July 26, 2003

A TRIPLE THREAT: REDSTONE, MALONE, DILLER WEIGH JOINT VUE BID

Viacom, John Malone's Liberty Media and Barry Diller are weighing a three-way partnership to gain control of Vivendi Universal Entertainment, The Post has learned. Sources note the bidding process for...

MACK-CALI SELLS JERSEY TOWER

Mack-Cali Realty Trust is in contract to sell a 19-story Jersey harbor gem to iStar Financial for "north of $300 a foot," or at least $180 million, sources told the...

EX-CHARTER EXEC ADMITS TO FRAUD

One of billionaire Paul Allen's trusted top hands at his cable TV company is headed to the slammer for cooking the books. David McCall, 48, the former senior vice president...

BUYING FRENZY SENDS DOW SOARING 172

Wall Street is hoping it won't choke on too much good news. Investors fear that stocks are getting overheated again following yesterday's technical rally that was staged by trading pros....

BELASCO'S SPIRIT IS MAKING HIS THEATER A . . . HAUNTED HOUSE

DAVID Belasco loved his theater so much, some believe he never left it. Yesterday would have been the 149th birthday of the producer they called "The Bishop of Broadway," for...

RYAN'S STAR-STRUCK

A big-name producer and two well-known stars fill the marquee of NBC's "Miss Match," a romantic comedy that itself appears to be an odd combo of talent. Co-executive producer Darren...

PARKLIFE

OUT OF AFRICA See Congolese guitar master Diblo Dibala, Zimbabwean composer/lyricist Oliver Mtukudzi and many more acts from the other side of the world performing everything from rumba to rap...

GOTTA MATCH? SEEK YOUR SOUL MATE AT THESE SHAME-FREE SINGLES PARTIES

In a city where strangers barely ever speak, the new trends in cosmopolitan coupling let you approach the opposite sex hassle-free - a welcome relief from meat-market walks-of-shame. One of...

TALENT POOL

If all the world's a stage - well, why not a swimming pool? For the second summer in a row, Word of Mouth theater is commandeering the Holiday Inn Midtown...

BLACK IRISH WORLD MUSIC STARS AFRO CELTS FUSE TRADITIONS IN CENTRAL PARK TODAY

YOU might think that the difference between Irish and African music is as vast as the expanse between the two lands, but for the band Afro Celts, the two styles...

CHEAT SHEET

Ignore the rumors. Cheat Sheet has not been traded to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune.VAN DAMN! This week's four-way NBA trade has local basketball fans scratching their heads. New York...

GREEN EGGS AND AMADEUS

SAM-I-Am meets Mozart in the Mostly Mozart Festival's first family concert. "I've always tried to write music for kids that would be just as fun for adults," says "Green Eggs...

GETTING' BUGGY WITH IT

Where can a giant puppet strut its stuff? The Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival, for one. It's there you'll find "King Lear of the Insects," a buggy take on Shakespeare's classic,...

ALL THE PRETTY HORSES

Talk about timing! This weekend, as "Seabiscuit" gallops onto the big screen, out comes a book for kids who are wild about horses. How wild? Well, some kids would wallpaper...

BEST IN FEST: ANIMALS, ART, PUPPETS & MORE FOR COOL SUMMER FUN

Just when you thought things were winding down for the summer - Bam! Here come those festivals! Over the next three weekends, the folks at Lincoln Center, the Museum of...

3 BANK HEISTS IN 6 ½ HOURS

Three banks - one in The Bronx, one in Queens and another in Manhattan - were robbed in a 61/2-hour period yesterday. The first heist, at the Chase branch on...

MOB SON FOLLOWS 'CHIN' TO PRISON

Federal prosecutors proved Vincent "The Chin" Gigante's son is a chip off the old block - and now he's headed to a cellblock. Andrew Gigante, the high-rolling son of the...

ARREST IN POL STALK

Just two days after a political rival gunned down Councilman James Davis inside City Hall, police arrested a deranged man who had threatened the life of the only other ex-cop...

'MIDNIGHT COWBOY' HELMER DIES

John Schlesinger, the respected director whose films ranged from the acclaimed "Midnight Cowboy" in 1969 to the Madonna bomb "The Next Best Thing" in 2000, died yesterday. He was 77....

DUBYA'S HEAVY BURDEN

It's the Tale of the Squashed President, as revealed by Rudy Giuliani. The former mayor told Republicans gathered in New York that when Bush came to Ground Zero on Sept....

NYPD DAILY BLOTTER

Bronx A 32-year-old man was shot and critically wounded during an argument on a Morrisania street, police said. Darren Felix, 19, pulled a gun and shot his victim in the...

DEM DEAN HOT ON KERRY'S HEELS

Democratic 2004 presidential wannabe John Kerry's lead over anti-war contender Howard Dean is shrinking in the key early state of New Hampshire, a new poll shows. Kerry (25 percent) has...

BUSH: LET THE WALL FALL; RAPS ISRAEL AT ABBAS SUMMIT

President Bush, hosting Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas at the White House, criticized Israel's construction of a security fence but also warned the Palestinian leader to crack down on terrorism....

WHITE HOUSE MAY DRAFT JAMES BAKER

WASHINGTON - The White House is trying to persuade former Secretary of State James Baker III to become the third American in charge of Iraq's reconstruction, it was reported yesterday....

APPLE SHINES IN TOURISTS' EYES

Start spreading the news: New York is top of the heap as the premier destination for tourists, according to a new poll by a leading travel magazine. The Big Apple...

ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY HAVE DRIVEN KILLER'S RAGE

ONE of the assassin's bullets ripped into the back of the councilman's head. Two of the .40-caliber bullets hit Councilman James Davis in the chest. The other three were fired...

ZEROING IN ON TRAGEDY

National Republican leaders yesterday said many activists want to visit Ground Zero during next year's GOP convention in New York - and they rejected Democratic charges that they're playing politics...

MIKE 'STEPS' UP FOR PUBLIC ACCESS

Even though the NYPD is conducting a top-to-bottom review of security measures in municipal buildings in the wake of the shooting death of Councilman James Davis, Mayor Bloomberg vowed yesterday...

SCHOOLS UNDERGOING BRAIN DRAIN

The city's top educrats are dropping out of school. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced that Tony Shorris, his deputy for planning and operations, is taking a job at a Princeton...

A FATHER'S RAGE; TUB TOT'S DAD RIPS SYSTEM

A Long Island father bitterly blamed bureaucrats and courts yesterday for the drowning death of his 2-year-old daughter Gina at the hand of her mentally ill mother. "Something has to...

LIZA'S LIVE-IN GEST IS OUT

The fairytale marriage of Liza Minnelli and David Gest is over. After months of rumors and denials that their union was more business arrangement than romance, the split was confirmed...

'YOU READY TO DIE FOR THIS SEAT?'

The flamboyant Fort Greene assassin who shot Councilman James Davis at City Hall was growing desperate in the weeks leading to the shooting and asked another Brooklyn pol if he...

WOMAN TO BE NEW AIR FORCE TOP GUN

Flying high.President Bush has tapped a woman to lead the Air Force - a nomination that comes on the heels of the service academy's handling of sexual-abuse cases involving female...

LAST MINUTES OF KILLER AND PREY ; VIDEO SHOWS WALKED RIGHTHOW MADMAN PAST GUARDS

The final fleeting images of two rival Brooklyn pols on their date with death at City Hall begins with images of the doomed Brooklyn duo strolling breezily past security -...

GUNMAN A 'STRANGE' CHARMER

A cop who once worked with City Council assassin Othniel Boaz Askew said the flamboyant killer was "strange" but nonetheless could "charm anyone." The NYPD officer worked with Askew in...

PIZZA PUSHERS; COPS SLICE UP 'COKE RING' AT UPTOWN EATERY

Coke with that slice? When customers at a Manhattan pizzeria ordered Coke, they had to specify "cup" or "kilo," cops say. The Three Men in the Kitchen Pizzeria, in Upper...

DAVIS' SPECIAL HONOR; HE'LL LIE IN STATE AT HALL

Slain City Councilman James Davis will be granted an honor no New York political figure has been afforded since 1918 - he will be allowed to lie in state inside...

COPS NEED HELP FINDING 4 PEOPLE

Police need help in finding four missing people who disappeared in Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan over the past three months. Raihaanah Abrahim, 15, a petite beauty, standing 5-foot-2, was reported...

LAST MINUTES OF KILLER AND PREY VIDEO SHOWS WALKED RIGHT HOW MADMAN PAST GUARDS

The final fleeting images of two rival Brooklyn pols on their date with death at City Hall begins with images of the doomed Brooklyn duo strolling breezily past security -...

YANKS FIND WAY TO BEAT MARTINEZ - AGAIN!

BOSTON - With Joe Torre playing hunches, and unexpected heroes emerging, the Yankees found enough offense last night to win yet another game in which Pedro Martinez started against them....

YANKS WIN CLASSIC ; JETER'S SAC FLY DOES IN BOSOX

Yankees 4Red Sox 3 BOSTON - As good as it gets. That's the type of performance the Yankees and Red Sox delivered last night at sold-out Fenway Park, where the...

PENNED IN BY THE PAST

BOSTON - This is the Bengals vs. the Cardinals for the Super Bowl. Dole vs. Dukakis for the presidency. Kobe Bryant vs. Bill Clinton for husband of the year. It...

FAMILIAR FENWAY FINISH

BOSTON - This is why the Red Sox are never going to catch the Yankees this year, why the tortured congregants of Fenway Park are doomed to an 86th year...

ENRIQUE MAKES MOST OF CHANCE VS. PEDRO

BOSTON - The irony, of course, should be lost on no one. Think of it: Pedro Martinez plunked both Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano on July 7, the last time...

DEVILS SIGN RASMUSSEN

Praying for late bloomers, the Devils signed their second 26-year-old former first-rounder in as many days yesterday as they came to terms with winger Erik Rasmussen as an unrestricted free...

RANGERS AVOID GETTING LEFT OUT

The Rangers began the reconstruction of their left side by signing Chris Simon yesterday - and the next step could be the reacquisition of Jan Hlavac, The Post has learned....

SURGERY LEAVES ABRAHAM RESTED (LITERALLY), HUNGRY

If Jet defensive end John Abraham managed to sack the quarterback 23 times in the last two seasons and earn consecutive Pro Bowl starting appearances along the way while being...

JOE LIKES ENRIQUE VS. PEDRO

BOSTON - Who can figure these things out? Tom Hutton, an otherwise nondescript hitter, used to absolutely eat Tom Seaver's lunch whenever the two squared off. Joe McEwing, who has...

FENWAY FANS KEEP FAITH

BOSTON - Maybe there re ally is some hidden benefit to eternal suffering, something poetic in the chronic breaking of a heart, something beautiful in the unreachable dream. Maybe we're...

'BIRD TOWN' SET FOR TEST

SARATOGA SPRINGS - At seven furlongs, today's $250,000, Grade 1 Test Stakes can't possibly match the heart-thumping finish of last year's renewal, when You clipped Carson Hollow by a nose-hair...

TRADEMARK TAKES BARUCH 'CAP

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The mind-bending roll trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was on at the Belmont Park spring-summer meet (43 percent winners) kept on chugging upstate yesterday when McLaughin's Trademark split horses...

BOSTON'S BUZZING ; YANKS-SOX RIVALRY SERIOUS BUSINESS

"It's a different animal when you play those guys."JOE TORRE BOSTON - No matter where you looked last night at Fenway Park there was a delicious baseball scenario ready to...

METROSTARS BLESSED WITH POPE BACK

The numbers don't lie, and are as undeniable as they are ugly. With Eddie Pope anchoring the back line, the MetroStars'defense had been super. Since he got injured, it's been...

BEARING BULLPEN BAGGAGE

BOSTON - This is the Ben gals vs. the Cardinals for the Super Bowl. Dole vs. Dukakis for the presidency. Kobe Bryant vs. Bill Clinton for husband of the year....

JOHNSON BACK IN BIG SPOT

YANKEE NOTES BOSTON - Welcome back, Nick Johnson. Now get a bat and help us beat Pedro Martinez. That's the message the Yankees sent Johnson last night at Fenway Park,...

METS' 1-2-3 ON TOP OF THEIR GAMES

They were there again last night at the top of the order - a sequential look at the Mets' future. Thing is, Jeff Duncan, Jose Reyes and Jason Phillips are...

FLOYD: I'LL PLAY IN PAIN

MET NOTES Met outfielder Cliff Floyd was set to meet with Dr. Andrew Rokito yesterday to determine whether he can continue to play on his ailing right Achilles tendon. Well,...

COURT HEARING STALLS KEITH'S DEBUT

GIANT NOTES ALBANY - The first practice of training camp was yesterday morning, and Giant defensive tackle Keith Hamilton was not on the field. Hamilton was excused, as he was...

X'S & OOOHS FOR JINTS COLLINS & CO. HAVE BIG BLUE FEELING SUPER

ALBANY - On one of the first plays during the very first practice of training camp, new Giant right tackle Ian Allen jumped offsides, followed by Ron Dayne dropping a...

'SPECIAL' TREATMENT FOR SWAYNE

JET NOTES Jets coach Herman Edwards yesterday praised the progress of receiver Kevin Swayne, who's making a key transition this summer by learning special teams. Swayne, the Jets' fourth receiver...

SURGERY HAS ABRAHAM WELL-RESTED & READY

If Jets defensive end John Abraham managed to sack the quarterback 23 times in the last two seasons and earn consecutive Pro Bowl starting appearances along the way while being...

SPREE BACK ON HALLOWEEN

Latrell Sprewell will make his first official visit to the Garden when the Timberwolves arrive to face the Knicks during the late December holiday season. But Knick fans may be...

TORRE'S ENRIQUE GAMBLE PAYS OFF VS. PEDRO

BOSTON - Who can figure these things out? Tom Hutton, an otherwise nondescript hitter, used to absolutely eat Tom Seaver's lunch, whenever the two squared off. Joe McEwing, who has...

PEDRO CAN'T ESCAPE PAST

BOSTON - Everyone knew what was going to happen now. They could sense it. They could see it. They could feel it. There were 34,873 of them cramming every cranny...

BULLPENS WITH BAGGAGE

BOSTON - This is the Bengals vs. the Cardinals for the Super Bowl. Dole vs. Dukakis for the presidency. Kobe Bryant vs. Bill Clinton for husband of the year. It...

YANKS TAKE BOSTON ; JETER'S SAC FLY CAPS OFF WILD WIN

Yankees 4Red Sox 3 BOSTON - As good as it gets. That's the type of performance the Yankees and Red Sox delivered last night at sold-out Fenway Park, which was...

BOOMER'S BACK ACHE IS BARKING

YANKEE NOTES BOSTON - David Wells doesn't believe the sciatic condition in his back presents a long-term problem. It certainly affected him last night, though, when he walked five Red...

AMAZIN' REYES: ROOKIE SPARKS WIN WITH BAT - AND LEGS

Mets 3 Reds 1 Jose Reyes raced off from first base as the pitch came in to Jason Phillips. By the time Phillips' slow bouncer was handled by the Reds'...