March 5, 2002

Stocks rallied powerfully amid signs that the economy is recovering more quickly and strongly than investors had expected. Economic growth appears to be accelerating, and investors are snapping up stocks in the belief that corporate profits will soon follow. At least for the moment, the economy's recovery has overwhelmed concerns about corporate accounting as well as worries that stocks remain expensive by many historical benchmarks.

Article on search, sponsored by Zeiss Sports Optics, by group of birders and biologists, including habitat biologist Peter McBride, for elusive ivory-billed woodpecker in Pearl River Wildlife Management Area in Slidwell, La; no sightings have been confirmed since 1950's but Louisiana State University student reported seeing pair in spring of 1999; photos (M)

Seven American soldiers are killed in some of fiercest fighting of five-month war in Afghanistan as US ground forces take lead in large-scale combat operation for first time; die in incidents involving two helicopters, one hit by rocket-propelled grenade, while attempting to drop off reconaissance teams during heavy fighting in nearly inaccessible mountains near Gardez in east; deaths, along with that of Special Forces soldier day earlier, bring total casualties to eight killed and approximately 40 wounded since start of operation on March 2 to wipe out pocket of hard-core Al Qaeda fighters; operation involving approximately 2000 allied troops described; commander Gen Tommy R Franks comments; Pres Bush voices sadness over loss of American servicemen, but says he is determined to fulfill mission troops were sent to perform and to make sure US is free from further attack; photos; map; diagram (M)

New Jersey Supreme Court imposes strict limits on consensual auto searches that have been at heart of furor over racial profiling by state police; ruling is expected to affect police practices throughout state; court holds that before asking driver's permission to search, officer must have 'reasonable and articulable suspicion' of criminal activity; defense lawyers have expressed doubts that such searches can be truly consensual (M)

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter strains his neck; joins Jason Giambi on disabled list; photo (M)