March 31, 1997

2 Networking Companies Plan a $3.7 Billion Merger Continuing the wave of consolidation in the computer networking industry, Ascend Communications said that it had agreed to acquire Cascade Communications in a stock swap valued at about $3.7 billion.

Palestinian police maintain tight and sometimes rough grip on rioters at flashpoints across West Bank, preventing dangerous surge of violence many feared on Land Day, annual day of protest by Arabs; both Palestinians and Israelis continue tough talk; Arab officials meeting Cairo threaten to revive economic and political isolation of Israel; both sides seem eager to prevent any rise in level of violence that has flared at borders of Palestinian areas for 11 days; efforts of Palestinian forces seem to reflect recognition among Palestinian leaders that there are limits beyond which violence could spiral out of control; photo (M)

New Jersey Transit lowers fees at park-and-ride lot at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford to coincide with bus fares (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Drunken driver kills pedestrian and injures 2 others, Irvington (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Russell R. Kucinski is not a terrorist, he says. And the object on the front seat of his car made of modeling clay, watch parts, wires and paper towel tubes painted red was a sculpture for an art class at Rutgers University. But it looked enough like a bomb to the New Brunswick police to cause them to evacuate 30 residents in a three-block area for three hours on Saturday and charge Mr. Kucinski, 19, with ''creating a hazardous or physically dangerous condition.''