January 3, 2006

CREDIT CRUNCH - BANKRUPTCY BLUES LOOM IN '06 AS RATES RISE

American consumers have happily charged yet another banner holiday season to their credit cards and now, some analysts warn, they could face a hangover in the new year. A combination...

NYMEX PETITION TO SEEK OUSTERS

The member of the New York Mercantile Exchange fighting a proposed deal with private-equity firm General Atlantic is seeking support from fellow seat holders to replace the Nymex's leadership, The...

INVESTORS AND PARIS HILTON: TAKE A NEW YEAR'S TIP

MY New Year's resolution is to be taller in 2006. So you can imagine how seriously I take this self-improvement stuff. Since I've already achieved near perfection in my life...

EX-AUTOMAT BUILDING HAS DATE WITH WRECKING BALL

IT was probably inevitable, but another remnant of nostalgic New York is soon coming down. Shelly's, the colorful restaurant at 104 W. 57th St., will close this spring and the...

$1M MISTAKE - 'SURVIVOR' TAX-EVADE TRIAL UP NEXT WEEK

'SURVIVOR" winner Richard Hatch will have no island immunity when he goes on trial next month for ducking the taxes on his historic $1-million prize. Already, Hatch's lawyers have subpeonaed...

AMAZING RACE - SNEAK PEEK AT MOST CONTROVERSIAL NEW SERIES OF THE YEAR

RIGHT OFF, BRUNO MAKES YOUR SKIN CRAWL WITH HIS DESPERATE NEED TO SHOW HOW LIBERAL A WHITE GUY HE IS. TO THIS END, HE SAYS THE "N" WORD ABOUT FIVE...

HEAR THEY ARE - IT'S A LONG STRANGE TRIP FOR THE TALK TO ME TWO

WHEN we last heard from the Talk to Me people - Liz Barry and Bill Wetzel - they'd organized what was essentially a live chat room in Bryant Park before...

'DEAL' TO GO DAILY?

NBC is talking about making the new hit game show "Deal or No Deal" into a half-hour, afternoon series for next year, according to reports. The network is already preparing...

DOUBTS ABOUT DICK'S RETURN

THE fans are not so sure that Dick Clark's return last weekend to his famous New Year Eve show was a good idea. A quick survey on Internet opinion in...

STARR REPORT

Dixie boosts 'AMC' Who says you can't go home again? Good news for ABC Daytime with the return of Dixie Martin (Cady McClain), who rejoined "All My Children" the week...

BATHING BEAUTIES - CHECK IN TO SOME OF THESE INCREDIBLE HOTEL BATHROOMS

VILLAS / ONE & ONLY OCEAN CLUB Paradise Island, The Bahamas Yes, that's the ocean as seen from One & Only's swanky villa bathrooms, sprawling mini-water parks for grownups. The...

LIP SERVICE - MASTER THE ART OF THE PERFECT KISS; MUST REMEMBER THIS

ALL was well in the world of romance, and Ryan had gone on three dates with a girl he thought was smart, attractive and funny. There was just one problem...

LIFTING WEIGHT - WORKOUTS TO LOSE LBS. THIS WEEK

NOW that your refrigerator is filled with healthy food, like low-fat yogurt, skim milk, light cheeses, veggies and eggs, it's time to start exercising. Dr. Jana Klauer, author of "How...

HORSE AROUND IN NOCAL; FARMED OUT

DRINKING wine is the most obvious way to relax in Northern California's Sonoma County. It would have been my first choice, but unfortunately, I was too busy trying to figure...

KATHERINE'S DIET DIARY

LEO Perez is a good man. Charming, good-natured, a father. But right now, he can kiss my ass. And as he knows better than anyone, it's a fat ass. He...

NEW THREAT CHARGE LEVELED VS. SPITZER

ALBANY - Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is being accused again of threatening to use his office to punish an opponent - this time, nationally syndicated radio talk-show host Sean Hannity....

PHONE USER ON HOOK FOR 25G

Bedridden for 17 years, Timmy Secor can't work a computer - he can't even lift his head from his pillow - but Verizon bills him as if he were a...

MTA SECRET REVEALED - DOCUMENT BEHIND UNION-DEAL UPROAR

Here's the secret document - kept hidden from even Gov. Pataki - that guarantees the MTA will pay more than $130 million in special bonuses to 20,000 transit workers. This...

'LION' ROARS, APE SNORES - 'NARNIA' ON TOP AT BOX OFFICE

The chest-thumping days of "King Kong" are over - Peter Jackson's $200 million blockbuster has been ousted as North America's biggest-grossing movie over the New Year's weekend, after just two...

SUTTON PLACE SLAY - SON ARRESTED IN SAVAGE ATTACK ON MOM, 85

An elderly woman was stabbed to death by her apparently deranged son following a raging fight that began on New Year's Day and ended in bloodshed last night inside their...

GAZA FIEND: NUKE PLANT WAS TARGET

JERUSALEM - A Gaza Strip man admitted that he and other terrorists planned to blow themselves up in simultaneous attacks at Israel's nuclear reactor and other sites, it was disclosed...

RAPE IN E. SIDE TAVERN - 'LIMO GIRL' ATTACKED

An underage "college preppy" - drunk and high on cocaine - told police she was stripped naked and raped in the bathroom of a trendy East Side bar during a...

TIMES' OWN OMBUDSMAN RIPS 'STONEWALLING' PAPER

The New York Times' "public editor" delivered a blistering attack on the paper for what he called "stonewalling" about its story on the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping. Byron Calame said...

BIG MYTH: SUVS SAFER

Size matters, but when it comes to highway safety, bigger's not always better. So says the author of a new study that dispels the myth that children are safer in...

UNDERWATER SURVIVAL MIRACLE

A renowned Manhattan plastic surgeon was clinging to life yesterday after being trapped underwater in a car for 20 minutes, police said. Blair Rogers, 82, was a passenger in the...

E. SIDE PUB 'RAPE' - 'IVY LEAGUE' HORROR TALE AT NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH

An underage "Ivy Leaguer" - drunk and high on cocaine - told police she was stripped naked and raped in the bathroom of a trendy East Side bar during a...

MORE TESTS ON TRAGIC INFANT

An autopsy performed on the body of a 3-month-old girl who died mysteriously during a subway ride in Manhattan early New Year's Day was inconclusive, a spokeswoman for the city...

ICY STORM TO FROST THE CITY

A vicious storm is set to whack New York City today - punishing the Big Apple with a dangerous mix of freezing rain and snow and powerful winds of up...

NYPD DAILY BLOTTER

BROOKLYN * A Brownsville man was shot dead by two gunmen early yesterday as he sat in a vehicle at a red light, police said. Lovell Moody, 27, was heading...

APPLE IS FACING A DI$ASTER - FED-CASH 'CANE DRAIN

WASHINGTON - The Homeland Security Department will announce today which cities are eligible for huge grants - and there's concern that natural-disaster preparedness could drain funds from anti-terror efforts in...

'DIRTY' GETTIN' CLEAN - 'DOZEN' SCHOOLS BETTER

Non-criminal disturbances at the so-called "dirty dozen" schools - those first subjected to tough security measures two years ago - dropped 20 percent last school year, new city Department of...

IT'S 'D' DAY - WHEN GALS WANT A DIVORCE FOR THE NEW YEAR

Old acquaintances apparently should be forgot - shedding a spouse is right up there with losing weight when it comes to New Year's resolutions. Top divorce lawyers say they're braced...

QUINN IS IN AS HISTORIC NEW SPEAKER OF COUNCIL

Manhattan Councilwoman Christine Quinn will be the next speaker - the first woman and openly gay member to hold the powerful post, it was announced yesterday. Quinn, a liberal Democrat...

STUDY: DON'T BE 'PUSHY,' MOM

The birthing experience is often healthier when the mom-to-be follows her instincts instead of a coach, a new study says. University of Texas researchers studied 320 uncomplicated deliveries - half...

PLANE CRASHES INTO ICY HUDSON - DARING DIVERS PLUCK PILOTS FROM DRINK

Two New Jersey men were pulled from the Hudson River in a dramatic nick-of-time helicopter rescue yesterday after their small plane lost power and plunged into frigid waters north of...

SAY WHAT? NOW TRUMP HINTS AT PREZ RUN

ALBANY - Megabuilder and late-blooming TV star Donald Trump yesterday flatly ruled out running for governor this year - but hinted he may go for president in 2008. Trump, in...

RACING AGAINST THE CLOCK - RESCUERS BATTLE TO SAVE 13 TRAPPED W. VA. MINERS

Rescuers were desperately racing against the clock to reach 13 miners trapped about two miles into a West Virginia coal mine yesterday before their lifesaving, air-purifying packs ran out. Officials...

'TERROR' TOT - AIR-SECURITY GOOF KEEPS US SAFE FROM ADORABLE EDDIE

A cherubic-cheeked, 4-year-old boy almost didn't get to spend Christmas with his adoring Bronx grandparents - after clueless security heavies at two airports demanded his mom prove he's not a...

WANDERING TOT FOUND ON STREET

A 3-year-old boy wandered from his family's home yesterday and walked around the streets of Brooklyn alone for hours before a passer-by alerted cops, authorities said. The boy, who was...

'DWI' MA TOSSED TOT, COPS SAY

The boozed-up Queens mom who mowed down a cop at a DWI checkpoint had been busted just three weeks earlier after swinging around her newborn on the street while drunk,...

CARRIAGE HORSE HITS CAR - REINSMAN IS CRITICALLY HURT

A hansom-cab driver was tossed from his carriage and seriously injured in Midtown last night after his horse bolted for more than six blocks then collided with a car, authorities...

CITY'S IN FOR A WINDY WALLOP

A vicious storm is set to whack New York City today - punishing the Big Apple with a dangerous mix of freezing rain and snow and powerful winds of up...

CRAZY FOR YOU - MENTAL CASES PACK INTO QUEENS VILLAGE

Queens Village has more state-funded housing for the mentally ill than anyplace else in the city, a Post investigation reveals. Other neighborhoods with high populations of mentally ill include the...

ELIOT THE WRECKER - SPITZER'S DEADLY THREAT TO DOWNTOWN'S RECOVERY

AS Downtown struggles to recover from 9/11, one man seems hellbent on undoing what modest progress has been made: state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who hopes to be New York's...

NICOTINE PATCH MAY HURT FETUS

Women who use nicotine gum, patches or inhalers to try to quit smoking when they're pregnant could increase the risk of their baby having birth defects, a new study reveals....

'KONG' PHOOEY, SAY FILM-FLUB COUNTERS

"King Kong" is enough to drive movie fans bananas - because it's full of king-sized mistakes. Jon Sandys, who counts film flubs on his moviemistakes.com Web site, says Peter Jackson's...

LOW-IQ GAL CLAIMS PERV GUARD GRAB

Cops yesterday were investigating whether a 24-year-old developmentally disabled woman was sexually assaulted by a security guard at a Harlem apartment complex. The woman told cops that the man stopped...

OH, ENOUGH ALREADY! NOW DONALD IS HINTING AT RUN FOR PREZ

ALBANY - Megabuilder and late-blooming TV star Donald Trump yesterday flatly ruled out running for governor this year - but hinted he may go for president in 2008. Trump, in...

PATERNO ROARING LIKE LION

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - If the Penn State players are half as cranky as their coach, the Nittany Lions may register a blowout tonight in the Orange Bowl. A day...

NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR 'TEAM TITANIC' - KNICKS SINK SUNS IN TRIPLE-OT THRILLER

TRIPLE OT: Knicks 140 - Suns 133 There was a new swagger and a new result - an exhausting three-overtime Knick victory to start the new year. Where was this...

WELCOME TO: 'AS THE KNICKS TURN'

LARRY and Stephon are talking again, for as long as it lasts. That's because deep down they really love each other, except, of course, when they don't. Meanwhile, Trevor, who...

LEE PUTS BEST FOOT FORWARD

Now David Lee is in and Trevor Ariza is out. The latest bit of shuffling by Larry Brown shifts the rookie Lee into the starting small forward spot and relegates...

SILVESTRIS CAPTURES RUTHLESS

In $65,000 Ruthless, which drew field of four 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs, 6-5 Oprah Winney, Pablo Fragoso up, went head-to-head along rail with 8-5 Silvestris under Eibar Coa, down...

FADING ISLES GETTING OLEG UP

The Islanders were in need of some big-time help last night against the defending champion Lightning, having lost four straight to end the calendar year. That help may have arrived...

A NICE FAREWELL

JET REPORT CARDQUARTERBACKS: C Brooks Bollinger (11-20, 153 yards, 79.8 rating) managed the game well and made the couple of throws that made the difference. RUNNING BACKS: C Cedric Houston...

RANGERS RELY ON REUNION

The Rangers have been stuck in neutral for a month or so, going 5-5-2 in their last 12 and doing that well primarily because of outstanding goaltending supported by formidable...

DANELO EYES ROLE OF HERO

LOS ANGELES - USC kicker Mario Danelo dreams of being a college version of Adam Vinatieri - but he might be a college version of Scott Norwood. When Texas and...

KNICK SOAP OPERA - JAMES GETS SUSPENDED; ARIZA'S MIFFED AT BROWN

Team Titanic continued its disastrous course yesterday when Knicks center Jerome James was suspended indefinitely and Trevor Ariza was yanked out of the rotation after which he questioned Larry Brown's...

STEPH'S STILL TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS

KNICK NOTES Larry Brown has talked about developing the young kids as the emphasis for the rest of this season. Stephon Marbury is still vying for a playoff spot, despite...

TURMOIL IN THE GARDEN

LARRY and Stephon are talking again, for as long as it lasts. That's because deep down they really love each other, except, of course, when they don't. Meanwhile, Trevor, who...

HEAVY PETAL - ROSE TATTOOS SALUTE KIN WHO STEERED VINCE FROM CRIME

LOS ANGELES - The tattoo on Vince Young's right arm is of five roses. He's grown accustomed to fans and media members misreading the meaning of the artwork. It has...

BIG-PLAY BUCKEYES - IRISH LUCK RUNS OUT VS. DYNAMIC OHIO ST.

FIESTA BOWL: Ohio St. 34 - Notre Dame 20 TEMPE, Ariz. - For a few stolen minutes, anyway, it seemed Charlie Weis was going to get the perfect bow to...

YASHIN A $7.6M AFTERTHOUGHT

Lightning 2 - Islanders 1 All you had to know about last night's Islander loss was that they were on a power play with less than a minute left in...

HERM WON'T TALK ABOUT LEAVING

JET NOTES Herman Edwards addressed his players for the final time this season yesterday and made no mention of the speculation that's been swirling about regarding his future. "He didn't...

DEFIANT CHAD: I'M STILL NO. 1

Speaking publicly for the first time since shortly after his shoulder surgery in October, Chad Pennington stood in front of his locker yesterday wearing a no-nonsense look and his voice...

STRAHAN, TIKI & ELI ALL FEELING GOOD TO GO

Michael Strahan broke into a song yesterday when asked about the vision in his left eye, which was poked and nearly swollen shut last Saturday night in Oakland. "I can...

JINTS MAY LOSE LEWIS - D-COORDINATOR SHOULD GET HEAD-COACH OFFERS

GIANT NOTES The Giants are privately bracing for the loss of defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, as there are seven head coaching openings in the NFL and sure to be an...

SUSPENSION FOR JAMES; ARIZA TICKED OFF AT LARRY

Team Titanic took a strange turn yesterday when Knicks center Jerome James was suspended indefinitely and Trevor Ariza was yanked out of the rotation after which he questioned Larry Brown's...

JEROME'S BAN A GIMME

TELL me you're not stunned this is only the first time Isiah Thomas felt Jerome James deserved to be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team! We already know the...

REASONS BIG BLUE SHOULD BOOK TRIP TO SEATTLE

THE Giants are not a Super team. But the NFC is not a Super conference. No Peyton Manning, no Tom Brady standing in the way. No Lombardi Packers standing in...

CATS SIMPLY A GIANT TASK - BIRTHDAY BOY ELI BRACES FOR BIGGEST TEST

The Giants embarked on their playoff preparation by abusing their quarterback, Eli Manning, who turns 25 years old today. They made fun of him for the way he looked out...

BIG BLUE COULD LOSE TIM LEWIS

GIANT NOTES The Giants are privately bracing for the loss of defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, as there are seven head coaching openings in the NFL and sure to be an...

REAL GAME IS ON SIDELINES

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - If the Penn State players are half as cranky as their coach, the Nittany Lions may register a blowout tonight in the Orange Bowl. A day...

JAMES BAN A GIMME

TELL me you're not stunned this is only the first time Isiah Thomas felt Jerome James deserved to be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team!We already know the Knick...

SEEING THREE - STRAHAN, BARBER, MANNING ALL HEALTHY AFTER RAIDER SCARES

Michael Strahan broke into a song yesterday when asked about the vision in his left eye, which was poked and nearly swollen shut last Saturday night in Oakland. "I can...

UP FROM DEEP - TOP SUNS IN 3-OT THRILLER

TRIPLE OT: Knicks 140 - Suns 133 There was a new swagger, a new confidence and a new result - an exhausting three-overtime Knick victory to start the new year....

JAMES BAN WAS A GIMME

TELL me you're not stunned this is only the first time Isiah Thomas felt Jerome James deserved to be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team! We already know the...

WEIRD BUT TRUE

Tommy the house cat is a real lifesaver - he dialed 911 when his owner had a stroke. Gary Rosheisen of Columbus, Ohio, said he'd spent years trying to teach...