January 3, 2001

NYC: Political Joke That's Past Its Primary**Clyde Haberman NYC column discusses negative reaction to Hillary Rodham Clinton's purchase of $2 million home in Washington, DC, and her signing $8 million book advance with Simon & Schuster; says Mrs Clinton should be given honeymoon period like every other newly elected politican receives (M)

Gov George Pataki, five months after New York adopted nation's strictest gun controls, calls for campaign against illegal gun trafficking, with tougher criminal penalties and creation of state police team (M)

Efforts by many employers to alleviate work practices that cause repetitive motion injuries described; photos (M)

Prionics of Switzerland develops test that pinpoints whether animals are infected with prion that causes cow disease and does so before damage to cow's brain is visible; is on cusp of profiting from widespread determination to test beef cattle more widely to prevent mad cow disease from entering human food chain; Bruno Oesch, Prionics founder, comments; photo (M)

National Association of Purchasing Management reports its factory index was 43.7 in December, down from 47.7 in November, suggesting that overall economy was growing at rate of less than 1 percent a year; report adds new intensity to debate over whether US economy is headed for recession this year; index is near 1991 level (M)