newyorkpost--2020-07-21--Sports team owners scoring on blank-check company craze

The coronavirus crisis is fueling a craze for blank-check companies , and the billionaire owners of pro sports teams are cashing in .
On Monday , Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula said in a securities filing he ’ s aiming to raise $ 300 million by selling shares in East Resources Acquisition Co. , a blank-check company that ’ s looking to scoop up bargains in the energy space .
A few days earlier on Friday , Ron Burkle , co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL franchise , said he was launching a $ 300 million blank-check company that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is proprietary-sourced , has strong or promising franchises , and has attractive risk/return prospects.
” Burkle admitted he isn ’ t targeting any particular industry .
But when it comes to blank-check companies , the specifics of the investment may be less important than the person who ’ s making the pitch , say people familiar with the matter .
On Wednesday , hedge fund luminary Bill Ackman was expected to raise upwards of $ 4 billion for a new blank-check company — despite that he hasn ’ t revealed what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash .
Likewise , blank-check companies are a natural fit for sports-team owners , who are typically seen as smart , well-connected and skilled business people , according to investors familiar with the deals .
“ It ’ s a no-brainer that star power matters , ” said one investor who focuses on blank-check companies , also known as special-purpose acquisition companies , or SPACs .
“ It ’ s all the rage , ” a banker for sports teams told The Post , adding that the cachet of owning a professional sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their money for a mystery acquisition .
Ahead of Ackman ’ s splashy launch , sports team owners raised $ 2.5 billion for SPACs , according to SPACInsider , which tracks the industry .
That ’ s 18 percent of the total $ 14 billion raised this year , SPACInsider ’ s stats show .
Golden State Warriors minority owner Chamath Palihapitiya appears to have kicked the craze off last year with a $ 674 million SPAC that helped take Richard Branson ’ s space-tourism venture , Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. , public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has raised money for two SPACs this year , totaling $ 1.1 billion .
Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley has raised $ 1.4 billion , also through two SPACs .
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta , who owns the Golden Nugget casino chain , used the $ 275 million he raised with a SPAC last year to cash out of Golden Nugget Online Gaming , which he had owned personally .
Also last year , Jon Ledecky , a majority owner of the NHL ‘ s New York Islanders , raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy software services company KLDiscovery .
Blank-check companies have been around for decades .
They have gained traction in recent years as a way to tap the stock market without having to go through a traditional initial public offering .
Instead of IPOing , the target company simply takes the listing space previously used by the SPAC .
The coronavirus pandemic has helped stir interest in SPACs thanks to growing sentiment that now ’ s the time to buy good companies on the cheap .
As of Tuesday , before Ackman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SPACs this year has already surpassed last year ’ s total of $ 13.5 billion .
Another reason for the surge may be that more sports team owners now have a finance background , said Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban .
Cuban , known for his role as a judge and investor on ABC ’ s “ Shark Tank , ” said he ’ s not interested in jumping on the SPAC bandwagon .
Still , he says he expects to benefit because a company in which he owns a minority stake is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SPAC .
“ If this were 20 years ago , I ’ d be chasing it hard , ” said Cuban , who ’ s worth an estimated $ 4.3 billion , according to Forbes .
But now , he said , “ I ’ m not chasing my next dollar .
”

The coronavirus crisis is fueling a craze for blank-check companies, and the billionaire owners of pro sports teams are cashing in.
On Monday, Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula said in a securities filing he’s aiming to raise $300 million by selling shares in East Resources Acquisition Co., a blank-check company that’s looking to scoop up bargains in the energy space.
A few days earlier on Friday, Ron Burkle, co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL franchise, said he was launching a $300 million blank-check company that’s looking to acquire a “business that is proprietary-sourced, has strong or promising franchises, and has attractive risk/return prospects.”
Burkle admitted he isn’t targeting any particular industry.
But when it comes to blank-check companies, the specifics of the investment may be less important than the person who’s making the pitch, say people familiar with the matter.
On Wednesday, hedge fund luminary Bill Ackman was expected to raise upwards of $4 billion for a new blank-check company — despite that he hasn’t revealed what he’s looking to buy with the cash.
Likewise, blank-check companies are a natural fit for sports-team owners, who are typically seen as smart, well-connected and skilled business people, according to investors familiar with the deals.
“It’s a no-brainer that star power matters,” said one investor who focuses on blank-check companies, also known as special-purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs.
“It’s all the rage,” a banker for sports teams told The Post, adding that the cachet of owning a professional sports team can help convince investors to give their money for a mystery acquisition.
Ahead of Ackman’s splashy launch, sports team owners raised $2.5 billion for SPACs, according to SPACInsider, which tracks the industry. That’s 18 percent of the total $14 billion raised this year, SPACInsider’s stats show.
Golden State Warriors minority owner Chamath Palihapitiya appears to have kicked the craze off last year with a $674 million SPAC that helped take Richard Branson’s space-tourism venture, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., public. Palihapitiya, a former Facebook executive, has raised money for two SPACs this year, totaling $1.1 billion.
Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley has raised $1.4 billion, also through two SPACs.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Golden Nugget casino chain, used the $275 million he raised with a SPAC last year to cash out of Golden Nugget Online Gaming, which he had owned personally.
Also last year, Jon Ledecky, a majority owner of the NHL‘s New York Islanders, raised $200 million through a SPAC to buy software services company KLDiscovery.
Blank-check companies have been around for decades. They have gained traction in recent years as a way to tap the stock market without having to go through a traditional initial public offering. Instead of IPOing, the target company simply takes the listing space previously used by the SPAC.
The coronavirus pandemic has helped stir interest in SPACs thanks to growing sentiment that now’s the time to buy good companies on the cheap. As of Tuesday, before Ackman’s big launch, the total raised by SPACs this year has already surpassed last year’s total of $13.5 billion .
Another reason for the surge may be that more sports team owners now have a finance background, said Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Cuban, known for his role as a judge and investor on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” said he’s not interested in jumping on the SPAC bandwagon. Still, he says he expects to benefit because a company in which he owns a minority stake is in talks to be sold to a SPAC.
“If this were 20 years ago, I’d be chasing it hard,” said Cuban, who’s worth an estimated $4.3 billion, according to Forbes. But now, he said, “I’m not chasing my next dollar.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Is The ‘Sex and The City’ Heir Where We Get A Miranda At The Center (Finally

‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Is The ‘Sex and The City’ Heir Where We Get A Miranda At The Center (Finally)

I ’ m a Miranda .
Sex and the City fans have spent the last two decades proclaiming which of the show ’ s four main characters they identify with , and despite Carrie Bradshaw being the iconic , stylish , everywoman protagonist , most of my Gen X friends would also identify as Mirandas , too .
But Sex was Carrie ’ s story to tell .
Now that Netflix ’ s The Baby-Sitters Club is here , I ’ m happy to say that Kristy Thomas is the new Miranda , and she ’ s finally getting her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the Baby-Sitters Club , Kristy is not the focus of every episode .
So , you might be asking , how can you compare the two shows ?
Unlike Sex and the City , where the whole series was told from Carrie ’ s point of view , The Baby-Sitters Club gives each character a chance to tell their story .
But , as Kristy is sure to remind you as often as she can—starting with the first episode , ” Kristy ’ s Great Idea ” —Kristy created this club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here without her .
It ’ s Kristy ’ s world ; everyone else is just babysitting in it .
She doesn ’ t need to tell anybody else ’ s story for them .
It ’ s 2020 , and while Kristy may not fully understand the concept of intersectional feminism ( her witchy neighbor Aunt Esmé and her friend Dawn ’ s mom , Sharon , will surely hold an emergency BSC meeting on the subject in season two ) , she understands that each of her friends deserves a seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miranda or a Kristy ( or a Dorothy Zbornak , for that matter , because all hail the patron saint of sarcastic , strong-willed women ) may not seem like a badge of honor .
We ’ re not the most stylish , we ’ re never the ingenue , our hairstyles are only ever practical .
We are industrious .
( Ask me anything about the puffy-painted T-shirt business I started in fifth grade . )
But these are all part of the ( unconventional ) beauty of being a Miranda : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ re Mirandas .
Some might say we ’ re too caught up with other important business matters to even care about it .
Mirandas don ’ t take Buzzfeed quizzes to find out we ’ re Mirandas .
We just know .
And that level of self-awareness lets us know we can be awful sometimes .
But ( at least on TV ) we learn from it .
We can have a judgmental and sometimes cruel streak .
I ’ ll be the first to admit that even though I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s kind of terrible to her friends sometimes .
When a new client calls the club in the fourth episode and makes a special request for Mary Anne—Kristy ’ s best friend since birth—Kristy turns on her because rules .
Special requests are not just frowned upon but punishable by excommunication in the BSC bylaws ( apparently ) .
Kristy gets hers when Mary Anne finds a new best friend in the aforementioned Dawn ( the free spirit that Kristy will never be ) , whom Kristy feels threatened by , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at least in the books , chooses to stifle herself by wearing a turtleneck every day .
She likes structure .
She needs to feel in control .
When new girl in town Stacey McGill acts shady and secretive , Kristy immediately rushes to judgment .
“ She didn ’ t eat anything , ” Kristy says to Mary Anne after her first encounter with Stacey .
“ Maybe she has body-image issues .
That ’ s not a great example for the girls we ’ ll be taking care of.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Turns out [ SPOILERS ] Stacey is diabetic and had a traumatic experience at her old school after going into a diabetic shock in front of her classmates . )
Kristy ’ s rush to judgment is no different than Miranda calling Carrie needy and pathetic for having lunch with Big , or Miranda telling Carrie she ’ s giving up her life by moving to Paris .
Pity the friends of those Kristys and Mirandas caught between their barbs .
One of The Baby-Sitter Club ‘ s directors , Kimmy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she interviewed to work on the show , she was asked by showrunner Rachel Shukert , “ Who are you ?
” To which she answered , “ Kristy baseline with a rising Dawn.
” After reading that , I reached out to her to ask why she feels like a Kristy .
( In one iteration of the cover art for the book Kristy ’ s Great Idea , Kristy is seated in a director ’ s chair .
It seems like no surprise that Gatewood identifies . )
“ Kristy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ She gets to tell everyone what to do and has all the great ideas .
When I had my interview for The Baby-Sitters Club Rachel , [ executive producer ] Lucia [ Aniello ] , and I agreed that everyone they talked to had a baseline Kristy in them .
Maybe it ’ s because we are all destined to be lady bosses , or maybe Kristy gave us all permission to ask for what we wanted and demand attention.
” Author Ann M. Martin should be proud that she had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there ’ s no stigma to the word “ bossy.
” I would love to know what Netflix ’ s largest demographic for The Baby-Sitters Club is , because I ’ d guess millennials and Gen Xers are more excited for this series than the TV-Y audience it may be intended for .
Though the books had already been made into a series and a movie in the ’ 90s , this new iteration feels like a homecoming of sorts at a time when its creators acknowledge the franchise ’ s direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between The Baby-Sitters Club and Sex and the City is one of female friendship .
Kristy and Miranda anchor their girlfriends to their principles and power .
On Sex , when Charlotte tells her friends she plans to quit her job , it ’ s Miranda ’ s judgment that hurts her the most .
When Carrie says she ’ s moving to Paris , Miranda ’ s the one to tell her she ’ s uprooting her life and career and making the wrong decision .
On The Baby-Sitters Club , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she explains that she ’ s just trying to be “ bossy like Kristy ” to get people to listen .
No one , whether real or fictional , embodies only one archetype , and these characters break form all the time because blah blah blah personal growth , etc .
But The Baby-Sitters Club taught a generation of girls that it was ok to be the boss with drive and determination—and if one day that means we turned into Mirandas , that ’ s cool .
Because Mirandas own their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and , if you can handle their honesty , will be loyal for life .
Gatewood sums up her experience as a Kristy thusly : “ I ’ ve been called pushy , but I ’ ve also been called a go-getter .
Depends on how you look at strength and persistence.
” Watch Sex and The City on HBO Max

I’m a Miranda. Sex and the City fans have spent the last two decades proclaiming which of the show’s four main characters they identify with, and despite Carrie Bradshaw being the iconic, stylish, everywoman protagonist, most of my Gen X friends would also identify as Mirandas, too. But Sex was Carrie’s story to tell. Now that Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club is here, I’m happy to say that Kristy Thomas is the new Miranda, and she’s finally getting her due.
Though she’s the president of the Baby-Sitters Club, Kristy is not the focus of every episode. So, you might be asking, how can you compare the two shows? Unlike Sex and the City, where the whole series was told from Carrie’s point of view, The Baby-Sitters Club gives each character a chance to tell their story. But, as Kristy is sure to remind you as often as she can—starting with the first episode,”Kristy’s Great Idea”—Kristy created this club, and we wouldn’t be here without her. It’s Kristy’s world; everyone else is just babysitting in it. She doesn’t need to tell anybody else’s story for them. It’s 2020, and while Kristy may not fully understand the concept of intersectional feminism (her witchy neighbor Aunt Esmé and her friend Dawn’s mom, Sharon, will surely hold an emergency BSC meeting on the subject in season two), she understands that each of her friends deserves a seat at the table.
Being labeled a Miranda or a Kristy (or a Dorothy Zbornak, for that matter, because all hail the patron saint of sarcastic, strong-willed women) may not seem like a badge of honor. We’re not the most stylish, we’re never the ingenue, our hairstyles are only ever practical. We are industrious. (Ask me anything about the puffy-painted T-shirt business I started in fifth grade.) But these are all part of the (unconventional) beauty of being a Miranda: we’re unbothered by the fact that we’re Mirandas. Some might say we’re too caught up with other important business matters to even care about it. Mirandas don’t take Buzzfeed quizzes to find out we’re Mirandas. We just know. And that level of self-awareness lets us know we can be awful sometimes. But (at least on TV) we learn from it. We can have a judgmental and sometimes cruel streak. I’ll be the first to admit that even though I identify as a Kristy, she’s kind of terrible to her friends sometimes. When a new client calls the club in the fourth episode and makes a special request for Mary Anne—Kristy’s best friend since birth—Kristy turns on her because rules. Special requests are not just frowned upon but punishable by excommunication in the BSC bylaws (apparently). Kristy gets hers when Mary Anne finds a new best friend in the aforementioned Dawn (the free spirit that Kristy will never be), whom Kristy feels threatened by, at least temporarily.
Kristy is a girl who, at least in the books, chooses to stifle herself by wearing a turtleneck every day. She likes structure. She needs to feel in control. When new girl in town Stacey McGill acts shady and secretive, Kristy immediately rushes to judgment. “She didn’t eat anything,” Kristy says to Mary Anne after her first encounter with Stacey. “Maybe she has body-image issues. That’s not a great example for the girls we’ll be taking care of.” Dang, Kristy, let Stacey live. (Turns out [SPOILERS] Stacey is diabetic and had a traumatic experience at her old school after going into a diabetic shock in front of her classmates.) Kristy’s rush to judgment is no different than Miranda calling Carrie needy and pathetic for having lunch with Big, or Miranda telling Carrie she’s giving up her life by moving to Paris. Pity the friends of those Kristys and Mirandas caught between their barbs.
One of The Baby-Sitter Club‘s directors, Kimmy Gatewood, wrote on Instagram that when she interviewed to work on the show, she was asked by showrunner Rachel Shukert, “Who are you?” To which she answered, “Kristy baseline with a rising Dawn.” After reading that, I reached out to her to ask why she feels like a Kristy. (In one iteration of the cover art for the book Kristy’s Great Idea, Kristy is seated in a director’s chair. It seems like no surprise that Gatewood identifies.) “Kristy is the boss!” Gatewood says. “She gets to tell everyone what to do and has all the great ideas. When I had my interview for The Baby-Sitters Club Rachel, [executive producer] Lucia [Aniello], and I agreed that everyone they talked to had a baseline Kristy in them. Maybe it’s because we are all destined to be lady bosses, or maybe Kristy gave us all permission to ask for what we wanted and demand attention.” Author Ann M. Martin should be proud that she had a hand in teaching a generation of girls that there’s no stigma to the word “bossy.”
I would love to know what Netflix’s largest demographic for The Baby-Sitters Club is, because I’d guess millennials and Gen Xers are more excited for this series than the TV-Y audience it may be intended for. Though the books had already been made into a series and a movie in the ’90s, this new iteration feels like a homecoming of sorts at a time when its creators acknowledge the franchise’s direct influence on their childhoods. The link between The Baby-Sitters Club and Sex and the City is one of female friendship. Kristy and Miranda anchor their girlfriends to their principles and power. On Sex, when Charlotte tells her friends she plans to quit her job, it’s Miranda’s judgment that hurts her the most. When Carrie says she’s moving to Paris, Miranda’s the one to tell her she’s uprooting her life and career and making the wrong decision. On The Baby-Sitters Club, when Mary Anne tries to direct a play, she explains that she’s just trying to be “bossy like Kristy” to get people to listen.
The link between The Baby-Sitters Club and Sex and the City is one of female friendship, and Kristy and Miranda anchor their girlfriends to their principles and power.
No one, whether real or fictional, embodies only one archetype, and these characters break form all the time because blah blah blah personal growth, etc. But The Baby-Sitters Club taught a generation of girls that it was ok to be the boss with drive and determination—and if one day that means we turned into Mirandas, that’s cool. Because Mirandas own their own apartments, buy pie whenever they want, and, if you can handle their honesty, will be loyal for life. Gatewood sums up her experience as a Kristy thusly: “I’ve been called pushy, but I’ve also been called a go-getter. Depends on how you look at strength and persistence.”
Liz Kocan is a pop culture writer living in Brooklyn. Her biggest claim to fame is the time she won on the game show Chain Reaction.
Watch The Baby-Sitters Club on Netflix
Watch Sex and The City on HBO Max


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--These ‘Big Brother’ all-star contestants are undergoing COVID-19 testing

As they say in “ Big Brother ” — expect the unexpected .
Despite the coronavirus pandemic , the original quarantine reality show is set to return this summer with a second “ All Stars ” season .
Among the familiar faces : season 19 winner Josh Martinez , season 8 runner-up Daniele Donato , season 18 alum Paulie Calafiore , season 18 winner Nicole Franzel , season 20 runner-up Tyler Crispen , three-time contestant Janelle Pierzina , season 14 winner Ian Terry , season 12 winner Hayden Moss and season 20 alum Bayleigh Dayton .
The first all-star season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources revealed that a core list — and an alternate list — of potential houseguests must quarantine for two weeks and get tested for the coronavirus .
They ’ ll need a negative test to get invited back into the house — otherwise , they ’ ll be sent packing before they get another crack at the half-million-dollar prize .
The CBS production crews that have begun work are following strict health and safety protocols with crew being regularly tested for the coronavirus , Deadline reports .
They are reportedly sporting PPE equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go about construction .
“ Big Brother ” premiered in July 2000 and has been summer ’ s guiltiest pleasure since .
Contestants are quarantined from the outside world — that ’ s right , “ Big Brother ” has been sheltering in place before that became our reality — in a house rigged with 87 cameras and 110 microphones , according to CBS Watch .
Fans log on to the live streams online to watch them eat , sleep , hook up and strategize .
The reality TV mainstay was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak hit .
With fresh faces no longer an option , execs pivoted to an All-Star edition , since the contestants are already familiar with the show .
The Julie Chen Moonves-hosted reality competition is expected to kick off sometime in August .

As they say in “Big Brother” — expect the unexpected. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the original quarantine reality show is set to return Aug. 5 with a second “All Stars” season.
Spoiler alert: A number of potential contestants arrived Tuesday in Los Angeles, TMZ reports.
Among the familiar faces: season 19 winner Josh Martinez, season 8 runner-up Daniele Donato, season 16 alum Cody Calafiore, season 18 winner Nicole Franzel, season 20 runner-up Tyler Crispen, three-time contestant Janelle Pierzina, season 14 winner Ian Terry, season 12 winner Hayden Moss and season 20 alum Bayleigh Dayton. The first all-star season aired on CBS in 2006.
Production sources revealed that a core list — and an alternate list — of potential houseguests must quarantine for two weeks and get tested for the coronavirus. They’ll need a negative test to get invited back into the house — otherwise, they’ll be sent packing before they get another crack at the half-million-dollar prize.
The CBS production crews that have begun work are following strict health and safety protocols with crew being regularly tested for the coronavirus, Deadline reports. They are reportedly sporting PPE equipment and observing social distancing measures as they go about construction.
“Big Brother” premiered in July 2000 and has been summer’s guiltiest pleasure since. Contestants are quarantined from the outside world — that’s right, “Big Brother” has been sheltering in place before that became our reality — in a house rigged with 87 cameras and 110 microphones, according to CBS Watch. Fans log on to the live streams online to watch them eat, sleep, hook up and strategize.
The Julie Chen Moonves-hosted reality TV mainstay was in the middle of casting its 22nd season when the coronavirus outbreak hit. With fresh faces no longer an option, execs pivoted to an All-Star edition, since the contestants are already familiar with the show.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Man steals Las Vegas sex shop out of 3-foot-tall, 50-pound dildo

A hardened crook pulled off a cockamamie crime – by swiping a giant dildo from a Las Vegas sex shop , according to TMZ .
The masked man was captured on video as he strode into the Déjà Vu Love Boutique in Sin City on July 14 and grabbed the massive 3-foot-tall , 50-pound member standing on the sales floor , the outlet reported .
He got it up over his right shoulder and nonchalantly left the premises , crammed the dildo into his vehicle and drive off .
He “ just picked it up and walked out with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who declined to provide her last name , told HuffPost .
Laura said the formidable phallus — named The Moby , presumably in homage to Herman Melville ’ s classic “ Moby Dick ” — retails for a whopping $ 1,250 .
But it ’ s a steal on Amazon , where it ’ s listed at $ 586 as “ the world ’ s largest retail dildo.
” “ There may even be a soul out there brave or talented enough to use Moby as a traditional dildo .
With this tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible !
You are limited only by your kinky imagination , ” the listing says .

Maybe he was too hard up to afford it.
A hardened crook pulled off a cockamamie crime — by swiping a giant dildo from a Las Vegas sex shop, according to TMZ.
The masked man was captured on video as he strode into the Déjà Vu Love Boutique in Sin City on July 14 and grabbed the massive 3-foot-tall, 40-pound member standing on the sales floor, the outlet reported.
He got it up over his right shoulder and nonchalantly left the premises, crammed the dildo into his vehicle and drove off.
“Sadly, the pandemic has encouraged even the scummiest of scumbags to steal the strangest products from innocent businesses,” staffer Ryan Carlson told The Post.
“This landmark item in our store is worth nearly $2,000, so if you happen to see a 3-foot penis sitting around, please turn in the 6-foot-tall dick who stole it. We can only hope that this thief finds Jesus and returns the item or the law finds him and throws him in prison where he belongs!”
Another store worker, Laura, who declined to give her last name, told HuffPost that the formidable phallus is named The Moby, presumably in homage to Herman Melville’s classic “Moby-Dick.”
It’s a steal on Amazon, where it’s listed at $586 as “the world’s largest retail dildo.”
“There may even be a soul out there brave or talented enough to use Moby as a traditional dildo,” the listing says.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Judge tosses vegans’ lawsuit over Burger King’s ‘Impossible Whopper’

The vegans who accused Burger King of deceptively marketing its “ Impossible Whopper ” didn ’ t put enough meat on their legal claims , a federal judge ruled .
The aggrieved diners failed to prove the fast-food giant duped reasonable consumers into thinking its meatless sandwich would be cooked on a different grill than its beef and chicken products , US District Judge Raag Singhal said in dismissing their class-action lawsuit .
“ Plaintiffs argue Burger King ’ s advertisement promised more than a non-meat patty , ” Singhal wrote .
“ … This Court can not agree .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered with the ‘ Impossible Burger . '
” The customers also didn ’ t bother to ask how the burger was cooked or request that the restaurant prepare it differently to meet their dietary needs , Singhal noted .
He gave the plaintiffs until July 27 to decide whether to amend their complaint .
Neither Burger King nor the plaintiffs ’ lawyers immediately responded to requests for comment on the order .
A vegan man named Philip Williams brought the class-action suit in November claiming Burger King “ contaminated ” its Impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its grills , a fact he said the chain failed to disclose on its menus .
Five other customers who purchased the sandwich later joined the case .
But Burger King said it advised customers that the burger would be prepared in an “ open kitchen environment.
” Diners who desired a meat-free burger could also have the sandwich cooked without the broiler that ’ s used to prepare beef patties , the company said .
Burger King — owned by fast-food conglomerate Restaurant Brands International — rolled out the meatless Whopper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Impossible Foods .
Other chains including McDonald ’ s and Starbucks have introduced meatless sandwiches in partnership with Impossible rival Beyond Meat .

The vegans who accused Burger King of deceptively marketing its “Impossible Whopper” didn’t put enough meat on their legal claims, a federal judge ruled.
The aggrieved diners failed to prove the fast-food giant duped reasonable consumers into thinking its meatless sandwich would be cooked on a different grill than its beef and chicken products, US District Judge Raag Singhal said in dismissing their class-action lawsuit.
“Plaintiffs argue Burger King’s advertisement promised more than a non-meat patty,” Singhal wrote. “… This Court cannot agree. Burger King promised a non-meat patty and delivered with the ‘Impossible Burger.'”
The customers also didn’t bother to ask how the burger was cooked or request that the restaurant prepare it differently to meet their dietary needs, Singhal noted. He gave the plaintiffs until July 27 to decide whether to amend their complaint.
Neither Burger King nor the plaintiffs’ lawyers immediately responded to requests for comment on the order.
A vegan man named Philip Williams brought the class-action suit in November claiming Burger King “contaminated” its Impossible Whoppers by exposing them to meat byproducts on its grills, a fact he said the chain failed to disclose on its menus. Five other customers who purchased the sandwich later joined the case.
But Burger King said it advised customers that the burger would be prepared in an “open kitchen environment.” Diners who desired a meat-free burger could also have the sandwich cooked without the broiler that’s used to prepare beef patties, the company said.
Burger King — owned by fast-food conglomerate Restaurant Brands International — rolled out the meatless Whopper last year with a wheat-and-potato-protein patty produced by Impossible Foods. Other chains including McDonald’s and Starbucks have introduced meatless sandwiches in partnership with Impossible rival Beyond Meat.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Dave Franco On Why He “Sprinkled Horror On Top” Of A Tense Interpersonal Drama In His Directorial De

Dave Franco On Why He “Sprinkled Horror On Top” Of A Tense Interpersonal Drama In His Directorial Debut, ‘The Rental’

Dave Franco likes to keep it in the family .
He ’ s his own man , to be sure ; he ’ s been deliberate about that .
He didn ’ t lean on his family name during his early years , taking just-starting-out jobs like background extra work and online shorts .
He got a break with a clutch supporting role on the final season of Scrubs ( ironically enough , as an entitled , bratty nepotism case ) and then made the most the opportunities it afforded him .
But in the decade since , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , achieving fame on his own terms and using it to do the kind of work he likes with people he loves .
He starred alongside big brother James in 2017 ’ s The Disaster Artist , twisting their fraternal bond into something stranger and toxically codependent as the creator-stars of bad movie par excellence The Room .
That same year , he appeared onscreen alongside his wife Alison Brie in The Little Hours , a medieval-set nunnery comedy with a profane streak planting it in our present .
In both instances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his professional and personal lives .
That sense of confidence has now emboldened Franco to direct his first feature , a talky horror-drama called The Rental .
A pair of brothers and their girlfriends head out for a weekend getaway , and after they hash out some of their internal tensions in Big Chill-ian fashion , things take a unsettling , violent turn .
It ’ s a sound freshman effort ; like many movies directed by actors , it allows the cast to breathe and experiment and explore their performances , yielding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brie .
Working with his wife helped foster that safe environment that engenders assured filmmaking , and Franco seems to have figured his way around the pitfalls as well .
Franco got on the phone with Decider to chat about his first go as director , falling back on his coworkers/loved ones , the unfortunate side effect of his Superbad appearance , and the impending renaissance of the American romcom .
DECIDER : For starters , how have you been keeping yourself occupied during quarantine ?
What ’ ve the past few months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ups , lots of downs .
Most importantly , we ’ re fortunate to like our home and each other .
That ’ s not nothing , even though it may sound obvious .
But we ’ re both just trying to keep our heads down and be productive as possible during this time .
Does that mean you ’ ve been writing ?
I ’ ve found it much more difficult to get writing done while cooped up at home every hour of every day .
We ’ ve been doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My wife Alison and I had been broadly talking through this idea for months leading up to the first outbreak and the lockdown .
We never had time to really flesh it out , but once the world ended , we realized that we no longer had any excuse to not do it .
We really dove into this new script and cranked it out in a pretty short amount of time , and we ’ ve been polishing it ever since .
We ’ re hoping that when things start happening again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we collaborate on .
That ’ s a good way into The Rental , in which Alison stars —what ’ s the dynamic like when you ’ re directing someone you ’ re married to ?
Is it ever awkward , that a director generally tells an actor what to do ?
It was incredible .
A lot of people have been tentative about asking that question , actually , which I think maybe reflects how they think of working with their own partner .
But we had already worked together as actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along really well on set .
I was optimistic about how it would be , even if we were working together in a slightly different capacity .
It went just as well as I ’ d hoped , for a few reasons : she ’ s such a great actress , to start with , which made my job easy .
She ’ s unique in how she can balance drama and levity , within a movie and even in a scene , going between these conflicting emotions and tones in a seamless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was comforting to just have her presence there .
As a first-time director , there were plenty of moments when I ’ d doubt myself , and she was really reliable about being there and building me up and reminding me that we were doing some good work .
I get a sense of set being run on a very intimate small scale , with the four-person cast and all the dialogue-driven scenes .
What was the atmosphere like during production ?
That was the idea , we kept it tight-knit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shooting on the Oregon coast in a tiny town called Bandon .
It was really like [ noise like the auditory equivalent of rolling one ’ s eyes ] we all became a family .
Almost because we were forced to !
None of us had anything else to do , and so it was fortunate that we all liked each other .
That ’ s probably a result of how we put this crew and cast together , though .
I really vetted everybody extensively , where I wanted to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just as important to me that everyone was bringing the right mindset .
I wanted to work with nice people , who were ready to work their asses off .
Going through this my first time , I really needed people who cared about the quality of the end result .
There are some total pros who are great at their job , but also checking their watch until they can get home and see the game .
It ’ s easy to see a version of this film without the horror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stripped-down story about the relationships between the main four characters .
When you were conceptualizing the script with Joe Swanberg , how did those two elements get joined together ?
That was our intention from the beginning , and the reason I wanted to write this with Joe was because his strengths lie in the sort of character-relationship pieces you ’ re talking about .
Our goal was to write a tense relationship drama where the interpersonal issues between the characters can be just as high-stakes as the psychotic killer stalking them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the people and the human element .
We sprinkled horror on top , to accentuate and intensify the problems they ’ re already going through with each other .
This being a film about a guy somewhat in the shadow of his older brother , who ’ s achieved success at an earlier age , there ’ s an obvious temptation to project some of this subtext onto you and your family .
Is there anything there ?
It ’ s not something that I consciously put int here , sorry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on some level , there ’ s some cross-over between the brotherly dynamic in the movie and mine with my own brother .
But I think the relationship between these characters is more indicative of where we were at about a decade ago .
That was when I was still the baby of the family , and these days , we see each other more as equals .
You two worked together closely on The Disaster Artist , which had him playing a supporting role to your lead .
Did that feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything like that ?
It went great .
I made a choice very early on in my career to distance myself from him when it came to work , because I really wanted to pave my own path .
Then The Disaster Artist came along , and it finally felt like we ’ d fell into the right movie at the right time .
I knew it would be fine , because creatively , we have similar sensibilities .
But James is a great director in the sense that he ’ s collaborative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get everyone ’ s opinion on the scene .
The rule on that film was , best idea wins , no matter who it comes from .
That ’ s an environment where everyone feels free to contribute , because they ’ ll be heard .
Inclusion made it work .
I always find it impressive when people can work with family or spouses .
Directors talk about shooting as a tense , stressful , demanding , emotionally fraught time , and I feel like it ’ s tough to treat your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you ’ ve got a million things buzzing around in your head .
You mean , like , snapping at someone you love , having fights ?
It ’ s a fair question , because yeah , it can be disastrous .
I have friends I ’ ve written with in the past , and we ’ re not close anymore since that experience , because we just kept butting heads .
What I will say is that I ’ ve had it unusually good .
All my experiences once I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s with family , with Alison , or with friends , have been positive .
I feel safe with these people .
As an actor and director , I feel comfortable taking risks and putting myself out there .
I know that if I fail that day , I ’ ll have people around me who won ’ t judge me .
Having that love to count on , that ’ s always beneficial .
Pure coincidence , but last week , I watched Superbad .
I don ’ t know if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but you ’ re in there !
Do you have fond memories from that day , that being one of your early movie gigs ?
I was there for the very first day of production .
That was one of the first projects I ’ d ever gotten a credit on , but I knew it would be special , because the script was just hilarious .
You could tell that right on the page .
Once the movie came out , though , some people who ’ d seen it a bunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ d get this on the street , people yelling , “ WHY DON ’ T YOU GO PISS YOUR PANTS AGAIN ?
” That was a fun early taste of fame .
It did motivate me to work more .
I knew I had to get another job as soon as I can , so that I would be the kid who peed his pants for the rest of my life .
It ’ s general practice to end an interview by talking about the future , but that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You said you want to work on this movie with Alison , and I assume it ’ s difficult to hammer out plans right now .
Do you feel like you ’ re in a holding pattern ?
It feels like no one really knows anything at this point .
We ’ re all at the mercy of COVID .
There ’ s so little I can do , but I try not to let it get it me down .
Best to focus on things I can control .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Alison , I ’ m working with a few other friends trying to line up as much as we can .
We want to have lots to show , ready to go when the world does open up .
We ’ re finding ways to make the days go by .
What ’ ve you been watching ?
Anything new or old that really struck you ?
We recently rewatched all of Spike Jonze ’ s films , and I got ta say , he ’ s my number-one director I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve admired him for so long .
He takes these extremely inventive concepts and grounds them in a reality that makes them seem like the most logical , natural thing .
You can relate to these characters in impossible , bizarre scenarios .
He makes it feel universal , which is an incredible skill .
As a viewer , there ’ s nothing I appreciate more than novelty .
Show me something new , that I ’ ve never seen before .
So many films coming out now are remakes and sequels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the direction you ’ d like to move in ?
Something a bit more conceptual , less tethered to Earth than The Rental ?
That ’ s something to think about .
I ’ ll say that this project I ’ m working on with Alison is a romantic comedy .
We love the genre .
We feel like people are yearning for a smart , elevated romcom right now .
Think about the classics — Sleepless in Seattle , When Harry Met Sally , Pretty Woman — they ’ re all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing and acting and directing .
These movies look great , they ’ re all shot like dramas !
We wondered why nobody ’ s approaching this genre from the ground up like that .
Charles Bramesco ( @ intothecrevassse ) is a film and television critic living in Brooklyn .
In addition to Decider , his work has also appeared in the New York Times , the Guardian , Rolling Stone , Vanity Fair , Newsweek , Nylon , Vulture , The A.V .
Club , Vox , and plenty of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boogie Nights .

Dave Franco likes to keep it in the family. He’s his own man, to be sure; he’s been deliberate about that. He didn’t lean on his family name during his early years, taking just-starting-out jobs like background extra work and online shorts. He got a break with a clutch supporting role on the final season of Scrubs (ironically enough, as an entitled, bratty nepotism case) and then made the most the opportunities it afforded him. But in the decade since, he’s sowed his oats and come back home, achieving fame on his own terms and using it to do the kind of work he likes with people he loves. He starred alongside big brother James in 2017’s The Disaster Artist, twisting their fraternal bond into something stranger and toxically codependent as the creator-stars of bad movie par excellence The Room. That same year, he appeared onscreen alongside his wife Alison Brie in The Little Hours, a medieval-set nunnery comedy with a profane streak planting it in our present.
In both instances, he felt creatively nurtured by mixing his professional and personal lives. That sense of confidence has now emboldened Franco to direct his first feature, a talky horror-drama called The Rental. A pair of brothers and their girlfriends head out for a weekend getaway, and after they hash out some of their internal tensions in Big Chill-ian fashion, things take a unsettling, violent turn. It’s a sound freshman effort; like many movies directed by actors, it allows the cast to breathe and experiment and explore their performances, yielding some great work, most notably from Brie. Working with his wife helped foster that safe environment that engenders assured filmmaking, and Franco seems to have figured his way around the pitfalls as well.
Franco got on the phone with Decider to chat about his first go as director, falling back on his coworkers/loved ones, the unfortunate side effect of his Superbad appearance, and the impending renaissance of the American romcom.
DECIDER: For starters, how have you been keeping yourself occupied during quarantine? What’ve the past few months been like?
DAVE FRANCO: Lots of ups, lots of downs. Most importantly, we’re fortunate to like our home and each other. That’s not nothing, even though it may sound obvious. But we’re both just trying to keep our heads down and be productive as possible during this time.
Does that mean you’ve been writing? I’ve found it much more difficult to get writing done while cooped up at home every hour of every day.
We’ve been doing a lot of writing, yeah. My wife Alison and I had been broadly talking through this idea for months leading up to the first outbreak and the lockdown. We never had time to really flesh it out, but once the world ended, we realized that we no longer had any excuse to not do it. We really dove into this new script and cranked it out in a pretty short amount of time, and we’ve been polishing it ever since. We’re hoping that when things start happening again, this can be the next thing we collaborate on.
That’s a good way into The Rental, in which Alison stars —what’s the dynamic like when you’re directing someone you’re married to? Is it ever awkward, that a director generally tells an actor what to do?
It was incredible. A lot of people have been tentative about asking that question, actually, which I think maybe reflects how they think of working with their own partner. But we had already worked together as actors, so we knew that we got along really well on set. I was optimistic about how it would be, even if we were working together in a slightly different capacity. It went just as well as I’d hoped, for a few reasons: she’s such a great actress, to start with, which made my job easy. She’s unique in how she can balance drama and levity, within a movie and even in a scene, going between these conflicting emotions and tones in a seamless way. In addition to that, it was comforting to just have her presence there. As a first-time director, there were plenty of moments when I’d doubt myself, and she was really reliable about being there and building me up and reminding me that we were doing some good work.
I get a sense of set being run on a very intimate small scale, with the four-person cast and all the dialogue-driven scenes. What was the atmosphere like during production?
That was the idea, we kept it tight-knit with our small cast and crew. We were shooting on the Oregon coast in a tiny town called Bandon. It was really like [noise like the auditory equivalent of rolling one’s eyes] we all became a family. Almost because we were forced to! None of us had anything else to do, and so it was fortunate that we all liked each other. That’s probably a result of how we put this crew and cast together, though. I really vetted everybody extensively, where I wanted to be surrounded by talented people, but it was just as important to me that everyone was bringing the right mindset. I wanted to work with nice people, who were ready to work their asses off. Going through this my first time, I really needed people who cared about the quality of the end result. There are some total pros who are great at their job, but also checking their watch until they can get home and see the game.
It’s easy to see a version of this film without the horror element, that’s just a stripped-down story about the relationships between the main four characters. When you were conceptualizing the script with Joe Swanberg, how did those two elements get joined together?
That was our intention from the beginning, and the reason I wanted to write this with Joe was because his strengths lie in the sort of character-relationship pieces you’re talking about. Our goal was to write a tense relationship drama where the interpersonal issues between the characters can be just as high-stakes as the psychotic killer stalking them. At its core, it’s about the people and the human element. We sprinkled horror on top, to accentuate and intensify the problems they’re already going through with each other.
This being a film about a guy somewhat in the shadow of his older brother, who’s achieved success at an earlier age, there’s an obvious temptation to project some of this subtext onto you and your family. Is there anything there?
It’s not something that I consciously put int here, sorry to say. I’m sure, on some level, there’s some cross-over between the brotherly dynamic in the movie and mine with my own brother. But I think the relationship between these characters is more indicative of where we were at about a decade ago. That was when I was still the baby of the family, and these days, we see each other more as equals.
You two worked together closely on The Disaster Artist, which had him playing a supporting role to your lead. Did that feel like a reversal, a turning point, anything like that?
It went great. I made a choice very early on in my career to distance myself from him when it came to work, because I really wanted to pave my own path. Then The Disaster Artist came along, and it finally felt like we’d fell into the right movie at the right time. I knew it would be fine, because creatively, we have similar sensibilities. But James is a great director in the sense that he’s collaborative, really collaborative, he genuinely wants to get everyone’s opinion on the scene. The rule on that film was, best idea wins, no matter who it comes from. That’s an environment where everyone feels free to contribute, because they’ll be heard. Inclusion made it work.
I always find it impressive when people can work with family or spouses. Directors talk about shooting as a tense, stressful, demanding, emotionally fraught time, and I feel like it’s tough to treat your loved ones the way you want to when you’ve got a million things buzzing around in your head.
You mean, like, snapping at someone you love, having fights?
Conflict, sure.
It’s a fair question, because yeah, it can be disastrous. I have friends I’ve written with in the past, and we’re not close anymore since that experience, because we just kept butting heads. What I will say is that I’ve had it unusually good. All my experiences once I’m on set, whether it’s with family, with Alison, or with friends, have been positive. I feel safe with these people. As an actor and director, I feel comfortable taking risks and putting myself out there. I know that if I fail that day, I’ll have people around me who won’t judge me. Having that love to count on, that’s always beneficial.
Pure coincidence, but last week, I watched Superbad. I don’t know if I had forgotten or just never noticed, but you’re in there! Do you have fond memories from that day, that being one of your early movie gigs?
I was there for the very first day of production. That was one of the first projects I’d ever gotten a credit on, but I knew it would be special, because the script was just hilarious. You could tell that right on the page. Once the movie came out, though, some people who’d seen it a bunch of times in theaters could recognize me. I’d get this on the street, people yelling, “WHY DON’T YOU GO PISS YOUR PANTS AGAIN?” That was a fun early taste of fame. It did motivate me to work more. I knew I had to get another job as soon as I can, so that I would be the kid who peed his pants for the rest of my life.
It’s general practice to end an interview by talking about the future, but that’s all in the air right now. You said you want to work on this movie with Alison, and I assume it’s difficult to hammer out plans right now. Do you feel like you’re in a holding pattern?
It feels like no one really knows anything at this point. We’re all at the mercy of COVID. There’s so little I can do, but I try not to let it get it me down. Best to focus on things I can control. In addition to this thing I’m writing with Alison, I’m working with a few other friends trying to line up as much as we can. We want to have lots to show, ready to go when the world does open up. We’re finding ways to make the days go by.
What’ve you been watching? Anything new or old that really struck you?
We recently rewatched all of Spike Jonze’s films, and I gotta say, he’s my number-one director I’d like to work with. I’ve admired him for so long. He takes these extremely inventive concepts and grounds them in a reality that makes them seem like the most logical, natural thing. You can relate to these characters in impossible, bizarre scenarios. He makes it feel universal, which is an incredible skill. As a viewer, there’s nothing I appreciate more than novelty. Show me something new, that I’ve never seen before. So many films coming out now are remakes and sequels.
For a second feature, is that the direction you’d like to move in? Something a bit more conceptual, less tethered to Earth than The Rental?
That’s something to think about. I’ll say that this project I’m working on with Alison is a romantic comedy. We love the genre. We feel like people are yearning for a smart, elevated romcom right now. Think about the classics — Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman — they’re all grounded stories, made great by the writing and acting and directing. These movies look great, they’re all shot like dramas! We wondered why nobody’s approaching this genre from the ground up like that.
Charles Bramesco (@intothecrevassse) is a film and television critic living in Brooklyn. In addition to Decider, his work has also appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Nylon, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Vox, and plenty of other semi-reputable publications. His favorite film is Boogie Nights.
Where to stream


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Jeffrey Epstein employee saw video of Prince Andrew with topless woman: report

A former employee for late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein claims she walked in on him and his alleged fixer Ghislaine Maxwell as they joked about “ randy Andy ” while watching a video of Prince Andrew with a topless woman , according to a report .
Tiffany Doe , 48 , who didn ’ t want to reveal her real name , told the UK ’ s Sun that she was at the financier ’ s Manhattan home when she stumbled on the pair watching the secretly recorded clip of the Duke of York and the woman .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the video , but she was topless , ” the woman told the news outlet , which described Doe as a former lap dancer working with lawyers representing Epstein and Maxwell ’ s alleged victims .
“ I was looking for Jeffrey to talk to him about something and couldn ’ t find him anywhere , ” Doe said .
“ I had no idea Ghislaine and Jeffrey were in there .
I didn ’ t know Ghislaine was in the house.
” The woman claimed the large room contained several TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I walked in they didn ’ t notice me .
I went to say something but they were speaking and laughing so I looked at the screen to see what they were talking about , ” Doe continued .
“ I do not know who the girl was on the video but she was topless .
I really can ’ t say what her age was , ” she added .
“ I couldn ’ t see all of Andrew so I don ’ t know if he was clothed or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bedroom .
I don ’ t think Andrew knew he was being filmed , ” Doe told the Sun .
Maxwell then reportedly said , “ Oh that ’ s Randy Andy for you , ” the woman claimed .
“ Jeffrey laughed at that and I of course immediately recognized who it was on the tape , ” she told The Sun .
“ But then Jeffrey and Ghislaine noticed me and made it clear they didn ’ t want me in there.
” Doe told the outlet that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein had cameras in the bedrooms .
“ Jeffrey spent a lot of time in that room watching videos .
I am sure he had videos of girls and guys having sex that he watched as a voyeur because that was what he was like , ” she said .
“ But he let everyone know he had power .
Power over all these rich and famous people who came to his house .
So what would that power be ?
It was pretty obvious , ” the woman continued .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Come and watch this with me of so-and-so having sex and see how powerful I am.
’ But he would be like that with Ghislaine.
” Doe told The Sun that she met Epstein when she was 22 and that he manipulated her into recruiting young girls for himself .
The pedophile committed suicide in his Manhattan jail cell 11 months ago as he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges .
Maxwell , 58 , is expected to spend a year awaiting trial at the Brooklyn Detention Center , where she has been held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire .
Prince Andrew has forcefully denied all allegations against him but is yet to cooperate with prosecutors — although his legal team insists that he has offered to do so .
A spokesman for the prince ’ s legal team said of Doe ’ s claims : “ There will doubtless be a welter of these kind of ‘ recollections , ’ some 10 or more years after the fact , particularly where claims on the Epstein estate are concerned .
Where is the evidence ?
” In an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed his head on her chest to blow a raspberry — known colloquially as “ motorboating ” — at Epstein ’ s home in the 1990s .
“ There were always big players at the events so it was almost normal for a prince to turn up , ” she told The Sun .
“ It wasn ’ t out of the ordinary .
Andrew was at a party and , in English slang , back then I had big jubblies , big breasts.
” She added : “ He said I should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I found him quite awkward , quite clumsy .
I had drinks with him but that ’ s it .
”

A former employee of late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein claims she walked in on him and his alleged fixer Ghislaine Maxwell as they joked about “randy Andy” while watching a video of Prince Andrew with a topless woman, according to a report.
Tiffany Doe, 48, who didn’t want to reveal her real name, told the UK’s Sun that she was at the financier’s Manhattan home when she stumbled on the pair watching the secretly recorded clip of the Duke of York and the woman.
“I don’t know who the girl was on the video, but she was topless,” the woman told the news outlet, which described Doe as a former lap dancer working with lawyers representing Epstein and Maxwell’s alleged victims.
“I was looking for Jeffrey to talk to him about something and couldn’t find him anywhere,” Doe said. “I had no idea Ghislaine and Jeffrey were in there. I didn’t know Ghislaine was in the house.”
The woman claimed the large room contained several TV screens.
“It was so dark when I walked in, they didn’t notice me. I went to say something but they were speaking and laughing so I looked at the screen to see what they were talking about,” Doe continued.
“I do not know who the girl was on the video but she was topless. I really can’t say what her age was,” she added.
“I couldn’t see all of Andrew so I don’t know if he was clothed or not. It looked like it was filmed in a bedroom. I don’t think Andrew knew he was being filmed,” Doe told The Sun.
Maxwell then reportedly said, “Oh, that’s Randy Andy for you,” the woman claimed.
“Jeffrey laughed at that and I of course immediately recognized who it was on the tape,” she told The Sun. “But then Jeffrey and Ghislaine noticed me and made it clear they didn’t want me in there.”
Doe told the outlet that “it was an open secret” that Epstein had cameras in the bedrooms.
“Jeffrey spent a lot of time in that room watching videos. I am sure he had videos of girls and guys having sex that he watched as a voyeur because that was what he was like,” she said.
“But he let everyone know he had power. Power over all these rich and famous people who came to his house. So what would that power be? It was pretty obvious,” the woman continued.
“He would never say to me, ‘Come and watch this with me of so-and-so having sex and see how powerful I am.’ But he would be like that with Ghislaine.”
Doe told The Sun that she met Epstein when she was 22 and that he manipulated her into recruiting young girls for himself.
The pedophile committed suicide in his Manhattan jail cell 11 months ago as he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Maxwell, 58, is expected to spend a year awaiting trial at the Brooklyn Detention Center, where she has been held since shortly after her July 2 arrest in New Hampshire.
Prince Andrew has forcefully denied all allegations against him but has yet to cooperate with prosecutors — although his legal team insists that he has offered to do so.
A spokesman for the prince’s legal team said of Doe’s claims: “There will doubtless be a welter of these kind of ‘recollections,’ some 10 or more years after the fact, particularly where claims on the Epstein estate are concerned. Where is the evidence?”
In an interview last year, Doe alleged that Andrew placed his head on her chest to blow a raspberry — known colloquially as “motorboating” — at Epstein’s home in the 1990s.
“There were always big players at the events so it was almost normal for a prince to turn up,” she told The Sun. “It wasn’t out of the ordinary. Andrew was at a party and, in English slang, back then I had big jubblies, big breasts.”
She added: “He said I should be in a magazine for big-breasted women. I found him quite awkward, quite clumsy. I had drinks with him but that’s it.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Amber Heard claims Johnny Depp threw 30 bottles at her ‘like grenades’ during fight

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 ) Amber Heard claimed that Johnny Depp hurled about 30 bottles at her “ like grenades ” during what she has referred to as a “ three-day hostage situation , ” a British court heard Wednesday .
The “ Aquaman ” actress , 34 , detailed the altercation on her then-husband ’ s work trip to Australia in March 2015 , just a month into their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s explosive libel trial against The Sun .
“ We were in an argument about whether he was going to drink the liquor , ” she told the court in London .
Heard said that she snatched the bottle from the boozing actor ’ s hand and smashed it on the floor between them .
“ I regret I did that .
I was so upset , but I think it snapped something in him ” , she said , according to the Evening Standard .
Depp , 57 , began grabbing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her direction , Heard said .
“ He started picking them up one by one and throwing them like grenades , ” Heard testified .
“ One after the other after the other , in my direction , and I felt glass breaking behind me .
I retreated more into the bar and he didn ’ t stop.
” Responding to Depp ’ s lawyers disputing her version of events , Heard fired back , “ I would be shocked if Johnny remembers any of this himself , but I was there.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her life during what she called a “ three-day hostage situation ” at their pad down under as Depp filmed “ Pirates of the Caribbean.
” She has claimed that Depp attacked her more than a dozen times over the course of their 18-month marriage .
The Oscar nominee has vehemently denied any allegations of assault and is suing over a 2018 article that labeled him a “ wife-beater .
”

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Amber Heard claimed that Johnny Depp hurled about 30 bottles at her “like grenades” during what she has referred to as a “three-day hostage situation,” a British court heard Wednesday.
The “Aquaman” actress, 34, detailed the altercation on her then-husband’s work trip to Australia in March 2015, just a month into their marriage, during testimony at Depp’s explosive libel trial against The Sun.
“We were in an argument about whether he was going to drink the liquor,” she told the court in London.
Heard said that she snatched the bottle from the boozing actor’s hand and smashed it on the floor between them.
“I regret I did that. I was so upset, but I think it snapped something in him,” she said, according to the Evening Standard.
Depp, 57, began grabbing the other bottles and throwing them in her direction, Heard said.
“He started picking them up one by one and throwing them like grenades,” Heard testified.
“One after the other after the other, in my direction, and I felt glass breaking behind me. I retreated more into the bar and he didn’t stop.”
Responding to Depp’s lawyers disputing her version of events, Heard fired back, “I would be shocked if Johnny remembers any of this himself, but I was there.”
Heard previously alleged that she feared for her life during what she called a “three-day hostage situation” at their pad down under as Depp filmed “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
She has claimed that Depp attacked her more than a dozen times over the course of their relationship, which ended in divorce in 2017.
The “Justice League” star on Wednesday also recalled an explosive row in which she was sent flying across the room on Thanksgiving in 2015.
“We got into a fight on Thanksgiving, where Johnny ripped my shirt and threw me across the room,” Heard said, according to Sky News.
“He threw a wine glass and a heavy glass decanter at me, which thankfully both missed me.”
Throughout her testimony, she repeatedly pushed back on suggestions that her injuries were her own doing, saying she has “never cut myself, ever” — though she claims her ex has a history of self-harm.
“His body’s full of… scars… I saw him do it to himself,” Heard said, Sky News reported.
Heard became emotional as lawyers recounted another alleged blowout the following month at the couple’s Los Angeles penthouse, which she referred to in a written statement as “one of the worst and most violent nights of our relationship.”
Depp previously admitted to headbutting her during the row, saying “foreheads may have clashed” accidentally as he tried to restrain her from assaulting him.
But Heard said the actor “very deliberately” smashed his head into her own.
“He clenched his fists, leaned back and slammed his head directly into mine,” Heard said.
She also claimed he slapped her then dragged her by the hair through their apartment, pulling out clumps of her hair.
“There was [sic] chunks of hair missing, there was pus in those wounds in my hairline [and] dark red bruises,” she told the court.
He allegedly continued the assault by repeatedly punching her in the head — which she says left her with a litany of injuries.
“I had bruised ribs, bruises all over my body, bruises on my forearms from trying to defend the blows,” she said.
“I had two black eyes, I had a broken nose, I had a broken lip… the really bad [bruises] were in my hairline, on my scalp.”
Depp’s lawyers, however, claim a nurse who treated Heard after the alleged incident noted that she was “unable to visualize hematomas the client described” on her scalp — though the actress was observed to be “actively bleeding on her lip.”
“[The nurse] didn’t see any bruising… you had just bitten your lip because there was fresh blood on it. Had you just done that for her benefit?” Depp’s attorney, Eleanor Laws, said.
But Heard shot down Laws’ suggestion as well as claims that her supposed injuries were “nonsense.”
“It got much worse later,” Heard told the court, according to Sky News.
The court also heard from Joshua Drew, the ex-husband of Amber Heard’s friend Raquel “Rocky” Pennington, who said that there was some concern that evening Heard suffered a concussion.
“I received a message from Rocky saying something like ‘he beat the s–t out of her again’ and told me she was looking after her,” Drew told the court via video call from Los Angeles, according to the Evening Standard.
“I remember being told that they had reached out to a nurse to do a concussion check.”
Melanie Inglessis, a make-up artist and friend of the actress, also told the court Wednesday that she was supposed to go bowling with Heard that evening but she did not show up and later texted to say Depp was “beating on me.”
Inglessis went to the couple’s apartment, where she discovered Heard to be “erratic” and “distressed.”
“The main thing that stuck in my mind about the incident on the bed was she said he tried to suffocate her with a pillow,” Inglessis said. “She felt he tried to kill her that night.”
The following day, Inglessis helped prepare Heard’s make-up for the taping of the “Late Late Show with James Corden.”
She said the actress had a swollen nose and “cut or scab on her lip,” as well as “discoloration under her eyes.”
Inglessis said concealer was “very effective” covering the bruises, which she to her recollection were “not that dark or that inflamed.”
Depp has strenuously denied any allegations of assault during their marriage, claiming it was she who was violent to him.
The Oscar nominee is suing over allegation of domestic abuse in a 2018 article that labeled him a “wife-beater.”
Heard is set to return to court Thursday to wrap up her testimony in the three-week-long trial.
With Post Wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Happy 80th birthday, Alex Trebek: ‘Jeopardy!’ host’s best moments and quotes

A line of NYPD officers in riot gear cleared out ...

Alex Trebek, iconic TV personality and game-show host, concludes his eighth decade on Wednesday.
Known for his wit and ability to crack a joke, Trebek began his hosting career as a young man in the 1960s in Canada before moving to US shows like “High Rollers” and “Double Dare” in the ’70s.
But the Canadian became America’s favorite show host when he began grilling contestants on “Jeopardy!” in 1984 — and we’ve been smitten ever since.
Despite recent health complications as he battles pancreatic cancer, Trebek is contracted as the “Jeopardy!” host until 2022. His new memoir, released Tuesday, details his memorable career on the infamous game show and reflects on his life on-screen as well as off with wife Jean Currivan Trebek, 56, and their two children.
Previous 1 of 23 Next Advertisement Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!," circa 1984 ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!," circa 2002 ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement Alex Trebek on "High Rollers." Courtesy Everett Collection (From left) Bea Arthur, David Leisure, "Jeopardy!" creator Merv Griffin, Betty White and Alex Trebek on a 1992 episode of "The Golden Girls," in which Trebek hosts a game show called "Questions and Answers." ©Touchstone Television/Courtesy Everett Collection Alex Trebek on "Double Dare." Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement Alex Trebek and contestant Julia Collins on "Jeopardy!," circa 2014. ©Sony Pictures/Everett Collection Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!," circa 2005. ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Alex Trebek on "Classic Concentration." ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement Alex Trebek on "Double Dare." Courtesy Everett Collection Alex Trebek in 2018 Everett Collection Alex Trebek and Jean Currivan Trebek in 2019. Getty Images for AFI Advertisement Alex Trebek won the Outstanding Game Show Host award at the Emmys in 2019. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek in 2018 Getty Images "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek in 2016 Getty Images Advertisement Alex Trebek and contestant Ken Jennings on "Jeopardy!" in 2004. Getty Images Alex Trebek, circa 1997 Getty Images Alex Trebek, circa 1990. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Advertisement
To celebrate another year of being blessed with his humor and quizzing skills, here are some of Trebek’s best moments, and why he’s everyone’s favorite game show personality.
He rapped an entire category
Trebek surprised viewers everywhere when he recited rap lyrics from infamous songs listed in the category “It’s A Rap” in 2014. And to his surprise — his contestants answered every question right. From Notorious B.I.G. to Grandmaster Flash, Trebek proved he can bust a rhyme live.
He showed up pantsless to work
There’s no one who can laugh at themselves quite like Trebek can, especially on live television. Despite his contestants not joining in on the fun, the admirable host broke the competitive tension with a joke on himself.
He shamed a contestant for enthusiastically, yet incorrectly, answering “Hoe”
“Whoa, they teach you that in school in Utah, huh?” Trebek said, poking fun at longtime “Jeopardy!” ace Ken Jennings, who gave a wrong answer to a question when the correct term was rake. While Trebek could be considered an expert with innuendos, this one wasn’t in the contestant’s favor this time.
He used a bullhorn to really get the point across
Trebek’s voice is notable and iconic, and even more so when amplified. In one episode, he used a bullhorn as both a joke and a major clue for the category “Bull,” making the contestants and audience alike laugh with surprise.
He proved he was the biggest football fan in the room
For the category “Talkin’ Football,” Trebek proved he was the only one who could. The contestant being quizzed couldn’t answer a single question right, and Trebek was surprised and a bit disappointed, but all in jest. He joked to the contestant, “Let’s look at the $1,000 clue, just for the fun of it.”
He auto-tuned himself
Trebek disguised his signature voice for the sake of “Jeopardy!” in a category titled “Alex Meets Auto-Tune.” With the help of technology, he performed various well-known songs with different lyrics, to throw contestants off their game and challenge them to guess the tune correctly.
He could have been a thespian
The game-show host proved his theatrical skills in an episode when he read a Shakespearean category with a dramatic flair and impressive voice inflection. Perhaps in another life, he could have pursued a career in theater or acting, but thankfully avid “Jeopardy!” viewers can still enjoy his interpretative reading on-air.
He proved he’s really America’s favorite
After announcing his cancer diagnosis early last year, there was an outpouring of support and condolences on the internet. But perhaps the biggest gesture of love was from a contestant. Clearly a fan of Trebek’s, he wrote “We love you Alex” as his final answer on the show. While the answer left the contestant with only $5, the sacrifice was effective: Trebek choked up over the kind message.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Rottweiler puppy growls and lunges in this cute video

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A rambunctious Rottweiler puppy put on a tough act in this adorable moment filmed in Farmington, Utah. The dog’s owners couldn’t help but laugh watching their feisty pup growl and lunge at the camera.
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newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Has Kanye crossed the line with Kim?

Has Kanye crossed the line with Kim?

• After a bizarre Twitter rant and campaign rally , Kim Kardashian is allegedly “ mortified ” and “ desperately worried ” about Kanye .
• Former “ Real Housewives of Atlanta ” star Phaedra Parks calls in to talk about how she ended up on “ Marriage Bootcamp.
” • And Harry Styles ’ quarantine mustache is dividing the internet , but not Maggie and Ian .
Here ’ s a closer look at some of today ’ s stories : Kanye West ’ s wild campaign rally has left Kardashian “ mortified ” — and “ desperately worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his mental health , sources close to the family say .
At the rally , West claimed he and now-wife Kim Kardashian discussed aborting their first child .
The 43-year-old went off the rails Sunday at his first campaign speech for his supposed run for president in North Charleston , SC .
An insider said , “ Kim is mortified .
She has desperately been trying to help Kanye , keep him calm and prevent him from having any public meltdowns .
The family believes he is having a bipolar episode .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he feels they make him less creative .
But [ to ] go out and say that about [ their eldest daughter ] North is shocking .
Kim is devastated .
She ’ s worked so hard to help him , but she won ’ t let him do this to their children.
” Former “ Real Housewives of Atlanta ” star Phaedra Parks chatted with Maggie and Ian about how she ended up on “ Marriage Bootcamp ” and how she ’ s doing in her other lines of work .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on another reality show ?
You know what ?
This show is very interesting because I ’ m like how ‘ Housewives ’ is shot .
This is a controlled environment because we ’ re all sort of locked in this house and the cameras are in the walls .
So there ’ s no producers walking around .
You are basically being recorded at all times except when you use the restroom , of course .
But I do mean you not to powder your face , but when you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes it very different .
It makes it very raw because , you know , they see you when you get dressed for bed .
They see when they see whatever you doing in your bed .
What about your partner ?
How does he feel ?
Well , he ’ s an actor , so it ’ s a different kind of camera , though he ’ d never been in the reality genre of television .
So I had to sort of convince him that it made sense .
But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this show when we actually considered it .
And so it made me very confident that it would be good for us in particular , because , you know , it ’ s a long-distance relationship and that can be a little hairy at times .
Something that ’ s so interesting about you , but sometimes people forget is that you ’ re also a mortician .
How is how is that going ?
“ Oh , my gosh it ’ s going great .
Did you hear about that pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have been jam-packed since it started .
Normally in the summer months , we wait for a boat accident or a motorcycle crash because otherwise , you know , we ’ re pretty empty .
But we are jam-packed .
I mean , we are working like it ’ s our heaviest season .
So , you know , people have you know , I tell people when they say , Oh , it ’ s not that big of a deal .
I ’ m like , oh , let let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms .
I ’ m getting 17 calls a day for pickups .
At One location .
And last week , all of the people were under [ age ] 59 .
It was 47 , 22 , 26 , 27 and 28 .
The pandemic really wreaks havoc on families .
This pandemic is really serious and people should really realize that because it ’ s not a joke.
” Harry Styles has a new look during the coronavirus pandemic .
The 26-year-old singer decided to grow out his facial hair into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among fans .
Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

In this episode:
After a bizarre Twitter rant and campaign rally, Kim Kardashian is allegedly “mortified” and “desperately worried” about Kanye.
Former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks calls in to talk about how she ended up on “Marriage Bootcamp.”
And Harry Styles’ quarantine mustache is dividing the internet, but not Maggie and Ian.
Here’s a closer look at some of today’s stories:
Kanye’s meltdown
Kanye West’s wild campaign rally has left Kardashian “mortified” — and “desperately worried” the rapper is not taking medication for his mental health, sources close to the family say. At the rally, West claimed he and now-wife Kim Kardashian discussed aborting their first child.
The 43-year-old went off the rails Sunday at his first campaign speech for his supposed run for president in North Charleston, SC.
An insider said, “Kim is mortified. She has desperately been trying to help Kanye, keep him calm and prevent him from having any public meltdowns. The family believes he is having a bipolar episode. He won’t take medications because he feels they make him less creative. But [to] go out and say that about [their eldest daughter] North is shocking. Kim is devastated. She’s worked so hard to help him, but she won’t let him do this to their children.”
Phaedra Parks’ new gig
Former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Phaedra Parks chatted with Maggie and Ian about how she ended up on “Marriage Bootcamp” and how she’s doing in her other lines of work.
What is it like watching relationship drama play out on another reality show?
You know what? This show is very interesting because I’m like how ‘Housewives’ is shot. This is a controlled environment because we’re all sort of locked in this house and the cameras are in the walls. So there’s no producers walking around. You are basically being recorded at all times except when you use the restroom, of course. But I do mean you not to powder your face, but when you’re on the loo. So that makes it very different. It makes it very raw because, you know, they see you when you get dressed for bed. They see when they see whatever you doing in your bed.
What about your partner? How does he feel?
Well, he’s an actor, so it’s a different kind of camera, though he’d never been in the reality genre of television. So I had to sort of convince him that it made sense. But we get so many so much great feedback about this show when we actually considered it. And so it made me very confident that it would be good for us in particular, because, you know, it’s a long-distance relationship and that can be a little hairy at times.
Something that’s so interesting about you, but sometimes people forget is that you’re also a mortician. How is how is that going?
“Oh, my gosh it’s going great. Did you hear about that pandemic? We are booming, unfortunately. We have been jam-packed since it started. Normally in the summer months, we wait for a boat accident or a motorcycle crash because otherwise, you know, we’re pretty empty. But we are jam-packed. I mean, we are working like it’s our heaviest season. So, you know, people have you know, I tell people when they say, Oh, it’s not that big of a deal. I’m like, oh, let let me put it to you in real terms. I’m getting 17 calls a day for pickups. At One location. And last week, all of the people were under [age] 59. It was 47, 22, 26, 27 and 28. The pandemic really wreaks havoc on families. This pandemic is really serious and people should really realize that because it’s not a joke.”
Harry Styles a mustache
Harry Styles has a new look during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 26-year-old singer decided to grow out his facial hair into a full mustache, sparking a frenzy among fans.
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--NYPD officers clear out remaining Occupy City Hall protesters

A line of NYPD officers in riot gear cleared out the remaining Occupy City Hall protesters from their month-long encampment @ @ @ @ @ .
The officers began pushing the remaining occupants north on Centre Street toward Foley Square @ @ @ @ @ people were taken into custody during the operation but they were not immediately charged Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ immediately confirm any injuries .
About 70 people , including both protesters and the homeless @ @ @ @ @ the NYPD contingent moved through , WABC-TV reported .
Video shows the moment the officers @ @ @ @ @ chanting .
The goal of the Occupy City Hall protest , which started last month @ @ @ @ @ 1 billion in cuts to the NYPD ’ s budget .
The encampment remained for @ @ @ @ @ approved the cuts .

A line of NYPD officers in riot gear cleared out the remaining Occupy City Hall protesters from their month-long encampment early Wednesday, police confirmed.
The officers began pushing the remaining occupants north on Centre Street toward Foley Square around 3:40 a.m.
About 70 people, including both protesters and the homeless, were camped out when the NYPD contingent moved through, WABC-TV reported.
Seven people were taken into custody, and they were not immediately charged Wednesday morning. One person threw a brick at an officer, who was not injured, but there were no other “significant incidents,” Chief Raymond Spinella said during a morning press conference.
Spinella said that several hundred officers were involved in the operation, “which went smoothly.” He added that police gave a warning of at least 10 minutes before moving in to clear the park.
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“The police department has closely monitored the situation at the park since its inception,” Spinella said. “We have worked closely with the Parks Department and other city agencies, and City Hall has been deeply involved in the process. We felt the time had come to end occupation and allow cleanup crews to begin the proper process of removing the graffiti.”
The department decided Wednesday morning “was a good time” to disperse protesters “based on the number of people that were in the park, and for the safety of our officers and the safety for everyone involved,” according to Spinella.
Video shows the moment the officers approached, as they chanted, “Move back!”
Another clip tweeted later shows officers arresting a person screaming on the ground as a line of cops block protesters from intervening.
In another, several cops arrest a man on the ground as a woman can be heard pleading, “Can you get off of him? He’s not resisting!”
The goal of the Occupy City Hall protest, which started last month, was to demand $1 billion in cuts to the NYPD’s budget.
The encampment remained for weeks after the City Council approved cuts.
The eviction happened a day after Mayor Bill de Blasio refused to provide a timeline on when anti-cop graffiti would be removed from the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building.
He also said the decision to remove the encampment “will be made by the NYPD as things emerge. We’re looking at the situation every day.”
“There is a balance we always strike between the right to protest and especially public safety and I’ve always put public safety first while respecting constitutional rights,” Hizzoner said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--US orders China to close its consulate in Houston

The US has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston in what an official in Beijing blasted as an outrageous and unjustified move – leading the country to consider shuttering the American diplomatic office in Wuhan .
“ We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston , in order to protect American intellectual property and American ’ s private information , ” US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Wednesday .
Ortagus added that Washington would not tolerate Chinese violations of their “ sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behavior.
” Beijing said the closure was “ an unprecedented escalation ” and said it would retaliate if Washington did not reverse the decision , Reuters reported .
“ China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision , or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response , ” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said .
The US government has been harassing Chinese diplomatic staff for some time , Wang added , as well as “ intimidating and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electrical devices , even detaining them , ” according to Reuters .
The move — which the Chinese official said will sabotage relations between the two powers — came hours after firefighters responded to a fire reportedly sparked by the burning of documents at the Consulate General of China in Houston .
Relations between the two countries have frayed on a number of fronts , running the gamut from trade to Beijing ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its policies in Hong Kong , Xinjiang and the South China Sea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese nationals in a decade-long cyber espionage campaign in which they allegedly stole information on weapons designs , drug information , software source code and personal data .
The order to shutter the Chinese consulate comes as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Europe , where he has been rallying leaders to take a tougher stance with Beijing , and meeting with exiled dissidents , CNN reported .
The Chinese consulate in Houston was opened in 1979 — the first in the year the US and the People ’ s Republic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agence France-Presse .
Besides its embassy in Beijing , the US has five consulates in mainland China — Shanghai , Guangzhou , Chengdu , Wuhan and Shenyang .

The US has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston in what an official in Beijing blasted as an outrageous and unjustified move – leading the country to consider shuttering the American diplomatic office in Wuhan.
“We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston, in order to protect American intellectual property and American’s private information,” US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Wednesday.
Ortagus added that Washington would not tolerate Chinese violations of their “sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC’s unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior.”
Beijing said the closure was “an unprecedented escalation” and said it would retaliate if Washington did not reverse the decision, Reuters reported.
“China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.
The US government has been harassing Chinese diplomatic staff for some time, Wang added, as well as “intimidating and interrogating Chinese students and confiscating their personal electrical devices, even detaining them,” according to Reuters.
The move — which the Chinese official said will sabotage relations between the two powers — came hours after firefighters responded to a fire reportedly sparked by the burning of documents at the Consulate General of China in Houston.
Relations between the two countries have frayed on a number of fronts, running the gamut from trade to Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its policies in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea.
On Tuesday, US prosecutors charged two Chinese nationals in a decade-long cyber espionage campaign in which they allegedly stole information on weapons designs, drug information, software source code and personal data.
The order to shutter the Chinese consulate comes as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Europe, where he has been rallying leaders to take a tougher stance with Beijing, and meeting with exiled dissidents, CNN reported.
The Chinese consulate in Houston was opened in 1979 — the first in the year the US and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic ties, according to Agence France-Presse.
Besides its embassy in Beijing, the US has five consulates in mainland China — Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan and Shenyang.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--The Dodgers primed to be baseball’s next dynasty

Here ’ s the funny thing about dynasties : You almost never see ...

The last 30 World Series have bestowed glory and immortality to 18 different franchises, none of them the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Assuming that labor discord doesn’t kill baseball and the coronavirus doesn’t kill North American professional sports altogether, what team would you select to win the most of the next 30 Fall Classics?
I’m going with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers, losers of the 2017 and 2018 championships to two teams (the Astros and Red Sox, natch) that were found guilty of illegally stealing signs, appear extremely well-positioned for both the short term and the long term. Let us count the ways:
1. Major league talent. As per FanGraphs’ calculations, the Dodgers’ 58.9 wins above replacement in 2019 paced the National League by a wide margin; the Nationals placed second with 48.3. While they lost pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to free agency and traded outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Red Sox, the latter brought back the mega-talented Mookie Betts as well as David Price, though Price has opted out of this season over coronavirus concerns.
2. Minor league talent. MLB.com ranks the Dodgers system third overall, behind the Rays and Padres, and that’s after giving up some gems to acquire Betts.
3. Ownership. While the Dodgers have received criticism for staying under the luxury-tax threshold each of the last two seasons, they opened up their wallets to trade for Betts and have declared their interest in retaining the impending free agent for the long term. They also attempted to lure Gerrit Cole with an eight-year, $300 million offer. No one questions the Guggenheim’s group financial might.
4. Front office. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman piloted the Rays’ stunning run of excellence from 2008 through 2013, and has guided the Dodgers to five straight National League West titles while overhauling the development pipeline since switching coasts.
5. No nemesis. Whereas the Yankees face worthy near-annual obstacles in the mighty Sawx and ’Stros, no NL team has emerged in a similar fashion. The Nationals, who upended the Dodgers in last year’s NL Division Series, could be that team, as could the historic rival Giants. The Dodgers, however, own a healthy head start.


newyorkpost--2020-07-22--Alaskan tsunami fails to materialize after powerful earthquake strikes near coast

A powerful 7.8 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula late Tuesday , triggering a tsunami warning that sent residents fleeing to higher ground before it was called off without any damaging waves .
According to the U.S. Geological Survey , the 7.8 magnitude quake struck Tuesday at 10:12 p.m. local time .
The quake was centered in waters 65 miles ( 105 kilometers ) south-southeast of Perryville , Alaska at a depth of 17 miles ( 28 km ) , deeper than an earlier estimate .
The quake triggered tsunami warning for a South Alaska , the Alaska Peninsula and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday about two hours after the quake .
Tsunami warning sirens could be heard blaring in videos posted on social media as residents heeded warnings to evacuate .
On Kodiak Island , the local high school opened its doors for evacuees , as did the local Catholic school , the Anchorage Daily News reported .
“ We ’ ve got a high school full of people , ” said Larry LeDoux , superintendent of the Kodiak School District .
“ I ’ ve been passing out masks since the first siren sounded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everything ’ s as calm as can be .
We ’ ve got probably 300 , 400 people all wearing masks , ” he said .
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there had been no threat to other U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America .
According to the USGS , since 1900 there have been six other earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and higher within 155 miles ( 250 km ) of Tuesday ’ s quake .
The largest of those was a 8.2 quake in 1938 .
The Alaska-Aleutian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quake in 1964 was centered .

A powerful 7.8 earthquake struck the Alaska Peninsula late Tuesday, triggering a tsunami warning that sent residents fleeing to higher ground before it was called off without any damaging waves.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 7.8 magnitude quake struck Tuesday at 10:12 p.m. local time. The quake was centered in waters 65 miles (105 kilometers) south-southeast of Perryville, Alaska at a depth of 17 miles (28 km), deeper than an earlier estimate.
The quake triggered tsunami warning for a South Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands that was called off early Wednesday about two hours after the quake.
Tsunami warning sirens could be heard blaring in videos posted on social media as residents heeded warnings to evacuate.
On Kodiak Island, the local high school opened its doors for evacuees, as did the local Catholic school, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
“We’ve got a high school full of people,” said Larry LeDoux, superintendent of the Kodiak School District. “I’ve been passing out masks since the first siren sounded,” he told the Daily News.
“Everything’s as calm as can be. We’ve got probably 300, 400 people all wearing masks,” he said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there had been no threat to other U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America.
According to the USGS, since 1900 there have been six other earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and higher within 155 miles (250 km) of Tuesday’s quake. The largest of those was a 8.2 quake in 1938.
The Alaska-Aleutian Trench was also where a magnitude 9.2 quake in 1964 was centered.