July 10, 1993

Priest Admits Sexual Abuse An Orange County priest pleaded guilty to taking at least 11 boys from his parishes to engage in sex with them over the last decade. Page 21. Bones of Czar Are Confirmed Scientists said they had proved with over "98.5 percent" surety that bones found in Russia are those of Czar Nicholas II and his family. Page 3. Rallying for New Jobs President Clinton's international conference on job creation is shaping up to be, in part, a pep rally for new strategies. News analysis, page 39.

TOKYO, Saturday, July 10 -- Even before his negotiators wrested a last-second agreement from the Japanese on how to attack its enormous trade imbalance with the United States, it had been a big week for Bill Clinton. Achieving the long-sought breakthrough with Japan, however tentative a first step it represents in an arduous process, sent the President and his entourage away from his debut in summit diplomacy in an ebullient mood. Even the determinedly dour Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, permitted himself the faintest touch of braggadocio.

Gushing rainfall in the upper Midwest overwhelmed dams and levees tonight and is threatening to unleash flooding not seen in more than a century. Record floods had broken along the Mississippi River from south of Rock Island to St. Louis, as many of the straining levees broke under the torrents or were overrun by the waves.

The Mexican Government tonight refused a request by the United States to detain three shiploads of illegal Chinese immigrants intercepted this week by the Coast Guard. Earlier in the day, the Administration had asked Mexico to allow the ships to dock in Mexican port, presumably under armed escort by the Coast Guard, which intercepted the ships on Thursday and discovered 659 Chinese aliens on board.

Rupert Murdoch, who swooped into the confused New York Post drama as a savior in March, halted publication of the 192-year-old newspaper yesterday, saying he had failed to win the savings he wanted from the newspaper's unions. The Post did not print this morning's issue, and confused employees trickled out of its South Street building yesterday after they were told by Mr. Murdoch's representatives to clear out. Some carried bags of possessions from their desks, unsure if they would ever return.