newyorkpost--2020-02-10--Two FDNY firefighters die of 9/11-related illness on same day

Two FDNY firefighters who were sickened by their work at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terror attacks died on the same day last week , fire officials said .
Firefighter Richard Jones , 63 , and Lt Paul Deo Jr. , 74 , both died of unspecified illnesses on Friday , FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement .
Jones served in the department for two decades , serving in Ladder 25 on the Upper West Side , the FDNY said .
He received three acts of merit during his career in 1992 and 1997 .
Deo retired out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving in the department for 33 years .
Both of the smoke eaters retired about a year after the 2001 terror attack that brought down the Twin Towers in Lower Manhattan and killed more than 300 firefighters at Ground Zero .
“ Nearly two decades later , our FDNY family continues to lose remarkable men and women who never wavered in their commitment to protecting life and property in our city .
Our department will never forget them or the bravery they exuded throughout their careers , ” Commissioner Nigro said in a @ @ @

Two FDNY firefighters who were sickened by their work at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terror attacks died on the same day last week, fire officials said.
Firefighter Richard Jones, 63, and Lt Paul Deo Jr., 74, both died of unspecified illnesses on Friday, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement.
Jones served in the department for two decades, serving in Ladder 25 on the Upper West Side, the FDNY said. He received three acts of merit during his career in 1992 and 1997.
Deo retired out of Engine 317 in St. Albans after serving in the department for 33 years.
Both of the smoke eaters retired about a year after the 2001 terror attack that brought down the Twin Towers in Lower Manhattan and killed more than 300 firefighters at Ground Zero.
“Nearly two decades later, our FDNY family continues to lose remarkable men and women who never wavered in their commitment to protecting life and property in our city. Our department will never forget them or the bravery they exuded throughout their careers,” Commissioner Nigro said in a statement Sunday.


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Mitchell Robinson sensational as his Knicks prophecy is coming true

ATLANTA — There was no way to mince words after ...

ATLANTA — The Hawks just obtained Clint Capela in a trade-deadline deal. While he is still injured, “The Next Capela” dominated the court at State Farm Arena Sunday despite the Knicks’ 140-135 double-overtime heartbreaker to the Hawks.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson was sensational — a massive force at the rim on both ends, notching 15 points with 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
When Robinson was drafted in the second round in 2018, former Knicks coach David Fizdale said Robinson had Capela potential. It looks like he might have more than that and it’s a shame he was left out of the Rising Stars All-Star Game for rookies and sophomores.
“I don’t really watch him,’’ Robinson said of Capela. “We do the same thing. He’s all right, but I think I’m better on defense.’’
Robinson owed his spectacular showing to his mentor Taj Gibson, who told him before the two-game road trip he needed to be more fiery.
“Taj talked to me to play with a little more force,’’ Robinson said. “I kind of did that in Detroit and I brought it down to Atlanta with me. I played even harder tonight even with the back-to-back being tired. I had to push through.’’
This wasn’t even about Robinson’s alley-oops. Any pass thrown to him near the basket, he muscled in for a dunk.
“He was great,’’ Julius Randle said. “He was great. Doing what Mitchell does. That’s what makes him special, defending the rim, getting offensive rebounds, running the floor, creating extra possessions. He was amazing.”
One of his best plays was nullified controversially in the fourth quarter when he ripped the ball from D’Andre Hunter underneath and dunked it. (Officials ruled a timeout was called from the bench before Robinson stole it.)
“How can they call a timeout?’’ Robinson said. “It was crazy. The ball was already in my hands. It was already through the net.”
After the game, ex-Knick shot-blocker extraordinaire Dikembe Mutombo walked by the locker room and said, “There’s no shot-blockers in the league anymore.’’ When a reporter asked Robinson about Mutombo, he said, “Yeah, he’s good.’’
“[Robinson] was outstanding,’’ Knicks interim coach Mike Miller said. “His offensive numbers look good but his defense, the way he impacted the game, what he did along that backline was terrific.’’


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Oscars 2020: ‘Parasite’ wins Best Picture, crowd chants for speech encore

And the Best Picture Oscar goes to .
.
.
“ Parasite.
” The cast accepted the award onstage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood , Calif. , Sunday alongside director Bong Joon Ho , marking the first time a non-English film has won the award .
“ I ’ m speechless , ” producer Kwak Sin-ae said .
“ We never imagined this to ever happen .
We are so happy .
I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now.
” She continued : “ I express my deepest gratitude and respect for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this decision.
” After she finished her speech , cameras panned away from the cast and the lights turned down to begin the finale of the show .
However , the entire Oscars audience started cheering for more , prompting more speeches .
“ I really like to thank director Bong , ” “ Parasite ” producer Miky Lee added .
“ Thank you for being you .
And I like everything about him : his smile , his crazy hair , the way he talks , the way he walks , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what I really like about him is his sense of humor and the fact is he can be really making fun of himself and he never takes himself seriously.
” She continued : “ I ’ d like to thank everybody who ’ s been supporting ‘ Parasite , ’ and who ’ s been working with ‘ Parasite ’ and who ’ s been loving ‘ Parasite , ' ” adding that she ’ s particularly thankful for Korean fans of the film .
“ Without you , our Korean film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jeong-eun said .
“ Parasite ” won four Oscars , the most for any film , and edged out fellow Best Picture nominees , including “ Ford v Ferrari , ” “ The Irishman , ” “ Jojo Rabbit , ” “ Joker , ” “ Little Women , ” “ Marriage Story , ” “ 1917 ” and “ Once Upon a Time in .
.
.
Hollywood.
” Earlier in the night , “ Parasite ” also won Best Director , Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first non-English film to win Best Picture at the Oscars .
In fact , 2020 is the first time a Korean film even scored a Best Picture nomination .
The lives of two families — one wealthy , one struggling — intersect in “ Parasite , ” with a young man masquerading as a college-educated tutor for a rich family in Seoul , South Korea .
As the story unfolds , much of what is on the surface isn ’ t exactly what it seems .
It ’ s best to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t yet seen the film .
Bong , 50 , has pointed out that the film has elements of social commentary , and he actually drew from personal experiences .
“ When I was in college , I tutored for a rich family , and I remember the eerie feeling that I got from that house — the eerie atmosphere , and the smell , ” he told the AV Club .
“ My student was this middle-school-aged boy , and he took me to the second floor of the house to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I remember being amazed that a house could have its own private sauna .
”

And the Best Picture Oscar goes to . . . “Parasite.”
The cast accepted the award onstage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., Sunday alongside director Bong Joon Ho, marking the first time a non-English film has won the award.
“I’m speechless,” producer Kwak Sin-ae said. “We never imagined this to ever happen. We are so happy. I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now.”
She continued: “I express my deepest gratitude and respect for all the members of the Academy for making this decision.”
After she finished her speech, cameras panned away from the cast and the lights turned down to begin the finale of the show. However, the entire Oscars audience started cheering for more, prompting more speeches.
“I really like to thank director Bong,” “Parasite” producer Miky Lee added. “Thank you for being you. And I like everything about him: his smile, his crazy hair, the way he talks, the way he walks, and especially the way he directs. And, what I really like about him is his sense of humor and the fact is he can be really making fun of himself and he never takes himself seriously.”
She continued: “I’d like to thank everybody who’s been supporting ‘Parasite,’ and who’s been working with ‘Parasite’ and who’s been loving ‘Parasite,'” adding that she’s particularly thankful for Korean fans of the film.
“Without you, our Korean film audience, we are not here,” Jeong-eun said.
“Parasite” won four Oscars, the most for any film, and edged out fellow Best Picture nominees, including “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irishman,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917” and “Once Upon a Time in . . . Hollywood.”
Earlier in the night, “Parasite” also won Best Director, Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay.
This is the first Korean film and the first non-English film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. In fact, 2020 is the first time a Korean film even scored a Best Picture nomination.
The lives of two families — one wealthy, one struggling — intersect in “Parasite,” with a young man masquerading as a college-educated tutor for a rich family in Seoul, South Korea. As the story unfolds, much of what is on the surface isn’t exactly what it seems. It’s best to leave it at that for those who haven’t yet seen the film.
Bong, 50, has pointed out that the film has elements of social commentary, and he actually drew from personal experiences.
“When I was in college, I tutored for a rich family, and I remember the eerie feeling that I got from that house — the eerie atmosphere, and the smell,” he told the AV Club. “My student was this middle-school-aged boy, and he took me to the second floor of the house to show me their private sauna. And I remember being amazed that a house could have its own private sauna.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Reneé Zellweger wins Best Actress Oscar for ‘Judy,’ sweeps awards season

Liza Minnelli might want to eat her words .
Reneé Zellweger won the 2020 Oscar for Best Actress for “ Judy ” on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood .
The four-time Academy Award nominee — and now two-time winner — won for her tear-jerking turn as Minnelli ’ s mom , the legendary singer-actress Judy Garland .
Thank you to the Academy .
Thank you for inviting me here alongside one of the most special collaborations and meaningful experiences of my life .
I ’ ve said it before and I ’ m going to say it again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saoirse , ” said Zellweger , 50 , in her acceptance speech .
“ I have to say , boy , it is an honor to be considered in your company.
” For the film , which Minnelli famously refused to see , Zellweger beat out fellow nominees Charlize Theron ( “ Bombshell ” ) , Scarlett Johansson ( “ Marriage Story ” ) , Cynthia Erivo ( “ Harriet ” ) and Saoirse Ronan ( “ Little Women ” ) .
Zellweger also thanked longtime talent manager John Carrabino , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carrabino , my handsome date of 25 years .
Thank you for always dreaming bigger than I would dare and for bringing it back to the work and joy and gratitude , ” she said .
This win marks an awards-season sweep for the Texas native , who also garnered a Golden Globe , a SAG award and a BAFTA for her portrayal of the aging “ Wizard of Oz ” star ’ s poignant 1969 comeback tour .
In a sense , the movie mirrors Zellweger ’ s own life : Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2004 Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress in “ Cold Mountain.
” Between then and now , her career went relatively quiet — unless you count what she called “ painful ” criticism of her looks .
Zellweger ended her speech by shouting out her film ’ s “ celebration of [ Garland ’ s ] legacy.
” “ This past year of conversations celebrating Judy Garland across generations and across cultures has been a really cool reminder that our heroes unite us , ” she said .
“ The best among us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ourselves .
You know , when they unite us , when we look to our heroes , we agree .
And that matters.
” She continued on to call out Neil Armstrong , Sally Ride , Delores Huerta , Venus and Serena and Selena , Bob Dylan , Scorsese , Fred Rogers , Harriet Tubman as well as “ men and women in uniform who serve , ” first responders and firefighters .
“ When we celebrate our heroes , we ’ re reminded of who we are , as one people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not receive this honor in her time , I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy that began on our film set and is also representative of the fact that her legacy of unique exceptionalism and inclusivity and generosity of spirit , ” she said .
“ It transcends any one artistic achievement .
Miss Garland , you were certainly among the heroes who unite and define us .
And this is certainly for you .
I am so grateful.
” Step aside , Keanu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Renée-ssance .

Liza Minnelli might want to eat her words.
Reneé Zellweger won the 2020 Oscar for Best Actress for “Judy” on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The four-time Academy Award nominee — and now two-time winner — won for her tear-jerking turn as Minnelli’s mom, the legendary singer-actress Judy Garland.
Thank you to the Academy. Thank you for inviting me here alongside one of the most special collaborations and meaningful experiences of my life. I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again: Cynthia, Scarlett, Charlize, Saoirse,” said Zellweger, 50, in her acceptance speech. “I have to say, boy, it is an honor to be considered in your company.”
For the film, which Minnelli famously refused to see, Zellweger beat out fellow nominees Charlize Theron (“Bombshell”), Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”), Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”) and Saoirse Ronan (“Little Women”).
Zellweger also thanked longtime talent manager John Carrabino, who has repped her for years.
“John Carrabino, my handsome date of 25 years. Thank you for always dreaming bigger than I would dare and for bringing it back to the work and joy and gratitude,” she said.
This win marks an awards-season sweep for the Texas native, who also garnered a Golden Globe, a SAG award and a BAFTA for her portrayal of the aging “Wizard of Oz” star’s poignant 1969 comeback tour.
In a sense, the movie mirrors Zellweger’s own life: Her second Academy Award comes long after her 2004 Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress in “Cold Mountain.” Between then and now, her career went relatively quiet — unless you count what she called “painful” criticism of her looks.
Zellweger ended her speech by shouting out her film’s “celebration of [Garland’s] legacy.”
“This past year of conversations celebrating Judy Garland across generations and across cultures has been a really cool reminder that our heroes unite us,” she said. “The best among us who inspire us to find the best in ourselves. You know, when they unite us, when we look to our heroes, we agree. And that matters.”
She continued on to call out Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Delores Huerta, Venus and Serena and Selena, Bob Dylan, Scorsese, Fred Rogers, Harriet Tubman as well as “men and women in uniform who serve,” first responders and firefighters.
“When we celebrate our heroes, we’re reminded of who we are, as one people, united. And though Judy Garland did not receive this honor in her time, I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy that began on our film set and is also representative of the fact that her legacy of unique exceptionalism and inclusivity and generosity of spirit,” she said. “It transcends any one artistic achievement. Miss Garland, you were certainly among the heroes who unite and define us. And this is certainly for you. I am so grateful.”
Step aside, Keanu Reeves — it’s time for the Renée-ssance.


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Rangers’ top priority is clear with unsteady playoff dream

In the land of the truly lousy , the mediocre are Kings … er , Rangers .
The Blueshirts got one Sunday night at the Garden against the eyesore team from LA that had entered the match with four straight regulation defeats , one victory in its previous 10 games ( 1-8-1 ) and in 30th-place overall .
It was choppy , whack-a-puck hockey that was hardly a showcase for artistry , but that should not stop the Blueshirts from framing this 4-1 triumph over an opponent that hoped to lull the home team into impatience and frustration the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Rangers allowed 43 shots , all but one stopped by Igor Shesterkin , but you know how when it ’ s 97 degrees with low humidity and folks like to say you won ’ t sweat because it ’ s a dry heat ?
Well , this was a comparatively comfortable 42-save night for the 24-year-old Russian rookie , who has unambiguously ascended to the top of the team ’ s goaltending pecking order after posting his fifth victory in six starts .
“ The best guy is going to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Keeping people sharp is no longer a high priority of ours .
“ It ’ s going to be winning hockey games.
” The Rangers , who have won 27 and lost 27 ( 27-23-4 ) , seem to believe they can still make a run at the playoffs .
If so , the priority is going to be winning a lot of hockey games , and soon .
The Blueshirts will depart Monday for a three-game trip to Winnipeg , Minnesota and Columbus as the East ’ s 12th-place team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina with one game in hand .
It ’ s going to take a streak , which is something foreign to this team that has won as many as three straight only once , just before Thanksgiving .
“ True , but a streak has to start with one , ” Chris Kreider said .
“ We ’ re cognizant of the standings and where we are .
Obviously we need to go on a little run .
We don ’ t necessarily talk about it a lot , but what has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own hands.
” This was one in which the large , passive Kings attempted to strangle the Rangers through the neutral zone .
Unlike in Friday ’ s 3-2 defeat to the passive , trapping Sabres , the Blueshirts did not insist on pounding round pegs into square holes by trying to dipsy-doodle , one-on-three or two-on-five .
Instead , the Rangers adopted a ground-game mentality .
It sure helped when the club grabbed a 1-0 at 2:23 of the first period when Greg McKegg drilled one into an open side from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught following a tricky bounce off the back wall on a Ryan Lindgren dump-in .
Brett Howden gathered the puck below the goal line and sent one across for McKegg .
The goal did more than codify the blueprint for success in this one .
It gave the Rangers some confidence .
The last thing they needed was to be locked in a scoreless game — or trail — into the middle of the second period .
“ It kept frustration from setting in , ” Kreider said .
“ It was important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The team ’ s defensive structure has improved noticeably over the last month or so .
The club ’ s issues have had far more to do with poor decision-making and lack of puck support through the neutral zone and across the offensive line .
There have been issues with gaps and ceding the defensive blue line but while coverage may not be quite reminiscent of 2011-12 , neither does it conjure memories of 2017-18 or 2018-19 .
Fact is , the Blueshirts have surrendered two goals or fewer in six of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last 14 .
“ We did a good job backchecking , clogging the middle and playing with our heads on a swivel , ” said Kreider , employing clichés appropriately .
“ We weren ’ t puck watching .
We kept it simple , got into a lot of battles on the wall and we stayed with it.
” The 1-0 lead was a thick as it got until Kaapo Kakko broke a 12-game drought and scored his second goal in his last 33 games in converting a Filip Chytil feed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2-1 at 10:47 but Artemi Panarin went to the net to slam home a right pad rebound of a two-on-one drive by Ryan Strome at 17:12 to salt it away .
It wasn ’ t pretty , except for the fact that there ’ s no such thing as an ugly victory for a team in the Rangers ’ straits .
Now , the road , where Shesterkin will start away from MSG for the first time .
Now the road , where the Rangers need to streak .

In the land of the truly lousy, the mediocre are Kings … er, Rangers.
The Blueshirts got one Sunday night at the Garden against the eyesore team from LA that had entered the match with four straight regulation defeats, one victory in its previous 10 games (1-8-1) and in 30th-place overall.
It was choppy, whack-a-puck hockey that was hardly a showcase for artistry, but that should not stop the Blueshirts from framing this 4-1 triumph over an opponent that hoped to lull the home team into impatience and frustration the way the Sabres did on Friday.
Yes, the Rangers allowed 43 shots, all but one stopped by Igor Shesterkin, but you know how when it’s 97 degrees with low humidity and folks like to say you won’t sweat because it’s a dry heat? Well, this was a comparatively comfortable 42-save night for the 24-year-old Russian rookie, who has unambiguously ascended to the top of the team’s goaltending pecking order after posting his fifth victory in six starts.
“The best guy is going to continue to play,” David Quinn said. “Keeping people sharp is no longer a high priority of ours.
“It’s going to be winning hockey games.”
The Rangers, who have won 27 and lost 27 (27-23-4), seem to believe they can still make a run at the playoffs. If so, the priority is going to be winning a lot of hockey games, and soon. The Blueshirts will depart Monday for a three-game trip to Winnipeg, Minnesota and Columbus as the East’s 12th-place team, nine points behind second wild card Carolina with one game in hand.
It’s going to take a streak, which is something foreign to this team that has won as many as three straight only once, just before Thanksgiving.
“True, but a streak has to start with one,” Chris Kreider said. “We’re cognizant of the standings and where we are. Obviously we need to go on a little run. We don’t necessarily talk about it a lot, but what has been said is that our fate is in our own hands.”
This was one in which the large, passive Kings attempted to strangle the Rangers through the neutral zone. Unlike in Friday’s 3-2 defeat to the passive, trapping Sabres, the Blueshirts did not insist on pounding round pegs into square holes by trying to dipsy-doodle, one-on-three or two-on-five. Instead, the Rangers adopted a ground-game mentality.
It sure helped when the club grabbed a 1-0 at 2:23 of the first period when Greg McKegg drilled one into an open side from the left after Jonathan Quick had been caught following a tricky bounce off the back wall on a Ryan Lindgren dump-in. Brett Howden gathered the puck below the goal line and sent one across for McKegg.
The goal did more than codify the blueprint for success in this one. It gave the Rangers some confidence. The last thing they needed was to be locked in a scoreless game — or trail — into the middle of the second period.
“It kept frustration from setting in,” Kreider said. “It was important for us to play with a lead.”
The team’s defensive structure has improved noticeably over the last month or so. The club’s issues have had far more to do with poor decision-making and lack of puck support through the neutral zone and across the offensive line. There have been issues with gaps and ceding the defensive blue line but while coverage may not be quite reminiscent of 2011-12, neither does it conjure memories of 2017-18 or 2018-19. Fact is, the Blueshirts have surrendered two goals or fewer in six of their last 10 games and seven of the last 14.
“We did a good job backchecking, clogging the middle and playing with our heads on a swivel,” said Kreider, employing clichés appropriately. “We weren’t puck watching. We kept it simple, got into a lot of battles on the wall and we stayed with it.”
The 1-0 lead was a thick as it got until Kaapo Kakko broke a 12-game drought and scored his second goal in his last 33 games in converting a Filip Chytil feed at 9:20. Trevor Moore cut the margin to 2-1 at 10:47 but Artemi Panarin went to the net to slam home a right pad rebound of a two-on-one drive by Ryan Strome at 17:12 to salt it away.
It wasn’t pretty, except for the fact that there’s no such thing as an ugly victory for a team in the Rangers’ straits. Now, the road, where Shesterkin will start away from MSG for the first time. Now the road, where the Rangers need to streak.
“We’re facing a challenge,” Strome said. “And we’re embracing it.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Oscar highlights: The best and worst of the 2020 Oscars

Joaquin Phoenix accepted the Oscar for Best Actor at the ...

It was the best of nights, it was the worst of nights.
This year’s Academy Awards — held Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles — were filled with memorable speeches, quotable gags and fabulous fashion.
But per usual, there were also plenty of groan-worthy bits that made the remote control look mighty tempting.
Here, the highlights — and lowlights — of the 2020 Oscars.
Best: The not-hosts
For the second year in a row, the Oscars went host-free. Luckily, former show emcees Steve Martin and Chris Rock essentially filled the part with a series of jokes at the top of the show. Their targets included Amazon honcho Jeff Bezos.
“Jeff Bezos is so rich, he got divorced, and he’s still the richest man in the world,” said Rock. “He saw ‘Marriage Story’ and thought it was a comedy.”
They also slammed Academy’s dismal showing in racial diversity among the acting nominees. “Cynthia [Erivo] did such a great job in ‘Harriet’ hiding black people,” said Rock, “that the Academy got her to hide all the black nominees.”
Perhaps best of all, Martin and Rock mocked the Academy for its great lineup in the directing category, with Rock cracking that the only thing missing in the nominees was “vaginas.”
Best: Billy Porter
Janelle Monáe kicked the evening off with a song-and-dance routine celebrating the year in film, and it was a little . . . all over the place. But there’s no denying the joy of seeing “Pose” star Billy Porter in sparkly things. He joined Monáe to belt out a fun rendition of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.”
Worst: No John Travolta
Back at the 2014 Oscars, John Travolta served up the meme of the night when he introduced Idina Menzel as “Adele Dazeem” before she performed her “Frozen” hit “Let it Go.”
This year, Menzel returned to perform the “Frozen 2” track “Into the Unknown,” but was sadly introduced by her co-star Josh Gad. Missed opportunity. Show yourself, Travolta!
Props to Gad though, who hinted at the flub by introducing Idina Menzel — “pronounced exactly as it’s spelled.”
Best: Diamonds in the sky
But speaking of Menzel’s performance, how cool were all the shiny diamond things seemingly floating around her, just like in the movie? Pretty voices deserve pretty set design.
Best: Diane Keaton
Maybe just text Diane Keaton the winner next time.
Presenting the Original Screenplay award with Keanu Reeves, the 74-year-old actress brought what can only be described as big Diane Keaton energy, dryly quipping her way through a quirky back-and-forth about when they worked together on “Something’s Gotta Give.”
The highlight, however, was Keaton’s ongoing struggle with the envelope.
First, she attempted to tear the thing open before the nominees had even been announced.
Finally, when the time came, she dropped the envelope against the mic — CLUNK. Classic Diane.
Best: Chrissy Metz shouts out her mom
“This is Us” star Chrissy Metz ended her emotional performance of the nominated song “I’m Standing With You” from the movie “Breakthrough” by delivering a sweet message to a special lady. “I love you, Mom,” she said as the spotlight faded.
Worst: Brad Pitt’s speech
In his award-show acceptance speeches leading up to the Oscars, Pitt could be counted on to deliver carefully planned jokes, whether about his bachelor status or his “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” costar Leonardo DiCaprio totally having room on the door in “Titanic.”
But instead of delivering laughs on his big night, Pitt focused instead on the impeachment trial. Hm.
Worst: The song montage
Poor Lin-Manuel Miranda was stuck with introducing a lame montage of memorable musical moments in film history, from “Jai Ho” in “Slumdog Millionaire” to “Footloose” in, well, you know.
Bizarrely, the clip package ended with Eminem live on stage, performing his “8 Mile” hit “Lose Yourself,” which, yes, was the first rap song to win an Oscar … in 2003. (He famously did not attend to perform it then.)
Although the crowd eventually gave him a standing ovation, when Eminem started, most looked as perplexed as the rest of us felt. In the middle of a three-hour telecast, ain’t nobody got time for that.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement Billie Eilish and brother Phineas react to Eminem's performance. Idina Menzel isn't feeling it. Advertisement Brie Larson is cautiously on board. Martin Scorsese wasn't exactly entranced. Advertisement
But it wasn’t the worst rap of the night…
Worst: The rap recap
Before we’d even hit the two-hour mark, “The Mindy Project” star Utkarsh Ambudkar came out to deliver a rap, recapping everything that had happened so far. The entirely unnecessary number failed to land any great jokes — and even weakly threw back to the John Travolta/Idina Menzel mix-up that’d already been addressed earlier (and better) by Josh Gad.
Best: Tom Hanks pays tribute
After announcing the opening date of the Academy’s new museum, Tom Hanks signed off with a quick, but sweet tribute to Kirk Douglas, who died on February 5. “I am Spartacus!” Hanks shouted, quoting Douglas’ famous line from the 1960 film “Spartacus” — also used in Hanks’ film “That Thing You Do!”
Best: James Corden and Rebel Wilson lean in
The “Cats” stars gamely poked fun at themselves by dressing up as their characters from the maligned box office bomb. Appropriately, they presented the award for visual effects, for which “Cats” was widely derided.
“As cast members for the motion picture ‘Cats,’ nobody more than us understand the importance of good visual effects,” the two declared, swatting the air. Me-ouch!
Best: The conductor’s expressions
Eímear Noone was the first female orchestra conductor the Academy Awards had ever had, and she made sure to enjoy her moment in the spotlight. While conducting pieces of each of this year’s nominated scores, she delivered a series of hilariously intense facial expressions that livened up what could’ve been a dry spot in the show.
Best: Olivia Colman reflects
Colman, who won the Best Actress Oscar last year for “The Favourite” presented the Best Actor award this year, but not before recalling her triumph in 2019 with a sly sex joke.“That night was the best night of my husband’s life,” she said. “He actually says that, and I’ve given birth three times.”
Best: A surprise ending
What better way to end the night than with an underdog victory? “1917” was widely pegged to take the evening’s top award for Best Picture, but in the ceremony’s final moments, the critically beloved “Parasite” pulled out the big win.
“I’m speechless,” said producer Kwak Sin-ae through a translator. “We never imagined this to ever happen. We are so happy. I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Olivia Colman jokes about having sex with her husband after Oscars win

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 ) Olivia Colman won Best Actress @ @ @ @ @ but it ended up being a victorious night for her husband .
While presenting the @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Oscars Sunday , Colman alluded to having sex with her husband following last year @ @ @ @ @ It ended up being the best night of my husband ’ s life , ” @ @ @ @ @ actually says that , and I ’ ve given birth three times.
” She and @ @ @ @ @ sons and a daughter .
Colman , 46 , won for “ The Favourite ” @ @ @ @ @ , she presented the award to Joaquin Phoenix , who won for “ Joker .
@

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Olivia Colman won Best Actress at the 2019 Oscars, but it ended up being a victorious night for her husband.
While presenting the Best Actor award at the 2020 Oscars Sunday, Colman alluded to having sex with her husband following last year’s win.
“It ended up being the best night of my husband’s life,” she joked. “He actually says that, and I’ve given birth three times.”
She and husband Ed Sinclair share two sons and a daughter.
Colman, 46, won for “The Favourite” last year. This Sunday, she presented the award to Joaquin Phoenix, who won for “Joker.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-09--Vegan Joaquin Phoenix calls himself a ‘scoundrel,’ ‘hard to work with’ in Oscars 2020 speech

Joaquin Phoenix accepted the Oscar for Best Actor at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood Sunday , marking the second time an actor has won an Academy Award for playing the Joker following the late Heath Ledger ’ s win in 2009 .
The actor , 45 , spoke in-depth about “ the distressing issues we ’ re facing ” including gender equality , racism , animal rights and environmental issues .
Phoenix revealed during an interview that he has been vegan since he was four years old , something he decided with his late brother , River Phoenix .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very disconnected from the natural world , and many of us , what we ’ re guilty of is an egocentric worldview , the belief that we ’ re the center of the universe , ” he said .
“ We go into the natural world and we plunder it for its resources .
We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives birth , we steal her baby , even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable .
And then we take her milk that ’ s intended for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our coffee and our cereal.
” Phoenix was instrumental in the Golden Globes ceremony going vegan this year , an issue he and his partner Rooney Mara champion , Page Six reported .
The “ Joker ” actor began his speech calling out fellow nominees and all those in attendance at the ceremony for their work in Hollywood .
“ I ’ m full of so much gratitude right now .
And I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees or anyone in this room because we share the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t know what I ’ d be without it .
But I think the greatest gift that it ’ s given me , and many of us in this room , is the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless .
He also addressed speculation about his past , including his reputation that he ’ s been perceived as difficult to work with .
“ I have been a scoundrel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve been selfish , I ’ ve been cruel at times , hard to work with , and I ’ m grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance .
And I think that ’ s when we ’ re at our best , when we support each other , not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes , but when we help each other to grow , when we educate each other , when we guide each other toward redemption.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioning his late brother , River , who died in 1993 when he was just 23 due to combined drug intoxication .
“ When he was 17 , my brother wrote this lyric , he said : run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.
” Phoenix scored the big win over nominees Antonio Banderas ( “ Pain and Glory ” ) , Leonardo DiCaprio ( “ Once Upon a Time in .
.
.
Hollywood ” ) , Adam Driver ( “ Marriage Story ” ) and Jonathan Pryce ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phoenix completely swept the 2020 awards season , scoring wins for best actor in a motion picture , drama at the Golden Globes , outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role at the SAG Awards , leading actor at the BAFTAs and best actor at the Critics ’ Choice Awards , for his disturbing portrayal of Arthur Fleck as he descends into madness and becomes a supervillain .
The film also scored 11 Oscar nominations in total — the most ever for a comic-book superhero flick in the history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film to net $ 1 billion at the box office , “ Joker ” is more than just a sensation in theaters .
The film was shrouded in controversy from start to finish , from fears of violence breaking out in theaters ( perhaps inspired by the anarchy seen in the film ) to backlash over a song choice in the movie — known-pedophile Gary Glitter ’ s 1972 hit “ Rock and Roll Part 2.
” Controversial himself , Phoenix spent most of the awards season calling out the lack of diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the actor delivered a heartfelt speech about feeling “ conflicted ” about his own win , given that actors and actresses of color were not nominated .
“ So many of my fellow actors that are deserving don ’ t have that same privilege , ” he said .
“ I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you ’ re not welcome here .
I think that ’ s the message that we ’ re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we benefit from.
” He continued : “ This is not a self-righteous condemnation , because I ’ m ashamed to say that I ’ m part of the problem.
” He went on to say that he could do more to ensure that the sets he works on are “ inclusive , ” and that Hollywood as a whole needs to do more .
“ We have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism .
I think it is the obligation of the people that have created and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppression to be the ones that dismantle it , ” he said .
“ So that ’ s on us .
”

Joaquin Phoenix accepted the Oscar for Best Actor at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood Sunday, marking the second time an actor has won an Academy Award for playing the Joker following the late Heath Ledger’s win in 2009.
The actor, 45, spoke in depth about “the distressing issues we’re facing” including gender equality, racism, animal rights and environmental issues. Phoenix revealed during an interview that he has been vegan since he was 4 years old, something he decided with his late brother, River Phoenix.
“I think that we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world, and many of us, what we’re guilty of is an egocentric worldview, the belief that we’re the center of the universe,” he said. “We go into the natural world and we plunder it for its resources. We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives birth, we steal her baby, even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable. And then we take her milk that’s intended for her calf and we put it in our coffee and our cereal.”
Phoenix was instrumental in the Golden Globes ceremony going vegan this year, an issue he and his partner, Rooney Mara, champion, Page Six reported.
The “Joker” actor began his speech by calling out fellow nominees and all those in attendance at the ceremony for their work in Hollywood.
“I’m full of so much gratitude right now. And I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees or anyone in this room because we share the same love, the love of film, and this form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life,” he said. “I don’t know what I’d be without it. But I think the greatest gift that it’s given me, and many of us in this room, is the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless.”
He also addressed speculation about his past, including his reputation as being difficult to work with.
“I have been a scoundrel in my life,” he said. “I’ve been selfish, I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and I’m grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance. And I think that’s when we’re at our best, when we support each other, not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption.”
The actor finished his speech by mentioning his late brother, River, who died in 1993 when he was just 23 due to combined drug intoxication. “When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric, he said: ‘Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow.'”
Phoenix scored the big win over nominees Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“Once Upon a Time in . . . Hollywood”), Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”) and Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”).
Phoenix completely swept the 2020 awards season — scoring wins for best actor in a motion picture, drama at the Golden Globes, outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role at the SAG Awards, leading actor at the BAFTAs and best actor at the Critics’ Choice Awards — for his disturbing portrayal of Arthur Fleck as he descends into madness and becomes a supervillain. The film also scored 11 Oscar nominations in total — the most ever for a comic-book superhero flick in the history of the Academy Awards.
The first-ever R-rated film to net $1 billion at the box office, “Joker” is more than just a sensation in theaters. The film was shrouded in controversy from start to finish, from fears of violence breaking out in theaters (perhaps inspired by the anarchy seen in the film) to backlash over a song choice in the movie — known pedophile Gary Glitter’s 1972 hit “Rock and Roll Part 2.”
Controversial himself, Phoenix spent most of the awards season calling out the lack of diversity in Hollywood. At the BAFTAs, the actor delivered a heartfelt speech about feeling “conflicted” about his own win, given that actors and actresses of color were not nominated.
“So many of my fellow actors that are deserving don’t have that same privilege,” he said. “I think that we send a very clear message to people of color that you’re not welcome here. I think that’s the message that we’re sending to people that have contributed so much to our medium and our industry, and in ways that we benefit from.”
He continued: “This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I’m ashamed to say that I’m part of the problem.”
He went on to say that he could do more to ensure that the sets he works on are “inclusive,” and that Hollywood as a whole needs to do more.
“We have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it,” he said. “So that’s on us.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--China’s cyberattacks should make it a trade pariah

Four members of China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army now stand charged in the 2017 Equifax hack , one of the largest cybercrimes ever — and they were plainly working Beijing ’ s will , since they ’ re all members of a PLA unit dedicated to hacking .
In other words : China is waging cyberwar on the West even as it insists on being treated like a normal country .
The hack of one of the biggest US consumer-credit reporting agencies grabbed personal info on half the country : birthdates and Social Security numbers of 145 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 10 million , plus 200,000 stolen credit-card numbers .
And the danger goes far beyond the monetary , Attorney General William Barr noted in announcing the charges : “ These thefts can feed China ’ s development of artificial intelligence tools , as well as the creation of intelligence targeting packages ” — meaning industrial as well as regular-old espionage .
This follows the feds ’ 2014 indictment of PLA hackers for breaching the computer systems of a number of American manufacturers , among other crimes .
Since then , notes Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s voracious appetite for the personal data of Americans , including the theft of personnel records from the Office of Personnel Management , the intrusion into Marriott Hotels and Anthem health-insurance companies and now the wholesale theft of credit and other information from Equifax.
” It ’ s unlikely the hackers will ever face trial — and even less likely Beijing will stop trying to steal American data and know-how .
The Trump administration ’ s efforts to block the Chinese firm Huawei from building 5G networks in the West is clearly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as China ’ s market may be , the rest of the world needs to start asking how it can trade with a pack of unapologetic thieves .

Four members of China’s People’s Liberation Army now stand charged in the 2017 Equifax hack, one of the largest cybercrimes ever — and they were plainly working Beijing’s will, since they’re all members of a PLA unit dedicated to hacking.
In other words: China is waging cyberwar on the West even as it insists on being treated like a normal country.
The hack of one of the biggest US consumer-credit reporting agencies grabbed personal info on half the country: birthdates and Social Security numbers of 145 million and driver’s license info of 10 million, plus 200,000 stolen credit-card numbers.
And the danger goes far beyond the monetary, Attorney General William Barr noted in announcing the charges: “These thefts can feed China’s development of artificial intelligence tools, as well as the creation of intelligence targeting packages” — meaning industrial as well as regular-old espionage.
This follows the feds’ 2014 indictment of PLA hackers for breaching the computer systems of a number of American manufacturers, among other crimes.
Since then, notes Barr, “We have witnessed China’s voracious appetite for the personal data of Americans, including the theft of personnel records from the Office of Personnel Management, the intrusion into Marriott Hotels and Anthem health-insurance companies and now the wholesale theft of credit and other information from Equifax.”
It’s unlikely the hackers will ever face trial — and even less likely Beijing will stop trying to steal American data and know-how.
The Trump administration’s efforts to block the Chinese firm Huawei from building 5G networks in the West is clearly the bare minimum needed now. As lucrative as China’s market may be, the rest of the world needs to start asking how it can trade with a pack of unapologetic thieves.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--Violent talk is still wrong — even from a cop

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was right to condemn violent anti-cop rhetoric on Sunday — and also right on Monday when he slammed one cop ’ s violent rhetoric about Mayor Bill de Blasio .
As we noted Monday : Violent rhetoric begets violence , such as the weekend attacks that wounded two members of the NYPD .
Sunday ’ s tweet from the Sergeants Benevolent Association : “ Mayor de Blasio , the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you !
” “ One hundred percent , that ’ s inappropriate , ” Shea told reporters as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a time that we need to come together , first and foremost.
” After all , the SBA was tweeting back at this from de Blasio : “ This was a premeditated assassination attempt against New York ’ s Finest .
It was also an attack on ALL New Yorkers and everything we believe in .
This MUST be a city where everyone can live in peace and respect .
This individual attempted to destroy that .
We will not let him win.
” We ’ ve been plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing issues .
But he was spot-on there , and any suggestion that he be the target of violence is way , way out of bounds .
Especially now , when New York needs everyone to take the heat down , not up .

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was right to condemn violent anti-cop rhetoric on Sunday — and also right on Monday when he slammed one cop’s violent rhetoric about Mayor Bill de Blasio.
As we noted Monday: Violent rhetoric begets violence, such as the weekend attacks that wounded two members of the NYPD.
Sunday’s tweet from the Sergeants Benevolent Association: “Mayor de Blasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you!”
“One hundred percent, that’s inappropriate,” Shea told reporters as one of the wounded lawmen left Lincoln Hospital. “This is a time that we need to come together, first and foremost.”
After all, the SBA was tweeting back at this from de Blasio: “This was a premeditated assassination attempt against New York’s Finest. It was also an attack on ALL New Yorkers and everything we believe in. This MUST be a city where everyone can live in peace and respect. This individual attempted to destroy that. We will not let him win.”
We’ve been plenty tough on the mayor, including on policing issues. But he was spot-on there, and any suggestion that he be the target of violence is way, way out of bounds.
Especially now, when New York needs everyone to take the heat down, not up.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--David Fizdale reveals one of his biggest Knicks mistakes

One of David Fizdale ’ s biggest regrets as Knicks head coach was that he didn ’ t “ crack the whip ” enough on his young players .
Fizdale admitted as much during an interview with NBA Sirius XM Radio on Monday , two months after he was fired by the Knicks following a 21-83 record over one-plus seasons .
“ I probably needed to crack the whip a little more and be more demanding of the young guys to do more wining things , ” said Fizdale , whose termination agreement with the Knicks forbids him from discussing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fizdale was criticized during his first season as he appeared to let Kevin Knox off the hook for rookie mistakes .
He came down harder on the struggling Knox this season by limiting the former ninth-overall pick ’ s minutes and showing him “ tough love , ” as Fizdale put it days before he was canned with the team 4-18 .
Knox has continued to be shown ‘ tough love ’ by interim head coach Mike Miller , who has overseen the Knicks — made up of veterans on short-term deals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson — go 13-19 since he was promoted from being Fizdale ’ s assistant .
While it ’ s unclear whether the Knicks will stick with Miller next season , Fizdale already is preparing for his next coaching opportunity .
“ I have to be myself throughout all of it , ” said the 47-year-old Fizdale , who was groomed under basketball legend Pat Riley .
“ I can ’ t be [ Gregg Popovich ] .
I can ’ t be [ Erik Spoelstra ] .
I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just have to be myself , be comfortable in that section .
Fizdale , who currently is working as an NBA analyst for ESPN , also was fired by the Grizzlies in 2017 , following an undisclosed dispute with star player Marc Gasol .

One of David Fizdale’s biggest regrets as Knicks head coach was that he didn’t “crack the whip” enough on his young players.
Fizdale admitted as much during an interview with NBA SiriusXM Radio on Monday, two months after he was fired by the Knicks following a 21-83 record over one-plus seasons.
“I probably needed to crack the whip a little more and be more demanding of the young guys to do more winning things,” said Fizdale, whose termination agreement with the Knicks forbids him from discussing his total experience with the team.
Fizdale was criticized during his first season as he appeared to let Kevin Knox off the hook for rookie mistakes. He came down harder on the struggling Knox this season by limiting the former ninth-overall pick’s minutes and showing him “tough love,” as Fizdale put it days before he was canned with the team 4-18.
Knox has continued to be shown “tough love” by interim head coach Mike Miller, who has guided the Knicks — made up of veterans on short-term deals and a pair of promising youngsters in RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson — to a 13-19 record since he was promoted from being Fizdale’s assistant.
While it’s unclear whether the Knicks will stick with Miller next season, Fizdale already is preparing for his next coaching opportunity.
“I have to be myself throughout all of it,” said the 47-year-old Fizdale, who was groomed under basketball legend Pat Riley. “I can’t be [Gregg Popovich]. I can’t be [Erik Spoelstra]. I can’t be Brad [Stevens]. I just have to be myself, be comfortable in that section.”
Fizdale, who currently is working as an NBA analyst for ESPN, also was fired by the Grizzlies in 2017, following an undisclosed dispute with star player Marc Gasol.
Fizdale wasn’t the only Knicks dismissal this season, as the team fired team president Steve Mills last week.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--Feds seek 7 to 9 years in prison for Trump ally Roger Stone

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence President Donald Trump ’ s confidant Roger Stone to serve between 7 and 9 years in prison after his conviction on witness tampering and obstruction charges .
Stone , who is scheduled to be sentenced next week , was convicted in November of a seven-count indictment that accused him of lying to Congress , tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election .
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted of charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
Prosecutors said in their sentencing memorandum on Monday that Stone “ decided to double — and triple — down on his criminal conduct by tampering with a witness for months in order to make sure his obstruction would be successful.
” Stone has denied wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during the trial and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense .
The evidence presented in the trial didn ’ t directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to tip the outcome of the 2016 presidential election in Trump ’ s favor .
But it provided new insight into the scramble inside the Trump campaign when it was revealed in July 2016 that the anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks was in possession of more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee .

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence President Donald Trump’s confidant Roger Stone to serve between 7 and 9 years in prison after his conviction on witness tampering and obstruction charges.
Stone, who is scheduled to be sentenced next week, was convicted in November of a seven-count indictment that accused him of lying to Congress, tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election.
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted of charges brought as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Prosecutors said in their sentencing memorandum on Monday that Stone “decided to double — and triple — down on his criminal conduct by tampering with a witness for months in order to make sure his obstruction would be successful.”
Stone has denied wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated. He did not take the stand during the trial and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense.
The evidence presented in the trial didn’t directly address Mueller’s conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to tip the outcome of the 2016 presidential election in Trump’s favor. But it provided new insight into the scramble inside the Trump campaign when it was revealed in July 2016 that the anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks was in possession of more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--‘Special’ skill sets Igor Shesterkin apart in Rangers’ goalie race

A grand pronouncement is neither necessary nor at all likely to be issued .
But for David Quinn , it is just this simple .
“ Whoever plays is the No .
1 , ” the coach said after unsurprisingly naming Igor Shesterkin as the starting netminder for Tuesday ’ s match in Winnipeg that will open a three-game trip for the Rangers .
“ So yeah , he ’ s the No .
1 goaltender [ Tuesday ] night.
” This will mark the first road start for Shesterkin , who has gone 5-1 with a .933 save percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHL games .
Cam Talbot went 6-1 in his first seven starts as a Ranger in 2013-14 .
“ I just think the swagger [ Shesterkin ] has is so necessary for that position , ” Quinn said of the 24-year-old Russian .
“ He ’ s really good , he knows he ’ s really good , but it ’ s not in an arrogant way .
“ He has a mentality , I think he can sense a game and what ’ s going to happen in it .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s got real good anticipation .
I think he understands goaltending and the game of hockey.
” Shesterkin also possesses puck-handling ability that is rare .
If the Rangers spend less time in their own end when No .
31 is in nets , it is probably not a coincidence .
This netminder doesn ’ t simply move it to the nearest available outlet , he is constantly looking to launch a counterattack .
“ I have to get used to it , ” Chris Kreider said after Sunday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ netminder was cranking out saucer passes to the neutral zone .
“ I ’ m coming back into the zone and I ’ m watching the puck sail over my head .
“ The Russians all know , they understand what he ’ s going to do .
I have to get used to it .
It ’ s pretty special.
” This might come back to bite Shesterkin and the Rangers from time to time , but the risk-reward factor is overwhelmingly on their side .
“ Big time , ” Quinn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes because of that ability .
“ I think one of the reasons St. Louis won the Stanley Cup is because of the way their goalie [ Jordan Binnington ] handled the puck .
“ The way people forecheck in this day and age , if you have a goalie that can handle the puck like that , it makes a big difference .
One of the things about him is I think he ’ s going to get better at the practical side .
He can do something that , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he makes a pass to the far blue line but the goalie-defense exchanges are a bigger part than the ‘ oohing and aahing.
’ ” The Blueshirts are off on Wednesday , then have a back-to-back in Minnesota on Thursday and Columbus on Friday .
Unless something unforeseen develops , Shesterkin will get one of them .
Chances are that Alexandar Georgiev will get the other as Henrik Lundqvist continues to practice every day .
Filip Chytil , who had a strong game on Sunday , joined Kaapo Kakko and Pavel Buchnevich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during practice .
Chytil , who hasn ’ t been on the power play since the team returned from its winter recess six games ago , replaced net-front presence Brendan Lemieux .
The Blueshirts otherwise skated with the same combinations they used against the Kings , with Phillip Di Giuseppe up with Chytil and Kakko on the third line while Lemieux worked with Greg McKegg and Brett Howden on the fourth unit .

A grand pronouncement is neither necessary nor at all likely to be issued. But for David Quinn, it is just this simple.
“Whoever plays is the No. 1,” the coach said after unsurprisingly naming Igor Shesterkin as the starting netminder for Tuesday’s match in Winnipeg that will open a three-game trip for the Rangers. “So yeah, he’s the No. 1 goaltender [Tuesday] night.”
This will mark the first road start for Shesterkin, who has gone 5-1 with a .933 save percentage and 2.34 GAA in his first six NHL games. Cam Talbot went 6-1 in his first seven starts as a Ranger in 2013-14.
“I just think the swagger [Shesterkin] has is so necessary for that position,” Quinn said of the 24-year-old Russian. “He’s really good, he knows he’s really good, but it’s not in an arrogant way.
“He has a mentality, I think he can sense a game and what’s going to happen in it. He has a good pulse of the game and he’s got real good anticipation. I think he understands goaltending and the game of hockey.”
Shesterkin also possesses puck-handling ability that is rare. If the Rangers spend less time in their own end when No. 31 is in nets, it is probably not a coincidence. This netminder doesn’t simply move it to the nearest available outlet, he is constantly looking to launch a counterattack.
“I have to get used to it,” Chris Kreider said after Sunday’s 4-1 victory over LA in which the netminder was cranking out saucer passes to the neutral zone. “I’m coming back into the zone and I’m watching the puck sail over my head.
“The Russians all know, they understand what he’s going to do. I have to get used to it. It’s pretty special.”
This might come back to bite Shesterkin and the Rangers from time to time, but the risk-reward factor is overwhelmingly on their side.
“Big time,” Quinn said when asked how much the dynamic changes because of that ability. “I think one of the reasons St. Louis won the Stanley Cup is because of the way their goalie [Jordan Binnington] handled the puck.
“The way people forecheck in this day and age, if you have a goalie that can handle the puck like that, it makes a big difference. One of the things about him is I think he’s going to get better at the practical side. He can do something that, you know, everyone ‘oohs and aahs’ when he makes a pass to the far blue line but the goalie-defense exchanges are a bigger part than the ‘oohing and aahing.’ ”
The Blueshirts are off on Wednesday, then have a back-to-back in Minnesota on Thursday and Columbus on Friday. Unless something unforeseen develops, Shesterkin will get one of them. Chances are that Alexandar Georgiev will get the other as Henrik Lundqvist continues to practice every day.
Filip Chytil, who had a strong game on Sunday, joined Kaapo Kakko and Pavel Buchnevich up front on the second power-play unit during practice. Chytil, who hasn’t been on the power play since the team returned from its winter recess six games ago, replaced net-front presence Brendan Lemieux.
The Blueshirts otherwise skated with the same combinations they used against the Kings, with Phillip Di Giuseppe up with Chytil and Kakko on the third line while Lemieux worked with Greg McKegg and Brett Howden on the fourth unit.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--De Blasio blasts Cuomo’s bid to stick NYC with $1 billion Medicaid bill

ALBANY — Mayor Bill de Blasio demanded lawmakers reject Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s plan to stick the Big Apple with a $ 1 billion chunk of the state ’ s coming Medicaid bills , warning Monday the program would cripple local governments across the state .
“ From the five boroughs , to Nassau County on our border , to Erie County some 400 miles to the northwest , we all need the State to determine Medicaid eligibility and provide guidance , ” de Blasio said during budget hearings at the Capitol .
“ Localities can not possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the most controversial move Cuomo pitched in his $ 178 billion budget as he tries to close the state ’ s $ 6 billion deficit — and limit Albany ’ s future exposure to the state ’ s ballooning Medicaid tab , the cause of much of the red ink .
The budget bills Cuomo introduced in January would move cost increases for providing Medicaid in New York City off of the state ’ s books and onto the city ’ s budget beginning in 2022 , giving de Blasio ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office still has not provided total Medicaid spending projections by county for 2021 or 2022 , making it difficult to determine exactly how hard the governor ’ s cost shift would hit New York City if enacted .
But budget experts agree it would be painful .
If it was the law in 2019 , City Hall would have been on the hook for the entire $ 1.1 billion cost increase in providing Medicaid to the Big Apple , as the program ’ s cost ballooned from $ 16.2 billion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would force City Hall to implement stiff budget cuts , de Blasio told lawmakers , including closing 19 health clinics , laying off 1,300 doctors and nurses at its public hospital system and ending summer youth employment for 70,000 teens .
“ I fear that fiction is being created : that somehow localities did this , they didn ’ t ; that somehow localities can swallow the costs , they can ’ t , ” de Blasio said .
“ They ’ re either going to run out of money entirely or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overburdened at the local level.
” City Hall also claims the five boroughs will lose an additional $ 300 million through funding cuts or reductions in promised state aid , bringing Albany ’ s total cost shift to $ 1.4 billion .
Reps for Cuomo retorted that the city is gaining $ 318 million in new funding this year , despite the reductions in promised aid .
The governor ’ s Medicaid cost-shift is friendlier to counties that capped their property tax growth at 2 percent a year , covering the first three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then sticking counties with the remainder of the tab .
Other local government executives across the state have also pushed back hard against the cost-shift , pointing out that the state — not counties and cities — makes most of the decisions that dictate Medicaid ’ s costs .
Cuomo ’ s office claims the Medicaid outrage is overblown because the governor formed a commission tasked with getting spending growth back below 3 percent a year .
“ The mayor used his time on the soapbox to misinform the public about our Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s budget director , Robert Mujica .
“ The Medicaid Redesign Team will bring spending in line with targeted growth while ensuring 6 million New Yorkers maintain the same high-quality care they have now .
”

ALBANY — Mayor Bill de Blasio demanded lawmakers reject Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to stick the Big Apple with a $1 billion chunk of the state’s coming Medicaid bills, warning Monday the program would cripple local governments across the state.
“From the five boroughs, to Nassau County on our border, to Erie County some 400 miles to the northwest, we all need the State to determine Medicaid eligibility and provide guidance,” de Blasio said during budget hearings at the Capitol. “Localities cannot possibly handle this cost shift.”
It’s the most controversial move Cuomo pitched in his $178 billion budget as he tries to close the state’s $6 billion deficit — and limit Albany’s future exposure to the state’s ballooning Medicaid tab, the cause of much of the red ink.
The budget bills Cuomo introduced in January would move cost increases for providing Medicaid in New York City off of the state’s books and onto the city’s budget beginning in 2022, giving de Blasio’s replacement a potential multibillion-dollar headache.
Cuomo’s office still has not provided total Medicaid spending projections by county for 2021 or 2022, making it difficult to determine exactly how hard the governor’s cost shift would hit New York City if enacted.
But budget experts agree it would be painful. If it was the law in 2019, City Hall calculates it would have been on the hook for the entire $1.1 billion cost increase in providing Medicaid to the Big Apple, as the program’s cost ballooned from $16.2 billion to $17.3 billion.
That price tag would force City Hall to implement stiff budget cuts, de Blasio told lawmakers, including closing 19 health clinics, laying off 1,300 doctors and nurses at its public hospital system and ending summer youth employment for 70,000 teens.
“I fear that fiction is being created: that somehow localities did this, they didn’t; that somehow localities can swallow the costs, they can’t,” de Blasio said. “They’re either going to run out of money entirely or have to turn to taxpayers who are already overburdened at the local level.”
City Hall also claims the five boroughs will lose an additional $300 million through funding cuts or reductions in promised state aid, bringing Albany’s total cost shift to $1.4 billion.
Reps for Cuomo retorted that the city is gaining $318 million in new funding this year, despite the reductions in promised aid.
The governor’s Medicaid cost-shift is friendlier to counties that capped their property tax growth at 2 percent a year, covering the first three percent of the spending hike — but then sticking counties with the remainder of the tab.
Other local government executives across the state have also pushed back hard against the cost-shift, pointing out that the state — not counties and cities — makes most of the decisions that dictate Medicaid’s costs.
Cuomo’s office claims the Medicaid outrage is overblown because the governor formed a commission tasked with getting spending growth back below 3 percent a year.
“The mayor used his time on the soapbox to misinform the public about our Medicaid reforms,” said the state’s budget director, Robert Mujica. “The Medicaid Redesign Team will bring spending in line with targeted growth while ensuring 6 million New Yorkers maintain the same high-quality care they have now.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--More than 100 US troops suffered traumatic brain injuries in Iran strike

More than 100 US troops have now been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries from Iran ’ s missile attack on a base in Iraq last month , the Pentagon announced Monday .
There are now 109 cases , up from the 64 reported in late January , officials said .
Seventy-six of the service members who suffered traumatic brain injuries , or TBI , have returned to active duty , the Pentagon said .
The injuries stem from Iran ’ s retaliatory airstrike on Ain as-Asad base , where US service members were stationed .
No US troops were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack , which was a response to the US drone strike near Baghdad airport that killed Iran ’ s top general , Qassem Soleimani , on Jan. 3 .
But the Pentagon has since upped the number of traumatic injury cases several times , noting that symptoms can take time to develop and troops sometimes delay reporting their ailments .
TBI has become a larger concern for the military in recent years .
It can impair thinking , memory , vision , hearing and other abilities .
Severe cases can result in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Gen. Mark A. Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , said it ’ s possible that symptoms of TBI stemming from the Jan. 8 strike won ’ t become apparent for a year or two .
“ We ’ re early in the stage of diagnosis , we ’ re early in the stage of therapy for these troops , ” Milley had said .

More than 100 US troops have now been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries from Iran’s missile attack on a base in Iraq last month, the Pentagon announced Monday.
There are now 109 cases, up from the 64 reported in late January, officials said.
Seventy-six of the service members who suffered traumatic brain injuries, or TBI, have returned to active duty, the Pentagon said.
The injuries stem from Iran’s retaliatory airstrike on Ain as-Asad base, where US service members were stationed.
No US troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury in the attack, which was a response to the US drone strike near Baghdad airport that killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, on Jan. 3.
But the Pentagon has since upped the number of traumatic injury cases several times, noting that symptoms can take time to develop and troops sometimes delay reporting their ailments.
TBI has become a larger concern for the military in recent years. It can impair thinking, memory, vision, hearing and other abilities. Severe cases can result in a coma, amnesia or death.
Last month, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it’s possible that symptoms of TBI stemming from the Jan. 8 strike won’t become apparent for a year or two.
“We’re early in the stage of diagnosis, we’re early in the stage of therapy for these troops,” Milley had said.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--Visual Effects Society livid over James Corden and Rebel Wilson’s Oscars ‘Cats’ diss

The Visual Effects Society is hissing back at the Academy Awards , a day after Cats-costumed presenters James Corden and Rebel Wilson made an im-purr-tinent remark about the film ’ s widely panned VFX .
Before reading the nominees for Best Visual Effects , the duo said ( trading lines ) , “ As castmembers of the motion picture Cats , nobody more than us understands the importance … ” then they added in unison , “ of good visual effects !
” The line drew laughs and applause .
But the Visual Effects Society wasn ’ t laughing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , “ The best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly.
” Cats , of course , was among the year ’ s biggest flea bombs , opening to an itchy $ 6.5 million domestically .
Reviews were catty at best , and catastrophic at worst .
“ On a night that is all about honoring the work of talented artists , it is immensely disappointing that The Academy made visual effects the butt of a joke , ” VES said today ( read the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global community of expert VFX practitioners doing outstanding , challenging and visually stunning work to achieve the filmmakers ’ vision.
” Legit , but perhaps the Academy was clawing back over a crack that host Patton Owsalt made at the Universal film ’ s expense during the VES Awards last month .
“ The Star Wars franchise ended after 50 years , and after one screening , so did the Cats franchise , ” he said to laughs .
“ Isn ’ t that amazing ?
Were you guys on strike when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on there ?
That movie was a screensaver designed to not give me a boner.
” Here is the VES ’ full statement today : The Visual Effects Society is focused on recognizing , advancing and honoring visual effects as an art form – and ensuring that the men and women working in VFX are properly valued .
Last night , in presenting the Academy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects , the producers chose to make visual effects the punchline , and suggested that bad VFX were to blame for the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly .
On a night that is all about honoring the work of talented artists , it is immensely disappointing that The Academy made visual effects the butt of a joke .
It demeaned the global community of expert VFX practitioners doing outstanding , challenging and visually stunning work to achieve the filmmakers ’ vision .
Our artists , technicians and innovators deserve respect for their remarkable contributions to filmed entertainment , and should not be presented as the all-too-convenient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moving forward , we hope that The Academy will properly honor the craft of visual effects – and all of the crafts , including cinematography and film editing – because we all deserve it .

The Visual Effects Society is hissing back at the Academy Awards, a day after Cats-costumed presenters James Corden and Rebel Wilson made an im-purr-tinent remark about the film’s widely panned VFX.
Before reading the nominees for Best Visual Effects, the duo said (trading lines), “As castmembers of the motion picture Cats, nobody more than us understands the importance …” then they added in unison, “of good visual effects!” The line drew laughs and applause.
But the Visual Effects Society wasn’t laughing, saying in a statement that read in part, “The best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly.”
The fur is flying.
Cats, of course, was among the year’s biggest flea bombs, opening to an itchy $6.5 million domestically. Reviews were catty at best, and catastrophic at worst.
“On a night that is all about honoring the work of talented artists, it is immensely disappointing that The Academy made visual effects the butt of a joke,” VES said today (read the full statement below). “It demeaned the global community of expert VFX practitioners doing outstanding, challenging and visually stunning work to achieve the filmmakers’ vision.”
Legit, but perhaps the Academy was clawing back over a crack that host Patton Owsalt made at the Universal film’s expense during the VES Awards last month. “The Star Wars franchise ended after 50 years, and after one screening, so did the Cats franchise,” he said to laughs. “Isn’t that amazing? Were you guys on strike when they made that one? What was going on there? That movie was a screensaver designed to not give me a boner.”
Oscars: ‘Parasite’ Wins Best Picture – The Complete Winners List
Here is the VES’ full statement today:
The Visual Effects Society is focused on recognizing, advancing and honoring visual effects as an art form – and ensuring that the men and women working in VFX are properly valued.
Last night, in presenting the Academy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects, the producers chose to make visual effects the punchline, and suggested that bad VFX were to blame for the poor performance of the movie CATS. The best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly.
On a night that is all about honoring the work of talented artists, it is immensely disappointing that The Academy made visual effects the butt of a joke. It demeaned the global community of expert VFX practitioners doing outstanding, challenging and visually stunning work to achieve the filmmakers’ vision.
Our artists, technicians and innovators deserve respect for their remarkable contributions to filmed entertainment, and should not be presented as the all-too-convenient scapegoat in service for a laugh.
Moving forward, we hope that The Academy will properly honor the craft of visual effects – and all of the crafts, including cinematography and film editing – because we all deserve it.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--January Jones lied to her trainers about working out on the set of ‘X-Men’

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 ) We ’ ve all been there .
January Jones is covering Shape magazine ’ s March issue and opening up about motherhood and fitness , and the most relatable story from the profile may be the actress ’ s admission that she lied to the trainers on the set of “ X-Men : First Class ” about keeping up with her Marvel-mandated fitness regimen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ they had trainers for all of us , ” Jones , 42 , explains .
“ I would lie and say I was exercising in my hotel room when actually I was watching ‘ Friends ’ and having full tea service.
” But , she adds , she had to pick up some more functional strength training soon after ducking her super-responsibilities .
“ After I had my son , Xander , I wanted to feel strong … As he got bigger and I was hauling around a 20- or 30-pound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I saw my shoulders starting to curl and hunch .
I wanted to do something for my posture and core strength .
”

We’ve all been there.
January Jones is covering Shape magazine’s March issue and opening up about motherhood and fitness, and the most relatable story from the profile may be the actress’s admission that she lied to the trainers on the set of “X-Men: First Class” about keeping up with her Marvel-mandated fitness regimen.
“When I was filming ‘X-Men,’ they had trainers for all of us,” Jones, 42, explains. “I would lie and say I was exercising in my hotel room when actually I was watching ‘Friends’ and having full tea service.”
But, she adds, she had to pick up some more functional strength training soon after ducking her super-responsibilities.
“After I had my son, Xander, I wanted to feel strong … As he got bigger and I was hauling around a 20- or 30-pound toddler, my lower back gave out and I saw my shoulders starting to curl and hunch. I wanted to do something for my posture and core strength.”
Shape’s March issue is on newsstands Feb. 14.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--Bronx ‘cop-shooter’ had run-in with officers night before first attack

Two cops have been stripped of their guns and badges ...

The career criminal accused of shooting two Bronx cops within 12 hours had a run-in with officers the night before the rampage began — at the same intersection, police sources said Monday.
Robert Williams, 45, approached two cops sitting in a marked NYPD van at East 163rd and Fox streets on Friday night and got in their faces, sources told The Post.
The officers repeatedly ordered Williams to back up, and he eventually walked away without further incident, according to sources.
He didn’t flash a weapon during the bizarre run-in, and it’s unclear if he intended or was prepared to carry out an attack that night, sources said.
But about 24 hours later, Williams returned to the intersection, approached the van and asked two cops — different from those he encountered on Friday night — seated inside for directions, sources have said.
He then allegedly opened fire without provocation, hitting one cop in the neck and chin, nearly nicking his carotid artery, according to authorities.
Less than 12 hours after that, Williams allegedly shot up the nearby 41st Precinct station-house, striking a lieutenant in the upper left arm before running out of ammo and surrendering, police said.
He was formally charged on Monday with 13 counts of attempted murder in Bronx criminal court.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--NYPD suspends cops for sharing video of dramatic Bronx shootout

Two cops have been stripped of their guns and badges for passing around videos of the dramatic shootout inside a Bronx precinct station — as the NYPD tries to shut down press leaks , according to police sources .
The Midtown South officers , Brian Wilkens and Paul Brauer , were placed on modified duty Monday for accessing the surveillance clips that captured a gunman opening fire on officers inside the 41st Precinct on Sunday morning , a high-ranking source said .
The videos were shared among law enforcement circles — but were eventually leaked to the press .
Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , targeted cops in two shootings over the weekend in Hunts Point less than 12 hours apart — the second of which happened inside the precinct house .
He has since been charged with attempted murder and was held without bail Monday .
The cops ’ discipline comes as the top brass at the NYPD tries to clamp down on the unauthorized release of information to the media .
On Jan 29 , the NYPD revised its patrol guide to spell out to cops that they will be disciplined if they take videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow it to happen , according to the order leaked to The Post .
Wilkens has been on the force for about nine years .
Brauer was promoted to detective in 2015 .
A spokesperson for NYPD did not respond for comment .

Two cops have been stripped of their guns and badges for passing around videos of the dramatic shootout inside a Bronx precinct station — as the NYPD tries to shut down press leaks, according to police sources.
The Midtown South officers, Brian Wilkens and Paul Brauer, were placed on modified duty Monday for accessing the surveillance clips that captured a gunman opening fire on officers inside the 41st Precinct on Sunday morning, a high-ranking source said.
The videos were shared among law enforcement circles — but were eventually leaked to the press.
Robert Williams, a 45-year-old out on parole, targeted cops in two shootings over the weekend in Hunts Point less than 12 hours apart — the second of which happened inside the precinct house. He has since been charged with attempted murder and was held without bail Monday.
The cops’ discipline comes as the top brass at the NYPD tries to clamp down on the unauthorized release of information to the media.
On Jan 29, the NYPD revised its patrol guide to spell out to cops that they will be disciplined if they take videos of police videos or information or inadvertently allow it to happen, according to the order leaked to The Post.
Wilkens has been on the force for about nine years. Brauer was promoted to detective in 2015.
A spokesperson for NYPD did not respond for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--NY judge temporarily halts surprise broker’s fees ruling

An Albany judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order halting the Empire State ’ s new lightning-rod rule that renters can no longer be charged broker ’ s fees .
The ruling by Justice Michael Mackey came after the influential Real Estate Board of New York and other industry honchos , including big-name brokerages like the The Corcoran Group and Sotheby ’ s Realty , filed a lawsuit against the Department of State on Monday .
The temporary ban means brokers can , for now , continue collecting hefty commissions from tenants when they rent a residence .
REBNY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Realtors declared in a statement that it also means “ that thousands of hardworking , honest real estate agents across New York State can do business in the same way they did prior to last week ’ s DOS memo without fear of discipline by the DOS.
” The DOS blindsided the real estate industry last week when it issued a guidance to rent legislation passed last year that said landlords must now pay broker ’ s fees — not tenants .
The rent law passed in June said that tenants couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fees when applying for an apartment .
But it was unclear whether the $ 20 cap also applied to broker ’ s fees — and the DOS declared that it did .
The suit against DOS claims the department engaged in “ improper rulemaking ” when it issued the Feb. 4 guidance that was “ devoid of logic , arbitrary and capricious , an abuse of discretion.
” “ The DOS ’ s unlawful , erroneous , and arbitrary interpretation … has had an immediate and devastating impact on the rental real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims .
Mike McKee , treasurer of Tenants PAC , defended the DOS ’ interpretation of the law .
“ Requiring tenants to pay a broker ’ s fee has been an abuse for years and years and years , ” McKee told The Post .
“ This has been a scam .
It ’ s about time it ended .
”

An Albany judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order halting the Empire State’s new lightning-rod rule that renters can no longer be charged broker’s fees.
The ruling by Justice Michael Mackey came after the influential Real Estate Board of New York and other industry honchos, including big-name brokerages like the Corcoran Group and Sotheby’s Realty, filed a lawsuit against the Department of State on Monday.
The temporary ban means brokers can, for now, continue collecting hefty commissions from tenants when they rent a residence.
The REBNY and the New York State Association of Realtors declared in a statement that it also means “that thousands of hardworking, honest real estate agents across New York State can do business in the same way they did prior to last week’s DOS memo without fear of discipline by the DOS.”
The DOS blindsided the real estate industry last week when it issued a guidance to rent legislation passed last year that said landlords — not tenants — must now pay broker’s fees.
The rent law passed in June said tenants couldn’t be charged more than $20 in fees when applying for an apartment.
But it was unclear whether the $20 cap also applied to broker’s fees — and the DOS declared that it did.
The suit against DOS claims the department engaged in “improper rulemaking” when it issued the Feb. 4 guidance that was “devoid of logic, arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion.”
“The DOS’s unlawful, erroneous, and arbitrary interpretation … has had an immediate and devastating impact on the rental real estate market statewide,” the filing claims.
Mike McKee, treasurer of Tenants PAC, defended the DOS’ interpretation of the law.
“Requiring tenants to pay a broker’s fee has been an abuse for years and years and years,” McKee told The Post. “This has been a scam. It’s about time it ended.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--Cuomo sues feds to lift ‘arbitrary’ Global Entry ban

The Department of Homeland Security announced the suspension of renewals ...

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday followed through on his promise to sue the Trump administration for banning the state from federal expedited traveler’s programs — calling the ban political payback.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, claims the government’s decision to remove the Empire State from federal Trusted Traveler programs was “arbitrary, capricious” and “an abuse of discretion.”
Trump pulled the plug on the state’s participation in the programs, which enable expedited re-entry for travelers returning from overseas, in response to New York’s new Green Light Law.
The state law went into effect in December, allowing illegal immigrants to apply for diver’s licenses.
“We’re not actually fighting about TTP, right? It’s actually more basic than that,” Cuomo said on WAMC’s “Roundtable” radio show in Albany Monday. “We are fighting over basic disagreement on immigration policy and he is running for reelection on his immigration policy, which is anti-immigration.”
“And he uses it as a wedge to divide the body politic and give them a simple answer to all their problems: It’s immigration,” the governor said. “That’s is the disagreement.”
The administration has questioned whether the Green Light Law violates federal immigration laws.
It “prevents DHS from accessing relevant information that only New York DMV maintains, including some aspects of an individual’s criminal history,” Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf wrote in a Feb. 5 letter to Cuomo, according to the lawsuit.
In a statement Monday, all four of New York’s US Attorneys agreed.
“The disturbing truth is that under the newly enacted statute, the Customs and Border Protection officers working today at New York’s 13 ports of entry… are unable even to check the registration or the driver’s licenses status of individuals presenting themselves for admission into our country,” read the statement from Manhattan US attorney Geoffrey Berman, Brooklyn US attorney Richard Donoghue, Albany US attorney Grant Jaquith and Buffalo US attorney James Kennedy.
“Prohibiting basic information sharing between New York State and federal law enforcement agencies means that more criminals will enter and roam freely in our state and nation,” the letter reads.
Despite that, Cuomo’s suit counters that the feds haven’t really explained the connection between the Green Light Law flap and participation in the federal expedited traveler’s programs.
Cuomo announced Friday that he was planning to file the lawsuit.
The war of words continued Saturday, went Trump took to Twitter to complain that Cuomo had abruptly canceled a sit-down between the two pols — calling the state “so stupid.”
Cuomo complained the meeting had never been scheduled.
Then came Monday’s lawsuit, which names the US departments of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection and the agencies’ respective directors.
It seeks an order “holding unlawful, vacating, and setting aside” the ban.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice declined to comment Monday.


newyorkpost--2020-02-10--De Blasio: Sergeants’ union head should face ‘consequences’ for ‘war’ tweet

The head of the NYPD ’ s sergeants ’ union should face “ consequences ” for tweets “ declaring war ” on City Hall following the shootings of two cops , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday .
“ I have to say it ’ s sad when someone feels they can be openly divisive and get away with it , ” de Blasio told reporters in Albany , where he ’ s visiting for the state legislative budget hearing .
“ I think there should be consequences for that kind of speech , ” he added .
Hizzoner was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Benevolent Association on Sunday in the wake of twin shootings — allegedly by the same career criminal , Robert Williams — that left two Bronx cops wounded .
“ Mayor DeBlasio , the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you !
” the union wrote in one message .
“ We do not respect you , DO NOT visit us in hospitals.
” Hizzoner on Monday fired back at the SBA and the union ’ s president , Ed Mullins .
“ It ’ s absolutely inappropriate .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , echoing a sentiment voiced earlier Monday by NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea .
“ To see him [ Mullins ] try to foment hatred and division — literally try to make the situation worse — it ’ s dangerous.
” While saying that Mullins should face consequences , he declined to elaborate when asked what that should entail .
“ I would tell you that [ for ] hateful , divisive speech like that there should be consequences , ” said de Blasio .
“ I ’ m not an expert in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there should be consequences .
”

The head of the NYPD’s sergeants’ union should face “consequences” for tweets “declaring war” on City Hall following the shootings of two cops, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday.
“I have to say it’s sad when someone feels they can be openly divisive and get away with it,” de Blasio told reporters in Albany, where he’s visiting for the state legislative budget hearing.
“I think there should be consequences for that kind of speech,” he added.
Hizzoner was responding to tweets sent by the Sergeants’ Benevolent Association on Sunday in the wake of twin shootings — allegedly by the same career criminal, Robert Williams — that left two Bronx cops wounded.
“Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you!” the union wrote in one message. “We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals.”
Hizzoner on Monday fired back at the SBA and the union’s president, Ed Mullins.
“It’s absolutely inappropriate. I was disgusted by it,” he said, echoing a sentiment voiced earlier Monday by NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea. “To see him [Mullins] try to foment hatred and division — literally try to make the situation worse — it’s dangerous.”
While saying that Mullins should face consequences, he declined to elaborate when asked what that should entail.
“I would tell you that [for] hateful, divisive speech like that there should be consequences,” said de Blasio. “I’m not an expert in this field, I’m only saying there should be consequences.”