February 15, 2002

A Whistle-Blower Blames Ex-Chief for Enron's Demise An Enron executive who warned of dire financial problems months before Enron collapsed appeared before lawmakers and squarely blamed the company's former chief executive, Jeffrey K. Skilling, for its demise. But the executive, Sherron S. Watkins, told a Congressional committee that she believed that Kenneth L. Lay, Enron's former chairman, was largely unaware of the severity of Enron's troubles. [Page A1.] Hard Questions for Eisner at Disney When Michael D. Eisner, left, takes the stage at Walt Disney's annual shareholder meeting in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, he will have a lot of explaining to do. Ratings have plummeted 21 percent among total viewers at the ABC Network this season, putting ABC in third place. ABC Entertainment has replaced a handful of senior executives and shares have underperformed. [C5.]

Bombardier Inc demands 1 billion euros ($870 million) from DaimlerChrysler, contending carmaker overstated value of Adtranz train unit sold to Canadian company last year; says DaimlerChrysler did not disclose 850 million euros in costs from contractual obligations to third parties; DaimlerChrysler board member Manfred Bischoff says contention is 'baseless' (S)

Percy Barnevik, who is involved in dispute with former employer ABB over his pension benefits, will step down two months early as chairman of Investor after second request for him to repay some of his retirement funds; second request comes from member of Wallenberg family, which controls Investor; ABB wants Barnevik and his predecessor, Goran Lindahl, to return some of $138 million they received when they left (S)

Comment on strategies used by automakers to get their cars into motion pictures; photos (M)

For the first time, Palestinians destroyed an Israeli tank, planting a mine that punched through its belly and killed at least three soldiers. The attack followed an Israeli incursion into three Gaza towns. That, in turn, was a reponse to the Palestinian firing of rockets into Israel.