newyorkpost--2020-07-07--To stop ‘cancel culture,’ protect people’s viewpoints under civil-rights law

An epidemic of workplace discrimination is sweeping the United States .
It threatens not only people ’ s jobs and livelihoods , but the very structure of our civic life .
It calls out for an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act .
The victims aren ’ t targeted over their race , sex , sexual orientation or even gender identity ( that last category now being recognized as covered under the act by a recent decision of the Supreme Court ) .
All those groups already have protection .
The epidemic I ’ m talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views are distasteful to the newly energized and apparently ascendant woke mob .
Amazingly , the Civil Rights Act doesn ’ t protect such people , so when their employers bow to the mob and fire them , or pass them over for promotion and hiring , the bosses make a cost-free decision .
Indeed , employers would almost have to be crazy not to bow to the rampaging mob .
The mob can stage a boycott of the employers ’ businesses or stores .
It can expose employers to a shaming campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ places of business — or even the human-resources managers ’ homes .
Meanwhile , the victimized employee or job-seeker is defenseless .
He has no legal remedy under the Civil Rights Act and is therefore in no position to force employers to make decisions on the basis of his abilities and qualifications .
It is this gaping hole in the state of the law , not some society-wide agreement with the radical views of the mob , that explains the mob ’ s newfound power to dictate employment decisions .
We call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet if anything that term is too mild and too euphemistic to capture the sinister dynamics in play .
Its true effect isn ’ t censorship — but self-censorship .
People don ’ t even give voice to their opinions on important public matters out of fear for their paychecks and their ability to put food on the table .
That ’ s downright un-American .
Title VII should be amended to add to the list of prohibited discriminations — race , color , religion , sex or national origin — a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Employers must face a choice between bowing to the threatening woke mob — and firing an employee who can bring suit to enforce his ( or her ) right to be free from viewpoint discrimination .
Now imagine the added possibility that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and , in extreme cases , the Justice Department can threaten enforcement actions for such surrenders to the mob .
It is more than a little surprising that such antidiscrimination protection has been absent from our civil-rights law .
What civil right could be more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beliefs without suffering economic and social hardship for doing so ?
Apparently , four states and the District of Columbia have some sort of viewpoint-discrimination protections in their law , but that means 46 states don ’ t .
Moreover , people employed by the government , to whom the First Amendment applies , have free-speech protections , subject to certain limits developed by Supreme Court decisions .
So how is it fair for those who seek or hold jobs in the private economy to be left in the legal cold ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t limited to employment decisions .
People who hold or seek employment in the private economy are forced to curtail their expression of ideas that may run afoul of the mob ’ s whims .
Across the country , the mob ’ s ability to block or ruin its enemies ’ careers has created a climate of fear and repression .
People , especially young people , are keeping their heads down lest their livelihoods disappear .
This is an issue on which right and left — except for the extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to come to swift agreement .
Let ’ s make sure the Civil Rights Act protects freedom of speech , the foundational right from which all others flow .
There is no better cure for the cancel culture .
Michael Schwartz is of counsel at Wachtell , Lipton , Rosen & Katz .
The views expressed are his own .

An epidemic of workplace discrimination is sweeping the United States. It threatens not only people’s jobs and livelihoods, but the very structure of our civic life. It calls out for an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The victims aren’t targeted over their race, sex, sexual orientation or even gender identity (that last category now being recognized as covered under the act by a recent decision of the Supreme Court). All those groups already have protection. The epidemic I’m talking about is workplace discrimination against people whose political views are distasteful to the newly energized and apparently ascendant woke mob.
Amazingly, the Civil Rights Act doesn’t protect such people, so when their employers bow to the mob and fire them, or pass them over for promotion and hiring, the bosses make a cost-free decision. Indeed, employers would almost have to be crazy not to bow to the rampaging mob.
The mob can stage a boycott of the employers’ businesses or stores. It can expose employers to a shaming campaign. It can camp out at employers’ places of business — or even the human-resources managers’ homes.
Meanwhile, the victimized employee or job-seeker is defenseless. He has no legal remedy under the Civil Rights Act and is therefore in no position to force employers to make decisions on the basis of his abilities and qualifications.
It is this gaping hole in the state of the law, not some society-wide agreement with the radical views of the mob, that explains the mob’s newfound power to dictate employment decisions.
We call this social phenomenon the cancel culture, yet if anything that term is too mild and too euphemistic to capture the sinister dynamics in play. Its true effect isn’t censorship — but self-censorship. People don’t even give voice to their opinions on important public matters out of fear for their paychecks and their ability to put food on the table. That’s downright un-American.
Title VII should be amended to add to the list of prohibited discriminations — race, color, religion, sex or national origin — a new category: “viewpoints or beliefs.”
Employers must face a choice between bowing to the threatening woke mob — and firing an employee who can bring suit to enforce his (or her) right to be free from viewpoint discrimination. Now imagine the added possibility that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and, in extreme cases, the Justice Department can threaten enforcement actions for such surrenders to the mob.
It is more than a little surprising that such antidiscrimination protection has been absent from our civil-rights law. What civil right could be more important than the right to hold views and beliefs without suffering economic and social hardship for doing so?
Apparently, four states and the District of Columbia have some sort of viewpoint-discrimination protections in their law, but that means 46 states don’t.
Moreover, people employed by the government, to whom the First Amendment applies, have free-speech protections, subject to certain limits developed by Supreme Court decisions. So how is it fair for those who seek or hold jobs in the private economy to be left in the legal cold?
The baleful effects of this legal black hole aren’t limited to employment decisions. People who hold or seek employment in the private economy are forced to curtail their expression of ideas that may run afoul of the mob’s whims. Across the country, the mob’s ability to block or ruin its enemies’ careers has created a climate of fear and repression. People, especially young people, are keeping their heads down lest their livelihoods disappear.
This is an issue on which right and left — except for the extreme left and the libertarian fringe — ought to be able to come to swift agreement. Let’s make sure the Civil Rights Act protects freedom of speech, the foundational right from which all others flow. There is no better cure for the cancel culture.
Michael Schwartz is of counsel at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The views expressed are his own.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--‘Outer Banks’ Episode 4 is Still the Most Romantic Thing to Happen on TV This Year

Netflix ’ s Outer Banks was the perfect springtime escape .
The series took us far away from our quarantine blues and let us bask in the sunny , sweltering , steamy world of the Pogues .
Months later , the show is still obsession-worthy thanks to the fact that the Netflix series served up one of the most romantic scenes on television in 2020 .
Without a doubt , John B ( Chase Stokes ) and Sarah ’ s ( Madelyn Cline ) swoon-y Episode 4 kiss in the summer rain is the romantic event of the year so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teen drama set in the class-divided world of North Carolina ’ s OBX .
John B and his friends , the Pogues , spend their summer days dodging trouble and hunting for fun .
It ’ s a past time that leads the teens right into the middle of a treacherous treasure hunt .
However fate also intervenes to put John B into the orbit of privileged pretty girl Sarah .
John B works for her father and his friends dodge her bullying boyfriend , but the two sun-kissed adolescents can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it ’ s that chemistry that boils into a swoon-worthy explosion at the end of Outer Banks Episode 4 .
By this point in Outer Banks , John B believes his beloved father disappeared after stumbling upon the massive missing treasure of the Royal Merchant .
Hunted by mercenaries after the treasure and close to finding clues to its whereabouts himself , John B finds himself at the mercy of Sarah , who helps him evade his pursuers .
The bored Sarah decides to help John B and travels with him via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can use her father ’ s alumni status to access important documents to the treasure hunt .
However , the treasure hunting trip turns into a delightful opportunity for the two to connect .
They sweat their asses off in a boiler room , play the part of preps in a fancy store , and invent spy nicknames for each other .
By the time they have to say goodbye , in the middle of a summer storm , they are declaring their newfound love for each other .
What ’ s incredible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole romance noteworthy — is the chemistry between actors Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline .
Putting the contemporary knowledge that the two are now an Instagram official couple aside , John B and Sarah ’ s romance heats up at a surprisingly fast clip .
In fact , at the start of Outer Banks , all evidence suggests that John B is destined to hook up with fellow Pogue Kiara ( Madison Bailey ) .
Though the two have an awkward flirtation , they agree to be friends .
And almost immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hard for each other in a way that feels so organic , it reminded me more of when the Gossip Girl writers quickly paired Blair Waldorf ( Leighton Meester ) and Chuck Bass ( Ed Westwick ) together .
That is , the romance wasn ’ t in the plans , but the actors ’ chemistry was so undeniable , you had to just let it happen .
So it is in Outer Banks Episode 4 .
In fact , the whole episode just feels like a showcase for Stokes and Cline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another .
So much so , when the episode climaxes with them both seemingly disavowing their social groups to make out hot and heavy on a crowded dock , it feels like fireworks are going off .
They admit their romance is moving at a ridiculously fast pace , but they agree to just embrace it .
Because of this , Outer Banks pulls viewers into the heady undertow of John B and Sarah ’ s passion for each other early in its freshman season .
Rather than circle around these two , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drunken rush of teen love .
Outer Banks Episode 4 is still , hands down , the most romantic thing to happen on TV in 2020 .
Sure , I May Destroy You offers a strong contender for the crown with Episode 3 ’ s “ blood clot scene , ” but it ’ s a “ blood clot scene.
” Outer Banks lets its hero and heroine indulge in the tried and true cinematic trope of a forbidden kiss in the hot summer rain .
However , John B and Sarah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like a cliché but instead a classic romantic gesture that will never go out of style .

Netflix’s Outer Banks was the perfect springtime escape. The series took us far away from our quarantine blues and let us bask in the sunny, sweltering, steamy world of the Pogues. Months later, the show is still obsession-worthy thanks to the fact that the Netflix series served up one of the most romantic scenes on television in 2020. Without a doubt, John B (Chase Stokes) and Sarah’s (Madelyn Cline) swoon-y Episode 4 kiss in the summer rain is the romantic event of the year so far.
Outer Banks is an original teen drama set in the class-divided world of North Carolina’s OBX. John B and his friends, the Pogues, spend their summer days dodging trouble and hunting for fun. It’s a past time that leads the teens right into the middle of a treacherous treasure hunt. However fate also intervenes to put John B into the orbit of privileged pretty girl Sarah. John B works for her father and his friends dodge her bullying boyfriend, but the two sun-kissed adolescents can’t help but to feel a connection. And it’s that chemistry that boils into a swoon-worthy explosion at the end of Outer Banks Episode 4.
By this point in Outer Banks, John B believes his beloved father disappeared after stumbling upon the massive missing treasure of the Royal Merchant. Hunted by mercenaries after the treasure and close to finding clues to its whereabouts himself, John B finds himself at the mercy of Sarah, who helps him evade his pursuers. The bored Sarah decides to help John B and travels with him via ferry to Chapel Hill, where they can use her father’s alumni status to access important documents to the treasure hunt. However, the treasure hunting trip turns into a delightful opportunity for the two to connect. They sweat their asses off in a boiler room, play the part of preps in a fancy store, and invent spy nicknames for each other. By the time they have to say goodbye, in the middle of a summer storm, they are declaring their newfound love for each other.
What’s incredible about this episode — and what makes the whole romance noteworthy — is the chemistry between actors Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline. Putting the contemporary knowledge that the two are now an Instagram official couple aside, John B and Sarah’s romance heats up at a surprisingly fast clip. In fact, at the start of Outer Banks, all evidence suggests that John B is destined to hook up with fellow Pogue Kiara (Madison Bailey). Though the two have an awkward flirtation, they agree to be friends. And almost immediately, John B and Sarah fall fast and hard for each other in a way that feels so organic, it reminded me more of when the Gossip Girl writers quickly paired Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) together. That is, the romance wasn’t in the plans, but the actors’ chemistry was so undeniable, you had to just let it happen.
So it is in Outer Banks Episode 4. In fact, the whole episode just feels like a showcase for Stokes and Cline’s incandescently radiant attraction for one another. So much so, when the episode climaxes with them both seemingly disavowing their social groups to make out hot and heavy on a crowded dock, it feels like fireworks are going off. They admit their romance is moving at a ridiculously fast pace, but they agree to just embrace it. Because of this, Outer Banks pulls viewers into the heady undertow of John B and Sarah’s passion for each other early in its freshman season. Rather than circle around these two, wasting time, we get right to the drunken rush of teen love.
Outer Banks Episode 4 is still, hands down, the most romantic thing to happen on TV in 2020. Sure, I May Destroy You offers a strong contender for the crown with Episode 3’s “blood clot scene,” but it’s a “blood clot scene.” Outer Banks lets its hero and heroine indulge in the tried and true cinematic trope of a forbidden kiss in the hot summer rain. However, John B and Sarah’s big kiss doesn’t feel like a cliché but instead a classic romantic gesture that will never go out of style.
Watch Outer Banks on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Kanye West drops support for Trump in interview on 2020 presidential run

“ We must now realize the promise of America by trusting ...

Rapper Kanye West said he no longer supports President Trump and also sounded off against the Democratic Party, in a wide-ranging interview discussing his political aspirations.
Speaking to Forbes magazine in an interview published Wednesday, the billionaire sneaker mogul, who announced his 2020 candidacy Saturday, said he was “taking the red hat off, with this interview,” and starting his own party for 2020, “the Birthday Party.”
If Trump wasn’t already the GOP candidate, West told the magazine he would run as a Republican, adding, “I will run as an independent if Trump is there.”
He said his third party will be called the Birthday Party, “Because when we win, it’s everybody’s birthday.”
He noted his top two advisers are his first supporters, wife Kim Kardashian and Elon Musk.
West, who admitted in the interview to never having voted before, did not provide specific reasons for his decision to stop supporting the president.
Instead, he said he had lost confidence in Trump, noting, “It looks like one big mess to me. I don’t like that I caught wind that he hid in the bunker.”
West went on to explain his original support for the president, saying that “Trump is the closest president we’ve had in years to allowing God to still be part of the conversation.”
Asked about the Democratic Party, West did not pull punches.
“That is a form of racism and white supremacy and white control to say that all Black people need to be Democrat and to assume that me running is me splitting the vote. All of that information is being charged up on social media platforms by Democrats. And Democrats used to tell me, the same Democrats have threatened me … The reason why this is the first day I registered to vote is because I was scared. I was told that if I voted on Trump my music career would be over. I was threatened into being in one party.
“I was threatened as a Black man into the Democratic Party. And that’s what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man can tell a Black man if you don’t vote for me, you’re not Black,” he said.
He added, “One of the main reasons I wore the red hat as a protest to the segregation of votes in the Black community.”
West has not taken any concrete steps to actually file to run for the presidency, including declaring his candidacy.
In October 2018, he delivered an F-bomb- and curse-filled rant during a meeting in the Oval Office — after which Trump said the MAGA hat-wearing rapper could one day fill his shoes as commander-in-chief.
Asked when he first decided to seek the presidency, the 43-year-old rapper said he was in the shower after being offered the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a lifetime achievement prize in music, at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
“I remember being at my mom’s house, my mother-in-law, because my house was being worked on, she calls me ‘son’ and I call her ‘Mom,’ I was in the shower thinking, I write raps in the shower. It hit me to say, ‘You’re going to run for president’ and I started laughing hysterically.
“I was like this is the best, I’m going to go out there and they’re going to think I’m going to do these songs and do this for entertainment, how rigged awards shows are, and then say I’m president. And I just laughed in the shower, I don’t know for how long, but that’s the moment it hit me,” West said.
While accepting his award, West said, “Two thousand and fifteen. I will die for the art, for what I believe in. The art ain’t always gonna be polite.”
West went on to say at the time, “I don’t know what I’m [going to] lose after this, it don’t matter though ’cause it ain’t about me. It’s about ideas, bro, new ideas. People with ideas. People who believe in truth. And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.”
The superstar rapper told Forbes that God will decide how the two upcoming presidential races would be decided.
“Let’s see if the appointing is at 2020 or if it’s 2024 — because God appoints the president. If I win in 2020 then it was God’s appointment. If I win in 2024 then that was God’s appointment,” he said.
Back in his 2018 Oval Office meeting with the current commander-in-chief, West said in front of a gaggle of reporters that he would not run until 2024 to not compete with Trump.
“Could very well be,” Trump said at the time when asked if he thought West was presidential material.
“Let’s stop worrying about the future, all we have is today … Trump is on his hero’s journey right now. He might not have thought he’d have a crazy motherf–ker like me [in the White House],” he said at the meeting.
While West hasn’t formed a fully operational campaign just yet — nor is it clear that he plans to — he believes he can capitalize on being a political newcomer.
“I have to say with all humility that as a man, I don’t have all of the pieces in the puzzle. As I speak to you for what a political campaign — a political walk, as I told you, because I’m not running, I’m walking. I’m not running, we the people are walking. We’re not running anymore, we’re not running, we’re not excited — we are energized. Someone can say, ‘Hey, I got a brand new car for you, it’s across the street’ and you get so excited you run across the street and get hit by a car trying to run to your new car.
“That’s how they control the Black community, through emotions, they get us excited, we’re so excited, but then for 400 years the change doesn’t truly happen,” he told Forbes, remarking on his belief that he could enact change.
West again referenced God in discussing his decision to run in this election cycle.
“God just gave me the clarity and said it’s time. You know I was out there, ended up in the hospital, people were calling me crazy. I’m not crazy,” he said. “Between all of the influences and the positions that we can be put in as musicians — you go on tour, you put out all these albums, and you look up and you don’t have any money in your account. It can drive you crazy, through all of that I was looking crazy because it wasn’t the time. Now it’s time. And we’re not going crazy, we’re going Yeezy, it’s a whole ‘notha level now. N-O-T-H-A.”
Asked what his campaign slogan will be, he was quick to turn to his experience as an artist.
“Well my second album is called Late Registration. I got a rap … The other thing is, my campaign is Kanye West YES, not YEP, not YEAH. YES. YES. YES,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--World snowboarding champion Alex Pullin drowns in spearfishing accident

GOLD COAST , Australia — Two-time world snowboard champion and Winter Olympian Alex Pullin drowned Wednesday while spearfishing on Australia ’ s Gold Coast .
A police spokesperson said a 32-year-old man , later identified as Pullin , was unresponsive when taken from the water and died despite receiving CPR from lifeguards and emergency treatment from paramedics .
The accident happened at Palm Beach around 10:40 a.m. local time .
Pullin had been diving on an artificial reef when he was found by a snorkeler .
“ Another diver was out there and located him on the sea floor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought lifeguards to bring him in , ” police said .
“ He didn ’ t have an oxygen mask .
We understand he was free diving and spearfishing out on the reef.
” Pullin , known by the nickname Chumpy , won gold medals in the snowboard cross event at the 2011 La Molina and 2013 Stoneham world championships .
He was Australia ’ s flag bearer at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics .
Australia ’ s winter sports body Snow Australia said it was shocked and saddened by Pullin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Alex ’ s family , as well as his teammates and support staff , ” Snow Australia said in a statement .
“ Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed .
”

GOLD COAST, Australia — Two-time world snowboard champion and Winter Olympian Alex Pullin drowned Wednesday while spearfishing on Australia’s Gold Coast.
A police spokesperson said a 32-year-old man, later identified as Pullin, was unresponsive when taken from the water and died despite receiving CPR from lifeguards and emergency treatment from paramedics.
The accident happened at Palm Beach around 10:40 a.m. local time. Pullin had been diving on an artificial reef when he was found by a snorkeler.
“Another diver was out there and located him on the sea floor and raised the attention of nearby surfers who sought lifeguards to bring him in,” police said. “He didn’t have an oxygen mask. We understand he was free diving and spearfishing out on the reef.”
Pullin, known by the nickname Chumpy, won gold medals in the snowboard cross event at the 2011 La Molina and 2013 Stoneham world championships. He was Australia’s flag bearer at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Australia’s winter sports body Snow Australia said it was shocked and saddened by Pullin’s death.
“Our deepest condolences are with Alex’s family, as well as his teammates and support staff,” Snow Australia said in a statement. “Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Why Yankees are taking it slow with Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier replaced Kyle Higashioka as the DH during Tuesday ’ s intrasquad game , the second straight night he @ @ @ @ @ field .
“ He is doing well .
He had a little foot issue he @ @ @ @ @ last couple of months , ’ ’ Aaron Boone said of Frazier .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ everything from running and playing the outfield so we are kind of slow-playing him here @ @ @ @ @ days.
’ ’ While not everybody on the field wore a mask during pregame activities @ @ @ @ @ entire time he was on the field .

Clint Frazier replaced Kyle Higashioka as the DH during Tuesday’s intrasquad game, the second straight night he wasn’t in the field.
“He is doing well. He had a little foot issue he was dealing with over the last couple of months,’’ Aaron Boone said of Frazier. “He has been able to do everything from running and playing the outfield so we are kind of slow-playing him here in the first couple of days.’’
While not everybody on the field wore a mask during pregame activities, Frazier wore one the entire time he was on the field.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Jude Law circling Captain Hook role in Disney’s new ‘Peter Pan’

Jude Law may be heading to Neverland .
The actor is in talks to play the classic Disney villain , Captain Hook , in the studio ’ s live-action Peter Pan film “ Peter Pan & Wendy , ” sources tell Variety .
“ Pete ’ s Dragon ” director David Lowery is on board to direct the project .
Lowery co-wrote the script with Toby Halbrooks , and Jim Whitaker is producing .
Disney ’ s 1953 animated classic is still the most successful adaptation of the J.M .
Barrie novel about Peter Pan , the boy who wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he whisks away to the magical world of Neverland .
Many other studios have made their own versions on the big and small screens , including Steven Spielberg ’ s “ Hook ” starring Robin Williams and Joe Wright ’ s “ Pan , ” both of which disappointed at the box office .
If the deal closes , Law would follow in the footsteps of Dustin Hoffman , Jason Isaacs and , most recently , Garrett Hedlund as actors who have played the iconic pirate antagonist in previous retellings of the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be theatrical and not go the Disney Plus streaming route .
Disney is coming off a very strong year of live-action adaptations with both “ Aladdin ” and “ The Lion King ” grossing $ 1 billion at the global box office .
Disney was so happy with its “ Aladdin ” live-action film that it has already begun developing a sequel to the film .
Law is coming off of HBO ’ s “ The New Pope.
” He was also recently seen in Paramount ’ s “ Rhythm Section.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role of Dumbledore in the next “ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ” installment .
He is repped by CAA , Julian Belfrage Associates and Jackoway Austen .

Jude Law may be heading to Neverland. The actor is in talks to play the classic Disney villain, Captain Hook, in the studio’s live-action Peter Pan film “Peter Pan & Wendy,” sources tell Variety.
“Pete’s Dragon” director David Lowery is on board to direct the project. Lowery co-wrote the script with Toby Halbrooks, and Jim Whitaker is producing.
Disney’s 1953 animated classic is still the most successful adaptation of the J.M. Barrie novel about Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t age and the children whom he whisks away to the magical world of Neverland. Many other studios have made their own versions on the big and small screens, including Steven Spielberg’s “Hook” starring Robin Williams and Joe Wright’s “Pan,” both of which disappointed at the box office.
If the deal closes, Law would follow in the footsteps of Dustin Hoffman, Jason Isaacs and, most recently, Garrett Hedlund as actors who have played the iconic pirate antagonist in previous retellings of the story.
Sources say the release is expected to be theatrical and not go the Disney Plus streaming route.
Disney is coming off a very strong year of live-action adaptations with both “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” grossing $1 billion at the global box office. Disney was so happy with its “Aladdin” live-action film that it has already begun developing a sequel to the film.
Law is coming off of HBO’s “The New Pope.” He was also recently seen in Paramount’s “Rhythm Section.” He is also set to reprise his role of Dumbledore in the next “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” installment.
He is repped by CAA, Julian Belfrage Associates and Jackoway Austen.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--‘Dukes of Hazzard’ stars defend ‘innocent’ series amid Confederate flag controversy

Symbols of the Confederacy are coming down across America — but not on “ The Dukes of Hazzard.
” The stars of the ’ 80s hit are speaking out in defense of their show and its iconic car the General Lee , which famously had a Confederate flag emblazoned on its roof , as Black Lives Matter activists call for Confederate flags and statues to be removed nationwide .
“ I have never had an African-American come up to me and have any problem with it whatsoever , ” John Schneider , who played Bo Duke on the CBS series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The whole politically correct generation has gotten way out of hand.
” Schneider ’ s co-star Tom Wopat , who played Bo ’ s cousin Luke Duke , acknowledges that “ the situation in the country has obviously changed in the last 40 years , ” adding that “ I feel fortunate to be living in a time when we can address some of the injustices of the past.
” But he stresses that “ the car is innocent.
” “ ’ Dukes of Hazzard ’ was a unifying force , ” Schneider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone wanted to watch it together .
But who benefits from division ?
… ‘ The Dukes of Hazzard ’ has been shot down , I believe unfairly.
” Series creator Gy Waldron says he does “ wholeheartedly support the Black Lives Matter movement and its quest to address racism around the world , ” but insists that at the time , “ no one even connected the Confederate flag with slavery .
It was simply a part of our Southern culture.
” The 1979-85 series , which became a top-10 ratings hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and got picked up by TV Land in 2015 .
But the cable network dropped “ Dukes ” later that year in the aftermath of the Charleston church shooting by Dylann Roof , who posted messages supporting white supremacy and the Confederate flag prior to the shooting .

Symbols of the Confederacy are coming down across America — but not on “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
The stars of the ’80s hit are speaking out in defense of their show and its iconic car the General Lee, which famously had a Confederate flag emblazoned on its roof, as Black Lives Matter activists call for Confederate flags and statues to be removed nationwide.
“I have never had an African American come up to me and have any problem with it whatsoever,” John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the CBS series, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The whole politically correct generation has gotten way out of hand.”
Schneider’s co-star Tom Wopat, who played Bo’s cousin Luke Duke, acknowledges that “the situation in the country has obviously changed in the last 40 years,” adding that “I feel fortunate to be living in a time when we can address some of the injustices of the past.” But he stresses that “the car is innocent.”
“’Dukes of Hazzard’ was a unifying force,” Schneider adds. “Mom, Grandma, everyone wanted to watch it together. But who benefits from division? … ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ has been shot down, I believe unfairly.”
Series creator Gy Waldron says he does “wholeheartedly support the Black Lives Matter movement and its quest to address racism around the world,” but insists that at the time, “no one even connected the Confederate flag with slavery. It was simply a part of our Southern culture.”
The 1979-85 series, which became a top-10 ratings hit for CBS, was popular in syndication and got picked up by TV Land in 2015. But the cable network dropped “Dukes” later that year in the aftermath of the Charleston church shooting by Dylann Roof, who posted messages supporting white supremacy and the Confederate flag prior to the shooting.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--35-year-old bicyclist fatally shot near his East Harlem home

An East Harlem bicyclist was fatally shot near his home early Wednesday , according to police .
Kenneth Brown , @ @ @ @ @ bike on Pleasant Avenue near East 120th Street around 12:45 a.m. when a man came @ @ @ @ @ started firing at him , cops said .
Brown , who lived in the area @ @ @ @ @ Health & Hospitals/Harlem , where he was pronounced dead .
No one was immediately arrested @ @ @ @ @ , cops said .
The incident comes amid a recent surge in shootings across the @ @ @ @ @ seven victims were reported citywide on Tuesday , police said Wednesday morning .
There was @ @ @ @ @ man gunned down around 11:50 a.m. in Lincoln Terrace Park , at East New York @ @ @ @ @ Crown Heights , cops said .

An East Harlem bicyclist was fatally shot near his home early Wednesday, one of six shootings — two of them fatal — reported in the Big Apple within less than 24 hours, according to police.
Kenneth Brown, 35, was riding his bike on Pleasant Avenue near East 120th Street around 12:45 a.m. when a man came from across the street and started firing at him, cops said.
Brown was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital Center. There were no immediate arrests, police said.
The incident comes amid a surge in gunplay across the city.
Brown’s murder was one of six shootings with seven victims reported citywide on Tuesday and early Wednesday, police said.
They included a second fatality in East New York, where a 27-year-old man was gunned down just before noon Tuesday in Lincoln Terrace Park, at East New York Avenue and Buffalo Avenue in Crown Heights, cops said.
At 3:30 p.m., a 15-year-old boy was shot in the back on Mapes Avenue in The Bronx and taken to Jacobi Hospital. The suspect fled on a scooter, police said.
A 25-year-old woman was shot in the right thumb a little before 10:30 p.m. in Brooklyn by three assailants who fled in a white Sedan. She was treated at Maimonides Medical Center.
About 10 minutes later, a 32-year-old man was shot in the head and wounded in Far Rockaway by an unknown gunman in a white Ford Explorer. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m., in Brooklyn, a 33-year-old woman was shot in the chest and a man, 30, in the right arm following a dispute on Linden Boulevard, according to police. Both were taken to Brookdale Hospital.
The violence came after a bloody Independence Day weekend that saw dozens of New Yorkers shot. In one grim stretch, 39 people were shot between midnight Saturday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday, with at least three of the shootings fatal.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Two of Thomas Jefferson’s descendants want his DC memorial replaced

Players on the popular shoot- ’ em-up game “ Call of Duty : Modern ...

Two descendants of Thomas Jefferson said they want his DC memorial replaced because it glorifies the third president as a Founding Father without providing context about him being a slaveholder, according to a report.
Lucian Truscott, who is white, is a sixth-generation descendant of Jefferson, and Shannon LaNier, who’s black, is a ninth-generation descendant of the former president and Sally Hemings, one of his slaves, CNN reported.
“I think a lot of these public statues were put in place for the wrong reasons and to glorify people who were flawed. We have to start looking at these people as human beings, not gods, not idols,” LaNier told the network Tuesday.
In response to the recent removal of monuments by activists across the US, President Trump has signed an executive order for the creation of a “National Garden” of statues, including one of Jefferson.
The former president owned hundreds of slaves during his lifetime but is remembered for famously writing: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
“He said one thing, but he didn’t practice that thing,” LaNier told CNN. “People have been giving him a pass for years because he helped found this country, but he also helped do it on the backs of slaves, whether that was their blood, sweat and tears that they had to put in to do it.”
Truscott said he grew up playing at Monticello, Jefferson’s home in Virginia, which he argued is a much more fitting tribute to his ancestor.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement The Tidal Basin inlet bridge with the Jefferson Memorial in the background The Washington Post via Getty Images Shannon LaNier (left) and Lucian K. Truscott IV are both descendants of Thomas Jefferson. Facebook Advertisement Shannon LaNier poses at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. AP Advertisement
“If you visit Monticello now, you’ll take a tour and learn as much about slave life at Monticello as you do about Jefferson himself,” Truscott told CNN. “I think that it gives a picture of Jefferson in full with his flaws and his greatness intact.”
Truscott suggested replacing the Jefferson Memorial with a tribute to Harriet Tubman, the leader of the Underground Railroad, whom he described as one of America’s “founding mothers.”
“I think we’ve paid enough attention to the founding fathers over the years and it’s time to celebrate some of the women that helped found this country,” he said.
“I describe Harriet Tubman as helping to found the America that came along after slavery,” Truscott added.
LaNier said the Jefferson Memorial also could be replaced with a symbol of unity.
“We’re not erasing history, we’re teaching the full story of what is and what these people did to and for our country,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Secrets from behind the scenes

Secrets from behind the scenes

• From the “ Dating Around ” to “ Another Round , ” Maggie and Ian have interviews to spare .
Ben Samuels , the adorably awkward bachelor from Netflix ’ s hit reality show , “ Dating Around ” breaks down how his episode got made .
• “ Another Round ” co-host Tracy Clayton dives into her return to podcasting .
• And Crossfit co-founder Lauren Jenai shares details about tying the knot while her husband is on house arrest .
Ben Samuels won audiences over with his awkward but endearing personality on Netflix ’ s “ Dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans professor broke down what it was like going out with strangers on a reality show .
How did you even get on this show in the first place ?
“ The ‘ Dating Around ’ folks like send notices out to lots of different communities .
In my case , it was like this little improv theater that I perform at .
Even though it sounds crazy and weird , something about the like the fact that it would be televised almost made it less scary than actual dating would be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of liberation .
Like if in an actual date , if it doesn ’ t go well , then there are only two people responsible for not going well and it ’ s probably not her .
Maybe it doesn ’ t go well .
And sure , it ’ s still probably my fault , but at least I can tell myself , “ Oh , it was just the cameras and it would have been great if it wasn ’ t for that.
” Did you end up having more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked ?
“ I was genuinely smitten with the person that I picked .
I think that they are an absolute angel , a huge force for good on this planet .
Incredibly selfless .
And at the same time pursues her own passions .
A really , really phenomenal person .
We did meet up after filming , after everything .
And without going into too much detail , it did not really turn into anything.
” Do you have any dating advice for people getting back in the game ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in fact , you probably are .
And the person that you ’ re dating is also probably a wonderful , incredible person .
And if it doesn ’ t work out , if they don ’ t have the same feelings for you that you have for them , that sucks .
It stings .
Grieve .
Mourn .
Cry .
Do what you need to do .
It ’ s OK .
But the thing that I would recommend not doing is like creating this narrative that you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because that dynamic or that chemistry between the two of you didn ’ t exist or work out.
” Tracy Clayton is a podcast icon extraordinaire .
While most fans know her from Buzzfeed ’ s “ Another Round ” podcast , Clayton is now bringing Black voices to the forefront with her “ Strong Black Legends ” podcast on Netflix .
We are at a moment in history in which things are changing .
And you ’ ve been hosting a podcast that spotlights Black talent .
What does this mean for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ?
“ That ’ s a great question .
I think it ’ s one that we ’ re just now starting to dove into because the world is different .
It was as easy as hopping on a plane and going to interview Debbie Allen or Jackie Harry .
But now , travel is scary .
I would rather do a lot less of that , feel the world out .
And I think the producers are trying to figure out , how do we deliver the same experience of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want you to feel like you ’ re in the room there with us .
And when we ’ re not even in the room with our interview subjects , it ’ s like , well , how can we add the listener in as well ?
So it means it means change .
It means challenges .
And hopefully , it means growth in new ways of doing something that was a lot of fun and that people really like a lot.
” What ’ s bringing you joy during quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that changes by the minute .
To me , it sounds corny and cliché because I ’ m always trying to do it but I ’ m just trying to stay present and I ’ m trying to notice moments that do bring me joy versus ‘ OK , I need to sit down and have joy for 30 minutes.
’ Which is how I was trying to do it .
And it ’ s just like , ‘ OK , this joy is making me anxious , ’ and I feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So now , when I when it ’ s time to relax , I have like a few , like , dedicated hobbies that I get into .
I like to crochet .
I can make blankets because I don ’ t understand how sleeves work or just like the round parts of elbows shoulder .
I can only crochet straight lines .
And recently I ’ ve been watching a lot of wrestling documentaries with a friend of mine.
” CrossFit co-founder Lauren Jenai and Franklin Tyrone Tucker were married on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple told Maggie and Ian .
The ceremony marked a happy ending for the pair ’ s romance that began while Tucker was incarcerated in Florida for nearly two years awaiting trial on murder charges , and Jenai fought for his freedom .
Tucker maintains his innocence , and is still under house arrest .
Do you feel a sense of vindication that you really proved something like this relationship could work ?
Jenai : “ People don ’ t realize that we ’ ve now spent almost three years together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact , but we spoke every day for hours and hours and we dealt with all kinds of issues that married couples or partners deal with that are completely stressful .
I think nobody saw that part and saw what we have gone through .
I understand why people thought it was not believable or wouldn ’ t work out .
I see that perspective .
But I don ’ t necessarily want to say I feel vindicated .
Tucker : “ Life throws at all kinds of things at you .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things in any relationship .
But the thing is , we ’ ve already gone through so much together that the idea that anything ’ s going to come up that we can ’ t handle together , just isn ’ t there .
Neither one of us really cares as far as what other people have to say .
People can say whatever they want .
We ’ re the ones who have to live with each other .
We ’ re the ones that have to be together , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re going to say.
” Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts .
New episodes come out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

In this episode:
From the “Dating Around” to “Another Round,” Maggie and Ian have interviews to spare. Ben Samuels, the adorably awkward bachelor from Netflix’s hit reality show, “Dating Around” breaks down how his episode got made.
“Another Round” co-host Tracy Clayton dives into her return to podcasting.
And Crossfit co-founder Lauren Jenai shares details about tying the knot while her husband is on house arrest.
Adorkable Ben
Ben Samuels won audiences over with his awkward but endearing personality on Netflix’s “Dating Around”. The University of New Orleans professor broke down what it was like going out with strangers on a reality show.
How did you even get on this show in the first place?
“The ‘Dating Around’ folks like send notices out to lots of different communities. In my case, it was like this little improv theater that I perform at. Even though it sounds crazy and weird, something about the like the fact that it would be televised almost made it less scary than actual dating would be. There’s almost like a sense of liberation. Like if in an actual date, if it doesn’t go well, then there are only two people responsible for not going well and it’s probably not her. Maybe it doesn’t go well. And sure, it’s still probably my fault, but at least I can tell myself, “Oh, it was just the cameras and it would have been great if it wasn’t for that.”
Did you end up having more of a relationship with the person who you picked?
“I was genuinely smitten with the person that I picked. I think that they are an absolute angel, a huge force for good on this planet. Incredibly selfless. And at the same time pursues her own passions. A really, really phenomenal person. We did meet up after filming, after everything. And without going into too much detail, it did not really turn into anything.”
Do you have any dating advice for people getting back in the game?
“You can be an absolutely incredible person and in fact, you probably are. And the person that you’re dating is also probably a wonderful, incredible person. And if it doesn’t work out, if they don’t have the same feelings for you that you have for them, that sucks. It stings. Grieve. Mourn. Cry. Do what you need to do. It’s OK. But the thing that I would recommend not doing is like creating this narrative that you’re not deserving of love, like just because that dynamic or that chemistry between the two of you didn’t exist or work out.”
Another round for Tracy
Tracy Clayton is a podcast icon extraordinaire. While most fans know her from Buzzfeed’s “Another Round” podcast, Clayton is now bringing Black voices to the forefront with her “Strong Black Legends” podcast on Netflix.
We are at a moment in history in which things are changing. And you’ve been hosting a podcast that spotlights Black talent. What does this mean for future episodes of “Strong Black Legends”?
“That’s a great question. I think it’s one that we’re just now starting to dove into because the world is different. It was as easy as hopping on a plane and going to interview Debbie Allen or Jackie Harry. But now, travel is scary. I would rather do a lot less of that, feel the world out. And I think the producers are trying to figure out, how do we deliver the same experience of an in-person interview? In those interviews, we want you to feel like you’re in the room there with us. And when we’re not even in the room with our interview subjects, it’s like, well, how can we add the listener in as well? So it means it means change. It means challenges. And hopefully, it means growth in new ways of doing something that was a lot of fun and that people really like a lot.”
What’s bringing you joy during quarantine lately?
“This is the answer that changes by the minute. To me, it sounds corny and cliché because I’m always trying to do it but I’m just trying to stay present and I’m trying to notice moments that do bring me joy versus ‘OK, I need to sit down and have joy for 30 minutes.’ Which is how I was trying to do it. And it’s just like, ‘OK, this joy is making me anxious,’ and I feel like I’m just doing it backwards. So now, when I when it’s time to relax, I have like a few, like, dedicated hobbies that I get into. I like to crochet. I can make blankets because I don’t understand how sleeves work or just like the round parts of elbows shoulder. I can only crochet straight lines. And recently I’ve been watching a lot of wrestling documentaries with a friend of mine.”
Wedding bells
CrossFit co-founder Lauren Jenai and Franklin Tyrone Tucker were married on Friday at their home in Oregon, the couple told Maggie and Ian. The ceremony marked a happy ending for the pair’s romance that began while Tucker was incarcerated in Florida for nearly two years awaiting trial on murder charges, and Jenai fought for his freedom. Tucker maintains his innocence, and is still under house arrest.
Do you feel a sense of vindication that you really proved something like this relationship could work?
Jenai: “People don’t realize that we’ve now spent almost three years together. Most of it was not in physical contact, but we spoke every day for hours and hours and we dealt with all kinds of issues that married couples or partners deal with that are completely stressful. I think nobody saw that part and saw what we have gone through. I understand why people thought it was not believable or wouldn’t work out. I see that perspective. But I don’t necessarily want to say I feel vindicated.
Tucker: “Life throws at all kinds of things at you. And married couples have to deal with these things in any relationship. But the thing is, we’ve already gone through so much together that the idea that anything’s going to come up that we can’t handle together, just isn’t there. Neither one of us really cares as far as what other people have to say. People can say whatever they want. We’re the ones who have to live with each other. We’re the ones that have to be together, you know? People are gonna say whatever they’re going to say.”
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Infinity Ward removes ‘OK’ gesture from ‘Call of Duty’ game over hate symbol concerns

Players on the popular shoot- ’ em-up game “ Call of Duty : Modern Warfare ” will no longer be able to celebrate with an “ OK ” gesture because of its use as a hate symbol , according to a report .
US video game developer Infinity Ward quietly removed the gesture from the game amid concerns of its use by racist right-wing extremists , the Independent reported .
Neither Infinity Ward nor publisher Activision have confirmed the reason for the removal of the gesture , which was a popular way for interactive players to celebrate the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now been replaced with an emote called “ crush , ” the news outlet reported .
The use of the “ OK ” gesture as a hate symbol dates back to 2017 when it gained traction on social media site 4chan , the Independent reported .
Members of the so-called ” alt-right ” are often captured in photographs performing the gesture .
The OK symbol is described by the Anti-Defamation League as “ a sincere expression of white supremacy , ” but the organization notes that “ care must be taken not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who has used the gesture , ” the paper reported .
On June 6 , Infinity Ward announced on Twitter : “ There is no place for racist content in our game .
This is an effort we began with launch and we need to do a better job .
We ’ re issuing thousands of daily bans of racist and hate-oriented names .
But we know we have to do more.
” The company also said it would add additional resources to monitor and identify racist content , add additional reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bans and improve restrictions on name changes .

Players on the popular shoot-’em-up game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” will no longer be able to celebrate with an “OK” gesture because of its use as a hate symbol, according to a report.
US video game developer Infinity Ward quietly removed the gesture from the game amid concerns over its use by racist right-wing extremists, the Independent reported.
Neither Infinity Ward nor publisher Activision has confirmed the reason for the removal of the gesture, which was a popular way for interactive players to celebrate the end of a winning mission.
The gesture has been replaced with an emote called “crush,” the news outlet reported.
The use of the “OK” gesture as a hate symbol dates back to 2017 when it gained traction on social media site 4chan, the Independent reported.
Members of the so-called ”alt-right” are often captured in photographs making the gesture.
The OK symbol is described by the Anti-Defamation League as “a sincere expression of white supremacy,” but the organization notes that “care must be taken not to jump to conclusions about the intent behind someone who has used the gesture,” the paper reported.
On June 6, Infinity Ward announced on Twitter: “There is no place for racist content in our game. This is an effort we began with launch and we need to do a better job. We’re issuing thousands of daily bans of racist and hate-oriented names. But we know we have to do more.”
The company also said it would add additional resources to monitor and identify racist content, add additional reporting systems to increase the number of hourly bans and improve restrictions on name changes.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Mosquitoes in Alaska terrorize couple

Mosquitoes in Alaska terrorize couple

Alaska ’ s mosquitoes are so bad that you need to wear a special suit to go outside .
A @ @ @ @ @ — 250 miles north of Fairbanks — showed the horror of living among the swarms @ @ @ @ @ arctic state every summer .
The blood-sucking insects buzz around their mosquito-net veils , covering @ @ @ @ @ and clothing , in this skin-crawling video .
“ Because the ground is flat and @ @ @ @ @ come springtime , winter snowmelt can ’ t be absorbed into the ground .
This @ @ @ @ @ the state into a boggy , mosquito breeding ground , ” Nickolas Warner explained as @ @ @ @ @ partner on a very buggy July 4 stroll .

Alaska’s mosquitoes are so bad that you need to wear a special suit to go outside. A couple in Coldfoot, Alaska — 250 miles north of Fairbanks — showed the horror of living among the swarms of mosquitoes that invade the arctic state every summer. The blood-sucking insects buzz around their mosquito-net veils, covering every inch of their flesh and clothing, in this skin-crawling video.
“Because the ground is flat and mostly comprised of permafrost, come springtime, winter snowmelt can’t be absorbed into the ground. This turns the northern part of the state into a boggy, mosquito breeding ground,” Nickolas Warner explained as he filmed himself and his partner on a very buggy July 4 stroll.
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newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Airliner plunges 10,000 feet in three minutes after cockpit window cracks

A Chinese airliner with 178 passengers aboard plummeted 10,000 feet in three minutes after the cockpit window cracked – sending @ @ @ @ @ onto the aisle as they put on oxygen masks , according to a report .
@ @ @ @ @ Airlines Boeing 737 erupted 30 minutes after it took off Tuesday from Xi ’ an @ @ @ @ @ Kunming when the electrically heated windscreen began to spark and then suddenly cracked , The @ @ @ @ @ was forced to make an emergency landing at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport , according to @ @ @ @ @ passengers were put on another plane that was sent to Chongqing from Kunming , the @ @ @ @ @ southwest China where the low-cost carrier is based .
The plane returned to Kunming after @ @ @ @ @ hours , The Sun reported .

A Chinese airliner with 178 passengers aboard plummeted 10,000 feet in three minutes after the cockpit window cracked – sending their meals and belongings tumbling onto the aisle as they put on oxygen masks, according to a report.
The mayhem aboard the Ruili Airlines Boeing 737 erupted 30 minutes after it took off Tuesday from Xi’an for a domestic flight to Kunming when the electrically heated windscreen began to spark and then suddenly cracked, The Sun reported.
Flight 6558 was forced to make an emergency landing at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, according to the news outlet.
The passengers were put on another plane that was sent to Chongqing from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in southwest China where the low-cost carrier is based.
The plane returned to Kunming after a delay of about six hours, The Sun reported.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Johnny Depp accused of slapping Amber Heard for laughing at ‘Wino Forever’ tattoo

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Johnny Depp slapped Amber Heard three times when she laughed at how he changed a tribute tattoo to ex Winona Ryder to read “ Wino Forever , ” a London court heard Wednesday .
Starting the second day of his explosive testimony in his libel case against The Sun , Depp , 57 , was immediately accused of attacking his ex-wife when he was drunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tat — that previously read , “ Winona Forever.
” The laughter “ provoked disappointment ” and “ then anger ” in the actor , London ’ s High Court was told by Sasha Wass , the lawyer for The Sun , the newspaper Depp is suing , according to DailyMail.com .
“ You then , Mr Depp , slapped Ms. Heard across the face , ” Wass told him in court , the outlet reported .
“ You slapped her more than once , because after you slapped her the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she just eyeballed you , she just stared at you , and that made you more angry , and you slapped her again , ” Wass reportedly said .
Depp called it “ patently untrue , ” insisting , ‘ That is not correct , it ’ s untrue .
It didn ’ t happen.
” After his attack , Depp “ started crying and started apologizing ” and promised never to hit her again , blaming a “ sickness ” within him , Wass said , according to the Evening Standard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time about the person you have been calling the ‘ monster ’ – your alter ego – the person who took over when you were under the influence of drink and drugs , ” added Ms Wass .
The court was told he sent a text to Heard in March 2013 saying , ‘ Just thought you should know , there exists a book entitled Disco Bloodbath .
That is all.
” “ Is it about last Friday night by any chance ?
” his wife asked , according to the Mail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could “ make me smile about such a hideous moment.
” The message ended , “ I f—ing love you , you c–t , ” according to the report .
The star — who on Tuesday admitted having taken “ every drug known to man ” — conceded that it was “ possible ” he was taking cocaine in March 2013 , when Heard claims the tattoo-tease attack happened .
Depp told the court that his ex-wife “ never supported me in my attempt to be strong and avoid alcohol and drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall off the wagon , ” the Standard said .
He was said to have been “ ‘ drunk and having consumed a cocktail of cocaine and cannabis ” before another fight , this time over Heard ’ s refusal to remove a painting by her ex , Tasya van Ree .
“ I can be jealous , ” Depp conceded in court , according to the Mail , saying they had “ several arguments about Ms. van Ree.
” However , he called his ex ’ s claims that he tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it on fire “ not true , ” the Mail said .
Depp is suing The Sun over an April 2018 article that said he was a “ wife beater , ” which he vehemently denies — accusing his ex-wife of all the violence in their marriage .
The Sun ’ s defense relies on Heard ’ s allegations of 14 incidents of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016 .

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Johnny Depp allegedly slapped Amber Heard three times when she laughed at how he changed a tribute tattoo to ex Winona Ryder to read “Wino Forever,” a London court heard Wednesday.
Starting the second day of his explosive testimony in his libel case against The Sun, Depp, 57, was immediately accused of being a Jekyll-and-Hyde monster who turned violent during regular drink and drunk binges.
The court also heard his now-infamous texts to fellow actor Paul Bettany in which he allegedly said he wanted to “burn” and “drown” Heard — then “f–k her burnt corpse.”
The first alleged assault detailed came when Heard laughed at the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star’s tattoo, which first said “Winona Forever” until he changed it after their split in 1993.
The laughter “provoked disappointment” and “then anger” in the actor, London’s High Court was told by Sasha Wass, the lawyer for The Sun, the newspaper Depp is suing, according to DailyMail.com.
“You then, Mr. Depp, slapped Ms. Heard across the face,” Wass told him in court, the outlet reported.
“You slapped her more than once, because after you slapped her the first time, she didn’t react, she just eyeballed you, she just stared at you, and that made you more angry, and you slapped her again,” Wass reportedly said.
Depp called it “patently untrue,” insisting, “That is not correct, it’s untrue. It didn’t happen.”
“I don’t recall any argument about any of my tattoos.”
After his attack, Depp “started crying and started apologizing” and promised never to hit her again, blaming a “sickness” within him, Wass said, according to the Evening Standard.
“You told her for the first time about the person you have been calling the ‘monster’ — your alter ego — the person who took over when you were under the influence of drink and drugs,” added Wass.
The court was told he sent a text to Heard in March 2013 saying, “Just thought you should know, there exists a book entitled Disco Bloodbath. That is all.”
“Is it about last Friday night by any chance?” his wife asked, according to the Mail, with Depp asking her in reply how she could “make me smile about such a hideous moment.”
The message ended, “I f—ing love you, you c–t,” according to the report.
The star — who on Tuesday admitted having taken “every drug known to man” — conceded that it was “possible” he was taking cocaine in March 2013, when Heard claims the tattoo-tease attack happened.
Depp told the court that his ex-wife “never supported me in my attempt to be strong and avoid alcohol and drugs” and instead encouraged him to “fall off the wagon.”
“There were many times in our relationship, early on, where not only did she chop the cocaine with a razor blade into lines, she would then take the cocaine on her finger and rub it on her gums,” Depp said.
He was said to have been “‘drunk and having consumed a cocktail of cocaine and cannabis” before another fight, this time over Heard’s refusal to remove a painting by her ex, Tasya van Ree.
“I can be jealous,” Depp conceded in court, according to the Mail, saying they had “several arguments about Ms. van Ree.”
However, he called his ex’s claims that he hit her while trying to remove the painting to burn it “not true.”
“I did not hit Ms. Heard and furthermore I have never hit Ms. Heard,” said Depp, who wore a gray suit, blue shirt and patterned tie for his court appearance.
Depp admitted he was “definitely partaking of the cocaine” one time when friends found him and Heard after a fight when Depp was supposed to be recording a documentary with his idols, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and singer Tom Waits.
He said he stayed to “fix things, patch things up” with Heard — but refused to leave and was “snorting more and more lines of cocaine,” Wass said, according to the Mail.
Depp claimed Heard would chop cocaine into lines for him, which Wass said never happened because Heard was “extremely disapproving” of cocaine.
Depp also dismissed allegations that he dangled Heard’s Yorkshire terrier, Pistol, out a car window as “absolute, utter falsity.”
“That is not my idea of fun, although my sense of humor is rather skewed,” he said.
Wass said Depp’s texts with “A Beautiful Mind” star Bettany started because “Heard was trying to wean you off drug taking,” the Mail said.
“‘Let’s drown her before we burn her!!! I will f— her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she’s dead,” he allegedly wrote.
Depp allegedly also told Bettany to buy Heard a pet beaver and record himself shaving the animal so that they could post a clip and call it, “Johnny Depp shaves Amber Heard’s Beaver,” the Mail said.
Depp admitted in court, “It is not a respectful way to talk about Ms. Heard.”
Depp is suing The Sun over an April 2018 article that said he was a “wife beater,” which he vehemently denies — accusing his ex-wife of all the violence in their marriage.
The Sun’s defense relies on Heard’s allegations of 14 incidents of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016.
Wass has tried to paint Depp as a volatile personality with a longstanding drug habit and an anger management problem.
The lawyer read out an email to Depp that Heard had composed in 2013 but never sent, in which she said he was “like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and called his behavior a “full on disco blood bath.”
Depp said Heard’s claims of abuse were a “hoax” and said the email was evidence “that Ms. Heard was building a dossier” as “an insurance policy for later.”
Heard is attending court and is expected to give evidence later in the trial. Depp’s exes Ryder and Vanessa Paradis, both of whom have submitted statements supporting the Hollywood star, are also expected to be called.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Four people killed, three injured when gunfire erupts in Paterson

Four people were killed and three others injured when gunfire erupted in Paterson , New Jersey , late Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ The victims were struck about 11 p.m. in the area of Harrison and Carroll streets @ @ @ @ @ gunmen escaped in a black vehicle .
Four of them were rushed to St. Joseph @ @ @ @ @ , where they later died , while the rest arrived at the hospital later , @ @ @ @ @ .
The motive for the shooting was not immediately known , but it was believed @ @ @ @ @ outlet reported .
Since the beginning of 2020 , 11 people have been killed and @ @ @ @ @ in the city of about 150,000 in Passaic County , WABC reported .

Four people were killed and three others injured when gunfire erupted in Paterson, New Jersey, late Tuesday, according to a report.
The victims were struck about 11 p.m. in the area of Harrison and Carroll streets, WABC reported. The gunmen escaped in a black vehicle.
Four of them were rushed to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, where they later died, while the rest arrived at the hospital later, according to the news outlet.
The motive for the shooting was not immediately known, but it was believed to be gang-related, the outlet reported.
Since the beginning of 2020, 11 people have been killed and 56 injured in 43 shootings in the city of about 150,000 in Passaic County, WABC reported.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Fans create petition to rename NYC’s Longacre Theatre after Nick Cordero

Fans have launched a petition to rename New York City ’ s Longacre Theatre in memory of Broadway star Nick Cordero , who passed away on Sunday due to complications from coronavirus .
The Longacre , which was home to Cordero ’ s last broadway show “ A Bronx Tale , ” was built in 1912 and is currently named after Longacre Square — the original name for Times Square .
The rechristened theatre would be called “ The Nick Cordero Theatre.
” The petition had over 26,000 signatures on Tuesday .
“ ‘ A Bronx Tale , The Musical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cordero starred in .
This musical set a record as the longest-running musical in Longacre history , ” the petition reads .
“ With the passing of this incredibly talented and beloved Broadway star , it is the perfect memory for him and his family legacy , to assure his name will always be in lights in the Broadway Community.
” Cordero , who was 41 at the time of his death , was admitted to the Cedar-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles back in April .
He had his right leg amputated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coma for the majority of his hospitalization .
A GoFundMe , which was set up following Cordero ’ s death to help support his wife , Amanda Cloots , as well as his year-old son Elvis , has over $ 984,630 with the original goal set at $ 48,000 .

Fans have launched a petition to rename New York City’s Longacre Theatre in memory of Broadway star Nick Cordero, who passed away on Sunday due to complications from coronavirus.
The Longacre, which was home to Cordero’s last broadway show “A Bronx Tale,” was built in 1912 and is currently named after Longacre Square — the original name for Times Square. The rechristened theatre would be called “The Nick Cordero Theatre.”
The petition had over 26,000 signatures on Tuesday.
“‘A Bronx Tale, The Musical’ was the last Broadway show Nick Cordero starred in. This musical set a record as the longest-running musical in Longacre history,” the petition reads.
“With the passing of this incredibly talented and beloved Broadway star, it is the perfect memory for him and his family legacy, to assure his name will always be in lights in the Broadway Community.”
Cordero, who was 41 at the time of his death, was admitted to the Cedar-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles back in April. He had his right leg amputated, and was held in a medically induced coma for the majority of his hospitalization.
A GoFundMe, which was set up following Cordero’s death to help support his wife, Amanda Cloots, as well as his year-old son Elvis, has over $984,630 with the original goal set at $48,000.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--What Aaron Boone’s ‘creative’ Yankees pitching plan looks like

If not for the No .
4 train rumbling above River ...

Twice on Tuesday, when discussing his starting pitching supply, Aaron Boone used the word “creative.”
You know what that means: Make sure you have “Deployment of an opener” on your 2020 Yankees bingo card.
Actually, you might as well throw Deivi Garcia, Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga and Clarke Schmidt on there, too. If we’ve learned anything with spring training 2.0 not even a week old, it’s to prepare for all scenarios this coming season. The Yankees know this better than anyone after seeing Masahiro Tanaka go down less than an hour into this camp.
Fortunately for Boone and company, their bingo card, while taking a few hits already, still features more intrigue than concern.
“Obviously, to start the season, you’re going to have 30 players, so you’re going to have more pitching to choose from,” the Yankees’ manager said on a Zoom call. “So there may be days in there where you do get a little creative, where it’s a bullpen day, or you try and maximize your roster as best as possible and put guys in positions to where they can really impact the game on a given day.”
Relief of the non-bullpen kind continues to dominate the Yankees’ feelings about Tanaka, so scary was the Giancarlo Stanton line drive he took to his head on Saturday. Yet the veteran right-hander remains on concussion watch, and with the season starting on July 23, it feels optimistic to project him to start during the first turn.
“The reality is he’s doing well. He’s responding well,” Boone said. “But we also want to be incredibly careful with this and make sure he’s checking all the boxes while he’s in concussion protocol.”
Hence J.A. Happ, whom the Yankees contemplated trading last offseason due to surplus arms, could start the third game of the season, following new guy Gerrit Cole and James Paxton and preceding Jordan Montgomery. The fifth spot stands as open until Tanaka returns to the mound.
“We haven’t dove in that much [regarding a fifth starter],” Boone said. “We feel like our depth of pitchers from the 12th and 13th pitcher on a team to … our 15th and 16th [to] our 20th, 21st, 22nd pitchers, we feel like are potentially capable of getting important outs for us.”
The Yankees utilized an opener 18 times last year, with Chad Green making 15 of those starts. For a 60-game season, the equivalent would be six or seven times. Let’s bet the over thanks to the unpredictability of this season. Tuesday saw two more significant pitchers (Oakland’s Jesus Luzardo and the Red Sox’s Eduardo Rodriguez) test positive for COVID-19, joining Yankees Luis Cessa and DJ LeMahieu among many others. Awful. If they actually play, it’s going to be crazy.
At least the Yankees offer some interesting candidates to prevail among the craziness. Schmidt, the 16th-overall selection of the 2017 draft, impressed in his intrasquad effort Monday.
“Clarke made me look silly,” Luke Voit said Tuesday.
King, who enjoyed a breakout 2018 before right elbow woes sidelined him for much of last year, opposed a season-ready-looking Cole in Tuesday night’s intrasquad game at Yankee Stadium and tossed a pair of shutout innings, allowing a hit and walk and striking out Aaron Hicks, Voit and Gio Urshela. The Hicks K, he said, came on a four-seamer he has been developing to throw away to lefty hitters.
“I felt great out there,” King said. “It’s nice to be out there competing and facing such a good lineup. It was fun to test myself a little bit.” Boone said he could envision using King in multiple roles.
Garcia pitched his way to last year’s Futures Game. And we’ve seen hints of what Loaisiga (who arrived late and hasn’t joined the workouts to date) can offer when healthy.
The opener? While last year’s American League Championship Series loss to the Astros offered a testament to the benefits of stud starters over bullpenning, the modern strategy would be more palatable amidst a 60-game sprint in 67 days, especially with a 30-man roster the first two weeks. as Boone referenced) and 28 the subsequent two weeks.
In these conditions, all teams must be creative pitching-wise to win the title. So don’t fear the opener. Just hope the Yankees’ raw material rewards Boone’s creativity.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Women attack Canadian Black Lives Matter protesters with hockey stick

Two women in Canada were filmed attacking protesters with a hockey stick at a Black and Indigenous Lives Matter rally on Saturday .
Winnipeg police said they are investigating the attack on a black man andn a indigenous woman at the protest outside the Manitoba Legislature grounds , according to the Winnipeg Sun .
One of the victims , Theo Landry , 29 , said that he and his friend were targeted by the women in a car — one of whom was white — after he briefly laid down in the road .
“ What transpired on July 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he told the newspaper .
There were four people inside the car when it stopped and its occupants allegedly yelled racial slurs at Landry .
He told the paper that somebody inside said if he “ continued to protest he would get hurt.
” Landry said after he and the woman got up and retreated to the other protesters , the car drove back towards them and he sprayed water on its windshield — prompting the car to stop .
That ’ s when a white woman exits , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show the incident , and chases after Landry and his friend .
Landry said he was struck twice on the arm by the first woman .
Another video shows a second woman from inside the car taking the hockey stick and hitting Landry ’ s friend over the head with it .
She suffered a laceration to the head , according to Landry .
The attack left Landry “ a little sore the next day , but psychologically is where the biggest toll is taken , ” he told the paper .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will resort to such anger over water is very disproportionate .
”

Two women in Canada were filmed attacking protesters with a hockey stick at a Black and Indigenous Lives Matter rally on Saturday.
Winnipeg police said they are investigating the attack on a black man andn a indigenous woman at the protest outside the Manitoba Legislature grounds, according to the Winnipeg Sun.
One of the victims, Theo Landry, 29, said that he and his friend were targeted by the women in a car — one of whom was white — after he briefly laid down in the road.
“What transpired on July 4, I was saddened but not surprised,” he told the newspaper.
There were four people inside the car when it stopped and its occupants allegedly yelled racial slurs at Landry.
He told the paper that somebody inside said if he “continued to protest he would get hurt.”
Landry said after he and the woman got up and retreated to the other protesters, the car drove back towards them and he sprayed water on its windshield — prompting the car to stop.
That’s when a white woman exits, according to one video circulating online that purports to show the incident, and chases after Landry and his friend.
Landry said he was struck twice on the arm by the first woman.
Another video shows a second woman from inside the car taking the hockey stick and hitting Landry’s friend over the head with it. She suffered a laceration to the head, according to Landry.
The attack left Landry “a little sore the next day, but psychologically is where the biggest toll is taken,” he told the paper.
“To know that there are people who will resort to such anger over water is very disproportionate.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Oregon man driving stolen car crashes into woman driving another stolen car

A police chase in Oregon ended when a driver fleeing authorities in a stolen car crashed into a woman driving @ @ @ @ @ debacle took place Monday when police responded to a report of a stolen Toyota Land @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Newberg-Dundee Police .
A pursuit ensued , and lasted for several @ @ @ @ @ into another car near an intersection .
Cops identified the driver of the first car @ @ @ @ @ Portland .
After taking Cooper into custody , the police then realized that the second @ @ @ @ @ in an unrelated crime three weeks ago .
The driver of that car , Kristin @ @ @ @ @ found to be under the influence .
Cooper was charged with unauthorized use of a @ @ @ @ @ elude police , assault and reckless driving .

A police chase in Oregon ended when a driver fleeing authorities in a stolen car crashed into a woman driving another stolen car.
The debacle took place Monday when police responded to a report of a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser driving through downtown Newberg, according to the Newberg-Dundee police.
A pursuit ensued, and lasted for several blocks until the driver crashed into another car near an intersection.
Cops identified the driver of the first car as Randy Lee Cooper of Portland.
After taking Cooper into custody, the police realized that the second car was also reported stolen in an unrelated crime three weeks ago.
The driver of that car, Kristin Nicole Begue, was also found to be under the influence.
Cooper was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude police, assault and reckless driving.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Adam Silver: NBA’s bubble plan ‘should work’ but is still a risk

There are none so blind as those who refuse to ...

Adam Silver is confident in the plan — that the NBA’s 22-team restart in Orlando, Fla., will be able to crown a champion without a spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic forcing a cancellation.
“On paper and dealing with our experts, this should work,” the NBA commissioner said at a Fortune Brainstorm Health virtual conference Tuesday afternoon.
That, of course, doesn’t mean it will. Silver admitted as much, declining to offer his level of confidence that the league won’t have to cancel play at any point after restarting on July 30 with an eight-game finish to the regular season followed by the playoffs. He expects there to be more positive tests, especially as players and team personnel arrive this week for training camp in Florida, which has become a hot spot for this virus. But Silver believes the NBA will do everything possible to create a safe environment. He said he thinks players will be safer inside the bubble than outside it because of the precautions and guidelines — daily testing, contact tracing, social distancing and wearing masks — in place.
“It’s a very protected environment, but again this virus has humbled many and so I’m not going to express any higher level of confidence than we’re following the protocols and we hope it works as we designed it,” he said.
Not everyone is on board. A number of players, including Trevor Ariza, Avery Bradley, Wilson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie, won’t be competing due to health concerns or because they have tested positive for the virus. Silver said his biggest worry is that after initial testing and the quarantine period that follows, more positive tests pop up. At that point, the league will have to decide a course of action. If it’s just a positive case here or there, the NBA would likely play on.
“Certainly, if we had any sort of significant spread at all within our campus, we would be shut down again,” he said.
What “significant” exactly entails, Silver said he wasn’t ready to define. The NBA is in the process of doing that. The league also would want to understand where the positive cases are coming from, and if it meant there was a hole in the bubble. This is obviously different compared to when the NBA postponed the season on March 11 after Rudy Gobert tested positive. The NBA has reported a total of 25 players — out of 351 — have tested positive since last week.
In March, fans were still attending games, teams were traveling, testing was far more limited and the virus was new to everyone.
“So this is a very different model and now a very different protocol,” Silver said.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--How Aroldis Chapman got shredded during shutdown

Viewed through a tiny rectangle Zoom box, the upper arms still look like dock rope connected to shoulders made of iron.
Six days a week in his Davie, Fla., home the Yankees’ closer worked out, looking to shed weight from the 6-foot-4, 218-pound frame he reported to spring training in Tampa with in February.
“I definitely wanted to take advantage of that, actually wanted to cut some pounds during quarantine and being at home and training at home,’’ Chapman said during a Zoom call prior to Tuesday night’s intrasquad game at Yankee Stadium. “I was able to do that, I was able to cut some pounds, 10 pounds, and I feel really good right now. I find myself at a great weight for an athlete.’’
Ten pounds gone would put Chapman at 208 and go along with the belief that the older an athlete gets the lighter he should be. Chapman turned 32 in February and this is his 10th year in the big leagues, the fifth with the Yankee for whom he has saved 111 games.
When last seen pitching in a game that counted, Chapman gave up a two-run homer to Houston’s Jose Altuve in the ninth inning of Game 6 of last year’s ALCS that ended the Yankees’ season and propelled the Astros to the World Series where they lost to the Nationals.
A lot has changed since then due to COVID-19. If MLB can finish spring training and begin a 60-game regular-season schedule, it will do so with a lot of new on-field regulations and a huge one in the stadiums: no fans.
For a pitcher who thrives on emotion to fuel him, what that means for Chapman is something he doesn’t know.
“That is a good question. I am going to have to get back to you on that one. I’ll have to see how that feels. I will be better suited to give you a better answer then,’’ Chapman said. “Once I get into a game and see the reality of it.’’
Aaron Hicks honored Negro League Baseball during pregame workouts Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. His black T-shirt had Negro League Baseball around an interlocking NL on the front and “They Played For Us So We Can’’ on the back.
One night after sitting behind home plate with GM Brian Cashman and evaluating players, a decidedly slimmed down CC Sabathia shagged balls in right-center field during batting practice on Tuesday at the Stadium.
Sabathia, who joined Cashman in the seats again Tuesday evening, works in the Yankees’ front office with the title of special adviser and donned the same T-shirt Hicks wore.
Kyle Higashioka was originally in the Bombers’ lineup for Tuesday night’s intrasquad game but was scratched because of a stiff neck.
Aaron Judge went 0-for-3 with two fly balls to the right-field warning track.
Because Miguel Andujar took ground balls at third base before Monday night’s intrasquad game, Boone was asked on Tuesday if the idea of Andujar playing the outfield had been altered a little bit.
“Not really, he will play the outfield [Tuesday night],’’ Boone said of Andujar, who was in left field for the Bombers and hit second against Gerrit Cole. “We will move him back and forth. He has been getting defensive work in the outfield as well.’’
Andujar homered to right field off Cole in the first inning.
Boone understands throwing the baseball around the diamond after outs is discouraged but isn’t sure it is an exact rule.
“We have to get to the bottom of that,’’ Boone said.
The Yankees are waiting on DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa to each take a COVID-19 test that comes back negative so they can move closer to joining spring training 2.0.
“Waiting for both of those guys where they test negative a couple of times and get to the point where they can enter into the intake portion of it,’’ Boone said of the second baseman and right-handed pitcher who tested positive and are quarantining away from the team.
When it was apparent that COVID-19 was going to shut down MLB games for more than the two weeks at the beginning of the season, some people said the longer the shutdown went the more it would benefit the Yankees who had Giancarlo Stanton, Judge and Hicks ready to land on the injured list for Opening Day on March 26.
It worked out that way for all of them but especially for Judge, whose fractured top right rib didn’t allow him to start swinging until two weeks or so ago.
“I think in a lot of ways it timed up perfectly and it worked out really well,’’ said Boone, who started Judge in right field for the second straight night. “They started the progression which started with him swinging in the pool, dry swings and stuff and at a point where they deemed it was safe for him to start doing that. It has coincided with working out perfectly to this point as far as where we are in camp and when Opening Day is going to be.’’
That would be July 23 against the Nationals in Washington if MLB doesn’t have to shut the game down again due to COVID-19.
Jonathan Loaisiga arrived from Nicaragua on Monday and underwent intake testing.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Montauk’s iconic Memory Hotel angers activists with  Blue Lives Matter flag

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) A day after Montauk ’ s Love at the End march to support Black Lives Matter drew celebs such as Julianne Moore , Sienna Miller and Naomi Watts , the town ’ s Memory Motel offended activists by hanging a Blue Lives Matter flag and posting it on Instagram .
“ It ’ s a huge middle finger to the black people who work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Page Six .
It removed the post after being called out in the comments .
Owner Brian Kenny told us the post was meant to give thanks to cops .
“ We worked effectively this July 4 weekend , hand in hand with the police , to keep our guests safe in the new world of [ coronavirus . ]
” He added that the flag “ in no way was meant to look like we were taking a side.
” Kenny said that he ’ d “ like to believe you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first responders without slighting one side or the other .
”

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A day after Montauk’s Love at the End march to support Black Lives Matter drew celebs such as Julianne Moore, Sienna Miller and Naomi Watts, the town’s Memory Motel offended activists by hanging a Blue Lives Matter flag and posting it on Instagram.
“It’s a huge middle finger to the black people who work and live here,” one march organizer told Page Six. It removed the post after being called out in the comments.
Owner Brian Kenny told us the post was meant to give thanks to cops. “We worked effectively this July 4 weekend, hand in hand with the police, to keep our guests safe in the new world of [coronavirus.]”
He added that the flag “in no way was meant to look like we were taking a side.”
Kenny said that he’d “like to believe you can support law enforcement, BLM and first responders without slighting one side or the other.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Breakfast bender, James Franco: What happened on day 2 of Johnny Depp’s libel case

Johnny Depp had cocaine , a whiskey bottle and pills on ...

Images unveiled in Johnny Depp’s libel case in London on Wednesday show a table laid out with his morning meal of booze and drugs during one rage-fueled bender.
The snap — taken in 2013 by Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard inside her LA apartment — showed two glasses of whiskey and a crossbones-decorated pill box marked “property of JD,” which Depp conceded “probably” contained cocaine, according to reports.
The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, 57, definitely didn’t forget his vitamin-C — there are four lines of what appears to be coke, near a credit card and straw.
The images came on the second day of Depp’s three-week court battle against The Sun newspaper for once calling him a “wife beater” — as a lawyer for the paper continued to paint the troubled actor as a violent addict who repeatedly assaulted Heard.
Questioned about the photo, Depp admitted his breakfast of champions that day included booze and blow after a spat with Heard.
“It had been quite a nasty argument,” Depp said, according to The Sun. “I was definitely partaking of the cocaine and whiskey that morning.”
The day the photo of the drug-littered table was taken, Heard’s sister, Whitney Henriquez, got to the couple’s home to find it in complete disarray, said Sasha Wass, the attorney representing the tabloid.
“Whitney was confronted with a lot of mess — whiskey, lines of cocaine on the kitchen table — and the sight of Ms. Heard who was very red and had obviously been crying,” Wass said, according to The Sun.
Depp responded: “I don’t recall the level of destruction Whitney describes.”
But he said he remembered “sitting at the glass table when she came and I was drinking whiskey.”
In court Wednesday, he denied that he is a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” monster, while fending off claims that he beat Heard for laughing at his infamous “Wino forever” tattoo, for working with actor James Franco — and that he even once dangled her little dog out the window of a moving car.
“She is the only person who has raised that notion — that I am a monster when I drink, take cocaine or smoke marijuana,” he said of Heard, according to The Sun.
The day’s cross-examination kicked off with Wass accusing the actor of hitting Heard in 2013 for laughing at his infamous ink — which he’d had altered from “Winona Forever,” after splitting with actress Winona Ryder years earlier.
The laughter “provoked disappointment” and “then anger” in the actor, Wass alleged.
“You slapped her more than once, because after you slapped her the first time, she didn’t react, she just eyeballed you, she just stared at you, and that made you more angry, and you slapped her again,” the lawyer said, according to the Daily Mail.
Depp called it “patently untrue,” insisting, “I don’t recall any argument about any of my tattoos.”
The attorney then accused him of slapping and kicking Heard, while calling her a “slut and a whore,” in 2014 because he thought she was having an affair with co-star James Franco.
Depp admitted to being “uncomfortable” with Heard working again with her “Pineapple Express” co-star, because she had previously called Franco “creepy and rapey” — and he believed the two were having an affair.
But he denied Wass’ claims that he slapped and kicked Heard during a fight about Franco on a private jet flight — though he conceded he may have called her “a go-getter slut and a whore.”
“There is a possibility Ms. Heard and I had a fight where those words came out of my mouth, but I didn’t go into a rage and start screaming at her in front of all those people,” Depp said, according to the Evening Standard.
He also beat back claims he dangled Heard’s teacup Yorkshire terrier, Pistol, out of a moving car once during another row.
“That is not my idea of fun,” he said. “Although my sense of humor is rather skewed.”
Confronted with a text message he sent to fellow actor Paul Bettany —saying he’d gone on a binge that resulted in a “blackout, screaming obscenities and insulting any (person) who got near” — said: “I may have done things that I have no memory of.”
But, he insisted, “I am certainly not a violent person — especially with women.”
Additional reporting by Lee Brown, with Wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Doggy deliveries help Colombians shop during coronavirus pandemic

Turns out he wasn ’ t snakebitten .
An Australian man pulled over ...

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MEDELLIN, Colombia — Eight-year-old Eros trots through the streets of this hilly city several times a day with a straw basket in his jaws, taking vegetables, fruit and packaged foods to customers of the El Porvenir mini-market. The chocolate Labrador retriever is paid with treats and massages of his furry head.
“He helps us to maintain social distancing,” says Eros’ owner Maria Natividad Botero. “And people love it when we send the dog.”
Eros wasn’t always a star. He was accepted into the family begrudgingly by Botero after repeated requests by her son to adopt a dog.
But Botero and the rest of the family quickly fell in love with the pup. And when they opened a mini market four years ago in the hilltop neighborhood of Tulipanes, he started to accompany Botero and her kids to make deliveries.
Eros doesn’t know how to read addresses. But he remembers the names of customers who have previously rewarded him with treats. And with some practice, he has learned to go to their houses on his own.


newyorkpost--2020-07-08--Australian man kills snake while driving, gets pulled over speeding to hospital

An Australian man pulled over for speeding was let off the hook when cops learned he was en route to a hospital over fears he was bitten by a snake he killed while driving .
The man , identified only as Jimmy , was spotted by police last month going 76 mph on Dawson Highway in Queensland , police said in a press release .
“ A brown snake or a tiger snake is in the back of the ute , ” Jimmy told the officer that pulled him over , according to body camera footage released by Queensland Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitten me , it was in the car with me , ” the driver said .
Jimmy told the officer that moments earlier , as he was driving about 60 mph , he spotted the creature , later identified as a venomous eastern brown snake , slithering between his legs .
“ The more I moved my legs … it just started to wrap around me , ” he said .
“ Its head just started striking at the [ driver ’ s seat ] , between my legs.
” Believing he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the snake with a knife and planned to take it to the hospital with him , the release said .
The police body camera footage showed the dead snake in the back of Jimmy ’ s truck .
The officer called for an ambulance , telling the dispatcher the driver is “ pretty panicky ” but “ conscious and breathing at the moment.
” It was determined the snake did not bite the man , but he still avoided the speeding ticket .
“ It was pretty bloody , terrifying .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driver told the cop .
“ I ’ ve never been so happy to see red and blue lights .
”

Only in Australia.
In a scenario too outlandish for an Indiana Jones movie, an Aussie trucker successfully fought off a highly venomous serpent while traveling at 70 miles per hour along a busy highway.
“It was pretty bloody terrifying,” said the Queensland native, named Jimmy, of his high-speed herpetological entanglement on June 15.
Police in Queensland had stopped Jimmy, 27, because they thought he was speeding, reports Sky News. However, the terrified trucker explained to the cops that he was using a knife and seatbelt to fend off an eastern brown snake, which had infiltrated the driver’s cab and started to wrap around him.
He can be heard recounting the horrifying incident via police body-camera footage: “The more I moved my legs . . . it just started to wrap around me,” he describes the behavior of the snake, whose venom ranks as the second most toxic of any land snake in the world. “Its head just started striking at the chair, between my legs.”
While Jimmy’s story sounded far-fetched, the cops “soon realized this was not just another colorful tale and promptly sought medical assistance,” per a statement by the Queensland police. Indeed, bodycam footage shows the serpent coiled in the back of his vehicle.
Fortunately, Jimmy escaped the ordeal without getting bitten, and police decided not to fine him for speeding.
“I’ve never been so happy to see red-and-blue lights,” quips the grateful trucker about getting inadvertently rescued by the cops.