April 23, 1999

Clyde Haberman column contends that broad spectrum of New Yorkers wants drastic changes in tough drug laws passed in 1973 under Gov Nelson A Rockefeller; notes that laws require minimum sentence of 15 years to life for anyone convicted of selling two ounces, or possessing four ounces of narcotic substance; discusses plight of Elaine Bartlett, who is serving term of 20 years to life for delivering four ounces of cocaine to contact who turned out to be police informer in 1983 (M)

Deutsche Telekom chief executive Ron Sommer and Telecom Italia chief executive Franco Bernabe outline their shared vision for global telecommunications giant, but cannot offer details of hastily arranged $82 billion merger of their companies, news conference; executives say they do not have name for new company; photo (M)

Paleontologists, digging beneath a sere plain in Ethiopia, find skull and other fossils of what they say is new prehuman species, possibly long-sought connecting link between apelike ancestors and human family; dozens of yards from site, scientists working with paleontologists discover earliest known traces of stone tools being used to butcher animals; both finds, which are being reported in today's issue of Science, are dated to 2.5 million years ago, in middle of shadowy but pivotal period in human prehistory; photo of skull; chart (M)

Genes and Sexuality Researchers say they are unable to confirm a widely publicized study linking male homosexuality to a region of one chromosome. Page A18.

AT&T Corp, bidding to become largest cable television provider in US, makes unsolicited offer to acquire Mediaone Group Inc for about $58 billion in cash and stock; AT&T is trying to break up deal announced last month in which Mediaone agreed to be acquired by Comcast Corp for $53 million in stock; AT&T has already won support of Amos B Hostetter, whose family is Mediaone's biggest shareholder, with about 13 percent of company; AT&T chairman C Michael Armstrong and Mediaone chairman Charles M Lillis comment; map; photos (M)