September 7, 2000

Award in Online Music Case MP3.com was ordered to pay damages that could reach $250 million in one of the first legal tests of online music distribution. PAGE C1

Atlantic coastal area of Canada is emerging as major source of oil and natural gas, with Northeastern US as its primary customer; Hibernia oil field and Sable gas field are already in production; Terra Nova, $200 million, 14-story oil production vessel will move 220 miles east of St John's, Newfoundland, next spring, lock into place over 400-million-barrel pool of oil, and start pumping 100,000 barrels a day, largely for Northeastern US; Nova Scotia has started sending gas south, and that flow could increase greatly in coming years; Atlantic Canada, from Nova Scotia to Labrador, could prove to be next-generation North Sea or Prudhoe Bay; Newfoundland, long Canada's poorest province, stands to reap biggest benefit; of the 11 oil fields larger than 100 million barrels discovered worldwide since 1979, 4 have been off coast of Newfoundland, on Grand Banks; Newfoundland is in midst of 15-year, $10 billion oil investment plan; by 2004, province will be pumping 400,000 barrels a day, same amount as small OPEC producer; map; photos (M)

Tire Hearings Scrutinize Firestone and Ford Motor Newly released documents provided additional evidence that Bridgestone/Firestone and possibly Ford Motor knew about a pattern of tire failures long before a recall was announced in August.

Assistant US Attorney Gary R Brown says that diary kept by Michael Swango explained his motive for poisoning numerous patients; say Swango's motive for slayings was pure joy of watching and smelling death; photo (M)

Vice Pres Al Gore outlines series of social and economic goals he says are attainable given nation's current prosperity, and he presents mountain of supporting detail intended to make Gov George W Bush's financial plan pale in comparison, speech, Cleveland State University; speech reflects shift in language and approach for Gore, who now speaks of 'middle-class families' rather than 'working families'; Gore's booklength economic blueprint reignites debate with Bush over whose plan can best manage projected budget surplus over next decade without ruining economy; Bush says Gore's many spending promises would eat through surplus; Gore, hoping to deflect such perception, pledges to set aside $300 billion as hedge against overly optimistic fiscal projections; photo (M)