newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Senate passes McConnell’s impeachment trial rules after more than 12 hours of debate

The Senate passed Mitch McConnell ’ s impeachment trial rules along party lines early Wednesday morning — ending a 13-hour day of debate on the Senate floor in which all 11 amendments introduced by the Democrats were rejected .
The amendments sought subpoenas for key witnesses and documents related to President Trump ’ s decision to allegedly withhold aid to Ukraine in exchange for the country to investigate Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings in the country .
All of the amendments except for one were shot down by Republicans in a party-line vote .
Senator Susan Collins was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during one of the amendment votes .
As the debate drew to a close , Chief Justice John Roberts admonished both parties following a heated exchange between House Judiciary Committee chief Jerry Nadler and President Trump ’ s lawyers .
“ I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and president ’ s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world ’ s greatest deliberative body , ” Roberts told the lawmakers .
“ One reason it has earned that title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse , ” said Roberts , adding , “ I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are.
” Roberts ’ remarks came after a fierce debate over the seventh amendment introduced by Democrats that sought to subpoena former national security adviser John Bolton .
Nadler accused Trump ’ s legal team of covering-up the allegations against Trump by blocking witnesses , NBC News reported .
“ Will you bring Ambassador Bolton here ?
Will you permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of the president ’ s misconduct ?
” Nalder asked .
“ Or will you instead choose to be complicit in the president ’ s cover-up ?
So far , I ’ m sad to say I see a lot of senators voting for a cover-up , voting to deny witnesses , an absolutely indefensible vote , obviously a treacherous vote , ” he fumed .
Cipollone fired back , saying it ’ s Nadler who should be embarrassed .
“ The only one who should be embarrassed , Mr. Nadler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve addressed this body .
This is the United States Senate .
You ’ re not in charge here , ” Cipollone said .
The trial will resume at 1 p.m. Wednesday with opening arguments from House lawmakers prosecuting the case .

The Senate passed Mitch McConnell’s impeachment trial rules along party lines early Wednesday — ending a 13-hour day of debate on the Senate floor capped off with an admonishment from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to both the president’s defense team and Democratic House managers.
Ten of 11 amendments introduced by Democrats were shot down by Republicans in a party-line vote. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was the only lawmaker to break with her party during one of the amendment votes.
As the debate drew to a close, Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, chided both sides following a heated exchange between House Judiciary Committee chief Jerry Nadler and President Trump’s lawyers.
“I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and president’s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body,” Roberts told the opponents.
“One reason it has earned that title is because its members avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse,” said Roberts, adding, “I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are.”
Roberts’ remarks came after a fierce debate over the seventh amendment introduced by Democrats that sought to subpoena former national security adviser John Bolton.
Nadler accused Trump’s legal team of covering up the allegations against Trump by blocking witnesses, NBC News reported.
“Will you bring Ambassador Bolton here? Will you permit us to present you with the entire record of the president’s misconduct?” Nadler asked.
“Or will you instead choose to be complicit in the president’s cover-up? So far, I’m sad to say I see a lot of senators voting for a cover-up, voting to deny witnesses, an absolutely indefensible vote, obviously a treacherous vote,” he fumed.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone fired back, saying it’s Nadler who should be embarrassed.
“The only one who should be embarrassed, Mr. Nadler, is you for the way you’ve addressed this body. This is the United States Senate. You’re not in charge here,” Cipollone said.
The trial will resume at 1 p.m. Wednesday with opening arguments from House lawmakers prosecuting the case.


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Islanders get much-needed win over Rangers before break

Facing the Rangers for the third time in eight days , the Islanders finally had some luck on their side .
It had been some time since the Islanders saw bounces go their way and frustrations were beginning to culminate .
But the Islanders snapped a three-game losing skid with a rejuvenating 4-2 win at the Garden on Tuesday , avoiding a third loss to their rivals and taking a much-needed win into the All-Star break .
“ That ’ s hockey , ” Islanders captain Anders Lee said .
“ You ’ re going to have stretches where it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t. ” It was an unstoppable five-point performance from the Artemi Panarin , the Rangers ’ prized offseason addition , that buried the Islanders 6-2 in the team ’ s first meeting Jan. 13 .
And then it was an inopportune penalty on Derick Brassard that led to Chris Kreider ’ s goal in the final 30 seconds to steal a 3-2 win three days later .
This time around , the hockey gods were looking down on the Islanders , who had likely suffered enough after blowing a 4-1 lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falling in an eight-round shootout to the Hurricanes the next night .
“ I ’ m ecstatic with the two points , ” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said .
“ We ’ re exhausted , we had to battle through it .
It was huge for our psyche [ going ] in the break .
We ’ ve had so many games in a short period of time and we ’ re mentally and physically fatigued .
The break is going to do us good.
” Panarin , who has combined for six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) in two games against the Islanders this season , was held out of the Rangers lineup with an upper-body injury .
The Islanders power play , which had been in a rut for a handful of games , broke through with two goals .
And the one goal the Rangers could ’ ve built off of at 17:58 of the second period was nullified after the Islanders challenged for offside .
“ Playing these guys , obviously huge rivals for us , big division opponent , and for them to take two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight was a good opportunity to bounce back and get one and we did that , ” said Josh Bailey , who registered three points ( one goal , two assists ) in the win .
The luck disappeared in the third period as the Rangers netted back-to-back power-play goals from Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider after Scott Mayfield was assessed a double minor for spearing with .
Then , as the Islanders began to scramble , the refs called them for a delay of game — a power play they were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 of his 40 saves in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory .
The Islanders will now have over 10 days until their next game and over a month until they see the Rangers again .
“ We ’ ve had a lot to say [ about playing the Rangers ] in our room , ” Lee said .
“ It ’ s going out and executing , it ’ s going out and playing the right way — our way .
”

Facing the Rangers for the third time in eight days, the Islanders finally had some luck on their side.
It had been some time since the Islanders saw bounces go their way and frustrations were beginning to culminate. But the Islanders snapped a three-game losing skid with a rejuvenating 4-2 win at the Garden on Tuesday, avoiding a third loss to their rivals and taking a much-needed win into the All-Star break.
“That’s hockey,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “You’re going to have stretches where it goes your way and stretches where it doesn’t.”
It was an unstoppable five-point performance from the Artemi Panarin, the Rangers’ prized offseason addition, that buried the Islanders 6-2 in the team’s first meeting Jan. 13. And then it was an inopportune penalty on Derick Brassard that led to Chris Kreider’s goal in the final 30 seconds to steal a 3-2 win three days later.
This time around, the hockey gods were looking down on the Islanders, who had likely suffered enough after blowing a 4-1 lead against the Capitals on Saturday and then falling in an eight-round shootout to the Hurricanes the next night.
“I’m ecstatic with the two points,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “We’re exhausted, we had to battle through it. It was huge for our psyche [going] in the break. We’ve had so many games in a short period of time and we’re mentally and physically fatigued. The break is going to do us good.”
Panarin, who has combined for six points (two goals, four assists) in two games against the Islanders this season, was held out of the Rangers lineup with an upper-body injury. The Islanders power play, which had been in a rut for a handful of games, broke through with two goals. And the one goal the Rangers could’ve built off of at 17:58 of the second period was nullified after the Islanders challenged for offside.
“Playing these guys, obviously huge rivals for us, big division opponent, and for them to take two from us last week, we felt tonight was a good opportunity to bounce back and get one and we did that,” said Josh Bailey, who registered three points (one goal, two assists) in the win.
The luck disappeared in the third period as the Rangers netted back-to-back power-play goals from Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider after Scott Mayfield was assessed a double minor for spearing. Then, as the Islanders began to scramble, the refs called them for a delay of game — a power play they were able to survive.
Goaltender Thomas Greiss made 11 of his 40 saves in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory. The Islanders will now have over 10 days until their next game and over a month until they see the Rangers again.
“We’ve had a lot to say [about playing the Rangers] in our room,” Lee said. “It’s going out and executing, it’s going out and playing the right way — our way.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Lawyers cleared Ukraine-aid wording before Trump-Zelensky call: emails

White House budget office documents show lawyers approved language delaying Ukraine aid the night before President Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
An email written by career budget official Mark Sandy , released with hundreds of other communications late Tuesday , says White House Office of Management and Budget lawyers approved language stalling the aid on the night of July 24 .
The email indicates the hold was planned before the call , providing a counterpoint to Democrats who allege the Pentagon was notified after the conversation between the leaders .
At 9 a.m. on July 25 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Duffey , a political appointee at the budget office , wrote to Sandy : “ Mark — did GC send the footnote ?
” “ OGC sent it last night , ” Sandy responded at 9:19 a.m. , referring to the agency ’ s office of general counsel .
The footnote he was referring to was a memo attached to a routine budget document that explained the aid was being withheld from Ukraine .
Sandy , the only budget office aide to testify during House impeachment proceedings , sent the message midway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky , which ended at 9:33 a.m. Trump urged Zelensky to investigate Democrats , including Joe Biden and his son Hunter , triggering a whistleblower complaint and his impeachment .
Democrats have requested four witnesses to testify at Trump ’ s impeachment trial , including Duffey .
On Tuesday impeachment managers noted Duffey informed Pentagon officials of the aid hold , which stopped distribution of funds but allowed continued planning , about 90 minutes after Trump ended his call with Zelensky .
“ Just 90 minutes after President Trump hung up the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hold , ” said Rep. Jason Crow ( D-Colo. ) .
“ What exactly was the guidance that Duffey received ?
” asked Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia , another impeachment manager .
“ Was it connected to Trump ’ s phone call ?
… The Senate should demand the answers to these questions.
” Emails released to American Oversight , which filed a Freedom of Information Act request , and in December to the Center for Public Integrity , show that budget office officials began inquiring about nearly $ 400 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government Accountability Office argue the aid hold was unlawful .
OMB and Republicans argue a temporary delay was allowed because funds simply were supposed to be spent by the end of the fiscal year .

White House budget office documents show lawyers approved language delaying Ukraine aid the night before President Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
An email written by career budget official Mark Sandy, released with hundreds of other communications late Tuesday, says White House Office of Management and Budget lawyers approved language stalling the aid on the night of July 24.
The email indicates the hold was planned before the call, providing a counterpoint to Democrats who note the Pentagon was notified after the conversation between the leaders.
At 9 a.m. on July 25, three minutes before the half-hour call, Mike Duffey, a political appointee at the budget office, wrote to Sandy: “Mark — did GC send the footnote?”
“OGC sent it last night,” Sandy responded at 9:19 a.m., referring to the agency’s office of general counsel.
The footnote he was referring to was a memo attached to a routine budget document that explained the aid was being withheld from Ukraine.
Sandy, the only budget office aide to testify during House impeachment proceedings, sent the message midway through Trump’s half-hour call with Zelensky, which ended at 9:33 a.m.
Trump urged Zelensky to investigate Democrats, including Joe Biden and his son Hunter, triggering a whistleblower complaint and his impeachment.
Democrats have requested four witnesses to testify at Trump’s impeachment trial, including Duffey.
On Tuesday impeachment managers noted Duffey informed Pentagon officials of the aid hold, which stopped distribution of funds but allowed continued planning, about 90 minutes after Trump ended his call with Zelensky.
“Just 90 minutes after President Trump hung up the phone, Duffey… emailed DOD to quote formalize the hold,” said Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.).
“What exactly was the guidance that Duffey received?” asked Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia, another impeachment manager. “Was it connected to Trump’s phone call? … The Senate should demand the answers to these questions.”
Emails released to American Oversight, which filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, and in December to the Center for Public Integrity, show that budget office officials began inquiring about nearly $400 million in Ukraine aid in June.
Democrats and the Government Accountability Office argue the aid hold was unlawful. OMB and Republicans argue a temporary delay was allowed because funds simply were supposed to be spent by the end of the fiscal year.


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Fatigue catching up with Nets’ Joe Harris

The Nets knew this five-game stretch was going to be ...

Joe Harris might not admit that fatigue is hurting his play, but he doesn’t have to. It’s obvious for anybody watching, especially the Nets.
That’s part of why coach Kenny Atkinson kept Harris out of Saturday’s loss to the Bucks, hoping the rest would help him get his legs back under him.
“That was part of it. We held him out for a reason,” Atkinson told The Post of Harris, who shot just 1 of 5 from 3-point range during Monday’s home loss to the 76ers, with a team-high five turnovers. “But he’s not going to want me to use that as an excuse. You have to ask him.”
The Nets always knew they were going to face this issue with Harris, who not only traveled with them to China in the preseason, but had already made the same 15-hour flight halfway around the world over the summer for Team USA. Then he logged a team-high 1,114 minutes through the first 35 games, and saw that wear-and-tear take its toll.
Over the past seven games — with Harris playing in all but one — he has averaged 10 points and is a team-high plus-5.7, showing he’s still putting in effort in defense. But his offense has fallen off.
Harris is shooting 37.5 percent, and just 25.9 percent from 3-point range — that from a deadeye who led the league last year at 47.4 and hit 41.9 the season before that. And he’s sinking just 61.1 percent from the charity stripe after making 82.7 percent each of the past two years.
“Listen I think about it, too,” Atkinson said. “Team USA, you’ve seen it. So we knew it was coming and we’ve got to manage it. That’s all. He’s not as spry as he normally is. He’s grinding through it.
“I think it’s a fair observation: We see the same thing. That was part of the reason [we sat him]. I thought [Monday] he was a little better.”
After wing Justin Anderson’s 10-day contract with the Nets ran out, they have brought him back into the fold. And they did it by trading Henry Ellenson’s G-League rights for Anderson’s.
Ellenson — who was waived from his two-way deal on Jan. 3 — will re-sign with Long Island and then get sent to Raptors 905.
Anderson has averaged 13.1 minutes, 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 219 NBA games, including three with the Nets during his 10-day. He averaged 20.7 points and 6.7 boards in 15 G-League starts for Raptors 905, before his first stint with the Nets.
In a corresponding move, Long Island waived guard Ash Yacoubou.


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Arizona mom sang to young children as she smothered them, police say

After allegedly killing her three children Monday , Rachel Henry “ placed all of the children in a position on the living room couch as if they were taking a nap , ” according to court documents released Tuesday evening .
Earlier , the Arizona mother reportedly sang to each of them as she suffocated them — even to the 3-year-old son who yelled “ No !
” as the mother killed his 1-year sister , FOX 10 of Phoenix reported .
Henry , 22 , who was charged with three counts of first-degree murder , first placed her hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until she stopped breathing , Phoenix police said , according to the station .
“ Rachel knew she killed the 1-year-old female when she stopped kicking , ” a Phoenix police officer wrote , according to The Arizona Republic .
While she was killing the 1-year-old , her 3-year-old son screamed and hit her to try to stop her , FOX 10 reported .
She left the baby ’ s body in a back bedroom and chased the 3-year-old until her aunt and the children ’ s father came to the house .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit and Henry took the 3-year-old into the bedroom under the pretense of changing his underwear , The Republic reported .
She allegedly placed the boy on the floor , straddled him and smothered him with her hands until he stopped struggling .
“ Rachel described singing to the 3-year-old as he scratched her chest and pinched her , ” the police report said , according to The Republic .
She then reportedly fed the 7-month-old , waited until she fell asleep and smothered her while her relatives waited in the other room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the home that evening and attempted unsuccessfully to revive the children .
Family members said Henry has a history of methamphetamine use and had been acting “ strangely ” lately .
Henry reportedly admitted to the killings after she was taken into custody .
Police have not yet identified a motive .

After allegedly killing her three children Monday, Rachel Henry “placed all of the children in a position on the living room couch as if they were taking a nap,” according to court documents released Tuesday evening.
Earlier, the Arizona mother reportedly sang to each of them as she suffocated them — even to the 3-year-old son who yelled “No!” as the mother killed his 1-year sister, FOX 10 of Phoenix reported.
Henry, 22, who was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, first placed her hand over her 1-year-old daughter’s mouth until she stopped breathing, Phoenix police said, according to the station.
“Rachel knew she killed the 1-year-old female when she stopped kicking,” a Phoenix police officer wrote, according to The Arizona Republic.
While she was killing the 1-year-old, her 3-year-old son screamed and hit her to try to stop her, FOX 10 reported.
She left the baby’s body in a back bedroom and chased the 3-year-old until her aunt and the children’s father came to the house. They played with the children for a bit and Henry took the 3-year-old into the bedroom under the pretense of changing his underwear, The Republic reported.
She allegedly placed the boy on the floor, straddled him and smothered him with her hands until he stopped struggling.
“Rachel described singing to the 3-year-old as he scratched her chest and pinched her,” the police report said, according to The Republic.
She then reportedly fed the 7-month-old, waited until she fell asleep and smothered her while her relatives waited in the other room.
Authorities responded to a 911 call at the home that evening and attempted unsuccessfully to revive the children.
Family members said Henry has a history of methamphetamine use and had been acting “strangely” lately.
Henry reportedly admitted to the killings after she was taken into custody.
Police have not yet identified a motive.


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Rangers’ lack of urgency makes playoff dream harder to fathom

First the Rangers saw what they look like with a ...

This was not good enough. With or without Artemi Panarin, this was not good enough from a Rangers team that has established making the playoffs as a realistically achievable objective.
But it surely won’t be if the Blueshirts play with the same lack of urgency immediately following the bye week/All-Star break as they did in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat to the Islanders at the Garden that ushered in the 10-day hiatus.
It was difficult to tell whether the guys in the room who insisted the effort had been good enough were spinning for their own benefit or the media’s. There was talk of the 43-18 advantage in shots, far less talk about the benign nature of most them with which netminder Thomas Greiss had to contend.
And yes, true enough, the Rangers were without their signature player, Panarin, sidelined with an unidentified upper-body issue that had been festering since the end of last week, but you’d think No. 10’s absence would have created an additional sense of urgency among the healthy.
But no, it did not.
The Rangers played a lot on the outside. They were lax in their decision-making. Just as the Blue Jackets did in their 2-1 last-minute victory over the Rangers on Sunday, the Islanders went into a neutral zone trap relatively early in the match. For the second straight game, the Rangers were slightly flummoxed by it all.
The team that lives for and thrives in open spaces was unable to create much. After losing both Battles of New York last week, the Islanders dictated the pace. The Rangers need fast and frenetic. This was neither.
Ryan Strome struggled throughout. Pavel Buchnevich did score on a late third-period power-play deflection but otherwise was unimpressive. Alex Georgiev was ordinary and did little to secure a spot in the three-into-two scenario in nets. Marc Staal wasn’t especially strong, neither was Jacob Trouba. Brett Howden was benched for most of the third period.
There was not enough from too many players, though Kaapo Kakko, who moved up to play with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in the third period, had one of his most substantial performances over the last two months. Indeed, Kakko played 7:55 in the third period, elevating his total time on the ice to a career-high 19:33, one second more than the rookie got on Nov. 6 against Detroit.
So, a positive step there. And if it is true in the long view that whatever is good for Kakko is good for the Rangers, then No. 24’s night provides a salve to the wound of defeat. Of course, the next game isn’t until Jan. 31 at the Garden against Detroit, and Kakko is heading home to Finland for the break, so we’ll see if there’s a carryover and if David Quinn keeps him on that top-flight unit or reunites the 18-year-old with Howden and Filip Chytil.
The Islanders, who’d won only one of their past six (1-3-2) and only 12 of 28 (12-12-4) since they bolted out of the gate 16-3-1 by dint of a 16-game point-streak, came into the match with only a three-point cushion on a playoff berth. They were desperate.
The Rangers, who entered the contest nine points out of the second wild-card spot, with two games in hand and five teams to leapfrog in order to qualify for the tournament, should have been desperate, too. If they were, it sure never manifested itself in their play.
Quinn talked about the goal that gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead at 9:52 of the second period, “too easy,” but the coach could have defined the Rangers’ game that way. Anders Lee scored that one after the Blueshirts lost a puck battle behind their own net despite a three-two edge in bodies. They lost it despite Staal being first on the puck before being outmuscled (?) by Mat Barzal, who, by the by, was benched for the entire third period by Barry Trotz for No. 13’s penchant for individuality.
The Blueshirts did stack up shots early on Greiss and had a 9-1 edge when Strome took what has become a patented careless-stick foul. This was a high stick on Brock Nelson at 12:19, accounting for the center’s 18th minor penalty of the year, tied for 10th most in the league. Of those 18 minors, three have been seven for hooking, six for tripping and five for high-sticking. The Islanders struck on the power play for a 1-0 lead at 13:35.
Exactly three minutes later, Anthony Beauvillier rifled one home on the power play. After Lee made it 3-0, Nelson got one in front, both beating Strome on the draw and then escaping his coverage down low for the deflection.
It was another one that was too easy on a night the Blueshirts made it easy for the Islanders.
For more on the Rangers, listen to the latest episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--How Romaro Gill grew into Seton Hall’s unstoppable force

Ultimately , Seton Hall is here because a chubby freshman became ...

Sometimes, Romaro Gill thinks back about the past five years.
He remembers where he was and how far he has come, from a high school graduate in his native country of Jamaica with no set plans to a key piece on one of the best college basketball teams in the country.
It still seems surreal to No. 10 Seton Hall’s game-changing 7-foot-2 center.
“I have to ask myself if this is really happening,” he said in a phone interview.
It’s a remarkable story. The 25-year-old Gill didn’t begin playing organized basketball until landing at Vincennes (Ind.) University. His first season, he averaged 1.8 points in 13 games. Fast forward to now, when Gill has emerged as the linchpin to Seton Hall’s defense, averaging 3.11 blocks per game, which is tied for the sixth most in Division I. His offensive game has taken off, virtually out of nowhere. Gill dunks everything and displays a soft touch around the basket. After reaching double figures once in his first 40 games as a Pirate, he’s averaging 12.5 points through six Big East contests, along with 6.5 rebounds per game.
This all began with a leap of faith, by several people, including Gill. Growing up in Saint Thomas, Jamaica, he played cricket and volleyball, but basketball always intrigued him. He was tall and played pickup games on occasion. He took part in Jamaica Basketball Development’s annual camp, which has produced the likes of Samardo Samuels, Jerome Jordan and current Illinois freshman Kofi Cockburn. Gill impressed scout Mike Minto, who saw him again later that year.
“He could outrun everybody,” said Minto, a New Jersey native originally from Jamaica. “There was no way we’re going to have this 7-foot kid walking around here not playing.”
Gill was stunned when Minto approached him about a potential college scholarship. He felt there were better players than him — and there was no film for Minto to show college coaches.
Minto wanted to keep Gill close to him in the Northeast, but local junior colleges blew him off. Vincennes coach Todd Franklin had one open scholarship left for the 2015-16 season and trusted Minto, a friend of his. He took Gill in. His second year at Vincennes, which competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association, Gill averaged 2.5 blocks while shooting 56 percent from the field. His recruitment was subsequently very light, mostly mid-to-low-major schools.
In March 2017, Seton Hall had just been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament and assistant coach Grant Billmeier was in Hutchinson, Kan., for the junior college national tournament. He was there to see other prospects when he noticed Gill. On one possession, Gill threw down a dunk on a pick-and-roll, nimbly catching a pass on the move. On another, he blocked three shots in succession.
“I looked around and thought, ‘How come nobody is recruiting him?’ ” Billmeier recalled. “A lot of people at that event needed a finished product. We needed someone not for that year, but for the following two years.”
Billmeier worked fast to get Gill on campus. Following the tournament, other high-major programs — Georgetown, Washington and Washington State among them — had grown interested. But Seton Hall landed Gill, who liked the campus and being close to Minto. Gill was also happy with the plan coach Kevin Willard mapped out. Due to a crowded frontcourt that included Angel Delgado and Ismael Sanogo, the Pirates wanted Gill to redshirt his first season and learn from the program’s veterans.
“They kind of inspired me,” he said. “It was a great decision for me to sit out that year I did.”
Gill showed flashes last season, getting better as the year went on, helping Seton Hall reach the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. When he missed three weeks due to an ankle injury last year, the Pirates struggled, losing four of five games. In one of their biggest wins of the year, over No. 23 Marquette on March 6, he had seven points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.
Still, Gill’s recent offensive production never seemed likely. He reached double figures in just one of Seton Hall’s first 13 games this year. Then came Jan. 3, a 78-62 victory over Georgetown at Prudential Center. Gill exploded for 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
“I never knew I could score so many points,” he said.
He followed that up with 11 points and five blocks against Xavier and 10 points and six rebounds against Marquette. In a come-from-behind win over then-No. 5 Butler on Jan. 15, Gill had a number of alley-oops, scoring 17 points. He then notched the second double-double of his career, a 14-point, 13-rebound, six-block tour de force in a win over St. John’s last Saturday at the Garden.
“This rapid transformation,” Minto said, “is a surprise to everybody.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--UK bridge looks ethereal shrouded in fog in stunning aerial pics

These motorists were literally driving above the clouds .
Images taken Tuesday morning by the National Police Air Service showed a blanket of fog covering the Severn Bridge , which links England and Wales .
“ Stunning photo taken by @ NPASSouthWest as they passed over the Severn Estuary , ” NPAS tweeted .
The aerial images showed the bridge protruding above the fog .
Lloyd Birch , a tactical flight officer who took the pictures , told the BBC that flight crews spot fog and unusual weather “ quite often.
” But on Tuesday , Birch said the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked quite spectacular so I took a few snaps on the way past.
” Fog forms when the temperature and the dew point of the air approach the same value , either through the cooling of the air or by adding enough moisture to raise the dew point , according to the National Weather Service .
The stunning sight on Tuesday was caused by what ’ s known as a temperature inversion .
A temperature inversion is when air sinks towards the ground , drying , and warming as it goes .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cap or lid , trapping the cooler air near the surface , according to the NWS .

These motorists were literally driving above the clouds.
Images taken Tuesday morning by the National Police Air Service showed a blanket of fog covering the Severn Bridge, which links England and Wales.
“Stunning photo taken by @NPASSouthWest as they passed over the Severn Estuary,” NPAS tweeted.
The aerial images showed the bridge protruding above the fog.
Lloyd Birch, a tactical flight officer who took the pictures, told the BBC that flight crews spot fog and unusual weather “quite often.”
But on Tuesday, Birch said the way the bridge emerged from the fog “looked quite spectacular so I took a few snaps on the way past.”
Fog forms when the temperature and the dew point of the air approach the same value, either through the cooling of the air or by adding enough moisture to raise the dew point, according to the National Weather Service.
The stunning sight on Tuesday was caused by what’s known as a temperature inversion. A temperature inversion is when air sinks towards the ground, drying, and warming as it goes. That warm layer of air then acts as a cap or lid, trapping the cooler air near the surface, according to the NWS.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Miami police captain suspended after claiming he’s black

A Hispanic police captain in Miami has been suspended for claiming he was a “ black male ” during a city commission meeting , department officials said .
Javier Ortiz was “ relieved of duty with pay ” on Wednesday pending an investigation , a police department spokesman confirmed to The Post .
Ortiz , who previously oversaw the department ’ s SWAT operations , is expected to be off the force indefinitely , Deputy Police Chief Ronald Papier told the Miami Herald .
Papier refused to indicate why Ortiz is being investigated , but the development follows Ortiz ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission meeting during which he claimed he was black instead of Hispanic while addressing allegations of discrimination within the police department .
“ I am a black male , ” Ortiz said , according to the Herald .
“ Yes , I am .
And I am not Hispanic.
” Ortiz , the former president of the city ’ s police union , claimed he had black ancestry while citing the “ one-drop rule , ” insinuating that anyone with a single black ancestor is a person of color .
Ortiz ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dade branch to write a letter to city officials , including Mayor Francis Suarez , calling for his ouster while characterizing them as “ racially and culturally insensitive , disturbing and untrue , ” the Herald reports .
“ Ortiz ’ s behavior is a stain on the city of Miami and especially to the officers who work arduously to perform their sworn task to protect and serve in a fair and impartial way , ” the letter read .
Suarez was out of town Wednesday but is expected to discuss Ortiz ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the newspaper reports .
The president of the city ’ s police union , meanwhile , said he couldn ’ t guarantee that Ortiz would have its support moving forward .
“ I am embarrassed and saddened by Javier ’ s public comments , ” Tommy Reyes told the Herald .
“ He can identify however he ’ d like , but I do not believe he is a black male .
Ultimately , when the time comes it will be up to our members if he will receive representation.
” Ortiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized for calling 12-year-old Tamir Rice a “ thug ” after he was shot by a Cleveland cop in 2014 – claimed he was a white Hispanic man when he first applied to the Miami Police Department , records cited by the Miami New Times show The officer later claimed on paperwork in 2014 and 2017 that he was a black man , the New Times reports , citing records obtained by the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association .
Ortiz , for his part , insisted Friday that the controversy wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
“ People love making stereotypes , ” he wrote .
“ It ’ s actually refreshing to be who you are , like an American .
”

A Hispanic police captain in Miami has been suspended for claiming he was a “black male” during a city commission meeting, department officials said.
Javier Ortiz was “relieved of duty with pay” on Wednesday pending an investigation, a police department spokesman confirmed to The Post.
Ortiz, who previously oversaw the department’s SWAT operations, is expected to be off the force indefinitely, Deputy Police Chief Ronald Papier told the Miami Herald.
Papier refused to indicate why Ortiz is being investigated, but the development follows Ortiz’s comments on Friday at a city commission meeting during which he claimed he was black instead of Hispanic while addressing allegations of discrimination within the police department.
“I am a black male,” Ortiz said, according to the Herald. “Yes, I am. And I am not Hispanic.”
Ortiz, the former president of the city’s police union, claimed he had black ancestry while citing the “one-drop rule,” insinuating that anyone with a single black ancestor is a person of color.
Ortiz’s remarks led the NAACP’s Miami Dade branch to write a letter to city officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez, calling for his ouster while characterizing the comments as “racially and culturally insensitive, disturbing and untrue,” the Herald reports.
“Ortiz’s behavior is a stain on the city of Miami and especially to the officers who work arduously to perform their sworn task to protect and serve in a fair and impartial way,” the letter read.
Suarez was out of town Wednesday but is expected to discuss Ortiz’s suspension with police brass on Friday, the newspaper reports.
The president of the city’s police union, meanwhile, said he couldn’t guarantee that Ortiz would have its support moving forward.
“I am embarrassed and saddened by Javier’s public comments,” Tommy Reyes told the Herald. “He can identify however he’d like, but I do not believe he is a black male. Ultimately, when the time comes, it will be up to our members if he will receive representation.”
Ortiz — an outspoken cop who has been criticized for calling 12-year-old Tamir Rice a “thug” after he was shot by a Cleveland cop in 2014 — claimed he was a white Hispanic man when he first applied to the Miami Police Department, records cited by the Miami New Times show.
The officer later claimed on paperwork in 2014 and 2017 that he was a black man, the New Times reports, citing records obtained by the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association.
Ortiz, for his part, insisted Friday that the controversy wasn’t “news,” he wrote on Twitter.
“People love making stereotypes,” he wrote. “It’s actually refreshing to be who you are, like an American.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Gwyneth Paltrow reveals inspiration behind viral Goop vagina candle

Stars step out in style for the SAG Awards

Gwyneth Paltrow‘s viral vagina candle started as a joke.
The Goop founder, 47, explained the inspiration behind her $75 “This Smells Like My Vagina” votive during an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” on Wednesday — and joked that she was on mushrooms when she came up with the name.
Paltrow said she was with Douglas Little, her personal perfumer and collaborator on Goop fragrances, when she smelled “this beautiful thing” and joked that it smelled like her nether regions.
“I was kidding, obviously,” she told Meyers. After having a laugh, the name stuck.
The sold-out candle’s “funny, gorgeous, sexy, and beautifully unexpected” scent is actually a blend of geranium, citrusy bergamot, cedar, Damask rose and ambrette seed, according to the website.
Paltrow’s husband, producer Brad Falchuk, has yet to weigh in on what he thinks of the name or the aroma.
“I think women, a lot of us have grown up feeling certain degrees of shame around our body or whatever,” the star added, calling the choice of name “a little punk rock.”
“So this is just a little bit of, you know, a subversive candle for all of us out there.”
Though the candle did light up social media and create major buzz, not everyone was a fan; Martha Stewart, who has a long-running feud with Paltrow, said she “wouldn’t buy” the product.
“I’m sure it sold out,” Stewart, 78, said during an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” adding that it’s “horny guys” who are buying the item. “She does that kind of irritating … she’s trying to zhush up the public to listen to her. And that’s great, I mean, let her do her thing.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Al Gore praises Greta Thunberg after her Davos remarks

Former Vice President Al Gore heaped praise on teen climate activist Greta Thunberg following her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , where she slammed world leaders for their inaction on climate change .
“ Great to see @ GretaThunberg at # WEF20 today .
Once again , I was struck by her potent and sobering call to action .
Nobody speaks truth to power as she does , ” Gore tweeted Wednesday , sharing a picture of him with Thunberg .
17-year-old Thunberg accused world leaders of “ cheating and fiddling around with numbers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net-zero , ” or emitting no more carbon than is absorbed by the planet by 2050 .
“ My generation will not give up without a fight , ” she said in her Tuesday afternoon speech .
Thunberg insisted that her message was based on scientific facts , not irrational fears , after being accused of fear-mongering .
Gore ’ s comments come a day after President Trump dismissed Thunberg ’ s claims and took a jab at climate “ alarmists ” and “ their predictions of the apocalypse.
” Trump added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment ” and announced that the US would be joining the “ One Trillion Trees ” initiative .
“ We ’ re committed to conserving the majesty of God ’ s creation and the natural beauty of our world , ” the commander in chief told attendees .

Former Vice President Al Gore heaped praise on teen climate activist Greta Thunberg following her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where she slammed world leaders for their inaction on climate change.
“Great to see @GretaThunberg at #WEF20 today. Once again, I was struck by her potent and sobering call to action. Nobody speaks truth to power as she does,” Gore tweeted Wednesday, sharing a picture of him with Thunberg.
The 17-year-old Thunberg accused world leaders of “cheating and fiddling around with numbers” with talk of cutting emissions to “net-zero,” or emitting no more carbon than is absorbed by the planet, by 2050.
“My generation will not give up without a fight,” she said in her Tuesday afternoon speech.
Thunberg insisted that her message was based on scientific facts, not irrational fears, after being accused of fear-mongering.
Gore’s comments come a day after President Trump dismissed Thunberg’s claims and took a jab at climate “alarmists” and “their predictions of the apocalypse.”
Trump added that he was a “big believer in the environment” and announced that the US would be joining the “One Trillion Trees” initiative.
“We’re committed to conserving the majesty of God’s creation and the natural beauty of our world,” the commander-in-chief told attendees.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Harvey Weinstein practically dragged into court

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Harvey Weinstein was practically dragged @ @ @ @ @ day two of his rape trial .
The disgraced filmmaker was held up by either @ @ @ @ @ attorneys as he gingerly limped down the hallway to the courtroom .
In December , @ @ @ @ @ remove three bone plates compressing his vertebrae — injuries stemming from an August car accident @ @ @ @ @ ’ s used a walker with tennis balls for feet to get to and from @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday he debuted a new walker with four wheels .

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Harvey Weinstein was practically dragged into Manhattan court Thursday for day two of his rape trial.
The disgraced filmmaker was held up by either arm by two of his friends as he gingerly limped down the hallway to the courtroom.
In December, Weinstein underwent spinal surgery to remove three bone plates compressing his vertebrae — injuries stemming from an August car accident.
Since then, he’s used a walker with tennis balls for feet to get to and from Manhattan Supreme Court — though on Thursday he debuted a new walker with four wheels.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--How much time Americans waste driving to and from work

The average commuter spends over five full days just driving to and from work every year , according to new research .
The poll of 2,000 employed Americans who commute to work via car found in a typical year , the average commuter will spend 580 minutes going back and forth from work and their home in a single month .
In fact , because of their commute , a third of Americans are stressed out before they even get to work .
The study , conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Batteries Plus Bulbs , explored the driving dilemmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work and discovered 27 percent often complain about their commuting woes .
Seventy-six percent feel guilty whenever they show up to the office even slightly past their intended start time .
That might be due in part to a quarter ( 25 % ) of those polled not thinking commuting issues are valid excuses to be late to the office .
Over a quarter ( 26 % ) say their bosses aren ’ t very sympathetic about them showing up late to work because of car issues .
According to the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you arrive six minutes past your start time .
But 48 % of those polled consider themselves late if they arrive any time after their start time .
In addition to looking at tardiness , the survey also unveiled the biggest dilemmas commuters face every morning .
The top reason Americans are heading to their offices late is a result of traffic — with 76 % saying that being stuck in traffic is their biggest commuter dilemma .
Other issues commuters face when making it to the office on time include a flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car battery ( 54 % ) , car emergency ( 27 % ) and losing their car keys ( 25 % ) .
“ Few things are more stressful on a busy morning than misplaced or lost keys , ” said Matt Galewski , director of marketing for Batteries Plus Bulbs .
“ We cut keys and replace and program key fobs in our stores , often in as little as 30 minutes and at an average of 50 percent less than what dealerships charge.
” All these commuting issues have caused 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transport beyond their car .
From less stress ( 38 % ) and more relaxation ( 33 % ) to trying to avoid getting a flat tire ( 33 % ) or having a dead car battery ( 32 % ) , Americans who commute to work by car are looking for other options .
Over one in three are dissatisfied with their car and would feel a wave of relief if they felt they could rely on it more .
And in order to stop complaining about their commutes all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extra $ 17,076.59 in addition to their current salary .
“ Feeling more confident during a commute is essential , ” said Matt Galewski , director of marketing for Batteries Plus Bulbs .
“ Those who have vehicle batteries older than two years can take advantage of our free battery tests on an annual basis to help avoid the danger of battery failure .
”

The average commuter spends over five full days just driving to and from work every year, according to new research.
The poll of 2,000 employed Americans who commute to work via car found in a typical year, the average commuter will spend 580 minutes going back and forth from work and their home in a single month.
In fact, because of their commute, a third of Americans are stressed out before they even get to work.
The study, conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Batteries Plus Bulbs, explored the driving dilemmas and disturbances associated with the average commute to work and discovered 27 percent often complain about their commuting woes.
Seventy-six percent feel guilty whenever they show up to the office even slightly past their intended start time.
That might be due in part to a quarter (25%) of those polled not thinking commuting issues are valid excuses to be late to the office.
Over a quarter (26%) say their bosses aren’t very sympathetic about them showing up late to work because of car issues.
According to the study you are officially “late” when you arrive six minutes past your start time.
But 48% of those polled consider themselves late if they arrive any time after their start time.
In addition to looking at tardiness, the survey also unveiled the biggest dilemmas commuters face every morning.
The top reason Americans are heading to their offices late is a result of traffic — with 76% saying that being stuck in traffic is their biggest commuter dilemma.
Other issues commuters face when making it to the office on time include a flat tire (54%), dead car battery (54%), car emergency (27%) and losing their car keys (25%).
“Few things are more stressful on a busy morning than misplaced or lost keys,” said Matt Galewski, director of marketing for Batteries Plus Bulbs.
“We cut keys and replace and program key fobs in our stores, often in as little as 30 minutes and at an average of 50 percent less than what dealerships charge.”
All these commuting issues have caused 22% of those studied to consider methods of transport beyond their car.
From less stress (38%) and more relaxation (33%) to trying to avoid getting a flat tire (33%) or having a dead car battery (32%), Americans who commute to work by car are looking for other options.
Over one in three are dissatisfied with their car and would feel a wave of relief if they felt they could rely on it more.
And in order to stop complaining about their commutes all the time, Americans would need to earn an extra $17,076.59 in addition to their current salary.
“Feeling more confident during a commute is essential,” said Matt Galewski, director of marketing for Batteries Plus Bulbs.
“Those who have vehicle batteries older than two years can take advantage of our free battery tests on an annual basis to help avoid the danger of battery failure.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Fotis Dulos removed items from missing wife’s memorial: prosecutor

The estranged husband of missing Connecticut mom Jennifer Dulos who has been charged with her murder “ violated ” the terms of his release when he removed items from a memorial set up for her , a state prosecutor alleges .
The state ’ s attorney for the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District , Richard Colangelo Jr. , made the claims in a court motion filed Wednesday in which he asks a judge to modify Fotis Dulos ’ conditions of release .
Colangelo says in the court document that on Jan. 17 , Fotis , 54 , left his home and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopping ” on a street in Farmington , CT , exiting his vehicle and removing “ items from a memorial that was set up ” for the mother of five .
“ This is in violation of the term of his release , ” the document states .
It is not clear what Fotis exactly took from the makeshift memorial at the end of Jefferson Crossing .
Fotis was charged earlier this month with murder , felony murder and kidnapping in the May 24 disappearance of his 50-year-old wife – after being previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was released on $ 6 million bond and placed under house arrest at his arraignment this month .
He is allowed to leave his home for certain approved reasons .
“ He got out of his car on the way home ?
Seriously ?
” Pattis told the Hartford Courant .
“ We need to get this trial on as quickly as possible to put an end to this nonsense.
” His ex-girlfriend , Michelle Troconis , and his former civil lawyer , Kent Mawhinney , were also arrested earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The estranged husband of missing Connecticut mom Jennifer Dulos who has been charged with her murder “violated” the terms of his release when he removed items from a memorial set up for her, a state prosecutor alleges.
The state’s attorney for the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District, Richard Colangelo Jr., made the claims in a court motion filed Wednesday in which he asks a judge to modify Fotis Dulos’ conditions of release.
Colangelo says in the court document that on Jan. 17, Fotis, 54, left his home and “on the way back he was observed stopping” on a street in Farmington, exiting his vehicle and removing “items from a memorial that was set up” for the mother of five.
“This is in violation of the term of his release,” the document states.
It is not clear what exactly Fotis took from the makeshift memorial at the end of Jefferson Crossing.
Fotis was charged earlier this month with murder, felony murder and kidnapping in the May 24 disappearance of his 50-year-old wife — after being previously charged with tampering and hindering prosecution.
He was released on $6 million bond and placed under house arrest at his arraignment this month. He is allowed to leave his home for certain approved reasons.
Fotis’ attorney, Norm Pattis, dismissed the motion as silly.
“He got out of his car on the way home? Seriously?” Pattis told the Hartford Courant. “We need to get this trial on as quickly as possible to put an end to this nonsense.”
Fotis is due back in Stamford Superior Court on Thursday.
His ex-girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, and his former civil lawyer, Kent Mawhinney, were also arrested earlier this month and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Perv sexually assaulted Oregon mom, 5-year-old daughter in hour-long home invasion

A man barged into an Oregon woman ’ s home and sexually assaulted her and her 5-year-old daughter — who courageously tried to fight back , the still-shaken mom said this week .
Taliya Waliser , 26 , of Wood Village , told FOX 12 that she was nursing her 6-month-old son early Sunday morning when she spotted a dark , shadowy figure in her doorway .
“ I was like ‘ Who are you ?
’ and then the light turns on , ” Waliser recalled .
“ And , I just realize that there is a strange man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to his ankles .
And I just remember grabbing my son and scooting up all the way to my headboard.
” Then , the man — later identified as 24-year-old Alfredo Guzman-Padilla — suffocated , strangled and sexually assaulted her in a sick hour-long attack , she said .
“ I remember kicking and kicking and kicking .
And I remember punching him in the side of the head , ” Waliser said .
“ And he just was smiling and laughing the whole time.
” Her 5-year-old daughter ’ s quick-thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ My daughter comes into my room and starts attacking him , kicking him , scratching him – doing whatever she can , ” Waliser said .
That momentary distraction allowed the young mom to grab her phone and quickly call 911 , but her attacker flung it across the room , she said .
“ I was just thinking… ‘ so this is it , ’ ” Walliser told the station .
“ I couldn ’ t breathe .
I just remember wanting air .
I kept looking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my son just screaming .
I couldn ’ t do anything about it.
” Padilla also choked and sexually assaulted Waliser ’ s daughter , she said .
“ I kept telling him , ‘ Focus on me , ' ” she told KGW 8 .
“ Don ’ t focus on my kids , don ’ t hurt them.
” Waliser checked her phone and found that her 911 call had actually gone through .
She gave the dispatcher a description of her attacker — who authorities found naked at another apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
Padilla — who now faces more than two dozen charges — was arrested twice last year for public indecency , according to KGW 8 .
“ I feel like the system failed , ” Waliser told the station .
“ I want to see him gone for life .
I don ’ t want him to get out and think it ’ s okay to do this to somebody else .
”

A man barged into an Oregon woman’s home and sexually assaulted her and her 5-year-old daughter — who courageously tried to fight back, the still-shaken mom said this week.
Taliya Waliser, 26, of Wood Village, told FOX 12 that she was nursing her 6-month-old son early Sunday when she spotted a dark, shadowy figure in her doorway.
“I was like, ‘Who are you?’ and then the light turns on,” Waliser recalled. “And, I just realize that there is a strange man in my house. His pants were down to his ankles. And I just remember grabbing my son and scooting up all the way to my headboard.”
Then the man — later identified as 24-year-old Alfredo Guzman-Padilla — smothered, choked and sexually assaulted her in a sick, hour-long attack, she said.
“I remember kicking and kicking and kicking. And I remember punching him in the side of the head,” Waliser said. “And he just was smiling and laughing the whole time.”
Her 5-year-old daughter’s quick-thinking actions may have saved the day, she said.
“My daughter comes into my room and starts attacking him, kicking him, scratching him — doing whatever she can,” Waliser said.
That momentary distraction allowed the young mom to grab her phone and quickly call 911, but her attacker flung it across the room, she said.
“I was just thinking … ‘So this is it,’” Walliser told the station. “I couldn’t breathe. I just remember wanting air. I kept looking in the corner of my eye, seeing my son just screaming. I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Padilla also choked and sexually assaulted Waliser’s daughter, she said.
“I kept telling him, ‘Focus on me,'” she told KGW 8. “‘Don’t focus on my kids, don’t hurt them.'”
Eventually, Padilla “casually and slowly” left the home, Waliser told FOX 12.
Waliser checked her phone and found that her 911 call had actually gone through. She gave the dispatcher a description of her attacker — whom authorities found naked at another apartment complex three hours later, according to the report.
Padilla — who now faces more than two dozen charges — was arrested twice last year for public indecency, according to KGW 8.
“I feel like the system failed,” Waliser told the station. “I want to see him gone for life. I don’t want him to get out and think it’s okay to do this to somebody else.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Vanessa Hudgens catches Lakers game after Kyle Kuzma dinner date

Michelle Carter -- the Massachusetts woman convicted of pushing her ...

Perhaps Vanessa Hudgens is the Lakers’ good luck charm.
One day after dining with Kyle Kuzma at Lilia in Brooklyn, the “Bad Boys for Life” actress, 31, caught the Lakers’ 100-92 win over the Knicks on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Hudgens — who recently split from longtime boyfriend Austin Butler after nearly nine years of dating — enjoyed the game with pal Eamon O’Rourke, who also appeared in a few of her selfies.
“I mean we did our best to take a good pic. Lol @eamonorourke @lakers,” LA fan Hudgens posted to Instagram.
Reps for Hudgens did not return The Post’s request for comment Wednesday following her outing with the 24-year-old Kuzma.
It remains to be seen if she’ll make the trip to Brooklyn on Thursday, when the Lakers take on the Nets.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Michelle Carter, convicted of pushing boyfriend Conrad Roy to kill himself, released from jail

Michelle Carter — the Massachusetts woman convicted of pushing her boyfriend Conrad Roy II to kill himself — was released @ @ @ @ @ serving less than a year behind bars .
Carter , 23 , was sprung three @ @ @ @ @ House of Correction in Dartmouth on account of good behavior , Boston 25 News reported @ @ @ @ @ , who was 17 at the time , had encouraged Roy , then 18 , @ @ @ @ @ series of text messages .
He died after filling the inside of his pickup truck @ @ @ @ @ argued that Roy was having second thoughts , but Carter texted him to “ get @ @ @ @ @ convicted in 2017 of involuntary manslaughter and ordered to serve 15 months in prison .

Michelle Carter — the Massachusetts woman convicted of pushing her boyfriend, Conrad Roy II, to kill himself — was released early from jail Thursday after serving less than a year behind bars.
Carter, 23, was sprung three months early from the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth on account of good behavior, Boston 25 News reported.
In 2014, Carter, who was 17 at the time, had encouraged Roy, then 18, to commit suicide through a series of text messages. He died after filling the inside of his pickup truck with poisonous fumes.
Prosecutors argued that Roy was having second thoughts, but Carter texted him to “get back in.”
She was convicted in 2017 of involuntary manslaughter and ordered to serve 15 months in prison.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Meteor crater discovered in Australia is world’s oldest

When we gaze out into our solar system and observe its several planets and many moons , one thing tends to be true of just about all of them : They have lots and lots of impact craters .
Each of those scars on a planet or moon ’ s surface tells a story and while Earth ’ s weather and plentiful water ensure that most impact craters are erased or obscured from view , there are still a number of them that researchers have been able to sniff out .
As NASA reveals in a new post on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oldest crater on Earth has been bested by a new discovery in Australia .
Called the Yarrabubba meteor crater , it ’ s estimated to be a whopping 2.229 billion years old .
Finding an ancient meteor crater on Earth is hard enough , but attempting to pin a date on its creation is often much more difficult .
If the layer of melted rock created by the impact remains intact , scientists can use that to estimate its age , but with craters as old as Yarrabubba , that material has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers are forced to search for rocks that appear to have been affected by the impact , which means hunting for certain minerals and aging the crater based on many individual data points .
In doing so , researchers from the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science division were able to narrow the age of the crater down to roughly 2.229 billion years .
“ Scientists wonder how meteor impacts might relate to the formation of the continents .
We also would like to know when the frequency of meteor impacts declined to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Timmons Erickson , lead author on a paper about the crater , said in a statement .
“ These are all big questions in the field of science.
” If that age is accurate — and we have no reason to believe it ’ s not — that makes the crater around 200 million years older than the next oldest known crater on our planet ’ s surface .

When we gaze out into our solar system and observe its several planets and many moons, one thing tends to be true of just about all of them: They have lots and lots of impact craters. Each of those scars on a planet or moon’s surface tells a story and while Earth’s weather and plentiful water ensure that most impact craters are erased or obscured from view, there are still a number of them that researchers have been able to sniff out.
As NASA reveals in a new post on its website, the previous record holder for the oldest crater on Earth has been bested by a new discovery in Australia. Called the Yarrabubba meteor crater, it’s estimated to be a whopping 2.229 billion years old.
Finding an ancient meteor crater on Earth is hard enough, but attempting to pin a date on its creation is often much more difficult. If the layer of melted rock created by the impact remains intact, scientists can use that to estimate its age, but with craters as old as Yarrabubba, that material has long since eroded away.
Instead, researchers are forced to search for rocks that appear to have been affected by the impact, which means hunting for certain minerals and aging the crater based on many individual data points. In doing so, researchers from the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science division were able to narrow the age of the crater down to roughly 2.229 billion years.
“Scientists wonder how meteor impacts might relate to the formation of the continents. We also would like to know when the frequency of meteor impacts declined to the point where life could emerge and thrive,” Timmons Erickson, lead author on a paper about the crater, said in a statement. “These are all big questions in the field of science.”
If that age is accurate — and we have no reason to believe it’s not — that makes the crater around 200 million years older than the next oldest known crater on our planet’s surface.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Sweden: Fake officer didn’t spy at NATO or harm security

COPENHAGEN , Denmark — A man who duped the Swedish military for 18 years by using forged credentials and who even worked at NATO headquarters and was a contact for Russia ’ s security services did not divulge any secret information that could harm Sweden ’ s security , the country ’ s top military commander said Thursday .
The Swedish man , who was not named , was detected as a fraud last year .
“ There is nothing that indicates that classified information has been disseminated , ” Gen. Micael Byden , the head of Sweden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sweden ’ s news agency TT .
Byden on Thursday informed the Swedish Parliament ’ s Defense Committee of an internal investigation into the case that has rocked the country .
Sweden is not a member of NATO but has moved closer to the military alliance in recent years .
Details of the probe have not been made public .
The fake officer was exposed after having joined Sweden ’ s UN peacekeeping force in Mali as Chief of Staff with the rank of major .
According to Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , the man used forged certificates falsely showing that he had passed the Swedish Army Forces ’ officer training program and also falsely claiming to have a university degree in politics .
The man had worked with the Swedish army ’ s intelligence and security service , the daily reported , adding he also had been a contact person for Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , the main KGB successor agency .
At NATO ’ s military headquarters , or SHAPE , in Belgium , the fake officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network , where nations shared intelligence , surveillance and reconnaissance information .
The military chief told TT that “ at least once , an employment decision has been made on unclear grounds.
” There was no immediate comment from NATO on the man .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A man who duped the Swedish military for 18 years by using forged credentials and who even worked at NATO headquarters and was a contact for Russia’s security services did not divulge any secret information that could harm Sweden’s security, the country’s top military commander said Thursday.
The Swedish man, who was not named, was detected as a fraud last year.
“There is nothing that indicates that classified information has been disseminated,” Gen. Micael Byden, the head of Sweden’s Armed Forces, told reporters, according to Sweden’s news agency TT.
Byden on Thursday informed the Swedish Parliament’s Defense Committee of an internal investigation into the case that has rocked the country. Sweden is not a member of NATO but has moved closer to the military alliance in recent years. Details of the probe have not been made public.
The fake officer was exposed after having joined Sweden’s UN peacekeeping force in Mali as Chief of Staff with the rank of major.
According to Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, which uncovered the story earlier this month, the man used forged certificates falsely showing that he had passed the Swedish Army Forces’ officer training program and also falsely claiming to have a university degree in politics.
The man had worked with the Swedish army’s intelligence and security service, the daily reported, adding he also had been a contact person for Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the main KGB successor agency. At NATO’s military headquarters, or SHAPE, in Belgium, the fake officer worked on the now defunct Afghanistan Mission Network, where nations shared intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information.
The military chief told TT that “at least once, an employment decision has been made on unclear grounds.”
There was no immediate comment from NATO on the man.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Ellen Barkin goes full diva at Harvey Weinstein trial

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 ) Ellen Barkin ’ s diva behavior was on full display Thursday as she tried to weasel her way into the courtroom for Harvey Weinstein ’ s rape trial in Manhattan .
The “ Switch ” star was overheard complaining to court officers that she wasn ’ t allowed to enter the courtroom ahead of members of the press — then tried to nab a seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t tell me what to do .
I ’ m not your mother , ” she snapped at a reporter who reassured the actress that she ’ d get inside .
Like dozens of others , Barkin , 65 , was forced to wait on a lengthy line in order to get into the courtroom at Manhattan Supreme Court for the second day of Weinstein ’ s trial .
She was then ordered to sit in the back row of the courtroom — with other members of the public .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At one point , the scowling star flipped off a photographer in the hallway of the courthouse .
Earlier in the morning , Barkin had tweeted her support for “ The Sopranos ” actress Annabella Sciorra , one of three women Weinstein is charged with sexually assaulting .
Sciorra , who claims Weinstein raped her in 1993 or 1994 , is expected to testify against the disgraced movie mogul .
“ All my power All my heart All my strength I give to you dear friend and warrior… # AnnabellaSciorra I love you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # MeTooTooManyTimes , ” Barkin wrote .
Barkin previously accused Weinstein of verbal abuse , saying he called her a “ c–t ” and “ c–t ” bitch ” while filming “ Into the West , ” which he produced .
“ The repercussions are real , ” the Emmy and Tony winner told Ronan Farrow in 2017 .
“ I was terrified Harvey was going to make it impossible to go back to work , with those tentacles of his .
”

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Ellen Barkin’s diva behavior was on full display Thursday as she tried to weasel her way into the courtroom for Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial in Manhattan.
The “Switch” star was overheard complaining to court officers that she wasn’t allowed to enter the courtroom ahead of members of the press — then tried to nab a seat in the first row.
“Don’t tell me what to do. I’m not your mother,” she snapped at a reporter who reassured the actress that she’d get inside.
Like dozens of others, Barkin, 65, was forced to wait on a lengthy line in order to get into the courtroom at Manhattan Supreme Court for the second day of Weinstein’s trial.
She was then ordered to sit in the back row of the courtroom — with other members of the public. The first two rows are reserved for prosecutors.
At one point, the scowling star flipped off a photographer in the hallway of the courthouse.
Earlier in the morning, Barkin had tweeted her support for “The Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra, one of three women Weinstein is charged with sexually assaulting.
Sciorra, who claims Weinstein raped her in 1993 or 1994, is expected to testify against the disgraced movie mogul.
“All my power All my heart All my strength I give to you dear friend and warrior…#AnnabellaSciorra I love you. ‘The truth will out’ #MeTooTooManyTimes,” Barkin wrote.
Barkin previously accused Weinstein of verbal abuse, saying he called her a “c–t” and “c–t bitch” while filming “Into the West,” which he produced.
“The repercussions are real,” the Emmy and Tony winner told Ronan Farrow in 2017. “I was terrified Harvey was going to make it impossible to go back to work, with those tentacles of his.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Olivia Culpo defends BFF Cara Santana amid Jesse Metcalfe breakup: ‘Don’t cheat’

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 ) The Sports Illustrated model posted a series of memes on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday that appeared to be directed at her pal Cara Santana ’ s now-ex-fiancé Jesse Metcalfe .
After news of the breakup surfaced , Culpo , 27 , posted a photo of a young Macaulay Culkin holding a gun in “ Home Alone ” with the caption , “ When someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tagged Santana .
She also posted a screenshot from the movie “ Mean Girls ” with the quote , “ Don ’ t cheat … nobody likes a cheater.
” Metcalfe ’ s rep didn ’ t respond to Page Six ’ s request for comment on Wednesday .
News broke that Metcalfe , 41 , and his fiancée were broken up after photos of the “ John Tucker Must Die ” star looking close recently with two other women — actress Jade Albany and model Livia Pullman — surfaced online .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago , but a separate source close to Santana told the outlet they didn ’ t break up until Wednesday — after the incriminating photos were released .
“ She was wearing her ring yesterday , ” the source said .
“ She had no idea things weren ’ t fine until she saw the photos online today .
I promise they never broke up until today.
” Stephanie Shepherd — another one of Santana ’ s BFFs — also seemingly blasted Metcalfe on OK Magazine ’ s Instagram .
When a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago ” under a post about the split , Kim Kardashian ’ s former assistant commented , “ No they didn ’ t. ” Culpo and Santana have been very close for more than five years , and often went on double dates with Metcalfe and Culpo ’ s ex , NFL star Danny Amendola .
The Detroit Lions wide receiver was spotted getting close to another woman on the beach while he was still dating Culpo , and the pair ultimately split for good in Spring 2019 .

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Olivia Culpo has her BFF’s back.
The Sports Illustrated model posted a series of memes on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday that appeared to be directed at her pal Cara Santana’s now-ex-fiancé Jesse Metcalfe.
After news of the breakup surfaced, Culpo, 27, posted a photo of a young Macaulay Culkin holding a gun in “Home Alone” with the caption, “When someone upsets my best friend,” and tagged Santana.
She also posted a screenshot from the movie “Mean Girls” with the quote, “Don’t cheat … nobody likes a cheater.”
Metcalfe’s rep didn’t respond to Page Six’s request for comment on Wednesday.
News broke that Metcalfe, 41, and his fiancée were broken up after photos of the “John Tucker Must Die” star looking close recently with two other women — actress Jade Albany and model Livia Pullman — surfaced online.
A source told People the couple split three weeks ago, but a separate source close to Santana told the outlet they didn’t break up until Wednesday — after the incriminating photos were released.
“She was wearing her ring yesterday,” the source said. “She had no idea things weren’t fine until she saw the photos online today. I promise they never broke up until today.”
Stephanie Shepherd — another one of Santana’s BFFs — also seemingly blasted Metcalfe on OK Magazine’s Instagram.
When a fan wrote “They broke up weeks ago” under a post about the split, Kim Kardashian’s former assistant commented, “No they didn’t.”
Culpo and Santana have been very close for more than five years, and often went on double dates with Metcalfe and Culpo’s ex, NFL star Danny Amendola.
The Detroit Lions wide receiver was spotted getting close to another woman on the beach while he was still dating Culpo, and the pair ultimately split for good in Spring 2019.
Culpo is now dating Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Adorable 3-year-old leads class in touching lunchtime prayer

A 3-year-old boy from St. Louis is blessing social media with a touching prayer .
Just before sitting down to lunch on Jan. 7 , Makhi Martin stood in front of his classmates , bowed his head and recited a stirring invocation as his teacher and other students repeated the prayer after him .
His mother , Ranisha Martin , was at the Christian preschool that day to share cupcakes with Makhi ’ s class on his 3rd birthday .
She was also lucky enough to be there to capture the adorable speech on video , and shared it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 3 million views .
“ You getting so big now and you making me so proud 💕 , ” Martin posted .
“ I really do adore this kid !
It don ’ t get no better than this 🥰 # MakhiTakes3 🦕✈🤞🏽🥳 # Transformation.
” Martin told The Post she and her husband Darnell are proud of how their son memorized the lengthy prayer , saying “ he leads us at home.
” Her little boy asked his higher power to bless the cupcakes — and his classmates .
“ Father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food , ” Makhi can be heard saying in the clip as his teacher repeats his words .
“ We ask you to bless it .
Make it nourishment to our body .
Bless all the boys and girls all over the world.
” Martin told Good Morning America she was “ very shocked ” when she heard her son pray so confidently in front of his schoolmates — and she thinks people on social media are “ touched to see a little kid praying.
” “ He ’ s very smart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He ’ s obsessed with dinosaurs .
He can name all the dinosaurs and something special about them .
He can tell you his birthday , his mom and dad ’ s names , where he lives … he can tell you everything.
” The precocious young pastor is also excited to become a big brother in July .

A 3-year-old boy from St. Louis is blessing social media with a touching prayer.
Just before sitting down to lunch on Jan. 7, Makhi Martin stood in front of his classmates, bowed his head and recited a stirring invocation as his teacher and other students repeated the prayer after him.
His mother, Ranisha Martin, was at the Christian preschool that day to share cupcakes with Makhi’s class on his 3rd birthday. She was also lucky enough to be there to capture the adorable speech on video, and shared it to Facebook in a post that now has nearly 3 million views.
“You getting so big now and you making me so proud 💕,” Martin posted. “I really do adore this kid ! It don’t get no better than this 🥰 #MakhiTakes3 🦕✈🤞🏽🥳 #Transformation.”
Martin told The Post she and her husband Darnell are proud of how their son memorized the lengthy prayer, saying “he leads us at home.”
Her little boy asked his higher power to bless the cupcakes — and his classmates.
“Father God, we thank you for this food,” Makhi can be heard saying in the clip as his teacher repeats his words. “We ask you to bless it. Make it nourishment to our body. Bless all the boys and girls all over the world.”
Martin told Good Morning America she was “very shocked” when she heard her son pray so confidently in front of his schoolmates — and she thinks people on social media are “touched to see a little kid praying.”
“He’s very smart,” Ranisha also told the morning show. “He’s obsessed with dinosaurs. He can name all the dinosaurs and something special about them. He can tell you his birthday, his mom and dad’s names, where he lives … he can tell you everything.”
The precocious young pastor is also excited to become a big brother in July.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Mark Jackson, ESPN catch heat for Zion Williamson ‘fat-shaming’ in NBA debut

NEW ORLEANS — So much for a steep learning curve ... .

So much for body positivity.
Zion Williamson made his much-hyped NBA debut for the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs after undergoing meniscus surgery in October. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound forward sat down four minutes into the game, and ESPN immediately began to focus on the 19-year-old’s weight.
The network flashed a graphic when the camera panned to Williamson on the sideline that read, “Weight: 285 lbs (3rd-heaviest player in NBA this season).”
Williamson’s weight has been scrutinized since he starred at Duke last year. Some have questioned whether his size was partly to blame for the meniscus injury that cost him the first half of his rookie season and if it could hinder the rest of his NBA career.
Analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy did not take long to go there. The duo said it was clear that Williamson looked heavier than the last time they had seen him and that he needed to trim down after the 44-game absence to start his NBA career. They continued that they could not believe he had gained eight pounds of muscle in a week after resuming working out and questioned whether 285 pounds was even accurate.
Jackson said he would have taken Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick who is starring for the Grizzlies, over Williamson.
Incensed fans immediately took note of the announcers’ focus and erupted on Twitter.
“Shame on you @espn @ESPNNBA for body shaming Zion on his debut!! Of all the statistics you choose to talk about his weight … SAD!!! @Zionwilliamson #nba,” wrote @realcabocorso.
“OH MY GOD THEY ARE FAT SHAMING ZION ON ESPN,” said @BrandonWagemann.
“Can we take outrage at Mark Jackson for fat shaming just so ESPN takes him off the air,” wrote @Mikearooonie.
“Should’ve let Doris [Burke] do play-by-play for this game. Mark Jackson and [Jeff Van Gundy] gonna spend the next 3 quarters body-shaming Zion,” wrote @murrminks.
The Ringer’s NBA Twitter account skewered Jackson: “Zion if you see this, don’t listen to Mark Jackson. We think you look just terrific. #BodyPositivity.”
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie tweeted, “It would be great if announcers didn’t feel the need to call Zion fat 3 minutes into his career. Would make for a much better product, imo.”
After a slow start, the rookie forward finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes. He exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 straight points for the Pelicans in one stretch. Fans cheered, “We want Zion!” after he sat out following that run as New Orleans is taking a cautious approach to the Duke star’s return.
“No, he couldn’t go back in the game,” New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said afterward. “The medical people said that was it.”
The Spurs defeated the Pelicans 121-117.
“Just the energy the crowd brought, the energy the city brought, it was electric, and I’m just grateful that they did that,” Williamson said after the game. “It was a dream come true to finally get out there; but at the end of the day, I did want to win, so just got to look to next game.”
The Pelicans (17-28) take on the Nuggets (30-14) on Friday night in New Orleans.


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Mattress Mack needs to own this losing bet

Want even more betting news ?
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Listen Live to VSiN 's sports betting shows Want even more betting news ?
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Listen Live to VSiN 's sports betting shows You may have heard that Houston furniture magnate Jim McIngvale lost $ 1 million last week on the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game at +300 on the money line .
After the World Series , VSiN warned you not to use “ results-based ” analysis when evaluating bets or selections .
Sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly double down on 11 in blackjack , you still might draw a lousy card ) .
Sometimes dumb bets win ( betting on any number in roulette is dumb mathematically , occasionally your lucky number does comes up ) .
Did a bet make sense before a game was played ?
That ’ s the key question .
Mattress Mack made a few bets on the Astros where he wasn ’ t getting value .
But , you have to admit that taking Tennessee +300 when most stores were only offering +260 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting the best of it at that price ?
Not really .
He was splitting the difference with sportsbooks .
Essentially , the spots taking his action were risking $ 3 million to win $ 1 million on a -320 or -330 favorite .
Neither side was taking the worst of it .
It was essentially a rich “ gentlemen ’ s ” bet with no vigorish .
So , if we leave it there , we could call it a smart bet .
McIngvale improved his potential return by negotiating .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasoning afterward .
Mack told The Action Network “ I got tricked into thinking Derrick Henry was invincible.
” Well , if he risked $ 1 million because he thought Derrick Henry was invincible , that ’ s a dumb bet .
While Henry is terrific , Tennessee led New England only 14-13 until a last second pick-six .
Then , the Titans were outgained 530-300 by Baltimore in a turnover-keyed upset .
There wasn ’ t any evidence that Henry could drive a road upset against team superior to New England all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tilt , he was leading a team playing its fourth straight road game against a relatively rested host .
And , note that Mack said “ tricked into thinking , ” which implies he was swayed by media hype .
He didn ’ t say “ I was so impressed with Henry I had to bet him.
” He essentially blamed others for misleading him .
Two important lessons from this big loss for bettors : • Don ’ t assume that big bets you read or hear about mean anything .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really big .
Many have banned them entirely .
If you ’ re hearing about a monster bet , it ’ s probably coming from a square .
This will become a bigger issue if more business owners seek free publicity in this fashion .
• Don ’ t let announcer or pundit hype “ trick ” you into betting .
TV networks are corporate partners of sports leagues , they ’ re prone to exaggerate the impact of marquee players for marketing purposes .
And , a piece of advice rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man up and blame yourself !

Want even more betting news? Sign up for VSiN's free daily newsletter. Listen Live to VSiN's sports betting shows.
Did Mattress Mack bet smart this time?
You may have heard that Houston furniture magnate Jim McIngvale lost $1 million last week on the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game at +300 on the money line.
After the World Series, VSiN warned you not to use “results-based” analysis when evaluating bets or selections. Sometimes smart bets lose anyway (if you properly double down on 11 in blackjack, you still might draw a lousy card). Sometimes dumb bets win (betting on any number in roulette is dumb mathematically, occasionally your lucky number does comes up). Did a bet make sense before a game was played? That’s the key question.
Mattress Mack made a few bets on the Astros where he wasn’t getting value. But, you have to admit that taking Tennessee +300 when most stores were only offering +260 or +270 sounds smart. Was he getting the best of it at that price?
Not really. He was splitting the difference with sportsbooks. Essentially, the spots taking his action were risking $3 million to win $1 million on a -320 or -330 favorite. Neither side was taking the worst of it. It was essentially a rich “gentlemen’s” bet with no vigorish.
So, if we leave it there, we could call it a smart bet. McIngvale improved his potential return by negotiating. The problem is, Mattress Mack explained his reasoning afterward. Mack told The Action Network “I got tricked into thinking Derrick Henry was invincible.”
Well, if he risked $1 million because he thought Derrick Henry was invincible, that’s a dumb bet. While Henry is terrific, Tennessee led New England only 14-13 until a last second pick-six. Then, the Titans were outgained 530-300 by Baltimore in a turnover-keyed upset.
There wasn’t any evidence that Henry could drive a road upset against team superior to New England all by himself. In the AFC title tilt, he was leading a team playing its fourth straight road game against a relatively rested host. And, note that Mack said “tricked into thinking,” which implies he was swayed by media hype. He didn’t say “I was so impressed with Henry I had to bet him.” He essentially blamed others for misleading him.
Two important lessons from this big loss for bettors:
Don’t assume that big bets you read or hear about mean anything. Most stores don’t let sharps bet really big. Many have banned them entirely. If you’re hearing about a monster bet, it’s probably coming from a square. This will become a bigger issue if more business owners seek free publicity in this fashion.
Don’t let announcer or pundit hype “trick” you into betting. TV networks are corporate partners of sports leagues, they’re prone to exaggerate the impact of marquee players for marketing purposes.
And, a piece of advice rather than a lesson: If you lose, man up and blame yourself!


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Clinton was going to make Bloomberg secretary of state, Trump claims

Secretary of State Bloomberg ?
It ’ s not unthinkable .
A confidant of ...

Michael Bloomberg endorsed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016 because the two had a deal to make the former Big Apple mayor secretary of state once she was elected, the president said this week.
The president’s comments came during an interview with CNBC while in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, when he was asked about potential 2020 general election opponents.
“[Bloomberg] used to be a friend of mine until I ran for politics, and then — he went a little off. You should see some of the nice things he said about me before I ran. They’re like the nicest. But he had a deal with Hillary Clinton that he was going to become secretary of state. It was very simple. People know that,” Trump said Wednesday.
The commander-in-chief went on to say that Bloomberg was getting taken advantage of by Clinton’s team.
“And he — wasn’t going to happen. [The job] was going to go to Terry McAuliffe. I mean so they were playing with Michael,” he added, without saying where the information came from.
In 2016, an exchange was discovered in a trove of emails from former Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta that were hacked by the Russians and released by WikiLeaks that discussed Bloomberg playing a role in a potential Clinton administration.
The leaked emails showed a correspondence between Clinton aide Neera Tanden and Bloomberg aide Howard Wolfson in which Tanden asked him to confirm or deny reports that Bloomberg was considering entering the 2016 race. Wolfson replied that the reports were “laughable.”
Tanden then wrote back asking, “Is there something Mike Bloomberg would want to do in his life in an Admin? Is like Ambassador of China way too small.”
“Secty of state Which ain’t gonna happen,” Wolfson replied.
Tanden then forwarded the exchange to Podesta with a line reading, “Something to know for down the road.”
Bloomberg endorsed Clinton over Trump at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016 with a fiery speech in which he referred to the Republican nominee as a “con.”
“Let’s elect a sane, competent person with international experience,” Bloomberg said, adding that “There are times when I disagree with Hillary,” but the country needed to unite to “defeat a dangerous demagogue.”
In a statement to The Post, Bloomberg senior adviser Wolfson said: “When Mike was mayor he hired Trump to run a municipal golf course — but that is the only job Mike would hire Trump for.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Coronavirus outbreak: 16 people had contact with infected Washington state man

The Washington state man who was diagnosed with the deadly Wuhan coronavirus may have put over a dozen people at risk for the illness after arriving from China last week at a Seattle airport , officials said .
The unidentified patient , who is in his 30s and lives alone in Snohomish County , was determined to have close contact with 16 people during his five days back in the US before he received a diagnosis Monday for the contagious virus , public health officials said Wednesday .
The group has been contacted and is being actively monitored , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them daily to determine whether they are experiencing any symptoms of the illness , such as upper respiratory issues .
Those at risk of the contagious illness — which is transmitted between humans — would have had to be within feet of the man , officials said .
“ You essentially have to be in contact with somebody , within 6 feet , and they have to have enough contact with you so that droplets are essentially coming on to you , ” Dr. John Wiesman , the state ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to release where the man traveled after returning to the US on Jan. 15 .
He arrived on an indirect flight from Wuhan , though the route hasn ’ t been publicly disclosed .
“ If there is a location where we are concerned about potential transmission but Public Health can not contact the individuals individually ” then the department will announce that location , said Dr. Chris Spitters , who is the interim health officer for the Snohomish Health District .
The infected patient , who lives alone , began experiencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health provider on Sunday .
He was diagnosed the following day and placed in quarantine at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett .
The case marked the first to be reported in the US .
Four other countries have reported the virus , including China , Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
The mysterious illness — which emerged last month in the Chinese city of Wuhan — has killed 17 people and sickened more than 600 .

The Washington state man who was diagnosed with the deadly Wuhan coronavirus may have put over a dozen people at risk for the illness after arriving from China last week at a Seattle airport, officials said.
The unidentified patient, who is in his 30s and lives alone in Snohomish County, was determined to have had close contact with 16 people during his five days back in the US before he received a diagnosis Monday for the contagious virus, public health officials said Wednesday.
The group has been contacted and is being actively monitored, which involves the local health department reaching out to them daily to determine whether they are experiencing any symptoms of the illness, such as upper respiratory issues.
Those at risk of the contagious illness — which can be transmitted between humans — would have had to be within feet of the man, officials said.
“You essentially have to be in contact with somebody, within 6 feet, and they have to have enough contact with you so that droplets are essentially coming onto you,” said Dr. John Wiesman, the state’s health officer.
Health officials have declined to release where the man traveled after returning to the US on Jan. 15. He arrived on an indirect flight from Wuhan, though the route hasn’t been publicly disclosed.
“If there is a location where we are concerned about potential transmission but Public Health cannot contact the individuals individually,” the department will announce that location, said Dr. Chris Spitters, interim health officer for the Snohomish Health District.
The infected patient began experiencing symptoms of the virus and contacted his health provider Sunday. He was diagnosed the following day and placed in quarantine at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett.
The case marked the first to be reported in the US. Four other countries have reported the virus: China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
The mysterious illness — which emerged last month in the Chinese city of Wuhan — has killed 17 people and sickened more than 600.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-01-23--Netflix releases ‘Pandemic’ docuseries as coronavirus spreads

The deadly coronavirus crisis is unfolding just like the plot ...

Netflix quietly released a new six-episode docuseries called “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” on Tuesday — right in time for the alarming spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.
In “Pandemic,” viewers meet the “heroes on the front lines of the battle against influenza and learn about their efforts to stop the next global outbreak,” the series’ summary on Netflix reads.
“Pandemic” creates urgency for the need to prepare against epidemics by following several viruses and diseases around the globe and what’s being done to battle them — as scientists fight underfunding in research and health care, anti-vaxxers, misinformation and political red-tape, including unvaccinated migrants at the U.S. border.
Dr. Dennis Carroll, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Emerging Threats Unit director, says in the show that people should be most scared of influenza and respiratory viruses — claiming that alarmists are more concerned with Ebola, which only infected 28,600 people worldwide, than H1NI, which has killed 151,700 to 575,400 people worldwide, according to the CDC.
Dr. Syra Madad, the senior director of New York City Health & Hospitals’ Special Pathogens Program, which helps develop public health strategy to ready the Big Apple for major diseases, also makes appearances in the show.
In the show, Madad describes the extreme ease a respiratory virus could spread in New York via air travel.
“Influenza is very hard to predict. It takes one person — one host — to lead to a pandemic,” Madad said.
The episode titles serve almost as a guide for panicked viewers, telling those watching that “Pandemic Is Now,” “Seek Don’t Hide,” “Prayers Might Work” and “Don’t Stop Now.”
The show is produced by Zero Point Zero Productions, best known for making various docuseries for Anthony Bourdain and other Netflix hit docuseries “Broken” and “Rotten.”