newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Frederick Douglass statue vandalized in upstate NY park on anniversary of speech

A statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass has been toppled and destroyed in upstate New York — on the 168th anniversary of his most famous anti-slavery speech .
Rochester police said the statue of the former slave was taken on Sunday from Maplewood Park , a site along the Underground Railroad where Douglass and Harriet Tubman helped shuttle slaves to freedom .
It was found at the brink of the Genesee River gorge about 50 feet away , and the damage to the base and a left-hand finger was deemed beyond repair , officials said .
The destruction came on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July ” — one that had been widely shared recently amid ongoing Black Lives Matter protests .
In it , Douglass said that for a slave Independence Day is a day that reveals “ the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.
” “ This Fourth July is yours , not mine .
You may rejoice , I must mourn , ” he said of the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while so many were slaves .
Those who helped bring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too coincidental to not be deliberate — along with the recent spike of statues of slave owners being toppled by anti-racism protesters .
“ Is this some type of retaliation because of the national fever over confederate monuments right now ?
Very disappointing , it ’ s beyond disappointing , ” Carvin Eison , a leader of the project that brought the Douglass statue to the park , told WROC .
He also told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle , “ It ’ s particularly painful that it happened at this time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rochester the statue of Frederick Douglass has always been a face of good.
” “ They can topple over this monument , they could go topple over all of them , this monument will still stand because the ideas behind it are bigger than the monument , ” Eison told the Democrat & Chronicle .
Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland in 1838 and settled in Rochester for about 30 years .
He is buried in the city ’ s Mt .
Hope Cemetery .
More than a dozen statues of him were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toppled in Maplewood Park — in 2018 , in remembrance of his 200th birthday , the Democrat & Chronicle noted .

A statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass has been toppled and destroyed in upstate New York — on the 168th anniversary of his most famous anti-slavery speech.
Rochester police said the statue of the former slave was taken on Sunday from Maplewood Park, a site along the Underground Railroad where Douglass and Harriet Tubman helped shuttle slaves to freedom.
It was found at the brink of the Genesee River gorge about 50 feet away, and the damage to the base and a left-hand finger was deemed beyond repair, officials said.
The destruction came on the anniversary of Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” — one that had been widely shared recently amid ongoing Black Lives Matter protests.
In it, Douglass said that for a slave, Independence Day is a day that reveals “the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”
“This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn,” he said of the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while so many were slaves.
Those who helped bring the statue to Rochester felt the timing was too coincidental to not be deliberate — along with the recent spike of statues of slave owners being toppled by anti-racism protesters.
“Is this some type of retaliation because of the national fever over Confederate monuments right now? Very disappointing, it’s beyond disappointing,” Carvin Eison, a leader of the project that brought the Douglass statue to the park, told WROC.
He also told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, “It’s particularly painful that it happened at this time. It’s really sad because here in Rochester the statue of Frederick Douglass has always been a face of good.”
Eison vowed to replace the monument.
“They can topple over this monument, they could go topple over all of them, this monument will still stand because the ideas behind it are bigger than the monument,” Eison told the Democrat & Chronicle.
President Trump, who’s previously slammed the destruction of statues as “lawlessness,” blamed the most recent attack on “anarchists.”
“This shows that these anarchists have no bounds!” Trump tweeted early Monday.
Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland in 1838 and settled in Rochester for about 30 years. He is buried in the city’s Mt. Hope Cemetery.
More than a dozen statues of him were placed around Rochester — including the one toppled in Maplewood Park — in 2018, in remembrance of his 200th birthday, the Democrat & Chronicle noted.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Indian man wears $4,000 gold face mask during coronavirus pandemic

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An Indian businessman is going viral after paying $ 4,000 to have a face mask made out of the pricey precious metal .
“ It is a thin mask and has tiny pores that is helping me to breathe , ” Shankar Kurhade , 49 , of Pune , told Agence France-Presse .
“ People are asking me for selfies , ” he said .
“ They are awestruck when they see me wearing the gold mask in markets.
” Kurhade , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian Express that he “ didn ’ t do it for publicity ” — but said the mask probably isn ’ t the best choice to fight the contagion .
“ I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection , ” he admitted to AFP about the mask that weighs two ounces .
The businessman said he ’ s “ taking other precautions.
” “ It is not the gold or cloth mask , but social distancing and hand washing that will protect human beings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian Express .
India has made face masks mandatory in public places in a bid to control the pandemic .
As of Monday morning , the country had almost 700,000 confirmed cases with close to 20,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
This coronavirus protection is pure gold.
An Indian businessman is going viral after paying $4,000 to have a face mask made out of the pricey precious metal.
“It is a thin mask and has tiny pores that is helping me to breathe,” Shankar Kurhade, 49, of Pune, told Agence France-Presse.
“People are asking me for selfies,” he said. “They are awestruck when they see me wearing the gold mask in markets.”
Kurhade, whose company makes industrial sheds, told the Indian Express that he “didn’t do it for publicity” — but said the mask probably isn’t the best choice to fight the contagion.
“I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection,” he admitted to AFP about the mask that weighs 2 ounces.
The businessman said he’s “taking other precautions.”
“It is not the gold or cloth mask, but social distancing and hand washing that will protect human beings from coronavirus,” he told the Indian Express.
India has made face masks mandatory in public places in a bid to control the pandemic. As of Monday morning, the country had almost 700,000 confirmed cases with close to 20,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Prince Andrew cancels annual golf trip to Spain after Ghislaine Maxwell arrest

Prince Andrew has canceled his annual golfing trip to Spain because he ’ s “ nervous ” about leaving the UK during an investigation by US authorities into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein , according to a report .
Last year , the Duke of York stayed at a pal ’ s mansion in Costa del Sol just days after the convicted pedophile committed suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan , the UK ’ s Sun reported .
A palace insider told the outlet that the royal pulled the plug on this year ’ s trip because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad after the Justice Department issued an official request to interview him about Epstein .
Adding to Andrew ’ s anxiety was last week ’ s arrest of the late financier ’ s alleged procuress Ghislaine Maxwell on charges that include alleged sex crimes in her London townhouse — where the prince has separately been accused by an Epstein “ sex slave ” of sleeping with her when she was 17 , the Mirror reported .
Andrew has denied the allegations and his lawyers have said they offered to provide a witness statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlet .
The palace insider told the Mirror it ’ s “ unlikely ” Andrew will leave the UK in the foreseeable future and will “ never travel to the US again .
”

Prince Andrew has canceled his annual golfing trip to Spain because he’s “nervous” about leaving the UK during an investigation by US authorities into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report.
Last year, the Duke of York stayed at a pal’s mansion in Costa del Sol just days after the convicted pedophile committed suicide at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, the Sun reported.
A palace insider told the outlet that the royal pulled the plug on this year’s trip because he’s “worried” about traveling abroad after the Justice Department issued an official request to interview him about Epstein.
Adding to Andrew’s anxiety was last week’s arrest of the late financier’s alleged procuress Ghislaine Maxwell on charges that include alleged sex crimes in her London townhouse — where the prince has separately been accused by an Epstein “sex slave” of sleeping with her when she was 17, the Mirror reported.
Andrew has denied the allegations and his lawyers have said they offered to provide a witness statement to the Justice Department, according to the outlet.
The palace insider told the Mirror it’s “unlikely” Andrew will leave the UK in the foreseeable future and will “never travel to the US again.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Truck and SUV catch air in epic sand dune jump

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Hang ten! A truck turned a sand dune into a jump ramp at a beach in New South Wales, Australia. The “Mad Max”-worthy stunt and subsequent SUV jump were filmed by beachgoer Nicole Salmon, 28.
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newyorkpost--2020-07-06--12-year-old boy, man killed, several injured in Brooklyn fire

Two people , including a 12-year-old boy , were killed in a fire that broke out in a Brooklyn home @ @ @ @ @ police and fire officials .
The blaze erupted on the top floor of a five-story @ @ @ @ @ near Flatbush Avenue just before 2 a.m. , the FDNY said .
The boy was @ @ @ @ @ , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
A 69-year-old man was taken @ @ @ @ @ , where he also did not survive .
An 82-year-old woman is listed in critical @ @ @ @ @ in stable condition , according to police .
Both are at Kings County Hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ was not immediately clear .
In total , 10 people , including one firefighter , @ @ @ @ @ said .
A dozen units , including 60 firefighters , responded to the blaze , @ @ @ @ @ around 3:15 a.m .
The cause of the fire is under investigation , and the @ @ @ @ @ immediately released pending family notification .

Two people, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed in a fire that broke out in a Brooklyn home early Monday, according to police and fire officials.
The blaze erupted on the top floor of a five-story apartment building on Linden Boulevard near Flatbush Avenue just before 2 a.m., the FDNY said.
The boy was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
A 69-year-old man was taken to SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where he also did not survive.
An 82-year-old woman is listed in critical condition and a 30-year-old woman in stable condition, according to police. Both are at Kings County Hospital.
The relationship among the victims was not immediately clear.
In total, 10 civilians and one firefighter were injured, the FDNY said.
A dozen units, including 60 firefighters, responded to the blaze, which was under control by around 3:15 a.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the victims’ names were not immediately released pending family notification.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Ghislaine Maxwell arrest: FBI reportedly almost blew cover by lying to neighbor

Ghislaine Maxwell was living in seclusion in the mountains of ...

The FBI agents who arrested Ghislaine Maxwell last week almost blew their cover when they lied to a neighbor who complained about noise from spy planes buzzing overheard, according to a report.
A local told the UK’s Mirror that aircraft had been circling over the disgraced British socialite’s 156-acre hideaway in New Hampshire beginning before dawn Thursday.
“They were a nuisance. We began calling each other to find out what the noise was about. Finally one snapped and drove down to where the vehicles were lined up,” the resident told the outlet.
“He demanded to know who they were and they replied they were from the New England Aerial map society – it was totally fictitious. The problem the FBI had was that the guy is an expert in maps and geology. It’s what he does for a living,” the local continued.
“He saw straight through it and asked to see inside their van but was harshly told it was off-limits. He told his wife, and she called the police on the FBI. It was hilarious.”
After the close call, the feds finally stormed the property – called “Tuckedaway” – with help from New York cops, local police and New Hampshire’s gang task force.
They swiftly collared Maxwell, 58, the longtime confidant of notorious late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein who now faces federal sex-abuse charges.
Maxwell, who is being held at a medium-security lockup some 20 miles from her luxurious home, is expected to be transferred this week to the Southern District of New York for her upcoming court appearance, according to a letter filed by federal prosecutors late Sunday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Ranking the NFL’s most dynamic skill-position trios

In some ways , it is remarkable how much responsibility Bill ...

Before fantasy football judged NFL teams by their quarterback-running back-wide receiver combinations, the Cowboys set the bar.
Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were dubbed “The Triplets” on the way to three Super Bowls in the 1990s. Ever since, trios are a measure of explosiveness.
The Post ranked the 16 most dynamic “triplets” in 2020:
1. Saints (Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas): Thomas criticized Brees for insensitive remarks on racism protests, then accepted his apology. Will it alter their on-field chemistry? Thomas set the NFL record with 470 receptions through his first four seasons playing with the NFL’s career leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Kamara averages 100 yards per game from scrimmage.
2. Cowboys (Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper): Does Prescott benefit more from his top two playmakers or vice versa? Prescott is still seeking a long-term contract like Elliott and Cooper. Elliott won two rushing titles in four seasons. The Cowboys overpaid to keep Cooper.
3. Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes, Damien Williams, Travis Kelce): Mahomes-Kelce might be the best duo. Or it could be Mahomes-Tyreek Hill. But the Chiefs didn’t have a 500-yard rusher in 2019. Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire could supplant Williams.
4. Ravens (Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, Mark Andrews): They averaged 204.8 rushing yards per game, 51 more than any other team. Jackson set the quarterback rushing record (1,206 yards) on his way to MVP. Andrews is his favorite receiving target, especially in the red zone (10 touchdowns).
5. Browns (Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr.): Chubb’s near-1,500-yard rushing season was No. 2 in the NFL. Mayfield (21 interceptions) and Beckham both had down years but could explode if they get on the same page — and the oft-injured OBJ stays healthy.
6. Packers (Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Davante Adams): The Packers are under fire for not adding a receiver in the draft, instead putting pressure on Adams and putting Rodgers on the clock by drafting Jordan Love. Jones became the first Packer to reach 1,000 rushing yards since 2014.
7. Seahawks (Russell Wilson, Chris Carson, Tyler Lockett): Lockett slid into the No. 1 role after Doug Baldwin retired. Carson rushed for 2,381 yards the past two seasons, keeping first-rounder Rashaad Penny on the bench. Wilson is an annual MVP frontrunner.
8. Buccaneers (Tom Brady, Ronald Jones, Mike Evans): Brady dragged Rob Gronkowski out of retirement to join the best receiver duo he has had since Randy Moss-Wes Welker. Evans has six straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career and Chris Godwin is emerging. Jones just needs to keep defenses honest.
9. Cardinals (Kyler Murray, Kenyan Drake, DeAndre Hopkins): Larry Fitzgerald no longer is the No. 1 target after they stole Hopkins from the Texans. Murray was the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Cardinals traded for and franchise-tagged Drake with big expectations.
10. Panthers (Teddy Bridgewater, Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore): McCaffrey had a 1,000/1,000 season rushing and receiving, but Moore is no slouch with 1,175 yards on 87 catches. Bridgewater, who succeeds former MVP Cam Newton, has not been a full-time starter since 2015.
11. Titans (Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown): The uniquely bruising Henry (1,540 yards) won the rushing title, allowing Tannehill’s resurgence. Can either duplicate their 2019 success? Brown led all 1,000-yard receivers with a 20.2-yard average per catch as a rookie.
12. Falcons (Matt Ryan, Todd Gurley, Julio Jones): Nobody knows what to expect from the injury-plagued Gurley, who led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in 2017 and rushing touchdowns in 2018. Jones is the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards per game. Ryan has fallen off since his 2016 MVP season.
13. Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner, Juju Smith-Schuster): Injury concerns across the board as the trio combined to miss 25 games last season. They were near the top of this list last preseason, but replacing Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown is harder than it looked.
14. Eagles (Carson Wentz, Miles Sanders, Zach Ertz): Sanders will shoulder the load after the Eagles traded Jordan Howard. Ertz led the Eagles in receiving yards in each of his first four seasons with Wentz, who faces as much pressure as any player in the NFL
15. Giants (Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Golden Tate): Jones was the first rookie ever with three games of four touchdown passes and no interceptions, but he led the NFL with 18 fumbles. Barkley ran for 1,000 yards on a bum ankle. The Giants have three No. 2-caliber receivers, but Tate has done it the longest.
16. Texans (Deshaun Watson, David Johnson, Brandin Cooks): Watson-Hopkins was special. Time will tell if he can muster the same magic with Cooks, who has had 1,000-yard seasons for three different teams in six years. The injury-prone Johnson has 363 total rushing yards since he dominated in 2016.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Coronavirus stalled MTA’s efforts to prevent OT fraud, agency watchdog says

Two more of the MTA ’ s fingerprint-scanning time clocks have been ...

The coronavirus pandemic has stalled the MTA’s efforts to prevent overtime fraud after the crisis put high-tech time clocks into quarantine, the agency’s watchdog said Monday.
Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny’s office said in a new report it was “concerned” with a delay in integrating fingerprint-scanning gadgets that were billed as a fix to combat allegations of widespread overtime abuse.
Transit officials in mid-March decided to shut down the new Kronos timekeeping system in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.
But this caused a “significant, negative impact on the standardization of timekeeping using Kronos and its integration with existing payroll systems,” according to the IG’s most recent review of the MTA’s OT-reduction efforts.
“The delay of this critical aspect of the overtime reform effort is concerning to the OIG,” continued the report. “We question how long it will last and what plans exist to ensure the effort continues to move forward.”
The MTA’s rollout of the new clocks — which are supposed to replace antiquated paper cards — has already been fraught with delays.
After first promising to have the entire 40,000-person workforce using the clocks by this past September, only about 85 percent of those workers were actively using the tech by mid-January.
Further complicating matters, the MTA faced “apparent acts of vandalism” against the machines, the IG’s office has previously said — with many found smashed or damaged.
Agency IT staffers had projected that Kronos would be fully merged with existing timekeeping systems by the end of 2021.
When the virus began wreaking havoc on New York City, staffers were forced to redirect their time and resources towards supporting employees working from home — also likely delaying the target for full Kronos payroll integration.
Pokorny began investigating allegations of overtime abuse at the MTA following a series of Post exposés on LIRR workers pulling in huge paychecks, including one staffer who raked in $344,147 in overtime — on top of his $117,499 salary.
Pokorny’s office has accused the agency of allowing workers to rack up OT based on an “honor system” with little oversight or verification.
The MTA spent $1.3 billion on overtime last year, according to agency documents — up from $895 million in 2014.
Compared to last year, the agency — which is facing a projected $4 billion deficit due to the pandemic — has cut its OT tab by 24 percent, the IG’s office said.
But the cuts “were not driven by factors the MTA can rely on to produce savings in the future.”
“Health concerns, turnover, and general uncertainty about whether technology investments will remain a priority threaten the completion of these improvements,” the IG’s office said.
An MTA spokesman said the agency has taken “aggressive action to improve overtime management.”
“While biometric capabilities have been suspended to help reduce spread of COVID-19, employees reporting to work are required to swipe their cards at clocks and the MTA is working aggressively to implement remote capability for the limited number of those teleworking,” spokesman Aaron Donovan said in a statement.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Ennio Morricone, Spaghetti Western movie composer, dead at 91

ROME — Italian composer Ennio Morricone , who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic Spaghetti Western “ The Good , the Bad and the Ugly ” and the soundtracks such classic Hollywood gangster movies as “ The Untouchables , ” has died .
He was 91 .
Morricone ’ s longtime lawyer , Giorgio Assumma , said the Maestro , as he was known , died early Monday in a Rome hospital of complications following a fall , in which he broke a leg .
During a career that spanned decades and earned him an Oscar for lifetime achievement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most renowned Italian and Hollywood directors , in movies including “ The Untouchables ” by Brian de Palma , “ The Hateful Eight ” by Quentin Tarantino and “ The Battle of Algiers ” by Gillo Pontecorvo .
That Tarantino film would also win him the Oscar for best original score in 2016 .
In accepting that Academy Award , Morricone told the audience at the ceremony : “ There is no great music without a great film that inspires it.
” In total , he produced more than 400 original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called Spaghetti Western movies saw him work closely with the late Italian film director Sergio Leone .
Morricone was known for crafting just a few notes , that that played on a harmonica in Leone ’ s “ Once Upon A Time in America , ” which would be instantly associated with that film .

ROME — Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic Spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and the soundtracks such classic Hollywood gangster movies as “The Untouchables,” has died. He was 91.
Morricone’s longtime lawyer, Giorgio Assumma, said the Maestro, as he was known, died early Monday in a Rome hospital of complications following a fall, in which he broke a leg.
During a career that spanned decades and earned him an Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2007, Morricone collaborated with some of the most renowned Italian and Hollywood directors, in movies including “The Untouchables” by Brian de Palma, “The Hateful Eight” by Quentin Tarantino and “The Battle of Algiers” by Gillo Pontecorvo.
That Tarantino film would also win him the Oscar for best original score in 2016. In accepting that Academy Award, Morricone told the audience at the ceremony: “There is no great music without a great film that inspires it.”
In total, he produced more than 400 original scores for feature films.
His iconic so-called Spaghetti Western movies saw him work closely with the late Italian film director Sergio Leone.
Morricone was known for crafting just a few notes, that that played on a harmonica in Leone’s “Once Upon A Time in America,” which would be instantly associated with that film.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--JK Rowling faces more criticism over statements on hormone prescriptions

JK Rowling took another tossing on Twitter Sunday as she Tweeted that “ many health professionals are concerned that young people struggling with their mental health are being shunted towards hormones and surgery when this may not be in their best interests.
” The comment was one of a string as she defended herself after being called out for ‘ liking ’ a Tweet that compared hormone prescriptions to anti-depressants , which were overprescribed to teenagers in the past with sometimes harmful results .
It ’ s the second social media tussle the Harry Potter scribe has faced in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters in June over remarks some called “ transphobic.
” “ Who had money on JK Rowling pivoting to supporting thse who call people who take mental health medication “ lazy ” ?
” wrote one critic Sunday .
Rowling hit back : “ I ’ ve ignored fake tweets attributed to me and RTed widely .
I ’ ve ignored porn tweeted at children on a thread about their art .
I ’ ve ignored death and rape threats .
I ’ m not going to ignore this , ” she Tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we are watching a new kind of conversion therapy for young gay people , who are being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual function.
” She added , “ The long-term health risks of cross-sex hormones have been now been tracked over a lengthy period .
These side-effects are often minimised or denied by trans activists.
” Actor and transgender activist Scott Turner Schofield , a Daytime Emmy nominee for Amazon series Studio City , said , “ JoKaren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debunked theories , making anti-trans hate speech sound reasonable , and participating in a coordinated political campaign against a marginalized and powerless minority , ” The June war of words was launched by a personal essay where Rowling said some demands by transgender activists could be dangerous to women .
It resulted in two big Harry Potter fan sites ( Leaky Caldron and Mugglenet ) denouncing her views and declining to provide links to her personal website or use her photos .
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and Eddie Redmayne , ( Fantastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GLAD ( Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ) .
Rowling ’ s corporate partners , including Warner Bros. , Scholastic and Universal Parks & Resorts , home to Harry Potter rides and attractions , said last month , respectively , that they recognized a responsibility to foster empathy , are opposed to discrimination of any kind , and hold diversity and inclusion as core values .
Scholastic supported the author ” s “ right to express her personal views and beliefs.
” Rowling had been embroiled in a similar controversy last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who stated that people can not change their biological sex .

JK Rowling took another tossing on Twitter Sunday as she Tweeted that “many health professionals are concerned that young people struggling with their mental health are being shunted towards hormones and surgery when this may not be in their best interests.”
The comment was one of a string as she defended herself after being called out for ‘liking’ a Tweet that compared hormone prescriptions to anti-depressants, which were overprescribed to teenagers in the past with sometimes harmful results. It’s the second social media tussle the Harry Potter scribe has faced in two months after angering the LGBTQ community and supporters in June over remarks some called “transphobic.”
“Who had money on JK Rowling pivoting to supporting thse who call people who take mental health medication “lazy”?” wrote one critic Sunday.
Rowling hit back: “I’ve ignored fake tweets attributed to me and RTed widely. I’ve ignored porn tweeted at children on a thread about their art. I’ve ignored death and rape threats. I’m not going to ignore this,” she Tweeted. “Many, myself included, believe we are watching a new kind of conversion therapy for young gay people, who are being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual function.” She added, “The long-term health risks of cross-sex hormones have been now been tracked over a lengthy period. These side-effects are often minimised or denied by trans activists.”
Actor and transgender activist Scott Turner Schofield, a Daytime Emmy nominee for Amazon series Studio City, said, “JoKaren Rowling is weaponizing victimization, spreading scientifically debunked theories, making anti-trans hate speech sound reasonable, and participating in a coordinated political campaign against a marginalized and powerless minority,”
The June war of words was launched by a personal essay where Rowling said some demands by transgender activists could be dangerous to women. It resulted in two big Harry Potter fan sites (Leaky Caldron and Mugglenet) denouncing her views and declining to provide links to her personal website or use her photos.
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and Eddie Redmayne, (Fantastic Beasts) criticized her, as did GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).
Rowling’s corporate partners, including Warner Bros., Scholastic and Universal Parks & Resorts, home to Harry Potter rides and attractions, said last month, respectively, that they recognized a responsibility to foster empathy, are opposed to discrimination of any kind, and hold diversity and inclusion as core values. Scholastic supported the author”s “right to express her personal views and beliefs.”
Rowling had been embroiled in a similar controversy last year for supporting Maya Forstater, a researcher who stated that people cannot change their biological sex.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Arizona ‘Karen’ with ‘$40,000 Rolex’ trashes face mask display in Target

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An Arizona woman , dubbed by social media as the latest “ Karen , ” filmed herself destroying a face mask display inside a Target store over the weekend .
In the footage , Melissa Rein Lively , who runs a public relations company in Scottsdale , can be heard going on explosive rant as she points the camera to a display of protective face masks coverings .
“ Finally we meet the end of the road .
I ’ ve been looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - - king life , ” says Lively in the video , which has been viewed 5.9 million times .
The woman approaches the display of masks that are sealed in plastic bags and others open-clothed with no wrapping .
She then slams the masks from the display on the floor while saying , “ So , Target , I ’ m not playing anymore f–ing games .
This s–t is f–ing over.
” She repeats , “ This s–t ’ s over ” then says “ Yeah , wooh !
” Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be heard saying , “ Excuse me ma ’ am.
” The employee is quickly interrupted by Lively who says , “ This is over.
” She asks them “ Why ?
You let everybody else do it… I can ’ t do it because I ’ m a blonde white woman ?
That ’ s wearing a f—ing $ 40,000 Rolex.
” A second video , which has been viewed 2.6 million times , showed the aftermath of the Target mask debacle , police officers are seen inside Lively ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instagram Live .
When the officers confront Lively , she informs them she ’ s a spokesperson for the White House and she can ’ t share “ classified information.
” She added , “ I was hired to be the QAnon spokesperson.
” “ You ’ re a spokesperson correct ?
…I think we have enough here , ” says an officer .
Lively is told to “ turn around ” and begins yelling “ you ’ re doing this to me ’ cause I ’ m Jewish , ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The recording stops there , it ’ s unclear if Lively was arrested .
The Arizona health department reported 3,536 new coronavirus cases and four deaths Sunday .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
An Arizona woman, dubbed the latest “Karen” by social media, filmed herself destroying a face mask display inside a Target store over the weekend.
In the footage, Melissa Rein Lively, who runs a public relations company in Scottsdale, can be heard going on an explosive rant as she points the camera at a display of protective face coverings.
“Finally we meet the end of the road. I’ve been looking forward to this s–t all my f–king life,” says Lively in the video, which has been viewed 5.9 million times.
The woman approaches the display of masks that are sealed in plastic bags and others displayed with no wrapping.
She slams the masks from the display onto the floor while saying, “So, Target, I’m not playing anymore f—ing games. This s–t is f—ing over.”
She repeats, “This s–t’s over,” then says “Yeah, wooh!”
Two Target employees appear, and one can be heard saying, “Excuse me, ma’am.” The employee is quickly interrupted by Lively, who says, “This is over.”
She asks them, “Why? You let everybody else do it … I can’t do it because I’m a blond white woman? That’s wearing a f—ing $40,000 Rolex.”
A second video, also recorded on Instagram Live and which has been viewed 2.6 million times, showed the aftermath of the Target mask debacle: Police officers are seen inside Lively’s garage.
When the officers confront Lively, she informs them she’s a spokesperson for the White House and she can’t share “classified information.”
She added, “I was hired to be the QAnon spokesperson.”
“You’re a spokesperson, correct? … I think we have enough here,” says an officer.
Lively is told to “turn around” and begins yelling, “You’re doing this to me ’cause I’m Jewish” and “This is a Nazi f—king game.”
The recording stops there, and it’s unclear if Lively was arrested.
The Arizona health department reported 3,536 new coronavirus cases and four deaths Sunday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Gerrit Cole’s teammates will be his next Yankees pitching test

The first time the Yankees started spring training this year , ...

With less than three weeks to go before Opening Day is scheduled, Aaron Boone wants the Yankees to get as many “live reps” as possible, which is why they will play their first intrasquad game of spring training 2.0 Monday night.
J.A. Happ and right-handed prospect Clarke Schmidt are scheduled to start the 7 p.m. game, with Gerrit Cole slated to start in another intrasquad game on Tuesday.
“With a shorter amount of time [to prepare], we want pitchers in game action and build up pitch counts,’’ Aaron Boone said. “We’ll go easy as far as running and getting out of the box.”
Boone added the Yankees are “hopeful” they will get in “a few” exhibition games prior to the 60-game regular season.
The Yankees are without DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa, who both tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating outside New York.
LeMahieu has been asymptomatic, while Cessa has experienced “very mild symptoms.”
Boone said Saturday he was “hopeful” the two would only be out a short time.
James Paxton was on the Major League Baseball Players Association executive subcommittee during the labor dispute, which many fear was just a preview of what could be a contentious negotiation when the collective bargaining agreement expires following next season.
“We’ll see how things go,’’ Paxton said Sunday after throwing a simulated game. “We stood our ground and fought for what we believe in and ended up where we are right now.”
The players association refused to play the season without full prorated pay per game, while owners hoped to pay them a portion of their pro-rated salaries because of a dip in revenue.
“We did a good job sticking together,’’ Paxton said. “Our group was very united. We knew what we wanted and what we thought was fair and stuck to that.”
He called the experience “very educational.”
“It was helpful, even though we wish we didn’t have to go through what we went through,’’ Paxton said.
Gleyber Torres continued his work at shortstop Sunday. His transition back to his original position was stalled by the COVID-19 shutdown.
“I feel pretty good these first couple of days [of camp],’’ said Torres, who was in Tampa for part of the shutdown. “During the quarantine, I prepared myself well. There were not too many options for fields. I [watched] a lot of videos of myself, trying to get ready for shortstop.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Yoenis Cespedes’ ‘good day’ in field, at plate for Mets had one omission

Longtime radio sports announcer Howie Rose , who is the current ...

Yoenis Cespedes played an inning in left field and took swings against the Mets’ best pitcher, but like the rest of his teammates wasn’t permitted to run the bases Sunday.
All is part of the progression for the veteran outfielder, according to manager Luis Rojas, as the Mets attempt to get Cespedes ready for the season opener on July 24.
Cespedes, facing Jacob deGrom in a simulated game, delivered what would have been a single to right field if he were allowed to run the bases. But Rojas beforehand had instructed players not to run.
Cespedes is attempting to return from separate heel surgeries and multiple right ankle fractures sustained in an accident on his ranch involving a wild boar.
“It was a good day today [for Cespedes],” Rojas said. “I want us to keep building off of this and our communication with the performance staff will dictate that. It was a positive day to get him out there with the rest of the guys, it’s been a while since he’s been in left field here at Citi Field.”
Amed Rosario and Marcus Stroman appeared in team workouts for the first time. Rosario was the only member of the starting lineup who didn’t participate in the morning simulated game — he was replaced at shortstop by Andres Gimenez — but he worked out with another group later in the day.
Tyler Bashlor retired all five batters he faced in the morning simulated game. Team officials have tried to get the right-hander to employ his curveball and changeup to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball.
“This is a guy that has special stuff,” Rojas said. “I am glad that today he showed he’s expanding his repertoire and he’s getting to that point where we want him to see that he cannot only pump fastballs in there, but he’s got some more weapons to get the batters thinking and off balance.”
The right-hander, who pitched to a 6.95 ERA in 24 appearances last season with the Mets, is competing for a spot in the bullpen.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Redskins other owners are revolting against Dan Snyder

Three Washington Redskins minority owners are looking to sell their stakes in the team because of issues with Daniel Snyder , according to the Washington Post .
Businessmen Robert Rothman , Dwight Schar and Frederick W. Smith , are trying to shed their approximately 40 percent combined piece of the Redskins because they ’ re “ not happy being a partner ” with Snyder , the team ’ s owner , according to the report .
They have hired a search firm to look for prospective buyers .
Their decision comes with Snyder and the Redskins under increased pressure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country focused on human rights and social justice after the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police .
The team is undergoing a “ thorough review ” of the name .
The Washington Post reported earlier Sunday that Snyder ’ s inner circle is shrinking and led to his top team advisers both working outside the sport .
“ He goes through his Rolodex and calls random people until he gets an opinion he likes .
And he follows it , ” a former employee under Snyder for seven years @ @ @ @

Three Washington Redskins minority owners are looking to sell their stakes in the team because of issues with Daniel Snyder, according to the Washington Post.
Businessmen Robert Rothman, Dwight Schar and Frederick W. Smith, are trying to shed their approximately 40 percent combined piece of the Redskins because they’re “not happy being a partner” with Snyder, the team’s owner, according to the report. They have hired a search firm to look for prospective buyers.
Their decision comes with Snyder and the Redskins under increased pressure to change the team’s name with the country focused on human rights and social justice after the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police. The team is undergoing a “thorough review” of the name.
The Washington Post reported earlier Sunday that Snyder’s inner circle is shrinking and led to his top team advisers both working outside the sport.
“He goes through his Rolodex and calls random people until he gets an opinion he likes. And he follows it,” a former employee under Snyder for seven years told the outlet.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--TLC’s ‘sMothered’ recap: Tensions build and secrets spill

TLC ’ s hit series “ sMothered , ” co-produced by The Post , follows several pairs of mother/daughter duos with outrageously close bonds .
For instance , there ’ s Kathy and Cristina , who do everything together — much to Cristina ’ s husband ’ s dismay .
There ’ s also Mary and Brittani , who shower together .
( Brittani is an adult . )
And then witness Dawn and Cher , who talk constantly , much to the aggravation of Cher ’ s husband .
In the seventh episode of Season 2 , “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over and there are several confrontations .
Chicago duo Kathy , 61 , and Cristina , 35 , have spent Season 2 conspiring to move Cristina ’ s family in with mom Kathy while Cristina ’ s home is renovated .
The problem ?
Getting Cristina ’ s husband , Carlo , on board since he ’ s not a fan of competing with Kathy for her daughter ’ s attention .
At last , they get Carlo to cave , but now they ’ re fighting over how to remodel Cristina and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kathy are planning to do a black-and-white color scheme .
Carlo is angry that mother and daughter have taken over the remodeling , fuming , “ I think I have a say at what ’ s going on in my house.
” Kathy fires back that his opinions about decor can ’ t be trusted since his taste runs towards “ meathead modern.
” Laurie , 59 , and Sarah , 25 , prepare to take their two dachshunds , or “ wiener dogs , ” to a local festival , where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk around to various stalls selling treats .
Laurie has various ailments , including diabetes and kidney issues , and Sarah is worried about Laurie ’ s health , which causes tension during what should be a fun day .
“ The fear of losing my mom is an every-second-of-every-day worry for me , ” she says .
“ There have been so many times that she ’ s lied about being OK. ” Sarah repeatedly asks if Laurie has had enough water , and Laurie gets exasperated with Sarah ’ s hovering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida , but she ’ s staying in New York with Cher , 29 , and her husband , Jared , to help them take care of their newborn baby girl , Belle .
The problem ?
She ’ s overstayed her welcome , and Jared is fed up .
“ Just as I suspected all along , Dawn has really settled into our apartment … There ’ s no inkling of when she ’ ll go back , ” he says .
He adds that he doesn ’ t have that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( he ’ s a doctor ) and he wants to spend it bonding with his baby and learning how to be a dad instead of having the baby ’ s grandmother swoop in and micromanage everything .
Cher reluctantly agrees with him that it ’ s time to ask her parents to leave and return to their own home , but “ it ’ s an awkward situation , ” she says .
Mary , 59 , and Brittani , 19 , take a break from showering together this week in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
Brittani goes on a date with a new crush , Lewis , who asks about her upcoming plastic surgery — the tummy tuck that Mary announced that she was getting her , in front of a crowd at her party .
He assures Brittani that he thinks she ’ s beautiful and doesn ’ t need plastic surgery , but just when things are getting romantic , their date is interrupted by a phone call from Mary .
Lewis tells the camera that sometimes he thinks Brittani and her mom are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interrupting their time together .
After the date , when Brittani is telling Mary about it , she nervously proclaims that she has a secret she wants to share : She ’ s bisexual .
Mary initially reacts with disbelief , then she demands that she “ explain that ” because , according to Mary , Brittani can ’ t possibly know that if she hasn ’ t yet had sex .
“ You have to try both sexes before you really know , ” she says .
She eventually validates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , needless to say , it ’ s a “ yikes ” as far as coming-out reactions go .

TLC’s hit series “sMothered,” co-produced by The Post, follows several pairs of mother/daughter duos with outrageously close bonds.
For instance, there’s Kathy and Cristina, who do everything together — much to Cristina’s husband’s dismay. There’s also Mary and Brittani, who shower together. (Brittani is an adult.) And then witness Dawn and Cher, who talk constantly, much to the aggravation of Cher’s husband.
In the seventh episode of Season 2, “The Secret Is Out,” tensions boil over and there are several confrontations.
Here’s our recap. Spoilers ahead!
Kathy and Cristina
Chicago duo Kathy, 61, and Cristina, 35, have spent Season 2 conspiring to move Cristina’s family in with mom Kathy while Cristina’s home is renovated. The problem? Getting Cristina’s husband, Carlo, on board since he’s not a fan of competing with Kathy for her daughter’s attention.
At last, they get Carlo to cave, but now they’re fighting over how to remodel Cristina and Carlo’s kitchen. Cristina and Kathy are planning to do a black-and-white color scheme.
Carlo is angry that mother and daughter have taken over the remodeling, fuming, “I think I have a say at what’s going on in my house.”
Kathy fires back that his opinions about decor can’t be trusted since his taste runs towards “meathead modern.”
Laurie and Sarah
Laurie, 59, and Sarah, 25, prepare to take their two dachshunds, or “wiener dogs,” to a local festival, where they dress the pups up in costumes and walk around to various stalls selling treats. Laurie has various ailments, including diabetes and kidney issues, and Sarah is worried about Laurie’s health, which causes tension during what should be a fun day.
“The fear of losing my mom is an every-second-of-every-day worry for me,” she says. “There have been so many times that she’s lied about being OK.”
Sarah repeatedly asks if Laurie has had enough water, and Laurie gets exasperated with Sarah’s hovering.
Dawn and Cher
Dawn, 59, is based in Florida, but she’s staying in New York with Cher, 29, and her husband, Jared, to help them take care of their newborn baby girl, Belle.
The problem? She’s overstayed her welcome, and Jared is fed up.
“Just as I suspected all along, Dawn has really settled into our apartment … There’s no inkling of when she’ll go back,” he says. He adds that he doesn’t have that much time left on his paternity leave (he’s a doctor) and he wants to spend it bonding with his baby and learning how to be a dad instead of having the baby’s grandmother swoop in and micromanage everything.
Cher reluctantly agrees with him that it’s time to ask her parents to leave and return to their own home, but “it’s an awkward situation,” she says.
Mary and Brittani
Mary, 59, and Brittani, 19, take a break from showering together this week in order to dive into Brittani’s love life.
Brittani goes on a date with a new crush, Lewis, who asks about her upcoming plastic surgery — the tummy tuck that Mary announced that she was getting her, in front of a crowd at her party. He assures Brittani that he thinks she’s beautiful and doesn’t need plastic surgery, but just when things are getting romantic, their date is interrupted by a phone call from Mary.
Lewis tells the camera that sometimes he thinks Brittani and her mom are too close, especially when it’s interrupting their time together. After the date, when Brittani is telling Mary about it, she nervously proclaims that she has a secret she wants to share: She’s bisexual.
Mary initially reacts with disbelief, then she demands that she “explain that” because, according to Mary, Brittani can’t possibly know that if she hasn’t yet had sex. “You have to try both sexes before you really know,” she says. She eventually validates and affirms that she loves Brittani — but, needless to say, it’s a “yikes” as far as coming-out reactions go.
“sMothered” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on TLC.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Mets’ Dellin Bentances sees results after shutdown: ‘Blessing in disguise’

Jacob deGrom still has a few more weeks until the ...

Dellin Betances took baseball’s 3 ½-month shutdown in stride.
As spring training was shuttered in March, the Mets reliever was still building up strength in his left ankle after spending the offseason rehabbing from a torn left Achilles. Now, the right-hander would like to believe he’s ready for the lesser grind of a 60-game schedule, on a stronger ankle.
“For me it was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Betances said Sunday, referring to the COVID-19 shutdown. “I felt like I was going to be ready to start the season, but probably not where I would have liked to have been, so right now I think I’m heading in the right direction and we have about three weeks to be ready and I’ll be ready to rock.”
Betances faced seven batters in a simulated game at Citi Field on Sunday, the first of about seven appearances he expects to receive against hitters before the Mets’ opener on July 24. Last season Betances appeared in only one game for the Yankees, spending much of the season rehabbing from a shoulder impingement and lat injury before tearing the Achilles in his season debut in September.
The Mets, desperate for bullpen help, signed the former All-Star to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million. Of that, $5.3 million came as a guaranteed signing bonus — a significant detail given that most players are taking huge pay reductions this season based on the abbreviated schedule.
Betances worked out in recent weeks at a facility near his home in New Jersey and said he got to face Aaron Judge, Todd Frazier and Joe Panik, among other major league players working out in the same locale.
Betances was still searching for his fastball when the Grapefruit League concluded — he was peaking around 91 mph. Where is he now?
“I’m not sure, but I think it’s better than spring training,” he said.
Betances’ wife, Janisa, is pregnant with the couple’s second child and due to give birth near the end of the regular season. The pitcher indicated his intent is to keep going, even as other players with expecting partners have expressed concern given the pandemic.
“I am definitely committed,” Betances said. “Our baby is due late September, so we’ll have a better idea how things are going on in this world and the baseball world as well, so I feel like I’m definitely committed. I will just try to protect myself and be safe at all costs.
“I think the Mets are doing a tremendous job to make sure that we keep our distance and everybody is being as safe as they can. For me I haven’t played in a couple of years, and I want to play, but at the same time I know I have to be safe, for myself and my family as well.”
Betances, if healthy, would give the Mets another option at closer should Edwin Diaz struggle. Manager Luis Rojas, publicly at least, says he hasn’t set any roles for his relievers. But it would be surprising if anybody other than Diaz began the season as the closer — despite his struggles last year — given the amount of talent the Mets surrendered to acquire him from the Mariners with Robinson Cano.
“[Betances] is just a great asset,” Rojas said. “He’s one of the guys … he’s got that potential closer ability and it gives us that depth in a short season.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--James Paxton ‘felt healthy’ in first step back to Yankees rotation

The Yankees entered 2020 with championship aspirations .
And while that ...

The first time the Yankees started spring training this year, James Paxton was fresh off back surgery and unable to do much of anything.
Spring training 2.0 is off to a better start for the left-hander.
Paxton looked sharp while throwing two innings in a simulated game Sunday, the second day of Yankees workouts in The Bronx in hopes of playing a 60-game season.
“It felt good to get back on a dirt mound,” Paxton said after striking out each of the batters he faced — Gary Sanchez, Miguel Andujar and Tyler Wade — at least once. “I’ve been throwing off a turf mound in running shoes for the last little while, so getting back on the dirt with the guys and facing some of our hitters, it was great. Felt good, felt healthy. It was a good first step for me.”
Paxton underwent back surgery — a microscopic lumbar discectomy with removal of a peridiscal cyst — on Feb. 5, at which point he was given a three-to-four-month timeline to return. He played catch for the first time on March 11, two days before spring training was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the delay of the season was unwanted, Paxton was one of the handful of injured Yankees who were able to take advantage of the time off. Sunday provided him a chance to put his new stretching and fastball grip to the test.
“I thought he was really good,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The results were good. I thought he spun the ball really well for being the first time out. … I feel like he’s had a really good few months here. Since having the surgery, the progression for him has gone about as well as everyone could have hoped. He comes in here in a pretty good spot and ready to go.”
The 31-year-old Paxton is a pending free agent for the first time in his career. While he admitted “it’s obviously not ideal” timing given the shortened season and the potential financial strains teams will be facing next offseason, he said he would control what he could control.
For now, that means facing his own teammates and using it to his benefit.
“I think we’re pretty lucky,” Paxton said. “We got some really good hitters and facing those guys is tough and they know our stuff. So if anything, I think that’ll be more challenging and help us get ready. We’ll be able to talk to them about what our stuff looks like coming out and they’ll be able to tell us what they see, which I think will help me and other guys.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Uber agrees to buy Postmates with $2.65 billion all-stock deal

Ride-sharing company Uber Technologies Inc. has agreed on a deal to buy food-delivery app Postmates Inc. in a $ 2.65 billion all-stock agreement , Bloomberg News reported late Sunday , citing people familiar with the matter .
The deal has been approved by Uber ’ s board and could be announced as soon as Monday , Bloomberg reported , adding that Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty , head of Uber ’ s food delivery business , Uber Eats , is expected to continue to run the combined delivery business .
Uber and Postmates did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postmates had revived plans for an initial public offering following dealmaking in the US online food delivery service sector that sparked acquisition interest in the company .
Postmates was last valued at $ 2.4 billion , when it raised $ 225 million in a private fundraising round last September .
Founded in 2011 , San Francisco-based Postmates accounted for 8 percent of the U.S. meal delivery market in May , according to analytics firm Second Measure .
Uber had plans to also acquire Grubhub Inc through its Uber Eats business , but walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Takeaway.com NV eventually reached a $ 7.3 billion agreement last month to buy the U.S. online food delivery company .

Ride-sharing company Uber Technologies Inc. has agreed on a deal to buy food-delivery app Postmates Inc. in a $2.65 billion all-stock agreement, Bloomberg News reported late Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The deal has been approved by Uber’s board and could be announced as soon as Monday, Bloomberg reported, adding that Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, head of Uber’s food delivery business, Uber Eats, is expected to continue to run the combined delivery business.
Uber and Postmates did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Last week, Reuters reported that Postmates had revived plans for an initial public offering following dealmaking in the US online food delivery service sector that sparked acquisition interest in the company.
Postmates was last valued at $2.4 billion, when it raised $225 million in a private fundraising round last September.
Founded in 2011, San Francisco-based Postmates accounted for 8 percent of the U.S. meal delivery market in May, according to analytics firm Second Measure.
Uber had plans to also acquire Grubhub Inc through its Uber Eats business, but walked away from the deal as Just Eat Takeaway.com NV eventually reached a $7.3 billion agreement last month to buy the U.S. online food delivery company.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--VH1 ‘tossed around’ idea of Flavor Flav as ‘The Black-chelor’

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 ) With reality TV reckoning with @ @ @ @ @ insider was reminded that VH1 once considered calling Flavor Flav ’ s 2006 dating show @ @ @ @ @ The top execs were tossing it around , ” said the source .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ the fact that there was never going to be an actual black ‘ Bachelor ’ @ @ @ @ @ dating show ] , so Flavor Flav was the closest thing.
” The show was @ @ @ @ @ Love ” — and the real “ Bachelor ” did indeed take until 2020 to @ @ @ @ @ .
The network announced in June that Matt James would take on the gig in @ @ @ @ @ for VH1 didn ’ t get back to us .

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
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With reality TV reckoning with race, a longtime TV insider was reminded that VH1 once considered calling Flavor Flav’s 2006 dating show “The Black-chelor.”
“The top execs were tossing it around,” said the source. “It was more a nod to the fact that there was never going to be an actual black ‘Bachelor’ [on the ABC hit dating show], so Flavor Flav was the closest thing.”
The show was eventually named “Flavor of Love” — and the real “Bachelor” did indeed take until 2020 to pick its first black lead. The network announced in June that Matt James would take on the gig in an upcoming season.
Reps for VH1 didn’t get back to us.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Masahiro Tanaka incident was slow torment for Giancarlo Stanton

The Yankees will face their AL East foes 40 times ...

A batted ball clocked at 112 mph and racing for a pitcher’s head obviously isn’t moving in slow motion.
Yet, that is the way Giancarlo Stanton viewed his scorching line drive that hit Masahiro Tanaka on the right side of the head during a simulated game Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
“As fast as it happens it is more slow-mo,’’ Stanton said Monday on a Zoom call from Yankee Stadium ahead of the club’s first intrasquad game in which Stanton was a DH for the Yankees team against the Bombers. “For me, you see it in slow-mo and you want that ball to keep veering off and it didn’t, kind of like when I got hit. Everything is kind of like slow-mo; look how fast it happened later. At the end of the day I was glad he was awake, functioning and responsive.’’
Tanaka was placed in concussion protocol and Aaron Boone reported Monday that the right-hander exercised at the Stadium and did well.
Stanton, then with the Marlins, was hit in the face by a pitch from Milwaukee’s Mike Fiers on Sept. 11, 2014 and suffered small fractures, dental damage and lacerations which forced him to miss the final 17 games of the season.
“That was a scary moment for me, terrible initially of course. You never want to see your teammate on the ground, especially by the hand of yourself,’’ Stanton said of watching Tanaka crumpling on the mound. “I talked to him, he appears to be fine given the circumstances. My stance is as long he’s OK, I am OK. I think we really dodged something that could have been a lot worse.’’
Asked when the earliest was Tanaka could return and get ready for a possible 60-game schedule, Boone didn’t have an exact date but was encouraged by what Tanaka did Monday.
“I don’t know the earliest day. I will start to ask that question later today and probably into [Tuesday]. He did ride the [exercise] bike [Monday], 15 or 20 minutes. That is obviously another important step as well going through his baseline testing that he did really well on. Look, all signs continue to be encouraging with Masa,’’ Boone said. “He got his heart rate up today [and] there were no side effects, no symptoms. We continue to be encouraged but like we are doing in this new world of COVID, similar with Masa, we will take it day by day but I would say we are very encouraged with where he is at and how he has responded.’’
Boone said Tanaka is technically still in concussion protocol.
After talking about Tanaka, Stanton touched on a number of subjects. He said his immediate goal is to get ready to be a DH at the start of the season, that he didn’t participate in a game recently in Palm Beach with Justin Verlander and other stars as had been reported, he hears discussions about racial inequality that are long overdue and didn’t know what it would take for him to opt out of the season.
“I can’t answer that, something crazy would have to happen in the clubhouse or in the country. It is all new territory for us, so … in all the sports there is a lot of uncertainty in a lot of things,’’ Stanton said of opting out. “But we are here, going by the protocols we need and lined up to be successful this year. As long as nothing crazy happens I think we will be all right.’’
Stanton said the plan is to use spring training 2.0 to be a DH when/if the season opens on July 23.
“Going to go through camp, make sure we got the schedule lined up to be ready to DH and go from there. With the season being so short it is sort of a one-stop shop of getting it right,’’ said Stanton, who explained the strained calf he suffered in February is 100 percent. He also didn’t rule out playing the outfield at some point this season.
As for the movement against racial injustice, Stanton said it has been effective.
“There is more [listening]. I feel like the doors have been opened that should have been opened a long time ago. Now is the time to let it be known this has to stop,’’ Stanton said.
Stanton said he was in Palm Beach but didn’t participate in that game.
“I was down there working out with them but I wasn’t part of that specific game that has been reported,’’ Stanton said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Philly bar owner pulls gun on black man after social distance dispute

A Philadelphia bar owner seated outside a nearby restaurant on Sunday was caught on camera pulling a gun on a black man who denounced the patrons for their lack of social distancing .
The tense encounter unfolded after the unidentified passerby stopped his bike near Nick ’ s Roast Beef and began calling out the customers who were outdoor dining , The Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
“ Social distancing !
No one is wearing a mask !
” the unidentified man yelled out , witness Liz Krieger , 34 , who was seated at the eatery , told the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave and Jamie Atlig , who owns the nearby Infusion Lounge , got up to confront him , the report said .
The black man yelled “ MAGA privilege ” at Atlig , who shot back , “ Trump 2020 !
” according to Krieger .
Atlig then pulled out his gun , prompting some customers , including Krieger to rush to the black man ’ s defense .
“ Put it the f–k away , ” a woman could be heard on video telling Atlig .
“ He ’ s doing nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He had a f—ing bike lock , ” she continues , according to the video , which was posted to Twitter by an intern of Philadelphia City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas .
As quickly as the confrontation escalated , Krieger said , within seconds , Atlig put his gun away .
Krieger told The Philadelphia Inquirer that other customers screamed the black man had a gun , when in actuality , she said , it was the man ’ s bike lock .
Robert Gamburg , a lawyer for Atlig , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun and took it out after the man “ reached behind his back for an object.
” “ He ’ s a business owner and he was being threatened , ” Gamburg said .
“ Mr .
Atlig unholstered his licensed firearm , defused the situation , and sat back down.
” Krieger disputes that account , telling the paper the man only took out his bike lock after Atlig pulled out his gun .
“ A man had a gun pulled on him for speaking the truth .
We weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He was completely in the right to be yelling at us — and if I hadn ’ t been there , this is how black people are shot and it ’ s claimed later that he had a bike lock on him and people thought it was a gun.
” City Councilman Isaiah Thomas , who also shared the video to Twitter , wrote , “ After a weekend of too much gun violence , more guns is not the answer .
“ We need more solutions before we have more @ @ @ @ @

A Philadelphia bar owner seated outside a nearby restaurant on Sunday was caught on camera pulling a gun on a black man who denounced the patrons for their lack of social distancing.
The tense encounter unfolded after the unidentified passerby stopped his bike near Nick’s Roast Beef and began calling out the customers who were dining outdoors, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“Social distancing! No one is wearing a mask!” the unidentified man yelled out, witness Liz Krieger, 34, who was seated at the eatery, told the newspaper.
Customers shouted at the man to leave and Jamie Atlig, who owns the nearby Infusion Lounge, got up to confront him, the report said.
The black man yelled “MAGA privilege” at Atlig, who shot back, “Trump 2020!,” according to Krieger.
Atlig then pulled out his gun, prompting some customers, including Krieger, to rush to the black man’s defense.
“Put it the f–k away,” a woman could be heard on video telling Atlig.
“He’s doing nothing. He’s doing f—ing nothing. He had a f—ing bike lock,” she continues, according to the video, which was posted to Twitter by an intern of Philadelphia City Councilman Isaiah Thomas.
As quickly as the confrontation escalated, Krieger said, within seconds, Atlig put his gun away.
Krieger told the Philadelphia Inquirer that other customers screamed that the black man had a gun, when in actuality, she said, it was the man’s bike lock.
Robert Gamburg, a lawyer for Atlig, told the newspaper his client is licensed to carry a gun and took it out after the man “reached behind his back for an object.”
“He’s a business owner and he was being threatened,” Gamburg said. “Mr. Atlig unholstered his licensed firearm, defused the situation, and sat back down.”
Krieger disputes that account, telling the paper the man only took out his bike lock after Atlig pulled out his gun.
“A man had a gun pulled on him for speaking the truth. We weren’t social distancing,” Krieger said.
“He was completely in the right to be yelling at us — and if I hadn’t been there, this is how black people are shot and it’s claimed later that he had a bike lock on him and people thought it was a gun.”
Philadelphia police are probing the incident.
Thomas, who also shared the video to Twitter, wrote, “After a weekend of too much gun violence, more guns is not the answer.
“We need more solutions before we have more problems! #EnoughIsEnough.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Jason Kidd’s bond with Giannis Antetokounmpo adds to complicated Knicks coaching candidacy

He was all sneakers , backpack and glasses , dwarfing his slight ...

No one within the Knicks organization got much bothered when 10-time All-Star Jason Kidd retired. Kidd had fulfilled just one season of a three-year contract and went off to coach the Brooklyn Nets.
Kidd had prospered in his short Knicks stint — a force in the locker room during that 54-28 season in 2012-13 before petering out in the playoffs.
Nobody could have predicted Kidd’s absence would leave a leadership void the following season. The Knicks haven’t been back to the playoffs since Kidd left the Garden.
Leon Rose and William Wesley, who ran Creative Artists Agency’s basketball department and now run the Knicks, saw firsthand Kidd guiding Carmelo Anthony into his best season.
“He was the consummate leader and everyone listened to him that season,’’ one person familiar with the situation told The Post. “It’s cliché but true. The point guard is the extension of the head coach on the court. The Knicks were in transition. I don’t think anyone was angry Jason decided to retire. Everyone knew that his career trajectory was coaching. There was a change in the team’s direction, from older veterans to some younger guys.”
Currently a Lakers assistant coach, Kidd is back on the Knicks’ radar at age 47, interviewing a second time last Thursday with Rose, Wesley and GM Scott Perry.
Kidd’s leadership may not be the only pull to his candidacy.
That Kidd helped develop Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who savored his time with Kidd when he coached the Bucks, stands as another.
Antetokounmpo will be a free agent in 2021. When Kidd joined the Lakers as assistant, the scuttlebutt was he would succeed Frank Vogel when “The Greek Freak’’ became free. Antetokounmpo was said to be “devastated’’ when the Bucks fired Kidd.
“LeBron loves Kidd,’’ one team executive told The Post. “But Giannis swears by him.’’
Vogel has done such an outstanding job in Los Angeles that perhaps Kidd realizes he’s not soon to be his successor. Kidd is one of 11 Knicks coaching candidates — and some insiders feel he’s the lone long-shot threat to favorite Tom Thibodeau. Wesley is said to like Kidd, too.
Submit your Knicks questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post mailbag
“He’s a Hall of Fame player and young innovative coach who learned from his past mistakes,’’ said one personnel man familiar with the Knicks’ interest. “I think the Knicks’ young players would relate to him. Whether a factor for Giannis, wherever [Kidd] goes to coach, that team most definitely will have a seat at that dinner table when the time comes.”
Kidd’s playing career was impeccable. His coaching career not as much.
The biggest stain on his coaching résumé was a failed power play with the Nets after one 44-38, second-round season. Kidd attempted to remove Billy King and take over as head of basketball operations.
Frank Zanin, the Knicks’ new assistant GM, held the same position with the Nets under King amidst Kidd’s attempted coup d’etat.
When Kidd got rebuffed, he jumped to the Bucks, run by opportunistic New York-based owners, Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry.
“I wouldn’t hire Jason Kidd if he was the last coach standing,’’ said an NBA source who has worked with Kidd. “It would be a terrible choice. There’s a reason Milwaukee is in the place where they are right now — coaching.’’
While Kidd wanted to be in charge in Brooklyn, his momentum ran out in Milwaukee in the middle of his fourth season.
Kidd was fired in January 2018 with a 23-22 record. He never managed to get the Bucks out of the first round despite taking them to the playoffs twice. Mike Budenholzer is 113-34 in his two seasons with the Bucks since Kidd’s dismissal.
Sources contend Kidd’s firing was for his refusal to take input from others in the organization, that he was stuck doing it only his way. The Bucks defense suffered for it.
Rose said recently on MSG Network the new head coach and front office would need to establish “a collaborative effort.’’
That could be a strike against Kidd’s candidacy. However, imagine what Kidd could be for the Knicks’ young point guards, Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. — not to mention if they draft the 6-foot-7 LaMelo Ball.
In March 2019, Kidd visited the Knicks’ shootaround in Phoenix at former coach David Fizdale’s invitation. Kidd held a 20-minute summit with newly acquired Smith Jr. and Emmanuel Mudiay, who left after that season.
Fizdale, who played against Kidd in California high school tournaments, asked that morning, “Who better to talk to my point guards than one of the best and greatest ever?”
Who could’ve imagined then Kidd succeeding Fizdale to become Smith’s full-time tutor?


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Georgia Gov. Kemp authorizes National Guard after 8-year-old killed

ATLANTA — Georgia ’ s governor on Monday declared a state of emergency and authorized the activation of up to 1,000 National Guard troops after a weekend of violence in Atlanta left five people dead , including an 8-year-old girl .
A statement from Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s office says troops will provide support at certain locations including the Capitol and governor ’ s mansion , freeing up state law enforcement resources to patrol other areas .
“ Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous , destructive agenda .
Now , innocent Georgians are being targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Republican governor said .
“ This lawlessness must be stopped and order restored in our capital city.
” Saturday night ’ s fatal shooting of Secoriea Turner , 8 , prompted a $ 10,000 reward for information as authorities searched for at least two people who opened fire on the car she was riding in near a flashpoint of recent protests .
Officers returned to the scene late Sunday to investigate another shooting , steps away from where Secoriea was shot , that left one person dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keisha Lance Bottoms called for justice in Secoriea ’ s death during an emotional news conference Sunday with the girl ’ s grief-stricken mother .
“ You can ’ t blame this on a police officer , ” the mayor said .
“ You can ’ t say this about criminal justice reform .
This is about some people carrying some weapons who shot up a car with an 8-year-old baby in the car for what ?
” “ Enough is enough , ” Bottoms , who is Black , continued .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously and you don ’ t want us to lose this movement , we can ’ t lose each other.
” The killing happened near the Wendy ’ s restaurant where a Black man , Rayshard Brooks , was killed by a white police officer June 12 .
The fast food outlet was later burned , and the area has since become a site for frequent demonstrations against police brutality .
Earlier Monday , Atlanta police helped as sanitation crews cleared the area around the torched Wendy ’ s .
Flowers and memorials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with messages protesting police brutality , were cleared away .
Secoriea was slain during a particularly violent night in Atlanta on Saturday .
Kemp ’ s office said that over thirty people were wounded by gunfire , including five dead , over the holiday weekend .
Kemp addressed the shootings on social media on Sunday night , saying the “ recent trend of lawlessness is outrageous and unacceptable.
” “ Georgians , including those in uniform , need to be protected from crime and violence , ” Kemp tweeted .
“ While we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restoring peace and maintaining order , we won ’ t hesitate to take action without them.
” The order says the declaration of a state of emergency is justified by “ unlawful assemblage , violence , overt threats of violence , disruption of the peace and tranquility of this state and danger existing to persons and property.
” The order is to remain in effect until at least June 13 .
Authorities said Secoriea was in the car with her mother and another adult when the driver tried to drive through illegally placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area .
Armed individuals blocking the entrance opened fire on the vehicle , striking it multiple times and killing the child , police said .
“ She was only 8 years old , ” said her mother , Charmaine Turner .
“ She would have been on Tik Tok dancing on her phone , just got done eating .
We understand the frustration of Rayshard Brooks .
We didn ’ t have anything to do with that .
We ’ re innocent .
My baby didn ’ t mean no harm.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to see her cousins , said her father , Secoriya Williamson .
“ They say Black lives matter , ” he said .
“ You killed your own.
” A 53-year-old man was also fatally shot over the weekend near the restaurant , Kemp noted .
“ At that location , city officials have failed to quell ongoing violence with armed individuals threatening citizens , shooting at passersby , blocking streets , destroying local businesses , and defying orders to disperse , ” his order says .
The governor also cited vandalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters early Sunday .
The order says several dozen people “ armed with rocks , spray paint , and fireworks ” broke windows and tried to set fire to the building .
A spokesman for Bottoms didn ’ t immediately respond to requests for comment about the governor ’ s authorization of Guard troops .
In Washington , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany lamented at Monday ’ s news briefing that she was not asked by reporters about weekend killings in Atlanta and other major U.S. cities .
McEnany said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate flag ” and was dismayed that she did not get one about the weekend shootings .
She also said comments by Secoriea ’ s father “ broke my heart .
”

ATLANTA — Georgia’s governor on Monday declared a state of emergency and authorized the activation of up to 1,000 National Guard troops after a weekend of violence in Atlanta left five people dead, including an 8-year-old girl.
A statement from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office says troops will provide support at certain locations including the Capitol and governor’s mansion, freeing up state law enforcement resources to patrol other areas.
“Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous, destructive agenda. Now, innocent Georgians are being targeted, shot, and left for dead,” the Republican governor said. “This lawlessness must be stopped and order restored in our capital city.”
Saturday night’s fatal shooting of Secoriea Turner, 8, prompted a $10,000 reward for information as authorities searched for at least two people who opened fire on the car she was riding in near a flashpoint of recent protests.
Officers returned to the scene late Sunday to investigate another shooting, steps away from where Secoriea was shot, that left one person dead at the scene and two others injured.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called for justice in Secoriea’s death during an emotional news conference Sunday with the girl’s grief-stricken mother.
“You can’t blame this on a police officer,” the mayor said. “You can’t say this about criminal justice reform. This is about some people carrying some weapons who shot up a car with an 8-year-old baby in the car for what?”
“Enough is enough,” Bottoms, who is Black, continued. “If you want people to take us seriously and you don’t want us to lose this movement, we can’t lose each other.”
The killing happened near the Wendy’s restaurant where a Black man, Rayshard Brooks, was killed by a white police officer June 12. The fast food outlet was later burned, and the area has since become a site for frequent demonstrations against police brutality.
Earlier Monday, Atlanta police helped as sanitation crews cleared the area around the torched Wendy’s. Flowers and memorials to Brooks, as well as posters with messages protesting police brutality, were cleared away.
Secoriea was slain during a particularly violent night in Atlanta on Saturday. Kemp’s office said that over thirty people were wounded by gunfire, including five dead, over the holiday weekend.
Kemp addressed the shootings on social media on Sunday night, saying the “recent trend of lawlessness is outrageous and unacceptable.”
“Georgians, including those in uniform, need to be protected from crime and violence,” Kemp tweeted. “While we stand ready to assist local leaders in restoring peace and maintaining order, we won’t hesitate to take action without them.”
The order says the declaration of a state of emergency is justified by “unlawful assemblage, violence, overt threats of violence, disruption of the peace and tranquility of this state and danger existing to persons and property.” The order is to remain in effect until at least June 13.
Authorities said Secoriea was in the car with her mother and another adult when the driver tried to drive through illegally placed barricades to get to a parking lot in the area. Armed individuals blocking the entrance opened fire on the vehicle, striking it multiple times and killing the child, police said.
“She was only 8 years old,” said her mother, Charmaine Turner. “She would have been on Tik Tok dancing on her phone, just got done eating. We understand the frustration of Rayshard Brooks. We didn’t have anything to do with that. We’re innocent. My baby didn’t mean no harm.”
The girl just wanted to get home to see her cousins, said her father, Secoriya Williamson.
“They say Black lives matter,” he said. “You killed your own.”
A 53-year-old man was also fatally shot over the weekend near the restaurant, Kemp noted.
“At that location, city officials have failed to quell ongoing violence with armed individuals threatening citizens, shooting at passersby, blocking streets, destroying local businesses, and defying orders to disperse,” his order says.
The governor also cited vandalism at the Georgia Department of Public Safety headquarters early Sunday. The order says several dozen people “armed with rocks, spray paint, and fireworks” broke windows and tried to set fire to the building.
A spokesman for Bottoms didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment about the governor’s authorization of Guard troops.
In Washington, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany lamented at Monday’s news briefing that she was not asked by reporters about weekend killings in Atlanta and other major U.S. cities. McEnany said she was asked “probably 12 questions about the Confederate flag” and was dismayed that she did not get one about the weekend shootings. She also said comments by Secoriea’s father “broke my heart.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Lin-Manuel Miranda says movie adaptation of ‘Hamilton’ unlikely

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Lin-Manuel Miranda says it ’ s unlikely @ @ @ @ @ a movie version of “ Hamilton.
” After a filmed version of the Broadway musical @ @ @ @ @ week , its creator told Variety , “ I don ’ t love a lot @ @ @ @ @ shows , because it ’ s hard to stick the landing.
” Plus , “ @ @ @ @ @ what a cinematic version of ‘ Hamilton ’ looks like .
If I had , @ @ @ @ @ it as a movie .
”

He’s throwing away his shoot.
Lin-Manuel Miranda says it’s unlikely that there will ever be a movie version of “Hamilton.” After a filmed version of the Broadway musical was released on Disney+ last week, its creator told Variety, “I don’t love a lot of movie musicals based on shows, because it’s hard to stick the landing.”
Plus, “I don’t know what a cinematic version of ‘Hamilton’ looks like. If I had, I’d have written it as a movie.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Jets rookie Denzel Mims is no fan of ‘dirty-a–, trash-a–‘ Philadelphia

If Denzel Mims had his preference , the Jets wouldn ’ t be making a trip to Philadelphia as part of the preseason .
The rookie wide receiver , a second round pick out of Baylor , isn ’ t a fan of the City of Brotherly Love .
“ I didn ’ t like that dirty-a– , trash-a—city , ” he said of Philly while playing “ Call of Duty ” on a livestream .
This wasn ’ t the first time Mims , 22 , went off on Philadelphia .
In April , on the “ Inside The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displeasure with the city as well .
“ I was very scared .
I wasn ’ t familiar with the whole city and it was a lot going on , ” Mims said .
“ You see a lot of people that look scary .
… I had a bad experience , you could say , going up there that first time.
” The Eagles were in position to land Mims with the 53rd overall pick , but they opted for Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts .
Six picks later , the Jets took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to return to Philly this year .
The Jets were initially scheduled to visit the Eagles in Week 4 of the preseason .
But a shortened preseason , due to the novel coronavirus pandemic , could eliminate that trip .

If Denzel Mims had his preference, the Jets wouldn’t be making a trip to Philadelphia as part of the preseason. The rookie wide receiver, a second round pick out of Baylor, isn’t a fan of the City of Brotherly Love.
“I didn’t like that dirty-a–, trash-a—city,” he said of Philly while playing “Call of Duty” on a livestream.
This wasn’t the first time Mims, 22, went off on Philadelphia. In April, on the “Inside The Birds” podcast, he expressed his displeasure with the city as well.
“I was very scared. I wasn’t familiar with the whole city and it was a lot going on,” Mims said. “You see a lot of people that look scary. … I had a bad experience, you could say, going up there that first time.”
The Eagles were in position to land Mims with the 53rd overall pick, but they opted for Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts. Six picks later, the Jets took Mims.
There is a chance Mims will have to return to Philly this year. The Jets were initially scheduled to visit the Eagles in Week 4 of the preseason. But a shortened preseason, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, could eliminate that trip.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Alan Dershowitz busy on Twitter after Page Six’s nude beach exclusive

It has been a busy 24 hours for Jeffrey Epstein lawyer Alan Dershowitz .
The Dersh — who once admitted to getting a massage at Epstein ’ s mansion by an older woman but insists “ I kept my underwear on during the massage ” — has been rocked by Page Six ’ s exclusive that he hasn ’ t been seen at his favorite nude beach in Martha ’ s Vineyard , Mass.
, for months .
One Twitter user pointed out , “ It ’ s the only place @ AlanDersh can get his underwear off , see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens , you want to see @ ChrisEvans at that beach but Alan Dershowitz shows up.
” Plus , “ Missed the habeas corpus joke.
” Meanwhile , the high-powered celeb attorney continues to insist he was never part of pedophile Epstein ’ s crimes , writing on Twitter that he has never had sex with a minor , “ There have been suggestions that Epstein made secret videos of all the men who had sex in his houses and planes .
I hope he did and they are all revealed , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
”

It has been a busy 24 hours for Jeffrey Epstein lawyer Alan Dershowitz.
The Dersh — who once admitted to getting a massage at Epstein’s mansion by an older woman but insists “I kept my underwear on during the massage” — has been rocked by Page Six’s exclusive that he hasn’t been seen at his favorite nude beach in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., for months.
One Twitter user pointed out, “It’s the only place @AlanDersh can get his underwear off, see?” And, “That always happens, you want to see @ChrisEvans at that beach but Alan Dershowitz shows up.” Plus, “Missed the habeas corpus joke.”
Meanwhile, the high-powered celeb attorney continues to insist he was never part of pedophile Epstein’s crimes, writing on Twitter that he has never had sex with a minor: “There have been suggestions that Epstein made secret videos of all the men who had sex in his houses and planes. I hope he did and they are all revealed, because they will prove I am not among them.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Anthony Fauci says current US coronavirus climate is ‘serious situation’

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. health official @ @ @ @ @ that the current state of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States “ is really @ @ @ @ @ “ serious situation that we have to address immediately.
” The United States is still @ @ @ @ @ first wave of the illnesses , having never gotten the case number as low as @ @ @ @ @ director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the @ @ @ @ @ , said during a live internet interview with National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins @ @ @ @ @ a serious situation that we have to address immediately , ” Fauci said .
Fauci @ @ @ @ @ eventual vaccine , now in development by several companies , to work well and provide @ @ @ @ @ period of time , but that it will not be infinite protection such as the @ @ @ @

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. health official Anthony Fauci said on Monday that the current state of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States “is really not good” and a “serious situation that we have to address immediately.”
The United States is still “knee-deep” in the first wave of the illnesses, having never gotten the case number as low as planned, Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said during a live internet interview with National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins.
“It’s a serious situation that we have to address immediately,” Fauci said.
Fauci said that he expects an eventual vaccine, now in development by several companies, to work well and provide protection at least for some period of time, but that it will not be infinite protection such as the vaccine for measles.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Only known jointly signed pic of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump costs $32,500

Proving that even an international crisis can prove profitable for some opportunists — a rare picture of President Donald Trump and Russian premier Vladimir Putin shaking hands at the Helsinki summit in 2018 , and signed by both world leaders , is for sale at a price $ 32,500 .
The pair look pally at the summit , after which Trump reportedly sided with Russia over the FBI , contradicting US intelligence agencies by saying there had been no reason for Russia to interfere in the 2016 presidential election .
Trump said at the time , “ President Putin says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see any reason why it would be.
” Well , evidence gathered by special counsel Robert Mueller told a different story .
The photo was first signed by Putin for a Russian government employee shortly after the summit .
Then , through an intermediary , the Russian sent it to a US Republican insider who asked Trump to sign it at an event last year .
It is the only known jointly signed photo of the two leaders , and is for sale at MomentsInTime.com .
The picture is particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiasco , which has prompted Democrats to bash Trump .
“ I believe that the president is not close to tough enough on Vladimir Putin , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said .
And CNN has described calls between Putin and Trump as “ two guys in a steam bath .
”

Proving that even an international crisis can prove profitable for some opportunists — a rare picture of President Donald Trump and Russian premier Vladimir Putin shaking hands at the Helsinki summit in 2018, and signed by both world leaders, is for sale at a price $32,500.
The pair look pally at the summit, after which Trump reportedly sided with Russia over the FBI, contradicting US intelligence agencies by saying there had been no reason for Russia to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Trump said at the time, “President Putin says it’s not Russia. I don’t see any reason why it would be.”
Well, evidence gathered by special counsel Robert Mueller told a different story. The photo was first signed by Putin for a Russian government employee shortly after the summit. Then, through an intermediary, the Russian sent it to a US Republican insider who asked Trump to sign it at an event last year. It is the only known jointly signed photo of the two leaders, and is for sale at MomentsInTime.com.
The picture is particularly pertinent given the current Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence fiasco, which has prompted Democrats to bash Trump. “I believe that the president is not close to tough enough on Vladimir Putin,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. And CNN has described calls between Putin and Trump as “two guys in a steam bath.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Steve Cohen is making another big push to buy Mets

Sources close to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen tell The Post that he will bid on the Mets this @ @ @ @ @ 2.6 billion deal for the team fall apart in the 11th hour back in February @ @ @ @ @ is a Mets fan from childhood who has a net worth of $ 13 billion @ @ @ @ @ only bidder to offer the Wilpons anywhere close to the valuation they have put on @ @ @ @ @ remains to be seen if the two parties can overcome the bad blood that scuttled @ @ @ @ @ but insiders have told The Post for weeks that he is monitoring the sale and @ @ @ @ @ come close to the $ 2 billion minimum number the Wilpons and their bankers are @ @ @

The prodigal bidder has returned.
Sources close to billionaire hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen told The Post he will bid on the Mets this week, months after having his $2.6 billion deal for the team fall apart dramatically at the 11th hour back in February. Cohen’s reemergence, while not totally shocking, will cause upheaval in the first-round bidding process set to end on Thursday.
Cohen, 64, is a Mets fan from childhood who owns 8 percent of the team. He also has a net worth of close to $13 billion, and sources say he has been monitoring the Mets situation closely, fully aware that he is the only bidder who can offer the Wilpons anywhere close to the $2 billion valuation they have put on their money-losing franchise without selling their revenue-generating TV network, SNY.
It remains to be seen if the two parties can overcome the bad blood that scuttled the deal after last-minute negotiations collapsed due to disagreements about how much control the Wilpons would retain after Cohen agreed to pay $2.6 billion for 80 percent of the franchise and no ownership of SNY.
As The Post reported at the time, the Wilpons wanted a five-year transition window during which Fred Wilpon would retain total control of the team with no input from Cohen, an arrangement that the famously micro-managing Cohen found troubling.
In the fallout, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred publicly sided with the Wilpons, making it clear that they felt Cohen acted in bad faith.
Then came COVID-19.
With baseball on pause and the Mets financial picture deteriorating, the Wilpons picked up the pace on their quest to sell the team, attracting interest from Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez, private equity billionaires and New Jersey Devils owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, LA real estate player Kurt Rappaport, and London-based financiers David and Simon Reuben.
Those parties have been informed the Wilpons want a deal done by October in order to ensure that MLB approves the sale by the end of 2020.
But Cohen’s interest in the team has hung over the new sale, so much so that other bidders in the new process asked and were told by the Mets bankers Allen & Co. that Cohen was not involved in the process.
Sources close to the billionaire trader and art collector have consistently told The Post that while Cohen was keeping tabs on the situation, he was not yet ready to pursue a new bid, but that appears to have changed now that bids on the team appear more than likely to fall well short of the $2 billion figure the Wilpons have demanded without having to include SNY.
While reps for Cohen did not comment on the new development, insiders close to the sale took Cohen’s new bid in definite stride.
“What a surprise,” cracked one insider sarcastically when told of the news.


newyorkpost--2020-07-06--Steven Matz has Mets gushing after dominant outing

The Mets will receive plenty of early national TV exposure ...

Steven Matz was sharp in a three-inning simulated game at Citi Field on Monday and at least one of his teammates liked what he saw.
“He looked really, really good,’’ Jacob deGrom said after Matz was done. “That was very impressive to watch, maybe the best I’ve seen him in a long time. It was very impressive.”
Matz whiffed the first three batters he faced: Andres Gimenez, Tomas Nido and Robinson Cano.
The fact that Matz has already worked up to three innings was encouraging to manager Luis Rojas, who expects to use Matz as part of a traditional five-man rotation in what will be an unorthodox season — if it’s played.
“He looked great,’’ Rojas said. “All the pitchers are looking great. I talked to the catchers on the side after each inning [Monday] and [Wilson] Ramos complimented how Matz looked.”
Rojas liked how Matz was able to use his fastball and breaking ball while ahead in the count, as well as his changeup and curveball during his outing.
“He was playing with his pitches today and looking like he was in midseason form,’’ Rojas said. “Like Jake [Sunday]. I’m excited guys maintained their form. They communicated with the performance and pitching coaches and it’s showing. We’re seeing it up close. I’m excited for a couple of days of simulated games, matching up batters and hitters.”
Matz’s spot in the rotation was hardly guaranteed following the offseason signings of Michael Wacha, who appeared in a simulated game later on Monday, and Rick Porcello. But with Noah Syndergaard out for the season following Tommy John surgery this spring, Matz’s role will be even more important than anticipated.
And deGrom clearly enjoyed seeing his fellow starter work.
“Everything was right where he wanted it,’’ deGrom said. “It was exploding out of his hand, so it was fun to watch.”
And while deGrom was speaking to reporters on a Zoom call, he sounded like he was talking to Matz at one point.
“Just go out and compete,” deGrom said. “That’s all you can do: Throw the pitch with intent every pitch. I think the upside [for Matz] is unbelievable.”
Among the challenges for Matz and the rest of the rotation will be building up their pitch counts in three weeks of spring training 2.0.
“They showed up in good shape, but not with [regular] pitch counts,’’ Rojas said. “We don’t have time to ramp up into the regular season.”
For Matz and the others, Rojas said the coaching staff would put together a schedule “almost every day, from one day to another” rather than planning out the entire spring like they would in a traditional spring training.
“You want starters at the beginning of this short stint of a season to go deeper than earlier,” Rojas said. “But we definitely need to get there.”