July 26, 2001

Mary Sheila Gall, Pres Bush's choice to head Consumer Product Safety Commission, is criticized at confirmation hearing by Democrats, who say she is concerned about industry but not about children and blames consumers when products from bunk beds to baby bath seats cause injuries; defends herself, saying she does not think that much progress can be achieved if you 'club people over the head'; photo (M)

New data compiled by Robert Kraut of Carnegie Mellon University contradicts, in many respects, his earlier conclusion that loneliness, depression and isolation are associated with Internet use; photos (M)

House Republican leaders postpone action on patients' bill of rights, lacking votes needed for quick victory; action comes even after Pres Bush summons lawmakers to White House and lobbies them to support Republican version of bill, opposed by almost all Democrats in House; Bush has relied on House to advance his agenda and to block Democratic initiatives since Democrats took control of Senate in early June; but House Republicans are no longer showing unity and discipline with which they passed his tax cut earlier this year; most Democrats support patients' rights bill introduced by Rep Greg Ganske, Republican, and Rep John D Dingell, Democrat, that is nearly identical to bill passed by Senate; Bush and most House Republicans support measure introduced by Rep Ernie Fletcher, Republican, and Rep Collin C Peterson, Democrat; chart compares two bills; photo (M)

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column notes NBA's interest in street basketball, sending camera crew to Entertainers Classic in Harlem for broadcast on NBA.com TV; photo (M)

South Korea's Pohang Iron and Steel says sales in first half of year totaled $4.26 billion, drop of 4.8 percent from year earlier; says net profit was $271 million, down from $748 million year ago; chairman, Yoo Sang Boo, says he has no hopes of recovery this year (S)