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“Most believe” the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday “was an accident, as reported,” Defense secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday after President Donald Trump called the incident an attack one day earlier. The U.S. is “still getting information on what happened” and reaching out to the Lebanese government, Esper said in a discussion at the annual …

Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor for the Trump administration’s coronavirus task force, said Wednesday that the country can overcome the coronavirus without shutting down the economy a second time. “There seems to be a misperception that either you shut down completely and damage a lot of things, mental health, the economy, all kinds of things, …

Vice President Mike Pence said Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts is “a disappointment to conservatives” and a reminder of the importance of the upcoming election in determining the future makeup of the Court in a new interview. “We have great respect for the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States, but chief …

Here is the question all Mets fans should be asking. Can we finish second? Sure, no fan base wants to chant, “We’re No. 2.” But remember that with expanded playoffs, eight clubs in each league make the playoffs and the top two in each division are guaranteed entry. So, like every team, the Mets want …

Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Baldwin got baptized together. The “Yummy” singer shared photos of their religious experience, with Baldwin, 23, rocking an orange bikini and Bieber, 26, wearing khaki shorts. “The moment @haileybieber my wife and I got baptized together!” he captioned the series of photos on Instagram on Wednesday. “This was one of …

Austin Hooper is committed to developing “chemistry” with his new quarterback. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end, who joined the Cleveland Browns in NFL free agency, has been shacking up with teammate Baker Mayfield to mitigate the impact of the limited offseason amid the coronavirus pandemic. “I was staying at Baker’s house for like two …

Cameron Diaz quit acting five years ago and she couldn’t be more at “peace.” During Wednesday’s “In goop Health: The Sessions” with Gwyneth Paltrow, the “Charlie’s Angels” star said Hollywood’s intensity was a major factor in her decision to step back from the spotlight. “It’s a strange thing to say, I know a lot of people …

Dr. Anthony Fauci said it’s “surreal” that his favorite actor Brad Pitt earned an Emmy nod for portraying him on “Saturday Night Live” — but he won’t be joining the star on stage if he wins. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, laughed when asked about Pitt’s nomination for his …

Officials in Montgomery County, Maryland, are pushing back against an executive order by Governor Larry Hogan that prevents a blanket closure of private schools. Montgomery County health officer Travis Gayles had issued an order on Friday for all private schools in the county to remain closed until at least October 1, conducting all-remote learning. Governor …

The High Line Nine, a rectangular building nestled under the High Line in Chelsea that houses nine art galleries, was gearing up for a busy year before the pandemic. “We had a full traditional exhibition schedule for the fall,” said High Line Nine manager Christina Maxwell. “We had a full house with typical art galleries, …