December 20, 2005

IT will be left to the Vicar of Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, to duke it out with his critics over whether they have declared war on Christmas or he is the bearer of tidings of discomfort and joylessness. Somewhat overshadowed in all that huffing and puffing is the status of a jolly fat fellow in a red suit who has a habit of showing up at this time of year.

Tomb of two Egyptians Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep stirs controversy over relationship between two men who were manicurists to King; paintings depict them in close embrace similar to way married couples are pictured; Dr David O'Connor of New York University Institute of Fine Arts holds that men were conjoined twins; other Egyptologists say men were gay couple and others believe they were twins or at least brothers; evidence supporting various theories and implications of findings on current view of Egyptian culture discussed; tomb and paintings described; photos; drawings (L)

Split Over Arctic Drilling Threatens Military Bill Senate Democrats threatened to derail a $453 billion military spending bill over a dispute about oil drilling in the Arctic, just hours after the House approved the measure in an all-night session. A decisive vote is expected tomorrow. PAGE A26 Strife Behind Golden Globes The recent suicide of an entertainment writer offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the small group of foreign journalists behind the Golden Globes. THE ARTS, PAGE E1 Report on Teenage Drug Use Alcohol use and cigarette smoking among teenagers are at historic lows, but the abuse of sedatives by high school students is at its highest in 26 years, according to an annual national study. PAGE A20 Miami Plane Crash Kills 20 A twin-engine seaplane crashed off the southern tip of Miami Beach, killing all 17 adults and 3 children aboard. The plane was heading for Bimini Island in the Bahamas, emergency officials said. PAGE A20 Mafia Leader Dies Vincent Gigante, who feigned mental illness for decades to camouflage his position as a Mafia leader, died in prison. He was 77. PAGE A29

Counterterrorism agents at Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose restrictions were loosened by then-Atty Gen John Ashcroft following 9/11 attacks, have conducted surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations involving groups active in causes as diverse as environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief; civil rights advocates charge government has improperly blurred line between terrorism and acts of civil disobedience and lawful protest; Ashcroft gave bureau greater ability to visit and monitor Web sites, mosques and other public entities in developing terrorism leads; FBI documents show bureau used that authority to investigate protest groups suspected of having links to violent or disruptive activities; FBI documents were obtained in Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by American Civil Liberties Union; ACLU is seeking access to information in FBI files on about 150 protest and social groups that it says may have been improperly monitored (M)

If transit workers walk out, New York City's alternative transportation plans will be in effect: nytimes.com/mta.