You know how when it rains and everyone takes out their umbrellas and the sidewalks become even more unbearable and some people even deign to carry those huge golf umbrellas? Well this new jacket could solve all of our rainy day problems. It will keep you dry, and as a bonus, will make you look sort of like Darth Vadar. Or the grim reaper. Or an extra in Harry Potter. Or maybe just someone who works in a meth lab. more ›

Last week, two men went on trial in separate cases involving the beating and torturing of cats. And yesterday, both men were found guilty of their crimes, and now face years in prison. more ›

A man who allegedly beat his mother-in-law's cat to death with an umbrella went on trial yesterday. Lordtyshon Garret, 31, is accused of poking, stabbing, and puncturing the lung of the six-year-old cat named Madea in October 2009. "The cat was severely beaten and was slowly suffering for more than a day. This case is about the sadistic and brutal acts of this defendant," said prosecutor Ayanna Blake. more ›

Just days after a judge sentenced a teen to two years behind bars for putting a kitten in an oven, investigators say they have uncovered another heinous act of animal cruelty in the city. more ›

Good news, New Yorkers. There's a new umbrella in town that is sure to help sidewalk rage during these rainy days we've been having. Aptly called "the Polite Umbrella," you can shrink it on either side as other pedestrians walk by. In the designer's own words, it's "a shrinkable umbrella that enables users to morph its shape in order to reduce occupied space and to increase user maneuverability. Users can easily adjust their umbrellas anytime by pulling a handle so that they can protect themselves from harsh winds or bumping into others." There's a demonstration in a video on the site, but no info on where to buy it! So, keep stabbing each other with your non-polite umbrellas we suppose. NewYorkology has more New York-centric umbrella options, but none quite as polite. [via Kellas] more ›

A judge yesterday threw out the million dollar lawsuit over a broken umbrella filed by Nelio Balan, the owner of Madison Avenue hotspot Nello's. The judge then issued Balan's lawyer a $500 fine for wasting the court's time. Balan sued lingerie model Le Call over a $5000 umbrella he had loaned her and then never got back for a year, only to receive it back torn and tattered. He claimed he suffered "emotional distress" over the loss. With the lawsuit behind him, Balan's only hopes are for compensation of the cathartic sort. "An apology is in order. It's what is civilized...She never returned it. Is that normal, is that polite?" Balan said. more ›

While you may not need an umbrella on a day like today, if rainy days often leave you fumbling as you multitask -- there may be a solution: this new umbrella from the future! It will keep you dry while you check emails on your iPhone, smoke a cigarette, and search your bag for coffee money (the website even shows a cyclist using one). more ›

Starting next Tuesday, Park Slope shoppers will be entitled to one of 400 free umbrellas made available at a number of neighborhood stores. Yes, you heard right. FREE. UMBRELLAS. And they’re just the most adorable shade of yellow! But what’s the catch, you say? Well, each one is emblazoned with this message: "Please enjoy this community umbrella and return it to a participating local merchant." The Park Slope Civic Council pooled $2,000 and bought the... more ›