November 26, 1998

Newest electric toy trains, not meant only for children, are so accurately detailed and so crammed with high-tech electronics and sound systems that their realism is amazing; some engines cost as much as $1,500; photos (M)

Article on 80-year-old music promoter Harold Leventhal, who began producing shows during World War II and is now down to one event a year, two Thanksgiving Day concerts featuring Arlo Guthrie, with Pete Seeger as guest, at Carnegie Hall; says Leventhal remains living history of 20th-century music from big-band era through folk revival; Seeger comments; photo (M)

New York Yankees sign centerfielder Bernie Williams to seven year, $87.5 million contract; photo (M)

Exxon Corp and Mobil Corp are reportedly holding discussions about possible merger; it is unclear whether talks are continuing; if companies are to merge, it would create largest US company in terms of revenue (M)

Rear Adm John T Scudi has been relieved of Penatagon duties and charged with improperly steering military contracts to consulting firm owned by woman with whom he had long adulterous affair; charges include ethics violations, obstruction of justice, giving false statements and adultery; photo (M)y

Anna Kisselgoff reviews New York City Ballet's 50th-anniversary gala at New York State Theater; photos (M)

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times on New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner signing centerfielder Bernie Williams to seven-year, $87.5 million contract; photo (M)

British Law Lords, 3-2, reject former Chilean dictator Gen Augusto Pinochet's sovereign immunity claim and require him to remain in custody in London while Spain seeks his extradition on mass murder and genocide charges; Home Sec Jack Straw must now rule on matter; Amnesty International hails decision; photo (M)

New York Yankees, in stunning reversal, agree to center fielder Bernie Williams's demand for seven-year pact worth $87.5 million; respond to Baltimore's offered of $65 million to Albert Belle, who had been seen as Williams's likely replacement; Yankees will field virtually same group of players in 1999 as in championship 1998 season, rarity since advent of free agency; Mo Vaughn agrees to six-year, $80 million deal with Anaheim Angels; photos (M)

House Judiciary Committee staff is beginning to draft three articles of impeachment against Pres Clinton; proposed articles would charge perjury, obstruction of justice and witness tampering and abuse of power; Rep Henry J Hyde, committee chairman, is overseeing work, which is being done by David P Schippers and Thomas E Mooney Sr; Hyde threatens to subpoena Clinton unless he quickly answers 81 questions committee sent him three weeks ago; White House says Clinton will answer (M)

Two private developers are planning several thousand units of housing in Tuxedo, NY, including shingle-style cottages by architect Robert A M Stern; town and its 3,000 inhabitants are struggling to bring order to new subdivisions, which they worry will clog main route through town, overcrowd schools and overburden sewers; few of townspeople vow to stop developers; drawings (M)

Work of New York Times Neediest Cases Fund during holidays discussed; Thanksgiving party for Rhinelander Children's Center's Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teenagers discussed; photo (M)