January 16, 1991

When the day of reckoning finally arrived, it brought uncertainty. Many sought a kind of do-it-yourself catharsis. Church bells rang, protesters marched, and people donated blood for soldiers. Yesterday, millions of Americans who had uneasily awaited the Jan. 15 deadline overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness felt compelled to do something. Those most angered by the prospect of war took to the streets. In separate protests in Washington, New York City, Atlanta, Boston and dozens of other cities, thousands of people gathered outside the White House and the United Nations, on college campuses, on sidewalks and in city parks to signal their dissent. One of the biggest protests was in San Francisco, where 400 people were arrested. Candelight Prayer Vigils Thousands of other people, many supporting a show of force, others seeking only to register hope that the crisis might end peacefully, attended candlelight prayer vigils, ecumenical services and community meetings. Thousands more gave in to impulse and ducked into the nearest church, synagogue or mosque on the way to work.

The nine striking unions at The Daily News agreed yesterday to take a new tack on a crucial bargaining issue, and union officials said it might eventually lead to a settlement of the 12-week strike. Under the agreement, union negotiators will drop their demand that all 800 permanent replacement workers hired by The News since the bitter walkout began on Oct. 25 be dismissed. But they will insist that all 2,300 strikers be reinstated.

Abu Nidal Group Suspected In Slaying of P.L.O. Officials The Palestinian faction led by Abu Nidal is suspected in the killing of two leading Palestine Liberation Organization officials in Tunis. P.L.O. officials backed away from charges that Israel was responsible. Page A14. Soviet Foreign Minister Aleksandr A. Bessmertnykh, the Ambassador to the United States, succeeded Eduard A. Shevardnadze as Foreign Minister and pledged good relations with the West. Page A9. Daily News Strikers Budge The nine striking unions at The Daily News agreed to drop their demand for the dismissal of replacement workers but insisted that all 2,300 strikers be reinstated. Page B1. Ethics Hearings Near Close In closing arguments, the Senate ethics panel's counsel made an impassioned case for punishment of three of the Keating Five. Page A18.

A review of recent events in Lithuania and interviews on both sides of the conflict make clear that the crushing of the republic's drive for independence was precisely planned. Page A8.

SWITCHING from butter to margarine is considered a positive move toward a more healthful diet. But it's not just a question of butter versus margarine. Consumers who have made the decision face no fewer than 10 varieties of margarine or combinations of margarine and butter that vary widely in content. Among the choices are stick margarine, tub margarine, whipped margarine, liquid margarine, diet or reduced-calorie margarine, light margarine, extra-light margarine, margarine spreads, butter blends and light butter blends -- enough to throw the most nutrition-savvy consumers into confusion.