newyorkpost--2020-12-27--Vaccines for office workers are struggling landlords’ best shot

Landlords are praying that the launch of COVID-19 vaccines will finally send more employees back to their desks after the turn of the year .
But there ’ s little movement so far , and some big tenants have hit the pause button on previously planned returns as they await the vaccines ’ full-scale rollout .
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said it “ seems likely ” that most staff won ’ t be back before June .
That return date , if it holds up , would actually please landlords , who ’ ve seen company after company balk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — among them , Google , JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America .
The city ’ s 440 million square feet of office towers remain stubbornly near-empty 10 months after the pandemic started here , according to market tracker Kastle Systems ’ closely followed Back to Work Barometer .
Most real-estate insiders agree with work-from-home skeptic Ruth Colp-Haber , a Wharton Property Advisors principal , that “ self-isolation is a dead end and human beings need to gather together.
” Yet New York metro-area occupancy dipped to 12 percent the week before Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly average between 14 and 17 percent in previous weeks .
Work-from-home hasn ’ t yet sunk any landlords , as most tenants continue to make lease payments .
But if WFH lasts indefinitely , it would be a calamity — and not just for New York .
One industry insider unwilling to be named said , “ Take it to the extreme .
Not just Manhattan but cities around the world turn into white-elephant ghost towns .
What happens to all those buildings which prop up whole economies ?
” The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss such a worst-case scenario .
But with each passing month , the near-empty state of Midtown , Midtown South and downtown ratchets up the tension .
On the reassuring side , real-estate research and consulting firm CREtech reports that nearly 60 percent of US employees expect to return to their offices , at least part-time , by the end of the first quarter .
Less comforting , a Fortune survey found that one-third of all employees would prefer never to go back to their desks .
The wish to work from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ages 55 to 64 .
SL Green CEO Marc Holliday said in a third-quarter earnings call that “ 80 percent , 85 percent of the people that work in office buildings are still home , and that ’ s frustrating.
” CBRE Chief Executive Bob Sulentic said on CNBC that the vaccine launch will be “ crucial ” and lead to “ much more activity ” in office buildings by mid-2021 .
Landlords attribute the slow return pace partly to employees ’ fear of contracting the virus on mass transit and lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people enjoy working in dense commercial districts .
Theaters are dark and restaurants are closed for indoor service .
They also blame chief executives for not pushing their staffs hard enough to reclaim their offices .
“ The CEOs themselves are willing to go back , and many have , ” one executive of a privately held property firm told The Post .
“ But they ’ re leery of getting sued if someone catches COVID-19 .
They say they want to bring their teams back , but they don ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ Meanwhile , every month they stay home further cements the idea of working at home.
” Colp-Haber wrote in a newsletter , “ The decision on when and how to return to the office will be made by senior management , not the rank-and-file employees.
” She added , “ Smart landlords will play their part with more flexible lease terms , pandemic-protection clauses and lower rents.
” Fast-casual eatery specialist Aurify Brands bought bakery-driven chains Le Pain Quotidien and Maison Kayser out of bankruptcy earlier this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in vacant , former Maison Kayser locations , Aurify just signed a lease for a new LPQ in 2,425 square feet of ground-floor space and 1,300 square feet in the basement of Manhattan Skyline ’ s 1377 Sixth Ave. at West 56th Street — the rental apartment building Claridge ’ s .
Aurify co-CEO John Riggs told The Post , “ We ’ re opening it up as the new and improved LPQ , which will offer a superior culinary and hospitality experience than before.
” Joshua J. Roth repped Skyline in-house , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Kaufman Organization racked up 130,000 square feet of new leases and renewals in the past few months , according to company principal Grant Greenspan .
The deals included Allure Gems for more than 17,000 square feet ; for R.B .
Samuels for 8,240 sf at 132 W. 36th St. ; and for 3,600 sf for popular Indian restaurant Junoon , which is moving to 19 W. 24th St. from a few doors down .
A first for this meat Third-generation artisanal butcher Piccinini Brothers , a supplier to top city restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has launched a shop at 633 Ninth Ave. at West 44th Street .
It ’ s the first time customers can buy Piccinini ’ s meat and poultry at a retail location .
Its products were previously available only through its Web site for home delivery .

Landlords are praying that the launch of COVID-19 vaccines will finally send more employees back to their desks after the turn of the year. But there’s little movement so far, and some big tenants have hit the pause button on previously planned returns as they await the vaccines’ full-scale rollout.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said it “seems likely” that most staff won’t be back before June. That return date, if it holds up, would actually please landlords, who’ve seen company after company balk at calling employees back to their desks — among them, Google, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.
The city’s 440 million square feet of office towers remain stubbornly near-empty 10 months after the pandemic started here, according to market tracker Kastle Systems’ closely followed Back to Work Barometer.
Most real-estate insiders agree with work-from-home skeptic Ruth Colp-Haber, a Wharton Property Advisors principal, that “self-isolation is a dead end and human beings need to gather together.” Yet New York metro-area occupancy dipped to 12 percent the week before Christmas, Kastle reported, compared with a weekly average between 14 and 17 percent in previous weeks.
Work-from-home hasn’t yet sunk any landlords, as most tenants continue to make lease payments. But if WFH lasts indefinitely, it would be a calamity — and not just for New York.
One industry insider unwilling to be named said, “Take it to the extreme. Not just Manhattan but cities around the world turn into white-elephant ghost towns. What happens to all those buildings which prop up whole economies?”
The vast majority of landlords, brokers and analysts dismiss such a worst-case scenario. But with each passing month, the near-empty state of Midtown, Midtown South and downtown ratchets up the tension.
On the reassuring side, real-estate research and consulting firm CREtech reports that nearly 60 percent of US employees expect to return to their offices, at least part-time, by the end of the first quarter.
Less comforting, a Fortune survey found that one-third of all employees would prefer never to go back to their desks. The wish to work from home permanently was most pronounced among older workers ages 55 to 64.
The snail’s-pace return has exasperated major landlords.
SL Green CEO Marc Holliday said in a third-quarter earnings call that “80 percent, 85 percent of the people that work in office buildings are still home, and that’s frustrating.”
CBRE Chief Executive Bob Sulentic said on CNBC that the vaccine launch will be “crucial” and lead to “much more activity” in office buildings by mid-2021.
Landlords attribute the slow return pace partly to employees’ fear of contracting the virus on mass transit and lack of amenities that are a main reason why people enjoy working in dense commercial districts. Theaters are dark and restaurants are closed for indoor service.
They also blame chief executives for not pushing their staffs hard enough to reclaim their offices.
“The CEOs themselves are willing to go back, and many have,” one executive of a privately held property firm told The Post. “But they’re leery of getting sued if someone catches COVID-19. They say they want to bring their teams back, but they don’t do enough to make it happen,” he said.
“Meanwhile, every month they stay home further cements the idea of working at home.”
Colp-Haber wrote in a newsletter, “The decision on when and how to return to the office will be made by senior management, not the rank-and-file employees.”
She added, “Smart landlords will play their part with more flexible lease terms, pandemic-protection clauses and lower rents.”
Le Pain Quotidien gets new life
Fast-casual eatery specialist Aurify Brands bought bakery-driven chains Le Pain Quotidien and Maison Kayser out of bankruptcy earlier this year.
Kicking off a plan to reopen LPQ in vacant, former Maison Kayser locations, Aurify just signed a lease for a new LPQ in 2,425 square feet of ground-floor space and 1,300 square feet in the basement of Manhattan Skyline’s 1377 Sixth Ave. at West 56th Street — the rental apartment building Claridge’s.
Aurify co-CEO John Rigos told The Post, “We’re opening it up as the new and improved LPQ, which will offer a superior culinary and hospitality experience than before.”
Joshua J. Roth repped Skyline in-house, while RCS Real Estate Advisors repped Aurify.
Busy Kaufman
The Kaufman Organization racked up 130,000 square feet of new leases and renewals in the past few months, according to company principal Grant Greenspan.
The deals included Allure Gems for more than 17,000 square feet; for R.B. Samuels for 8,240 sf at 132 W. 36th St.; and for 3,600 sf for popular Indian restaurant Junoon, which is moving to 19 W. 24th St. from a few doors down.
A first for this meat
Third-generation artisanal butcher Piccinini Brothers, a supplier to top city restaurants such as Restaurant Daniel and Balthazar, has launched a shop at 633 Ninth Ave. at West 44th Street. It’s the first time customers can buy Piccinini’s meat and poultry at a retail location. Its products were previously available only through its Web site for home delivery.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Alabama man confesses to killing girlfriend on Christmas Eve: cops

An Alabama man has confessed to killing his girlfriend and trying to burn her remains on Christmas Eve , authorities said .
Ace Antonio Pierre Belcher , 32 , called Altoona cops late Thursday to report that he had an argument with his girlfriend , Traci Melvin Wilemon , that turned physical and led to her death , the Gadsden Times reported .
Belcher initially told responding cops he found Wilemon , 50 , lifeless on the floor of their Altoona home , but unusual circumstances at the scene led cops to call investigators from the Etowah County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a press release .
Deputies then obtained a search warrant and processed the scene for hours early on Christmas Day before Belcher confessed to killing Wilemon and trying to burn her remains , sheriff officials said .
Belcher , who was arrested early Friday , is facing charges of murder and abuse of a corpse .
He remained held without bond early Monday , online records show .
The Alabama Department of Forensic Science will conduct an autopsy on Wilemon ’ s body .
Investigators from the sheriff ’ s office will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A message seeking additional comment from the Etowah County Sheriff ’ s Office was not immediately returned early Monday .

An Alabama man has confessed to killing his girlfriend and trying to burn her remains on Christmas Eve, authorities said.
Ace Antonio Pierre Belcher, 32, called Altoona cops late Thursday to report that he had an argument with his girlfriend, Traci Melvin Wilemon, that turned physical and led to her death, the Gadsden Times reported.
Belcher initially told responding cops he found Wilemon, 50, lifeless on the floor of their Altoona home, but unusual circumstances at the scene led cops to call investigators from the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Jonathan Horton said in a press release.
Deputies obtained a search warrant and processed the scene for hours early on Christmas Day before Belcher confessed to killing Wilemon and trying to burn her remains, sheriff officials said.
Belcher, who was arrested early Friday, is facing charges of murder and abuse of a corpse. He remained held without bond early Monday, online records show.
It’s unclear if he’s hired an attorney.
The Alabama Department of Forensic Science will conduct an autopsy on Wilemon’s body. Investigators from the sheriff’s office will attend the examination, Horton said.
No additional information in the case was available to be released early Monday, Horton told The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Nashville bomber Anthony Quinn Warner’s motive likely more about destruction: investigator

“ Wonder Woman ” is a knockout at the box office .
Released ...

Nashville RV bomber Anthony Quinn Warner likely chose Christmas morning for his devastating suicide blast because his “intent was more destruction than death,” a lead investigator said Monday.
The 63-year-old loner notably blew up a number of buildings when the usually packed streets in the city’s historic downtown were mostly deserted, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said on NBC’s “Today” show.
He also gave “the opportunity to clear the area” with warnings from his parked RV “that an explosion was imminent,” Rausch said of the audio that also bizarrely played Petula Clark’s classic pop song “Downtown.”
The evidence “certainly gives you that insight that the possibility was that he had no intention of harming anyone but himself,” the senior investigator said.
“It does appear that the intent was more destruction than death,” he said.
The massive investigation — involving federal, state and local authorities — is hampered by the fact that the IT consultant appears to have no social media presence and left no suggestion of political ideology, the investigator confirmed.
“We don’t know for sure that we’ll ever get there to the complete answer because obviously that individual is no longer with us” to be questioned, Rausch said.
“We may never find out the exact reasoning behind the activity that took place,” he added.
The bureau director also revealed that his team was able to confirm Warner was killed in the blast through remains with DNA from a hat and gloves from one of the attacker’s old cars.
Previous 1 of 7 Next Advertisement The scene on 2nd Avenue North shortly after an explosion in the area Elliott Anderson / For Tennessean An image of the RV that exploded on 2nd Ave. in Nashville on Christmas Day REUTERS Advertisement An image grab made from a footage of a security camera and released by Nashville police shows the moment a bomb was set off in Nashville on Christmas morning Metro Nashville PD Donald Q. Cochran, US Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK Chief John Drake speaks during a press conference held in the intersection of 2nd Ave. and Korean Veterans Blvd. Alan Poizner/For The Tennessean Advertisement
Nashville Mayor John Cooper on Sunday said the bombing appeared to be an “infrastructure attack” targeting the AT&T building on the block, which led to huge service disruptions in several states.
“To all of us locally, it feels like there has to be some connection with the AT&T facility and the site of the bombing,” Cooper told CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“It’s got to have something to do with the infrastructure,” he said of the attack by a man who reportedly believed conspiracy theories about 5G networks.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Listen to Episode 62 of ‘Blue Rush’: Giants in Trouble feat. Ottis Anderson

The Giants looked dead in the water against the Ravens on Sunday .
Their offense was awful .
Their defense struggled .
Baltimore ran all over them 27-13 , sending the Giants to 5-10 .
It was their third straight loss after winning four straight games .
While it felt like rock bottom , the Giants enter the final week of the regular season very much alive to win the NFC East .
They would be the first 6-10 to ever make the playoffs if they pull it off .
Pretty simple : beat the Cowboys and hope the Eagles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To break down the messy game and look at where the Giants stand heading into Week 17 , we bring you a new episode of the “ Blue Rush ” podcast with Paul Schwartz and Lawrence Tynes .
• Giants like zombie movies…dead then come back to life then dead again then back to life .
• Giants still alive to make the playoffs , but do not resemble anything close to a playoff team right now .
• If Daniel Jones can ’ t run , the offense is futile .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make contested catches .
Jason Garrett has been terrible calling plays and doesn ’ t get called out enough .
• As bad as they are playing , they go into final week with a chance .
It ’ s not pretty , but Week 17 will be for the playoffs if the Eagles can beat Washington .
• Thoughts on the Giants three-game losing streak .
What has gone wrong ?
• Future at running back for the Giants .
Did he like drafting Saquon Barkley ?
Should the Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is Daniel Jones the answer at QB for the Giants ?
• Getting traded to the Giants and not getting a ton of playing time to start .
• Looking back to the missed kick at the end of the Super Bowl in 1991 .
• Not being in the Hall of Fame and how much easier it has got for guys to make it .
• Avoiding fumbling the ball when he came to the Giants .
• What him and Lawrence Taylor are doing with 5D graphics company “ Tridelix.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue Rush , ” a New York Giants podcast , by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
Follow Lawrence Tynes , Paul Schwartz and Jake Brown on Twitter @ lt4kicks , @ NYPost_Schwartz and @ JakeBrownRadio .
The next episode of the show drops Thursday .

The Giants looked dead in the water against the Ravens on Sunday. Their offense was awful. Their defense struggled. Baltimore ran all over them 27-13, sending the Giants to 5-10. It was their third straight loss after winning four straight games. While it felt like rock bottom, the Giants enter the final week of the regular season very much alive to win the NFC East. They would be the first 6-10 to ever make the playoffs if they pull it off. Pretty simple: beat the Cowboys and hope the Eagles take down the Washington Football Team.
To break down the messy game and look at where the Giants stand heading into Week 17, we bring you a new episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast with Paul Schwartz and Lawrence Tynes.
SUBSCRIBE ON:
Blue Rush Opening Segment with Schwartz & Tynes:
Giants like zombie movies…dead then come back to life then dead again then back to life.
Giants still alive to make the playoffs, but do not resemble anything close to a playoff team right now.
If Daniel Jones can’t run, the offense is futile. There are no playmakers. Darius Slayton can’t make contested catches. Jason Garrett has been terrible calling plays and doesn’t get called out enough.
As bad as they are playing, they go into final week with a chance. It’s not pretty, but Week 17 will be for the playoffs if the Eagles can beat Washington.
Ottis Anderson Interview :
2-time Super Bowl Champion Giants Running Back
Thoughts on the Giants three-game losing streak. What has gone wrong?
Future at running back for the Giants. Did he like drafting Saquon Barkley? Should the Giants try and re-sign Wayne Gallman?
Is Daniel Jones the answer at QB for the Giants?
Getting traded to the Giants and not getting a ton of playing time to start.
Similarities between Joe Judge and Bill Parcells.
Looking back to the missed kick at the end of the Super Bowl in 1991.
Not being in the Hall of Fame and how much easier it has got for guys to make it.
Avoiding fumbling the ball when he came to the Giants.
What him and Lawrence Taylor are doing with 5D graphics company “Tridelix.”
Catch up on all episodes of “Blue Rush,” a New York Giants podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Lawrence Tynes, Paul Schwartz and Jake Brown on Twitter @lt4kicks, @NYPost_Schwartz and @JakeBrownRadio. The next episode of the show drops Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Wonder Woman 1984 hauls in $16.7M with highest box office opening during COVID

Erin Kemp , a former teacher in Morton , Illinois , has been ...

“Wonder Woman” is a knockout at the box office.
Released on Christmas Day, “Wonder Woman 1984” was the highest box office opening of the pandemic, hauling in $16.7 million in ticket sales in the US and $36.1 million globally, according to Warner Bros.
The sequel to the 2017 hit starring Gal Gadot was released in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service on the same day.
Now, a third installment is being “fast-tracked,” the movie studio said on Sunday.
“Wonder Woman 1984 broke records and exceeded our expectations across all of our key viewing and subscriber metrics in its first 24 hours on the service, and the interest and momentum we’re seeing indicates this will likely continue well beyond the weekend,” Andy Forssell, executive vice president and general manager of WarnerMedia Direct-to-Consumer, said in a statement. “During these very difficult times, it was nice to give families the option of enjoying this uplifting film at home, where theater viewing wasn’t an option.”
Nearly two-thirds of movie theaters in the US are closed right now, which is why the studio opted to release the flick online at the same time.
Total viewing hours on HBO Max tripled on Christmas Day compared with a typical day in November, the company said.
The third installment of the action movie will be written and directed by Patty Jenkins — who was at the helm of the first two — and star Gadot again, Warner Bros. said.
Previous 1 of 9 Next Advertisement Gal Gadot poses at the world premiere of “Wonder Woman.” AFP via Getty Images Gal Gadot and Kristen Wiig in a scene from “Wonder Woman 1984” AP Advertisement Gal Gadot and Chris Pine AP Gal Gadot ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C Advertisement Gal Gadot and Kristen Wiig ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C Advertisement
But not everyone loved the sequel.
Review site Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of 65 percent, with critics maintaining that it “struggles with sequel overload” while acknowledging that it “still offers enough vibrant escapism to satisfy fans of the franchise.” The audience score was 73 percent, according to the review site.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the first “Wonder Woman” a 93 percent rating in 2017.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Teacher, 38, may get prison for ‘kissing and inappropriately touching’ student

A former Morton , Illinois , teacher is facing charges following allegations she engaged in sex abuse of a male student , News Break reports .
The incident between the Morton , Illinois , high school business teacher and the student allegedly occurred in September .
Erin Kemp , 38 , was slapped with a subpoena earlier this month .
The former Morton , Illinois , teacher was ordered to appear in Tazewell County Circuit Court for her alleged sex crime .
A conviction on the sex abuse charge could put the the Morton , Illinois , teacher away for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge is more lenient with Kemp , she could get off with just probation .
Kemp was a business teacher at Morton High School in Illinois before her downfall following sex-abuse charges , Patch reports .
She resigned from her post in September , shortly after the scandal broke .
Hill ’ s statement did not clarify any details about the exact nature of the sex abuse allegedly committed by the Morton , Illinois , teacher .
Kemp first began working as a teacher in the Morton , Illinois , school district in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sex abuse allegations .
During the last school year , she received about $ 70,000 in salary and benefits .
The Journal Star was able to learn that Kemp told school officials that she kissed the student in question and touched him in an inappropriate way .
When questioned by the Morton , Illinois , school officials , the student ultimately disclosed that the teacher had sexually preyed upon him .
The student permitted a forensic download of his phone .
There , investigators found sexualized text messages between the Morton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kemp expressed numerous romantic fantasies about herself and the child as well as worries that the boy would leave her in the dust in the end , Week.com reports .

Latest Videos
A former Morton, Illinois, teacher is facing charges following allegations she engaged in sex abuse of a male student, News Break reports.
The incident between the Morton, Illinois, high school business teacher and the student allegedly occurred in September.
Erin Kemp, 38, was slapped with a subpoena earlier this month.
The former Morton, Illinois, teacher was ordered to appear in Tazewell County Circuit Court for her alleged sex crime.
Erin Kemp, 38, was issued a subpoena last Friday to appear in Tazewell County Circuit Court on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse that were filed Thursday. Former Morton high school teacher charged with sexual abuse of student Newsbreak
A conviction on the sex abuse charge could put the the Morton, Illinois, teacher away for seven years.
Or, if the judge is more lenient with Kemp, she could get off with just probation.
Kemp was a business teacher at Morton High School in Illinois before her downfall following sex-abuse charges, Patch reports.
She resigned from her post in September, shortly after the scandal broke.
Erin Kemp, 37, of Morton, resigned Thursday, and district representatives reported the matter to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, according to a release issued Monday by Morton Community Unit School District 709 Superintendent Jeff Hill. 'Inappropriate Relationship' Probe Led Teacher To Resign: D-709 Patch
Hill’s statement did not clarify any details about the exact nature of the sex abuse allegedly committed by the Morton, Illinois, teacher.
Kemp first began working as a teacher in the Morton, Illinois, school district in 2007 — a career soon destroyed by the sex abuse allegations.
During the last school year, she received about $70,000 in salary and benefits.
The Journal Star was able to learn that Kemp told school officials that she kissed the student in question and touched him in an inappropriate way.
Kemp told school officials that she had kissed and “inappropriately touched” the student, who was under age 18, but denied any touching that would be considered sexual in nature, the affidavit stated. Former Morton high school teacher charged with sexual abuse of student Journal Star
When questioned by the Morton, Illinois, school officials, the student ultimately disclosed that the teacher had sexually preyed upon him.
The student permitted a forensic download of his phone.
There, investigators found sexualized text messages between the Morton, Illinois, teacher and her student.
Kemp expressed numerous romantic fantasies about herself and the child as well as worries that the boy would leave her in the dust in the end, Week.com reports.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--NJ cops bust illegal bar after finding 200 people partying in warehouse

Two women have been arrested after police in Newark , New Jersey , busted an illegal bar in a warehouse packed with 200 people amid the coronavirus pandemic , according to reports .
Denisse Tinizaray , 26 , and Katherine Tinizaray , 28 , both of Newark , were charged with maintaining an illegal liquor establishment , illegal possession of alcohol and illegal sale of alcohol , NJ.com reported .
Vice Task Force detectives responded to a large party at 6 Libella Court , where booze was being sold from behind a makeshift bar around midnight Sunday , public safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Voice .
More than 200 people were inside , drinking alcohol and participating in illegal gambling , Ambrose said .
The two suspects were unable to produce paperwork proving they held a license to sell alcohol , he added .
This is the second illegal bar broken up in New Jersey this month .
On Dec. 14 , police in Trenton arrested a resident after responding to neighbors ’ complaints .
They found 45 people inside the home , where the suspect was charging $ 5 a beer , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash and 82 small bags of cocaine .
On Dec. 7 , Gov .
Phil Murphy lowered the limit of indoor gatherings to 25 people , down from 150 , in response to the surging number of COVID-19 cases in the state .

Two women have been arrested after police in Newark, New Jersey, busted an illegal bar in a warehouse packed with 200 people amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
Denisse Tinizaray, 26, and Katherine Tinizaray, 28, both of Newark, were charged with maintaining an illegal liquor establishment, illegal possession of alcohol and illegal sale of alcohol, NJ.com reported.
Vice Task Force detectives responded to a large party at 6 Libella Court, where booze was being sold from behind a makeshift bar around midnight Sunday, public safety chief Anthony Ambrose said, according to the Daily Voice.
More than 200 people were inside, drinking alcohol and participating in illegal gambling, Ambrose said.
The two suspects were unable to produce paperwork proving they held a license to sell alcohol, he added.
This is the second illegal bar broken up in New Jersey this month.
On Dec. 14, police in Trenton arrested a resident after responding to neighbors’ complaints. They found 45 people inside the home, where the suspect was charging $5 a beer, according to NJ.com.
Police confiscated $942 in cash and 82 small bags of cocaine.
On Dec. 7, Gov. Phil Murphy lowered the limit on “general indoor gatherings” to 10 people, down from 150, in response to the surging number of COVID-19 cases in the state.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--I Love the Bridgerton Brothers Almost as Much as I Love ‘Bridgerton’

For Regency romance fans , Bridgerton is a dazzling dream of a show .
The show ’ s first season perfectly captures the giddy fun of author Julia Quinn ’ s first Bridgerton book , The Duke and I .
But as much as I adored losing myself in Daphne Bridgerton ’ s ( Phoebe Dynevor ) romance with Simon Bassett ( Regé-Jean Page ) , I also found myself head over heels in love with Daphne ’ s three older brothers .
Anthony ( Jonathan Bailey ) , Benedict ( Luke Thompson ) , and Colin ( Luke Newton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and handsome dreamboats .
More importantly — for book readers like me — they are the perfect Bridgerton boys .
Netflix ’ s Bridgerton is a loving ( and brilliant ) adaptation of the bestselling Bridgerton book series .
Just as in Quinn ’ s novels , Bridgerton follows the huge Bridgerton clan as they navigate scandal and heartache during a heady London social season .
The first season focuses , as Quinn ’ s first book does , on Daphne Bridgerton ’ s quest to marry for love .
Complicating things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s meddling .
In his eyes , no one is good enough for his beloved sister .
Soon that means no one is interested .
While Anthony is the only Bridgerton brother directly involved with Daphne ’ s story , Bridgerton the show spends time with all three of her brothers on their own .
Anthony is torn between his passion for a beautiful opera singer ( Sabrina Bartlett ) and the knowledge that his responsibility as Viscount is to wed someone “ appropriate.
” Benedict is looking for a sense of purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place full of lax rules and artistic inspiration .
And Colin ?
Unaware that sweet Penelope Featherington ( Nicola Coughlan ) is head over heels for him , he courts her friend and house guest Marina Thompson ( Ruby Barker ) .
Little does Colin know , though , that Marina ’ s ardor for him is partially mercenary .
What ’ s incredible about what I just described is that none of this happens in Quinn ’ s first Bridgerton book , The Duke and I .
That book is solely focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meddling older brother , only appearing at home with his family or at the club for private conversations with Simon .
Benedict is a cypher , and Anthony ’ s seeming sidekick .
Colin is the brother Daphne is closest in age to and therefore her confident .
Netflix ’ s Bridgerton does the brilliant thing , though , and it plums each Bridgerton brother ’ s future love stories for insight into what they would be doing “ off-screen ” during the social season of 1813 .
Except Bridgerton shows us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singer , Benedict ’ s dreams of being an artist , and Colin ’ s charm with the ladies on-screen .
Hardcore Julia Quinn fans might be taken aback by some of these choices , but they really set up each brother ’ s future story perfectly .
Also perfect ?
The casting .
On a purely aesthetic note , Jonathan Bailey , Luke Thompson , and Luke Newton all look like the Bridgerton brothers .
More than that , they all embody their personalities to a tee .
Whether it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Colin ’ s dastardly wit , or Anthony ’ s hard shell guarding his wounded heart , all three actors nail their character ’ s spirits .
And I love it .
What won me over about Bridgerton , both the books and the Shondaland series , was the Bridgerton family themselves .
At first glance , they are obnoxiously perfect : wealthy , beautiful , and without obvious sin .
However the more time you spend with them , the more you see the friction between siblings with different personality types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and dreams deferred .
Every scene with the bulk of the Bridgerton clan brings with it a cacophony of witticisms and insults .
They are , honestly , a lot like my family .
Because underneath the veneer of breeding , the Bridgertons are romantics who love each other as much as they love the promise of true love .
Shonda Rhimes Fell In Love With Julia Quinn 's 'Bridgerton ' Novels Before Making Netflix Series Your Guide to the 'Bridgerton ' Soundtrack : Vitamin String Quartet , Sufjan Stevens , Jessica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show about the allure of love , in all its forms .
Yes , at its surface is the steamy pleasure of romantic love , but underpinning these love stories is a family that loves each other above all else .
Without this foundation of familial love , the Bridgerton clan would be tougher to root for .
Seeing how seriously they take love , duty , honor , loyalty , and one another ’ s happiness makes the task of finding a proper husband for sister Daphne as tense a mission as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also makes my heart desperate to see all the Bridgerton boys ( and girls ) find a true love of their own .
One of the best things about Netflix ’ s Bridgerton is the depth of the world .
Beyond Daphne and Simon ’ s swoon of a storyline , there was an entire cast of people fighting for their own happily ever afters .
Chief among them ?
Daphne ’ s elder brothers .
They may all seem like picture perfect rakes from central casting , but as the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colin are all more than that .
Anthony is haunted by duty and hunted by heartache .
Benedict , on the other hand , has the most open and egalitarian way of looking at the world .
And Colin ?
Colin wants to please others , while not quite understanding what he needs himself to be happy .
Anyone who loves Bridgerton also has to love the Bridgerton boys .
They aren ’ t just perfect ; they are perfectly loveable .

For Regency romance fans, Bridgerton is a dazzling dream of a show. The show’s first season perfectly captures the giddy fun of author Julia Quinn’s first Bridgerton book, The Duke and I. But as much as I adored losing myself in Daphne Bridgerton’s (Phoebe Dynevor) romance with Simon Bassett (Regé-Jean Page), I also found myself head over heels in love with Daphne’s three older brothers. Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), Benedict (Luke Thompson), and Colin (Luke Newton) Bridgerton are all tall, dark, and handsome dreamboats. More importantly — for book readers like me — they are the perfect Bridgerton boys.
WARNING: Spoilers for Bridgerton Season 1 ahead!
Netflix’s Bridgerton is a loving (and brilliant) adaptation of the bestselling Bridgerton book series. Just as in Quinn’s novels, Bridgerton follows the huge Bridgerton clan as they navigate scandal and heartache during a heady London social season. The first season focuses, as Quinn’s first book does, on Daphne Bridgerton’s quest to marry for love. Complicating things are her overprotective eldest brother Anthony’s meddling. In his eyes, no one is good enough for his beloved sister. Soon that means no one is interested.
While Anthony is the only Bridgerton brother directly involved with Daphne’s story, Bridgerton the show spends time with all three of her brothers on their own. Anthony is torn between his passion for a beautiful opera singer (Sabrina Bartlett) and the knowledge that his responsibility as Viscount is to wed someone “appropriate.” Benedict is looking for a sense of purpose in the bohemian art scene, a place full of lax rules and artistic inspiration. And Colin? Unaware that sweet Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is head over heels for him, he courts her friend and house guest Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker). Little does Colin know, though, that Marina’s ardor for him is partially mercenary.
What’s incredible about what I just described is that none of this happens in Quinn’s first Bridgerton book, The Duke and I. That book is solely focused on Daphne and Simon. Anthony is a meddling older brother, only appearing at home with his family or at the club for private conversations with Simon. Benedict is a cypher, and Anthony’s seeming sidekick. Colin is the brother Daphne is closest in age to and therefore her confident. Netflix’s Bridgerton does the brilliant thing, though, and it plums each Bridgerton brother’s future love stories for insight into what they would be doing “off-screen” during the social season of 1813. Except Bridgerton shows us Anthony’s dalliance with an opera singer, Benedict’s dreams of being an artist, and Colin’s charm with the ladies on-screen.
Hardcore Julia Quinn fans might be taken aback by some of these choices, but they really set up each brother’s future story perfectly. Also perfect? The casting. On a purely aesthetic note, Jonathan Bailey, Luke Thompson, and Luke Newton all look like the Bridgerton brothers. More than that, they all embody their personalities to a tee. Whether it’s Benedict’s sweet and easy-going manner, Colin’s dastardly wit, or Anthony’s hard shell guarding his wounded heart, all three actors nail their character’s spirits. And I love it.
What won me over about Bridgerton, both the books and the Shondaland series, was the Bridgerton family themselves. At first glance, they are obnoxiously perfect: wealthy, beautiful, and without obvious sin. However the more time you spend with them, the more you see the friction between siblings with different personality types, grief that has gone un processed, and dreams deferred. Every scene with the bulk of the Bridgerton clan brings with it a cacophony of witticisms and insults. They are, honestly, a lot like my family. Because underneath the veneer of breeding, the Bridgertons are romantics who love each other as much as they love the promise of true love.
More On: Bridgerton Nicola Coughlan Confirms 'Bridgerton' Season 3 Will Have the Book's "Spicy" Sex Scenes
'Bridgerton' Season 3 Teases Loads of Colin and Penelope Drama
Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Great' Season 3 on Hulu, In Which The Third Iteration Of The Period Drama Lives Up To Its Name (And Then Some)
The Companion Novel To 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' Is Now On Sale
Bridgerton is a show about the allure of love, in all its forms. Yes, at its surface is the steamy pleasure of romantic love, but underpinning these love stories is a family that loves each other above all else. Without this foundation of familial love, the Bridgerton clan would be tougher to root for. Seeing how seriously they take love, duty, honor, loyalty, and one another’s happiness makes the task of finding a proper husband for sister Daphne as tense a mission as pulling off a million-dollar casino heist. It also makes my heart desperate to see all the Bridgerton boys (and girls) find a true love of their own.
One of the best things about Netflix’s Bridgerton is the depth of the world. Beyond Daphne and Simon’s swoon of a storyline, there was an entire cast of people fighting for their own happily ever afters. Chief among them? Daphne’s elder brothers. They may all seem like picture perfect rakes from central casting, but as the show reveals, Anthony, Benedict, and Colin are all more than that. Anthony is haunted by duty and hunted by heartache. Benedict, on the other hand, has the most open and egalitarian way of looking at the world. And Colin? Colin wants to please others, while not quite understanding what he needs himself to be happy.
Anyone who loves Bridgerton also has to love the Bridgerton boys. They aren’t just perfect; they are perfectly loveable.
Watch Bridgerton on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Debunking ‘The Irishman’ killing of Crazy Joe Gallo

How did Robert DeNiro ’ s character in “ The Irishman ” kill Crazy Joe Gallo ?
“ Ain ’ @ @ @ @ @ , ” claims mafia expert Jerry Capeci .
This episode of “ Mob Minute ” @ @ @ @ @ job on Joey Gallo — which Frank “ The Irishman ” Sheeran claims was him @ @ @ @ @ Clam House in NYC ’ s Little Italy .
Subscribe to our YouTube here .

How did Robert DeNiro's character in "The Irishman" kill Crazy Joe Gallo? "Ain't no way that happened," claims mafia expert Jerry Capeci. This episode of "Mob Minute" goes inside the 1972 hit job on Joey Gallo — which Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran claims was him — at Umberto's Clam House in NYC's Little Italy.
Subscribe to our YouTube here.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Tom Cruise reportedly builds COVID-19-secure studio at ex-secret base

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Tom Cruise is on a mission to make sure his new flick is not hit with any more coronavirus disruptions — by building a secure studio on a former top-secret military base , according to a report .
The 58-year-old megastar , who recently blew up on two crew members on the set of “ Mission : Impossible 7 ” for flouting COVID-19 safety protocols , is spending millions to move the production to a former tank design base in Longcross in Surrey , The Sun reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cruise went ballistic when the two workers stood too close together .
“ If I see you do it again , you ’ re f–king gone !
And if anyone in this crew does it , that ’ s it — and you too and you too !
And you , don ’ t you ever f–king do it again !
” the “ Top Gun ” actor was heard yelling in a leaked audio clip .
Five staffers reportedly quit following a second outburst .
Cruise ’ s production in Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — once after a report of a positive test on set , the news outlet reported .
He received permission to resume shooting in the UK in July after he made a personal plea to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden , The Sun reported .
Despite the string of setbacks , Cruise has reportedly grown close to British co-star Hayley Atwell , 38 , whom he started dating on the set of “ Mission : Impossible 7 , ” according to the outlet .
“ Tom and Hayley hit it off from day one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun .
“ Lockdown , and all the difficulties that came with it , brought them closer together , ” the source added .
“ They ’ ve been meeting after hours and she ’ s been to his London pad .
“ They get on brilliantly .
Both seem very happy .
”

Tom Cruise is on a mission to make sure his new flick is not hit with any more coronavirus disruptions — by building a secure studio on a former top-secret UK military base, according to a report.
The 58-year-old megastar, who recently blew up at two crew members on the set of “Mission: Impossible 7” for flouting COVID-19 safety protocols, is spending millions to move the production to a former tank design base in Longcross in Surrey, the Sun reported.
While filming at Leavesden in Hertfordshire, Cruise went ballistic when the two workers stood too close together.
“If I see you do it again, you’re f–king gone! And if anyone in this crew does it, that’s it — and you too and you too! And you, don’t you ever f–king do it again!” the “Top Gun” actor was heard yelling in a leaked audio clip.
Five staffers reportedly quit following a second outburst.
Cruise’s production in Italy was halted earlier because of the pandemic — once after a report of a positive test on set, the news outlet reported.
He received permission to resume shooting in the UK in July after he made a personal plea to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, the Sun reported.
Despite the string of setbacks, Cruise has reportedly grown close to British co-star Hayley Atwell, 38, whom he started dating on the set of “Mission: Impossible 7,” according to the outlet.
“Tom and Hayley hit it off from day one,” a production source told the Sun.
“Lockdown, and all the difficulties that came with it, brought them closer together,” the source added. “They’ve been meeting after hours and she’s been to his London pad. They get on brilliantly. Both seem very happy.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Nashville bomber Anthony Quinn Warner reportedly thought he’d be ‘hailed a hero’

The Tennessee “ computer geek ” behind the Christmas Day bomb blast ...

Nashville RV bomber Anthony Quinn Warner was “heavily into conspiracy theories” about 5G networks — and thought he’d be “hailed a hero” for targeting a huge AT&T network, according to a report.
The 63-year-old loner — who died in his massive Christmas Day suicide blast — may have turned against the telecommunications industry after the 2011 death of his father, who worked for a company that later merged with AT&T, a source close to the investigation told the Daily Mail.
He was believed to be “heavily into conspiracy theories,” especially over fears that 5G networks were killing people, the source said.
“The unofficial motive thus far is the suspect believed 5G was the root of all deaths in the region and he’d be hailed a hero,” the source told the outlet.
“We are waiting on the digital footprint that should finally provide us with some answers,” the source explained following a raid of Warner’s home in Antioch, a suburb of Nashville.
His father, Charles B. Warner, spent his career working for BellSouth, which was acquired by AT&T in 2006, the report noted. The dad — who was nicknamed Popeye — died in July 2011 of dementia, at age 78, the outlet said.
The bomber may also have been dying before his attack, having told an ex-girlfriend that he had cancer, according to the New York Times.
He gave that ex a car and also signed away the deeds to at least two homes — one just before Thanksgiving — before his devastating attack.
As well as razing businesses in the historic downtown area, the 6:30 a.m. blast caused a massive disruption to communications systems that even blacked out 911 centers in several surrounding counties.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper said Sunday the bombing appeared to be an “infrastructure attack” targeting the AT&T building.
An image grab made from footage of a security camera and released by Nashville police shows the moment a bomb was set off in Nashville on Christmas morning. Metro Nashville PD
“To all of us locally, it feels like there has to be some connection with the AT&T facility and the site of the bombing,” Cooper told CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“It’s got to have something to do with the infrastructure,” he said.
Experts also warn that the attack showed clear vulnerabilities in America’s telecommunications industry.
“I think this is a wake-up call and a warning for all of us about how vulnerable our infrastructure is, how relatively easy it is for a single individual to do this,” Frank Figliuzzi, former assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI, told “Face The Nation.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Fish looks like Homer Simpson

Fish looks like Homer Simpson

“ D ’ oh ” you see it ?
A fish resembling Homer Simpson — the patriarch of the longest-running @ @ @ @ @ — was caught on camera by photographer Marcelo Ogata in Indonesia .
As “ The @ @ @ @ @ sea creature just might fit in on the show .

“D’oh” you see it? A fish resembling Homer Simpson — the patriarch of the longest-running TV series of all time — was caught on camera by photographer Marcelo Ogata in Indonesia. As "The Simpsons" evolves, this sea creature just might fit in on the show.
Subscribe to our YouTube!


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Napoleon re-enactor Oleg Sokolov sentenced for dismembering student-turned-lover

Show me the appreciation !
It lacks the same ring as ...

A Russian professor who beheaded his student-turned-lover — and then planned to commit suicide as Napoleon Bonaparte — has been sentenced to more than 12 years in a stockade, according to a report.
Oleg Sokolov, 64, a former history professor at St. Petersburg State University, was found boozed up in a river in November 2019 with a bag containing the severed arms of 24-year-old Anastasia Yeshchenko.
Her severed head was discovered in an IKEA bag in his luxury apartment, while her torso and legs were recovered from the Moika River in St. Petersburg, East2West News reported.
Sokolov — Russia’s most famous Napoleon re-enactor — sat impassively while wearing a mask as a court in St. Petersburg sentenced him to 12½ years in a penal colony on Friday.
“He shot her, then tried to strangle her, but she continued showing signs of life so he shot her again,” Judge Yulia Maksimenko said, adding that he shot her four times with a rifle before dismembering her with a knife and saw.
Previous 1 of 7 Next Advertisement Oleg Sokolov wears an 1812-era French army general’s uniform during a staged battle re-enactment to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. AP Anastasia Yeschenko and Oleg Sokolov VK.com Advertisement The gun that supposedly killed the victim Moika78 Oleg Sokolov walking toward the Moika River and throwing bags with body parts into the water, then going back home to take the next bag Moika78 Sokolov stands inside a defendant cage during his verdict hearing in St. Petersburg on Dec. 25, 2020. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement
One of the bullets, which were fired from a Soviet-era TOZ-17 stylized as a 19th-century cavalry rifle, went through the woman’s right eye, East2West reported.
After killing her and hiding her body parts under a bed, Sokolov partied with friends.
“His friends visited him, they all drank cognac,” the court heard.
Once they left, he beheaded and dismembered the corpse in his bathroom.
Sokolov was caught when he was found in the icy river trying to dispose of his lover’s arms, which he had chopped off at her shoulders.
The disgraced academic pleaded guilty to her murder, but told the court it had not been premeditated and that the PhD student had driven him to “a state of complete insanity” by making insulting remarks about his children from another relationship.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement Anastasia Yeschenko’s funeral in the village of Starovelichkovskaya Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Anastasia Yeschenko social media / east2west news Advertisement Anastasia Yeschenko social media / east2west news Advertisement
It emerged that he had suspected Yeshchenko of cheating on him — and became violent when she told him she planned on going to a friend’s birthday party.
She had told him that her freedom must be respected, but the judge said Sokolov was fiercely jealous amid the 40-year age difference.
Sokolov — who had lectured at the Sorbonne and was awarded the Legion of Honour order of merit by France — and Yeschenko had both taken part in Napoleonic re-enactments in full historic regalia.
Earlier, Sokolov said in court: “I want to express deep and complete remorse for what I have done. I not only believe that I must be punished, I want to be punished to atone for the crime I committed.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Giants showed Logan Ryan more than the money with contract extension

Of course this is crazy .
Of course this is absurd ... .

Show me the appreciation!
It lacks the same ring as “Show me the money!” — made famous by Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in “Jerry Maguire” — but it’s how Giants safety Logan Ryan felt when signing a three-year, $31 million contract extension on Christmas morning. Ryan has played in 15 career playoff games and won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans but …
“I haven’t always felt appreciated by the organization for whatever I did that year,” Ryan said Sunday after making eight tackles and recovering a fumble in a 27-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. “I think the Giants really appreciate me for not even just being the player I am on the field, but I think they appreciate what I bring off the field.
“I think they appreciate what I do in the community, I think they appreciate my wife and I — our family, our struggles, our successes — and I think they appreciate the leadership I bring to the team. That feeling of appreciation is what we all look for in life regardless of money, and that’s something I felt was special here and something I wanted to continue to feel. And I wanted to pay that back to the organization by committing here as long as I did.”
Of course, money doesn’t hurt. Ryan will make about the same $10 million per year average salary as a 30-year-old safety that he received as a 26-year-old cornerback leaving the Patriots for the Titans. It’s the threshold he was targeting in free agency last offseason but couldn’t get from any team — before changing agents and settling for half that much by signing with the Giants after training camp.
Only 11 other NFL safeties average at least $10 million per year.
The Giants didn’t want to lose the New Jersey native — a valuable voice disseminating messages from coach Joe Judge in the locker room, the key cog in coordinator Patrick Graham’s disguised secondary schemes and the embodiment of franchise values desired by ownership. So they risked negotiating against themselves before seeing the market value established in March.
“It got done fairly quickly,” Ryan said. “The organization asked me if I wanted to be here. I said yes. I think it was a good deal for both sides.”
Ryan has missed the playoffs only once in his eight-year career, and this is his first time on a team with a losing record since his freshman season at Rutgers in 2010.
“Rocky road there not being signed for a minute, but I found a newfound belief in myself as a player, as a leader, and I believe the organization believed in me as well,” Ryan said. “I wouldn’t sign a deal two weeks before free agency if I didn’t believe in this organization. I believe in the culture set. I believe in the work ethic we put in each and every day.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Chinese citizen journalist sentenced to 4 years over COVID-19 reporting

A Chinese citizen journalist was sentenced to four years in jail on Monday over her critical reporting on the government ’ s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Zhang Zhan , 37 , was convicted by a Shanghai court of “ picking quarrels and provoking trouble ” for her video and blog reports from Wuhan during the early days of the pandemic , Agence France-Presse reported .
Her reports were widely shared on social media in February , grabbing the attention of authorities , who have punished eight whistleblowers for documenting the outbreak or questioning the Chinese Communist Party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed that Zhang , a former lawyer , spread “ false remarks ” online , said Zhang Keke , one of her defense attorneys .
She has been held in custody since May , and her health condition has been worsening , her attorneys said .
Zhan went on a hunger-strike in June and has been force-fed via a nasal tube , with her arms restrained to prevent her from pulling it out , according to her lawyers .
“ She feels psychologically exhausted , like every day is a torment , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had faced up to five years in prison , attended Monday ’ s hearing in a wheelchair and was “ devastated ” by the sentence , announced just a couple of hours into her trial .
Another of her attorneys , Ren Quanniu , said that , during a prison visit last week , Zhang said that she would continue her hunger strike “ until the very end , ” if given a heavy sentence .
“ She thinks she will die in prison .
”

A Chinese citizen journalist was sentenced to four years in jail on Monday over her critical reporting on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Zhang Zhan, 37, was convicted by a Shanghai court of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” for her video and blog reports from Wuhan during the early days of the pandemic, Agence France-Presse reported.
Her reports were widely shared on social media in February, grabbing the attention of authorities, who have punished eight whistleblowers for documenting the outbreak or questioning the Chinese Communist Party’s response to it.
The court deemed that Zhang, a former lawyer, spread “false remarks” online, said Zhang Keke, one of her defense attorneys.
She has been held in custody since May, and her health condition has been worsening, her attorneys said.
Zhan went on a hunger-strike in June and has been force-fed via a nasal tube, with her arms restrained to prevent her from pulling it out, according to her lawyers.
“She feels psychologically exhausted, like every day is a torment,” said Zhang Keke.
The reporter, who had faced up to five years in prison, attended Monday’s hearing in a wheelchair and was “devastated” by the sentence, announced just a couple of hours into her trial.
Another of her attorneys, Ren Quanniu, said that, during a prison visit last week, Zhang said that she would continue her hunger strike “until the very end,” if given a heavy sentence.
“She thinks she will die in prison.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Daniel Jones’ improved health kept ugly Giants stat from being worse

Daniel Jones had no chance against the Ravens , no chance ...

Daniel Jones said he felt better on Sunday than at any point since he suffered two injuries in the past three weeks — a strained right hamstring and a sprained left ankle.
“I felt like I could move and get out of the pocket and do what I needed to do,’’ Jones said after Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Imagine if Jones did not feel this good. He was sacked six times, all in the second half, as his offensive line was put in the terrible position, trailing at halftime 20-3 and the Giants forced to throw far more often than they prefer to do.
“They deserve the credit,’’ Jones said of the Ravens. “They were pressuring and found different ways to bring it. I’ve got to do a better job of seeing it and getting the ball out in a lot of those situations whether they’re exposed in the back end and in coverage.’’
Jones was sacked on the very first play of the third quarter when Wayne Gallman failed to pick up a blitz. In a particularly dreadful sequence, Jones was sacked on three consecutive plays early in the fourth quarter. Rookie right tackle Matt Peart was beaten by Matthew Judon, the right side of the line failed to block Pernell McPhee and on the third sack, linebacker Chris Board was untouched on a blitz.
Daniel Jones was sacked six times by the Ravens. Getty Images
“They know we have to throw it in those situations, and they’re either going to play coverage or pressure you,’’ Jones said. “I’ve just got to do a better job of handling it and getting the ball out.”
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was able to travel with the team by train on Saturday and call the plays in this game. Garrett tested positive for COVID-19, missed last week’s loss to the Browns, with the play-calling duties taken over by tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens.
The Giants got a bad break late in the second quarter when a penalty flag was thrown on a third-down pass by Jones from the Baltimore 6-yard line. Rookie Austin Mack could not come away with the catch in the end zone but CB Marlon Humphrey was called for pass interference for holding Mack at the waist. That would have given the Giants a first down on the 1-yard line, but after a brief conversation, referee John Hussey announced there was no flag on the play.
“Look, they explained it, we’re not going to go ahead and have any kind of courtroom on the field and change what it was,’’ head coach Joe Judge said.
Graham Gano went 2-for-2 on field goals and now has hit 29 straight, matching the franchise record held by Josh Brown. … The Ravens early in the second quarter easily bypassed 100 rushing yards, giving them 38 consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards. That is the second-longest streak in NFL history, behind only the Steelers, who did it from 1974-77.
Eli Penny, the only fullback on the roster, was a surprise inactive when he was declared out with an illness (non-COVID-19 related). … WR Dante Pettis was active for the first time for the Giants. Pettis did not return kicks but he got his first reception for the Giants, hauling in a 20-yard pass on a seam route midway through the third quarter.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Jets defense did the unthinkable in shutting down Browns

With Trevor Lawrence out of the picture , Sam Darnold continues ...

It was oh-so predictable of this unpredictable year.
The Jets were without star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. The 10-win Browns were in town coming off five wins in six games with the league’s third-ranked rushing attack.
So, naturally, in typical 2020 form the Jets’ front seven played like the best unit in the league.
It held the Browns, who were without their top four receivers due to COVID-19 protocols, to 45 rushing yards on 18 carries. It sacked Baker Mayfield four times, equaling a season high. Nick Chubb was held to a season-low 28 yards. With the game in the balance, it forced turnovers on Cleveland’s last two possessions and produced three altogether.
“It proves that we don’t quit, that we’re still approaching every week to win,” outside linebacker Tarell Basham after Gang Green won their second straight, 23-16, over the Browns at fan-less MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. “Great game plan. Our coaches put us in position to make plays and we showed up today to make plays. We played with energy, enthusiasm, and flew around, got to the ball.”
John Franklyn-Myers, Frankie Luvu, Nathan Shepherd and Basham each had sacks. Basham forced two fumbles and Luvu created another. Franklyn-Myers and Folorunso Fatukasi each recovered one.
Basham was the big star, coming up big in the final minutes. With the Jets nursing a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter, he hit Mayfield from behind, jarring the ball loose. It led to a Jets field goal and a seven-point lead.
But the Browns had one last chance and drove to the Jets’ 16-yard-line. On fourth-and-1, Mayfield kept it. But as he spun trying to gain extra yards, Basham again stripped him of the ball, sealing the victory with 1:25 left.
“We got so much knock-back on the inside,” Basham said, spreading out the credit. “We got so much knock-back on the inside Baker had nowhere else to go, forcing him to slide out my way.”
“Blessed, honestly, blessed to be able to make such a play as a team in such a critical moment in the game,” he added.
The Jets defense was torched by the Seahawks for 41 points and 410 total yards on Dec. 13. The previous week, it allowed the Raiders to prevail on a long pass with five seconds left. But the past two weeks, the unit came up big against the Rams and Browns, outplayed a pair of potential playoff teams after allowing at least 30 points in five of its previous six games.
“Guys continue to fight. It means a lot to us as players to come to play to win, and actually win a game and not just continue to go home losers,” Basham said. “We’ve got children. That’s the last thing you want, to go home and explain to your kids every week you’re a loser.
“You want them to be winners, but you can’t seem to win. So this is big for us as players.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--RJ Barrett’s big night was perfect response to his poor Knicks outing

The players certainly needed this gift that fell out of ...

RJ Barrett couldn’t wait to get back on the court after his 2 of 15 brickfest Saturday against the Sixers in the home opener.
It was the perfect time for a back-to-back in Barrett’s eyes — even if it was against the Eastern Conference favorite, the Bucks.
Barrett put the Philadelphia fiasco in the rearview mirror and put forth a strong outing befitting his performance in the preseason and in the season opener. In the Knicks’ 130-110 shocker over Milwaukee on Sunday, Barrett was a battering ram again, racked up 17 points with eight rebounds and four assists. He was also a plus-21.
“You want to get back on the court as soon as possible,’’ Barrett said. “I was definitely excited we had this opportunity today.’’
Barrett watched film of the Philadelphia game, in which he missed his first nine shots and wasn’t fazed. The irony is in the season opener versus Indiana, Barrett made his first nine shots.
“The best advice was for myself — that I had another one tomorrow,’’ Barrett said. “I’m not the only person who had a bad shooting night. I was very happy with the result.’’
RJ Barrett drives to the basket against the Bucks. Getty Images
Coach Tom Thibodeau said he loved Barrett’s mindset.
“Just aggressiveness,’’ Thibodeau said. “When you don’t make shots you can’t let that impact other parts of your game. He had a big first game. When you have a game like that you’re going to have attention. You got to read the game and how they are playing you. You have to use their aggressiveness the way they are closing out to our team’s advantage. He’s doing that with penetrating drives and pressure on the defense and forcing defenses to collapse.”
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo hardly enjoyed this visit to the Garden and not just because the Bucks lost.
The Greek Freak, who recently signed a contract extension to remain in Milwaukee for five more years, finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
“It doesn’t feel right — the most famous arena without a crowd,’’ Antetokounmpo said. “Usually when I come here I see 20 Greek flags, people cheering, basically the whole Greek community comes out to support me and my team. It’s always nice. The Garden always has this nice energy about it, and tonight it was empty. Hopefully the next time we come to the Garden it’s packed.”
Though the Knicks announced forward Obi Toppin will be reevaluated in 7-10 days, Thibodeau sounded as if their rookie lottery pick could be out as many as two weeks with a calf strain — if not longer.
Toppin re-aggravated a previously undisclosed calf injury in the season opener, Thibodeau said. The rehab process has Toppin unable to put any pressure on his leg for a week, affecting his conditioning. Toppin won’t practice again in 2020.
“When you miss that type of time, with that type of injury, there’s going to be a period of time for him to get back to speed in terms of playing,’’ Thibodeau said. “And so obviously with a calf, you can’t run or jump, so the conditioning component will factor into that.’’
It should be noted the last time a Knicks rookie strained a calf, it wasn’t good. Allonzo Trier, in 2018-19, sat out the final 3 ½ weeks of his rookie season with a calf strain. Toppin missed his second straight game Sunday. Between now and Jan. 11, the Knicks play eight more games. That could mean Toppin misses a total of 10 games.
Austin Rivers, the free-agent signee, is expected to undergo his first contact practice session Monday. He missed all four preseason games with a groin pull and almost all of training camp.
Thibodeau said he plans to stick him back in the rotation, according to sources, when healthy. … Point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who looked uninspiring in his 17-minute season debut Saturday, missed Sunday’s game with a bruised quad.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Long Island cops find burning corpse in man’s backyard

A Long Island man was arrested after cops allegedly found a burning human body in his backyard .
Peter Pendzinski @ @ @ @ @ of killing a man and then setting the corpse on fire behind his home in @ @ @ @ @ Suffolk County police said .
A neighbor called 911 to report the blaze at around @ @ @ @ @ When officers got there they “ found a body burning on the property , ” @ @ @ @ @ .
A medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to identify the victim and determine the @ @ @ @ @ said .
Pendzinski was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries .
He was @ @ @ @ @ will be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip at a later date .
@ @ @ @ @ the home on the Shirley property , which his father owns .

A Long Island man was arrested after cops allegedly found a burning human body in his backyard.
Peter Pendzinski, 20, is accused of killing a man and then setting the corpse on fire behind his home in the hamlet of Shirley, Suffolk County police said.
A neighbor called 911 to report the blaze around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. When officers got there, they “found a body burning on the property,” cops said in a statement.
A medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to identify the victim and determine the cause of death, cops said.
Pendzinski was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He was charged with second-degree murder and will be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.
Police said Pendzinski lives in the home on the Shirley property, which his father owns.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Jamison Crowder touchdown pass was spark for big Jets day: ‘What a dime’

Who needs Trevor Lawrence anyway?
On the day the Jets officially were eliminated from landing the first pick in the draft, their top receiver showed he’s been hiding a cannon for an arm.
Jamison Crowder keyed Gang Green’s second straight victory after an 0-13 start, and he got his team started with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios in the first quarter.
“I’ve never played quarterback, but I’m an athlete,” Crowder, who also caught a 30-yard score and had a 14-yard run, said after the Jets’ 23-16 win over the Browns at MetLife Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Once he heard the play call, Crowder thought to himself: “Make sure I throw a dart.”
On first-and-10 from the Browns’ 43-yard-line late in the first quarter, Crowder received a pitch in the backfield from running back Ty Johnson and hit Berrios in stride down the right sideline for the first completion and first touchdown pass of his six-year career. Coach Adam Gase said the Jets have tried to run the play before, but it didn’t work nearly as well.
Jamison Crowder (right) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“I told him next series you might think about going back there and playing some snaps at QB,” quarterback Sam Darnold joked. “What a dime though. … He threw it perfectly and, yeah, it was awesome to see.”
It was only part of Crowder’s big day. Late in the half, he caught a 30-yard strike from Darnold for his sixth touchdown reception of the season and finished the game with seven catches for 92 yards.
That production is nothing new. Crowder has been the Jets’ best offensive player the last two seasons. He’s been one of the few things the Jets have gotten right. He’s been durable, productive and reliable.
“The thing that I’d say about Crowder is that, over the last two seasons, he is so consistent,” Gase said. “You can always count on him. The quarterback can definitely count on him being in the right spot, right time. Make the play that needs to be made in the moment, especially when it’s a critical one.
“When we need a big play — whether it’s the perfect coverage or the perfect route — it seems like he comes down with the ball. He makes something happen when something needs to happen.”
On Sunday, he showcased his versatility — the ability to not only catch passes, but throw them as well.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Kentucky man uses flamethrower to clear snowy driveway

It ’ s a surefire way to break the ice .
A Kentucky man was filmed using a flamethrower to clear snow from his driveway while apparently dressed up as the character cousin Eddie from the Yule day classic “ National Lampoon ’ s Christmas Vacation ” Footage showed Timothy Browning — wearing only a white bathrobe , slippers and a hat — chugging a beer and popping a cigar in his mouth before handling the fireblaster outside his home in Ashland .
“ Browning snow services removal now available !
” a woman says at the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flamethrower , which quickly melts away the surrounding flakes .
“ God bless American rednecks !
” he captioned the video , which he posted on Facebook Friday .
The clip was shared widely over the weekend , with many users applauding Browning ’ s creative shoveling tactic .
“ How do I get one of these lol , ” commented one person from Alberta , Canada .
Browning told Reuters : “ I thought it ’ d be funny for a video and wanted to clear off the under layer of ice @ @ @ @ @

It’s a surefire way to break the ice.
A Kentucky man was filmed using a flamethrower to clear snow from his driveway while apparently dressed up as the character cousin Eddie from the Yule day classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Footage showed Timothy Browning — wearing only a white bathrobe, slippers and a hat — chugging a beer and popping a cigar in his mouth before handling the fireblaster outside his home in Ashland.
“Browning snow services removal now available!” a woman says at the start of the clip.
Browning then casually wields the flamethrower, which quickly melts away the surrounding flakes.
“God bless American rednecks!” he captioned the video, which he posted on Facebook Friday.
The clip was shared widely over the weekend, with many users applauding Browning’s creative shoveling tactic.
“How do I get one of these lol,” commented one person from Alberta, Canada.
Browning told Reuters: “I thought it’d be funny for a video and wanted to clear off the under layer of ice on the driveway.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--12-year-old upstate NY girl scares off naked home intruder

A 12-year-old upstate New York girl woke up to find a strange naked man inside her bedroom last week — and fearlessly confronted the intruder , scaring him off , police said .
The brave kid yelled at the creep to leave when she spotted him “ totally naked and physically aroused ” in her room at around 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve , according to Ellenville Police .
The intruder had slipped in through a front window of the Village of Ellenville apartment before making his way to a back room where the child and another 12-year-old girl were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-teen ’ s screams woke the other girl up and prompted the man to flee .
The confrontation also awoke the victim ’ s mother , who grabbed a knife and chased after the suspect as he ran .
He didn ’ t make it very far .
Cops caught up to Sergio Ulysee , 37 , who had allegedly taken off in a car .
He was arrested after a “ brief struggle.
” Ellenville Police Chief Phillip S. Mattracion commended the “ brave young lady ” for standing up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bravery , and without hesitation , or fear , and at great risk to her own safety ” as she faced up to the intruder , Mattracion said .
“ Thankfully , we might never know what might have happened if not for her heroic actions.
” Ulysee , who lives in the same apartment complex as the girl and her family , was charged with second-degree burglary , endangering the welfare of a child , and sexually motivated felony , police said .
He was being held in Ulster County Jail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to appear in court on Tuesday .

A 12-year-old upstate New York girl woke up to find a strange naked man inside her bedroom last week — and fearlessly confronted the intruder, scaring him off, police said.
The brave kid yelled at the creep to leave when she spotted him “totally naked and physically aroused” in her room at around 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve, according to Ellenville Police.
The intruder had slipped in through a front window of the Village of Ellenville apartment before making his way to a back room where the child and another 12-year-old girl were sleeping, cops said.
The plucky pre-teen’s screams woke the other girl up and prompted the man to flee.
The confrontation also awoke the victim’s mother, who grabbed a knife and chased after the suspect as he ran.
He didn’t make it very far.
Cops caught up to Sergio Ulysee, 37, who had allegedly taken off in a car. He was arrested after a “brief struggle.”
Ellenville Police Chief Phillip S. Mattracion commended the “brave young lady” for standing up to the creep.
She acted “with extreme bravery, and without hesitation, or fear, and at great risk to her own safety” as she faced up to the intruder, Mattracion said.
“Thankfully, we might never know what might have happened if not for her heroic actions.”
Ulysee, who lives in the same apartment complex as the girl and her family, was charged with second-degree burglary, endangering the welfare of a child, and sexually motivated felony, police said.
He was being held in Ulster County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail and was set to appear in court on Tuesday.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--ESPN airs ‘disturbing’ Tom Brady-Bill Belichick animation

ESPN ’ s “ Monday Night Football ” mocked the Patriots with a cartoon animation that was described as “ disturbing ” by a Boston radio host during New England ’ s primetime matchup with the Bills .
Parodying the famous scene from the 2003 movie “ Love Actually , ” in which a character confesses his love for another with cue cards on Christmas Eve , an animated Bill Belichick shows up to Tom Brady ’ s doorstep to share a message for his former quarterback .
“ Since you left me , Tom , ” reads the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others listing the Patriots ’ misfortunes this season , their first without Brady as their starting quarterback since 2001 .
Without Brady the 6-8 Patriots saw their 11-year playoff streak and NFL record of 17 straight 10-win seasons snapped .
Brady , meanwhile , has helped lead his new team , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , to their first trip to the playoffs since 2007 .
The animation lasts all of 20 seconds and ends with Brady slamming the door shut on his former coach .
“ Monday Night Football ” has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having won three Emmy ’ s , but this one was met with mixed reviews .
It was “ nightmare fuel for New Englanders , ” according to @ Andrew_Pelc .
Though the feedback wasn ’ t all negative .
“ Best graphic of all time.
” wrote @ kokogadget1 , as many others celebrated the fall of the Patriots .

ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” mocked the Patriots with a cartoon animation that was described as “disturbing” by a Boston radio host during New England’s 38-9 loss to the Bills.
Parodying the famous scene from the 2003 movie “Love Actually” in which a character professes his love for another with cue cards on Christmas Eve, an animated Bill Belichick shows up on Tom Brady’s doorstep to share a message for his former quarterback.
“Since you left me, Tom,” reads the first cue card, which is followed by others listing the Patriots’ misfortunes this season, their first without Brady as their starter since 2001.
Without Brady, the 6-9 Patriots saw their 11-year playoff streak and NFL record of 17 straight 10-win seasons snapped.
Brady, meanwhile, has helped lead his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to their first trip to the playoffs since 2007.
The animation lasts all of 20 seconds and ends with Brady slamming the door on his former coach.
“Monday Night Football” has won three Sports Emmys for its quirky, innocuous statistic-based animations, but this skit was met with mixed reviews.
“This is disturbing,” wrote 98.5 The Sports Hub host @ChristianArcand.
It was “nightmare fuel for New Englanders,” according to @Andrew_Pelc.
The feedback wasn’t all negative, though.
“Best graphic of all time,” wrote @kokogadget1, as many others celebrated the fall of the Patriots.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Grizzlies’ Ja Morant taken off in wheelchair after scary ankle injury

Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant was taken off the court in a wheelchair after hurting his left ankle during @ @ @ @ @ against the Nets at Barclays Center .
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year ’ @ @ @ @ @ on the foot of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot while trying to block the Nets guard ’ s @ @ @ @ @ quarter .
Morant appeared to be in severe pain while hopping on his other leg @ @ @ @ @ area behind the basket before crumpling to the ground .
The 21-year-old was then put @ @ @ @ @ to the locker room .
Morant has a left ankle sprain and will not return @ @ @ @ @ to The Athletic .
The 6-foot-3 , 175-pound Morant is averaging 36.0 points and 8.0 @ @ @ @ @ games this season , both losses .
The injury comes a day after Nets guard @ @ @ @ @ ACL in a loss to the Hornets and will likely miss the rest of the @ @

Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant was taken off the court in a wheelchair after hurting his left ankle Monday night during his team’s overtime win against the Nets at Barclays Center.
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year’s left leg landed awkwardly on the foot of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot while trying to block the Nets guard’s shot late in the second quarter.
Morant appears to have avoided the worst, as an X-Ray didn’t reveal a fracture, according to ESPN.
Morant appeared to be in severe pain while hopping on his other leg all the way to the area behind the basket before crumpling to the ground. The 21-year-old was then put in a wheelchair and taken to the locker room. Morant has a left ankle sprain and will not return to the game, according to The Athletic.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Morant is averaging 36.0 points and 8.0 assists in the first two games this season, both losses. The injury comes a day after Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie partially tore his ACL in a loss to the Hornets and will likely miss the rest of the season.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--More than 1.5 billion face masks will pollute oceans this year, report says

More than 1.5 billion disposable face masks will wind up in the world ’ s oceans this year — polluting the water with tons of plastic and endangering marine wildlife , according to a Hong Kong-based environmental group .
A report by OceansAsia cites a global market research report that estimates 52 million masks were made this year to meet the demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
It also says that a “ conservative ” calculation means at least 3 percent of them will be washed out to sea .
“ Single-use face masks are made from a variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recycle due to both composition and risk of contamination and infection , ” the report says .
“ These masks enter our oceans when they are littered or otherwise improperly discarded , when waste management systems are inadequate or non-existent , or when these systems become overwhelmed due to increased volumes of waste.
” With each mask weighing three to four grams , the situation could lead to 6,800-plus tons of plastic pollution that “ will take as long as 450 years to break down , ” according to the report .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nano-plastic particles , elastic ear loops pose a “ possible entanglement risk for wildlife , ” the report says .
The report cites several examples of marine animals killed by masks , including a “ dead bloated pufferfish ” found tangled in the loops of a disposable blue mask by volunteers cleaning a Miami beach in August .
In addition , a necropsy on a malnourished penguin found dead on a beach in Brazil in September reportedly found a mask wadded up in its stomach .
It also notes that Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruelty to Animals has been advising people to “ snip the straps ” of their masks before throwing them out .

More than 1.5 billion disposable face masks will wind up in the world’s oceans this year — polluting the water with tons of plastic and endangering marine wildlife, according to a Hong Kong-based environmental group.
A report by OceansAsia cites a global market research report that estimates 52 billion masks were made this year to meet the demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
It also says that a “conservative” calculation means at least 3 percent of them will be washed out to sea.
“Single-use face masks are made from a variety of meltblown plastics and are difficult to recycle due to both composition and risk of contamination and infection,” the report says.
“These masks enter our oceans when they are littered or otherwise improperly discarded, when waste management systems are inadequate or non-existent, or when these systems become overwhelmed due to increased volumes of waste.”
With each mask weighing three to four grams, the situation could lead to 6,800-plus tons of plastic pollution that “will take as long as 450 years to break down,” according to the report.
In addition to the harmful effects of micro-plastic and nano-plastic particles, elastic ear loops pose a “possible entanglement risk for wildlife,” the report says.
The report cites several examples of marine animals killed by masks, including a “dead bloated pufferfish” found tangled in the loops of a disposable blue mask by volunteers cleaning a Miami beach in August.
In addition, a necropsy on a malnourished penguin found dead on a beach in Brazil in September reportedly found a mask wadded up in its stomach.
The report offers recommendations that include wearing reusable, washable cloth masks “whenever possible.”
It also notes that Britain’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been advising people to “snip the straps” of their masks before throwing them out.


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Manhattan appeals court blocks Cuomo’s limits on religious gatherings

The federal appeals court in Manhattan on Monday struck down New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s pandemic-related executive order setting capacity limits at houses of worship –because it “ discriminates against religion on its face.
” The three-judge panel on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously sided with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn , the Orthodox Jewish group Agudath Israel of America and two synagogues who had sued Cuomo over the Oct. 6. attendance caps .
“ The restrictions challenged here specially and disproportionately burden religious exercise , ” and violate the Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit Judge Michael Park wrote in the ruling .
“ We conclude that [ Cuomo ’ s ] Order discriminates against religion on its face.
” The governor had limited religious gatherings to fewer than 10 people or 25 percent capacity in “ red ” zones , where the risk of COVID-19 was highest , and to 25 people or 33 percent capacity in slightly less risky “ orange ” zones .
The plaintiffs argued that the restrictions trampled on their religious rights , causing them “ irreparable harm , ” and unfairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to operate .
The court agreed , with Park , a President Trump appointee , noting that : “ No public interest is served by maintaining an unconstitutional policy when constitutional alternatives are available to achieve the same goal.
” The decision came about a month after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction blocking the capacity limitation order from being enforced .
The majority of the court had said the restrictions “ strike at the very heart of the First Amendment ’ s guarantee of religious liberty , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution can not be put away and forgotten.
” At the time , the governor said the ruling was “ irrelevant ” since some of the restrictions were lifted as COVID-19 outbreaks in the areas in question eased .
“ It ’ s irrelevant of any practical impact because of the zone they were talking about is moot .
It expired , ” the governor said , adding , “ It doesn ’ t have any practical effect.
” “ That situation just doesn ’ t exist because those restrictions are gone.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ruling , with Avi Schick , a lawyer for Agudath Israel , saying the decision “ will be felt way beyond the COVID context.
” “ It is a clear statement … that government can ’ t disfavor religious conduct merely because it sees no value in religious practice.
” The diocese , meanwhile , was “ gratified ” by the ruling , and will welcome parishioners to mass “ under strict protocols ” that keep them safe , said its attorney , Randy Mastro .

The federal appeals court in Manhattan on Monday struck down New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic-related executive order setting capacity limits at houses of worship –because it “discriminates against religion on its face.”
The three-judge panel on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously sided with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, the Orthodox Jewish group Agudath Israel of America and two synagogues who had sued Cuomo over the Oct. 6. attendance caps.
“The restrictions challenged here specially and disproportionately burden religious exercise,” and violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, Circuit Judge Michael Park wrote in the ruling.
“We conclude that [Cuomo’s] Order discriminates against religion on its face.”
The governor had limited religious gatherings to fewer than 10 people or 25 percent capacity in “red” zones, where the risk of COVID-19 was highest, and to 25 people or 33 percent capacity in slightly less risky “orange” zones.
The plaintiffs argued that the restrictions trampled on their religious rights, causing them “irreparable harm,” and unfairly targeted them while businesses deemed essential were allowed to operate.
The court agreed, with Park, a President Trump appointee, noting that: “No public interest is served by maintaining an unconstitutional policy when constitutional alternatives are available to achieve the same goal.”
The decision came about a month after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction blocking the capacity limitation order from being enforced.
The majority of the court had said the restrictions “strike at the very heart of the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty,” and that “even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten.”
At the time, the governor said the ruling was “irrelevant” since some of the restrictions were lifted as COVID-19 outbreaks in the areas in question eased.
“It’s irrelevant of any practical impact because of the zone they were talking about is moot. It expired,” the governor said, adding, “It doesn’t have any practical effect.”
“That situation just doesn’t exist because those restrictions are gone.”
Still, the plaintiffs hailed Monday’s ruling, with Avi Schick, a lawyer for Agudath Israel, saying the decision “will be felt way beyond the COVID context.”
“It is a clear statement … that government can’t disfavor religious conduct merely because it sees no value in religious practice.”
The diocese, meanwhile, was “gratified” by the ruling, and will welcome parishioners to mass “under strict protocols” that keep them safe, said its attorney, Randy Mastro.
Cuomo’s office didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Additional reporting by Carl Campanile


newyorkpost--2020-12-28--Amazon is actually a hero for the American worker

Amazon is setting hiring records amid the pandemic — but ...

It’s been a terrible year for the American worker, with a notable bright spot courtesy of one of the tech firms in the crosshairs of regulators and lawmakers.
If someone had said early in 2020, “A company is going to hire hundreds of thousands of non-college-educated workers during the pandemic at well above the minimum wage,” you’d think there’d be huzzahs all around.
That’s what the online retailer Amazon has done, but it still gets brickbats for how it pays and treats its workers. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the other day that Amazon jobs are a “scam.”
If so, a swath of the US workforce is falling for the grift. Since July, the online retailer has hired 350,000 workers and now employs 1.2 million people globally.
This is a historic hiring binge. According to The New York Times, “the closest comparisons are the hiring that entire industries carried out in wartime, such as shipbuilding during the early years of World War II.”
On top of this, the company provides work for roughly half a million truck drivers.
Amazon has been buoyed by the surge of online retail during the pandemic, which has accelerated and entrenched e-commerce. Companies like Walmart and Target have benefited, too, but Amazon leads the pack.
It overwhelmingly hires high-school graduates. It doesn’t ask for a résumé, gives its workers about a day of training and then puts them on the job in its fulfillment centers.
The difficulty of the work shouldn’t be underestimated — it is taxing, repetitive and so highly regimented that it would make the legendary apostle of industrial efficiency Frederick Winslow Taylor blush.
Yet we’ve long complained about losing assembly-line jobs for non-college-educated workers. Amazon is hiring people for what is the 21st-century equivalent of such jobs, which were — despite the nostalgia for them — also tough and physically demanding.
It can’t be that office work is now the only acceptable form of employment in America.
Amazon began paying its workers $15 an hour in 2018. If that rate rings a bell, it’s the number for the federal minimum wage that Sen. Bernie Sanders and AOC have long been lobbying for, to little effect (it remains $7.25 an hour).
The evidence is that when a behemoth like Amazon pays more, it prompts competitors to follow suit.
It’s hard to review what Amazon has done over the last year and consider it the work of a corporate monster. The firm had an unlimited unpaid-time-off policy for its workers when the pandemic began.
It hired temporary workers to replace them and deal with the surge of business, then kept most of them on and began hiring on top of that.
It has been offering signing bonuses of up to $3,000 and hiring places in the country where no one else is.
According to the research of Michael Mandel at the center-left Progressive Policy Institute, Amazon fulfillment center jobs pay 31 percent more than retail jobs at brick-and-mortar stores, where pay has basically been stagnant for three decades.
Mandel points out that it’s wrong to simplistically think of Amazon and other e-commerce outfits as replacing brick-and-mortar stores. What they are really replacing is the labor that consumers undertake on their own to shop for goods — driving to a store, walking up and down the aisles, making the selection, loading it and taking it home. Someone making a purchase through Amazon essentially hires a network of workers to do all that for him.
What Amazon and e-commerce more broadly are doing is selling goods to consumers at low prices, while giving them more convenience than ever before — rapid delivery to their doorsteps, with the possibility of easy returns — and creating new jobs in the process.
By all means, jawbone the company to treat workers better, but don’t lose sight of the scale of its achievement — and how many Americans are employed because of it.
Twitter: @RichLowry