Thursday, October 31, 2002

National Briefing: Washington. F.D.A. WARNS AGAINST BONE CEMENT;. 11:31:14 PM

National Briefing: Washington. F.D.A. WARNS AGAINST BONE CEMENT;. 11:31:11 PM

National Briefing: New England. MASSACHUSETTS: Firing Violated Free Speech Rights; MASSACHUSETTS: Ban On Aluminum Bats;. 11:31:11 PM

National Briefing: Mid-Atlantic. PENNSYLVANIA: `Servants' Vs. `Slaves';. 11:31:10 PM

National Briefing: Southwest. ARIZONA: N.R.A. Rallies Despite Shooting;. 11:31:09 PM

National Briefing: West. CALIFORNIA: Police Charge `Healer' In Death;. 11:31:08 PM

At Climate Meeting, Unlikely Ally for Have-Nots. The United States joined India and other developing countries in encouraging a focus on developing the technology and finding the resources to adapt to climate change. By Amy Waldman. 10:31:09 PM

Scientists Say a Quest for Clean Energy Must Begin Now. Meeting the world's rising energy needs without increasing global warming will require a research effort as ambitious as the Apollo project to put a man on the moon. By Andrew C. Revkin. 10:31:06 PM

World Business Briefing: Australia. MINER'S RESULTS FALL;. 9:32:54 PM

Gloom Grows for Japan's Exporters. As the big Japanese brand-name manufacturers report their half-year earnings, it is becoming clear that they are bracing for a very tough holiday season. By Ken Belson. 9:32:53 PM

The Pinch of Piracy Wakes China Up on Copyright Issue. Anyone in China who makes movies, writes books, develops software or sings songs knows that popularity is barely half the challenge; they must also fight intellectual piracy. By Joseph Kahn. 9:32:52 PM

Is Germany Looking Like Japan?. Think of a once-mighty economy, sapped by years of sclerotic growth, a parlous banking system and an ineffectual political elite. Japan, surely. But also Germany? By Mark Landler. 9:32:51 PM

Fiat to Pump $2.5 Billion Into Struggling Auto Unit. Fiat said that it would pour nearly $2.5 billion into its struggling auto unit after reporting a fourth consecutive quarterly loss because of falling car sales. By Bloomberg News. 9:32:50 PM

Phone I.P.O. Is Postponed in China. The China Telecom Corporation abruptly postponed its $3.68 billion initial public offering, which was to have been Asia's biggest deal this year, in response to weak demand. By Keith Bradsher. 9:32:48 PM

World Briefing: World. FISH SHORTAGE WOULD HURT POOR;. 9:32:47 PM

World Briefing: Middle East. BAHRAIN: Women Seek Landmark Victory;. 9:32:46 PM

World Briefing: Americas. CUBA: Dissident Released; PERU: But Who Would Oversee Them?;. 9:32:44 PM

Jordan, Between Iraq and U.S., Worries About War. A certain anxiety pervades Jordan over the potential fallout from warfare erupting on yet another border. By Neil Macfarquhar. 9:32:43 PM

General for the Hawks. Man in the News. By James Bennet. 9:32:42 PM

Rights Group Blames Arafat for Not Halting Suicide Attacks. A report by Human Rights Watch on Palestinian suicide bombings calls the attacks crimes against humanity. By Joel Greenberg. 9:32:41 PM

A New Family Is Destroyed Before It Can Reach America. MOSCOW, Oct. 31 On a celebratory impulse last Wednesday, Sandy A. Booker, an electrician from Oklahoma, and his Kazakh fianc/e bought theater tickets at a subway station here. By Sabrina Tavernise. 9:32:41 PM

Putting Pressure on Chechens, Russia Seeks Custody of Rebel. Russia demanded on Thursday that Qatar arrest and extradite an Islamic extremist linked to the Chechen separatist movement. By Michael Wines. 9:32:40 PM

Scientists Say a Quest for Clean Energy Must Begin Now. Meeting the world's rising energy needs without increasing global warming will require a research effort as ambitious as the Apollo project to put a man on the moon. By Andrew C. Revkin. 9:32:39 PM

U.S. Objects to 'Protocols' on Egyptian TV. The United States has expressed concern to Egypt about its plans to broadcast a television series that an American official said draws on "racist and untrue" sources. By Steven R. Weisman. 9:32:38 PM

White Extremists May Seek 'Race War,' South Africans Say. South Africa's defense minister said he believed that a small number of disaffected white soldiers and police officers remained opposed to democracy. By Rachel L. Swarns. 9:32:37 PM

A Dream Desk and an Alarming Bed. Two of the most talked-about new inventions in Germany are a bed that rolls its drowsy occupant onto the floor and a desk with a built-in inflatable pillow for midday snoozes. By Mark Landler. 9:32:36 PM

'Young Turk' Has New Meaning for Voters. Cem Uzan and the Youth Party have emerged from a pack of 18 parties to what polls show is third place, with a slick campaign fired by Turks' anger at corruption. By Ian Fisher. 9:32:34 PM

French Court Sentences 2 for Role in 1995 Bombings That Killed 8. A special French court has sentenced two members of Algeria's Armed Islamic Group to life imprisonment for their role in three bombings that killed eight people. By Alan Riding. 9:32:33 PM

Sri Lanka Government Sentences Guerrilla Leader in Absentia. The leader of the guerrilla army that has waged a 19-year war in Sri Lanka was sentenced in absentia to 200 years in prison on Thursday. By Amy Waldman. 9:32:32 PM

At Climate Meeting, Unlikely Ally for Have-Nots. The United States joined India and other developing countries in encouraging a focus on developing the technology and finding the resources to adapt to climate change. By Amy Waldman. 9:32:31 PM

Latin American Countries Skeptical of U.S. Trade Agreement. The United States began an energetic effort on Thursday to persuade leaders that a deal would be to their advantage. By Edmund L. Andrews. 9:32:30 PM

Shift Toward the U.S. Stand on Iraq Is Noted in Council. There has been a shift this week toward the United States draft proposal for aggressive weapons inspections backed by a clear threat of war. By Julia Preston. 9:32:30 PM

Hacking Victims' ID to Stay Secret. WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senior law enforcement officials assured technology executives Thursday that government will increasingly work to keep secret the names of companies that become victims to major hacking crimes, along with any sensitive corporate disclosures that could prove embarrassing. By The Associated Press. 9:32:24 PM

Sony Plans Spring Launch for European Online Gaming. LONDON (Reuters) - Sony Corp. (6758.T) said on Thursday it would launch an online gaming network in Europe next spring for its top-selling PlayStation 2 video game console, triggering a new turf war in the ultra-competitive industry. By Reuters. 9:32:23 PM

AT&T Sees Broadband Spinoff as Early as Next Week. BEDMINSTER, (Reuters) - Telephone giant AT&T Corp. (T.N) said on Thursday it could complete as early as next week the spinoff of its AT&T Broadband cable television unit and its one-for-five reverse stock split. By Reuters. 9:32:22 PM

Mobilcom Granted Reprieve on Loan. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Creditors for Germany's Mobilcom granted the telecommunications company its fourth reprieve on payment of 4.7 billion euros (US$4.6 billion) in loans, the firm said Thursday. By The Associated Press. 9:32:21 PM

Terra Lycos to Start New Messaging Service with I.B.M.. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Spanish Internet media company Terra Lycos SA (TRR.MC) (TRLY.O) said on Thursday it will bring together several instant messaging services it offers globally by year-end into a new service built on IBM Corp.'stechnology. By Reuters. 9:32:20 PM

I.B.M. to Slash Some Database Prices. PALO ALTO, (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp. (IBM.N) on Thursday said it would slash the price on the new version of its database for mid-size companies and simplify pricing on its updated high-end database. By Reuters. 9:32:18 PM

Biotech Company Plans Trials on Gene Therapy for Anemia. A biotechnology company hopes to begin clinical trials next year on what it says will be a cheaper and more convenient way to provide the anemia drug erythropoietin. By Andrew Pollack. 9:32:17 PM

Phone I.P.O. Is Postponed in China. The China Telecom Corporation abruptly postponed its $3.68 billion initial public offering, which was to have been Asia's biggest deal this year, in response to weak demand. By Keith Bradsher. 9:32:16 PM

The Pinch of Piracy Wakes China Up on Copyright Issue. Anyone in China who makes movies, writes books, develops software or sings songs knows that popularity is barely half the challenge; they must also fight intellectual piracy. By Joseph Kahn. 9:32:14 PM

U.S. and States Sue on Satellite TV Merger. The Justice Department sued to block EchoStar's proposed $26 billion acquisition of DirecTV, arguing that the deal would eliminate competition. By Andrew Ross Sorkin and Seth Schiesel. 9:32:13 PM

Amazon.com Previews a New Apparel Site, Snags and All. Amazon.com switched on a preview of its widely anticipated apparel department, announcing it in an e-mail message to many of its best customers. By Saul Hansell. 9:32:12 PM

Ruling Scheduled in Microsoft Case. The federal judge overseeing the Microsoft antitrust case will issue her decision Friday, determining whether to impose sanctions on the company beyond the proposed settlement. By Amy Harmon. 9:32:11 PM

San Francisco Primping for an Olympic Audition. San Francisco will pitch itself to Olympic officials as a perfect picture of America in an attempt to become the nation's candidate for the 2012 Olympic Games. By Patricia Leigh Brown. 9:32:09 PM

Chill of Recognition Over Confrontation in Sniper Case. People who encountered John Muhammad and Lee Malvo before in late September were suspicious of the two. By Jim Yardley. 9:32:08 PM

More Than Own Re-election Is on Agenda for Gephardt. Representative Richard A. Gephardt is campaigning to put the Democrats in the majority in the House, even as he eyes the party's presidential nomination in 2004. By Adam Nagourney. 9:32:07 PM

One-Week Deadline Sends Mondale Staff Into Action. Walter F. Mondale, who will replace Senator Paul Wellstone on the Minnesota ballot, spent most of the day in editorial board interviews and other private meetings. By Jodi Wilgoren. 9:32:06 PM

Toeing a Similar Bland Line. Norm Coleman and Walter F. Mondale, the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Senate from Minnesota, began broadcasting new 30-second television commercials. By Joel Brinkley. 9:32:04 PM

U.S. Tested a Nerve Gas in Hawaii. The Pentagon said that it detonated artillery shells and rockets filled with deadly Sarin gas in Hawaii in 1967. By Thom Shanker. 9:32:03 PM

With Suit, Governor's Daughter Gets a Spotlight. Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas, was sued by his daughter the other day. She said the state was trying to deny her the right to vote. But he doesn't have a problem with the suit. By Adam Liptak. 9:32:02 PM

Amendment to Cut Class Size Divides Floridians. Next week, Florida voters will be presented with a plan to reduce school overcrowding through one of the most sweeping education initiatives ever to reach a statewide ballot. By Tamar Lewin. 9:32:01 PM

Democrats' Mixed Message Reflects Tax-Cut Divisions. Democrats are offering a scrambled message on the economy in the closing days of the midterm election, reflecting their deep divisions over the President Bush's 2001 tax cut. By Richard W. Stevenson. 9:32:00 PM

White House Years Carry Senate Perks. Should he be elected to the Senate, Walter F. Mondale would automatically be eligible for perquisites not afforded typical freshmen. By Carl Hulse. 9:31:59 PM

X-Factor May Provide the Edge in a Close Senate Race. Senator Jean Carnahan's campaign for the Senate in Missouri has become a collection of precariously balanced X-factors. By David Firestone. 9:31:57 PM

Attack Ads Dominating in Rematch of '96 Race. Voters in Colorado hardly need polls to tell them the Senate race this year, a rematch of 1996, is one of the tightest in state history. By Michael Janofsky. 9:31:56 PM

Bush Swings Through 3 States to Build Support for the G.O.P.. President Bush barnstormed across the country on behalf of Republican candidates, accusing Congressional Democrats of blocking major parts of his agenda. By Raymond Hernandez. 9:31:55 PM

Union Chief to Return $200,000 From Stock Deal Under Inquiry. The president of the carpenters' union has agreed to return more than $200,000 in profits he made in a stock deal that is under federal investigation. By Steven Greenhouse. 9:31:54 PM

Court Papers Show Moussaoui Seeks Access to Captured Al Qaeda Members. Court papers provide a glimpse into a courtroom battle in which Zacarias Moussaoui has demanded access to captured figures of Al Qaeda whose testimony might help his defense. By Philip Shenon. 9:31:52 PM

Syphilis Reported Increasing for First Time in a Decade. Syphilis, which federal health officials are trying to eliminate, is increasing in the United States for the first time in more than a decade. By Sheryl Gay Stolberg. 9:31:51 PM

5 Top Aides Are Leaving Archdiocese in Los Angeles. Five top administrators of the financially troubled Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles have announced that they will leave their posts at the end of the year. By Barbara Whitaker. 9:31:50 PM

Normal Cancer Rate Found Near Three Mile Island Plant. A study of people living within five miles of Three Mile Island found no significant difference in the overall rate of cancer deaths compared with the general population. By Matthew L. Wald. 9:31:50 PM

Louisiana Accuses 2 Sniper Suspects in Sept. 23 Killing. Baton Rouge, La., police say that Washington-area sniper suspects John Muhammad and Lee Malvo killed a beauty supply shopkeeper two days after killing a woman in Montgomery, Ala. By David M. Halbfinger. 9:31:48 PM

White House Years Carry Senate Perks. Should he be elected to the Senate, Walter F. Mondale would automatically be eligible for perquisites not afforded typical freshmen. By Carl Hulse. 9:31:44 PM

Court Papers Show Moussaoui Seeks Access to Captured Al Qaeda Members. Court papers provide a glimpse into a courtroom battle in which Zacarias Moussaoui has demanded access to captured figures of Al Qaeda whose testimony might help his defense. By Philip Shenon. 9:31:43 PM

Union Chief to Return $200,000 From Stock Deal Under Inquiry. The president of the carpenters' union has agreed to return more than $200,000 in profits he made in a stock deal that is under federal investigation. By Steven Greenhouse. 9:31:42 PM

U.S. Tested a Nerve Gas in Hawaii. The Pentagon said that it detonated artillery shells and rockets filled with deadly Sarin gas in Hawaii in 1967. By Thom Shanker. 9:31:41 PM

Pitt Under Fire for Not Telling All He Knew About Webster. Democrats renewed calls for Harvey L. Pitt's resignation as three inquiries began into the S.E.C.'s selection of William H. Webster as the new audit overseer. By Stephen Labaton. 9:31:40 PM

Technology Briefing: Software. COMPUTER ASSOCIATES NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE; GEMSTAR DISMISSES ITS ACCOUNTANT;. 9:31:38 PM

Technology Briefing: Hardware. SHARES SOAR AT LABORATORY CORPORATION;. 9:31:37 PM

World Business Briefing: Australia. MINER'S RESULTS FALL;. 9:31:36 PM

Latin American Countries Skeptical of U.S. Trade Agreement. The United States began an energetic effort on Thursday to persuade leaders that a deal would be to their advantage. By Edmund L. Andrews. 9:31:34 PM

Fiat to Pump $2.5 Billion Into Struggling Auto Unit. Fiat said that it would pour nearly $2.5 billion into its struggling auto unit after reporting a fourth consecutive quarterly loss because of falling car sales. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:33 PM

Gloom Grows for Japan's Exporters. As the big Japanese brand-name manufacturers report their half-year earnings, it is becoming clear that they are bracing for a very tough holiday season. By Ken Belson. 9:31:32 PM

Is Germany Looking Like Japan?. Think of a once-mighty economy, sapped by years of sclerotic growth, a parlous banking system and an ineffectual political elite. Japan, surely. But also Germany? By Mark Landler. 9:31:30 PM

Phone I.P.O. Is Postponed in China. The China Telecom Corporation abruptly postponed its $3.68 billion initial public offering, which was to have been Asia's biggest deal this year, in response to weak demand. By Keith Bradsher. 9:31:30 PM

U.S. Objects to 'Protocols' on Egyptian TV. The United States has expressed concern to Egypt about its plans to broadcast a television series that an American official said draws on "racist and untrue" sources. By Steven R. Weisman. 9:31:29 PM

2 Big Advertisers Made Account Changes. 2 Big Advertisers Made Account Changes. 9:31:28 PM

Vivendi Confirms Houghton Mifflin Sale. Vivendi Universal confirmed that it had entered into exclusive negotiations with a group of private equity investors to sell its Houghton Mifflin publishing division for $1.7 billion. By The New York Times. 9:31:26 PM

S.E.C. Staff Considering Case Against 3 Ernst & Young Auditors. By Bloomberg News. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:25 PM

A Selection Process Misfires, and Pitt Reels. To say that the process of selecting a new Public Company Accounting Oversight Board turned into a fiasco is to put it mildly. 9:31:24 PM

The Pinch of Piracy Wakes China Up on Copyright Issue. Anyone in China who makes movies, writes books, develops software or sings songs knows that popularity is barely half the challenge; they must also fight intellectual piracy. By Joseph Kahn. 9:31:23 PM

Revlon Reports 16th-Straight Quarterly Loss. By Bloomberg News. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:22 PM

Copper Producer Narrows Losses. Phelps Dodge's loss narrowed in the third quarter as the company, one of the world's largest copper producers, benefited from reduced costs. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:22 PM

Alliant Techsystems Says Earnings Rose. Alliant Techsystems, the largest supplier of ammunition to the military, said its quarterly profit rose 51 percent, as acquisitions lifted sales and the government increased spending. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:20 PM

Waste Management Reports Higher Profit. HOUSTON, Oct. 31 (Bloomberg News) Waste Management, the nation's largest trash hauler, said today that third-quarter profit surged, compared with the quarter last year, which included charges for settling a class-action lawsuit. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:19 PM

Worker Dismissed as Inquiry Widens Into Big Racing Bet. The company that processed an exotic and possible rigged $3 million bet at last week's Breeders' Cup has announced the firing of a "rogue software engineer." By Joe Drape. 9:31:18 PM

Three Big Oil Companies Announce Lower Results. By Bloomberg News. By Bloomberg News. 9:31:16 PM

ImClone and Bristol-Myers Plan Trials for a Cancer Drug. ImClone Systems and Bristol-Myers Squibb said that they were planning two large clinical trials of Erbitux, a cancer drug, in a new effort to have it approved. By Andrew Pollack. 9:31:15 PM

Biotech Company Plans Trials on Gene Therapy for Anemia. A biotechnology company hopes to begin clinical trials next year on what it says will be a cheaper and more convenient way to provide the anemia drug erythropoietin. By Andrew Pollack. 9:31:14 PM

Big Three Carmakers Expect Sharp Drop in Monthly Sales. Carmakers are expecting a sharp falloff when they report October sales on Friday, and some analysts fear that continued slumping results could indicate an end to boom times for auto sales. By Danny Hakim. 9:31:13 PM

Questions Are Raised on Finances of Marriott Hotel Unit. Some investors are looking into the financial state of an off-balance-sheet entity that contributes a significant part of its profits to Marriott International. By Lynnley Browning. 9:31:12 PM

Amazon.com Previews a New Apparel Site, Snags and All. Amazon.com switched on a preview of its widely anticipated apparel department, announcing it in an e-mail message to many of its best customers. By Saul Hansell. 9:31:11 PM

Ruling Scheduled in Microsoft Case. The federal judge overseeing the Microsoft antitrust case will issue her decision Friday, determining whether to impose sanctions on the company beyond the proposed settlement. By Amy Harmon. 9:31:10 PM

Ex-Enron Finance Chief Is Indicted on 78 Counts. Andrew S. Fastow, the former C.F.O. of Enron, was indicted by a grand jury on 78 counts of fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruct of justice. By Kurt Eichenwald. 9:31:07 PM

Martha Stewart 3rd-Quarter Earnings Fall 42%. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said that third-quarter earnings fell to 6 cents a diluted share, dragged down by the investigations into Ms. Stewart's ImClone Systems stock trade. By Constance L. Hays. 9:31:06 PM

Economy Grows at 3.1% Rate, but Shows Strain. The economy grew at a moderate 3.1 percent rate in the third quarter, but there were indications that growth may be slowing as the year comes to an end. By Daniel Altman. 9:31:04 PM

Tenet Hospital in California Is Searched by U.S. Agents. Tenet Healthcare said that one of its hospitals had been raided by federal officials investigating alleged unnecessary surgeries and possible Medicare billing fraud. By Reed Abelson. 9:31:03 PM

Pitt Under Fire for Not Telling All He Knew About Webster. Democrats renewed calls for Harvey L. Pitt's resignation as three inquiries began into the S.E.C.'s selection of William H. Webster as the new audit overseer. By Stephen Labaton. 9:31:03 PM

Picking a Substitute Mayor. A proposal for changing mayoral succession isn't perfect, but it would be better than the status quo. 8:31:24 PM

The Real Problem in Making Judges. If the president really wants to speed up the process of confirming his judicial nominees, he should stop scapegoating the Senate and start choosing more worthy candidates. 8:31:23 PM

Distant Neighbors, Again. As the Bush administration has realigned its priorities to combat terrorism, there has been an alarming deterioration in the relationship between the United States and Mexico. 8:31:22 PM

The Mess at the S.E.C.. There appears to be no bottom to the hole Harvey Pitt keeps digging for himself and the S.E.C. 8:31:21 PM

World Briefing: Europe. RUSSIA: Moscow'S Population Passes 10 Million; BELARUS: Rights Watchdog Banned; YUGOSLAVIA: Assassinations Thwarted, Police Say; CZECH REPUBLIC: Union Plan Worries Farmers; BRITAIN: A Break For Smokers; STORM HALTS CHANNEL TUNNEL TRAINS;. 8:31:18 PM

Sharon Names Hard-Line Ex-General as Defense Minister. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon recruited as his defense minister a former army chief of staff, Shaul Mofaz, who has advocated aggressive measures against Palestinians. By James Bennet. 8:31:11 PM

Earthquake in Italy Kills 10 Pupils and Traps Many More. At least 10 children were killed when an earthquake in southern Italy on Thursday caused the sudden collapse of a nursery and elementary school. By Frank Bruni. 8:31:11 PM

Qaeda Uses Teeming Karachi as New Base, Pakistanis Say. The story of Ramzi bin al-Shibh's final month of freedom and his chaotic arrest illustrates why it is proving so difficult to eliminate Al Qaeda. By David Rohde. 8:31:09 PM

From Anxiety, Fear and Hope, the Deadly Rescue in Moscow. The aftermath of the Moscow theater siege seems to have been guided by cold calculation, concern for human life and the fear that no other option remained. By Steven Lee Myers. 8:31:07 PM

Can This Marriage Be Saved?. After 60 years of common-law marriage between the United States and Saudi Arabia, it's time to arrange a separation. We'll both be better off if we pull U.S. troops out of the kingdom. By Nicholas D. Kristof. 7:31:19 PM

The Pitt Principle. William Webster was chosen to head a crucial new accounting oversight board precisely because industry lobbyists believed he would be ineffectual. By Paul Krugman. 7:31:18 PM

Muslims on Video. Muslims on Video To the Editor:. 7:31:16 PM

A Just Estate Tax. A Just Estate Tax To the Editor:. 7:31:15 PM

Disenfranchised Voters. Disenfranchised Voters To the Editor:. 7:31:14 PM

Protesting a War on Iraq. Protesting a War on Iraq To the Editor:. 7:31:13 PM

An Olympic Bid. An Olympic BidTo the Editor:. 7:31:13 PM

Your Fridge Doesn't Belong on My Train. Your Fridge Doesn't Belong on My Train To the Editor:. 7:31:12 PM

Wellstone Tribute: Too Much Politics?. Wellstone Tribute: Too Much Politics? To the Editor: Re 7:31:11 PM

Roadblocks to a Mideast Peace. Roadblocks to a Mideast Peace To the Editor:. 7:31:10 PM

For Orthodox Jews, an Experiment in Farming and Faith. A group of Hasidic Jews have started an organic communal farm in rural Massachusetts that embraces a back-to-the-land ethos. By Pam Belluck. 7:31:03 PM

U.S. and States Sue on Satellite TV Merger. The Justice Department sued to block EchoStar's proposed $26 billion acquisition of DirecTV, arguing that the deal would eliminate competition. By Andrew Ross Sorkin and Seth Schiesel. 6:31:09 PM

False Confessions and the Jogger Case. Videotaped confessions that appear voluntary are often more like Hollywood dramas - scripted, rehearsed and directed. By Saul Kassin. 6:31:04 PM

Ignorance Perpetuates the Chechen War. A generation of Russians have grown up knowing nothing but conflict in Chechnya. By Masha Gessen. 6:31:03 PM

Stock-Trading Inquiry Weighs on Martha Stewart's Profit. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said earnings fell 42 percent in the third quarter, and it painted an even gloomier picture for the rest of the year. By Constance L. Hays. 3:31:13 PM

Microsoft Antitrust Decision Expected Tomorrow. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said a court ruling in the long-running Microsoft antitrust case will be announced at 4:30 p.m. ET Friday. By Declan Mccullagh, Staff Writer,, News.com. 3:31:12 PM

Former Enron Executive Is Indicted in Company's Collapse. Andrew S. Fastow, the former chief financial officer of Enron, was indicted today on charges that he manipulated a series of off-the-books partnerships. By The New York Times. 3:31:10 PM

Microsoft Antitrust Decision Expected Tomorrow. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said a court ruling in the long-running Microsoft antitrust case will be announced at 4:30 p.m. ET Friday. By Declan Mccullagh, Staff Writer,, News.com. 3:31:02 PM

Israeli Ex-Army Chief Accepts Defense Post. Shaul Mofaz, who has advocated aggressive measures against Palestinians, including exiling Yasir Arafat, has agreed to become Israel's next defense minister. By James Bennet. 2:31:26 PM

With Five Days to Campaign, Mondale Begins Sprint to Election. Walter F. Mondale, who will replace Senator Paul Wellstone on the Minnesota ballot, spent most of the day in editorial board interviews and other private meetings. By Jodi Wilgoren. 2:31:15 PM

Sniper Rifle Is Linked to Louisiana Death. Ballistic tests have matched the rifle used in the Washington-area sniper killings with at least one fatal shooting in Baton Rouge, La., a law enforcement official said. By The Associated Press. 2:31:09 PM

Enron's Former Financial Chief Is Indicted. Andrew Fastow was indicted Thursday on 78 federal counts alleging he masterminded a scheme to artificially inflate the energy company's profits. By The Associated Press. 1:31:01 PM

Iraq Reopens Saudi Crossing After 12 Years. Iraq reopened a border crossing with Saudi Arabia today, letting through people and goods for the first time since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. By Reuters. 12:31:04 PM

EDS to Cut 5,500 Jobs. Electronic Data Systems said that third-quarter profits plunged 59 percent and it plans to eliminate as much as 4 percent of its work force. By The Associated Press. 12:31:01 PM

Campaigning in South Dakota, Bush Warns United Nations on Iraq. President Bush flew to South Dakota today to campaign for a man he personally lobbied to run for the Senate, Representative John Thune. By David Stout. 11:31:06 AM

Feds Sue to Block Satellite Merger. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Thursday to block a $22.6 billion merger between EchoStar Communications Corp. and Hughes Electronics Corp. By The Associated Press. 11:31:01 AM

S.E.C. Orders Investigation Into Webster Appointment. The S.E.C. today ordered an investigation into the appointment of William H. Webster to head a new board overseeing the accounting profession. By Stephen Labaton. 11:31:01 AM

Martha Stewart Profits Fall 42%. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia reported a 42 percent drop in third-quarter earnings and warned that fourth-quarter earnings would fall far short of analysts' expectations. By The Associated Press. 7:31:07 AM

Stocks Rise in Early Trading as Hopes Grow for a Fed Rate Cut. A weaker-than-expected reading on U.S. economic growth in the third quarter bolstered hopes the Federal Reserve would come to the rescue with an interest-rate cut next week. By Reuters. 7:31:06 AM

Economy Grew at 3.1% in 3rd Quarter, Slower Than Expected. The U.S. economy grew at more than twice the anemic rate posted in the second quarter of the year, but the pace was weaker than expected. By The Associated Press. 7:31:06 AM

Quake Traps Italy Schoolchildren. A strong earthquake rocked central and southern Italy today, trapping about 50 children in a school after the building's roof collapsed. By The Associated Press. 7:31:02 AM

Letters. Short-Lived Glory To the Editor:. 7:04:35 AM

Satellites Help Point the Way to a Speedier Commute. Washington drivers thought traffic was bad. A series of tests using global positioning devices shows they're right. By Jeffrey Selingo. 7:04:34 AM

World Briefing: Africa. IVORY COAST: Government And Rebels Meet; TRIBUNAL TRIES TO MEND RIFT WITH RWANDA;. 7:04:32 AM

World Briefing: Asia. INDIA: Poor Vs. Rich At Climate Conference;. 7:04:32 AM

As Terror Sweep Begins, Chechens in Russia Say Police Single Them Out. Chechens in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia accused the police of harassment and false arrest in what some called a campaign of intimidation. By The New York Times. 7:04:31 AM

Chechen Leader Arrested in Denmark Is a Quarry of Putin's Terrorist Hunt. A senior Chechen leader was arrested and jailed in Copenhagen on Wednesday on Russian charges that he was involved in the Moscow theater siege. By Craig S. Smith. 7:04:30 AM

Canada Warns Travelers. The Canadian government issued an unusual travel advisory on Wednesday, warning Canadian citizens born in Syria, Sudan, Libya, Iraq or Iran to reconsider travel plans to the United States. By The New York Times. 7:04:29 AM

Agency Puts Hunger No. 1 on List of World's Top Health Risks. The World Health Organization identified 10 major health risks it said accounted for up to 40 percent of the 56 million deaths around the world each year. By Agence France-presse. 7:04:28 AM

No Veto Threat From Security Council. Iraq negotiations ended on Wednesday without veto threats, but the 15 Security Council nations remained divided by two words: "material breach." By Julia Preston. 7:04:27 AM

Russia Names Drug in Raid, Defending Use. Russia acknowledged on Wednesday that it pumped an aerosol version of a powerful painkiller, Fentanyl, into a Moscow theater to end a hostage crisis. By Michael Wines. 7:04:26 AM

National Briefing: Washington. MEDICINE CLEARED IN KILLINGS; CLEAN-AIR CLEARANCE;. 7:04:24 AM

National Briefing: New England. MASSACHUSETTS: Bat Plan;. 7:04:24 AM

National Briefing: Mid-Atlantic. PENNSYLVANIA: Buggy Advice;. 7:04:23 AM

National Briefing: South. VIRGINIA: Blind Alley In Killings;. 7:04:22 AM

National Briefing: Midwest. ILLINOIS: Police Shape-Up;. 7:04:22 AM

National Briefing: West. CALIFORNIA: Tree Is Abandoned;. 7:04:21 AM

Revisiting the Rule of Four and the Role of Solicitor General. Answers to readers' questions on Supreme Court rules and procedure. By Linda Greenhouse. 7:04:20 AM

Many Found the Senate a Nice Place to Come Home To. If Walter F. Mondale and Frank R. Lautenberg return to the Senate, they will join a surprisingly large class of senators interruptus. By Robin Toner. 7:04:19 AM

Audit Overseer Cited Problems in Previous Post. Before his appointment to a new accounting oversight board, William H. Webster told the S.E.C. chairman he had headed an auditing panel of a company under scrutiny. By Stephen Labaton. 7:04:15 AM

In Sleek Packages, That's Entertainment. As televisions and other electronic items slim down, the home entertainment center, a fixture in many homes, is due to change. By Marianne Rohrlich. 7:04:13 AM

U.S. to Challenge Deal by EchoStar to Acquire DirecTV. The Justice Department plans to go to court to challenge EchoStar's proposed $26 billion acquisition of Hughes and its DirecTV satellite business. By Andrew Ross Sorkin. 7:04:11 AM

Europe Fines Nintendo $147 Million for Price Fixing. The European Commission fined Nintendo, the Japanese video game maker, $147 million for colluding with seven European distributors to fix prices on its products. By Paul Meller. 7:04:10 AM

National Briefing: Washington. MEDICINE CLEARED IN KILLINGS; CLEAN-AIR CLEARANCE;. 7:04:05 AM

Revisiting the Rule of Four and the Role of Solicitor General. Answers to readers' questions on Supreme Court rules and procedure. By Linda Greenhouse. 7:04:03 AM

No Veto Threat From Security Council. Iraq negotiations ended on Wednesday without veto threats, but the 15 Security Council nations remained divided by two words: "material breach." By Julia Preston. 7:04:02 AM

Audit Overseer Cited Problems in Previous Post. Before his appointment to a new accounting oversight board, William H. Webster told the S.E.C. chairman he had headed an auditing panel of a company under scrutiny. By Stephen Labaton. 7:04:01 AM