Apollo Group founder Leon Black has struck about $37 billion worth of deals in last three days; Apollo acquired real estate franchiser Realogy on Dec 17 for $9 billion; Apollo acquires Harrah's Entertainment, world's largest casino company, for $27.8 billion; deal, which includes assumption of $10.7 billion in debt, is made in tandem with Texas Pacific Group; graph; photo (M)

Deal Maker’s 3-Day Tally: $37 Billion

Manohla Dargis reviews film The Painted Veil, directed by John Curran; Edward Norton and Naomi Watts star; photos (M)

A Plague Infects the Land, as Passion Vexes Hearts

Fred Goldman, father of murder victim Ron Goldman, has sued O J Simpson in California court for fraud, alleging that recent book and television deal for Simpson were strutured to cheat Goldman out of damages owed him from civil judgment; lawsuit revolves around $1 million advance given to Simpson for book If I Did It and related television interview that both explore how he might hypothetically have killed ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman; alleges that Simpson was paid through shell corporation to avoid paying creditors; Goldman has been unable to collect his $19 million portion of jury award from original trial and Simpson has moved to Florida to ensure that his property is not seized to cover award; photo (M)

Simpson Sued Again, Over Book Proceeds

Matt and Ted Lee article on hams from New York City; team has spent much time searching nation for best country hams, only to find delicious and authentic hams in New York; recipes; list of purveyors; photos (M)

Fanfare For the City Ham

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has tentatively approved a U.S.-backed plan that aims to isolate extremists, officials say.

Top Shiite Cleric Is Said to Favor a Coalition for Iraq

Influential Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani reportedly has tentatively approved plan for coalition of Shiite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties that aims to isolate extremists, particularly powerful Shiite militia leader Moktada al-Sadr; ayatollah has grown increasingly distressed as Shiite-led government proves incapable of taming violence and improving public services; appears to be backing away from demand that Shiites play dominant political role, agreeing to moderate front against extremists; Pres Bush's national security adviser Stephen Hadley urges engaging Sistani for new nonsectarian alliance and Bush has received Shiite and Sunni politicians at White House to encourage cooperation; Sistani insists any realignment preserve unity of Shiite parliamentary bloc, although various parties might form own coalitions with Sunnis or Kurds, which could fragment bloc because Sadr would not sign on; photos (M)

Criminal trial of Koral Karsan, chauffeur for Yoko Ono who is accused of blackmailing her for $2 million, opens with defense contending that Ono was abusive employer who pressed Karsan to perform unspecified 'immoral and illegal acts'; driver told reporters earlier that Ono accused him of blackmail in effort to prevent him from filing sexual harassment lawsuit against her; photo (M)

Yoko Ono’s Driver Pleads Not Guilty as Lawyer Tells of ‘Abuse’ and ‘Paranoia’ by Employer

Aw, ya can't help but love da big Palooka! Under all dem muscles the champ's still got a heart o' gold.      Who else could that be but Rocky Balboa? Sylvester Stallone's endearing alter ego with the droopy eyes and dungeon-master croak has slouched back onto the screen, bowed but unbroken, to fight the good fight one more time. Since he was last seen 16 years ago in ''Rocky V,'' this two-time former heavyweight champion, now pushing 60 (Mr. Stallone's age), has evolved a philosophy of the ring that befits an older, slower athlete.  

Return of That Fighter With a Soft Heart Inside a Hard Body

Morgan Stanley’s decision to spin off Discover demonstrates a renewed emphasis on its core trading and investment banking business.

Spinoff Set by Summer for Discover

If high school standout Delle Donne lives up to her potential, she could become one of a handful of talented players in recent years who have helped change the way the women’s game is played.

She’s 6-5 and 17, With the Potential to Alter the Game

Profile of Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa Valley, founded in 1965 by Jack and Jamie Davies, who dedicated themselves to producing world-class sparkling wines; business is now operated by their son Hugh; photos (M)

Napa Sparkle to Make a French Nose Twitch

Google is getting thousands of customers to sign up for its new payment service Google Checkout; Google is not charging merchants any processing fees through end of 2007; many customers are placing ads alongside Google's search results, exactly what Google wants; Checkout was seen as formidable rival to eBay's PayPal online payment service when it was introduced in June; Checkout's use with some merchants has already surpassed PayPal's; service is calculated effort to expand Google's base of advertisers, which provide bulk of company's revenues; Steve Grossberg, who sells video games online and uses Checkout, comments; photos (M)

Google Steps More Boldly Into PayPal’s Territory

In four of the years between 1997 and 2003, the day with more births than any other fell between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

To-Do List: Wrap Gifts. Have Baby.

Several dozen California producers now make sparkling wine in the style of Champagne, but the best are Schramsberg, Roederer Estate and Iron Horse. Of these, Schramsberg has the best story by far.

Peter Applebome Our Towns column on trip to Nyack, NY, by Kathy Riedlinger, principal of Lusher Charter School in New Orleans; school was devastated by Hurricane Katrina fifteen months ago and is only slowly moving toward restoration; fundraiser in Nyack brought in $2,500 for Riedlinger to use in replacing musical instruments school lost in storm (M)

Looking South, With Heart and Cash

The suit alleges that a recent book and television deal were structured to cheat the father of the murder victim Ronald L. Goldman out of damages owed him from a civil judgment.

Surprisingly, “Rocky Balboa” is no embarrassment. Like its forerunners it goes the distance almost in spite of itself. 

NYC & Co, New York City's marketing and tourism agency, has placed ads in five of London's busiest underground train stations promoting savings to be had shopping in New York with dollar near 14-year low against British pound (M)

City Is Shopping for Shoppers in London’s Underground

Ursuline Academy (Del) junior Elena Delle Donne has emerged as best women's basketball prospect in class of 2008, and could change way game is played; photos (M)

He built it. Now he is taking it apart.     John J. Mack, in his boldest strategic move since he became chief executive last year, said yesterday that Morgan Stanley would spin off its slow-growing credit card unit, Discover.  

An educator from New Orleans traveled to Nyack, N.Y., and left with recognition that people still care and remember 15 months after Hurricane Katrina.

Denver Nuggets trade Andre Miller, Joe Smith and draft picks to Philadelphia 76ers for Allen Iverson; photos (M)

Filling In the Blank, The Nuggets Acquire Iverson

All the top CBS dramas are alike. They showcase an omniscient, workaholic and male boss on the dark side of 50 who is surrounded by young, eager-to-please acolytes.

The Surefire TV Formula: Ape the Boss

The Democrats’ proposed minimum wage increase does not catch up with what some states have already done to raise the pay of tens of millions of workers.

Raising the Floor on Pay

Selena Roberts Sports of The Times column discusses NBA culture and recent brawl between New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets; photo (M)

Misfits, Miscreants: Your Table Is Waiting

Anne Rogers Clark was an American dog breeder and trainer and one of the few people licensed to judge all 165 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club.

December 20, 2006

Headlines from December 20, 2006

Deal Maker’s 3-Day Tally: $37 Billion

A Plague Infects the Land, as Passion Vexes Hearts

Simpson Sued Again, Over Book Proceeds

Fanfare For the City Ham

Top Shiite Cleric Is Said to Favor a Coalition for Iraq

Billboard 200

Ciara: The Evolution

Eminem Presents: The Re-Up

The Sweet Escape

Hannah Montana

NOW 23

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for December 20, 2006