December 13, 1997

Wording of temporary ruling issued on Dec 11 in Government's antitrust case suggests that final decision next summer could erode power of the company, which had seemed poised to dominate information industries around globe far into next century (M)

Republicans hope to turn agreement to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases into a weapon to use against Vice Pres Al Gore, portraying it as an unprecedented government seizure of American freedom and sovereignty; note that while public supports strong environmental action, it also supported the basic idea of health insurance for all in 1994 but was nevertheless brought around to see Pres Clinton's health plan as the work of a big-government liberal; others in party urge caution, recalling how Republicans have often fallen on wrong side in environmental debate; Republican opportunity is enhanced by division between Democrats' environmental and labor constituencies (M)

Unlikely coalition of New York hospitals and hospital workers announces proposal to take over Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield in bold effort by the medical industry to regain control of its financial destiny; leading proponents of the plan are Kenneth E Raske, executive director of Greater New York Hospital Assn, and Dennis Rivera, president of 1199 National Health and Human Service Employees Union (M)

New York City police officers responding to anonymous phone call find an 11-year-old girl covered with sores living with her mother and the mother's boyfriend in dilapidated Harlem brownstone; the mother, whom the police did not name to protect the child's identity, and her boyfriend, Ronald Sheffield, are arrested on child endangerment charges (M)

Billions of dollars in Government subsidies have created a dramatic housing renaissance in much of the South Bronx; but residents and local activists say the area still suffers from widespread abject poverty and many neighborhoods remain ravaged wastelands; map; photos (M)