May 29, 2002

Profile of Brian Williams, who will succeed Tom Brokaw as anchor of NBC Nightly News when Brokaw gives up position after 2004 Presidential election; Williams says he was about 6 years old when he thought of becoming news anchor; photo (M)

As Tiger Woods walked up the 18th fairway at Bethpage State Park's Black Course this morning, the atmosphere was top secret, the gallery consisted of state troopers, and the birds chirping in the background were the loudest spectators. The atmosphere will be far more chaotic when Woods returns to Bethpage for the United States Open from June 13 to 16. But this morning, Woods began his Open preparation in cloak-and-dagger fashion, practicing at the Black Course for about three hours along with his close friend Mark O'Meara, a winner of two major championships. Woods entered the golf course from an adjacent access road, to avoid walking through the clubhouse. He began his round on the third hole, he finished on the second hole, and he left the course from the same access road, surrounded by state troopers.

NATO formally welcomes Russia as partner but not full-fledged member in organization created 53 years ago to contain Soviet power and expansion; meeting of leaders of 19 member nations in Rome includes Pres Bush and Pres Vladimir Putin; Bush says agreement joins former foes as partners, overcoming 50 years of division and decade of uncertainty; similar sentiments are echoed by Putin, who nevertheless describes agreement as only a beginning, noting that relations between NATO and Russia have historically been far from straightforward; new agreement replaces 1997 accord negotiated during Clinton administration that allowed Russia to participate in discussions only after alliance's members reached agreement on common position; gives Russia for first time immediate role in NATO discussions but not veto power over decisions or vote on expansion of membership; excludes Russia from collective defense pact in which all nation's pledge to come to each other's defense if necessary; photos (M)

Shares in Ssangyong Motor fall 8.6 percent, reflecting disappointment that PSA Peugeot Citroen is not interested in company; graph (S)

Roman Catholic churches of New York are running out of wall space for shrines to saints venerated by various immigrant groups, particularly Mexicans, who have brought with them to city their devotion to Virgin of Guadalupe; her shrines rankle non-Mexicans in some parishes, by Guadalupemania crosses ethnic lines in others; photo (M)