GET UPDATED WITH NYPOST.COM: THE SOURCE FOR NEWS Good morning, nelayan!
Regional News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN - FOR A BIG-$$ JOB: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37435.htm By NEIL GRAVES Manhattan wage earners have the fattest wallets in town, and scored the largest increase among any of America's 317 large counties, according to data released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Labor. BLACKOUT-PROOF TRAFFIC LIGHTS FOR CITY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37440.htm By CLEMENTE LISI Transit Reporter EXCLUSIVEGOOD SIGNAL:Lights will get battery backups. CITY SECURITY PROS PREP FOR TIMES SQ. NEW YEAR'S GALA: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37438.htm By FRANKIE EDOZIEN Massive security preparations are in place for tomorrow night's mega street party in Times Square where 750,000 revelers are expected to usher in 2005, Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday. COP HQ SUICIDE: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37443.htm By MURRAY WEISS Suicide rocked a Queens police headquarters yesterday after an embattled deputy police inspector � under investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau in a moonlighting scandal � shot himself to death in a locker room, cops said. RUDY BASH FOR BUSH INAUGURAL: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37445.htm By STEFAN C. FRIEDMAN Rudy Giuliani will throw an exclusive parade-watching party a block from the White House following President Bush's inauguration next month, The Post has learned. APPLIANCE KING DIES AT 95: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37448.htm A.J. Richard, chairman of the P.C. Richard & Son electronics and appliances stores, is dead at age 95. 'HOOKERS' RELISH WIENERS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37450.htm By DEVIN SMITH Long Island cops have busted two women who were selling hot dogs � and themselves � from a food truck parked along a busy stretch of Sunrise Highway, authorities said. NEW PREXY PICKED FOR SUNY-ALBANY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37433.htm ALBANY � Utah State University President Kermit Hall yesterday was named president of the State University of New York at Albany. 75 YEARS FOR '21': http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/37430.htm By BRADEN KEIL The odds were against the '21' Club ever surviving Prohibition. The former speakeasy, considered the country's most enduring celebrity haunt, has prevailed, and will commemorate its 75th birthday New Year's Eve. National News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm MURPHY MANSE ON THE MARKET: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/37434.htm Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy's seven-bedroom mansion, which includes a bowling alley, theater and recording studio, is on the market for $30 million. AMBER SAYS 'LIAR': http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/37447.htm By ALY SUJO In a bitter and emotional interview conducted days after her one-time lover was sentenced to death, Scott Peterson's ex-mistress Amber Frey called the convicted murderer a "pathological liar" who deserves whatever's coming to him. MOURNING ULTIMATE N.Y. STAR ORBACH: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/37441.htm By BILL HOFFMANN and ADAM BUCKMAN New York's own Jerry Orbach � the beloved Broadway belter-turned-tough-guy-detective on TV's "Law and Order" � has died of prostate cancer at 69, after having waged a secret battle with the disease for the past decade. World News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm TOLL EXPECTED TO TOP 100,000: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37453.htm By ANDY GELLER Cargo planes carrying water purifiers, doctors and medicine touched down yesterday as thousands of bodies were found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, bringing the death toll from the killer Asian tsunamis to more than 80,000. OUR RE$PONSE IS 'INCREDIBLE': http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37449.htm By MARSHA KRANES in New York and IAN BISHOP in Washington Contributions are pouring in to the American charities involved in the massive relief effort in South Asia at an "incredible" pace. KIDS' SPONSORS AWAIT SAD NEWS: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37454.htm By ANDY SOLTIS Charities that arrange for generous donors around the world to sponsor poor Third World children are bracing for an awful task � telling thousands of kindhearted sponsors that their children have perished in the tsunami catastrophe. WAVE TOT BACK WITH HIS DADDY: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37455.htm BY ANDY SOLTIS A relieved father cries tears of joy tinged by anguish yesterday as he clutches the little boy he feared he�d never see again. Marko Karkkainen of Sweden was reunited with his 18-month-old son, Hannes Bergstroem, in a Thai hospital. But dimming the dad�s happiness were fears for his wife, Suzanne Bergstroem (inset), who PETRA TOGETHER WITH SOBBING SIS: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37451.htm By JENNIFER FERMINO, DAN KADISON and ANDY GELLER Supermodel Petra Nemcova says she and boyfriend Simon Atlee were swept away "in seconds" through a broken window when the killer tsunami smashed into their Thai beach bungalow. GIS GIVE FOE 1-2 PUNCH: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37439.htm MOSUL, Iraq � U.S. troops, backed by warplanes, killed 25 guerrillas in the northern city of Mosul yesterday, as GIs launched a separate offensive against rebels in a southern area dubbed the "triangle of death." SAUDI BOMBS, CLASHES KILL 8: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/37442.htm RIYADH, Saudi Arabia � Militants launched coordinated car bombings and battled security forces in the Saudi capital last night in attacks that killed eight people. All Horoscopes: http://web1.nypost.com/cgi-bin/horoscope.pl ARIES The more others try to tell you what to do and how to do it, the more likely it is you will do something different just to annoy them. The only danger, of course, is that they might be deliberately telling you one thing knowing that you will do the opposite. Decide what it is that you want to do, then stick to it regardless of others' opinions. 1-900-990-7810* TAURUS You may be tempted to ignore a worrying situation in the hope that it will sort itself out, but the planets warn that is most unlikely, so resolve to do something about it and have the courage to make whatever changes may be necessary. Chances are it won't be as traumatic as you feared. You should know by now that very few things are. 1-900-990-7811* GEMINI Today's aspect between Mercury, your ruler and the planet of communication, and expansive Jupiter means you will have plenty to say for yourself. However, as Mercury is moving through the partnership area of your chart, you must encourage others to speak up as well. The important thing is that you get to the bottom of why they don't feel happy. 1-900-990-7812* CANCER There is no need to be suspicious of others' motives, and what happens today will convince you of that fact. An excellent planetary setup involving Venus, Mercury and Jupiter will bring good news both on the home front and at work. Loved ones and colleagues will leave you in no doubt that they are on your side and always will be. 1-900-990-7813* LEO Planetary activity in two of the luckiest areas of your solar chart indicates that you can get away with almost anything today. Does that get you thinking? It should, because there is something you have been wanting to do for quite some time but always feared would turn people against you. If you do it today, no one will mind. 1-900-990-7814* VIRGO Mercury, your ruler, makes an excellent aspect to Jupiter today, so even if you are the kind of Virgo who likes to keep a low profile, you will be the center of attention in some way or other. Family and financial matters will go extremely well over the next 24 hours, so if there is something you need, just ask - it will be provided. 1-900-990-7815* LIBRA Jupiter in your birth sign makes all things possible, and that applies to your personal life as much as it does to your career. If you are looking to break into a group you think will be good for you socially, now is the time to make your move. Be bold, be brave and act as if you belong. Chances are you will be welcomed with open arms. 1-900-990-7816* SCORPIO You must stay cool today, even if the heat is turned up as much as you can bear. So long as you look as if you are calm and in control, there is nothing anyone can do to hurt you, but the moment you show signs of distress, your rivals will be on you like sharks who sense blood. It's all about knowing how to look tough. 1-900-990-7817* SAGITTARIUS This is a great day - in fact, an almost perfect day - for getting other people to do things for you. With Jupiter on good terms with Mercury, planet of chat, and Venus, planet of charm, both in your birth sign, few will be able to refuse you, and fewer still will actually want to. What you desire is yours for the asking - so ask! 1-900-990-7818* CAPRICORN You may not want to be secretive about what you are doing, but the cosmic picture warns this is not a good time to give too much away. No matter how honest a Capricorn you may be, you may have to tell a few little lies over the next 24 hours, not to gain an unfair advantage, but to protect what legitimately belongs to you. 1-900-990-7819* AQUARIUS You will be offered what you want on a plate today, with no questions asked and most likely for free. The planets are so in your favor that wherever you go and whatever you do, others will fall over themselves to make you happy. It's not often you get this kind of attention and it may be a long time before it happens again. Enjoy it. 1-900-990-7808* PISCES You may not be entirely convinced that an offer is on the level, but it sounds good and it looks good, so you are tempted to take a chance. And you would be right to do so because the planets suggest that it is exactly the kind of opportunity you have been praying for. Don't look back a few weeks from now and wish you had been more adventurous. 1-900-990-7809* Sports News: http://web1.nypost.com/sports/sports.shtml UNIT'S AT HAND: http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/37383.htm By JOEL SHERMAN The Yankees and Diamondbacks last night inched to the doorstep of a deal that will finally put Randy Johnson in pinstripes - with Arizona most likely getting Javier Vazquez, about $8.5 million, Brad Halsey and Dioner Navarro. Arizona sought the inclusion of Navarro in the deal with designs on packaging him to the Dodgers for Shawn Green. JETS FANS FEAR ANOTHER FAILURE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/37370.htm YOU would think the shocking events of last autumn might alter the viewpoint Jets fans bring into these final hours of football's regular season. You would think watching the Red Sox celebrate on hallowed Yankee Stadium... FANS TAKE IT EASY ON SOFTER SPREWELL: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/37382.htm LATRELL Sprewell was not moved this time to any hand gestures, a magnanimous gesture during his second trip back to New York. His evil twin, who tried to put P.J. Carlesimo into an ambulance, who blew off.. OL' SAINT NICK DELIVERS BIG TIME IN SKI COUNTRY: http://www.nypost.com/sports/37374.htm SANTA SENT plenty of cold weather our way, which made for great snowmaking that put many finishing touches on ski areas throughout the northeast. It has been great skiing through the Christmas holidays and, although we are facing warmer temperatures this weekend, it will be too little to do much damage in the northern reaches. STORM HOPE HARD EIGHT ARE ENOUGH: http://www.nypost.com/sports/37377.htm By LENN ROBBINS Several weeks ago Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was in the city explaining how sometimes less is more. TAMBURELLO CRUISES HOME: http://www.nypost.com/sports/37376.htm By ED FOUNTAINE Tamburello, Norberto Arroyo Jr. up, scored first victory in seven U.S. starts since being imported from Chile, rallying wide on far turn then drawing clear to win Big A's $75,000 Gallant Fox Handicap by 33/4 lengths over 4-5 favorite Colita at marathon distance of mile-and-five-eighths. Owned and trained by Mike Miceli, 5-year-old gelding paid $17.60. THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/37377_graphic.htm The playoff picture. YANKS UNVEIL WRIGHT: http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/37384.htm By JOEL SHERMAN The last two times the Yankees reached out for a free-agent pitcher departing the Braves, they came back with bad (Steve Karsay) and worse (Chris Hammond). METS CHASE CARLOS ... & CARLOS: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/37385.htm By JOEL SHERMAN The Mets have offered a contract to Carlos Delgado and are seriously weighing a significant push for Carlos Beltran. ORIGINAL AMAZIN' 'HOT ROD' DEAD AT 70: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/37373.htm By ASSOCIATED PRESS Rod Kanehl, who hit the first grand slam in the history of the Mets, has died. He was 70. TUNA VS. TOM A SNOOZER: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/37378.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ No one expected Bill Parcells to announce his retirement yesterday, but, given his history and the way the Cowboys have gone down the tubes this season, it was worth putting the question out there, seeing if the Tuna could be hooked. WARNER'S LEAVING AMICABLY: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/37375.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ GIANT NOTES Kurt Warner signed a two-year contract with the Giants - but everybody concerned knew it would be a one-year relationship, as the second year of the deal automatically voided if he met the most modest of incentives. That leaves Warner as a free agent following this season and both sides plan on an amicable separation. HERM 'GLAD' TO BE HERE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/37371.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO Herman Edwards' glass is always at least half-full. That's why, in the wake of the possible ignominy that would ensue should his Jets fail to qualify for the playoffs this weekend, he said yesterday he'd have the precarious situation no other way. HERM NOT STRAINING TO STAND BY HACKETT: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/37372.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO JET NOTES Herman Edwards has done nothing to cool the heat that's been turned up on his offensive coordinator Paul Hackett. FOR KNICKS IT'S SHOWIN' 'TRELL: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/37369.htm By MARC BERMAN The new Knick star outshone the old Knick star. Stephon Marbury is the Knicks' heart and soul, as Latrell Sprewell once was back in the day. HOUSTON SLUGGISH AGAINST SPREWELL: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/37381.htm By MARC BERMAN KNICK NOTES With his former partner, Latrell Sprewell, in the house last night, Allan Houston suddenly played tense. KURT DEFENDS TURF AGAINST MVP GARNETT: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/37380.htm By EVAN GROSSMAN Stephon Marbury dumped 32 points on the Timberwolves last night in a 100-87 Knicks victory, but an even bigger reason for last night's Garden win was the defensive play of Kurt Thomas, who drew the assignment of guarding Kevin Garnett. 'CURLY' STEPPING UP: http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/37379.htm By FRED KERBER Vince Carter admits it: When he first joined the Nets, he had no idea what Nenad Krstic's name was. Gossip: http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/gossip.htm : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix.htm SO. BEACH THE PLACE TO PARTY By Richard Johnson WHILE B-list celebrity hosts, sweaty crowds and long lines at the "open bar" will likely be the hallmark of all the big New Year's Eve bashes, it looks like Miami might host hotter parties than Manhattan for the first time in years. : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/cindy.htm TRAGEDY HITS HOME By Cindy Adams MY past days have been spent trying to track blond, deliciously beautiful 21-year-old Anna Fitzgerald. Smack in the path of that horrific tsunami, she and her sister Katie, 19, were vacationing on tiny Phi Phi island off Phuket. They're daughters of my friends Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald who run C.C. Africa in six countries, which constitutes Africa's largest safari operation. : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/liz.htm IT IS CHRIST'S DAY By Liz Smith 'MERRY CHRISTMAS" � I know those Christian-sounding words ought to feel odd coming from my lips � I'm a third-generation atheist of Jewish ancestry and I'm almost evangelical in my lack of faith. But they feel fine. 'Merry Christmas!' " 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 HeadlineExpect delays at La Guardia, JFK & Newark airportsExpect delays on airline service in La Guardia, JFK and Newark Airports due to extra volume of Holiday travel and new security measures. Please arrive 2 hours early and call your airline carrier for more information on schedules and delays. metrocommute DelayNassau County Under 30 mph on SSP-EB: 19 to 20Under 30 mph on Southern State Parkway eastbound Exit 19S/N to Exit 20S/N Nassau County Under 30 mph on SSP-EB: 23 to 24Under 30 mph on Southern State Parkway eastbound Exit 23 to Exit 24S/N Nassau County Under 30 mph on SSP-EB: 25A to 27Under 30 mph on Southern State Parkway eastbound Exit 25A to Exit 27S/N Nassau County Under 20 mph on SSP-WB: 26 to 25AUnder 20 mph on Southern State Parkway westbound Exit 26 to Exit 25A Nassau County Under 20 mph on SSP-WB: 22 to 21Under 20 mph on Southern State Parkway westbound Exit 22S/N to Exit 21S/N metrocommute Special EventNew Jersey Disney On Ice @ Continental Airlines Arena; Jan 25 - Jan 30Disney On Ice Presents "Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey" at the Continental Airlines Arena from Jan. 25 to Jan. 29. Audiences will be transported straight from their seats into the magical worlds of Disney's Lilo & Stich, The Little Mermaid, 101 Dalmations and Peter Pan. Expect delays on the Garden State Parkway, Route 34, 35, 36 and 520. Before and after the event. Doors will open around 2 hours before show. Please arrive early due to new security checks. Manhattan 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 New Jersey New Jersey Nets @ Continental Airlines Arena in JanuaryThe New Jersey Nets play at the Continental Airlines Arena in the month of November. Expect some extra traffic on the NJ Turnpike, Route 3, Route 17, and Route 120, starting about 2 hours before, and again after the game.*Please try to arrive early due to new security checks. Opponents, dates and times of games are:Indiana Pacers, Dec. 30, 7PMGolden State Warriors, Jan. 7, 7:30PMDetroit Pistons, Jan.11, 7:30PMMilwaukee Bucks, Jan 18, 7PMBoston Celtics, Jan.21, 7:30PM 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/37418.htm SUPER SHOWCASE FOOTBALL FINALE IS AD HEAVEN FOR REGULARS By HOLLY M. SANDERS The Super Bowl is ready for kickoff. Advertisers have snapped up about 90 percent of the 30-second commercial spots at record prices. The average price to run an ad during this year's game is about $2.4 million � up from $2.3 million last year, according to industry sources. Expect Super Bowl stalwarts Anheuser-Busch and Pepsi to continue to dominate the game, accounting for one-quarter of the available spots. $5B HUSTLED UP TO COVER FANNIE: http://www.nypost.com/business/37423.htm By PAUL THARP After bungling its books and firing top bosses, mortgage giant Fannie Mae had to scrape together a quick $5 billion yesterday to cover for its mistakes. BOOK BEAT AWARDS FOR '04: http://www.nypost.com/business/37401.htm BY SARA NELSON LAST year was the year of award controversy in Bookland, thanks to the much-discussed nomination of even-more-obscure-than-usual titles for the National Book Award. NASD FINES HIT RECORD $102M: http://www.nypost.com/business/37405.htm The NASD collected a record $102 million in disciplinary fines in 2004, roughly three times what it levied the previous year, as it issued stiff penalties following industry probes of mutual-fund trading. SEC FLIPS POSITION ON INVESTORS' CANDIDATES: http://www.nypost.com/business/37409.htm Securities and Exchange Commission staff, reversing an earlier recommendation, said Walt Disney Co. doesn't have to include on its proxy ballot a proposal allowing investors to nominate candidates to the company's board. HOUSES ON FIRE: http://www.nypost.com/business/37414.htm By PAUL THARP Two record-breaking years in home sales are fueling belief that even if the housing bubble bounces, it's getting more puncture-proof. DIVERSE MARKET IS NYC STRENGTH: http://www.nypost.com/business/37421.htm New York City housing is probably too diverse to collapse � stumble, maybe, but not a bust, experts say. SPAM'S FLAVOR EVOLVES: http://www.nypost.com/business/37422.htm By HOLLY M. SANDERS Porn, Viagra and Oprah are out. Vioxx, identity theft and stock picks are in. MORTGAGE RATES RISE: http://www.nypost.com/business/37424.htm WASHINGTON, D.C. � Mortgage rates around the country moved up this week, but rates on 30-year mortgages for all of 2004 registered their second-lowest year on record. CRUDE RISES ON SAUDI BLAST AND U.S. DEMAND: http://www.nypost.com/business/37426.htm Crude oil rose almost $2 as explosions in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, boosted concern about security of oil facilities in the world's biggest oil exporter. INSIDERS CASH IN ON MARTHA: http://www.nypost.com/business/37420.htm By SUZANNE KAPNER The shares of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which have climbed steadily since the Domestic Diva began serving her prison term, gave back some of those gains yesterday, on reports that a large shareholder and company insiders have been selling the stock. COURT TRAP FOR GRASSO: http://www.nypost.com/business/37406.htm BY JOHN CRUDELE DICK Grasso can file this under "be careful what you wish for." The former head of the New York Stock Exchange may get his day in federal court after all, but he's not likely to be the least bit happy about it. WAL-MART CLASS ACTION SOUGHT: http://www.nypost.com/business/37411.htm Wal-Mart Stores Inc. female workers who are seeking billions of dollars for discriminatory pay and promotion practices should be able to sue the company as a group, a lawyer representing the employees told a U.S. court. JUDGE KOS $3M MCI FEE: http://www.nypost.com/business/37413.htm A federal judge denied a request by the law firm that represented unsecured creditors in the MCI Inc. bankruptcy case to receive a $3 million premium for helping rehabilitate the company. Real Estate: http://web1.nypost.com/realestate/index.htm TUNNEL VISION ON WEST ST.: http://www.nypost.com/realestate/37299.htm By STEVE CUOZZO TEMPERATURES are rising Downtown over Gov. Pataki's proposal to build an $840 million West Street tunnel that would sink the six-lane highway under a landscaped median. Entertainment: http://web1.nypost.com/entertainment/entertainment.htm WHEN YOU CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF REALITY: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/37402.htm By DON KAPLAN FOX, the mother of TV's wildest reality shows, is just a few months away from launching a new reality show channel. VIEWER HEARTS BELONG TO JON: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/37407.htm By DON KAPLAN COMEDY Central's polit ical junkie Jon Stewart was up with viewers in 2004 and Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly was down, according to a new poll released yesterday ranking Americans' favorite TV personalities. 'JEOPARDY!' TOURNAMENT PITS BEST AGAINST CHAMP: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/37410.htm By DON KAPLAN 'JEOPARDY!" is get ting ready to launch the ultimate battle of the brainiacs � a 15-week "mega" tournament featuring the game's greatest gladiators of the mind. COLBYS CHEESE: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/37427.htm By LINDA STASI IT'S hard to know which is a bigger guilty pleasure � the old "Dynasty" shows or this silly, over-the-top campy movie, "Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure," about the making of the old, silly, over-the-top campy show. Movie Reviews: http://web1.nypost.com/movies/movies.htm WITH 'GOOD' GRACE: http://www.nypost.com/movies/37276.htm By LOU LUMENICK IN GOOD COMPANY A star is born in "In Good Company," which showcases Topher Grace in a consistently funny comedy about business ethics that cuts fairly deep for a mainstream Hollywood comedy. NIXON FICTION: http://www.nypost.com/movies/37281.htm By V.A. MUSETTO THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXONDECADES before Sept. 11 � during the final days of the Nixon administration, to be exact � a distraught American man tried to hijack a jetliner and crash it into the White House. TOO MANY VERSES IN 'LOVE SONG': http://www.nypost.com/movies/37275.htm By LOU LUMENICK A LOVE SONG FOR BOBBY LONGYOU know it's Oscar sea son when stars like John Travolta go gray, sport a potbelly and start playing disheveled characters who drink their breakfast out of a bottle. NEW CONTEXT, SAME IFFY PLOT: http://www.nypost.com/movies/37280.htm By LOU LUMENICK THE MERCHANT OF VENICENOT even a compelling performance by Al Pacino as Shylock can make "The Merchant of Venice" work in its first major big-screen adaptation. Lifestyle: http://web1.nypost.com/living/living.htm WHY BE A PURIST? GIVE YOUR NEW YEAR'S TOAST A FRESH TWIST: http://www.nypost.com/living/37428.htm By SARA STEWART CHAMPAGNE doesn't have to go naked anymore. Sure, traditionalists will argue the only way to toast the New Year is with a simple, elegant flute of the bubbly stuff. A BASH FOR NOT A LOTTA CASH: http://www.nypost.com/living/37429.htm By CYNTHIA KILIAN WHEN 2004 collides with 2005 Saturday morning, you can bet there'll be lots of horn-blowing ushering in the new year. But if blowing lots of moolah to revel in festivities at a club or restaurant is a tradition you'd sooner pass on this holiday, maybe it's time to throw a bash of your own. Lottery Results: http://web1.nypost.com/lottery/lottery.htm NEW YORK Midday Numbers Wed.: 829 Midday Win-4 Wed.: 4273 Evening Numbers Wed.: 506 Evening Win-4 Wed.: 6048 Pick-10 Wed.: 3, 8, 12, 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, 32, 41, 42, 44, 45, 56, 60, 61, 66, 67, 73, 76 Take-5 Wed.: 3, 4, 18, 21, 27 Lotto Wed.: 19, 20, 41, 42, 44, 54; Bonus: 23 NEW JERSEY Pick-3 Wed.: 737; Pick-4 Wed.: 4948 Cash-5 Wed.: 11, 12, 15, 23, 34 CONNECTICUT Play-3 Wed.: 930; Play-4 Wed.: 5822 OAS_AD('Middle'); //--> Cash-5 Wed.: 12, 17, 18, 23, 27 Opinion: http://web1.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/opedcolumnists.htm THE GIVING DEBATE WHAT EUROPE, U.N. DON'T GET: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/37412.htm BY COLLIN LEVEY WITH Southeast Asia battling one of the worst natural disasters in modern history, Western politicians took the opportunity to create a perfect storm of petty recriminations. As the world scrambled to send money to help, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland huffed that rich nations are "stingy" with foreign aid. STRONGMAN FOR DEMOCRACY: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/37404.htm BY AMIR TAHERI JUST a year ago, Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, prom ised to shed his uniform and give up his position as head of the armed forces by the end of 2004. It seems unlikely he'll will meet that pledge. RED HERRING U.N. PROBER VOLCKER'S DUBIOUS DODGE: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/37419.htm BY NICOLE GELINAS THE United Nations re cruited former U.S. Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker to investigate the Oil-for-Food scandal in April. But Volcker has apparently tired of determining just how Saddam transformed that humanitarian program � set up so that Iraq could export oil to earn money to feed starving Iraqis � into a global money-laundering scheme. Celebrity Photos: http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/index.htm : http://www.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/12232004/photo01.htm December 23: 'The Aviator', 'Fat Pig' premieres:Liz Hurley, Leonardo Dicaprio, Cate Blanchett, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Beckinsale, Keri Russell, Josie Maran, Nicky Hilton, Famke Jansen...: http://www.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/12232004/photo01.htm Movie News: http://web1.nypost.com/entertainment/movies/news/news.htm Oscar Ballots in the Mail Kit Bowen -- Hollywood.com Staff Nomination ballots for the 77th Academy Awards were mailed over the past week to the 5,808 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the AMPAS announced Monday. Completed ballots must be returned to PricewaterhouseCoopers by 5 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2005. Style: http://web1.nypost.com/style/style.htm To modify your account settings go to: http://www.nypost.com/useradmin/useradmin.htm To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.nypost.com/newsletter/unsubscribe.htm
