August 3, 2014

West Coast offense unimpressive in Giants' first preseason game

CANTON, Ohio — Finishing his night off after two series would not have been very kind to Eli Manning, who had almost nothing to show for his first preseason game,...

Final 'Magicians' chapter brings teen-lit sorcery with an R rating

So you’ve torn through all the volumes of “A Song of Ice and Fire” (aka “Game of Thrones”), and you’re a little over the whole dystopian young-adult thing. What’s an...

Hondo shows National pride

Hondo missed badly Sunday with Stroman and the Blue Jays, who by failing their assignment in Houston caused the accounts payable to balloon to 1,325 triandoses Monday night: Mr. Aitch...

Obama's hollow economic boasts

"The economy’s better,” President Obama said smugly toward the end of Friday’s press conference, noting that he hadn’t been asked about it (albeit because the questions focused on the chaos...

Progressive with Punch

If Ohio’s senior senator were named Sharon Brown instead of Sherrod Brown, progressives would have a plausible political pin-up and a serious alternative to the tawdry boredom of Hillary Clinton’s...

This dating show lets fans try to score with the contestants

When beautiful, successful Manhattan dermatologist Tabasum Mir told her friends and family she was going on a dating show, they were perplexed. “My friends keep asking me, ‘Well, did it...

Jeff Bell’s surging Senate race against Cory Booker

In his Senate run against Cory Booker, Republican Jeff Bell is doing nothing the experts tell you a candidate should do — and everything they say you shouldn’t. But here’s...

The Met’s fiscal tragicomedy: when the 1% stop giving

The dispute between the Metropolitan Opera and 15 of its unions masks a bigger problem — one that city government shares. Just like its opera, New York itself is dangerously...

Al Jazeera has a lot of nerve to tackle Ray Rice subject

An interesting thing, I reckon, occurred over the weekend. I received a message from Al Jazeera America, asking that I appear the next morning to discuss the Ray Rice issue....

New York’s mute attorney general

New York’s attorney general played a key part when the Moreland Commission was announced last year. Not only did he choose more than a third of the people who would...

NYC politicians' endless investments in failed schools

Massive failure in the city’s public schools. Parents fleeing in droves. Tens of thousands of kids on charter-school waiting lists begging for a seat. So how does our City Council’s...

Replace your therapist with these psych magazines

At best, these psych mags will help to fill the gap while your therapist is away for that annual August vacation. But to be on the safe side, have your...

Vintage Vick in Jets' scrimmage

CORTLAND — The Jets’ offense did not provide many highlights in Saturday night’s Green and White Scrimmage, but two of them were Michael Vick’s legs. The 34-year-old quarterback showed he...

Kevin Love sweepstakes leaves No. 1 pick battling uncertainty

For virtually every player in attendance at the NBA’s annual rookie photo shoot Sunday in Westchester, it was a carefree day spent shuttling from one station to another doing a...

Tanaka's first big step in rehab to come today

BOSTON — Masahiro Tanaka will test his right elbow Monday by playing catch at Yankee Stadium, according to Brian Cashman. “Yes,’’ the general manager answered when asked if Tanaka was...

It’s the last, last call at Columbus 72 nightclub

It’s the end of an era on the Upper West Side at Columbus 72, a nightclub at — you guessed it — Columbus Avenue and 72nd Street. It held the...

DeSean Jackson finding Washington a good fit

RICHMOND, Va. — DeSean Jackson is trying to keep a low profile with everything but his play as he settles in with the Redskins. As soon as training-camp practices are...

Before trade, Headley wanted no part of NY. What's changed?

BOSTON — For those of us baseball observers who possess an East Coast bias because of where we live and what teams we see most frequently, the reaction to watching...

Kayla Roncin 2-for-2 in Toms River’s Little League victory

Kayla Roncin has yet to be retired through two games in the Little League Mid-Atlantic Regional and Toms River has yet to be defeated, either. The central New Jersey team...

Companies using buybacks to boost earnings reports

Profits for companies in the S&P 500 Index are expected to grow an average of 4.9 percent in the second quarter — their lowest advance in a year and far...

Apple trumpets earnings-per-share gain following buyback

Trial lawyers have a formula for tough cases: When the facts are on your side, pound the facts. When the law is on your side, pound the law. When neither...

Matt Harvey set to throw off a mound Tuesday

Matt Harvey will take the next step in his road to recovery on Tuesday, when the Mets right-hander is expected to throw 25 pitches off a mound at the team’s...

Charles powers Liberty to eighth win in 12 games

ATLANTA — Tina Charles had 29 points and 14 rebounds as the New York Liberty beat Atlanta 83-76 to spoil Dream coach Michael Cooper's early return to the sideline. Cooper...

Wright slumps at wrong time for thrifty Mets

This was enfeeblement of historic proportions in Queens, the Mets two-hit by the Giants for the second time in three games, losing Sunday afternoon to Madison Bumgarner by the wholly...

Joba Chamberlain -- and his beard -- thriving away from Yankees

DETROIT — Not even the surreal sensation of “Linsanity” — born when the Knicks' Jeremy Lin exploded into the public eye — compared to the hysteria of “Joba Mania.” The...

Schumer calls for crackdown on commercial drones

Calling New York the “Wild West” when it comes to drone activity, Sen. Charles Schumer on Sunday called on the federal government to quickly develop a set of guidelines to...

Want peace? Start accepting reality

There’s never an easy time to be a supporter of Israel, but in the last few weeks it has been harder than ever. But one thing never changes: The other...

In the beauty biz, finding success takes brains and brawn

When Jodie Patterson and Benjamin Bernet met through mutual friends in early 2013, the co-founders of the beauty site DooBop found exactly what each had been looking for: a like-minded...

Will a grad degree jumpstart my career?

My career seems to be stalling. I’ve been passed over a few times for a promotion, and yet no one at work complains about my work performance. I was thinking...

Chokehold witness arrested for gun: 'Call Al Sharpton'

The man who videotaped a Staten Island cop using a deadly chokehold told his own wife to “call Al Sharpton” when he was busted on gun charges over the weekend,...

Israeli spies listened in on Kerry's peace talks: report

Israel’s secret service intercepted Secretary of State John Kerry’s phone calls during 2013 Middle East peace negotiations, according to the German publication Spiegel. Intelligence agents from another country also could...

NBA's zaniest player enjoys porn, fighting, tanks

Some NBA players announce they've signed a contract through Twitter; some just let their agent spread the word; some take to Sports Illustrated. Marcin Gortat channels his inner Walter Kronkite. "Center...

French hospital opening wine bar for terminal patients

A hospital in the French city of Clermont-Ferrand will open a wine bar where terminally ill patients will be able to enjoy a "medically supervised" glass or two with their...

Colon rewards Mets' loyalty with an awful start

A look at the batting order Sunday afternoon had to make even the most optimistic Mets fans cringe. Bartolo Colon’s performance only exacerbated the problem. Throw in Giants southpaw Madison...

T'wolves owner: Here's when Love 'likely' will be traded

As the Cavaliers hem and haw about whether they will deal Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves are now saying Kevin Love is "most likely" gone — and they will even give an...

Andre Reed catches one more pass from Jim Kelly

CANTON, Ohio — After delivering an emotionally charged speech that brought both laughter and tears, receiver Andre Reed had one more thing to do to make his Pro Football Hall...

Drunk woman tries to drive away in patrol car with cops inside

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police say a drunken woman tried to drive away in an unmarked police car — with two officers still inside. According to a criminal complaint, 32-year-old Ria...

Teens break into house to make drug brownies

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Police say two 17-year-old boys have been charged with breaking into a Pennsylvania home and baking drug-laced brownies. Police say the burglary happened late July 22 in...

Tiger's back flareup puts rest of his year in doubt

After Tiger Woods’ latest physical setback — a withdrawal from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday with more back problems — it’s difficult to imagine him playing again in 2014. After...

Royal insider set to drop explosive Diana exposé

Prince Charles is “furious” that a long-time Buckingham Palace press officer is ​set to expose marital secrets ​between the heir to the throne and his tragic ex-wife, Princess Diana, ​in...

Bon Jovi breaks silence on why he's bidding on the Bills

CANTON, Ohio — Jon Bon Jovi is hoping he's written a hit with Buffalo Bills fans in a bid to stem concerns of whether his prospective ownership group plans to...

Man killed in NYC apartment fire

A man was killed in a fire in Brooklyn early Sunday morning, officials said. Edzer Desire, 44, died in the blaze, which began inside his apartment on East 49th Street,...

Rick Perry hammers Obama for 'second guessing' Netanyahu

Texas Gov. Rick Perry hammered the Obama administration Sunday for second guessing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and creating “air” between the United States and Israel. "I don't understand why...

Republican says impeachment of Obama might be on table soon

WASHINGTON -- Iowa GOP Rep. Steve King said that if President Obama pushes forward with executive action on immigration, the "i-word" would be on the table. He's the latest Republican...

Man brought back to life after heart attack during triathlon

A triathlete suffered a massive heart attack and had no pulse when he was pulled from the Hudson River during a race Sunday — but was miraculously revived by rescuers,...

Michele Bogart: My fountain New York

In the ’60s, water was where it was at — and New York City teens like Michele Bogart gravitated to splashy spots like Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain. “There was a...

Inmate who took 2 hours to die got massive lethal injection dose

TUCSON, Ariz. — During the nearly two hours it took for an Arizona death row inmate to die last week, executioners injected him with 15 times the amount of a...

Death toll hits 360 after earthquake in China

BEIJING — A strong earthquake in southern China's Yunnan province toppled thousands of homes on Sunday, killing at least 367 people and injuring more than 1,800. About 12,000 homes collapsed...

Dior's $1,100 sneakers are a kick in the wallet

First, fashionistas ditched their fanciful heels for “ugly” Birkenstocks and Tevas this summer. Now , they’re tripping over themselves to get sneakers that cost the median price of a month’s...

The dos and don'ts of wearing overalls

When you think “overalls,” do scary flashbacks to such ’90s has-beens as Kris Kross and “Blossom”’s Joey Lawrence come to mind? Banish the thought. The farmer-fashion favorite is back, in...

Why assaults on the NYPD are on the rise

Suspects are now taking the term “beat cops” literally. Assaults on police officers are up 4 percent this year compared with last year — a disturbing new trend that’s part...

Topless grandmother was aggressor in family’s fight with cops: police

She was nearly naked and chomping mad. The topless Brooklyn grandmother who was caught on video brawling alongside her family against a dozen cops was the flailing, biting aggressor in...

City Council staffer sent fund-raising e-mails while working

A staffer for Queens Councilman Daneek Miller sent political fund-raising e-mails while working on the taxpayer dime, according to a Miller staffer and a source who shared the e-mail with...

Mets fan falls onto field at Citi Field

A baseball fan injured his arm Saturday when he fell over a railing above an outfield wall before a game at the New York Mets' stadium San Francisco Giants outfielder...

8 things to watch this week

1. Hotel Hell Monday, 9 p.m., Fox Gordon Ramsay heads to the Applegate River Lodge in Applegate, Ore., home to some of the Northwest’s most stunning views. Joanna and Richard...

Manhattan jetsetter seeks a direct flight to a woman’s heart

Matt, 29 When he isn’t on a plane, you can find the management consultant biking or sailing — and he hopes his next voyage isn’t a solo expedition. Top chef:...

This week's couple: Pearly nights

It sounds like the setup to a bad joke — an architect and a dentist walk into a restaurant to meet for a blind date. But when Eric (the architect),...

This week's must-read books

The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce (Doubleday) It’s July 1976, and in the US, it’s the bicentennial; in England, a record heat wave. Joyce (“Some Kind...

In my library: Alan Furst

So detailed are Alan Furst’s WWII spy novels — theater showtimes, food, fashions —  it’s hard to believe he didn’t actually live in Europe then or, at least, have a researcher. But no: “I can’t have...

The bizarre true story that inspired 'Dog Day Afternoon'

In August 1972, John Wojtowicz, 27, a married Brooklyn man and Vietnam vet with a stream of gay lovers on the side, decided to rob a bank to pay for...

6 surprising facts about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

With all that pizza they eat, you’d have thought they’d be dead from heart attacks by now. But this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles....

Marvel's most reviled character returns in 'Guardians' cameo

Those who caught the debut of “Guardians of the Galaxy” this weekend know that a somewhat familiar . . . er, bill showed up. A short post-credits sequence features none other than...

Alycia Debnam-Carey blows in with 'Into The Storm'

Many a Hollywood hopeful has signed on to a reality show, certain it’d launch them into a big-screen career. Most of those people now work at Chili’s, but reality refugee...

Pia Zadora fights back against being a punchline

In the ’80s, her name was a punch line: Pia Zadora! Especially when her 1982 incest flick, “Butterfly” — produced by her older, billionaire husband, Meshulam Riklis — wasn’t even...

10 dead after strike hits another UN school in Gaza

The US government issued its strongest criticism of Israel to date Sunday, after a shelling near a UN school sheltering civilians took at least 10 Palestinian lives in Gaza. “The...

FAA sanctioned or not, civilians keep droning on

Welcome to the attack of the drones. With drones being spotted all over the New York City skies recently, it’s time to assess what these new-age bots are capable of,...

The gray area of job status

Happy Birthday, Mr. President. President Obama will turn 53 Monday, which means he and the First Lady are part of that cohort of Americans who inevitably get frequent mailings from...

Donald tells Barclays chief to fight Schneiderman

Donald Trump is looking to defeat “sleazebag” New York state AG Eric Schneiderman, and he’s taken it to the bank. The feisty developer — and possible future Buffalo Bills owner...

Stony Brook U. teaching students to find film financiers

A new university film program with New York’s Killer Films is teaching students how to find financiers and make money in the movie biz. Christine Vachon, the indie producer of...

Evercore quiet on sentencing of former senior director

Evercore Partners decided Friday not to comment during the sentencing hearing of former Senior Managing Director Frank “Perk” Hixon Jr., who pleaded guilty in April to insider trading. The court...

Investors are willing to overpay for revenue growth

Investors are chasing revenue growth — and are willing to overpay for that luxury. In today’s economy, America’s largest and strongest companies are simply unable to generate top-line growth. Since...

Dear John: I won’t budge on bit-‘cons’

Readers: Over the past two weeks, I explained why bitcoins are a confidence game — a con. There’s no real value in this digital “money,” unless people think there is...

US could lose $20B in tax revenue from corporate 'inversions'

Profit-hungry US corporations see a lot more green abroad — and the number relocating overseas for corporate tax advantages is set to soar, according to financial experts. With the latest...

Package kiosks coming to prevent you from missing your order

You expected your mail carrier to deliver a package, but when you stepped out for a minute, you missed it. Or maybe when you were at work, an unexpected delivery...

Ron Duguay's good looks got him banned from MSG

Is Ron Duguay too sexy for the VIP suite at MSG? Our spies suggest that so many women were swooning over the tanned hockey analyst — who was hanging at...

Wells ruling an affront to ‘good faith’

In a decision that will have enormous ripple effects through local foreclosure cases, a powerful New York court hit Wells Fargo for failing to negotiate in good faith with Brooklyn...

After torn ACL, Giants' Markus Kuhn gets fresh start

Markus Kuhn is healthy, has added significant muscle to his 6-foot-4 frame and is ready to pick up where he left off with the Giants after a lost 2013 season...

NJ girl helps Toms River win Little League opener

Kayla Roncin, the 12-year-old New Jersey girl playing with the boys, picked up right where she left off in the state tournament. She hit a two-run double off the wall...

Does your pooch need an iPad?

Last month, a group of rambunctious New Yorkers descended upon Tekserve, an electronics store on 23rd Street, to learn to use iPads and iPhones. They pawed at the screens, poked...

Meet the supermodel who can play soccer

It’s not often a female is involved in a pick-up soccer game against all men including former soccer legends, but that was the case on Wednesday when model Alexandria Morgan...

With a little Luck, you can land right gunslinger

In the second of a six-part fantasy draft preview series leading up the NFL season, Fantasy Insanity discusses the gameplan for picking quarterbacks. Next week: running backs. Let’s get this...

Yankees' Dellin Betances brings the triple-digit heat

Making the Yankees’ roster out of spring training was pretty good for Dellin Betances. So was being named an All-Star for the first time. But there was still one more...

Shorthanded Red Bulls beat New England

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his MLS-leading 18th goal of the season and the 10-man Red Bulls beat the New England Revolution 2-1 on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J. Wright-Phillips curled in...

Drew, Prado giving Yankees life. Are they enough?

BOSTON — This is a new world the Yankees have entered: No sizzle. Not much steak. This is the Everyman Era. It seems as if any player can be a...

Kennedys pushing Warren to run against Hillary in 2016

In an echo of 2008 — when Ted and Caroline Kennedy backed upstart Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton — members of the Kennedy clan have been quietly wooing Massachusetts...

Eric Decker: Our offense in scrimmage wasn't so bad

CORTLAND — Eric Decker has to be missing Peyton Manning already. Decker had just one catch for 7 yards for the Jets in Saturday night’s Green and White Scrimmage. To...

Trixton wins Hambletonian at Meadowlands

Jimmy Takter had won the Hambletonian twice before as a trainer, but Saturday’s victory in the sport’s top race was more important to him since he did it as a...

At least one member of the Jets offense played well

CORTLAND — Perhaps there will be a time when the Jets offense finds a productive rhythm that can make it the kind of point-scoring machine that can challenge for a...

Hate-crime suspect faces charges in assault of officer's son

A hate-crime suspect who lost a six-year fight against extradition from Israel is back in New York to face charges in a 2008 assault on a police officer’s son in...

City tries to cut down teachers without permanent jobs

The city is trying to reduce a stockpile of 1,131 outcast teachers on the payroll without permanent jobs — first by offering buyouts, then assigning them to school vacancies. But...

Michael Strahan joins a Hall full of legendary Giants

CANTON, Ohio — She has seen so much of the glory of the Giants, the championships and the Hall of Famers, not to mention how The Fumble and the dark...

Jets offense goes nowhere fast in scrimmage

CORTLAND — As Jets quarterback Geno Smith began to answer questions from the media after Saturday night’s “Green and White Scrimmage,” fireworks began going off to his right. “How about...

Secret camera found in ladies' room at 'interior designer's Disneyland'

A peephole in a women’s restroom at Midtown’s swanky New York Design Center was used to secretly videotape employees and customers, a shocking lawsuit alleges. A video camera discovered April...

Hondo walks with Jays

Hondo held his ground Saturday thanks to the Mets, whose triumph over the Giants offset the loss with Royals and left the negative number holding at 1,245 stiebs. Sunday: Mr....

Painters say art mag CEO cheated them out of thousands

He’s a patron of the arts — the “con arts.” Painters around the world are accusing Abraham Lubelski, founder, publisher and CEO of NY Arts Magazine, of bilking them of...

'The improbable Hall of Famer' gives stirring speech

CANTON, Ohio — Calling himself “The improbable Hall of Famer,’’ Michael Strahan spent 34 minutes Saturday night recounting how he reached the heights of his profession, how a kid from...

Yankees not ruling out Pineda for rest of 2014

BOSTON — Sunday is the beginning of a 30-day rehab gig for Michael Pineda. Though the Yankees want to believe the right-handed starter will pitch again for them this season,...

Dozens of key staffers fleeing Schneiderman's office

Two dozen key staffers have fled state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office in the past two years, with most decrying “a lack of leadership,” former employees claim. Most of the...

Sharpton demands accountability, but still owes millions in back taxes

He schmoozes with the mayor and dictates policy to the police commissioner, but the Rev. Al Sharpton and the tax man still don’t see eye to eye. The deadbeat preacher,...

The most insane deaths seen by an NYC medical examiner

When Judy Melinek was considering where to begin her career as a medical examiner — New York or LA? — she was given great advice. “If you really want to...

The one excuse Wright won't use for struggles

Neither David Wright nor Terry Collins said the third baseman’s left shoulder is the reason for his current slump, but the two didn’t say it was in good condition, either....

Move over Matt Harvey: it's Jacob deGrom's town now

On the surface they couldn’t be more different. Matt Harvey is broad-shouldered and Broadway. Jacob deGrom is slender and tight-lipped, often barely noticeable within the confines of the Mets clubhouse....

Family fighting over cremated man’s remains: lawsuit

What a pain in the ash. Two women are fighting to get a Staten Island man’s cremated remains from a local funeral home. Charlene Filippino claims her brother Frank wanted...

Man says he wasn’t hired at eye doctor's because he’s a man

A Bronx resident was denied a job at a Manhattan medical office because its all-female staff didn’t want to work with a man, he claims in a lawsuit. “Our vaginas...

Golfer with a criminal past sues to get back on the green

A golf champion with a long rap sheet and a penchant for ripping officials is suing to get back on the fairway after his second banishment. Christopher Demenna, 42, has...

Woman scarred after botched eyebrow tattoos: lawsuit

A Staten Island woman had an eyebrow-raising experience at a local spa when a permanent makeup application went horribly wrong, according to a lawsuit. Theresa Destefano, 73, went to Remedi...

Parents feud over burial of daughter killed in hit-and-run

A grieving Brooklyn mother whose daughter was killed in a hit-and-run can’t bury her — because the child’s alleged deadbeat dad won’t let her, according to court papers. “To date,...

How science is finding new ways to bring the dead back to life

On June 10, 1986, a 2¹/₂-year-old girl slipped and fell into a creek near her Salt Lake City home. She spent 66 minutes in the freezing water, her body lodged...

Bloom should be cheered for defending a woman's honor

Orlando Bloom will hold a special place in the hearts of many women after this week. The “Lord of the Rings” star made headlines for clocking rocker brat Justin Bieber...

The secret of Nixon tapes’ 18-minute gap revealed

Forty years ago, on Aug. 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned from office following the Watergate scandal. Despite four decades of literature from historians, journalists, academics and politicians, questions remain....