August 2, 2001

BP reportedly prevails in long-running battle over Sidanko, Russian oil company in which it invested $484 million, and will regain control of key Siberian oil field it lost to Tyumen Oil in 1999 Sidanko bankruptcy auction; Tyumen reported agrees to buy Interros's 44 percent stake in Sidanko on terms that value company at about $1.5 billion; BP will retain its 10 percent stake and continue to run Sidanko, while Tyumen will own over 80 percent of company; deal also resolves conflict over undeveloped gas field in Irkutsk; BP will retain its 31 percent stake, while Tyumen and Interros will each have about 25 percent (M)

Several companies are developing disposable wireless phones they hope to begin selling nationwide early in 2002; experts still question whether such devices can be made and distributed profitably and whether carriers can make money from them; Dieceland Technologies is developing phone that looks like credit card with keypad that will be sold inexpensively, preloaded with airtime; Telespree is developing semi-disposable system; Hop-On Wire is developing voice-activated wallet-size disposable; photos (M)

The E.P.A.'s decision to proceed with the cleanup plan for the Hudson River appears to have settled the biggest question about the river -- whether to dredge it to remove the PCB chemicals on its bottom. But there are inevitable skirmishes ahead, legal experts said. Article, Page B1.

Article discusses how efforts to build new government office building in Catskill, NY, is encountering resistance from preservationists who fear 21st century amenities will obliterate 19th century charms; disagreement involves proposed $14.7 million, four-story, 108,000-square-foot office building on Main Street and 537 parking spaces it would require in downtown area; opposition to planned demolition of 11 structures noted; photo; map (M)

Korey Stringer, offensive tackle for Minnesota Vikings, dies day after collapsing from heat stroke at Vikings' training camp in Mankato, Minn; his death sparks discussion and review of training camp procedures in extreme heat throughout National Football League; Stringer, 27, was 6-foot-4-inch, 335-pound league all-star entering his seventh professional season; he complained of exhaustion after being unable to complete practice in Vikings' first practice of training camp on July 30 and was carted off field; he returned for practice July 31 and lasted nearly two and half hours, as temperatures hovered above 90 degrees; during that time he vomited three times and complained of dizziness and weakness; he was driven by ambulance to hospital, where his temperature was 108 degrees; he died early next morning; Stringer's is first on-field death of National Football League player by heat stroke; photos (M)

At Home With column on interior decor of Manhattan home of George Wein, who has played pivotal role in jazz as pianist, club owner, festival promoter, and his wife, Joyce; home is given over to their collection of paintings and sculptures, mostly by African-Americans; photos (M)

Federal District Court, White Plains, NY, Judge Charles Brieant rules that conversations between members of Alcoholics Anonymous have same sort of privilege as contacts between clerics and parishioners; overturns conviction of Paul Cox, who is serving 16 2/3 year sentence for 1988 killings of Dr Shanta Chervu and her husband Dr Lakshman Rao Chervu in Larchmont; Cox's statements at Alcoholics Anonymous meeting were used to covict him of murders (M)

Article discusses leadership training for teenage girls at rustic Val-Kill cottage in Hyde Park, NY, historic retreat of Eleanor Roosevelt; Maryann Fallek, coordinator of Val-Kill program, says that in offering young girls lessons in Mrs Roosevelt's life and beliefs, hope is that it will instill definition of leadership as she lived it; photo (M)

Dinitia Smith article on offerings at Urbanworld Film Festival, which opened in Manhattan and is showcasing films by and about blacks; festival is showcasing movies with more universal appeal, avoiding stereotyped portrayals of blacks; photos (M)

Pres Bush and Rep Charlie Norwood, leader of six-year campaign to enact patients' bill of rights, say they have agreed on compromise legislation, clearing way for House passage of measure this week; Norwood's allies in Congress are stunned; agreement is seen as personal triumph for Bush, sparing him from what could have been major political embarrassment if House voted for orginal version of Norwood's bill in defiance of Bush's threat to veto it; compromise would make it easier for patients to sue insurance companies in state court and to collect damages in cases where care is wrongly denied; but agreement would allow employers to take steps to protect themselves from liability; Sen John McCain, chief Senate sponsor of patients' rights bill, says House bill favors HMO over patient; Sen Edward M Kennedy notes that while House bill gives patients right to sue, there is no enforcement mechanism; photo (M)

New York Yankees defeat Texas Rangers, 9-7; photo (M)

Article discusses reaction in New York Giants and New York Jets training camps to death of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer from heat stroke; photo (M)