GET UPDATED WITH NYPOST.COM: THE SOURCE FOR NEWS Good morning, nelayan!
Regional News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm PLAZA'S HISTORIC EATERIES TO CLOSE: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21069.htm By BRADEN KEIL and LARRY CELONA Hey Eloise, you better call Dominos. It's going to be a lot harder to get a meal at The Plaza � its new owners are closing three of the hotel's landmarked restaurants, including the historic Oak Room. TOM SIGNS OFF: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21091.htm By DON KAPLAN Good night, Tom. An emotional Tom Brokaw, 64, signed off from the "NBC Nightly News" yesterday for the last time, thanking viewers of his top-rated evening newscast for watching him, his co-workers and especially "The Greatest Generation" of World War II veterans he has profiled so often in several books. VET WAS BORN TO BE A HERO: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21090.htm By MICHAEL WARNER Chris Engeldrum wanted to be a firefighter from the time he uttered his first words. CITY BIDS FOR FULL PENSION TO TRAGIC KIN: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21086.htm The city is drafting emergency state legislation that would designate firefighter Chris Engeldrum's death in Iraq as a line-of-duty fatality so his widow can collect a full pension and benefits for the rest of her life. KLEIN'S BIG PLAN$: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21079.htm By DAVID ANDREATTA Education Reporter Expanding pre-kindergarten programs and slashing class size are the top priorities for the first phase of spending a multibillion-dollar windfall that could be headed for city schools, Chancellor Joel Klein said yesterday. BOOM FOR SCHOOLS A BUST FOR TAXPAYERS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21085.htm By KENNETH LOVETT Post Correspondent ALBANY � A family with an income of $70,000 a year would pay an additional $800 annually in income taxes under one scenario to boost funding for schools, a budget watchdog group told The Post yesterday. FUMES SICKEN BX. SCHOOLKIDS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21070.htm A noxious odor forced 250 students and teachers to evacuate a Bronx elementary school yesterday, authorities said. MY GAY TED TRYST: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21084.htm By KIERAN CROWLEY Danny Pelosi's defense kicked off yesterday with a gay man who described a lurid homosexual encounter he claims he had with Ted Ammon two years before the millionaire financier was slain. ART THIEVES TIMED HEIST PERFECTLY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21088.htm By JOHN DOYLE It looks like the brazen pair of art thieves who snatched a $2 million painting from a posh Upper East Side gallery knew just when to strike and exactly what to steal. YULE BE SORRY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21100.htm By CARL CAMPANILE The gangster Peter Gotti allegedly ordered to whack "Sammy Bull" Gravano testified yesterday that he was conflicted about ratting out the Gambinos, until he got a Christmas card in prison from his partner in crime � with a measly $50 in it. 9/11 MEMORIAL PANEL LACKS LEADER: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21083.htm Members of the group that will spearhead a $500 million fund-raising campaign for the World Trade Center memorial were announced yesterday, but officials still can't find anyone to lead the effort. 'STRIP' SLAVE DRIVER: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21077.htm By JEANE MacINTOSH The leader of an alleged stripper import ring pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that he lured women from Russia to dance nude in New Jersey adult clubs under the threat of mob revenge if they refused. DAPPER KILLER HITS QNS. HOME: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21078.htm By JOSEPH MOLLICA, ERIKA MARTINEZ and BILL SANDERSON A suspect dressed like one of the movie "Men in Black" � black jacket and pants, white shirt, black tie � fatally stabbed a well-liked Queens man in a home-invasion attack, cops said yesterday. ONE JUROR HOLDS OUT IN MURDER: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21089.htm By LAURA ITALIANO A knife-wielding jealous boyfriend � accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend and forcing her date out the window to his death � is only one juror away from a murder conviction. HS KIDS ON S. POLE VAULT: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21095.htm By DAVID ANDREATTA Education Reporter Sasha Agosta is giving a new meaning to going south for some sun over the winter break. TWICE TO THE HEAD: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21081.htm By MURRAY WEISS, HASANI GITTENS and ANDY GELLER A former nightclub bouncer who served time for trying to bribe cops was found shot to death in Brooklyn yesterday � his body on the ground next to his running BMW, police sources said. DAD WEEPS OVER KIDS' COFFINS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21087.htm By DOUGLAS MONTERO The inconsolable father of two Bronx kids who died last week in a devastating fire wept openly at their wake yesterday as their mother � who had not yet learned about the tragedy � fought for her life. SUBWAY CHAOS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21082.htm By CLEMENTE LISI Transit Reporter A predawn derailment and afternoon fire sparked commuter chaos on the Sixth Avenue subways yesterday. FERRER GROUP HANDS KUDOS TO RIVAL: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/21093.htm By STEFAN C. FRIEDMAN A nonprofit group headed by Fernando Ferrer gave his likely mayoral primary opponent � Rep. Anthony Weiner � a perfect score for his support for the middle class. National News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm KERIK TOPS HOMELAND CANDIDATES: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/21092.htm By DEBORAH ORIN and IAN BISHOP Post Correspondents WASHINGTON � One of Rudy Giuliani's top allies, former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, has emerged as the leading candidate to become President Bush's new Homeland Security secretary, sources said yesterday. SPONGEBOB STEALPANTS: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/21096.htm JACKSONVILLE, Fla. � Evil Plankton is the obvious suspect, but landlubbers are more likely to blame for a nationwide rash of thefts of 9-foot-tall and 9-foot-wide SpongeBob SquarePants inflatables propped on the roofs of Burger King restaurants. SCOTT MERCY PLEA: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/21099.htm By HOWARD BREUER Post Correspondent REDWOOD CITY, Calif. � Scott Peterson's hardened upbringing makes him appear callous � but he's really a selfless, loving person whose "life is worth saving," a defense lawyer told jurors yesterday. BRAWL-GAME FANS BANNED: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/21066.htm AUBURN HILLS, Mich. � Two spectators were banned from events at the Detroit Pistons' arena for their loutish behavior in last month's riotous brawl between players and fans. LOTTERY WINNER A 'DWI' LOSER: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/21080.htm CHARLESTON, W.Va. � A man who won a record $315 million in the Powerball lottery was jailed on charges of drunken driving and carrying a pistol, police said. World News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm KOJO CASHED IN ON DADDY, NOTES REVEAL: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/21074.htm By NILES LATHEM Post Correspondent WASHINGTON � The son of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan used his father's worldwide connections to wheel and deal with heads of state � at U.N. gatherings � on behalf of a controversial Swiss company that won a lucrative oil-for-food program contract, The Post has learned. LIFE AFTER DEATH FOR FIRE WIDOW: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/21097.htm BY MURRAY WEISS The grieving widow of hero firefighter Chris Engeldrum will have something to remember him by forever � his yet-to-beborn child. Sharon Engeldrum has known for three months that she�s been carrying the baby of DAD FLIES TO SEE INJURED BX. MEDIC: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/21098.htm The proud dad of city firefighter Daniel Swift, the hero medic wounded in a roadside explosion in Iraq that killed two of his buddies, flew from his Bronx home to a German hospital yesterday to be with his son. ARAFAT'S BROTHER DIES AT 73: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/21067.htm GAZA � Yasser Arafat's brother has died of cancer in Egypt, a relative said yesterday, less than three weeks after the Palestinian president died of a mysterious illness. I WANT TO BE PREZ: JAILED PALESTINIAN: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/21071.htm RAMALLAH, West Bank � Jailed Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti declared his candidacy for president yesterday, a stunning last-minute reversal that shook up Palestinian politics ahead of the Jan. 9 vote for Yasser Arafat's replacement. SHARON MUST REBUILD GOV'T: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/21076.htm By URI DAN Mideast Correspondent JERUSALEM � Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sacked his main coalition partner yesterday after a parliamentary defeat left him scrambling to avoid early elections and save his Gaza withdrawal plan. All Horoscopes: http://web1.nypost.com/cgi-bin/horoscope.pl ARIES Everybody seems to be giving you advice, but you don't want advice, you want assistance, and the only way you are going to get it is if you come right out and ask for it. Part of the problem, of course, is that you don't like to be dependent on other people, but, on this occasion, it seems you have no choice in the matter. 1-900-990-7810* TAURUS You know you are playing a role, but do other people know it as well? If not, you may be asking for trouble, because if friends and colleagues act on what you say, they won't be happy when it turns out later that you were leading them on for the fun of it. It may be a big joke to you, but no one else will be laughing. 1-900-990-7811* GEMINI You have wasted more than enough time and energy trying to outdo other people - now you must learn the benefits of working together. The sun in your opposite sign of Sagittarius will bring partnership problems of one sort or another today, but it will also bring the realization that you won't get anywhere worth going on your own. 1-900-990-7812* CANCER According to the planets, you have become a bit too set in your ways and need to freshen up your act a little - or maybe a lot. On the work front, especially, you must take new developments into consideration. Yes, many of the old ways still work fine, but sooner or later you will have to move with the times. Sooner is best. 1-900-990-7813* LEO There seem to be a lot of shiny new things in your life at the moment and, being the kind of person who is easily distracted, you may have strayed a bit from the path you should be following. No lasting harm will be done as long as you realize that you need to get back on track and you need to do it soon - like today. 1-900-990-7814* VIRGO You seem to be out of touch with the spirit of the times. You seem to be living in the slow lane while everyone else is overtaking you at top speed. But is that really so bad? Do you really need to go so fast? The simple fact is that if you are happy as you are, you don't have to change a thing. Maybe you'll start a new trend. 1-900-990-7815* LIBRA Give your brain a rest today because you have been working it hard lately and it is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. Your mind, like your body, needs to be treated with respect, so switch off from all the serious things you have been dealing with and focus on something that does not require you to think too deeply. 1-900-990-7816* SCORPIO There are more important things in life than money and possessions, and if you don't know that now, you will by the time the sun leaves the most materialistic angle of your chart on the 21st. Today you will learn that while there are all sorts of values, the ones that really matter are those that come from the heart, not the wallet. 1-900-990-7817* SAGITTARIUS There is no time like the present, so get your act together and get busy on what you have been thinking about for months, maybe even for years. The sun in your birth sign, alongside Mercury and Pluto, will help you to focus on what is important and before you know it, you will be well on the way to the success that you dream of - so get moving. 1-900-990-7818* CAPRICORN You may be tempted to respond in kind to someone's less than kind words today, but if you do, you will start a sparring match that goes on for days, weeks, maybe even months, and that's something you can do without. You don't have to lower yourself to his level. Pity him for being so petty - there is no need to be petty yourself. 1-900-990-7819* AQUARIUS Some days, it is easy to see the bigger picture; other, days you get so caught up in details that you forget the bigger picture exists. By this time tomorrow you will be wondering why you allowed yourself to get so worked up about things that are of no real importance, but today it may be hard to retain your sense of perspective. 1-900-990-7808* PISCES It's not true that Pisceans are never ambitious, and at this time of year more than most ,you can be a little bit ruthless when it comes to getting your way on the work front. But don't try too hard to impress people in positions of power because it could have the opposite effect to what you desired. They might think you are after their jobs. 1-900-990-7809* Sports News: http://web1.nypost.com/sports/sports.shtml SHOOTING STAR: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32290.htm BY MICHAEL MORRISEY It was shaping up to be another mundane evening in the back-to-back life of an NBA team. The Knicks, pushed to the limit by the lowly Hawks in Atlanta on Tuesday, clearly were going through the motions early on against Memphis last night at the Garden. The Knicks blew defensive assignments or simply watched the Grizzlies drain or drive. The home team looked absent on offense. STEPH STIRS THE DRINK AT GARDEN: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32289.htm YOU only get a handful of nights like this in a season, when the basketball feels like an extension of your fingertips, when the basket looks as big as the Central Park reservoir, when you feel like you could splash the net clean wearing a blindfold. Lefty. FACE IT, WILLINGHAM GOT RAW DEAL: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32280.htm BY LENN ROBBINS ANALYSIS The carnage is on. It's a feeding frenzy great white sharks would admire. Even Darwin would be taken aback by college football's version of survival of the fittest. FAST START BODES WELL: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32273.htm THIS time of year, most ski racers are just starting to get the kinks out. But Bode Miller, the Michael Jordan of ski racing, has already put i an incredible season and it's just the beginning of December. PIGSKIN PROFIT: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32277.htm BY LENN ROBBINS ARMY vs. NAVY 2:30 HUBIE BACK IN BOOTH: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32272.htm By PETER VECSEY and DAVE CURTIS Hubie Brown will join Al Michaels on ABC's lead announce team this season, The Post has learned. AQUEDUCT DOESN'T RIDE OUT THE STORM: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32274.htm The thrill of winter racing at Aqueduct was postponed for 24 hours when yesterday's card at the Big A, which would have marked the opening of the inner dirt track, was canceled about 11:30 a.m. because of high winds and driving rain. RANDY-TO-BRONX: http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/32284.htm By GEORGE KING What didn't work in July isn't clicking in December, either, when it comes to trading Randy Johnson to the Yankees. JETER CAN'T PICTURE PEDRO IN PINSTRIPES: http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/32279.htm By MARK HALE Derek Jeter said he hasn't thought much about Pedro Martinez coming to the Yankees. Maybe that's because the idea of the Red Sox icon in pinstripes sounded like it's hard for Jeter to imagine. LIEBER'S NEW DEAL IN KRIS-MAS SPIRIT: http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/32283.htm By GEORGE KING YANKEE NOTES The Yankees can blame the Mets for upping the price on free agent Jon Lieber after the Mets gave their free-agent pitcher, Kris Benson, a three-year deal worth $21.5 million. METS WAITING FOR MARTINEZ'S COUNTER-OFFER: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/32282.htm Mets officials spent yesterday holed up in meetings in Westchester, but there's not much they can be doing right now anyway. Their main offseason priority is signing Martinez, and the next move is Pedro's. THINNING BLUE LINE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/32278.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ One of the newest members of the Giants' revolving-door defensive line is Davern Williams, a first-year player out of Troy State just signed off the practice squad. He sat in front of his locker yesterday, the one bearing the nameplate "Daren Williams." WILSON WILL MISS ANOTHER: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/32281.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ GIANT NOTES Giants safety Gibril Wilson will miss his third consecutive game this weekend because of a neck burner that has lingered longer than expected and could force the dynamic rookie to miss a great deal of the second half of the season. CHAD NEWS IS GOOD: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/32275.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO With each throw Chad Pennington unleashed in yesterday's Jets practice, he felt many eyes upon him. PENALTIES BEGIN TO RAISE FLAGS: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/32276.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO JET NOTES The Jets have been the least-penalized team in the NFL since Herman Edwards took over four seasons ago. SHOOTING STAR: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32290.htm By MICHAEL MORRISSEY Knicks 90Grizzlies 82 LENNY TO JAMAL: KEEP SHOOTIN': http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32285.htm By MICHAEL MORRISSEY KNICK NOTES Jamal Crawford's 7-of-28 shooting on Tuesday wasn't his worst of the season. His 3-for-14 bricklaying in Toronto on Nov. 24 was technically worse. NAZR'S AT CENTER OF GOOD RUN: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32288.htm By BRIAN LEWIS Nazr Mohammed suffered through more than his share of losing in Atlanta, languishing on a club with low expectations and lower accomplishments. He heard the doubters who questioned the trade that brought him and Tim Thomas to New York, who asked whether the Knicks could ever win with him as their starting center. STEPH STIRS THE DRINK AT GARDEN: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32289.htm BY MIKE VACCARO YOU only get a handful of nights like this in a season, when the basketball feels like an extension of your fingertips, when the basket looks as big as the Central Park reservoir, when you feel like you could splash the net clean wearing a blindfold. Lefty. YA GOTTA BE KIDDING: http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/32286.htm By FRED KERBER WASHINGTON � Another major injury. Another wretched defeat. Yet this was not just another night for the Nets. ZORAN BREAKS HAND: http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/32287.htm By FRED KERBER NET NOTES WASHINGTON � Zoran Planinic knew his left hand was damaged, but he thought it was jammed. He was 1-for-2, far better than the Nets ever do. Gossip: http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/gossip.htm : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix.htm TV CHAT HOSTS IN MEOW MODE By Richard Johnson MAYBE the new chat show "Life & Style" should be renamed "Scratch & Claw." : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/cindy.htm BABS PLANNING ONE MORE FAREWELL TOUR By Cindy Adams YOU won't believe this. I don't believe this. None of God's chillun will be lieve this. Hard to believe this. But, believe this. : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/liz.htm DUNNE'S TALE OF TWO MICHAELS By Liz Smith 'NEVER SAY anything on the phone that you wouldn't want your mother to hear at your trial," cau tioned Sydney Biddle Barrows, a k a the Mayflower Madam. Weather: http://weather.nypost.com New York , NY Get the extended forcast here from the New York Post.: http://weather.nypost.com Traffic: http://traffic.nypost.com/ metrocommute HeadlineNassau County Overnight Construction on LIE EB btwn Exit 32 & Exit 40; 11PM-6AMThere is overnight construction closing all lanes on the eastbound Long Island Expressway/I-495 between Exit 32 - Little Neck Parkway and Exit 40 - Jericho Turnpike from 11PM to 6AM Manhattan 2004 Holiday Season - Traffic Adivsory Due to the upcoming 2004 Holiday Season there will be heavy congestion in Midtown Manhattan caused by shopping and festivities that will be taking place. It is advised for people to use mass transit as much as possible therefore helping traffic to move along smoothly. So please plan ahead for early travel and leave at least 20 minutes before schedule. There is also a 10 Day Gridlock Alert Day designated for the Holiday Traffic. These Days are as follows:Friday, November. 19: The Friday before Thanksgiving.Wednesday, November. 24: The day before Thanksgiving. Matinee day at Broadway theaters adds to traffic congestion in the midtown theater district.Tuesday, November. 30: Tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.Friday, December. 10: A popular shopping day.Wednesday, December. 15: Matinee day at Broadway theaters and a popular shopping day.Thursday, December. 16: A popular shopping day.Friday, December. 17: A popular shoppin g day.Wednesday, December. 22: Matinee day at Broadway theaters and a popular shopping day.Thursday, December. 23: The day before Christmas Eve. Suffolk County Overnight Construction on LIE EB btwn Exit 49S & Exit 50There is overnight construction closing all lanes on the eastbound Long Island Expressway/I-495 between Exit 49S - NY-110 and Exit 50 - Bagatelle Road from 9PM to 6AM. Nassau County Overnight Construction on LIE WB btwn Exit 40 & Exit 32; 9PM to 5AMThere is overnight construction closing all lanes on the westbound Long Island Expressway/I-495 between Exit 40S/N - Jericho Turnpike and Exit 32 - Little Neck Parkway from 9PM to 5AM. metrocommute Special EventManhattan Knicks @ Madison Square Garden thru November & DecemberThe Knicks host at the Madison Square Garden in the months of November & December. Expect some extra traffic on 7th Ave., 8th Ave., and in the west 30s, 2 hours before the game, after the game.*Please arrive early due to new security checks*Opponents, dates and times of games are:Atlanta Hawks, Nov. 23, 7:30 PMToronto Raptors, Nov. 27, 1:00 PMMemphis Grizzlies, Dec. 01, 7:30 PMOrlando Magic, Dec. 03, 7:30 PMDenver Nuggets, Dec. 12, 12:00 PMDetroit Pistons, Dec. 15, 8PMUtah Jazz, Dec. 19, 3PMDallas Mavericks, Dec. 21, 7:30PMCharlotte Bobcats, Dec. 26, 1PM Manhattan Radio City Christmas Spectacular @ Radio City Music Hall; November 23 thru January 2The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Rockettes, returns to Radio City Music Hall, November 23, 2004 thru January 2, 2005 Be a part of this American tradition and enjoy such show-stopping scenes as the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers", and the majestic "Living Nativity." Also, witness Santa's return to the Music Hall through an exciting 3-D sleigh ride. Expect delays on 5th, 6th and 7th Avenue between 48th Street and 51st Street and on Broadway starting around 2 hours before and after the show. Please arrive early due to new security measures and for parking. Visit thegarden.com site for information on showtimes.: http://www.thegarden.com Manhattan All Access Tour @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden�s� All Access Tour allows fans to get an insider�s view of the inner-workings of The World�s Most Famous Arena�, providing them with little-known information and rarely seen viewpoints on the legendary showplace. Visitors taking part in the �All Access� one hour tour become a part of one of the busiest and most exciting sports and entertainment facilities in the world and are treated to a host of unique experiences. Visit the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty locker rooms; tour backstage of the Theater at Madison Square Garden; go inside the Star dressing rooms; learn how a basketball court becomes a sheet of ice; witness all the seldom seen build-up to a live event � players practicing, performers in production, casts in rehearsal or crews staging events! You�ll never know what you�ll see on the All Access Tour. Expect some extra traffic on 7th Ave., 8th Ave., and in the west 30s Business News: http://web1.nypost.com/business/business.htm : http://www.nypost.com/business/21051.htm BURST OF ENERGY By PAUL THARP An avalanche of good business news rallied stocks and made economists optimistic about corporate profits, busier stores, and stronger hiring over the holidays. The first Christmas present delivered yesterday was an industrial report that factories are receiving more orders and hiring more workers. Minutes later, a separate government report said the U.S. is awash in oil supplies and that high prices could evaporate. They did, big time. ESPN SCORES SPORTS PHONE DEAL WITH SPRINT: http://www.nypost.com/business/21054.htm By PAUL THARP ESPN is scoring some winning points in the sudden new race to sell sports programming and other TV shows over mobile-phone screens. DOUBTS ON FEMALE SEX DRUG: http://www.nypost.com/business/21043.htm By SUZANNE KAPNER A Food & Drug Administration advisory committee raised questions yesterday about the safety and effectiveness of a patch developed by Procter & Gamble to increase the sex drives of women. WALL STREET IS PAVED WITH GOLD FOR RUDY: http://www.nypost.com/business/21047.htm By RICHARD WILNER Rudy Giuliani, who 18 years ago laid the foundation for his political career by cleaning up Wall Street, will now be cleaning up on Wall Street. OVITZ SPENT A WHOLE LOT, BUT WASN'T A THIEF: LITVACK: http://www.nypost.com/business/21052.htm By HOLLY M. SANDERS GEORGETOWN, Del. � Walt Disney Co.'s former general counsel testified that Michael Ovitz never ripped off the company when questioned about Ovitz's lavish gift-giving and company perks such as personal use of the corporate jet. ADMINISTRATION'S LOOKING GLASS DISTORTS ECONOMIC STATS: http://www.nypost.com/business/21038.htm BY JOHN CRUDELE THE late Geoffrey Moore liked to tell this story from the time he was the head of the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics in the early '70s. DIRTY DEALING: http://www.nypost.com/business/21041.htm By TIM ARANGO The Daily News has retaliated against home-delivery dealers for cooperating with a New York Post investigation that raised questions about the accuracy of News circulation figures, a lawyer for the dealers says. FOOTSTAR MAY LOSE KMART BIZ: http://www.nypost.com/business/21048.htm By SUZANNE KAPNER Kmart Corp. is trying to wiggle out of contracts that account for almost all of Footstar's remaining revenue, calling into question the future of the company, according to court documents. RANDOM'S TRIVIAL PURSUIT: http://www.nypost.com/business/21039.htm BY SARA NELSON "Jeopardy" champ Ken Jennings (above) is writing a book about our fascination with trivia. Author Kaye Gibbons (top right) has changed editors four times. Caleb Carr is writing a new book for a new publisher. Robert Miller, William von Hart NEWSDAY FALLING SHORT ON BUYOUT VOLUNTEERS: http://www.nypost.com/business/21053.htm By KEITH J. KELLY Newsday appears to be falling short of its goal of getting 100 employees to accept voluntary buyout packages. Real Estate: http://web1.nypost.com/realestate/index.htm INSPIRED TISHMAN TO BUY MAJORITY OF GIC: http://www.nypost.com/realestate/35428.htm By STEVE CUOZZO NEW York-based Tish man Speyer is in contract to buy one of America's most impressive commercial property portfolios � most of the U.S. holdings of GIC Real Estate, a division of the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. known as GIC. Entertainment: http://web1.nypost.com/entertainment/entertainment.htm R.I.P. VCR: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21059.htm By DON KAPLAN DIGITAL video is killing the VCR, the home electronics star of the 1980s and '90s. STARS REVEAL THEIR FAVORITE FREEBIES: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21061.htm By NEIL ROSEN EVERY DAY is Christmas when you're a big star, with all that free gear all the time. Here, celebs reveal the best graft they've ever gotten: DARK SIDE OF PINK PANTHER: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21064.htm BY LINDA STASI INCLUDED in the press materials for the HBO movie, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers," is a quote from the late comic actor in which he says, "To see me as a person on screen would be one of the dullest experiences you could ever wish to experience." DEPP'S 'NEVERLAND' FINDS FIRST FILM AWARD: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21045.htm By LOU LUMENICK Johnny Depp (left) and Freddie Highmore in the now-prize-winning "Finding Neverland." U2'S 'BOMB' IS NO BOMB: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21046.htm IRISH superstars U2 dropped a "Bomb" on the charts, selling 840,000 copies of their new disc, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." GIANT KILLER: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21042.htm By MICHAEL STARR NANCY Zerg, aka "The Woman Who Toppled Ken Jennings," did not have long to savor her victory. Last night, she was knocked off in her first game after beat ing the famous "Jeopardy!" champ. CARSON TAKES ON CLARK: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21044.htm NBC is sending Carson Daly to go head-to-head against Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. STARR REPORT: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/21036.htm FNC leads the pack Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly sits down exclu sively with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tonight (8 p.m.), at the Pentagon, on "The O'Reilly Factor." Movie Reviews: http://web1.nypost.com/movies/movies.htm 'AMNESIA' A CHIC DOUBLE DUTCH TREAT: http://www.nypost.com/movies/20940.htm By LOU LUMENICK AMNESIA ��1/2 Running time: 90 minutes. In Dutch with English subtitles. At the Pioneer, East Second Street and Second Avenue. 'AMNESIA" is a clever and stylish Dutch twist on the old good-twin/bad-twin plot, with Fedja van Huet playing identical twins who are reunited after a long separation when their eccentric mother (Sacha Balthuis) becomes gravely ill. Lifestyle: http://web1.nypost.com/living/living.htm HOW TO PLAY A HIP HOLIDAY HOST: http://www.nypost.com/living/21060.htm By MELISSA LIEBLING-GOLDBERG MARTHA Stewart has it easy: She gets to sit out this holiday season. Meanwhile, the rest of us have to scramble to find gifts for all our nearest and dearest, while also coming up with a clever, creative way to play host - without resorting to last year's tinsel and half-burned candles. TWO HARD TO TELL: http://www.nypost.com/living/21062.htm By MARY HUHN ONE night, when Elizabeth Lampert, a 22-year-old single Manhattanite, was enjoying a few drinks at a pub with a guy she liked, she was flabbergasted when he commented on a "hot" woman who walked by. Lottery Results: http://web1.nypost.com/lottery/lottery.htm NEW YORK Midday Numbers Wed.: 511 Midday Win-4 Wed.: 9493 Evening Numbers Wed.: 433 Evening Win-4 Wed.: 5165 Pick-10 Wed.: 3, 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31, 36, 42, 47, 50, 55, 56, 57, 61, 70, 71, 77 Take-5 Wed.: 18, 31, 35, 36, 39 Lotto Wed.: 17, 42, 45, 50, 51, 52; Bonus: 56 NEW JERSEY Pick-3 Wed.: 466; Pick-4 Wed.: 5551 Cash-5 Wed.: 18, 25, 29, 32, 33 CONNECTICUT Play-3 Wed.: 913; Play-4 Wed.: 8146 OAS_AD('Middle'); //--> Cash-5 Wed.: 9, 16, 22, 24, 33 Opinion: http://web1.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/opedcolumnists.htm POT & PRINCIPLES MEDICAL MARIJUANA: A STATE CHOICE: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/21040.htm BY COLLIN LEVEY NEWS that Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas were heard wax ing sympathetic to federal regulations bullying state law normally would prompt the question: What were they smoking? But the scene was this week's oral arguments in Raich v. Ashcroft, the latest medical-marijuana case to come before the Supreme Court. Celebrity Photos: http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/index.htm : http://www.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/11232004/photo01.htm November 23rd:'Christmas With the Kranks' Premiere...: http://www.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/11232004/photo01.htm Movie News: http://web1.nypost.com/entertainment/movies/news/news.htm 2005 Independent Spirit Awards Nominees Announced Kit Bowen -- Hollywood.com Staff With six nominations each, Alexander Payne's wine-soaked Sideways and Joshua Marston's intense drug drama Maria Full of Grace lead the 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards nominations, announced Tuesday. Style: http://web1.nypost.com/style/style.htm REAL GUY REVIEWS: http://www.nypost.com/style/35443.htm "Not bad. My eyes felt marginally nice after I put it on. The sensation lasted about five minutes. I would only pay $6 tops for it, but I'd use it again." 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