December 9, 1992

Fearful that recent reports suggesting an economic rebound could blunt public pressure on Congress, President-elect Bill Clinton cautioned that hard times were probably not over and that, in any case, painful long-term changes were still required.

Companies Commonwealth Oil filed an amended reorganization plan for Circle K that includes $360 million of capital from a Saudi prince. But the convenience store chain still favors an offer from another group, which includes a member of Kuwait's royal family. [ Page D1. ]

In the Spirit of Giving: The Neediest Cases A mother and her daughter came to America in search of medical treatment for the child. Now they get help with mounting expenses. Page B8. Noriega Is Ruled a P.O.W. A judge said Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega was a prisoner of war and questioned whether he could be sent to a civilian prison. Page A18. The largest severance award in the history of New York, to a school superintendent, has prompted outrage in Albany. Page B5. Where There's No Beef McDonald's, the company that made the hamburger an international cultural icon, is testing a meatless burger in the Netherlands. Page D1. Serbs Cut Sarajevo's Lifeline Serbs seized the road from the airport to Sarajevo, blocking the only aid route and stirring fear of an all-out attack to take the city. Page A3. A Letterman Pact With CBS David Letterman, NBC's late-late night star, accepted an offer for $16 million a year and his own show opposite Jay Leno at 11:30 P.M. Page C17. Struggling to Live for Art A brief torment of hard times and then lifelong success as an artist: it is a dream for many, a reality for few. First article of a series, page C17.

President-elect Bill Clinton is moving to name the first woman to serve as Attorney General, and transition aides in Washington and Arkansas said today that he was considering four candidates. The finalists, three judges and a Washington lawyer active in public-interest causes, are emblematic of the women who entered law schools in small numbers in the 1950's and 1960's and then rose to the top of their profession.

This fall, at 62, Edward J. Murphy, an influential administrator and superintendent of a special school district on Long Island, received the highest retirement award in the history of New York State -- $960,000. Now, as state officials scramble to recoup the payment, they say the retirement award threatens to undermine not only the public's attitude toward Dr. Murphy's 42-year career, but its support for ever increasing taxes to pay for public education.