Article by Marcelle Clements, author who studied music in France and US on French singer, songwriter and actor Charles Aznavour's upcoming solo performance on Broadway, in English and French, in Aznavour; history of French chanson traced; photos (L)

Sighing, a French Sound Endures

Louis Uchitelle assesses performance of US economy since 1991 recession; massive economic expansion took place but has slowed because of global financial crisis; expansion of 1990's is weakest since World War II and worker productivity has not kept pace; most household incomes, adjusted for inflation, are no higher than in 1989; drawings; graphs (L)

Muscleman, or 98-Pound Weakling?

Stephan Talty comment on appeal and allure of the Rolex watch, coveted even by some some people who have no real clue about why they want to own one; photo (M)

Having It: Desire Bides Its Time

Political hysteria touched off by Joseph McCarthy in 1950 recalled in light of declassification of many US and Soviet intelligence documents from cold war; photo; flood of new scholarship revives old, impassioned, arguments between right and left, with some on right even flirting with revival of McCarthy himself (M)

Witching Hour; Rethinking McCarthyism, if Not McCarthy

Article on surge in number of apartments being combined by owners in Manhattan; says increase has been assisted by change in regulations of New York City Buildings Department, which decided a year ago that it would no longer require revised certificate of occupancy when spaces are connected; some examples cited; diagrams; photos (M)

In Combining Apartments, 1 + 1 = 2+

Nationalist Chinese soldiers who fled first to Taiwan and later emigrated to United States are seeking recognition and help after decades of penury; stage demonstrations in Chinatown, New York City, appeal to politicians and court Chinese-language news media to press their demands for more retirement benefits from Taiwan; photos (M)

Taiwan's Old Soldiers, Forsaken in New York

Republicans are retreating from their hopes for huge electoral gains driven by Monica Lewinsky scandal; some newly confident Democrats predict they will even pick up Congressional seats this year; strategists for both parties see return to pre-scandal environment, with most incumbents still widely favored and no overarching issues aiding one party; many Democratic candidates weigh running advertisements scoring Republicans for dragging out impeachment probe should strategy boost Jay Inslee's House race in Washington State; graph of past midterm election losses suffered by President's party (M)

As Elections Near, Both Parties Reassess Prospects

Robert Lipsyte column on parenting skills that adults must take on when caring for their aging parents; describes accompanying his 91-year-old mother to doctor's office; drawing (M)

When the Son Becomes the Parent

Comment on media hype about supposed return of 'glam rock,' 1970's era when male rockers wore eye shadow and feather boas; revival is promoted by Todd Haynes' new movie Velvet Goldmine, fictionalized re-creation of British rock scene when, in reaction to frumpy hippiedom, T Rex singer Marc Bolan started wearing glitter and former folkie David Bowie decked himself out as sexually ambiguous spaceman Ziggy Stardust; photos (M)

Golden Years 2: Is Glam's Return Real or Fantasy?

Article on 1999 Honda Odyssey minivan; chart; photos (M)

BEHIND THE WHEEL/ 1999 Honda Odyssey; The New Life of the Minivan Party

Democratic hopes of making prosecutor Kenneth Starr their star witness in Congressional hearings, to deflect attention from Pres Clinton's legal problems, discussed; photo; their talk of expansive inquisition is countered by Repr Henry J Hyde's concern to streamline charges before his House Judiciary Committee, to wrap up proceedings by end of year (M)

Be Careful What You Ask For; What the Democrats Have in Mind for Ken Starr, Maybe

Sports of The Times column on high expectations for New York Yankees (S)

Sports of The Times; Yankees Themselves Raise Stakes

Four years after American troops landed in Haiti to restore democracy, a government impasse there has evaporated hopes for an era of prosperity and stability.       Article, page 6.  

Hopes Dim in Haiti

Special report, Easy Money, on role many United States investment banks played in rise and fall of Russian economy; Wall Street bankers, lured by prospect of big fees, helped Government, business elite and regional governments sell debt abroad not backed by reliable income streams; enabled Russia to build roaring bond market without developing banking system that provides conventional loans; governments and businesss have incurred massive short-term debt; adroit way in which Goldman, Sachs & Co escaped unscathed after helping Government sell $1.25 billion in bonds that are now nearly worthless cited; graphs; photos (L)

EASY MONEY: A special report.; For Russia and Its U.S. Bankers, Match Wasn't Made in Heaven

Britain arrests former Chilean dictator Gen Augusto Pinochet, in London for back surgery, after Spain seeks his extradition for presumed murder of hundreds of Chilean and Spanish citizens; likely legal struggle over highly unusual arrest could have wide implications for prosecution of alleged human rights violators under international law; Chilean Government demands his release, holding he has diplomatic immunity; Chileans remain deeply divided over his legacy; Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon issued international arrest warrant; photo (M)

BRITAIN ARRESTS PINOCHET TO FACE CHARGES BY SPAIN

New York Yankees defeat San Diego Padres, 9-6, in first game of World Series; photos of highlight moments: Tino Martinez hits grand slam home run, 17th in World Series history; Chuck Knoblauch hits three-run homer and redeems himself after error in playoff game; photos (M)

An Inning of Power Puts the Yankees on Top

 Few Checks on Union  An investigation into New York City's largest union of municipal workers reveals rampant corruption and little oversight. Page 37.    Meeting on Bomb Suspect  Saudis have met with Afghan leaders to try to persuade them to deport the man suspected of organizing the American embassy attacks. Page 6.

INSIDE

Gretchen Morgenson column assesses past week's performance of Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor's 500-stock index; focuses on impact on equities (M)

Week for Wishful Thinkers

Article on life of small-town hospital accountant James F Alderson since filing 1993 suit on behalf of US government against Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp and Quorum Health Group; government joins suit, alleging that giant hospital companies cheated government with bogus expense claims; photos (L)

He Blew the Whistle, And Health Giants Quaked

1873 cast-iron building on 453 Broome Street is undergoing restoration to include two penthouse duplex lofts, each renting for $11,000 a month; drawing (M)

POSTINGS: At 453 Broome Street, With Lofts at $11,000 a Month; Spiffing Up an 1873 Cast-Iron Building in SoHo

Construction is to start on first rental apartment building in Manhattan with meals and support services for low and moderate-income elderly residents; $23 million de Sales Assisted Living project will rise on what is now parking lot at corner of Fifth Avenue and 108th Street (S) yy

POSTINGS: 127 Apartments at 108th Street; Assisted Living On Fifth Ave.

Wisconsin's widely hailed year-old effort to help Milwaukee's poor move from welfare to work is plagued in practice by uneven casework and unresponsive bureaucracies that can make customized employment services cumbersome, if not impossible, to use; gaps between generous theory and bumpy practice are noteworthy because Wisconsin plan has helped shape national consensus on aid to poor; many former welfare recipients have achieved kind of back-door success by walking away from program to find jobs on own; graph of drop in welfare cases in state; photos (M)

Wisconsin Welfare Experiment: Easy to Say, Not So Easy to Do

New York Yankees defeat San Diego Padres, 9-6, in first World Series game; photo (M)

One Big Inning Gives the Yankees a 1-0 Lead

Changes on New York City's Sullivan Street between Spring and Houston, hub of SoHo neighborhood, described; old-time groceries, bakeries, butchers, barbershops and social clubs have been replaced by trendy, high-priced dining spots; Anna Maggio, 91, and newcomer Erin Daniels, 26, comment; photos; maps; charts (L)

Two-Way Street

Frank Rich column on latest changes in Broadway theater, decimated in 1980's, transformed by economic realities and annexed and exploited in 1990's by entertainment conglomerates; decries fact that nonprofit theater hits now remain in small houses and never make it to Broadway; drawings (L)

October 18, 1998

Headlines from October 18, 1998

Sighing, a French Sound Endures

Muscleman, or 98-Pound Weakling?

Having It: Desire Bides Its Time

Witching Hour; Rethinking McCarthyism, if Not McCarthy

In Combining Apartments, 1 + 1 = 2+

Billboard 200

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life

Aquemini

The Love Movement

The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill

The Globe Sessions

Historical Context for October 18, 1998