January 5, 2006

Dave Anderson Sports of The Times column discusses expected departure of coach Herman Edwards and what may have been owner Woody Johnson's role (M)

What's longer than the holiday shopping season, and even more relentless? The end of the year. It's an interminable period -- beginning sometime after Thanksgiving and ending sometime after Martin Luther King Day -- when music magazines and Web sites, not to mention newspapers, go list crazy. (The Times's own year-end best-of lists came down the chimney on Christmas Day.) On newsstands and online, readers get a stupefying catalog of best-of-2005's, starting with albums and often continuing with singles, music videos, reissues and more; no doubt some blog has already posted a 10-best list of 10-best lists.

THAT rainy night last May when Elle Macpherson cemented her reputation as a person whose style is worthy of a superlative, she wore an acid-green strapless gown when almost everyone else at the annual Costume Institute gala was dressed in a Chanel-inspired theme of black and white. Her boyfriend of nine years, Arpad Busson, repeatedly tripped on her hem, revealing the beaded flip-flops underneath. Within a month the couple announced they had separated.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a serious stroke on Wednesday night and was undergoing emergency brain surgery in an effort to save his life, a hospital official said. Mr. Sharon's power as prime minister was transferred to Deputy Premier Ehud Olmert. Israeli politics, dominated in recent years by Mr. Sharon, were thrown into turmoil, especially with growing lawlessness in the Gaza Strip. [Page A10.]

Justices Allow Transfer Of Terrorism Suspect The Supreme Court granted the Bush administration's request to transfer the terrorism suspect Jose Padilla to civilian custody from military, ending a two-week standoff over where he should be held while the justices decide whether to hear his case. PAGE A22 Texas Topples the Trojans Quarterback Vince Young dashed around and darted through the Southern California defense for three touchdowns as the Longhorns rallied to win the Rose Bowl, 41-38, and capture the national championship. SPORTSTHURSDAY, PAGE D1 I.R.S. Advice to Cost More The Internal Revenue Service, following a policy set by the Eisenhower administration, is raising the price it charges taxpayers for advice on their taxes. In the case of questions about some I.R.A.'s, the price will increase to as much as $3,000 from $95. BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1 Pataki's Final Push in Albany In his 12th and final State of the State address, Gov. George E. Pataki, a potential candidate for president, called for tax cuts and education and environmental initiatives. PAGE B1 A $25 Million Gift for Opera The Metropolitan Opera has received the largest individual gift in its history, $25 million from the socialite Mercedes Bass and her husband, Sid R. Bass, that eases financial troubles. THE ARTS, PAGE E1