May 24, 2002

Rev Francis X Nelson is arrested near his Harlem church and charged with molesting 12-year-old girl at her home in Brooklyn three years ago; church officials supervising Nelson were aware of allegations in 1999 and considered them credible, but he was allowed to transfer from Brooklyn to Archdiocese of New York, where officals say they first learned of accusation several days ago; photo (M)

Moody's Investors Service cuts debt ratings of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp, world's largest telecommunications company, citing growing competition (S)

Pakistan prepares to shift troops from border with Afghanistan, where they are hunting for Qaeda and Taliban fighters, to front in Kashmir, where tensions with India are quickly rising; government announcement underscores competing interests between ferreting out terrorist remnants while securing region against possibility of full-blown war between nuclear-armed rivals; India and Pakistan have million troops already massed along their 1,800-mile border; two armies are shelling each other with mounting intensity across dividing line in Kashmir; Defense Sec Donald H Rumsfeld expresses concern, noting that because of conflict, Pakistan has placed forces along Indian borders that could be used to help American soldiers along Afghan border (M)

British hedge fund Man Group agrees to buy RMF Investment Group of Switzerland for $833 million in cash and stock; enlarged group would be largest hedge fund in Europe (S)

In the final minute of an N.B.A. playoff game on Monday night, Doug Christie raised his left fist, extending his pinkie and index fingers toward the rafters of Arco Arena. Christie, a lanky swingman for the Sacramento Kings, appeared to be calling out a play for his teammates. But the message was actually intended for his wife, Jackie, seated in the stands. He often makes the same hand signal at least 50 times a game.