newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Sally Yates accuses Trump of ‘fawning’ over Putin in DNC speech

Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates accused President Trump of “ fawning ” over Russian leader Vladimir Putin and trampling on democracy at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday evening .
“ He treats our country like his family business , this time bankrupting our nation ’ s moral authority at home and abroad , ” the Obama holdover said .
Trump fired Yates just 10 days after moving into the executive mansion after the Obama-appointee refused to defend in court his Muslim travel ban .
She addressed her dismissal early in her speech , calling the policy “ shameful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first speakers at Tuesday ’ s virtual convention during a segment themed “ We Respect the Constitution.
” The party ’ s decision to feature Yates so prominently was a blatantly partisan one given the immense scrutiny Yates is facing from Republicans over her involvement in the investigation into President Trump ’ s national security adviser , Michael Flynn .
Her firing made her a hero in liberal Democratic circles and many in the party have speculated she may have a future in office .
In a Senate hearing earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Comey under the bus and claimed he went “ rogue ” during the Flynn investigation .
Yates first learned of Flynn ’ s phone calls with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak directly from President Obama at a January 2017 meeting in the Oval Office also attended by Joe Biden , but denied they were trying to influence the case .

Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates accused President Trump of “fawning” over Russian leader Vladimir Putin and trampling on democracy at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday evening.
“He treats our country like his family business, this time bankrupting our nation’s moral authority at home and abroad,” the Obama holdover said.
Trump fired Yates just 10 days after moving into the executive mansion after the Obama-appointee refused to defend in court his Muslim travel ban.
She addressed her dismissal early in her speech, calling the policy “shameful and unlawful.”
Yates was one of the first speakers at Tuesday’s virtual convention during a segment themed “We Respect the Constitution.”
The party’s decision to feature Yates so prominently was a blatantly partisan one given the immense scrutiny Yates is facing from Republicans over her involvement in the investigation into President Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
Her firing made her a hero in liberal Democratic circles and many in the party have speculated she may have a future in office.
In a Senate hearing earlier this month, the Democrat operative threw then-FBI director James Comey under the bus and claimed he went “rogue” during the Flynn investigation.
Yates first learned of Flynn’s phone calls with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak directly from President Obama at a January 2017 meeting in the Oval Office also attended by Joe Biden, but denied they were trying to influence the case.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--DNC night 2 kicks off with keynote address from 17 ‘rising stars’

Night two of the 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off on Tuesday night with a keynote speaker — well , 17 of them .
Instead of designating one rising star to deliver the address — like Mario Cuomo in 1984 and Barack Obama in 2004 — Democrats picked 17 “ next generation of party leaders ” from across the country to speak in a video mashup .
“ There is one person that is looking out for us — all of us , ” they said in unison .
“ And that is Joe Biden.
” The speakers were largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Florida ’ s agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried .
The list also included Stacey Abrams , who lost her bid for Georgia governor in 2018 and considered a 2020 presidential run herself .
She closed out the clip , saying : “ This year ’ s choice could not be more clear .
We know Joe Biden .
America , we need Joe Biden.
” The joint address was meant to “ offer a diversity of different ideas and perspectives on how to move America forward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They will all speak to the future we ’ re building together — a future with Joe Biden at the helm.
” Notably absent among the rising stars was progressive firebrand New York lawmaker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
She was given a 60-second slot to speak later on in the night , angering supporters who started a petition to get her more air time .

Night two of the 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off on Tuesday night with a keynote speaker — well, 17 of them.
Instead of designating one rising star to deliver the address — like Mario Cuomo in 1984 and Barack Obama in 2004 — Democrats picked 17 “next generation of party leaders” from across the country to speak in a video mashup.
“There is one person that is looking out for us — all of us,” they said in unison. “And that is Joe Biden.”
The speakers were largely young representatives from swing states, such as Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Florida’s agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried.
The list also included Stacey Abrams, who lost her bid for Georgia governor in 2018 and considered a 2020 presidential run herself.
She closed out the clip, saying: “This year’s choice could not be more clear. We know Joe Biden. America, we need Joe Biden.”
The joint address was meant to “offer a diversity of different ideas and perspectives on how to move America forward,” organizers said in a news release.
“They will all speak to the future we’re building together — a future with Joe Biden at the helm.”
Notably absent among the rising stars was progressive firebrand New York lawmaker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
She was given a 60-second slot to speak later on in the night, angering supporters who started a petition to get her more air time.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Giants don’t share Shannon Sharpe’s worry over Joe Judge

The Joe Judge Era is just beginning , but one Hall ...

There are those outside the Giants’ sphere of influence hot and bothered about new head coach Joe Judge demanding his players and assistant coaches run a penalty lap during Monday’s training camp practice.
This caught the attention of Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. The former NFL tight end tweeted, “This isn’t going to end well.’’
There is always rampant concern, usually followed by derision, when a first-time head coach tries to lay down the law by using old-school tactics on NFL players. This is especially so for any coach who grew out of the Bill Belichick coaching tree.
Ben Watson, the former Patriots tight end, who worked with Judge last year in New England, took to Twitter to opine that Judge should not try to be Belichick: “Be. Your. Self. There is only one [Belichick].’’
It is not as if Judge is halting practice every time there is a miscue to send the offending players off on a run. And, if those wondering if Judge is taking too much of a hardline approach actually saw what went down in his first padded practice, they would have realized the slow-paced penalty laps could hardly be described as cruel and unusual punishment. Or even remotely embarrassing.
“The way I see it, it just goes with coach Judge’s philosophy,’’ veteran guard Kevin Zeitler said. “He said we’re going to be detail-oriented and there will be consequences for our actions that aren’t good for the team. It’s just a way of playing it through, for players and coaches. We all need to get better every day and there are no exceptions.’’
Judge on Tuesday was asked about the criticisms sent his way by Sharpe and Watson.
“Everything we do has a purpose and we’re very intent with our team explaining why we’re doing things were doing,’’ Judge said. “We’re not just blindly out there winging it trying to go ahead and enforce punishment.
“This isn’t a punishment, it’s a reminder that we have to draw our attention and be more detailed in how we approach things.’’
Last summer, DT Dexter Lawrence sought out his 2019 rookie classmate Daniel Jones to be his roommate in their first NFL training camp. Jones credits Lawrence for keeping things light and serving as a stress reliever. The two developed a friendship.
The 342-pound Lawrence took notice in their second camp together how Jones gained nearly 10 pounds of muscle to hover near 230 pounds heading into his second season.
“He’s definitely looking a little buff out there,’’ Lawrence said. “He’s looking good. He’s felt like he needed a little more beef. I gave him a hard time but it’s all good.’’


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli tried to hide college scam from guidance counselor: feds

Under their plea deal , the feds will recommend two months ...

Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, advised their YouTuber daughter to play it cool with her “nosey bastard” of a high school counselor — in order to keep their role in the college admissions scam under wraps, prosecutors alleged in new court documents.
Giannulli even confronted the counselor for telling an admissions official at the University of Southern California that he doubted Olivia Jade was in crew, based on “her video blogging schedule,” according to a memo filed in federal court in Boston on Monday.
“Giannulli aggressively asked what [the counselor] was telling USC about his daughters and why [the counselor] was trying to ruin or get in the way of their opportunities,” the filing states. “Giannulli also bluntly stated that [his younger daughter] was a coxswain.”
The court document breaking down the case against the celebrity couple was filed by US Attorney Andrew Lelling ahead of the pair’s sentencing on Friday.
The former “Full House” star, 55, and her fashion designer husband, 56, in May agreed to cop to conspiracy charges for paying $500,000 to college fixer William “Rick” Singer in order to get their two daughters into USC as bogus rowing recruits.
“The crime Giannulli and Loughlin committed was serious,” prosecutors wrote. “Over the course of two years, they engaged twice in Singer’s fraudulent scheme.”
“They involved both their daughters in the fraud, directing them to pose in staged photographs for use in fake athletic profiles and instructing one daughter how to conceal the scheme from her high school counselor.”
The filing alleges that Olivia Jade, now 20, and her parents discussed in January 2018 how to avoid her high school adviser uncovering their scheme.
“When their daughter asked whether she should list USC as her top choice school, Loughlin replied: ‘Yes … But it might be a flag for the weasel to meddle,'” referring to the counselor, the document states.
“Giannulli added: ‘F[—] him,’ and remarked that the counselor was a ‘nosey bastard,'” according to the filing, which added that Loughlin then told her daughter not to “say too much” to her adviser.
About two months later, Giannulli allegedly had the confrontation with the counselor over his blabbing to USC that he didn’t believe Olivia Jade was actually a rower.
Later that day, the counselor emailed Giannulli that he had advised USC that Olivia Jade “is truly a coxswain.” The dad, copying his wife, replied, “Thank you very much,” before forwarding the email to Singer and noting “Here we go …,” the filing states.
The feds earlier this year also released photos they say the couple used to scam their daughters’ way into USC. The pics show Olivia Jade and her older sister, Isabella Rose, seated on rowing machines in workout clothes, their faces blurred. Giannulli emailed the photos to Singer, prosecutors said.
The couple had vowed to fight the charges, saying they believed the money was a legitimate donation to Singer.
Under their plea agreements, Loughlin is expected to be sentenced to two months in prison, while her husband will get five months behind bars.
The actress will also perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $150,000 fine. Giannulli will pay a $250,000 fine and perform 250 hours of community service.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Behind-the-scenes details on Ron Meyer mistress saga

RON Meyer , the longtime head of Universal Studios , was an ...

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Legendary Hollywood exec Ron Meyer left his job thanks to a blackmail scheme over an extramarital affair — after a downward spiral of gambling and womanizing, sources told Page Six on Tuesday.
The 75-year-old entertainment titan, who helped shape the careers of everyone from Tom Cruise to Meryl Streep, announced Tuesday that he was leaving NBCUniversal after 25 years — amid repeated attempts to extort him over his former lover.
Meyer’s ex-mistress was identified by sources as British actress Charlotte Kirk, 28 — whose later affair with Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara, 55, brought that exec down last year.
“I recently disclosed to my family and the company that I made a settlement, under threat, with a woman outside the company who had made false accusations against me,’’ Meyer said in a statement.
“Admittedly, this is a woman I had a very brief and consensual affair with many years ago,’’ said the Tinseltown career-maker, referring to Kirk, according to sources.
“I made this disclosure because other parties learned of the settlement and have continuously attempted to extort me into paying them money or else they intended to falsely implicate NBCUniversal, which had nothing to do with this matter, and to publish false allegations about me,’’ Meyer said.
But sources told Page Six that Meyer’s statement was only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what went on behind the scenes over the extortion bid.
Meyer — a co-founder of the behemoth Creative Artists Agency before jumping to Universal to head its film division for 18 years — married first wife Ellen Meyer in 1975.
The couple had two daughters — including Jen Meyer, who was once wed to “Spider-Man’’ star Tobey Maguire — before divorcing about 12 years later.
He then married second wife Kelly Chapman in 1993, and the couple split in 2018.
Meyer didn’t say when his affair with Kirk began or ended, but sources said it started around 2012 and that the pair met a few times over the course of about a month.
Kirk — who has had bit parts in flicks such as “Ocean’s 8” and “How to Be Single’’ — then began threatening to expose the relationship, sources said. Even though it was consensual, Meyer knew that given their extreme age difference, it might not look good, sources said.
Tsujihara was forced to step down from his post last year after it surfaced he had an extramarital affair with Kirk in 2013 — and amid allegations he offered to help her career as the pair had sex.
“Ron was an idiot,’’ a source said. “Instead of telling [Kirk] he wouldn’t give in,’’ he paid her.
But then Meyer fell victim to a new shakedown attempt, the source said. It wasn’t immediately clear who was behind it.
He eventually refused to give in, and his alleged extorters ended up sending a draft lawsuit to Universal on Monday, the source said.
Meyer was out by the end of the day, the source said.
“Universal asked Ron, ‘Why didn’t you tell us you were being extorted?’ ” the source said. “He told them, ‘I thought I could handle it.’
“Universal said, ‘We can’t allow you and the company to be extorted, you should have called the FBI.’ ”
The behind-the-scenes saga came as Meyer had been dating woman after woman following his divorce — after years of allegedly grappling with hefty gambling debt, sources said.
Meyer has admitted to being a high-roller but has insisted he’s now reformed.
“The irony is that Ron is one of the most loved people in Hollywood,’’ the source noted.
“He dated a lot of women after his divorce. They may not have been the totally appropriate women for his age and status, but it was always consensual.
“He may have got into trouble with his womanizing and gambling, but it wasn’t illegal. He was just stupid. Classic gambler mentality — he got himself too deep into situations he couldn’t control.”
Reps for Kirk declined comment to The Post. Meyer’s representatives also wouldn’t comment.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Jets veteran Steve McLendon opens up on 2020 team

Mekhi Becton has heard it his whole life — he ...

He is as revered in the Jets’ locker room as much as a player can be anywhere, an undrafted free agent out of Troy who was cut five times before an indestructible will allowed him to beat the odds, and here he is now at age 34, the mentor, the voice of reason and wisdom. So when Steve McLendon talks, people listen.
So listen as the Jets nose tackle talks state of the team in a phone interview with The Post and starts with 6-foot-7, 370-pound rookie offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, the biggest man he has encountered since 6-8, 359-pound Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown:
“With a guy that big, that physical that can move, that’s just a train with no brakes. Once it gets going it’s hard to stop.”
Everyone, McLendon included, has been impressed with Becton’s growing grasp of the playbook and his thirst for knowledge.
“He’s a student of the game, that’s been amazing as a rookie just coming in that’s playing right away,” McLendon said. “He wants to know why is he getting beat if he gets beat, and, ‘How can I get better at it?’ He’s not one of those guys that’s gonna hang his head and be like, ‘Dang.’ He wants to know, ‘What did you do? What was your thought process? What did you see?’ He’s coming to you wide awake, ’cause he wants to know. He can learn from his mistakes very fast.”
Listen as McLendon talks about defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the third-overall pick in the 2019 draft.
“He’s focused, and he’s absolutely driven,” McLendon said. “It’s just his level of understanding of the game, the game’s slowing down, he’s in great shape. By him learning the game now, for him personally, he’s looking at it’s time for him to show the reason why he was drafted at [No.] 3. He’s not even trying to prove anybody wrong, but he’s trying to prove to himself that he’s right.”
Williams underachieved as a rookie (2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, 28 combined tackles in 13 games).
“For a big guy, he’s very athletic,” McLendon said. “The No. 1 thing he did, he got stronger and he got explosive.”
Sam Darnold is the unquestioned leader of the offense.
“He’s taking control, and that’s all you want to see in your quarterback, is take control, and he’s doing that,” McLendon said.
McLendon won’t compare Darnold to former Steelers teammate Ben Roethlisberger.
“But I can say this: I feel like Sam can and will lead a team into the postseason,” he said.
His former Steelers teammate Le’Veon Bell has reported in the best shape of his life.
“He’s a running back that can do it all,” McLendon said.
Becton is joined on the overhauled offensive line by veteran center Connor McGovern.
“Very smart guy. … He’s not coming here to lose, he’s coming here to win,” McLendon said.
Greg Van Roten is the new right guard.
“Very smart, but he has a great personality,” McLendon said. “He wants to make sure that we’re working hard, we’re doing the right thing, but he also wants you to make sure you’re doing it with a smile.”
Submit your Jets questions to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Adam Gase?
“He is most definitely driven,” McLendon said. “That’s all you want in your leader, that’s all we need, for him to stay fired up.”
McLendon has faith that his blunt, X-rated defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, can withstand the loss of Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley.
“He gets on me. That’s what I like. A player loves to be coached,” he said.
McLendon is a player they all love to coach.
“I’m very thankful for having McLendon back in the room. I call him kind of Last of the Mohicans,” defensive line coach Andre Carter said. “Here’s a guy that kind of just fought tooth and nail to make a name for himself, and so his story is a testament of what it really takes to be an elite NFL player and to get double digits in the league.”
McLendon named his top-of-the-line athletic training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Team MVP Gym because there is no “I” in McLendon.
“It all started off with a dream and a vision that could help others, to uplift others and encourage others, and I needed to do something that I love doing as well,” McLendon said.
He is still helping, still uplifting, still encouraging, still loving what he’s doing. It is why when Steve McLendon talks, you listen.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Aaron Judge may be back in Yankees lineup very soon

Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar have returned to the Yankees ...

Saturday is the first day Aaron Judge is eligible to leave the injured list and rejoin the Yankees.
This past Sunday, the right fielder who has been out with a right calf strain, said he didn’t need to go on the IL, which is an indication Judge could be ready to play Saturday against the Mets at Citi Field.
“I hope so, we will see again how the ramp up goes this week as he ramps up the intensity with his run and his movements,’’ Aaron Boone said. “He hit on the field [Tuesday] and I know he is feeling really good, feeling like he is there.’’
Still, Boone wasn’t ready to proclaim Judge will be back Saturday.
“We are at Tuesday right now and we will see where he is at the end of the week,’’ Boone said. “Hopefully be in position to make that call and get him back in there.’’
Before Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss to the Rays, Boone hadn’t received word concerning the third opinion on DJ LeMahieu’s sprained left thumb. The doctor who treated the infielder for a similar problem in 2018 was sent the tests.
“Nothing has been brought to my attention yet on that,’’ Boone said. “I am assuming the diagnosis that we have given to [the media] is what we are going to have moving forward.’’
LeMahieu left Saturday’s game against the Red Sox and the initial diagnosis was the Yankees’ most complete hitter would be out two to three weeks.
With LeMahieu and Judge, the No. 1 and 2 hitters in Boone’s lineup, on the IL, the manager turned to an unlikely leadoff hitter against Rays lefty Blake Snell: Luke Voit.
At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, Voit’s body isn’t the typical leadoff hitter and he had never started a game hitting first in the lineup although he had appeared in the leadoff spot 10 times in his career. However, Voit entered Tuesday night’s action on a seven-game hitting streak in which he was 10-for-27 (.370) with three homers and eight RBIs. He went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and liked hitting first but knows who he likes in that spot.
“It felt pretty good,’’ said Voit, who walked to start the first against Snell. “But I like DJ in that spot.’’
A year ago when injuries took Judge and Giancarlo Stanton out of the lineup, Boone talked to Voit about hitting on top.
“It was something I talked to Luke about last year when we were down some guys and I mentioned it to him [Tuesday] and he was pretty fired up about it,’’ Boone said. “It is something against the Rays, who are very good at matching up and creating some good lanes for some of their heavy split on one side [relievers]. I am just trying to balance out where I might pinch hit.’’
Miguel Andujar was in the Yankees’ lineup for a second straight game but not in left field or third base since Boone had the right-handed hitter in the DH spot against Snell.
Asked about his demotion to the alternate site on Aug. 6, Andujar was honest.
“It was surprising but at the same time you have to keep a positive mind and here I am with an opportunity right in front of me,’’ said Andujar, who went 1-for-2 and is 2-for-19 (.105) in six games.
With Gleyber Torres up in the eighth and the Yankees trailing by three runs, the Rays moved Yoshi Tsutsugo from third to left field. With four outfielders and second baseman Joe Wendle at third, Nick Anderson struck out Torres.
The Yankees made several roster moves before Tuesday’s game. They recalled right-handed reliever Nick Nelson from the alternate site to take the place of right-handed reliever Ben Heller, who was optioned after Monday night’s game.
They also signed infielder Jordy Mercer to a minor league contract and added him to the 60-man roster. Mercer was on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster before being designated for assignment and outrighted to the Tigers alternate site. Mercer elected free agency.
The Yankees also transferred catcher Wynston Sawyer to their 60-man roster.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Wendy Williams takes weird to another level

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 ) This past week in celebrity @ @ @ @ @ Quick Fix podcast covers : • Ellen DeGeneres says she doesn ’ t know where @ @ @ @ @ on the set of her eponymous daytime talk show .
• And Chris Cuomo just @ @ @ @ @ TikTok .
We Hear : Quick Fix is a Spotify exclusive week-in-review five minute podcast @ @ @ @ @ Maggie Coughlan and Ian Mohr break down the biggest stories of the week – including @ @ @ @ @ the most satisfying piece of gossip .
For all the juiciest scoops about celebrities and @ @ @ @ @ the We Hear : Quick Fix podcast released every Friday .

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This past week in celebrity news, the We Hear Quick Fix podcast covers:
We Hear: Quick Fix is a Spotify exclusive week-in-review five minute podcast from Page Six. Editors Maggie Coughlan and Ian Mohr break down the biggest stories of the week – including The Joy of Six, the most satisfying piece of gossip.
For all the juiciest scoops about celebrities and high society, subscribe to the We Hear: Quick Fix podcast released every Friday.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Erin Brockovich says ‘we must be our own superheroes’

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 ) Famed clean water crusader Erin @ @ @ @ @ and podcast coming out , both called “ Superman ’ s Not Coming.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ the government is going to protect us , ” she told Page Six .
“ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
Our water is poisoning us , our food is full of toxins @ @ @ @ @ , the earth is heating , ” said Brockovich , whose grass-root environmental activism was @ @ @ @ @ the 2000 movie .
“ The only time I ’ ve ever seen things change @ @ @ @ @ communities unite .
We must be our own superheroes , ” she said .
The @ @ @ @ @ .

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Famed clean water crusader Erin Brockovich has a new book and podcast coming out, both called “Superman’s Not Coming.”
“We cannot pretend that the government is going to protect us,” she told Page Six. “There is no superhero on the way. Our water is poisoning us, our food is full of toxins, the air is contaminated, the earth is heating,” said Brockovich, whose grass roots environmental activism was portrayed by Julia Roberts in the eponymous 2000 movie.
“The only time I’ve ever seen things change for the better is when communities unite. We must be our own superheroes,” she said.
The book is out Aug. 25.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--St. Regis Punta Mita offers luxe ‘work-from-home’ accommodations

Campers “ can rest assured that they will be easily able ...

Tired of staring at the cat litter box during Zoom meetings? Why not just gaze upon the azure waters of the tropics instead?
At the beginning of summer, Page Six reported that the Ritz had jumped to the rescue of 1-percenter parents torn between sending their kids off to COVID-riddled camps and, well, spending the summer with their kids — by launching “private luxury camps.” Now the St. Regis has made its own bid for humanitarian relief by allowing folks to “work from home” from its five-star Punta Mita resort in Mexico.
Those toiling away in their cabanas will enjoy the full support of the resort’s “tech team” and “office supplies,” plus “workstation fiestas” to “celebrate the business week’s success.”
But what of guests worried about missing out on the Champagne rituals on which we’ve all come to so rely while working from home? Fret not. “The magic of the signature St. Regis nightly champagne sabering ritual can be reserved for private demonstrations and toasts on guests’ own private villa terraces.”
There are also options for those who have had quite enough Champagne for one pandemic. “One of the things people miss most about their normal work routines are the happy hours,” said the hotel. “To address this, the resort’s Tequila Connoisseur can customize private . . . tasting flights.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Colin Powell endorses Biden, praises his character in DNC video

Standing at an actual crossroads , Republican former Gov .
John Kasich ...

Former GOP Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid on Tuesday, joining an increasing number of Republicans who are supporting the Democratic nominee.
In his video endorsement, expected to be played at the Democratic National Convention, Powell — who served in George W. Bush’s administration — praised Biden’s character without directly addressing President Trump.
“What I learned growing up in the South Bronx and serving in uniform were the same values that Joe Biden’s parents instilled in him in Scranton, Pennsylvania,” the retired four-star Army general said.
“I support Joe Biden for the presidency of the United States because those values still define him and we need to restore those values to the White House. Our country needs a commander in chief who takes care of our troops in the same way he would is own family,” he continued.
“For Joe Biden, that doesn’t need teaching. It comes from the experience he shares with millions of military families, sending his beloved son off to war and praying to God he would come home safe.”
Powell joins a swelling number of Republicans who have this week come out in support of Biden, including former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Sen. John McCain’s widow Cindy McCain.
Powell was forced by Bush to resign in 2004 after he falsely claimed to the United Nations Security Council that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
Trump in June called the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff a “real stiff” after he announced that he would be supporting Biden, hitting the former secretary’s record and accusing him of false justifications to go to war in Iraq.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--NY liquor authority taking shots at Cloister Café over lawsuit

Cloister Café is fighting back after it was shut down ...

The state liquor authority is taking shots — at a restaurant that filed suit against it.
On Monday Page Six reported that East Village hotspot Cloister Café is suing the SLA, claiming that it shut it down for COVID violations based on evidence it had cribbed from media reports — which they allege had been picked up from social media.
But the SLA fired back Tuesday, telling Page Six, “While we do not comment on pending litigation, any claim that Café Closter’s summary suspension was based on social media posts or media accounts is demonstrably false.”
It said that both the New York City Sheriff’s Office and investigators with the state’s multi-agency task force inspected the spot and “at approximately 12:30 a.m. on August 7th — more than an hour after New York City’s 11:00 p.m. curfew for outdoor dining — and documented a multitude of violations, each of which put New Yorkers’ health and safety in danger during a global pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Gothamist — which published the report — is also defending its reporting saying in an article responding to their claims that far from being picked up from “a single social media post” as the restaurant claimed, the piece was “based on interviews with nearly a dozen people, including almost half a dozen who had been to their events in person.”
The New York blog maintained in the article published Tuesday that the parties were “routinely going past 11 p.m. and early into the morning multiple times a week.”
Cloister’s lawyer, Robert Garson, fired back, telling us: “The Gothamist article smacks of somebody trying to cover their exposed behinds.”
He insists that the SLA relied on the posts and concluded: “SLA’s statement is a revisionist history of how they conducted their own proceedings which is abundantly clear for all to see.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--DNC night two features Jill Biden, Bill Clinton and a 60-second AOC

Bill Clinton will issue a rare and searing rebuke of ...

Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images; Photo by ALYSSA POINTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; AP Photo/John Minchillo
Democratic elders and the progressives from the party’s left flank will gather on Tuesday evening for night two of the virtual Democratic National Convention.
Dr. Jill Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate’s wife, will headline the night of live and mostly pre-recorded videos along with former president Bill Clinton and firebrand New York lawmaker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Former acting US Attorney General Sally Yates, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), former Secretary of State John Kerry, and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del), a close friend of Biden, will also appear.
The theme for the second night is “Leadership Matters,” but the appearance of Clinton in the headline speaking slot has raised eyebrows given mounting scrutiny over his friendship with the late multi-millionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his now jailed accused madam, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Earlier Tuesday, photographs emerged of Clinton being given a neck massage by one of Epstein’s alleged victims nearly two decades ago while another victim maintains she saw Clinton on Epstein’s Caribbean island — a charge he has denied.
Joe Biden’s sexual assault accuser Tara Reade and Juanita Broaddrick, the Arkansas woman who accused Clinton of raping her in 1978, told The Post they were disgusted by the move.
In a preview of his speech, Clinton hits Trump for bringing “chaos” to the office he once held and accuses him of failing the country on the coronavirus — a rare rebuke from a former president of the sitting president.
“At a time like this, the Oval Office should be a command center, instead it’s a storm center. There’s only chaos. Just one thing never changes — his determination to deny responsibility and shift the blame,” he says. “The buck never stops there.”
Jill Biden will deliver her remarks from a classroom at the Brandywine High School in Delaware where she was an English teacher in the 1990s.
A powerful and polished surrogate for her husband, Biden had her own brush with controversy on Monday when her ex-husband accused her of having an affair with Joe in the 1970s.
Ocasio-Cortez has been given just a 60-second slot to speak, angering supporters of the progressive New York congresswoman who started a petition to give her more air time.
AOC has had a rocky relationship with the septuagenarian presidential candidate, begrudgingly endorsing him earlier this year after Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out.
Monday’s convention kick-off was dominated by former first lady Michelle Obama’s weighty endorsement of Biden and her scathing critique of Trump — drawing the president’s ire.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Mike Miller’s time on Knicks coaching staff likely done

Former Knicks interim coach Mike Miller is unlikely to return to the Knicks as he explores other coaching opportunities , according to a source .
Miller is under contract for next season , as The Post reported last month .
Miller could return to the Knicks in a scouting capacity , if he doesn ’ t find another position .
A source told The Post after Tom Thibodeau was hired that Miller was disappointed and may not campaign for a return to the staff despite his solid work after taking over for David Fizdale on Dec. 4 .
Miller went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources , Thibodeau had agreed to allow the front office have heavy input into the coaching staff and that has prevented him from immediately hiring his usual guys such as Ed Pinckney , the Greer brothers and Dice Yashimoto , who is working for the University of Georgia .
It is believed , however , that Andy Greer and Yoshimoto are still under consideration .
Sources contend Knicks vice president William Wesley pushed for Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne , Johnnie Bryant and Mike Woodson , whose hiring appears imminent .
That made Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be limited in hiring his own guys .
Sources contend Miller was considered strongly for the permanent job after a solid interview .

Former Knicks interim coach Mike Miller is unlikely to return to the Knicks as he explores other coaching opportunities, according to a source. Miller is under contract for next season, as The Post reported last month.
Miller could return to the Knicks in a scouting capacity, if he doesn’t find another position.
A source told The Post after Tom Thibodeau was hired that Miller was disappointed and may not campaign for a return to the staff despite his solid work after taking over for David Fizdale on Dec. 4. Miller went 17-27 as interim coach.
According to sources, Thibodeau had agreed to allow the front office have heavy input into the coaching staff and that has prevented him from immediately hiring his usual guys such as Ed Pinckney, the Greer brothers and Dice Yashimoto, who is working for the University of Georgia. It is believed, however, that Andy Greer and Yoshimoto are still under consideration.
Sources contend Knicks vice president William Wesley pushed for Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne, Johnnie Bryant and Mike Woodson, whose hiring appears imminent. That made Miller’s inclusion dicey because Thibodeau would be limited in hiring his own guys.
Sources contend Miller was considered strongly for the permanent job after a solid interview.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Chris Russo slams Fernando Tatis Jr. over grand slam saga

The backlash to the backlash has arrived .
Padres star shortstop ...

Chris Russo took his own swing at Fernando Tatis Jr., shaming the San Diego Padres superstar for his controversial grand slam Monday night while comparing the star shortstop to an NBA player.
Tatis swung at a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded and his team up seven runs against the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning, purportedly breaking the so-called “unwritten rules” of baseball that call for a hitter not to swing in that situation or run up the score.
Though many former and current baseball players and fans defended one of the growing faces of the sport, the long-time former WFAN voice chastised Tatis Jr. for not taking the take sign from his manager to lay off the pitch.
“No matter what you think about the game score, no matter what you think about the idea that Tatis hit a grand slam and he’s fun to watch, and he’s sort of an NBA guy playing baseball, a young enthusiastic … he’s got to take signs from his manager,” Russo said on his MLB Network show, “High Heat.”
Tatis indicated after the 14-4 rout that he did not notice the sign, and on Tuesday apologized for hitting what was his league-leading 11th home run. In baseball it is sometimes ill-advised to swing at a 3-0 pitch because then the hitter risks an out as opposed to waiting out a walk.
The 60-year-old Russo taking issue with the 21-year-old Tatis is symbolic of a growing baseball divide, which pins traditionalists, who prefer players to be business-like, compared with a new generation of players like Tatis, who flip the bat after home runs and aren’t afraid to show off their personality on the field.
“I believe in respecting authority,” Russo said.
Tatis’ manager Jayce Tingler, who spent the past 14 seasons working in the Rangers organization, and Rangers manager Chris Woodward each criticized Tatis for his decision to swing at the pitch.
Woodward was suspended one game after Texas pitcher Ian Gibaut threw behind Manny Machado immediately following the grand slam. Gibaut was banned three games but is appealing.
Tatis, the son of a major leaguer, did have the backing of two baseball legends, Reggie Jackson and Johnny Bench, while it seemed Russo was in the minority.
“So you take a pitch…now you’re 3-1. Then the pitcher comes back with a great setup pitch…3-2. Now you’re ready to groundout into a double play. Everyone should hit 3-0. Grand Slams are a huge stat,” tweeted Bench, likely referring to the fact that baseball players’ contracts often include bonuses for stats such as home runs and grand slams.
Mr. October tweeted, “Fernando Tatis keep playing hard and playing great, it’s a pleasure to watch you play, love your success and the Padres rise to be a winner. Keep leading the way. It ain’t easy to hit Hrs. Keep bringing energy you have to the game, we need players like you. An All Star.”
There were others who pointed out that no lead is safe in today’s game.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--SUV-sized asteroid just flew by Earth closer than any known space rock

An asteroid the size of an SUV flew closer to the Earth than any other space rock on record Sunday morning — but luckily did not make impact with the planet , NASA said .
The asteroid — dubbed 2020 QG — whizzed by at a clip of 8 miles per second about 1,830 miles over the southern Indian Ocean .
About 20 feet long , the asteroid wasn ’ t noticed until about six hours after passing by the planet at its closest point , the federal agency said .
The rock was captured by a California sky-scanning survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science Foundation .
“ It ’ s really cool to see a small asteroid come by this close , because we can see the Earth ’ s gravity dramatically bend its trajectory , ” said Paul Chodas , director of NASA ’ s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies .
“ Our calculations show that this asteroid got turned by 45 degrees or so as it swung by our planet.
” Many asteroids the size of 2020 QG impact earth annually , but usually become fireballs and break up once entering the planet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that don ’ t impact Earth pass from a much further distance , NASA said .

An asteroid the size of an SUV flew closer to the Earth than any other space rock on record Sunday morning — but luckily did not make impact with the planet, NASA said.
The asteroid — dubbed 2020 QG — whizzed by at a clip of 8 miles per second about 1,830 miles over the southern Indian Ocean.
About 20 feet long, the asteroid wasn’t noticed until about six hours after passing by the planet at its closest point, the federal agency said.
The rock was captured by a California sky-scanning survey telescope funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation.
“It’s really cool to see a small asteroid come by this close, because we can see the Earth’s gravity dramatically bend its trajectory,” said Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.
“Our calculations show that this asteroid got turned by 45 degrees or so as it swung by our planet.”
Many asteroids the size of 2020 QG impact earth annually, but usually become fireballs and break up once entering the planet’s atmosphere.
Most small space rocks that don’t impact Earth pass from a much further distance, NASA said.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--How Team Trump is combatting Iran’s militant anti-Semitism

The Trump administration has reportedly confiscated four Iranian cargo ships ...

Even as the pandemic has taken a major toll on Iran, Tehran refuses to let up on its virulent hatred of Jews and targeting of Israel. Which is why the Trump administration’s pushback remains as vital as ever.
When the Islamic Revolution swept Iran 41 years ago, an ideology driven by rabid anti-Semitism erased a culture of tolerance, even affection, toward Jews. The shah’s kingdom had rescued Jews during the Holocaust and helped Jewish families escape persecution in Iraq.
Today, the Islamic Republic is the world’s chief state sponsor of anti-Semitism; Jew-hatred is core to its ideology. It was only a few months after Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in 1979 that the Islamist authorities executed the president of Iran’s Jewish community on charges of being a “Zionist” and “economic imperialist,” the first of several Iranian Jews killed.
The regime also formed within its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps an elite special-operations unit called the Jerusalem Force, or Quds Force, commanded (until recently) by General Qassem Soleimani and dedicated to the “liberation” of Jerusalem from the Jews.
In the 1980s, the Quds Force midwifed the birth of Hezbollah, one of the deadliest and most anti-Semitic terrorist groups on Earth.
In the 1990s, Iran and its terrorist proxies carried out multiple suicide bombings of Jewish targets in Argentina and Bulgaria, murdering 120 people and injuring hundreds more.
Iran’s drumbeat of anti-Semitic hatred continues to the present. Official government media sources publish anti-Semitic diatribes, including “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.” Holocaust denial is a staple of the regime’s pronouncements, including by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei himself, who has spoken of the “myth of the massacre of Jews known as the Holocaust.”
Genocidal chants of “death to Israel” are heard at government-organized rallies, and officials speak of the need to “wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.” Some in the West discount this talk as hyperbole. If so, why does the regime print “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew and Farsi on some of its long-range missiles?
Most recently, Supreme Leader Khamenei described Israel as a “cancerous tumor” and published an image calling for “the final solution” against the Jews.
Even the coronavirus pandemic in Iran has become a tool of the regime’s anti-Semitism. Leaders and official news networks have claimed that “Zionists” are responsible for the contagion. But it wasn’t the Zionists who allowed Iran’s Mahan Air to fly to four cities in China from January through March and then lied about it. It was the regime.
The mullahs also brainwash children to hate Jews. In one third-grade textbook, an illustration shows children with sticks chasing away a dirty, germ-like invader. The invader has the Star of David branded on its arm.
The Trump administration has been standing up firmly to all this ugliness. We expose the regime’s anti-Semitism whenever we see it.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Iran under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for severe violations of religious freedom. We sanctioned cleric Ahmad Jannati, the secretary of the Guardian Council, who called non-Muslims “sinful animals” and urged that Israel’s foreign minister be shot.
We sanctioned the IRGC and its Quds Force as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and have rallied nations to sanction or ban Hezbollah in its entirety. We’re further isolating Iran by brokering peace between Israel and the UAE.
The administration will not allow the UN arms embargo on Iran to expire in October. We’ll soon exercise our right to “snapback” all UN sanctions on Iran, including the arms embargo. And President Trump has vowed never to allow the world’s chief state sponsor of terrorism and anti-Semitism to possess nuclear weapons.
Unlike the prior administration, we supported every single action taken by Israel to defend itself from attacks by Iran and its proxies. Israel knows our campaign of maximum economic pressure has put the mullahs in a financial crisis. Meanwhile, the regime faces a crisis of legitimacy with its people, who want to be at peace with Israel and believe in the philo-Semitism shown by Cyrus the Great.
Rest assured: The United States will continue to employ every appropriate tool of national power against the Iranian regime and its anti-Semitism.
Brian H. Hook is the US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Adviser to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo; Elan S. Carr is the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Sorry, Mayor de Blasio: NYC desperately needs its billionaires

Who wants to be a New York City billionaire ?
Contrary to what the mayor thinks , Gotham needs its superrich .
Last week , The New York Times asked : Which political leader , in this crisis , is going to champion New York as a place where businesses and wealthy people want to be ?
Kathy Wylde , head of the Partnership for New York City , a coalition of business interests , said we need “ a plan.
” To City Hall , the request smacked of outrageous entitlement .
“ Kick rocks , billionaires , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor himself was more circumspect .
“ I am not going to beg anybody to live in the greatest city in the world , ” he said .
It ’ s one thing to opine that the rich must pay their “ fair share , ” as de Blasio ineffectually nattered on about for years .
It ’ s another thing to say that New York doesn ’ t need — or want — them .
OK , so what does New York without billionaires — and their envious relations , millionaires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2017 ( the last year for which full data is available ) , 65,053 New York households — about 1.7 percent of tax filers — made above half a million dollars , according to the city ’ s Independent Budget Office .
They paid a whopping $ 6.1 billion in income taxes to the city , or 53 percent of local income taxes .
If this share of personal-income taxes has held up , they likely paid $ 6.7 billion in income taxes for the fiscal year that just ended — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s total tax collections .
The richest of the rich ?
In 2017 , 1,818 families earned above $ 10 million each — and paid $ 2.8 billion in local income taxes , or nearly a quarter of total income taxes .
It ’ s fine if New York City doesn ’ t want that cash — but city leaders will have to explain to middle-class people why trash isn ’ t being picked up as often , explain to poorer residents why it can ’ t keep crime down and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can no longer retire in their 50s .
But taxes are only one aspect .
Wealthier people get to choose where they live , more so than many people can .
They want to live here , for the same reasons many normal people do : restaurants , shopping , Broadway , the opera , museums , baseball games .
They just also happen to fund those things more than the rest of us .
An opera-goer ’ s ticket doesn ’ t cover the cost of the show , just as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of displaying its paintings .
Arts organizations depend on the people whose names are on the walls .
Donors , in turn , don ’ t act entirely out of selflessness : They give to a cause whose product they and their peers enjoy .
You may never go to the opera , or Saks , or the museum — but wealthier people cross-subsidize these attractions with big donations or spending , attracting tourists and upper-middle-class residents to the city , further firming up the tax base .
Finally , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yorker perusing The Post from his Hamptons or Florida “ second home ” may read the article about a robbery spree on the Upper East Side — and decide it ’ s yet another reason not to return right now .
New York needs wealthier people to stay and care — partly because people in poorer neighborhoods , focused on survivability , have less time and resources to organize themselves in favor of better policing .
Nearly two decades ago , then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg clumsily called New York a “ luxury city.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people would pay higher taxes here because they got a good quality of life .
Now what ’ s the calculation ?
Come back to New York — and worry about getting sick from a second wave of COVID-19 ( keep in mind you ’ re probably old ) , worry about being mugged on the street , be unable to attend a classical-music show at least until next year and have protesters target you at home with deafening middle-of-the night protests ?
The rejoinder from the socialists is : People shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical level , wealth distribution can not be achieved on locally , when financial assets are mobile — and especially when that locality is falling apart .
The rejoinder from the urbanists is de Blasio ’ s line : Disloyal people should be shamed for being disloyal .
But nobody has signed a blood oath to a New York City that doesn ’ t want them .
That leaves poorer New Yorkers who can ’ t leave — with fewer education and job opportunities , and a greater risk of being felled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute ’ s City Journal .

Who wants to be a New York City billionaire? Contrary to what the mayor thinks, Gotham needs its superrich.
Last week, The New York Times asked: Which political leader, in this crisis, is going to champion New York as a place where businesses and wealthy people want to be? Kathy Wylde, head of the Partnership for New York City, a coalition of business interests, said we need “a plan.”
To City Hall, the request smacked of outrageous entitlement. “Kick rocks, billionaires,” said the mayor’s spokesperson. The mayor himself was more circumspect. “I am not going to beg anybody to live in the greatest city in the world,” he said.
It’s one thing to opine that the rich must pay their “fair share,” as de Blasio ineffectually nattered on about for years. It’s another thing to say that New York doesn’t need — or want — them.
OK, so what does New York without billionaires — and their envious relations, millionaires — look like?
First, taxes. In 2017 (the last year for which full data is available), 65,053 New York households — about 1.7 percent of tax filers — made above half a million dollars, according to the city’s Independent Budget Office. They paid a whopping $6.1 billion in income taxes to the city, or 53 percent of local income taxes.
If this share of personal-income taxes has held up, they likely paid $6.7 billion in income taxes for the fiscal year that just ended — or more than 10 percent of the city’s total tax collections.
The richest of the rich? In 2017, 1,818 families earned above $10 million each — and paid $2.8 billion in local income taxes, or nearly a quarter of total income taxes.
It’s fine if New York City doesn’t want that cash — but city leaders will have to explain to middle-class people why trash isn’t being picked up as often, explain to poorer residents why it can’t keep crime down and explain to uniformed public-sector workers that they can no longer retire in their 50s.
But taxes are only one aspect. Wealthier people get to choose where they live, more so than many people can. They want to live here, for the same reasons many normal people do: restaurants, shopping, Broadway, the opera, museums, baseball games.
They just also happen to fund those things more than the rest of us. An opera-goer’s ticket doesn’t cover the cost of the show, just as a museum admission price doesn’t cover the cost of displaying its paintings.
Arts organizations depend on the people whose names are on the walls. Donors, in turn, don’t act entirely out of selflessness: They give to a cause whose product they and their peers enjoy.
You may never go to the opera, or Saks, or the museum — but wealthier people cross-subsidize these attractions with big donations or spending, attracting tourists and upper-middle-class residents to the city, further firming up the tax base.
Finally, there’s livability. The wealthy New Yorker perusing The Post from his Hamptons or Florida “second home” may read the article about a robbery spree on the Upper East Side — and decide it’s yet another reason not to return right now.
New York needs wealthier people to stay and care — partly because people in poorer neighborhoods, focused on survivability, have less time and resources to organize themselves in favor of better policing.
Nearly two decades ago, then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg clumsily called New York a “luxury city.” But he had a point: Wealthier people would pay higher taxes here because they got a good quality of life.
Now what’s the calculation? Come back to New York — and worry about getting sick from a second wave of COVID-19 (keep in mind you’re probably old), worry about being mugged on the street, be unable to attend a classical-music show at least until next year and have protesters target you at home with deafening middle-of-the night protests?
The rejoinder from the socialists is: People shouldn’t be so rich. On a practical level, wealth distribution cannot be achieved on locally, when financial assets are mobile — and especially when that locality is falling apart.
The rejoinder from the urbanists is de Blasio’s line: Disloyal people should be shamed for being disloyal. But nobody has signed a blood oath to a New York City that doesn’t want them. That leaves poorer New Yorkers who can’t leave — with fewer education and job opportunities, and a greater risk of being felled by a stray bullet.
Nicole Gelinas is a contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Ending colleges’ outrageous racial discrimination: the 2020 choice is clear

If the COVID-19 pandemic arrived a few months earlier , quarterback ...

The outcome of November’s election will likely determine the role of racial preferences in college admissions.
Voters have a clear choice. The Trump administration wants an applicant’s grades and achievements to matter most. The Obama-Biden administration urged colleges to tilt the scale in favor of minority applicants. Now Joe Biden is doubling down on that position by selecting Kamala Harris as his running mate. Harris has persistently advocated giving black and Latino college applicants favored treatment.
In California, racial preferences literally will appear on the ballot in November. Voters will be asked whether or not they want to repeal a part of the state’s constitution that bans discrimination in public-college admissions and hiring based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Harris supports repeal, in order to legalize discrimination and make it possible for the University of California to favor black and Latino applicants over whites and Asians.
As California attorney general, she urged the US Supreme Court to uphold racial preferences at the University of Texas and at public colleges in Michigan.
On the other hand, Trump is battling to overturn racial preferences in college admissions everywhere.
Last Thursday, Trump’s Department of Justice gave Yale University two weeks to abandon its preferential scheme or face a federal lawsuit. DOJ found that Yale’s admissions process resembles a quota system. Asian-American and white students have one-tenth to one-fourth the chance of being admitted as African-American applicants with similar academic credentials, according to DOJ.
The Trump administration is also battling Harvard’s race-conscious admissions process. Harvard prevailed in a lower court, but an appeal is pending. If Trump wins re-election, count on this issue reaching the Supreme Court, where a 5-4 victory against racial preferences is likely.
The Supremes managed to equivocate on the issue for years. But newly appointed Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch are expected to oppose preferences. Chief Justice John Roberts, often a swing vote, also opposes them.
“It’s a sordid business, this divvying us up by race,” he’s written. “The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discrimination on the basis of race.”
On the other hand, Biden sees nothing wrong with discrimination. He’s even promised to limit his first Supreme Court pick to black women only.
If the Biden-Harris ticket wins, expect lawsuits against colleges to stop and widespread use of race preferences to thrive.
That would be a shame. College admissions can be a tool to give disadvantaged youngsters a leg up. But race is an imperfect proxy. It sometimes winds up helping the African-American child of a college professor or business executive over a white kid from Appalachia or an Asian student at Bronx High School of Science whose parents are factory workers.
Racial preferences split us instead of uniting us. Trump’s DOJ told Yale, “There is no such thing as a nice form of race discrimination.” It “fosters stereotypes, bitterness and division.” Ask any high-school senior who’s worked tirelessly to get into a college, only to be rejected while less accomplished minority classmates get in.
Despite the moral complexity of the issue, if you dare question it, the thought police will come after you. When University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cardiologist Dr. Norman Wang argued in the Journal of the American Heart Association that medical-school applicants should be assessed based on their individual merits, “not their racial or ethnic identities,” he was made to pay big time. The UPMC stripped him of his administrative position, while his academic colleagues cowered in silence.
The good news: You can oppose racial preferences without risking the same fate as Dr. Wang. All you have to do is vote. And the best thing about voting is that it’s secret.
A vote for Biden-Harris will help perpetuate racial preferences on campus. A vote for Trump will help restore the vision of a nation committed to colorblind justice, where individuals are judged by their achievements, not their skin color. The decision is up to you.
Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York.


newyorkpost--2020-08-18--Jarrett Allen will be Nets’ key to a Caris LeVert breakout

There weren ’ t many individual bright spots for the Nets in ...

If Caris LeVert is going to keep having the ball trapped and doubled out of his hands, the Nets will need Jarrett Allen to come help his point guard. He did it in the restart, and he’ll have do it against the Raptors.
Toronto blitzed LeVert in Monday’s first-round Game 1, and if they do so again Allen must serve as a release valve.
“Yeah for sure. If they’re going, I definitely need to be there. I can’t run away from the ball. I got caught up a couple of times doing that,” Allen admitted. “I should know better than to be doing that: I should always be there to help him.
“Coming into these next games — now that he’s been playing well, going off — they definitely might trap him more. So I need to be ready to help him and ready to make the right play.”
Allen had just one assist Monday after averaging 4.2 in the restart, fifth-most among centers.
“It’s something he’s worked on with his ball-handling and his passing. … You saw he had a couple of pocket passes where he will be able to be a decision-maker,” interim coach Jacque Vaughn said. “We do really believe Jarrett has the ability to make those plays.”
The Nets saw Toronto stretch their defense, not just by shooting 22 of 44 from deep, but by how deep those shots were. Fred VanVleet sank a 31-footer in the second quarter, and Norman Powell hit from 33 in the fourth.
“That was the first thing that was revealing was taking a look at those shots and seeing how deep they were,” Vaughn said. “We might can be into the ball a little more to give [VanVleet] a little [more resistance] coming off of pick-and-roll.”
The Nets gave away too many free points, watching the Raptors go 32 of 33 from the foul line, with Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam going a combined 16-for-16. But just as vital is not getting rattled by the officiating.
“We didn’t do a great job reacting to the officials. At the end of the day, it’s us against them; the officials are calling it both ways,” Garrett Temple said. “We’ve got to do a much better [job] to stay out of foul trouble and be smart.”
Jamal Crawford (hamstring) is out, but that doesn’t mean his 20 years of experience can’t still prove invaluable.
“The dude made a whole scouting report on his own. He’s really locked-in, and his voice is so important — we wish he was playing, but he’s like another coach,” Tyler Johnson said.
“There are 1 or 2 things where maybe, if you’re iso’d up top, maybe look to influence the guy one way. ‘This guy has trouble finishing this way as opposed to if you let him get back to his left.” Sometimes just having an extra voice in there allows you to get to those a little bit quicker.”


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--BLM leader Hawk Newsome defends looters, compares America to ‘terrorists’

A leader in the Black Lives Matter movement in New York defended looters Tuesday night , comparing America to “ terrorists ” and saying the “ government goes and pillages different countries.
” Hawk Newsome ’ s comments came during a heated exchange with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum , who had asked him to respond to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani saying BLM should be designated a domestic terrorist organization .
“ The thing is , he ’ s talking about mothers and fathers who are out there protesting , ” said Newsome , the co-founder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MacCallum , the host of “ The Story , ” clarified that Giuliani was referring to the looters who destroy businesses .
“ OK , so when America goes and steals diamonds and oils , who ’ s calling us terrorists ?
” Newsome responded .
“ When the American government goes and pillages different countries , who ’ s calling us terrorists ?
” MacCallum then asked Newsome for his response to a clip of Ariel Atkins , a BLM activist in Chicago , who said looting was a form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacy .
“ Let ’ s be very careful , Martha , ” he said .
“ The problem with oppression and white supremacy is , white supremacy will have you criticizing the oppressed and worshiping the oppressors .
“ Now , if you want to talk to me about reparations , nothing falls short of a solution other than people cutting a check .
If you want to do something about reparations , cut the check.
” He continued , “ And we ’ re not talking about going in everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about banks like Brown Brothers Harriman , who benefited from slavery .
Other insurance companies that sold insurance policies on slaves .
We ’ re talking about the American government that was founded on the backs of slaves.
” The interview then devolved with McCallum and Newsome talking over each other after the host pointedly asked him if he thought it was “ ethically OK ” to loot stores — which he never answered .
“ OK .
Before I answer that , I want to ask you this , ” Newsome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s okay that our government kills people in their homes like Breonna Taylor ?
” “ No , I don ’ t think that ’ s OK. Of course , I don ’ t think that ’ s OK , ” MacCallum shot back , as Newsome continued to talk over her .

A leader in the Black Lives Matter movement in New York defended looters Tuesday night, comparing America to “terrorists” and saying the “government goes and pillages different countries.”
Hawk Newsome’s comments came during a heated exchange with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, who had asked him to respond to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani saying BLM should be designated a domestic terrorist organization.
“The thing is, he’s talking about mothers and fathers who are out there protesting,” said Newsome, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York.
MacCallum, the host of “The Story,” clarified that Giuliani was referring to the looters who destroy businesses.
“OK, so when America goes and steals diamonds and oils, who’s calling us terrorists?” Newsome responded. “When the American government goes and pillages different countries, who’s calling us terrorists?”
MacCallum then asked Newsome for his response to a clip of Ariel Atkins, a BLM activist in Chicago, who said looting was a form of reparations.
He pivoted the conversation to white supremacy.
“Let’s be very careful, Martha,” he said. “The problem with oppression and white supremacy is, white supremacy will have you criticizing the oppressed and worshiping the oppressors.
“Now, if you want to talk to me about reparations, nothing falls short of a solution other than people cutting a check. If you want to do something about reparations, cut the check.”
He continued, “And we’re not talking about going in everyday Americans’ pockets. We’re talking about banks like Brown Brothers Harriman, who benefited from slavery. Other insurance companies that sold insurance policies on slaves. We’re talking about the American government that was founded on the backs of slaves.”
The interview then deteriorated, with McCallum and Newsome talking over each other after the host pointedly asked him if he thought it was “ethically OK” to loot stores — which he never answered.
“OK. Before I answer that, I want to ask you this,” Newsome responded. “Do you think it’s OK that our government kills people in their homes like Breonna Taylor?”
“No, I don’t think that’s OK. Of course I don’t think that’s OK,” MacCallum shot back, as Newsome continued to talk over her.


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--At least two men shot overnight as NYC gun violence continues

A 30-year-old Iraqi-born man drove his vehicle into several motorcycles ...

At least two more men were shot in the city overnight following an earlier rash of violence in the late afternoon and early evening which left at least one dead, according to cops.
Just after midnight Wednesday, a 39-year-old man was shot twice in the right arm and once in the torso during a dispute with another man on East 108th Street near Glenwood Road, on the grounds of the Breukelen Houses, cops said.
He was taken to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in stable condition.
About 15 minutes earlier, a 26-year-old man was shot in the left leg on Baltic Street near Hoyt Street, on the grounds of the Gowanus Houses.
He was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in stable condition. Cops described him as uncooperative, and the circumstances of the shooting were unclear.
Hours earlier, a 30-year-old man was blasted in the face around 8 p.m. Tuesday by someone driving by in a white SUV at Harlem River Drive near West 159th Street, police said.
He was taken to Harlem Hospital in critical condition.
And around 7:30 p.m., a 26-year-old man was shot dead in a suspected drive-by on East 92nd Street and Kings Highway in East Flatbush, cops said.
No arrests had been made by early Wednesday.
Around 7 p.m., Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was on hand as two men fired shots at each other near West 98th Street and Broadway before fleeing into the Frederick Douglass Houses.
Sliwa said he pursued the gunmen, but couldn’t catch them.
At about 6 p.m., a 39-year-old man was struck in the left arm and a 19-year-old was shot twice in his right leg during a Harlem shooting. Both men went to Harlem Hospital and are expected to survive.
The older victim said he was leaving a store when he heard shots and felt pain, and the younger victim claimed a stranger approached him and opened fire, police sources said.
And just after 5 p.m., four people — ages 17, 18, 19 and 21 — were wounded, the oldest critically, in a drive-by shooting on 21st Street near 34th Avenue in Astoria just after 5 p.m., cops said.
The male suspect got out of a blue vehicle and opened fire, striking the victims, according to police sources.
In total on Tuesday, nine people were shot in five separate shooting incidents, according to preliminary figures released by cops. Two homicides were reported — the East Flatbush shooting and a woman fatally stabbed in Washington Heights.
Cops included a third fatality in that figure — a homeless man kicked down a flight of stairs in Penn Station whose death was just ruled a homicide. However, the incident itself occurred back on August 4.
On that day in 2019, three people were shot in two separate incidents. Two people were killed citywide on that day.


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--Target sees record sales amid coronavirus online shopping boom

Walmart said its online sales nearly doubled as locked-down consumers ...

Target hit a bullseye in the second quarter as an explosion of online shopping led the department store giant to record sales growth.
The Minneapolis-based chain on Wednesday reported a 24.3 percent spike in comparable sales for the three months ending Aug. 1 — its biggest quarterly increase on record — driven by a massive 195 percent surge in digital comparable sales.
The sales helped Target’s total revenues grow 24.7 percent from the year-earlier quarter to nearly $23 billion while earnings per share climbed 84.4 percent to $3.35, blowing out Wall Street’s estimates for $19.8 billion in revenue and earnings of roughly $1.60 per share, according to Bloomberg data.
Target said its stores played a key role in its blowout quarter, fulfilling more than 90 percent of the total sales — even as consumers showed a strong preference for alternatives to in-store shopping amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The company pointed to its 273 percent growth in services that let customers pick up online orders at a store or have them delivered the same day, which accounted for about a quarter of the sales growth.
“We remain steadfast in our focus on investing in a safe and convenient shopping experience for our guests, and their trust has resulted in market share gains of $5 billion in the first six months of the year,” Target chairman and CEO Brian Cornell said in a statement.
The numbers sent Target shares soaring about 12.7 percent in premarket trading to $154.22.
Target also saw its cost of sales jump 24.1 percent and its selling, general and administrative expenses rise 14 percent amid higher compensation costs, such as its July move to a $15 starting wage. But the strong sales growth and other factors more than offset those bills, according to the company.
Other big-box retailers have benefitted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shut consumers in their homes and forced many smaller merchants to close or scale back their operations.
Hardware store giant Lowe’s reported a 34.2 percent jump in its second-quarter comparable sales on Wednesday, a day after Walmart revealed its online sales spiked 97 percent in the three months ending July 31.


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--What Is ‘DeMarcus Family Rules’? Everything You Need to Know about Netflix’s Country Reality Show

Netflix has gone country !
DeMarcus Family Rules is a new reality sitcom on Netflix that ’ s all about the daily life of one of the biggest musicians in country music .
The series focuses on Jay DeMarcus , the outgoing bassist for the hit-making country trio Rascal Flatts .
But who else is part of the DeMarcus family ?
And can you follow the DeMarcus Family Rules cast on Instagram ?
And where was DeMarcus Family Rules filmed ?
Here ’ s everything you need to know about DeMarcus Family Rules on Netflix !
What is DeMarcus Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a new Netflix reality show that shows you what life is like for one of country music ’ s biggest bands… ‘ s bassist .
Jay DeMarcus has been playing bass for Rascal Flatts since the group was formed over 20 years ago .
And in that time , the band ’ s had 33 top 10 singles—include 14 # 1s—on the country chart .
If you ’ re wondering exactly how large the DeMarcus family is living , they ’ re living 27 million albums sold level of large .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how a family of four ( not counting all the in-laws ) deals with daily challenges like planning the best birthday party or hosting the perfect Thanksgiving dinner—with a DeMarcus family twist , of course .
Who is in the DeMarcus Family Rules cast ?
The show stars Jay DeMarcus , of course .
He ’ s the laidback dad who feels a bit detached from his family because he ’ s on the road so much—but he aims at fixing that with as much quality time as possible when he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps the home running and keeps up appearances , which is befitting of a legendary Tennessee beauty queen .
She also has to keep up with the two DeMarcus kids , Madeline and Dylan .
Also featured on the show are Allison ’ s sassy southern mom Jane , her straight shooter sister Amy , and her boisterous best friend Paige .
There ’ s also sassy family chef Mickey and Jane ’ s best Judy , Chris .
Want to keep up with the DeMarcus Family Rules cast on Instagram ?
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Family Rules filming location ?
DeMarcus Family Rules is filmed in Nashville , Tennessee .
That ’ s where the DeMarcus family calls home .
You can stream all of Season 1 of DeMarcus Family Rules on Netflix right now .

Where to Stream: DeMarcus Family Rules Powered by Reelgood
Netflix has gone country! DeMarcus Family Rules is a new reality sitcom on Netflix that’s all about the daily life of one of the biggest musicians in country music. The series focuses on Jay DeMarcus, the outgoing bassist for the hit-making country trio Rascal Flatts. But who else is part of the DeMarcus family? And can you follow the DeMarcus Family Rules cast on Instagram? And where was DeMarcus Family Rules filmed?
Here’s everything you need to know about DeMarcus Family Rules on Netflix!
What is DeMarcus Family Rules on Netflix?
DeMarcus Family Rules is a new Netflix reality show that shows you what life is like for one of country music’s biggest bands…‘s bassist. Jay DeMarcus has been playing bass for Rascal Flatts since the group was formed over 20 years ago. And in that time, the band’s had 33 top 10 singles—include 14 #1s—on the country chart. If you’re wondering exactly how large the DeMarcus family is living, they’re living 27 million albums sold level of large.
In DeMarcus Family Rules, you see just how a family of four (not counting all the in-laws) deals with daily challenges like planning the best birthday party or hosting the perfect Thanksgiving dinner—with a DeMarcus family twist, of course.
Who is in the DeMarcus Family Rules cast?
The show stars Jay DeMarcus, of course. He’s the laidback dad who feels a bit detached from his family because he’s on the road so much—but he aims at fixing that with as much quality time as possible when he’s at home. His wife Allison DeMarcus keeps the home running and keeps up appearances, which is befitting of a legendary Tennessee beauty queen. She also has to keep up with the two DeMarcus kids, Madeline and Dylan.
Also featured on the show are Allison’s sassy southern mom Jane, her straight shooter sister Amy, and her boisterous best friend Paige. There’s also sassy family chef Mickey and Jane’s best Judy, Chris. Want to keep up with the DeMarcus Family Rules cast on Instagram? Here ya go!
Follow Jay DeMarcus on Instagram at @jaydemarcus
Follow Allison DeMarcus on Instagram at @allisondemarcus
Follow Jane Matthews Alderson on Instagram at @officialjanealderson
Follow Amy Alderson Otto on Instagram at @amyaotto
Follow Paige Dennis on Instagram at @thepaigedennis
What is the DeMarcus Family Rules filming location?
DeMarcus Family Rules is filmed in Nashville, Tennessee. That’s where the DeMarcus family calls home.
You can stream all of Season 1 of DeMarcus Family Rules on Netflix right now.
Stream DeMarcus Family Rules on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--Man drives car into motorcyclists in German highway terror attack

Here ’ s what students can expect as the fall shapes up .

A 30-year-old Iraqi-born man drove his vehicle into several motorcycles on a Berlin highway Tuesday evening, injuring six people, in what German authorities said was an Islamist-inspired terror attack, according to reports.
“According to the current state of our investigation, we assume this was an Islamist-motivated attack,” said Berlin’s senator for the interior, Andreas Geisel. “A religiously motivated background cannot be excluded.”
Three of the victims suffered severe injuries, with at least one of them in life-threatening condition, officials said.
One of the three was a firefighter going home from work, Geisel said. It was unclear if he was the one who is in life-threatening condition.
The suspect — identified by local media only as Samrad D. — is being investigated for three cases of attempted murder after allegedly ramming the vehicles at three different locations about 7 p.m.
He was driving a black Opel Astra, which he stopped on the road after the third crash and put an old ammunition box on the roof, claiming it had explosives inside, officials said.
Multiple media outlet reported that he shouted “Allahu akbar!” — “God is great!” — as he got out of his car. The Bild daily reported that he also yelled: “Nobody gets closer, or you will all die.”
The man then rolled out a prayer carpet and started praying, the daily Tagesspiegel reported.
An Arabic-speaking cop approached the suspect, who is known to Berlin police, and talked to him before detaining him, according to the outlet.
The German DPA news agency reported that he allegedly made references to his plans on Facebook before the attack, posting images of the car, as well as religious writings.
The suspect was born in Baghdad in 1990 and lived in a refugee home in Berlin. In 2018, he was detained for injuring people and taken to a mental institution for a short period, Tagesspiegel reported.
There were indications that the suspect has mental health issues.
“The fact that the suspect was possibly suffering from psychological problems does not make this issue any easier,” Geisel said. “If personal problems mix with religiously loaded ideas, this can lead to uncontrollable acts — yesterday’s events have shown in a very painful way how vulnerable our society is.”
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--Will you get a refund if COVID-19 closes your college campus?

You don ’ t have to make another federal student loan payment ...

Many colleges are welcoming students back for in-person learning and dormitory living this fall semester. Looming over everything: Campuses could shut back down at any time.
With COVID-19 cases still high, many colleges are developing shutdown contingency plans alongside their reopening arrangements.
At the same time, the pandemic ignited new debate about whether colleges should charge the same tuition for online and in-person classes. Tuition typically covers the cost of instruction — salaries, software, labs and such — and that cost at many schools may have increased.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, as an exception, has a different cost structure for online classes, hybrid and in-person classes. Still, it announced that students won’t receive a tuition refund if in-person classes move online this fall. That leaves freshman Owen Palmer weighing the possibility that the education he is paying for may not be the one he gets.
“I’m taking a risk because (the university) mentioned they can’t do refunds,” says Palmer. For him, the risk is worth it, but he does wonder what he’ll do if the campus has to close.
Here’s what he and other students can expect as the fall shapes up.
DON’T EXPECT A BREAK ON TUITION
Some schools have cut tuition. Hampton University is offering students a 15% discount, bringing undergraduate tuition to $12,519. Other schools are offering additional scholarships and grants.
But tuition decreases and additional aid aren’t the norm.
“If I had to make bets, I would say a lot of colleges will be (freezing tuition) until they get a better sense of the economy,” says Arun Ponnusamy, chief academic officer at the college admissions and application counseling company Collegewise. “But there will be other colleges that say, ‘We need money to run this school.’”
That may be happening already. George Mason University in Virginia approved a tuition increase of $450. The University of Michigan approved a 1.9% tuition increase. Both schools are planning a mix of online and in-person instruction.
MEALS AND HOUSING REFUNDS LIKELY
Many colleges aren’t publicizing their shutdown contingency plans — or how refunds will work. But students can look to how their school handled refunds in the spring to gauge how fall might play out.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University gave refunds for on-campus housing and meal plans, says William Hudson Jr., the school’s vice president for student affairs. If the campus has to shut down this fall, Hudson says the refund structure “would probably be the same.”
Other colleges also offered direct refunds for students. For example, Temple University automatically deposited partial refunds for room and board in students’ bank accounts. The University of North Carolina Wilmington gave prorated refunds for room and board.
But some colleges opted for account credit instead:
— The University of Arkansas refunded about 20% of room and board costs to student accounts. They haven’t announced an official plan in case of a fall shutdown, but staff members expect it’ll be the same.
— The University of Alabama offered a prorated refund for room and board, and parking. Students could take a cash refund immediately or apply that amount and an extra 10% as an account credit for the fall.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?
If you’re planning to return to campus housing, contact your school and ask about its shutdown contingency plans. You’ll want to know what factors would cause it to shut down again. This could be a campus COVID-19 outbreak of a certain size, an increase in local cases or other factors.
You can’t stop a campus shutdown, but if you know the metrics your school is looking at, you can anticipate it and react more confidently.
— Make backup plans for housing if your campus closes. Determine if you’ll go home, stay with a friend, get your own apartment or something else. Communicate your intentions with those you plan to stay with or scope out affordable apartments in advance. That way, if the campus shuts down suddenly, you know exactly where you’ll go.
— Ask your college about emergency funds and grants if a campus closure will cause you financial hardship. Many colleges have funds available for students.
— Plan how you’d use a refund. If your school offers a direct refund, consider whether you’ll need that money for living expenses. If you don’t need the money for living expenses, send the refund back to your student loan servicer. Doing so will keep your overall loan balance down and save you money in the long run.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Cecilia Clark is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: cclark@nerdwallet.com.


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--Russia releases video of COVID-19 vaccine production process

Eager to promote what Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed is the world ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine , the Ministry of Health has released a short video of its production process , according to a report .
The 40-second clip shows several masked people clad in blue coveralls working in a lab , where a variety of machines are seen in action behind partitions , Agence France-Presse reported .
Meanwhile , another short promotional video for the vaccine was posted by Sputnik News , a state-controlled news agency .
The CGI footage — created by the Russian Direct Investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth fund – shows the coronavirus , with its distinctive spikes , engulfing the Earth and hovering in space .
The Sputnik V vaccine — made to look like the former Soviet Union ’ s Sputnik 1 , the world ’ s first artificial Earth satellite in 1957 – then orbits the rapidly shrinking virus as the globe reappears .
Last week , Putin announced that his country had officially registered the world ’ s first novel coronavirus vaccine , developed by Moscow ’ s Gamaleya Institute , saying it offers “ sustainable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughters was inoculated .
Scientists and experts in several countries reacted with skepticism about the vaccine ’ s efficacy and safety — cautioning that the rush to roll out the inoculation before extensive Phase 3 trials could backfire .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Eager to promote what Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed is the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, the Ministry of Health has released a short video of its production process, according to a report.
The 40-second clip shows several masked people clad in blue coveralls working in a lab, where a variety of machines are seen in action behind partitions, Agence France-Presse reported.
Meanwhile, another short promotional video for the vaccine was posted by Sputnik News, a state-controlled news agency.
The CGI footage — created by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the country’s sovereign wealth fund – shows the coronavirus, with its distinctive spikes, engulfing the Earth and hovering in space.
The Sputnik V vaccine — made to look like the former Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial Earth satellite in 1957 – then orbits the rapidly shrinking virus as the globe reappears.
Last week, Putin announced that his country had officially registered the world’s first novel coronavirus vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, saying it offers “sustainable immunity” and that one of his daughters was inoculated.
Previous 1 of 9 Next Advertisement A laboratory of the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry that produces a COVID-19 vaccine. Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS An employee works with a coronavirus vaccine at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow. AP Advertisement A new vaccine is on display at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow. AP An employee works with a coronavirus vaccine at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow. AP An employee works with a coronavirus vaccine at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow. AP Advertisement An employee works with a coronavirus vaccine at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow. AP Advertisement
Scientists and experts in several countries reacted with skepticism about the vaccine’s efficacy and safety — cautioning that the rush to roll out the inoculation before extensive Phase 3 trials could backfire.


newyorkpost--2020-08-19--Inside The ‘SNL Vault’ Channel On Peacock, Where The Vaunted Sketch Comedy Series Has Been Set To Sh

Inside The ‘SNL Vault’ Channel On Peacock, Where The Vaunted Sketch Comedy Series Has Been Set To Shuffle Mode

As a member of Generation X old enough to have experienced the entirety of Saturday Night Live , the idea of an “ SNL Vault ” seemed too good to be true .
Indeed it was , for Peacock ‘ s so-called vault doesn ’ t include all 45 seasons of SNL just yet .
More like the old “ Disney vault , ” perhaps ?
My , how times have changed .
Remember way back when , before Disney+ , when Walt Disney Studios would tease us with limited-edition VHS and DVDs of their classic movies , only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we didn ’ t buy them in time ?
That somehow seems to be the idea NBCUniversal latched onto for how to present SNL footage to us via Peacock .
Which , in all fairness , isn ’ t the worst idea .
Especially how they ’ ve executed it thus far .
Watching the SNL Vault channel feels a lot like watching early MTV , which also reminds me I was part of the MTV Generation before I was part of Generation X .
But I digress .
And I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you look up Saturday Night Live on Peacock right now , you ’ ll only find episodes from Seasons 40-45 on Peacock right now .
Why only those seasons ?
Only Lorne Michaels knows .
Your other On Demand options include themed packages , including best-of hours for John Belushi , Dana Carvey , Jimmy Fallon , Will Ferrell , Adam Sandler , TV Funhouse and Christopher Walken ( no to the women , but yes to Walken ? )
, as well as sketch collections for sports , Valentine ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animated special , and the 2008 Presidential Bash .
If you tune into the live-streaming channels , then you ’ ll find the SNL Vault high up on the list , just below the NBC News-driven channels and the Olympics channel .
At any given time , you ’ re likely to drop in during one of 10 curated hours of sketches .
While writing this just now , I clicked over into the middle of Eddie Murphy ’ s instant-classic “ White Like Me ” short film .
Fans of SNL certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of their favorite sketches .
What makes the SNL Vault great is how it ’ ll remind you of sketches you hadn ’ t already thought to go searching for online .
The seemingly random playlists in each of the 10 curated hours means for every two sketches you can immediately recall watching live originally , they ’ ll follow that with a sketch you had forgotten about or perhaps never saw before .
Or even look at in a new light .
Take this fake ad for Old Glory Insurance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even the host of this 1995 episode ?
Did you notice that there ’ s not even a single cast member in this sketch ( unless the robot counts ) ?
Did you remember that Ellen DeGeneres ’ s older brother , Vance , had a hand ( literally ) in the old “ Mr .
Bill ” shorts ?
I didn ’ t , until I heard his name mentioned in the introduction to one on the SNL Vault by Candice Bergen .
Your fun-fact experiences may vary .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either way .
If you ’ re a diehard fan , then you also may find the programming repetitive after all .
Much like early MTV , watching music videos in the early 1980s exposed you to some eclectic music , over and over and over again .
The past couple of Saturday nights , the SNL Vault also has played the SNL40 primetime tribute in primetime , almost in its entirety ( minus the musical acts ) .
Which reminds me , you won ’ t see any musical acts ( but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNL Vault .
Also no topical political cold opens , no Weekend Update ( except when it ’ s introducing a character or special segment ) .
Also barely anything from the 1980s .
The non-Lorne years , I could guess why , but still wait with bated breath for high-quality rebroadcasts from season 10 , which boasted Billy Crystal , Martin Short , Christopher Guest , Harry Shearer , and more .
In any given hour , you will likely see a classic fake ad , either “ Celebrity Jeopardy ” or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Digital Short , one live sketch from the original 1975-1980 cast , and multiple sketches from the 2000s , including a music video .
Which means it ’ s mostly killer , no filler .
Not quite the SNL Vault that diehard fans have been dreaming of , but also not a bad way to kill some time during the pandemic .
Need I say more ?
Sean L. McCarthy works the comedy beat for his own digital newspaper , The Comic ’ s Comic ; before that , for actual newspapers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the scoop : Ice cream or news .
He also tweets @ thecomicscomic and podcasts half-hour episodes with comedians revealing origin stories : The Comic ’ s Comic Presents Last Things First .

As a member of Generation X old enough to have experienced the entirety of Saturday Night Live, the idea of an “SNL Vault” seemed too good to be true.
Indeed it was, for Peacock‘s so-called vault doesn’t include all 45 seasons of SNL just yet. More like the old “Disney vault,” perhaps? My, how times have changed. Remember way back when, before Disney+, when Walt Disney Studios would tease us with limited-edition VHS and DVDs of their classic movies, only to seal them back up in the vault if we didn’t buy them in time?
That somehow seems to be the idea NBCUniversal latched onto for how to present SNL footage to us via Peacock.
Which, in all fairness, isn’t the worst idea. Especially how they’ve executed it thus far. Watching the SNL Vault channel feels a lot like watching early MTV, which also reminds me I was part of the MTV Generation before I was part of Generation X. But I digress. And I’ll explain the MTV reference.
(If you’re asking yourself “What is Peacock, anyway?”, check out our explainer.)
If you look up Saturday Night Live on Peacock right now, you’ll only find episodes from Seasons 40-45 on Peacock right now. Why only those seasons? Only Lorne Michaels knows. Your other On Demand options include themed packages, including best-of hours for John Belushi, Dana Carvey, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, TV Funhouse and Christopher Walken (no to the women, but yes to Walken?), as well as sketch collections for sports, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, the David S. Pumpkins animated special, and the 2008 Presidential Bash.
If you tune into the live-streaming channels, then you’ll find the SNL Vault high up on the list, just below the NBC News-driven channels and the Olympics channel.
At any given time, you’re likely to drop in during one of 10 curated hours of sketches. While writing this just now, I clicked over into the middle of Eddie Murphy’s instant-classic “White Like Me” short film.
Fans of SNL certainly can go to YouTube and look for any of their favorite sketches.
What makes the SNL Vault great is how it’ll remind you of sketches you hadn’t already thought to go searching for online. The seemingly random playlists in each of the 10 curated hours means for every two sketches you can immediately recall watching live originally, they’ll follow that with a sketch you had forgotten about or perhaps never saw before. Or even look at in a new light.
Take this fake ad for Old Glory Insurance.
Did you know that Sam Waterston wasn’t even the host of this 1995 episode? Did you notice that there’s not even a single cast member in this sketch (unless the robot counts)?
Did you remember that Ellen DeGeneres’s older brother, Vance, had a hand (literally) in the old “Mr. Bill” shorts? I didn’t, until I heard his name mentioned in the introduction to one on the SNL Vault by Candice Bergen.
Your fun-fact experiences may vary. But your nostalgic funny bones will tingle, either way.
If you’re a diehard fan, then you also may find the programming repetitive after all. Much like early MTV, watching music videos in the early 1980s exposed you to some eclectic music, over and over and over again.
The past couple of Saturday nights, the SNL Vault also has played the SNL40 primetime tribute in primetime, almost in its entirety (minus the musical acts).
Which reminds me, you won’t see any musical acts (but plenty of musical sketches) in the SNL Vault. Also no topical political cold opens, no Weekend Update (except when it’s introducing a character or special segment). Also barely anything from the 1980s. The non-Lorne years, I could guess why, but still wait with bated breath for high-quality rebroadcasts from season 10, which boasted Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and more.
In any given hour, you will likely see a classic fake ad, either “Celebrity Jeopardy” or “Black Jeopardy,” an SNL Digital Short, one live sketch from the original 1975-1980 cast, and multiple sketches from the 2000s, including a music video.
Which means it’s mostly killer, no filler. Not quite the SNL Vault that diehard fans have been dreaming of, but also not a bad way to kill some time during the pandemic. Need I say more?
Sean L. McCarthy works the comedy beat for his own digital newspaper, The Comic’s Comic; before that, for actual newspapers. Based in NYC but will travel anywhere for the scoop: Ice cream or news. He also tweets @thecomicscomic and podcasts half-hour episodes with comedians revealing origin stories: The Comic’s Comic Presents Last Things First.
Watch Saturday Night Live on Peacock