November 15, 1998

Because the $206 billion tobacco settlement that emerged on Friday was reached by cigarette makers and state attorneys general, rather than Federal officials, it does not deal with the issue that cigarette makers have feared most: regulation by the Federal Food and Drug Administration. But precisely because it only involves state governments, the latest proposal is also likely to shift the focus of the debate over smoking back to where many people believe it belongs, to Congress and the White House. Neither has shown much determination on the issue since the defeat last spring of a Senate bill that would have cost the industry $516 billion. News Analysis, page 24.

Novelist Nelson DeMille article describes why he chooses to live on Long Island, NY (Special Best of Long Island Issue) (M)

NEW YORK, no matter what Mayor Giuliani says, is still a filthy place. But fear not. All over town, professional dirt-busters are at the ready to purge the darkest, most forbidden corners of the Naked City, like behind the toilet and under the couch. The city's housecleaning industry is booming, people in the business say, as more New Yorkers seem willing to pay someone else to scrub the toilet, damp-mop the kitchen and dust the tchotchkes on the mantle. What was once considered a luxury for Fifth Avenue matrons and assorted parvenus has become a near necessity for many working New Yorkers, whose household calculus has changed with the upswing in the city's economy. Too busy or too tired to clean, they reckon it's better, and sometimes more cost effective, to hire someone than to spend hours hunting dust bunnies behind the davenport.

Article previews 1998-1999 women's college basketball season; photo (M)

Saying that he is ''deeply troubled'' by the creation of part-human, part-cow embryonic stem cells reported last week, President Clinton has directed the National Bioethics Advisory Commission to consider the implications of the research at its Tuesday meeting and report to him ''as soon as possible.'' Mr. Clinton also asked for a review of embryonic stem-cell research in general. Article, page 31.

Article on Toyota Solara SLE, top-of-the-line mid-sized coupe for baby boomers; photos (M)

Indonesia Orders Crackdown Faced with a huge student protest and an outbreak of rioting and arson, President B. J. Habibie said he would take ''firm action'' to curb what he called subversive movements in Indonesia. Page 6. Holzman Dead at 78 Red Holzman, the Hall of Fame coach who led the New York Knicks to their two National Basketball Association championships, died Friday night. Page 46.

Article describes massacre in Kosovo province of 21 members of ethnic Albanian family by Serbian forces; massacre of Delijaj clan occurred during fierce guerrilla resistance to onslaught by Serbian tanks, artillery and infantry near village of Gornje Obrinje; maps; photo (M)

The beauty of sports is that no matter how unbeatable someone looks, there is no sure thing. The 49ers and the Packers lose. Tiger Woods and Martina Hingis lose. Later or maybe sooner, the Yankees and the Bulls will lose. But will the Tennessee women's basketball team ever lose? The Lady Vols have won 45 consecutive games and the last three national championships. In separate preseason polls, 42 news media members and 40 coaches have unanimously chosen them to repeat. Even such major rivals as Louisiana Tech and Connecticut say that Tennessee seems almost a sure bet.

Profile of James Marston Fitch, recipient of New York City's Historic Districts Council's Annual Preservation Award; photo (M)

US reportedly called off huge campaign of air strikes against Iraq after last-minute flurry of diplomatic activity resulted in Iraq's decision to allow UN arms inspectors to resume work; was hours away from first wave of attacks, which would have involved hundreds of cruise missiles launched from ships and B-52 bombers, as well as bombing of Iraqi targets by jet fighters; US officials say attack was aborted because of Iraqi Govt's positive response to last-ditch plea from UN Sec Gen Kofi Annan (M)

Iraq's Pres Saddam Hussein appears to back down in face of imminent US military attack and says Iraq will resume cooperation with UN arms inspectors; letter to UN Security Council sets conditions on agreement, restating demands that have already been rejected by US, Britain and other Council members; is again rejected as inadequate by US, and American forces remain poised to strike; most Council members say they are prepared to take Hussein at his word; urge quick resumption of arms inspections; Great Britain remains strong in support of US, even though delegates suggest London might be willing to give Iraq chance to re-admit inspectors; Prime Min Tony Blair says until Iraq's compliance is unconditional, British forces will remain on alert; photo (M)