” she says from behind the camera. “This is what bullying does. All it takes is one more instant, and you wonder why kids are killing themselves.”
Breaking down in tears herself, she adds, “I want people to know how much this is hurting us as a family … I’ve got to constantly keep my eye on him because of the suicide attempts.”
She also says in the video she hopes schools will do a better job of educating other kids about disabilities so that her son can be spared from the constant ridicule.
Since she posted the video Tuesday, it’s gotten more than 21 million views, and has rallied the support of their community, including Australian actor Hugh Jackman and athletes from the Indigenous Australian professional rugby league.
“Just want to wish you all the best, brother. We know you’re going through a hard time right now but the boys are here, we’ve got your back. We’re here to support you, bud,” said one of the team’s players, Latrell Mitchell, in a video to Quaden. “Just make sure you’re thinking the right things, bud, because we want you around. It’s going to mean more to us than it will to you, bud. Just make sure you’re looking after us and hopefully we’ll get to see you in the next couple of days.”
The general public is also showing Quaden their support, through an outpouring of love as well as cash: A GoFundMe started to send the boy to Disneyland has raised more than $262,000.
Stateside, the effects of bullying have impacted kids around the same age as Quaden. A 10-year-old Texas boy killed himself after he was relentlessly tormented at school by his classmates, and an Ohio sixth-grader reportedly took his own life after school bullies told him to commit suicide. Another 10-year-old boy in Kentucky allegedly committed suicide because of relentless bullying over his colostomy bag.
“Nobody knows the battles we face in private,” Bayles says in the video. “I usually share all the positive highlights, but this stuff needs to be addressed to save our babies’ lives.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Matthew Broderick, SJP revive Neil Simon comedy ‘Plaza Suite’

One of the saddest sights I ’ ve ever seen on Broadway was Neil Simon , sitting by himself in the last row of the Nederlander Theatre , watching the final performance of a 2009 revival of “ Brighton Beach Memoirs.
” It was a fine production , starring Laurie Metcalf , but it sold no tickets and closed after one week .
The newspapers were full of stories of how Simon ’ s humor was passé , his era over .
He died in 2018 without ever finishing another play .
So I am pleased to report that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Matthew Broderick , Simon ’ s humor is poised to make a comeback .
The couple are starring in a revival of “ Plaza Suite , ” Simon ’ s 1968 collection of three one-act plays .
It ’ s a big , old-fashioned hit at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston , where it ’ s playing a limited run before previews begin in March at Broadway ’ s Hudson Theatre , where it ’ s already taken in more than $ 12 million .
A college friend ’ s mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her theatergoing friends and they had “ the best time of their lives , ” my friend told me .
Parker and Broderick went up on their lines a couple of times , but had so much fun cracking each other up , the audience was delirious .
Simon ’ s widow , the formidable Elaine Joyce , descended on the production last week and , I ’ m told , loved just about every minute of it .
She , Parker and Broderick unveiled two plaques that have been installed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the theater .
They mark the miles Simon paced as he watched the out-of-town tryouts of “ Plaza Suite , ” “ The Odd Couple ” and “ Promises , Promises.
” Parker and Broderick play new roles in each act , all of them set , aptly enough , in a suite at the Plaza hotel .
In the first , poignant part , they play a couple whose long marriage is fraying .
The second act , about a Hollywood producer trying to seduce an old flame , could be dicey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , under John Benjamin Hickey ’ s canny direction , it manages to evoke a bygone era without ever sliding into creepiness .
Slapstick dominates the third act , as Parker and Broderick play a married couple trying desperately to coax their daughter out of a bathroom she ’ s locked herself into on her wedding day .
Broderick ’ s attempt to get into the bathroom by walking along a ledge while swatting away pigeons brings down the house .
The original “ Plaza Suite ” starred Maureen Stapleton and George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps the only two contemporary actors who can evoke the memories of those two giants while making the roles their own .
Broderick has a long history with Simon , having starred in the original productions of “ Brighton Beach Memoirs ” and “ Biloxi Blues.
” And for all her renown as ’ 90s sex symbol Carrie Bradshaw , Parker knows her way around the middle-aged ladies of “ Plaza Suite.
” She last played the Colonial in 1976 in a play called “ The Innocents.
” She “ lifted ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those days and now keeps it in her dressing room for good luck .
She and Broderick are enjoying all that Boston has to offer , eating after the show at the Palm Steakhouse , strolling the Freedom Trail , exploring the North End , and even taking the T from time to time .
A steady stream of celebs has come up to the show , including John Slattery and Talia Balsam .
More are expected to see the last of the run this weekend .
Photographer Joan Marcus was up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parker stopped rehearsals at one point to fix Broderick ’ s disheveled hair .
“ She knew Joan was there , and she wanted Matthew to look good , ” a source says .
Another source says : “ Everything about this production is old-school Broadway at its best.
” It ’ s too bad Neil Simon isn ’ t around to see it himself .
“ Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning ” airs weekdays on WOR Radio 710 .

One of the saddest sights I’ve ever seen on Broadway was Neil Simon, sitting by himself in the last row of the Nederlander Theatre, watching the final performance of a 2009 revival of “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”
It was a fine production, starring Laurie Metcalf, but it sold no tickets and closed after one week. The newspapers were full of stories of how Simon’s humor was passé, his era over. He died in 2018 without ever finishing another play.
So I am pleased to report that, with an assist from Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Simon’s humor is poised to make a comeback. The couple are starring in a revival of “Plaza Suite,” Simon’s 1968 collection of three one-act plays. It’s a big, old-fashioned hit at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, where it’s playing a limited run before previews begin in March at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre, where it’s already taken in more than $12 million.
A college friend’s mother went to see it the other day with her theatergoing friends and they had “the best time of their lives,” my friend told me. Parker and Broderick went up on their lines a couple of times, but had so much fun cracking each other up, the audience was delirious.
Simon’s widow, the formidable Elaine Joyce, descended on the production last week and, I’m told, loved just about every minute of it. She, Parker and Broderick unveiled two plaques that have been installed at each end of the last row of the theater. They mark the miles Simon paced as he watched the out-of-town tryouts of “Plaza Suite,” “The Odd Couple” and “Promises, Promises.”
Parker and Broderick play new roles in each act, all of them set, aptly enough, in a suite at the Plaza hotel. In the first, poignant part, they play a couple whose long marriage is fraying. The second act, about a Hollywood producer trying to seduce an old flame, could be dicey in the Harvey Weinstein era. And yet, under John Benjamin Hickey’s canny direction, it manages to evoke a bygone era without ever sliding into creepiness. Slapstick dominates the third act, as Parker and Broderick play a married couple trying desperately to coax their daughter out of a bathroom she’s locked herself into on her wedding day. Broderick’s attempt to get into the bathroom by walking along a ledge while swatting away pigeons brings down the house.
The original “Plaza Suite” starred Maureen Stapleton and George C. Scott. Parker and Broderick are perhaps the only two contemporary actors who can evoke the memories of those two giants while making the roles their own. Broderick has a long history with Simon, having starred in the original productions of “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Biloxi Blues.” And for all her renown as ’90s sex symbol Carrie Bradshaw, Parker knows her way around the middle-aged ladies of “Plaza Suite.”
She last played the Colonial in 1976 in a play called “The Innocents.” She “lifted” a coat check tag as a souvenir from those days and now keeps it in her dressing room for good luck.
She and Broderick are enjoying all that Boston has to offer, eating after the show at the Palm Steakhouse, strolling the Freedom Trail, exploring the North End, and even taking the T from time to time.
A steady stream of celebs has come up to the show, including John Slattery and Talia Balsam. More are expected to see the last of the run this weekend.
Photographer Joan Marcus was up the other day to shoot the show. Parker stopped rehearsals at one point to fix Broderick’s disheveled hair. “She knew Joan was there, and she wanted Matthew to look good,” a source says.
Another source says: “Everything about this production is old-school Broadway at its best.”
It’s too bad Neil Simon isn’t around to see it himself.
“Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning” airs weekdays on WOR Radio 710.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Bethenny Frankel sells Hamptons house weeks after selling Soho apartment

Imagine , in the waning days of World War II , any ...

“Real Housewives of New York” alum Bethenny Frankel has sold a Bridgehampton home for $2.28 million, sources tell The Post. It had been on the market for $2.99 million.
The seven-bedroom spread at 2623 Montauk Highway is 4,239 square feet and comes with its own swimming pool. She bought it for $2.03 million in 2017.
The Bridgehampton spread is reportedly an investment property for the reality star and entrepreneur. Frankel also owns a five-bedroom home on Lumber Lane in Bridgehampton.
This traditional, shingle-style house was built around 1910 and had formerly been operated as a bed and breakfast known as the Morning Glory House.
Recently renovated, it sits on just over half an acre and comes with hedges and gates for privacy. The home, which also features a wraparound veranda, opens to a foyer and a hand-carved staircase lit from above by a skylight. There are also modern details, like a white marble wet bar, and a double set of French doors that lead to the bluestone patio and pool.
The listing broker for the property was Caroline Sarraf, of Compass. The buyer was repped by Vincent Abbate of Nest Seekers International.
This sale comes just weeks after Frankel found a buyer for her Soho apartment.
In late January, according to the Observer, she sold her renovated two-bedroom condo on Mercer Street for $3.65 million — $550,000 less than the $4.2 million she paid for it in 2014.
She had cut its asking price in April 2019 to lure buyers.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Taliban terrorist, killer, misogynist — New York Times op-ed columnist!

Imagine , in the waning days of World War II , any American publication — let alone the New York Times — publishing an opinion piece by one of Hitler ’ s deputies , running this identifier ( with an honorific , always an honorific ) : “ Mr .
Himmler devised the very first concentration camp for Nazi Germany.
” Sounds like something out of The Onion , right ?
But this , in effect , is what the Times did on Thursday , publishing an op-ed by Sirajuddin Haqqani , describing him as “ the deputy leader of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is : an unrepentant terrorist .
In a column politely titled “ What We , the Taliban , Want , ” Haqqani claims that the Taliban , which provided safe haven for Osama bin Laden to plot 9/11 , “ did not choose our war with the foreign coalition led by the United States.
” It ’ s hard to decide what ’ s more horrific : The notion that the Times ’ top editors agreed to run Haqqani ’ s piece as-is or that they really feel he has a point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI ’ s Most Wanted for years .
There ’ s a $ 5 million bounty on his head .
Our intelligence agencies don ’ t even know what he really looks like .
Yet here ’ s the New York Times , in pleasant communication with a terrorist who — wait for it — once held a New York Times reporter hostage !
For eight months !
Until he escaped and ran for his life !
Self-loathing liberalism doesn ’ t get much lower .
And they know it — for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you ’ d like to weigh in on a Times piece about a controversial man trying to reinvent himself , head on over to the profile of Ben Affleck .
Haqqani promises , in his op-ed , “ a new , inclusive political system in which the voice of every Afghan is reflected and where no Afghan feels excluded ” under the Taliban — except , of course , for women , who will be granted only those “ rights ” — really , restrictive dogmatic and theocratic limitations , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afforded by Islam .
The Times , ever self-congratulatory on domestic women ’ s rights under monster Donald Trump , allows this line to stand !
Here ’ s what girls and women historically can ’ t do under the Taliban : Go to school .
Work .
Go outside without wrapped head-to-toe in a burqa .
Leave a husband who beats them .
Just last summer , the Times published a piece proclaiming “ The Taliban Promises to Protect Women .
Here ’ s Why Women Don ’ t Believe Them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even for a terrorist , Haqqani is particularly bloodthirsty , In December 2008 , he was reportedly behind the bombing of an elementary school ; multiple children were killed .
That same year he plotted an attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul , then considered a heavily fortified safe zone , which killed six people including one American .
Haqqani also tried to assassinate then-president Hamid Karzai , but hey , bygones .
Even the Times ’ own senior correspondent in Afghanistan is appalled by the Times ’ decision .
“ Siraj @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself , ” Mujib Mashal tweeted in part .
“ He ’ s behind some of the most ruthless attacks of this war with many civilian lives lost.
” If an op-ed by Himmler seems hyperbolic , consider that in 2005 , Laurel Leff reported in her book “ Buried by the Times , ” that the paper downplayed stories of the Holocaust and substituted the word “ person ” for “ Jews ” throughout World War II .
She makes the argument that by minimizing this mass extinction , the Times debased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20th century ’ s greatest monsters .
How fitting , then , that Mr. Haqqani should find a home nearly as welcoming .

Imagine, in the waning days of World War II, any American publication — let alone the New York Times — publishing an opinion piece by one of Hitler’s deputies, running this identifier (with an honorific, always an honorific):
“Mr. Himmler devised the very first concentration camp for Nazi Germany.”
Sounds like something out of The Onion, right? But this, in effect, is what the Times did on Thursday, publishing an op-ed by Sirajuddin Haqqani, describing him as “the deputy leader of the Taliban,” rather than what he is: an unrepentant terrorist.
In a column politely titled “What We, the Taliban, Want,” Haqqani claims that the Taliban, which provided safe haven for Osama bin Laden to plot 9/11, “did not choose our war with the foreign coalition led by the United States.”
?!?!?!?!
It’s hard to decide what’s more horrific: The notion that the Times’ top editors agreed to run Haqqani’s piece as-is or that they really feel he has a point here.
Haqqani has been among the FBI’s Most Wanted for years. There’s a $5 million bounty on his head. Our intelligence agencies don’t even know what he really looks like.
Yet here’s the New York Times, in pleasant communication with a terrorist who — wait for it — once held a New York Times reporter hostage! For eight months! Until he escaped and ran for his life!
Self-loathing liberalism doesn’t get much lower. And they know it — for this article, online commentary has been disabled. If you’d like to weigh in on a Times piece about a controversial man trying to reinvent himself, head on over to the profile of Ben Affleck.
Haqqani promises, in his op-ed, “a new, inclusive political system in which the voice of every Afghan is reflected and where no Afghan feels excluded” under the Taliban — except, of course, for women, who will be granted only those “rights” — really, restrictive dogmatic and theocratic limitations, but let’s not split hairs — afforded by Islam.
The Times, ever self-congratulatory on domestic women’s rights under monster Donald Trump, allows this line to stand!
Here’s what girls and women historically can’t do under the Taliban: Go to school. Work. Go outside without wrapped head-to-toe in a burqa. Leave a husband who beats them.
Just last summer, the Times published a piece proclaiming “The Taliban Promises to Protect Women. Here’s Why Women Don’t Believe Them.”
Of course they don’t! Even for a terrorist, Haqqani is particularly bloodthirsty, In December 2008, he was reportedly behind the bombing of an elementary school; multiple children were killed. That same year he plotted an attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul, then considered a heavily fortified safe zone, which killed six people including one American. Haqqani also tried to assassinate then-president Hamid Karzai, but hey, bygones.
Even the Times’ own senior correspondent in Afghanistan is appalled by the Times’ decision.
“Siraj is no Taliban peacemaker as he paints himself,” Mujib Mashal tweeted in part. “He’s behind some of the most ruthless attacks of this war with many civilian lives lost.”
If an op-ed by Himmler seems hyperbolic, consider that in 2005, Laurel Leff reported in her book “Buried by the Times,” that the paper downplayed stories of the Holocaust and substituted the word “person” for “Jews” throughout World War II. She makes the argument that by minimizing this mass extinction, the Times debased its peerless stature in favor of the 20th century’s greatest monsters.
How fitting, then, that Mr. Haqqani should find a home nearly as welcoming.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--NYC man busted for allegedly killing man, dumping body in New Jersey in 1985

Decades after allegedly killing a man and dumping his body in New Jersey ’ s Meadowlands , a 66-year-old Manhattan man has been charged with murder , cops said Thursday .
David Garrido was arrested by the NYPD in Gramercy Park around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after cops finally connected the man to the 1985 murder of 29-year-old Ricardo Brown in East Rutherford , New Jersey , authorities said .
Cops had found Brown ’ s body dumped on a side road near the Meadowland Complex , wrapped in plastic sheets inside a wicker steam truck on June 25 of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office .
He had been shot once in the head and strangled , authorities said .
Garrido was a person of interest in the case in the days following the murder — but cops never charged him despite finding evidence connected to the killing at his home , authorities said .
It wasn ’ t until this past year that authorities with the North Jersey Regional Cold Case Task Force could place Garrido with Brown just before his disappearance — with a little help from the NYPD .
Authorities would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tying him to the killing .
Authorities said Thursday Brown had been dealing drugs at the time when Garrido shot him in the head and dumped his body near Madison Circle Drive in East Rutherford , New Jersey .
Garrido , who lives in Hell ’ s Kitchen , is awaiting extradition to New Jersey , authorities said .

Decades after allegedly killing a man and dumping his body in New Jersey’s Meadowlands, a 66-year-old Manhattan man has been charged with murder, cops said Thursday.
David Garrido was arrested by the NYPD in Gramercy Park around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after cops finally connected the man to the 1985 murder of 29-year-old Ricardo Brown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, authorities said.
Cops had found Brown’s body dumped on a side road near the Meadowland Complex, wrapped in plastic sheets inside a wicker steam truck on June 25 of that year, according to Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
He had been shot once in the head and strangled, authorities said.
Garrido was a person of interest in the case in the days following the murder — but cops never charged him despite finding evidence connected to the killing at his home, authorities said.
It wasn’t until this past year that authorities with the North Jersey Regional Cold Case Task Force could place Garrido with Brown just before his disappearance — with a little help from the NYPD. Authorities would not say what new evidence they had specifically tying him to the killing.
Authorities said Thursday Brown had been dealing drugs at the time when Garrido shot him in the head and dumped his body near Madison Circle Drive in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Garrido, who lives in Hell’s Kitchen, is awaiting extradition to New Jersey, authorities said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Meet the hair colorist who helped Sharon Osbourne and Jane Fonda go gray

When Jane Fonda took the stage at the 2020 Oscars , her brand-new silver hairstyle generated nearly as much buzz as the Best Picture winner she was there to announce .
Just a few weeks later , Sharon Osbourne unveiled a similar hair makeover , swapping her signature dark red shade for a dramatic new platinum-white hue .
“ I was just so fed up of going and having it dyed and having it dyed , and I just was like , I can ’ t do this anymore , ” Osbourne , 67 , told her fellow hosts during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Talk , ” where she debuted her new ‘ do .
“ Why am I trying to do something or be something that I ’ m not ?
Just be who you are.
” The mane man helping these women and many others embrace their gray ( and , in turn , themselves ) ?
Colorist Jack Martin , whose trademark salt-and-pepper hair transformations have helped him rack up 300,000 Instagram followers and counting .
According to Martin , it was social media that led 82-year-old Fonda to his Tustin , California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She wanted to have a total new look for the Oscars , and at the same time embrace her natural color , ” Martin told Page Six Style .
“ Before she came to me , two or three other colorists had tried and couldn ’ t get the color right.
” When the “ Grace and Frankie ” star reached out , Martin said he was “ shocked , ” even though many of his clients fly in from other states or even countries to see him .
“ I went in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to do her transformation , ” he recalled .
“ She was so sweet and humble , we spent seven hours together , and she got the color she wanted.
” If that process sounds extensive , it was nothing compared to what 67-year-old Osbourne ’ s coif change-up required .
“ She had been coloring her hair every week for the past 18 years , and when she came in , I could tell how tired she was from that commitment , ” Martin explained .
“ Imagine how many layers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to get her to white while still keeping her hair healthy.
” Osbourne ’ s red-to-gray makeover took eight hours in total , but according to Martin , time spent in his chair saves clients both time and money in the long run .
“ There ’ s really not much maintenance at all , ” he told us .
“ Just purple shampoo — I like Matrix Total Results So Silver ( $ 26 ) — and toner .
I ’ ll give clients the toner formula to take home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They can do it twice or three times a year , and that ’ s it.
” He also recommends that those in possession of newly silver tresses turn down the heat on their hot tools , or stop using them entirely if possible .
When it comes to taking a client gray , Martin goes for what he calls the “ low and slow ” approach .
“ [ I use ] lower volumes of peroxide left in for longer — and no heat is involved , ” he explained .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the longer way , but the safer way , and the client is comfortable.
” The colorist does ask that customers come in with three to four inches of regrowth , so that he can get a sense of their natural shade .
“ I want to mimic the pattern of their gray to make it look more natural , and then I connect it with their roots , ” he told us .
To achieve the dimensional salt-and-pepper effect for which he ’ s known , Martin will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different shades , ranging “ from icy white to darker charcoal to ash blond.
” Thanks to his recent A-list endorsements , the colorist says business is booming more than ever .
“ The day after the Oscars and the day after Mrs. Osbourne [ showed off her hair ] on ‘ The Talk , ’ my phone was ringing off the hook .
I ’ m four times as busy now , ” he said , adding that although he ’ s currently booked solid for the next six months , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone , Ellen DeGeneres or Meryl Streep — his dream celebrity clients — come calling .
As for why more and more women , both famous and not , are deciding the ditch the dye bottle and go gray these days ?
“ They still want to look glamorous , but they don ’ t want that upkeep , ” Martin said , adding that he ’ s even helped clients in their twenties sport salt-and-pepper strands .
“ Silver is the new blond , ” the colorist quipped .

When Jane Fonda took the stage at the 2020 Oscars, her brand-new silver hairstyle generated nearly as much buzz as the Best Picture winner she was there to announce. Just a few weeks later, Sharon Osbourne unveiled a similar hair makeover, swapping her signature dark red shade for a dramatic new platinum-white hue.
“I was just so fed up of going and having it dyed and having it dyed, and I just was like, I can’t do this anymore,” Osbourne, 67, told her fellow hosts during Tuesday’s episode of “The Talk,” where she debuted her new ‘do. “Why am I trying to do something or be something that I’m not? Just be who you are.”
The mane man helping these women and many others embrace their gray (and, in turn, themselves)? Colorist Jack Martin, whose trademark salt-and-pepper hair transformations have helped him rack up 300,000 Instagram followers and counting.
According to Martin, it was social media that led 82-year-old Fonda to his Tustin, California, salon in the first place.
“She wanted to have a total new look for the Oscars, and at the same time embrace her natural color,” Martin told Page Six Style. “Before she came to me, two or three other colorists had tried and couldn’t get the color right.”
When the “Grace and Frankie” star reached out, Martin said he was “shocked,” even though many of his clients fly in from other states or even countries to see him.
“I went in on a Sunday, my day off, to do her transformation,” he recalled. “She was so sweet and humble, we spent seven hours together, and she got the color she wanted.”
If that process sounds extensive, it was nothing compared to what 67-year-old Osbourne’s coif change-up required. “She had been coloring her hair every week for the past 18 years, and when she came in, I could tell how tired she was from that commitment,” Martin explained. “Imagine how many layers of color I had to go through in order to get her to white while still keeping her hair healthy.”
Osbourne’s red-to-gray makeover took eight hours in total, but according to Martin, time spent in his chair saves clients both time and money in the long run. “There’s really not much maintenance at all,” he told us. “Just purple shampoo — I like Matrix Total Results So Silver ($26) — and toner. I’ll give clients the toner formula to take home so they can do it themselves. They can do it twice or three times a year, and that’s it.”
He also recommends that those in possession of newly silver tresses turn down the heat on their hot tools, or stop using them entirely if possible.
When it comes to taking a client gray, Martin goes for what he calls the “low and slow” approach. “[I use] lower volumes of peroxide left in for longer — and no heat is involved,” he explained. “That’s why it takes hours. It’s the longer way, but the safer way, and the client is comfortable.”
The colorist does ask that customers come in with three to four inches of regrowth, so that he can get a sense of their natural shade. “I want to mimic the pattern of their gray to make it look more natural, and then I connect it with their roots,” he told us.
To achieve the dimensional salt-and-pepper effect for which he’s known, Martin will then blend up to two or three different shades, ranging “from icy white to darker charcoal to ash blond.”
Thanks to his recent A-list endorsements, the colorist says business is booming more than ever.
“The day after the Oscars and the day after Mrs. Osbourne [showed off her hair] on ‘The Talk,’ my phone was ringing off the hook. I’m four times as busy now,” he said, adding that although he’s currently booked solid for the next six months, he would happily carve out time should Sharon Stone, Ellen DeGeneres or Meryl Streep — his dream celebrity clients — come calling.
As for why more and more women, both famous and not, are deciding to ditch the dye bottle and go gray these days? “They still want to look glamorous, but they don’t want that upkeep,” Martin said, adding that he’s even helped clients in their twenties sport salt-and-pepper strands.
“Silver is the new blond,” the colorist quipped.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--68-year-old man leads cops on slow-speed chase while high

Slow and steady may win the race — but doesn ’ t make cops go away .
A 68-year-old man who was high on marijuana led seven squad cars on a 20 mph chase in Pennsylvania , reports said Thursday .
Dorie Adams was driving in Bellefonte around 3 p.m. on Thursday , Feb. 13 , when cops first tried pulling him over — but the defiant driver refused .
Adams continued his joyride through Milesburg and onto Route 22 — leading cops on the slow speed chase for more than 15 miles before stop sticks were used to nab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All this for just a DUI and smoking a little marijuana .
I hope you are happy with yourself , ” Adams told cops after the stop , the outlet reported .
Adams , facing a felony charge for fleeing cops and two misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence , appeared in court on Wednesday , CentreDaily.com reported .
He also received five traffic violations .
“ We knew who he was , so if it would have got to the point where it was unsafe , we would have definitely called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Shawn Weaver told Centre Daily .
“ But we were pretty confident that if he continued on the road he was going to cause an accident.
” Adams , handcuffed and in red jail garb , defended himself to WJAC while walking into the court .
But the stoner senior was also reportedly charged again with possession of marijuana last week , the outlet reported .
Records show that Adams is in custody at the Centre County Correctional Facility .

Slow and steady may win the race — but doesn’t make cops go away.
A 68-year-old man who was high on marijuana led seven squad cars on a 20 mph chase in Pennsylvania, reports said Thursday.
Dorie Adams was driving in Bellefonte around 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, when cops first tried pulling him over — but the defiant driver refused.
Adams continued his joyride through Milesburg and onto Route 22 — leading cops on the slow speed chase for more than 15 miles before stop sticks were used to nab the pothead, WJAC reported.
“All this for just a DUI and smoking a little marijuana. I hope you are happy with yourself,” Adams told cops after the stop, the outlet reported.
Adams, facing a felony charge for fleeing cops and two misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence, appeared in court on Wednesday, CentreDaily.com reported. He also received five traffic violations.
“We knew who he was, so if it would have got to the point where it was unsafe, we would have definitely called the pursuit off,” Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver told Centre Daily. “But we were pretty confident that if he continued on the road he was going to cause an accident.”
Adams, handcuffed and in red jail garb, defended himself to WJAC while walking into the court.
“I’m innocent,” Adams said.
But the stoner senior was also reportedly charged again with possession of marijuana last week, the outlet reported.
Records show that Adams is in custody at the Centre County Correctional Facility.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Uncle seen berating nephew charged in Tessa Majors’ murder in video shown to court

One of the teens charged in Tessa Majors ’ fatal mugging ...

The uncle of a teen charged in Tessa Majors’ murder berated the boy after hearing him confess to being at the scene with two pals and watching one stab the Barnard College freshman, according to video played in court Thursday.
Roosevelt Davis went on a profane tirade against nephew Zyairr Davis, 13, when cops left the interview room in the 26th Precinct station house where the teen spilled his guts.
“Do you see what you f–king got yourself into, ’cause you hanging out with the wrong f–king people instead of bringing your ass home?” Roosevelt said.
The older man also told the teen that he had no idea what he’d gotten himself into.
“This ain’t like school, you get a f–king suspension for like five days. This ain’t like that,” he said.
“All you needed to do was go the f–k to school and bring your ass home.”
The older man’s fury was repeatedly caught on camera during several breaks that punctuated Zyairr’s two-hour interview on Dec. 12, one day after Majors, 18, was knifed to death during a mugging in Morningside Park.
The video was played during a pre-trial hearing in Manhattan Family Court, where Zairr is being prosecuted as a juvenile offender on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery.
During testimony last week, one of the cops who busted Zairr on a trespassing charge, leading to his questioning, said that Roosevelt tried to keep him from buying Zairr a bottle of Gatorade after the boy complained he was thirsty.
“Don’t get him f–king nothing,” Officer Kevin Garcia said Roosevelt told him at a vending machine in the station house.
Garcia bought the drink anyway and gave it to Zairr before the interview began, he testified.
On the video, Roosevelt repeatedly ripped into Zairr for hanging out with his older friends, accused stabber Rashaun Weaver and alleged accomplice Luchiano Lewis, both 14.
They’re both charged with murder and robbery as adults, and pleaded not guilty during a joint arraignment on Wednesday.
“Wanna be a f–king follower, I told you about being a follower. You think I need this s–t?” Roosevelt said.
“What did I tell you about being around people you’re not supposed to be around?”
The uncle also blamed his nephew for bringing him in contact with the NYPD.
“I’m in a f–king precinct. Never in my life have I been in a f–king precinct,” he said.
“Forty-six years old, never been in a f–king precinct til now!”
He added, “This shit is for common criminals. Un-fucking-real, y’all.”
At the conclusion of the interview, Roosevelt told Zyairr that he’d be held in custody “until you’re going to go court,” adding: “I didn’t raise you to be like this. This is un-f–king real.”
“Like you need something! You walking around with 200 f–king dollar shoes on your feet!” he said.
“You f–king hurt me, yo. Any other f–king thing you did, except for this.”
Roosevelt also pleaded with the detectives to “just not parade my child around” before bursting into tears.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Stanford vs. Washington prediction, line: Under is the play

When Stanford and Washington last met , on Jan. 9 , Washington was playing its first game without point guard Quade Green , and the Huskies faded late for a 61-55 loss .
Though Washington has tried to adjust to life without Green , who was ruled academically ineligible , it has not gone well .
That ’ s especially true on offense , as the team has scored 67 points or fewer in nine of 11 games and won just once .
Coach Mike Hopkins ’ Huskies entered that game with Stanford last month ranked 108th in offensive efficiency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night in Seattle , they face a Cardinal team that has been putting the clamps on opponents .
While Stanford enters the loser in seven of its last eight games , the team is still ranked eighth in the country in fewest points surrendered on a per-possession basis .
None of those losses has been by more than 10 points , and Stanford has allowed more than 70 points in regulation only twice in this stretch .
This is a battle of two desperate teams in need of a win , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should see a slow game with the two defenses coming to the forefront .

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When Stanford and Washington last met, on Jan. 9, Washington was playing its first game without point guard Quade Green, and the Huskies faded late for a 61-55 loss.
Though Washington has tried to adjust to life without Green, who was ruled academically ineligible, it has not gone well. That’s especially true on offense, as the team has scored 67 points or fewer in nine of 11 games and won just once.
Coach Mike Hopkins’ Huskies entered that game with Stanford last month ranked 108th in offensive efficiency, and they are now 205th. Thursday night in Seattle, they face a Cardinal team that has been putting the clamps on opponents.
While Stanford enters the loser in seven of its last eight games, the team is still ranked eighth in the country in fewest points surrendered on a per-possession basis. None of those losses has been by more than 10 points, and Stanford has allowed more than 70 points in regulation only twice in this stretch.
This is a battle of two desperate teams in need of a win, and with neither offense producing anything recently, we should see a slow game with the two defenses coming to the forefront.
The play: Stanford-Washington, Under 129¹/₂.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Day 3 of deliberations in Harvey Weinstein rape trial ends with no verdict

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Jurors in the closely watched rape and sex assault trial of Harvey Weinstein sent two notes to the judge related to “ The Sopranos ” actress Annabella Sciorra as day three of deliberations wrapped up without a verdict Thursday .
The seven-man , five-woman jury remained quiet for most of Thursday as they considered the charges against the fallen Hollywood kingpin — but minutes before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel sent out two notes to Manhattan Supreme Court Justice James Burke .
One note asked for a read-back of the cross-examination and “ everything afterwards ” of the testimony from Sciorra , 59 , who claimed that Weinstein raped her in the winter of 1993-1994 at her Manhattan apartment .
The note had “ a big thank you with an exclamation mark ” along with an additional message reading , “ We are done judge for today , ” according to Burke .
Another note sent by the jurors minutes later asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sciorra spoke to about the alleged rape .
Burke then brought the jury back in and told them that first thing Friday a court reporter will read the cross-examination of Sciorra and then her testimony on re-direct .
The judge noted that the exhibit list the panel requested was not admitted into evidence .
Jurors in the # MeToo-era trial got the case on Tuesday and within an hour of discussion sent out a note with several questions , including one related to Sciorra .
During Wednesday ’ s deliberations , the jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mimi ” Haleyi , 42 , as well as a read-back of the testimony from actress Rosie Perez — who took the witness stand in the trial and recalled for jurors the moment Sciorra told her over the phone , “ I think I was raped.
” The panel also requested all emails mentioning Sciorra in evidence .
Weinstein faces up to life in prison on charges of two counts of rape , two counts of predatory sexual assault and one count of criminal sexual act in the case .
Those charges stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former “ Project Runway ” production assistant , and one-time aspiring actress Jessica Mann .
Sciorra ’ s allegation is too old to be charged on its own due to New York ’ s statute of limitations , but it is being used as part of the predatory sexual assault counts .

Jurors in the closely watched rape and sex assault trial of Harvey Weinstein sent two notes to the judge related to “The Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra as day three of deliberations wrapped up without a verdict Thursday.
The seven-man, five-woman jury remained quiet for most of Thursday as they considered the charges against the fallen Hollywood kingpin — but minutes before deliberations ended for the day, the panel sent out two notes to Manhattan Supreme Court Justice James Burke.
One note asked for a read-back of the cross-examination and “everything afterwards” of the testimony from Sciorra, 59, who claimed that Weinstein raped her in the winter of 1993-1994 at her Manhattan apartment.
The note had “a big thank you with an exclamation mark” along with an additional message reading, “We are done judge for today,” according to Burke.
Another note sent by the jurors minutes later asked for an exhibit list with people that Sciorra spoke to about the alleged rape.
Burke then brought the jury back in and told them that first thing Friday a court reporter will read the cross-examination of Sciorra and then her testimony on re-direct.
The judge noted that the exhibit list the panel requested was not admitted into evidence.
Jurors in the #MeToo-era trial got the case on Tuesday and within an hour of discussion sent out a note with several questions, including one related to Sciorra.
During Wednesday’s deliberations, the jury asked for testimony from accuser Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi, 42, as well as a read-back of the testimony from actress Rosie Perez — who took the witness stand in the trial and recalled for jurors the moment Sciorra told her over the phone, “I think I was raped.”
The panel also requested all emails mentioning Sciorra in evidence.
Weinstein faces up to life in prison on charges of two counts of rape, two counts of predatory sexual assault and one count of criminal sexual act in the case.
Those charges stem from allegations from Sciorra, Haleyi, a former “Project Runway” production assistant, and one-time aspiring actress Jessica Mann.
Sciorra’s allegation is too old to be charged on its own due to New York’s statute of limitations, but it is being used as part of the predatory sexual assault counts.
Jurors will resume deliberations Friday.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Let McDonald’s set the mood with these burger-scented candles

Those who love the lingering smell of greasy fast food are in luck .
McDonald ’ s debuted a collection of “ Quarter Pounder ” scented candles as part of its Quarter Pounder Fan Club , “ because there ’ s no better smell than 100 % fresh beef and a perfect combination of toppings , ” according to its press release .
Its olfactory overload lately , between this , Gwyneth Paltrow ’ s vagina-scented candle , Erykah Badu ’ s similarly scented candle and , unfortunately , a penis-scented candle .
The six-pack , which will be released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the many ingredients in the sandwich : 100 percent fresh beef , ketchup , pickle , cheese , onion and sesame seed bun .
The listing on the fan club website recommends burning all the scents at once for “ maximum deliciousness.
” The fast-food chain created the bizarre memorabilia in honor of the burger ’ s nearly 50-year run on the menu .
Fans can also display their affection with Quarter Pounder mittens , locket , calendar , sticker , pin and shirt found on the fan club site .
McDonald ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger-than-life ” monument to honor the burger on Feb. 26 in a city to be announced .
The website says the “ extremely limited ” candles are coming soon and does not have a price listed yet .
Fans can find out more details about release dates by following McDonald ’ s on Instagram .

Those who love the lingering smell of greasy fast food are in luck.
McDonald’s debuted a collection of “Quarter Pounder” scented candles as part of its Quarter Pounder Fan Club, “because there’s no better smell than 100% fresh beef and a perfect combination of toppings,” according to its press release.
Its olfactory overload lately, between this, Gwyneth Paltrow’s vagina-scented candle, Erykah Badu’s similarly scented candle and, unfortunately, a penis-scented candle.
The six-pack, which will be released later this week, features smells of the many ingredients in the sandwich: 100 percent fresh beef, ketchup, pickle, cheese, onion and sesame seed bun.
The listing on the fan club website recommends burning all the scents at once for “maximum deliciousness.”
The fast-food chain created the bizarre memorabilia in honor of the burger’s nearly 50-year run on the menu. Fans can also display their affection with Quarter Pounder mittens, locket, calendar, sticker, pin and shirt found on the fan club site.
McDonald’s will also be unveiling a “larger-than-life” monument to honor the burger on Feb. 26 in a city to be announced.
The website says the “extremely limited” candles are coming soon and does not have a price listed yet. Fans can find out more details about release dates by following McDonald’s on Instagram.


newyorkpost--2020-02-20--Courtney Love and Frances Bean remember Kurt Cobain on his birthday

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) It ’ s been nearly 26 years since Kurt Cobain died , but his legacy hasn ’ t dimmed .
Courtney Love and Frances Bean Cobain , the widow and daughter of the Nirvana frontman , continue to keep his memory alive , both posting tributes to Cobain on Thursday — what would have been his 53rd birthday .
Love , who was married to Cobain from 1992 until his death in April 1994 , posted a stark black-and-white portrait of Cobain with a guitar to Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 , is now as old as Cobain was when he died — shared her own photo on her Instagram Story of him holding her as a child .
Love , 54 , and Frances Bean have had a somewhat fraught relationship since Cobain ’ s death : Bean once suggested that Twitter should ban her outspoken mother after Love claimed that Dave Grohl had hit on her , though the pair are apparently on more solid ground now .
“ When my mom is on a right and healthy path , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful , intelligent and kind people I ever met , ” Frances said on an episode of RuPaul ’ s “ What ’ s the Tee ?
” Podcast in February 2019 .
“ The thing with somebody who is as smart as she is is that she doesn ’ t know how to sit with herself .
Because she ’ s so deeply empathetic and so intelligent that when she has to just sit inside her skin , she doesn ’ t know how to handle that .
So she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what to do with all that information and feeling.
” Frances added , “ She ’ s a really good person .
This is what I like to call the era of balance , and I hope that we ’ re bringing in the era of balance .
”

It’s been nearly 26 years since Kurt Cobain died, but his legacy hasn’t dimmed.
Courtney Love and Frances Bean Cobain, the widow and daughter of the Nirvana frontman, continue to keep his memory alive, both posting tributes to Cobain on Thursday — what would have been his 53rd birthday.
Love, who was married to Cobain from 1992 until his death in April 1994, posted a stark black-and-white portrait of Cobain with a guitar to Instagram, while their daughter — who at 27, is now as old as Cobain was when he died — shared her own photo on her Instagram Story of him holding her as a child.
Love, 54, and Frances Bean have had a somewhat fraught relationship since Cobain’s death: Bean once suggested that Twitter should ban her outspoken mother after Love claimed that Dave Grohl had hit on her, though the pair are apparently on more solid ground now.
“When my mom is on a right and healthy path, she is one of the most fulfilling, beautiful, intelligent and kind people I ever met,” Frances said on an episode of RuPaul’s “What’s the Tee?” Podcast in February 2019. “The thing with somebody who is as smart as she is is that she doesn’t know how to sit with herself. Because she’s so deeply empathetic and so intelligent that when she has to just sit inside her skin, she doesn’t know how to handle that. So she’s highly self-destructive because she doesn’t know what to do with all that information and feeling.”
Frances added, “She’s a really good person. This is what I like to call the era of balance, and I hope that we’re bringing in the era of balance.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Brother’s first steps ruined by scene-stealing sister

Talk about sibling rivalry !
When a baby in Lincoln , England , was ready to take his first steps @ @ @ @ @ up into the frame and hilariously blocked the shot of him walking on his own @ @ @ @ @ moment here .

Talk about sibling rivalry! When a baby in Lincoln, England, was ready to take his first steps, his camera-loving sister popped up into the frame and hilariously blocked the shot of him walking on his own. Watch the adorable milestone-worthy moment here.
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newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Reebok Zig Kinetica collab launches with Conor McGregor after his knockout UFC return

Your winter fashions will soon be a distant memory .
And ...

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
Reebok is adding a new must-have shoe to its roster with the release of the Zig Kinetica.
The shoes launched on Friday in collaboration with MMA superstar Conor McGregor, who made a triumphant return to the Octagon in January after taking an over 15-month break from the ring.
McGregor won the Las Vegas fight against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in less than one minute.
And now you can get your footwear game in fighting shape with Reebok’s McGregor-approved Zig Kinetica.
Inspired by space travel, the shoes feature a breathable mesh upper, neoprene collar and are designed with a sole that uses a three-part system for a comfortable but responsive wear experience.
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The three-part system includes a Zig Energy Bands outsole that stretches and then snaps back for increased energy as you take steps in the Zig Kinetica.
The shoes ring in at just $120 and come in four different colorways.
And after over a decade in development, the sleek sneaks are already making quite the standout debut.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Yankees’ Deivi Garcia still long shot to make banged-up rotation

TAMPA — At 20 years old and with only 11 games ( six starts ) above Double-A , Deivi Garcia is a long shot to join the Yankees ’ starting rotation when the season opens despite the possibility there might be two openings because of Paxton ’ s back surgery and the soreness in Luis Severino ’ s right forearm .
Garcia , a 5-foot-9 , 163-pound right-hander who worked at Single-A , Double-A and Triple-A last year , when he struck out 165 batters and gave up 96 hits in 111¹/₃ innings , threw live batting practice Thursday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are young arms that kind of emerge and guys that you can kind of dream on and get excited about , ’ ’ manager Aaron Boone said Thursday .
“ Deivi is certainly one of those guys .
I feel like he is in a good place right now.
’ ’ With Jordan Montgomery — who broke Luke Voit ’ s bat during batting practice — the favorite to take Paxton ’ s spot and the possibility of Severino not being ready by the start of the season , the Yankees possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rotation .
And while Yankees brass is high on Garcia , he might not be ahead of Jonathan Loaisiga or Mike King .
As for Severino , the news he is experiencing soreness in the right forearm and will be shut down for an undetermined period landed somewhere between concerning and alarming .
Severino was injured in spring training a year ago and made three September starts and two in the postseason .
So far the Yankees haven ’ t received a return on the $ 40 million investment they made in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s called “ batting practice ’ ’ but it ’ s more designed for the pitchers to build arm strength .
And so far during the sessions , the pitchers have overpowered the hitters who have hardly gotten many balls out of the infield .
J.A .
Happ is the likely starter for Saturday ’ s first exhibition game against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field .

TAMPA — At 20 years old and with only 11 games (six starts) above Double-A, Deivi Garcia is a long shot to join the Yankees’ starting rotation when the season opens despite the possibility there might be two openings because of Paxton’s back surgery and the soreness in Luis Severino’s right forearm.
Garcia, a 5-foot-9, 163-pound right-hander who worked at Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A last year, when he struck out 165 batters and gave up 96 hits in 111¹/₃ innings, threw live batting practice Thursday at Steinbrenner Field and was impressive.
“There are young arms that kind of emerge and guys that you can kind of dream on and get excited about,’’ manager Aaron Boone said Thursday. “Deivi is certainly one of those guys. I feel like he is in a good place right now.’’
With Jordan Montgomery — who broke Luke Voit’s bat during batting practice — the favorite to take Paxton’s spot and the possibility of Severino not being ready by the start of the season, the Yankees possibly will need a second replacement in the rotation. And while Yankees brass is high on Garcia, he might not be ahead of Jonathan Loaisiga or Mike King.
As for Severino, the news he is experiencing soreness in the right forearm and will be shut down for an undetermined period landed somewhere between concerning and alarming.
Severino was injured in spring training a year ago and made three September starts and two in the postseason. So far the Yankees haven’t received a return on the $40 million investment they made in the right-hander last spring.
Technically it’s called “batting practice’’ but it’s more designed for the pitchers to build arm strength. And so far during the sessions, the pitchers have overpowered the hitters who have hardly gotten many balls out of the infield.
J.A. Happ is the likely starter for Saturday’s first exhibition game against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Mad Dog’s Alonso prediction draws response from Mets’ star

Chris “ Mad Dog ” Russo isn ’ t sold on the Mets and said so on his MLB Network “ High Heat ” show , but it was a passing reference to Pete Alonso that drew the attention of the Amazin ’ s young star .
During his Mets ’ critique , Russo said Alonso “ is not hitting 50 homers again ” and that the team will have to figure out where it “ will pick up a little of his offense.
” Alonso — who may have first seen the monologue on Funhouse , a twitter feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from sports media personalities — tweeted a one-word response : “ Fuel.
” Alonso set the major-league rookie record with 53 home runs last season , passing the Yankees ’ Aaron Judge .
The power-hitting first baseman also told The Post ’ s Mike Puma on Thursday that he ’ s striving to be a better defensive first baseman and better all-around player .
“ Keith ( Hernandez ) has got ( 11 ) Gold Gloves , he is a great first baseman , there is no denying that and I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was in the game , ” Alonso said before a workout at Clover Park .
“ There ’ s a lot of responsibilities on that side of the diamond and last year I feel like I did a good job of learning on the big league level and now I want to be great.
” As for Russo , he said the “ black cloud ” over the Mets ’ organization makes them a risky pick this season , citing the fact that they have made the playoffs just six years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series title in 1986 .
“ I ’ m not picking the Mets to make the playoffs , ” said Russo , who predicted the Amazin ’ s would win between 83 and 87 games .
“ Maybe that would do them some good because every time I pick them to go to the World Series … they go 82-80 and fire a manager.
” “ I just don ’ t think that they ’ re very good .
You ’ re asking too many components to click , ” he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rotation ( Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard ) , ( Amed ) Rosario , getting something out of center field .
Maybe ( Yoenis ) Cespedes adds something .
Will ( Jed ) Lowrie play a game , outside the seven at-bats that he got last year for $ 10 million bucks ?
I just don ’ t think the Mets … too many questions .
”

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo isn’t sold on the Mets and went on the record predicting a sophomore slump for Pete Alonso.
During a Mets critique on his MLB Network “High Heat” show, Russo said Alonso “is not hitting 50 homers again” and that the team will have to figure out where it “will pick up a little of his offense.”
Alonso set the major-league rookie record with 53 home runs last season, passing the Yankees’ Aaron Judge.
The power-hitting first baseman told The Post’s Mike Puma on Thursday that he’s striving to be a better defensive first baseman and better all-around player.
“Keith (Hernandez) has got (11) Gold Gloves, he is a great first baseman, there is no denying that and I want to be as fine-tuned as he was when he was in the game,” Alonso said before a workout at Clover Park. “There’s a lot of responsibilities on that side of the diamond and last year I feel like I did a good job of learning on the big league level and now I want to be great.”
Russo said the “black cloud” over the Mets organization makes them a risky pick this season, citing the fact that they have made the playoffs just six times in the 33 seasons since their World Series title in 1986.
“I’m not picking the Mets to make the playoffs,” said Russo, who predicted the Amazin’s would win between 83 and 87 games. “Maybe that would do them some good because every time I pick them to go to the World Series … they go 82-80 and fire a manager.
“I just don’t think that they’re very good. You’re asking too many components to click,” he added. “Alonso, the top two in the rotation (Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard), (Amed) Rosario, getting something out of center field. Maybe (Yoenis) Cespedes adds something. Will (Jed) Lowrie play a game, outside the seven at-bats that he got last year for $10 million bucks? I just don’t think the Mets … too many questions.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Three charged after 11-year-old Missouri girl gives birth in bath tub

Three family members of an 11-year-old Missouri girl who gave birth in a bathtub earlier this month after allegedly being raped by a teenage boy are facing multiple criminal charges .
A man and woman are each charged with child endangerment and a 17-year-old boy faces charges of incest , statutory rape and statutory sodomy of a child younger than 12 .
All live in the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles .
The woman is also accused of failing to provide medical care to the child upon giving birth .
The man brought the baby to St. Joseph ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its birth on Feb. 11 , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday .
It was still attached to the umbilical cord and placenta with a body temperature of 90 degrees , which prompted the police to open an investigation .
Authorities said the man was in the U.S. illegally and had previously been deported .
He initially said he didn ’ t know the girl before admitting they were related , according to charging documents .
He denied knowing she was pregnant or was being sexually abused until she gave birth .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girl around 100 times but did not know she was pregnant .
The woman and 17-year-old boy were ordered to remain in custody on $ 10,000 and $ 25,000 bonds , respectively .
Bail for the man was set at $ 10,000 , cash only .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Three family members of an 11-year-old Missouri girl who gave birth in a bathtub earlier this month after allegedly being raped by a teenage boy are facing multiple criminal charges.
A man and woman are each charged with child endangerment and a 17-year-old boy faces charges of incest, statutory rape and statutory sodomy of a child younger than 12. All live in the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles.
The woman is also accused of failing to provide medical care to the child upon giving birth.
The man brought the baby to St. Joseph’s Medical Center about an hour after its birth on Feb. 11, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday. It was still attached to the umbilical cord and placenta with a body temperature of 90 degrees, which prompted the police to open an investigation.
Authorities said the man was in the U.S. illegally and had previously been deported.
He initially said he didn’t know the girl before admitting they were related, according to charging documents. He denied knowing she was pregnant or was being sexually abused until she gave birth.
The teen told police he had sex with the girl around 100 times but did not know she was pregnant.
The woman and 17-year-old boy were ordered to remain in custody on $10,000 and $25,000 bonds, respectively. Bail for the man was set at $10,000, cash only.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Yankees ready to ramp up the recovering Aaron Judge

TAMPA — Aaron Judge is moving toward taking batting practice , according to Aaron Boone .
“ Expect to start his hitting program and ramping him up [ Friday ] , ’ ’ the manager said of his right fielder , who has been shut down from taking batting practice since pre-camp with soreness in the right shoulder .
“ He will be in the cage hitting off the tee and soft toss .
Feel good about where he is at.
’ ’ After not playing catch on Tuesday , when the Yankees held their first full-squad workout , Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He threw again [ Thursday ] and it went well .
He threw out a little farther , ’ ’ Boone said .
Depending on how Judge makes out Friday , there is a chance he could begin taking batting practice at some point over the weekend .
Considering Luis Severino is experiencing soreness in his right forearm and James Paxton is out at until at least June following lower-back surgery , Judge making progress is much-needed positive news for the Yankees who used the injured list 39 times last season and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clint Frazier wearing his pinstriped pants hiked above the knee that resembled a football player while taking batting practice .
Frazier ’ s plus bat speed was on display as well .
With rosters expanding from 25 to 26 , Frazier is in the mix for a reserve outfield job , but infielder Tyler Wade is perceived as the favorite .
With Saturday the beginning of the exhibition schedule against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field , Friday is the final full-squad workout .
Afterward , the Yankees will hold a team-bonding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

TAMPA — Aaron Judge is moving toward taking batting practice, according to Aaron Boone.
“Expect to start his hitting program and ramping him up [Friday],’’ the manager said of his right fielder, who has been shut down from taking batting practice since pre-camp with soreness in the right shoulder. “He will be in the cage hitting off the tee and soft toss. Feel good about where he is at.’’
After not playing catch on Tuesday, when the Yankees held their first full-squad workout, Judge did on Wednesday and Thursday.
“He threw again [Thursday] and it went well. He threw out a little farther,’’ Boone said.
Depending on how Judge makes out Friday, there is a chance he could begin taking batting practice at some point over the weekend.
Considering Luis Severino is experiencing soreness in his right forearm and James Paxton is out at until at least June following lower-back surgery, Judge making progress is much-needed positive news for the Yankees who used the injured list 39 times last season and still won 103 games and the AL East.
Clint Frazier wearing his pinstriped pants hiked above the knee that resembled a football player while taking batting practice.
Frazier’s plus bat speed was on display as well. With rosters expanding from 25 to 26, Frazier is in the mix for a reserve outfield job, but infielder Tyler Wade is perceived as the favorite.
With Saturday the beginning of the exhibition schedule against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field, Friday is the final full-squad workout. Afterward, the Yankees will hold a team-bonding exercise on the grounds of GMS Field.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Jonathan Lucroy talks crazy lengths he’d go to beat Astros’ sign-stealing

Trevor Bauer has never been shy about sharing his feelings , ...

Veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy said Thursday he knew the Astros were stealing signs a couple of years ago and explained the lengths he had to go to try to fool Houston.
“I knew about that two years ago, that it was going on,” Lucroy, who played for three AL West teams from 2016-2019, told reporters. “I know it just recently came out, but everybody in baseball, especially in that division who played against them, we were all aware of the Astros doing those things. It was up to us to outsmart them, I guess you could say, which is kind of hard when you have a computer program that breaks your signs.”
Lucroy, who had stints with the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels during that time period, said the teams he played on were forced to change signs on “almost every pitch.”
“We actively changed signs,” said Lucroy, who signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox earlier this week. “You had to because they had them — they would relay them to second base. They were stealing them from first, too, from between your legs. They had a very intricate system going on. We were well aware of it. It was a challenge. It was a mental challenge to really overcome that. It’s easier said than done. It’s a shame.”
Lucroy said he was glad this came to light because it was “getting out of hand,” but added that once they were able to figure out how the Astros were cheating, they were able to use it against them.
“There were times they were on every single pitch, and you’re like, ‘How are they doing this? How is this happening?’ ” said Lucroy, who added he never heard the banging of a trash can during the times he played the Astros. “When we found out how, it was like, we got to change up signs a lot, and we did, and the swings actually got worse whenever we started to change the signs up all the time.”
Lucroy also said Mike Fiers, who blew the whistle in November to The Athletic regarding the Astros’ sign stealing, informed him of Houston’s tactics once they became teammates in Oakland in 2018.
That inside information Fiers provided led Lucroy to create even more intricate sign-calling patterns to preemptively fight off any cheating tactics used by the Astros. Working with different pitchers called for different tactics as well.
Lucroy said all the extra sign protections placed a heavy burden on the pitchers.
“[Pitchers] don’t want to sit there and try to think about decoding your signs and thinking about your indicators and all the different things that you’re doing,” said Lucroy, a 10-year veteran. “They want to sit there and just worry about executing. Some guys can handle it and some guys can’t. It was very difficult to do.”
Lucroy said the A’s reported their concerns about the Astros to Major League Baseball, adding the league talked with Houston about Oakland’s concerns, but didn’t look at it “real hard” until Fiers blew the whistle.
Lucroy’s memory of the action by the A’s is backed up by what Oakland general manager David Forst told The Mercury News about team complaining to the league before the scandal broke.
Lucroy also told reporters there is no easy fix to stop teams from trying to gain an edge by stealing signs and is skeptical new technology that would allow pitchers and catchers to communicate wouldn’t be breached by an opposing team.
“[MLB has] talked about the earpieces, the radio transmitters, but the thing is, someone is going to hack into that, too,” Lucroy said. “There’s some kind of CIA-spy thing out there where someone will figure something out. I don’t know. We’ve talked about it as a union, amongst ourselves as players, and there’s got to be something we can do to make it easier. The NFL does it with their quarterbacks. There must be something we can do.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Knicks’ Dennis Smith Jr. looking to end rough season on high note

It ’ s impossible not to view discussion of the Knicks ’ options for their first-round pick in this year ’ s draft as a reflection of the disappointing first full season Dennis Smith Jr. has endured with the team .
The Post ’ s Marc Berman reported last week the Knicks ’ scouting staff has been instructed “ the top priority ” with their expected 2020 lottery pick is a scoring point guard .
Smith , acquired in last year ’ s blockbuster trade of Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas , has endured an injury-plagued and unproductive year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived with high hopes , but is averaging 5.2 points and 2.8 assists over 15.5 minutes per appearance .
“ I obviously want to win games , just continue to improve and become a better version of myself and continue to be a great teammate , ” Smith said Thursday when asked about the Knicks ’ final 27 games .
“ I got personal goals that I set in mind .
Obviously I ’ m not gon na share them , but I have personal goals and I believe I can reach ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Payton has started the most games ( 27 ) and played the best of the Knicks ’ point guard trio ( 9.7 points and 6.9 assists per game ) , but he has just $ 1 million guaranteed on his $ 8 million deal for next season .
Frank Ntilikina , chosen one pick ahead of Smith by the Knicks in 2017 , has made 25 starts .
The 22-year-old Smith has started just twice in 30 appearances .
“ Things happen , it ’ s just like life , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ups and downs , but you got ta take it all in stride , ” Smith said .
“ You can ’ t let it break you , for sure .
The way I look at it is I came into this league with a vision of who I ’ m gon na be and I know what my goals were .
“ I can ’ t let that be shaken by anything that ’ s happening .
If this is what I got ta go through to get to where I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it.
” Payton ( sore right ankle ) and Wayne Ellington ( strained right ankle ) are questionable for Friday ’ s home game against the Pacers .
Asked if either injury is considered serious , interim coach Mike Miller said : “ I don ’ t think so .
Wayne kind of tweaked his [ Wednesday ] .
Precautionary .
And Elfrid was just a little bit sore today .
But I think it ’ s just making sure that it doesn ’ t turn into anything .
”

It’s impossible not to view discussion of the Knicks’ options for their first-round pick in this year’s draft as a reflection of the disappointing first full season Dennis Smith Jr. has endured with the team.
The Post’s Marc Berman reported last week the Knicks’ scouting staff has been instructed “the top priority” with their expected 2020 lottery pick is a scoring point guard.
Smith, acquired in last year’s blockbuster trade of Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas, has endured an injury-plagued and unproductive year. The ninth-overall pick by the Mavericks in 2017 arrived with high hopes, but is averaging 5.2 points and 2.8 assists over 15.5 minutes per appearance.
“I obviously want to win games, just continue to improve and become a better version of myself and continue to be a great teammate,” Smith said Thursday when asked about the Knicks’ final 27 games. “I got personal goals that I set in mind. Obviously I’m not gonna share them, but I have personal goals and I believe I can reach ’em with these last games.”
Elfrid Payton has started the most games (27) and played the best of the Knicks’ point guard trio (9.7 points and 6.9 assists per game), but he has just $1 million guaranteed on his $8 million deal for next season.
Frank Ntilikina, chosen one pick ahead of Smith by the Knicks in 2017, has made 25 starts. The 22-year-old Smith has started just twice in 30 appearances.
“Things happen, it’s just like life, there’s things that happen, there’s ups and downs, but you gotta take it all in stride,” Smith said. “You can’t let it break you, for sure. The way I look at it is I came into this league with a vision of who I’m gonna be and I know what my goals were.
“I can’t let that be shaken by anything that’s happening. If this is what I gotta go through to get to where I’m going, I gotta deal with it.”
Payton (sore right ankle) and Wayne Ellington (strained right ankle) are questionable for Friday’s home game against the Pacers.
Asked if either injury is considered serious, interim coach Mike Miller said: “I don’t think so. Wayne kind of tweaked his [Wednesday]. Precautionary. And Elfrid was just a little bit sore today. But I think it’s just making sure that it doesn’t turn into anything.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Mom of slain British backpacker Grace Millane tells killer she ‘died terrified’

The mother of British backpacker Grace Millane , who was strangled to death by her Tinder date in New Zealand in 2018 , reportedly addressed her daughter ’ s killer as he was sentenced to life in prison on Friday .
“ She died terrified and alone in your room ” Gillian Millane told the unidentified killer in a New Zealand courtroom via video feed with a picture of her daughter by her side , according to the BBC .
The mother recounted how she considered suicide in the aftermath of her 21-year-old daughter ’ s death , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s central Auckland hotel room on Dec. 1 , 2018 .
“ I am absolutely heartbroken that you have taken my daughter ’ s future and robbed us of so many memories that we were going to create , ” the mother said , as her daughter ’ s killer held his head in his hands .
She also told him she thinks about “ the terror and pain she must have experienced at your hand , ” the report said .
After the man strangled Grace , he shoved her body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woods , prosecutors said .
She was found by rangers in a mountain region weeks later .
“ The tears I shed are never-ending at the thought of never having the chance to kiss my Grace goodbye , ” the mother said Friday .
The killer ’ s defense team had argued that Grace died in a case of “ rough sex ” taken too far .
Their client won ’ t be eligible for parole for 17 years , even though the defense argued for 11 , claiming “ rehabilitation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to BBC .

The mother of British backpacker Grace Millane, who was strangled to death by her Tinder date in New Zealand in 2018, reportedly addressed her daughter’s killer as he was sentenced to life in prison on Friday.
“She died terrified and alone in your room” Gillian Millane told the unidentified killer in a New Zealand courtroom via video feed with a picture of her daughter by her side, according to the BBC.
The mother recounted how she considered suicide in the aftermath of her 21-year-old daughter’s death, who was killed after going back to her killer’s central Auckland hotel room on Dec. 1, 2018.
“I am absolutely heartbroken that you have taken my daughter’s future and robbed us of so many memories that we were going to create,” the mother said, as her daughter’s killer held his head in his hands.
She also told him she thinks about “the terror and pain she must have experienced at your hand,” the report said.
After the man strangled Grace, he shoved her body into a suitcase and dumped it in the woods, prosecutors said. She was found by rangers in a mountain region weeks later.
“The tears I shed are never-ending at the thought of never having the chance to kiss my Grace goodbye,” the mother said Friday.
The killer’s defense team had argued that Grace died in a case of “rough sex” taken too far.
Their client won’t be eligible for parole for 17 years, even though the defense argued for 11, claiming “rehabilitation and reintegration remains a real prospect,” according to BBC.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Ex-National Matt Adams thankful to get opportunity with Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE — Matt Adams was hardly shocked when he wasn ’ t offered a major league contract this offseason .
“ That is kind of the way free agency has gone , but I am thankful for the opportunity here , ” the veteran slugger said before a workout with the Mets on Thursday .
“ It ’ s a very good club and I had to play against these guys for several years on the other side , so thankful to get here and be able to know the guys and just hit the ground running and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a World Series title with the Nationals in October , arrived last month on a minor league deal .
He has been working out at first base and shagging flies in left field .
The implementation of the 26-man roster this season could give the 31-year-old Adams the opening he needs to break camp with the major league club .
Adams , who has also played for the Cardinals and Braves , hit 20 homers in 310 at-bats last season .
“ It ’ s a very tough division , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that is what you want , ” Adams said .
“ You want to fight all year long and that is what this division is going to do .
It ’ s going to be a dogfight all year long .
“ But I think this team has definitely got the talent and the experience and the good mixture of young guys and great talent , but also the veteran leadership this club brings .
It ’ s huge and I think [ general manager ] Brodie [ Van Wagenen ] did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pieces that they needed in the offseason and I think everybody in here is excited to get this season rolling.
” Seth Lugo , who is recovering from a broken left pinky toe , continues to play catch on flat ground .
The right-hander is hopeful he will be cleared for a return to the mound in the coming days .
Franklyn Kilome , who missed last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery , is throwing live batting practice and figures into the Mets ’ starting pitching depth .
The Mets acquired Kilome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Phillies in 2018 .
The Mets have added an exhibition game on March 24 against the Orioles at the U.S .
Naval Academy in Annapolis , Md .
Both teams will tour the facilities before the game .
Jacob deGrom and Yoenis Cespedes were all smiles facing each other during a live batting practice session on Field 7 , behind Clover Park .
Cespedes delivered a broken-bat hit , but deGrom largely dominated .
Jeurys Familia threw his first live batting practice session of the spring , with his hard sinker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things about how the ball was coming out of his hand , ” manager Luis Rojas said .
Will Toffey , a third baseman who arrived to the Mets in the trade that sent Familia to Oakland in 2018 , worked out at first base .
Toffey played 91 games last season at Double-A Binghamton and posted a .696 OPS .
The Mets will play a three-inning simulated game to prepare for Saturday ’ s split-squad Grapefruit League openers .
The Mets will play a three-inning simulated game to prepare for Saturday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @

PORT ST. LUCIE — Matt Adams was hardly shocked when he wasn’t offered a major league contract this offseason.
“That is kind of the way free agency has gone, but I am thankful for the opportunity here,” the veteran slugger said before a workout with the Mets on Thursday. “It’s a very good club and I had to play against these guys for several years on the other side, so thankful to get here and be able to know the guys and just hit the ground running and keep working.”
Adams, who won a World Series title with the Nationals in October, arrived last month on a minor league deal. He has been working out at first base and shagging flies in left field.
The implementation of the 26-man roster this season could give the 31-year-old Adams the opening he needs to break camp with the major league club. Adams, who has also played for the Cardinals and Braves, hit 20 homers in 310 at-bats last season.
“It’s a very tough division, but I think as a competitor and as an athlete, that is what you want,” Adams said. “You want to fight all year long and that is what this division is going to do. It’s going to be a dogfight all year long.
“But I think this team has definitely got the talent and the experience and the good mixture of young guys and great talent, but also the veteran leadership this club brings. It’s huge and I think [general manager] Brodie [Van Wagenen] did a good job of bringing in the pieces that they needed in the offseason and I think everybody in here is excited to get this season rolling.”
Seth Lugo, who is recovering from a broken left pinky toe, continues to play catch on flat ground. The right-hander is hopeful he will be cleared for a return to the mound in the coming days.
Franklyn Kilome, who missed last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is throwing live batting practice and figures into the Mets’ starting pitching depth. The Mets acquired Kilome in the trade that sent Asdrubal Cabrera to the Phillies in 2018.
The Mets have added an exhibition game on March 24 against the Orioles at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Both teams will tour the facilities before the game.
Jacob deGrom and Yoenis Cespedes were all smiles facing each other during a live batting practice session on Field 7, behind Clover Park. Cespedes delivered a broken-bat hit, but deGrom largely dominated.
Jeurys Familia threw his first live batting practice session of the spring, with his hard sinker biting. “I heard real good things about how the ball was coming out of his hand,” manager Luis Rojas said.
Will Toffey, a third baseman who arrived to the Mets in the trade that sent Familia to Oakland in 2018, worked out at first base. Toffey played 91 games last season at Double-A Binghamton and posted a .696 OPS.
The Mets will play a three-inning simulated game to prepare for Saturday’s split-squad Grapefruit League openers.


newyorkpost--2020-02-21--Nets get a big boost from veteran bench players

PHILADELPHIA — Kyrie Irving ’ s homecoming season with the Nets is ...

PHILADELPHIA — The Nets came out of Christmas break by dropping their first seven games. Their starters returned from an All-Star break that was twice as long and got humbled by the 76ers, looking uninterested and unprepared.
The Nets, who lost 112-104 in overtime to the Sixers on Thursday night, handed Philadelphia a 20-4 lead, not showing any signs of life until coach Kenny Atkinson first got a technical for arguing a call and then finally pulled starters Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert and Taurean Prince.
He put in veterans DeAndre Jordan, Garrett Temple and Wilson Chandler, and their physicality inspired a comeback that fell short in overtime.
“[Jordan] and Garrett Temple and Wilson — so, veterans that know how to come out of an All-Star break and be ready to play. That’s why you have vets on your team,” Atkinson said. “The first team did not come with the requisite physicality, mental readiness all the things you talk about. We were not ready to play the game.”
Allen went scoreless in 12:40, while Joe Harris was minus-25 and Prince was minus-24. Temple was plus-27, while Jordan finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Harris won’t get a chance to play with rehabbing Kevin Durant this season, and he barely got an opportunity to play alongside injured Kyrie Irving.
But as a free agent this summer, Harris sure hopes to get a shot next year.
“Definitely! Why wouldn’t you?” Harris asked rhetorically. “Obviously those are guys who I’ve gotten close with now that I’ve been with them this past year. They’re obviously incredible players. You see what they’re able to do when they are healthy and playing. I don’t think there’s anybody in the NBA who wouldn’t want to play with those guys.”
Harris, who scored 12 points Thursday, will be a restricted free agent this summer, and due to make a raise on his team-friendly $7.6 million deal.
The sweet-shooting wing played alongside Irving in Cleveland as a rookie, but he essentially grew up in Brooklyn. He blossomed into a starter and won the 3-point title last season.
He’s hoping to re-sign with the Nets, with the lure of playing a full season alongside the likes of Irving and Durant on a contender a strong one. And if he has a disappointment from this season, it’s that both stars, along with LeVert and others, have been in and out of an injury-riddled Nets lineup.
“Yeah it’s sort of frustrating for everybody just because obviously we were without Ky’ for a majority of the season but we were without a lot of guys for a majority of the season. We never truly had a healthy roster,” Harris said. “I’d venture to guess it’s probably less than five games where everybody that was supposed to be playing this year was all fully healthy.”