newyorkpost--2020-12-01--76 German nuns test positive for COVID-19 amid outbreak at convent

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
At least 76 Catholic nuns have tested positive for COVID-19 amid an outbreak at their convent in Germany , church officials said Tuesday .
The Sisters of Saint Francis of the Martyr St. George in Thuine detected the first cases of the coronavirus last week , prompting local health authorities to place the entire monastery under quarantine .
So far , the cases have been mild , said the convent ’ s Mother Superior .
“ We are grateful that so far nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maria Cordis Reiker , told the Associated Press .
The tests of a further 85 nuns have come back negative .
Officials were still awaiting the results of 160 non-clerical employees of the monastery , including kitchen staffers and nurses working at its old age home .
The nuns also run several schools , including a boys ’ boarding school .
Most Catholic nuns in Germany are elderly women , according to the AP , placing them more at risk of serious illness from the virus .
Overall in Germany , 13,604 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on Tuesday , according to the country ’ s national disease control center .
Virus cases among young people are decreasing in Germany , but the nation has seen a spike in infections among it ’ s older population , the center said .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 76 Catholic nuns have tested positive for COVID-19 amid an outbreak at their convent in Germany, church officials said Tuesday.
The Sisters of Saint Francis of the Martyr St. George in Thuine detected the first cases of the coronavirus last week, prompting local health authorities to place the entire monastery under quarantine.
So far, the cases have been mild, said the convent’s Mother Superior.
“We are grateful that so far nobody is in the hospital,” Sister Maria Cordis Reiker, told the Associated Press.
The tests of a further 85 nuns have come back negative.
Officials were still awaiting the results of 160 non-clerical employees of the monastery, including kitchen staffers and nurses working at its old age home.
The nuns also run several schools, including a boys’ boarding school.
Most Catholic nuns in Germany are elderly women, according to the AP, placing them more at risk of serious illness from the virus.
Overall in Germany, 13,604 new cases of COVID-19 and 388 deaths were reported on Tuesday, according to the country’s national disease control center.
Virus cases among young people are decreasing in Germany, but the nation has seen a spike in infections among it’s older population, the center said.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--CC Sabathia has faith Gary Sanchez can save Yankees career

CC Sabathia pitched in 561 big-league games well enough to likely gain entry into the Hall of Fame , so he understands catchers .
Fifty of those games were in tandem with Gary Sanchez , who went from 2019 All-Star to a .147 hitter in 2020 when the defensive issues didn ’ t vanish .
It got so bad for Sanchez that he didn ’ t start in five of the Yankees ’ seven postseason games .
In the two October games Aaron Boone put Sanchez in the lineup instead of Kyle Higashioka , the manager batted Sanchez ninth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Wednesday ( Sanchez ’ 27th birthday ) to tender him a contract after he was scheduled to pocket $ 5 million .
If they don ’ t , Sanchez becomes a free agent .
The industry winds originally blew in the direction of the Yankees not tendering Sanchez but have shifted recently .
So , if the Yankees bring Sanchez back , the question hovering above the Yankee universe is ‘ Can he rebound from 2020 ?
’ “ For sure .
There are tough times in your career and you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a good catcher in the big leagues and we obviously know he has the talent to do it , ’ ’ Sabathia told The Post on Tuesday afternoon at Mullaly Park at a Players Alliance event held in the shadow of Yankee Stadium .
“ Now it is time for him to get back to work and to the level of the player that we know he can be.
’ ’ During his first year out of the game Sabathia was a special adviser to the Yankees ’ front office whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month .
Like a lot of folks in baseball , Sabathia watched games from his home instead of live and didn ’ t focus on Sanchez .
Sabathia , who posted a 251-161 career record and a 3.74 ERA to go with 3,093 strikeouts , believes Sanchez ’ s 2020 nightmare can be erased .
“ I definitely know he can turn it around , ’ ’ said Sabathia , who was caught by 19 catchers in his 19 seasons .
Only one — Victor Martinez — caught Sabathia in more games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Instagram , he was swinging good.
’ ’ Of course , offseason Instagram swings aren ’ t against fastballs up in the zone and breaking balls in the dirt , two pitches Sanchez had trouble with this past season when he whiffed an alarming 64 times in 156 at-bats .
Joining Sabathia at the Players Alliance ’ s Pull Up Neighbor Tour were Mets reliever Dellin Betances , Mariners pitcher Justin Dunn , who the Mets traded to Seattle in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz deal and former Met Eric Young , Jr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day MLB players donated their game-day salaries to the Players Alliance and raised more than $ 1 million , which the organization is reinvesting in black communities .
MLB made a matching donation of $ 1 million .
Tuesday was the first day of the Players Alliance cross-country tour that stops in Coney Island on Wednesday .
Bronx residents on Tuesday had access to a food pantry , COVID-19 supplies and baseball equipment .

CC Sabathia pitched in 561 big-league games well enough to likely gain entry into the Hall of Fame, so he understands catchers.
Fifty of those games were in tandem with Gary Sanchez, who went from 2019 All-Star to a .147 hitter in 2020 when the defensive issues didn’t vanish. It got so bad for Sanchez that he didn’t start in five of the Yankees’ seven postseason games. In the two October games Aaron Boone put Sanchez in the lineup instead of Kyle Higashioka, the manager batted Sanchez ninth.
Now, the Yankees have until 8 p.m. Wednesday (Sanchez’ 27th birthday) to tender him a contract after he was scheduled to pocket $5 million. If they don’t, Sanchez becomes a free agent. The industry winds originally blew in the direction of the Yankees not tendering Sanchez but have shifted recently.
So, if the Yankees bring Sanchez back, the question hovering above the Yankee universe is ‘Can he rebound from 2020?’
Sabathia thinks he can.
“For sure. There are tough times in your career and you have to make an adjustment. He wants to be a good catcher in the big leagues and we obviously know he has the talent to do it,’’ Sabathia told The Post on Tuesday afternoon at Mullaly Park at a Players Alliance event held in the shadow of Yankee Stadium. “Now it is time for him to get back to work and to the level of the player that we know he can be.’’
Gary Sanchez and CC Sabathia AP
During his first year out of the game Sabathia was a special adviser to the Yankees’ front office whose contract runs out at the end of the month. Like a lot of folks in baseball, Sabathia watched games from his home instead of live and didn’t focus on Sanchez.
Sabathia, who posted a 251-161 career record and a 3.74 ERA to go with 3,093 strikeouts, believes Sanchez’s 2020 nightmare can be erased.
“I definitely know he can turn it around,’’ said Sabathia, who was caught by 19 catchers in his 19 seasons. Only one — Victor Martinez — caught Sabathia in more games than Sanchez. “I saw him on Instagram, he was swinging good.’’
Of course, offseason Instagram swings aren’t against fastballs up in the zone and breaking balls in the dirt, two pitches Sanchez had trouble with this past season when he whiffed an alarming 64 times in 156 at-bats.
Joining Sabathia at the Players Alliance’s Pull Up Neighbor Tour were Mets reliever Dellin Betances, Mariners pitcher Justin Dunn, who the Mets traded to Seattle in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz deal and former Met Eric Young, Jr.
This past season on Jackie Robinson Day MLB players donated their game-day salaries to the Players Alliance and raised more than $1 million, which the organization is reinvesting in black communities. MLB made a matching donation of $1 million.
Tuesday was the first day of the Players Alliance cross-country tour that stops in Coney Island on Wednesday. Bronx residents on Tuesday had access to a food pantry, COVID-19 supplies and baseball equipment.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Kevin Durant strongly denies secretive James Harden talk

The 2020-21 NBA training camp is upon us .
Here is ...

With James Harden wanting out of Houston — preferably to Brooklyn — the Nets are trying to stamp out the rumors.
Good luck. That ship may have sailed.
With camp starting Tuesday, Kevin Durant denied reports he and Harden talked during offseason pickup games in LA about Harden joining the Nets.
“I don’t know where you’re making these stories up, that me and James talked about any of this at a workout. I don’t know where that came from,” Durant insisted. “James is a friend of mine, but I let the front office handle all of that stuff. I was just so focused on working out.
“I heard all the noise that James potentially wanted to come to the Nets. But anyone can make up stories, anyone can write a story and it gets some traction. Nothing’s ever set in stone until it’s set in stone, so I’ve never thought too much about it, just focused on myself. And my teammates probably did the same thing, and we just move forward.”
Of course, Durant never denied the conversations took place outside the Sports Academy, or that Harden isn’t trying to force his way off the Rockets
The Athletic reported that Golden State inquired about Harden’s availability before Klay Thompson’s injury. League sources continue to tell The Post that the perception is the three-time scoring champ is likely to open the season in Houston.
James Harden, Kevin Durant AP, Getty
For his part, coach Steve Nash tried to wash his hands of the subject.
“As far as the Harden rumors, I don’t know. That’s … I love our team and I love our roster and I coach these guys, and I’m trying to build something incredibly competitive and enjoyable for our players and staff,” said Nash. “That’s a question for someone in a different role.”
The man in that role is GM Sean Marks. And with Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen having all had their names thrust into trade rumors for Harden (and for Jrue Holiday before him), Marks said he’s had an open-door policy and frank talks with players to let them know where they stand.
“In regards to trade rumors … our doors are always open. They can always come in here and address it with me if they hear something or they want to get something off their chest. And Steve is the same way,” Marks said. “Between Steve and I both, to be quite frank, we’ve had these conversations with numerous guys and just kept them at ease as much as you possibly can.
“It’s a strange business. It’s the tough part of the business where your names are constantly going to be floated out in the media, and there’s no way around it really. You just have to be honest with them and say ‘Look, this is what’s happening, and this is what’s not happening. You’ll be the first to know if something ever does.’ ”
Durant said he hadn’t discussed the reports with teammates.
“We’re all professionals and just go about our days — come in, go to work, and go back home,” Durant said. “And whatever happens, guys will be prepared for anything.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--You can get paid $2,500 to watch 25 holiday movies in 25 days

What if you could get paid to binge-watch all your favorite holiday movies ?
Reviews.org is looking to pay someone to be their Chief Holiday Cheermeister and watch 25 holiday movies in 25 days and fill out surveys about the movie-watching experience .
Not only will the person get a cash prize of $ 2,500 , but they ’ ll also get a one-year subscription to seven streaming services , including Netflix , Hulu , Disney+ , Amazon Prime , HBO Max , Apple TV+ and Hallmark Movies Now .
You ’ ll be able to choose the movies you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put together a list of recommendations filled with holiday classics .
Here are their suggestions : • Jingle All the Way • While You Were Sleeping The only requirements for the role are owning a device to stream , watching 25 movies and filling out a post-movie survey .
Sounds like a holiday treat !
If you want to be the person chosen to watch these movies , you have until Dec. 4 at 11:59 p.m. MT to submit your application .
Reviews.org will announce the winner on its YouTube channel on Dec. @ @

What if you could get paid to binge-watch all your favorite holiday movies?
Reviews.org is looking to pay someone to be their Chief Holiday Cheermeister and watch 25 holiday movies in 25 days and fill out surveys about the movie-watching experience.
Not only will the person get a cash prize of $2,500, but they’ll also get a one-year subscription to seven streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Apple TV+ and Hallmark Movies Now.
You’ll be able to choose the movies you want to watch, but the company put together a list of recommendations filled with holiday classics. Here are their suggestions:
Home Alone
Frosty the Snowman
The Santa Clause
Elf
Klaus
A Christmas Story
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rise of the Guardians
The Polar Express
A Christmas Carol
The Holiday
Christmas with the Kranks
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Arthur Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1967)
The Grinch (2018)
Miracle on 34th Street
It’s a Wonderful Life
Jingle All the Way
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Deck the Halls
Love Actually
Last Holiday
Four Christmases
The Muppet Christmas Carol
New Year’s Eve
When Harry Met Sally
Rent
While You Were Sleeping
The Holiday
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Sleepless in Seattle
Holiday Inn
An Affair to Remember
About Time
The only requirements for the role are owning a device to stream, watching 25 movies and filling out a post-movie survey. Sounds like a holiday treat!
If you want to be the person chosen to watch these movies, you have until Dec. 4 at 11:59 p.m. MT to submit your application. Reviews.org will announce the winner on its YouTube channel on Dec. 7.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Giants have no choice but to make it work with Colt McCoy

No one roots for injuries , but you can envision the ...

Nobody cares.
Nobody cares that the Giants are down a starting quarterback and have to start a backup, Colt McCoy, Sunday in Seattle.
Oh, the Giants care, certainly, and are strategizing day and night to come up with a plan of attack in which McCoy can survive and perhaps thrive. The Seahawks care, no doubt, and probably are licking their chops and affixing McCoy’s No. 12 jersey to targets after dropping Carson Wentz six times Monday night.
Around the league, who the heck cares? Daniel Jones is an ascending young player and his last 10 quarters contained promising signs that he is solving his turnover issues and developing into a more-than-capable, winning quarterback. That he is sure to miss this next game, dealing with a strained right hamstring, is angst-inducing for Giants loyalists but hardly resonates deeply in all corners of the NFL. Quarterbacks get hurt so often, it is almost a census-taking exercise every week. Who is in? Who is out? Next man up, as they say.
With Jones, the task for the Giants at what is now called Lumen Field would have been challenging. The Seahawks are 8-3 and lead the NFC West. They give up more yards and more points than Seattle defenses are accustomed to allowing but continue to ride the brilliance of Russell Wilson and the emergence of receiver DK Metcalf. Without Jones, the challenge is greater. There is no denying this. Impossible? No. Not even with McCoy, a 34-year-old who has made 28 NFL starts, but only three in the last five years.
Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy AP; Getty Images
Before the season, Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 backup quarterbacks. Jameis Winston (Saints) was No. 1. Marcus Mariota (Raiders) was No. 2. Andy Dalton (Cowboys) was No. 3. Joe Flacco (Jets) was No. 7. McCoy was No. 27.
Unfair? Not really. Still, the guy has a skill set, can move out of the pocket, knows how to run an offense and, the Giants hope, avoid ghastly mistakes. Here is where Jason Garrett, the offensive coordinator, must earn his money. The entire playbook will not be scrapped, but several pages designed especially for Jones will have to temporarily be removed.
Last week, McCoy was summoned, for the first time all season, in the third quarter in Cincinnati and he admitted he felt a bit rusty. His overthrow of a hot-read swing pass to Dion Lewis was proof. His toss to Golden Tate for a first down and sideline pass to Sterling Shepard for 13 yards on second-and-12 showed there is nothing wrong with McCoy’s arm. It is not a howitzer, but it is accurate enough.
“One of the hardest parts about him going in the game the other day and as a backup in general is you don’t get many reps with the first team running our system,’’ quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski said Tuesday. “So credit to him for getting in there and being able to run everything. I mean, that’s his job but he did it well.’’
McCoy will hunker down this week and get all the first-team reps in practice, operating the starting offense instead of his usual role with the scout team. The work will do McCoy wonders.
Will this go smoothly? Most likely, no. Do the players around McCoy have to pick up the pace and rise above the X’s and O’s? The strong assumption is yes. Will all of this be enough to upset the Seahawks? The odds are against it, but that does not mean McCoy’s presence on the field makes this mission impossible.
The last time a Giants starting quarterback was injured and a career backup was summoned was 17 years ago. Kerry Collins had a sprained ankle and Jesse Palmer made his NFL starting debut, Dec. 14, 2003, at New Orleans. The Giants lost, 45-7. Palmer, excitable and personable, said, “I had a blast.’’ The next year, he was featured in “The Bachelor’’ and currently is must-see viewing among certain members of my household as the host of the “Holiday Baking Championship’’ on The Food Network.
There was never the need for a backup quarterback on the field during Eli Manning’s 16-year term. Jones’ high ankle sprain last year as a rookie forced him to miss two games — the last two starts of Manning’s career — and this hamstring injury has Jones on the shelf again. It happens almost everywhere. It is up to the Giants to make the most of a bad situation.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--San Francisco Mayor London Breed dined at French Laundry day after Gov. Newsom

San Francisco Mayor London Breed reportedly dined at a pricey Napa Valley restaurant just three days before banning indoor dining in her own city .
Breed and seven other guests celebrated the 60th birthday of socialite Gorretti Lo Lui at The French Laundry on Nov. 7 , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
The mayor ’ s dinner outing came a day after California Gov .
Gavin Newsom attended a fancy party at the same restaurant with 11 other guests — landing him in hot water .
At the time , new state guidelines discouraged social gatherings of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Cretan confirmed the mayor ’ s French Laundry dinner with the Chronicle , telling the newspaper it was a “ small family birthday dinner.
” It ’ s not clear how many households were included at the birthday party .
“ I can not emphasize enough how important it is that everyone act responsibly to reduce the spread of the virus , ” Breed said in a statement the day she banned indoor dining in San Francisco .
“ Every San Franciscan needs to do their part so that we can start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Breed said , according to the newspaper .

San Francisco Mayor London Breed reportedly dined at a pricey Napa Valley restaurant just three days before banning indoor dining in her own city.
Breed and seven other guests celebrated the 60th birthday of socialite Gorretti Lo Lui at The French Laundry on Nov. 7, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The mayor’s dinner outing came a day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom attended a fancy party at the same restaurant with 11 other guests — landing him in hot water.
At the time, new state guidelines discouraged social gatherings of more than three households.
Breed’s spokesman Jeff Cretan confirmed the mayor’s French Laundry dinner with the Chronicle, telling the newspaper it was a “small family birthday dinner.”
It’s not clear how many households were included at the birthday party.
“I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that everyone act responsibly to reduce the spread of the virus,” Breed said in a statement the day she banned indoor dining in San Francisco.
“Every San Franciscan needs to do their part so that we can start moving in the right direction again,” Breed said, according to the newspaper.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Joe Biden looks bent on restoring chaos at the border

Proving once again that the left irrationally hates everything President ...

One of Joe Biden’s first priorities as president will be to risk stoking a new migrant crisis. After much trial and error, President Trump came up with arrangements with Mexico and Central American countries that drastically diminished the pressure from asylum-seekers on our southern border.
Biden has pledged to overturn these policies, as well as undermine enforcement and boost immigration numbers generally. The lie about Biden is that he is a “moderate,” when the truth is that he has always been smack in the middle of his party, which now bristles with contempt for borders and the agents who police them. Its attitude will color everything Biden does.
The migrant crisis that had Trump adopt, then quickly abandon, a zero-tolerance policy that separated children from their parents wasn’t of his making. President Barack Obama struggled with the same surge at the border, and many of the photos of children in cages used to condemn Trump date from the Obama years.
Trump only got a handle on the border when he secured deals for help. Mexico agreed to allow migrants seeking asylum in this country to remain in Mexico while their claims were adjudicated. Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, meanwhile, signed safe-third-country agreements, meaning migrants seeking asylum could be sent to those counties to pursue their claims rather than doing so in the United States.
All of this was necessary to try to close a de facto open border for migrants from Central America. Once they showed up and claimed asylum here, they were waved into the country and rarely, if ever, removed, even if their asylum claims ultimately failed (as the vast majority did).
Biden has said he wants to rip up these agreements. This will create a strong incentive for more migrants to come to the border, at a time when apprehensions of unaccompanied minors have increased to roughly a 1,000 in a six-day period in November, up from about 750 for all of April.
During the pandemic, Trump has relied on an emergency public-health authority to turn migrants around at the border. Biden hasn’t said whether he will repeal this fail-safe, but he will come under intense pressure to scrap it.
Biden will move on all fronts to loosen immigration controls. He has promised a 100-day moratorium on deportations, a measure that would keep us from removing illegal immigrants even when they are released from jails after committing crimes. This is presumably a step toward restoring Team Obama’s policy of gutting interior enforcement.
He will restore DACA, the de facto amnesty for illegal migrants who came here as minors that Obama lawlessly imposed by diktat.
Biden will propose to Congress a broader amnesty for more than 10 million illegal migrants. If the Senate balks, as is likely, Biden will be tempted to follow Obama’s (and Trump’s) example and implement as much as possible through his own authority.
He will boost the number of refugees to more than 100,000 a year, the highest level in 30 years.
Trump’s signature failure on immigration was missing the opportunity to pass significant legislation reflecting his priorities through Congress when Republicans controlled both chambers. But as Steven Camarota of the restrictionist Center for Immigration Studies notes, the net growth of the immigration population still declined markedly.
Despite all of Trump’s incendiary rhetoric on this issue, the upshot up of his approach was entirely reasonable — levels of immigration shouldn’t inexorably increase, and immigration policy should be subject to a rigorous test of national interest.
Biden represents a return to the old status-quo assumption that more immigration is, ipso facto, a good thing, at the same time he leads a party that is more zealous on the issue than ever before.
Democrats aren’t much interested in immigration controls, and it’s entirely possible that, soon enough at the border, it will again be uncontrolled.
Twitter: @RichLowry


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Justice Department investigating alleged ‘bribery-for-pardon scheme’

The Justice Department is investigating an alleged bribery scheme involving a presidential pardon , according to court papers made public Tuesday evening .
None of the people allegedly involved in the scheme are identified in the mostly redacted Washington , DC , federal court filing , and there ’ s no indication that anyone at the White House went along with the scheme .
The heavily redacted , Aug. 28 court order was unsealed by DC federal Chief Judge Beryl Howell , who was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2010 .
Howell ’ s order says that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 iPhones , iPads , laptops and other devices in connection with an unspecified probe found evidence of “ additional criminal activity.
” The alleged crimes included a “ secret lobbying scheme ” in which two unidentified individuals approached senior White House officials about getting a “ pardon or reprieve of sentence ” for an unidentified third person .
Neither of the two alleged intermediaries complied with disclosure requirements under the Lobbying Disclosure Act , according to the order .
In addition , the document outlines a “ related bribery scheme , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence for [ redacted ] . '
” The order granted a request by prosecutors for permission to review the material uncovered by the filter team , confront three unidentified people “ and take any other investigative steps needed to complete its investigation.
” More than half of the 18-page order is blacked out , including every sentence describing the relevant background of the case .
Howell ’ s order was posted on the DC District Court website , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in which Howell said she made the Aug. 28 document public after prosecutors submitted the redacted version to her on Monday .
Howell also directed prosecutors to file a status report by Nov. 30 , 2021 , “ or within thirty days of when any public disclosure obviates the need for further sealing ” of the blacked-out information .
In October 2019 , during the run-up to President Trump ’ s impeachment , Howell issued an unusual decision giving House Democrats access to secret grand jury materials from special counsel Robert Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election .
That ruling was upheld by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals but the US Supreme Court in May temporarily blocked the release of the material at the request of the Justice Department .
A hearing on the matter had been set for Wednesday , but was postponed last month after the House Judiciary Committee said it wanted to wait until after the new Congress convenes and President-elect Joe Biden takes office to decide whether to continue pressing the case .
Neither the White House nor the Justice Department immediately @ @ @ @ @

The Justice Department is investigating an alleged bribery scheme involving a presidential pardon, according to court papers made public Tuesday evening.
None of the people allegedly involved in the scheme are identified in the mostly redacted Washington, DC, federal court filing, and there’s no indication that anyone at the White House went along with the scheme.
The heavily redacted Aug. 28 court order was unsealed by DC federal Chief Judge Beryl Howell, who was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2010.
Howell’s order says a government “filter team” reviewing more than 50 iPhones, iPads, laptops and other devices in connection with an unspecified probe found evidence of “additional criminal activity.”
The alleged crimes included a “secret lobbying scheme” in which two unidentified individuals approached senior White House officials about getting a “pardon or reprieve of sentence” for an unidentified third person.
Neither of the two alleged intermediaries complied with disclosure requirements under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, according to the order.
In addition, the document outlines a “related bribery scheme, in which ‘[redacted] would offer a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence for [redacted].'”
The order granted a request by prosecutors for permission to review the material uncovered by the filter team, confront three unidentified people “and take any other investigative steps needed to complete its investigation.”
More than half of the 18-page order is blacked out, including every sentence describing the relevant background of the case.
Howell’s order was posted on the DC District Court website, along with another order, signed Tuesday, in which Howell said she made the Aug. 28 document public after prosecutors submitted the redacted version to her on Monday.
Howell also directed prosecutors to file a status report by Nov. 30, 2021, “or within thirty days of when any public disclosure obviates the need for further sealing” of the blacked-out information.
In October 2019, during the run-up to President Trump’s impeachment, Howell issued an unusual decision giving House Democrats access to secret grand jury materials from special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
That ruling was upheld by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, but the US Supreme Court in May temporarily blocked the release of the material at the request of the Justice Department.
A hearing on the matter had been set for Wednesday, but was postponed last month after the House Judiciary Committee said it wanted to wait until after the new Congress convenes and President-elect Joe Biden takes office to decide whether to continue pressing the case.
Neither the White House nor the Justice Department immediately returned requests for comment.
Additional reporting by Steven Nelson


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Nursing-home horrors go way beyond the virus

Hundreds of nurses at a Westchester County hospital went on ...

The failure to protect nursing-home residents is by now a depressingly familiar fact of the pandemic in America — especially in the Empire State, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s grievous March order forcing homes to accept COVID-positive patients led to the death of at least 6,000 New Yorkers (the real figure could be double that).
Nationwide, these residents constitute 40 percent of deaths, though they represent less than 1 percent of the population. Yet the novel coronavirus has proved deadly to our elders in another, perhaps more insidious and invisible, way. According to barely noticed reporting from the Associated Press, straight-up neglect has killed another 40,000 residents.
Take the case of Donald Wallace. The 75-year-old retired trucker survived COVID-19, according to the AP, but neglect led to him becoming so malnourished and dehydrated that he dropped to 98 pounds, suffered septic shock and likely choked on his own food. “They stopped taking care of him,” his son Kevin said of the Alabama facility that took “care” of Wallace (the facility denied neglect).
Reports are coming from all over the country, including New York, of diapers left on for so long, the skin peels off when they are removed. Of bedridden residents who haven’t been turned for so long, you could see their bones through their sores. Often, the profound isolation leads to deaths that certificates simply label as “failure to thrive.”
One big problem is the ubiquity of corporate-owned nursing homes that are chronically understaffed, and by employees paid less than a living wage. Rather than adequately supporting the institutions they own, per investigators, these corporations are more interested in passing on cost-savings as profits to their shareholders.
America is truly a barbarous outlier in this respect, as immigrants, especially those from cultures where filiality norms still reign, would tell you.
The practices were hiding in plain sight before, but the pandemic has forced Americans to examine how we treat our parents in the twilight of their lives. An informed choice lies before us. We can continue to acquiesce to a throwaway culture that discards the most vulnerable among us, or we can begin to mobilize to protect and honor our elders.It’s significant this choice on eldercare comes amid a massive political realignment. For all his faults, President Trump and his populist uprising at least somewhat loosened the grip on the GOP of small-government fanatics and corporatists. Democrats increasingly represent the interests of corporate America, of the managerial class. That’s a golden opportunity for Republicans to champion a pro-family, pro-worker vision — to insist that profits and growth aren’t the highest end in themselves.
Reforming our eldercare institutions must be high on this new GOP’s priorities.
That will take time. We must resist a cultural slouch toward assisted suicide, a sinister choice increasingly available to underserved elders. Policymakers, moreover, must empower family oversight and support nonprofit homes like those run by religious groups.
Republicans should also work with Democrats and others to find ways to support families who want to care for their beloved elderly at home. I’ve been heartened to work with pro-life and religious groups that support Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, Jr.’s plan to have Medicaid (or a similar source) reimburse loved ones for such in-home care.
The price tag isn’t cheap, but because such care is still significantly less expensive than institutional care, it makes a good deal of fiscal sense. In addition, this plan would help keep extended, multigenerational families together in ways that are good for everyone. And it would disproportionately benefit communities of color, which have suffered from disproportionately bad eldercare, especially during the pandemic.
Washington needs an appropriations bill by Dec. 11 to avoid yet another shutdown. A COVID-19 stimulus package will be a part of those negotiations. Funding in-home care of the elderly should be included in whatever package passes both chambers.
Here, then, is the first test of whether Republicans will put the working class, racial minorities, economic populism and families ahead of corporate interests. We are watching intently. The lives of our beloved elderly hang in the balance.
Charles Camosy is associate professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University and author of the new book “Resisting Throwaway Culture.” Twitter: @CCamosy


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--New Yorkers of all stripes blast MTA fare and toll hikes

It may be another two years before New York City ...

If there’s one thing New Yorkers can agree on in these divided times, it’s that they don’t want to pay more to get around the city.
A bipartisan spread of politicians, transit workers, straphangers and car drivers piled on MTA execs one by one Tuesday night to voice their opposition to possible fare and toll hikes at the first official public hearing on the topic.
“Our riders cannot simply afford another fare increase,” state Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Nassau) testified via Zoom.
“For the purposes of attracting ridership, it simply is the wrong thing to do and a disincentive at the very time we want to be encouraging people to get back on the train.”
Transit officials have floated multiple options for fare and toll hikes next year, in line with the agency’s policy since 2009 to enact increases every two years.
Matthew McDermott
Besides increasing the $2.75 subway fare, transit honchos are mulling getting rid of time-based unlimited MetroCards, reducing the number of commuter rail fare zones and eliminating the Verrazzano Bridge’s Staten Island resident discount.
Tuesday’s Zoom hearing turned out opponents from all corners of the MTA region, and all political stripes — from Long Island’s Kaminsky to U.S. Rep.-elect Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), who testified in favor of maintaining the bridge discount.
“It’s totally unacceptable that the fares are going to be going up,” Brooklyn commuter Nicolas Seunarine testified.
Rep.-elect Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) REUTERS
“Democrat and Republican, we should have a fare that’s reasonable for everybody — $2.75 right now, it’s very reasonable for everybody.”
Earlier Tuesday, MTA board member Andrew Albert told The Post it made little sense to raise fares while simultaneously contemplating service cuts.
“Ask people to pay more for less service, that will make people stop and think twice before using transit and we want people to use transit,” Albert said.
“This is a different time, and maybe it should be approached differently.”
Speaking at the start of Tuesday’s meeting, MTA Chairman Pat Foye admitted the proposals won’t make a dent in massive deficits wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has cut ridership by 70 percent.
“Our goal was to minimize impact on New Yorkers in these difficult times,” Foye said of the proposals on the table.
“Still, we fully know that any increase will hurt New Yorkers, especially those in areas that depend on us most.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Civil rights lawyer who turned stolen pen into federal case awarded $2

That ’ s what you get for petty BIC-ering .
A civil rights lawyer who made a federal case out of a pen got a measly $ 2 after he sued the city because a cop snatched away his pen .
“ Once upon a time , we urged people not to make too much of real but petty grievances by saying , ‘ Don ’ t make a federal case out of that , ’ ” wrote US District Judge Colleen McMahon of Jeffrey Rothman ’ s lawsuit .
“ This lawsuit was a violation of that principle writ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unpleasant interaction with Det .
Andrew Wunsch on Dec. 12 , 2018 , at the reception desk of 1 Police Plaza .
The officer refused to let Rothman in to serve papers on the department because it was after hours .
As Rothman tried to write down his name and shield number , Wunsch grabbed the pen out of his hand then returned it .
McMahon , who presided over the Manhattan federal trial , called the conflict “ nothing more than a momentary temper tantrum on the part of Det .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Civilian Complaint Review Board , which recommended that the NYPD discipline Wunsch for being discourteous .
But this wasn ’ t enough for Rothman , who then sued the city for compensatory damages and punitive damages , alleging his pen was swiped in violation of the Constitution and that Wunsch assaulted and battered him .
He also sued two other officers alleging “ unreasonable detention ( though he was not detained ) and excessive force ( though none was used ) , ” McMahon wrote her decision .
A jury heard the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s claims but concluded that Wunsch , by taking his pen , had violated the lawyer ’ s Fourth Amendment rights and awarded him $ 1 .
Rothman had asked for punitive damages but McMahon blocked the request .
After the trial , Rothman asked McMahon to award him an additional $ 45,662 in attorney ’ s fees , but in her decision , she granted him just $ 1 .
“ The facts of this case that gave rise to the verdict — a pen seized by a police officer in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moments to its rightful owner — are just too trivial , ” McMahon wrote .
“ Rothman ’ s verdict is entirely symbolic , and so does not support the award of attorney ’ s fees he seeks.
” The Chief of the Special Federal Litigation Division of the city ’ s Law Department called Rothman ’ s lawsuit especially galling in the midst of a pandemic .
“ This case was a waste of city and court resources , ” Miller said .
“ It is really quite something for an attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a pen to then ask the Court to award him 40,000 times that number in attorneys ’ fees — to be paid with taxpayer dollars…Plaintiff thought he could make a couple of bucks off the city — and he did , literally.
” Rothman called the judge ’ s decision not to award attorney ’ s fees to his trial lawyer unfortunate but said he had pursued the case on principle .
“ I brought this case to deter similar misconduct by this officer and by his colleagues because if he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the middle of police headquarters imagine what he would do to someone who did not have my privilege and my resources , ” Rothman said .

That’s what you get for petty BIC-ering.
A civil rights lawyer who made a federal case out of a pen got a measly $2 after he sued the city because a cop snatched away his pen.
“Once upon a time, we urged people not to make too much of real but petty grievances by saying, ‘Don’t make a federal case out of that,’” wrote US District Judge Colleen McMahon of Jeffrey Rothman’s lawsuit.
“This lawsuit was a violation of that principle writ large.”
Rothman sued the city over an unpleasant interaction with Det. Andrew Wunsch on Dec. 12, 2018, at the reception desk of 1 Police Plaza.
The officer refused to let Rothman in to serve papers on the department because it was after hours.
As Rothman tried to write down his name and shield number, Wunsch grabbed the pen out of his hand then returned it.
McMahon, who presided over the Manhattan federal trial, called the conflict “nothing more than a momentary temper tantrum on the part of Det. Wunsch.”
Rothman reported the conduct to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which recommended that the NYPD discipline Wunsch for being discourteous.
But this wasn’t enough for Rothman, who then sued the city for compensatory damages and punitive damages, alleging his pen was swiped in violation of the Constitution and that Wunsch assaulted and battered him.
He also sued two other officers alleging “unreasonable detention (though he was not detained) and excessive force (though none was used),” McMahon wrote her decision.
A jury heard the case and rejected most of Rothman’s claims but concluded that Wunsch, by taking his pen, had violated the lawyer’s Fourth Amendment rights and awarded him $1.
Rothman had asked for punitive damages but McMahon blocked the request.
After the trial, Rothman asked McMahon to award him an additional $45,662 in attorney’s fees, but in her decision, she granted him just $1.
“The facts of this case that gave rise to the verdict — a pen seized by a police officer in a fit of pique, then returned within moments to its rightful owner — are just too trivial,” McMahon wrote. “Rothman’s verdict is entirely symbolic, and so does not support the award of attorney’s fees he seeks.”
The Chief of the Special Federal Litigation Division of the city’s Law Department called Rothman’s lawsuit especially galling in the midst of a pandemic.
“This case was a waste of city and court resources,” Miller said. “It is really quite something for an attorney who received a $1 jury verdict over a pen to then ask the Court to award him 40,000 times that number in attorneys’ fees — to be paid with taxpayer dollars…Plaintiff thought he could make a couple of bucks off the city — and he did, literally.”
Rothman called the judge’s decision not to award attorney’s fees to his trial lawyer unfortunate but said he had pursued the case on principle.
“I brought this case to deter similar misconduct by this officer and by his colleagues because if he felt he could do this to a lawyer in the middle of police headquarters imagine what he would do to someone who did not have my privilege and my resources,” Rothman said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Nerlens Noel sees himself in Mitchell Robinson: ‘I want to be a big brother’

The Knicks ’ Kentucky contingent grew by one on Saturday night ... .

New free-agent signee Nerlens Noel wants to be “a mentor’’ to youngster Mitchell Robinson, but sounded like he’d prefer to do it as the Knicks’ starting center.
The 26-year-old, 6-foot-10 defensive big man will battle Robinson for the starting job. Last season, veteran Taj Gibson won the starting role and was a terrific adviser to Robinson, considered a building block at age 23.
“I’m coming in with a competitive mindset to help this team win,’’ Noel said Tuesday when asked about the center battle. “I know my attributes and what I bring to the table. It’s a young team. I want to give everything I can. Mitchell is a young player I’ve been watching the last couple of years. His development kind of resembles mine — his playing style above the rim, blocking shots.
“I just want to mentor him any way possible. Whatever position we play throughout the season will play itself out. I want to be a big brother to him and give him a lot of advice throughout the season. We’re both competitors.”
Mitchell Robinson; Nerlens Noel Getty Images (2)
The 2013 lottery pick by the Sixers out of Kentucky raised his stock in his second season with Oklahoma City, averaging 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds with a 68.4 shooting percentage as the Thunder made the playoffs.
After signing a one-year, $6 million deal last week, Noel said he wants to be “a leader’’ in New York and help the club with his playoff experience.
It was telling that when coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about Robinson, he added Noel to the conversation. Thibodeau is known to like going with older players.
“I think [Robinson] has had some really good moments,’’ Thibodeau said. “But I think he’s got a long way to go. The work part, the professionalism to continue to grow to impact winning, there’s a lot of room for growth. … I don’t know where he’ll end up. There’s things he can do that’s very unique. I think we’re very fortunate to have Nerlens Noel. In some ways, he’s very similar when you look at rim protection. We’re excited about both guys.
PG Dennis Smith Jr., coming off a horrendous 2019-20 season, said he’s looking forward to Thibodeau, known for getting the best out of point guards such as Derrick Rose.
“We briefly talked about the Bulls team,’’ Smith said. I’ve watched [Thibodeau’s] offense and seen how he plays. He definitely likes to use a point guard in his offense. He thinks how a point guard plays on defense is as important to him as well. Those two things I picked up, I realize it will be an emphasis here.’’
Thibodeau shrugged off a roster featuring five Kentucky players, a former Kentucky assistant (Kenny Payne) and a slew of guys from Creative Artists Agency, which Knicks president Leon Rose used to run. Thibodeau, a CAA client, said it’s “more coincidental.’’ He called Kentucky “one of the best programs in the country.’’ Senior vice president William Wesley, a former CAA adviser, was tight with the Kentucky program.
“There wasn’t anything said like, ‘Well, we got to have Kentucky players’ or ‘We have to have CAA players,’ ” Thibodeau said. “That’s just not the case.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Andrew Cuomo’s latest audacious hypocrisy

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo not only talks like he single-handedly defended New York from complete devastation by the coronavirus , he also apparently thinks he ’ s immune from it .
Why else would he brag about his success in pushing masks to help curb the virus , while sitting .
.
.
maskless ?
At a Monday press conference , the gov and five top aides all sat unmasked in a room small enough that the number of reporters had to be limited .
Cuomo talked of his success against the virus while also warning that New York ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responding to backlash over his masklessness , the gov noted that everyone was spaced six feet apart .
Yet it ’ s now well known that the virus can spread beyond six feet in small , crowded rooms .
He even explained how poor air ventilation and failure to heed CDC guidelines at “ spreader ” gatherings have caused almost two-thirds of new cases — while skipping his mask in that exact environment .
Such is the .
.
.
audacity New Yorkers must expect from the guy who wrote a book praising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most virus-ridden states .
No statistic or scientific data can convince this governor he ’ s done a thing wrong .
Don ’ t be shocked if he lands another “ yay me ” book before this second wave hits its peak .

Gov. Andrew Cuomo not only talks like he single-handedly defended New York from complete devastation by the coronavirus, he also apparently thinks he’s immune from it. Why else would he brag about his success in pushing masks to help curb the virus, while sitting . . . maskless?
At a Monday press conference, the gov and five top aides all sat unmasked in a room small enough that the number of reporters had to be limited.
Cuomo talked of his success against the virus while also warning that New York’s hospitals may soon be overwhelmed.
Responding to backlash over his masklessness, the gov noted that everyone was spaced six feet apart. Yet it’s now well known that the virus can spread beyond six feet in small, crowded rooms.
He even explained how poor air ventilation and failure to heed CDC guidelines at “spreader” gatherings have caused almost two-thirds of new cases — while skipping his mask in that exact environment.
Such is the . . . audacity New Yorkers must expect from the guy who wrote a book praising his pandemic measures while presiding over one of the most virus-ridden states.
No statistic or scientific data can convince this governor he’s done a thing wrong. Don’t be shocked if he lands another “yay me” book before this second wave hits its peak.


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--Knicks fans would love Obi Toppin to be source of envy

Wally Szczerbiak is well versed in University of Dayton lore , ...

It is probably a little greedy for Knicks fans to ask Obi Toppin to show up in a couple of weeks and be an instant megastar, the way Kareem was back in the day, or Magic, or Shaq. That isn’t realistic, so it’s silly to even speculate. For all his accomplishments at Dayton, Toppin remains a growth stock. His future is far more intriguing than his present.
You know what’s a reasonable goal for Toppin, and for the people who will latch their hopes onto his engine with the furious fervor of true believers?
For some other fan base — in Utah or Denver, in Miami or Minneapolis — to look up some day soon, look at Obi Toppin, and see the same things, say the same things, that Knicks fans have said in recent years when they’ve discovered Jamal Murray on a late-night TNT game, when they’ve marveled at Donovan Mitchell on an ESPN game, when they’ve ogled Tyler Herro on an NBA TV telecast.
“Damn,” you want those out-of-town fans to mutter to themselves. “I knew he was good.”
“But this good?”
Obi Toppin AP
You want that envy. You want that jealousy, because you know it well, you’ve let it fill you on the many nights when you see young stars elsewhere, doing wonderful things, filling other basketball cities with the kind of hope New York City now craves. Surely Toppin can be that.
Surely there can come a day when a fan in Cleveland or Charlotte or Detroit or Atlanta watches him play, looks up his page on basketball-reference.com, and asks: “We could’ve gotten him first?”
“Yeah, we were surprised,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday, recalling draft night as one player after another fell off the board and Toppin was still there for them at No. 8. “We liked the position we were in and we thought it might be a possibility. We thought there was one other team that could be in the way.”
But there wasn’t. Toppin was there. And now he is here. And as this 2020 season dawns, he will be one of the things Knicks fans will hold close, alongside the continued development of RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, alongside the hopeful wish that one or several of their enigmatic youngsters — Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr. — or their equally puzzling newcomer veterans — Austin Rivers, Nerlens Noel — can yield a surprise.
But Toppin is the focus right now, because Toppin is the one so many of them saw torch college basketball last year, enjoying a storybook run right up until the pandemic robbed Dayton’s Flyers a chance to write an otherworldly final chapter. Toppin is the one who reported for work as quickly as he could get here, who has already impressed with his work ethic in individual sessions.
“I’ve really been connecting with him,” said Barrett, whose workout times coincided with Toppin’s. “Great dude, he’s a hard worker for sure. Very talented, very athletic, very versatile. Exciting to have him on our team. I feel like we’ll play well together.”
Said Thibodeau: “We liked the fact that we felt he would be ready to play right away. I think the big thing for him was the shooting piece of it, the way he can stretch the floor, we think that will be a big plus for us. Of course, the defensive part is something we have to work on. And we have to do that as a team. But I think his ability to play multiple positions, his ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays, I think that’s a big asset in today’s NBA.”
That is the hope, anyway. That is the dream. Knicks fans have watched too many out-of-town games across too many years with envy, wondering why the sleeper always winds up somewhere else, why the surprise always lands a thousand miles away. Why not Obi Toppin? Why not the Knicks? Why not now?


newyorkpost--2020-12-01--‘Happiest Season’ Breaks Weekend Premiere Records at Hulu

Happiest Season is proving what we already knew : that a gay Christmas rom-com was long , long overdue .
Hulu announced today that the Kirsten Stewart movie has shattered records at the streaming platform and earned the number one spot as the most-watched film across all acquired and Hulu Original films during its opening weekend .
As if that achievement wasn ’ t enough , Happiest Season was also named the movie with the highest engagement with Hulu subscribers , and even brought plenty of new customers to the service , where Happiest Season is exclusively streaming .
Hulu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit with its Watch Party feature , which allows users to stream a title and chat in real time with friends and family .
The Happiest Season stats follow another successful weekend for Hulu , which previously named the Sarah Paulson drama Run its most watched movie ever in an opening weekend , beating out Hulu Original Palm Springs .
Here ’ s what else you may have missed today .
Netflix is teasing the second installment of their new reality series Song Exploder , sharing a first look at the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lipa .
The series , which is based on the popular podcast of the same name , “ spotlights some of the world ’ s greatest musicians as they reveal how they brought one of their songs to life.
” We can look forward to seeing artists like Dua Lipa , The Killers , Nine Inch Nails and Natalia Lafourcade when the Volume 2 of the series premieres on Netflix Dec. 15 .
Watch the full Song Exploder trailer in the video above .
Showtime is debuting a free channel on Pluto TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled Showtime Selects , will include around 250 hours of original programming with ads , including episodes of The Affair , Billions , Ray Donovan , The L Word , and Californication , plus full series of The Loudest Voice and Murder in the Bayou .
Showtime Selects will also feature sneak peeks at Bryan Cranston ’ s new drama , Your Honor , and the last season of Shameless .
The Pluto TV channel launches today , Dec. 1 , and will include updated content each month .
Melissa McCarthy and Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix series , according to the Hollywood Reporter .
The new series , titled God ’ s Favorite Idiot , is a workplace comedy that follows tech support employee Clark Thompson ( Falcone ) and his love interest , co-worker Amily Luck ( McCarthy ) .
Clark falls in love with Amily right when he “ becomes the unwitting messenger of God.
” The 16-episode series also promises “ roller skating , a lake of fire and an impending apocalypse.
” McCarthy and Falcone , who are married , are frequent collaborators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Superintelligence together .
A Little Late with Lilly Singh is switching it up behind the scenes ahead of Season 2 .
Deadline reports that the NBC late night comedy is bringing on Neil Punsalan as showrunner , taking over for Aliyah Silverstein .
Punsalan previously worked on Comedy Central ’ s Doing the Most with Phoebe Robinson .
Head Writer Sean O ’ Connor is also being replaced , with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alum Chelsea Davison taking on his role .
Aside from the writing staff changes , Singh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , swapping out the studio stage with an L.A. house .
“ For this second round , I know the ropes and plan to bring more of my creativity to the table , ” Singh said in a statement .
“ It ’ s time to get goofy , be imperfect and bring my full authentic self to late night .
”

Happiest Season is proving what we already knew: that a gay Christmas rom-com was long, long overdue. Hulu announced today that the Kirsten Stewart movie has shattered records at the streaming platform and earned the number one spot as the most-watched film across all acquired and Hulu Original films during its opening weekend.
As if that achievement wasn’t enough, Happiest Season was also named the movie with the highest engagement with Hulu subscribers, and even brought plenty of new customers to the service, where Happiest Season is exclusively streaming. Hulu also revealed that the holiday movie was a hit with its Watch Party feature, which allows users to stream a title and chat in real time with friends and family.
The Happiest Season stats follow another successful weekend for Hulu, which previously named the Sarah Paulson drama Run its most watched movie ever in an opening weekend, beating out Hulu Original Palm Springs.
Here’s what else you may have missed today.
Netflix is teasing the second installment of their new reality series Song Exploder, sharing a first look at the latest episodes with an official trailer featuring Dua Lipa. The series, which is based on the popular podcast of the same name, “spotlights some of the world’s greatest musicians as they reveal how they brought one of their songs to life.” We can look forward to seeing artists like Dua Lipa, The Killers, Nine Inch Nails and Natalia Lafourcade when the Volume 2 of the series premieres on Netflix Dec. 15. Watch the full Song Exploder trailer in the video above.
Showtime is debuting a free channel on Pluto TV, Variety reports. The channel, titled Showtime Selects, will include around 250 hours of original programming with ads, including episodes of The Affair, Billions, Ray Donovan, The L Word, and Californication, plus full series of The Loudest Voice and Murder in the Bayou. Showtime Selects will also feature sneak peeks at Bryan Cranston’s new drama, Your Honor, and the last season of Shameless. The Pluto TV channel launches today, Dec. 1, and will include updated content each month.
Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone are teaming up for a new Netflix series, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The new series, titled God’s Favorite Idiot, is a workplace comedy that follows tech support employee Clark Thompson (Falcone) and his love interest, co-worker Amily Luck (McCarthy). Clark falls in love with Amily right when he “becomes the unwitting messenger of God.” The 16-episode series also promises “roller skating, a lake of fire and an impending apocalypse.” McCarthy and Falcone, who are married, are frequent collaborators and most recently worked on HBO Max’s Superintelligence together.
A Little Late with Lilly Singh is switching it up behind the scenes ahead of Season 2. Deadline reports that the NBC late night comedy is bringing on Neil Punsalan as showrunner, taking over for Aliyah Silverstein. Punsalan previously worked on Comedy Central’s Doing the Most with Phoebe Robinson. Head Writer Sean O’Connor is also being replaced, with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alum Chelsea Davison taking on his role. Aside from the writing staff changes, Singh’s show is also switching locations, swapping out the studio stage with an L.A. house. “For this second round, I know the ropes and plan to bring more of my creativity to the table,” Singh said in a statement. “It’s time to get goofy, be imperfect and bring my full authentic self to late night.”
Stream Happiest Season on Hulu


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--North Korean hackers targeted six COVID-19 drug and vaccine makers

Russian and North Korean hackers have tried to attack pharmaceutical ...

North Korean hackers have reportedly coordinated cyberattacks against at least half a dozen drug companies working on coronavirus vaccines and treatments.
A notorious hacker group that the US government has called “Kimsuky” targeted the companies in the US, the UK and South Korea in an apparent effort to steal sensitive information that North Korea could either weaponize or sell to an outside drugmaker, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The hackers have worked on attacks since August against Johnson & Johnson and Novavax — two American companies with COVID-19 vaccines in the works — along with three South Korean firms that are developing drugs for the deadly virus, the paper reported Wednesday.
The revelations followed a Reuters report last week that hackers had also tried to break into the systems of AstraZeneca, the British drugmaker that’s claimed its COVID-19 shot is up to 90 percent effective.
The “Kimsuky” hackers have tried to ensnare victims by creating email accounts to pose as their colleagues or friends and sending messages with malicious attachments or links that can let hackers into the targets’ computers if they’re clicked on, according to the Journal.
It’s unclear whether the hackers have successfully stolen information from any of the companies, the reports said.
Two of the South Korean targets, Shin Poong Pharmaceutical and Celltrion, told the Journal they had been hit with hacks but had not found any damage, while the third, Genexine, said it hadn’t found any evidence of attempted hacking.
New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson told the Journal that it’s watching out for threats to its data, and Maryland-based Novavax said it’s aware of foreign threats and is working with “appropriate government agencies and commercial cybersecurity experts.” AstraZeneca has declined to comment on the reported hacking attempts.
This isn’t the first sign of foreign hackers going after drug companies that are battling the coronavirus. Microsoft said last month that it detected cyberattacks against seven firms involved in researching vaccines and treatments that were linked to hacking groups in North Korea and Russia. British cybersecurity officials also accused Russian hackers in July of targeting organizations involved in coronavirus vaccine development.
Kim Jong Un’s administration in Pyongyang has previously denied carrying out cyberattacks in foreign countries. The Hermit Kingdom recently said it was tightening its boarders to build a “wall of defense” against COVID-19 even though it has claimed that it hasn’t had a single coronavirus case.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Trista Sutter’s husband Ryan addresses mystery illness

The former `` Bachelorette '' said she and her husband are in ...

Ryan Sutter, the husband of original “Bachelorette” Trista Sutter, spoke out Tuesday in regards to his mystery illness, telling fans it’s a struggle to get out of bed some days.
Detailing his ordeal in three separate Instagram posts, Ryan, 46, noted how in February he “began feeling occasional ‘flu like’ symptoms” at the conclusion of his training with Denver Fire.
“I was tested for COVID multiple times but never tested positive. I completed the academy and believed/hoped I would begin to recover and feel better. It’s been five months now and, if anything, I feel worse,” Ryan explained.
Although Ryan has continued to work his typical fire schedule, he has dealt with “a battery of symptoms,” including fatigue — which the father of two described as “sometimes almost paralyzing” — as well as “deep body and muscle aches, fevers, night sweats, full body itching with no rash, headaches, neck and throat swelling, congestion, light headedness, nausea, and just general all around not feeling good.”
“Most days I feel about 70%. Somedays I feel a bit better and somedays I can barely get out of bed,” he continued. “I don’t believe I have anything contagious as no one else in my family has been sick nor has anyone I have worked with or associated with been sick.”
Ryan — who has been married to Trista, 48, since 2003 — added he has had several blood tests and a CT scan. He also has a “high ANA Titer [antinuclear antibody] and low WBC [white blood cell] but nothing else has proven anything conclusive.”
Ryan also noted how he hopes his story resonates with others struggling in a similar situation.
“Take Aways – I appear to be sick for some unknown reason. I do not appear to be alone in this experience. The number of people who share a similar story to mine is incredible. The struggle to find answers in the medical world and support through the insurance industry is frustrating and lacking,” Ryan also posted.
“In the pursuit of answers to my personal situation, I hope I might be of some help to all those suffering in similar ways as I am now acutely sympathetic,” he continued.
Ryan said he feels “well prepared to take on [his] current health situation” after spending “the better part of [his] life challenging [his] personal limits.”
“I have a strong support group and the best wife in the world. Please don’t worry about me. I will be fine. If you must worry, worry about each other. Support each other. Be there for each other,” he wrote.
Ryan also thanked fans for the “outpouring of support” he has since received, calling it both “humbling and therapeutic.”
“I could not be more grateful,” he added.
Ryan first met Trista on the debut season of “The Bachelorette” in 2003. They are parents to daughter Blakesley, 11, and son Maxwell, 13.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Steven Spielberg reportedly gets restraining order against stalker

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg has @ @ @ @ @ a woman he claimed has been threatening to kill him , according to a report @ @ @ @ @ in documents obtained by TMZ that law enforcement told him the woman , identified as @ @ @ @ @ buy a gun to murder him .
Spielberg has claimed the woman has been harassing @ @ @ @ @ she has sent him death threats , according to the outlet .
He said in @ @ @ @ @ tweeted him : “ If I have to personally MURDER people for stealing my IPs‚ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” The movie mogul behind such classics “ Jaws , ” “ Close Encounters @ @ @ @ @ and “ E.T .
The Extra-Terrestrial ” obtained the restraining order , which requires Char @ @ @ @ @ yards away from him and his family , TMZ reported .

Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg has obtained a restraining order against a woman he claimed has been threatening to kill him, according to a report.
The 73-year-old director said in documents obtained by TMZ that law enforcement told him the woman, identified as Sarah Char, tried to buy a gun to murder him.
Spielberg has claimed the woman has been harassing him for months and that she has sent him death threats, according to the outlet.
He said in the documents that Char also tweeted him: “If I have to personally MURDER people for stealing my IPs‚ I WILL. Get me?”
The movie mogul behind such classics as “Jaws,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” obtained the restraining order, which requires Char to stay at least 100 yards away from him and his family, TMZ reported.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Nikki Haley says Joe Biden OMB pick Neera Tanden is ‘deeply concerning’

Nikki Haley slammed Neera Tanden ’ s nomination as White House budget director as “ deeply concerning , ” saying Tanden has “ shown bad judgment in the past.
” The former UN Ambassador went after the embattled Tanden for floating conspiracy theories on Twitter about President Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election , as well as disparaging tweets about GOP senators .
“ Tanden has shown bad judgment in the past , ” Haley tweeted on Tuesday .
“ She said that @ realDonaldTrump is ‘ part of [ a ] conspiracy against [ the ] US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disparaging Rep Senators .
“ There ’ s a saying that ‘ personnel is policy , ’ which is why Biden ’ s nomination of Tanden is deeply concerning.
” Tanden , Biden ’ s choice to run the Office of Management and Budget , scrubbed more than 1,000 tweets from her account since Nov. 1 — including some attacking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Susan Collins .
She also spread a baseless theory that Hillary Clinton lost to Trump in 2016 because Russian hackers flipped votes .
Some of Tanden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haley also spoke out against Tanden , 50 , a longtime Clinton adviser and president of the Center for American Progress , in another post .
“ Biden ’ s pick for budget chief is Neera Tanden .
Tanden is one of the architects of ObamaCare , has been described as a Clinton loyalist for her years of service to Hillary Clinton & spent years leading a liberal think tank where she oversaw proposals like ‘ Medicare Extra for All , ' ” she tweeted .
Haley , the former Republican governor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador in 2018 .

Nikki Haley slammed Neera Tanden’s nomination as White House budget director as “deeply concerning,” saying Tanden has “shown bad judgment in the past.”
The former UN ambassador went after the embattled Tanden for floating conspiracy theories on Twitter about President Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election, as well as disparaging tweets about GOP senators.
“Tanden has shown bad judgment in the past,” Haley tweeted on Tuesday. “She said that @realDonaldTrump is ‘part of [a] conspiracy against [the] US’ & has a track record of disparaging Rep Senators.
“There’s a saying that ‘personnel is policy,’ which is why Biden’s nomination of Tanden is deeply concerning.”
Tanden, President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to run the Office of Management and Budget, scrubbed more than 1,000 tweets from her account since Nov. 1 — including some attacking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
She also spread a baseless theory that Hillary Clinton lost to Trump in 2016 because Russian hackers flipped votes.
Some of Tanden’s tweets are still live.
Haley also spoke out against Tanden, 50, a longtime Clinton adviser and president of the Center for American Progress, in another post.
Neera Tanden Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
“Biden’s pick for budget chief is Neera Tanden. Tanden is one of the architects of ObamaCare, has been described as a Clinton loyalist for her years of service to Hillary Clinton & spent years leading a liberal think tank where she oversaw proposals like ‘Medicare Extra for All,'” she tweeted.
Haley, the Republican former governor of South Carolina, stepped down as UN ambassador in 2018.
Critics on Twitter accused Haley of being hypocritical, with some pointing out that she called the prospect of Trump’s nomination as Republican candidate for president in 2016 “scary.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Ray McGuire announces run for NYC mayor in video narrated by  Spike Lee

The commander-in-chief issued the threat via Twitter Tuesday evening , in ...

Longtime Wall Street executive Ray McGuire announced his candidacy for mayor Tuesday night in a video narrated by filmmaker Spike Lee.
“Every New Yorker deserves a chance to get back in the game, and all of New York deserves a mayor who can bring this city together and solve this crisis,” says the Harvard University-educated McGuire, 63, who left his job as a vice chairman at Citigroup in October. “And that’s why I’m running for mayor.”
Raised by a single mother in Dayton, Ohio, McGuire received a full academic scholarship to the elite Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn, and Harvard, where he went on to earn postgraduate degrees in both law and business.
The timing of the announcement by McGuire — until recently one of the highest ranking black executives in banking — was hardly random, Wall Street insiders told The Post.
“He needed Biden to win to have a chance,” said one financier active in city politics. “Now that we know the city is going to get some bailout funding, voters might want a guy who can manage that, instead of a politician.”
McGuire has eschewed the city’s matching funds programs, so he will be able to take larger donations and he already raised more than $1 million in 10 days in October, records show.
On Wednesday, McGuire announced that he has hired veteran political strategist and cable TV pundit Basil Smikle as his campaign manager.
A relative unknown, he’ll need that money to help distinguish himself from the already large 2021 field of city pols vying to take over City Hall from Bill de Blasio.
As of now, city Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, former de Blasio legal counsel Maya Wiley, ex-Obama cabinet member Shaun Donovan and former de Blasio Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia are seen as the most likely leaders in the clubhouse.
But McGuire says he’s ready for a brawl.
Previous 1 of 9 Next Advertisement Ray McGuire Ray McGuire for Mayor Ray McGuire Ray McGuire for Mayor Advertisement Ray McGuire for Mayor Ray McGuire for Mayor Ray McGuire Ray McGuire for Mayor Ray McGuire Ray McGuire for Mayor Advertisement Ray McGuire Ray McGuire for Mayor Advertisement
“Some folks say New York city is done,” McGuire says in the video. “But to paraphrase the great Muhammad Ali: If you ever dreamed of beating New York City, you better wake up and apologize.”
To which Lee adds: “And if you don’t know, now you know. Dig?”


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Gigi Hadid ex Tyler Cameron is romancing Instagram model

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) After his famous fling with Gigi Hadid @ @ @ @ @ that Tyler Cameron has a new model — literally .
We ’ re told that @ @ @ @ @ contestant — who caused something of a sensation when he got together with the supermodel @ @ @ @ @ — has been seeing Instagram model Ireland Borba .
Sources say that after a recent @ @ @ @ @ York , Cameron was spotted heading off to spend some quality time with Borba before @ @ @ @ @ But when we asked Cameron about their evening together , he told us he ’ @ @ @ @ @ ” The pair already have something to talk about : their famous exes .
Borba @ @ @ @ @ Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott .
In 2019 , a sports gossip site said that @ @ @ @ @ a date at a Top Golf in Tampa , Florida .
According to her social @ @ @ @ @ Miami , but she recently posted snaps from New York .

After his famous fling with Gigi Hadid, Page Six has learned that Tyler Cameron has a new model — literally.
We’re told that the former “Bachelorette” contestant — who caused something of a sensation when he got together with the supermodel in the summer of 2019 — has been seeing Instagram model Ireland Borba.
Sources say that after a recent dinner with pals in New York, Cameron was spotted heading off to spend some quality time with Borba before returning home to Florida. But when we asked Cameron about their evening together, he told us he’s “not dating her.”
The pair already have something to talk about: their famous exes. Borba reportedly has a past with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. In 2019, a sports gossip site said that the pair were spotted on a date at a Top Golf in Tampa, Florida.
According to her social media, Borba lives in Miami, but she recently posted snaps from New York.
Borba couldn’t be reached for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Trump threatens to veto defense bill if Congress doesn’t repeal Section 230

President Trump threatened to veto the annual defense spending bill if Congress does not repeal Section 230 , which provides a legal shield to tech companies from content on their sites .
The commander-in-chief issued the threat via Twitter Tuesday evening , in which he called on the House and Senate to include language repealing Big Tech ’ s immunity in their military funding measure .
“ Section 230 , which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to ‘ Big Tech ’ ( the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare ! )
, is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Election Integrity .
Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand , ” Trump wrote in the first of two posts .
“ Therefore , if the very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) , I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk .
Take back America NOW , ” he continued , adding a “ Thank you ” for good measure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act provides tech companies with liability protections against illegal content posted by third-party users .
In addition to shielding companies from being sued by anyone who is wronged by something someone else has posted , they also allow said platforms to moderate their content , as long as moderation is done “ in good faith.
” Trump , joined by a growing chorus of GOP lawmakers , has railed against 230 in recent months , arguing that it provides a loophole preventing companies from being held accountable and leads to the censorship of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of taking on Big Tech , one senior House staffer told Politico that Trump ’ s ultimatum would not be successful .
“ It ’ s a f—–g joke .
This is a complex debate that has no business as an eleventh-hour airdrop , ” the senior staffer told the outlet , adding that even a push to include Senate Majority Whip John Thune ’ s ( R-SD ) bipartisan proposal targeting 230 wouldn ’ t make it into the defense bill .

President Trump threatened to veto the annual defense spending bill if Congress does not repeal Section 230, which provides a legal shield to tech companies for content on their sites.
The commander-in-chief on Tuesday evening issued the threat via Twitter, calling on the House and Senate to include language repealing Big Tech’s immunity in their military funding measure.
“Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to ‘Big Tech’ (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand,” Trump wrote in the first of two posts.
“Therefore, if the very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk. Take back America NOW,” he continued, adding a “Thank you” for good measure.
Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act provides tech companies with liability protections against illegal content posted by third-party users.
In addition to shielding companies from being sued by anyone who is wronged by something someone else has posted, it allows said platforms to moderate their content, as long as moderation is done “in good faith.”
Trump, joined by a growing chorus of GOP lawmakers, has railed against Section 230 in recent months, arguing that it provides a loophole preventing companies from being held accountable and leads to the censorship of conservative voices.
Despite bipartisan support for the idea of taking on Big Tech, one senior House staffer told Politico that Trump’s ultimatum would not be successful.
“It’s a f—–g joke. This is a complex debate that has no business as an eleventh-hour airdrop,” the senior staffer told the outlet, adding that even a push to include a bipartisan proposal targeting Section 230 from Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) wouldn’t make it into the defense bill.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--British Airways hostess reportedly killed by man she was ‘deeply in love’ with

A British Airways hostess who was “ deeply in love ” with a baggage handler 24 years her junior was allegedly killed at his hands after a “ passionate and turbulent ” romance that he pursued to fund his drug habit , according to a report .
Nelly Myers , a 58-year-old customer service worker at London ’ s Gatwick Airport , was found dead at her posh home in Rotherfield , East Sussex , about a year ago , The Sun reported about a court hearing .
The divorced mother-of-two became “ totally obsessed ” with Jayesh Gobar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the 35-year-old was actually “ only interested in her money ” to buy drugs , according to the report about the hearing .
The relationship took a violent turn at one point and , 18 months before Myers was slain , Gobar wrapped his hands around her neck and threatened to kill her during a robbery at her home , the Hove Crown Court heard .
Gobar was convicted and received a three-year prison sentence – but was sprung early in May 2019 and fitted with an ankle bracelet on condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until April 2021 , The Sun reported .
Despite the violence and his ensuing conviction , the couple resumed their relationship after she sent him a friend request on Facebook , according to the outlet .
Myers was “ so besotted ” with Gobar that she regularly gave him money , the court heard .
“ She craved his company , he on the other hand was interested only in her money , ” prosecutor Richard Hearnden said .
“ She was always giving him cash and he was using that cash for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her death on Dec. 18 , 2019 , the drunken couple engaged in “ passionate sex ” – but she was later beaten and left with multiple rib fractures , a fractured eye socket and massive injuries throughout the body , the paper reported .
The woman , who was strangled , also suffered a fatal brain injury .
“ He murdered her in a fit of rage in order to steal money from her , ” Hearnden said .
“ They had a violent argument .
He got behind her and grabbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and marched her upstairs .
He threw her to the floor and demanded to know where her purse was , rifled through her drawers , ” he said .
“ He said , ‘ I will f—- kill you !
I will stab you !
’ She tried to escape but he pinned her to the floor .
He said he had had enough and took her to a cashpoint and made her take £50 out of her bank account , ” the prosecutor said .
Myers was found dead , partially dressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby .

A British Airways hostess who was “deeply in love” with a baggage handler 24 years her junior was allegedly killed at his hands after a “passionate and turbulent” romance that he pursued to fund his drug habit, according to a report.
Nelly Myers, a 58-year-old customer service worker at London’s Gatwick Airport, was found dead at her posh home in Rotherfield, East Sussex, about a year ago, the Sun reported about a court hearing.
The divorced mother of two became “totally obsessed” with Jayesh Gobar, whom she had met at work, but the 35-year-old was actually “only interested in her money” to buy drugs, according to the report about the hearing.
The relationship took a violent turn at one point and, 18 months before Myers was slain, Gobar wrapped his hands around her neck and threatened to kill her during a robbery at her home, the Hove Crown Court heard.
Gobar was convicted and received a three-year prison sentence — but was sprung early in May 2019 and fitted with an ankle bracelet on condition of not contacting Myers or visiting her hometown until April 2021, the Sun reported.
Despite the violence and his ensuing conviction, the couple resumed their relationship after she sent him a friend request on Facebook, according to the outlet.
Myers was “so besotted” with Gobar that she regularly gave him money, the court heard.
“She craved his company, he on the other hand was interested only in her money,” prosecutor Richard Hearnden said. “She was always giving him cash and he was using that cash for drugs.”
A couple of nights before her death on Dec. 18, 2019, the drunken couple engaged in “passionate sex” — but she was later beaten and left with multiple rib fractures, a fractured eye socket and massive injuries throughout her body, the paper reported.
The woman, who was strangled, also suffered a fatal brain injury.
“He murdered her in a fit of rage in order to steal money from her,” Hearnden said.
“They had a violent argument. He got behind her and grabbed her behind the neck with both hands and marched her upstairs. He threw her to the floor and demanded to know where her purse was, rifled through her drawers,” he said.
“He said, ‘I will f—- kill you! I will stab you!’ She tried to escape but he pinned her to the floor. He said he had had enough and took her to a cashpoint [ATM] and made her take £50 out of her bank account,” the prosecutor said.
Myers was found dead, partially dressed, with a bottle of vodka lying nearby.
Gobar has denied murder charges.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--I live in my van by choice

I live in my van by choice

This couple is living out of their van — and loving it .
Self-described “ digital nomads ” La and @ @ @ @ @ after the COVID-19 pandemic hit .
“ I need to create my own reality , @ @ @ @ @ said to himself .
“ I just saw the writing on the wall , and @ @ @ @ @ out.
” Now the Fishers travel all over the beautiful state of Oregon in a @ @ @ @ @ able to work remotely , allowing more time to enjoy nature .
“ It really @ @ @ @ @ our sanity , ” Mel , 45 , told The Post .
Take a tour @ @ @ @ @ here , including a breakdown of their expenses .

This couple is living out of their van — and loving it. Self-described "digital nomads" La and Mel Fisher uprooted their life after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. "I need to create my own reality," La, 46, said to himself. "I just saw the writing on the wall, and we just had to bug out."
Now the Fishers travel all over the beautiful state of Oregon in a Mercedes camper. Both are able to work remotely, allowing more time to enjoy nature. "It really made a huge difference in our sanity," Mel, 45, told The Post. Take a tour of their untethered day-to-day routine here, including a breakdown of their expenses.
Subscribe to our YouTube!


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--Trump teases 2024 run at White House Christmas party

President Trump hinted during a holiday reception Tuesday evening at the White House of running for office again in 2024 – as he continues to allege widespread voter fraud in this year ’ s election .
“ It ’ s been an amazing four years , ” the president told the crowd , which included many Republican National Committee members .
“ We ’ re trying to do another four years .
Otherwise , I ’ ll see you in four years.
” Attendee Pam Pollard , national committeewoman for the Oklahoma GOP , streamed footage of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard continuing to claim election fraud to explain his defeat by President-elect Joe Biden .
But his latest allegations came just hours after Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department had not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud — and had seen nothing that would change the outcome of the election .
“ It ’ s certainly an unusual year .
We won an election .
But they don ’ t like that , ” Trump told the group , adding : “ I call it a rigged election , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendees that “ it ’ s been an amazing four years , ” according to CNN .
He also asked if people were watching the “ fraud hearings ” with his legal team , led by attorney Rudy Giuliani , with state legislatures in an attempt to overturn the election .
“ Honestly , this is a disgrace , ” he said from the White House ’ s grand staircase , according to the network .
Trump has yet to concede to Biden , even though his administration has given the green light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

President Trump hinted during a holiday reception Tuesday evening at the White House of running for office again in 2024 – as he continues to allege widespread voter fraud in this year’s election.
“It’s been an amazing four years,” the president told the crowd, which included many Republican National Committee members. “We’re trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll see you in four years.”
Attendee Pam Pollard, national committeewoman for the Oklahoma GOP, streamed footage of Trump’s remarks live on Facebook.
Trump is heard continuing to claim election fraud to explain his defeat by President-elect Joe Biden.
But his latest allegations came just hours after Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department had not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud — and had seen nothing that would change the outcome of the election.
Donald Trump Getty Images
“It’s certainly an unusual year. We won an election. But they don’t like that,” Trump told the group, adding: “I call it a rigged election, and I always will.”
The commander-in-chief told the attendees that “it’s been an amazing four years,” according to CNN.
He also asked if people were watching the “fraud hearings” with his legal team, led by attorney Rudy Giuliani, with state legislatures in an attempt to overturn the election.
“Honestly, this is a disgrace,” he said from the White House’s grand staircase, according to the network.
Trump has yet to concede to Biden, even though his administration has given the green light for the official presidential transition to begin.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--CDC to reduce length of recommended quarantine following COVID-19 exposure

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the number of days one should quarantine after being exposed to the coronavirus from 14 days to 7-10 days .
Dr. Robert Redfield , Director of the CDC , made the announcement during a coronavirus task force meeting on Tuesday .
Dr. Redfield informed Vice President Mike Pence and the White House coronavirus task force that the CDC will be issuing new orders on the number of days that a person who has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should quarantine “ soon ” reports CNN .
The new guidelines recommend that someone who has been exposed or had close contact with the virus should quarantine for seven to 10 days , which is less than the originally recommended 14 days .
According to the new guidelines , the individual can end their quarantine after seven days with a negative COVID-19 test , or 10 days without a test .
The CDC has defined close contact as “ multiple encounters with an infected person ” or “ exposures adding up to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or closer to an infected person.
” According to a CDC official , the vice president has been pushing for the CDC to re-examine the guidelines for many months now .
Health officials have continued to stress the importance of masks and social distancing , even with a potential vaccine in the works .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the number of days one should quarantine after being exposed to the coronavirus from 14 days to between seven and 10 days.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, made the announcement during a White House coronavirus task force meeting Tuesday.
Redfield informed Vice President Mike Pence and the task force that the CDC will be issuing new guidance on the number of days that a person who has been in direct contact with the COVID-19 virus should quarantine “soon,” reports CNN.
The new guidelines recommend that someone who has been exposed or has had close contact with the virus should quarantine for seven to 10 days, which is less than the originally recommended 14 days.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC UPI
According to the new guidelines, the individual can end their quarantine after seven days with a negative COVID-19 test, or 10 days without a test.
The CDC has defined close contact as “multiple encounters with an infected person” or “exposures adding up to a total of 15 minutes spent six feet or closer to an infected person.”
According to a CDC official, the vice president has been pushing for the CDC to re-examine the guidelines for many months.
Health officials have continued to stress the importance of masks and social distancing, even with a potential vaccine in the works.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--COVID-19 positive bride says ‘I do’ from parents’ second-story window

This wedding gives “ in sickness and in health ” a whole new meaning .
Riverside , California , couple Lauren and Patrick Delgado were forced to tie the knot while separated by a literal rope after the bride tested positive for COVID-19 just days before their scheduled nuptials , according to a report .
The ceremony was held Nov. 20 at Lauren ’ s family home in Ontario , California , while she isolated herself from the groom and wedding guests in a second-story bathroom , reports KTLA .
She told the station that she and her husband-to-be were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to adapt to the rapidly changing pandemic .
“ We were cautious throughout the entire time , making sure that we always wore our masks everywhere , ” Patrick Delgado said .
“ When she got that positive test result , I ’ ll be honest , it took a massive toll on her.
” But after the couple rescheduled the ceremony three times and with the clock ticking on their marriage license , the couple decided to hold the Nov. 20 ceremony anyway — with just 10 people in attendance .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her parent ’ s house and Patrick standing in the front yard , both lovers held on to a rope which was used to signify their commitment to each other .
“ I always dreamt of getting married .
I never expected this is how it would turn out , ” Lauren said .
This week , after isolating for 10 days , Lauren and Patrick finally saw each other for the first time as a married couple .
The couple plans to renew their vows and hold a big celebration next year @ @ @ @ @ @

This wedding gives “in sickness and in health” a whole new meaning.
Riverside, California, couple Lauren and Patrick Delgado were forced to tie the knot while separated by a literal rope after the bride tested positive for COVID-19 just days before their scheduled nuptials, according to a report.
The ceremony was held Nov. 20 at Lauren’s family home in Ontario, California, while she isolated herself from the groom and wedding guests in a second-story bathroom, reports KTLA.
She told the station that she and her husband-to-be were forced to change their plans several times to adapt to the rapidly changing pandemic.
“We were cautious throughout the entire time, making sure that we always wore our masks everywhere,” Patrick Delgado said.
“When she got that positive test result, I’ll be honest, it took a massive toll on her.”
But after the couple rescheduled the ceremony three times and with the clock ticking on their marriage license, the couple decided to hold the Nov. 20 ceremony anyway — with just 10 people in attendance.
With Lauren sitting in the second-story window of her parent’s house and Patrick standing in the front yard, both lovers held on to a rope which was used to signify their commitment to each other.
“I always dreamt of getting married. I never expected this is how it would turn out,” Lauren said.
This week, after isolating for 10 days, Lauren and Patrick finally saw each other for the first time as a married couple.
The couple plans to renew their vows and hold a big celebration next year, on their first anniversary.


newyorkpost--2020-12-02--UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
The United Kingdom on Wednesday authorized use of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine , becoming the first Western country to allow widespread use of a vaccine .
Pfizer responded to the approval by announcing they would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the UK .
It also expects to get similar recognition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
Britain ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) said the inoculation provides 95 percent protection against the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective , according to the BBC .
The country expects to start immunization of high priority groups in a matter of days .
The UK ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine , with 10 million doses expected soon .
“ We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world , ” Bourla said in a statement .
The first vaccine approval for mass use comes as more than 59,000 people have died in Britain from the virus and more than 1.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The United Kingdom on Wednesday authorized use of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first Western country to allow widespread use of a vaccine.
Pfizer responded to the approval by announcing it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the UK. It also expects to get similar recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said the inoculation provides 95 percent protection against the COVID-19 virus, making it both safe and effective, according to the BBC.
The country expects to start immunization of high-priority groups in a matter of days. The UK ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine, with 10 million doses expected soon.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the UK decision “a historic moment.”
“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.
The first vaccine approval for mass use comes as more than 59,000 people have died in Britain from the virus and more than 1.4 million people have perished from the disease worldwide.