October 25, 1997

Hong Kong Rebounds, But Not U.S. Stocks Investors sent stocks sharply lower for a second day on Wall Street, despite a partial recovery in Hong Kong from the previous day's 10.4 percent drop. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 132.36 points, to 7,715.41, a drop of 1.7 percent atop Thursday's 2.3 percent fall. Many investors shifted into Treasury bonds, which rose for a second day.

Senate Moves on Nominees After weeks of criticism from the White House about its pace in confirming nominations, the Senate has begun moving quickly to confirm a backlog of nominees. Page A9.

New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct votes to remove Judge Lorin Duckman from bench, saying that Duckman, who sparked furor when domestic violence case he handled in Brooklyn ended in murder, had shown 'mean-spirited, bullying' bias against prosecutors and made disparaging or inappropriate remarks about blacks and women; panel also finds that Duckman appears to have general bias against vigorously prosecuted domestic violence cases; Duckman says he will appeal ruling; photo (M)

The President insisted that engagement with China was fundamental to America's economic and security interests. He meets with China's president next week. Page A6.

Problems of policy and protocol dog preparations for Chinese Pres Jiang Zemin's visit to US; Chinese insistence that Jiang receive exactly the same reception as Deng Xiaoping did 18 years ago cancels plans for White House tent party, since Deng was feted in East Room; smaller space leads to struggle over guest list, and alters site of news conference with Pres Clinton; Chinese insist on red-carpet treatment, and are irked at prospect of human rights demonstrators dogging Jiang's trail across country (M)