September 19, 2000

Scientists who collaborated on the birth of a panda at San Diego Zoo in August 1999 plan to use the experience and knowledged they gained to repeat their success once the mother panda stops nursing and begins ovulating again; researchers at zoo and in China are working to enhance pandas' physical and psychological health, foster their chemical communication and develop infant formulas more like natural panda milk; breeding program at Wolong Nature Preserve in Sichuan has had unprecedented success the last two years; photos; drawings (L)

Pieter van den Hoogenband of Netherlands wins gold medal in 200-meter freestyle in world record 1 minute 45.35 seconds at Sydney Olympics; Ian Thorpe of Australia wins silver medal and Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy bronze; Lenny Krayzelburg of US wins 100-meter backstroke; Matthew Welsh of Australia wins silver medal and Stev Theloke of Germany bronze; Megan Quann of US wins women's 100-meter breastroke, Leisel Jones of Australia wins silver medal and Penny Heyns of South Africa bronze; photos (M)

Oil Prices Approach $37 On Iraq-Kuwait Tension Oil prices surged to their highest levels in a decade on fears that rising tensions between Iraq and Kuwait would disrupt the flow of crude oil from the Persian Gulf at a time when petroleum supplies are extremely tight. In New York, the price of crude oil for October delivery increased 96 cents, or 2.7 percent, to $36.88 a barrel, the steepest price for oil since the Persian Gulf war. In London, the price of Brent crude oil for delivery in November also reached a 10-year peak, rising 99 cents, to $34.97 a barrel. [Page C4.]

Five siblings of Brown family of Hartsdale, NY, ages 14 to 21, are studying piano at Juilliard School, where two are freshmen, two are seniors and fifth is in pre-college division; photos of Ryan, Deondra, Gregory, Desirae and Melody Brown (M)

Cleveland Indians beat New York Yankees, 2-0; Cleveland pitcher Bartolo Colon limits Yankees to one hit; photo (M)