September 20, 1996

Atlantic City police say that $27 million parking garage at Claridge Casino Hotel will reopen, two months after two elderly women were killed when their car plunged off fourth floor of new structure (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Clyde Haberman NYC column discusses Republican Presidential candidate Bob Dole referring to Los Angeles Dodgers as Brooklyn Dodgers (M)

7 North Korean Agents Slain South Korean troops shot and killed seven infiltrators from a grounded submarine, but at least one commando remained at large. Page A3. Microsoft Under Scrutiny A new Government inquiry into Microsoft is examining the company's sales practices for its Internet browser software. Page D1. Yankees and Orioles Split A doubleheader split leaves the Yankees four games ahead of the Orioles in the American League East. Each team has 10 games left. Page B9.

Nearly 100 workers in Hudson County administration building have been routed from their offices by flea infestation that health officials say could take weeks to be eradicated (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Sumitomo Estimate of Loss Grows in Copper Scandal Sumitomo said the losses incurred by Yasuo Hamanaka, its former chief copper trader, had increased to $2.6 billion, $800 million higher than earlier, and that it would request that criminal charges be filed against him. Much uncertainty remained, but Sumitomo seemed to be trying to put the scandal behind it, giving few details of how the trader could have hidden such losses or whether others might have cooperated with him. $(Page D3.$) Showdown Over Wireless Taps The wireless communications industry voted to reject Government-backed technology that would make it possible for law enforcement agencies to keep closer tabs on cellular telephone users. $(A1.$) Fraud Charges Against Merrill Seen Merrill Lynch has been told by regulators that they intend to charge it with disclosure fraud in connection with the bankruptcy of Orange County, Calif., lawyers said. $(D2.$) A Big Gain In Construction Builders broke ground on new homes and apartments at the fastest rate in nearly two and a half years during August. Housing starts, which were predicted to decline modestly, instead increased 4.5 percent. $(D2.$) After the housing report, bond yields rose because of fears of rising inflation and an increase in interest rates by the Fed. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was 7.04 percent, up from 7.01 percent on Wednesday. $(D13.$) 2 Big Ad-Agency Companies to Join The stampede of acquisitions involving advertising-agency companies continued, but with a twist: the buyer is smaller than the seller. BDDP in Paris, the 15th-largest agency company in the world, agreed to be acquired by GGT in London, the 22d largest. $(D5.$) Settlement in Comparator Case The S.E.C. settled cases against Comparator Systems, a company that had no successful products but that somehow became valued at a billion dollars, and two officials who had been accused of issuing financial reports that overstated the company's assets. Floyd Norris: Market Place.$(D6.$) Group to Buy Ryder Rental Unit Questor Partners Fund and a group of other investors plan to buy Ryder System's rental truck division for about $575 million. $(D16.$) Olivetti's New Chief Carlo de Benedetti may no longer be the chairman of Olivetti, the computer maker, but he remains a powerful shareholder. With this leverage, his representatives on the board ousted the company's chief executive and installed Roberto Colaninno, above, who headed an auto parts company controlled by Mr. de Benedetti. $(D3.$) Insurance Accord In Congress House and Senate leaders agreed on two major health insurance proposals, directing insurance companies to offer comparable coverage for mental and physical illnesses and to guarantee mothers coverage for at least 48 hours of hospital care after childbirth. $(A20.$) I.B.M. said it would provide benefits to the partners of lesbian and gay employees. It is the largest employer yet to extend health care coverage to couples of the same sex. $(A18.$) Barneys Parent Seeks to End Deal The parent company of Barneys New York, which filed for bankruptcy protection last January, said it was seeking to end a licensing agreement with its partner, Isetan. $(D6.$)