March 18, 1999

House Votes to Put Limits on Steel Imports The House voted decisively to limit steel imports, ignoring opposition from the Republican leadership and an almost certain veto by the White House, which argues that the measure would violate world trade agreements. The bill -- the first major trade measure of the new session of Congress -- directs the United States to limit annual steel imports from other nations to about 29 million tons of steel. It would be up to the Administration to decide whether to do so through quotas, tariffs or voluntary agreements. [Page A1.]

Peter H Lewis on Microsoft Corp's new Internet Explorer 5.0 Web browser, which has many new productivity enhancements and a radio features; browser can bring in radio stations from around the world or play old radio dramas; in addition, movie clips can be downloaded to watch over and over again; drawing (M)

New York Times/CBS News polls shows that New York State voters hold strongly partisan opinions, but also nagging reservations, about Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani, indicating that Senate contest between them would be highly competitive; shows Mrs Clinton leading Giuliani in several categories; more voters view her favorably; 48 percent say they would vote for her if election were held today; 39 percent say they would vote for Giuliani; survey shows that 4 out of 10 voters think that Mrs Clinton would not be effective representative for New York in Senate because she has never lived in state; poll also shows that 6 out of 10 voters north of New York City suburbs are unable to give opinion of Giuliani; graph (M)

Interview with Barbara Barry, one of Hollywood's leading designers; photos (L)

Interview with motion picture producer Brian Grazer, who describes $2 million-plus interior renovation of Los Angeles home once owned by Gregory Peck; photos (L)