newyorkpost--2020-01-30--Panel wants to institute Uber-like surge pricing for NYC cabs

A City Council-convened panel wants to institute Uber-like surge-pricing for yellow cab trips as part of a $ 600 million proposal to bail out debt-ridden drivers , according to a report set to be unveiled Friday .
The recommendations come after months of debate over the fate of drivers who purchased taxi medallions , often with the city ’ s encouragement , as their value surged — then found themselves facing bankruptcy when the market collapsed .
Companies like Uber and Lyft already utilize surge pricing , which charges passengers more money when demand is highest .
Yellow cabs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the exception of a small pilot program that lets some taxi drivers increase prices with demand .
By pegging prices to demand , taxi drivers could make more money at rush hour — and be more competitive at times when demand is low , the report suggests .
An “ expanded and improved ” yellow taxi e-hail app , another one of the report ’ s recommendations , could help facilitate the so-called “ dynamic ” prices .
More importantly for debt-ridding drivers , the report also recommends that the city partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt so that drivers are only obligated to cover their medallion ’ s current cost , and not the inflated rate at which it was purchased .
The report was spearheaded by Council Members Stephen Levin and Ydanis Rodriguez .
In a statement , Council Speaker Corey Johnson said he and other legislators would “ review all of the recommendations in the report ” and determined the “ best path forward to help the industry , from debt purchase and modification , to modernization.
” “ The City Council is painfully aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxi industry had to endure , especially the drivers , who are almost all immigrants , ” Johnson said .

A City Council-convened panel wants to institute Uber-like surge-pricing for yellow cab trips as part of a $600 million proposal to bail out debt-ridden drivers, according to a report set to be unveiled Friday.
The recommendations come after months of debate over the fate of drivers who purchased taxi medallions, often with the city’s encouragement, as their value surged — then found themselves facing bankruptcy when the market collapsed.
Companies like Uber and Lyft already utilize surge pricing, which charges passengers more money when demand is highest. Yellow cabs have mostly long operated with fixed fees, with the exception of a small pilot program that lets some taxi drivers increase prices with demand.
By pegging prices to demand, taxi drivers could make more money at rush hour — and be more competitive at times when demand is low, the report suggests. An “expanded and improved” yellow taxi e-hail app, another one of the report’s recommendations, could help facilitate the so-called “dynamic” prices.
More importantly for debt-ridding drivers, the report also recommends that the city partner with private corporations to buy off medallion debt so that drivers are only obligated to cover their medallion’s current cost, and not the inflated rate at which it was purchased.
The report was spearheaded by Council Members Stephen Levin and Ydanis Rodriguez.
In a statement, Council Speaker Corey Johnson said he and other legislators would “review all of the recommendations in the report” and determined the “best path forward to help the industry, from debt purchase and modification, to modernization.”
“The City Council is painfully aware of the hardship and suffering people in the taxi industry had to endure, especially the drivers, who are almost all immigrants,” Johnson said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-30--Lamar Alexander opposes impeachment trial witnesses in crushing blow to Democrats

Sen. Lamar Alexander said late Thursday that he will oppose calling witnesses in President Trump ’ s impeachment trial , deflating Democrats .
The Tennessee Republican ’ s decision means the trial could end in acquittal as early as Friday night .
Alexander , who is retiring , said in a statement that Trump ’ s request that Ukraine investigate Democrats including Joe Biden was “ inappropriate ” but did not cross a threshold for removal from office .
“ It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Alexander wrote in a 15-tweet statement .
“ The Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year ’ s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate , ” Alexander wrote .
The senator said the allegations against Trump do not meet Constitution ’ s requirement of “ treason , bribery , or other high crimes and misdemeanors ” to be convicted .
“ If this shallow , hurried and wholly partisan impeachment were to succeed , it would rip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire of cultural divisions that already exist , ” Alexander wrote .
“ It would create the weapon of perpetual impeachment to be used against future presidents whenever the House of Representatives is of a different political party.
” Alexander ’ s announcement followed a dramatic near four-hour notice .
He declined to personally deliver the news to journalists who followed him to a car before 11 p.m. Alexander had expressed openness to calling witnesses , making him the potential fourth Republican allowing Democrats to reach a 51-vote majority .
But his decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats near-certain .
Two Republicans — Sens .
Susan Collins ( R-Maine ) and Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) — have said they would like to call witnesses including former National Security Advisor John Bolton , who claims in a forthcoming book that Trump confessed to withholding Ukraine aid to force investigation of Democrats , the central allegation against him .
Collins and Romney only get Democrats to 49 votes , with 51 needed to call witnesses — or perhaps 50 , if Chief Justice John Roberts intervenes .
Many Republican senators have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial , adding to uncertainty .
Senators and journalists closely read apparent clues in the lead-up to Alexander ’ s announcement .
When senators took a dinner break Thursday , Alexander walked toward a Republican conference dinner featuring a taco buffet after a pull-aside with fellow swing vote Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R-Alaska ) .
In a late-night statement Thursday , Murkowski said : “ I am going to go reflect on what I have heard , re-read my notes and decide whether I need to hear more.
” Republican moods elevated just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican senators in asking Democratic impeachment managers to contrast bipartisanship in the Trump case with the Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon impeachments .
Alexander was tardy to the Senate chamber following a 5 minute evening break .
He had been speaking with Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , who has emphatically said he ’ s ready to end the trial without witnesses .
A joint question from Graham , Alexander , Murkowski , and other senators asked Trump ’ s legal team for its opinion on whether Bolton ’ s testimony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , “ would add nothing to this case ” because the “ allegations still would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense.
” On Friday , the Senate will convene at 1 p.m. for a four-hour debate on whether witnesses are needed .
If Democrats are defeated , senators expect to enter a series of Democrat-forced messaging votes before a final vote to acquit Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .

Sen. Lamar Alexander said late Thursday that he will oppose calling witnesses in President Trump’s impeachment trial, deflating Democrats.
The Tennessee Republican’s decision means the trial could end in acquittal as early as Friday night.
Alexander, who is retiring, said in a statement that Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate Democrats including Joe Biden was “inappropriate” but did not cross a threshold for removal from office.
“It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation,” Alexander wrote in a 15-tweet statement.
“The Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year’s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate,” Alexander wrote.
The senator said the allegations against Trump do not meet the Constitution’s requirement of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors” to be convicted.
“If this shallow, hurried and wholly partisan impeachment were to succeed, it would rip the country apart, pouring gasoline on the fire of cultural divisions that already exist,” Alexander wrote. “It would create the weapon of perpetual impeachment to be used against future presidents whenever the House of Representatives is of a different political party.”
Alexander’s announcement followed a dramatic, nearly four-hour notice. He declined to personally deliver the news to journalists who followed him to a car before 11 p.m.
Alexander had expressed openness to calling witnesses, making him the potential fourth Republican allowing Democrats to reach a 51-vote majority. But his decision to not call witnesses makes defeat for Democrats nearly certain.
Two Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) — have said they would like to call witnesses including former national security adviser John Bolton, who claims in a forthcoming book that Trump confessed to withholding Ukraine aid to force investigation of Democrats, the central allegation against him.
Collins and Romney only get Democrats to 49 votes, with 51 needed to call witnesses — or perhaps 50, if Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts intervenes. Many Republican senators have refused to speak with reporters during the trial, adding to the uncertainty.
Senators and journalists closely read apparent clues in the lead-up to Alexander’s announcement.
When senators took a dinner break Thursday, Alexander walked toward a Republican conference dinner featuring a taco buffet after a pull-aside with fellow swing vote Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
In a late-night statement Thursday, Murkowski said: “I am going to go reflect on what I have heard, re-read my notes and decide whether I need to hear more.”
Republican moods elevated just before dinner when Alexander joined two fellow Republican senators in asking Democratic impeachment managers to contrast bipartisanship in the Trump case with the Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon impeachments.
Alexander was tardy to the Senate chamber following a five-minute evening break. He had been speaking with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who has emphatically said he’s ready to end the trial without witnesses.
A joint question from Graham, Alexander, Murkowski and other senators asked Trump’s legal team for its opinion on whether Bolton’s testimony, even if it matches reporting on his book, “would add nothing to this case” because the “allegations still would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense.”
On Friday, the Senate will convene at 1 p.m. for a four-hour debate on whether witnesses are needed. If Democrats are defeated, senators expect to enter a series of Democrat-forced messaging votes before a final vote to acquit Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Hiker rescued by helicopter after falling near Hollywood sign

A woman fell down a hillside while hiking near the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles , fire officials said .
The injured woman , who was not immediately identified , fell early Sunday in the 3400 block of North Beachwood Drive — just southeast of the landmark sign and its 45-foot letters , according to the Los Angeles Fire Department .
The woman , who had potentially traumatic injuries , was rescued by helicopter after falling roughly 15 feet .
The extent of her injuries was not immediately clear , fire officials said .
The incident was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving hikers in Los Angeles , fire officials said .
About an hour earlier , a 30-year-old woman had to airlifted out of Runyon Canyon Park after becoming unable to walk , according to department officials .
She was rushed to a hospital , where her injuries were unknown late Sunday .
In another rescue , firefighters had to use a two-line rope system to retrieve a man who fell 75 feet over the side of a hill in Brentwood .
He also suffered unspecified traumatic injuries , department officials said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills .
The severity of his injuries was unclear , fire officials said .
Additional information on the rescues , as well as the condition of the injured hikers , was not immediately available early Monday .

A woman fell down a hillside while hiking near the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, fire officials said.
The injured woman, who was not immediately identified, fell early Sunday in the 3400 block of North Beachwood Drive — just southeast of the landmark sign and its 45-foot letters, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The woman, who had potentially traumatic injuries, was rescued by helicopter after falling roughly 15 feet. The extent of her injuries was not immediately clear, fire officials said.
The incident was one of at least four emergency calls on Sunday involving hikers in Los Angeles, fire officials said.
About an hour earlier, a 30-year-old woman had to be airlifted out of Runyon Canyon Park after becoming unable to walk, according to department officials. She was rushed to a hospital, where her injuries were unknown late Sunday.
In another rescue, firefighters had to use a two-line rope system to retrieve a man who fell 75 feet over the side of a hill in Brentwood. He also suffered unspecified traumatic injuries, department officials said.
A man also hurt his leg while hiking near Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills. The severity of his injuries was unclear, fire officials said.
Additional information on the rescues, as well as the condition of the injured hikers, was not immediately available early Monday.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has been nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize by two Swedish lawmakers , a report said on Monday .
Jens Holm and Hakan Svenneling , members of Sweden ’ s Left Party , said the 17-year-old Thunberg “ has worked hard to make politicians open their eyes to the climate crisis.
” Her work toward “ reducing our emissions and complying with the Paris Agreement is therefore also an act of making peace , ” they said .
The Paris accord , from which President Trump withdrew in June 2017 , seeks to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emissions .
Thunberg , who has encouraged students to skip school to attend rallies for the environment , has spoken out on the world stage about climate change — including at the United Nations General Assembly last September , at the UN ’ s annual COP25 climate meeting in Madrid in December and most recently at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland .
“ I wonder , what will you tell your children was the reason to fail and leave them facing the climate chaos you knowingly brought upon them ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world business and political leaders in Switzerland last month .
Thunberg , who was named Time magazine ’ s 2019 “ Person of the Year , ” was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year by three members of Norway ’ s parliament .
Ethiopia ’ s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 award for negotiating peace with neighboring Eritrea .
Nominations for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize had to be submitted by Feb. 1 .

Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has been nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize by two Swedish lawmakers, a report said on Monday.
Jens Holm and Hakan Svenneling, members of Sweden’s Left Party, said the 17-year-old Thunberg “has worked hard to make politicians open their eyes to the climate crisis.”
Her work toward “reducing our emissions and complying with the Paris Agreement is therefore also an act of making peace,” they said.
The Paris accord, from which President Trump withdrew the US in June 2017, seeks to combat the rise in global temperatures by reducing emissions.
Thunberg, who has encouraged students to skip school to attend rallies for the environment, has spoken out on the world stage about climate change — including at the United Nations General Assembly last September, at the UN’s annual COP25 climate meeting in Madrid in December and most recently at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“I wonder, what will you tell your children was the reason to fail and leave them facing the climate chaos you knowingly brought upon them?” she mused to the gathering of world business and political leaders in Switzerland last month.
Thunberg, who was named Time magazine’s 2019 “Person of the Year,” was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year by three members of Norway’s parliament.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 award for negotiating peace with neighboring Eritrea.
Nominations for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize had to be submitted by Feb. 1.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesn’t comment on nominations.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Super Bowl fan caught sleeping during first quarter

It really was sack time for this Super Bowl fan .
A fan went viral during the big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers when he was caught snoozing – during the first quarter .
“ Somehow , this man is sleeping through the # SuperBowl , ” Sporting News Deputy Editor Karisa Maxwell said on Twitter , where she posted video of the man with mouth agape in the lower deck at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami .
“ We ’ re still only in the first quarter , ” she added .
Minutes later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woke up … oh , no should I tell him ?
” She then added : “ Oh no… His friend is currently showing him the video .
The whole section knows .
WHAT DO I DO ?
!
” Before too long , the “ # SuperBowlSleeper ” hashtag was born , E Online reported .
“ Give the poor guy a beer and make a friend , ” another wrote .
“ Just tell him he ’ s going to be the unofficial meme of Super Bowl LIV , ” yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You got ta be rich to spend $ 1500 plus on a super bowl ticket just to sleep at the game.
” Impressed by his slumber skills , another wrote , “ No sleep mask .
No ear plugs .
No weighted blanket .
Pure talent .
# Respect.
” It was unclear which team he rooted for , but if it was Kansas City , hopefully he didn ’ t sleep through the entire game , which the Chiefs won 31-20 after Patrick Mahomes threw two TD passes in the fourth @ @

It really was sack time for this Super Bowl fan.
A fan went viral during the big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers when he was caught snoozing — during the first quarter.
“Somehow, this man is sleeping through the #SuperBowl,” Sporting News deputy editor Karisa Maxwell said on Twitter, where she posted video of the man with mouth agape in the lower deck at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
“We’re still only in the first quarter,” she added.
Minutes later, Maxwell wrote. “He just woke up … oh, no should I tell him?”
She then added: “Oh no… His friend is currently showing him the video. The whole section knows. WHAT DO I DO?!”
Before too long, the “#SuperBowlSleeper” hashtag was born, E Online reported.
“Become a legend and interview him lol,” a follower suggested.
“Give the poor guy a beer and make a friend,” another wrote.
“Just tell him he’s going to be the unofficial meme of Super Bowl LIV,” yet another said.
One person wrote, “You gotta be rich to spend $1500 plus on a super bowl ticket just to sleep at the game.”
Impressed by his slumber skills, another wrote, “No sleep mask. No ear plugs. No weighted blanket. Pure talent. #Respect.”
It was unclear which team he rooted for, but if it was Kansas City, hopefully he didn’t sleep through the entire game, which the Chiefs won 31-20 after Patrick Mahomes threw two TD passes in the fourth quarter.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Burglars bash through wall in Queens noodle house heist: cops

Two ravenous crooks burglarized a Queens noodle house — by busting through the basement wall of an unoccupied building next @ @ @ @ @ .
The brawny duo burgled Shang Noodle House in Flushing on Tuesday at around 6:15 @ @ @ @ @ three tablets and about $ 1,000 in cash , police said .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ two unidentified men were able to bash their way through the basement wall , cops @ @

That’s using your noodle.
Two ravenous crooks burglarized a Queens noodle house — by busting through the basement wall of an unoccupied building next door, cops said Monday.
The brawny duo burgled Shang Noodle House in Flushing around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, slipping away with three tablets and about $1,000 in cash, police said.
It’s not immediately clear how the two unidentified men were able to bash their way through the basement wall, cops said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--UK teacher claims he beat coronavirus with ‘hot whisky and honey’

Three more people in California , including a husband and wife , ...

The first Briton believed to have been diagnosed with coronavirus reckons he cured himself with “hot whisky and honey.”
Teacher Connor Reed, 25, told the Sun that he thought he was “going to die” when he was hospitalized two months ago in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak that has killed more than 360 people.
Yet he claims he refused to take antibiotics — and instead used an inhaler and “drank a hot whisky with honey until that ran out.”
“It’s an old-fashioned remedy but it seemed to do the trick,” he told the UK paper. “I am proof coronavirus can be beaten.”
Reed, who moved to Wuhan last summer to teach English, went to a hospital after a bad cough left him struggling to breathe, he said.
After two weeks in the hospital, he was finally discharged — and only later learned that he had been diagnosed with the virus that has sickened more than 17,000 people around the world.
“I was stunned when the doctors told me I was suffering from the virus,” he told the Sun. “I thought I was going to die but I managed to beat it.”
Reed’s cat, however, wasn’t able to beat the virus after also apparently falling ill.
“My kitten caught the feline coronavirus and developed pneumonia and died, but I don’t think I caught it from her,” Reed told North Wales Live. “I think that was just coincidence.”
It’s unclear whether the cat was suffering from the same strain of the coronavirus since there have been no reported cases of pets contracting the illness currently gripping China.
“No particular event has been reported in any species,” the World Health Organization said.
Meanwhile, Wuhan is “becoming a real ghost town,” Reed told the paper, adding, “The authorities are really worried about how to contain this and stop it spreading.”
He claims Britain’s Foreign Office was “disinterested” when he called to say he had been diagnosed.
“They kept asking if I wanted a place on a flight out but I said no. I’ll stick it out here,” he told the paper.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Montana firefighter says she was axed over racy Instagram pics

Sam Springsteen may have been born to run into burning ...

A Montana firefighter claims she was fired for posting provocative workout photos to her Instagram account, according to new reports.
Presley Pritchard, 27, formerly a part-time firefighter paramedic with Evergreen Fire Rescue, filed a wrongful termination claim with the department — alleging that officials fired her because of her gender and singled her out over her social media use, the Daily Inter Lake reported.
Pritchard, who has about 139,000 Instagram followers, is also a personal trainer and posts videos of herself working out in the gym, shooting her gun and snowboarding.
The trouble began for Pritchard back in July 2018 when an Evergreen Fire District board member claimed a “concerned citizen” contacted him about Pritchard’s social media activity, she told VICE last week.
Since then, she was reprimanded about 20 times over her social media posts — her superiors scolding her over how she looked in her uniform, and her workout attire both at the fire station and her personal gym, she told the outlet.
“It was just ongoing — they would call me in for everything,” she said. “It was just always like walking on eggshells there.”
Someone even complained that Pritchard’s standard-issue women’s pants were too provocative, so the department issued her men’s uniform pants, she claimed.
“So I was like wow, fine, I’ll wear men’s pants!” she told VICE. “Are you serious? Am I supposed to leave my butt at home?”
In a February 2019 Instagram post, Pritchard is shown standing in front of a fire truck wearing an Evergreen Fire Rescue T-shirt and tight-fitting dark blue pants.
“My face when someone mentions how I’m ‘provocative’ in professional attire,” she posted, with a laughing emoji. “If you’re a female in this field, especially an attractive or curvy girl, you’re GOING TO be ridiculed. You’re going to be mocked, made fun of, talked about poorly, judged by looks.”
She told VICE her male colleagues have posted similar content.
“It’s just really, really hypocritical,” she said. “It just sucks, because you see firefighters out here with these sexy firefighter calendars, and if females did that, they would literally be like, beaten to death. Everyone would call them sluts and whores. But it’s OK for guys, just like how it was OK for every guy in my department to have photos of themselves at training.”
Pritchard was sacked last August because she left photos of herself in uniform and other content related to her work online after being asked to remove them within five days, she told VICE.
But she claimed she didn’t take them down on the advice of a lawyer who said that she didn’t have to, because the department did not have a written “standard social media policy.”
In late December, Evergreen Fire Chief Craig Williams told the Daily Inter Lake in a statement that the district employs a “diverse staff … of which nearly half are female” and has “established policies and procedures to address complaints.”
“The District takes very seriously all allegations it receives concerning workplace conditions,” Williams said. “While the Complainant never made or reported any allegations to the District while she was employed, the District hired an independent investigator to complete an investigation concerning the validity of the complaints. After a thorough investigation, no evidence was found to support any of the Complainant’s allegations.”
Now, Pritchard is studying for her flight paramedic test and says she hopes to encourage other women dealing with similar issues at work.
“It’s really important that somebody stands up for it and speaks out, and I don’t really care!” she told VICE. “I’m like, say whatever you want, I have thick skin. Others don’t.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--El Chapo’s daughter marries nephew of another crime kingpin in Mexican cathedral

El Chapo ’ s daughter has married the nephew of another feared drug kingpin — arriving at a heavily secured Mexican cathedral in a white bulletproof limo , according to reports .
Alejandrina Gisselle Guzmán Salazar , 33 , wed Édgar Cázares , the nephew of Blanca Margarita Cazares , an alleged cartel money launderer dubbed “ The Empress , ” according to Mexican media .
The lavish ceremony late last month was held amid tight security at the cathedral of Culiacán , the city at the heart of Mexico ’ s powerful Sinaloa Cartel that was once led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was obviously missing for the big day — serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado .
Instead , Alejandrina — wearing a stunning white lace dress and a tiara — shared the dance floor with her mother , Maria , who was El Chapo ’ s first wife , according to The Sun .
Social media posts from the ceremony last month showed popular Mexican bands and singers performed for the pair at the cathedral that was cordoned off by yellow police tape .
The newlyweds were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watched fireworks explode overhead in celebration of their nuptials .
The Sinaloa Cartel has kept a firm grip on the drug trade even after El Chapo ’ s imprisonment , with officials saying his sons and their associates taking control .
Hundreds of heavily armed Sinaloa Cartel members , guns blazing , last year took the modern city of about a million people hostage after son Ovidio was detained .
Within hours , he was released .
Meanwhile , the bride has also been capitalizing on her father ’ s legacy , launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chapo ” beer .
That the cartel was able to take over an esteemed cathedral sparked outrage in Mexico .
“ It is a reminder of how deeply embedded and powerful the Guzmán family remains in Sinaloa ’ s society , ” Falko Ernst , senior Mexico analyst for the International Crisis Group , told The Guardian .
“ They are effectively part of the elite .
They are treated as such by other members of the elite , including parts of the church.
” Rodolfo Soriano-Nuñez , a sociologist who studies the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to organized crime has been “ one of many Achilles heels of the Mexican church ” for 30 years at least .
“ Locking down the cathedral and pretty much giving it away gives very bad optics and forces one to raise all sorts of questions regarding the decision-making process , ” Soriano-Nuñez said .

El Chapo’s daughter has married the nephew of another feared drug kingpin — arriving at a heavily secured Mexican cathedral in a white bulletproof limo, according to reports.
Alejandrina Gisselle Guzmán Salazar, 33, wed Édgar Cázares, the nephew of Blanca Margarita Cazares, an alleged cartel money launderer dubbed “The Empress,” according to Mexican media.
The lavish ceremony late last month was held amid tight security at the cathedral of Culiacán, the city at the heart of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa Cartel that was once led by the father of the bride, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
He was obviously missing for the big day — serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado.
Instead, Alejandrina — wearing a stunning white lace dress and a tiara — shared the dance floor with her mother, Maria, who was El Chapo’s first wife, according to the Sun.
Social media posts from the ceremony last month showed popular Mexican bands and singers performed for the pair at the cathedral that was cordoned off by yellow police tape.
The newlyweds were also shown from behind holding hands as they watched fireworks explode overhead in celebration of their nuptials.
The Sinaloa Cartel has kept a firm grip on the drug trade even after El Chapo’s imprisonment, with officials saying his sons and their associates are taking control.
Hundreds of heavily armed Sinaloa Cartel members, guns blazing, last year took the modern city of about a million people hostage after son Ovidio was detained. Within hours, he was released.
Meanwhile, the bride has also been capitalizing on her father’s legacy, launching a clothing line and even “El Chapo” beer.
That the cartel was able to take over an esteemed cathedral sparked outrage in Mexico.
“It is a reminder of how deeply embedded and powerful the Guzmán family remains in Sinaloa’s society,” Falko Ernst, senior Mexico analyst for the International Crisis Group, told the Guardian.
“They are effectively part of the elite. They are treated as such by other members of the elite, including parts of the church.”
Rodolfo Soriano-Nuñez, a sociologist who studies the Mexican Catholic Church, said that ties to organized crime has been “one of many Achilles heels of the Mexican church” for 30 years at least.
“Locking down the cathedral and pretty much giving it away gives very bad optics and forces one to raise all sorts of questions regarding the decision-making process,” Soriano-Nuñez said.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--The best Super Bowl commercials of 2020

The best Super Bowl commercials of 2020

The Kansas City Chiefs may have stolen the game on Sunday night , but these ads were winners in their @ @ @ @ @ 2020 commercials were weird and wild — but also heartwarming , inspiring and boundary-breaking .
@ @ @ @ @ sprinkled in a dash of quirky humor , and those that played into the absurd @ @ @ @ @ , according to a team of top ad executives assembled by The Post .
As @ @ @ @ @ featured some of the biggest names in show business , like “ Captain America ” @ @ @ @ @ and Jimmy Fallon .
They were also pricey , with the average cost of a @ @ @ @ @ record-high of $ 5.6 million .
Here are this year ’ s best commercials , @ @ @ @ @ according to our experts

1. NFL -- "Inspire Change" The NFL itself also touched on politics in this emotional 60-second spot, which aired right before kickoff. The PSA for the league’s “Inspire Change” initiative focuses on the 2015 police shooting death of Corey Jones, the cousin of former San Francisco 49ers player Anquan Boldin. In it, the ex-wide receiver recounts how his relative’s story inspired him to start the Players Coalition, a nonprofit that works to end racial inequality and social injustice. “Loved the execution of the NFL spot that turned into the open of the game,” said Jennifer DaSilva, president at Berlin Cameron.
2. Amazon -- "Before Alexa" Celebrity couple Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi lead off this ad with a joke about what life could have possibly been like pre-Alexa. A cast of odd characters then appear throughout eras of history to ask for things they’d normally request from the voice-activated virtual assistant. The whirlwind ad was entertaining and with Ellen’s star power, “worth every penny,” said Emi Morita, creative lead at the Via Agency. “I just love Ellen. Who doesn’t?” said Morita. “The teasers were fun and the spot was great.” But even if the commercial won’t blow your mind, it will “entertain your pants off and make having a talking speaker in your house seem like a no-brainer,” added Jay Norman, creative director at Doner.
3. Google -- "Loretta" Google tugged at heartstrings with a “beautiful, simple [and] very well-told” story of an elderly man using the little-known Google Assistant feature to help him remember his late wife, Loretta. “I’m not crying, you’re crying!” was the reaction of Frank Cartagena, chief creative officer at The Community agency in New York. Set to instrumental music, the voice of an 85-year-old widower is heard asking Google to “show me photos of me and Loretta together” as a slideshow of images appears. Google aids him in recalling everything from Loretta’s favorite movie (“Casablanca”) to her favorite flower (tulips) and how she told him, “Don’t miss me too much, and get out of the dang house.” “While the default mode for Super Bowl is to try and make us laugh, Google once again reminds us that even a technology behemoth can connect on an emotional level,” said Chris Graves, chief creative officer at Team One. The ad also helps to make technology seem more approachable. “At a time when many Americans are suspicious of technology, this commercial helps to humanize it and give it a heart,” said Jennifer DaSilva, president at Berlin Cameron. Finally, its simplicity made it something anyone with a heart can connect with.
4. Hyundai -- "Smaht Pahk" You don’t have to be from Boston to enjoy this ad from Hyundai — thankfully. Maybe that’s because it’s packed with celebrities, like Evans, John Krasinski of “The Office” fame and Rachel Dratch of “Saturday Night Live” — all Massachusetts natives. There’s even a surprise cameo from Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz, aka “Big Papi.” The ad features Evans and Dratch springing into an accented back-and-forth over whether Krasinski will be able to “pahk” his Hyundai Sonata in a tight spot — rattling off landmarks like the Boston “hahbah” and the Boston “gahden.” Fortunately, thanks to the company’s new automated “smart parking” — or “smaht pahking” — Krasinski is able to maneuver the vehicle without a problem. Our experts found the ad “wicked smaht” for its use of big-name stars, humor, memorability and ability to sneak in a product demo. “Everyone who watches this will walk away knowing exactly what Smart Park is. It think that represents a victory,” said Jean Morrow, writer and creative director at Pereira & O’Dell. And while the connection between a Korean car brand and Boston wasn’t immediately clear, it didn’t matter much. “The best part of this ad is the Patriots aren’t in the Super Bowl,” quipped Markyle Rondon, social media coordinator at T3.
5. Budweiser -- "Typical American" This heartfelt, patriotic ode is sure to be part of Monday’s water cooler discussion, our experts said. Directed by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow and produced by the David Miami agency, the spot challenges stereotypes of a “Typical American” by showcasing the extraordinary actions of ordinary Americans. “Budweiser creates a timely, heartfelt tribute to America in 2020,” said Graves. “There are very few brands that can do it authentically, and certainly no other beer.” The ad was a welcome, thoughtful cultural commentary, done in a tasteful, apolitical fashion, our experts said. “A much-needed bit of affirmation, and a reminder to look beyond labels,” said Graves. “[It] successfully walks a non-partisan political line, so people of every stripe can interpret it through their own filters.”
6. Jeep -- "Groundhog Day" With the Super Bowl falling on Groundhog Day, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that at least one of the commercials would pay homage to the iconic 1993 movie. Bill Murray starred in Jeep’s spot, which shows the actor reliving the same day as he drives around in one of their cars, with Punxsutawney Phil in tow. The combination of humor and nostalgia was a hit with our experts. “Jeep’s Groundhog Day remake had smart insight and a charming groundhog helmet,” said Morrow.
7. Cheetos -- "Can't Touch This" There was some ’80s nostalgia among this year’s crop of ads — and that included an appearance from “Can’t Touch This” rapper MC Hammer in the Cheetos commercial. The cheesy yet charming spot tackled the age-old issue of getting Cheetos dust all over your fingers. “I can almost see the pitch in my head. ‘MC Hammer, can’t touch things because of Cheeto dust.’ So simple,” said Norman. Morrow added: “Perfect combination of a great song, a great idea and a baby MC Hammer.”
8. Snickers -- "Fix the World" Declaring that the world is out of sorts, Snickers attempts to fix it with candy. The commercial features a catchy original song and touches on a serious sentiment in a quirky way. “This spot is extremely funny without pretending it has any of the answers,” said Morrow. It’s also an original extension of the brand’s “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry” catchphrase, our experts said. “I particularly like the odd combination of hope and goofiness that feels just right for this moment in history,” said Graves. Topical but fun, Cartagena added: “Even though it’s ridiculous, you actually leave thinking, ‘Yeah, maybe a giant Snickers could help this crazy world…’”
9. Verizon -- "What We Won't Do" Verizon used its 2020 spot to celebrate first responders. Harrison Ford narrated the touching ad, addressing everything the company’s 5G can achieve — and pointing out what it can’t. “5G won’t replace the courage it takes to run into the fire,” Ford says. “It won’t make the decision to become an officer any less selfless. Or have any impact on what’s required to put others’ lives before your own. It can’t take the place of bravery or substitute for compassion.” Heartwarming and simple, the commercial hit home for our team of experts. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the brands divorcing their ads from their products in favor of highlighting the people that use them. We’re looking at you, Verizon,” said Rondon. Added DaSilva: “We salute Verizon for saluting the courage of those who serve.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--BAFTA Awards 2020 winners: Complete list with nominees

The BAFTA Film Awards have named Sam Mendes ’ “ 1917 ” Best Film at its annual ceremony Sunday in London , exactly one week before this compressed film awards season concludes with the 92nd Oscars .
Mendes ’ World War I epic from Universal and Amblin/DreamWorks picked up a leading seven awards , including Mendes for Best Director .
The film repeated its Best Picture wins at the DGA and PGA as well as the Golden Globes .
Mendes , a UK native , previously won Director honors at the Globes and Critics ’ Choice .
Tonight , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Film , Roger Deakins ’ Cinematography , Production Design , VFX and Sound .
It has been ramping up its momentum after being one of the last of the season ’ s awards contenders to hit theaters .
It had nine BAFTA noms coming in , behind Warner Bros ’ “ Joker ” which had 11 .
Also like the Oscars , Netflix ’ s “ The Irishman ” and Sony ’ s “ Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ” had 10 noms apiece .
As for “ Joker , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oscar Best Actor favorite Joaquin Phoenix , who had the speech of the night in light of this season ’ s diversity and inclusion spotlight that also impacted BAFTA ’ s noms .
Hildur Guðnadóttir also won for Original Score and Shayna Markowitz for Casting , the latter a new award this year .
In fact , with Phoenix all Lead and Supporting actor frontrunners — Phoenix , Renee Zellweger for Roadside/LD ’ s “ Judy , ” Laura Dern for Netflix ’ s “ Marriage Story ” and Brad Pitt for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , respectively — won again tonight .
Also repeating previous feats were Neon ’ s “ Parasite ” ( Han Jin Won , Bong Joon Ho ) and Searchlight ’ s “ Jojo Rabbit ” ( Taika Wiatiti ) , who won for Original and Adapted screenplay — both did the same thing at the WGA Awards less than 24 hours earlier .
Graham Norton hosted for the first time in the show at the Royal Albert Hall , which is delayed two hours even in the UK and will air later tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on BBC America .
Here are the winners : FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE “ LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE ( IF YOU ’ RE A GIRL ) ” Carol Dysinger , Elena Andreicheva

The BAFTA Film Awards have named Sam Mendes’ “1917” Best Film at its annual ceremony Sunday in London, exactly one week before this compressed film awards season concludes with the 92nd Oscars.
Mendes’ World War I epic from Universal and Amblin/DreamWorks picked up a leading seven awards, including Mendes for Best Director. The film repeated its Best Picture wins at the DGA and PGA as well as the Golden Globes. Mendes, a UK native, previously won Director honors at the Globes and Critics’ Choice.
Tonight, “1917” also won for Best British Film, Roger Deakins’ Cinematography, Production Design, VFX and Sound. It has been ramping up its momentum after being one of the last of the season’s awards contenders to hit theaters. It had nine BAFTA noms coming in, behind Warner Bros’ “Joker” which had 11. Also like the Oscars, Netflix’s “The Irishman” and Sony’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” had 10 noms apiece.
As for “Joker,” it won three awards — including for consensus Oscar Best Actor favorite Joaquin Phoenix, who had the speech of the night in light of this season’s diversity and inclusion spotlight that also impacted BAFTA’s noms. Hildur Guðnadóttir also won for Original Score and Shayna Markowitz for Casting, the latter a new award this year.
In fact, with Phoenix all Lead and Supporting actor frontrunners — Phoenix, Renee Zellweger for Roadside/LD’s “Judy,” Laura Dern for Netflix’s “Marriage Story” and Brad Pitt for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, respectively — won again tonight. Also repeating previous feats were Neon’s “Parasite” (Han Jin Won, Bong Joon Ho) and Searchlight’s “Jojo Rabbit” (Taika Wiatiti), who won for Original and Adapted screenplay — both did the same thing at the WGA Awards less than 24 hours earlier.
Graham Norton hosted for the first time in the show at the Royal Albert Hall, which is delayed two hours even in the UK and will air later tonight on BBC One and in the U.S. on BBC America.
Here are the winners:
BEST FILM
“1917”
Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Sam Mendes, Jayne-Ann Tenggren
LEADING ACTRESS
RENÉE ZELLWEGER
“Judy”
LEADING ACTOR
JOAQUIN PHOENIX
“Joker”
DIRECTOR
“1917”
Sam Mendes
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
“1917”
Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
“BAIT”
Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director), Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Producers)
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
“PARASITE”
Bong Joon Ho
DOCUMENTARY
“FOR SAMA”
Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
ANIMATED FILM
“KLAUS”
Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“PARASITE”
Han Jin Won, Bong Joon Ho
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“JOJO RABBIT”
Taika Waititi
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
LAURA DERN
“Marriage Story”
SUPPORTING ACTOR
BRAD PITT
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
ORIGINAL SCORE
“JOKER”
Hildur Guðnadóttir
CASTING
“JOKER”
Shayna Markowitz
CINEMATOGRAPHY
“1917”
Roger Deakins
EDITING
“FORD V FERRARI (LE MANS ’66)”
Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker
PRODUCTION DESIGN
“1917”
Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
COSTUME DESIGN
“LITTLE WOMEN”
Jacqueline Durran
MAKE UP & HAIR
“BOMBSHELL”
Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
SOUND
“1917”
Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
“1917”
Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
“GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC”
Maryam Mohajer
BRITISH SHORT FILM
“LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL)”
Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva
EE RISING STAR AWARD
Micheal Ward
OUTSTANDING BRITISH CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA
Andy Serkis


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Chinese stocks plummet as coronavirus outbreak worsens

China ’ s stock markets reopened to massive losses Monday as investors continued to grapple with the increasingly dire coronavirus outbreak .
The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 7.7 percent at 2,746.61 , suffering its worst daily drop in more than four years on the first day of trading after an extended Lunar New Year holiday .
Some $ 393 billion was reportedly taken off the benchmark Chinese index as more than 2,500 stocks sank by the 10 percent daily limit amid pressure from the coronavirus , which has killed more than 360 people and sickened more than 17,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.9 percent — the largest loss since August 2015 — with technology , telecom and commodities companies leading the way , according to Bloomberg News .
“ It is really hard to trade stocks , ” Li Shuwei , the chairman at Beijing WanDeFu Investment Management Co. , told Bloomberg .
“ It ’ s impossible to predict how this disease will develop .
Even the experts have no clear idea when the outbreak will end , let alone stock traders.
” But US stock futures pointed to modest gains Monday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ futures were up 0.4 percent at 28,318.00 as of 6:59 a.m. after the blue-chip index lost more than 600 points on Friday .
Nasdaq futures were recently up about 0.5 percent at 9,046.00 , while S & P 500 futures rose 0.5 percent to 3,240.00 .
Monday was the first chance that Chinese markets had to react to the outbreak since Jan. 23 , when the death toll from the virus was just 17 .
The Shanghai Composite also reportedly saw the worst end to a lunar year in its history ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government extended as the virus spread .
The People ’ s Bank of China flooded money markets with 1.2 trillion yuan , or about $ 173.8 billion , and cut an interest rate by 10 basis points as the stock market sank , a move apparently meant to support growth as the virus threatens the Chinese economy .
“ It is a clear message that they want to take growth-supportive measures and keep the market reassured , ” said Mayank Mishra , a macro strategist at Singapore ’ s Standard Chartered Bank @

China’s stock markets reopened to massive losses Monday as investors continued to grapple with the increasingly dire coronavirus outbreak.
The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 7.7 percent at 2,746.61, suffering its worst daily drop in more than four years on the first day of trading after an extended Lunar New Year holiday.
Some $393 billion was reportedly taken off the benchmark Chinese index as more than 2,500 stocks sank by the 10 percent daily limit amid pressure from the coronavirus, which has killed more than 360 people and sickened more than 17,000.
The CSI 300 Index also closed down 7.9 percent — the largest loss since August 2015 — with technology, telecom and commodities companies leading the way, according to Bloomberg News.
“It is really hard to trade stocks,” Li Shuwei, the chairman at Beijing WanDeFu Investment Management Co., told Bloomberg. “It’s impossible to predict how this disease will develop. Even the experts have no clear idea when the outbreak will end, let alone stock traders.”
But US stock futures pointed to modest gains Monday morning, despite the huge declines abroad. Dow futures were up 0.4 percent at 28,318.00 as of 6:59 a.m. after the blue-chip index lost more than 600 points on Friday. Nasdaq futures were recently up about 0.5 percent at 9,046.00, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.5 percent to 3,240.00.
Monday was the first chance that Chinese markets had to react to the outbreak since Jan. 23, when the death toll from the virus was just 17. The Shanghai Composite also reportedly saw the worst end to a lunar year in its history ahead of the roughly week-long holiday, which the Chinese government extended as the virus spread.
The People’s Bank of China flooded money markets with 1.2 trillion yuan, or about $173.8 billion, and cut an interest rate by 10 basis points as the stock market sank, a move apparently meant to support growth as the virus threatens the Chinese economy.
“It is a clear message that they want to take growth-supportive measures and keep the market reassured,” said Mayank Mishra, a macro strategist at Singapore’s Standard Chartered Bank.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--China Eastern Airlines suspends flights to US due to coronavirus

China Eastern Airlines announced that it is suspending its flights from Shanghai to New York and other US cities due to the rapidly spreading Wuhan coronavirus .
The carrier canceled flights from the sprawling Chinese city to the Big Apple and Los Angeles through Feb. 10 , citing “ the recent public health incident , ” according to a notice circulated to travel agents , CNN Business reported .
The company also is canceling flights from Shanghai to San Francisco on Thursday and Sunday , to Chicago on Saturday and to Honolulu from Monday until March 27 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , San Francisco and Vancouver that originate in Chengdu or Kunming with layovers in Nanjing or Qingdao also have been canceled this week , CNN reported .
“ In the days to come , China Eastern will pay close attention to the epidemic , and may further adjust the arrangements of flights , ” according to the notice .
Hawaii Lt. Gov .
Josh Green , a physician , said “ it ’ s a good thing that China Eastern has suspended their flights , but we still need to be vigilant about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries to our state , ” according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser .
The US has declared a public health emergency due to the outbreak , placing a temporary ban on foreigners who recently traveled to China — other than immediate family of US citizens and permanent residents .
The federal government also ordered a 14-day quarantine of those who visited Hubei province – where the epicenter city of Wuhan is located — within two weeks .
There are 3,000 American citizens potentially returning from China , but most live on the mainland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news outlet .
Major international airlines including Air Canada , British Airways , Delta , Lufthansa and Qatar also have suspended all flights to mainland China amid the outbreak .

China Eastern Airlines announced that it is suspending its flights from Shanghai to New York and other US cities due to the rapidly spreading Wuhan coronavirus.
The carrier canceled flights from the sprawling Chinese city to the Big Apple and Los Angeles through Feb. 10, citing “the recent public health incident,” according to a notice circulated to travel agents, CNN Business reported.
The company also is canceling flights from Shanghai to San Francisco on Thursday and Sunday, to Chicago on Saturday and to Honolulu from Monday until March 27, according to the notice.
Several flights to LA, San Francisco and Vancouver that originate in Chengdu or Kunming with layovers in Nanjing or Qingdao also have been canceled this week, CNN reported.
“In the days to come, China Eastern will pay close attention to the epidemic, and may further adjust the arrangements of flights,” according to the notice.
Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a physician, said “it’s a good thing that China Eastern has suspended their flights, but we still need to be vigilant about any passengers that are redirected through other countries to our state,” according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The US has declared a public health emergency due to the outbreak, placing a temporary ban on foreigners who recently traveled to China — other than immediate family of US citizens and permanent residents.
The federal government also ordered a 14-day quarantine of those who visited Hubei province — where the epicenter city of Wuhan is located — within two weeks.
There are 3,000 American citizens potentially returning from China, but most live on the mainland and will require self-quarantine, Green told the news outlet.
Major international airlines including Air Canada, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa and Qatar also have suspended all flights to mainland China amid the outbreak.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Discovery of beheaded kitten fuels fears of serial cat killer

A heartbroken pet owner believes the Croydon Cat Killer has struck again after her kitten was found beheaded on the street .
Sian Louise Parsons , 26 , became worried on Wednesday morning after seven-month-old Neo didn ’ t return to her home in Brackley , Northants .
The customer service adviser called her local vets and was told a cat fitting his description had been handed in .
She left work and arrived at Croft Veterinary Centre with her partner Lee , 32 , to identify the mutilated remains of her “ baby.
” She said : “ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the police said it has not been recovered .
“ I didn ’ t look at him – I couldn ’ t because I didn ’ t want my last memory of him to be like that.
” The distraught owner said that while no evidence has been found there was a similar cat killing in Milton Keynes recently .
In that case , the head was also not recovered .
And Sian believes that the so-called Croydon cat killer – who has been linked with hundreds of pet deaths – is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Numerous similar cases are coming to light of heads being removed in a similar manner .
“ The vets said it appears a sharp implement was used .
“ I think the Croydon , or UK cat killer has struck again.
” “ My Facebook appeal for information has over 350,000 shares .
“ I want people to be aware that he is out there and make sure people can protect their animals and catch this person.
” Northamptonshire police are looking for the attacker .
Sian added : “ They need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the same way.
” Tony Jenkins , the founder of South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty , which was set up to find the “ Croydon Cat Killer ” , said : “ I strongly suspect it is our man , but I wouldn ’ t want to confirm without seeing the photos from the vets .
“ We had a case in 2016 in Brackley and there are signature injuries such as the head being removed .
“ I think it is the killer we are investigating.
” According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9.30pm on Tuesday and 11am the next day .
A spokeswoman said : “ This is obviously a very concerning incident and we are investigating what happened.
” Who is the Croydon Cat Killer ?
The apparent pet murder spree began in Croydon , South London in October 2015 .
Dubbed the ‘ Croydon Cat Killer , ’ the monster was initially believed to lure victims with food before bludgeoning them to death and then dissects them with a sharp knife .
Other similar cat killers were later identified across London and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away as Manchester , Sheffield , Birmingham and the Isle of Wight .
Some experts believed the perpetrator could be carrying out pet murders for sexual gratification .
Many of the corpses were found spread-eagled beneath their owners ’ bedroom windows .
Some of the decapitations appeared to be “ surgical ” and the cats were butchered in similar ways up and down the country .
A $ 13,000 reward was offered to anyone who had information that could lead to the arrest of a killer .
In September 2018 , nearly three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded there was no evidence of a human killer .
Instead , cops and experts revealed that they believe the spate of deaths were the result of scavenging animals like foxes attacking cats .

A heartbroken pet owner believes the Croydon Cat Killer has struck again after her kitten was found beheaded on the street.
Sian Louise Parsons, 26, became worried on Wednesday morning after seven-month-old Neo didn’t return to her home in Brackley, Northants.
The customer service adviser called her local vets and was told a cat fitting his description had been handed in.
She left work and arrived at Croft Veterinary Centre with her partner Lee, 32, to identify the mutilated remains of her “baby.”
She said: “He’d had his head cut off and the police said it has not been recovered.
“I didn’t look at him – I couldn’t because I didn’t want my last memory of him to be like that.”
The distraught owner said that while no evidence has been found there was a similar cat killing in Milton Keynes recently.
In that case, the head was also not recovered.
And Sian believes that the so-called Croydon cat killer – who has been linked with hundreds of pet deaths – is to blame.
She said: “Numerous similar cases are coming to light of heads being removed in a similar manner.
“The vets said it appears a sharp implement was used.
“I think the Croydon, or UK cat killer has struck again.”
“My Facebook appeal for information has over 350,000 shares.
“I want people to be aware that he is out there and make sure people can protect their animals and catch this person.”
Northamptonshire police are looking for the attacker.
Sian added: “They need to be stopped from hurting other animals and people in the same way.”
Tony Jenkins, the founder of South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty, which was set up to find the “Croydon Cat Killer”, said: “I strongly suspect it is our man, but I wouldn’t want to confirm without seeing the photos from the vets.
“We had a case in 2016 in Brackley and there are signature injuries such as the head being removed.
“I think it is the killer we are investigating.”
According to Northamptonshire police, the attack happened between 9.30pm on Tuesday and 11am the next day.
A spokeswoman said: “This is obviously a very concerning incident and we are investigating what happened.”
Who is the Croydon Cat Killer?
The apparent pet murder spree began in Croydon, South London in October 2015. Dubbed the ‘Croydon Cat Killer,’ the monster was initially believed to lure victims with food before bludgeoning them to death and then dissects them with a sharp knife. Other similar cat killers were later identified across London and the South East — and even as far away as Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and the Isle of Wight.
Some experts believed the perpetrator could be carrying out pet murders for sexual gratification. Many of the corpses were found spread-eagled beneath their owners’ bedroom windows. Some of the decapitations appeared to be “surgical” and the cats were butchered in similar ways up and down the country. A $13,000 reward was offered to anyone who had information that could lead to the arrest of a killer. In September 2018, nearly three years after the investigation began, police concluded there was no evidence of a human killer.
Instead, cops and experts revealed that they believe the spate of deaths were the result of scavenging animals like foxes attacking cats.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Baby pygmy chameleons are the size of a pencil eraser

Three pygmy chameleons have hatched at Britain ’ s Chester Zoo .
Native to Tanzania ’ s coastal forests in @ @ @ @ @ are among the smallest reptiles on Earth .
Like other chameleons , these fingernail-size animals @ @ @ @ @ in with their surroundings .

Three pygmy chameleons have hatched at Britain’s Chester Zoo. Native to Tanzania’s coastal forests in Africa, these tiny creatures are among the smallest reptiles on Earth. Like other chameleons, these fingernail-size animals can change color to blend in with their surroundings.
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newyorkpost--2020-02-03--China accuses US of spreading ‘panic’ over coronavirus outbreak

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Friday declared the coronavirus ...

The Chinese government on Monday accused the US of spreading “panic” over the coronavirus outbreak by pulling its citizens out of the country and restricting travel instead of offering significant assistance.
The US was the first country to begin evacuations, issued a travel warning against going to China, and from Sunday barred entry to foreigners recently in China.
Washington has “unceasingly manufactured and spread panic,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, noting that the World Health Organization had advised against trade and travel restrictions, according to Reuters.
“It is precisely developed countries like the United States with strong epidemic prevention capabilities and facilities that have taken the lead in imposing excessive restrictions contrary to WHO recommendations,” she added, saying countries should make reasoned and science-based judgments.
There are more than 17,000 confirmed cases of the virus in China. More than 360 people have died, all but one in the country.
At least another 171 cases have been reported in more than two dozen other countries and regions, including the US, where 11 cases have been confirmed, officials said Sunday.
There are three suspected cases in the Big Apple. The results of their tests are pending.
Conducting her daily news briefing via the WeChat app, Hua criticized Washington for lack of help, despite President Trump’s weekend comments that US officials had offered “tremendous help.”
“So far, the US government has yet to provide any substantial assistance to China,” she said.
But national security adviser Robert O’Brien told an interviewer that China had not yet accepted American offers of aid.
Trump said this weekend that the US had “shut down” the coronavirus threat.
“We can’t have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem,” he said on Fox.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said Monday it was working around the clock with internet and social media giants to fight widespread misinformation about the outbreak.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of the dangers posed by “the spread of rumors and misinformation,” according to Agence France-Presse.
“We have worked with Google to make sure people searching for information about coronavirus see WHO information at the top of their search results,” Tedros said in opening remarks to the UN health agency’s executive board meeting in Geneva.
“Social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Tencent and Tiktok have also taken steps to limit the spread of misinformation,” he said.
The WHO chief’s comments were interrupted by a fit of coughing, but he assured the assembly that there was no need to worry.
“It is not corona,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Super Bowl 2020: Patrick Mahomes leaves 49ers’ Nick Bosa in tears

MIAMI GARDENS , Fla. — Nick Bosa was in tears when Patrick Mahomes shattered his Super Bowl 2020 dreams .
Mahomes staged a heroic fourth-quarter comeback from a 10-point deficit to carry the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory over the distraught 49ers .
He left some of the 49ers defenders at a loss for words .
Bosa was asked if Mahomes looked like a completely different quarterback .
“ No , ” he said .
Richard Sherman was victimized on a 38-yard Sammy Watkins catch on the winning TD drive .
Did the 49ers change anything against Mahomes ?
DeForest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that surprised him .
“ No , ” Buckner said , “ it was the same stuff that we saw on film.
” But the stuff they saw on film destroyed them even after their vaunted pass-rushers had rattled him entering the fourth quarter .
“ He started feeling the pressure and he started throwing up ducks , ” Buckner said .
“ We got two picks .
We were getting in there with four .
It ’ s just there were times where he broke contain and he just made a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one.
” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was asked if Mahomes did anything that surprised him .
“ No , he ’ s an outstanding player , we knew that , ” Warner said .
“ They just made more plays than us .
”

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Nick Bosa was in tears when Patrick Mahomes shattered his Super Bowl 2020 dreams.
Mahomes staged a heroic fourth-quarter comeback from a 10-point deficit to carry the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory over the distraught 49ers.
He left some of the 49ers defenders at a loss for words.
Bosa was asked if Mahomes looked like a completely different quarterback. “No,” he said.
Richard Sherman was victimized on a 38-yard Sammy Watkins catch on the winning TD drive.
“He made a play,” Sherman said.
Did the 49ers change anything against Mahomes?
“Nothing,” Sherman said.
DeForest Buckner was asked if Mahomes did anything that surprised him.
“No,” Buckner said, “it was the same stuff that we saw on film.”
But the stuff they saw on film destroyed them even after their vaunted pass-rushers had rattled him entering the fourth quarter.
“He started feeling the pressure and he started throwing up ducks,” Buckner said. “We got two picks. We were getting in there with four. It’s just there were times where he broke contain and he just made a good play and we didn’t make one.”
49ers linebacker Fred Warner was asked if Mahomes did anything that surprised him.
“No, he’s an outstanding player, we knew that,” Warner said. “They just made more plays than us.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Halsey goes ballistic on heckler shouting ex G-Eazy’s name at pre-Super Bowl performance

Halsey blasted a heckler who repeatedly screamed the name of her ex G-Eazy during a pre-Super Bowl gig in Miami @ @ @ @ @ “ Closer ” singer was onstage when she suddenly turned to the fan and berated @ @ @ @ @ “ disrespect ” her during the performance .
“ If you say G-Eazy one more @ @ @ @ @ kick you out this building , ” Halsey screamed from the stage .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ , test me .
I will kick your ass out the f–ing club .
You @ @ @ @ @ disrespect me like that at my own show.
” Halsey and G-Eazy split in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ The pop star took to Instagram after the show to address the on-stage incident .
@ @ @ @ @ disrespect in the name of being ‘ nice , ' ” she wrote .

Halsey blasted a heckler who repeatedly screamed the name of her ex G-Eazy during a pre-Super Bowl gig in Miami on Sunday.
The 25-year-old “Closer” singer was onstage when she suddenly turned to the fan and berated the person for trying to “disrespect” her during the performance.
“If you say G-Eazy one more f–ing time, I will kick you out this building,” Halsey screamed from the stage.
“I will kick your f—ing ass, test me. I will kick your ass out the f–ing club. You’re not going to disrespect me like that at my own show.”
Halsey and G-Eazy split in 2018 after an on-and-off romance.
The pop star took to Instagram after the show to address the on-stage incident.
“Don’t tolerate disrespect in the name of being ‘nice,'” she wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Patrick Mahomes’ youth takes center stage at Super Bowl

MIAMI GARDENS , Fla. — If the line between good and ...

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Youth shall inherit the NFL.
By leading a fourth-quarter comeback to carry the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory over the 49ers Sunday night in Super Bowl 2020, Patrick Mahomes, 24, becomes the second-youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger was 23 when he won his first Super Bowl for the Steelers.
Mahomes joins Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith as the only players to ever win a Super Bowl and NFL MVP award before turning 25. Mahomes was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2018. Mahomes, at 24 years and 138 days old, is the youngest quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP.
Mahomes’ 11 touchdown passes in the postseason without an interception to start a career were the most by a quarterback in the Super Bowl era. The streak ended when he threw a third-quarter interception.
The Chiefs are the first team to ever trail by 10 or more points in three postseason games and win the Super Bowl. They went on to win all three games by more than 10 points.
49ers tight end George Kittle was stunned by the loss.
“Yeah, that’s exactly how it feels, disbelief,’’ he said.
By halftime, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo already attempted more passes (11) than he did in the entire NFC Championship game, when he threw only eight passes in beating the Packers. … 49ers rookie Deebo Samuel’s 32-yard run on the opening 49ers series was the longest in Super Bowl history by a wide receiver. Early in the third quarter, Samuel gained 14 yards on an end-around to give him 53 rushing yards. That broke the Super Bowl record for most yards by a wide receiver. Percy Harvin had 45 yards for the Seahawks in 2014.
Garoppolo became only the second 49ers quarterback to ever throw an interception in a Super Bowl, joining Colin Kaepernick. Hall of Famers Joe Montana (four) and Steve Young (one) combined to play in five Super Bowls and never threw an interception. Garoppolo on his last attempt, a desperation heave with the game already decided, turned into his second interception. Garoppolo in the second half was just 11 of 20 for 120 yards.
The 49ers ran the ball well (22-141) but not enough, as they possessed the ball on offense for only 26:47. … 49ers left tackle Joe Staley was forced out of the game in the third quarter with a hand injury and was replaced by rookie Justin Skule. Staley was able to return in the fourth quarter.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan won a replay challenge with 6:57 contesting a 16-yard catch by Tyreek Hill. It was a huge reversal, as replay showed the ball hit the grass before Hill secured it.
Former Jet Mike Pennel made a key play in the first half for the Chiefs. The defensive tackle hit Garoppolo, forcing Garoppolo to rush his throw and it was intercepted by Bashaud Breeland early in the second quarter. The Chiefs scored a field goal after the pick. Pennel was the only former Jet to play in the game. He played for the Jets in 2017-18. Former Jets first-round pick Darron Lee was inactive, as was cornerback Morris Claiborne, who spent two years with the Jets. 49ers running back Raheem Mostert spent six days on the Jets practice squad in 2016, but was never on the active roster.
Creative Andy Reid used an old-fashioned single-wing formation to help set up the game’s first touchdown. On fourth-and-1 from the Niners 5-yard line, RB Damien Williams took a direct snap to gain four yards and the Chiefs scored two plays later.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Joe Staley crushed by 49ers heartbreak: ‘Put yourself in my shoes’

MIAMI GARDENS , Fla. — Joe Staley gave two straight one-word answers and then poured out his heart .
The 35-year-old longest-tenured member of the 49ers is now a two-time Super Bowl loser and can feel the clock running out on his chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy , after Sunday ’ s 31-20 loss to the Chiefs .
“ I ’ m sorry , ” a rosy-cheeked Staley said .
“ This is super disappointing .
This is very hard being in this moment right now.
” And yet he took a breath and summoned the poise to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl , especially when beginning the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead .
“ You put your heart and soul and your whole entire life into trying to be a Super Bowl champion , and you get toward the end of your career and you realize how rare these opportunities are , ” Staley said , staring off into space .
“ The emotions are still raw and real for me right now .
I ’ m trying to answer questions , and I ’ m sorry that I ’ m not.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my shoes for a second .
It is tough.
” The emotion Staley felt was only magnified by his physical pain .
He briefly left the game to get stitches after his finger was “ sliced.
” It took Staley seven years to make it back to the Super Bowl after the 49ers lost to the Ravens .
The offensive lineman has played for four coaches and seen the team slip to the bottom of the NFL since then , so there are no guarantees he will be back again soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a quarterback in his prime .
“ This football team is built for the long haul , ” Staley said , “ and I could not be more proud of the guys that we have in our locker room .
I think we have a ton of talent , and we will be back.
” Teammates rallied around Staley after hearing how the loss shook him .
“ It sucks losing it , especially for Joe , ” Jimmy Garoppolo said , “ with just everything he ’ s been through.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I love Joe Staley .
Since Day 1 I ’ ve been here , he ’ s been incredible .
To see him get back to this game and how happy he was , he ’ s been competing for us the whole season , playing at an elite level .
”

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Joe Staley gave two straight one-word answers and then poured out his heart.
The 35-year-old longest-tenured member of the 49ers is now a two-time Super Bowl loser and can feel the clock running out on his chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, after Sunday’s 31-20 loss to the Chiefs.
“I’m sorry,” a rosy-cheeked Staley said. “This is super disappointing. This is very hard being in this moment right now.”
And yet he took a breath and summoned the poise to take fans inside the agony of losing a Super Bowl, especially when beginning the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead.
“You put your heart and soul and your whole entire life into trying to be a Super Bowl champion, and you get toward the end of your career and you realize how rare these opportunities are,” Staley said, staring off into space. “The emotions are still raw and real for me right now. I’m trying to answer questions, and I’m sorry that I’m not.”
Another pause: “Put yourself in my shoes for a second. It is tough.”
The emotion Staley felt was only magnified by his physical pain. He briefly left the game to get stitches after his finger was “sliced.”
It took Staley seven years to make it back to the Super Bowl after the 49ers lost to the Ravens. The offensive lineman has played for four coaches and seen the team slip to the bottom of the NFL since then, so there are no guarantees he will be back again soon, even when surrounded by a top-notch defense and a quarterback in his prime.
“This football team is built for the long haul,” Staley said, “and I could not be more proud of the guys that we have in our locker room. I think we have a ton of talent, and we will be back.”
Teammates rallied around Staley after hearing how the loss shook him.
“It sucks losing it, especially for Joe,” Jimmy Garoppolo said, “with just everything he’s been through.”
Added All-Pro tight end George Kittle, “I love Joe Staley. Since Day 1 I’ve been here, he’s been incredible. To see him get back to this game and how happy he was, he’s been competing for us the whole season, playing at an elite level.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Coronavirus death toll in China rises to 425 people

The death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak in China has spiked to 425 .
Chinese authorities said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ there had been 64 new fatalities reported in the hard-hit Hubei province .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ Commission reported that 361 people had died from the disease — surpassing the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak death toll of 349 .
Cases of the flu-like illness also increased , with @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total to 19,550 .
There has also been one death outside China @ @ @ @ @ The virus , which originated in late December in the city of Wuhan , has @ @ @ @ @ 20 countries , including the US , where 11 cases have been reported .
There @ @ @ @ @ the Big Apple , but results of their tests were still pending Monday evening .

The death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak in China has spiked to 425.
Chinese authorities said on Tuesday, local time, that there had been 64 new fatalities reported in the hard-hit Hubei province.
On Sunday, China’s Health Commission reported that 361 people had died from the disease — surpassing the country’s 2002 to 2003 SARS outbreak death toll of 349.
Cases of the flu-like illness also increased, with 2,345 new patients across China, bringing the total to 19,550.
There has also been one death outside China, in the Philippines.
The virus, which originated in late December in the city of Wuhan, has now spread to more than 20 countries, including the US, where 11 cases have been reported.
There are three suspected cases in the Big Apple, but results of their tests were still pending Monday evening.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--The necessary evolution of Yankees’ Miguel Andujar is underway

Perhaps Dusty Baker is Andy Reid .
The terrific regular season ...

TAMPA — The evolution of Miguel Andujar continued Monday as the 24-year-old worked again in left field, as he looks to prove he’s capable of playing a more versatile role for the Yankees with Gio Urshela already at third base.
Carlos Mendoza, recently promoted to Aaron Boone’s bench coach, has been working with Andujar throughout the offseason and remains optimistic the 24-year-old can play left field — as well as first base — in addition to third.
But Mendoza also said after Andujar worked out at the Yankees’ minor league complex that third base remains “the priority” for the Yankees and Andujar.
“He’s getting work everywhere,” Mendoza said. “From third base to first base to the outfield. Third base is the priority, and every other day he’s alternating positions.”
Most importantly, Andujar’s shoulder is healthy after he was sidelined for much of last season with a torn labrum that required surgery.
“He’s full-go, throwing-wise,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s throwing from the outfield and third base with no issues so far.”
Andujar still has minor league options remaining, meaning the Yankees can send him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre without sending him through waivers — something they can’t do with Urshela.
But if Andujar adapts well enough to the other positions, he could make himself valuable, especially with the additional roster spot teams have this season, going from 25 to 26.
And there still figures to be a battle for third base, with Urshela having struggled down the stretch offensively after emerging as one of the Yankees’ most pleasant surprises in 2019 following Andujar’s injury.
General manager Brian Cashman said during the offseason, though, that third base was Urshela’s “position to lose.”
Andujar had done some work at first base prior to this offseason, but he’s already doing more advanced drills there than in the past, according to Mendoza.
“He had done basic stuff around the base,” Mendoza said of Andujar’s previous efforts there. “Mostly just footwork. Now, there’s more stretching and receiving throws.”
And Mendoza has seen progress already.
“He looks a lot better than the first few weeks he was there,’’ Mendoza said. “It’s a lot for him right now. He’s working his tail off, not only at all three positions, but taking care of his arm. That’s part of the rehab. Even though he’s fully recovered, it needs maintenance, so he does shoulder exercises.”
Andujar’s 2019 was virtually wiped out after he injured his right shoulder diving into third base in just the third game of the season. He sat out a month before returning in May, but went just 3-for-34 with no extra-base hits in nine games before undergoing surgery that ended his season.
Still, he’s just a year removed from the 27-homer performance that made Andujar an integral part of the 2018 lineup.
With Gleyber Torres shifting full-time to shortstop in the wake of Didi Gregorius’ free-agent departure to Philadelphia, the Yankees will need a backup shortstop — which could be Tyler Wade, leaving Andujar as a possibility at first and third.
With pitchers and catchers due to report Feb. 12, more players are expected to arrive in Tampa in the coming days. In addition to Andujar, Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit took batting practice Monday, and Mendoza added Torres has been in Tampa regularly since early January.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Nicolas Cage’s meta movie about Nicolas Cage gets 2021 release date

Lionsgate has set a March 19 , 2021 wide-release date for “ The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent , ” the meta action comedy that stars Nicolas Cage as a version of himself .
Tom Gormican is directing the film based on the screenplay he wrote with Kevin Etten .
Kevin Turen is producing .
The plot : Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin , the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $ 1 million offer to attend the birthday of a super fan .
When things take a wildly dangerous turn , Cage is forced to live up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones .
The project has been percolating since November , when Lionsgate entered final negotiations for the film , to be helmed by Gormican , who created the Fox comedy series “ Ghosted ” that Etten executive produced .
Cage ’ s recent genre credits include cult hit “ Mandy , ” and he is starring in “ Wally ’ s Wonderland , ” “ Primal ” and the Southern Gothic thriller “ Grand Isle.
” The pic joins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lionsgate ’ s 2021 release calendar .
Overall , the March 19 date next year already has been staked out by United Artists Releasing ’ s “ Tomb Raider 2 ” with Alicia Vikander and the next installment in Paramount ’ s “ Paranormal Activity ” franchise .

Lionsgate has set a March 19, 2021 wide-release date for “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” the meta action comedy that stars Nicolas Cage as a version of himself.
Tom Gormican is directing the film based on the screenplay he wrote with Kevin Etten. Kevin Turen is producing.
The plot: Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a super fan. When things take a wildly dangerous turn, Cage is forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.
The project has been percolating since November, when Lionsgate entered final negotiations for the film, to be helmed by Gormican, who created the Fox comedy series “Ghosted” that Etten executive produced.
Cage’s recent genre credits include cult hit “Mandy,” and he is starring in “Wally’s Wonderland,” “Primal” and the Southern Gothic thriller “Grand Isle.”
The pic joins “John Wick Chapter 4” on Lionsgate’s 2021 release calendar. Overall, the March 19 date next year already has been staked out by United Artists Releasing’s “Tomb Raider 2” with Alicia Vikander and the next installment in Paramount’s “Paranormal Activity” franchise.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Chiefs’ Derrick Nnadi pays for dog adoption fees after Super Bowl win

Fresh off his Super Bowl win , it was revealed that Kansas City Chiefs player Derrick Nnadi would be paying @ @ @ @ @ at a local animal shelter .
The animal care center , KC Pet Project , @ @ @ @ @ Twitter page after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers , by the score of @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl LIV .
“ We ’ re so honored to partner with @ DerrickNnadi @ @ @ @ @ fees of all of our adoptable dogs at our locations !
” the organization wrote @ @ @ @ @ generous gesture and we want to thank Derrick for his support all season long , @ @ @ @ @ The defensive tackle , through his nonprofit , the Derrick Nnadi Foundation , has partnered @ @ @ @ @ season , the group said .

Fresh off his Super Bowl win, it was revealed that Kansas City Chiefs player Derrick Nnadi would be paying for the dog adoption fees at a local animal shelter.
The animal care center, KC Pet Project, shared the news on their Twitter page after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, by the score of 31 to 20, in Super Bowl LIV.
“We’re so honored to partner with @DerrickNnadi who is sponsoring the adoption fees of all of our adoptable dogs at our locations!” the organization wrote.
“What an incredibly generous gesture and we want to thank Derrick for his support all season long,” the tweet continued.
The defensive tackle, through his nonprofit, the Derrick Nnadi Foundation, has partnered with KC Pet Project all season, the group said.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--‘DIY Sci’ host Steve Spangler: ‘Be a person. Not a scientist.’

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 ) Fox TV ’ s great Saturday a.m. show is “ DIY Sci.
” As in Do It Yourself .
The science guy is Steve Spangler .
His chemist dad , a David Copperfield consultant , owned a magic school .
Age 5 , in kindergarten , Steve ’ s first trick : eyedrops into a soda bottle .
Cap it .
Squeeze .
Eyedrops go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got what he explained wrong , so what .
He knows , I don ’ t .
Ask him , not me . )
Steve : “ Things don ’ t always work .
Mentos have a rough surface .
Dropping Mentos into soda blew up .
I was covered in colored foam , exploding soda slime .
Diet Coke ’ s not sticky , but it still has carbon dioxide .
Carbonation comes up .
“ I ’ m a catalyst .
I put things together .
Thinking differently brings up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water fizzes and bubbles into the liquid .
Like , mix Elmer ’ s glue and Borax detergent .
Or shaving cream foam and clear glue .
“ I ’ m not urging try all this at home .
We live in Colorado .
Early on , we shot in Home Depot , Radio Shack , art stores .
I have a warehouse and garage filled with weird things , but my wife nearly kicked me out .
Our kitchen , repainted three times , has permanent marks on the ceiling.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m insured .
Same outfit that insures Penn & Teller .
Practicing for Ellen DeGeneres ’ show , I did paint cans with vinegar and baking soda .
Then I hammered on the lid , and it blew off , and my forehead got badly bruised .
Still , I did the show but with a load of makeup .
“ Look , I surround myself with people I trust .
And my motto is : ‘ Don ’ t let the bastards put you into a lab coat .
Be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spangler ’ s terrific .
He can do anything .
Maybe he can turn Mrs. Pelousy into a human being .
I met Mary Higgins Clark , my forever friend , around 1981 .
We last hugged last year at Cardinal Dolan ’ s luncheon .
Mary ’ s Thanksgiving dinner ?
Her turkey was raw .
Christmas at age 10 ?
No tree , so her mother “ used a lamp.
” She made up for it over the years .
A Women for Pataki breakfast .
A Laura Bush literary event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An Irish-American evening organizer .
July Fourth party .
Guest at my Dinkins event .
St. Nicholas honoree for helping the needy .
And we were together shopping at Scaasis and Joanna Mastroianni ’ s showrooms .
In ’ 89 , a $ 10 mil advance for her next four books .
Two mysteries on one best-seller list plus a paperback on another list plus in ’ 93 , she and daughter Carol both hit the list separately and together .
Mary Higgins Clark definitely made it up over the years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her hand , on which rested an emerald the size of a Brussels sprout .
Bushy Bolton ?
Please .
He ’ s hustling his book .
Anyone with a mustache larger than a gorilla ’ s foot would understand his ego ’ s larger than a gorilla ’ s behind … Former CBS-TV producer Vinnie Favale ’ s new project — concerts , screenings , music releases — celebrating Fellini ’ s 100th birthday .
Website ’ s Fellini2020.com … Forget the Wall .
Want great Mexican food ?
I was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enrique .
It ’ s got a Michelin star !
If you can find it , you can love it .
Joke I heard .
Joke .
Man says : “ I ’ ve only got 24 hours to live .
Let ’ s have sex.
” Wife says OK. Later he says : “ I ’ ve only got eight hours left to live .
Let ’ s have sex.
” ” The wife says : “ Leave me alone .
I have to get up in the morning — you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , kids , only in New York .

Fox TV’s great Saturday a.m. show is “DIY Sci.” As in Do It Yourself. The science guy is Steve Spangler.
His chemist dad, a David Copperfield consultant, owned a magic school. Age 5, in kindergarten, Steve’s first trick: eyedrops into a soda bottle. Cap it. Squeeze. Eyedrops go up and down. (And if I got what he explained wrong, so what. He knows, I don’t. Ask him, not me.)
Steve: “Things don’t always work. Mentos have a rough surface. Dropping Mentos into soda blew up. I was covered in colored foam, exploding soda slime. Diet Coke’s not sticky, but it still has carbon dioxide. Carbonation comes up.
“I’m a catalyst. I put things together. Thinking differently brings up a new creation. Like Alka-Seltzer in water fizzes and bubbles into the liquid. Like, mix Elmer’s glue and Borax detergent. Or shaving cream foam and clear glue.
“I’m not urging try all this at home. We live in Colorado. Early on, we shot in Home Depot, Radio Shack, art stores. I have a warehouse and garage filled with weird things, but my wife nearly kicked me out. Our kitchen, repainted three times, has permanent marks on the ceiling.”
He ever knock himself out?
“I’m insured. Same outfit that insures Penn & Teller. Practicing for Ellen DeGeneres’ show, I did paint cans with vinegar and baking soda. Then I hammered on the lid, and it blew off, and my forehead got badly bruised. Still, I did the show but with a load of makeup.
“Look, I surround myself with people I trust. And my motto is: ‘Don’t let the bastards put you into a lab coat. Be a person. Not a scientist.’ ”
Spangler’s terrific. He can do anything. Maybe he can turn Mrs. Pelousy into a human being.
Great lady is missed
I met Mary Higgins Clark, my forever friend, around 1981. We last hugged last year at Cardinal Dolan’s luncheon.
Mary’s Thanksgiving dinner? Her turkey was raw. Christmas at age 10? No tree, so her mother “used a lamp.”
She made up for it over the years. A Women for Pataki breakfast. A Laura Bush literary event. An Edgar Allan Poe awards speaker. An Irish-American evening organizer. July Fourth party. Guest at my Dinkins event. St. Nicholas honoree for helping the needy.
And we were together shopping at Scaasis and Joanna Mastroianni’s showrooms. In ’89, a $10 mil advance for her next four books. Two mysteries on one best-seller list plus a paperback on another list plus in ’93, she and daughter Carol both hit the list separately and together.
Mary Higgins Clark definitely made it up over the years. I saw her hold a burger in her hand, on which rested an emerald the size of a Brussels sprout.
Bits & pieces
Bushy Bolton? Please. He’s hustling his book. Anyone with a mustache larger than a gorilla’s foot would understand his ego’s larger than a gorilla’s behind … Former CBS-TV producer Vinnie Favale’s new project — concerts, screenings, music releases — celebrating Fellini’s 100th birthday. Website’s Fellini2020.com … Forget the Wall. Want great Mexican food? I was taken to Long Island City’s Casa Enrique. It’s got a Michelin star! If you can find it, you can love it.
Joke I heard. Joke. Man says: “I’ve only got 24 hours to live. Let’s have sex.” Wife says OK. Later he says: “I’ve only got eight hours left to live. Let’s have sex.””The wife says: “Leave me alone. I have to get up in the morning — you don’t.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.


newyorkpost--2020-02-03--Democrat boss to Speaker Corey Johnson: Ban menthol cigarettes now!

The new head of Brooklyn ’ s Democratic Party is trying to light a fire under Speaker Corey Johnson and the rest of the City Council to pass long-stalled legislation to ban menthol cigarettes .
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte , who says she lost her father to cancer due to a menthol cigarette addiction , is featured in a new social media video-ad campaign kicking off Tuesday aimed at pressuring Johnson to bring the bill — which has support from more than two-thirds of the Council — to the floor for a vote .
Johnson is eyeing a 2021 mayoral run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kings County Democratic Committee , will play a major role in who the group endorses .
Bichotte starts out the 30-second commercial by noting her dad , former jazz saxophonist great Marcel Bichotte , smoked menthol cigs “ day and night ” before dying in 1993 at the age of 73 .
“ Every day in New York that we do nothing , another father dies from smoking menthols , ” she then says .
“ It ’ s time the New York City Council stands up to Big Tobacco .
Ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being distributed citywide to Facebook and Instragam users as part of a larger multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at prohibiting flavored smokes throughout the Big Apple .
It includes a link : “ Click to tell the Council : No more menthol in NY.
” Two other ads will also be released featuring similar stories by other New Yorkers who say they lost parents to diseases related to menthol cigarette addiction .
“ This is an epidemic .
It ’ s time Council Speaker Johnson protects communities of color and restricts the sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call a vote , ” said Andre Richardson , of Flavors Hook Kids NYC , a coalition of groups including the state NAACP and American Heart Association that is behind the ad campaign .
Johnson and the Council approved legislation to ban the sale of e-flavored cigarettes last November .
However , the speaker has declined to bring Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera ’ s bill to ban menthol-flavored tobacco sales in the city to a vote on the floor because of concerns pushed by the Rev .
Al Sharpton , whose National Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top-selling US menthol-cigarette manufacturer , RJ Reynolds .
Like Sharpton , Johnson has said he ’ s concerned it could create “ another Eric Garner situation , ” referring to the Staten Island man who died in 2014 after being taken down by a cop amid a dispute over selling illegal smokes .
However , the NAACP , Bichotte and many other influential black leaders have come out in support of a ban .
They blame menthol tobacco for being a leading cause of African Americans getting hooked on smoking .
A 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention found 9 out of 10 black smokers prefer menthols .
A Johnson spokesperson said the “ bill is going through the legislative process ” but declined to elaborate .

The new head of Brooklyn’s Democratic Party is trying to light a fire under Speaker Corey Johnson and the rest of the City Council to pass long-stalled legislation to ban menthol cigarettes.
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, who says she lost her father to cancer due to a menthol cigarette addiction, is featured in a new social media video-ad campaign kicking off Tuesday aimed at pressuring Johnson to bring the bill — which has support from more than two-thirds of the Council — to the floor for a vote.
Johnson is eyeing a 2021 mayoral run, and Bichotte, as chair of the Kings County Democratic Committee, will play a major role in who the group endorses.
Bichotte starts out the 30-second commercial by noting her dad, former jazz saxophonist great Marcel Bichotte, smoked menthol cigs “day and night” before dying in 1993 at the age of 73.
“Every day in New York that we do nothing, another father dies from smoking menthols,” she then says. “It’s time the New York City Council stands up to Big Tobacco. Ban menthol now!”
The ad is being distributed citywide to Facebook and Instragam users as part of a larger multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at prohibiting flavored smokes throughout the Big Apple. It includes a link: “Click to tell the Council: No more menthol in NY.”
Two other ads will also be released featuring similar stories by other New Yorkers who say they lost parents to diseases related to menthol cigarette addiction.
“This is an epidemic. It’s time Council Speaker Johnson protects communities of color and restricts the sale of menthol cigarettes. Speaker Johnson: call a vote,” said Andre Richardson, of Flavors Hook Kids NYC, a coalition of groups including the state NAACP and American Heart Association that is behind the ad campaign.
Johnson and the Council approved legislation to ban the sale of e-flavored cigarettes last November. However, the speaker has declined to bring Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera’s bill to ban menthol-flavored tobacco sales in the city to a vote on the floor because of concerns pushed by the Rev. Al Sharpton, whose National Action Network rakes big money donations from the top-selling US menthol-cigarette manufacturer, RJ Reynolds.
Like Sharpton, Johnson has said he’s concerned it could create “another Eric Garner situation,” referring to the Staten Island man who died in 2014 after being taken down by a cop amid a dispute over selling illegal smokes.
However, the NAACP, Bichotte and many other influential black leaders have come out in support of a ban. They blame menthol tobacco for being a leading cause of African Americans getting hooked on smoking. A 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 9 out of 10 black smokers prefer menthols.
A Johnson spokesperson said the “bill is going through the legislative process” but declined to elaborate.