June 14, 2002

Astronomers for first time find planetary system of distant star that resembles Sun's family of planets in significant respects; host star of planetary system, 55 Cancri, is much like Sun in age and size; it has newly detected planet that resembles Jupiter in mass and, of greater importance, has orbit almost same as Jupiter's; in dynamics of solar system, Jupiter is pivotal in setting up conditions conducive to live on Earth; astronomers say it is not inconceivable that somewhere between Jupiter-like planet and its star orbits an Earth-like planet; findings are announced by Dr Geoffrey W Marcy of University of California at Berkeley, who led team, at news conference at National Aeronautics and Space Administration; drawing (M)

Cars of 1970's are coming of age as collectors' items, to appreciation and dismay of connoisseurs, in accordance with Antique Automobile Collectors Association rule that any car 25 years old or older is antique; ruling has opened door for generation of Pintos and Pacers to enter once-rarefied collecting arena, but not at every show; list of 1970's cars most popular with collectors; photos (M)

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Dave Anderson Sports of The Times column discusses challenging start of US Open at Bethpage Black Course (NY), where half of tournament's golfers begin at tenth tee instead of first in interest of speeding up Open; chart examines particularly difficult holes; photo; chart (M)

Floyd Norris column on stock market recovery rally that never materialized after recession ended in December; says from 1938 on, investors who bought stocks in Standard & Poor's 500 index six months before recession ended, and then held on until six months after end, always did well; says this time, what is usually sweet part of cycle for investors has turned sour; chart (M)

Jury in Arthur Andersen criminal trial sends out elegant yet complex question of law that could ultimately decide verdict against firm one day after declaring itself deadlocked; lawyers on both sides of case express degree of admiration for jurors, saying that question, which deals with issues surrounding how intent of individuals can be ascribed to partnership like Andersen, appears to demonstrate level of effort that would likely be seen in law school jurisprudence class rather than in jury of nonlawyers; photo of Judge Melinda F Harmon, who is presiding over case (M)

Matt Damon plays Jason Bourne, a C.I.A. superassassin suffering from amnesia, who is chased across Europe, in the company of a charming German waif (Franka Potente), by his employers. There are espionage writers who use the genre to explore the complexities of geopolitics, but Robert Ludlum, on whose novel this competent, enjoyable picture is based, was not one of them. At a time when thrillers are shadowed by real-world anxieties, the implausibility and irrelevance of this movie, which amusingly imagines the C.I.A. as a super-competent, virtually omniscient operation, comes as something of a relief. Mr. Damon handles his characters' existential crisis with fierce adroitness, and Doug Limans direction has an old-fashioned swiftness and efficiency. — A. O. Scott

Benevolence International Foundation, United States-based charity with broad activity in Bosnia, emerges as a central focus of investigation into finances of Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terrorist network; Enaam M Arnaout, head of charity, is being held on basis of growing evidence that seems to link him with bin Laden, and charity's possible role in moving money and people for Al Qaeda has come under increasing scrutiny from American investigators; police raids in Bosnia have uncovered evidence of communications between Arnaout and bin Laden dating to 1980's; charity's records show that two months before 1998 bombing of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, Benevolence International made arrangements for visit to Bosnia by Al Qaeda figure Mamdouh Mahmud Salim; investigators are examining cash withdrawals totaling $500,000 or more by Arnaout from charity's account in Bosnia; much of worldwide investigation into suspicious Islamic charities focuses on Bosnia, where eight are under investigation; photos (M)

One day after declaring itself deadlocked, the jury in Arthur Andersen's criminal trial sent out an elegant yet complex question of law today that could ultimately decide the verdict against the firm. Lawyers on both sides of the case expressed a degree of admiration for the jurors, saying that the question, which deals with issues surrounding how the intent of individuals can be ascribed to a partnership like Andersen, appeared to demonstrate a level of effort that would more likely be seen in a law school jurisprudence class rather than in a jury of nonlawyers.

Britain's postal service Consignia PLC reports biggest annual loss in its 367-year history; service lost $1.6 billion before taxes in year ended March 31, first time since 1978 it has reported loss for year; company, which has already eliminated 12,000 jobs this year, says it will have to cut 17,000 more if it is ever to return to profitability; 'Consignia' was adopted 15 months ago in effort to remake image of former Post Office Group; name has drawn nothing but scorn from public and will be changed to Royal Mail Group PLC by end of 2002; photo (M)

Taiwan has received only one bid for 5.7 percent of Chunghwa Telecom Co, second time it has failed to generate interest in company; government, which owns 95 percent of company, declines to identify bidder; some analysts say minimum price of 50.80 Taiwan dollars ($1.49) per share is still too expensive (S)

Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, names Lars Heikensten as its governor as Sweden's government paves way for possible referendum on euro next year; Heikensten will take over for six-year term starting Jan 1, 2003; photo (S)