January 13, 2000

CBS News anchor Dan Rather calls decision to superimpose digitally created CBS logo to block out NBC-sponsored sign in Times Square during CBS's news coverage of New Year's Eve celebrations 'a mistake' that he regrets; CBS decision to use form of technology that allows electronically created images to replace actual structures has stirred debate inside CBS News; CBS News president Andrew Heyward, responding to questions about article on topic in Jan 12 edition of The New York Times, defends CBS's use of technology, developed by firm called Princeton Video Image; network has regularly used it on its morning news program, The Early Show, to display CBS promotion; adds Rather has not been part of 'internal discussion' about using technique; CBS Television president Leslie Moonves supports Heyward, who says there has been 'vigorous debate' on use of technology inside CBS News; Jeff Zucker, executive producer of NBC's Today program, says NBC was offered same technology and passed on it; ABC News spokeswoman Eileen Murphy says ABC decided not to use technology (M)

British government ends its ban on openly gay men and women serving in armed forces, following European court ruling that Britain could no longer keep the exclusion; this ends Britain's decades-old practice of subjecting gays in military to intrusive investigations and dishonorable discharges; change brings Britain into line with almost all other NATO nations, which allow openly gay men and lesbians to serve in their armed forces; United States, with its 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, is at variance with trend; Britain's about-face became inevitable after European Court of Human Rights unanimously ruled last September in favor of four former servicemen and servicewomen who were discharged in mid-1990's because of their homosexuality; photo (M)

Turkish leaders postpone execution of country's most prominent Kurdish rebel, Abdullah Ocalan, in response to European pressure; postponement of his sentence means he will probably remain alive for at least year, and perhaps escape death sentence altogether; decision is to postpone execution until European Court of Human Rights rules on Ocalan's appeal, but there is no guarantee that Turkey would accept court's ruling; Ocalan's fate has become major factor in debate among European leaders over Turkey's entry into European Union; all current members have banned death penalty; latest Turkish decision also holds possibility of improved relations between Turkish government and Kurds who sympathize with Ocalan; government decision marks victory for Prime Min Bulent Ecevit, who opposes death penalty and is very eager to lead his country toward European Union (M)

Roberta Smith Critic's Notebook article on exhibition at Roth Horowitz gallery featuring 60 photographs of lynchings in United States between 1883 and 1960, mostly in the South and mostly of black victims; photos, which were collected by James E Allen, are largely original photographic postcards that were produced by the hundreds and sent through mail; book published this month, Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America, reproduces 98 images from collection with accompanying essays; photo (M)

On Pro Football column discusses new New York Jets owner Robert Wood Johnson IV and his chances of re-signing Bill Parcells as coach (M)

Day jobs in online and other high-tech businesses are becoming attractive alternative to waiting tables for many aspiring young performers in New York; older performers are getting into act as well; photos (M)

Zia pueblo near Albuquerque is fighting for control of Zia sun sign, traditional symbol consisting of circle with lines radiating in four directions, which has become ubiquitous image throughout New Mexico; pueblo has protested American Frontier Motorcycle Tours receipt of trademark incorporating version of symbol; has also demanded $74 million from state for using symbol without permission; United States Patent and Trademark Office, partly in response to dispute, is investigating legal status of Native American tribal symbols; photos (M)

Anna Kisselgoff reviews Mark Morris Dance Company performance at New Victory Theater, featuring New York premieres of three works; photo (M)

Christie's and Sotheby's auction houses are setting their estimates artificially low as strategy to lure buyers and incite bidding from floor, thereby generating excitement that ratchets up prices; photos of several antiques that were priced low and sold high (M)

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column recalls career of Tony Perez following his election into Baseball's Hall of Fame; photo (M)

Supreme Court rules that flight at mere sight of police officer could often, in context of other factors, be suspicious enough to justify police in conducting stop-and-frisk search; all nine justices agree with broadly stated view, but court splits 5 to 4 on how to apply it to facts of Chicago case in which man bolted at sight of convoy of police cars; decision overturns ruling by Illinois Supreme Court that fleeing at high speed could not provide 'reasonable suspicion' necessary to justify stop-and-frisk search; situation in case is one that occurs frequently in ordinary police work, and state courts have been in disarray over circumstances under which flight justifies search; Court also rules, 9 to 0, that criminal defendants do not have constitutional right to represent themselves on appeal, upholding ruling by California appellate court; justices hear opening arguments on constitutionality of Washington State grandparents' visitation law; photo (M)

Joyce Purnick Metro Matters column discusses Hillary Rodham Clinton's appearance on Late Night With David Letterman television program (M)