newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Rangers’ damning inconsistency won’t change Pavel Buchnevich’s trade standing

David Quinn had made it a point to say how ...

If this is about learning experiences, then Sunday was sure one of them for the young Rangers, who flushed one point and the opportunity to grab a second by allowing a three-on-two winning goal against with under a half-minute remaining in regulation.
“We have to learn about puck management and making the right decisions at the right time,” Brady Skjei told The Post after Oliver Bjorkstrand’s second goal of the third period elevated the Blue Jackets to a 2-1 victory over the Blueshirts in a low-event, low-energy match at the Garden. “We have to play smart through the entire game and we have to understand situational hockey in the last minute or two.
“We have to recognize the right play and then we have to make it.”
The Rangers came into the match having scored 41 goals in their last 10 and as the league’s sixth highest-scoring club on a per-game basis. They’d achieved those numbers partly by relying on a power play that had gone 10-for-29 over that stretch. On this night, the Blueshirts did not earn so much as a single man-advantage.
And they did little at even-strength to throw any doubt into Matiss Kivlenieks, the 23-year-old Latvian who made his NHL debut on the second night of a back-to-back for his team. The Jackets played conservatively, going into a protective 1-2-2 pretty much from the get-go. Kivlenieks was rarely under pressure, the Blueshirts unable to generate second shots through long stretches of the match while Columbus had trouble getting first shots on Igor Shesterkin.
“It’s almost as if we had too much time,” Skjei said of the methodical pace. “It’s kind of like we played into their hands.”
This is a two-track season. It has been all along. Management and the coaching staff are focused on development but not at the expense of winning hockey games or mounting a push for the playoffs. Same for the players. That has been the story and they’re all sticking to it.
But nine points behind second wild-card Carolina with a couple of games in hand and five teams (including Toronto) to hurdle in order to claim a postseason berth, the Rangers will have to win more than two in a row at some point. They have done that exactly one time this season in the three games preceding Thanksgiving.
Otherwise, the Blueshirts have won two straight six times, which is what they had done entering this one by sweeping last week’s home and home against the Islanders. But that’s where it stopped. Five weeks before the Feb. 24 deadline, two straight and two straight only isn’t going to keep a single endangered species on Broadway for a late charge.
Artemi Panarin had an ordinary night at best at both ends of the ice. Ryan Strome, fairly unremarkable throughout, made a remarkably bad change on the final Jackets rush that contributed to Bjorkstrand being able to tee one up from the slot against a helpless Shesterkin. And Pavel Buchnevich was demoted to the fourth line a shift into the third period.
Buchnevich has contended with flu-like symptoms for much of the past week, so maybe that’s part of the explanation. David Quinn cited how No. 89 had been “sick” lately while explaining why he flipped Buchnevich with Brendan Lemieux, back from the broken hand he suffered on Dec. 27 that had sidelined him for the previous nine contests. Buchnevich had been on the right with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider for the previous 10 games, beginning with that match against the Hurricanes.
“I didn’t think he had it tonight,” the coach said of Buchnevich, whose struggles were illuminated during a late second-period shift in which he turned the puck over a couple of times while his line was pinned and he was caught on for 2:13.
But even as he has been a staple on the top six and on the second power-play unit, Buchnevich has not generated much offense. Indeed, the Russian winger has recorded one goal (and three assists) over his past 13 games. He has posted two goals (and four assists) over his past 23 matches.
And as most of the trade deadline talk has been focused on Kreider, Strome, Tony DeAngelo and Alexandar Georgiev, Buchnevich is certainly to be a topic of conversation in the executive suite as Feb. 24 approaches.
That goes whether or not the Rangers are still in, or on the periphery of, a playoff hunt.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--The New York Times endorses both Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren for president

The New York Times endorsed not one , but two candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday .
The paper ’ s editorial board gave their blessings to progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren and centrist Amy Klobuchar in a surprise endorsement that split from tradition .
The editorial board announced their endorsements toward the end of an episode of “ The Weekly , ” the Times ’ television show that airs on Hulu .
In an article posted to the Times ’ website soon after the episode aired , the board noted their two endorsements were a “ break with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board wrote her campaign writes seriously about policy , while also making a point to highlight proposed anti-corruption legislation and speaking clearly about foreign policy .
“ Her campaign ’ s plans , in general , demonstrate a serious approach to policymaking that some of the other candidates lack , ” they wrote in the endorsement .
“ Ms .
Warren accurately describes a lack of housing construction as the primary driver of the nation ’ s housing crisis , and she has proposed both increases in government funding for housing construction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments to allow more construction , ” they added .
In their endorsement for Klobuchar , the editorial board called her the “ standard-bearer ” for the Democratic center .
They argue her centrist position will give her the opportunity to unite the two wings of her party — and offer her a shot at bringing a divided nation together .
“ The senator from Minnesota is the very definition of Midwestern charisma , grit and sticktoitiveness , ” they wrote .
“ Her lengthy tenure in the Senate and bipartisan credentials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real one ) and uniter for the wings of the party — and perhaps the nation , ” they added .
The editorial board also used the endorsement to criticize President Trump , writing he ’ s leading the country down a path of “ white nativism.
” “ The incumbent president , Donald Trump , is clear about where he is guiding the Republican Party — white nativism at home and America First unilateralism abroad , brazen corruption , escalating culture wars , a judiciary stacked with ideologues and the veneration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in American society was defined and unchallenged , ” they wrote .
In 2016 , the Times ’ endorsed Hillary Clinton for president .
She lost to President Trump in the general election .

The New York Times endorsed not one, but two candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday.
The paper’s editorial board gave their blessings to progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren and centrist Amy Klobuchar in a surprise endorsement that split from tradition.
The editorial board announced their endorsements toward the end of an episode of “The Weekly,” the Times’ television show that airs on Hulu.
In an article posted to the Times’ website soon after the episode aired, the board noted their two endorsements were a “break with convention.”
In endorsing Warren, the board wrote her campaign writes seriously about policy, while also making a point to highlight proposed anti-corruption legislation and speaking clearly about foreign policy.
“Her campaign’s plans, in general, demonstrate a serious approach to policymaking that some of the other candidates lack,” they wrote in the endorsement.
“Ms. Warren accurately describes a lack of housing construction as the primary driver of the nation’s housing crisis, and she has proposed both increases in government funding for housing construction, and changes in regulatory policy to encourage local governments to allow more construction,” they added.
In their endorsement for Klobuchar, the editorial board called her the “standard-bearer” for the Democratic center.
They argue her centrist position will give her the opportunity to unite the two wings of her party — and offer her a shot at bringing a divided nation together.
“The senator from Minnesota is the very definition of Midwestern charisma, grit and sticktoitiveness,” they wrote.
“Her lengthy tenure in the Senate and bipartisan credentials would make her a deal maker (a real one) and uniter for the wings of the party — and perhaps the nation,” they added.
The editorial board also used the endorsement to criticize President Trump, writing he’s leading the country down a path of “white nativism.”
“The incumbent president, Donald Trump, is clear about where he is guiding the Republican Party — white nativism at home and America First unilateralism abroad, brazen corruption, escalating culture wars, a judiciary stacked with ideologues and the veneration of a mythological past where the hierarchy in American society was defined and unchallenged,” they wrote.
In 2016, the Times endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. She lost to Trump in the general election.


newyorkpost--2020-01-19--Shooting in San Antonio club leaves 2 dead, 5 injured

SAN ANTONIO — A manhunt was underway Sunday night after two people were killed and five others were injured following @ @ @ @ @ at a San Antonio club , Texas authorities said .
Police said officers were called @ @ @ @ @ to the Ventura , a music venue located along San Antonio ’ s Museum Reach @ @ @ @ @ .
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said an argument broke out inside of the @ @ @ @ @ individuals and one person pulled out a gun and started shooting .
One victim died @ @ @ @ @ another six were transported to a hospital , where one was pronounced dead shortly after @ @ @ @ @ not been identified .
McManus said the victim who died at the club was male @ @ @ @ @ confident that a suspect will be soon identified and apprehended .
No further information was @ @ @

SAN ANTONIO — A manhunt was underway Sunday night after two people were killed and five others were injured following a shooting during a concert at a San Antonio club, Texas authorities said.
Police said officers were called shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday to the Ventura, a music venue located along San Antonio’s Museum Reach portion of the River Walk.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said an argument broke out inside of the club between a group of individuals and one person pulled out a gun and started shooting. One victim died at the scene, and another six were transported to a hospital, where one was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The victims have not been identified. McManus said the victim who died at the club was male.
McManus said he is confident that a suspect will be soon identified and apprehended. No further information was immediately available.


newyorkpost--2020-01-19--4.5 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Kansas

HUTCHINSON , Kan. — A small earthquake was reported in southern Kansas on Sunday .
The U.S. Geological Survey said @ @ @ @ @ about 2 miles ( 3 kilometers ) southwest of Hutchinson shortly after 1 p.m .
@ @ @ @ @ that it was a magnitude 4.4 earthquake , but later upgraded it .
No damage @ @ @ @ @ earthquake happened near where several others have happened before in Reno County , The Hutchinson @ @ @ @ @ seeing a spike in earthquakes in 2014 that were blamed on wastewater injection wells from @ @ @ @ @ The number of quakes began tapering off after oil prices dropped and regulations were enacted @

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A small earthquake was reported in southern Kansas on Sunday.
The U.S. Geological Survey said a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck about 2 miles (3 kilometers) southwest of Hutchinson shortly after 1 p.m. The service had initially reported that it was a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, but later upgraded it. No damage was immediately reported.
The earthquake happened near where several others have happened before in Reno County, The Hutchinson News reported.
Kansas began seeing a spike in earthquakes in 2014 that were blamed on wastewater injection wells from oil and gas production. The number of quakes began tapering off after oil prices dropped and regulations were enacted.


newyorkpost--2020-01-19--Chiefs’ Andy Reid can reshape tortured legacy in Super Bowl 2020

They began arriving in the parking lot outside Arrowhead Stadium ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Big Red is back in the big game.
The tortured legacy of Andy Reid — five losses in NFL conference championship games and the only head coach to blow two 18-point second-half leads in the playoffs — can take a sharp turn toward the Hall of Fame entrance.
The Chiefs are headed to Super Bowl 2020 after a very-Reid-like, deep-pass-fueled, 35-24 win against the Titans in the AFC Championship on Sunday.
“It takes an army,” Reid said. “It’s not one guy at all.”
Reid will try to win his first title 15 years after his Eagles fell to the Patriots. The only coach with a longer gap between his first two Super Bowl appearances was Dick Vermeil, who earned his ring with the Rams in Round 2.
“He’s definitely a part of the motivation,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “We’re sick of hearing what the media says about him, how he can’t get the big one done. We still got one more [win] to knock off the list.”
Reid is 207-128-1 in the regular season but just 14-14 in the playoffs.
Whether he is grouped alongside Marty Schottenheimer — the great regular-season coach honored inside Arrowhead Stadium but haunted by playoff failures — or immortalized could be on the line in two weeks, even though the Chiefs appear set up to be back year after year.
“The only thing we ever heard was ‘small market, small market, small market,’ ” punter Dustin Colquitt said, “and then all of a sudden Andy Reid is here. It’s kind of changed the trajectory. Of course you want to win one for Big Red.”
Reid exorcised demons by calling offensive plays to lead a 24-point comeback against the Texans last week and a 10-point comeback against the Titans. He was rewarded tenfold for a risky move in 2018 — putting a playoff-caliber team in the hands of untested quarterback Patrick Mahomes and trading away Alex Smith.
Mahomes proved to be Reid’s missing ingredient: The 2018 NFL MVP accounted for 350 yards and four touchdowns against the Titans.
“The best thing about Coach Reid,” Mahomes said, “is he lets you be who you are and lets you go out there and play the way that you want to play.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-19--Aaron Rodgers’ Super Bowl window closing as it all falls apart

The 36-year-old star quarterback and the Packers were ambushed , 37-20 , by a superior 49ers team in Sunday ’ s NFC Championship game at Levi ’ s Stadium .
Rodgers ’ attempt to advance to the second Super Bowl of his career — and first since the 2010 season , when the Packers beat the Steelers 31-25 — was dashed almost before it began , with Green Bay falling behind the 49ers 27-0 by halftime .
Sunday marked Rodgers ’ third NFC Championship game appearance since that Super Bowl victory in 2011 , and it was his third consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle and Atlanta .
“ It ’ s a little raw right now , ’ ’ Rodgers said afterward .
“ It definitely hurts I ’ d say a little more than early in your career just because you realize just how difficult it is to get to this spot .
Then you realize , ‘ I don ’ t have the same number of years ahead of me as I do behind me , ’ so it ’ s slightly more disappointing.
’ ’ Rodgers was seeking a second Super Bowl ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bart Starr and given him one more than Brett Favre in the lore of Green Bay ’ s greatest quarterbacks .
He , too , was seeking to join elite company as one of six quarterbacks to win multiple MVP awards and go to multiple Super Bowls .
Joe Montana , his boyhood idol , Favre , whom he succeeded in Green Bay , Tom Brady , Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner are on that celebrated list .
There was hope for Rodgers and the Packers entering Sunday ’ s game despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 49ers on Nov. 24 .
Since that loss , the Packers had won six in row , their final five regular-season games and last week ’ s playoff win over Seattle .
But this game went very much the same way that Nov. 24 meeting went .
On that day , Rodgers , who threw 26 TDs to only four INTs this season , was held to only 104 passing yards and a personal-low 3.2 yards per pass attempt and 2.8 yards per play overall .
Still , though , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been great and clutch for most of his career when he returned to Levi ’ s on Sunday .
“ He can make a throw in any situation , [ and ] he ’ s never out of the game , ’ ’ 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said before the game .
Rodgers , who finished 31 of 39 for 326 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions , did rally the Packers from the 27-0 halftime deficit to within 34-20 with 8:13 remaining on scoring passes to running back Aaron Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and tight end Jace Sternberger .
But it would be too little too late for the Packers star , who ’ s now 4-6 against his former favorite team , but more importantly , 0-3 in the playoffs .
Rodgers now is 10-8 in the playoffs and still stuck on one Super Bowl appearance and victory .
He ’ ll be 37 next season with the window slowly closing .
“ The window ’ s open , ’ ’ Rodgers insisted , ‘ ’ and I think we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these real soon .
’ ’

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Aaron Rodgers never had a chance.
The 36-year-old star quarterback and the Packers were ambushed, 37-20, by a superior 49ers team in Sunday’s NFC Championship game at Levi’s Stadium.
Rodgers’ attempt to advance to the second Super Bowl of his career — and first since the 2010 season, when the Packers beat the Steelers 31-25 — was dashed almost before it began, with Green Bay falling behind the 49ers 27-0 by halftime.
Sunday marked Rodgers’ third NFC Championship game appearance since that Super Bowl victory in 2011, and it was his third consecutive loss, adding to the losses in Seattle and Atlanta.
“It’s a little raw right now,’’ Rodgers said afterward. “It definitely hurts I’d say a little more than early in your career just because you realize just how difficult it is to get to this spot. Then you realize, ‘I don’t have the same number of years ahead of me as I do behind me,’ so it’s slightly more disappointing.’’
Rodgers was seeking a second Super Bowl ring, which would have tied him with Bart Starr and given him one more than Brett Favre in the lore of Green Bay’s greatest quarterbacks.
He, too, was seeking to join elite company as one of six quarterbacks to win multiple MVP awards and go to multiple Super Bowls. Joe Montana, his boyhood idol, Favre, whom he succeeded in Green Bay, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner are on that celebrated list.
There was hope for Rodgers and the Packers entering Sunday’s game despite the fact that they’d lost 37-8 to the 49ers on Nov. 24. Since that loss, the Packers had won six in row, their final five regular-season games and last week’s playoff win over Seattle.
But this game went very much the same way that Nov. 24 meeting went. On that day, Rodgers, who threw 26 TDs to only four INTs this season, was held to only 104 passing yards and a personal-low 3.2 yards per pass attempt and 2.8 yards per play overall.
Still, though, the 49ers were expecting the Rodgers who’s been great and clutch for most of his career when he returned to Levi’s on Sunday.
“He can make a throw in any situation, [and] he’s never out of the game,’’ 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said before the game.
Rodgers, who finished 31 of 39 for 326 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, did rally the Packers from the 27-0 halftime deficit to within 34-20 with 8:13 remaining on scoring passes to running back Aaron Jones (who also scored on a run) and tight end Jace Sternberger.
But it would be too little too late for the Packers star, who’s now 4-6 against his former favorite team, but more importantly, 0-3 in the playoffs. Rodgers now is 10-8 in the playoffs and still stuck on one Super Bowl appearance and victory. He’ll be 37 next season with the window slowly closing.
“The window’s open,’’ Rodgers insisted, ‘’and I think we’re going to be on the right side of one of these real soon.’’


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Baseball desperately needs Derek Jeter to show the way again

Whenever players , scouts , coaches , managers or executives discuss Derek Jeter , they always circle back to this comment .
Those words can be appreciated now more than ever in the wake of the electronic sign-stealing scandal that has engulfed Major League Baseball .
Baseball is in a crisis moment .
How the game responds to this terrible loss of integrity will shape its future .
Onto this stage Jeter will be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday .
The only question is : Will Jeter be a unanimous selection ?
The Yankees shortstop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the game has been played wrong .
The Astros are at the forefront of the cheating scandal , a scandal that has cost three managers their jobs : Houston ’ s A.J .
Hinch , Boston ’ s Alex Cora and the Mets ’ Carlos Beltran .
In addition , Astros GM Jeff Luhnow , who was the darling of the analytics crowd , was fired .
The game needs Derek Jeter more than ever .
Jeter played in a most serious fashion .
He was never linked to any scandal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best of his ability , winning five Word Series and being named an All-Star 14 times .
Even if you were not a Jeter fan , you had to respect the way he went about his business — and that should be celebrated .
There were no shortcuts for Jeter .
If he needed to get better at something , he worked at it .
He lived in the moment , never looking too far ahead or back .
That particular game , that inning , that at-bat was the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a fan of the analytics movement that was sweeping across baseball .
I remember him telling me one day in the Yankees clubhouse as he pulled up his sanitary socks , “ This game is more than numbers , there is a human element , there is a heart and soul and sweat to the game.
’ ’ Baseball is more than numbers .
Players are more than assets .
The game is never easy , and Jeter as CEO of the Marlins is learning how difficult it is to build a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Derek Jeter-like player to help his cause .
Over 20 seasons , Jeter collected 3,465 hits , the sixth most in history and the most ever by a shortstop .
He knocked in 1,311 runs and scored 1,923 runs .
That is a fitting number because 1923 is the year the original Yankee Stadium opened .
Not a home run hitter , Jeter managed 260 home runs .
He hit .310 with a .377 on-base percentage and .440 slugging percentage over his career .
In the postseason , over 158 games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He produced a .374 on-base percentage and a higher slugging percentage at .465 as he lashed 20 postseason home runs .
Derek Jeter showed up .
He never backed away from a challenge and a generation of Yankees fans adore him for the way he played the game , those five rings he won and his allegiance to George Steinbrenner .
He did win five Gold Gloves , even though his range was questioned .
The sixth pick of the 1992 draft came out of Central High School in Kalamazoo , Mich. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City .
He did it his way through character and hard work .
He played the game to win and with integrity .
The Yankees needed Jeter more than ever and he helped the franchise regain lost glory .
The Captain did his job .
When he had to make adjustments he made them .
He may not have liked doing so , especially on the defensive end , but he knew that it was best for his game .
On this day , baseball needs Derek Jeter to show the way again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batting .300 .
Play the game right , do the little things .
Trail the play , you may run into a situation where the ball finds you and the runner doesn ’ t slide at home .
In the end you will be rewarded , and on July 26 , Cooperstown will see the largest crowd ever for an induction , beating the mark set in 2007 by Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn at 82,000 fans .
They will come to honor the Captain — who played the game right .

Whenever players, scouts, coaches, managers or executives discuss Derek Jeter, they always circle back to this comment.
“Derek Jeter played the game right.’’
Those words can be appreciated now more than ever in the wake of the electronic sign-stealing scandal that has engulfed Major League Baseball.
Baseball is in a crisis moment. How the game responds to this terrible loss of integrity will shape its future.
Onto this stage Jeter will be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The only question is: Will Jeter be a unanimous selection?
The Yankees shortstop played the game right in an age when the game has been played wrong. The Astros are at the forefront of the cheating scandal, a scandal that has cost three managers their jobs: Houston’s A.J. Hinch, Boston’s Alex Cora and the Mets’ Carlos Beltran. In addition, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, who was the darling of the analytics crowd, was fired.
The game needs Derek Jeter more than ever.
Jeter played in a most serious fashion. He was never linked to any scandal. He did his job every day to the best of his ability, winning five World Series and being named an All-Star 14 times. Even if you were not a Jeter fan, you had to respect the way he went about his business — and that should be celebrated.
There were no shortcuts for Jeter. If he needed to get better at something, he worked at it. He lived in the moment, never looking too far ahead or back. That particular game, that inning, that at-bat was the most important thing in his world.
He was not a fan of the analytics movement that was sweeping across baseball. I remember him telling me one day in the Yankees clubhouse as he pulled up his sanitary socks, “This game is more than numbers, there is a human element, there is a heart and soul and sweat to the game.’’
Baseball is more than numbers. Players are more than assets.
The game is never easy, and Jeter as CEO of the Marlins is learning how difficult it is to build a winning team. He needs to find a Derek Jeter-like player to help his cause.
Over 20 seasons, Jeter collected 3,465 hits, the sixth most in history and the most ever by a shortstop. He knocked in 1,311 runs and scored 1,923 runs. That is a fitting number because 1923 is the year the original Yankee Stadium opened. Not a home run hitter, Jeter managed 260 home runs. He hit .310 with a .377 on-base percentage and .440 slugging percentage over his career.
In the postseason, over 158 games, Jeter batted .308. Mr. Consistency. He produced a .374 on-base percentage and a higher slugging percentage at .465 as he lashed 20 postseason home runs.
Derek Jeter showed up. He never backed away from a challenge and a generation of Yankees fans adore him for the way he played the game, those five rings he won and his allegiance to George Steinbrenner.
He did win five Gold Gloves, even though his range was questioned.
The sixth pick of the 1992 draft came out of Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich., and soon won over New York City. He did it his way through character and hard work. He played the game to win and with integrity.
The Yankees needed Jeter more than ever and he helped the franchise regain lost glory. The Captain did his job. When he had to make adjustments he made them. He may not have liked doing so, especially on the defensive end, but he knew that it was best for his game.
On this day, baseball needs Derek Jeter to show the way again. Integrity is just as important as batting .300.
Play the game right, do the little things. Trail the play, you may run into a situation where the ball finds you and the runner doesn’t slide at home.
In the end you will be rewarded, and on July 26, Cooperstown will see the largest crowd ever for an induction, beating the mark set in 2007 by Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn at 82,000 fans.
They will come to honor the Captain — who played the game right.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--49ers’ bond makes them team of potential Super Bowl heroes

There was a party raging in the locker room on ...

Chemistry is a fickle thing in team sports. Some teams have it. Some don’t.
The 49ers have it, and it’s a significant reason they’ll be playing for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 2020 against the Chiefs on Feb. 2 in Miami.
The fact it was journeyman running back Raheem Mostert, playing for his seventh NFL team, who emerged as the star of the 49ers’ 37-20 rout of the Packers in Sunday’s NFC Championship game at Levi’s Stadium was as symbolic as it was fitting.
A week earlier, in the 49ers’ 27-10 divisional playoff win over the Vikings, it was a different running back, Tevin Coleman, who carried the load, rushing for two touchdowns.
“We are a team that can win any kind of way,’’ 49ers left tackle Joe Staley said. “This is a really hard team to play against and hard to beat.’’
Ask any 49ers players or coaches and they’ll point to the unmistakable chemistry on the team as a starting point to the team’s success.
“This is a very close locker room,’’ Staley said. “It’s been really special to watch everyone work together. We have genuine fun coming to work. That is really rare.’’
Staley, in his 13th NFL season, should be considered an authority on this. Just three seasons ago, when coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch arrived and were about to begin their rebuild, he was strongly considering retirement because it no longer was fun coming to work after going 7-25 in the two seasons before the new regime entered the picture.
Shanahan and Lynch talked Staley into hanging in for one more rebuild, and Staley is thankful he listened, because he’s having the time of his life. He’s going to the Super Bowl.
“There are no egos,’’ Staley said. “Nobody cares about what credit they get.’’
Indeed, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was asked to throw only eight passes Sunday and, in two playoff games, he’s thrown just 27 passes, completing 17 for 208 yards.
And he couldn’t care less.
Tight end George Kittle, the 49ers’ leading receiver with 85 receptions this season and 178 in the past two years, caught one pass for 19 yards Sunday and has four receptions for 35 yards in the playoffs.
He, too, couldn’t care less.
“I’ve been on some pretty tight teams, but this is right up there with them,’’ said veteran cornerback Richard Sherman, who won a Super Bowl with Seattle. “It’s really special to be a part of.’’
This chemistry, Sherman noted, has not coincided with wins.
“We had it before we were winning,’’ he said, referring to last season’s 4-12 team.
Both Lynch and Shanahan actually wondered at some points last season if the team was content with losing because the players got along so well together.
“Why is everyone so happy at 4-12?’’ Lynch asked himself.
“We had [chemistry] a lot better than I expected the first couple years and it didn’t result in winning,’’ Shanahan said. “Sometimes we almost [wondered], ‘Does that mean we need some worse guys?’ But we stuck with it. We brought in a few guys who thought the same as our [existing] guys. I feel like our team has been this way since the beginning. And when you do that and win, it only gets stronger.’’
Sherman, signed before last season, said, “Getting the right guys, that was a big part of it. Guys who want to do everything they can to win, guys that are selfless, guys that are compassionate, guys that show humility to one another.’’
An incident that took place in the divisional round win exemplified the selflessness that has permeated their locker room. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was beaten on a long TD pass to Minnesota receiver Stefon Diggs early in the game and was immediately benched by Shanahan, replaced by Emmanuel Moseley.
Instead of pouting on the sideline, Witherspoon marched right up to Shanahan and offered to take Moseley’s snaps on special teams to keep him fresher on defense.
“Teamwork makes the dream work,’’ kicker Robbie Gould said.
“I love these guys … and when you have that kind of chemistry all through the organization, the sky’s the limit,’’ said veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who played on Super Bowl teams with Pittsburgh and Denver before he joined the 49ers this season.
“It’s the team John and Kyle built,’’ right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “We have weapons all over the place. It doesn’t matter who’s up or down. We have guys all over the place that are capable of taking over football games. Raheem is the biggest proof of that.’’
For more on the NFL playoffs, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Subways had best on-time performance in six years during 2019

Subway trains were on time far more often in 2019 than the year before , according to newly released MTA stats .
Weekday on-time performance — the percentage of trains arriving within five minutes of their scheduled time — topped 80 percent for the year for the first time since 2013 , transit officials announced on Monday .
The 80.3 percent on-time rate dwarfed 2018 ’ s average of 67.1 percent thanks to seven consecutive months of improvements .
“ I ’ m tremendously proud to say that improvements are now the norm on the subways , ” transit chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many other metrics showed similarly-positive trends .
In 2019 , riders spent an average of six fewer seconds waiting at platforms and 14 fewer seconds stuck on trains , officials said .
Subway ridership now stands at 5.5 million riders per day , a one-percent increase from last year — reversing a decline that began in April 2017 , when around 5.7 million people rode per day .
Officials once again attributed the improvements to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s 2017 “ Subway Action Plan , ” which focused on fixing broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent “ Save Safe Seconds ” campaign , which has increased train speed limits across the system .
Bus ridership , however , continued a years-long decline even as speeds remained steady citywide — and even dropped on express Select Bus Service routes .
And the subways still have plenty of room for improvement , said Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein — who pointed to research by his group that showed signal problems hindered service on 78 percent of work days in 2019 .
“ We know the MTA still has a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Signal problems are still a persistent cause of flaws in subway service , ” Pearlstein said .
“ We need the MTA to deliver a reliable subway that we deserve as quickly as possible .
”

Subway trains were on time far more often in 2019 than the year before, according to newly released MTA stats.
Weekday on-time performance — the percentage of trains arriving within five minutes of their scheduled time — topped 80 percent for the year for the first time since 2013, transit officials announced on Monday.
The 80.3 percent on-time rate dwarfed 2018’s average of 67.1 percent thanks to seven consecutive months of improvements.
“I’m tremendously proud to say that improvements are now the norm on the subways,” transit chief Andy Byford crowed in a statement.
Many other metrics showed similarly-positive trends. In 2019, riders spent an average of six fewer seconds waiting at platforms and 14 fewer seconds stuck on trains, officials said.
Subway ridership now stands at 5.5 million riders per day, a one-percent increase from last year — reversing a decline that began in April 2017, when around 5.7 million people rode per day.
Officials once again attributed the improvements to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2017 “Subway Action Plan,” which focused on fixing broken equipment, and Byford’s more recent “Save Safe Seconds” campaign, which has increased train speed limits across the system.
Bus ridership, however, continued a years-long decline even as speeds remained steady citywide — and even dropped on express Select Bus Service routes.
And the subways still have plenty of room for improvement, said Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein — who pointed to research by his group that showed signal problems hindered service on 78 percent of work days in 2019.
“We know the MTA still has a long way to go to fix the subway. Signal problems are still a persistent cause of flaws in subway service,” Pearlstein said.
“We need the MTA to deliver a reliable subway that we deserve as quickly as possible.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Brooklyn Dems are $226K in debt — including $50K owed to outgoing boss

The heir apparent to the Brooklyn Democratic party says she ...

Frank Seddio is stepping down from his role as the Brooklyn Democratic Party boss — but he’s still weighing down the cash-strapped group’s balance sheet.
The embattled political machine owes more than $226,000, including $50,000 to Seddio’s own political account, records examined by The Post show.
Those liabilities are quintuple the $40,000 in cash the party still has in its bank accounts.
“It’s pretty concerning that the party has been relying on a single person [in Seddio] to help finance its coffers,” said Jessica Thurston, vice president of the New Kings Democrats, a progressive group seeking reform in the county party. “And that fact that the new [chairperson] is his handpicked replacement does not inspire confidence that” the financial problems “will be solved.”
Seddio in November loaned $24,000 to the committee through a campaign fund he uses to help retain his longtime 59th Assembly District leader post, according to state filings released last week.
He’s also owed another $26,000 on two previous loans made in 2018.
Despite the Kings County Democratic Committee’s poor financial standing, Seddio remained firmly in control of the party’s levers of power and was even able to anoint a longtime ally — Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte — as the likely candidate to replace him.
Bichotte, who is expected to be elected as the new chairwoman on Monday night, has argued that her fundraising prowess will help put the party back on firmer standing.
Seddio declined to comment, but a county committee operative told The Post the loans are used to “tide over” the group, so it can pay bills.
The operative added that the Friends of Frank Seddio committee “gets paid back” with proceeds from the county party’s annual fundraising dinner.
Seddio was elected chairperson in September 2012, replacing disgraced former state Assemblyman Vito Lopez.
Financial filings show the organization had $638,650 on hand in July of that year and $505,507 by January 2013. As of Jan. 15, it only had a balance of $40,327— and that amount is dwarfed by the outstanding debt.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--The Patrick Mahomes thrill ride is unmatched right now

Based on the early returns , Super Bowl 2020 is going ...

There are two undeniable lures to sports. The first one, the best one, is the feeling of sheer bliss (and also the corresponding sense of grief) attached to the teams you truly, genuinely, passionately care for. You saw that explicitly last Monday in the Superdome (and, much later, the French Quarter) when LSU football fans celebrated climbing that sport’s mountaintop.
You saw that over the weekend in Kansas City (and, sure, to a slightly lesser degree, San Francisco) when the NFL’s championship games played themselves out. Niners fans reacted as a returning monarch would, comfortably reassuming the throne. In KC? Forget about it. The locals had waited 50 years for a return trip to the Super Bowl. The over-under on the whole city recovering from collective laryngitis is Thursday.
But when you don’t have a dog in the hunt, as they say, the appeal is something quite different. Because there is always the sense that you’re a play or three away from seeing something you never saw before. There is always the hope that on the very next snap/at-bat/faceoff/inbounds play you’ll see something that’ll make you scream, “Holy cow!”
Or, if it’s really something: “Holy #@&$!”
Patrick Mahomes is the athlete that harbors those moments the most right now. It isn’t just that he’s the most exciting player in the NFL, or the most explosive one. He’s the most fun, not only in football, but in any sport. These things are fluid, of course, and in a month we may have a new candidate. Heck, a few weeks ago there might’ve been a landslide vote in Mahomes’ own sport to tag Lamar Jackson as this player.
But for now — right now — it’s Mahomes. He is creative, he is cunning, he is clever. He has a rocket for a right arm, but only when he needs to summon it: He can also throw with delicate touch. And he can throw sidearm, like Kent Tekulve. Hell, when the occasion calls for it, he’s even thrown left-handed.
And he can run. Goodness, can he run. He isn’t quite as gifted with his legs as Jackson is, and that’s why Jackson is the likely candidate to usurp him at some point, maybe as soon as next September. You’ll never think of Mahomes as a run-driven quarterback.
But then he took off on that 27-yard touchdown dash just before the half Sunday, the one where he escaped the pocket and looked like he was going to step out of bounds once he gained the first down … and then he just kept going, tight-roping the sidelines, cutting back, absorbing a hit, fumbling the ball briefly, regaining it, and falling over into the end zone.
Go back and watch that play again. And again. And again. Go ahead and Google the various play-by-play accounts — Jim Nantz on TV, Kevin Harlan on radio, Mitch Holthus for the Chiefs’ radio network. Hey, just go back to your own play-by-play, which probably went something like this:
“Wow. Wow! WOW!!! HOLY #@&$!!!!”
You can say a lot of things about Twitter, but one of the genuinely awesome parts about it is the instant conversations it allows you to conduct. Sunday, after Mahomes’ run put the Chiefs up for good, 21-17, and made babbling idiots out of millions of onlookers like myself, I posed this question on Twitter: “What’s the SECOND-MOST fun thing about sports?”
It’s an ever-relevant question, of course, because despite the best efforts of the Houston Astros’ Percussion Club, despite lousy teams and louse athletes and all the things that make us want to chuck all our baseball cards and football jerseys and team-affiliated windbreakers into the garbage can, that is what sports is supposed to be about, right? Fun?
The answers came fast and furious, and they were eclectic, and they represented the whole spectrum of sports, and isn’t that awesome?
Luka Doncic … and Ja Morant … and Myles Powell … and Booger McFarland (we think that one was in jest) … Pete Alonso … and Jacob deGrom … and Aaron Judge … and the Knicks (more jesters!) … Alex Ovechkin … and Connor McDavid … and a LOT of votes for the Rangers’ own Artemi Panarin … and Mike Trout and Messi and Osun Osunniyi (OK, that one might be MY No. 2 pick …) …
We can have a revote soon. For now, give me Patrick Mahomes highlights on an endless loop, at least for another 13 days, until we get to see him do it live again.
For more on the NFL playoffs, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--What to expect during Trump’s impeachment trial

The White House wants President Trump ’ s impeachment trial to end ...

Here’s what to expect when President Trump’s historic impeachment trial begins in DC on Tuesday.
At 1 p.m., the US Senate will convene as a court of impeachment, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will outline his rules for the trial.
The ensuing hearings are expected to consist of grueling 12-hour sessions each day. They will be held six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.
McConnell (R-Ky.) has repeatedly said he wants to put the kibosh on Democrats’ repeated demands for witnesses and bullishly suggested the trial may be over in as little as two weeks, just in time for Trump’s State of the Union address Feb. 4.
But Monday evening, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters he would “force” a vote on the witnesses if McConnell didn’t include it in his rules — putting the screws to vulnerable GOP lawmakers who are facing tough re-election bids in November.
If witnesses are called, Trump’s impeachment trial may blow out to six weeks, White House officials said.
Senators are banned from talking and using cellphones during the proceedings. The strict policy will be a particular hardship for the four Democratic senators who are at the height of their presidential bids and staring down the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary in coming weeks.
Some of McConnell’s rules are expected to follow those of former President Bill Clinton’s 1999 impeachment trial — giving the seven House Democratic impeachment “managers” the first stab at making their case, followed by a rebuttal from the White House defense team. Clinton’s trial lasted five weeks.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told Fox News on Friday that opening statements from both sides will consist of two 12-hour sessions.
After hearing arguments, the senators, acting as jurors, will have 16 hours to submit written questions to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the hearing.
Roberts will pose the questions to the Democratic impeachment managers and White House counsel.
But before McConnell even gives his opening remarks, Democrats and Republicans are expected to battle over the central issue of introducing witnesses.
Schumer (D-NY) could introduce a motion for witnesses during the rules debate, while McConnell, as reported by Politico on Sunday, would prefer to have a vote on witnesses after each side presents its openings.
Schumer needs just four Republicans to flip and join Democrats in voting to subpoena potential key witnesses such as White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have both suggested they would be open to hearing from witnesses after opening arguments.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), a vocal critic of the president, has also said he would like to hear from witnesses, with one source telling The Post he was engaged in related discussions with Senate Democratic leadership.
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who is retiring at the end of this year, has also signaled he would be open to voting for witnesses, the Wall Street Journal reported.
A source in the Senate Democratic leadership on Monday suggested that more than four GOP lawmakers would vote with Democrats on the issue and added that Sen. Corey Gardner (R-Colo.) — considered the most vulnerable Republican senator in 2020 — was also “definitely” in play.
Gardner’s office could not immediately be reached for comment.
John Dowd, a lawyer who represented Trump during the special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, which included an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, said the addition of seasoned litigators Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz to Trump’s legal team could ensure brevity in the proceedings because of their directness.
Even before the trial began, House Democrats and White House counsel filed scathing rebukes of each other’s arguments over the weekend — and Trump’s legal team Monday called for senators to “swiftly and roundly condemn” the articles of impeachment.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Nets blow another 76ers opportunity with Kyrie Irving out

Kyrie Irving was a late scratch from the Nets ’ Martin ...

Monday’s rematch with the Sixers went the same way the previous meeting between the teams had five days earlier in Philadelphia. And it wasn’t pretty.
After a solid three quarters, the Nets played a sorry fourth and suffered a 117-111 loss before 16,801 at Barclays Center, opening the second half of the season the same way they ended the first.
On Wednesday they’d taken a lead into the final period at Wells Fargo Center but were outscored 31-16 in a tough loss. This time they surrendered a 15-0 run that spanned the third and fourth, a nine-point cushion turning into a six-point deficit they never recovered from.
“The same thing happened in Philly. They turned up their pressure, and we didn’t handle the pressure like we needed to,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They became more aggressive, and we couldn’t handle it.”
The Nets had led 91-82 with 1:41 left in the third on a dunk by Nic Claxton, again a bright spot with 15 points off the bench. But that’s when the bottom fell out, giving up those 15 unanswered points.
The Nets were 0-for-3 from the floor and 0-for-2 from the line, with three turnovers and a flagrant in a 3:24 span. A Raul Neto 3 left them behind 97-91, and they never led again.
The Nets (18-24) had 10 turnovers in the fourth quarter alone, including six in a 2 ½-minute span, to drop their fourth straight and 11th in their past 13.
“They swarmed us defensively. We started to turn it over and then we got a little timid. They were definitely the more aggressive team,” Atkinson said. “They were all over the place. We’ve got to take care of it, we’ve got to screen better; we’ve got to pass better; we’ve got to decision-make better.”
Philadelphia (29-16) had a lot to do with that.
Ben Simmons had 34 points, 12 assists and 12 boards, shooting 12 of 14 from the floor and notching five of Philadelphia’s 12 steals.
Meanwhile, the Nets got 22 points, seven assists and five boards from Spencer Dinwiddie and an encouraging effort from Claxton, but played without DeAndre Jordan, Kyrie Irving and, obviously, Kevin Durant. Irving and Durant were not present on the bench, missing an ugly collapse.
Caris LeVert had 16 points, six assists and six boards off the bench, and Claxton backed that up with some quality play, his first-ever NBA 3-pointer capping a 10-0 run that gave the Nets a 44-32 lead.
“It felt good, a good confidence boost knowing I can go out there and produce for my team,” Claxton said. “My name was called, and I just produced.”
The rookie’s follow dunk off a LeVert miss gave the Nets a 91-82 cushion in the third quarter before the wheels came off their offense.
“Towards the end, we turned over the ball. It wasn’t anybody in particular; it was everybody,” said Jarrett Allen (13 points, 13 boards).
After a flurry of six turnovers in 2 ½ minutes left them down 105-96 on a Simmons bank shot, the Nets tried to rally.
Allen’s dunk off a LeVert lob capped an 8-0 run to get them within a point. But even after forcing a five-minute dry spell from Philadelphia, they couldn’t break through on the other end, and Al Horford (19 points) hit a huge 3-pointer to pad to lead back to four.
The Nets pulled out a zone defense and pulled within a deuce on Allen’s alley-oop with 41 seconds left. But that’s when Furkan Korkmaz drilled the dagger 3 for a 113-108 lead.
The clock showed 24.3 seconds remained, but it was over.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Meghan Markle spotted happy for the first time since Megxit

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) This is life off the royal family ’ s leash .
Meghan Markle was spotted for the first time post-Megxit on Monday , taking a leisurely stroll through a park in Canada with her son Archie and her dogs .
Markle , 38 , smoothly settled back into commoner life as she walked pups Guy and Oz on a gravel path while carrying her eight-month-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtained by the Daily Mail .
Two men , likely her security guards , trailed a couple of feet behind her .
The Duchess of Sussex beamed as she put an arm around her bundled-up baby , keeping it casual in black leggings , hiking boots and a beanie .
Her relaxed demeanor was miles away from how miserable she appeared while saddled with royal duties .
The former TV-actress nearly broke down in tears during a documentary interview in October as she talked about how unhappy she was with her gilded life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this would be easy , but I thought it would be fair.
” Markle and husband Prince Harry , 35 , also opened up about how the incessant , sometimes prying press was making them miserable — and giving the Duke flashbacks of his mother , Princess Diana ’ s , tragic death .
The couple recently finalized their split from the royal family , agreeing to give up their loftiest titles and no longer receive taxpayer cash .
As the terms of the agreement were being worked out last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island , driving herself around in a Range Rover to do errands .
It ’ s unclear when Harry is expected to reunite with his family .
He was in London on Sunday night , giving a speech at a charity event where he said he had “ no other option ” but to step back from royal duties and hoped to now live a more “ peaceful ” life .
The couple is expected to live part-time in Canada and eventually move to the US .

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
This is life off the royal family’s leash.
Meghan Markle was spotted for the first time post-Megxit on Monday, taking a leisurely stroll through a park in Canada with her son, Archie, and her dogs.
Markle, 38, smoothly settled back into commoner life as she walked pups Guy and Oz on a gravel path while carrying her 8-month-old in a sling, according to photos obtained by the Daily Mail. Two men, likely her security guards, trailed a couple of feet behind her.
The Duchess of Sussex beamed as she put an arm around her bundled-up baby, keeping it casual in black leggings, hiking boots and a beanie.
Her relaxed demeanor was miles away from how miserable she appeared while saddled with royal duties.
The former TV actress nearly broke down in tears during a documentary interview in October as she talked about how unhappy she was with her gilded life, saying: “I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair.”
Markle and husband Prince Harry, 35, also opened up about how the incessant, sometimes prying press was making them miserable — and giving the Duke flashbacks of the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana.
The couple recently finalized their split from the royal family, agreeing to give up their loftiest titles and no longer receive taxpayer cash.
As the terms of the agreement were being worked out last week, Los Angeles-born Markle laid low in Vancouver Island, driving herself around in a Range Rover to do errands.
It’s unclear when Harry is expected to reunite with his family.
He was in London on Sunday night, giving a speech at a charity event where he said he had “no other option” but to step back from royal duties, and hoped to now live a more “peaceful” life.
The couple is expected to live part-time in Canada and eventually move to the US.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Rockets hit near US embassy in Baghdad

Rockets hit near US embassy in Baghdad

Three rockets fell near the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday , local time , according to reports .
The @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi capital ’ s Green Zone , which houses government buildings and foreign missions , @ @ @ @ @ .
Sirens could be heard blaring in the area after the missiles made impact .
@ @ @ @ @ by protests amid soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran , following a drone strike that @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani in Baghdad earlier this month .
In retaliation , Iran launched several missiles at @ @ @ @ @ .

Three rockets fell near the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, local time, according to reports.
The Katyusha rockets hit inside the Iraqi capital’s Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions, Iraqi police sources told Reuters.
No casualties were immediately reported.
Sirens could be heard blaring in the area after the missiles made impact.
Iraq has recently been rocked by protests amid soaring tensions between Washington and Tehran, following a drone strike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad earlier this month.
In retaliation, Iran launched several missiles at Iraqi bases housing American troops.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Super Bowl tickets 2020: Chiefs vs. 49ers prices skyrocketing

Based on the early returns , Super Bowl 2020 is going to be one hot ticket .
The average ticket sold since the 49ers-Chiefs showdown was set for Miami on Feb. 2 is a whopping $ 6,785 , according to the ticket platform SeatGeek .
The average resale price overall for the game is $ 6,232 and the current get-in price is roughly $ 5,500 .
Those numbers have risen since Sunday night ’ s conference championship games and are significantly higher at this time than past years .
SeatGeek ’ s traffic numbers show an even split — 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri/Kansas .
“ In general , it ’ s record-breaking demand , ” SeatGeek communications manager Chris Leyden said in a phone interview .
“ It seems like the market is about 20 percent hotter than we anticipated.
” Leyden cited two factors for that .
One , these are two fan bases that have not won a Super Bowl recently .
The 49ers were last champions in 1995 , while the Chiefs won it all in 1969 .
Another factor is the site of the game , Hard Rock Stadium , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding a capacity of 65,326 .
“ On a personal level , it was kind of surprising how much demand there is , ” Leyden said .
“ Right now , it ’ s looking like a 50/50 split between the two fan bases.
” For more on the Jets , listen to the latest episode of the “ Gang ’ s All Here ” podcast :

Based on the early returns, Super Bowl 2020 is going to be one hot ticket.
The average ticket sold since the 49ers-Chiefs showdown was set for Miami on Feb. 2 is a whopping $6,785, according to the ticket platform SeatGeek.
The average resale price overall for the game is $6,232 and the current get-in price is roughly $5,500. Those numbers have risen since Sunday night’s conference championship games and are significantly higher at this time than past years.
SeatGeek’s traffic numbers show an even split — 18 percent from California and 18 percent from Missouri/Kansas.
“In general, it’s record-breaking demand,” SeatGeek communications manager Chris Leyden said in a phone interview. “It seems like the market is about 20 percent hotter than we anticipated.”
Leyden cited two factors for that. One, these are two fan bases that have not won a Super Bowl recently. The 49ers were last champions in 1995, while the Chiefs won it all in 1969. Another factor is the site of the game, Hard Rock Stadium, is one of the smaller NFL stadiums, holding a capacity of 65,326.
“On a personal level, it was kind of surprising how much demand there is,” Leyden said. “Right now, it’s looking like a 50/50 split between the two fan bases.”
Meanwhile, Vivid Seats has so far sold tickets at an average cost of $5,471, according to Stephen Spiewak, a spokesperson for the company. The current get-in price at Vivid Seats is $4,342. Spiewak said the Chiefs’ Super Bowl drought is “driving intense demand.”
For more on the Super Bowl matchup, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Emmanuel Macron extends digital tax talks after phone call with Trump

French President Emmanuel Macron says he will extend negotiations over a new digital tax after speaking with President Trump .
Macron ’ s decision averts a trade war with the US after Trump threatened tariffs against French products including wine .
Amazon , Facebook and Google strongly oppose the digital tax , which France approved last year targeting large global businesses .
The French leader made the announcement of a truce on Twitter .
The White House did not immediately issue a statement .
Macron tweeted : “ Great discussion with @ realDonaldTrump on digital tax .
We will work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariff escalation.
” The French digital tax applies to firms with revenue of 25 million euros in France and 750 million euros globally .
Companies above the threshold must pay a 3 percent tax .
Trump had threatened to impose punishing tariffs to protect American companies .
In a July tweet Trump threatened “ substantial reciprocal action on Macron ’ s foolishness ” and wrote , “ I ’ ve always said American wine is better than French wine !
” Macron made the announcement a few hours before Trump departs the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davos , Switzerland .
The White House said the two leaders “ agreed it is important to complete successful negotiations on the digital services tax .
”

French President Emmanuel Macron says he will extend negotiations over a new digital tax after speaking with President Trump.
Macron’s decision averts a trade war with the US after Trump threatened tariffs against French products including wine.
Amazon, Facebook and Google strongly oppose the digital tax, which France approved last year targeting large global businesses.
The French leader made the announcement of a truce on Twitter. The White House did not immediately issue a statement.
Macron tweeted: “Great discussion with @realDonaldTrump on digital tax. We will work together on a good agreement to avoid tariff escalation.”
The French digital tax applies to firms with revenue of 25 million euros in France and 750 million euros globally. Companies above the threshold must pay a 3 percent tax.
Trump had threatened to impose punishing tariffs to protect American companies. In a July tweet Trump threatened “substantial reciprocal action on Macron’s foolishness” and wrote, “I’ve always said American wine is better than French wine!”
Macron made the announcement a few hours before Trump departs the White House for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The White House said the two leaders “agreed it is important to complete successful negotiations on the digital services tax.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Yoenis Cespedes drops video that will make Mets fans go crazy

Yoenis Cespedes is running , and there is no wild boar in sight .
The oft-injured Mets outfielder tweeted a video Monday showing him running , taking batting practice and catching fly balls at the team ’ s spring training complex in Port St. Lucie , Fla. , continuing in his attempt to return after missing all of last season .
Cespedes shared the 48-second clip with a caption including the hourglass and smiling emojis and the “ LGM ” hashtag , which stands for “ Lets go Mets ” .
The 34-year-old power hitter is recovering from multiple fractures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him stepping into a booby-trapped hole to avoid a wild boar on his ranch , as The Post first reported .
Cespedes initially was slated to earn $ 29.5 million in 2020 , but after the accident his contract was restructured , costing him a minimum of $ 15.7 million .
Cespedes signed a four-year , $ 110 million contract after the 2016 season , but has played just 119 games since due to a variety of injuries .
But Cespedes ’ injury misfortunes hasn ’ t stopped him from hyping up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offseason , ESPN analyst and Mets manager candidate Eduardo Perez said on Sirius XM that Cespedes told him , “ ‘ I ’ m ready and I ’ m gon na go out with a bang this year and I ’ m not just gon na hit 40 home runs….I ’ ll be out there for 140-plus games.
’ “ He told me he could hit 52 [ home runs ] .
” Cespedes hit a career-high 35 home runs in 2015 , when he split the season between the Tigers and Mets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Series , where they lost to the Royals .
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has said there is no timetable for Cespedes ’ return .

Yoenis Cespedes is running, and there is no wild boar in sight.
The oft-injured Mets outfielder tweeted a video Monday showing him running, taking batting practice and catching fly balls at the team’s spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., continuing in his attempt to return after missing all of last season.
Cespedes shared the 48-second clip with a caption including the hourglass and smiling emojis and the “LGM” hashtag, which stands for “Let’s Go Mets”.
The 34-year-old power hitter is recovering from multiple fractures in his right ankle, the result of him stepping into a hole to avoid a wild boar on his ranch, as The Post first reported. Cespedes initially was slated to earn $29.5 million in 2020, but after the accident his contract was restructured, costing him a minimum of $15.7 million.
Cespedes signed a four-year, $110 million contract after the 2016 season, but has played just 119 games since due to a variety of injuries.
But Cespedes’ injury misfortunes hasn’t stopped him from hyping up his return in 2020. Earlier this offseason, ESPN analyst and Mets manager candidate Eduardo Perez said on SiriusXM that Cespedes told him, “‘I’m ready and I’m gonna go out with a bang this year and I’m not just gonna hit 40 home runs….I’ll be out there for 140-plus games.’
“He told me he could hit 52 [home runs].”
Cespedes hit a career-high 35 home runs in 2015, when he split the season between the Tigers and Mets, leading the Amazin’s to the World Series, where they lost to the Royals.
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has said there is no timetable for Cespedes’ return.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--NJ man with head injury missing after wandering out of hospital

The family of a 39-year-old man with a head injury who wandered out of a New Jersey hospital on a near-freezing day nearly two weeks ago is pleading for help .
Michael Murphy walked out of Cooper University Trauma Center sometime on Jan. 9 and was last seen in Camden , NJ , around 3:15 p.m. near Ninth and State streets , according to his family .
Murphy had been treated for a skull fracture , family members posted to Facebook .
His fiancee , Cori Alatna , posted that she was “ feeling lost ” last week in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help from her friends to pick her up and drive her around Camden to look for her missing hubby .
“ I would go by myself if I had a car or take an Uber there , but I don ’ t have the resources right now , ” she wrote .
“ It ’ s still early in the day and the weather is nice , I know it ’ s a long-shot , but I believe in miracles.
” The temperature just ticked above freezing the day he went missing — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at night , according to the Accuweather .
Police say Murphy may appear disoriented after leaving without being discharged and has no identification on him .
He was reported missing on Jan. 14 , according to authorities who released photos of the man and his tattoos .
It was unclear what landed Murphy in the hospital .
“ Please keep sharing Michael Murphy ’ s story until we find him !
” a woman who identified herself as Murphy ’ s cousin posted on Monday .

The family of a 39-year-old man with a head injury who wandered out of a New Jersey hospital on a near-freezing day nearly two weeks ago is pleading for help.
Michael Murphy walked out of Cooper University Trauma Center sometime on Jan. 9 and was last seen in Camden, NJ, around 3:15 p.m. near Ninth and State streets, according to his family.
Murphy had been treated for a skull fracture, family members posted to Facebook.
His fiancee, Cori Alatna, posted that she was “feeling lost” last week in an emotional — yet hopeful — appeal for help from her friends to pick her up and drive her around Camden to look for her missing hubby.
“I would go by myself if I had a car or take an Uber there, but I don’t have the resources right now,” she wrote.
“It’s still early in the day and the weather is nice, I know it’s a long-shot, but I believe in miracles.”
The temperature just ticked above freezing the day he went missing — but the mercury dipped into the low-20s at night, according to the Accuweather.
Police say Murphy may appear disoriented after leaving without being discharged and has no identification on him. He was reported missing on Jan. 14, according to authorities who released photos of the man and his tattoos.
It was unclear what landed Murphy in the hospital.
“Please keep sharing Michael Murphy’s story until we find him!” a woman who identified herself as Murphy’s cousin posted on Monday.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Bronx dad cleared of kidnapping accusation

A Bronx dad is in the clear Monday after being accused of kidnapping his 1-year-old daughter over the weekend , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no custody agreement … so , he had every right to see his @ @ @ @ @ for the NYPD told The Post .
“ We had a complainant , who said @ @ @ @ @ baby and has no right.
’ “ Aaliyah Montanez told cops that 33-year-old dad Kenneth @ @ @ @ @ little girl on Saturday morning , fleeing in a van with no license plates .
@ @ @ @ @ that no crime had been committed — and they were no longer searching for Williams @ @ @ @ @ man returned the child to Montanez at her home on 182nd Street and Third Avenue @ @ @ @ @ morning and took off , police sources told The Post .

A Bronx dad is in the clear Monday after being accused of kidnapping his 1-year-old daughter over the weekend, cops said.
“There’s no custody agreement … so, he had every right to see his child,” a spokesman for the NYPD told The Post. “We had a complainant, who said, ‘He took my baby and has no right.’ “
Aaliyah Montanez told cops that 33-year-old dad Kenneth Williams ran off with their little girl on Saturday morning, fleeing in a van with no license plates.
But police said Monday afternoon that no crime had been committed — and they were no longer searching for Williams.
Meanwhile, a mystery man returned the child to Montanez at her home on 182nd Street and Third Avenue in The Bronx early Monday morning and took off, police sources told The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--De Blasio slams Trump, Middle East tensions at MLK Day events

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday used his MLK Day pulpit to rail against the Trump administration and increasing tensions in the Middle East .
Speaking at the Brooklyn Academy of Music ’ s 34th annual celebration of Martin Luther King and later at Al Sharpton ’ s National Action Network in Harlem , de Blasio used the civil rights icon ’ s famous 1967 “ Beyond Vietnam ” speech to link his legacy to the here and now — and present-day politics .
“ We feel a warmth for Dr. King and his memory , but Dr. King could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hizzoner said .
“ He could be a voice that warned us .
And in that ‘ Beyond Vietnam ’ speech he said a simple , simple thing .
He said , ‘ a time comes when silence is betrayal.
’ ” “ We can not be silent to the growing march to war in Iran , ” he said .
“ We can not be silent that there are some in Washington who would like to see us in these endless wars.
” De Blasio also railed against immigration authorities , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s campaign committee.
” The mayor echoed the anti-war theme at the earlier BAM event , where he shared the stage with US Sens .
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand , City Council Speaker Corey Johnson , Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams , and keynote speaker Nikole Hannah-Jones , a correspondent for the New York Times .
“ Dr .
King did not allow us to be in a place of comfort , ” Adams told more than 300 at the event .
“ This meeting today is to reignite our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to talk to each other .
When you attack a Hassidic person it ’ s a symbol of the Jewish community in New York City .
Don ’ t start pointing fingers .
We ’ re in this together , like it or not.
” But First Lady Chirlane McCray , who spoke after Hannah-Jones , had trouble keeping some of the crowd still when she took the podium — and about 50 audience members stood up to leave .
“ Don ’ t get up and go , y ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ No yet .
Not yet .
There ’ s more.
” When de Blasio stood up as the final speaker , he quipped that “ you almost had Chirlane coming out into the crowd here ” to get the audience to stay put .

Julia Marsh, Ben Cohn, Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday used his MLK Day pulpit to rail against the Trump administration and increasing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 34th annual celebration of Martin Luther King and later at Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in Harlem, de Blasio used the civil rights icon’s famous 1967 “Beyond Vietnam” speech to link his legacy to the here and now — and present-day politics.
“We feel a warmth for Dr. King and his memory, but Dr. King could also be a stern voice,” Hizzoner said. “He could be a voice that warned us. And in that ‘Beyond Vietnam’ speech he said a simple, simple thing. He said, ‘a time comes when silence is betrayal.’ ”
“We cannot be silent to the growing march to war in Iran,” he said. “We cannot be silent that there are some in Washington who would like to see us in these endless wars.”
De Blasio also railed against immigration authorities, calling ICE “a political arm of Donald Trump’s campaign committee.”
The mayor echoed the anti-war theme at the earlier BAM event, where he shared the stage with US Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and keynote speaker Nikole Hannah-Jones, a correspondent for the New York Times.
“Dr. King did not allow us to be in a place of comfort,” Adams told more than 300 at the event.
“This meeting today is to reignite our spirit,” he said. “We have to talk to each other. When you attack a Hassidic person it’s a symbol of the Jewish community in New York City. Don’t start pointing fingers. We’re in this together, like it or not.”
But First Lady Chirlane McCray, who spoke after Hannah-Jones, had trouble keeping some of the crowd still when she took the podium — and about 50 audience members stood up to leave.
“Don’t get up and go, y’all,” she told the crowd. “No yet. Not yet. There’s more.”
When de Blasio stood up as the final speaker, he quipped that “you almost had Chirlane coming out into the crowd here” to get the audience to stay put.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Bloomberg says impeachment is ‘not good,’ but would vote to convict Trump

Former New York City mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg said Monday he would vote to convict President Donald Trump if he were in the Senate , but added that he views impeachment as “ not good ” and “ a political process.
” The billionaire 2020 hopeful ’ s comments came during an interview with NBC ’ s “ Today Show , ” when host Craig Melvin asked how he would advise senators who are acting as jurors in the upcoming impeachment trial .
“ The president ’ s actions , eventually , as information came out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bloomberg answered , adding that he thinks there should be a fair trial .
“ I ’ d have to swallow two or three times , but I would say I would vote to convict because there ’ s just so much evidence that he acted inappropriately.
” Bloomberg ’ s comments were made one day before President Trump ’ s impeachment trial resumes in the Senate , where a fight over details about how the trial will proceed is taking place .
The White House released a trial memorandum outlining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they argue that the commander in chief should be swiftly acquitted because the Democratic-led House overstepped its authority and committed a “ brazenly political act … that must be rejected .
“ The Articles of Impeachment now before the Senate are an affront to the Constitution and to our democratic institutions .
The Articles themselves — and the rigged process that brought them here — are a brazenly political act by House Democrats that must be rejected , ” the trial memorandum reads .
In his NBC interview , Bloomberg also discussed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that impeachment is a political process , it ’ s not good , we ’ d be much better off letting the voters decide who is president in this country .
”

Former New York City mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg said Monday he would vote to convict President Donald Trump if he were in the Senate, but added that he views impeachment as “not good” and “a political process.”
The billionaire 2020 hopeful’s comments came during an interview with NBC’s “Today Show,” when host Craig Melvin asked how he would advise senators who are acting as jurors in the upcoming impeachment trial.
“The president’s actions, eventually, as information came out, it convinced me he should be impeached,” Bloomberg answered, adding that he thinks there should be a fair trial.
“I’d have to swallow two or three times, but I would say I would vote to convict because there’s just so much evidence that he acted inappropriately.”
Bloomberg’s comments were made one day before President Trump’s impeachment trial resumes in the Senate, where a fight over details about how the trial will proceed is taking place.
The White House released a trial memorandum outlining Trump’s defense strategy Monday where they argue that the commander in chief should be swiftly acquitted because the Democratic-led House overstepped its authority and committed a “brazenly political act … that must be rejected.
“The Articles of Impeachment now before the Senate are an affront to the Constitution and to our democratic institutions. The Articles themselves — and the rigged process that brought them here — are a brazenly political act by House Democrats that must be rejected,” the trial memorandum reads.
In his NBC interview, Bloomberg also discussed his feelings about impeachment, saying, “I think that impeachment is a political process, it’s not good, we’d be much better off letting the voters decide who is president in this country.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Lawyer claims judge called his clients ‘pig-headed Greeks’

A lawyer has asked for a judge ’ s recusal after the jurist allegedly called his clients “ pig-headed Greeks ” during settlement talks , according to new court papers .
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barry Ostrager allegedly made the remark on Oct. 26 , 2018 , while mediating a case where Greek American real-estate honchos John Pappas and Peter Skeadas accused steakhouse magnate Alan Stillman of mismanaging their restaurant , Maloney and Porcelli .
The jury was dismissed for lunch and Ostrager asked to “ see the lawyers in the robing room , ” according to a transcript which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside Ostrager ’ s robing room , the judge allegedly told lawyer Michael Camarinos and his colleague , “ you have a couple of old pigheaded Greek clients that don ’ t know what they are doing , ” referring to their clients Pappas and Skeadas , Camarinos alleged in new court papers .
“ My co-counsel and I are Greek-Americans … I was outraged on a personal level by this completely unnecessary and improper attack upon my clients and Greek-Americans , ” Camarinos wrote in the court documents .
Camarinos didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , because the trial was ongoing and he didn ’ t want to jeopardize the case .
That same day , the lawyer wrote down what he allegedly heard the judge say , according to a Google draft obtained by The Post .
Pappas and Skeadas lost their case and Stillman was awarded $ 450,000 plus interest , according to court records .
The pair is awaiting a decision on an appeal .
Stillman brought a suit in August asking Pappas and Skeadas to pay more than $ 2.4 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract he signed with the pair had an indemnification clause .
Stillman also claimed the duo hasn ’ t made any payments on the judgment he was awarded in May .
Camarinos is seeking the recusal now , after the recent case was reassigned from a new judge back to Ostrager , last week .
“ I am deeply troubled by Justice Ostrager ’ s wrongful statement which has major personal and ethnic connotations against my clients , which raises serious issues regarding the appearance of impartiality of this tribunal , ” Camarinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This statement demonstrates a pervasive ethnic and elderly prejudice harbored by the Judge , ” Camarinos claimed in the court papers adding it ’ s “ clearly personal.
” “ An attorney made that claim against the judge which allegedly took place in his robing room off-the-record and that in and of itself is self-evident , ” New York Courts spokesman Lucian Chalfen said .
Ostrager and lawyers for Stillman ’ s company did not immediately return requests for comment .

They’re calling it a big fat Greek injustice.
A lawyer has asked for a judge’s recusal after the jurist allegedly called his clients “pig-headed Greeks” during settlement talks, according to new court papers.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barry Ostrager allegedly made the remark on Oct. 26, 2018, while mediating a case where Greek American real-estate honchos John Pappas and Peter Skeadas accused steakhouse magnate Alan Stillman of mismanaging their restaurant, Maloney and Porcelli.
The jury was dismissed for lunch and Ostrager asked to “see the lawyers in the robing room,” according to a transcript which cut off at that point.
Once inside Ostrager’s robing room, the judge allegedly told lawyer Michael Camarinos and his colleague, “you have a couple of old pigheaded Greek clients that don’t know what they are doing,” referring to their clients Pappas and Skeadas, Camarinos alleged in new court papers.
“My co-counsel and I are Greek-Americans … I was outraged on a personal level by this completely unnecessary and improper attack upon my clients and Greek-Americans,” Camarinos wrote in the court documents.
Camarinos didn’t report the alleged ethnic slur at the time, because the trial was ongoing and he didn’t want to jeopardize the case. That same day, the lawyer wrote down what he allegedly heard the judge say, according to a Google draft obtained by The Post.
Pappas and Skeadas lost their case and Stillman was awarded $450,000 plus interest, according to court records.
The pair is awaiting a decision on an appeal.
Stillman brought a suit in August asking Pappas and Skeadas to pay more than $2.4 million for his legal fees, claiming the restaurant contract he signed with the pair had an indemnification clause. Stillman also claimed the duo hasn’t made any payments on the judgment he was awarded in May.
Camarinos is seeking the recusal now, after the recent case was reassigned from a new judge back to Ostrager, last week.
“I am deeply troubled by Justice Ostrager’s wrongful statement which has major personal and ethnic connotations against my clients, which raises serious issues regarding the appearance of impartiality of this tribunal,” Camarinos wrote in the court documents.
“This statement demonstrates a pervasive ethnic and elderly prejudice harbored by the Judge,” Camarinos claimed in the court papers adding it’s “clearly personal.”
“An attorney made that claim against the judge which allegedly took place in his robing room off-the-record and that in and of itself is self-evident,” New York Courts spokesman Lucian Chalfen said.
Ostrager and lawyers for Stillman’s company did not immediately return requests for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Firefighters battle 5-alarm blaze on Staten Island

Nearly 200 of New York ’ s Bravest doused the conflagration , which started on in a three-story home on @ @ @ @ @ around 3:15 p.m. , the FDNY said .
One person sustained minor injuries as well @ @ @ @ @ said .
Video posted online shows smoke billowing from homes on the street .
The @ @ @ @ @ 5:10 p.m. , fire officials said .
A woman who lives in one of the @ @ @ @ @ name Stephanie told The Post , “ I smelled it… then I saw the flames @ @ @ @ @ side of the house.
” The woman then rushed her 89-year-old aunt Theresa out of @ @ @ @ @ I felt the fire on my ass !
” she said .
“ Two guys @ @ @ @ @ the stoop .
Fifteen minutes later the fireman came , ” she said .

Kevin Sheehan, Tina Moore, Craig McCarthy

Firefighters battled a five-alarm blaze on Staten Island in blustery conditions Monday afternoon.
Nearly 200 of New York’s Bravest doused the conflagration, which started on in a three-story home on Rensselaer Avenue near Vernon Avenue around 3:15 p.m., the FDNY said.
One person sustained minor injuries as well as seven firefighters, FDNY said.
Video posted online shows smoke billowing from homes on the street.
The fire was under control at 5:10 p.m., fire officials said.
A woman who lives in one of the charred homes and gave the name Stephanie told The Post, “I smelled it… then I saw the flames shooting across from the right side of the house.”
The woman then rushed her 89-year-old aunt Theresa out of the living room.
“I felt the fire on my ass!” she said.
“Two guys helped me get her to the stoop. Fifteen minutes later the fireman came,” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-20--Two challenging options for fixing WrestleMania

WWE has a WrestleMania problem .
There ’ s more than one way to fix it , but sacrifices will have to be made .
For the past few years WWE ’ s signature pay-per-view has drawn complaints about being too long and packed with too many matches , making it harder for the audience — especially the live crowd — to stay connected without getting fatigued .
Early this month , New Japan Pro-Wrestling held Wrestle Kingdom 14 — the promotion ’ s equivalent of WrestleMania — successfully over two days and WWE officials have reportedly discussed the feasibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s WrestleMania ran for seven-plus hours , if you include the two-hour preshow , with a card whose main event went on past midnight at MetLife Stadium .
The past three main cards have lasted longer than five hours and WrestleMania 33 went 4 hours , 49 minutes As we get back on the Road to WrestleMania 36 with Sunday ’ s Royal Rumble pay-per-view , it ’ s time to look at how to improve WWE ’ s biggest show of the year .
WrestleMania 35 had 16 matches and WrestleMania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last to go just four hours , had nine .
There are two solutions to this problem .
Keep it one day and cut the number of matches or go to a two-day WrestleMania by sacrificing NXT TakeOver and incorporating that brand ’ s talent into the dual shows to pad the cards .
One of the issues with WrestleMania is WWE currently has 10 champions if you include the 24/7 title .
All of them need to get a place at WrestleMania .
So that ’ s eight to 10 matches/segments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gate .
A few have been squash matches at times , and both women ’ s championships were involved in the main event last year , so there are ways to work around it .
But it ’ s still too many champions and matches .
So if WWE plans on keeping WrestleMania a one-day event , let ’ s consolidate or lose three belts and let certain champions appear on both Raw and SmackDown .
Though it ’ s something WWE may not go for from a weekly TV and talent schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to do it : Have one WWE champion , one women ’ s champion and one pair of tag team champions .
Your titles now mean immensely more , especially the tag belts , which have been hot potatoed around so much at times it is hard to keep track of which teams holds them .
Each brand will still have the U.S. and Intercontinental champion to anchor them and four floating champions .
While it could create problems with who works what brand ’ s house shows and days off for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matches at most , creating unpredictability on your flagship shows and raising the prestige of your championships should be worth the hassle .
If that ’ s not a realistic solution and WWE wants to expand WrestleMania to a second day to test the financial gain , then they have to lose NXT TakeOver that week and add five to seven NXT matches to the main card for 20-22 overall .
Because unless you move the Hall of Fame show to a different weekend , WWE ’ s current TV deals don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be be added into it ’ s schedule .
Something has to go .
By losing NXT TakeOver , WrestleMania week would look like this : Hall of Fame on Thursday , SmackDown on Friday , WrestleMania over Saturday and Sunday and Raw on Monday .
WrestleMania would be two , four-to-four-and-a-half-hour shows with 10-12 matches each , including two on each hour-long preshow .
That keeps your total show time for each day to 5 1/2 hours , around the same length the WrestleMania main card has run in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best show during WrestleMania week , but by integrating the talent into WrestleMania itself you raise the visibility and prestige of NXT for its ratings battle with All Elite Wrestling , you put greater importance on Survivor Series outcomes and storytelling and create some potential crossover dream matches at WrestleMania .
It also allows WWE to tell stories over two days .
New Japan did a four-man tournament where the winner become both its Intercontinental and world champion .
Jon Moxley won the United States championship the first night and defended it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WrestleMania needs improving .
The current model creates a show that is too long and doesn ’ t put matches and the talent in position to be great because there are too many bouts and not enough time for each .
Fixing it won ’ t be easy .
Sacrifices must be made , but they are ultimately for the greater good for WWE , it wrestlers and its fans .

WWE has a WrestleMania problem. There’s more than one way to fix it, but sacrifices will have to be made.
For the past few years WWE’s signature pay-per-view has drawn complaints about being too long and packed with too many matches, making it harder for the audience — especially the live crowd — to stay connected without getting fatigued. Early this month, New Japan Pro-Wrestling held Wrestle Kingdom 14 — the promotion’s equivalent of WrestleMania — successfully over two days and WWE officials have reportedly discussed the feasibility of a two-day WrestleMania.
Last year’s WrestleMania ran for seven-plus hours, if you include the two-hour preshow, with a card whose main event went on past midnight at MetLife Stadium. The past three main cards have lasted longer than five hours and WrestleMania 32 went 4 hours, 49 minutes
As we get back on the Road to WrestleMania 36 with Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, it’s time to look at how to improve WWE’s biggest show of the year. WrestleMania 35 had 16 matches and WrestleMania 34 had 15. WrestleMania 31, the last to go just four hours, had nine.
There are two solutions to this problem. Keep it one day and cut the number of matches or go to a two-day WrestleMania by sacrificing NXT TakeOver and incorporating that brand’s talent into the dual shows to pad the cards.
One of the issues with WrestleMania is WWE currently has 10 champions if you include the 24/7 title. All of them need to get a place at WrestleMania. So that’s eight to 10 matches/segments on your card right out of the gate. A few have been squash matches at times, and both women’s championships were involved in the main event last year, so there are ways to work around it. But it’s still too many champions and matches.
So if WWE plans on keeping WrestleMania a one-day event, let’s consolidate or lose three belts and let certain champions appear on both Raw and SmackDown.
Though it’s something WWE may not go for from a weekly TV and talent schedule standpoint, here’s the easy way to do it: Have one WWE champion, one women’s champion and one pair of tag team champions. Your titles now mean immensely more, especially the tag belts, which have been hot potatoed around so much at times it is hard to keep track of which teams holds them.
Each brand will still have the U.S. and Intercontinental champion to anchor them and four floating champions. While it could create problems with who works what brand’s house shows and days off for talent, getting WrestleMania down to 12 matches at most, creating unpredictability on your flagship shows and raising the prestige of your championships should be worth the hassle.
If that’s not a realistic solution and WWE wants to expand WrestleMania to a second day to test the financial gain, then they have to lose NXT TakeOver that week and add five to seven NXT matches to the main card for 20-22 overall. Because unless you move the Hall of Fame show to a different weekend, WWE’s current TV deals don’t allow for an extra WrestleMania day just to be be added into its schedule. Something has to go.
By losing NXT TakeOver, WrestleMania week would look like this: Hall of Fame on Thursday, SmackDown on Friday, WrestleMania over Saturday and Sunday and Raw on Monday. WrestleMania would be two, four-to-four-and-a-half-hour shows with 10-12 matches each, including two on each hour-long preshow. That keeps your total show time for each day to 5 1/2 hours, around the same length the WrestleMania main card has run in recent years.
Yes, NXT TakeOver is often the best show during WrestleMania week, but by integrating the talent into WrestleMania itself you raise the visibility and prestige of NXT for its ratings battle with All Elite Wrestling, you put greater importance on Survivor Series outcomes and storytelling and create some potential crossover dream matches at WrestleMania.
It also allows WWE to tell stories over two days. New Japan did a four-man tournament where the winner become both its Intercontinental and world champion. Jon Moxley won the United States championship the first night and defended it the second.
There is little doubt WrestleMania needs improving. The current model creates a show that is too long and doesn’t put matches and the talent in position to be great because there are too many bouts and not enough time for each.
Fixing it won’t be easy. Sacrifices must be made, but they are ultimately for the greater good for WWE, its wrestlers and its fans.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Police dog hits the water fountain to hydrate before busy shift

Good boy !
Watch as a police dog from Rome , New York , drinks out of a water fountain @ @ @ @ @ pup , named K9 Arko , knows how important it is to stay hydrated before @ @ @ @ @ for a long day of work .

Good boy! Watch as a police dog from Rome, New York, drinks out of a water fountain like a pro. The pup, named K9 Arko, knows how important it is to stay hydrated before heading out onto the streets for a long day of work.
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newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Dead baby discovered inside garbage can in Las Vegas

NORTH LAS VEGAS , Nev. — Police are investigating the death of an infant boy whose body was found in @ @ @ @ @ a North Las Vegas neighborhood .
Officer Eric Leavitt said Monday that police were called @ @ @ @ @ Sunday and investigators think the child was younger than 6 months old .
The body @ @ @ @ @ obvious physical injuries , Leavitt said , and police asked for public help to identify @ @ @ @ @ coroner ’ s office is expected in the coming days to release his identity and @ @ @ @ @ .
The neighborhood is about a 20-minute drive north of the Las Vegas Strip .

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Police are investigating the death of an infant boy whose body was found in an alley trash bin in a North Las Vegas neighborhood.
Officer Eric Leavitt said Monday that police were called a little before 9 a.m. Sunday and investigators think the child was younger than 6 months old.
The body didn’t show any obvious physical injuries, Leavitt said, and police asked for public help to identify him.
The Clark County coroner’s office is expected in the coming days to release his identity and cause and manner of death.
The neighborhood is about a 20-minute drive north of the Las Vegas Strip.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Inside the wild world of celebrity brands

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Maggie 's on vacation !
In this `` We Hear '' episode , Ian is joined by guest host Emily Smith , Page Six editor .
Gwyneth Paltrow ’ s vagina candle is just the tip of ridiculous celebrity branding .
We reveal some of our most bizarre celebrity run-ins and we preview the biggest Grammys , Super Bowl and Oscars bashes .
Gwyneth Paltrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privates You can sniff Gwyneth Paltrow ’ s vagina-scented candle — but don ’ t you dare take her picture !
The Goop founder kindly created a $ 75 candle called “ This Smells Like My Vagina ” so we can all get a sniff of her special sauce ( or we could if the piquant product weren ’ t sold out ) .
Proving her head is also up her proverbial pudenda , Paltrow made a public presentation at the National Retail Federation at the Javits Center Tuesday and promptly threw out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2,000 people about her privates with privacy .
Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

Gwyneth Paltrow’s vagina candle is just the tip of ridiculous celebrity branding. We reveal some of our most bizarre celebrity run-ins and we preview the biggest Grammys, Super Bowl and Oscars bashes.
Here’s a closer look at today’s main story:
Gwyneth Paltrow wants privacy to wax lyrical about her privates
You can sniff Gwyneth Paltrow’s vagina-scented candle — but don’t you dare take her picture!
The Goop founder kindly created a $75 candle called “This Smells Like My Vagina” so we can all get a sniff of her special sauce (or we could if the piquant product weren’t sold out). Proving her head is also up her proverbial pudenda, Paltrow made a public presentation at the National Retail Federation at the Javits Center Tuesday and promptly threw out all fotogs so she could wax lyrical to 2,000 people about her privates with privacy.
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.