newyorkpost--2020-01-08--The Chicken Littles got everything wrong on Trump and Iran

When it comes to Iran , the Democrats who want to ...

If you went to bed early Tuesday, you were surprised to wake up Wednesday and learn that World War III has been delayed. No doubt you were also shocked that Iran blinked, oil prices were tumbling and the stock market was soaring.
Once again, the Chicken Little chorus got everything all wrong. The sky isn’t falling and Donald Trump pulled off a huge victory. Oh, and he’s still president.
Iran’s decision to pretend it was retaliating for the death of Qassem Soleimani by lobbing ineffective missiles is terrific news for America and freedom-loving people everywhere. So was Trump’s Wednesday offer of negotiations, which he wrapped in even tougher economic sanctions and warnings against any new attacks on Americans.
Over the last week, the president has put on a clinic in seeking peace while projecting strength. Just don’t expect to find the outcome described that way in the New York Times or on CNN.
Comically, the Times tried to turn America’s victory into defeat, with its top headline declaring that “Trump Backs Away From Further Military Conflict With Iran.” Imagine the headline if he had chosen the military option.
The Times is so deep into the anti-Trump weeds that it swallowed the mullahs’ propaganda that the crush of Iranians said to be mourning the death of Soleimani took to the streets voluntarily.
Notice the pattern? Anything that makes Trump look bad is good, facts be damned. They treat foreign mass murderers better than they treat him.
Still, if you’re keeping score at home, this marks approximately 1 million times Trump has escaped a doomsday certainty. Alas, his survival only seems remarkable because he has such fools for opponents. And I don’t refer just to the Iranians.
Blinded by hate, the Democrat/media industrial complex has created a daily soap opera where they predict Trump’s imminent collapse, and usually openly cheer for it.
One result is that his survival always surprises them. While some of Trump’s escapes do qualify as Houdini-esque, the bold takedown of Soleimani wasn’t one of them.
Strategically and morally, it was a no-brainer that the terror mastermind deserved to die, and the notion that Trump’s presidency would be ended because he approved the mission was wishful thinking at its most diabolical.
It’s true that if any Democrat or your average Republican were sitting in the Oval Office, Soleimani would still be strutting around the Mideast, spreading mayhem and death like an evil Johnny Appleseed. But that’s only because no other politicians on the stage have Trump’s America First convictions and the courage to act on them.
Given their druthers, politicians-as-usual choose appeasement every time. That’s how Iran, pre-Trump, paid a relatively minor price for its 40-year reign as the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.
Take House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was still regretting Soleimani’s demise Tuesday evening while Iranian rockets were falling on two bases in Iraq that house American troops.
Saying she was “closely monitoring” the attacks, she tweeted that “We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence.”
So targeting Soleimani was a “needless provocation”? She’s so full of rage, she probably wants to make his death a third article of impeachment.
Surely you remember impeachment? How it was so urgent that the House couldn’t possibly let voters pick the president this November. How Trump was such a threat to a fair election that there wasn’t time for a full inquiry and only a partisan kangaroo court would do.
Pelosi spewed those lies and more before she put the articles in a drawer last month, not to be seen since.
Thwarted by public opposition, she’s changing the subject again. Her new sleight-of-hand is to declare an urgent need for a war powers resolution that would tie Trump’s hands and prevent him from holding Iran accountable.
This is no ordinary nonsense, though it’s not without a twisted logic. Pelosi, like nearly all Dems and the media, still believes in the fiction otherwise known as the Iranian nuke deal. Hook, line and sinker, they bought Barack Obama’s risible claim that the deal — not a treaty — would lure Iran back into the community of nations. Obama even sweetened the pot with billions of dollars, and skirted banking rules to deliver pallets of cash to Tehran.
In fact, it was quickly clear that Soleimani used much of that money to fund armed proxy groups throughout the Mideast. As Trump said Wednesday, “Iran went on a terror spree funded by the money from the deal and created hell in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq.”
That blood money is part of what Pelosi wants to protect with her war powers resolution on Iran.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Nanny immediately suspected Fotis Dulos in wife’s disappearance: cops

Fotis Dulos and his ex-girlfriend will have to await trial ...

Jennifer Dulos’ longtime nanny feared the worst when she went missing — and immediately suspected that estranged husband Fotis Dulos was “most likely involved,” court records show.
Lauren Almeida told detectives she sent Jennifer three text messages that weren’t returned on the afternoon of May 24, according to the warrant on which Fotis was arrested Tuesday on murder and kidnapping charges.
At 4 p.m., after taking the couple’s five kids to their maternal grandmother’s Fifth Avenue apartment, Almeida called her employer’s cellphone and was sent straight to voicemail.
“Immediately my stomach sank, and I had a feeling that something was wrong,” she told detectives.
“In the almost seven years that I have worked for Jennifer I NEVER EVER had a hard time reaching her and NEVER had an issue with her phone being off.”
Jennifer, who had an early morning doctor’s appointment in the city, was also was supposed to show up for her children’s orthodontist appointment at 4:40 p.m., but didn’t appear, the warrant says.
When Almeida learned that, she told detectives, “my first thought was that Fotis did something.”
“After pondering other possible scenarios, Ms. Almeida arrived back at the feeling that ‘something happened and that Fotis was most likely involved,'” the warrant says.
Almeida also told detectives about previously finding Jennifer’s handbag on the floor between the mudroom and kitchen in her New Canaan, Connecticut, house when she arrived there at 11:30 a.m., and about finding Jennifer’s “unopened granola bar and mug of tea on the kitchen counter,” the warrant says.
After Almeida and Jennifer’s close friend, Laurel Watts, reported Jennifer as missing to the New Canaan cops, Almeida called Fotis at 8:41 p.m., the warrant says.
“Fotis never asked me how Jennifer was doing the day previously, or when I had last heard from her or showed any concern about the fact that Jennifer was missing,” she told detectives.
Fotis, who was engaged in a bitter divorce battle with Jennifer at the time, has denied any involvement in her disappearance.
Defense lawyer Norman Pattis has also said he anticipates “beating these allegations at trial” and on Wednesday downplayed the evidence against his client following a court hearing in Stamford.
“What we have is a suspicious disappearance and an entirely circumstantial case,” Pattis told reporters.
“After this great length of time, I expected to see a forensic display that was breathtaking. I saw nothing.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Bobby Portis’ fine for slap could have been worse for Knicks

SALT LAKE CITY – The NBA may have done the Knicks a little favor by fining Bobby Portis , rather than suspend him .
The Knicks already are reeling from Julius Randle leaving the squad in Los Angeles to deal with a family issue , while Marcus Morris is expected out with a neck injury for Wednesday ’ s western trip finale against Utah .
The league elected to fine Portis a whopping $ 25,000 after his dangerous slap to the head of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Tuesday night , as the Lakers ’ guard rose for a layup in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ejected on a flagrant 2 and NBA executive Kiki VanDeWeghe called the action “ recklessly making contact above the shoulders of an airborne shooter.
” Portis was apologetic after the 117-87 loss to the Lakers .
Caldwell-Pope was tested for a concussion after taking the fall but later returned .
“ I tried to block the ball , missed the ball , hit him in the head , ’ ’ Portis said .
“ My apologies and I was happy to see him come back into the game .
My intention was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I made a basketball play on the ball .
My intent is to play hard .
That ’ s my MO .
I accidently hit him in the head.
’ ’ Meanwhile , Randle ’ s availability for the near-future is unclear .
After the Lakers ’ game , he looked distraught and was brought into a room for privacy .
Knicks GM Scott Perry and president Steve Mills also looked heartbroken well after the game .
Randle ’ s status for Friday ’ s game vs. New Orleans is up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knicks , listen to the latest episode of the “ Big Apple Buckets ” podcast :

SALT LAKE CITY — Bobby Portis was thankful the NBA fined him and didn’t suspend him for Wednesday’s Utah game, but he still plans to appeal the $25,000 hit.
Portis was whacked by the NBA for his slap at Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s head Tuesday as the Lakers guard drove for a layup late in the second quarter at Staples Center. After Caldwell-Pope lay prone on the floor in pain, he was examined for a concussion.
“I went after the ball,’’ Portis said before the Knicks’ 128-104 loss. “I didn’t mean any harm or hurt anyone. I’m happy he didn’t get hurt. Happy to see him do his thing on the court. When you get a Flagrant 2, it’s going to be a fine. I didn’t think it would be that much.’’
Asked if he will appeal, Portis said he would.
“Obviously you try to when they take more than they should,’’ Portis said.
Caldwell-Pope actually returned to the game in the fourth quarter, but the NBA may have done the Knicks a little favor by not suspending Portis. The Knicks were reeling from Julius Randle leaving the squad in Los Angeles to deal with a serious family issue while Marcus Morris was out with a neck injury for Wednesday’s western trip finale against Utah.
Portis was ejected on a Flagrant 2, and NBA executive Kiki VanDeWeghe called the action “recklessly making contact above the shoulders of an airborne shooter.”
Interim coach Mike Miller supported Portis after the game. Before facing Utah, Miller didn’t want to get into the league’s view about the play being reckless.
“He apologized for the play, said it wasn’t intentional,’’ Miller said. “The league weighed in on it. Now I think the thing to do is move forward. Bobby wants to move forward.”
As for Randle, his return to the team is unknown, but it seems unlikely he will return for the Friday game vs. New Orleans. GM Scott Perry and president Steve Mills also looked heartbroken well after the game.
“It’s a personal matter,’’ Miller said. “We’ll respect his privacy and give him a chance to deal with this situation. When he’s ready to come back he’ll be back.’’
Reggie Bullock started at small forward for Marcus Morris, as Miller bypassed Kevin Knox again.
Knox has looked timid in recent games and in the first six minutes against Utah, he didn’t take a shot. Nevertheless, he got bolder as the game wore on and tore in for a layup in the third quarter. But his shots aren’t really falling. He was 2 of 10 — 0 for 5 from the 3-point line — finishing with six points in 29 minutes.
Despite the massive amount of garbage time, Allonzo Trier did not play.
PG Emmanuel Mudiay, whom the Knicks did not pursue in free agency, has found a home off the bench for Utah and dumped in 20 points against the Knicks.
Before the game, Jazz coach Quinn Snyder said he was thrilled with his commitment and intangibles.
“I’ve really liked a lot of things — beginning with the commitment he made to grow as a player. He’s given himself up to his team and teammates. That means scoring at times, pickup points up the floor. It means not getting screened, blocking out on the defensive glass, pushing the ball. It means putting in hours and hours of work.’’
For more on the Knicks, listen to the latest episode of the “Big Apple Buckets” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Cancer death rates are dropping in US, report says

Alex Trebek has a message of support for Congressman John ...

We’re kicking cancer’s butt.
The cancer death rate in the US has declined for the 26th year, according to a heartening new report published Wednesday in the American Cancer Society’s “CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.”
The death rate from the illnesses was rising until 1991, and then began falling steadily through 2017, which, the report says, translates into an overall decline of 29%. It means there have been 2.9 million fewer deaths than if the rates had stayed at the increased levels.
In fact, from 2016 to 2017, the US experienced a 2.2% decline in overall cancer-related deaths, which is the greatest year-over-year drop since the group began collecting data.
An encouraging drop in lung cancer is a big reason for the overall decline. The disease fell 4% from 2013 through 2017 in women and 5% during the same years in men.
“What is really driving that is the acceleration in the decline of mortality for lung cancer, and the reason that is encouraging is because lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death,” Rebecca Siegel, the lead author of the report, told CNN.
Improvements in lung cancer treatments have helped bring the numbers down, she added.
Still, despite the good news, lung cancer is still a major killer: It was responsible for more cancer-related deaths in 2017 than brain, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers combined.
Meanwhile, while still declining, the year-to-year reductions in deaths from female breast and colorectal cancers are slowing down.
The report cites the FDA’s approval of new therapies for metastatic disease and early detection as other reasons for the death-rate declines.
The odds of being diagnosed with an invasive cancer during a lifetime is now 40.1% for men and 38.7% for women, according to the report. The report projects 202 will see 1,806,590 new cancer cases and 606,520 cancer deaths in the US.
In New York, expect to see 117,910 new cancer cases this year, including 17,540 cases of female breast cancer, 11,470 of prostate cancer and 13,370 lung and bronchus cancer cases.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Cuomo dodges bail-reform issues in State of the State address

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday delivered his 10th State of ...

Bernadette Hogan, Larry Celona, Tina Moore, Aaron Feis

Gov. Andrew Cuomo touched on dozens of proposals in his State of the State Address on Wednesday, but didn’t spare a single breath discussing tweaks to New York’s criminal justice overhauls.
The glaring omission came despite Cuomo’s concession earlier this week that the brand-new bail reform law is in need of “changes.”
The blind spot in an otherwise kitchen-sink, hour-plus presentation in Albany flummoxed politicians on both sides of the aisle.
“It was a dereliction,” said Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive who in 2018 was the GOP challenger pitted against Cuomo for the governorship.
“He should’ve acknowledged that, and I’m surprised he didn’t,” Molinaro added.
Bail reform, part of the large criminal justice package that became law on New Year’s Day, bars judges from imposing bail as a condition of release for suspects in most misdemeanors and select felonies.
Within a week of the implementation of the reforms, state Republicans, moderate Democrats and even Mayor Bill de Blasio called for it to be scaled back.
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Schenectady), like Molinaro, was shocked that the issue didn’t make Cuomo’s State of the State agenda.
“How can you ignore the most important issue?” Santabarbara asked. “That is the No. 1 issue, and it’s not even being talked about.”
Those on the frontlines of the criminal justice system were incensed by the snub.
“That’s a glaring omission, especially since that’s all he talked about when he was pushing for the changes,” said one law enforcement source. “Is he looking to distance himself already from something he was the leading proponent of?”
Ed Mullins, president of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, also focused on what was absent from Cuomo’s address.
“Political leaders from Cuomo down the food chain have run the state & local municipalities into the toilet,” tweeted Mullins. “Not one word was mentioned about changing the current Bail Reform law in his speech.”
A spokesman for Cuomo said the governor didn’t address bail reform on Wednesday because he had broached the subject earlier in the week, a reference to an event at which he said “changes” are needed.
Among the proposals Cuomo used Wednesday to fill all the stage time he didn’t spend discussing bail reform were a three-year subway ban for serial pervs, legalization of recreational marijuana and tougher domestic-terrorism laws with an eye toward hate attacks.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona and Tina Moore


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Zoë Kravitz reveals her favorite part of being married

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Newlywed Zoë Kravitz , who is notoriously private about her personal life , is revealing more about her recent nuptials to actor Karl Glusman .
In a new interview with Elle , the 31-year-old “ Big Little Lies ” actress said , “ The best part of being married is being able to have the odd fight and knowing neither of us is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels safe.
” Kravitz and Glusman , 32 , tied the knot in Paris last summer in front of A-list pals and family , including her famous parents Lisa Bonet and rocker Lenny Kravitz .
She explained that her upbringing helped her a solid relationship with another actor .
“ I ’ m used to my family living in different cities , yet we stay close while all doing our own things , ” she said , also adding , “ Karl has his own career and needs to focus on that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few years now , and we know where we are.
” Months after their wedding , Kravitz posted a series of black and white photos from the big day .
For her rehearsal dinner , she wore a bridal version of bike shorts , and on her wedding day , she donned a poofy dropped-waist , tea-length gown by Alexander Wang .

Newlywed Zoë Kravitz, who is notoriously private about her personal life, is revealing more about her recent nuptials to actor Karl Glusman.
In a new interview with Elle, the 31-year-old “Big Little Lies” actress said, “The best part of being married is being able to have the odd fight and knowing neither of us is going to walk out the door. The commitment feels safe.”
Kravitz and Glusman, 32, tied the knot in Paris last summer in front of A-list pals and family, including her famous parents Lisa Bonet and rocker Lenny Kravitz.
She explained that her upbringing helped her a solid relationship with another actor.
“I’m used to my family living in different cities, yet we stay close while all doing our own things,” she said, also adding, “Karl has his own career and needs to focus on that, but we’ve been together for a few years now, and we know where we are.”
Months after their wedding, Kravitz posted a series of black and white photos from the big day.
For her rehearsal dinner, she wore a bridal version of bike shorts, and on her wedding day, she donned a poofy dropped-waist, tea-length gown by Alexander Wang.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Lizzo volunteers at Australian food bank to help wildfire victims

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Lizzo took time out from her Australian tour to volunteer at a local food bank as wildfires torch the country .
The 31-year-old singer was snapped Wednesday at Foodbank Victoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she packed hampers for areas hit by the infernos .
“ What a [ star ] she even packed hampers for fire-affected regions .
Thank you for the support , ” the organization wrote on Facebook .
The “ Good as Hell ” artist performed earlier in the week at the Sydney Opera House and was set to take the stage at the Forum Melbourne on Wednesday night .
Lizzo ’ s charity work comes as the country faces a wildfire crisis that has burned 12.25 million acres , destroyed around 2,000 homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
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She’s doing good as hell.
Lizzo took time out from her Australian tour to volunteer at a local food bank as wildfires torch the country.
The 31-year-old singer was snapped Wednesday at Foodbank Victoria’s location in Melbourne, where she packed hampers for areas hit by the infernos.
“What a [star] she even packed hampers for fire-affected regions. Thank you for the support,” the organization wrote on Facebook.
The “Good as Hell” artist performed earlier in the week at the Sydney Opera House and was set to take the stage at the Forum Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Lizzo’s charity work comes as the country faces a wildfire crisis that has burned 12.25 million acres, destroyed around 2,000 homes and killed at least 25 people.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Conjoined twins successfully separated by 78-member team in Nigeria

Two conjoined twins were successfully separated during a procedure by a 78-member team in Nigeria , hospital officials announced Wednesday .
Mercy and Goodness Ede were joined at the chest and abdomen before they underwent the 13-hour surgery six weeks ago at the National Hospital in the capital city of Abuja , CNN reported .
“ We are just happy and proud that the team that worked on this surgery were all Nigerians .
It was done in Nigeria , and the parents didn ’ t have to go outside the country , ” said National Hospital spokesman Dr. Tayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being released now to ensure there were no post-surgery complications .
The sisters were born in August with a condition known as omphalocele , a birth defect that left a section of their intestines outside their navels , CNN reported .
Complications prevented the doctors from performing the surgery until November .
“ We needed to determine if they could live independently when they are separated .
We found out that they were sharing a diaphragm and one liver was serving both of them , but all other organs were separate , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The twins were the first to be separated at the center , which did the operation free of charge , the outlet reported .
Conjoined twins are extremely rare , accounting for one in 50,000 births , the report said .

Two conjoined twins were successfully separated during a procedure by a 78-member team in Nigeria, hospital officials announced Wednesday.
Mercy and Goodness Ede were joined at the chest and abdomen before they underwent the 13-hour surgery six weeks ago at the National Hospital in the capital city of Abuja, CNN reported.
“We are just happy and proud that the team that worked on this surgery were all Nigerians. It was done in Nigeria, and the parents didn’t have to go outside the country,” said National Hospital spokesman Dr. Tayo Haastrup, who noted details were only being released now to ensure there were no post-surgery complications.
The sisters were born in August with a condition known as omphalocele, a birth defect that left a section of their intestines outside their navels, CNN reported.
Complications prevented the doctors from performing the surgery until November.
“We needed to determine if they could live independently when they are separated. We found out that they were sharing a diaphragm and one liver was serving both of them, but all other organs were separate,” pediatric surgeon Emmanuel Ameh told CNN.
The twins were the first to be separated at the center, which did the operation free of charge, the outlet reported.
Conjoined twins are extremely rare, accounting for one in 50,000 births, the report said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Escort debuts ‘sex-proof’ makeup for sex workers

The art of seduction has new war paint .
Heaux Cosmetics is a new line of “ sex-proof ” makeup — gels , powders and pastes — designed specifically for sex workers .
“ A lot of makeups claim they ’ re long-wearing , and you might be able to get through a cocktail with them , but not a b - - w job or a hot shower , ” the 29-year-old creator Lydia Dupra — an escort-turned-guidance counselor for professional temptresses who calls herself the “ Heaux Mentor ” — tells The Post .
“ When someone books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect you to still be hot in the morning , as unrealistic as that is .
So having makeup that is still on when you wake up is massive , ” says Dupra , who went viral last year when she posted a video confessing that she was being haunted by her deceased 300-pound sugar daddy , Brad .
“ It ’ s game changing.
“ The collection of roughly 25 products includes lipstick , eyeliner and eye shadow with cheeky names such as “ In the Will , ” “ Offshore Account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re made to be smear-resistant .
Dupra , who shares her experience working as an escort for the rich and powerful in her books “ The Complete Guide to Escorting ” and “ My Heaux Memoir , ” says that the power of her cosmetics doesn ’ t just impact the ladies .
Makeup can make or break an affair for the Johns , as well .
“ If you leave lipstick on the collar of a client it could potentially ruin his entire life if he is married , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she says .
“ Or , if it ’ s just a really nice shirt , he could be like , ‘ You bitch , I ’ ll never hire you again .
This is Versace !
’ ” Dupra knows the cost personally .
She once lost out on a fortune when a randy billionaire showed her the door because of her perfume .
“ He was absolutely beyond wealthy and allergic to perfume , ” she says .
“ I forgot , and when I met him he started wheezing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called me again .
When you are that intimate , you can ’ t take chances like that with health and allergies.
” For that reason , her products don ’ t have a fragrance .
But she does have two subtly-scented “ secret weapons , ” infused with Oxytocin ( the so-called “ love hormone ” ) and pheromones to relax clients and turn on those around them .
She ’ s also got a proprietary anal-bleach serum ( $ 60 ) .
Dupra says that she has been obsessively researching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-wear , E.U.-certified products , which range in price from $ 18 to $ 80 .
“ There is a difference between , ‘ Oh , this lasts a long time !
’ and ‘ Oh , my God , it won ’ t come off , ’ ” she says .
“ I told the laboratory , ‘ No , I literally don ’ t want it to come off.
” ( She suggests an oil-based makeup remover and “ being patient ” if you do indeed want to wash it off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products for months , ” she says .
“ I have sex in them .
I sleep in them .
I have a hot shower in them .
I wear them in a good mood and in a bad mood , and I cry in them.
” Dupra has already received nearly a thousand online orders , and she hopes to open a Los Angeles store in the next year .
But her real ambition is to “ create a social movement.
” “ I want there to be more businesses run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the money in the community , ” she says .
“ But my audience is way larger than sex workers .
I ’ ve worked with everyday women who want to feel sexy again .
They say , ‘ Oh , my God , I put it on and my husband loved it .
I felt like a high-class escort.
’ And I ’ m like , ‘ Yeah , it feels damn good to be an escort.
‘ ”

The art of seduction has new war paint.
Heaux Cosmetics is a new line of “sex-proof” makeup — gels, powders and pastes — designed specifically for sex workers.
“A lot of makeups claim they’re long-wearing, and you might be able to get through a cocktail with them, but not a b - - w job or a hot shower,” the 29-year-old creator Lydia Dupra — an escort-turned-guidance counselor for professional temptresses who calls herself the “Heaux Mentor”— tells The Post.
“When someone books an overnight appointment with you, they expect you to still be hot in the morning, as unrealistic as that is. So having makeup that is still on when you wake up is massive,” says Dupra, who went viral last year when she posted a video confessing that she was being haunted by her deceased 300-pound sugar daddy, Brad. “It’s game changing.“
The collection of roughly 25 products includes lipstick, eyeliner and eye shadow with cheeky names such as “In the Will,” “Offshore Account” and “Dubai,” and they’re made to be smear-resistant. Dupra, who shares her experience working as an escort for the rich and powerful in her books “The Complete Guide to Escorting” and “My Heaux Memoir,” says that the power of her cosmetics doesn’t just impact the ladies.
Makeup can make or break an affair for the Johns, as well.
“If you leave lipstick on the collar of a client it could potentially ruin his entire life if he is married, or it could be a sex scandal,” she says. “Or, if it’s just a really nice shirt, he could be like, ‘You bitch, I’ll never hire you again. This is Versace!’ ”
Dupra knows the cost personally. She once lost out on a fortune when a randy billionaire showed her the door because of her perfume.
“He was absolutely beyond wealthy and allergic to perfume,” she says. “I forgot, and when I met him he started wheezing, sneezing and coughing. He never called me again. When you are that intimate, you can’t take chances like that with health and allergies.”
For that reason, her products don’t have a fragrance. But she does have two subtly-scented “secret weapons,” infused with Oxytocin (the so-called “love hormone”) and pheromones to relax clients and turn on those around them. She’s also got a proprietary anal-bleach serum ($60).
Dupra says that she has been obsessively researching the beauty industry for years to create her long-wear, E.U.-certified products, which range in price from $18 to $80.
“There is a difference between, ‘Oh, this lasts a long time!’ and ‘Oh, my God, it won’t come off,’ ” she says. “I told the laboratory, ‘No, I literally don’t want it to come off.” (She suggests an oil-based makeup remover and “being patient” if you do indeed want to wash it off.)
“I personally tested these products for months,” she says. “I have sex in them. I sleep in them. I have a hot shower in them. I wear them in a good mood and in a bad mood, and I cry in them.”
Dupra has already received nearly a thousand online orders, and she hopes to open a Los Angeles store in the next year. But her real ambition is to “create a social movement.”
“I want there to be more businesses run by sex workers for sex workers so we keep the money in the community,” she says. “But my audience is way larger than sex workers. I’ve worked with everyday women who want to feel sexy again. They say, ‘Oh, my God, I put it on and my husband loved it. I felt like a high-class escort.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, it feels damn good to be an escort.‘ ”


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Twitter will allow users to restrict comments on posts

Twitter plans to fight internet trolls by testing a new feature that allows users to control who can reply to their posts , the company said Wednesday .
The social media service will test out a temporary “ reply limiting ” tool that lets people choose who can join their conversation — everyone , only followers , only people mentioned in the tweet or nobody at all — before they click send , Twitter said in a statement .
All public accounts will still be visible to everyone on the platform — but only the “ selected audience ” will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users will still be able to quote-retweet to add their two cents .
The feature will roll out sometime this year and be treated as a temporary experiment , reps for the firm said .
“ As part of our work to help people feel safe participating in the conversation on Twitter , we want to give them more control over the conversations they start , for example , who can reply to their Tweets .
We will be experimenting with this in early 2020 , ” the statement said .
The feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ conversational health ” and to reduce targeted harassment and toxic comments , Mashable reported .
” Part of the goal of the experiment is seeing what the outcomes are .
How does that influence the ratio [ of retweets ] situation ?
How does that influence how people use good conversations ?
” Twitter ’ s product head Kayvon Beykpour said .
Twitter will first launch the feature to a small group of users within the next two months , then decide whether it wants to expand it to a larger audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s director of product for conversations .
In July , the company introduced a feature to hide replies , but it requires users to manually click each one , which can be time-consuming .

Twitter plans to fight internet trolls by testing a new feature that allows users to control who can reply to their posts, the company said Wednesday.
The social media service will test out a temporary “reply limiting” tool that lets people choose who can join their conversation — everyone, only followers, only people mentioned in the tweet or nobody at all — before they click send, Twitter said in a statement.
All public accounts will still be visible to everyone on the platform — but only the “selected audience” will be able to directly reply. All users will still be able to quote-retweet to add their two cents.
The feature will roll out sometime this year and be treated as a temporary experiment, reps for the firm said.
“As part of our work to help people feel safe participating in the conversation on Twitter, we want to give them more control over the conversations they start, for example, who can reply to their Tweets. We will be experimenting with this in early 2020,” the statement said.
The feature is part of an effort to boost “conversational health” and to reduce targeted harassment and toxic comments, Mashable reported.
”Part of the goal of the experiment is seeing what the outcomes are. How does that influence the ratio [of retweets] situation? How does that influence how people use good conversations?” Twitter’s product head Kayvon Beykpour said.
Twitter will first launch the feature to a small group of users within the next two months, then decide whether it wants to expand it to a larger audience, according to Suzanne Xie, Twitter’s director of product for conversations.
In July, the company introduced a feature to hide replies, but it requires users to manually click each one, which can be time-consuming.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Councilman calls for ethics probe of de Blasio’s use of NYPD in 2020 bid

That ’ s a whole lot of money for a whole lotta ...

A Queens Councilman has asked the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board to investigate how Mayor Bill de Blasio was able to bill taxpayers over $60,000 for NYPD security as he laid the groundwork for his 2020 run, following a Post report about the expenses.
“It’s outrageous” fumed Councilman Robert Holden, a Democrat who represents Maspeth and Glendale.
Holden wrote to COIB Chairman Richard Briffault Wednesday demanding the probe.
“According to a Freedom of Information Law request by the New York Post, the mayor reportedly spent over $60,000 in taxpayer money on airfare, lodging, food and other expenses for his NYPD security detail. This sum does not include those officers’ salaries, which would certainly include overtime rates on such out-of-state trips. In total, it is guaranteed that hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on the use of city resources while the mayor was outside the city preparing for his presidential campaign,” Holden wrote.
“Yet somehow these trips to Iowa, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Nevada were designated as ‘official business.’ I respectfully request that you provide a ruling on this questionable use of city resources,” Holden wrote.
“I believe the mayor’s actions to be self-serving, wasteful, arrogant and an affront to the taxpayers of this city,” he added.
A COIB spokesman said, “The confidentiality provisions of the City Charter prohibit the Board from disclosing whether it will undertake an investigation or whether it has even received a complaint.”
De Blasio said at an unrelated Albany press conference that his travel was “not a new thing” and that the NYPD consistently protects mayors whenever they go.
Meanwhile, new details from expense reports obtained by The Post show that the mayor’s detail regularly rented gas-guzzling SUVs – even as Hizzoner touted his Green New Deal to small audiences in Iowa and Nevada.
The NYPD officers charged $791 to a department credit card for four SUVs– a Volkswagen Atlas, a Dodge Journey, a Ford Edge, and a Hyundai Santa Fe– in Des Moines in late February where he talked a big game about his Green New Deal to 40 people at a local union hall.
“We gotta go right at climate change,” he said to the small gathering on Feb. 24.
They also wasted $1,387 for pre-booked hotels they had to forfeit because the detail got stuck in a blizzard criss-crossing Iowa in February. Two detectives doing four days of advance work for the trip to the Hawkeye State billed taxpayers a whopping $8,853 for airfare, hotel, meals, a rental car and fuel.
The security team even relied on the a Chevy Tahoe and Ford Explorers during jaunts to sunnier states like Nevada in March and South Carolina in April.
The administration has yet to provide requested expenses for the detail after de Blasio officially launched his ill-fated presidential campaign in May to when he dropped out in September.
A spokeswoman for de Blasio said, “While the NYPD determines they mayor’s security needs based on the particulars of each situation, we made an effort to rent fuel-efficient vehicles as much as possible. But if you’ve ever traveled across the country, you’ll know that is not always possible.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Ex-cop’s guns taken amid son’s probe into deadly fire on ‘Motherless Brooklyn’ set

The `` Fight Club '' star was shooting a movie in March ...

A retired cop says the city took away his guns as retribution — because his fire-inspector son stumbled onto an alleged city conspiracy to protect Ed Norton’s production company amid the investigation into a fatal fire on his “Motherless Brooklyn” film set.
Retired Scarsdale police officer Ronald Cummings, 75, filed a notice of claim —the precursor to a lawsuit — against the city and the fire department claiming the FDNY extorted him and used his son as leverage to confiscate six handguns guns, for which he had licenses, as part of the “initial and continued cover-up of the death of FDNY Firefighter Michael Davidson — all in the name to protect the Hollywood movie industry.”
Cummings’ son Jonathan Cummings, 42, was part of the FDNY’s “Specht 6” team that investigated the March 2018 fire at the Harlem building where Norton was filming his since-released flick, which led to Davidson’s death.
While the official fire report blamed a boiler for the blaze, Jonathan’s findings ran contrary to that claim, according to the dad’s lawyer, Peter Gleason, who said his own investigation led him to believe the sprinklers, which didn’t go off at the time, had been turned off by the production company. Those findings could have shifted liability from the landlord to Norton’s production company, the lawyer said.
Then, on Sept. 19, 2018, the FDNY ordered Jonathan to hand over his handgun with no reason given, but he was later charged with conduct unbecoming the oath of office because the gun was disassembled when he handed it over and was suspended for a month in October.
Jonathan had left the gun disassembled because it was at home and he wanted to keep it safe from his children, Gleason said.
He has been on modified duty since, and Gleason says the suspension was “fabricated” as part of the retaliation against him for trying to blow the whistle on the true cause of the fire.
Cops and fire marshals are required to fill out paperwork stating what firearms they have access to and who will safeguard the guns if the respondent is incapable.
And since Jonathan listed his dad’s guns on the forms, the FDNY also asked Ronald to turn over his firearms, allegedly threatening that “his son Jonathan’s life would be made miserable” if he did not, according to the notice of claim.
The FDNY had no legal grounds to seize Ronald’s guns, according to Gleason.
“They wanted everybody to get in line to cover up the death of the firefighter and cover up the real cause of it to protect Ed Norton and the movie company,” he said.
Davidson’s widow Eileen has since sued the city, the production company and the landlord for her husband’s death. Displaced tenants of the building have also filed lawsuits.
“Jonathan Cummings said ‘we are here to do a job and do the job honestly.’ To silence Cummings they fabricated disciplinary charges against him,” Gleason said. “The fire department stealing Ronald Cummings firearms by use of extortion was just a tactic used to upset the family relationship between father and son.”
Ronald, who is Jewish, wants his guns back to protect himself in the wake of the recent spate of anti-Semitic violence.
“Unfortunately, it’s open season on Jews and more so than ever the Jewish community must embrace their Second Amendment rights. Mr. Cummings has the right to protect himself and his family from some lunatic that wants to do harm in his synagogue,” Gleason said.
Ronald is seeking $1 million in damages, but he says if his gun is returned to him by Jan. 17 he will only seek $25,000 in damages, the papers say.
The FDNY referred requests for comment to the city Law Department, which declined to comment.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--Legal fight ahead for ‘Bachelor’ alum Jade Roper Tolbert amid $1 million DraftKings scandal

Two former “ Bachelor in Paradise ” darlings , Jade Roper Tolbert and ...

This could get ugly.
The second-place finisher in this past weekend’s “Millionaire Maker” tournament on DraftKings has retained representation in the dispute of collusion charges against “Bachelor in Paradise” stars Jade Roper Tolbert and Tanner Tolbert.
As of Wednesday, the $1 million prize has not been paid out pending an investigation into the “integrity and fairness of [DraftKings’] contests,” according to a statement by the company.
The user, who goes by the alias “sPclk36,” was awarded $100,000 for their second-place finish in the “Millionaire Maker.” Attorney, Alan Milstein, who has litigated on behalf of many sports figures including Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, has been hired by the runner-up.
The controversy stems from accusations that Jade and Tanner Tolbert worked in concert to double their chances by collectively submitting 300 lineups, of which 298 were unique. The accusations against them could be deemed “group play,” which is defined as “team-building complementary lineups which serve to work together and executing a strategy that may create any unfair advantage over individual play,” according to the DraftKings community page.
“We each put in our separate players, in our separate accounts and rooted for own players. No one has ever said a peep about us when we lost for 17 straight weeks,” Tanner Tolbert told ESPN. “Would the questions, accusations and curiosity about this win be the same if the winner had been male and someone who wasn’t already in the public eye?”
Jade Roper, 33, appeared on Season 19 of “The Bachelor,” and Tanner Tolbert, 32, appeared on Season 11 of “The Bachelorette.” The two met on Season 2 of the spin-off series, “Bachelor in Paradise.”
Regardless of the outcome, the case will be precedent-setting and will likely have industry-wide implications. Group play and collusion are already hot-button issues in the daily fantasy sports community, especially as the industry attempts to gain traction in new markets. One DFS expert — Edward Fear the director at Global Daily Fantasy Sports Inc. — called the problem “endemic” and “something that happens in every significant contest.”
If DraftKings were to refuse to pay Jade Roper Tolbert, the former reality television star may opt to sue for breach of contract. DraftKings’ terms and conditions require players to accept arbitration to resolve any legal disputes having to do with transactions or agreements with the company. Having relinquished their rights to a trial by jury, the parties would have to appear before an arbitrator in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, where DraftKings is headquartered. The arbitration hearing would be confidential and would limit potential financial award, as punitive damages are prohibited.
In light of DraftKings’ forthcoming IPO, the company may be wary of entering into any litigation. The litigation discovery process is public, which means that sensitive information would be compelled and published on record. Litigation could be seen as a deterrent to its players and ammunition for skeptical lawmakers who have to weigh in on the legality of fantasy sports and sports betting. Twenty states have legalized sports betting and analysts say the market could be worth $13 billion in three years.
Any legal action could also impact prospective investors and future valuations. DraftKings Inc.’s will have an estimated $3.3 billion in market capital after the three-company merger with Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp. and SBTech.


newyorkpost--2020-01-08--‘Supermarket Sweep’ reboot hosted by Leslie Jones coming to ABC

ABC has officially nabbed the highly anticipated “ Supermarket Sweep ” reboot with “ Saturday Night Live ” alum Leslie Jones as host , ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke announced Wednesday , according to Entertainment Weekly .
“ I ’ ve always dreamed of being on ‘ Supermarket Sweep , ’ ” the 52-year-old comedian said in a statement .
The frenetic Black Friday shopping spree meets “ Jeopardy !
” show follows three teams of two contestants each as they race through supermarket aisles to see who can grab the most valuable goods before time expires .
If that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are periodically quizzed on their knowledge of store merchandise .
“ The original version was one of my all-time favorites , ” says Burke , who is confident that the Jones-hosted reincarnation will appeal to an “ entirely new generation of viewers.
” Jones ’ new gig couldn ’ t have come at a better time .
After getting turned down as host years ago , she was tapped for both emcee and executive producer roles in August — mere hours after it came out that the comedian had left “ SNL.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game show back to life on ABC is my ultimate redemption story !
” says Jones .
Despite providing Leslie a showbiz lifeboat , the game show reboot had yet to find a TV home until being picked up by ABC .
It ’ s a fitting acquisition — “ Supermarket Sweep ” originally aired on ABC from 1965 to 1967 .
It resurfaced on Lifetime from 1990 to 1995 , and then the now-defunct Pax network from 2000 to 2003 .
The shopping show has also made a splash worldwide with 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Supermarket Sweep ” revamp will join an impressive roster of other ABC-acquired reboots , including “ Match Game , ” “ Press Your Luck , ” “ Card Sharks , ” “ To Tell the Truth ” and “ The $ 100,000 Pyramid.
” Details surrounding the reality show remain sparse , however production on the 10-episode series will begin this spring with the release date to be revealed later .

Good news nostalgic game show fans!
ABC has officially nabbed the highly anticipated “Supermarket Sweep” reboot with “Saturday Night Live” alum Leslie Jones as host, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke announced Wednesday, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“I’ve always dreamed of being on ‘Supermarket Sweep,’ ” the 52-year-old comedian said in a statement.
The frenetic Black Friday shopping spree meets “Jeopardy!” show follows three teams of two contestants each as they race through supermarket aisles to see who can grab the most valuable goods before time expires. If that wasn’t challenging enough, shoppers are periodically quizzed on their knowledge of store merchandise.
“The original version was one of my all-time favorites,” says Burke, who is confident that the Jones-hosted reincarnation will appeal to an “entirely new generation of viewers.”
Jones’ new gig couldn’t have come at a better time. After getting turned down as host years ago, she was tapped for both emcee and executive producer roles in August — mere hours after it came out that the comedian had left “SNL.”
“Being able to bring the iconic game show back to life on ABC is my ultimate redemption story!” says Jones.
Despite providing Leslie a showbiz lifeboat, the game show reboot had yet to find a TV home until being picked up by ABC. It’s a fitting acquisition — “Supermarket Sweep” originally aired on ABC from 1965 to 1967. It resurfaced on Lifetime from 1990 to 1995, and then the now-defunct Pax network from 2000 to 2003. The shopping show has also made a splash worldwide with 13 international iterations, reports Variety.
The “Supermarket Sweep” revamp will join an impressive roster of other ABC-acquired reboots, including “Match Game,” “Press Your Luck,” “Card Sharks,” “To Tell the Truth” and “The $100,000 Pyramid.”
Details surrounding the reality show remain sparse, however production on the 10-episode series will begin this spring with the release date to be revealed later.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Two men fighting for their lives after police-involved shooting in East Village

Two men were shot during a police-involved shooting early Thursday in the East Village , according to reports .
At @ @ @ @ @ been shot at Avenue A and East 7th Street when police were first called at @ @ @ @ @ Pix11 .
No officers were injured , and the two men were taken to Bellevue @ @ @ @ @ according to WABC .
A weapon was recovered at the scene of the shooting that @ @ @ @ @ culmination of a street squabble , the station said .
Several blocks of Avenue A @ @ @ @ @ police investigation continued .
The NYPD had warned people in the early hours to avoid @ @ @ @ @ A near Tompkins Square Park “ due to a police-involved shooting.
” The NYPD said @ @ @ @ @ at a press conference early Thursday .

Police shot and killed a reputed gangbanger parolee who had just fatally gunned down another suspected gang member in the East Village early Thursday, authorities said.
The parolee, 37-year-old Earl Facey, and Richard Reid, 41, were both inside the Hayaty Lounge hookah bar on Avenue A near East 7th Street – each accompanied by a woman – when Reid and Facey got into a fight after the women they were with bumped into each other, police and sources said.
During the fracas, a bottle or glass of water was thrown, prompting a bouncer to boot all those involved out onto the street where Facey and Reid ultimately opened fire on each other, sources said.
Two uniformed officers from the 9th Precinct were on patrol inside nearby Tompkins Square Park when they heard gunshots at around 3:30 a.m. and quickly raced over to the scene.
“The officers immediately exited the park and tactically approached the location where they observed a man shooting at another male,” Chief of Department Terence Monahan told reporters.
Facey, believed to be a member of the Insane Gangsta Crips, blasted Reid — also purportedly of the Crips gang — in the torso, sources said, adding that the two men did not know each other.
The cops, who were both wearing body cams, shouted several commands for Facey to drop the weapon and “get on the ground,” but the ex-con “refused” and “kept on walking,” Monahan said, adding that “this is based off of a body-worn camera.”
That’s when the officers fired off three rounds, striking and killing Facey, who had served about seven years in prison for a prior shooting and was on parole for that.
Facey and Reid – who was not struck by police during the wild encounter — were taken to Bellevue Hospital Center where they both were pronounced dead.
Cops said a .22 caliber handgun was found underneath Facey and another .22-caliber handgun was recovered near Reid.
The pair of officers were uninjured and taken to Lenox Hill Hospital for evaluation.
“I remember the cops saying ‘get down’ or something like that. After that I heard gunshots and the guy went down. It was so fast,” said witness Jamielynn De Leon, 35, who added that before the shootout there were several men arguing outside the hookah bar.
Police officials praised the officers involved as heroes.
“This morning’s shooting underscores the courage our cops show each and every day as they run towards the danger,” Monahan said.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a tweet that the police-involved shooting is “another example of the bravery demonstrated by NYPD officers every day.”
“When two suspects shot at each other, our cops put themselves in harm’s way by running toward the danger,” Shea added.
State prison records show that Facey was booked at the Edgecombe Correctional Facility in upper Manhattan on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree on Dec. 28, 2010 and released on parole on Aug. 31, 2017.
Police say that Facey had 21 prior arrests on his record, while Reid had 14 prior arrests.
Additional reporting by Craig McCarthy, Georgett Roberts and Lee Brown


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Dog pees in cup with perfect aim

Dog pees in cup with perfect aim

This dog “ aims ” to please .
Watch the remarkable moment a Saint Bernard named Beethoven shocked his owners @ @ @ @ @ coffee cup that was left on the floor .
“ Are you actually serious right @ @ @ @ @ of Williamstown , New Jersey , asked as the urinating pooch hovered over the cup @

This dog “aims” to please. Watch the remarkable moment a Saint Bernard named Beethoven shocked his owners by peeing directly into a coffee cup that was left on the floor. “Are you actually serious right now?” Brandon Mufalli of Williamstown, New Jersey, asked as the urinating pooch hovered over the cup.
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newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Listen to Episode 6 of ‘Up In The Blue Seats’: Igor Shesterkin Has Arrived feat. Kerry Fraser

It ’ s Thursday , which means time for a brand new episode of the “ Up In The Blue Seats ” Rangers podcast with former Blueshirt Ron Duguay .
Doogie opens the show talking about goaltender Igor Shesterkin ’ s big debut win Tuesday over the Avalanche , 5-3 , and then The Post Rangers beat writer and columnist Larry Brooks drops by in his weekly spot .
Brooks talks about Shesterkin ’ s outing , how nervous the rookie was coming into the game and whether he could be the long-term answer in net .
He talks about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalie position with the three goalies they have in Shesterkin , Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev .
Brooks explains the Lias Andersson saga and the Rangers not helping themselves by not commenting on it .
They also discuss the future of Ryan Strome with how well he has been playing and his value going up .
In “ Ron Remembers , ” Duguay looks back at the Studio 54 days , where Ron met Cher as told in Episode 1 .
In this edition , he tells a hilarious story of a night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s just say Donnie was “ kissing away ” with a woman … or so he thought .
This is a must listen .
Ron also talks about meeting Bianca Jagger and Halston .
Kerry Fraser , the former NHL referee who has officiated more games than any NHL ref ever , then joins the podcast and discusses some of his favorite officiating memories .
They include managing players ’ tempers , an awesome Wayne Gretzky story , why he loved working at Madison Square Garden , the controversial officiating against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it out for certain players .
Fraser speaks about his book “ The Final Call , ” why he wrote it and what it entails .
Subscribe to the “ Up In The Blue Seats ” podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts .
Ron Duguay is joined every Thursday by our team of NY Post Rangers writers along with Rangers special guests .

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for a brand-new episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” Rangers podcast with former Blueshirt Ron Duguay. Doogie opens the show talking about goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s big debut win Tuesday over the Avalanche, 5-3, and then Post Rangers beat writer and columnist Larry Brooks drops by in his weekly spot.
Brooks talks about Shesterkin’s outing, how nervous the rookie was coming into the game and whether he could be the long-term answer in net. He talks about what the Rangers might do at the goalie position with the three goalies they have in Shesterkin, Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev. Brooks explains the Lias Andersson saga and the Rangers not helping themselves by not commenting on it. They also discuss the future of Ryan Strome, whose value has been going up with how well he has been playing.
Subscribe on:
In “Ron Remembers,” Duguay looks back at the Studio 54 days, where Ron met Cher — as told in Episode 1. In this edition, he tells a hilarious story of a night at Studio 54 with Don Murdoch. Let’s just say Donnie was “kissing away” with a woman … or so he thought. This is a must listen. Ron also talks about meeting Bianca Jagger and Halston.
Kerry Fraser, who has officiated more games than any NHL referee, then joins the podcast and discusses some of his favorite officiating memories. They include managing players’ tempers, an awesome Wayne Gretzky story, why he loved working at Madison Square Garden, the controversial officiating against Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux and whether officials have it out for certain players. Fraser speaks about his book, “The Final Call,” why he wrote it and what it entails.
Catch up on all episodes of “Up In The Blue Seats,” a New York Rangers podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ron Duguay is joined every Wednesday by special Rangers guests.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Mexican migrant slits throat after being denied entry at US border

MEXICO CITY – A Mexican asylum-seeker slit his own throat on a bridge across the Rio Grande after being denied entry into the United States , two Mexican security officials said on Wednesday .
The man , who has not been identified , tried to enter the United States at the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge between the Mexican border city of Reynosa and Pharr , Texas .
The officials , who were not authorized to speak publicly , said around 5 p.m. local time , the man drew a knife and cut his throat when denied access to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking asylum .
“ He committed suicide , ” one of the officials said .
The man killed himself on the Mexican side of the bridge , just meters away from the international dividing line , the other source said .
A short , grainy video shared by one of the security sources showed the man , dressed in a blue shirt , approaching U.S. officials on the bridge and raising a hand to his neck .
Photos shared by the source showed the man ’ s body lying in a pool of @ @ @ @ @ @

MEXICO CITY — A Mexican asylum-seeker slit his own throat on a bridge across the Rio Grande after being denied entry into the United States, two Mexican security officials said on Wednesday.
The man, who has not been identified, tried to enter the United States at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge between the Mexican border city of Reynosa and Pharr, Texas.
The officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said around 5 p.m. local time, the man drew a knife and cut his throat when denied access to the United States. Both officials said the man was seeking asylum.
“He committed suicide,” one of the officials said. The man killed himself on the Mexican side of the bridge, just yards away from the international dividing line, the other source said.
A short, grainy video shared by one of the security sources showed the man, dressed in a blue shirt, approaching US officials on the bridge and raising a hand to his neck.
Photos shared by the source showed the man’s body lying in a pool of blood with his throat cut.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Meghan and Harry prepare to MEGXIT

Meghan and Harry prepare to MEGXIT

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Wednesday confirmed the unthinkable : They were quitting the royal family .
But what does that mean for them ?
Who is Chet Haze and why is he obsessed with Jamaicans ?
We also dive into why celebs and intellectuals love “ Vanderpump Rules.
” Could this be a falling out of royal proportions ?
Prince Harry and Meghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family before notifying Buckingham Palace and caught other royals by surprise , a palace source told Page Six on Wednesday .
Buckingham Palace released a terse statement in the wake of the unprecedented news they were stepping down as “ senior ” royals , the palace calling things “ complicated ” and seemingly confirming they were blindsided .
Hours after confusing the internet with his patois accent in a bizarre video from Sunday ’ s Golden Globes , Tom Hanks ‘ son Chet addressed the masses Monday on — where else — social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a CNN story titled , “ Tom Hanks ’ son Chet is filmed speaking patois at the Golden Globes — and the internet is baffled , ” the 29-year-old captioned the image , “ Average citizens : damn this is scary I can ’ t believe we ’ re on the verge of WW3 let me check the news smh.
” He added a slew of crying-face emojis while tagging CNN ’ s handle in the post .
Vanderpump Rules is back on TV – and it ’ s a wreck Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was overheard with some not-so-smashing words about the car crash that happened over the weekend at their restaurant Pump .
Todd , 74 , was caught saying , “ We want to get as much publicity out of this , ” but a rep for the restaurateur insisted the quote was taken out of context .
“ His full statement was , ‘ I want to get as much publicity out of this that by the grace of God nobody was severely injured !
’ ” the rep told Page Six on @ @

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Wednesday confirmed the unthinkable: They’re quitting the royal family. But what does that mean for them?
Who is Chet Haze and why is he obsessed with Jamaicans?
We also dive into why celebs and intellectuals love “Vanderpump Rules.”
Buckingham Palace blindsided by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resignation
Could this be a falling out of royal proportions?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were quitting the royal family before notifying Buckingham Palace and caught other royals by surprise, a palace source told Page Six on Wednesday.
Buckingham Palace released a terse statement in the wake of the unprecedented news they were stepping down as “senior” royals, the palace calling things “complicated” and seemingly confirming they were blindsided.
Tom Hanks’ son Chet reacts to viral Golden Globes 2020 video
Hours after confusing the internet with his patois accent in a bizarre video from Sunday’s Golden Globes, Tom Hanks‘ son Chet addressed the masses Monday on — where else — social media.
Sharing a screenshot to Instagram of a CNN story titled, “Tom Hanks’ son Chet is filmed speaking patois at the Golden Globes — and the internet is baffled,” the 29-year-old captioned the image, “Average citizens: damn this is scary I can’t believe we’re on the verge of WW3 let me check the news smh.” He added a slew of crying-face emojis while tagging CNN’s handle in the post.
Vanderpump Rules is back on TV – and it’s a wreck
Lisa Vanderpump‘s husband, Ken Todd, was overheard with some not-so-smashing words about the car crash that happened over the weekend at their restaurant Pump.
Todd, 74, was caught saying, “We want to get as much publicity out of this,” but a rep for the restaurateur insisted the quote was taken out of context.
“His full statement was, ‘I want to get as much publicity out of this that by the grace of God nobody was severely injured!’” the rep told Page Six on Tuesday.
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Jerry Jones on why he took so long to fire Jason Garrett

FRISCO , Texas — Mike McCarthy used to drive by the ...

Owner Jerry Jones really did have a soft spot for Jason Garrett, and that’s why it seemingly took him forever to fire his long-time coach.
“Of the 30 years I’ve been with the Cowboys, I’ve written a check to the Garretts,” Jones told reporters Wednesday, the same day Dallas introduced its new coach, Mike McCarthy. “Think about that a minute, all but two years. All but two. Counting his dad (long-time Cowboys scout Jim Garrett), and counting him, his brothers. All of ’em. … I will tell you that I had a great 30 years around the Garrett family and it’s wonderful, it’s a good feeling and it is one of the best parts of my life.”
And it’s why Jones didn’t want to casually fire Garrett.
“(I) not only respect what he brought to help what we’re sitting in, help what we’re doing,” Jones said of Garrett, who compiled an 85-67 mark in his 9½ seasons with the Cowboys, going 2-3 in the playoffs in that span. “Their family has been a part of that in their own way, as we all know not the way, it took too many people, too many former players, coaches and everybody involved to get to be sitting here today, but I felt strongly about that.
“We all wanted this to have a very nice, if possible under the circumstances, soft landing.”
Though it took longer to fire Garrett, once Jones and the Cowboys made the decision on Sunday, McCarthy was hired 24 hours later.
“We’re where we are, there’s none of this — smallest violin — there’s none of this, folks, at all, here,” Jones said. “What you criticize about Jason, you should criticize me for. And I say that not trying to be big boy here. I’m just saying, you should.
“He’s a great guy. He’s got a great family and we know it’s going to be good for him. And by the way, just as I’ve been, he’s been one lucky guy to get to be a part of this organization and the Dallas Cowboys for all these years. And he’d be the first one to tell you that.”
Despite Jones’ warm feelings for Garrett, the McCarthy introductory press conference proved Jones didn’t have any regrets about changing the team’s coaching direction. The loquacious owner also said he likes the fact McCarthy went through some adversity, which led to his departure from the Green Bay Packers.
“You can get in that foxhole with somebody that hasn’t been shot at it, hasn’t ever been in a foxhole,” Jones said. “You can get in there with somebody’s that been shot at. Or you can get in there with somebody that’s been shot at and hit and still going. Now that’s the one I want to be in there with.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren avoids punishment for hit on Avalanche player

The anger from Ryan Lindgren was clear as he was leaving the ice Tuesday night , blood dripping from under his right eye .
But that is where it ended .
After a phone hearing with the Department of Player Safety ( DOPS ) during the Rangers ’ day off on Wednesday , the 21-year-old defenseman avoided any supplemental punishment as a result of his hit on Avalanche forward Joonas Donskoi late in the first period of the Blueshirts ’ 5-3 win at the Garden .
Lindgren was not penalized on the play , when he came up to level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hit , Colorado forward Nazem Kadri took exception and started a fight with Lindgren , getting him good enough to open at least one wound under his eye .
Kadri got the rarely assessed instigator penalty , while Lindgren didn ’ t return to the game due to what coach David Quinn called “ precaution.
” It was unclear if Lindgren was hurt further during the fight , or if he would be available for Thursday night ’ s Garden match against the Devils .
“ While there was significant head contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper angle of approach , did not extend outward or upward and hit through Donskoi ’ s core , ” the DOPS said in a release .
“ Therefore , under Rule 48.1 ( i ) , the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.
” Quinn did not say who would be starting in goal Thursday among his three options of Igor Shesterkin , Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev .
Shesterkin made his NHL debut on Tuesday while Lundqvist backed up and Georgiev was a healthy scratch .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really decided , ” Quinn said after the game .
“ We ’ ll go day-by-day.
” When Lindgren left the game , Brendan Smith moved back to defense for a couple of shifts in the final two periods , getting 12:14 of ice time , his most since Dec. 14 .
That also included 2:15 on the penalty kill , where he had been relegated to the fifth defenseman behind the combinations of Marc Staal-Lindgren and Brady Skjei-Jacob Trouba .
Fourth-line forward Greg McKegg got two shifts over the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting a one-goal lead and Colorado with a 6-on-5 advantage until Artemi Panarin ’ s empty-net goal with 28 seconds left .

The anger from Ryan Lindgren was clear as he was leaving the ice Tuesday night, blood dripping from under his right eye. But that is where it ended.
After a phone hearing with the Department of Player Safety (DOPS) during the Rangers’ day off on Wednesday, the 21-year-old defenseman avoided any supplemental punishment as a result of his hit on Avalanche forward Joonas Donskoi late in the first period of the Blueshirts’ 5-3 win at the Garden.
Lindgren was not penalized on the play, when he came up to level Donskoi near the penalty boxes. After the hit, Colorado forward Nazem Kadri took exception and started a fight with Lindgren, getting him good enough to open at least one wound under his eye. Kadri got the rarely assessed instigator penalty, while Lindgren didn’t return to the game due to what coach David Quinn called “precaution.”
It was unclear if Lindgren was hurt further during the fight, or if he would be available for Thursday night’s Garden match against the Devils.
“While there was significant head contact on this play, Lindgren took a proper angle of approach, did not extend outward or upward and hit through Donskoi’s core,” the DOPS said in a release. “Therefore, under Rule 48.1 (i), the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.”
Quinn did not say who would be starting in goal Thursday among his three options of Igor Shesterkin, Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev. Shesterkin made his NHL debut on Tuesday while Lundqvist backed up and Georgiev was a healthy scratch.
“I’m catching my breath, and we haven’t really decided,” Quinn said after the game. “We’ll go day-by-day.”
When Lindgren left the game, Brendan Smith moved back to defense for a couple of shifts in the final two periods, getting 12:14 of ice time, his most since Dec. 14. That also included 2:15 on the penalty kill, where he had been relegated to the fifth defenseman behind the combinations of Marc Staal-Lindgren and Brady Skjei-Jacob Trouba.
Fourth-line forward Greg McKegg got two shifts over the final 2:18 of regulation, with the Rangers protecting a one-goal lead and Colorado with a 6-on-5 advantage until Artemi Panarin’s empty-net goal with 28 seconds left.
For more on the Rangers, listen to the latest episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie takes blame for Thunder loss: ‘It’s on me’

Caris LeVert wanted to be on the court , but he ...

Spencer Dinwiddie took the Nets’ seventh straight defeat on his shoulders, saying “it’s on me, for sure” after missing a late technical free throw and extending his recent shooting slump in Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Thunder.
His teammates insisted such a declaration was unnecessary.
“Just keep going. We go as far as he takes us,” Caris LeVert said after the game. “He’s the guy right now, so he has to keep going no matter what kind of night he’s having. We feed off of his energy more than anything else, whether he’s making shots or missing shots. He’s the quarterback of the team right now. Just keep going.”
With imported All-Stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving sidelined with injuries, Dinwiddie is averaging a career-high 22.4 points per game through 36 appearances. But he has shot just 36.3 percent from the floor and 22 percent from 3-point range during the team’s losing streak.
Despite his teammate’s slump, Joe Harris believes Dinwiddie — an 80 percent free-throw shooter — was the right choice to take the potential tiebreaking technical foul shot with 11.7 seconds left in regulation against Oklahoma City. Dinwiddie clanked it off the rim and also missed a floater as time expired to send the game to overtime.
“Spencer has been really consistent for us all season from the line,” Harris said. “We all had a lot of confidence in him to make the shot.”
Coach Kenny Atkinson had used the same starting lineup in 23 of the previous 24 games before inserting forward Rodions Kurucs for Garrett Temple against the Thunder.
Temple still logged more playing time off the bench, scoring 11 points in 28 minutes. Kurucs had four points (2-for-4) and four assists in 19 minutes.
“I liked it. I thought it was good for both of them,” Atkinson said. “I thought Rodi was good and Garrett, it gave him a real boost and managed his minutes. I was pleased with that change.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek gives health update, shares his plans after retirement

PASADENA – Alex Trebek is giving fans an update on his health .
“ Some days are better than others , ” the longtime “ Jeopardy !
” host — who announced his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis last March — admitted during the Television Critics Association winter press tour at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena , Calif. , on Wednesday .
He continued : “ My resistance is lower than most , of course , because of the [ chemotherapy ] treatments .
… I have a cold that seems to be going around , but this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in the past month and a half .
They ’ ve gotten me off one of my chemo drugs , which were killing me.
” The legendary game show host , who has been a fixture on the series since 1984 , promised that as long as he feels his skills “ haven ’ t diminished too much , ” he has no plans to retire .
“ When you ’ ve been hosting , there are some of you who have been doing your jobs for many years , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three decades .
When you ’ ve been in the same job for that long period of time , it moves you to think at some point about retiring .
Thinking about retiring and retiring are two different things.
” Trebek also shared that he has a doctor ’ s appointment on Thursday , Jan. 9 , when he ’ ll undergo several tests and receive the results in “ maybe another week or so.
” While he was as eloquent as ever , it was clear that the treatments have worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members “ wouldn ’ t believe how dark my skin is becoming because of the treatments.
” The television personality went on to mention that his “ memory isn ’ t as good as it used to be ” and said while filming “ Jeopardy !
The Greatest of All Time ” he felt a “ little slower at the ad-libbed portions.
” He added , however , that his wife noted that she didn ’ t notice any difference in his hosting abilities .
Earlier this week , Trebek told Michael Strahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of his final episode , whenever that may be , to say goodbye .
In Pasadena , Trebek said that he has yet to prepare his final goodbye .
“ That particular day , I will speak to [ the producers and director ] and tell them , ‘ Give me 30 seconds at the end of the program , that ’ s all I need to say goodbye , ' ” he said .
Despite the harrowing idea of saying goodbye , the “ Jeopardy !
” host said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-second moment coming up in the near future.
” When asked about his plans after the show though , Trebek joked to reporters : “ Drink.
” “ No , I ’ ll work around the house , ” he added .

PASADENA – Alex Trebek is giving fans an update on his health.
“Some days are better than others,” the longtime “Jeopardy!” host — who announced his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis last March — admitted during the Television Critics Association winter press tour at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif., on Wednesday.
He continued: “My resistance is lower than most, of course, because of the [chemotherapy] treatments. … I have a cold that seems to be going around, but this is the second time I’ve had one in the past month and a half. They’ve gotten me off one of my chemo drugs, which were killing me.”
The legendary game show host, who has been a fixture on the series since 1984, promised that as long as he feels his skills “haven’t diminished too much,” he has no plans to retire.
“When you’ve been hosting, there are some of you who have been doing your jobs for many years,” he said. “Some of you two or three decades. When you’ve been in the same job for that long period of time, it moves you to think at some point about retiring. Thinking about retiring and retiring are two different things.”
Trebek also shared that he has a doctor’s appointment on Thursday, Jan. 9, when he’ll undergo several tests and receive the results in “maybe another week or so.”
While he was as eloquent as ever, it was clear that the treatments have worn on Trebek — who noted that audience members “wouldn’t believe how dark my skin is becoming because of the treatments.”
The television personality went on to mention that his “memory isn’t as good as it used to be” and said while filming “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” he felt a “little slower at the ad-libbed portions.”
He added, however, that his wife noted that she didn’t notice any difference in his hosting abilities.
Earlier this week, Trebek told Michael Strahan that he’ll take 30 seconds at the end of his final episode, whenever that may be, to say goodbye.
In Pasadena, Trebek said that he has yet to prepare his final goodbye.
“That particular day, I will speak to [the producers and director] and tell them, ‘Give me 30 seconds at the end of the program, that’s all I need to say goodbye,'” he said.
Despite the harrowing idea of saying goodbye, the “Jeopardy!” host said he doesn’t “foresee that 30-second moment coming up in the near future.”
When asked about his plans after the show though, Trebek joked to reporters: “Drink.” “No, I’ll work around the house,” he added.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--The questions facing Joe Judge, John Mara and Dave Gettleman

The nine words carry plenty of weight on their own ... .

How a fresh hire does in the very first press conference does is always well-documented at the time, but does not mean much in terms of long-term success or failure. But it does set a tone.
Matt Rhule, a top candidate for the Giants, killed it Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., when he was introduced as the Panthers’ head coach. Joe Judge, all of 38 years old, takes the stage Thursday as the 19th head coach in Giants franchise history. He is a great unknown in many ways, an out-of-the-box choice, and there is much to learn about him. The Post’s Paul Schwartz has a few questions in need of answers:
For co-owner John Mara
Q: Why hire a guy who has never been a head coach at any level and has not proven himself as an offensive or defensive guru?
At the start of the hiring cycle, Ron Rivera and Mike McCarthy — coaches with Super Bowl pedigree — were both available, and Josh McDaniels is still out there.
Q: Where you blindsided by the massive contract Matt Rhule got from the Panthers, and if you were so hot for Rhule, why didn’t you go to Waco or Cabo San Lucas and make a preemptive strike?
The Giants knew there was a chance Panthers billionaire owner David Tepper would set an unprecedented (seven year, $62 million) market for a college coach entering the NFL, but did not try to move up their interview with Rhule.
Q: You admitted you got it wrong the past two head-coaching hires, so why should Giants fans believe you got it right this time?
Patience is wearing thin with paying customers who already believe the Giants were beaten to the punch on Rhule by the Panthers. Fans did not know much, or anything, about Judge before his stunning hiring.
For GM Dave Gettleman
Q: Rhule is likely to have more say in personnel with the Panthers than Judge will have with the Giants. Are you willing to cede some control to a young coach in his first gig?
Gettleman likes to say he and others in the front office are all “support staff’’ for the head coach, but he is expected to continue to have final say on the makeup of the roster.
Q: Is the perception that you are difficult to work with, and thus a proven coach would not come to the Giants, accurate, and did that perception affect the search?
Gettleman is an old-school executive adept at identifying talent and is steadily coming around and making massive changes to the entire back-office operation.
Q: Are you concerned that you and Judge are not on the same track? He is a first-year head coach and you are a 68-year-old general manager, told by ownership you are on the hot seat.
In explaining the hiring two years ago, Gettleman repeatedly stressed Pat Shurmur was “an adult.’’ Two years later, Gettleman will be working with a kid coach.
For Joe Judge
Q: Much has been made of your tutelage under Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, but how are you different from them and why will you distinguish yourself without them?
Expect to hear plenty of “Joe is his own man’’ comments coming out of the Giants.
Q: What overlying philosophy will you bring to the Giants, as far as offensive system and defensive style?
As a special teams coordinator, Judge is an unknown in so many areas, but he is expected to espouse a return to a more physical approach.
Q: What is your belief and evaluation of Daniel Jones, and will you get an offensive coordinator who is best-suited to the continued development of the 22-year-old quarterback?
Shurmur did a nice job this past season with Jones, but the project is not near completion.
For more on the Giants, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Meghan Markle’s dad ‘disappointed’ she’s stepping back from Royal family

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Meghan Markle ‘ s estranged father said he ’ s “ disappointed ” with his daughter ’ s decision to step away from the British royal family along with her husband Prince Harry .
Thomas Markle , a retired lighting director , told Us Weekly in a statement : “ I ’ ll just simply say I ’ m disappointed.
” In a shocking statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sussex said they would “ step back as ‘ senior ’ members of the Royal Family.
” The couple added in the statement that they plan to split their time between North America and the UK , while still “ continuing to honour our duty to The Queen , the Commonwealth , and our patronages.
” Thomas Markle did not elaborate on why he is “ disappointed ” with his daughter in his statement to Us Weekly , but has repeatedly touched off drama as Meghan adjusted to life as a Duchess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wedding , Thomas Markle was caught staging photos of himself trying on suits for the nuptials with a British paparazzo .
He ended up not attending the celebration .
After Meghan gave birth to her son Archie , Thomas said he wanted to visit with his grandchild — but had been frozen out by the royal staff .
“ Of course I ’ m disappointed not to see Archie .
I had hoped becoming a mother would mellow Meghan and she would reach out , ” Thomas said in an interview with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never any problem between Meghan and me until recently .
I ’ ve stayed quiet because Meghan was pregnant with Archie but I ’ m speaking out now because they and their PR people are continuing to ghost me out of her life , ” he added .

Meghan Markle‘s estranged father said he’s “disappointed” with his daughter’s decision to step away from the British royal family along with her husband, Prince Harry.
Thomas Markle, a retired lighting director, told Us Weekly in a statement: “I’ll just simply say I’m disappointed.”
In a shocking statement released Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they would “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.”
The couple added in the statement that they plan to split their time between North America and the UK, while still “continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.”
Thomas Markle did not elaborate on why he is “disappointed” with his daughter in his statement to Us Weekly, but has repeatedly touched off drama as Meghan adjusted to life as a duchess.
Before the couple’s 2018 wedding, Thomas Markle was caught staging photos of himself trying on suits for the nuptials with a British paparazzo. He ended up not attending the celebration.
After Meghan gave birth to her son, Archie, Thomas said he wanted to visit with his grandchild — but had been frozen out by the royal staff.
“Of course I’m disappointed not to see Archie. I had hoped becoming a mother would mellow Meghan and she would reach out,” Thomas said in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.
“There was never any problem between Meghan and me until recently. I’ve stayed quiet because Meghan was pregnant with Archie but I’m speaking out now because they and their PR people are continuing to ghost me out of her life,” he added.
For more on Harry and Meghan’s royal family drama, listen to this episode of the Page Six podcast, “We Hear“:


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Leonardo DiCaprio rescues man who fell off yacht near St. Barts

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Jack and Rose didn ’ t end this well .
Leonardo DiCaprio , 45 , sprung into action to save a man who had fallen off a Club Med yacht near St. Martin on Dec. 30 , a report said .
“ Leonardo played a blinding role in his own real-life Hollywood movie , ” a source told London ’ s The Sun newspaper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man overboard who incredibly had survived by treading water for 11 hours .
Leonardo ’ s boat was the only vessel looking for him.
” The “ Titanic ” star was vacationing in St. Barts over the holidays and rented a boat with his girlfriend , 22-year-old Camila Morrone .
The couple , and some friends , suddenly heard a distress call for a man in need of help .
The “ Once Upon in Time… In Hollywood ” actor insisted on braving the rough waters to find the man , one hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Luckily , DiCaprio ’ s boat eventually located the man , who was frantically waving his hands in the air .
The castaway had been treading water for 11 hours , near Saba Island .
According to The Sun , the severely dehydrated man was a Club Med worker who “ had too much alcohol.
” He was given food and water before he was passed over to coastguards for medical treatment .
Leo joined co-star Brad Pitt , 56 , one week later at The Golden Globes where Pitt won Best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank my partner in crime , LDC , ” Pitt said .
“ He ’ s an all-star .
He ’ s a gent and I wouldn ’ t be here without you , man.
” Pitt then joked : “ Still , I would have shared the raft.
” For decades fans of “ Titanic ” have debated whether Jack could have fit on the door alongside Rose and survived .

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Jack and Rose didn’t end this well.
Leonardo DiCaprio, 45, sprang into action to save a man who had fallen off a Club Med yacht near St. Martin on Dec. 30, a report said.
“Leonardo played a blinding role in his own real-life Hollywood movie,” a source told London’s the Sun newspaper.
“He saved the life of a man overboard who incredibly had survived by treading water for 11 hours. Leonardo’s boat was the only vessel looking for him.”
The “Titanic” star was vacationing in St. Barts over the holidays and rented a boat with his girlfriend, 22-year-old Camila Morrone.
The couple, and some friends, suddenly heard a distress call for a man in need of help.
The “Once Upon in Time in … Hollywood” actor insisted on braving the rough waters to find the man, one hour before sunset and with a storm approaching.
Luckily, DiCaprio’s boat eventually located the man, who was frantically waving his hands in the air.
The castaway had been treading water for 11 hours, near Saba Island.
According to the Sun, the severely dehydrated man was a Club Med worker who “had too much alcohol.”
He was given food and water before he was passed over to coast guard staff for medical treatment.
Leo joined co-star Brad Pitt, 56, one week later at the Golden Globes, where Pitt won Best Supporting Actor.
“I also have to thank my partner in crime, LDC,” Pitt said.
“He’s an all-star. He’s a gent and I wouldn’t be here without you, man.”
Pitt then joked: “Still, I would have shared the raft.”
For decades, fans of “Titanic” have debated whether Jack could have fit on the door alongside Rose and survived.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Doomed Ukraine airliner did not call for help before crash in Iran

The Ukrainian airliner that crashed soon after takeoff in Iran on Wednesday morning did not signal for help and was @ @ @ @ @ when it went down in a field , killing 176 people on board .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ made the conclusion in a preliminary crash report that was released Thursday .
The Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ after taking off from Tehran ’ s Imam Khomeini Airport .
The plane was carrying @ @ @ @ @ members from different nations when it crashed .
The crash happened hours after Iran launched @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq that house US troops in retaliation for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ killed in the strikes at the al-Assad and Irbil bases .

The crew of the Ukrainian airliner that crashed shortly after takeoff in Iran, killing all 176 people aboard, never made an emergency call and were trying to return to the Tehran airport when it went down, officials said.
An initial Iranian report on the disaster suggested that a sudden emergency struck the Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines early Wednesday when it went down moments after taking off for Kyiv, Ukraine.
Eyewitnesses, including the crew of another flight in the area, described seeing the doomed jet engulfed in flames before crashing and setting off a massive explosion, the report said.
The report also confirmed that both “black boxes,” which contain data and cockpit communications from the plane, had been recovered but were damaged and some parts of their memory was lost.
Investigators from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization offered no immediate explanation for the disaster, though the report said that laser or electromagnetic interference have been initially ruled out as a cause.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said investigators from his country had arrived in Iran to assist in the probe – and that he planned to call Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about the probe.
“Undoubtedly, the priority for Ukraine is to identify the causes of the plane crash,” Zelensky said. “We will surely find out the truth.”
The plane was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, officials said.
The crash came immediately after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Iraqi military bases housing US forces amid a confrontation with Washington over the drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Alex Romero attacks Gabriel Lino with bat during Venezuelan winter league game

A fight during a Wednesday Venezuelan winter league game took baseball brawling to a whole other level .
Former MLB outfielder Alex Romero — who plays for Aguilas del Zulia — was ejected for attacking and striking Gabriel Lino , a catcher for Caribes de Anzoategui , with his bat after objecting to a pitch that sailed behind him during the eighth inning of Caribes ’ 13-2 blowout win .
Needless to say , both benches cleared and a melee ensued which spread into the stands .
It wasn ’ t the first brawl in the tension-filled game .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily been restored — following a number of ejections — when Romero came to the plate to face Ángel Nesbitt .
With a 3-0 count in a 13-1 game , Nesbitt threw a fastball behind Romero , causing the outfielder to swing his bat at Lino .
Romero swung the bat again before dashing away as the benches emptied once again .
Romero , Lino , Nesbitt and four other players were ejected for the eighth-inning fracas , including Minnesota Twins fan favorite Willians Astudillo , who was playing first base at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitcher Alex Torres hit the next batter , showing tempers haven ’ t exactly cooled down .
According to NBC Sports , Caribes manager Jackson Melian and three other players were ejected in the seventh inning .
There was a live YouTube stream which allowed fans to watch the incident as it unfolded on IVC in Venezuelan .
It ’ s highly likely Romero will face heavy punishment for his actions .

A fight during a Venezuelan winter league game Wednesday took baseball brawling to a whole other level.
Former MLB outfielder Alex Romero — who plays for Aguilas del Zulia — was ejected for attacking and striking Gabriel Lino, a catcher for Caribes de Anzoategui, with his bat after objecting to a pitch that sailed behind him during the eighth inning of Caribes’ 13-2 blowout win.
Needless to say, both benches cleared and a melee ensued that spread into the stands.
It wasn’t the first brawl in the tension-filled game. The benches already cleared earlier and order had temporarily been restored — following a number of ejections — when Romero came to the plate to face Ángel Nesbitt. With a 3-0 count in a 13-1 game, Nesbitt threw a fastball behind Romero, causing the outfielder to swing his bat at Lino.
Romero swung the bat again before dashing away as the benches emptied once again.
Romero, Lino, Nesbitt and four other players were ejected for the eighth-inning fracas, including Minnesota Twins fan favorite Willians Astudillo, who was playing first base at the time. Right after play resumed, pitcher Alex Torres hit the next batter, showing tempers hadn’t exactly cooled down.
According to NBC Sports, Caribes manager Jackson Melian and three other players were ejected in the seventh inning.
There was a live YouTube stream which allowed fans to watch the incident as it unfolded on IVC in Venezuelan.
It’s highly likely Romero will face heavy punishment for his actions.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Suspect accused of smothering 95-year-old man to death with pillow in nursing home

A 95-year-old man was smothered to death by an assailant who held a pillow over his face in a Florida @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The suspect got into the victim ’ s room at the Tiffany @ @ @ @ @ St. Lucie at about 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 5 , the local police department said @ @ @ @ @ suspect then sat on the victim ’ s chest and smothered him to death with @ @ @ @ @ walked passed the room in the hallway and saw the man smothering the 95-year-old , @ @ @ @ @ called 911 and shouted to another nurse on duty for help .
The suspect ran @ @ @ @ @ caught , police said .
Authorities are searching for the suspect .
The identity of @ @ @ @ @ released .

A 95-year-old man was smothered to death by an assailant who held a pillow over his face in a Florida nursing home this week, police said.
The suspect got into the victim’s room at the Tiffany Hall nursing home in Port St. Lucie at about 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 5, the local police department said in a statement.
The suspect then sat on the victim’s chest and smothered him to death with a pillow.
A nurse walked passed the room in the hallway and saw the man smothering the 95-year-old, cops said. She immediately called 911 and shouted to another nurse on duty for help.
The suspect ran off and has not been caught, police said.
Authorities are searching for the suspect. The identity of the slain man was not released.


newyorkpost--2020-01-09--Judge orders Google to fork over Jussie Smollett data in hoax case

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 ) A judge in Chicago ordered @ @ @ @ @ Google , asking the company to hand over one year ’ s worth data on @ @ @ @ @ Smollett , a report said on Wednesday .
The Cook County judge ordered Google to @ @ @ @ @ emails , photos , location data and private messages as part of an investigation into @ @ @ @ @ according to the Chicago Tribune .
The warrants are seeking a trove of documentation from @ @ @ @ @ s Google accounts , the paper said .
Smollett has been accused of hiring two @ @ @ @ @ on himself that included tales of a noose and bigots screaming racist , homophobic slurs @ @ @ @ @ where Smollett lives and alleged the attack against him occurred , have said the disgraced @ @ @ @ @ thing .

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A judge in Chicago ordered a sweeping search warrant of Google, asking the company to hand over one year’s worth data on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, a report said on Wednesday.
The Cook County judge ordered Google to turn over Smollett’s emails, photos, location data and private messages as part of an investigation into the alleged hoax attack, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The warrants are seeking a trove of documentation from Smollett and his manager’s Google accounts, the paper said.
Additional documents requested include email drafts, deleted messages, Google Drive files, Google Voice texts, and web browsing history.
Smollett has been accused of hiring two brothers to stage an attack on himself that included tales of a noose and bigots screaming racist, homophobic slurs.
Cops in Chicago, where Smollett lives and alleged the attack against him occurred, have said the disgraced actor made up the whole thing.