newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Off-duty firefighter’s face slashed by ex-fiancee’s new beau, police say

This firefighter ’ s love triangle got really heated .
An off-duty FDNY member was slashed in the face Saturday @ @ @ @ @ new lover , sources and police said .
The brutal slashing happened just before 1:30 @ @ @ @ @ the 36-year-old man ’ s home near 71st Street and Third Avenue in Brooklyn , @ @ @ @ @ was walking home when his attacker came up from behind , grabbed him and slashed @ @ @ @ @ a sharp object , cops said .
The smoke eater ’ s neighbor saw the @ @ @ @ @ the man bleeding heavily outside of his home , police said .
When officers asked @ @ @ @ @ him , he claimed it was his ex ’ s new boyfriend , “ Bobby @ @ @ @ @ That afternoon , at around 4 p.m. , cops collared Benedetto Bonello , 32 , @ @ @ @ @ counts of assault and one count of criminal possession of a weapon , police said @ @ @ @ @ court Friday , according to public records .

This firefighter’s love triangle got really heated.
An off-duty FDNY member was slashed in the face Saturday by his ex-fiancee’s new lover, sources and police said.
The brutal slashing happened just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning outside of the 36-year-old man’s home near 71st Street and Third Avenue in Brooklyn, police said.
The fireman was walking home when his attacker came up from behind, grabbed him and slashed him across the face with a sharp object, cops said.
The smoke eater’s neighbor saw the trail of blood and found the man bleeding heavily outside of his home, police said.
When officers asked the injured man who slashed him, he claimed it was his ex’s new boyfriend, “Bobby,” sources said.
That afternoon, at around 4 p.m., cops collared Benedetto Bonello, 32, and charged him with two counts of assault and one count of criminal possession of a weapon, police said.
Bonello is due in court Friday, according to public records.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Giannis Antetokounmpo injury gives Bucks sudden concern

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been leading the way as the Milwaukee Bucks have been putting together a potentially historic season , one which has provided hope of an NBA championship run .
Any title dream would be shattered if Antetokounmpo were sidelined , and the Bucks have a concern on their hands .
The 25-year-old MVP suffered a left knee sprain during Friday ’ s road loss to the Lakers , and the team announced he ’ ll miss the next two games .
The Bucks finish their road trip Sunday at Phoenix and Monday at Denver .
Milwaukee begins a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Greek Freak was having another MVP-caliber season .
His 29.6 points per game was third-best in the NBA entering Sunday , and his 13.7 rebounds per game was fourth-best in the league .
Milwaukee ’ s Friday loss dropped them to 53-10 .
It is looking to become just the third team in NBA history to win 70 games in a season .
That likely won ’ t happen if Antetokounmpo has to miss a significant period of time .
But above all else , the Bucks must ensure Antetokounmpo is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance at winning it all .
If he ’ s not 100 percent , the Eastern Conference could be wide open .

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been leading the way as the Milwaukee Bucks have been putting together a potentially historic season, one which has provided hope of an NBA championship run.
Any title dream would be shattered if Antetokounmpo were sidelined, and the Bucks have a concern on their hands. The 25-year-old MVP suffered a left knee sprain during Friday’s road loss to the Lakers, and the team announced he’ll miss the next two games.
The Bucks finish their road trip Sunday at Phoenix and Monday at Denver. Milwaukee begins a four-game homestand Thursday against the Celtics.
The Greek Freak was having another MVP-caliber season. His 29.6 points per game was third-best in the NBA entering Sunday, and his 13.7 rebounds per game was fourth-best in the league.
Milwaukee’s Friday loss dropped them to 53-10. It is looking to become just the third team in NBA history to win 70 games in a season. That likely won’t happen if Antetokounmpo has to miss a significant period of time.
But above all else, the Bucks must ensure Antetokounmpo is not compromised during the playoffs to have any chance at winning it all. If he’s not 100 percent, the Eastern Conference could be wide open.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--England rugby’s Joe Marler could face ban for grabbing opponent’s testicles

And England coach Eddie Jones could be hit with a Six Nations rap for accusing Kiwi ref Ben O ’ Keefe of being biased towards Wales for sending off Manu Tuilagi .
Welsh skipper Jones demanded action against Marler after being on the receiving end of a Vinne Jones-style manhood grab .
Jones declared : “ If I react I get a red card .
Hopefully World Rugby have a look at it .
“ Joe is a good bloke .
.
.
but there is all the footage that has been shown and a lot of supporters have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across at the touch judge and he obviously didn ’ t see anything .
But we talk a lot about TMOs and what they review , so it was frustrating this wasn ’ t dealt with there.
” World Rugby ’ s Law 10 states that anyone found guilty of “ testicle grabbing , twisting or squeezing ” faces a minimum 12-week suspension , while the maximum penalty is a four-year ban .
But ex-Wales and Lions center Gareth Thomas , who came out as gay in 2009 , joked : “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m really upset about that — because if it had I would have never retired !
”

Joe Marler faces a minimum 12-week ban for a below-the-belt grab on Alun Wyn Jones.
And England coach Eddie Jones could be hit with a Six Nations rap for accusing Kiwi ref Ben O’Keefe of being biased towards Wales for sending off Manu Tuilagi.
Welsh skipper Jones demanded action against Marler after being on the receiving end of a Vinne Jones-style manhood grab.
Jones declared: “If I react I get a red card. Hopefully World Rugby have a look at it.
“Joe is a good bloke. . . but there is all the footage that has been shown and a lot of supporters have seen what has happened.
“I looked across at the touch judge and he obviously didn’t see anything. But we talk a lot about TMOs and what they review, so it was frustrating this wasn’t dealt with there.”
World Rugby’s Law 10 states that anyone found guilty of “testicle grabbing, twisting or squeezing” faces a minimum 12-week suspension, while the maximum penalty is a four-year ban.
But ex-Wales and Lions center Gareth Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, joked: “It would never have happened in my day and I’m really upset about that — because if it had I would have never retired!”


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Chris Rock splits from girlfriend Megalyn Echikunwoke after 4 years of dating

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 ) Chris Rock has split from his girlfriend of four years , actress Megalyn Echikunwoke .
Multiple sources confirmed to Page Six that Rock , 55 , and Echikunwoke , 36 , quietly broke up a few months ago , before he stole the show at the Oscars by poking fun at Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos ’ divorce .
One source said Rock wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painful divorce from his wife of 18 years , Malaak Compton-Rock , which was finalized in 2016 .
He told Rolling Stone the following year , “ Getting divorced , you have to f–king start over , ” he said .
“ You get to reset .
It ’ s not a breakdown , but something in your life broke down.
” He also admitted to cheating on his then-wife with three women , one of whom is famous , he said .
“ I was a piece of s–t , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dating “ Night School ” and “ Almost Family ” star Echikunwoke , “ She ’ s got her own dough , it ’ s amazing.
” They began dating in 2016 and reports later said the actress had moved into Rock ’ s home in New Jersey .
However , Rock has repeatedly spoken out about his painful divorce which took two years to finalize .
He also had to go to family court to seek joint custody of his two daughters , Zahra and Lola , who are now both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a lawyer to divorce me , ” he said in one comedy special , “ That ’ s like hiring a hitman to kill you.
” “ I had to go through a custody fight for my kids .
Just to see my kids , man .
“ You don ’ t want to be a man in family court .
You don ’ t want to be a black man in any court.
” He also later joked , “ Would I ever get married again ?
Not if it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to comment , a spokesperson for Echikunwoke couldn ’ t immediately be reached .

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)
Chris Rock has split from his girlfriend of four years, actress Megalyn Echikunwoke.
Multiple sources confirmed to Page Six that Rock, 55, and Echikunwoke, 36, quietly broke up a few months ago, before he stole the show at the Oscars by poking fun at Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos’ divorce.
One source said Rock wasn’t ready to settle down again after his painful divorce from his wife of 18 years, Malaak Compton-Rock, which was finalized in 2016.
He told Rolling Stone the following year, “Getting divorced, you have to f–king start over,” he said. “You get to reset. It’s not a breakdown, but something in your life broke down.”
He also admitted to cheating on his then-wife with three women, one of whom is famous, he said. “I was a piece of s–t,” he said.
He also told the mag of dating “Night School” and “Almost Family” star Echikunwoke, “She’s got her own dough, it’s amazing.” They began dating in 2016 and reports later said the actress had moved into Rock’s home in New Jersey.
However, Rock has repeatedly spoken out about his painful divorce which took two years to finalize. He also had to go to family court to seek joint custody of his two daughters, Zahra and Lola, who are now both teenagers.
“I had to pay for a lawyer to divorce me, ” he said in one comedy special, “That’s like hiring a hitman to kill you.”
“I had to go through a custody fight for my kids. Just to see my kids, man.
“You don’t want to be a man in family court. You don’t want to be a black man in any court.”
He also later joked, “Would I ever get married again? Not if it would cure AIDS.”
Rock’s rep declined to comment, a spokesperson for Echikunwoke couldn’t immediately be reached.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Trump to skip St. Patrick’s Day lunch on Capitol Hill over Pelosi’s ‘rhetoric’

President Trump will skip the St. Patrick ’ s Day lunch on Capitol Hill this Thursday because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s efforts to “ drive discord and disunity ” have ruined his appetite to attend the annual bipartisan event , the White House said Sunday .
Pelosi , as speaker , hosts Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the luncheon to celebrate relations between the US and Ireland .
She invited Trump last month .
“ Since the Speaker has chosen to tear this Nation apart with her actions and her rhetoric , the President will not participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive discord and disunity , ” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement .
Instead , Trump will welcome Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to the White House for the annual Shamrock Bowl presentation .
Drew Hammill , a Pelosi spokesman , hit back that the White House should put “ petty , partisan politics aside for this historic occasion.
” Trump attended the luncheon when Rep. Paul Ryan ( R-Wisc . )
was speaker in 2017 and 2018 , and last year when Pelosi became speaker after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midterm elections .
But their already strained relationship hit rock bottom when the Democrat-majority House voted to impeach the president and Pelosi publicly ripped up a copy of his State of the Union address .
There have only been four occasions when presidents have missed the luncheon since it was first held in 1987 , sending their vice presidents on their behalf .
But Vice President Pence will also skip it this year .

President Trump will skip the St. Patrick’s Day lunch on Capitol Hill this Thursday because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s efforts to “drive discord and disunity” have ruined his appetite to attend the annual bipartisan event, the White House said Sunday.
Pelosi, as speaker, hosts Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the luncheon to celebrate relations between the US and Ireland. She invited Trump last month.
“Since the Speaker has chosen to tear this Nation apart with her actions and her rhetoric, the President will not participate in moments where she so often chooses to drive discord and disunity,” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.
Instead, Trump will welcome Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to the White House for the annual Shamrock Bowl presentation.
Drew Hammill, a Pelosi spokesman, hit back that the White House should put “petty, partisan politics aside for this historic occasion.”
Trump attended the luncheon when Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) was speaker in 2017 and 2018, and last year when Pelosi became speaker after the Democrats regained the House in the 2018 midterm elections.
But their already strained relationship hit rock bottom when the Democrat-majority House voted to impeach the president and Pelosi publicly ripped up a copy of his State of the Union address.
There have only been four occasions when presidents have missed the luncheon since it was first held in 1987, sending their vice presidents on their behalf. But Vice President Pence will also skip it this year.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fund coronavirus home-testing kits in Seattle

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo isn ’ t ready to pull the brakes on ...

Home-testing kits for the coronavirus could soon be offered through a program backed by billionaire Bill Gates, according to a report.
The initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would allow people in the Seattle area to swab their noses and send back the samples for analysis, the Seattle Times reported.
Four-hundreds tests would initially be conducted at a University of Washington lab on a daily basis, with the results being returned in one or two days, the report said. Eventually, the testing capacity will be ramped up to thousands of tests each day.
It’s unclear when the program will launch. The organization is still working now to update its software to handle being inundated by requests, according to the report.
“Although there’s a lot to be worked out, this has enormous potential to turn the tide of the epidemic,” said Scott Dowell, who is leading coronavirus response at the foundation.
The testing would limit the need for potentially-infected patients to visit medical centers, where they could spread the virus to others, the organization said.
The initiative would also allow people to answer questions on an online form about their movements or contacts, making it easier for officials to track down others who may have been exposed if they test positive, the Seattle Times reported.
“One of the most important things from our perspective, having watched and worked on this in other parts of the world, is the identification of people who are positive for the virus, so they can be safely isolated and cared for, and the identification of their contacts, who can then be quarantined,” Dowell said.
The foundation, which has already committed $5 million to battle the coronavirus in the Seattle area, said that the home-testing kits could eventually be available statewide.
Washington state has grappled with more than 100 cases and 16 deaths, mostly in the Seattle region.
Worldwide, there have been more than 100,000 cases and 3,500 deaths since December’s outbreak in Wuhan, China.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Upstate NY man accidentally shoots girlfriend at end of date, cops say

An upstate New York man accidentally shot his girlfriend at the end of a steakhouse date — firing a stolen handgun when he reached in his pocket for his wallet , according to reports .
Anthony Ciccarelli , 19 , allegedly inadvertently fired the Ruger 9mm when he went to pay the check at Texas de Brazil on Thursday night , hitting girlfriend Celeste Haynie in the upper right leg , Cheektowaga police told WGRZ .
The couple initially drove away , but pulled over half-a-mile away to call for help , the station said .
Their date night ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his date having a tourniquet placed around her leg before she was taken to ECMC Hospital in Buffalo with non-life-threatening injuries , according to WIVB .
Police later discovered that the gun had been reported stolen from a car in Niagara Falls in 2018 , WGRZ said .
Ciccarelli , 19 , was arraigned in Cheektowaga Town Court Friday on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment as well as criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of stolen property .
All three charges are felonies and he faces seven years in prison if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released after posting $ 5,000 bond and has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday .

An upstate New York man accidentally shot his girlfriend at the end of a steakhouse date — firing a stolen handgun when he reached in his pocket for his wallet, according to reports.
Anthony Ciccarelli, 19, allegedly inadvertently fired the Ruger 9mm when he went to pay the check at Texas de Brazil on Thursday night, hitting girlfriend Celeste Haynie in the upper right leg, Cheektowaga police told WGRZ.
The couple initially drove away, but pulled over half-a-mile away to call for help, the station said.
Their date night ended with Ciccarelli’s arrest — and his date having a tourniquet placed around her leg before she was taken to ECMC Hospital in Buffalo with non-life-threatening injuries, according to WIVB.
Police later discovered that the gun had been reported stolen from a car in Niagara Falls in 2018, WGRZ said.
Ciccarelli, 19, was arraigned in Cheektowaga Town Court Friday on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment as well as criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of stolen property.
All three charges are felonies and he faces seven years in prison if convicted, the reports say.
He was released after posting $5,000 bond and has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Women fight over toilet paper during coronavirus panic buying in Australia

# BREAKING : A scuffle broke out at a Woolworths in Chullora this morning with patrons coming to blows over toilet paper , forcing employees to intervene .
Bankstown police attended the scene and no charges have been laid .
# 9News pic.twitter.com/9TmDAStb9D It looked practically apocalyptic Down Under as women tussled over toilet paper .
Viral video shows three women in a wild fight in an Australian store — sparked by a mother and her daughter hoarding toilet paper amid panic over the coronavirus .
“ I just want one pack !
” demanded one woman as she confronted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piled high with bathroom supplies in a Woolworths in western Sydney .
“ No — not one pack , ” the 60-year-old mother of the pair said sternly in the video viewed more than 200,000 times after being tweeted Saturday by 9News .
The trio had been seen grabbing each other , trading blows , then blaming each other for starting Saturday ’ s brawl “ Are you joking ?
Are you f—ing joking ?
” one woman was heard asking after onlookers helped break apart the fight , with a staff member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re doing .
You ’ re fighting over tissues.
” The video sparked disgust — and much mirth — online .
“ Imagine what would happen in an actual apocalypse , ” Mr. Gaanz asked in reply , while Cleetus Van Damme said , “ We ’ ll discover a cure for coronavirus before a cure for stupid.
” Police later told 9News that the mom and her 23-year-old daughter were both criminally charged .
A 49-year-old woman also involved spoke to police but was not charged , the station said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was not injured .
She appears to have been in the right , too — with Woolworths saying it had a four-pack limit on toilet paper amid a national shortage sparked by frenzied panic buying over fears of lengthy quarantines to come .
“ It ’ s just bad behavior by people that are panicking , and there ’ s no need for that panic , ” acting Inspector Andrew New told 9News .
“ It ’ s not the Thunderdome .
It ’ s not Mad Max .
We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the station it was working with the police .
“ We will not tolerate violence of any kind from our customers in our stores , ” a spokesperson said .

#BREAKING : A scuffle broke out at a Woolworths in Chullora this morning with patrons coming to blows over toilet paper, forcing employees to intervene. Bankstown police attended the scene and no charges have been laid. #9News pic.twitter.com/9TmDAStb9D
It looked practically apocalyptic Down Under as women tussled over toilet paper.
Viral video shows three women in a wild fight in an Australian store — sparked by a mother and her daughter hoarding toilet paper amid panic over the coronavirus.
“I just want one pack!” demanded one woman as she confronted the pair who had a shopping trolley piled high with bathroom supplies in a Woolworths in western Sydney.
“No — not one pack,” the 60-year-old mother of the pair said sternly in the video viewed more than 200,000 times after being tweeted Saturday by 9News.
The trio had been seen grabbing each other, trading blows, then blaming each other for starting Saturday’s brawl
“Are you joking? Are you f—ing joking?” one woman was heard asking after onlookers helped break apart the fight, with a staff member telling them, “Look what you’re doing. You’re fighting over tissues.”
The video sparked disgust — and much mirth — online. “Imagine what would happen in an actual apocalypse,” Mr. Gaanz asked in reply, while Cleetus Van Damme said, “We’ll discover a cure for coronavirus before a cure for stupid.”
Police later told 9News that the mom and her 23-year-old daughter were both criminally charged. A 49-year-old woman also involved spoke to police but was not charged, the station said, describing her as the victim but saying she was not injured.
She appears to have been in the right, too — with Woolworths saying it had a four-pack limit on toilet paper amid a national shortage sparked by frenzied panic buying over fears of lengthy quarantines to come.
“It’s just bad behavior by people that are panicking, and there’s no need for that panic,” acting Inspector Andrew New told 9News.
“It’s not the Thunderdome. It’s not Mad Max. We don’t need to do that.”
Woolworths told the station it was working with the police. “We will not tolerate violence of any kind from our customers in our stores,” a spokesperson said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Ohio plastic surgeon charged with drugging, raping women on camera

A plastic surgeon primarily based in Ohio was arrested Friday by the FBI for allegedly drugging multiple women to the point of unconsciousness and raping them on camera .
Dr. Manish Gupta , 49 , is charged with illegally dispensing controlled substances , aggravated sexual abuse and sex trafficking , Toledo ’ s WTVG reported .
He was booked into Lucas County Corrections Center in Toledo Friday afternoon after a federal search warrant on his phone , residence , personal vehicle and two offices in Lucas County uncovered sex toys , camera equipment , SD cards and vials of Diazepam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not used in his medical practice , according to WTVG .
While visiting Los Angeles in 2016 to attend a plastic surgery convention , Gupta allegedly arranged for sex with a high-end escort , drugged her to the point of unconsciousness and raped her , according to a court filing in the U.S. District Court in Toledo .
The woman did not file a police report at the time .
She took an at-home drug test that showed she had signs of benzodiazepine , a type of medication known as a tranquilizer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WTOL reported , citing the court filing .
She later visited the Rape Treatment Center at the UCLA Medical Center , Santa Monica , where she had a rape kit exam performed , WTVG reported .
The woman researched Gupta in an online database used by sex workers to make others aware of possibly dangerous individuals , according to the filing .
She said she found multiple other women had reported a man either matching Gupta ’ s name or description , claiming he drugged , raped and possibly recorded them without their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a board-certified plastic surgeon and medical doctor licensed in both Ohio and Michigan .
He owns Artisan Cosmetic Surgery , which has two offices in Ohio and one in Michigan , WTVG reported .
The FBI launched an investigation into the claims against Gupta in January 2019 .
The investigation revealed that in 2014 , an employee working for Gupta found multiple SDs with videos showing the plastic surgeon performing sex acts on motionless women who appeared to be unconscious .
In February of this year , the State of Ohio Medical Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugging and raping women for years .

A plastic surgeon primarily based in Ohio was arrested Friday by the FBI for allegedly drugging multiple women to the point of unconsciousness and raping them on camera.
Dr. Manish Gupta, 49, is charged with illegally dispensing controlled substances, aggravated sexual abuse and sex trafficking, Toledo’s WTVG reported. He was booked into Lucas County Corrections Center in Toledo Friday afternoon after a federal search warrant on his phone, residence, personal vehicle and two offices in Lucas County uncovered sex toys, camera equipment, SD cards and vials of Diazepam and Ketamine, which are controlled substances not used in his medical practice, according to WTVG.
While visiting Los Angeles in 2016 to attend a plastic surgery convention, Gupta allegedly arranged for sex with a high-end escort, drugged her to the point of unconsciousness and raped her, according to a court filing in the U.S. District Court in Toledo.
The woman did not file a police report at the time. She took an at-home drug test that showed she had signs of benzodiazepine, a type of medication known as a tranquilizer, in her system, Toledo’s WTOL reported, citing the court filing. She later visited the Rape Treatment Center at the UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, where she had a rape kit exam performed, WTVG reported.
The woman researched Gupta in an online database used by sex workers to make others aware of possibly dangerous individuals, according to the filing. She said she found multiple other women had reported a man either matching Gupta’s name or description, claiming he drugged, raped and possibly recorded them without their consent, WTOL reported.
Gupta is a board-certified plastic surgeon and medical doctor licensed in both Ohio and Michigan. He owns Artisan Cosmetic Surgery, which has two offices in Ohio and one in Michigan, WTVG reported.
The FBI launched an investigation into the claims against Gupta in January 2019. The investigation revealed that in 2014, an employee working for Gupta found multiple SDs with videos showing the plastic surgeon performing sex acts on motionless women who appeared to be unconscious. In February of this year, the State of Ohio Medical Board received a complaint claiming Gupta had been drugging and raping women for years.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--Pete Davidson absent from ‘SNL’ after controversial interview

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 ) Pete Davidson was noticeably absent from Saturday ’ s installment of “ Saturday Night Live , ” which comes a few short weeks after the 26-year-old comedian criticized the late-night series in a sit-down with Charlamagne tha God .
Davidson , who joined the cast of “ SNL ” in 2014 , recently ignited a storm of controversy after discussing his experience on the NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m literally painted out to be this big dumb idiot.
” “ I personally think I should be done with that show because they make fun of me on it , ” he said in the interview , which was posted on YouTube in late February .
Last week , Davidson skipped the “ SNL ” afterparty at L ’ Avenue at Saks .
Friend John Mulaney , who hosted the show on Feb. 29 , spoke at the party “ about how ‘ SNL ’ can be very cutthroat sometimes , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Davidson has nothing but love for series creator Lorne Michaels , calling him a “ father figure.
” “ He ’ s the best and has treated me with nothing but love , ” Davidson said .
Davidson has missed episodes this season to shoot James Gunn ’ s “ The Suicide Squad ” in Atlanta .
Reps for “ SNL ” did not immediately return our request for comment .

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)
Pete Davidson was noticeably absent from Saturday’s installment of “Saturday Night Live,” which comes a few short weeks after the 26-year-old comedian criticized the late-night series in a sit-down with Charlamagne tha God.
Davidson, who joined the cast of “SNL” in 2014, recently ignited a storm of controversy after discussing his experience on the NBC show, stating, “I’m literally painted out to be this big dumb idiot.”
“I personally think I should be done with that show because they make fun of me on it,” he said in the interview, which was posted on YouTube in late February.
Last week, Davidson skipped the “SNL” afterparty at L’Avenue at Saks. Friend John Mulaney, who hosted the show on Feb. 29, spoke at the party “about how ‘SNL’ can be very cutthroat sometimes,” according to a source.
Despite tensions, Davidson has nothing but love for series creator Lorne Michaels, calling him a “father figure.”
“He’s the best and has treated me with nothing but love,” Davidson said.
Davidson has missed episodes this season to shoot James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” in Atlanta.
Reps for “SNL” did not immediately return our request for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-03-08--WHO offers advice about using cash as coronavirus continues to spread

The World Health Organization has urged people handling cash to soap up after as the coronavirus continues to spread to tens of thousands of people across the world , according to a report .
There ’ s a chance that the deadly infection can be transmitted during the transfer of money , the Telegraph reported .
“ We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses and things like that , ” a WHO spokesperson told the Telegraph .
“ We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international health watchdog added that “ when possible it ’ s a good idea to use contactless payments.
” The organization , however , later clarified its recommendations , saying that it was not warning people to cut out cash altogether .
“ WHO did NOT say banknotes would transmit COVID-19 , nor have we issued any warnings or statements about this , ” WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told MarketWatch .
“ We were asked if we thought banknotes could transmit COVID-19 and we said you should wash your hands after handling money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Meanwhile , fears about using bills have prompted the famed Louvre museum in Paris to cut out cash entirely during the outbreak .
The art museum will only accept credit card payments as part of an effort to protect staffers from possibly infected visitors .
South Korea ’ s central bank also announced last week that it will take banknotes out of circulations for two weeks to limit the spread of the virus .
The move follows efforts in China , where the virus emerged , to destroy cash in hard-hit regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank of China ordered the return of paper currency in circulation last month at hospitals , animal markets and buses near the country ’ s hot zones in order to destruct potentially-contaminated bills , the South China Morning Post reported .
The concerns over possible contamination through cash come as the virus has spread to more than 90 countries across the world .
The virus has spread to at least 105,000 people and killed more than 3,500 others since the outbreak in Wuhan , China .

The World Health Organization has urged people handling cash to soap up after as the coronavirus continues to spread to tens of thousands of people across the world, according to a report.
There’s a chance that the deadly infection can be transmitted during the transfer of money, the Telegraph reported.
“We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses and things like that,” a WHO spokesperson told the Telegraph. “We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes, and avoid touching their face.”
The international health watchdog added that “when possible it’s a good idea to use contactless payments.”
The organization, however, later clarified its recommendations, saying that it was not warning people to cut out cash altogether.
“WHO did NOT say banknotes would transmit COVID-19, nor have we issued any warnings or statements about this,” WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told MarketWatch. “We were asked if we thought banknotes could transmit COVID-19 and we said you should wash your hands after handling money, especially if handling or eating food.”
Meanwhile, fears about using bills have prompted the famed Louvre museum in Paris to cut out cash entirely during the outbreak.
The art museum will only accept credit card payments as part of an effort to protect staffers from possibly infected visitors.
South Korea’s central bank also announced last week that it will take banknotes out of circulations for two weeks to limit the spread of the virus.
The move follows efforts in China, where the virus emerged, to destroy cash in hard-hit regions to prevent contagion.
People’s Bank of China ordered the return of paper currency in circulation last month at hospitals, animal markets and buses near the country’s hot zones in order to destruct potentially-contaminated bills, the South China Morning Post reported.
The concerns over possible contamination through cash come as the virus has spread to more than 90 countries across the world.
The virus has spread to at least 105,000 people and killed more than 3,500 others since the outbreak in Wuhan, China.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Buried alive: Skier rushes to rescue woman trapped below two feet of snow

This young skier is lucky to be alive .
As 23-year-old Will Field was hitting one of the lesser-known slopes @ @ @ @ @ Les Arcs ski resort , he saw a woman ’ s legs flailing from the @ @ @ @ @ a hard patch and was catapulted into the snow head-first .
Thankfully , Field was @ @ @ @ @ , and was able to quickly access a shovel to dig her out .
See @ @ @ @ @

This young skier is lucky to be alive. As 23-year-old Will Field was hitting one of the lesser-known slopes in the French Alps’ Les Arcs ski resort, he saw a woman’s legs flailing from the snow. The 19-year-old hit a hard patch and was catapulted into the snow head-first. Thankfully, Field was equipped with a safety kit, and was able to quickly access a shovel to dig her out. See the heart-pounding rescue here.
Subscribe to our YouTube!


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Father, sister of coronavirus patient violate self-quarantine to attend school event

The father and sister of a 20-year-old woman presumed to be the first person in Missouri to have the coronavirus disregarded a quarantine and went to a school function , according to reports .
The St. Louis County woman returned from Italy on March 2 , arriving in Chicago and then taking an Amtrak train to St. Louis two days later after staying with a friend , according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
The woman , who had been studying abroad , called local health authorities when she started to feel ill , then stayed at home and did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being instructed to be tested at a hospital , the news outlet reported .
Dr. Randall Williams , head of the state Department of Health and Senior Services , said he received a phone call about the positive test result at 1 p.m. Saturday , KMOV reported .
The woman ’ s family was notified about the diagnosis and told to quarantine between 6 and 6:30 p.m. , when a father-daughter dance was scheduled to begin at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton , according to the station .
The event involved the Villa Duchesne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in Frontenac .
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the father defied the instructions .
Page said the patient – the older sister of a Villa student — had acted responsibly but that her father “ did not act consistently with the health department ’ s instructions and instead … he decided to take his daughter to a school function , ” according to KMOV .
Officials told the father on Sunday “ that he must remain in his home or they will issue a formal quarantine that will require him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay in their home by the force of law , ” Page added .
Villa Duchesne advised students and parents : “ If you attended the dance , please be attentive to any symptoms you are experiencing.
” “ We are communicating with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and sharing everything that we know with them , ” Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill spokeswoman Alice Dickherber told the Post-Disptach in an email .
“ We will work with officials to ensure we are doing everything possible to mitigate risk and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to the health and safety of our community and we will follow the guidance of public health officials as we plan for the coming days.
” VDOH also said in a letter to parents that the father and daughter didn ’ t learn of the diagnosis until after they were already at the dance – and that they left the event immediately after .

The father and sister of a 20-year-old woman presumed to be the first person in Missouri to have the coronavirus disregarded a quarantine and went to a school function, according to reports.
The St. Louis County woman returned from Italy on March 2, arriving in Chicago and then taking an Amtrak train to St. Louis two days later after staying with a friend, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The woman, who had been studying abroad, called local health authorities when she started to feel ill, then stayed at home and did not have any contact with anyone before being instructed to be tested at a hospital, the news outlet reported.
Dr. Randall Williams, head of the state Department of Health and Senior Services, said he received a phone call about the positive test result at 1 p.m. Saturday, KMOV reported.
The woman’s family was notified about the diagnosis and told to quarantine between 6 and 6:30 p.m., when a father-daughter dance was scheduled to begin at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton, according to the station.
The event involved the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, independent Catholic schools in Frontenac.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the father defied the instructions.
Page said the patient — the older sister of a Villa student — had acted responsibly but that her father “did not act consistently with the health department’s instructions and instead … he decided to take his daughter to a school function,” according to KMOV.
Officials told the father Sunday “that he must remain in his home or they will issue a formal quarantine that will require him and the rest of his family to stay in their home by the force of law,” Page added.
Villa Duchesne advised students and parents: “If you attended the dance, please be attentive to any symptoms you are experiencing.”
“We are communicating with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and sharing everything that we know with them,” Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill spokeswoman Alice Dickherber told the Post-Disptach in an email.
“We will work with officials to ensure we are doing everything possible to mitigate risk and to maintain our safe environment. We are committed to the health and safety of our community and we will follow the guidance of public health officials as we plan for the coming days.”
VDOH also said in a letter to parents that the father and daughter didn’t learn of the diagnosis until after they were already at the dance — and that they left the event immediately after.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess set to disembark over ‘multiple day process’

The disembarkation of the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess ship in Oakland , California , is expected to begin Monday during a “ multiple day process , ” according to cruise operator Princess Cruises .
There are 21 people – 19 crew members and two passengers – who have been infected by the virus .
The ship , which has been stuck about 10 miles off California ’ s northern coast , is expected to dock in Oakland later Monday , though the official timing has yet to be determined , the company said in a news release .
“ Disembarkation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defined and directed by both state and local authorities .
It is expected to be a multiple day process , ” it said .
“ Once disembarkation of the guests is completed , the crew will remain onboard and Grand Princess will depart from San Francisco bay .
Plans for a crew quarantine are still being determined.
” The company added that one guest was disembarked Sunday “ for medical reasons ” unrelated to the coronavirus .
Meanwhile , Princess Cruises said it also has completed the delivery of more than 400 prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most urgently required.
” About 1,000 California residents among the passengers will go into mandatory quarantine at Travis Air Force Base and Miramar Naval Air Station , according to the US Department of Health and Human Services .
The Grand Princess was sailing around Hawaii last week when its previous voyage was linked to a “ cluster ” of coronavirus cases , resulting in at least one former passenger ’ s death in northern California .

The disembarkation of the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess ship in Oakland, California, is expected to begin Monday during a “multiple day process,” according to cruise operator Princess Cruises.
There are 21 people – 19 crew members and two passengers – who have been infected by the virus.
The ship, which has been stuck about 10 miles off California’s northern coast, is expected to dock in Oakland later Monday, though the official timing has yet to be determined, the company said in a news release.
“Disembarkation will commence in order of priority, as defined and directed by both state and local authorities. It is expected to be a multiple day process,” it said.
“Once disembarkation of the guests is completed, the crew will remain onboard and Grand Princess will depart from San Francisco bay. Plans for a crew quarantine are still being determined.”
The company added that one guest was disembarked Sunday “for medical reasons” unrelated to the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Princess Cruises said it also has completed the delivery of more than 400 prescription medications to passengers, “prioritizing the most urgently required.”
About 1,000 California residents among the passengers will go into mandatory quarantine at Travis Air Force Base and Miramar Naval Air Station, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The Grand Princess was sailing around Hawaii last week when its previous voyage was linked to a “cluster” of coronavirus cases, resulting in at least one former passenger’s death in northern California.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--New transit boss Sarah Feinberg calls out Verizon for blocking bus lanes

Verizon is the company most guilty of blocking a busy Manhattan bus lane in recent months — and the MTA ’ s new city transit chief is looking to name and shame the telecom giant and other serial offenders , The Post has learned .
The agency ’ s new bus lane cameras caught the company ’ s vehicles clogging up the M15 route on First and Second avenues 235 times between Oct. 7 and Feb. 14. , according to data shared with The Post .
Between those dates , Verizon drivers were issued 106 citations and 129 warnings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reprimanded by the MTA ’ s new Big Apple transit boss Sarah Feinberg on Monday , her first day on the job , sources told The Post .
“ Verizon ’ s numerous violations of bus lane restrictions are simply unacceptable , ” Feinberg wrote in a letter to the company .
“ The disregard of the City ’ s bus lane restrictions adversely impacts City bus riders and the MTA ’ s efforts to better serve them , ” she continued .
“ We expect that Verizon will take prompt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including instruction its drivers to comply with bus lane restrictions.
” Feinberg , 42 , the interim buses and subways chief , once called for the MTA to “ publicly embarrass ” farebeaters while sitting on the agency ’ s board — and plans to do just that with bus-lane blockers .
“ We intend to keep the riding public informed on a monthly basis of the worst offenders of the bus lane restrictions , ” she wrote in the letter .
Other firms set to receive letters from Feinberg include FedEx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose drivers earned 75 warnings and 80 citations in the period .
Enterprise , Charter Communications and Liberty Coca-Cola rounded out the top five offenders — with 135 , 110 and 100 warnings and citations respectively .
Through Feb. 14 , the MTA and the city issued 10,441 bus-lane violations along the M15 route .
Of those , 3,890 went to commercial drivers .
But the tickets cost a maximum $ 250 — a drop in the bucket for the big companies receiving letters from Feinberg .
The MTA started recording drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buses on Oct. 7 , thanks to state legislation that lifted all restrictions on the technology , which can now be used on any of the city ’ s 140 miles of bus lanes .
The cameras are a key piece of the MTA ’ s multipronged effort to revive New York City ’ s flagging bus system , which has hemorrhaged riders in recent years due to slowest-in-the-nation speeds .
Bus speeds have increased slightly since the city and MTA turned on the cameras , by 1.2 percent on the M15 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a former Obama transportation official , has served on the MTA board since Gov .
Andrew Cuomo appointed her in February 2019 .

Verizon is the company most guilty of blocking a busy Manhattan bus lane in recent months — and the MTA’s new city transit chief is looking to name and shame the telecom giant and other serial offenders, The Post has learned.
The agency’s new bus lane cameras caught the company’s vehicles clogging up the M15 route on First and Second avenues 235 times between Oct. 7 and Feb. 14, according to data shared with The Post.
Between those dates, Verizon drivers were issued 106 citations and 129 warnings.
The company will be one of 18 to be reprimanded by the MTA’s new Big Apple transit boss, Sarah Feinberg, on Monday, her first day on the job, sources told The Post.
“Verizon’s numerous violations of bus lane restrictions are simply unacceptable,” Feinberg wrote in a letter to the company.
“The disregard of the City’s bus lane restrictions adversely impacts City bus riders and the MTA’s efforts to better serve them,” she continued. “We expect that Verizon will take prompt and meaningful steps to correct this situation, including instruction its drivers to comply with bus lane restrictions.”
Feinberg, 42, the interim buses and subways chief, once called for the MTA to “publicly embarrass” farebeaters while sitting on the agency’s board — and plans to do just that with bus-lane blockers.
“We intend to keep the riding public informed on a monthly basis of the worst offenders of the bus lane restrictions,” she wrote in the letter.
Other firms set to receive letters from Feinberg include FedEx, the No. 2 bus-lane blocker, whose drivers earned 75 warnings and 80 citations in the period.
Enterprise, Charter Communications and Liberty Coca-Cola rounded out the top five offenders — with 135, 110 and 100 warnings and citations, respectively.
Through Feb. 14, the MTA and the city issued 10,441 bus-lane violations along the M15 route. Of those, 3,890 went to commercial drivers.
But the tickets cost a maximum $250 — a drop in the bucket for the big companies receiving letters from Feinberg.
The MTA started recording drivers using cameras mounted on the front of buses on Oct. 7, thanks to state legislation that lifted all restrictions on the technology, which can now be used on any of the city’s 140 miles of bus lanes.
The cameras are a key piece of the MTA’s multipronged effort to revive New York City’s flagging bus system, which has hemorrhaged riders in recent years due to slowest-in-the-nation speeds.
Bus speeds have increased slightly since the city and MTA turned on the cameras, by 1.2 percent on the M15 and 4.3 percent on Nostrand Avenue.
Feinberg, a former Obama transportation official, has served on the MTA board since Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed her in February 2019.
A Verizon spokesman argued that crews working to maintain networks in the city need access to manholes that are sometimes located in bus lanes.
“Striking the right balance between access to our equipment and ensuring minimal disruption to public transit is something we pay close attention to,” David Weissmann said in a statement on Monday.
“We’ll continue to work with our employees and the City.”
Additional reporting by Tamar Lapin


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Trump rips Gov. Cuomo, brother Chris, claiming they are politicizing coronavirus

President Trump ripped Gov .
Cuomo and his journalist brother , Chris , — whom he called “ Fredo ” — in an early Monday tweet that claimed the two are politicizing the coronavirus crisis .
The president made the Twitter comment as he shared an MSNBC tweet from Saturday in which the governor was quoted as saying the federal government has been sending “ mixed messages ” on COVID-19 .
“ There are no mixed messages , only political weaponization by people like you and your brother , Fredo !
” Trump wrote .
Gov .
Cuomo made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared a state of emergency to help handle the state ’ s growing number of coronavirus cases .
“ I ’ m also battling against , frankly , the mixed messages from the federal government , ” Cuomo said , claiming that Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are sharing different messages about the federal government ’ s ability to test patients .
Last August , Chris Cuomo was caught on video laying into an unidentified man who taunted him in public as “ Fredo , ” in a reference to Fredo Corleone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Godfather.
” “ Punk-ass bitches from the right call me ‘ Fredo , ’ ” fumed Chris Cuomo , 49 .
“ He was a weak brother and the use of it to an Italian is disparaging.
” The CNN anchor later apologized for his rant .

President Trump ripped Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his journalist brother, Chris — whom he called “Fredo” — in an early Monday tweet that claimed the two are politicizing the coronavirus crisis.
The president made the Twitter comment as he shared an MSNBC tweet from Saturday in which the governor was quoted as saying the federal government has been sending “mixed messages” on Covid-19.
“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Trump wrote.
Gov. Cuomo made the remarks on MSNBC while explaining why he declared a state of emergency to help handle the state’s growing number of coronavirus cases.
“I’m also battling against, frankly, the mixed messages from the federal government,” Cuomo said, claiming that Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are sharing different messages about the federal government’s ability to test patients.
Last August, Chris Cuomo was caught on video laying into an unidentified man who taunted him in public as “Fredo,” in a reference to Fredo Corleone, the ineffectual middle son character in “The Godfather.”
“Punk-ass bitches from the right call me ‘Fredo,’” fumed Chris Cuomo, 49. “He was a weak brother and the use of it to an Italian is disparaging.”
The CNN anchor later apologized for his rant.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Cruise docks in Florida after two staff members test for coronavirus

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. — The Regal Princess cruise ship pulled into a Florida port late Sunday night , after being held off Florida ’ s coast for hours while awaiting results for two crew members who eventually tested negative for coronavirus .
The Regal Princess was originally to have docked Sunday morning in Port Everglades but instead spent most of the day sailing up and down the coast .
The Coast Guard delivered testing kits to the Regal Princess and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “ no-sail order ” for the ship .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two weeks ago from the Grand Princess cruise ship in California where nearly two dozen on board have tested positive for the virus , including 19 crew members , according to Princess Cruises .
The cruise line said in a statement earlier Sunday that the crew members of the Regal Princess shouldn ’ t pose a risk to anyone on board because they did not exhibit respiratory symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and were well beyond the advised 14-day virus incubation period .
A Port of Everglades spokeswoman , Ellen Kennedy , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ship to enter port .
She told The Associated Press by email that the ship would be docking at a cruise terminal in the port about 10 p.m. Sunday .
A Princess Cruises statement issued early Monday said the CDC issued the clearance after the test results came back negative .
After the ship docked , passengers stood on their balconies as they waited to disembark , the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported from the scene .
The first passengers were let off about an hour after the ship pulled into port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Elizabeth Goetsch , of Wisconsin , told the Fort Lauderdale paper .
“ I wasn ’ t really worried about the health issues because they encouraged us and they calmed us.
” Penny Sitz , of Minnesota , was on her first cruise and echoed the praise for the “ fantastic ” staff members , saying they were constantly cleaning and “ making us wash our hands all the time.
” Guests in need of hotel rooms would be allowed to reboard the ship for the night , the statement said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be considered on a case-by-case basis .
The stall came a day after the governor ’ s office confirmed that two people who tested positive for the new coronavirus have died in the state , the first deaths on the East Coast attributed to the outbreak in the U.S. Helen Aguirre Ferre , a spokeswoman for Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , confirmed the deaths on Twitter , writing the individuals were in their 70s and had traveled overseas .
DeSantis met with Vice President Mike Pence , Senators Marco Rubio and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line industry on Saturday to devise better ways for cruise lines to deal with the outbreak .
Cruise line heads agreed to enhance entry and exit screenings and establish shipboard testing for the virus , along with new quarantine standards established by the CDC .
The industry was asked to devise and fund a new plan on how to transport any cruise passengers who contract the disease .
Some of the new protocol was expected to start taking effect early this week .
The cruise lines “ need to take action to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do not end up putting undo burden on federal resources , ” DeSantis said .
On Sunday , the U.S. State Department issued an advisory against travel on cruise ships , particularly for travelers with underlying health conditions .
The statement said the CDC noted an “ increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment.
” It is unclear how many people are on board the Regal Princess , but the cruise line ’ s website said it has a capacity of 3,560 guests .
The vessel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a seven-day Caribbean trip Sunday was also canceled .
The cruise line said guests would receive a full refund and offered $ 300 reimbursement for one night ’ s hotel costs .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Regal Princess cruise ship pulled into a Florida port late Sunday, after being held off Florida’s coast for hours while awaiting results for two crew members who eventually tested negative for coronavirus.
The Regal Princess was originally to have docked Sunday morning in Port Everglades but instead spent most of the day sailing up and down the coast. The Coast Guard delivered testing kits to the Regal Princess and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “no-sail order” for the ship.
The crew members in question had transferred more than two weeks ago from the Grand Princess cruise ship in California, where nearly two dozen on board have tested positive for the virus, including 19 crew members, according to Princess Cruises. The cruise line said in a statement earlier Sunday that the crew members of the Regal Princess shouldn’t pose a risk to anyone on board because they did not exhibit respiratory symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and were well beyond the advised 14-day virus incubation period.
A Port of Everglades spokeswoman, Ellen Kennedy, said later Sunday that the CDC had cleared the ship to enter port. She told the Associated Press by email that the ship would be docking at a cruise terminal in the port about 10 p.m. Sunday.
A Princess Cruises statement issued early Monday said the CDC issued the clearance after the test results came back negative.
After the ship docked, passengers stood on their balconies as they waited to disembark, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported from the scene. The first passengers were let off about an hour after the ship pulled into port.
“The crew was wonderful,” Elizabeth Goetsch, of Wisconsin, told the Fort Lauderdale paper. “I wasn’t really worried about the health issues because they encouraged us and they calmed us.”
Penny Sitz, of Minnesota, was on her first cruise and echoed the praise for the “fantastic” staff members, saying they were constantly cleaning and “making us wash our hands all the time.”
Guests in need of hotel rooms would be allowed to reboard the ship for the night, the statement said, and compensation for “unexpected expenses” would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The stall came a day after the governor’s office confirmed that two people who tested positive for the new coronavirus have died in the state, the first deaths on the East Coast attributed to the outbreak in the US.
Helen Aguirre Ferre, a spokeswoman for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, confirmed the deaths on Twitter, writing that the individuals were in their 70s and had traveled overseas.
DeSantis met with Vice President Mike Pence, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and heads of the cruise line industry Saturday to devise better ways for cruise lines to deal with the outbreak. Cruise line heads agreed to enhance entry and exit screenings and establish shipboard testing for the virus, along with new quarantine standards established by the CDC.
The industry was asked to devise and fund a new plan on how to transport any cruise passengers who contract the disease. Some of the new protocol was expected to start taking effect early this week.
The cruise lines “need to take action to make sure they are keeping their passengers safe and do not end up putting undue burden on federal resources,” DeSantis said.
On Sunday, the US State Department issued an advisory against travel on cruise ships, particularly for travelers with underlying health conditions. The statement said the CDC noted an “increased risk of infection of Covid-19 in a cruise ship environment.”
It is unclear how many people are on board the Regal Princess, but the cruise line’s website said it has a capacity of 3,560 guests.
The vessel’s next cruise scheduled to leave Port Everglades for a seven-day Caribbean trip Sunday was also canceled. The cruise line said guests would receive a full refund and offered $300 reimbursement for one night’s hotel costs.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Saudi Arabia halts travel over coronavirus fears as Aramco shares drop 10%

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia closed off air and sea travel to nine countries affected by the new coronavirus Monday as Mideast stock markets tumbled over fears about the widening outbreak ’ s effect on the global economy .
The state oil giant Saudi Aramco led the financial losses , dropping by 10 % on Riyadh ’ s Tadawul stock exchange and forcing a halt to Aramco ’ s trading .
Tadawul remained open , but Boursa Kuwait shut down within 30 minutes of opening Monday as stocks again dropped by 10 % , the third such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The drop came as global oil prices suffered their worst losses since the start of the 1991 Gulf War .
Other Mideast markets fell as well as the new coronavirus has affected global energy prices and OPEC failed to make a production cut deal with Russia last week .
Earlier Monday , coronavirus concerns led Saudi Arabia to cut off air and sea travel with Bahrain , Egypt , Iraq , Italy , Kuwait , Lebanon , South Korea , Syria and the United Arab Emirates .
The kingdom had earlier closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Out of concern to protect the health of citizens and residents and ensure their safety , the kingdom ’ s government decided to temporarily suspend the travel , ” it said in a statement attributed to an unnamed Interior Ministry official .
Saudi Arabia already shut down access to the holiest sites in Islam over concerns about the virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes .
The virus usually leaves people with only mild to moderate symptoms , but because it ’ s new , experts can ’ t say for sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much damage it will do , both in terms of health and the global economy .
Worldwide , there are over 110,000 confirmed cases with over 3,800 deaths attributed to it .
In the Mideast , there have been over 7,000 confirmed cases , with the vast majority in hard-hit Iran , which has seen 194 reported deaths .
Experts worry Iran may be underreporting its cases .
The new virus has caused major economic disruptions , including in global aviation , which has helped slow demand for oil .
An OPEC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see countries agree to a production cut .
In response , Saudi Arabia has warned it will increase its production and slash its own prices to claw back market share .
That sent oil prices into a free fall , losing some 25 % of their value .
Mideast stock markets followed suit .
The Tadawul fell over 9 % , with investors particularly selling their stock in Saudi Aramco , formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co .
The stock closed at 27 riyals a share ( $ 7.19 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.4 trillion .
The company had reached $ 2 trillion in early days of trading in December .
The oil company offered only a sliver of its value , 1.7 % , on the exchange to help fund Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s redevelopment plans for the kingdom .
The rest remains state owned .
The Dubai Financial Market saw stocks drop by 8.5 % in a steep selloff as it opened .
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dropped by over 7 % .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia closed off air and sea travel to nine countries affected by the new coronavirus Monday as Mideast stock markets tumbled over fears about the widening outbreak’s effect on the global economy.
The state oil giant Saudi Aramco led the financial losses, dropping by 10% on Riyadh’s Tadawul stock exchange and forcing a halt to Aramco’s trading. Tadawul remained open, but Boursa Kuwait shut down within 30 minutes of opening Monday as stocks again dropped by 10%, the third such emergency halt to trading in recent days.
The drop came as global oil prices suffered their worst losses since the start of the 1991 Gulf War. Other Mideast markets fell as well as the new coronavirus has affected global energy prices and OPEC failed to make a production cut deal with Russia last week.
Earlier Monday, coronavirus concerns led Saudi Arabia to cut off air and sea travel with Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, South Korea, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. The kingdom had earlier closed off its land borders as well.
“Out of concern to protect the health of citizens and residents and ensure their safety, the kingdom’s government decided to temporarily suspend the travel,” it said in a statement attributed to an unnamed Interior Ministry official.
Saudi Arabia already shut down access to the holiest sites in Islam over concerns about the virus and the Covid-19 illness it causes. The virus usually leaves people with only mild to moderate symptoms, but because it’s new, experts can’t say for sure how far it will ultimately spread and how much damage it will do, both in terms of health and the global economy.
Worldwide, there are over 110,000 confirmed cases with over 3,800 deaths attributed to it.
In the Mideast, there have been over 7,000 confirmed cases, with the vast majority in hard-hit Iran, which has seen 194 reported deaths. Experts worry Iran may be underreporting its cases.
The new virus has caused major economic disruptions, including in global aviation, which has helped slow demand for oil. An OPEC meeting with Russia last week failed to see countries agree to a production cut. In response, Saudi Arabia has warned it will increase its production and slash its own prices to claw back market share.
That sent oil prices into a free fall, losing some 25% of their value. Mideast stock markets followed suit.
The Tadawul fell over 9%, with investors particularly selling their stock in Saudi Aramco, formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. The stock closed at 27 riyals a share ($7.19), giving the company a valuation of $1.4 trillion. The company had reached $2 trillion in early days of trading in December.
The oil company offered only a sliver of its value, 1.7%, on the exchange to help fund Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s redevelopment plans for the kingdom. The rest remains state-owned.
The Dubai Financial Market saw stocks drop by 8.5% in a steep selloff as it opened. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dropped by over 7%.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Woman, 61, may have been bludgeoned to death inside Bronx apartment, cops say

A 61-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside a Bronx housing complex apartment on Sunday night , police @ @ @ @ @ was discovered with severe head trauma in the living room of a first-floor apartment at @ @ @ @ @ Houses on Seward Avenue near Castle Hill Avenue , cops said .
Cops were probing @ @ @ @ @ bludgeoned to death .
The city Medical Examiner will determine her cause of death .

A 61-year-old woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside a Bronx housing complex apartment on Sunday night, police said.
The unidentified victim was discovered with severe head trauma in the living room of a first-floor apartment at NYCHA’s Castle Hill Houses on Seward Avenue near Castle Hill Avenue, cops said. Cops were probing the possibility she had been bludgeoned to death.
Emergency responders pronounced the woman dead on scene.
The city medical examiner will determine her cause of death.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--New grip becoming Jeurys Familia difference-maker

Jeurys Familia is working on a new grip for his splitter this spring .
The effects have been positive , @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s really happy with how his split has been working , ” Rojas @ @ @ @ @ of it has been the most that he ’ s had in his career with @ @ @ @ @ plays really well off his fastball.
” Familia gave up a run in an inning @ @ @ @ @ ’ m very impressed with his stuff , ” Rojas said .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been a good spring for him so far.
” Robinson Cano had an @ @ @ @ @ diving play to his left at second base .
He also drove in a run @ @ @ @ @ hits .
Wilson Ramos went 0-for-3 and has only one hit in his past 15 @ @ @ @ @ make the start against the Marlins in Jupiter , Fla. at 1:10 p.m. , while @ @ @ @ @ appear in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie .

Jeurys Familia is working on a new grip for his splitter this spring.
The effects have been positive, according to Mets manager Luis Rojas.
“He’s really happy with how his split has been working,” Rojas said. “The depth of it has been the most that he’s had in his career with his split, and it plays really well off his fastball.”
Familia gave up a run in an inning on Saturday in an exhibition loss to the Nationals.
“I’m very impressed with his stuff,” Rojas said. “He’s got weapons. It’s been a good spring for him so far.”
Robinson Cano had an opposite-field double Sunday and made a diving play to his left at second base. He also drove in a run and had a pair of hits in the 3-1 victory over the Astros.
Wilson Ramos went 0-for-3 and has only one hit in his past 15 at-bats.
Walker Lockett will make the start Monday against the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla. at 1:10 p.m., while Marcus Stroman is set to appear in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Knicks coach Mike Miller weighs in on Nets’ Kenny Atkinson firing

Even Mike Miller , the interim coach of the Knicks , does not believe Kenny Atkinson will be out of work for long .
Atkinson , the former Knicks assistant coach ( under Mike D ’ Antoni ) and Creative Artists Agency client who was fired by the Nets on Saturday , figures to be among the candidates to be the Knicks ’ next head coach under new team president and longtime CAA agent Leon Rose .
“ I think as coaches across the league and probably coaches everywhere , they feel the same thing when a coach loses their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that , ” Miller said before the Knicks ’ 96-84 victory over the Pistons .
“ I think Kenny ’ s an outstanding coach .
He ’ s got a great reputation in the league .
I ’ m sure people recognize that and he ’ ll have opportunities moving forward.
” Miller , like Atkinson , is considered a basketball lifer with strong roots in player development .
He coached in college and with the Knicks ’ G-League affiliate in Westchester before being added to David Fizdale ’ s staff this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head coach when Fizdale was fired in December .
“ I think it all centers around the same things .
I think it ’ s are you helping the players get better , are you seeing the team grow and all those kinds of things , ” Miller said .
“ You look around this league , I think you see most , all of the guys are doing that.
” “ Every situation is different .
Throughout 82 games it changes , you have a lot of changes to deal with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s the center point for everybody… .
You just continue trying to help the guys individually and how that comes together collectively .
Dennis Smith Jr. is “ doing better ” but remains in concussion protocol , Miller said .
The point guard has been sidelined since suffering a concussion Feb. 27 against Philadelphia .
“ We ’ ll see the days ahead , but he ’ s progressing and doing well , ” Miller said .

Even Mike Miller, the interim coach of the Knicks, does not believe Kenny Atkinson will be out of work for long.
Atkinson, the former Knicks assistant coach (under Mike D’Antoni) and Creative Artists Agency client who was fired by the Nets on Saturday, figures to be among the candidates to be the Knicks’ next head coach under new team president and longtime CAA agent Leon Rose.
“I think as coaches across the league and probably coaches everywhere, they feel the same thing when a coach loses their job. They’re sorry to see that,” Miller said before the Knicks’ 96-84 victory over the Pistons. “I think Kenny’s an outstanding coach. He’s got a great reputation in the league. I’m sure people recognize that and he’ll have opportunities moving forward.”
Miller, like Atkinson, is considered a basketball lifer with strong roots in player development. He coached in college and with the Knicks’ G-League affiliate in Westchester before being added to David Fizdale’s staff this season. He was promoted to interim head coach when Fizdale was fired in December.
“I think it all centers around the same things. I think it’s are you helping the players get better, are you seeing the team grow and all those kinds of things,” Miller said. “You look around this league, I think you see most, all of the guys are doing that.”
“Every situation is different. Throughout 82 games it changes, you have a lot of changes to deal with it going through it. But I think that’s the center point for everybody…. You just continue trying to help the guys individually and how that comes together collectively.
Dennis Smith Jr. is “doing better,” but remains in concussion protocol, Miller said. The point guard has been sidelined since suffering a concussion Feb. 27 against Philadelphia.
“We’ll see the days ahead, but he’s progressing and doing well,” Miller said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Yankees prospect Clarke Schmidt drawing strength from F-18 flying dad

TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka will open the season as the ...

SARASOTA, Fla. — When 2017 first-round draft pick Clarke Schmidt makes it to Yankee Stadium in the near future, the right-hander’s stuff will speak for itself.
Take a closer look, though, and the mental toughness is equally impressive.
That toughness was on display in the strangest of first innings Sunday at Ed Smith Stadium, where the Orioles scored three runs (one earned) without hitting one ball hard. Schmidt struck out the first batter he faced with a nasty two-seamer, but there was so much action on the pitch it got away for a passed ball and Austin Hayes was safe at first base.
Wind-blown pop-ups found green grass, but Schmidt kept his composure, worked a 1-2-3 second inning as the Yankees tied it 3-3 in the top of the inning in what ended a split-squad 5-5 tie.
This was Schmidt’s fifth appearance and first start of the spring. He owns a 2.57 ERA.
Here is where the mental toughness comes from for the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, who was a star at South Carolina but did not pitch his first year after being drafted because he underwent Tommy John surgery.
“My family kind of instilled it in me at a young age, my father was a colonel in the Marine Corps, he retired three years ago,’’ Schmidt, 24, told The Post. “He was deployed twice to Afghanistan, once when I was in middle school and once when I was in high school. He flew F-18s.’’
That will do it.
The F-18 is a twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft that is highly maneuverable and at the switch of a button allows the pilot to perform either fighter or attack roles or both. It is what the Blue Angels fly.
“The first deployment we went out, Clarke was 8 years old,’’ Dwight Schmidt said. “You are asking a young man at 8 to be the man of the house. You grow up pretty quickly when he sees funerals of [family] friends and stuff like that.’’
“I was really tested at a young age,’’ Clarke said.
There was another challenge.
Clarke’s older brother Clate, who pitched at Clemson and in the Tigers and Reds organizations, battled cancer in college.
“I’m very strong in my faith,’’ Clarke said, “and my family is such a good support staff. They instilled in me to always roll with the punches and kind of have that mentality: ‘This too shall pass.’ ’’
Don’t expect a couple cheap hits to mess with that mentality.
Dwight Schmidt, who was at Sunday’s game, is now a pilot with Delta Airlines. He flew the F-18 for 20 years and continued on in the Marine Corps Reserve for 10 more years.
He taught his children how to problem solve and not to dwell on the past.
“In the aviation community, we call it compartmentalization,’’ Dwight explained. “You keep things in perspective and don’t let other things bleed over. Clarke learned that growing up in a military family. I’ll give you an example: If I’m fighting another airplane and I make a mistake, I can’t live on the mistake that I made because he may make a mistake in the future. You may die from that mistake.
“Clarke is a strong young man and you saw that today in the first inning. You never saw him waver.’’
Said Clarke, “Seeing those guys in the military, they are amazing. My father always told me, ‘Nobody is going to be tougher than you.’ On the mound I try to pitch with a chip on my shoulder and be very competitive, and my brother is 2 years older than me and was always better than me so it was just naturally competitive growing up. I always kind of had that grittiness so situations like today in that first inning, I kind of enjoy it. It was good to get out of the stretch and be in those moments where you kind of got to get an out.’’
Lean in.
“Just grit your teeth a little more,’’ Clarke said with a smile.
During his father’s second deployment, Clarke was a senior in high school. Dwight is quick to credit his wife, Renee, for keeping the family together while he was gone.
“Clarke has learned the thing behind him can’t affect him,’’ Dwight said. “It’s the thing in front.’’
Right now, a bright Yankees pitching future is in front of Clarke Schmidt.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--Yankees’ Gleyber Torres taking simple approach in return to shortstop

SARASOTA , Fla. — The Return to Shortstop continues to be a day-by-day success story for Gleyber Torres as he made the journey south Sunday from Tampa along with his second-base partner DJ LeMahieu so they could continue to find up-the-middle synergy .
The two turned a nifty double play in the third inning of the Yankees ’ 5-5 tie with the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium with Torres making the perfect feed to LeMahieu .
The main focus is on making the routine plays .
“ Going back to shortstop — his natural position — he is happy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlos Mendoza , who acted as manager for the Yankees in this split-squad affair .
“ He worked hard in the offseason and he is physically in really good shape .
He ’ s working on being consistent .
He made some errors early in camp but we are playing spring training games .
He is really focusing on making those routine plays , don ’ t be careless .
He is a special player and I think we are all going to enjoy watching him play shortstop.
’ ’ Torres replaced Didi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to the Phillies after he did an outstanding job replacing Derek Jeter .
“ Things are going really well , ’ ’ said Torres , who went 0-for-3 and is hitting only .217 this spring .
“ I made some errors early but I am trying to figure out how to make everything easier and to work with DJ so things are more simple for me .
We have really good communication between us and we are trying to make all the plays.
’ ’ LeMahieu made two outstanding plays ranging up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Making the routine plays is what it is all about , ’ ’ Torres said , who grew up a shortstop and moved to second because Gregorius was at short .
“ I am really trying to think about what I am trying to do on every ground ball and prepare to make that play .
I really don ’ t care how many errors I make in the spring .
I just care about what I do in the season.
’ ’ Torres is such an offensive force and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aaron Judge sidelined with a stress fracture of the first right rib .
Giancarlo Stanton also is out with a calf injury .
Torres blasted 38 home runs last season to lead the Yankees , and became only the second Yankees middle infielder to lead the club in home runs in the past 100 years .
Robinson Cano was the other .
Remember , Torres has shown such incredible ability at just 23 .
“ I ’ m not going to try to do too much at the plate , just try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I ’ m not going to try to hit home runs .
I have guys behind me who do a really good job .
We just try to play baseball and make everything easy .
’ ’

SARASOTA, Fla. — The Return to Shortstop continues to be a day-by-day success story for Gleyber Torres as he made the journey south Sunday from Tampa along with his second-base partner DJ LeMahieu so they could continue to find up-the-middle synergy.
The two turned a nifty double play in the third inning of the Yankees’ 5-5 tie with the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium with Torres making the perfect feed to LeMahieu.
The main focus is on making the routine plays.
“Going back to shortstop — his natural position — he’s happy with it,’’ said bench coach Carlos Mendoza, who acted as manager for the Yankees in this split-squad affair. “He worked hard in the offseason and he is physically in really good shape. He’s working on being consistent. He made some errors early in camp, but we’re playing spring training games. He is really focusing on making those routine plays, don’t be careless. He’s a special player, and I think we are all going to enjoy watching him play shortstop.’’
Torres replaced Didi Gregorius. The Yankees let Gregorius move on to the Phillies after he did an outstanding job replacing Derek Jeter.
“Things are going really well,’’ said Torres, who went 0-for-3 and is hitting only .217 this spring. “I made some errors early, but I’m trying to figure out how to make everything easier and to work with DJ so things are more simple for me. We have really good communication between us and we’re trying to make all the plays.’’
LeMahieu made two outstanding plays ranging up the middle with scoop throws to first.
“Making the routine plays is what it is all about,’’ Torres said, who grew up a shortstop and moved to second because Gregorius was at short. “I’m really trying to think about what I’m trying to do on every ground ball and prepare to make that play. I really don’t care how many errors I make in the spring. I just care about what I do in the season.’’
Torres is such an offensive force and the Yankees will need his monster bat with Aaron Judge sidelined with a stress fracture of the first right rib. Giancarlo Stanton also is out with a calf injury. Torres blasted 38 home runs last season to lead the Yankees, and became only the second Yankees middle infielder to lead the club in home runs in the past 100 years. Robinson Cano was the other.
Remember, Torres has shown such incredible ability at just 23.
“I’m not going to try to do too much at the plate, just try to help my team,’’ Torres said. “I’m not going to try to hit home runs. I have guys behind me who do a really good job. We just try to play baseball and make everything easy.’’


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--The five teams primed to blow up your NCAA bracket

Seton Hall is certain to reach the NCAA Tournament for ...

A week from now, there will be a bracket, 68 teams with the same dream.
March Madness will officially be here, and everyone will try to predict the teams that will stun us and blow up everyone’s office pools.
But you don’t have to wait until the pairings are released to get a head start.
Below is an early look at five teams that will not land top-four seeds but are worth keeping an eye on once the bracket is revealed:
Utah State
For those who watched the Mountain West Conference title game, the Aggies became a popular sleeper. Trailing powerhouse and fifth-ranked San Diego State by 16 points early in the first half, Utah State rallied for a dramatic victory on senior sharpshooter Sam Merrill’s step-back 3-pointer in the final seconds. The Aggies already had wins over Florida and LSU, so it’s obvious they won’t be intimidated. Remember, Utah State reached the tournament last year, and it returned its top four scorers, highlighted by the 6-foot-5 Merrill and skilled 7-foot sophomore center Neemias Queta. Due to a 39 NET rating and just five Quad 1 and 2 wins, Utah State will likely be a double-digit seed. Thank us later.
Providence
One of the odder résumés you will see. Wins over Seton Hall, Creighton, Marquette (twice), Villanova and Butler. Losses to Northwestern, Penn, Long Beach State and College of Charleston. Left for dead after a dreadful non-conference season, the Friars rebounded to go 12-6 in the Big East and close with six straight wins in which their offense suddenly became explosive, averaging 77.0 points per game and shooting 40.8 percent from 3-point range, to match a stingy defense. Coach Ed Cooley’s team has a lockdown perimeter defender (David Duke), senior leadership with Alpha Diallo, Kalif Young and Luwane Pipkins, and is 24th in the country in offensive rebounding percentage at 33.0. A projected seven-seed that plays a physical brand of basketball that could be tough to adjust to, Providence has the scoring depth and size to pull a few upsets.
BYU
The Cougars have 10 wins away from home — essential for a tournament sleeper — and are battle-tested, having handed No. 2 Gonzaga one of its only two losses, defeating AAC power Houston and Mountain West Conference Tournament champion Utah State, and playing San Diego State tough in a five-point, early-season loss. This is a team of men — double-figure scorers Yoeli Childs, TJ Haws and Jake Toolson are all seniors — that shoots a nation’s-best 42.3 percent from 3-point range, and of its seven losses, five are by seven points or fewer.
East Tennessee State
The Buccaneers haven’t lost since Jan. 29, own 12 victories away from home and of their 11 straight wins, six are by double figures. This projected double-digit seed is deep — eight players average at least 5.5 points per game — tenacious defensively (8.4 steals a night) and the bright lights of March won’t faze them, having beaten LSU and played Kansas tough on the road. ETSU nearly got to the tournament last year, pushing Wofford — which knocked off Seton Hall in the first round and nearly upset Kentucky in the second round — in the SoCon title game. And this year’s team is nearly identical, just a year older.
USC
It may finally be clicking for this talented group that underachieved most of the year. Consecutive home wins over Arizona, Arizona State and UCLA landed the Trojans the fourth seed in the Pac-12 Tournament. Between forward Onyeka Okongwu and Jonah Matthews, USC has a terrific inside-out tandem that is difficult to handle. The likely seven-to-eight seed can be streaky — it has won five games in a row twice this season — and is entering the postseason hot, with five wins in seven games.
Games of the Week:
Big East Tournament (at Madison Square Garden, Wednesday-Saturday)
Arguably the best conference in the country takes the Garden stage for the 38th straight year and it promises to be a can’t-miss event. The league has three Final Four caliber teams — No. 8 Seton Hall, No. 11 Creighton and No. 14 Villanova — that finished in a three-way tie atop the conference. Seton Hall and Villanova could meet in the semifinals Friday night, with the winner facing Creighton in the title game on Saturday. But what makes this league so terrific is its depth. As long as Xavier doesn’t fall to perennial cellar-dweller DePaul on Wednesday night, the league should send seven teams to the dance. Ninth-place St. John’s recently hammered Creighton and fourth-place Providence defeated the three teams that finished ahead of the Friars in the standings.
Atlantic 10 Tournament (at Barclays Center, Wednesday-Sunday)
All eyes will be on National Player of the Year contender Obi Toppin and third-ranked Dayton after it became the first Atlantic 10 school to go undefeated in the league since George Washington 14 years ago. The Flyers are in play to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament if they can win this one. But, if someone can knock them off, a bid-stealer is in play, since a second team, such as Richmond or Rhode Island, from this league may have a hard time getting an at-large bid.
Super 16
A prediction of the top four seeds in the NCAA Tournament (listed in order):
1: Kansas, Gonzaga, Baylor, Dayton
2: San Diego State, Creighton, Florida State, Villanova
3: Maryland, Kentucky, Duke, Seton Hall
4: Louisville, Oregon, Michigan State, Wisconsin
Stock Watch
Up: Steve Pikiell
There are rebuilding jobs and there was Rutgers. Pikiell inherited a program that hadn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 1991, hadn’t won 20 games in a single season since 2003-2004 and had lost more than it won for 10 consecutive years. Now, in his fourth year, he’s got the Scarlet Knights dancing. He’s done it his way, by developing overlooked recruits and playing hard-nosed, intense defense. Yes, I know some Bracketologists still aren’t sold, even after Rutgers dismantled No. 9 Maryland at home and earned a huge road victory at Purdue to close out the regular season. The Scarlet Knights now have four Quadrant 1 victories, six wins over projected tournament teams and a NET rating of 32. They will be part of the madness. Take a bow, Steve Pikiell.
Up: Wisconsin
In late January, the Badgers didn’t even look like a tournament team. Now, they aren’t only going dancing, but they shared the Big Ten regular-season crown with No. 16 Michigan State and Maryland and are projected as a high as a four-seed. Wisconsin closed by winning nine of its last 10 games, beating the likes of Michigan State, No. 19 Ohio State, Rutgers and No. 25 Michigan. Forward Micah Potter, a 6-10 transfer from Ohio State who had to sit out the first semester, has been pivotal in this run, averaging 10.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.
Up: Tony Bennett
Virginia is the only ACC team to beat the big three of No. 7 Florida State, No. 10 Louisville and No. 12 Duke. It ended up finishing second, a year after losing its top three scorers and starting 2-4 in the league. This has arguably been a more impressive coaching job by Bennett than last year’s run to the national championship. Would it surprise anybody to see the 22nd-ranked Cavaliers, winners of eight straight games, a team nobody wants to see in its region, play deep into the month?
Down: Seton Hall
Look, the Pirates still earned a share of the Big East title. They are still going to be a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, as long as they don’t fall to Marquette in the opening round of the Big East Tournament on Thursday. The season was always about March, anyway, and getting to the second weekend of the field of 68. Still, Seton Hall led the conference by three games at one point. It was up two with a week to go in the regular season. This team should be the No. 1 seed in its conference tournament. Looking back now, that home loss to on-the-bubble Xavier on Feb. 1 was the difference. Falling at home to Villanova and at Creighton is nothing to be ashamed of. But Myles Powell and Co. need a big week at MSG just to get their swagger back for the tournament they will ultimately be judged upon.
Down: Archie Miller
It was unnecessary, a cheap shot that made him look petty. You can quibble with ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s projections, but to compare his new show to “Sesame Street,” calling it a “children’s show,” and say Lunardi is like Oscar the Grouch and can “Go back into the trash can,” as Miller did after Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin, was a low-rent, classless move. If Indiana wasn’t on the bubble, but safely in the tournament, Miller wouldn’t even care what Lunardi thought about his program. As a coach, you represent your school and your players. This didn’t shine a bright light on anyone from Indiana, and certainly not the man leading its flagship program.
Down: MAAC
The mid-major league in our backyard used to own Monday night locally. Everyone would tune in, especially because Iona has played in the championship game the last seven years. It gave the conference a spotlight. This year, the tournament won’t even begin until Tuesday. The championship game will be held on Saturday, overshadowed by all the high-major conference tournaments. The MAAC moved its location this year from Albany to Atlantic City, and Boardwalk Hall was booked this past weekend for the New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships. It’s a shame for the players and the coaches. The league whiffed badly here.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--J.D. Davis passes test in return to Mets lineup

PORT ST. LUCIE — Each time the Astros play the ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — J.D. Davis played his first game since jamming his left shoulder Feb. 25 and reported no problems.
“I felt great,” Davis said after playing four innings in the Mets’ 3-1 win over Houston at Clover Park. “There was nothing wrong. I took a few swing-and-misses — no pain, nothing achy in there, no stiffness. I’ve been playing free the last couple of days, no hesitation, so that’s been pretty fun.”
Luis Rojas said Davis will be back in the lineup and in left field on Tuesday.
To make up for the time missed with the shoulder injury, Davis said he’d take extra at-bats on the minor league side.
In the meantime, Davis said his timing is slightly off.
“Once that [soreness and stiffness] cleared out of there after the second or third day, I was taking ground balls,” Davis said.
Erasmo Ramirez tossed a pair of scoreless innings and has pitched well this spring after coming to camp as a non-roster invitee.
Rojas has been impressed with Ramirez’s versatility and experience after eight years in the majors.
“He can start or pitch long relief, so we have him stretched out,” Rojas said. “He gives us options and is a valuable guy to have around.”
David Wright, now a special adviser with the team, arrived at camp on Sunday.


newyorkpost--2020-03-09--North Korea quarantines nearly 10,000 amid coronavirus fears

North Korea has reportedly placed roughly 10,000 people under quarantine over coronavirus fears , but still has not confirmed a @ @ @ @ @ .
About 40 percent of those under quarantine have been released after showing no symptoms @ @ @ @ @ Herald , citing state media reports .
The Hermit Kingdom in mid-February doubled the quarantine @ @ @ @ @ contracting coronavirus to a month , the report said .
Meanwhile , people in North @ @ @ @ @ into contact with foreigners have been isolated for more than 40 days .
South Korea @ @ @ @ @ 69 cases , raising the country ’ s total to 7,382 .
They now have @ @ @ @ @ , behind China .

North Korea has reportedly placed roughly 10,000 people under quarantine over coronavirus fears, but still has not confirmed a single case of the virus.
About 40 percent of those under quarantine have been released after showing no symptoms, according to the Korea Herald, citing state media reports.
The Hermit Kingdom in mid-February doubled the quarantine period for those at risk of contracting coronavirus to a month, the report said.
Meanwhile, people in North Korea who may have come into contact with foreigners have been isolated for more than 40 days.
South Korea on Monday reported an additional 69 cases, raising the country’s total to 7,382. They now have the second-highest total of cases, behind China.
With Post wires