December 23, 2011
Trump changes party affiliation, leaving door open for 2012 run
Donald Trump has changed the party affiliation on his New York State voter registration to "unaffiliated," leaving the door open for a 2012 White House run by the real estate...
Celtics probably won't have Pierce against Knicks
WALTHAM, Mass. -- Celtics guard Paul Pierce didn’t practice Friday because of a nagging heel injury and might not play in Boston’s season opener against the Knicks on Christmas Day....
Nets prepare without Lopez
With the prospect of a trade for Dwight Howard fading and the season opener less than a week away, New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson was getting a feel for...
Nun famous for kissing Elvis prays for miracle
BETHLEHEM, Conn. — In the little town of Bethlehem, a cloistered nun whose luminous blue eyes entranced Elvis Presley in his first on-screen movie kiss is praying for a Christmas...
Meadowlands harness lease to run 31 years
New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority has approved a deal that ensures harness racing will continue at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The deal approved Friday gives Jeffrey Gural a 31-year lease...
No charges filed against former Islanders GM Milbury
BROOKLINE, Mass. -- A spokesman for former Islanders GM and coach Mike Milbury says his client won’t face criminal charges for a confrontation he had with a 12-year-old boy after...
Red Bulls' Joel Lindpere reportedly eyeing Euro exit
So far in the Red Bulls’ offseason, all the attention has been paid to whether Rafa Marquez will be loaned or sold, or the European training plans of Tim Ream,...
Fights and arrests mark release of new Air Jordan shoes
LITHONIA, Ga. -- Fights broke out and several people were arrested at shopping malls across the country on Friday as crowds of shoppers waited in line to buy a limited...
Prince Philip treated for blocked coronary artery
CAMBRIDGE, England -- Queen Elizabeth II's husband has been treated successfully for a blocked coronary artery, Buckingham Palace said late Friday. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will stay in...
Obama to travel to Hawaii for delayed vacation
WASHINGTON — President Obama will travel Friday afternoon to Hawaii for a delayed Christmas vacation. The White House announced the president's departure plans shortly after the House and the Senate...
More Americans taking long holiday trips this year
NEW YORK — More Americans are expected to take long trips this holiday season — and in many parts of the country it looks to be smooth sailing. About 92...
Novak already hitting 3-pointers for Knicks
Forward Steve Novak does one thing well, and it is the one thing Mike D’Antoni cherishes and why Novak is expected to be in the Knicks rotation. During Novak’s first...
Jets WR Holmes fined for TD celebration
The NFL fined Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes $7,500 for excessive celebration after scoring a touchdown last week against the Eagles.Holmes put his foot on the football and flapped his...
'Hangover Part II' producers sued for using fake Louis Vuitton bag in film
LOS ANGELES -- "Hangover Part II" producers are being sued by Louis Vuitton for featuring a fake version of the luxury brand's luggage in the raunchy comedy. The French fashion...
No. 1 Syracuse defeats Tulane
SYRACUSE -- Tulane was executing its game plan just as coach Ed Conroy had mapped it out. The Green Wave was within three points of top-ranked Syracuse late in the...
Harris back at Jets practice; McKnight questionable
Jets linebacker David Harris was back at practice Friday after being excused for non-injury reasons Thursday. Running back Joe McKnight and defensive back Marquice Cole are questionable for the team’s...
NJ gives initial OK to strip club at Taj Mahal
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Just before Christmas, New Jersey casino regulators made way for some girls on Santa’s naughty list. The state Division of Gaming Enforcement ruled Friday that it...
Slain B'klyn cop's partner promoted to detective
The partner of slain Brooklyn cop Peter Figoski was honored today for his heroism and promoted to the rank of detective by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Officer Glenn Estrada chased...
Nets' Lopez has successful surgery
The Nets announced Friday afternoon that Brook Lopez had successful surgery to repair a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot."A single screw was inserted into the...
SEC charges GE unit with securities fraud
WASHINGTON -- The Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday charged GE Funding Capital Market Services with securities fraud for participation in what it called "a wide-ranging scheme involving the reinvestment...
Biden pens op-ed slamming Romney's economic policies
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Vice President Joe Biden slammed Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney on Friday for economic policies that he said "rewarded the recklessness" of Wall Street and led...
Giants WR Manningham doubtful to face Jets
One of the advantages the Giants figured to have over the Jets in Saturday’s winner-take-all game is Eli Manning’s passing attack, which statistically is third best in the NFL. That...
Fantasy Football Week 16 Chat Recap
Post fantasy football writer Anthony Sulla-Heffinger took your questions today at 1:30 p.m.It's the championship game in most fantasy football leagues, and Sulla-Heffinger spent an hour dishing out the best...
Girl swept away by tsunami reunited with family
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — A girl who was swept away in the Indian Ocean tsunami seven years ago said Friday she broke down in tears this week after tracking down...
George Michael 'lucky to be alive' after Vienna illness
LONDON -- An emotional George Michael said Friday he felt "very weak but amazing [after] by far the worst month of my life," in his first comments since falling ill...
Pink saves puppy after it was thrown into Los Angeles river to drown
LOS ANGELES -- Pop star Pink came to the rescue of a puppy that was left with life-threatening injuries after being thrown into the Los Angeles River to drown. The...
Bloomberg insists he isn't fighting with Cuomo over state's health care carrier
Mayor Bloomberg insisted he and Gov. Cuomo are not fighting over a lucrative deal involving the state’s health care carrier – and reminded the governor the city holds the cards...
SUV with 6 NYC family members crashes near Albany
BETHLEHEM — Authorities say six members of a New York City family escaped serious injuries after their sport utility vehicle crashed and overturned on the Thruway outside Albany. State police...
Brooklyn man accused of torching woman charged with murder
The man accused of dousing a Brooklyn woman with gasoline before setting her alight in an elevator was charged with her murder Friday. Jerome "Jerry" Isaac, 47, turned himself in...
B'klyn man gets life sentence in 2007 NC double-murder
LUMBERTON, N.C. — A New York man has avoided the death penalty and will spend his life in a North Carolina prison for a 2007 shootout that killed two people....
Congress passes two-month payroll tax extension
WASHINGTON -- Congress passed a two-month extension of the payroll tax holiday by unanimous consent on the House and Senate floors Friday. The bill passed by unanimous consent in the...
Light rail train hits car in Jersey City
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Workers have removed a car that was struck by a Hudson-Bergen Light Rail train early Friday. The car became wedged between the train, which derailed, and...
Tiebreaker picks GOP map for NJ House seats
TRENTON, NJ — A tie-breaking member of the state's redistricting commission has chosen a new congressional map that favors Republicans, two people told The Associated Press on Friday. The two...
B'klyn man gets life sentence in 2007 NC double-murder
LUMBERTON, NC — A New York man has avoided the death penalty and will spend his life in a North Carolina prison for a 2007 shootout that killed two people....
Syria blames twin blasts on al Qaeda
DAMASCUS, Syria — Two car bombers blew themselves up Friday outside the heavily guarded compounds of Syria's intelligence agencies, killing at least 44 people and wounding dozens more in a...
Fordham defeats Texas State; Gaston scores 35
Junior forward Chris Gaston scored a career-high 35 points in Fordham’s 81-70 win over Texas State on Thursday night. Gaston added 15 rebounds to pick up his ninth double-double this...
Discredited diplomat Dennis Ross is Mr. Chutzpah
Obama's former Iran advisor Dennis Ross has an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that is entitled "On Iran, Pressure Works." It should have been called "Chutzpah" instead. After all, Ross...
Knicks Season Preview: With Chandler and Davis, NBA title is goal
Earlier this month, Knicks owner James Dolan was told the harsh reality by his front-office team. The whopping salary-cap space in 2012 for Chris Paul may be fool¹s gold. David...
Five big Knicks games this season
Jan. 21 Denver visits Garden as Melo faces old team for first time. Jan. 27 Knicks head to Miami for first Dream-Team tango Feb. 10th Kobe Bryant¹s lone visit to...
2011-12 New York Knicks roster
Tyson Chandler: C, 7-1, 240 The champion defensive center is perfect fit for so many reasons, not least of which is his befuddling of Miami in Finals. Carmelo Anthony: SF,...
Nets Season Preview: Holding out hope for Howard
On paper and in their future, the Nets saw a Double-D connection, Deron Williams to Dwight Howard. Naturally, it all hinged on acquiring Howard from Orlando, a move the Nets...
2011-12 New Jersey Nets roster
MARSHON BROOKS: G, 6-5, 200 Nets hope explosive rookie helps end one recurring game-phrase: "Then the Nets went without a basket for 8:13..." JORDAN FARMAR: G, 6-2, 180 Experienced back-up...
Five big Nets games
Tuesday vs. Atlanta Final home opener in New Jersey. Guaranteed some fans will notice even if scalpers don't. Dec. 29 at Orlando First installment of the 2011-12 Dwight Howard Soap...
A look at the beasts and leasts of conference
LOS ANGELES -- The NBA begins its Route 66-game schedule Sunday. Pack plenty of Ace bandages and analgesic. Local steam rooms and whirlpools will become your best friends. The irregular...
Daggett adds new, exciting wrinkle to Staten Island rivalry
The Curtis-McKee/Staten Island Tech rivalry ushered in a new chapter – possibly it’s most interesting and fierce.Wednesday night marked the first time legendary St. Peter’s coach Bob Daggett stood on...
Girls basketball roundup: CK comes closer, falls again at TOC
Christ the King saw another rally fall short. Sierra Calhoun scored 17 points and Lauren Nuss had 16 points and three fourth-quarter 3-pointers for the Royals. It wasn’t enough as...
CHSAA boys basketball roundup: Spellman builds on close Iona loss, downs Harrison
Things are looking up at Cardinal Spellman. Two days after a one-point loss to CHSAA Class A favorite Iona Prep, the Pilots took down Harrison (N.Y.), 59-33, in non-league boys...
Gio says he’s a Nat
OAKLAND, Calif. — Lefty Gio Gonzalez said yesterday the Nationals have agreed to acquire him in a trade with the Athletics,pending a physical and the deal being finalized. “It’s 99...
History in the making: NYC wrestling power Farrell fixing for more
Monsignor Farrell is New York City’s top wrestling team and it’s been that way for years. The Lions have won seven straight CHSAA city titles and five straight Mayor’s Cup...
5 keys to a Giants victory
RUN THE BALL It is too much to expect Eli Manning to put up huge passing numbers against Jets cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Brandon Jacobs (above) has looked...
5 keys to a Jets victory
Play with a lead The Jets have scored first in only three games this year. The Jets are not the same team when they fall behind like they did last...
Jets-Giants matchups
Forget New York, New York. Forget who will own the city. Forget bragging rights in the bars and the banquet circuit. Saturday’s clash between the Jets and Giants at MetLife...
Cross cools off Campus Magnet, wins seventh straight
Campus Magnet entered Thursday’s contest at Holy Cross red-hot, still on a high from wins over Queens AA rivals Bayside and Cardozo. The Knights were aware of their opponent’s recent...
PSAL boys basketball roundup: Lawrence's triple-double powers Cardozo past Van Buren
Jermaine Lawrence made all four of his 3-point attempts, scored 25 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked 10 shots, leading Cardozo to a 94-55 rout of Martin Van Buren in...
One of Bernhard Goetz's victims kills self on anniversary of subway shoot
Exactly 27 years to the day after Bernhard Goetz — famous in New York lore as the “Subway Vigilante’’ — shot four young men he thought were threatening him on...
O/U RICO!
Rico went 6-9-1 for the second week in a row (2-1 Best Bets) on the over/unders, bringing the season record to 105-114-5 (21-22-2).The selections for Week 16: OVER: Jets /...
INSIDE PSAL GIRLS HOOPS: Curatolo looks to put Curtis mess in past, LoSasso back on the bench
John Curatolo never wanted the game to be about him, but he inevitably knew winning for him would be a major part of his McKee/Staten Island Tech team’s matchup with...
Ford handles Molloy, eyes date with nationally ranked Nazareth
Looking ahead might have only been natural for Bishop Ford, but the Falcons did nothing of the sort. As much as they can’t wait for their matchup with nationally ranked...
Good tidings continue on Wall St. for 3rd day
Wall Street celebrated its holiday rally for the third straight day with more gifts of good news — this time, the shortest unemployment lines since April 2008.Stocks continued their steady...
Hedge funds and other financial firms looking to buy MF Global customers' bankruptcy claims
Wall Street’s vultures are swooping in with offers to buy bankruptcy claims held by MF’s brokerage customers. A slew of hedge funds, banks and other financial firms, including Longacre Fund...
Business briefs
Paulson minusJohn Paulson’s loss for the year to date widened to 52 percent for his Advantage Plus Fund, as declines in the first two weeks of December didn’t bode well...
FCC may ‘ease up’ on owners
The Federal Communications Commission agreed to propose easing limits on one owner holding a television station and newspaper in the same city. Loosening the restrictions was among changes to media-ownership...
Munster of a stock
Apple’s stock will rise an iPopping price, according to a bullish report yesterday. Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, a notorious Apple enthusiast, predicted shares will rise more than 50...
Times union pinches publisher over pension freeze
The Newspaper Guild, which is locked in tense negotiations with the New York Times Co. over wages and pension benefits, has sent an open letter to Chairman Arthur “Pinch” Sulzberger...
Former NBC vet Marc Graboff set to run 'American Idol's' parent company
After a six-month search, “American Idol” owner CKX is close to naming a new boss, The Post has learned. The entertainment company, which also owns the “So You Think You...
TWC may sub NBA for Knicks
Time Warner Cable is making plans to appease basketball fans, even if its carriage dispute with Madison Square Garden deprives them of Knicks games. The cable giant said yesterday it...
Charney picking up shares on the cheap
American Apparel chief executive Dov Charney is putting in his two cents worth — literally.The CEO snapped up 105,000 shares of his penny-stock company three days ago, paying 72 cents...
Wheezin’ Greetings
American Greetings Corp.’s fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 37 percent as the greeting-card company invested in dollar-store products and distribution. Shares slumped 21 percent to close at $13.39 yesterday.
Netflix CEO pay nicked
Netflix, the online and mail-order video service predicting losses for next year, cut the annual stock-option allowance for CEO Reed Hastings by half to $1.5 million. Hastings will receive a...
Stanford must take the stand
Financier Allen Stanford, accused of operating a $7 billion Ponzi scheme, is mentally fit to stand trial, a judge ruled yesterday. U.S. District Judge David Hittner in Houston issued his...
Judge rules against Madoff sons
The sons of notorious Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff cannot appeal a bankruptcy judge’s decision to permit a $198 million claim against them to go forward, a federal judge in Manhattan...
Stirred but not fried
A deal to sell its key Asian assets would have major implications for Yahoo!, potentially helping the company to reclaim its Internet glory or leaving it ripe for a takeover,...
AIG icon goes to Metro Loft
The sale of the iconic downtown skyscraper at 70 Pine St. closed yesterday for $205 million to Metro Loft Management. The company intends to convert the 1.1 million-square-foot landmark into...
Obama: Honestly, I sometimes fib
President Obama, now trying to convince voters to trust him with four more years in the White House, says he almost never tells a lie — except when it involves...
Papa Bush prez pick
BERLIN, NH — When asked which Republican presidential candidate he supports, former President George H.W. Bush told his hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, that Mitt Romney is the best choice....
Romney: I’d deport Bam kin
WASHINGTON — There will be no amnesty for Uncle Omar in a Romney administration. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was asked on a Boston radio show whether President Obama’s relative...
A veep peep by Christie
WASHINGTON — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie isn’t finished flirting with a run for national office just yet. Christie has stubbornly refused Republican pleading for him to get into the...
Head-on horror
A beloved administrator at a Bronx Catholic high school was killed in a horrific head-on crash with a tractor-trailer while going the wrong way on the Bruckner Expressway, authorities said....
8 more lives for car cat
MEDINA, Ohio — A cat survived a 4-hour, 200-mile ride under a car hood, authorities said yesterday.When the driver, heading from Xenia, in southwest Ohio, to Cleveland on Sunday, smelled...
Bloomberg’s health-care $lap at Cuomo
Mayor Bloomberg has a major weapon in an ongoing battle with Gov. Cuomo.The mayor recently put out a formal proposal seeking a new health-care carrier for the city’s massive work...
Battle of wills starting
They want theirs. The slashed-from-the-will kin of reclusive copper heiress Huguette Clark are going to court today to fight over her $400 million estate — and take on the nurse...
Ivanka told to ‘Shoe!’
Fashionista Derek Lam is kicking at Ivanka Trump for allegedly knocking off his pricey sandals. A lawyer for the designer fired off a cease-and-desist letter to Trump’s firm, charging it...
Nurses eye walkout
Some 1,300 nurses at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt hospitals yesterday filed notice to go on strike for one day, starting at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 3 — after a marathon...
Comic’s last laugh
Jimmy Kimmel doesn’t owe Brooklyn’s “flying rabbi” anything for using his image in a late-night TV skit, a judge has ruled. The clip of David Sondik, a street preacher who...
Sales jingle all the way
Slackers, rejoice! If you’ve put your holiday shopping off until now, you’re in luck — thanks to big last-minute Christmas sales. From Macy’s to Saks to Modell’s, prices are being...
Bravest’s battle
A firefighter who was engulfed in flames when he made a desperate escape from a Brooklyn blaze will recover — but faces months in a hospital and a year for...
Boyland rap bared
A federal grand jury yesterday charged state Assemblyman William F. Boyland Jr. with soliciting more than $250,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking development projects and vowing to help a...
Prof-slay hung jury
The case of a CUNY professor violently strangled by a gay lover — in what the young killer claimed was a “rough sex” accident — will be retried after a...
Carnage in Iraq
BAGHDAD — At least 69 people were killed in 16 bombings across Baghdad yesterday, the worst violence in more than four months. There was no claim of responsibility, but most...
Slain GI’s Chinatown kin weigh offer to attend trial
The Pentagon plans to fly the family of Chinatown-raised Pvt. Danny Chen to Afghanistan for the trial of the eight GIs charged in his death.“The Army will cover the cost...
NYPD Daily Blotter
Manhattan *** A man who worked for the owner of a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant stole $120,000 from the eatery by writing company checks to himself and brazenly depositing them in...
$$ watchdog tweaks Mike
Mayor Bloomberg is doing a Chicken Little routine with the city budget, an independent fiscal watchdog cautioned yesterday.The Independent Budget Office, which reviews the city’s fiscal health, says the mayor’s...
Plaza theft rap
An ex-con is on the hook for “multiple” thefts from Manhattan luxury hotels, prosecutors said yesterday — including the theft of some $230,000 in jewelry and handbags from the plush...
5-shot survivor
A Chinese-food deliveryman miraculously survived a fusillade of bullets fired by a teenage gang banger, who hit him five times and left him partially paralyzed, cops said.The senseless and brutal...
Asthmatic break-in suspect dies in custody
A 52-year-old asthmatic died yesterday after cops busted him for trying to break into a car in upper Manhattan, officials said. A woman called 911 after a man tried enter...
Mugger ‘flattened’
A violent mugger was busted after a good Samaritan slashed the rear tire of the getaway car at a New Jersey mall last night, authorities said.The mugger followed a woman...
GOP caves on tax cuts
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders yesterday struck a deal to end the standoff over extending the payroll-tax cut yesterday, sparing 160 million Americans from taking a hit in their paychecks next...
Missing ’04 tsunami girl reappears
An Indonesian girl swept out to sea and feared dead during the 2004 Christmas tsunami has emerged alive and well seven years later. The girl, known by the single name...
Vetoes 0-for-27
Westchester’s Democratic-controlled Legislature has overridden all 27 of Republican County Executive Rob Astorino’s line-item vetoes in the 2012 budget.The Legislature yesterday restored funds for neighborhood health centers, day-care subsidies, an...
One of Bernhard Goetz's victims kills self on anniversary of subway shoot
Exactly 27 years to the day after Bernhard Goetz — famous in New York lore as the “Subway Vigilante’’ — shot four young men he thought were threatening him on...
For my brother in blue
The brother of slain NYPD Officer Peter Figoski yesterday offered a heartfelt thank-you to fellow New Yorkers, whose continued generosity has brought the fund for the fallen hero’s daughters to...
Police hunters are in the wind
Six members of the heavily armed crew of thugs who planned to rob drug dealers and blow away any cops who showed up appear to have made a clean getaway,...
New York bars ready for Jets-Giants game
It’s on! Football fans will pack bars around the city to watch the Jets-Giants battle at the Meadowlands tomorrow — and the watering holes are breaking out all the bells...
Plea deal set for hosp ‘baby-snatch’ mom
A plea deal is in the works for the woman accused of snatching a newborn from Harlem Hospital in 1987 and raising the girl as her own, a prosecutor said...
Records reveal pilot's final words before fatal NJ plane crash
He didn’t even have time to say “emergency.” Pilot Jeffrey Buckalew’s final words to air controllers before his turboprop plane slammed into a New Jersey highway was a desperate “Seven...
Pop Weiner finally gets texting right
Anthony Weiner is texting again — about his family’s new member. Weiner confirmed the birth of his bundle of joy in a BlackBerry message sent to friends shortly after the...
B’klyn mix-up a real howler
Brooklyn residents who were crying wolf yesterday should have been yelling wolf-dog instead.An animal that residents had feared was a wolf prowling the streets of East New York on Tuesday...
Caf gas blows: Chuck
Sen. Charles Schumer wants a federal review of a new product that lets users inhale caffeine. The Democratic lawmaker blasted the Aeroshot — an inhaler that pumps 100mg of caffeine...
Liu in FBI cross hairs
A federal probe into the campaign fund-raising operations for city Comptroller John Liu is now focused on the candidate himself, The Post has learned. “If campaign-finance rules are being circumvented...
A small world in Kruger case
Dr. Robert Aquino, a former hospital exec charged with bribing ex-state Sen. Carl Kruger, has hired a lawyer who’s married to a prosecutor in the office that’s taking him to...
‘Corzine conflict’ hand-wringing
Mayor Bloomberg’s top aides say the city should not play a lead role in trying to recoup millions from Jon Corzine and his bankrupt MF Global investment firm because city...
Janitor guilty in priest slay
A longtime church janitor yesterday was convicted of murdering a New Jersey priest brewing a cup of coffee in his clerical robes.José Feliciano, 66, of Easton, Pa., did not deny...
Cafe dream turns tragic
A Brooklyn cafe owner found shot to death — his body burned — in the woods of eastern Pennsylvania was struggling with massive debt at the time he disappeared, law-enforcement...
Judge’s ruling dooms Espada’s clinics
A Bronx judge has green-lighted the state shutdown of former state Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada’s problem-plagued health-care network. Bronx Supreme Court Justice Mark Friedlander yesterday found that he had...
Waiter’s sex suit vs. Babbo
They’re way too grabby at Babbo — and the restaurant’s celebrity-chef owner, Mario Batali, did nothing to stop it, an ex-waiter complains in a new workplace sexual-harassment lawsuit.Former assistant waiter...
Tragic GOP sitcom
The hit TV quiz program “Who Wants To Be the Next President?” is done for this year, but don’t worry. Right after New Year’s, we’re getting a new, improved reality...
Congress’ Social In-Security
The Issue: The debate over extending current, lower contribution rates to Social Security. *** As Michael A. Walsh states, this is yet another “Poisoned Xmas ‘Gift’” (PostOpinion, Dec. 19) that...
Residency ridiculousness: NYPD-bashing on parade
The Issue: Whether restricting NYPD residency will impact crime at events like the West Indian Day Parade. *** Heather Mac Donald has the right idea about the West Indian American...
Solar moon$hine
Albany pols may be about to play Scrooge with New Yorkers’ electric bills: They’re lining up with greenie activists and opportunistic labor unions to hike them by five bucks a...
Sanity at the MTA
How’s this for man-bites-dog? An MTA salary ruling last week was actually based on common sense. Good thing, too. Indeed, it could go a long way toward keeping the agency...
Just in time for Christmas
“Sen. [Harry] Reid and I have reached an agreement that will ensure taxes do not increase for working families on Jan. 1, while ensuring that a complex new reporting burden...
‘Goose-punch’ economics
Many people don’t understand why taxing the rich leads to a better economy, even with someone as savvy as President Obama pushing the idea. You could just look to the...
Behind Iraq’s chaos
Just days after the American colors were “cased” in Iraq, a wave of al Qaeda-style bombings struck Baghdad, killing dozens. The attacks also cast doubt on President Obama’s claim that,...
Where are they now?
Author A.E. Hotchner started going to Elaine’s — at Gay Talese’s urging — in 1964. “I was trying to organize a book about the years I knew Hemingway. I didn’t...
Touching ‘Zoo’ is a keeper
Genuinely charming, treacle-free family films are tough to find these days, so I’m happy to heartily recommend “We Bought a Zoo’’ as heartwarming holiday fare that even jaded adults can...
Not ‘Close’ to redeeming
Despite its overweening literary pretensions, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’’ is about as artistically profound as those framed 3-D photos of the Twin Towers emblazoned with “Never Forget’’ that are...
Jolie good effort as director, not as writer
You can hardly accuse Angelina Jolie of taking the easy way out with her first feature-length effort behind the camera — she’s the screenwriter and director. Teeming with genocidal brutality...
Miss Minoes
It has taken “Miss Minoes,’’ a Dutch children’s movie, a decade to get a theatrical run in New York. Now, just in time for the holidays, it has arrived, dubbed...
Prince of the Himalayas
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet’’ is transported to the mountains of ancient Tibet in “Prince of the Himalayas.’’ The prince returns from his studies in Persia to discover that his father has died...
Pina
Returns at the box office. Not so “Pina,’’ filmmaker Wim Wenders’ tribute to German dance legend Pina Bausch. For nearly 10 years, Wenders, a founder of the German new wave...
‘Tree’ yourself right with show
There’s something nostalgic about Suspended Cirque, the pint-sized local acrobatic troupe. Watching its performers, you think of a band of traveling players, once upon a time. It’s not as polished...
Tour de ‘Horse’
It’s not a knock on Steven Spielberg to say he is history’s finest maker of children’s movies. His capacity to evoke simplicity, awe, beauty and unconditional love are his genius,...
Rangers' Gaborik scores 20th goal, leads NHL
Now it's 20 goals for Rangers forward Marian Gaborik and a share of the NHL lead with Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Toews after finishing Artem Anismov's brilliant feed off a...
Yankees' Hughes toasts to better health in 2012
Phil Hughes said he still doesn't know why his velocity dropped late last spring training. Why it didn't resurface early in the regular season, and why a shoulder problem put...
The Post Line
NFL Tomorrow Favorite Opening Current (O/U) Underdog JETS 3 3 (45½) Giants CHIEFS 1 2 (42) Raiders Broncos 3 3 (41½) BILLS TITANS 7½ 7½ (40) Jaguars BENGALS 5½ 4...
Jets vs. Giants may as well be a playoff game
The 12-2 Jets against the 11-3 Giants battling for first-round byes: Boring. The Jets and Giants might have embarrassed themselves by getting blown out last Sunday and have struggled with...
5 questions for ... Marv Albert
TNT play-by-play man Marv Albert previews the NBA season with The Post’s Justin Terranova. For the first time since 1967, Albert won’t be working for one of the local teams,...
Sports Shorts
NCAA: Barkley staying at USC Southern Cal quarterback Matt Barkley said yesterday he’s returning for his senior season, putting off the NFL for a chance to lead the Trojans from...
Kovalchuk says Devils need to shoot more
It’s time for the Devils to go Do It Yourself, Ilya Kovalchuk says. He had been piling up assists, five in three prior victories. But working long and hard, a...
Vic C’s Tampa Bay Grade Graded Entries
FIRST-7 fur; $11,000; clm; 3up3-HmetwnLegend9-56-Speak theWord6-11-Irishwoods 2-17-Vrnsky'sSwrd12-12-B J's Gibson 12-18-DzzleMeDnny10-14-Distant Light 15-19-Runricorun 8-15-Imvros Indy 20-1SECOND-7 fur; $9,000; clm; 3up6-Manny Who 2-14-Stylish Act 8-11-Flying Approval9-25-Jabbok 15-12-Father John 4-17-Whskeynthercs5-23-BringDaRucks20-18-Tri Power 20-1THIRD-6 1/2...
Mets sign catcher Johnson
Mike Nickeas will have competition in spring training to be the Mets’ backup catcher.The club yesterday announced the signing of catcher Rob Johnson to a minor league contract, extending him...
Gulfstream Analysis
Post Time: 12:25 p.m. All horses appear in post position order 1. 6 fur; $32,000; clm($25,000); 2YO MISS CEDAR KEY adds blinkers and drops in class for return to sprint...
Tomorrow’s Gulfstream Entries
All horses appear in post position orderFIRST-1 1/16m; $16,500; clm($10,000); 3upPN Horse, Wt.JockeyLast 3TrainerOdds1 DuchessofDom(L),121P Lopez2-4-4Vitali4-12 SmoothDecisin(L),118E Baird1-1-7Pino3-13 Sacred Class(L),118D Sukie7-3-4Warren20-14 Proud Aspect(L),120R Maragh1-4-2Carroll10-15 Rossndlghtnng(L),121E Nunez6-2-6O'Cnnell10-16 Move Me Up(L),118J Garcia4-3-2Bradley2-17...
Gulfstream Charts
December 22nd, 2011©2011 Equibase. All Rights ReservedFIRST-6 fur; $32,000; clm($25,000); 3upOff: 12:36. 3. clear 1/16 pl, lastedTime: 22.14, 44.35, 56.43, 1:09.53.Trainer: Edward Plesa, Jr.Winner: DK B/ G, 4, by Awesome...
Folk ready to play key role for Jets
With the Jets and Giants so evenly matched, both sides fully expect tomorrow’s Christmas Eve game to come down to the waning moments. That means the Jets' playoff hopes could...
Tynes likes Giants kicking game
Lawrence Tynes knows the Jets special teams are good, but he is not going into tomorrow’s game against the cross-town rivals with any bit of reverence. “I think we’ve got...
Giants still Big Blue over bummer of ’69
Tomorrow will mark the 12th time the Giants and Jets have played in the regular season. They also play every year in preseason. To some of the oldest participants in...
Beltran joins Cardinals
ST. LOUIS -- Carlos Beltran and the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a two-year contract pending results of a physical, a move that would fortify the team’s...
Colts win over Texans puts top pick in doubt
INDIANAPOLIS — Reggie Wayne will always remember last night’s catch. The man with the expiring contract caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dan Orlovsky with 19 seconds left, giving the...
Home Team Lineups
TODAYDec. 23SATDec. 24SUNDec. 25MONDec. 26TUEDec. 27WEDDec. 28THUDec. 29KnicksNO GAMENOGAME ^Bos. Noon TNT ESPNNOGAME NOGAME NOGAMENOGAMENetsNO GAMENOGAME NOGAME^Wash.7:00YESWBBRAtl.7:30YESWFANNOGAME Orl.7:00YESWFANRangersPhiladelphia 7:00 MSG Network ESPN 1050 AMNOGAMENOGAME Isles 7:00 MSG ESPNNOGAMEWash. 7:30 VS....
NBA fans jeer: Bah-Humph-bug
Kris Humphries can’t catch a break.The Nets forward was named the NBA’s most disliked player by Forbes magazine — beating out LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker and Metta World...
Amar’e says Knicks can catch Heat
Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire said though the Miami Heat are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, they aren’t the kings of the NBA. "The Miami Heat are the...
Rangers defeat Islanders, move to verge of division lead
It is still relatively early, but if the Rangers can take out the Flyers in regulation tonight at the Garden, the Blueshirts will go into the NHL’s Christmas break in...
Nets' Lopez out with broken foot
It doesn’t look like the Nets will be getting Dwight Howard for Christmas. Brook Lopez, the Nets’ young, promising center — as well as the centerpiece of their ongoing efforts...
Nets ready to sign stopper Stevenson
The Nets took a major hit offensively because of the fractured right foot suffered by Brook Lopez. But they are making a defensive gain with the signing of DeShawn Stevenson.The...
Those who hire announcers killing 'MNF'
Where do they find these guys? No, not the growing group of game announcers who destroy broadcasts, but the guys — the shot-callers — who hire, promote and sustain them....
Giants' new run game on line
There is sure to be some second-guessing if the Giants offensive line does not get the job done tomorrow against the Jets. David Baas will be re-inserted at center, bumping...
Jets' Pace fined for hit on Eagles QB Vick
The NFL slapped Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace with a $15,000 fine for a hit on Eagles quarterback Michael Vick last week. Pace said he is not sure what he...
Rex-mas comes early
Enough with all the talk, and we don’t need a long set-up here about what’s at stake or a laundry list of each team’s shortcomings. The keys are these: Jason...
Sunday's Best
THE LINE BRIAN COSTELLO STEVE SERBY MARK CANNIZZARO PAUL SCHWARTZ TIM BONTEMPS MIKE BATTAGLINO MS. CHARLEEN BART HUBBUCH RICO Texans 6 1/2 (40 1/2) COLTS (Colts, 19-16) Colts (W) Colts...
Home-lovin’ Saints will go marching in
Football expert Phil Steele is owner and publisher of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, regarded as the college football bible. Get in-depth coverage of football 24/7/365 at PhilSteele.comMONDAYSAINTS (–6 1/2...
Hondo hopes to bring joy to his world
The Tree is lit, the Yule log is burning and the gifts are sloppily wrapped, so gather round all ye in HondoNation. While the Dear Leader of North Korea has...
Giants strive to stay focused
The chatter — laced with bravado and bait — coming from the Jets’ facility in Florham Park and sent by express mail to East Rutherford has been as constant as...
Giants TEs Beckum, Pascoe get opportunities
If there is one thing Giants tight end Travis Beckum hasn’t had this season, it’s what he believes is the first and most important step toward success. “I have the...
Serby's Q&A with Darrelle Revis
The Post’s Steve Serby sat down with Jets’ Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis, who clearly cannot wait to show trash-talking Giants receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz why he is...
Bragging rights don’t matter to Giants
Who owns the New York/New Jersey area when it comes to pro football supremacy? Justin Tuck said it’s not the Jets. He also said it’s not the Giants. Asked what’s...
Giants' Tuck eyes return to form vs. Jets
There has been one game this season when Justin Tuck was Justin Tuck, one game long ago and long-forgotten. If Tuck, enduring the most difficult season of his seven-year career,...
Jets defense vows to put Giants QB under pressure
The Jets defense hopes to turn Eli Manning’s No. 10 into a bull’s-eye. After getting embarrassed by Eagles quarterback Michael Vick last week, the Jets have some frustration to take...
Jets say Giants will regret riling up Revis
Here is the word from Darrelle Revis and the Jets, delivered to Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks and the Giants for daring to trash-talk the city’s — and the world’s...
Lambert, boyfriend questioned in assault
Adam Lambert’s newly released single might be burning up the charts, but the “American Idol” runner-up had to cool his heels in jail recently. The glam rocker spent a few...
Bethenny Frankel continues filming reality show in midst of drama
Bethenny Frankel isn’t letting talk show failure or questions about her finances interfere with her day job. Here she is on the Upper East Side, filming scenes for an upcoming...
Melanie Amaro wins 'The X Factor'
LOS ANGELES — Melanie Amaro has the “X Factor!” Three months of over-the-top productions, teen tears and judging dramas culminated last night with the Florida singer edging burrito maker Josh...
Talk show guests
FRIDAYBARBARA WALTERS, DWAYNE WADE, BECKY WORLEY - Good Morning America, 7 a.m., Ch. 7THE JERSEY BOYS - Today, 7 a.m., Ch. 4J.R. MARTINEZ - Rachael Ray, 10 a.m., Ch. 7SUZANNE...
Stephen Colbert really did want to fund South Carolina's Republican primary
Comedy Central funnyman Stephen Colbert says he offered the South Carolina GOP $400,000 to help fund the state’s Jan. 21 Republican primary. And, when that offer was turned down, he...
MTV’s geek love
MTV is looking to create a “Jersey Shore” for geeks. The network responsible for Snooki, The Situation and JWoww has put out a casting call for something called “Fandom Rising,”...
She’s White hot
The ubiquitous Betty White is showing up at yet another TV event. The “Hot in Cleveland” star, who turns 90 in January, will appear on the opening of next week’s...
Starr report
David Cross says he’s hoping the long-awaited “Arrested Development” movie finally comes to fruition. “They gotta write a script first, but the hope is that they could start shooting something...
Who’s zooming who!
1. GOP Debate 972,659 2. WWE TLC (Pay per view) 735,681 3. X Factor 645,424 4. WWE Raw 605,719 5. SpongeBob SquarePants 465,455 6. Glee 443,331 7. Family Guy 326,757...
Weird but true
This may be the first time an AK-47 saved a life. After a 45-year-old man was shot in the chest with a slug from the high-powered assault weapon at an...
Boise State gets MAACO
LAS VEGAS — Doug Martin rushed for 151 yards and returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, giving No. 8 Boise State a lead 14 seconds into the...
Wilson sees St. Bonaventure's spirit of giving in the face of tragedy
Tatiana Wilson saw something first on Facebook. There was a fire back home at her house in Far Rockaway. The St. Bonaventure freshman guard called her mother, Temeka, who didn’t...
Boyland charged with soliciting more than $250,000 in bribes
A federal grand jury today charged New York state Assemblyman William F. Boyland, Jr. with soliciting more than $250,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking development projects and vowing to...
Gaborik, Biron lift Rangers to 3rd straight win
Brandon Dubinsky scored his first goal in more than a month, Marian Gaborik moved into a tie for the NHL lead with his 20th, and Martin Biron was solid in...
Manhattan jury hangs in 'rough sex' strangle of CUNY professor
The case of a CUNY professor violently strangled by a gay lover -- in what the young killer claimed was a "rough sex" accident -- will be retried after a...
Yankees pay $14M in luxury tax, lowest in eight years
The Yankees were hit with a $13.9 million luxury tax bill Thursday, their lowest since 2003. The fee, assessed by Major League Baseball under its labor contract, is down from...
Nets trade for Okur
The Nets moved quickly to fill the massive void left when Brook Lopez suffered a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal in his right foot by acquiring Mehmet Okur from...
CHAT REWIND: Brian Costello on Jets-Giants
Post writer Brian Costello answered your questions leading into Saturday's Jets-Giants game.Each team enters the game needing a win to maintain control of its playoff chances. Kickoff is Saturday, 1...
Ex-waiter's Babbo suit claims sex harassment by fellow male waiters
They're way too grabby at Babbo -- and the restaurant's celebrity chef owner, Mario Batali, did nothing to stop it, an ex-waiter complains in a new workplace sexual harassment lawsuit....
Illegal wolf-dog hybrid caught roaming Brooklyn
An illegal wolf-dog hybrid was found roaming wild in Brooklyn Tuesday evening, authorities said. Police found the approximately three-year-old female wearing a collar and chain near Elton Street and Vandalia...