newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Injured Iraq vet frustrated his image is being used in anti-Trump memes

An Army veteran said he has become frustrated that his image is being used in anti-Trump memes about wounded soldiers .
Pictures of Bobby Henline , a veteran of the Iraq war , have circulated in messages condemning Trump over a story in The Atlantic reporting the president called fallen soldiers “ losers ” and “ suckers ” on several occasions .
Henline , who was wounded in an IED blast , told Fox News he feels like a prop when he sees his image attached to the rhetoric .
“ I ’ m just so irritated that they put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like the president called me a loser , ” said Henline , who supports Trump .
One of the images circulating shows Henline with the banner reading , “ Trump says he ’ s a ‘ loser.
’ I say he ’ s a hero !
What do you say ?
” “ Them taking that well-recognized photo and using it for their agenda and changing veterans ’ minds , thinking the president talks to them like that is ridiculous , ” Henline said .
“ And I believe it worked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it taken down because it shouldn ’ t be working .
People need to hear the truth .
That ’ s my image .
And it should not be up there speaking for me.
” Several other outlets have reported out similar stories of Trump disparaging troops , including Jennifer Griffen , of Fox News .
The president has denied ever making the comments .

An Army veteran said he has become frustrated that his image is being used in anti-Trump memes about wounded soldiers.
Pictures of Bobby Henline, a veteran of the Iraq war, have circulated in messages condemning Trump over a story in The Atlantic reporting the president called fallen soldiers “losers” and “suckers” on several occasions.
Henline, who was wounded in an IED blast, told Fox News he feels like a prop when he sees his image attached to the rhetoric.
“I’m just so irritated that they put my image up there because now it looks like the president called me a loser,” said Henline, who supports Trump.
One of the images circulating shows Henline with the banner reading, “Trump says he’s a ‘loser.’ I say he’s a hero! What do you say?”
“Them taking that well-recognized photo and using it for their agenda and changing veterans’ minds, thinking the president talks to them like that is ridiculous,” Henline said.
“And I believe it worked. And that’s why I want to get it taken down because it shouldn’t be working. People need to hear the truth. That’s my image. And it should not be up there speaking for me.”
Several other outlets have reported out similar stories of Trump disparaging troops, including Jennifer Griffen, of Fox News. The president has denied ever making the comments.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Naomi Osaka will reveal sixth mask after advancing to US Open semifinals

Naomi Osaka needs to make it to the championship round to unveil all seven masks she had made specifically to wear at the U.S. Open to raise awareness against police brutality and social injustice .
The 2018 champion played and won for the fifth time Tuesday night in the quarterfinals , honoring George Floyd with his name on her mask before and after her 6-3 , 6-4 victory over American Shelby Rogers at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
Osaka also has donned masks honoring Breonna Taylor , Elijah McClain , Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin earlier in the tournament .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network showed videos sent by Sybrina Fulton , Martin ’ s mother , and Marcus Arbery , Ahmaud ’ s father , thanking Osaka for her gestures throughout the tournament .
“ It means a lot , ” Osaka said .
“ I feel like , I don ’ t know , they ’ re so strong , I ’ m not sure what I would be able to do if I was in their position .
I feel like I ’ m a vessel , at this point , in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s gon na dull the pain , but hopefully I can help with anything that they need.
” Osaka will face Jennifer Davis in the semifinals , with a potential rematch of the 2018 finals against Serena Williams looming .

Naomi Osaka needs to make it to the championship round to unveil all seven masks she had made specifically to wear at the U.S. Open to raise awareness against police brutality and social injustice.
The 2018 champion played and won for the fifth time Tuesday night in the quarterfinals, honoring George Floyd with his name on her mask before and after her 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Shelby Rogers at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka also has donned masks honoring Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin earlier in the tournament.
During her post-match interview on ESPN, the network showed her videos sent by Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother, and Marcus Arbery, Ahmaud’s father, thanking Osaka for her gestures throughout the tournament.
“Actually, I was just trying really hard not to cry,” Osaka said during her post-match press conference “For me, it’s a bit surreal and it’s extremely touching that they would feel touched by what I’m doing. I feel like what I’m doing is nothing. It’s a speck of what I could be doing. So it was really emotional. I feel like after I saw it, at first I was a bit in shock, but now that I’m here and I took some time, I’m really grateful and really humbled.”
The 22-year-old Osaka will face Jennifer Brady in the semifinals, with a potential rematch of the 2018 finals against Serena Williams looming.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Danielle Bernstein spotted at maskless Hamptons party pre-COVID diagnosis

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Fashion influencer Danielle Bernstein — who announced on Saturday that she tested positive for COVID-19 — was living it up at a maskless party in the Hamptons last week , a source told Page Six .
Bernstein said that she followed CDC guidelines , wore a mask when necessary and “ lived life in phase FOUR reopening of NY , ” but we ’ re told she attended a party in Montauk with 35 to 40 people , including NBA star Blake Griffin .
A source told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mingled inside and outside , and that Bernstein was not wearing a mask .
“ No one was , ” said the source .
“ Everyone seemed super young , like 25 and under.
” We ’ re told fellow partiers are freaked and rushing to get tests .
Bernstein , who is quarantined in NYC , wrote on Instagram , “ Of course I could have been more careful and still got it.
” Her boyfriend has also tested positive .
The 28-year-old influencer , who has 2.5 million followers , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cream ( despite claiming she lost her sense of taste ) and wearing an “ at-home look ” promoting her own brand of sweatpants .
In another post , she wrote : “ Freshly blown hair , but way too tired now … I need to chill.
” Reps did not respond for comment .

Fashion influencer Danielle Bernstein — who announced on Saturday that she tested positive for COVID-19 — was living it up at a maskless party in the Hamptons last week, a source told Page Six.
Bernstein said that she followed CDC guidelines, wore a mask when necessary and “lived life in phase FOUR reopening of NY,” but we’re told she attended a party in Montauk with 35 to 40 people, including NBA star Blake Griffin.
A source told us that guests at the sickly shindig mingled inside and outside, and that Bernstein was not wearing a mask. “No one was,” said the source. “Everyone seemed super young, like 25 and under.”
We’re told fellow partiers are freaked and rushing to get tests. Bernstein, who is quarantined in NYC, wrote on Instagram, “Of course I could have been more careful and still got it.” Her boyfriend has also tested positive.
The 28-year-old influencer, who has 2.5 million followers, has since posted stories of her eating ice cream (despite claiming she lost her sense of taste) and wearing an “at-home look” promoting her own brand of sweatpants. In another post, she wrote: “Freshly blown hair, but way too tired now … I need to chill.”
Reps did not respond for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Von Miller’s ‘freak injury’ season-ending in Broncos blow

ENGLEWOOD , Colo. — A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press the Denver Broncos fear star linebacker Von Miller suffered a season-ending ankle injury toward the end of practice Tuesday .
The person , speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hadn ’ t addressed Miller ’ s injury , said the team was awaiting results of an MRI exam on Miller .
According to ESPN , Miller was hurt near the end of practice with what one source called a “ freak ” injury .
The practice took place indoors because of a snowstorm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of upper-90s and 100-degree days .
Miller appeared primed for a big season after adding several pounds of muscle in the offseason and rededicating himself .
Last month , he said he was inspired by Kobe Bryant ’ s eulogy and Michael Jordan ’ s documentary .
Miller ’ s pass rushing partner , Bradley Chubb , has hit some rough patches in his return from a torn ACL , and coach Vic Fangio suggested recently that Chubb would take some time to get back to 100 percent .
The Broncos open @ @ @ @ @ @ @

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press the Denver Broncos fear star linebacker Von Miller suffered a season-ending ankle injury toward the end of practice Tuesday.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t addressed Miller’s injury, said the team was awaiting results of an MRI exam on Miller. According to ESPN, Miller was hurt near the end of practice with what one source called a “freak” injury.
The practice took place indoors because of a snowstorm that struck the Rocky Mountains after a series of upper-90s and 100-degree days.
Miller appeared primed for a big season after adding several pounds of muscle in the offseason and rededicating himself. Last month, he said he was inspired by Kobe Bryant’s eulogy and Michael Jordan’s documentary.
Miller’s pass rushing partner, Bradley Chubb, has hit some rough patches in his return from a torn ACL, and coach Vic Fangio suggested recently that Chubb would take some time to get back to 100 percent.
The Broncos open the season Monday night against Tennessee.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--John Catsimatidis celebrates 72nd birthday with Joe Piscopo, broken plates

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 ) John Catsimatidis celebrated his 72nd @ @ @ @ @ Ol ’ Blue Eyes .
The mogul and perennial mayoral hopeful held a bash at @ @ @ @ @ Southampton with three separate receptions so guests could socially distance .
We ’ re told @ @ @ @ @ Piscopo sang Sinatra songs .
Attendees — including Reps. Peter King and Lee Zeldin , @ @ @ @ @ Curtis Sliwa , former NYPD boss Ray Kelly , Bill O ’ Reilly , Douglas @ @ @ @ @ and Dottie Herman and Jean Shafiroff — broke plates per Greek party tradition .

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John Catsimatidis celebrated his 72nd birthday with broken plates and Ol’ Blue Eyes.
The mogul and perennial mayoral hopeful held a bash at a Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton with three separate receptions so guests could socially distance. We’re told “SNL” alum Joe Piscopo sang Sinatra songs.
Attendees — including Reps. Peter King and Lee Zeldin, Lally Weymouth, Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa, former NYPD boss Ray Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, Douglas Elliman’s Howard Lorber and Dottie Herman and Jean Shafiroff — broke plates per Greek party tradition.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--High school student suspended for going to class on a remote-learning day

A Long Island high school senior is reportedly facing a five-day suspension after he ignored protocol by showing up to class Tuesday when he was scheduled to learn remotely .
“ I was going to school like students should be going to school , ” Maverick Stow , 17-year-old student at William Floyd High School explained to WABC of why he attended in-person classes on the first day of school .
“ I think that a five-day suspension is out of line , ” Stow , who has the support of parents , told the outlet .
Stow said trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wasn ’ t on Tuesday ’ s in-person roster .
The teacher sent Stow to the principal ’ s office and he was asked to report home .
“ ‘ Well , no , I think I need to go to class .
This is during class time , ’ ” Stow said he responded to administrators .
Instead of following their orders , Stow said he finished the day learning in class before being notified of the disciplinary action .
His mother , Nora Kaplan-Stow , agreed with her son ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in school every day .
Virtual learning is not learning , ” she told WABC .
“ My son is being suspended because he wants to be in school.
” Added the student ’ s father , Richard Stow : “ He ’ s a very smart kid .
He knows what he ’ s doing .
When he said this is how he wanted to handle things , we were like , ‘ Then go for it.
’ ” A spokesman for the school district , James Montalto , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comply with state-mandated social distancing measures , students must abide by their hybrid schedules .
“ Students who refuse to adhere to their scheduled in-person days and/or flagrantly disregard directives to leave school grounds and cause a disruptive environment for other students , will face disciplinary actions , ” Montalto said .

A Long Island high school senior is reportedly facing a five-day suspension after he ignored protocol by showing up to class Tuesday when he was scheduled to learn remotely.
“I was going to school like students should be going to school,” Maverick Stow, 17-year-old student at William Floyd High School, explained to WABC of why he attended in-person classes on the first day of school.
“I think that a five-day suspension is out of line,” Stow, who has the support of his parents, told the outlet.
Stow said trouble first arose when his first-period teacher noticed he wasn’t on Tuesday’s in-person roster.
The teacher sent Stow to the principal’s office and he was asked to report home.
“‘Well, no, I think I need to go to class. This is during class time,’” Stow said he responded to administrators.
Instead of following their orders, Stow said, he finished the day learning in class before being notified of the disciplinary action.
His mother, Nora Kaplan-Stow, agreed with her son’s decision.
“Kids need to be in school every day. Virtual learning is not learning,” she told WABC. “My son is being suspended because he wants to be in school.”
Added the student’s father, Richard Stow: “He’s a very smart kid. He knows what he’s doing. When he said this is how he wanted to handle things, we were like, ‘Then go for it.’”
A spokesman for the school district, James Montalto, said in a statement that for the school to comply with state-mandated social distancing measures, students must abide by their hybrid schedules.
“Students who refuse to adhere to their scheduled in-person days and/or flagrantly disregard directives to leave school grounds and cause a disruptive environment for other students, will face disciplinary actions,” Montalto said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Dislocated toe fails to stop Jill Zarin from keeping injectables appointment

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Jill Zarin won ’ t let the @ @ @ @ @ bone stand between her and Botox .
Page Six is told that — although she @ @ @ @ @ her pinky toe over the holiday weekend — she dragged herself into Dr. Pat Wexler @ @ @ @ @ and Botox Tuesday so that she could be properly plumped before heading to Florida .
@ @ @ @ @ the injury and said she ’ d tripped while on a yacht .
“ Beyond @ @ @ @ @ even the [ pain killers ] didn ’ t help , ” she wrote , @ @ @ @ @ it back into place .
“ It took [ two attempts ] , ” she @ @

Jill Zarin won’t let the small matter of a dislocated bone stand between her and Botox.
Page Six is told that — although she was in agony after dislocating her pinky toe over the holiday weekend — she dragged herself into Dr. Pat Wexler’s office for filler and Botox Tuesday so that she could be properly plumped before heading to Florida.
She posted an X-ray showing the injury and said she’d tripped while on a yacht. “Beyond the most painful injury that even the [pain killers] didn’t help,” she wrote, adding that the doctor popped it back into place. “It took [two attempts],” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--FDNY renames highest medal after calling namesake ‘racist’

President Trump on Tuesday told rally-goers in North Carolina that ...

The Fire Department is renaming its highest medal for heroics after acknowledging the award was named after a man who “held deeply racist beliefs.”
The James Gordon Bennett Medal, instituted in 1869 for firefighters who perform remarkable acts of bravery on the job, will be renamed to honor Peter J. Ganci Jr., who became the highest-ranking FDNY member to die in the line of duty when he was killed answering the call on 9/11.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro announced the change in an agency order dated Tuesday.
Bennett, the publishing giant who founded the New York Herald, used racial slurs while he penned racist and pro-slavery pieces at the paper around the Civil War.
“This generous symbol of gratitude began a tradition that we have continued for 150 years,” wrote Nigro in the order. “However, James Gordon Bennett also held deeply racist beliefs. Using his publishing empire, he repeatedly expressed abhorrent and hateful views in full support of slavery.”
James Tempro, who became the first black firefighter to receive the medal in 1969, called for it to remain in 2017.
“When I received the award in 1969, I had no idea of the history of Bennett, who he was or what he stood for,” Tempro told the Daily News at the time. “But now that I’ve learned more about his beliefs, that he was a racist who supported slavery, it demeans the medal for me a bit.”
Bennett’s name was always associated with the medal; he had endowed the award to the department after firefighters put out a blaze in his home in 1868.
A statue of Bennett still stands in Herald Square and a scholarship for children and grandchildren of city newspaper workers is named in his honor.
“These views have no place in any society, and I believe we must cease including this individual’s name, and therefore his legacy, in our annual celebration,” Nigro’s order continues.
“This tremendous honor for our Firefighters will no longer be tied to someone who never served this Department, never risked his own life to save life and property, and who advocated for despicable actions against others.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--The latest low in Beijing’s campaign to crush Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities have arrested thousands of peaceful protesters , raided newspaper offices and fired pro-democracy academics , yet still hit a new low over the weekend : taking down a 12-year-old girl .
Video shows baton-wielding cops pushing protesters into a corner in a shopping area — and treating the schoolgirl , whose mom says she was out shopping for art supplies , as part of the crowd .
As she tries to get away , one officer tackles her and others rush in to help keep her down .
( Afterward , they ticketed her for a social-distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing is bullying the citizens of the once-free city , hundreds of them were arrested Sunday for “ unlawful assembly ” — protesting the government goons ’ postponement of legislative elections for a full year in the largest demonstrations since China imposed its dissent-is-criminal “ national security ” law July 1 .
The girl was bruised and scratched by police ; her mother says she plans to file a complaint and sue .
The police , unapologetic , vowed “ zero tolerance ” for any violations .
This is Xi Jinping ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk as officials rush to crush any semblance of resistance in a city that China promised would retain its freedoms until 2047 .

Hong Kong authorities have arrested thousands of peaceful protesters, raided newspaper offices and fired pro-democracy academics, yet still hit a new low over the weekend: taking down a 12-year-old girl.
Video shows baton-wielding cops pushing protesters into a corner in a shopping area — and treating the schoolgirl, whose mom says she was out shopping for art supplies, as part of the crowd. As she tries to get away, one officer tackles her and others rush in to help keep her down. (Afterward, they ticketed her for a social-distancing violation.)
Symbolic enough of how Beijing is bullying the citizens of the once-free city, hundreds of them were arrested Sunday for “unlawful assembly” — protesting the government goons’ postponement of legislative elections for a full year in the largest demonstrations since China imposed its dissent-is-criminal “national security” law July 1.
The girl was bruised and scratched by police; her mother says she plans to file a complaint and sue. The police, unapologetic, vowed “zero tolerance” for any violations.
This is Xi Jinping’s China: Even innocent bystanders are at risk as officials rush to crush any semblance of resistance in a city that China promised would retain its freedoms until 2047.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Joe Biden and Kamala Harris need to quit playing politics with COVID-19 vaccine

Drug giant AstraZeneca has put its coronavirus-vaccine testing on hold ...

Are Joe Biden and Kamala Harris trying to prolong the pandemic? That might be the result of their reckless efforts to erode confidence in a vaccine — even as they blame President Trump for doing that.
“I would want to see what the scientists said” about any vaccine, Biden huffed Monday. “I want full transparency.” That is: Don’t trust a vaccine OK’d by Team Trump.
Harris was even more blunt: She’d “trust the word of public-health experts” but not the president — and insisted those experts won’t have the final say: They “will be muzzled, they will be suppressed, they will be sidelined.” What an appalling insult to the integrity of Dr. Tony Fauci and others.
The anti-Trump media, too, are playing this game: “Scientists Worry About Political Influence Over Coronavirus Vaccine Project,” The New York Times blared.
What will come of sowing such doubt? As Biden himself notes, “If we do have a really good vaccine, people are going to be reluctant to take it,” though he blames Trump for that, despite his own words and Harris’.
Sure, Trump may be trying too hard to lift hopes. His hint that a vaccine might be ready by October, on the eve of the election, sounds overly wishful.
But nine drugmakers have pledged to make safety a top priority. They vowed not to seek emergency approval before trials are complete and to adhere to “high ethical standards and sound scientific principles” in producing the vaccine. Federal agencies will also vet the results. The public can feel sure they’ll get a good product.
It’s not enough to create a vaccine; people have to actually take it to stop the spread of the virus. With anti-vax paranoia a known national problem, it’s obscene for Trump’s foes to push hysteria.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Andres Gimenez’s stock rising as piece of Mets’ ‘puzzle’

In February 2019 — approximately three decades ago in COVID years — a scout offered this anonymous projection of young Mets infielder Andres Gimenez : “ To me , he ’ s more of a reserve guy .
He doesn ’ t do anything outstanding .
The one thing that separates him might be consistency , and he makes contact .
But [ Amed ] Rosario gives you a plus arm , and he ’ s a plus runner.
” After watching Gimenez execute a friendly coup of the Mets ’ shortstop position this 2020 season , at the expense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with the scout on Tuesday .
Sure enough , the 22-year-old has upgraded his stock in the eyes of this one veteran talent evaluator .
“ I could see him playing every day .
And he ’ s a young kid , ” the scout said .
“ I always saw him as an extra guy because I didn ’ t see the plus stuff .
But now you watch him more , and he ’ s maturing and he looks like he could handle himself playing everyday .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s going to be a piece of the puzzle.
” In modern baseball , you want myriad puzzle pieces , which leads to depth , which is why I certainly don ’ t think the Mets should give up on Rosario .
The 24-year-old , righty-swinging Rosario started at shortstop Tuesday against Orioles lefty John Means , his first start since Sept. 3 , as Gimenez slid over to second base .
Rosario brought a lowly .229/.250/.349 slash line into Tuesday ’ s action , trailing Gimenez and his .293/.344/.402 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his 70-game breakout ( .319/.351/.453 with improved defense ) to conclude last year will constitute a larger sample size than whatever he does in this regular season .
Then again , if Steve Cohen completes his purchase of the team and immediately includes Rosario in a trade package to land Francisco Lindor from the Indians — and then signs Lindor to a nine-figure extension , that could work , too .
And Gimenez still could own a role as a versatile contributor .
“ You know what he is ?
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scout said .
“ He has the intangibles .
He knows how to play the game .
He does the right thing at the right time.
” Seems like a sound characterization based on what Gimenez has shown in his rookie season .
In Monday ’ s 10-inning , 9-8 loss to the Phillies , Gimenez made three outstanding plays at shortstop , including a leap to grab Phil Gosselin ’ s third-inning line drive and a dive to his left to snare Rhys Hoskins ’ fourth-inning grounder up the middle followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think when it comes to those plays , it ’ s really the anticipation of the situation , ” Gimenez said Tuesday through an interpreter .
“ Sometimes you have to take into account how fast the hitter is running .
You have to see how fast he is .
It ’ s really the anticipation and preparation going into those plays.
” Mets manager Luis Rojas refused to say that he was treating the shortstop position as a platoon , instead contending , “ I ’ m not seeing it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best lineup each day.
” He then pointed out that , against Means , he wasn ’ t starting Robinson Cano , Brandon Nimmo or Dom Smith … all of whom hit lefty .
When you platoon , you give yourself the best lineup each day regardless of prior allegiances .
In any case , Gimenez has earned regular playing time for the moment , his external support coalescing in at least one instance .
“ I think I ’ ve progressed in all facets of the game , ” Gimenez said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also my skills have been more refined , and I think that ’ s what helped me be more successful now.
” That success has given the Mets one less headache amidst a season full of them .

In February 2019 — approximately three decades ago in COVID years — a scout offered this anonymous projection of young Mets infielder Andres Gimenez:
“To me, he’s more of a reserve guy. He doesn’t do anything outstanding. The one thing that separates him might be consistency, and he makes contact. But [Amed] Rosario gives you a plus arm, and he’s a plus runner.”
After watching Gimenez execute a friendly coup of the Mets’ shortstop position this 2020 season, at the expense of Amed Rosario, I checked back in with the scout on Tuesday. Sure enough, the 22-year-old has upgraded his stock in the eyes of this one veteran talent evaluator.
“I could see him playing every day. And he’s a young kid,” the scout said. “I always saw him as an extra guy because I didn’t see the plus stuff. But now you watch him more, and he’s maturing and he looks like he could handle himself playing everyday.
“He’s not going to be a star. He’s going to be a piece of the puzzle.”
In modern baseball, you want myriad puzzle pieces, which leads to depth, which is why I certainly don’t think the Mets should give up on Rosario. The 24-year-old, righty-swinging Rosario started at shortstop Tuesday against Orioles lefty John Means, his first start since Sept. 3, as Gimenez slid over to second base.
Rosario brought a lowly .229/.250/.349 slash line into Tuesday’s action, trailing Gimenez and his .293/.344/.402 by a considerable margin. Yet consider that his 70-game breakout (.319/.351/.453 with improved defense) to conclude last year will constitute a larger sample size than whatever he does in this regular season.
Then again, if Steve Cohen completes his purchase of the team and immediately includes Rosario in a trade package to land Francisco Lindor from the Indians — and then signs Lindor to a nine-figure extension, that could work, too. And Gimenez still could own a role as a versatile contributor.
“You know what he is? He’s a baseball player,” the scout said. “He has the intangibles. He knows how to play the game. He does the right thing at the right time.”
Seems like a sound characterization based on what Gimenez has shown in his rookie season. In Monday’s 10-inning, 9-8 loss to the Phillies, Gimenez made three outstanding plays at shortstop, including a leap to grab Phil Gosselin’s third-inning line drive and a dive to his left to snare Rhys Hoskins’ fourth-inning grounder up the middle followed by a quick rise and throw.
“I think when it comes to those plays, it’s really the anticipation of the situation,” Gimenez said Tuesday through an interpreter. “Sometimes you have to take into account how fast the hitter is running. You have to see how fast he is. It’s really the anticipation and preparation going into those plays.”
Mets manager Luis Rojas refused to say that he was treating the shortstop position as a platoon, instead contending, “I’m not seeing it as that. We’re putting together the best lineup each day.” He then pointed out that, against Means, he wasn’t starting Robinson Cano, Brandon Nimmo or Dom Smith … all of whom hit lefty. When you platoon, you give yourself the best lineup each day regardless of prior allegiances.
In any case, Gimenez has earned regular playing time for the moment, his external support coalescing in at least one instance.
“I think I’ve progressed in all facets of the game,” Gimenez said. “Physically I have, obviously, but also my skills have been more refined, and I think that’s what helped me be more successful now.”
That success has given the Mets one less headache amidst a season full of them.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Bill de Blasio and Andrew Cuomo wish death on NYC restaurants

The governor shut down the city ’ s bars and restaurants in ...

You can visit Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art and admire Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans,” but you still can’t enjoy a simple meal inside one of the nearby restaurants. There is an absurd double standard when it comes to reopening food and other establishments across New York state.
Enough is enough: We must reopen indoor dining.
It has been nearly six months since Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio mandated Gotham restaurants shut down indoor dining, leaving thousands of New Yorkers in the food industry jobless, virtually overnight. We were led to believe these shutdowns would ease once we successfully “flattened the curves.” But even though New York City has seen an infection rate of less than 1 percent for 24 straight days, our leaders refuse to hear the desperate pleas of our struggling restaurateurs.
To add insult to injury, neighboring eateries on Long Island — some just minutes away from the borough of Queens, which I represent — are flourishing and “eating up” business that should be going to our city’s small businesses.
The data are clear: Restaurants that follow capacity and social-distancing guidelines aren’t the problem. Nassau County resumed indoor dining with up to 50 percent capacity in late June and hasn’t seen a corresponding spike in COVID-19 cases. As of Aug. 31, the county saw just 29 COVID-related hospitalizations, 10 of which were in the ICU. And yet Hizzoner has shut down indoor dining in New York City indefinitely.
When comparing regional data from beach neighborhoods on Long Island to those in the Big Apple, it becomes painfully obvious that Cuomo and de Blasio aren’t basing their decisions on any real metrics.
The City of Long Beach, for instance, has nearly identical infection rates and COVID-19 cases to similar Queens beach neighborhoods, such as Rockaway Park and Belle Harbor. Long Beach has enjoyed the business of its own local residents and city residents seeking a sense of normalcy. Meanwhile, de Blasio tells my constituents, in effect, “Let them eat cake . . . but only outside.”
Sean Heeran of Harbor Light Restaurant in Belle Harbor is just one of many restaurant owners who has lost business on account of these unfair regulations.
“Our numbers are undoubtedly down 50-60 percent,” he tells me, “and we lost our first summer being reopened since Hurricane Sandy. It seems everything in this city is a true battle, and as a result, you are seeing many people leave. It is a very dark time for the restaurant industry, and this administration must see that. If we were to fully open, our staff would increase 30 to 40 percent — another 20 to 30 jobs.”
Our governor and mayor are making arbitrary decisions based on a single factor: geography. The preferential treatment is a slap in the face to all Gotham restaurant owners who have been following state guidelines at the expense of their livelihoods. The overwhelming majority of city eateries have been compliant, patient and cooperative — and yet Cuomo and de Blasio prefer to ignore the science. Shame on them.
Since March, at least 2,800 small businesses in New York City have permanently closed; nearly half are restaurants. Federal assistance programs and outdoor dining aren’t enough to save the thousands of eateries hanging on by a thread.
That is especially true as we enter into the fall and winter season, when outdoor dining is no longer an option. According to a report by the Partnership for New York City, when the pandemic eventually subsides, an estimated one-third of the city’s 240,000 small businesses may never reopen. But de Blasio doesn’t seem to care.
In a recent press briefing, de Blasio even suggested New York City eateries may have to wait until June of next year — when he hopes a COVID-19 vaccine will be available — to resume indoor dining. At the rate at which restaurants in New York City are currently closing, there will be nothing left to reopen.
Governor, mayor, please listen: The restaurant industry is dying. Put aside your disagreements. You must work together to reopen New York City for indoor dining.
Eric Ulrich is a member of the City Council, representing the 32nd District in Queens.
Twitter: @Eric_Ulrich


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Mat Barzal gaining crucial experience as Islanders’ playoff run goes deeper

Andy Greene wasn ’ t going to leave the team he had ...

Mathew Barzal certainly looks like he has battled through three playoff series in 36 days.
With a gnarly bruise around his right eye and some serious swelling around the bone near his eyebrow, it’s safe to say the Islanders’ first-line center has taken a beating in recent games.
“I said to Barzy, as you go along you’re going to look more and more like a hockey player if you’re winning,” Barry Trotz said after the Islanders’ Game 7 win Saturday over the Flyers to advance to the conference finals for the first time in 27 years.
As the Islanders embark on their fourth playoff series of the season, against the Lightning, the Islanders coach has taken notice of just how much Barzal has matured as a player this postseason.
“I think what you’re seeing is a young player who matures,” Trotz said on a Zoom call Tuesday afternoon. “What happens with those top players like Mathew, they knew they have a bigger piece of the pie, if you will. And I think that lends the confidence, lends to some of those experiences, because we’ve had some playoff experiences for him. You grow that way.
“Usually on every team, some of your top players grow into that role. I don’t think he’s there yet, but I think the process has started that he eventually, with a few more years and more experience, he’ll be a real big piece of this hockey team.”
Barzal played a crucial part in the Islanders defeating the Flyers, recording two goals and four assists. Even though Barzal didn’t end up on the scoresheet in Game 7, Trotz said he thought it was the 23-year-old’s “best game as a pro.”
Trotz is sure this playoff experience has been beneficial for Barzal. He said he believes Barzal is beginning to learn how to be just as dangerous without the puck as he is with it. Trotz also noted prior to Game 1 against Tampa Bay that Barzal is beginning to shed his old habits from minor league and junior hockey.
“He’s been a player that’s made a difference all his life with the puck and now he’s learning that he can make a difference without the puck and when you bring those two things together you get a pretty elite player,” Trotz said.
Barzal entered the 8-2 loss in Game 1 against the Lightning with five goals and eight assists in 16 postseason games. He agreed the current playoff run has helped him grow as a player.
But Trotz evidently has played a big part in keeping Barzal on the right path through his development. Considering Trotz’s reputation of getting players to run through walls for him, Barzal’s beat-up face is starting to make a lot more sense.
“Barry has been there to kind of just keep me calm and make sure I’m always looking at the big picture,” Barzal said. “Keeping my mindset focused on the goal, which is winning the hockey game and winning the series. I think that’s a step I’ve taken this playoffs, just really focusing on worrying about the end result and not letting the little stuff get to me. I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of that and I have to continue.”
Cal Clutterbuck couldn’t finish Game 1 after blocking a shot from Tampa Bay defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Trotz said the fourth-line winger was a “possibility” for Game 2 on Wednesday.
“Honestly everything will be reassessed in the morning,” Trotz said. “But I think there’s a possibility he’ll be in.”
The Islanders didn’t conduct a full practice Tuesday, just a team stretch and a quick workout as well as video meetings.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Trump says restaurant rioters ‘will be in charge’ if Joe Biden wins

President Trump on Tuesday told rally-goers in North Carolina that if Democrat Joe Biden defeats him , “ rioters ” who harass restaurant diners would run the country .
“ Next time you see video of screaming far-left maniacs shouting wildly at peaceful Americans , remember this , these are Biden ’ s supporters , and if he wins they will be in charge of your government , ” Trump told a crowd in Winston-Salem .
It was one of Trump ’ s largest re-election rallies since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March .
He estimated turnout at 15,000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event was a peaceful protest .
“ Joe Biden and his party spent the entire summer cheering on the rioters rampaging through Democrat-run cities , falsely labeling them as peaceful protesters , ” Trump said .
“ You can ’ t go to church , you can ’ t do anything , you have to stay in your house .
But if you ’ re willing to riot running down Main Street , if you ’ re willing to riot , stand on top of each other ’ s face and do whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re allowed to do that because you ’ re considered a peaceful protester — so we decided to call our rallies peaceful protests.
” Trump repeatedly evoked jarring imagery of unwitting restaurant diners being confronted by enraged protesters .
“ If they win , the mobs win .
You see these guys that go around saying , ‘ Yeah , I want your meal .
Give me that food .
Give me.
’ A woman sitting there , she wants to eat , and they come they grab her food , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ever seen stuff like this , ” Trump said .
“ If Biden wins the rioters , anarchists and arsonists win.
” In recent weeks , activists invaded a McDonald ’ s and took food from an elderly couple in Pittsburgh , and harassed DC diners at multiple restaurants who would not raise a fist on camera in support of them .
He cited a recent DC government commission ’ s report that urged the possible renaming or removal of the Washington Monument as an example of reforms that would happen under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why both China and the flag burning rioters want Biden… .
they know his policies will be the downfall of America , ” Trump said .
“ Biden is a globalist sellout who spent his career laying waste to American communities.
” Trump echoed his recent sales pitch to voters in western Pennsylvania , repeatedly blasting Biden for his historical support for trade deals blamed for outsourcing .
“ Joe Biden devoted his career offshoring jobs , throwing open your borders , dragging us into endless foreign wars along with some of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s future to countries like China , ” he said .
The former vice president “ is half competent and he ’ s headed south rapidly , ” Trump said .
Democratic running mate Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) is unlikable , he added .
“ Nobody likes her .
She could never be the first woman president… that would be an insult to our country , ” Trump said .

President Trump on Tuesday told rally-goers in North Carolina that if Democrat Joe Biden defeats him, “rioters” who harass restaurant diners would run the country.
“Next time you see video of screaming far-left maniacs shouting wildly at peaceful Americans, remember this, these are Biden’s supporters, and if he wins they will be in charge of your government,” Trump told a crowd in Winston-Salem.
It was one of Trump’s largest re-election rallies since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March. He estimated turnout at 15,000 and the campaign distributed rally signs claiming the event was a peaceful protest.
“Joe Biden and his party spent the entire summer cheering on the rioters rampaging through Democrat-run cities, falsely labeling them as peaceful protesters,” Trump said.
“You can’t go to church, you can’t do anything, you have to stay in your house. But if you’re willing to riot running down Main Street, if you’re willing to riot, stand on top of each other’s face and do whatever the hell you want to do, you’re allowed to do that because you’re considered a peaceful protester — so we decided to call our rallies peaceful protests.”
Trump repeatedly evoked jarring imagery of unwitting restaurant diners being confronted by enraged protesters.
“If they win, the mobs win. You see these guys that go around saying, ‘Yeah, I want your meal. Give me that food. Give me.’ A woman sitting there, she wants to eat, and they come they grab her food, they grab her drink. Nobody’s ever seen stuff like this,” Trump said. “If Biden wins the rioters, anarchists and arsonists win.”
In recent weeks, activists invaded a McDonald’s and took food from an elderly couple in Pittsburgh, and harassed DC diners at multiple restaurants who would not raise a fist on camera in support of them.
He cited a recent DC government commission’s report that urged the possible renaming or removal of the Washington Monument as an example of reforms that would happen under Biden.
“It’s clear why both China and the flag burning rioters want Biden…. they know his policies will be the downfall of America,” Trump said.
“Biden is a globalist sellout who spent his career laying waste to American communities.”
Trump echoed his recent sales pitch to voters in western Pennsylvania, repeatedly blasting Biden for his historical support for trade deals blamed for outsourcing.
“Joe Biden devoted his career offshoring jobs, throwing open your borders, dragging us into endless foreign wars along with some of his other friends and surrendering our children’s future to countries like China,” he said.
The former vice president “is half competent and he’s headed south rapidly,” Trump said.
Democratic running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is unlikable, he added. “Nobody likes her. She could never be the first woman president… that would be an insult to our country,” Trump said.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Leonard Fournette’s Tom Brady praise won’t please Jaguars QBs

Well , Leonard Fournette had a week , didn ’ t he ?
When last ...

TAMPA, Fla. — Leonard Fournette feels he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an ideal match.
The former Jacksonville running back practiced with his new team for the first time Tuesday, and the two-time 1,000-yard rusher is excited about having an opportunity to revitalize his career in a talented offense led by six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
“I just think me coming to Tampa made perfect sense,” Fournette said, speaking for the first time since agreeing to terms with the Bucs after being released by the Jaguars last week. “I feel they had all the keys that I need and vice versa. I could help the team out, and also they can help me. … It’s a perfect fit for me.”
Playing with Brady in an attack also featuring receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, tight ends Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate, and running backs Ronald Jones and LeSean McCoy, Fournette envisions himself thriving against opposing defenses no longer able to game plan to stop him alone.
“I think this probably will be one of my first seasons running in probably a six-man box,” the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft said.
“The defense has to game plan against eight guys and not just one,” Fournette added. “I think that opens a variety of things for a lot of guys on our team.”
And he’s certainly not underestimating the value of joining forces with Brady, a three-time league MVP who led New England to nine Super Bowl appearances over the past 20 seasons.
“For the first time in my life I really have a quarterback, so that’s an outlet for me. Not a lot of pressure’s going to be on me,” said Fournette, who as a rookie helped the Jaguars reach the AFC championship game against Brady’s Patriots. This may have been an indirect shot at former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. Fournette also played with Cody Kessler, Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew during his time in Jacksonville.
“I’m happy to be back there with one of the greatest or the greatest to play this game,” the 25-year-old running back added.
Coach Bruce Arians has said Jones, a third-year pro who led the Bucs with 724 yards and six touchdowns rushing last season, remains the starter.
Fournette and McCoy, who signed with Tampa Bay in August after winning a Super Bowl ring last season as a reserve in Kansas City, also will play prominent roles in the offense — beginning with this week’s season opener at New Orleans.
Fournette spent a couple of days over Labor Day weekend poring over the playbook and getting acquainted with Brady before the Bucs reconvened for practice Tuesday.
“Obviously he can’t do everything. But he’ll have a solid role in the plan for the week,” Arians said.
“The beauty of it is we don’t have to learn the playbook anymore. We just have to learn the game plan,” the coach added. “It’s about one-third of the playbook. … He should know it by Friday.”
Despite helping the Jaguars make a deep run in the playoffs three years ago, Fournette gradually fell out of favor in Jacksonville.
Attempts to trade him persisted even after he rebounded from a subpar 2018 to rush for 1,152 yards and catch 76 passes for 522 yards last season.
The Jaguars’ fortunes dipped, too, with the team slipping from championship contention to a club that’s parted ways with several key players over the past two years.
Fournette shrugged off a question about why things didn’t work out in Jacksonville.
“I don’t know. Times change everything. I’m moving past that,” he said. “My time there was great. I made a bond with a lot of coaches and some of the players that are my brothers for life.”
The 6-foot, 228-pound native of New Orleans, who’ll play in his hometown for the first time as a pro on Sunday, insists he’s not concerned about having to share the workload in Tampa after being an every-down back in Jacksonville.
“Everything’s going to take care of itself,” Fournette said. “My job is to come out and compete the best I can, get in the playbook, understand what they want from me, and the rest will take care of itself.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Kanye West tweets about receiving steroid injections for ‘too much texting’

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Kanye West needs to cut down on his screen time .
The “ Jesus Is Lord ” rapper , 43 , tweeted from the hospital Tuesday , where he was receiving injections of “ cortisone mixed with a wittle sprinkle of lidocaine.
” “ Too much texting bro , ” he prefaced the rundown of his treatment with .
“ Lidocaine worked instantly , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained a video of the doctor injecting him .
“ The dexamethasone takes 24 to 48 hours , ” he added , before capping things with “ Modern medicine.
” West ’ s irony-free phone-based updates on receiving medical treatment for phone overuse follow a busy start to the month .
His sit-down with Nick Cannon , published last week , saw him hold forth on the high cost of his Sunday Service concert series , abortion and the fact that God told him to run onstage during the 2009 MTV VMAs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who directed West ’ s “ Famous ” and “ Fade ” videos — posted an odd , previously unreleased music video for Tyga and West ’ s 2016 track “ Feel Me ” to Instagram , which featured “ Kylie coming out of Kim ’ s vagina , ” as Linnetz explained to E !
News .
“ The metaphorical meaning being that there would be no Kylie without Kim , ” Linnetz added of the clip , which was shelved over West ’ s Christianity and reportedly cost $ 1 million @ @ @

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
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Kanye West needs to cut down on his screen time.
The “Jesus Is Lord” rapper, 43, tweeted from the hospital Tuesday, where he was receiving injections of “cortisone mixed with a wittle sprinkle of lidocaine.”
“Too much texting bro,” he prefaced the rundown of his treatment with.
“Lidocaine worked instantly,” West wrote in a follow-up, which contained a video of the doctor injecting him. “The dexamethasone takes 24 to 48 hours,” he added, before capping things with “Modern medicine.”
West’s irony-free phone-based updates on receiving medical treatment for phone overuse follow a busy start to the month. His sit-down with Nick Cannon, published last week, saw him hold forth on the high cost of his Sunday Service concert series, abortion and the fact that God told him to run onstage during the 2009 MTV VMAs.
More recently, Eli Russell Linnetz — who directed West’s “Famous” and “Fade” videos — posted an odd, previously unreleased music video for Tyga and West’s 2016 track “Feel Me” to Instagram, which featured “Kylie coming out of Kim’s vagina,” as Linnetz explained to E! News.
“The metaphorical meaning being that there would be no Kylie without Kim,” Linnetz added of the clip, which was shelved over West’s Christianity and reportedly cost $1 million to make.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--De Blasio to stop using NYC’s Lucerne Hotel as homeless shelter

City Hall plans to pull the homeless from a hotly criticized Upper West Side emergency hotel shelter before the end of the month , officials confirmed Tuesday , ending a weeks-long political brawl that consumed the neighborhood .
The Department of Homeless Services said it will transfer the nearly 300 residents currently staying at the Lucerne Hotel on West 79th Street at Amsterdam Avenue to other facilities by the end of the next weekend .
We ’ ve always been clear that these were temporary arrangements and that our first priority is ensuring people experiencing homelessness are getting the services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio .
Hizzoner told reporters during a daily press briefing in August that his administration was beginning to look for ways to wind down the controversial shelter program , but provided no timeline .
A lawyer representing one UWS neighborhood group opposed to the shelters , Randy Mastro , also said that city officials had agreed to close down a second shelter at the Hotel Bellecaire — a claim that City Hall denied .
Officials dramatically expanded their use of hotels to provide emergency shelter space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as the usual congregate shelters lacked the needed space for social distancing .
Before the pandemic , there were roughly 3,500 homeless people placed in hotels — a figure that quadrupled to more than 13,000 as the coronavirus ravaged the Big Apple .
However , some neighborhoods fiercely pushed back against the use of hotel facilities , none more so than the Upper West Side where residents mounted a furious campaign after the Lucerne and two other hotels were converted into shelter space .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recovering addicts moved to the Lucerne — harmed the quality of life in the neighborhood .
They told reporters the men accosted pedestrians , that they saw them use drugs , and , sometimes , even pass out from apparent overdoses .
And they hired Mastro , a high profile attorney and former top aide to then-Mayor Rudy Guiliani , to make their case .
“ We appreciate that the City — at our urging — will be immediately taking concrete steps to address the chaos that reached a crisis point over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relocated hundreds of homeless individuals into the Lucerne Hotel , many of whom suffered from mental illness , addiction and other serious problems , ” said a lawyer for one group of neighbors , Randy Mastro .

City Hall plans to pull the homeless from a hotly criticized Upper West Side emergency hotel shelter before the end of the month, officials confirmed Tuesday, ending a weeks-long political brawl that consumed the neighborhood.
The Department of Homeless Services said it will transfer the nearly 300 residents currently staying at the Lucerne Hotel on West 79th Street at Amsterdam Avenue to other facilities by the end of the next weekend.
“We’ve always been clear that these were temporary arrangements and that our first priority is ensuring people experiencing homelessness are getting the services they need,” said Avery Cohen, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Hizzoner told reporters during a daily press briefing in August that his administration was beginning to look for ways to wind down the controversial shelter program, but provided no timeline.
A lawyer representing one UWS neighborhood group opposed to the shelters, Randy Mastro, also said that city officials had agreed to close down a second shelter at the Hotel Bellecaire — a claim that City Hall denied.
Officials dramatically expanded their use of hotels to provide emergency shelter space for New York’s least fortunate during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as the usual congregate shelters lacked the needed space for social distancing.
Before the pandemic, there were roughly 3,500 homeless people placed in hotels — a figure that quadrupled to more than 13,000 as the coronavirus ravaged the Big Apple.
However, some neighborhoods fiercely pushed back against the use of hotel facilities, none more so than the Upper West Side where residents mounted a furious campaign after the Lucerne and two other hotels were converted into shelter space.
They complained that the new residents — particularly the recovering addicts moved to the Lucerne — harmed the quality of life in the neighborhood. They told reporters the men accosted pedestrians, that they saw them use drugs, and, sometimes, even pass out from apparent overdoses.
And they hired Mastro, a high profile attorney and former top aide to then-Mayor Rudy Guiliani, to make their case.
“We appreciate that the City — at our urging — will be immediately taking concrete steps to address the chaos that reached a crisis point over the past several weeks when the City relocated hundreds of homeless individuals into the Lucerne Hotel, many of whom suffered from mental illness, addiction and other serious problems,” said a lawyer for one group of neighbors, Randy Mastro.


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--Moms having their moment in historic US Open quarterfinals

`` I hope that she saw her mama fighting , '' Williams said ...

The week of Labor Day has transformed into a celebration of mothers at the U.S. Open.
Three moms are into the quarterfinals for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament in the Open era, and all three will be back in action on Wednesday, featuring a showdown between two of them, No. 3 seed Serena Williams and Tsvetana Pironkova.
Victoria Azarenka also has reached the final eight of this year’s bubbled, fan-less event at Flushing Meadows, where she will face No. 16 seed Elise Mertens in the quarters.
“That’s remarkable. I’m so proud of the ladies. It’s incredible,” Azarenka said on ESPN following her fourth-round win Monday night over Karolina Muchova. “I’m just really happy to see that. I hope we all keep going as far as possible. It’s inspiring.
“I hope it’s inspiring for other women that they continue to go for their dreams and don’t only identify as mothers, but continue to do what they want to do.”
There actually were nine mothers in the draw to start this year’s Open, most notably former world No. 1 and three-time Open champion Kim Clijsters, who was eliminated in the opening round in her first Grand Slam appearance since 2012.
Clijsters is one of only three moms to capture a Slam title in the half-century of the Open era. She won consecutive U.S. Opens in 2009-10 and the 2011 Australian Open. Aussies Margaret Court, who won three of four Grand Slam events (Australian, French, U.S.) in 1973, and Evonne Goolagong (1980 Wimbledon) also won majors after giving birth.
“I’m so happy that there are so many moms in the event, obviously, because I’m one,” the 38-year-old Williams, who is still seeking to match Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, said Saturday. ”I just have a totally new respect for moms.”
Williams’ 3-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia, has been a prominent spectator this year at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. At least one mom — either Serena or the unseeded Pironkova, who is playing in her first WTA tournament in three years and her first U.S. Open since 2016 — is guaranteed to advance to the semifinals.
“Well, everything in mothering, I guess it’s helped me,” Pironkova said following her fourth-round win Monday over Alize Cornet. “Obviously you become a different person. You don’t focus on yourself that much — your focus is primarily on your child.
“And I guess that’s a good thing. I’m a lot more organized, as well. Mentally, I have more mental endurance, also. Physically, I know my body better. … At this point it means a lot to be here after three years of absence. And this being my first tournament, having this great result, is something very special.”
The 32-year-old Bulgarian gave birth to her son, Alexander, in April 2018.
“I haven’t seen him in two weeks and it’s very tough, it gets tougher every day,” Pironkova said last week. “But I know he’s watching me. I know he’s proud of me, and it’s worth it.”
Williams, who owns a 4-0 career mark against Pironkova, clearly has enjoyed having Alexis Olympia present at her matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium, usually sitting alongside her father, Alexis Ohanian.
“She’s a fan of tennis,” Serena said Monday following her three-set victory over No. 15 Maria Sakkari. “She’s come to watch me practice, at least on this court. She loves when I practice on this court because she can sit and watch.”
Williams has reached the finals in four majors since becoming a mom, including the past two years here against Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu, but she is winless in four attempts to match Court’s mark.
“I would never have thought I would be playing as a mom,” Williams said. “The pluses are that, one day your daughter can say she was there. Whether she remembers or not, we can always have pictures. But other than that, it’s just minus, like, I’m not with her. I’m not around her. It’s hard.”
Azarenka, a former world No. 1, lost to Williams in the finals here in both 2012 and 2013. She would meet one of the other moms in the semis if she’s able to get past Mertens, who knocked out second-seeded American Sofia Kenin in straight sets Monday.
“That’s not the only thing that we are. We are also women who have dreams and goals and passions,” noted the 31-year-old Azarenka, who gave birth to her son, Leo, in December 2016. “I don’t know if I feel different just because [I’m] a mother. I don’t identify myself on the tennis court as a mother. I still identify myself as a tennis player.
“Me being in the quarterfinals, I didn’t get there by being a parent. I got there by being a tennis player. But it feels amazing that I can share this moment, and hopefully be a good role model to my son.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-08--One killed, two injured when gunman opens fire in Queens courtyard

A man was fatally shot and two other people were wounded in Queens Tuesday afternoon when a gunman opened fire @ @ @ @ @ said .
The gunfire erupted around 3 p.m. at 29-43 Far Rockaway Boulevard in Far @ @ @ @ @ multiple rounds on the threesome , cops said .
A 20-year-old man was shot in @ @ @ @ @ He was taken to St. John ’ s Episcopal Hospital , where he was pronounced @ @ @ @ @ A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg and a 21-year-old woman was struck in @ @ @ @ @ cops said .
They were both in stable condition at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center .
@ @ @ @ @ on foot , cops said .
There were no immediate arrests .
The bloodshed followed @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn Tuesday , where three men was injured , including one critically .

A man was fatally shot and two other people were wounded in Queens Tuesday afternoon when a gunman opened fire in a courtyard, cops said.
The gunfire erupted around 3 p.m. at 29-43 Far Rockaway Boulevard in Far Rockaway when a man fired multiple rounds on the threesome, cops said.
A 20-year-old man was shot in the chest and abdomen. He was taken to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, cops said.
A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg and a 21-year-old woman was struck in the leg and ankle, cops said. They were both in stable condition at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
The suspect fled the scene on foot, cops said. There were no immediate arrests.
The bloodshed followed another broad daylight shooting in Brooklyn Tuesday, where three men was injured, including one critically.


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Michael Cohen shares ‘theory’ of what Trump will do if he loses 2020 election

If President Trump loses to Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November , he will resign as commander-in-chief in order to allow Vice President Pence to take over and pardon him for any alleged crimes .
That ’ s the theory of the commander-in-chief ’ s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen , he revealed Tuesday night .
The 54-year-old disbarred ex-attorney — who is currently one year into a three-year prison sentence on charges of lying to Congress , tax evasion and campaign finance violations — shared his hypothesis in an interview with MSNBC ’ s “ The Rachel Maddow Show.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a point he makes toward the end of his new book , “ Disloyal : A Memoir : The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump , ” which Cohen was there promoting .
“ You say at the very end of the book that the president and Attorney General William Barr ousted the US Attorney of New York and tried to install , effectively , the president ’ s golfing buddy as the new US Attorney there because the president , in your view , wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s still in office because that would give him the opportunity to pardon himself after he lost the election , ” she said .
“ Well , my theory is that if he loses , there ’ s still the time between the election and the time that the next president would take office .
And during that time , my suspicion is that he will resign as president , he will allow Mike Pence to take over , and he will then go ahead and have Mike Pence pardon him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixer went on to compare the effort to that of former President Richard Nixon , who resigned and was granted a “ prospective pardon ” by his former VP , newly-sworn-in President Gerald Ford .
“ It ’ s a very , let ’ s just say it ’ s a very Nixon-type of event and it was probably discussed between Roger Stone and President Trump at some point .
That this is certainly one way to avoid any potential prison time , ” he continued .
Stone was a Nixon confidante , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later years , but the two had a longstanding relationship dating back to 1967 .
Cohen is serving the remainder of his sentence in home confinement from his New York apartment after being released from prison because of concerns about coronavirus .

If President Trump loses to Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November, he will resign as commander-in-chief in order to allow Vice President Mike Pence to take over and pardon him for any alleged crimes.
That’s the theory of the commander-in-chief’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, he revealed Tuesday night.
The 54-year-old disbarred ex-attorney — who is currently one year into a three-year prison sentence on charges of lying to Congress, tax evasion and campaign finance violations — shared his hypothesis in an interview with MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.”
Maddow pressed the convicted felon on a point he makes toward the end of his new book, “Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump,” which Cohen was there promoting.
“You say at the very end of the book that the president and Attorney General William Barr ousted the US attorney of New York and tried to install, effectively, the president’s golfing buddy as the new US attorney there because the president, in your view, wanted to arrange for himself to be indicted while he’s still in office because that would give him the opportunity to pardon himself after he lost the election,” she said.
“Well, my theory is that if he loses, there’s still the time between the election and the time that the next president would take office. And during that time, my suspicion is that he will resign as president, he will allow Mike Pence to take over, and he will then go ahead and have Mike Pence pardon him,” Cohen responded.
The former fixer went on to compare the effort to that of President Richard Nixon, who resigned and was granted a “prospective pardon” by his former VP, newly sworn-in President Gerald Ford.
“It’s a very, let’s just say it’s a very Nixon-type of event and it was probably discussed between Roger Stone and President Trump at some point. That this is certainly one way to avoid any potential prison time,” he continued.
Stone was a Nixon confidante, especially in the former president’s later years, but the two had a longstanding relationship dating back to 1967.
Cohen is serving the remainder of his sentence in home confinement from his New York apartment after being released from prison because of concerns about coronavirus.


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--‘Get Organized with the Home Edit’ Organizes Books in Rainbow Order and You Just Know Book Twitter I

‘Get Organized with the Home Edit’ Organizes Books in Rainbow Order and You Just Know Book Twitter Is Going to Flip Out

Netflix should know better than to poke at Book Twitter .
Remember the social media dust-up when Marie Kondo suggested that her clients entertain the notion of maybe giving away books if they feel they no longer need a specific book in their life ?
Book Twitter reacted as if Marie Kondo was kicking down doors with a flamethrower , incinerating everything with a spine in sight .
That knee-jerk response to the mere suggestion that you can part with books if you want to has me worried for Netflix ’ s new anti-clutter-fest , Get Organized with the Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ controversy ” is right there in the title : edit .
Marie Kondo , easily the most delightful TV personality to ever grace Netflix , learned that some people don ’ t like that word the hard way .
Although I bet Marie Kondo remained unaware of that Twitter freakout .
I bet Marie Kondo did the smart thing and deleted Twitter , the antithesis of “ spark joy , ” long ago .
But I digress—I think we could all be in for a completely different book riot because of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to bookshelves : arranging books in rainbow order .
Yeah , not by author or title or subject—but the book ’ s color .
Dewey Decimal is persona non grata on Get Organized .
It makes sense in that the rainbow is literally the basis of the business .
Hosts/organizers Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer arrange everything—from art supplies to clothes—along the color spectrum .
But to look at books and think “ ROYGBIV ” instead of “ ABCDEFG ” — ?
That seems a bit much .
And I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s reaction to this will be because even I , a Book Dumb Dumb who only reads book-books if they ’ re about Star Wars or historical gay people , was deeply unnerved by this color coding .
For one thing , a book ’ s color has very little to do with the book .
You can not tell a book by it ’ s color !
In order to find a book you want to read , you have to remember not the author ’ s name or , y ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the somewhat arbitrary color that a graphic designer decided to slap on the book ’ s spine for that specific edition !
This method sets up too many hoops to jump through just to grab a book to read !
Okay , I ’ m freaking out even though there are a few caveats that can calm my hysteria : first , Teplin and Shearer only pull this trick on kids ’ bookshelves in Get Organized .
That makes more sense , as little kids are more likely to notice a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of kids ’ books are color coded .
Plus when you ’ re cleaning up after a pint-sized tornado pulls a dozen books off the shelf , it is quicker to shove them back into their color zones than to painstakingly maintain an alphabet .
Second , and this is for the adults : this methodology is practical if your personal library is more for show and less for use .
If you have books on display then , honey , put them on display .
If you aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then why not make them visually appealing ?
So while I get the reasons why adults would follow The Home Edit down a rainbow rabbit hole , I just couldn ’ t envision this happening for me .
I ’ m an organization fiend .
I organize and alphabetize everything : my records ( alphabetical by artist , records in release date order ) , my Marvel Legends action figures ( ’ 90s X-characters go in the container near their display area ; the rest go in a drawer in the closet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series title , then by issue number ) , even my speedos ( brands have to stay together , for some arbitrary reason ! )
.
Is this a problem ?
No , because it makes me happy and what else am I going to do while in quarantine ?
You ’ re reading words written by the former Books-a-Million bookseller who alphabetized the graphic novel section by choice .
But since I ’ ve glowed up from a bookseller to a pop culture journalist , I decided to try out this colorful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home office that could potentially benefit from it : my two shelves of non-X-Men comic book trade paperbacks and graphic novels .
They were previously arranged by publisher , then format ( hardcovers then paperbacks ) , then alphabetical by series title , and lastly by volume number .
Then I put them in rainbow order and… Thanks , I hate it !
Marvel is next to Image , my complete Y : The Last Man run is scattered across the shelves , Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes is between Doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compilation of random Marvel issues from the 1970s .
Nothing makes sense , and I spent way too much time trying to figure out a spine ’ s dominant color and then how those colors flow into each other .
This is not for me !
But , y ’ know , it can be for some people !
Because if I/we learned anything from the overblown Marie Kondo brouhaha , it should be this : let people do whatever the hell they want to with their books .
They can donate them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alphabetize them , or arrange them in autobiographical order like they ’ re the self-loathing lead of the book version of High Fidelity .
While I can agree that rainbow order can look nice for other adults and does make sense for kids , this is just not for me .
Not at all .
On the bright side—at least I now get to reorganize this bookshelf !
Stream Get Organized with the Home Edit on Netflixb

Netflix should know better than to poke at Book Twitter. Remember the social media dust-up when Marie Kondo suggested that her clients entertain the notion of maybe giving away books if they feel they no longer need a specific book in their life? Book Twitter reacted as if Marie Kondo was kicking down doors with a flamethrower, incinerating everything with a spine in sight. That knee-jerk response to the mere suggestion that you can part with books if you want to has me worried for Netflix’s new anti-clutter-fest, Get Organized with the Home Edit.
I mean, the old “controversy” is right there in the title: edit. Marie Kondo, easily the most delightful TV personality to ever grace Netflix, learned that some people don’t like that word the hard way. Although I bet Marie Kondo remained unaware of that Twitter freakout. I bet Marie Kondo did the smart thing and deleted Twitter, the antithesis of “spark joy,” long ago. But I digress—I think we could all be in for a completely different book riot because of The Home Edit’s specific methodology when it comes to bookshelves: arranging books in rainbow order.
Yeah, not by author or title or subject—but the book’s color. Dewey Decimal is persona non grata on Get Organized. It makes sense in that the rainbow is literally the basis of the business. Hosts/organizers Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer arrange everything—from art supplies to clothes—along the color spectrum. But to look at books and think “ROYGBIV” instead of “ABCDEFG”—? That seems a bit much. And I feel like I know what Book Twitter’s reaction to this will be because even I, a Book Dumb Dumb who only reads book-books if they’re about Star Wars or historical gay people, was deeply unnerved by this color coding.
For one thing, a book’s color has very little to do with the book. You cannot tell a book by it’s color! In order to find a book you want to read, you have to remember not the author’s name or, y’know, the name of the book, but the somewhat arbitrary color that a graphic designer decided to slap on the book’s spine for that specific edition! This method sets up too many hoops to jump through just to grab a book to read!
Okay, I’m freaking out even though there are a few caveats that can calm my hysteria: first, Teplin and Shearer only pull this trick on kids’ bookshelves in Get Organized. That makes more sense, as little kids are more likely to notice a book’s color rather than author—and a lot of kids’ books are color coded. Plus when you’re cleaning up after a pint-sized tornado pulls a dozen books off the shelf, it is quicker to shove them back into their color zones than to painstakingly maintain an alphabet.
Second, and this is for the adults: this methodology is practical if your personal library is more for show and less for use. If you have books on display then, honey, put them on display. If you aren’t hunting for specific books on the regular, then why not make them visually appealing?
So while I get the reasons why adults would follow The Home Edit down a rainbow rabbit hole, I just couldn’t envision this happening for me. I’m an organization fiend. I organize and alphabetize everything: my records (alphabetical by artist, records in release date order), my Marvel Legends action figures (’90s X-characters go in the container near their display area; the rest go in a drawer in the closet), my single issue comics (series title, then by issue number), even my speedos (brands have to stay together, for some arbitrary reason!). Is this a problem? No, because it makes me happy and what else am I going to do while in quarantine? You’re reading words written by the former Books-a-Million bookseller who alphabetized the graphic novel section by choice.
But since I’ve glowed up from a bookseller to a pop culture journalist, I decided to try out this colorful chaos on the one bookshelf in my home office that could potentially benefit from it: my two shelves of non-X-Men comic book trade paperbacks and graphic novels.
They were previously arranged by publisher, then format (hardcovers then paperbacks), then alphabetical by series title, and lastly by volume number.
Then I put them in rainbow order and…
Thanks, I hate it! Marvel is next to Image, my complete Y: The Last Man run is scattered across the shelves, Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes is between Doctor Strange: Season One and a French-Canadian compilation of random Marvel issues from the 1970s. Nothing makes sense, and I spent way too much time trying to figure out a spine’s dominant color and then how those colors flow into each other. This is not for me!
But, y’know, it can be for some people! Because if I/we learned anything from the overblown Marie Kondo brouhaha, it should be this: let people do whatever the hell they want to with their books. They can donate them, collect them, stack them, alphabetize them, or arrange them in autobiographical order like they’re the self-loathing lead of the book version of High Fidelity. While I can agree that rainbow order can look nice for other adults and does make sense for kids, this is just not for me. Not at all.
On the bright side—at least I now get to reorganize this bookshelf!
Stream Get Organized with the Home Edit on Netflixb


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Married teacher searched for ‘secluded areas’ before sex with 15-year-old: court

A married teacher accused of having sex in a field with a 15-year-old student made a series of online searches for “ good secluded areas ” and an “ alibi , ” a UK court has heard .
Mom-of-three Kandice Barber , 35 , is accused of having sex three times with the boy — who claimed he was told he had a bigger penis than her husband , Aylesbury Crown Court was told Tuesday , according to The Sun .
The student initially denied the affair , thinking he may have impregnated her — but later confessed after topless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Princes Risborough secondary school in Buckinghamshire , the court heard .
Barber has always denied the alleged liaisons in a field and her 4×4 car in late 2018 , and claimed the intimate images were hacked from her phone .
But investigators later found a series of seemingly incriminating Google searches , however , including “ alibi ” and “ lie about where you have been , ” The Sun said of court proceedings .
She also allegedly sent the boy a message after her principal confronted her about the Snapchat pics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will delete everything – don ’ t want to get in any trouble , ” the court was told .
The court previously heard that she eventually confessed to a social worker that she sent them while “ going through a bad patch with her husband ” and after losing a baby .
Barber also insisted their phone calls , which often lasted 40 minutes and were forbidden by school rules , were merely out of concern for the boy ’ s well-being , the court heard .
“ It is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know it was the wrong thing to do but I had good intentions in doing it , ” she said of the calls outside school , according to The Sun report .
Barber , of Wendover , denied three counts of causing or inciting a child aged under 16 to engage in a sexual act and one count of sexual communication with a child .
She also denied one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activities while in a position of trust , and one count of causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a person in a position of trust .

A married teacher accused of having sex in a field with a 15-year-old student made a series of online searches for “good secluded areas” and an “alibi,” a UK court has heard.
Mom of three Kandice Barber, 35, is accused of having sex three times with the boy — who claimed he was told he had a bigger penis than her husband, Aylesbury Crown Court was told Tuesday, according to The Sun.
The student initially denied the affair, thinking he may have impregnated her — but later confessed after topless Snapchat photos she sent him began spreading around Princes Risborough secondary school in Buckinghamshire, the court heard.
Barber has always denied the alleged liaisons in a field and her 4×4 car in late 2018, and claimed the intimate images were hacked from her phone.
But investigators later found a series of seemingly incriminating Google searches, including “alibi” and “lie about where you have been,” The Sun said of court proceedings.
She also allegedly sent the boy a message after her principal confronted her about the Snapchat pics, telling him, “Promise me you will delete everything — don’t want to get in any trouble,” the court was told.
The court previously heard that she eventually confessed to a social worker that she sent them while “going through a bad patch with her husband” and after losing a baby.
Barber also insisted their phone calls, which often lasted 40 minutes and were forbidden by school rules, were merely out of concern for the boy’s well-being, the court heard.
“It is something I am incredibly embarrassed about, I know it was the wrong thing to do but I had good intentions in doing it,” she said of the calls outside school, according to The Sun report.
Barber, of Wendover, denied three counts of causing or inciting a child aged under 16 to engage in a sexual act and one count of sexual communication with a child.
She also denied one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activities while in a position of trust, and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act by a person in a position of trust.


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Tiffany sues LMVH as French luxury giant walks away from acquisition deal

Luxury giant LVMH is examining the coronavirus pandemic ’ s impact on ...

LVMH just left Tiffany at the altar — and the jeweler isn’t taking the rejection well.
The French luxury conglomerate behind Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior — and run by Bernard Arnault, the fourth richest man in the world — said Wednesday that it’s walking away from its $16.2 billion takeover of the storied New York jeweler. Tiffany, popular for its engagement rings, is suing to keep the deal intact.
In a statement, LVMH blamed US tariffs policies for ruining the wedding, saying the French government told it in a letter to wait until Jan. 6 of next year to close the deal in response to the US’s threat to impose tariffs on French goods. The company also noted that Tiffany had asked to complete the tie-up on Dec. 31 instead of a previous Nov. 24 deadline.
“As a results of these elements … as it stands, the Group LVMH will therefore not be able to complete the acquisition of Tiffany & Co.,” LVMH said in its statement.
The jeweler shot back by blaming the closing delay on LVMH’s failure to seek approval from antitrust authorities in countries that have jurisdiction over the merger, including the European Union and Taiwan.
Tiffany also accused LVMH of waiting until Tuesday to tell it about the French government’s letter to hold off on the deal even though the letter was dated Aug. 31. Regardless, the government’s request “does not excuse LVMH from completing the merger,” Tiffany said.
The jeweler at the center of the 1961 hit film “Brakfast at Tiffany’s” starring Audrey Hepburn, said it filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court to hold LVMH to the terms of the merger agreement the companies reached last November.
“We regret having to take this action but LVMH has left us no choice but to commence litigation to protect our company and our shareholders,” Roger N. Farah, chairman of Tiffany’s board, said in a statement.
Tiffany shares tumbled 8.5 percent in premarket trading Wednesday to $111.45 as of 7:30 a.m. LVMH’s Paris-listed shares were recently down 0.8 percent at 400.95 euros ($471.34).
The dispute throws a wrench into a blockbuster deal that was expected to restore some luster to Tiffany while expanding LVMH’s already massive portfolio of high-end brands including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Christian Dior.
If it falls through, the Tiffany-LVMH marriage would be the second-most-expensive deal to collapse so far in 2020, according to Bloomberg data. Some 122 other such transactions have been terminated since the start of the year. The biggest was Xerox’s failed attempt at a $35.3 billion hostile takeover of HP, which the printer maker abandoned because of the coronavirus pandemic, the data shows.
While LVMH’s Wednesday statement did not mention COVID-19, the pandemic has taken the shine off Tiffany’s sales. The 183-year-old retailer swung to a $65 million loss from February through April as the virus forced it to temporarily close many of its stores.
Tiffany returned to profitability in the quarter ending July 31, but its net earnings of $32 million were still 77 percent lower than the same period last year.
Reports emerged in June that LVMH’s Arnault had been considering ways to renegotiate the deal amid the coronavirus pandemic and mass protests in the US, which have majorly disrupted the retail landscape.
The company reportedly decided not to ask for a lower price even as LVMH publicly acknowledged that it was weighing how the COVID-19 crisis could affect Tiffany’s “results and perspectives.”


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Verzuz hypes Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight for next Instagram diva battle

Will it be combat… or church ?
Verzuz seems to believe they can have it both ways .
The popular faceoff platform announced in a social media post Tuesday that soul divas Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle will be the next to square off , in a contest for the heavyweight belters ’ belt Sunday night .
“ Leave ya church clothes on all Sunday and pull up to the affair of all affairs .
Y ’ all got ta get dressed up in ya Sunday ’ s best for this one , ” Verzuz suggested in an Instagram post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the platform is calling “ the ultimate Verzuz , ” set to be webcast Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT on its own @ VerzuzTV Instagram page as well as on Apple TV .
It will mark only the second time Verzuz has gone truly live , following an earlier milestone appearance by John Legend and Alicia Keys .
The LaBelle/Knight pairing skews more classic than what Verzuz was initially known for , indicating not just a widening of its viewership but an ability to attract stars who might have once looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , to many younger Verzuz fans , the platform had already gone plenty classic with its previous matchup : that of Brandy and Monica , which Verzuz had dubbed “ the Super Bowl of livestreams.
” Following that event , Verzuz boasted of 1.8 million total viewers on Apple TV and 4.2 million total viewers on its Instagram page , 1.2 million of those IG views concurrent , suggesting that appointment viewing remains very much a thing , with the right programming , in this staggered tune-in age .
Verzuz further bragged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match beat the number of tweets for this year ’ s MTV VMAs .
The two artists saw instantaneous results for their individual work , with a combined 20 million song streams just in the U.S. following their Verzuz appearance .

Will it be combat… or church? Verzuz seems to believe they can have it both ways. The popular faceoff platform announced in a social media post Tuesday that soul divas Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle will be the next to square off, in a contest for the heavyweight belters’ belt Sunday night.
“Leave ya church clothes on all Sunday and pull up to the affair of all affairs. Y’all gotta get dressed up in ya Sunday’s best for this one,” Verzuz suggested in an Instagram post.
The Fillmore in Philadelphia will host what the platform is calling “the ultimate Verzuz,” set to be webcast Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT on its own @VerzuzTV Instagram page as well as on Apple TV.
It will mark only the second time Verzuz has gone truly live, following an earlier milestone appearance by John Legend and Alicia Keys.
The LaBelle/Knight pairing skews more classic than what Verzuz was initially known for, indicating not just a widening of its viewership but an ability to attract stars who might have once looked askance at such an offer.
Of course, to many younger Verzuz fans, the platform had already gone plenty classic with its previous matchup: that of Brandy and Monica, which Verzuz had dubbed “the Super Bowl of livestreams.” Following that event, Verzuz boasted of 1.8 million total viewers on Apple TV and 4.2 million total viewers on its Instagram page, 1.2 million of those IG views concurrent, suggesting that appointment viewing remains very much a thing, with the right programming, in this staggered tune-in age.
Verzuz further bragged that the million-plus tweets about the Monica/Brandy match beat the number of tweets for this year’s MTV VMAs. The two artists saw instantaneous results for their individual work, with a combined 20 million song streams just in the U.S. following their Verzuz appearance.


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Army veteran Ronnie McNutt shared final heartbreaking message before suicide

A 33-year-old Army veteran from Mississippi who served in Iraq ...

Tragic US Army veteran Ronnie McNutt, whose livestreamed suicide has sent shock waves through social media, shared a heartbreaking final message on Facebook just before he went online.
“Someone in your life needs to hear that they matter,” read the message posted by McNutt, 33, on Aug. 31. “That they are loved. That they have a future. Be the one to tell them.”
The haunting words appear on a stark tableau depicting a solitary figure above the words TobyMac #SpeakLife, referring to Christian hip-hop artist Toby McKeehan’s 2012 song.
The Mississippi man, who served tours of duty in Iraq, shot himself in the head live on Facebook — with the harrowing footage being shared across various social media sites, including TikTok.
Facebook removed the original footage on the day it was posted, but it has been repeatedly re-posted there and on other sites by internet trolls capitalizing on its shock value.
McNutt’s pal Josh Steen told Heavy.com that he felt social media sites could have done more to suppress the video of his friend’s death.
“Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social platforms could ban accounts, IPs, and stop the spread of this video. YouTube can flag you for using two seconds of a copyrighted song, but can’t seem to filter out my friend ending his life,” Steen said.
“It does not make sense,” added Steen, who said McNutt suffered from PTSD after his military service.
Meanwhile, heartless trolls have set up a fake account, claiming to be McNutt — and that he faked his suicide, the Sun reported.
“I faked my death beacause life f—- sucks you know, I wanted to go away and I actually edited the video and made it into a live,” the bogus account said, according to the news outlet.


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Bill Clinton reportedly launching podcast with iHeartMedia

Former President Bill Clinton will launch a podcast early next year with iHeartMedia , according to a report .
The podcast , first reported by Deadline , will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network , part of iHeartMedia , in partnership with the Clinton Foundation .
At Will Media and the Clinton Foundation will also co-produce the venture .
Reached for comment by the outlet , a Clinton Foundation spokesman confirmed the deal , saying in a statement , “ The podcast is inspired by President Clinton ’ s belief that the purpose of his work in public service is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their best life story.
” “ The show will be built on his gift for storytelling , his ability to explain complex issues in a relatable way and showcase his wide-range of interests and well-known intellectual curiosity through conversations about the ideas and events that continue to shape his work and our world , ” representatives for the foundation added .
The project will build on a podcast that the 42nd president co-hosted in 2019 for the foundation , called “ Why Am I Telling You This ?
, ” and featuring Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original podcast included Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , José Andrés , Stonewall Inn co-owner Kurt Kelly and NCAA Women ’ s Basketball Championship coach Dawn Staley .
Former President George W. Bush was also featured on an episode which included a previously taped conversation between the two former commanders-in-chief .
Clinton ’ s news comes months after his wife , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , was reported to have signed a similar deal with iHeartMedia to launch her own podcast .

Former President Bill Clinton will launch a podcast early next year with iHeartMedia, according to a report.
The podcast, first reported by Deadline, will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network, part of iHeartMedia, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation.
At Will Media and the Clinton Foundation will also co-produce the venture.
Reached for comment by the outlet, a Clinton Foundation spokesman confirmed the deal, saying in a statement, “The podcast is inspired by President Clinton’s belief that the purpose of his work in public service is to give people the opportunity to live their best life story.”
“The show will be built on his gift for storytelling, his ability to explain complex issues in a relatable way and showcase his wide-range of interests and well-known intellectual curiosity through conversations about the ideas and events that continue to shape his work and our world,” representatives for the foundation added.
The project will build on a podcast that the 42nd president co-hosted in 2019 for the foundation, called “Why Am I Telling You This?,” and featuring his daughter, Chelsea Clinton, as host.
Guests on the original podcast included Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, José Andrés, Stonewall Inn co-owner Kurt Kelly and NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship coach Dawn Staley.
Former President George W. Bush was also featured on an episode that included a previously taped conversation between the two former commanders-in-chief.
Clinton’s news comes months after his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was reported to have signed a similar deal with iHeartMedia to launch her own podcast.


newyorkpost--2020-09-09--Ronald Harwood, Oscar-winning ‘The Pianist’ screenwriter, dies at 85

Ronald Harwood , a South African screenwriter most known for “ The Pianist “ has died .
The Oscar-winning writer was 85 .
Harwood , who also wrote “ The Dresser ” and “ The Diving Bell and the Butterfly , ” died Tuesday of natural causes in his Sussex home .
The writer was born in South Africa in 1934 .
His first credit was for 1961 ’ s “ Playdate.
” Throughout the sixties he went on to write a number for a number of titles including TV series “ ITV Television Playhouse , ” “ Knock on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Week.
” As his career progressed he went on write films , ranging from the 1966 film “ Arrivederci , Baby !
” to the 1981 picture “ Evita Peron.
” In 1983 Harwood wrote the screenplay for “ The Dresser , ” which follows a personal assistant ’ s struggle to help a veteran actor get through a difficult performance of King Lear .
The film , which starred Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay , received five nominations in 1984 included a nod for best Harwood ’ s screenplay .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to bolster his writing career with a number of titles throughout the 80s and 90s , a number of the TV movies .
His next Oscar-nominated screenplay , however , didn ’ t come until the early aughts .
In 2002 , Harwood boarded Roman Polanski ’ s World War II drama “ The Pianist.
” The film featured Adrien Brody as the real-life Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman .
In the Polanski-directed film Szpilman struggles to persist in the destruction of Warsaw all while preserving his passion for music .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” took some some of the ceremony ’ s biggest prizes , with Brody winning the best actor award , Polanski best director and Harwood best writing .
Some of Harwood ’ s finale credits include “ Love in the Time of Cholera , ” “ Australia ” and “ A Therapy.
” Harwood ’ s wife Natasha died in 2013 .
He is survived by his children Anthony , Deborah and Alexandra , BBC reported .

Ronald Harwood, a South African screenwriter most known for “The Pianist “has died. The Oscar-winning writer was 85.
Harwood, who also wrote “The Dresser” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” died Tuesday of natural causes in his Sussex home.
The writer was born in South Africa in 1934. His first credit was for 1961’s “Playdate.” Throughout the sixties he went on to write a number for a number of titles including TV series “ITV Television Playhouse,” “Knock on Any Door” and “ITV Play of the Week.”
As his career progressed he went on write films, ranging from the 1966 film “Arrivederci, Baby!” to the 1981 picture “Evita Peron.” In 1983 Harwood wrote the screenplay for “The Dresser,” which follows a personal assistant’s struggle to help a veteran actor get through a difficult performance of King Lear. The film, which starred Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay, received five nominations in 1984 included a nod for best Harwood’s screenplay.
After his first Oscar-nominated title, Harwood continued to bolster his writing career with a number of titles throughout the 80s and 90s, a number of the TV movies. His next Oscar-nominated screenplay, however, didn’t come until the early aughts.
In 2002, Harwood boarded Roman Polanski’s World War II drama “The Pianist.” The film featured Adrien Brody as the real-life Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman. In the Polanski-directed film Szpilman struggles to persist in the destruction of Warsaw all while preserving his passion for music.
At the 2003 Academy Awards, “The Pianist” took some some of the ceremony’s biggest prizes, with Brody winning the best actor award, Polanski best director and Harwood best writing.
Some of Harwood’s finale credits include “Love in the Time of Cholera,” “Australia” and “A Therapy.”
Harwood’s wife Natasha died in 2013. He is survived by his children Anthony, Deborah and Alexandra, BBC reported.