newyorkpost--2020-04-22--Small businesses share frustration of losing out in first round of PPP funding

Small businesses shut out of the government ’ s paycheck protection loan program last week are fuming at their banks for fumbling their applications .
Dan Abrams , who owns The Mermaid Inn and five other eateries in Manhattan , had all of his loan documents at the ready when the Small Business Administration launched the $ 350 million stimulus program on April 3 .
But each time he logged onto Capital One ’ s loan portal , there was no link allowing him to apply — until it was too late .
“ We received an email from Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our application ” on April 17 — the day after funding had dried up , Abrams told The Post .
Rob Bookman , who owns a small law firm in Manhattan that handles liquor licenses for restaurants and bars , is also blasting his bank for approving his loan application , only to withdraw the promise for funding a week later .
Bookman said he received notification by text that Citibank ’ s site was open for applications on April 9 — six days after the SBA program launched .
Despite the delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bookman even received a notice of confirmation the next day , “ and my banker told me I ’ d be among the first processed loans , ” he said .
But one week later , on April 17 , he received a form email explaining that there was no more money in the PPP program and that Citibank would hold his application “ for up to 30 days.
” “ I demanded to know whether my application was ever sent to the SBA , ” said Bookman , whose business is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I didn ’ t get an answer , ” he said .
The questions come as the Kafka-esque process looks set to begin all over again .
Congress on Tuesday agreed to add another $ 320 billion to its small business bailout program , known as the Paycheck Protection Program , or PPP , after the Small Business Administration ran out of the first $ 350 million in just 13 days .
The program has also come under a torrent of criticism for paying banks big bucks to steer hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their large , publicly traded clients , like Ruth ’ s Chris Steak House , Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Wilhelmina International , a talent agency that represents big stars like Nicki Minaj and Nick Jonas .
The Wall Street Journal has reported that companies with large outstanding loans issued by banks involved in PPP often fared better than other companies .
And several banks have been slapped with lawsuits alleging that they prioritized larger , more profitable loans .
Small business owners cut off from the process have been left to wonder why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — if they were permitted to queue up in the first place — and whether it will happen again .
Abrams , for example , was required — like all applicants — to apply for a PPP loan using a bank with which he ’ s had a long-standing relationship .
But his bank , Capital One , was “ focused on testing the system by accepting a small number of applications manually , ” spokeswoman Nicole Wyman told The Post in an e-mail .
Wyman said Capital One ’ s applicants were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest and shared information with us prior to April 5.
” And the bank has told Abrams that his request for a $ 2.4 million loan to support his 320 employees will be submitted in the next round .
Bookman said a Citigroup manager told him that his application wasn ’ t forwarded to the SBA for a week because the bank was “ overwhelmed ” with applications .
Once the SBA gets an application , it ’ s processed and assigned a loan number in “ under an hour , ” Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrator for the Atlantic Region , told The Post .
A Citibank spokesman told The Post it regrets “ that some of our clients did not receive funding prior to the SBA ’ s funds being exhausted , ” and added that it “ will work relentlessly to help these customers get the funding they need ” during the next round of funding .
One banker from a top-tier bank blamed a lack of clarity from the Treasury Department for delays and other snags .
“ This whole thing was a slow-moving disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There was no guidance from DC , and it made an impossible process even worse.
” But at least one small banker says he was able to process $ 172 million in PPP loans for 598 small businesses in his area by OK ’ ing loans prior to getting Treasury guidance — and then flooding the SBA with applications once the program officially opened .
“ When I first saw this program announced , I thought , “ This money is going to go fast , ” recounted Edward Barry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.4 billion community bank .
“ We needed to be ready.
” “ $ 350 billion sounds like a lot , but I knew it was a drop in the bucket , ” Barry said .

Small businesses shut out of the government’s paycheck protection loan program last week are fuming at their banks for fumbling their applications.
Dan Abrams, who owns The Mermaid Inn and five other eateries in Manhattan, had all of his loan documents at the ready when the Small Business Administration launched the $350 million stimulus program on April 3. But each time he logged onto Capital One’s loan portal, there was no link allowing him to apply — until it was too late.
“We received an email from Capital One saying they were ready to receive our application” on April 17 — the day after funding had dried up, Abrams told The Post.
Rob Bookman, who owns a small law firm in Manhattan that handles liquor licenses for restaurants and bars, is also blasting his bank for approving his loan application, only to withdraw the promise for funding a week later.
Bookman said he received notification by text that Citibank’s site was open for applications on April 9 — six days after the SBA program launched. Despite the delay, he was approved within two hours. Bookman even received a notice of confirmation the next day, “and my banker told me I’d be among the first processed loans,” he said.
But one week later, on April 17, he received a form email explaining that there was no more money in the PPP program and that Citibank would hold his application “for up to 30 days.”
“I demanded to know whether my application was ever sent to the SBA,” said Bookman, whose business is down 75 percent due to the coronavirus. “I didn’t get an answer,” he said.
The questions come as the Kafka-esque process looks set to begin all over again.
Congress on Tuesday agreed to add another $320 billion to its small business bailout program, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, after the Small Business Administration ran out of the first $350 million in just 13 days.
The program has also come under a torrent of criticism for paying banks big bucks to steer hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money to their large, publicly traded clients, like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Wilhelmina International, a talent agency that represents big stars like Nicki Minaj and Nick Jonas.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that companies with large outstanding loans issued by banks involved in PPP often fared better than other companies. And several banks have been slapped with lawsuits alleging that they prioritized larger, more profitable loans.
Small business owners cut off from the process have been left to wonder why they were kicked off the PPP line — if they were permitted to queue up in the first place — and whether it will happen again.
Abrams, for example, was required — like all applicants — to apply for a PPP loan using a bank with which he’s had a long-standing relationship. But his bank, Capital One, was “focused on testing the system by accepting a small number of applications manually,” spokeswoman Nicole Wyman told The Post in an e-mail.
Wyman said Capital One’s applicants were “randomly selected customers who had expressed interest and shared information with us prior to April 5.” And the bank has told Abrams that his request for a $2.4 million loan to support his 320 employees will be submitted in the next round.
“I’m optimistic,” he told The Post.
Bookman said a Citigroup manager told him that his application wasn’t forwarded to the SBA for a week because the bank was “overwhelmed” with applications. Once the SBA gets an application, it’s processed and assigned a loan number in “under an hour,” Steve Bulger, the SBA’s regional administrator for the Atlantic Region, told The Post.
A Citibank spokesman told The Post it regrets “that some of our clients did not receive funding prior to the SBA’s funds being exhausted,” and added that it “will work relentlessly to help these customers get the funding they need” during the next round of funding.
One banker from a top-tier bank blamed a lack of clarity from the Treasury Department for delays and other snags. “This whole thing was a slow-moving disaster,” the banker told The Post. “There was no guidance from DC, and it made an impossible process even worse.”
But at least one small banker says he was able to process $172 million in PPP loans for 598 small businesses in his area by OK’ing loans prior to getting Treasury guidance — and then flooding the SBA with applications once the program officially opened.
“When I first saw this program announced, I thought, “This money is going to go fast,” recounted Edward Barry, CEO of Maryland-based Capital Bank, a $1.4 billion community bank. “We needed to be ready.”
“$350 billion sounds like a lot, but I knew it was a drop in the bucket,” Barry said.
With reporting by Thornton McEnery


newyorkpost--2020-04-22--NYC politicians haven’t begun to face facts about coronavirus fiscal crisis

Empire State schools could be staring down a nearly 50-percent ...

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Neither Mayor Bill de Blasio nor the City Council understands the scope of the current fiscal crisis: a potential 25 percent loss in the city’s private-economy jobs base and an unknown contraction in Gotham’s tax base.
The mayor is closing swimming pools, and the council is planning drastic new restrictions on private-sector jobs. Instead, they should concentrate on four steps to bring the economy — and people — back.
New York has seen sudden, massive crises before — twice already in the new century, on 9/11 and after the 2008 financial crisis. This isn’t like those. In modern history, New York has never lost more than 6 percent of its private-sector jobs.
This time, with major parts of the private economy, from restaurants to Broadway, shut down entirely, and layoffs trickling up to higher-income workers, the city could lose a million jobs, or one of every four.
Nor does New York benefit from long-term trends that once worked in its favor. After 9/11 and the financial crisis, young people and immigrants still flocked to city living. For the past three years, the city has been losing population.
New York benefited from relentless global tourism. But nobody knows when borders will reopen — or how consistently they’ll stay open.
Of a projected $66 billion in tax revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1, the city, based on job and income losses, is likely to see a loss of more than $10 billion, twice as bad as after the financial crisis, even after accounting for inflation, and far more than any elected official is estimating. (The remainder of the city budget is funded by state and federal grants.)
The plummeting of sales, income and hotel taxes is self-explanatory. But the city’s traditionally stable $31 billion property-tax intake could shrink, as owners ask for reassessments in light of the cessation of substantial economic activity.
Raise taxes — as the city did after 9/11 and 2008? Sure, and give tens of thousands of people who have decamped an excuse not to come back.
So what should the city do? First, the City Council and the mayor should announce a holiday on sales taxes through the end of the 2020 calendar year; the state should follow.
In doing so, the city and state will forfeit revenue, yes. But they will also send a signal to businesses of all sizes: Once New York is open again, diners and shoppers will enjoy a nearly 9 percent discount on their purchases.
For now, the city and state would forfeit largely theoretical tax revenue. Longer term, the state’s congressional delegation should partner with hard-hit red states, including Louisiana and Florida, to ask the federal government to fund a sales-tax holiday, hopefully through next year.
Second, the city should eliminate its tax on commercial rent, too, and forfeit another theoretical $1 billion. The city’s retailers and restaurateurs can’t afford this burden.
How to pay? Third, lawmakers must strip down the city’s five-year, $79 billion capital budget. New York can’t move forward with its plan to build four new jails in four separate boroughs at a cost of nearly $9 billion, for example.
Rebuilding jails on Rikers would be cheaper and faster and also doable — and more humane for inmates.
Last, Gotham must freeze government wages. The wage bill, pre-COVID-19, was slated to rise from $30.1 billion for the current fiscal year to $32.3 billion by 2024. New York can no longer afford such increases.
Municipal workers can’t be spared the carnage the economy is suffering. The city has no choice but to lay off civilian workers who can’t work at home, such as hundreds of school nurses, and hire them back later. That’s what expanded federal unemployment insurance is for.
None of these actions will solve the problems New York faces. The city (and state) need billions, and potentially tens of billions, in federal aid. It’s either that, or risk defaulting on our municipal debt as we protect basic services such as policing and sanitation.
No elected official is showing he understands these realities. The mayor still hasn’t called for a wage freeze. The City Council is considering bills that harm small business, such as a bill requiring employers with more than 100 workers to pay their “essential employees” a huge hourly hazard-pay premium. Nice idea —but the stores will close.
The New York that reopens will be different than the New York that closed down — and the city must acknowledge these realities.
Nicole Gelinas is a contributing editor of City Journal, from which this column was adapted.


newyorkpost--2020-04-22--Trump signs executive order pausing immigration into US

President Trump on Wednesday fulfilled his vow to issue an executive order pausing immigration into the US , a move he said would protect American workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ In order to protect our great American workers , I suspended immigration into the United States .
This will ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens , ” the president said at the White House during the daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing .
“ We will also preserve our health care resources for American patients .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our great American workers and that ’ s what we are doing , ” Trump continued .
“ I just signed [ the order ] just before coming into the room and [ it ’ s ] very important , very important .
And as to amending it or extending it , that we can do at the appropriate time , but it ’ s now signed.
” The White House released a summary of the order , which calls for : • Suspension of new immigrant visas to put American communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward safely reopening the economy .
• A pause that will be in effect for 60 days , and the administration will continue to monitor the labor market to amend or extend the proclamation if needed .
• Exemptions for medical and other essential workers to combat the outbreak , spouses and minor children of American citizens , and certain other aliens .
• A review guest worker programs to assess whether additional measures should be taken to protect American workers .
The administration said African Americans and other minorities , Americans without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially harmed by an influx of foreign labor .
Trump won the White House in 2016 in part on a promise to crack down on immigration and has made the issue central to his presidency .
Many key details of Trump ’ s planned executive order are still not known , but one Department of Homeland Security official who requested anonymity said it would only apply to people applying for permanent residence from outside the US , not those already in the country seeking to adjust their status .
Trump said the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be renewed for the same period or longer , and that a second immigration-focused order was under consideration .

President Trump on Wednesday fulfilled his vow to issue an executive order pausing immigration into the US, a move he said would protect American workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
“In order to protect our great American workers, I suspended immigration into the United States. This will ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens,” the president said at the White House during the daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing.
“We will also preserve our health care resources for American patients. We have to take care of our patients and our great American workers and that’s what we are doing,” Trump continued.
“I just signed [the order] just before coming into the room and [it’s] very important, very important. And as to amending it or extending it, that we can do at the appropriate time, but it’s now signed.”
The White House released a summary of the order, which calls for:
Suspension of new immigrant visas to put American communities and workers first as the US moves toward safely reopening the economy.
A pause that will be in effect for 60 days, and the administration will continue to monitor the labor market to amend or extend the proclamation if needed.
Exemptions for medical and other essential workers to combat the outbreak, spouses and minor children of American citizens, and certain other aliens.
A review guest worker programs to assess whether additional measures should be taken to protect American workers.
The administration said African Americans and other minorities, Americans without a college degree, and others were especially harmed by an influx of foreign labor.
Trump won the White House in 2016 in part on a promise to crack down on immigration and has made the issue central to his presidency.
Many key details of Trump’s planned executive order are still not known, but one Department of Homeland Security official who requested anonymity said it would only apply to people applying for permanent residence from outside the US, not those already in the country seeking to adjust their status.
Trump said the order initially would last for 60 days and could be renewed for the same period or longer, and that a second immigration-focused order was under consideration.


newyorkpost--2020-04-22--A24 auctions off wacky props from ‘Midsommar,’ ‘Uncut Gems’ for coronavirus relief

Many governors are claiming they can ’ t relax limits on business ...

A24 is hoping you’ll take a cut of their gems — for charity.
The indie production company responsible for movies such as ”Uncut Gems,” “Midsommar” and “Mid90s,” plus the hit HBO series “Euphoria,” is auctioning off props and costumes online to benefit local charities and hospitals providing COVID-19 relief.
The virtual auction will give “movie fans a chance to own a piece of film history,” according to a press release from the entertainment company, as well as supporting a good cause.
The loot for sale includes the plastic snorkel mask worn by affable Gabe in “Eighth Grade,” the race-car bed from “Uncut Gems” and a maroon sweatshirt worn on-screen by Zendaya playing drug-addicted Rue in “Euphoria.” The sweatshirt includes holes cut in the armpits by the “Euphoria” costume department “to accommodate a safety harness,” which Zendaya was hooked up to during a dance sequence in the Season 1 finale, according to A24.
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Apparently, the tatters make the zip-up all the more desirable: Bidding on the sweatshirt, which closes on May 8 and is set to benefit NYC Health + Hospitals, is already up to $3,250.
Doormats from “Hereditary,” the horror film starring Toni Collette, are also up for grabs, with bidding now at $5,000. There’s also the 80s-style skateboard ridden by Stevie in “Mid90s,” the period piece directed by Jonah Hill, and more bric-a-brac from the Bo Burnham-directed “Eighth Grade” set.
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Safdie brothers fans will have to wait until May 4, though. That’s when 18 items — including the pink bat mitzvah dress worn by Idina Menzel in “Uncut Gems” and the highly memed bedazzled Furby, shown off by Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) — will go on sale. The Celtics Jersey worn by Kevin Garnett and a light-up race-car bed for kids will also benefit Queens Community House, which provides social services to locals.
Previous 1 of 13 Next Advertisement The Furby in "Uncut Gems." A24 The Furby in "Uncut Gems." A24 Advertisement The race-car bed in "Uncut Gems." A24 The race-car bed in "Uncut Gems." A24 Idina Menzel's dress in "Uncut Gems." A24 Advertisement Idina Menzel's dress in "Uncut Gems." A24 Kevin Garnett's jersey in "Uncut Gems." A24 Kevin Garnett's jersey in "Uncut Gems." A24 Advertisement Kevin Garnett's jersey in "Uncut Gems." A24 Advertisement
The hipster garage sale doesn’t stop there. Costume pieces from Ari Aster’s “Midsommar,” including the massive flower-covered “May Queen” dress and crown worn by Florence Pugh, will be sold to benefit the FDNY. Props from “The Lighthouse,” starring Robert Pattinson, will also be on the auction block starting May 11, with proceeds heading to the Food Bank for New York City.


newyorkpost--2020-04-22--Sorry: Contact tracing isn’t the answer to ending lockdowns

The US will need to scale up to 20 million ...

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Many governors are claiming they can’t relax limits on business and recreation until their states have an extensive system of “contact tracing.” It’s a worthy aspiration. But they should listen to the scientists who warn that contact tracing won’t work against the novel coronavirus.
Gov. Cuomo says he envisions hiring an “army” of thousands of “tracers” to call people or go to their homes, notify them that they have been exposed to an infected person and explain that they must get tested and quarantine, if positive.
On Tuesday, the National Governors’ Association told Congress that states need federal money for contact tracing. By some estimates, it would cost $3.6 billion to hire 100,000 tracers nationwide, and others are suggesting we need triple that number.
“While this is a lot of people and a lot of money,” says Adriane Casalotti of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, “the other side of the coin is a country where we continue to be in lockdown.”
The New York Times, too, is pushing contact-tracing, with an editorial calling for “a legion of health workers, disease detectives,” in Gotham to find those “who may have been exposed and enact a system of isolation and quarantine.”
Undoubtedly the pols pushing it have the best of intentions, though almost any governor would see the allure of a jobs program funded by the federal government.
Trouble is, a mountain of scientific evidence indicates contact tracing won’t work against the coronavirus. And given the virus’ nature, deploying it earlier probably wouldn’t have stopped the spread.
The coronavirus is fast-moving and transmitted in multiple ways, such as touching contaminated surfaces like subway poles and door knobs. It can become aerosolized when someone sneezes two aisles over in the supermarket or coughs in an elevator. The virus is found in feces and may even spread when a toilet is flushed and viral particles become airborne.
The “disease detectives” will have to ask: “Who was that at the supermarket or in the public restroom?” In many cases, they won’t have an answer.
Lancet Global Health scientists conclude that contact tracing will work when “less than 1 percent of transmission occurred before the onset of symptoms.” That’s the opposite of the coronavirus: Victims are most contagious before or just as their symptoms begin, research indicates. By the time they are diagnosed and asked for contacts, those contacts are already infecting others. Oxford University scientists also caution that the coronavirus spreads by too many mechanisms “to be contained by manual contact tracing.”
Still, digital tracing apps with built-in memory of who was near the infected person, in the supermarket or restroom, are promising. Several Asian countries used apps that put credit-card data and other personal information in the hands of government. Most Americans would be uneasy.
Apple and Google announced on April 10 they have devised a tool to alert smartphone users if they were in contact with someone later diagnosed with the coronavirus. This tool would require widespread adoption. It might be too late for this crisis; maybe for the next pandemic.
Plus, the contact-tracing governors are calling for the old-fashioned version: slow, expensive and incapable of curbing the outbreak. So what should be the new goalpost for safely reopening, if not contact tracing?
Many say mass availability of a test for the virus. But the test is a snapshot. You can test negative before work, then catch the virus in the elevator. A reliable test for immunity would be more reassuring. But it’s still unclear whether recovered patients are immune and for how long, warns Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Still another goalpost is the development of medications to make the disease treatable. That could happen within weeks, and it would make working-age people feel safe returning to their jobs. About 85 percent of New Yorkers who have died from the virus are over age 60.
But the best goalpost of all is our collective behavior. New Yorkers are proving they will wear masks and socially distance to protect themselves and others. Kudos to our courageous, resilient city.
The public wants a safe plan, and the sooner the better, but contact tracing isn’t it.
Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York, is chairwoman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.


newyorkpost--2020-04-22--Coronavirus misinformation flourishes in online protest groups

CHICAGO — Hundreds , sometimes thousands , of posts fly in the new Facebook groups daily .
The coronavirus numbers are fake , some of the social media videos claim .
“ Social distancing is the new way to control you , your family and your behavior , ” another commenter warns .
Others say the pandemic is an overblown hoax .
The loose network of Facebook groups spurring protests of stay-at-home orders across the country have fast become a hotbed of misinformation , conspiracy theories and skepticism around the coronavirus pandemic .
Launched in recent weeks by pro-gun advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are repositories of Americans ’ suspicion and anxiety — often fueled by notions floated by television personalities or President Donald Trump himself and amplified by social media accounts .
In a matter of days , the Facebook pages have mobilized protests at state capitols and collectively gained an audience of nearly 1 million followers on Facebook , according to The Associated Press ’ analysis of the groups .
There ’ s little basis in reality for many of the claims on the sites .
The coronavirus has infected millions of people worldwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — 43,000 — than anywhere else in the world , according to a Johns Hopkins University count .
Stay-at-home orders have been used by governments across the world — and the political spectrum — to try to contain the spread , as recommended by the world ’ s top health officials .
But the power of suspicion is apparent in the Facebook groups .
A private group was key in enlisting people for a “ Liberate Minnesota ” march outside Democratic Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s home Friday , despite his order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters on Twitter , calling to “ LIBERATE MINNESOTA ” right before the protest kicked off .
“ We recruited some trusted friends , threw it up on Facebook Sunday night , ” said conservative activist Michele Even , who oversees two Facebook groups in Wisconsin and Minnesota with a collective following of 100,000 .
“ By Friday , we had over a thousand shares for the event.
” Under pressure after a spate of nationwide protests organized on its site , Facebook said Monday that it would ban events that don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Events that defy government ’ s guidance on social distancing aren ’ t allowed on Facebook , ” the company said in a brief statement that did not explain how it would evaluate whether the events violate local ordinances .
Facebook said it removed postings for events in California , New Jersey and Nebraska .
Users on the platform are still promoting future stay-at-home protests in Wisconsin , Virginia and Illinois .
One Facebook ad calls for people to “ descend on the Capitol building and surrounding streets , either on foot or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver .
Some Facebook users are promoting a “ drive-in ” protest called Operation Gridlock to clog roads surrounding state capitols .
The movement is also becoming increasingly partisan online , with prominent conservatives urging their followers to protest Democratic governors , despite stay-at-home orders coming down in nearly every state , including some led by Republican governors .
“ Every patriot should go outside , socially distanced and with masks , and protest these Democrat tyrants , ” Charlie Kirk wrote last Friday to his 1.7 million Twitter followers .
Twitter users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describe the coronavirus as a hoax or promoting farflung theories that it was created in a lab , using the hashtags ReOpen or Gridlock , said Kathleen Carley , a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University ’ s CyLab Security and Privacy Institute .
Trump has also floated the idea that the virus is man-made .
Nearly identical claims are also being posted across multiple platforms — from Twitter to Reddit to the Facebook groups — suggesting that the misinformation is orchestrated on some level , she added .
“ There are some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the economy , but they ’ re being overwhelmed , ” Carley said .
“ There ’ s a lot of these conspiracy theories , linked right into these reopen groups.
” At least some of those Facebook groups are part of a coordinated campaign .
Facebook groups in Ohio , Wisconsin , Minnesota , New York and Pennsylvania were launched by Ben Dorr and his brothers , who run pro-gun groups in several Midwestern states .
The brothers have also registered several websites under the “ Reopen ” name that directs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invites them to “ donate ” to the cause .
The Dorr brothers have spent years raising money off conservative causes like anti-abortion rights or gun rights , said Kurt Daudt , Minnesota ’ s Republican House minority leader .
Daudt believes it ’ s a scam — saying he once watched them take a video outside the statehouse , claiming they were headed inside to lobby , but they left immediately after filming wrapped .
“ They really try to take advantage of whatever issue people are passionate about at any given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves , ” Daudt said .
Dorr contends his Facebook groups are part of a “ grassroots ” movement to protest stay-at-home orders .
“ We want to reopen these states , save these peoples livelihoods , ” Dorr said in a phone interview with the AP .
He wouldn ’ t say precisely how many pages or websites he and his brothers operate .
Calls to brothers Chris and Aaron Dorr were not returned .
Their Facebook groups are peppered with posts that predict the government will force people to get coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are intentionally inflating coronavirus death numbers .
Even , who helps run the Facebook groups in Minnesota and Wisconsin with the Dorrs , said she believes many people are unintentionally sharing misinformation on the pages .
“ A lot of times people are posting because they ’ re not aware it is fake or false information , ” she said .
But that false information could be driving some people to protest the stay-at-home orders , said Nir Hauser , the chief technology officer at VineSight , a company that tracks misinformation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited popular coronavirus conspiracy theories in interviews .
One woman told a North Carolina TV station that “ nobody is sick with COVID.
” “ The stuff that we ’ re seeing online does eventually percolate to real people , ” Hauser said .
“ It got them to leave the house , go out and protest .
”

CHICAGO — Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of posts fly in the new Facebook groups daily.
The coronavirus numbers are fake, some of the social media videos claim. “Social distancing is the new way to control you, your family and your behavior,” another commenter warns. Others say the pandemic is an overblown hoax.
The loose network of Facebook groups spurring protests of stay-at-home orders across the country have fast become a hotbed of misinformation, conspiracy theories and skepticism around the coronavirus pandemic. Launched in recent weeks by pro-gun advocacy groups and conservative activists, the pages are repositories of Americans’ suspicion and anxiety — often fueled by notions floated by television personalities or President Donald Trump himself and amplified by social media accounts.
In a matter of days, the Facebook pages have mobilized protests at state capitols and collectively gained an audience of nearly 1 million followers on Facebook, according to The Associated Press’ analysis of the groups.
There’s little basis in reality for many of the claims on the sites. The coronavirus has infected millions of people worldwide, and the U.S. has recorded more deaths — 43,000 — than anywhere else in the world, according to a Johns Hopkins University count. Stay-at-home orders have been used by governments across the world — and the political spectrum — to try to contain the spread, as recommended by the world’s top health officials.
But the power of suspicion is apparent in the Facebook groups. A private group was key in enlisting people for a “Liberate Minnesota” march outside Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s home Friday, despite his order limiting large gatherings. Trump backed the protesters on Twitter, calling to “LIBERATE MINNESOTA” right before the protest kicked off.
“We recruited some trusted friends, threw it up on Facebook Sunday night,” said conservative activist Michele Even, who oversees two Facebook groups in Wisconsin and Minnesota with a collective following of 100,000. “By Friday, we had over a thousand shares for the event.”
Under pressure after a spate of nationwide protests organized on its site, Facebook said Monday that it would ban events that don’t follow social distancing rules.
“Events that defy government’s guidance on social distancing aren’t allowed on Facebook,” the company said in a brief statement that did not explain how it would evaluate whether the events violate local ordinances. Facebook said it removed postings for events in California, New Jersey and Nebraska.
Users on the platform are still promoting future stay-at-home protests in Wisconsin, Virginia and Illinois. One Facebook ad calls for people to “descend on the Capitol building and surrounding streets, either on foot or in vehicles,” this Saturday in Denver. Some Facebook users are promoting a “drive-in” protest called Operation Gridlock to clog roads surrounding state capitols.
The movement is also becoming increasingly partisan online, with prominent conservatives urging their followers to protest Democratic governors, despite stay-at-home orders coming down in nearly every state, including some led by Republican governors.
“Every patriot should go outside, socially distanced and with masks, and protest these Democrat tyrants,” Charlie Kirk wrote last Friday to his 1.7 million Twitter followers.
Twitter users are also pushing YouTube video links that describe the coronavirus as a hoax or promoting farflung theories that it was created in a lab, using the hashtags ReOpen or Gridlock, said Kathleen Carley, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Security and Privacy Institute. Trump has also floated the idea that the virus is man-made.
Nearly identical claims are also being posted across multiple platforms — from Twitter to Reddit to the Facebook groups — suggesting that the misinformation is orchestrated on some level, she added.
“There are some people in these groups that have legitimate concerns about the economy, but they’re being overwhelmed,” Carley said. “There’s a lot of these conspiracy theories, linked right into these reopen groups.”
At least some of those Facebook groups are part of a coordinated campaign.
Facebook groups in Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania were launched by Ben Dorr and his brothers, who run pro-gun groups in several Midwestern states. The brothers have also registered several websites under the “Reopen” name that directs users to their pro-gun lobbying group and invites them to “donate” to the cause.
The Dorr brothers have spent years raising money off conservative causes like anti-abortion rights or gun rights, said Kurt Daudt, Minnesota’s Republican House minority leader. Daudt believes it’s a scam — saying he once watched them take a video outside the statehouse, claiming they were headed inside to lobby, but they left immediately after filming wrapped.
“They really try to take advantage of whatever issue people are passionate about at any given time and try to raise money for themselves,” Daudt said.
Dorr contends his Facebook groups are part of a “grassroots” movement to protest stay-at-home orders.
“We want to reopen these states, save these peoples livelihoods,” Dorr said in a phone interview with the AP.
He wouldn’t say precisely how many pages or websites he and his brothers operate. Calls to brothers Chris and Aaron Dorr were not returned.
Their Facebook groups are peppered with posts that predict the government will force people to get coronavirus vaccinations and videos that say health officials are intentionally inflating coronavirus death numbers.
Even, who helps run the Facebook groups in Minnesota and Wisconsin with the Dorrs, said she believes many people are unintentionally sharing misinformation on the pages.
“A lot of times people are posting because they’re not aware it is fake or false information,” she said.
But that false information could be driving some people to protest the stay-at-home orders, said Nir Hauser, the chief technology officer at VineSight, a company that tracks misinformation.
Hauser identified news articles of protesters who cited popular coronavirus conspiracy theories in interviews. One woman told a North Carolina TV station that “nobody is sick with COVID.”
“The stuff that we’re seeing online does eventually percolate to real people,” Hauser said. “It got them to leave the house, go out and protest.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--New coronavirus loan money is likely to dry up quickly, bankers say

New money for loans to small businesses battered by the coronavirus crisis could reportedly dry up almost as soon as it arrives .
The US Senate approved $ 310 billion in extra funds this week for the feds ’ Paycheck Protection Program , which exhausted its initial $ 349 billion budget in two weeks .
But banking groups say so many businesses sought help that most or all of the new funding will likely be eaten up by those that have already applied , the Associated Press reported Wednesday .
“ The majority if not all of the funding Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Nick Simpson , a spokesman for the Consumer Bankers Association trade group , told the outlet .
The US Small Business Administration had approved more than 1.6 million loans through the program as of April 16 , when the money ran out .
The low-interest PPP loans are guaranteed by the federal government and can be forgiven if the recipients retain workers and meet other criteria .
But big chunks of the money were eaten up by publicly traded companies such as the Ruth ’ s Chris Steak House restaurant chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm whose subsidiaries were granted about $ 30.1 million in loans .
That reportedly left droves of small businesses waiting for help when the the first round of funding dried up .
Merchants who have yet to apply may be able to get in the queue at small banks , which will get about a third of the new funding should the House of Representatives approve it , according to the AP .
But the money may not last long because those banks have been dealing with a deluge of applications , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank that got roughly 5,000 applications and was able to get 2,000 approved , so it already has 3,000 PPP applications in hand and ready to go when and if there ’ s additional funding , ” Paul Merski of the Independent Community Bankers of America , a trade group for small banks , told Inc.com this week .

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New money for loans to small businesses battered by the coronavirus crisis could reportedly dry up almost as soon as it arrives.
The US Senate approved $310 billion in extra funds this week for the feds’ Paycheck Protection Program, which exhausted its initial $349 billion budget in two weeks. But banking groups say so many businesses sought help that most or all of the new funding will likely be eaten up by those that have already applied, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
“The majority if not all of the funding Congress is considering right now is already exhausted,” Nick Simpson, a spokesman for the Consumer Bankers Association trade group, told the outlet.
The US Small Business Administration had approved more than 1.6 million loans through the program as of April 16, when the money ran out.
The low-interest PPP loans are guaranteed by the federal government and can be forgiven if the recipients retain workers and meet other criteria.
But big chunks of the money were eaten up by publicly traded companies such as the Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant chain and Ashford Hospitality Trust, a hotel firm whose subsidiaries were granted about $30.1 million in loans. That reportedly left droves of small businesses waiting for help when the the first round of funding dried up.
Merchants who have yet to apply may be able to get in the queue at small banks, which will get about a third of the new funding should the House of Representatives approve it, according to the AP. But the money may not last long because those banks have been dealing with a deluge of applications, the AP reported.
“I know one bank that got roughly 5,000 applications and was able to get 2,000 approved, so it already has 3,000 PPP applications in hand and ready to go when and if there’s additional funding,” Paul Merski of the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group for small banks, told Inc.com this week.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Ex-WWE star Jesse Ventura shoots down rumors about running for president

Former WWE star Jesse Ventura early Thursday slammed rumors that he has filed paperwork to run for president .
Despite previously hinting at plans for a “ surprise ” last-minute run , the wrestler-turned-Minnesota governor went on a Twitter tirade against “ salacious click bait articles ” suggesting he ’ d filed paperwork .
“ Earn your paycheck .
Verify something .
Anything .
Let ’ s start with : No , I haven ’ t filed to run for office , ” the 68-year-old strongman railed against journalists suggesting otherwise .
Ventura ’ s tirade followed a late-night Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the election and his plans to support the Green party .
“ We have the RIGHT to vote for the BEST candidate and that person DOESN ’ T have to be a DemoCRIPT or ReBLOODlican .
These gangs have got to go .
They don ’ t deserve your vote , ” he raged .
“ I refuse to vote for ‘ the lesser of two evils ’ because in the end , that ’ s still choosing evil.
” He also took a dig at President Trump , saying voting was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft dodgers with so called ‘ bone spurs ’ OUT OF WASHINGTON in 2020.
” His tirade was met with followers begging him to run in 2020 .
Despite his denials , Ventura admitted last September that he would use the “ element of surprise ” and enter the race when it came down to two candidates .
“ I may be doing things behind the scenes right now , ” he admitted on the Fox 11 Los Angeles show , “ The Issue Is.
” “ I have that voice in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , ‘ if not me , then who ? '
”

Former WWE star Jesse Ventura early Thursday slammed rumors that he has filed paperwork to run for president.
Despite previously hinting at plans for a “surprise” last-minute run, the wrestler-turned-Minnesota governor went on a Twitter tirade against “salacious click bait articles” suggesting he’d filed paperwork.
“Earn your paycheck. Verify something. Anything. Let’s start with: No, I haven’t filed to run for office,” the 68-year-old strongman railed against journalists suggesting otherwise.
Ventura’s tirade followed a late-night Twitter rant that stretched into the wee hours about the election and his plans to support the Green party.
“We have the RIGHT to vote for the BEST candidate and that person DOESN’T have to be a DemoCRIPT or ReBLOODlican. These gangs have got to go. They don’t deserve your vote,” he raged.
“I refuse to vote for ‘the lesser of two evils’ because in the end, that’s still choosing evil.”
He also took a dig at President Trump, saying voting was the only way to get “the draft dodgers with so called ‘bone spurs’ OUT OF WASHINGTON in 2020.”
His tirade was met with followers begging him to run in 2020.
Despite his denials, Ventura admitted last September that he would use the “element of surprise” and enter the race when it came down to two candidates.
“I may be doing things behind the scenes right now,” he admitted on the Fox 11 Los Angeles show “The Issue Is.”
“I have that voice in the back of my head that says to me, ‘If not me, then who?'”


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Jets NFL Draft preview: Joe Douglas is finally on the clock

The Post ’ s Brian Costello gives his prediction on whom the ...

Ready, Set, Joe!
Joe Douglas, the Jets general manager, finally gets his crack at the NFL Draft on Thursday, 10 months after he was hired. Douglas, the career scout, has been waiting for this chance.
“I don’t take this opportunity lightly,” Douglas said. “We’ve got eight picks and four in the top 79. We have to do our best to get the right type of player, the right type of person that’s going to come in here and turn things around and get us going in the right direction. We’ve seen impact drafts make a real difference in a short time.”
When the Jets hired Douglas to replace Mike Maccagnan, a big reason why was his eye for talent. That will be tested now. The Jets’ roster has holes all over it and the fan base is restless after nine consecutive seasons out of the playoffs.
The Jets’ recent drafts have been terrible. They have just 22 homegrown players on their roster, the fewest in the NFL, according to overthecap.com. Douglas is armed with four picks in the first two days to find difference makers and four more picks on Day 3 to add depth.
He referenced Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who would tell the Baltimore staff to draft players who get everyone excited. That is what Douglas plans to do.
“Let’s get the guys we’re all excited about,” Douglas said. “We take that subjective viewpoint and we mix that with the objective viewpoint of analytics and we try to follow the right path to the right player.”
Expect Douglas to hit the offense early and often in this draft. Adam Gase’s unit ranked No. 32 in the NFL last season. Third-year quarterback Sam Darnold needs help both in front of him on the offensive line and around him at wide receiver.
That leads to the biggest question of the draft for Douglas: Does he take the third- or fourth-best offensive tackle with the No. 11-overall pick or does he take the best or second-best wide receiver?
The safe bet is that he will go tackle in the first round. Go back to the day of his introductory press conference when Douglas stated the Jets would be a team that imposed its will on other teams by being strong in the trenches. The Jets have neglected offensive line in the draft for a decade now. The last time they selected a lineman in the first or second round was in 2010, when Vlad Duccasse was their second-round pick. They have not picked a lineman in the first round since 2006, when they took tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold.
There are four tackles rated above the rest — Jedrick Wills Jr., Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton and Andrew Thomas. There is a chance that three of them will be off the board by the time the Jets pick.
Submit your Jets questions to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
If they don’t take a wide receiver on Day 1 of the draft, they surely will on Day 2. It won’t be a surprise if they take two. This is one of the deepest wide receiver drafts in memory. The Jets feel they can land a good wide receiver after the first round. While CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs are all tempting choices in the first round, league sources say none of them are projected as elite receivers and the drop-off is not as great at receiver after the top tier as it is at tackle.
While the early focus is expected to be on offense, Douglas also has work to do on defense. The Jets need help at cornerback and edge-rusher. The only way those become first-round possibilities is likely if they trade back. But expect them to be hit at some point in this draft.
One of the things that frustrated people inside the Jets last year about Maccagnan was his inability to maneuver during the draft. Douglas is seen at being more adept at figuring out ways to maximize picks through trades, something he did when he was highly involved in the draft in Philadelphia. While the Jets enter this draft with eight picks, he could come out with more through trades.
As far as traits the Jets are emphasizing, speed, character and durability are at the top of the list. Expect a lot of players with fast 40 times, were team captains and guys who did not miss much time in college to become Jets in the next few days.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Post Malone’s Nirvana tribute livestream concert aims to raise $5M for coronavirus relief

Post Malone will host a livestream concert tribute to Nirvana this Friday , April 24th at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m .
ET .
The show will broadcast live from Malone ’ s home and air on his official YouTube channel .
A press release says he ’ ll “ perform a set of Nirvana hits and fan favorites.
” For more info , fans can text 817-270-6440 , which is a number Post Malone offered up on his social media pages earlier this week alongside the note , “ text me.
” During his livestream Friday , Malone will raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization .
Throughout the show , Google will match all donations at up to $ 5 million , with all proceeds going to the UN Foundation .
A teaser for the concert is available to watch below .
Malone is an avowed Nirvana fan , who has previously covered “ All Apologies ” live .
He also has a couple of Nirvana tattoos : His knuckles bear portraits of artists he admires who died at a young age , including Kurt Cobain , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his forehead is a nod to the Nirvana song of the same name .
Post Malone released his most recent album , “ Hollywood ’ s Bleeding , ” last September .
This year , he ’ s collaborated with artists like Ozzy Osbourne ( “ It ’ s a Raid ” ) and Justin Bieber ( “ Forever ” ) .

Post Malone will host a livestream concert tribute to Nirvana this Friday, April 24th at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET.
The show will broadcast live from Malone’s home and air on his official YouTube channel. A press release says he’ll “perform a set of Nirvana hits and fan favorites.” For more info, fans can text 817-270-6440, which is a number Post Malone offered up on his social media pages earlier this week alongside the note, “text me.”
During his livestream Friday, Malone will raise money for the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization. Throughout the show, Google will match all donations at up to $5 million, with all proceeds going to the UN Foundation.
A teaser for the concert is available to watch below.
Malone is an avowed Nirvana fan, who has previously covered “All Apologies” live. He also has a couple of Nirvana tattoos: His knuckles bear portraits of artists he admires who died at a young age, including Kurt Cobain, while the “Stay Away” tattooed on his forehead is a nod to the Nirvana song of the same name.
Post Malone released his most recent album, “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” last September. This year, he’s collaborated with artists like Ozzy Osbourne (“It’s a Raid”) and Justin Bieber (“Forever”).


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Giants NFL Draft preview: One big pick, two areas of need

The Post ’ s Paul Schwartz gives his prediction on whom the ...

The debate is ongoing and the next days should make one side joyous and the other despondent.
Unless the Giants can get this so very right that they solve two debilitating problems in the first three rounds of the 2020 draft.
If there is some way for them to balance this out perfectly and claim a playmaker on defense — Isaiah Simmons, come on down — and also secure at least one, and preferably two, offensive linemen capable of emerging as Day 1 or early starters, general manager Dave Gettleman will have hit the lottery and set the Giants up nicely in Joe Judge’s first season as head coach.
Can it happen? Doubtful. More likely, it is an either-or scenario about to play out, starting Thursday night in the first round of a truly unprecedented draft — with front-office executives, coaches and scouts all working and selecting remotely in deference to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
With the No. 4-overall pick, the Giants expect to see Simmons on the board and can solve a bunch of problems on defense by taking the multidimensional Clemson linebacker/safety. The Giants, though, are so determined to finally fix their offensive line that it will be exceedingly difficult for them to pass up Jedrick Wills (Alabama), Andrew Thomas (Georgia) or Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) with their first pick. Mekhi Becton of Louisville is the other top offensive tackle prospect.
So, think offensive tackle in the first round for the Giants.
If the Giants pass on Simmons, they are unlikely, unless they get lucky, to be able to find a difference-making player capable of instantly upgrading their defense. If they pass on an offensive lineman at No. 4, the other top-rated tackles — Josh Jones (Houston), Austin Jackson (USC) and Ezra Cleveland (Boise State) — are strong enough options, but there is every reason to believe two of them will already be gone early in the second round.
The Giants need someone to start immediately, most likely at right tackle, unless they want to move incumbent left tackle Nate Solder out of his natural spot. Judge did say long-term potential is more important to him than short-term needs.
The Giants have 10 picks in total, but they are bottom-heavy, with seven of the picks on Day 3 and four of them in the seventh round.
Trading down a few spots in the first round — easier said than done — would mean no Simmons, but it would ensure the Giants get one of their top offensive tackles, which would be the best-case scenario for Gettleman.
With so much focus on the desire to move down from the No. 4 pick, there is another trade scenario that might make more sense for the Giants. When they look at their 10 draft slots, the Giants are mesmerized — in a bad way — with the cavernous gap from No. 36 in the second round to their next pick, No. 99 late in the third round. This is the aftereffect of the unpopular trade for Leonard Williams, as the Jets own the No. 68-overall pick as part of the compensation.
Seeing 62 premium players come off the board in the direct sweet spot of the depth in this year’s draft is a sight the Giants want to avoid. If they can trade down a few spots from 36 and reclaim a third-round pick, it would greatly balance out their board.
Submit your Giants questions to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
“Does it really drop off after 15 players, does it really drop off after 25 players, I can’t really speak to that,’’ Gettleman said. “But, I just know that it’s a good draft. You can’t say that if you’re not picking in the top 15, you’re in trouble. You can’t say that.’’
The 38-year-old Judge, involved in a draft for the first time as a head coach and not as a special teams assistant or coordinator, was indoctrinated in the New England method when it comes to selecting players. He is not interested in short-term fixes.
“To me, it’s about finding the upside of the player, of looking down the long scope of a career and seeing who’s going to be the best player with the most upside for you,’’ Judge said.
The real challenge is picking players capable of helping now, improving and then helping even more in the future. The Giants will soon be on the clock.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--CNN Indonesia apologizes for using K-drama actor’s photo in Kim Jong Un story

The North Korean leader was depicted as a character played by South Korean actor Hyun Bin — star of the hit K-drama series “ Crash Landing on You ” –during a CNN Indonesia story about the reportedly ailing despot , according to Coconuts Indonesia .
During the news segment , a photo of Kim appeared next to that of Capt .
Ri Jeong-hyeok in the popular show .
The station later issued an apology for its “ fatal mistake.
” “ The news package was on the issues surrounding Kim Jong Un , who was reportedly in critical condition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ri character in the Korean drama series , ” a CNN Indonesia news anchor said .
“ This error was not intentional , and we apologize for this mistake.
” “ Crash Landing on You ” is about a South Korean heiress who crash lands in North Korea after a paragliding flight gone wrong , leading to her encounter with the captain in the Korean People ’ s Army who comes from a powerful family .
Questions about the health of North Korea ’ s Kim have been swirling since he missed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his grandfather , the Hermit Kingdom ’ s founder Kim Il Sung .

Kim Jong Un never looked so good.
The North Korean leader was depicted as a character played by South Korean actor Hyun Bin — star of the hit K-drama series “Crash Landing on You” — during a CNN Indonesia story about the reportedly ailing despot, according to Coconuts Indonesia.
During the news segment, a photo of Kim appeared next to one of Capt. Ri Jeong-hyeok in the popular show.
The station later issued an apology for its “fatal mistake.”
“The news package was on the issues surrounding Kim Jong Un, who was reportedly in critical condition, which has no relation to the Captain Ri character in the Korean drama series,” a CNN Indonesia news anchor said.
“This error was not intentional, and we apologize for this mistake.”
“Crash Landing on You” is about a South Korean heiress who crash-lands in North Korea after a paragliding flight gone wrong, leading to her encounter with the captain in the Korean People’s Army who comes from a powerful family.
Questions about the health of North Korea’s Kim have been swirling since he missed an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather, the Hermit Kingdom’s founder, Kim Il Sung.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--NFL Mock Draft 6.0: Giants, Jets hold line, Tua Tagovailoa drops

If you think you know everything that ’ s going to happen ...

It’s here. Finally.
A live sporting event of sorts to take our minds off this pandemic.
High drama, compelling theater, tears and cheers for all those collegiate stars whose dreams come true.
The Serby Mock 6.0 does not include trades, features a Tua Tagovailoa fall and a surprise landing spot when all is said and done with the first virtual draft on Thursday night.
Let the run on offensive tackles and wide receivers begin, and don’t forget to boo Roger Goodell:
1. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow (QB, LSU)
Now everyone in the AFC North except the Steelers has its young franchise quarterback. Riverfront Joe, The Pride of Athens, Ohio.
2. Washington Redskins — Chase Young (DE, Ohio State)
At least Giants fans who are disconsolate over losing the Week 16 Chase Young Bowl won’t have to endure him hugging Goodell — BOOOO! — on stage. A double-digit sacker for HC Ron Rivera and DC Jack Del Rio.
3. Detroit Lions — Jeff Odukah (CB, Ohio State)
GM Bob Quinn is eager to trade down. DT Derrick Brown and Isaiah Simmons are in the conversation. A bluechip bookend to Desmond Trufant to replace Darius Slay.
4. New York Giants — Jedrick Wills (OT, Alabama)
The Nick Saban NFL player factory delivers a Hog Mollie mauler to Dave Gettleman, even after some frightening Zoom glitches that nearly had him accidentally drafting Justin Herbert.
5. Miami Dolphins — Andrew Thomas (OT, Georgia)
Is this whom they covet in a trade with the Lions? He can be their LT for the next decade for their QB of the Future.
6. Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon)
HC Anthony Lynn may be enamored with Tyrod Taylor, but why pass on a QB of the Future?
7. Carolina Panthers — Isaiah Simmons (LB/S, Clemson)
The Matt Rhule Era begins with the dynamic Swiss Army knife who replaces retired Luke Kuechly … and just about anyone else the rookie HC asks him to.
8. Arizona Cardinals — Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn)
Let’s see how well the Seahawks and 49ers can run on a triumvirate featuring Jordan Phillips and Corey Peters.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars — C.J. Henderson (CB, Florida)
The Falcons will be calling, but Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye are gone.
10. Cleveland Browns — Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville)
If legendary former Browns LT Joe Thomas is confident O-line coach Bill Callahan can get the most out of this agile, mobile and hostile 6-foot-7½ 364-pounder, and let Baker Mayfield hide behind a bookend for RT Jack Conklin and let Nick Chubb run behind him.
11. New York Jets — Tristan Wirfs (OT, Iowa)
If Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz is confident this freakish 6-5 322-pounder can handle left tackle, Joe Douglas will gladly believe him to keep his promise to Sam Darnold’s parents to protect him.
12. Las Vegas Raiders — CeeDee Lamb (WR, Oklahoma)
Jon Gruden might have to be restrained from taking Tua, but GM Mike Mayock picks a charismatic yards-after-catch monster who can give Derek Carr much-needed help and make everyone forget the Antonio Brown fiasco.
13. San Francisco 49ers — Henry Ruggs III (WR, Alabama)
Think about Kyle Shanahan inserting a 4.27 burner like this as the perfect complement to Deebo Samuel.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Josh Jones (OT, Houston)
Bruce Arians is desperate enough to protect Tom Brady so he can throw to Rob Gronkowski again that he reaches for a blocker with the most experience to plug the right side.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
15. Denver Broncos — Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama)
John Elway lands his complement to Courtland Sutton after red flags surface about Jeudy’s knee.
16. Atlanta Falcons — Javon Kinlaw (DT, South Carolina)
A massive, violent powerhouse who slides only because of past knee tendinitis.
17. Dallas Cowboys — Justin Jefferson (WR, LSU)
A high-character toy in the slot for Dak Prescott to make life easier on Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup … and Zeke.
18. Miami Dolphins — Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama)
Will he drop this far? Really? If owner Stephen Ross signs off on the medicals, if he listens to Nick Saban and fears missing out on a left-handed Drew Brees, perhaps he can pull the trigger here and validate the Tank For Tua movement knowing that he can redshirt behind Ryan Fitzpatrick.
19. Las Vegas Raiders — A.J. Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Mayock loves Dabo Swinney’s players the way Gettleman loves Hog Mollies, and a bookend for Trayvon Mullen upgrades his 25th-ranked pass defense.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars — K’Lavon Chaisson (LB, LSU)
A pass-rush prospect who can replace Yannick Ngakoue once he is traded.
21. Philadelphia Eagles — Brandon Aiyuk (WR, Arizona State)
DeSean Jackson is 33, Alshon Jeffery’s days appear numbered and Carson Wentz needs an explosive, young, 6-1, 208-pound playmaker with 4.5 speed and 40-inch vertical leap who averaged an insane 10.9 yards after catch.
22. Minnesota Vikings — Jaylon Johnson (CB, Utah State)
Mike Zimmer craves a 6-foot, 195-pound corner to replenish his depleted secondary with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford on the schedule.
23. New England Patriots — Cesar Ruiz (C/G, Michigan)
Quality insurance for C David Andrews, who missed 2019 with a blood clot in his lungs, and G Joe Thuney, who could be traded to the Dolphins.
24. New Orleans Saints — Kenneth Murray (LB, Oklahoma)
Sean Payton missed out on Jamie Collins and lost A.J. Klein, so this high-character, 6-2, 241-pound sideline-to-sideline defender makes sense.
25. Minnesota Vikings — Austin Jackson (OT, USC)
Riley Reiff needs to move to guard, so here’s a new LT for Kirk Cousins.
26. Miami Dolphins — Xavier McKinney (S, Alabama)
Another Saban favorite with the instincts and versatility to fill the void left by the trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick.
27. Seattle Seahawks — Yetur Gross-Matos, (DE, Penn State)
Jadeveon Clowney remains in limbo, and Pete Carroll can never have enough young pass-rushers with length.
28. Baltimore Ravens — Patrick Queen (LB, LSU)
Undersize at 6-1, 227 pounds, but Plays Like A Raven enough for Wink Martindale to be his replacement for C.J. Mosley.
29. Tennessee Titans — Isaiah Wilson (OT, Georgia)
Colleague Zach Braziller vouches for the smashmouth Brooklyn giant (6-6½, 350 pounds) to replace Conklin and clear the way for Derrick Henry.
30. Green Bay Packers — Jordan Love (QB, Utah State)
Aaron Rodgers can teach this project to be patient, but he’ll get his receiver in the second round.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Ross Blacklock (DT, TCU)
A trade out of the round is possible because GM John Lynch’s next pick is No. 156, but here’s an interior disruptor to replace DeForest Buckner.
32. Kansas City Chiefs — Jeff Gladney (CB, TCU)
Brett Veach and Andy Reid can use a feisty 5-10 corner because Kendall Fuller left for the Redskins and Bashaud Breeland is signed for just one year.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Migrant children go to school on this renovated bus

While most kids ride the bus to school , these migrant children have school on a bus .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ We Can ’ s mission to provide free education for families awaiting asylum at the @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve done is created a space where they can feel like children , @ @ @ @ @ ” Yes We Can World Foundation creator Estefania Rebellon told The Post .
Take a @ @ @ @ @ classroom — converted from a 55-passenger bus — which also sports an adjoining playground and @ @ @ @ @ an average of 65 days here .

While most kids ride the bus to school, these migrant children have school on a bus. It’s all part of Yes We Can’s mission to provide free education for families awaiting asylum at the US-Mexico border.
“What we’ve done is created a space where they can feel like children, have fun and learn,” Yes We Can World Foundation creator Estefania Rebellon told The Post. Take a tour of the high-tech mobile classroom — converted from a 55-passenger bus — which also sports an adjoining playground and garden area. Students spend an average of 65 days here.
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newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Iran warns US warships in Gulf will be destroyed if threatened

The commander of Iran ’ s elite Revolutionary Guards fired a verbal warning shot across the bow of US warships , saying they would be destroyed if they threaten the Islamic Republic ’ s security in the Persian Gulf .
Gen. Hossein Salami ’ s threat comes a day after President Trump said he authorized the US Navy to “ destroy ” any Iranian gunboats if they hound American vessels .
“ I have ordered our naval forces to destroy any American terrorist force in the Persian Gulf that threatens the security of Iran ’ s military or non-military ships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters reported .
“ Security of the Persian Gulf is part of Iran ’ s strategic priorities.
” Iran earlier said it put its first military satellite into orbit , making it an emerging “ world power.
” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hailed the launch as a milestone amid US allegations that the space program is a cover to develop ballistic missiles .
“ Today , we are looking at the Earth from the sky , and it is the beginning of the formation of a world power , ” Salami said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the satellite launch proved Washington ’ s charges that Iran ’ s space program was for military rather than commercial purposes .
“ I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what they ’ ve done , ” the top US diplomat told reporters in Washington .
Iran has insisted that it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons , and said its aerospace activities comply with a UN Security Council resolution .
Sepahnews , the Revolutionary Guards ’ website , said the satellite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in Persian — “ orbited the Earth at 264 miles ” above sea level .
In his warning , Trump tweeted Wednesday : “ I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.
” His post came a week after 11 Iranian gunboats harassed US Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf .
The Navy called Iran ’ s maneuvers “ dangerous and provocative .
”

The commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard fired a verbal warning shot across the bow of US warships, saying they would be destroyed if they threaten the Islamic Republic’s security in the Persian Gulf.
Gen. Hossein Salami’s threat comes a day after President Trump said he authorized the US Navy to “destroy” any Iranian gunboats if they hound American vessels.
“I have ordered our naval forces to destroy any American terrorist force in the Persian Gulf that threatens the security of Iran’s military or non-military ships,” Salami told state TV, Reuters reported. “Security of the Persian Gulf is part of Iran’s strategic priorities.”
Iran earlier said it put its first military satellite into orbit, making it an emerging “world power.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hailed the launch as a milestone amid US allegations that the space program is a cover to develop ballistic missiles.
“Today, we are looking at the Earth from the sky, and it is the beginning of the formation of a world power,” Salami said Wednesday, as quoted by Fars news agency.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the satellite launch proved Washington’s charges that Iran’s space program was for military rather than commercial purposes.
“I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what they’ve done,” the top US diplomat told reporters in Washington.
Iran has insisted it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, and said its aerospace activities comply with a UN Security Council resolution.
Sepahnews, the Revolutionary Guard website, said the satellite dubbed the Nour — meaning “light” in Persian — “orbited the Earth at 264 miles” above sea level.
In his warning, Trump tweeted Wednesday: “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.”
His post came a week after 11 Iranian gunboats harassed US Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf. The Navy called Iran’s maneuvers “dangerous and provocative.”
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Why Bruce Willis isn’t quarantining with his wife

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Finally , the truth comes out about why Demi Moore and Bruce Willis are self-isolating together .
Months after his death , more on Jeffrey Epstein ’ s dark life is revealed and surprise , Val Kilmer is quite the romantic .
We finally have an answer as to why exes Demi Moore and Bruce Willis are quarantining together with their kids in Idaho – while Willis ’ wife , Emma Heming , stayed in Los Angeles .
Scout Willis , Moore and Willis ’ middle daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ Dopey ” podcast : “ My stepmom was going to come up here , too , with my little sisters .
[ But ] my younger sister , who is now actually 7 years old … had never gotten a talk about not f–king with hypodermic needles that she found [ at a park ] , so she actually tried to poke her shoe with it and poked her foot.
” “ So my stepmom had to be in L.A. waiting to , like , get the results for taking her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ so my dad came up here early and then travel got crazy so my stepmom stayed in L.A. with my little sisters.
” In the meantime , Heming been commenting on her husband ’ s Instagram photos .
“ [ L ] ove and miss you guys , ” she wrote in reaction to one post , and , “ Looking good squad.
” An attorney for Jeffrey Epstein ’ s victims is revealing how the pedophile warned him , “ I have friends in high places … Somebody ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to watch his wife and sons .
Bradley Edwards , who penned a book , “ Relentless Pursuit : My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein , ” represented women such as Courtney Wild , who claims she was 14 when the late Epstein hired her as a masseuse and paid her to recruit her underage friends to his compound in Palm Beach , Fla .
He explained on a livestream for the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children that Epstein responded by suing him personally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell me , ‘ Look , I don ’ t like the way you ’ re prosecuting me and I don ’ t like the way you ’ re trying to undo my immunity deal .
You have to understand that I have friends in high places .
I will drop my lawsuit against you if you will drop everything that you ’ re doing against me.
’ ” The many loves of Val Kilmer Val Kilmer has dated his fair share of Hollywood legends .
But his breakup with Daryl Hannah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Lord knows I ’ ve suffered heartache .
But Daryl was by far the most painful of all , ” Kilmer wrote in his new memoir “ I ’ m Your Huckleberry ” ( via People ) .
The pair started dating in 2001 after meeting on the set of “ In God We Trust , ” but she later moved on with Neil Young , whom she tied the knot with in a top-secret wedding ceremony in August 2018 .
What did the “ Top Gun ” actor think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young , I always loved you , but I ’ m afraid I hate you now.
” Kilmer ’ s memoir has many other juicy tidbits : • The “ Batman Forever ” star really liked Ellen Barkin ’ s soft hair .
Kilmer says if you ever get the chance to “ consensually ” touch her hair , you should .
• He ‘ couldn ’ t wait to kiss ’ Angelina Jolie during ‘ Alexander ’ filming .
• Cher wasn ’ t his cup of tea at first .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the gossip rags.
” 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 .

Finally, the truth comes out about why Demi Moore and Bruce Willis are self-isolating together. Months after his death, more on Jeffrey Epstein’s dark life is revealed and surprise, Val Kilmer is quite the romantic.
The friendliest exes?
We finally have an answer as to why exes Demi Moore and Bruce Willis are quarantining together with their kids in Idaho – while Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, stayed in Los Angeles.
Scout Willis, Moore and Willis’ middle daughter, explained on a recent episode of the “Dopey” podcast: “My stepmom was going to come up here, too, with my little sisters. [But] my younger sister, who is now actually 7 years old … had never gotten a talk about not f–king with hypodermic needles that she found [at a park], so she actually tried to poke her shoe with it and poked her foot.”
“So my stepmom had to be in L.A. waiting to, like, get the results for taking her to the doctor,” Scout added, “so my dad came up here early and then travel got crazy so my stepmom stayed in L.A. with my little sisters.”
In the meantime, Heming been commenting on her husband’s Instagram photos.
“[L]ove and miss you guys,” she wrote in reaction to one post, and, “Looking good squad.”
More details about Jeffrey Epstein’s dark world
An attorney for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims is revealing how the pedophile warned him, “I have friends in high places … Somebody’s going to get hurt” and hired people to watch his wife and sons.
Bradley Edwards, who penned a book, “Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein,” represented women such as Courtney Wild, who claims she was 14 when the late Epstein hired her as a masseuse and paid her to recruit her underage friends to his compound in Palm Beach, Fla.
He explained on a livestream for the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children that Epstein responded by suing him personally. He said, “He called me to tell me, ‘Look, I don’t like the way you’re prosecuting me and I don’t like the way you’re trying to undo my immunity deal. You have to understand that I have friends in high places. I will drop my lawsuit against you if you will drop everything that you’re doing against me.’”
The many loves of Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer has dated his fair share of Hollywood legends. But his breakup with Daryl Hannah was the one that hurt the most.
“Lord knows I’ve suffered heartache. But Daryl was by far the most painful of all,” Kilmer wrote in his new memoir “I’m Your Huckleberry” (via People).
The pair started dating in 2001 after meeting on the set of “In God We Trust,” but she later moved on with Neil Young, whom she tied the knot with in a top-secret wedding ceremony in August 2018.
What did the “Top Gun” actor think of Young? He noted, “Neil Young, I always loved you, but I’m afraid I hate you now.”
Kilmer’s memoir has many other juicy tidbits:
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--2020-04-23--Truck kills four cops who stopped speeding Porsche in Australia

Four Australian police officers were killed when they were struck by a truck while attempting to detain a speeding Porsche driver on the side of a highway Wednesday night , officials said .
The wreck occurred as the Victoria Police officers — three men and a woman — were standing in the emergency lane of Eastern Freeway in Melbourne , Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said .
The cops had pulled over the 41-year-old driver of a Porsche 911 for driving 25 mph over the speed limit when they were suddenly struck by the driver of a refrigerated delivery truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police lives in a single incident in Victoria state , Ashton said .
It ’ s unclear what caused the fatal collision , but the truck driver suffered a medical episode after the crash , authorities said .
He was still hospitalized as of Thursday .
The driver of the Porsche , meanwhile , fled after the crash and posted grisly photos of the scene online before being arrested .
He later tested positive for an illicit drug .
Charges against the Porsche driver , who has a criminal record , were @ @ @ @ @ @

Four Australian police officers were killed when they were struck by a truck while attempting to detain a speeding Porsche driver on the side of a highway Wednesday night, officials said.
The wreck occurred as the Victoria police officers — three men and a woman — were standing in the emergency lane of Eastern Freeway in Melbourne, Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said.
The cops had pulled over the 41-year-old driver of a Porsche 911 for driving 25 mph over the speed limit when they were suddenly struck by a refrigerated delivery truck.
The tragedy was the largest loss of police lives in a single incident in Victoria state, Ashton said.
It’s unclear what caused the fatal collision, but the truck driver suffered a medical episode after the crash, authorities said. He was still hospitalized as of Thursday.
The driver of the Porsche, meanwhile, fled after the crash and posted grisly photos of the scene online before being arrested. He later tested positive for an illicit drug.
Charges against the Porsche driver, who has a criminal record, were pending as of early Thursday.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Rep. Pete King rips Mitch McConnell as ‘Marie Antoinette of the Senate’

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
Long Island GOP Rep. Pete King on Wednesday ripped Mitch McConnell as the “ Marie Antoinette of the Senate ” after the Majority Leader suggested struggling states go bankrupt amid the coronavirus crisis .
King was reacting to McConnell ’ s comments on a radio talk show earlier in the day where the senator dismissed the idea of more federal aid to states , claiming governors “ would love to have free money.
” “ McConnell ’ s dismissive remark that States devastated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible , ” King wrote on Twitter .
“ To say that it is ‘ free money ’ to provide funds for cops , firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate.
” Marie Antoinette , the Queen of France during the French Revolution , allegedly responded derisively to the news that peasants were starving , saying , “ Let them eat cake.
” During the appearance on “ The Hugh Hewitt Show , ” McConnell recommended that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ button ” before doling out more cash to state and local government .
“ We all have governors regardless of party who would love to have free money , ” McConnell said on the broadcast .
McConnell instead said that the states bore some responsibility for their debt due to “ pension programs ” and said bankruptcy should be the first option .
“ I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route , ” he said .
“ It ’ s saved some cities , and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to be available.
” But McConnell lamented the fact that the nation ’ s governors would insist on receiving more aid during a pandemic that killed nearly 48,000 people nationwide .
“ My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don ’ t have to do that , ” he said .
“ That ’ s not something I ’ m going to be in favor of .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Long Island GOP Rep. Pete King on Wednesday ripped Mitch McConnell as the “Marie Antoinette of the Senate” after the majority leader suggested struggling states go bankrupt amid the coronavirus crisis.
King was reacting to McConnell’s comments on a radio talk show earlier in the day in which the senator dismissed the idea of more federal aid to states, claiming governors “would love to have free money.”
“McConnell’s dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible,” King wrote on Twitter.
“To say that it is ‘free money’ to provide funds for cops, firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate.”
Marie Antoinette, the queen of France during the French Revolution, allegedly responded derisively to the news that peasants were starving, saying, “Let them eat cake.”
During the appearance on “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” McConnell recommended that the federal government hit the “pause button” before doling out more cash to state and local governments.
“We all have governors regardless of party who would love to have free money,” McConnell said on the broadcast.
McConnell instead said that the states bore some responsibility for their debt due to “pension programs” and said bankruptcy should be the first option.
“I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route,” he said. “It’s saved some cities, and there’s no good reason for it not to be available.”
But McConnell lamented the fact that the nation’s governors would insist on receiving more aid during a pandemic that has killed nearly 48,000 people nationwide.
“My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that,” he said. “That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--NFL Draft prediction: Giants will take Jedrick Wills in first round

The Post ’ s Paul Schwartz gives his prediction on whom the Giants will pick in the first round of @ @ @ @ @ There are no holes in Wills ’ game and there is every reason to believe @ @ @ @ @ a Day 1 starter at right tackle .
Does he perfectly project to the left @ @ @ @ @ Maybe not , but remember this : He blocked for left-handed Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama @ @ @ @ @ about blindside protection .
There are no blemishes whatsoever as far as competitive spirit , @ @ @ @ @ appetite to finish off blocks with a punishing flourish .
Another big plus : Wills @ @ @ @ @ turns 21 May 17 .

The Post’s Paul Schwartz gives his prediction on whom the Giants will pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft:
OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
There are no holes in Wills’ game and there is every reason to believe he can and will be a Day 1 starter at right tackle.
Does he perfectly project to the left side down the road? Maybe not, but remember this: He blocked for left-handed Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama, so he knows all about blindside protection.
There are no blemishes whatsoever as far as competitive spirit, nastiness on the field and appetite to finish off blocks with a punishing flourish. Another big plus: Wills is young, as he turns 21 May 17.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--NFL Draft prediction: Jets will take Tristan Wirfs in first round

The Post ’ s Brian Costello gives his prediction on whom the Jets will pick in the first round of @ @ @ @ @ The priority for the Jets must be strengthening the offensive line in front of Sam @ @ @ @ @ freakish athlete , does that .
I think Joe Douglas takes any of the top @ @ @ @ @ No .
11 .
In my mind , Wirfs is the one who tumbles because @ @ @ @ @ a guard and not a tackle .
If the top four tackles are off the @ @ @ @ @ down or take a wide receiver .

The Post’s Brian Costello gives his prediction on whom the Jets will pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft:
OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
The priority for the Jets must be strengthening the offensive line in front of Sam Darnold. Wirfs, a freakish athlete, does that.
I think Joe Douglas takes any of the top four tackles who fall to No. 11. In my mind, Wirfs is the one who tumbles because some teams view him as a guard and not a tackle.
If the top four tackles are off the board, Douglas should trade down or take a wide receiver.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Dennis Rodman says he’s praying for Kim Jong Un: ‘I hope it’s just a rumor’

Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman is praying for Kim Jong Un ’ s recovery amid reports that the North Korean leader is in critical condition after undergoing surgery .
The NBA player met Jong Un in 2013 and then again in 2014 at an NBA exhibition game , along with several other NBA superstars .
“ I hope it ’ s just a rumor that Marshal Kim Jong Un is sick , ” Rodman told TMZ sports .
“ Hopefully I will find out more soon.
” Back in 2019 , the young dictator and longtime NBA fan begged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players ’ before he met President Donald Trump in Hanoi , Vietnam .
Rodman , who last visited North Korea in 2017 , has repeatedly approached his friend , and former “ Celebrity Apprentice ” colleague Donald Trump to let him help strengthen the relationship between the two countries .
“ There is still so much work we have to do between both the USA and DPRK , ” Rodman said .
“ If he is not feeling well , I am praying for his speedy recovery , so that both my friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can continue towards a peaceful success .
”

Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman is praying for Kim Jong Un’s recovery amid reports that the North Korean leader is in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
The NBA player met Jong Un in 2013 and then again in 2014 at an NBA exhibition game, along with several other NBA superstars.
“I hope it’s just a rumor that Marshal Kim Jong Un is sick,” Rodman told TMZ sports. “Hopefully I will find out more soon.”
Back in 2019, the young dictator and longtime NBA fan begged the US to send ‘famous basketball players’ before he met President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Rodman, who last visited North Korea in 2017, has repeatedly approached his friend, and former “Celebrity Apprentice” colleague Donald Trump to let him help strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
“There is still so much work we have to do between both the USA and DPRK,” Rodman said. “If he is not feeling well, I am praying for his speedy recovery, so that both my friends [President Trump & Marshal Kim] can continue towards a peaceful success.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Mets’ Pete Alonso on Brady-Gronkowski reunion: ‘Fire the cannons, baby’

Mets slugger Pete Alonso lives in Tampa , Fla. , and like every other Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan , he was thrilled to hear the news Rob Gronkowski will join Tom Brady , reuniting the tight end and quarterback who won three Super Bowls together as Patriots .
“ I ’ m pumped , ’ ’ Alonso told The Post on Wednesday , the day he announced his new foundation : www.homers4heroes.org .
“ Tom and Gronk in town .
That fires me up .
Fire the cannons , baby.
’ ’ Those cannons will fire from the end zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brady connects with Gronkowski for a touchdown .
Brady threw 90 TD passes to Gronk during their nine years together with the Patriots .
The 6-foot-6 , 260-pound Gronkowski hasn ’ t played in 13 months since retiring last offseason , but said he is healthy and refreshed having a year away from the rigors of the NFL .
The 6-3 , 245-pound Alonso , who hit 53 home runs as a rookie , offered this invitation : “ If Tom wants to work out with me , then let ’ s get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If Gronk wants to work out with me , let ’ s go , that would be awesome.
’ ’ The Polar Bear and Gronk working out together , that would be something to see .

Gronk, meet Polar Bear.
Mets slugger Pete Alonso lives in Tampa, Fla., and like every other Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, he was thrilled to hear the news Rob Gronkowski will join Tom Brady, reuniting the tight end and quarterback who won three Super Bowls together as Patriots.
“I’m pumped,’’ Alonso told The Post on Wednesday, the day he announced his new foundation: www.homers4heroes.org. “Tom and Gronk in town. That fires me up. Fire the cannons, baby.’’
Those cannons will fire from the end zone pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium when Brady connects with Gronkowski for a touchdown. Brady threw 90 TD passes to Gronk during their nine years together with the Patriots.
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Gronkowski hasn’t played in 13 months since retiring last offseason, but said he is healthy and refreshed having a year away from the rigors of the NFL. The 6-3, 245-pound Alonso, who hit 53 home runs as a rookie, offered this invitation: “If Tom wants to work out with me, then let’s get after it,’’ Alonso said. “If Gronk wants to work out with me, let’s go, that would be awesome.’’
The Polar Bear and Gronk working out together, that would be something to see.


newyorkpost--2020-04-23--Rob Gronkowski-Tom Brady reunion seeds planted during game of catch

Rob Gronkowski is “ ready ” to return to the NFL and ...

TAMPA, Fla. — Rob Gronkowski planted the seed for a NFL comeback when he played catch with Tom Brady two months ago.
He told the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback he was getting an itch to play again if the “right opportunity” presented itself.
Brady, on the verge of becoming a free agent and signing a two-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was more than intrigued.
“We had a little conversation. There was no pressure on either side. We actually got together just to throw the football,” Gronkowski recalled Wednesday, a day after the Bucs completed a trade to acquire the four-time All-Pro tight end from the New England Patriots.
“We rarely talked about what his decision was going to be or where I’m at. But we did talk about … I’m kind of getting that fire underneath me again. I told him I’m definitely interested in the decision you make and … even if you go back to the Patriots … there’s a possible chance I will definitely love to reconnect,” Gronkowski added. “That’s where the conversation started … and he was fired up.’’
The Bucs sent a fourth-round pick — No. 139 overall — to the Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round selection (No. 241) and Gronkowski, who retired 13 months ago after nine seasons and winning three Super Bowl rings with New England.
The 30-year-old said he will always respect and appreciate the time he spent playing for coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, but he’s just as excited about starting anew with Brady in Tampa.
“I’m not going to sit here and say it’s that easy of an organization to play for,” Gronkowski added of his stint with the Patriots. “I do know … it gets you right. It gets you mentally right. It gets you physically right. What I’ve learned there, I’m definitely going to take it with me and apply it to my daily life, big time.”
Gronkowski was one of the most dominant tight ends in the league with the Patriots, compiling 521 career receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns — third-most TD receptions by a tight end in NFL history behind Antonio Gates (116) and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (111).
The five-time Pro Bowl selection is one of just four tight ends, along with Gonzalez, Jason Witten and Travis Kelce, who’ve had four seasons with 1,000-plus yards receiving. With 28 career 100-yard games, Gronkowski ranks second to Gonzalez (31).
He said he walked away from the game after helping the Patriots win the Super Bowl in February 2019 to give his body a chance to heal from numerous injuries during his career.
“I was getting opportunities throughout the whole retirement to come back, which is special. … But I’ve always said I wouldn’t come back unless I’m feeling good, feeling healthy and feeling like I’m ready to go,” Gronkowski said. “This is the time. It definitely wasn’t last year. My body 100% needed a rest.’’
During his nine seasons in New England, the Patriots won nine division titles and appeared in eight AFC championship games, advancing to five Super Bowls. In 16 career playoff games, he has 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 TDs.
The Bucs have played just 15 postseason games in the club’s 44-year history, none since 2007.
That’s expected to change with Brady and Gronkowski joining an offense that led the NFL is passing, and ranked third overall. The Pro Bowl receiver tandem of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin that caught 153 passes for 2,490 yards and 17 TDs last season figures to be the best Brady has had to work with since Hall of Famer Randy Moss began a three-plus season stint with the Patriots in 2007.
With O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate on the roster, tight end also was considered a strength even before Gronkowski was added to the mix.
Brady, though, is what made moving to Tampa, where Gronkowski once owned a home, especially appealing.
He said he’s remained in shape and tipped the scales at 250 pounds Wednesday, about 12 to 15 below his normal playing weight.
“Playing with Tom is special. … We have a great chemistry out there. Every time we get together, it’s just like the old days. It doesn’t matter if we take a month off or six months apart, we just go out there and we’re throwing the ball just like it’s a normal practice,” the tight end said.
“He was like the appetizer of the whole meal. He got me hooked when he went down to Tampa,” Gronkowski added. “I saw what was down there, just the opportunity to go down there and play with that type of offense. They’ve got some special wide receivers out there. They’ve got other great tight ends. … It’s just the right opportunity.”