Sundance, Berlin & New York Film Festival Chiefs Debate How Fests Will Look Post-COVID

Scott Soshnick The owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils are looking to expand their sports empire to baseball.Josh Harris, the billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and David Blitzer, an executive at private equity firm Blackstone, are among the suitors for the New York Mets, according to people familiar with the matter.The Mets have retained Steve Greenberg at Allen & Co.

Lizzo started YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 online graduation event on Sunday by playing "Pomp and Circumstance" on her flute.She was accompanied by members of the New York Philharmonic orchestra, who appeared with her remotely via video.Other celebrities appearing during the event included Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Michelle and Barack Obama, Katy Perry, and Justin Timberlake.Many students graduating in 2020 haven't been able to attend their graduation ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorNew York City, the global epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, is taking its first tentative steps to reopen 100 days after the pandemic began.Retail stores as well as construction and manufacturing sites welcomed back between 200,000 and 400,000 workers as the city began the first of four phases in its reopening.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorNew York City has brought an early end to the 8 p.m. curfew order that was issued last week as the city was grappling with looting and violence that marred the massive but largely peaceful protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the order was lifted as of Sunday, one day earlier than originally planned.

By Bruce Haring

As protests around the country surrounding George Floyd's death in police custody continue, protestors are calling on organizations and companies to support the demonstrations in any way they can.

The New York Times newsroom is in open rebellion over an op-ed the newspaper's opinion section published Wednesday that called for the army to be deployed into American cities to crush nationwide protests over police brutality and systemic racism. In reaction to the op-ed, written by Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and titled "Send in the Troops," dozens of Timesstaffers began tweeting out the same message on Twitter Wednesday evening in an open show of anger and solidarity.

By Bruce Haring

By Variety Staff

By Greg Evans

After weeks of deliberations between Hollywood’s guilds and studios, the Industry-Wide Safety Committee has submitted a white paper to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and California Gov. Gavin Newsom offering its recommendations for safety guidelines to resume film and television production.

Prince Andrew has reportedly stepped down as the Duke of New York and bid goodbye to his royal duties after the Jeffrey Epstein controversy. A few months ago, Prince Andrew gave an interview about Jeffrey Epstein who is a convicted pedophile and cleared speculations about his association with him. However, his interview backfired on him instead and as a result, he permanently retired as the Duke of New York, giving away his royal duties.

By Brent Lang

By Bruce Haring

As the New York Public Library marks its 125th anniversary, it’s celebrating by giving kids a treat that will have them booked all summer.

COVID-19 patients will be allowed visitors in some New York hospitals and small Memorial Day ceremonies will be permitted, it was announced Tuesday. In New York City, online schooling will continue through the summer for some 177,700 public school students.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman with Bette Midler — Photo: Facebook

By Jill Goldsmith

Some of New York's biggest stars, including Robert De Niro, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Fallon and more, joined forces Monday to help raise money for the city's response to the coronavirus pandemic duringRise Up New York! Tina Fey hosted the hourlong telecast, during which she assured residents and viewers that "we're all in this together." "We're going to honor the incredible city and show how we can rise up," said Fey, while also announcing that over $1.5 million in donations had already