December 28, 1999

Israel's third-largest political party, Shas, says it will quit Prime Min Ehud Barak's government because it does not adequately support programs for poor; party's departure would throw governing coalition into chaos just as it moves into criticial period, facing key budgetary and peacemaking deadlines; Barak asks Shas to wait 24 hours to see what could be resolved, and party agrees; Shas, ultra-Orthodox group, has made so many threats to bolt Barak's coalition that many Israelis, including Barak, are skeptical that announcement is anything more than posturing; Shas's withdrawal would leave Barak with minority government of 51 out of 120 members of Legislature; small parties and Arab parties can be expected to keep Barak's government from falling, but Shas's withdrawal would be destabilizing event at sensitive moment; photo (M)

Second article in series, The State of the Campaign, focuses on Vice Pres Al Gore's campaign to win preesidential nomination and election; common assumption about Gore's once-inevitable candidacy was shattered by Bill Bradley, prompting Gore to undergo series of transformations to regain his lock on nomination; Gore moved his campaign to Nashville, pared his staff, cut salaries and shed off-putting, cumbersome entourage that once enveloped him on campaign trail; still, he is burdened by aura as cautious, calculating Washington insider; Gore's reinvention of himself has led to undue focus on performance aspects of politics rather than on what his supporters consider his strongest assets: his experience and command of issues; Gore is ahead of Bradley in national polls, but he lags in hypothetical matchups against Gov George W Bush in general election; photos (L)

New York Jets defeat Miami Dolphins, 38-31; photos (M)

Scientists are developing provocative new theories to explain autism, inspired by new findings on the way animal brains develop before and after birth; hope to determine when in development and where in the brain the complex interaction of genes and environment causes things to go astray; are learning more about brain circuitry that gives rise to human traits like language, empathy and awareness that other people have beliefs and desires different from one's own; concede that it will take many years to understand genetics and neurochemistry of autism; believes intensive one-on-one treatment of autistic children should begin by age 2 or 3; drawing (M)

Clyde Haberman NYC column follow up on his 1999 columns about brushes with law; Preston King continues to press to void 1958 draft evasion conviction that keeps him from returning home; settlement seems possible in case of Frank Smith, Attica state prison inmate leader whose damage award for brutal treatment after 1971 prison uprising was overturned; Rev Joseph Gilmore and wife Rachel Thompson paid small fine for celebrating end of her seminary classes with champagne toast in New York City park (M)