newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Ex-Malaysian prime minister convicted for corruption over 1MDB investment fund

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia — A Malaysian court pronounced former Prime Minister Najib Razak guilty Tuesday in his first corruption trial over the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB investment fund .
The ruling came five months after a new government took power with Najib ’ s Malay party the biggest bloc in the alliance .
His party ’ s shocking election ouster in 2018 was driven by public anger over the 1MDB scandal .
“ I find the accused guilty and convict the accused of all seven charges , ” Judge Mohamad Nazlan Ghazali said after spending two hours to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling would bolster the prosecution ’ s case in Najib ’ s other trials and would signal to the business community Malaysia ’ s legal system has strength in tackling international financial crimes .
Najib , 67 , has promised to appeal .
He has said he was misled by rogue bankers and the case against him is political .
“ From day one , I have said this is the chance for me to clear my name , ” ″ he wrote on Facebook late Monday .
“ After this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appeal .
I am ready.
” A scion of one of Malaysia ’ s most prominent political families , he faces 42 charges in five separate trials and could face years in prison .
Najib ’ s lawyers asked the judge for a delay until next week before they made their arguments on sentencing .
The current trial involved a charge of abuse of power , three charges of criminal breach of trust and three money laundering charges .
The judge said Najib failed to raise reasonable doubt and that prosecutors had established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his own use .
“ The conviction would serve as a solid foundation for the prosecution in ensuing IMDB-related trials , ” said Oh Ei Sun , a senior fellow with Singapore ’ s Institute of International Affairs .
He said the ruling also would strengthen the credibility of current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin , who was fired as Najib ’ s deputy , five years ago to the date of Tuesday ’ s verdict , for speaking out on the 1MDB scandal , although he now relies on Najib ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party is the biggest bloc in the current Malay nationalist alliance , which was formed in March after Muhyiddin ’ s party toppled the former reformist government .
Najib shortly after taking office in 2009 set up 1MDB to ostensibly accelerate Malaysia ’ s economic development .
But the fund accumulated billions in debt , and U.S. investigators allege that at least $ 4.5 billion was stolen from it and laundered by Najib ’ s associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels , a luxury yacht , artwork , jewelry and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the fund allegedly landed in Najib ’ s bank accounts .
Najib ’ s wife and several officials from his party and previous government have also been charged with graft .
Najib , whose father and uncles were Malaysia ’ s second and third prime ministers , denies any wrongdoing .
He calls the prosecutions a political attack on him .
Najib ’ s s first trial began in April 2019 over seven charges related to the transfer of 42 million ringgit ( $ 9.8 million ) from SRC International , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts through intermediary companies .
Najib was accused of using his position to receive a bribe for approving a government guarantee for billions in loans to SRC , committing criminal breach of trust and accepting proceeds from unlawful activities .
Evidence showed a complex trail of money through the accounts that paid for renovating Najib ’ s home , credit card purchases including a Chanel watch bought in Hawaii as a birthday gift for his wife and disbursements to political parties .
In defense , Najib has said he was misled by rogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taek Jho , identified by investigators as a mastermind in the 1MDB saga .
The judge found Najib and Low had a close relationship .
Najib testified he assumed the money was part of an Arab donation arranged by Low .
The judge debunked that argument in the guilty verdict , finding it an “ elaborate but weak fabrication.
” Najib ’ s lawyers said Low had used the donation as a guise to keep Najib from being suspicious of his plundering of the 1MDB fund .
Prosecutors argued that Najib was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called the Arab donation “ manufactured evidence ” to cover up his tracks .

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to jail Tuesday in the first criminal trial linked to the massive 1MDB financial scandal.
A judge in Kuala Lumpur found Najib guilty of seven charges he faced for allegedly receiving about $10 million from a former unit of 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the state-backed development fund at the heart of the embezzlement scheme.
High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sentenced Najib, 67, to 12 years behind bars and fined him about $49 million for the charges of money-laundering, abuse of position and criminal breach of trust.
The case that concluded Tuesday involved a tiny fraction of the more than $1 billion that prosecutors say flowed from 1MDB to Najib’s personal bank accounts.
Malaysian and American authorities say some $4.5 billion was looted from 1MDB in a scheme helmed by playboy financier Jho Low, who is on the lam.
Some of the money was allegedly used to finance the Oscar-nominated movie “The Wolf of Wall Street” and to make lavish purchases — including a $27 million pink diamond necklace for Najib’s wife.
Najib’s lawyers argued that Low and others duped him into thinking the money that landed in his accounts came from the Saudi royal family rather than SRC International, the former 1MDB unit — a claim the judge called “far fetched.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Rookie David Peterson in the conversation to join Mets rotation

BOSTON — Brandon Nimmo saw reports Monday about the Marlins ’ ...

BOSTON — The Mets were keeping mum before Monday’s 7-4 win over the Red Sox on their starting pitching plans for Tuesday, but rookie David Peterson’s name was squarely in the conversation.
Peterson was placed on the team’s taxi squad, meaning he was allowed to travel with the Mets and could be added to the 30-man roster to take the rotation spot that opened with Marcus Stroman’s placement on the injured list following a left calf tear last week.
The left-hander Peterson, who was the organization’s top pick in the 2017 draft, impressed team officials during spring training and summer camp, when he emerged as potential rotation depth.
“This kid has great demeanor and he presents as that guy that wants to compete and get you out,” manager Luis Rojas said. “He’s always searching, he’s always asking questions, I like his pitchability as far as repertoire and also controlling the running game and fielding his position, there is just a good package there. A great guy to have in the pool, on the taxi squad for any strategy or any reason that may come in.”
Erasmo Ramirez is another possibility to start if the Mets don’t choose Peterson.
Pete Alonso, who entered play 1-for-11 (.091) was among the most conspicuous of the Mets struggling at the plate, before going 1-for-5, with a homer that left Fenway Park at 116 mph in Monday’s win.
“[Alonso] is chasing,” Rojas said before the game. “I have seen his front foot just landing top leg, sometimes overstriding, that leads to getting beat on the fastball. You overstride and you create more velocity on the fastball. What I do like is his attitude toward it. He’s able to maintain his attitude and he wants to see what he’s doing.
“He’s somebody under control with his emotions and his coaches are on him, he can make quick adjustments, so that is what we’re expecting right now from Pete.”
Yoenis Cespedes was absent from the starting lineup after starting the first three games as the DH. Rojas indicated he was giving Cespedes a rest and wanted to get Dominic Smith’s bat in the lineup. Smith started as the DH.
Tyler Bashlor was recalled from the Mets’ alternate camp to fill Corey Oswalt’s roster space. Oswalt was optioned after pitching four innings in relief Sunday and allowing five runs.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Rangers, Islanders closing in on naming their starting goalies

Turns out that the biggest eye-opener of the Rangers ’ summer ...

Ahead of their New York showdown exhibition matchup Wednesday, Islanders coach Barry Trotz and Rangers coach David Quinn are beginning to contemplate their starting goaltender assignments.
The Rangers and Islanders are two of 11 NHL teams that brought just three goaltenders with them for the restart tournament. The other 13 teams opted to bring four goalies.
Trotz said Monday that both Semyon Varlamov and Thomas Greiss will see time in net during Wednesday’s game, noting that he’s closer to making his final decision on which goaltender will start against the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
“I’m close to making a decision. I don’t think I can make a bad decision,” he said.
Goalie Chris Gibson, who spent the 2019-20 season with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, also traveled with the team to Toronto but is likely a backup option.
Quinn said Monday he was informed that the league is allowing teams to dress just two goaltenders for the one exhibition game everybody has scheduled. That’ll mean one of the Rangers’ three goalies, Igor Shesterkin, Alexandar Georgiev and Henrik Lundqvist, will not dress Wednesday.
Georgiev has skated with the extras group both Sunday and Monday, meaning it’ll likely be Shesterkin and Lundqvist who dress against the Islanders.
Teams will be allowed to dress an extra forward and an extra defenseman as well for exhibition games, Quinn said.
The Islanders kicked off their first practice in Toronto on the Olympic-sized ice.
Trotz explained that each team within the Toronto bubble is given one practice day on the Olympic-sized ice as opposed to a regular-sized rink. Being on the bigger ice forced Trotz to coordinate his practice plans accordingly.
“I was glad that we got the first day [on the Olympic-sized ice],” he said. “I didn’t work on special teams because the angles are different. We just worked on our five-on-five play, got up and down the ice. … We had the day off for travel [Sunday], today was a work day, we got up and down the ice.”
Additionally, Trotz said that every Islander was on the ice for Monday’s practice.
The Rangers opted to split their team into two groups for their first practice in Toronto like they had done throughout training camp.
“We broke it up into two today. We actually brought the extras out for the last drill which was some penalty killing, so there was a little bit of an overlap,” Quinn said. “I thought we had a good day today, it was a good pace, it was purposeful. I thought [Sunday] was sloppy, even though I thought we were trying to do the right thing. Today there was a lot more crispness to what we were trying to accomplish.”
The NHL released the 2019-20 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominees as selected by their respective teams. The award is given to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
The Islanders nominee was Matt Martin, while the Rangers selected Lundqvist.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--De Blasio thinks NYC should reexamine seal depicting Native American

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday pledged to reexamine the official seal of New York City over its depiction of a Native American in a loincloth and an early settler holding a rope with a loop on its end .
“ It ’ s the kind of thing a commission should look at carefully and decide if it still makes sense for the 21st century , ” the mayor said at his daily briefing .
The comment came in response to a question from a WCBS reporter , who asked whether de Blasio ’ s new “ Commission on Racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ is taking a look at that seal and wondering how relevant it is these days.
” The century-old emblem depicts “ Sinister , an Indian of Manhattan ” with two eagle feathers , clutching a bow , according to the official New York City website .
He also holds up a shield alongside the colonial man , identified as Dexter , a sailor .
The rope the settler holds is identified as a plummet , a tool used to measure water depth .
“ It ’ s an important symbol , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor said when asked to elaborate on his views during an appearance on NY1 ’ s “ Inside City Hall ” Monday night .
“ I think this symbol , you could see it different ways , but it really is worth looking at carefully.
” He added : “ Look , I mean , it says 1625 right there on it.
” “ It ’ s 2020 .
It ’ s a very different time , ” de Blasio said .
“ We should think about all our symbols and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
”

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday pledged to reexamine the official seal of New York City over its depiction of a Native American in a loincloth and an early settler holding a rope with a loop on its end.
“It’s the kind of thing a commission should look at carefully and decide if it still makes sense for the 21st century,” the mayor said at his daily briefing.
The comment came in response to a question from a WCBS reporter, who asked whether de Blasio’s new “Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation” or another entity “is taking a look at that seal and wondering how relevant it is these days.”
The century-old emblem depicts “Sinister, an Indian of Manhattan” with two eagle feathers, clutching a bow, according to the official New York City website. He also holds up a shield alongside the colonial man, identified as Dexter, a sailor.
The rope the settler holds is identified as a plummet, a tool used to measure water depth.
“It’s an important symbol, and we should examine it,” the mayor said when asked to elaborate on his views during an appearance on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” Monday night.
“I think this symbol, you could see it different ways, but it really is worth looking at carefully.”
He added: “Look, I mean, it says 1625 right there on it.”
“It’s 2020. It’s a very different time,” de Blasio said. “We should think about all our symbols and that’s I think a healthy thing to do.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Man shot at memorial for teens gunned down on Brooklyn basketball court

A man was shot on Monday night at a memorial for two teens slain in a drive-by shooting while playing @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , sources said .
The 22-year-old male was shot in the left @ @ @ @ @ outside George Walker Jr. Park in Cypress Hills , according to law enforcement sources .
@ @ @ @ @ in his left shoulder and was transported by ambulance to Brookdale Hospital where he was @ @ @ @ @ The unidentified victim had been attending a vigil for 16-year-old Kleimer Mendez and 18-year-old Antonio @ @ @ @ @ Mendez and Villa were killed on Sunday when a gunman popped out of the sunroof @ @ @ @ @ and opened fire into the park .
Mendez was struck in the head and died @ @ @ @ @ was also struck by gunfire and died later at Kings County Hospital .
A third @ @ @ @ @ bullet in the leg in Sunday ’ s shooting but was expected to recover , @ @ @ @ @ still looking for the gunmen in both incidents .

A man was shot on Monday night at a memorial for two teens slain in a drive-by shooting while playing basketball on a Brooklyn court over the weekend, sources said.
The 22-year-old male was shot in the left shoulder at around 10:30 p.m. outside George Walker Jr. Park in Cypress Hills, according to law enforcement sources.
The male suddenly felt pain in his left shoulder and was transported by ambulance to Brookdale Hospital where he was listed in stable condition.
The unidentified victim had been attending a vigil for 16-year-old Kleimer Mendez and 18-year-old Antonio Villa, sources said.
Mendez and Villa were killed on Sunday when a gunman popped out of the sunroof of a dark-colored Honda SUV and opened fire into the park.
Mendez was struck in the head and died at the scene. Villa was also struck by gunfire and died later at Kings County Hospital.
A third teen was hit by a bullet in the leg in Sunday’s shooting but was expected to recover, police said.
Police were still looking for the gunmen in both incidents.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--NBA break helped Nets’ Rodions Kurucs find his confidence

And he took advantage of it .
If there was a Net who benefitted from time away — mentally and physically — it was Kurucs .
He had been up-and-down before the season was suspended in March , but through three scrimmages — shrugging off a minor hip injury in the last — he ’ s in a good headspace going into Friday ’ s game versus Orlando .
“ I ’ m just a huge believer in having confidence , that ’ s a big part of it .
You think these guys are NBA players and they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on your situation sometimes that varies , ” said interim coach Jacque Vaughn , adding Kurucs ’ hip injury wasn ’ t serious .
“ Rodi is playing with an extreme amount of confidence .
He can make mistakes , but he ’ s learning how to move onto the next play .
So that ’ s signs of growth and maturity .
It ’ s allowed him to just use the talents that he has and he ’ s learning how to use those talents.
” In the Nets ’ final 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not play in six games , was inactive in another and averaged just 1.3 points .
He was 0-for-11 from deep , and hadn ’ t made a 3 since Feb. 5 .
But in the three scrimmages since , he averaged 13.3 points , five boards and 58.3 percent shooting .
Confidence ?
He ’ s gotten back to being a defensive irritant and has gone 8-for-12 from deep .
And the 6-foot-9 , 228-pounder has done it while having to play backup center .
He ’ s run the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arc against sagging centers or run by those who come out .
“ It ’ s just huge for the spacing on the court , ” Caris LeVert said .
“ With Rodi at the 5 , it ’ s a mismatch .
He ’ s got such great speed .
And he ’ s making better decisions as well .
We trust him with the ball up top , whether he shoots it or puts it on the ground and makes a play for somebody else .
But it just makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jarrett Allen unlikely to log much more than 30 minutes — and newcomer Donta Hall not up to speed yet — Kurucs is likely to spend more time as Allen ’ s backup .
“ He ’ s done a great job with the transition .
We ’ re asking him for a lot to go from playing a 3-4 to playing the 5 , ” Allen said .
“ He ’ s done a great job incorporating that.He ’ s been able to roll and put pressure on the rim .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , he ’ s hitting 2.5 3s a game .
He ’ s been able to do both for us , and that ’ s been crucial.
” With two years and just $ 3.6 million left on his rookie deal , he ’ s looked like a Net bargain .

The NBA restart gave Rodions Kurucs a chance to reset.
And he took advantage of it.
If there was a Net who benefitted from time away — mentally and physically — it was Kurucs. He had been up-and-down before the season was suspended in March, but through three scrimmages — shrugging off a minor hip injury in the last — he’s in a good headspace going into Friday’s game versus Orlando.
“I’m just a huge believer in having confidence, that’s a big part of it. You think these guys are NBA players and they should walk around with confidence. And depending on your situation sometimes that varies,” said interim coach Jacque Vaughn, adding Kurucs’ hip injury wasn’t serious.
“Rodi is playing with an extreme amount of confidence. He can make mistakes, but he’s learning how to move onto the next play. So that’s signs of growth and maturity. It’s allowed him to just use the talents that he has and he’s learning how to use those talents.”
Kurucs’ confidence drives his roller-coaster performances.
In the Nets’ final 14 games before the coronavirus shutdown, Kurucs did not play in six games, was inactive in another and averaged just 1.3 points. He was 0-for-11 from deep, and hadn’t made a 3 since Feb. 5. But in the three scrimmages since, he averaged 13.3 points, five boards and 58.3 percent shooting. Confidence? He’s gotten back to being a defensive irritant and has gone 8-for-12 from deep.
And the 6-foot-9, 228-pounder has done it while having to play backup center. He’s run the floor, spotted up from the top of the arc against sagging centers or run by those who come out.
“It’s just huge for the spacing on the court,” Caris LeVert said. “With Rodi at the 5, it’s a mismatch. He’s got such great speed. And he’s making better decisions as well. We trust him with the ball up top, whether he shoots it or puts it on the ground and makes a play for somebody else. But it just makes the court that much bigger.”
With Jarrett Allen unlikely to log much more than 30 minutes — and newcomer Donta Hall not up to speed yet — Kurucs is likely to spend more time as Allen’s backup.
“He’s done a great job with the transition. We’re asking him for a lot to go from playing a 3-4 to playing the 5,” Allen said. “He’s done a great job incorporating that.He’s been able to roll and put pressure on the rim. And you’ve seen in these couple games, he’s hitting 2.5 3s a game. He’s been able to do both for us, and that’s been crucial.”
With two years and just $3.6 million left on his rookie deal, he’s looked like a Net bargain.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Islanders, Rangers discussing their own ‘Moment of Solidarity’

It may be the Rangers ’ first game of any kind ...

As the NHL’s exhibition schedule officially kicked off Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers opened the first game of the day by lining up alongside each other during the national anthem as opposed to as individual teams in what was referred to as a “Moment of Solidarity.”
Asked if the Rangers and Islanders would have something similar planned for their exhibition matchup Wednesday in Toronto, Islanders captain Anders Lee said he was sure the teams would coordinate some sort of gesture.
“I’m sure we’ll be in touch with the Rangers and try to figure something out here, probably something similar,” he said on a Zoom call following the Isles’ practice Tuesday. “I think it’s awesome to see. It’s a great reason to come together as rivals and teams and show really the true importance of coming together and standing up for justice and what is right.”
Lee said the Islanders hadn’t discussed the idea as a team yet, but said he had taken note of what the Penguins and Flyers did. He also gave credit to the Boston Bruins, who released a statement earlier Tuesday to announce that they will lock arms during the national anthem “as a sign of solidarity with the Black community.”
“Over the past several months we have been trying to educate ourselves and learn more about racial injustice in our country and around the world,” the Bruins’ statement read. “As a team we have decided to lock arms during the playing of the United States and Canadian Anthems as a sign of solidarity with the Black community.
“This action is solely intended to be a positive sign of support for the Black community, and a way for us to use our platform to help end racism.”
With the second-to-latest exhibition game on the NHL’s Wednesday schedule at 8 p.m., there is ample time for the Isles and Rangers to figure out the details of their on-ice gesture.
“Being able to have that opportunity here on TV and with our game as players and have platforms to try and make this world a better place,” Lee said.
As far as the hockey is concerned, the Islanders are just itching to play against someone other than themselves. It’s been 140 days since the Islanders competed in a real game and a little more than a month of playing against just one another in training camp.
“I think everybody just wants to play a real game,” Matt Martin said. “When you’re playing scrimmages, you’re trying to make it as game-like as possible but you’re obviously letting up on guys in the corner, letting up when people are coming through the middle of the ice. You’re not trying to be overly physical on your own guys. You don’t want any injuries going into this thing.
“To play an exhibition game, little bit of a tuneup game before the real thing starts I think will be good for everyone’s timing, speed of the game and then obviously the physicality of the game.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Kim Kardashian fears Kanye West ‘may have hit rock bottom’

A distraught Kim Kardashian met up with husband Kanye West for crisis talks after his rant on Twitter , apparently due to a bipolar episode , in which he claimed he ’ s been trying to divorce her and calling mother-in-law Kris Jenner “ Kris Jong-un.
” Photos show Kim in tears arguing with the troubled rapper in a car in Wyoming on Monday .
It was the first time the pair had been seen together after his bizarre presidential campaign rally in South Carolina , where he gave a speech saying he and Kim considered getting an abortion when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North , and that he “ didn ’ t care ” if Kim divorced him .
West also let loose on Twitter , accusing her of cheating with Meek Mill in 2018 and claiming he ’ s been “ trying to get divorced ” ever since .
A source told Page Six , “ Kim has known about Kanye ’ s bipolar disorder all along , and she has worked hard privately to support him and protect him and their kids .
But this is the worst episode he has ever had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit rock bottom before he finally wakes up and realizes what he has done.
” West reportedly visited a hospital for anxiety over the weekend after publicly apologizing to his wife .
Somewhat unusually for a reality star , Kardashian has asked the public to respect their family ’ s privacy as West deals with his mental health issues .

A distraught Kim Kardashian met up with husband Kanye West for crisis talks after his rant on Twitter, apparently due to a bipolar episode, in which he claimed he’s been trying to divorce her and calling mother-in-law Kris Jenner “Kris Jong-un.”
Photos show Kim in tears arguing with the troubled rapper in a car in Wyoming on Monday. It was the first time the pair had been seen together after his bizarre presidential campaign rally in South Carolina, where he gave a speech saying he and Kim considered getting an abortion when she was pregnant with their first child, North, and that he “didn’t care” if Kim divorced him.
West also let loose on Twitter, accusing her of cheating with Meek Mill in 2018 and claiming he’s been “trying to get divorced” ever since.
A source told Page Six, “Kim has known about Kanye’s bipolar disorder all along, and she has worked hard privately to support him and protect him and their kids. But this is the worst episode he has ever had. She fears he may have to hit rock bottom before he finally wakes up and realizes what he has done.”
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West reportedly visited a hospital for anxiety over the weekend after publicly apologizing to his wife. Somewhat unusually for a reality star, Kardashian has asked the public to respect their family’s privacy as West deals with his mental health issues.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--US, Oregon in talks about pulling agents from Portland, report says

`` I think we do need to hold those who violate ...

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Trump administration has started talks with the Oregon governor’s office and indicated that it would begin to draw down the presence of federal agents sent to quell two months of chaotic protests in Portland if the state stepped up its own enforcement, a senior White House official said Tuesday.
The official stressed to The Associated Press that the talks with the office of Democratic Gov. Kate Brown are in the early stages and there is no agreement. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Brown didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office also didn’t immediately respond to an email.
Just a day earlier, the US Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security were weighing whether to send in more agents. The marshals were taking steps to identify up to 100 additional personnel who could go in case they were needed to relieve or supplement the deputy marshals who work in Oregon, spokesman Drew Wade said.
Homeland Security was considering a similar measure with Customs and Border Protection agents, according to an administration official with direct knowledge of the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
President Donald Trump did not let up on criticizing local authorities in their handling of the protests that began after George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police and have grown to include the presence of federal agents in Portland and other Democratic cities.
The nightly protests often spiral into violence as demonstrators target the US courthouse in Oregon’s largest city with rocks, fireworks and laser pointers and federal agents respond with tear gas, less-lethal ammunition and arrests.
“We, as you know, have done an excellent job of watching over Portland and watching our courthouse where they wanted to burn it down, they’re anarchists, nothing short of anarchist agitators,” Trump said Tuesday. “And we have protected it very powerfully. And if we didn’t go there, I will tell you, you wouldn’t have a courthouse. You’d have a billion-dollar burned-out building.”
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Tuesday that she had received confirmation that US agents had left her city after being sent to Seattle last week to protect federal buildings amid lingering unrest.
The developments came as the American Civil Liberties Union in Oregon filed a motion alleging that the militarized US agents are attacking journalists and legal observers with riot-control munitions, despite a federal court ordering them to stop.
Last week, the US District Court in Portland — located in the same federal court building that’s been the focus of protests — temporarily blocked federal officers from targeting journalists and legal observers at the protests.
The ACLU asked the court to sanction and hold in contempt federal agents for violating the temporary restraining order. It also asked the court to order Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli to personally appear and show why they should not be sanctioned for contempt.
The organization cited numerous instances in which agents have violated the order by firing impact munitions and using pepper spray against people clearly marked as journalists or legal observers.
The motion was filed after US Attorney General William Barr defended the aggressive federal response to Congress, saying “violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests” sparked by Floyd’s death.
The ACLU accused federal agents of acting unlawfully in Portland.
“This administration claims to be defending the federal courthouse, but won’t obey the orders coming out of it. What purpose are these agents actually serving then?” said Kelly Simon, interim legal director of the ACLU of Oregon.
One journalist, Jonathan Levinson of Oregon Public Broadcasting, said in a statement to the court that while he was trying to take a photograph Friday, he saw a federal agent raise his weapon, aim it at him and fire several rounds.
“My camera and lens were splattered with paint,” Levinson said. “Based on my position and the position of people around me, there is almost no chance the agent was aiming at anyone other than me.”
Levinson, who has covered conflicts worldwide and was deployed to Iraq as an Army officer, said he was wearing a press pass and a helmet that says “PRESS” in big letters on the front and back.
Kat Mahoney, a legal observer with the ACLU, said a federal agent fired a paintball at her, hitting her in the head Friday. The next night, an agent sprayed her and three other observers in the face as they told him they were legal observers and pointed to their credentials.
There was no immediate comment from the federal agencies on the motion and accusations.
Two groups also have sued the Department of Homeland Security, alleging it violated the Constitution by sending federal law enforcement to disperse crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit from the Wall of Moms — a group of self-described mothers — and the Don’t Shoot Portland group.
Members of the group of mothers have “been tear-gassed night after night, left vomiting and unable to eat or sleep because of the toxic poison blasted at them,” the lawsuit said.
Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty had asked Wolf on Monday for a meeting to discuss a cease-fire and their desire for the removal of the extra federal agents deployed to Portland.
The same day, US Attorney Billy J. Williams insisted that the agents will remain as long as protesters keep attacking the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse.
Protesters have tried almost every night to tear down a fence erected to protect the building, set fires in the street and hurled fireworks, Molotov cocktails and bricks, rocks and bottles at the agents inside.
On the 60th night of protests, demonstrators near the courthouse were met with tear gas, pepper balls and stun grenades fired by agents early Tuesday.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--‘Real Housewives of New York’ set to reunite in-person on Long Island next month

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) The “ Real Housewives of @ @ @ @ @ be able to fight each other in person next week instead of duking it out @ @ @ @ @ cast will be shooting an in-person reunion on Aug. 5 on Long Island , a @ @ @ @ @ .
Bravo boss and “ Watch What Happens Live ” instigator Andy Cohen will be @ @ @ @ @ us COVID precautions are still being ironed out for the taping , but they will @ @ @ @ @ as using a limited crew and mandatory face masks .
Being 6 feet apart will @ @ @ @ @ more reason to scream at each other .

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The “Real Housewives of New York City” will be able to fight each other in person next week instead of duking it out solely online.
The reality-show cast will be shooting an in-person reunion on Aug. 5 on Long Island, a source tells Page Six exclusively.
Bravo boss and “Watch What Happens Live” instigator Andy Cohen will be in attendance.
Sources tell us COVID precautions are still being ironed out for the taping, but they will be following CDC guidelines such as using a limited crew and mandatory face masks.
Being 6 feet apart will also give the women even more reason to scream at each other.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--‘No Limit Chronicles’ traces Master P’s rise to rap stardom

“ It ’ s gon ’ be no limit to your success when you dream big.
” Those words of wisdom were instilled in hip-hop mogul Master P by his grandmother when he was a kid .
And judging by how he built his No Limit Records empire — a journey that is covered in the new BET docuseries “ No Limit Chronicles , ” premiering Wednesday at 9 p.m. — Grandma was right .
The series traces how Percy “ Master P ” Miller rose up from the Calliope Projects in New Orleans — where , he says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothin ’ ” — to found his own label and launch himself and other members of his family into rap stardom .
And in addition to Master P , his brothers Corey “ C-Murder ” Miller , Vyshonn “ Silkk the Shocker ” Miller , ex-wife Sonya “ Sonya C ” Miller and son Romeo Miller are all interviewed here , showing you just how much of a family business No Limit was from its beginnings in 1991 to its bankruptcy in 2003 .
“ Nothing could stop us but us , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview , still looking every bit the gangsta .
The five-part docuseries reveals how Master P became the mastermind of No Limit Records — which Snoop Dogg , once on the label ’ s roster , describes as “ one of the great dynasties in hip-hop ” — by taking you back to his tough upbringing in the streets of New Orleans .
But while his grandmother would throw hot water on drug dealers to get them off his porch , Master P would also play DJ at family dinners .
Basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be his way out of the projects , and “ No Limit Chronicles ” details how Master P was a high school hoops star who played at the University of Houston before an ACL injury sidelined his basketball dreams .
He recounts how he then turned to selling drugs , much to his grandmother ’ s dismay , but found new inspiration when he and his high-school sweetheart Sonya had a “ blessing ” in their son Romeo .
“ No Limit Chronicles ” follows the family ’ s move to Richmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the No Limit Records and Tapes store with $ 10,000 in seed money from a malpractice suit after his grandfather ’ s death .
With his street savvy , he went from selling gangsta rap to becoming a gangsta rapper himself .
And “ No Limit Chronicles ” doesn ’ t shy away from the fact that he would sometimes sell music and drug product in tandem .
The docuseries also reveals Master P ’ s connection with the late rap legend Tupac Shakur , for whom he once opened .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he says .
But more than his rap skills , it ’ s clear that his business acumen is what really put the “ master ” in Master P. He started taking business classes at Merritt College in Oakland , California , and expanded his label ’ s roster to the south .
Taking it back to his roots , he brought up rappers from New Orleans , including female MC Mia X , who is interviewed here .
And in one juicy reveal , Master P turned down a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jimmy Iovine to keep his independent hustle going with No Limit Records , showing you just how much of a Bay Area boss he had become .

“It’s gon’ be no limit to your success when you dream big.”
Those words of wisdom were instilled in hip-hop mogul Master P by his grandmother when he was a kid. And judging by how he built his No Limit Records empire — a journey that is covered in the new BET docuseries “No Limit Chronicles,” premiering Wednesday at 9 p.m. — Grandma was right.
The series traces how Percy “Master P” Miller rose up from the Calliope Projects in New Orleans — where, he says, “a life ain’t worth nothin’ ” — to found his own label and launch himself and other members of his family into rap stardom. And in addition to Master P, his brothers Corey “C-Murder” Miller, Vyshonn “Silkk the Shocker” Miller, ex-wife Sonya “Sonya C” Miller and son Romeo Miller are all interviewed here, showing you just how much of a family business No Limit was from its beginnings in 1991 to its bankruptcy in 2003.
“Nothing could stop us but us,” says Master P, 53, in an interview, still looking every bit the gangsta.
The five-part docuseries reveals how Master P became the mastermind of No Limit Records — which Snoop Dogg, once on the label’s roster, describes as “one of the great dynasties in hip-hop” — by taking you back to his tough upbringing in the streets of New Orleans. But while his grandmother would throw hot water on drug dealers to get them off his porch, Master P would also play DJ at family dinners.
Basketball, not music, was initially supposed to be his way out of the projects, and “No Limit Chronicles” details how Master P was a high school hoops star who played at the University of Houston before an ACL injury sidelined his basketball dreams.
He recounts how he then turned to selling drugs, much to his grandmother’s dismay, but found new inspiration when he and his high-school sweetheart Sonya had a “blessing” in their son Romeo. “No Limit Chronicles” follows the family’s move to Richmond, California, where Master P opened the No Limit Records and Tapes store with $10,000 in seed money from a malpractice suit after his grandfather’s death.
With his street savvy, he went from selling gangsta rap to becoming a gangsta rapper himself. And “No Limit Chronicles” doesn’t shy away from the fact that he would sometimes sell music and drug product in tandem.
The docuseries also reveals Master P’s connection with the late rap legend Tupac Shakur, for whom he once opened. “I was really inspired by being with 2Pac,” he says.
But more than his rap skills, it’s clear that his business acumen is what really put the “master” in Master P. He started taking business classes at Merritt College in Oakland, California, and expanded his label’s roster to the south. Taking it back to his roots, he brought up rappers from New Orleans, including female MC Mia X, who is interviewed here.
And in one juicy reveal, Master P turned down a $1 million deal from Interscope Records honcho Jimmy Iovine to keep his independent hustle going with No Limit Records, showing you just how much of a Bay Area boss he had become.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Serial Manhattan bank robber strikes in Brooklyn, feds say

An accused serial Manhattan bank robber was charged Tuesday in yet another heist — this time in Brooklyn , federal prosecutors said .
Eric Adjei , 47 , allegedly robbed a Chase Bank in Prospect Heights July 21 at around 5:40 p.m. , while wearing a surgical mask and a black and a white horizontal-striped shirt .
“ I have a gun in my bag , give me $ 3,000 , ” he told a teller at the bank , before fleeing with the cash , according to a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday .
Adjei allegedly confessed to the stick-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to hit a Chase Bank in Harlem upon his release , prosecutors said .
That ’ s the same bank he ’ s been charged with robbing or attempting to rob on four separate occasions on May 24 , 2017 , July 24 , 2017 , December 28 , 2019 and January 24 , feds said .
Adjei pleaded guilty in 2018 to the first robbery , where he ’ d also handed a person a note demanding $ 3,000 and threatening to shoot them , before making off with $ 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was sentenced to three years probation in that case .
In the January heist , Adjei allegedly handed a teller a note that stated “ I ’ M A ROBBER .
I HAVE A BOMB IN MY BAG .
I NEED $ 35,000 RIGHT NOW ” and fled with $ 1,835 , according to the complaint in that case .
He was arraigned Jan. 25 on charges of robbery in the third degree , which is not a bail eligible offense , and granted supervised release , the Manhattan District Attorney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held without bail at his arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday on the most recent robbery charges .

An accused serial Manhattan bank robber was charged Tuesday in yet another heist — this time in Brooklyn, federal prosecutors said.
Eric Adjei, 47, allegedly robbed a Chase Bank in Prospect Heights July 21 at around 5:40 p.m., while wearing a surgical mask and a black and a white horizontal-striped shirt.
“I have a gun in my bag, give me $3,000,” he told a teller at the bank, before fleeing with the cash, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday.
Adjei allegedly confessed to the stick-up — and told law enforcement that he planned to hit a Chase Bank in Harlem upon his release, prosecutors said.
That’s the same bank he’s been charged with robbing or attempting to rob on four separate occasions on May 24, 2017, July 24, 2017, December 28, 2019 and January 24, feds said.
Adjei pleaded guilty in 2018 to the first robbery, where he’d also handed a person a note demanding $3,000 and threatening to shoot them, before making off with $2,000, according to a criminal complaint.
He was sentenced to three years probation in that case.
In the January heist, Adjei allegedly handed a teller a note that stated “I’M A ROBBER. I HAVE A BOMB IN MY BAG. I NEED $35,000 RIGHT NOW” and fled with $1,835, according to the complaint in that case.
He was arraigned Jan. 25 on charges of robbery in the third degree, which is not a bail eligible offense, and granted supervised release, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said.
Adjei was ordered held without bail at his arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday on the most recent robbery charges.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Jerry O’Connell’s kids think his best work is Mariah Carey’s ‘Heartbreaker’ video

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Jerry O ’ Connell ’ @ @ @ @ @ by Me ” doesn ’ t top the list of his daughters ’ favorite movies @ @ @ @ @ what project his kids liked best out of his four-decade career in film , theater @ @ @ @ @ a beat , Jerry responded that it ’ s Mariah Carey ’ s video for @ @ @ @ @ a source told us .
O ’ Connell portrays Carey ’ s two-timing boyfriend in @ @ @ @ @ He stars in “ The Secret : Dare To Dream , ” out Friday , @ @ @ @ @ Lucas .

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Jerry O’Connell’s classic film “Stand by Me” doesn’t top the list of his daughters’ favorite movies.
“When asked about what project his kids liked best out of his four-decade career in film, theater and TV, without missing a beat, Jerry responded that it’s Mariah Carey’s video for ‘Heartbreaker,’ ” a source told us. O’Connell portrays Carey’s two-timing boyfriend in the 1999 music video.
He stars in “The Secret: Dare To Dream,” out Friday, with Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Tiffany Haddish says racism is making her afraid to have children

Racial injustice around the world has Tiffany Haddish second-guessing motherhood .
“ I ’ m a little older now and people are always asking when I ’ m gon na have some babies , ” the 40-year-old comedian told Carmelo Anthony on his viral YouTube series , “ What ’ s in Your Glass.
” “ There ’ s a part of me that would like to do that , and I always make up these excuses like , ‘ Oh , I need a million dollars in the bank before I do that , I need this , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s that I would hate to give birth to someone that looks like me … Knowing that they ’ re gon na be hunted or killed .
Like , why would I put someone through that ?
, ” a teary Haddish continued .
Anthony kicked off the interview complimenting Haddish ’ s newly shaved head and grilling her on what ’ s in her cup .
“ Orange juice with vodka … I ’ m trying to keep my immune system up , ” she quipped .
The conversation took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Last O.G.
” co-star Tracy Morgan .
“ He ’ s so talented , ” she said .
“ He ’ s so funny .
He ’ s the type of guy while they ’ re setting up , he ’ s making the extras laugh .
”

Racial injustice around the world has Tiffany Haddish second-guessing motherhood.
“I’m a little older now and people are always asking when I’m gonna have some babies,” the 40-year-old comedian told Carmelo Anthony on his viral YouTube series, “What’s in Your Glass.”
“There’s a part of me that would like to do that, and I always make up these excuses like, ‘Oh, I need a million dollars in the bank before I do that, I need this, I need that.’ But really, it’s that I would hate to give birth to someone that looks like me … Knowing that they’re gonna be hunted or killed. Like, why would I put someone through that?,” a teary Haddish continued.
Anthony kicked off the interview complimenting Haddish’s newly shaved head and grilling her on what’s in her cup. “Orange juice with vodka … I’m trying to keep my immune system up,” she quipped.
The conversation took a much lighter turn as she impersonated her “The Last O.G.” co-star Tracy Morgan. “He’s so talented,” she said. “He’s so funny. He’s the type of guy while they’re setting up, he’s making the extras laugh.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--MLB blames Marlins, adjusts schedule in coronavirus aftershock

The MLB press release began with the moving parts .
The ...

Major League Baseball, its season having struck a coronavirus iceberg just days after leaving port, took dramatic, dizzying measures Tuesday to keep its endeavor afloat.
The Marlins, with four more players testing positive for COVID-19 Tuesday to give them a total of 15 (plus two coaches), will cease playing through Sunday, the league announced. The Phillies, who hosted the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park last weekend — and played the series finale on Sunday despite knowing already of four positive Miami cases — won’t play through Thursday. And the Yankees, who were supposed to play the Phillies this week in a home-and-home, instead headed from Philadelphia (where they did nothing for two days) to Baltimore so they could take on the Orioles — who were supposed to be playing the Marlins — Wednesday and Thursday.
“We’re in a world where no one has dealt with anything like this before,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, “so I think we all need to be pliable and be able to pivot and at least be open to adjust.”
Whether any adjustments will prove sufficient to save baseball’s 2020 campaign remains undetermined. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ top infectious diseases expert, told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday that the Marlins’ outbreak “could put [the season] in danger.” Fauci added: “I don’t believe they need to stop, but we just need to follow this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis.”
That’s what MLB intends to do, with particular scrutiny on the Marlins and Phillies. If the league considered bringing the Marlins back sooner than Monday, such enthusiasm surely was curbed by the Nationals voting to not travel to Miami this weekend. While the Nats couldn’t unilaterally declare such an action, MLB surely wouldn’t slap three forfeit losses on the defending champions in this environment. Pausing the Marlins through Sunday solved that problem.
With everyone running for cover as the ground shook under MLB’s feet, MLB blamed the Marlins for this headache, and Miami’s CEO Derek Jeter blamed the road for his club’s troubles.
After boasting that no one outside the Marlins had tested positive in more than 6,400 tests conducted since July 24 — and that the overall positive rate through July 23 had been 0.3 percent from over 32,000 samples — MLB added, “The difficult circumstances of one Club reinforce the vital need to be diligent with the protocols in all ways, both on and off the field.”
Jeter, meanwhile, said his team will stay in Philadelphia until the situation calms down and hereon will undergo daily testing, an uptick over MLB’s every-other-day protocol. Jeter added: “We look forward to safely returning to Miami where we conducted a successful and healthy Spring 2.0 before departing on the road and experiencing challenges.” The Marlins played a pair of exhibition games in Atlanta July 22-23 before heading to Philadelphia.
The Phillies took consolation in that no one on their team had contracted the disease as of Tuesday. Yet as manager Joe Girardi noted in an interview with MLB Network Radio, “[T]he incubation period is 2-to-14 days. And I know we can’t wait 14 days, but I think we have to be really smart about this.” They will wait four days. Girardi, moreover, expressed regret for the Phillies’ decision to finish the Marlins series while knowing that his Yankees pal Jeter’s team was facing peril.
The Yankees, meanwhile, found themselves hit by the Marlins shrapnel because they happened to be the team following them to Philadelphia. Yankees player representative Zack Britton said the players agreed rather easily Tuesday to head to Baltimore rather than go home as originally scheduled. MLB said that more schedule alterations will be announced shortly; the original schedule called for the Yankees to go to Baltimore next week.
“You’re going to have to deal with the curveballs that can likely come on a daily and weekly basis,” Aaron Boone said.
“Coming into it, we understood that … there could be a team that could have multiple positive tests,” said Britton, who professed his confidence that the Yankees would continue to honor the collectively bargained health and safety protocols.
“I don’t know if any of us thought there would be. … I think they’re up to 17 cases now, 15 players,” Girardi said accurately of the Marlins.
It’s an awful lot, exactly half of Miami’s roster. Then again, Fox Sports announced Tuesday evening that an awful lot of people streamed the July 25 Yankees-Nationals game — a regular-season record — which explains why MLB desperately wants to keep the season going.
“I can’t tell you I have confidence. I can’t tell you I don’t have confidence [about the rest of the season],” Cashman said. “I can tell you we’re going to do everything in our power to do everything the right way and play baseball as long as we can. If something changes, it changes.”
More icebergs loom out there. Can baseball, with the same unreliable GPS as everyone else in these unprecedented times, avoid them?
— With Joel Sherman


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Philadelphia students to start school year online after public backlash

One of the city ’ s top schools is pursuing full remote ...

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PHILADELPHIA — The School District of Philadelphia is switching gears to keep all public school students in online classes after a previous plan to return students to class two days a week drew fears and criticism from parents, teachers and administrators.
The district announced it’s revised plan for students Tuesday, which calls for online-only instruction at least through the first marking period that ends in mid-November. The district will hold a public forum on the revised plan Thursday when the school board is expected to vote.
The new plan would switch to a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning after Nov. 17 as long as the city’s Department of Health confirmed it was safe to do so, school officials said.
“These changes were not made lightly. All of the decisions we are making due to the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult ones with no obvious answers for how to account for the many, and often competing, needs of our students, staff and families,” Superintendent William Hite said in an emailed statement. “As I’ve stated many times before, this school year will be a challenge for us all, as we learn how to cope with this ‘new normal.’ And being flexible will be essential for us all.”
State officials have largely avoided issuing a one-size-fits-all directive to school districts on how or whether they should physically reopen. A superintendents group pressed the Pennsylvania Department of Health Monday for stronger guidance, saying school leaders and school boards need more help with specific safety guidance.
The Philadelphia district had sent surveys to parents and sought input for several weeks prior to issuing the plan to return to schools. But many parents and teachers still questioned whether it was safe with the increase in positive coronavirus cases and other factors like many students being asked to ride public transportation to and from school.
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers issued a statement earlier Tuesday urging the district to consider online learning for now.
“Never in our lifetimes have we seen a situation like this, and there is no road map for how to navigate so many factors,” said teachers union President Jerry Jordan. “We desperately want to reopen school buildings, but unfortunately, there’s been a confluence of events–not the least of which being the virus trajectory itself–that shows that this is simply not possible.”
Under the Philadelphia district’s previous proposal, most students would have come back to schools for in-person instruction two days every week and participated in online instruction for three days. Parents also had the option of choosing all online instruction through the district’s virtual academy.
As of late last week, about 2,000 students had been registered for the online option. The deadline to register was set for August 4 and parents had to agree to keep the students online for two marking periods.
The part-time return to schools drew intense sometimes emotional testimony during a school board meeting last Thursday, where more than 100 parents, teachers and administrators called to voice concerns about the district’s ability to ensure student and employee safety. Hite withdrew the plan before the board voted.
City officials including Health Commissioner Thomas Farley had said they supported students physically returning because safety concerns needed to be weighed against the needs of students who would fair better with in-person instruction including students who speak English as a second language and those with learning disabilities that make online classes difficult.
The announcement Tuesday did not address the specific plans for those populations of students. The district said it would still work to provide laptops to students who needed them and officials were working with local businesses and legislators to find reliable internet options for those without high-speed internet at home.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Cuomo’s SLA gets 40 state workers to spy on bars, restaurants in NYC area

More than 130 New York bars and restaurants — mostly ...

This may be the biggest booze-spying operation since Prohibition.
Pencil-pushers from a slew of state agencies have been enlisted to go undercover to find violations of social-distancing rules at bars and restaurants in New York City and Long Island, The Post has learned.
An internal email shows that the State Liquor Authority last week put out a call for volunteers from various state offices in and south of Albany to serve as spies for a new initiative spearheaded by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Applicants had to “be comfortable with field investigative work in public settings” and willing to work between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., the email said.
They “would be trained and expected to walk neighborhoods in NYC and Long Island to observe restaurants and bars for compliance with reopening guidelines” and “narrative reports and pictures of non-compliant establishments would be required each night,” it added.
The request has already resulted in 40 newly trained and “activated” investigators from agencies including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Taxation and Finance, an SLA spokesman said.
The move more than doubled the SLA’s statewide staff of 30 full-time investigators, and more than tripled the 17 who are assigned to New York and Long Island, the spokesman said.
It was unclear whether any of the new operatives have yet led to the issuance of any violations, which are punishable by fines of up to $10,000 each.
A Democratic state senator said the stopgap measure wouldn’t have been needed if Cuomo hadn’t imposed a hiring freeze that’s crippled state agencies.
“The biggest problem is the shortage of staff. So here you are, and you don’t have enough people to do this work and you’re running around trying to crack down on bars and restaurants,” the lawmaker said.
“This is reality and the state has not been hiring in the past several years now. Now they’re stretching the state workforce too thin.”
Cuomo spokesman Jack Sterne defended the actions.
“Throughout the response to the pandemic, state workers have stepped up to support fellow agencies in their efforts to combat COVID, including investigators who are detailed to the multi-agency task force on bars and restaurants,” Sterne said.
“These investigators are all examples of dedicated public servants, and we thank them for their commitment to protecting New Yorkers’ health and keeping the coronavirus at bay.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--‘Wheel of Fortune,’ ‘Jeopardy!’ returning with redesigned sets for social distancing

EXCLUSIVE : Two of America ’ s longest-running gameshows , “ Wheel of Fortune ” and “ Jeopardy !
” are heading back to the studio .
Both shows were hit by the COVID-19 production shutdown but Deadline understands that both syndicated shows , which come from Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Distribution , are set to start filming this week and next .
There will , however , be a few adjustments .
In “ Wheel of Fortune , ” Deadline understands that the wheel has been redesigned to provide proper social distancing between contestants .
Over on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been slightly redesigned to allow for more space between the three contestant podiums .
The contestants will also be at a safe distance from host Alex Trebek at his lectern .
As you can imagine , both shows have taken health and safety precautions as they return to production in Culver City , California .
Only essential staff and crew will be allowed on stage , PPE will be provided for everyone behind the scenes and all staff and crew will be tested on a regular basis , while contestants will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studio before they tape .
Social distancing measures will also be rigorously enforced both on-stage and off .
“ Jeopardy !
, ” which is set to film five episodes a day , two days a week , is expected to be back in the studio this week , while “ Wheel of Fortune ” is aiming to return to filming next week .
“ Wheel of Fortune , ” which is hosted by at Pat Sajak and Vanna White , is entering its 38th season , while Alex Trebek-hosted “ Jeopardy !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both shows , created by Merv Griffin , are contracted through to the 2022-2023 season and are exec produced by Mike Richards , who replaces the retiring Harry Friedman .
“ ’ Wheel of Fortune ’ and ‘ Jeopardy !
’ are returning to the studio to tape episodes for the shows ’ upcoming seasons .
The productions have protocols in place in accordance with current government guidelines to protect contestants , staff , crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19 .
While some things may have changed behind the scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , fans can expect to see the same ‘ Wheel of Fortune ’ and ‘ Jeopardy !
’ they have come to love when the season starts , ” a studio spokeswoman told Deadline .

EXCLUSIVE: Two of America’s longest-running gameshows, “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” are heading back to the studio.
Both shows were hit by the COVID-19 production shutdown but Deadline understands that both syndicated shows, which come from Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Distribution, are set to start filming this week and next.
There will, however, be a few adjustments.
In “Wheel of Fortune,” Deadline understands that the wheel has been redesigned to provide proper social distancing between contestants.
Over on “Jeopardy!,” the stage has been slightly redesigned to allow for more space between the three contestant podiums. The contestants will also be at a safe distance from host Alex Trebek at his lectern.
As you can imagine, both shows have taken health and safety precautions as they return to production in Culver City, California. Only essential staff and crew will be allowed on stage, PPE will be provided for everyone behind the scenes and all staff and crew will be tested on a regular basis, while contestants will also be tested before they come to the studio before they tape. Social distancing measures will also be rigorously enforced both on-stage and off.
“Jeopardy!,” which is set to film five episodes a day, two days a week, is expected to be back in the studio this week, while “Wheel of Fortune” is aiming to return to filming next week.
“Wheel of Fortune,” which is hosted by at Pat Sajak and Vanna White, is entering its 38th season, while Alex Trebek-hosted “Jeopardy!” is going into its 37th season. Both shows, created by Merv Griffin, are contracted through to the 2022-2023 season and are exec produced by Mike Richards, who replaces the retiring Harry Friedman.
“’Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ are returning to the studio to tape episodes for the shows’ upcoming seasons. The productions have protocols in place in accordance with current government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19. While some things may have changed behind the scenes and on the set to keep everyone safe, fans can expect to see the same ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ they have come to love when the season starts,” a studio spokeswoman told Deadline.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--L’Oreal allegedly seeks personal medical info from workers seeking COVID accommodations

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Beauty giant L ’ Oréal is taking @ @ @ @ @ who ’ d like accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic to cough up their personal medical @ @ @ @ @ posted on the Estée Laundry Instagram account , employees have been sent a form to @ @ @ @ @ information regarding any physical or mental limitation ( s ) ” that may affect their @ @ @ @ @ work , ” during the pandemic .
It allows any “ physician , health care @ @ @ @ @ facility to consult with L ’ Oréal ” to see if “ accommodations are required.
@ @ @ @ @ the info is managed by a third party and will be handled by two employees @ @ @ @ @ manage highly confidential ” medical info .
Reps from L ’ Oréal did not respond @ @ @

Beauty giant L’Oréal is taking heat for allegedly asking employees who’d like accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic to cough up their personal medical info.
According to photos posted on the Estée Laundry Instagram account, employees have been sent a form to authorize the release of “information regarding any physical or mental limitation(s)” that may affect their ability to “safely perform work,” during the pandemic.
It allows any “physician, health care provider, hospital or medical facility to consult with L’Oréal” to see if “accommodations are required.” Another letter said that the info is managed by a third party and will be handled by two employees that are “trained to manage highly confidential” medical info.
Estée Laundry has been tracking companies’ re-entry policies.
Reps from L’Oréal did not respond for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Joe Judge’s past experiences prepare him for Giants challenge

Here is what Joe Judge does not want to hear ...

There is so much discussion as to how Joe Judge is at a disadvantage as he embarks on his first head coaching assignment at any level.
He does not get to assemble his players, en masse, until the month of August. Think about that. The first time this 38-year-old novice head coach meets most of his players face to face has yet to arrive. In a job fraught with uphill battles, this is quite a steep one.
Yet Judge might be better prepared for this than is appears he should be. His background as a special teams coach and coordinator is atypical, as far as ascending to the top of the NFL coaching rung. Coordinators specializing on offense are more in vogue than ever. Still, hiring defensive-minded coaches is certainly not rare. Special teams? John Harbaugh of the Ravens was the only one in the league, until the Giants took a gamble on Judge.
Head coaches who call the plays on offense must spend a great deal of time in one specific meeting room. The same holds true for coaches specializing on defense. Judge is not bound by any such requirements. He has coordinators on offense (Jason Garrett), defense (Patrick Graham) and special teams (Thomas McGaughey), and all three get to run their own meetings. Judge can bounce from one to another, wherever he feels he is needed most. He can be all things to all players.
“It’s important for all the players to understand I’m working with every single one of ’em,’’ Judge told The Post this offseason. “That’s important. I can’t be the head offensive coach or the head defensive coach. I can be the head football coach. That accounts for all of our players and all the situations.’’
In some ways, this is nothing new for Judge. The past five years, he served as special teams coordinator with the Patriots, meaning Judge spent more time up in front of the entire team than any other coach besides Bill Belichick. Judge worked with the kickers and punters and long-snappers, of course, but also the gunners — primarily defensive backs or wide receivers — linemen involved in the coverage schemes and loads and loads of linebackers. Tom Brady was not involved in special teams, but most everyone else on the roster was, at one time or another.
“Special teams coordinators have to know everyone on the team,’’ Geoff Schwartz, a former NFL offensive lineman for the Giants, Panthers, Vikings and Chiefs told The Post. “They have to know what everyone does, what role they have on the team, how to evaluate players of all positions. Just from a leadership standpoint you’re reading a large group all the time. That part of it is very good.
“A lot of times you go from being offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator, where you run just one side of the room. Specials teams guys run everything. They talk to every player, they’re in charge of different meetings and schemes and whatnot. I think it can work. Especially when you hire a Jason Garrett, a longtime head coach. Surrounding yourself with other coaches who have had a lot of experience in the NFL is really good for a first-time head coach.’’
Even though Judge’s expertise is on special teams, he makes sure to acknowledge he will not infringe on McGaughey’s territory. McGaughey ran the Giants special teams the past two seasons for Pat Shurmur — in addition to previously running the special teams show for the Jets, 49ers and Panthers — and was retained by Judge.
This is not to say Judge will be laissez-faire when it comes to special teams. His interest in that department was highlighted by the Giants selecting four linebackers in the sixth and seventh rounds of the NFL draft.
“You don’t think that’s a direct reflection of the head coach saying ‘I want my special teams to be the best aspect out of these three, I need more athletes,’ ’’ said Shaun O’Hara, former Giants center and currently an NFL Network analyst.
If this works out for Judge and the Giants, perhaps it sparks more interest in special teams coordinators moving into head coaching vacancies. Judge at the moment is not concerned with being a trendsetter.
“I don’t know that anyone necessarily does or does not have an advantage,’’ Judge said. “I just know what I’m going to be involved in. I’m gonna be involved in all three sides of the ball. I’ve been able to be around some great coaches who are truly involved in all three sides of the ball. That’s really the example I’ve leaned on to how to do it myself, in terms of how to balance it out and how to make sure we’re operating as a true team, with complementary football. That will be the biggest thing for me, being involved across the board.’’


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Jeff Bezos will admit Amazon should be scrutinized before Congress

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will admit that his company should be scrutinized when he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee ’ s antitrust panel on Wednesday .
But the tech mogul is also expected to defend the e-commerce giant to lawmakers , who are probing how the business practices and data gathering of Amazon , Facebook , Google and Apple have hurt smaller rivals .
“ I believe Amazon should be scrutinized , ” Bezos , 56 , said in written testimony released Tuesday , ahead of the unprecedented congressional hearing .
“ We should scrutinize all large institutions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies , or non-profits .
Our responsibility is to make sure we pass such scrutiny with flying colors.
” The entrepreneur will argue that Amazon faces fierce competition from large rivals , including Target , Costco , Kroger and Walmart , which is more than twice its size .
Testifying for the first time before Congress , Bezos , the world ’ s richest person , will paint his company as an inspiring American “ success ” story , detailing challenges he faced while trying to launch the online giant in the mid-1990s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note , too , saying that “ when you look in the mirror , assess the criticism , and still believe you ’ re doing the right thing , no force in the world should be able to move you.
” Bezos is to be grilled along with chief executives Tim Cook of Apple , Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sundar Pichai of Google and its parent firm Alphabet .

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will admit that his company should be scrutinized when he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel on Wednesday.
But the tech mogul is also expected to defend the e-commerce giant to lawmakers, who are probing how the business practices and data gathering of Amazon, Facebook, Google and Apple have hurt smaller rivals.
“I believe Amazon should be scrutinized,” Bezos, 56, said in written testimony released Tuesday, ahead of the unprecedented congressional hearing.
“We should scrutinize all large institutions, whether they’re companies, government agencies, or non-profits. Our responsibility is to make sure we pass such scrutiny with flying colors.”
The entrepreneur will argue that Amazon faces fierce competition from large rivals, including Target, Costco, Kroger and Walmart, which is more than twice its size.
Testifying for the first time before Congress, Bezos, the world’s richest person, will paint his company as an inspiring American “success” story, detailing challenges he faced while trying to launch the online giant in the mid-1990s.
He’ll strike a defiant note, too, saying that “when you look in the mirror, assess the criticism, and still believe you’re doing the right thing, no force in the world should be able to move you.”
Bezos is to be grilled along with chief executives Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sundar Pichai of Google and its parent firm Alphabet.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Trump revives push for hydroxychloroquine during White House COVID-19 briefing

President Trump on Tuesday resumed his push for coronavirus patients to take hydroxychloroquine .
Trump spoke at length during a White House press briefing about the anti-malaria drug , including his experience taking it for two weeks as a COVID-19 prophylactic .
“ Many doctors think it is extremely good and some people don ’ t… I happen to believe in it .
I would take it .
As you know , I took it for a 14 day period and I ’ m here , right ?
I ’ m here , ” Trump said .
“ I happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stages .
I think frontline medical people believe that too — some , many .
So we ’ ll take a look at it , ” he continued .
Trump resumed the daily coronavirus press briefings last week .
During an initial stretch of briefings in March and April , he was routinely peppered with questions from reporters about whether the drug is safe , or if there ’ s proof it works against COVID-19 .
A small Brazilian study using high doses of a related drug , chloroquine , was canceled this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday night , Trump retweeted some messages of support for the drug ’ s use .
“ It ’ s safe .
It doesn ’ t cause problems .
I had no problem .
I had absolutely no problem — felt no different , didn ’ t feel good bad or indifferent , ” Trump said Tuesday .
“ It didn ’ t get me and it ’ s not going to hopefully hurt anybody.
” He added : “ Politically it doesn ’ t seem to be too popular .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
When I recommend something , they like to say don ’ t use it.
” Trump said he ’ s not aware of White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s views on hydroxychloroquine and that he has a “ good relationship ” with Fauci , despite an overnight retweet of a message , which was later removed , criticizing the infectious disease expert .
Trump said “ I ’ ve read a lot about hydroxy ” and that “ there was a group of doctors yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the internet .
And for some reason the internet wanted to take them down .
And took them off , I guess .
I guess Twitter took them off .
And I think Facebook took them off .
I don ’ t know why.
” The president said “ there was a woman who was spectacular in her statements about it , and she ’ s had tremendous with it .
And they took her voice off… maybe they had a good reason , maybe they didn ’ t. ” A reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same female doctor , Stella Immanuel , reportedly claimed that doctors make medicine using DNA from aliens .
“ Well , maybe it ’ s the same and maybe it ’ s not , ” Trump said .
“ I can tell you this , she was on air along with many other doctors .
They were big fans of hydroxychloroquine and I thought she was very impressive in the sense that from where she came — I don ’ t know which country she comes from — but she said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of different patients , and I thought her voice was an important voice .
But I know nothing about her .
”

President Trump on Tuesday resumed his push for coronavirus patients to take hydroxychloroquine.
Trump spoke at length during a White House press briefing about the anti-malaria drug, including his experience taking it for two weeks as a COVID-19 prophylactic.
“Many doctors think it is extremely good and some people don’t… I happen to believe in it. I would take it. As you know, I took it for a 14 day period and I’m here, right? I’m here,” Trump said.
“I happen to think it works in the early stages. I think frontline medical people believe that too — some, many. So we’ll take a look at it,” he continued.
Trump resumed the daily coronavirus press briefings last week. During an initial stretch of briefings in March and April, he was routinely peppered with questions from reporters about whether the drug is safe, or if there’s proof it works against COVID-19.
A small Brazilian study using high doses of a related drug, chloroquine, was canceled this year after some patients developed irregular heartbeats.
On Monday night, Trump retweeted some messages of support for the drug’s use.
“It’s safe. It doesn’t cause problems. I had no problem. I had absolutely no problem — felt no different, didn’t feel good bad or indifferent,” Trump said Tuesday. “It didn’t get me and it’s not going to hopefully hurt anybody.”
He added: “Politically it doesn’t seem to be too popular. You know why? Because I recommend it. When I recommend something, they like to say don’t use it.”
Trump said he’s not aware of White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci’s views on hydroxychloroquine and that he has a “good relationship” with Fauci, despite an overnight retweet of a message, which was later removed, criticizing the infectious disease expert.
Trump said “I’ve read a lot about hydroxy” and that “there was a group of doctors yesterday, a large group, that were put on the internet. And for some reason the internet wanted to take them down. And took them off, I guess. I guess Twitter took them off. And I think Facebook took them off. I don’t know why.”
The president said “there was a woman who was spectacular in her statements about it, and she’s had tremendous with it. And they took her voice off… maybe they had a good reason, maybe they didn’t.”
A reporter asked Trump whether he was aware that the same female doctor, Stella Immanuel, reportedly claimed that doctors make medicine using DNA from aliens.
“Well, maybe it’s the same and maybe it’s not,” Trump said. “I can tell you this, she was on air along with many other doctors. They were big fans of hydroxychloroquine and I thought she was very impressive in the sense that from where she came — I don’t know which country she comes from — but she said she’s had tremendous success with hundreds of different patients, and I thought her voice was an important voice. But I know nothing about her.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Yankees make ‘powerful statement’ during coronavirus turmoil

Forty-five minutes before the Yankees were scheduled to bus Tuesday from Philadelphia to Yankee Stadium , where they had a workout planned , the itinerary changed drastically .
So , instead of opening a two-game series against the Phillies on Wednesday night in The Bronx , after two games in Philadelphia were postponed when more than a dozen Marlins tested positive for COVID-19 after spending the weekend at Citizens Bank Park , the Yankees instead went to Baltimore and will play two games against the Orioles starting Wednesday .
The move had to be approved by players on each club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cashman they are comfortable with the health and safety protocols and have a hunger to play .
“ We are excited about the crew we have and we are excited right now that we have avoided the COVID situation to put us in position to play and I think the fact that our players said what they said [ Tuesday ] when they voted , ‘ We will go to Baltimore , ’ ” Cashman said on a Zoom call late Tuesday afternoon while his club prepared for a trip to Baltimore and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Their attitude is , ‘ Tell us where and we will be there.
’ I think it is a very powerful statement by them.
’ ’ Living and playing in a world with an invisible enemy provokes anxiety , but according to Zack Britton his teammates have been calmed by the way the Yankees have handled the situation .
“ The Yankees will go above and beyond the measures they need to keep us in a safe environment , ’ ’ said Britton , who as the player representative to the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ From a players ’ standpoint we are confident .
We feel if we follow the guidelines and with our organization going above and beyond a lot of the protocols to ensure out safety I think we should be OK. ’ ’ According to Britton , the players discussed what was on the table .
“ We were given some options on what we possibly could do .
Guys felt like , obviously we want to play .
Our team has done a pretty good job , I think , following the protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great job of sanitizing the visiting clubhouse and things like that , ’ ’ Britton said .
“ We felt like we didn ’ t want to take three or four days off .
There is an opportunity to go to Baltimore to play .
That is what we wanted to do and that is what we decided.
’ ’ The outbreak among the Marlins ’ players before one full week of games had been played raised question about MLB ’ s chance of completing a 60-game season .
Britton believes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big part of doing their respective parts to stay as safe as possible .
“ I think every organization is responsible for the way they approach this , ” he said .
“ You don ’ t have MLB officials every day in the clubhouse monitoring this so a lot of the responsibility falls on the players and the organization to do the right thing and follow the protocols .
I think we are doing a great job as an organization following the protocols and going above and beyond to make sure we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play.
’ ’ Aaron Boone has often talked about the team that mentally handles the changing tides of the season will be ahead of those who don ’ t .
“ We always try to be prepared for adversity .
We know adversity is coming our way and 2020 is unlike anything we all have experienced .
We knew going into this that we would have to prepare for some uncomfortable situations , some difficult times , difficult days , ’ ’ Boone said .
“ From a baseball standpoint , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from inconveniences .
I do feel like we are uniquely equipped to handle that .
I think that is one of those things that is going to be critical if you are going to have success on the baseball field this year .
You are going to have to deal with the curveballs.
’ ’ The breaking pitch that was delivered Tuesday to the Yankees was further proof that nothing about this weird season is paying attention to a script .

Forty-five minutes before the Yankees were scheduled to bus Tuesday from Philadelphia to Yankee Stadium, where they had a workout planned, the itinerary changed drastically.
So, instead of opening a two-game series against the Phillies on Wednesday night in The Bronx, after two games in Philadelphia were postponed when more than a dozen Marlins tested positive for COVID-19 after spending the weekend at Citizens Bank Park, the Yankees instead went to Baltimore and will play two games against the Orioles starting Wednesday.
The move had to be approved by players on each club and the Yankees showed general manager Brian Cashman they are comfortable with the health and safety protocols and have a hunger to play.
“We are excited about the crew we have and we are excited right now that we have avoided the COVID situation to put us in position to play and I think the fact that our players said what they said [Tuesday] when they voted, ‘We will go to Baltimore,’ ” Cashman said on a Zoom call late Tuesday afternoon while his club prepared for a trip to Baltimore and a Camden Yard workout Tuesday night. “Their attitude is, ‘Tell us where and we will be there.’ I think it is a very powerful statement by them.’’
Living and playing in a world with an invisible enemy provokes anxiety, but according to Zack Britton his teammates have been calmed by the way the Yankees have handled the situation.
“The Yankees will go above and beyond the measures they need to keep us in a safe environment,’’ said Britton, who as the player representative to the players’ association, chaired the meeting. “From a players’ standpoint we are confident. We feel if we follow the guidelines and with our organization going above and beyond a lot of the protocols to ensure out safety I think we should be OK.’’
According to Britton, the players discussed what was on the table.
“We were given some options on what we possibly could do. Guys felt like, obviously we want to play. Our team has done a pretty good job, I think, following the protocols, and our medical staff has done a great job of sanitizing the visiting clubhouse and things like that,’’ Britton said. “We felt like we didn’t want to take three or four days off. There is an opportunity to go to Baltimore to play. That is what we wanted to do and that is what we decided.’’
The outbreak among the Marlins’ players before one full week of games had been played raised question about MLB’s chance of completing a 60-game season. Britton believes the players and teams have to shoulder a big part of doing their respective parts to stay as safe as possible.
“I think every organization is responsible for the way they approach this,” he said. “You don’t have MLB officials every day in the clubhouse monitoring this so a lot of the responsibility falls on the players and the organization to do the right thing and follow the protocols. I think we are doing a great job as an organization following the protocols and going above and beyond to make sure we are healthy and our players are available to play.’’
Aaron Boone has often talked about the team that mentally handles the changing tides of the season will be ahead of those who don’t.
“We always try to be prepared for adversity. We know adversity is coming our way and 2020 is unlike anything we all have experienced. We knew going into this that we would have to prepare for some uncomfortable situations, some difficult times, difficult days,’’ Boone said. “From a baseball standpoint, from a virus standpoint, from travel, from inconveniences. I do feel like we are uniquely equipped to handle that. I think that is one of those things that is going to be critical if you are going to have success on the baseball field this year. You are going to have to deal with the curveballs.’’
The breaking pitch that was delivered Tuesday to the Yankees was further proof that nothing about this weird season is paying attention to a script.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--This won’t be a normal Rangers-Islanders preseason match

So the number of games the depth-challenged Rangers will be ...

It may be the Rangers’ first game of any kind since March 11 following a break of 140 days, and it may be against the Islanders, but when New York, New York takes place Wednesday night in Toronto, this pre-tournament prep match is still nothing more than an exhibition tilt.
And you do know how memorable exhibition tilts are, correct?
Nevertheless, there is a fair amount of anticipation leading into the match that will provide the only pre-tournament competition for our teams, each of whom will play Game 1 of their respective best-of-five qualifying rounds on Saturday. The Rangers face the Hurricanes while the Islanders meet the Panthers.
“You could sense the energy and excitement in our practice today,” David Quinn said via Zoom. “Guys are looking forward to playing an opponent not on our own team, like we have been in the scrimmages. It’s an exciting time. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
The match promises to be more about muscle memory than the final score. No one wants to look bad, but more than that, no one wants to get hurt, either. The score will be 0-0 when the puck drops on Saturday regardless of what transpires in this exhibition match.
“It is a balancing act for everybody that plays an exhibition game,” Quinn said. “Under these unique circumstances, we’ve all as coaches been pushing our teams as hard as we can without putting them in position to get hurt, and I think [Wednesday] will be a very similar situation.”
“That being said, once you start playing against an opponent, your adrenaline just takes over, and your competitiveness and your drive, so if the guys are playing, they’re going to play. We need to get ready for Saturday and this is part of that process.”
Teams are allowed to dress one extra forward and one extra defenseman for the exhibition matches. Brendan Lemieux, suspended for the first two games against Carolina but eligible for the exhibition tilt, will dress as the 13th forward, while Libor Hajek will dress as the seventh defenseman.
Hajek, who has been practicing regularly with the varsity, was in the lineup for the Rangers’ first 27 matches before suffering a knee injury in Columbus on Dec. 5. The 22-year-old, acquired from Tampa Bay as the integral piece of the 2018 deadline deal in which Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller went the other way, missed the next 16 games rehabbing. He played in St. Louis on Jan. 11 before being sent to Hartford, where he spent the remainder of the season.
Quinn declined to discuss the goaltending plan for Wednesday, saying he had not yet spoken to his three netminders. Igor Shesterkin is expected to get the start, with Henrik Lundqvist the backup while Alex Georgiev not dressing. The likelihood is that Shesterkin and Lundqvist will split the game in some manner.


newyorkpost--2020-07-28--Manhattan protester busted by NYPD, loaded into unmarked minivan

New York and the Rochester-based Kodak Corp. are about to ...

Craig McCarthy, Aaron Feis, Larry Celona, Elizabeth Rosner

Plainclothes cops were attacked with “rocks and bottles” as they swooped in to to arrest a suspected vandal in an unmarked van Tuesday, the NYPD said.
Viral videos show an 18-year-old Lower East Side woman who was suspected of destroying four police cameras being arrested in an unmarked gray KIA minivan.
The officers were swarmed by others with her — even as a group of uniformed officers on bicycles almost immediately intervened, making it clear what was happening, the video shows.
Others posted online about the woman being “kidnapped” and “snatched up” — even as NYPD officers were clearly on the scene and soon under siege.
The NYPD soon made it clear that the Warrant Squad routinely “uses unmarked vehicles to effectively locate wanted suspects.”
“When officers from the Warrant Squad took the woman into custody in a gray NYPD minivan this evening, they were assaulted with rocks and bottles,” the force said in a statement on Twitter.
Previous 1 of 19 Next Advertisement NYPD officers in an unmarked minivan snatch a female protester off the street during a rally on 2nd Avenue and 25th Street in Manhattan. Stefan Jeremiah / NYPost Stefan Jeremiah / NYPost Advertisement Protesters respond to uniformed NYPD bike cops. Stefan Jeremiah / NYPost Black Lives Matter protesters hanging out and skateboarding at a public park on 25th Street. Stefan Jeremiah / NYPost Protesters are pepper sprayed on 26th and 2nd Ave. Stephen Yang Advertisement Protesters and police clash on 26th and 2nd Ave. Stephen Yang Stephen Yang Stephen Yang Advertisement Police at East 25th St. and Madison Ave. William C. Lopez/NYPost Police arrest a Black Lives Matter protester at East 25th St. and Madison Ave. William C. Lopez/NYPOST A group of people march from Tompkins Square Park to Washington Square Park. Stephen Yang Advertisement Stephen Yang A group of protesters cool off in the fountain at Washington Square Park. Stephen Yang A group of protesters cool off in the fountain at Washington Square Park. Stephen Yang Advertisement
“When she was placed into the Warrant Squad’s unmarked gray minivan, it was behind a cordon of NYPD bicycle cops in bright yellow and blue uniform shirts there to help effect the arrest,” the statement said, as clearly seen in videos from the scene.
The teen was wanted for damaging police cameras around City Hall Park on June 30, the NYPD said.
She was arrested as she walked with a group through Kips Bay a little before 6 p.m., tailed by a contingent of marked NYPD vehicles and uniformed cops.
She was later charged with criminal mischief for writing on the cameras at City Hall Park, sources said.
She was also hit with several counts of graffiti and criminal mischief as well as other charges in four separate incidents between June 19 and July 6, including for allegedly scribbling inside The Oculus and on an F-train at 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue and for writing on an Upper East Side building and a Park Avenue sidewalk.
A total of 12 people were arrested including the woman who was taken in the unmarked van.
The scene played out days after demonstrators trashed NYPD vehicles in Lower Manhattan and clashed with cops, as part of a larger wave of national unrest.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said late Tuesday that he was “concerned” about one of the videos, showing the woman being dragged into an unmarked van.
“Reaching to try and get some answers,” he wrote on Twitter.
Additional reporting by Tamar Lapin