October 22, 1996

'Don't Ask' Policy Stands The Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of a Navy pilot who was discharged because he said he was a homosexual. Page D26. The Taliban's Worst Enemy The strict Islamic code imposed by the Taliban is undermining their support among Afghans and uniting rivals against them. Page A14. Changing Immigration Rules A new immigration law has the Justice Department seeking dismissal of class-action lawsuits. Page A20. Pataki's Fruitful Gamble The Governor's proposed environmental bond act has achieved rare widespread support. Page B1.

Weather forecasts by Jon B Davis, head of Smith Barney Inc's meteorology department, are watched carefully in grain and energy markets; Davis says Smith Barney's grain futures brokers and their clients are hungry for advice on any weather that can affect crops; Smith Barney is last major brokerage house to have its own weather department; private weather industry has grown up as brokerage firms join farmers and other industries demanding more detailed, frequent and accurate forecasts than National Weather Service provides; map; photos (M)

The American mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian talks announced today that he was leaving for Washington without a deal on Hebron in hand, prompting each side to blame the other for the delay. Dennis Ross, the United States special coordinator for the Middle East, insisted at a news conference that his departure did not spell a crisis or a breakdown of the talks and that he was leaving because the negotiations had reached a level of ''technicality and specificity'' that no longer required his daily attention.

Third suspect Kevin Lee is arrested in April 19 robbery and slaying of off-duty Teaneck Police Officer Robert L Fisher Jr, who was moonlighting as scurity guard at Sears store in Hackensack; Alva R McLean and Kevin A Richards have already been charged (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

International Business Machines Corp reports net earnings of $1.29 billion, or $2.45 a share in third quarter, compared with earnings of $1.3 billion in year-earlier quarter; revenue for quarter rose nearly 8 percent to $18.1 billion (M)