April 15, 2002

States pursuing stiff antitrust sanctions against Microsoft Corp are preparing to rest their case, clearing way for what is expected to be month of testimony by Microsoft witnesses who will urge Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to apply lighter touch; it appears increasingly likely that her decision may rest on question of whether consumers would have choice in PC operations today if Microsoft had not violated antitrust laws to maintain its Windows monopoly in mid-1990's (M)

Sec of State Colin L Powell meets with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat in largely destroyed headquarters in Ramallah, Arafat's first meeting with top American official since Israel declared him irrelevant months ago; Arafat tells Powell no cease-fire is possible until Israel ends military operation in West Bank and withdraws from cities and towns it rcently occupied; Powell reportedly delivers blunt message, warning Arafat of need to make changes in interests of peace; later meets with Israeli Prime Min Ariel Sharon, who proposes international summit on Middle East along lines of 1991 Madrid conference but without participation of Arafat; presses Pres Bush's request for full Israeli withdrawal; photos; map (M)

Project Grayhawk, financial scheme allegedly used by Enron's senior managers to increase profits by funneling inside information about company to affiliated partnership, is reportedly centerpiece of criminal investigation of company and its officers by FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission; witnesses reportedly tell investigators partnership used secret details in determining how and whether to limit exposure to swings in Enron stock; when Enron stock climbed, partnership and company profited handsomely; investigators seek to determine whether activity broke insider trading laws or another criminal statute; photos (M)

Ben Brantley reviews revival of Bernard Pomerance play The Elephant Man, directed by Sean Mathias; Billy Crudup, Rupert Graves and Kate Burton star; photos (M)

Political analysts from both parties say number of women in Congress, 60 in House and 13 in Senate, may rise in 2002 election year but only by handful and could also decline; say more realistic goal for women is governor's mansion; governorships are at stake in 36 states, and women are credible candidates in dozen races; real dimensions of most contests are uncertain, because many of states hold late primaries to choose nominees; outlook for women in House and Senate contests discussed; 42 of 435 seats in House are open, compared with 93 in 1992; 34 Senate seats are up for election, but only 4 are open; photos; charts; graphs (M)