June 17, 2002

Time & Life Building lobby, whose gray-and-white serpentine swirls recall Rio's Copacabana, is set to receive landmark status; Frank E Sanchis III, executive director of Municipal Art Society, is credited with convincing owner, Rockefeller Group Development Corp, that architecture of 1950's is worth preserving; space was designed by Harrison, Abramowitz & Harris; photo (M)

Pres Bush reportedly directs top national security aides to make doctrine of pre-emptive action against states and terrorist groups trying to develop weapons of mass destruction into foundation of new national security strategy; policy represents significant move away from chesslike military strategies of cold war, dealing more broadly with range of options to prevent nations from obtaining large-scale weapons or sponsoring terrorism; is being fine-tuned to make it clear that US has options beyond armed intervention, such as joint operations with Russia and other powers; potential targets include weak states that have become incubators for terrorist groups; Iraq is clearly first on target list for such action; CIA and Defense Department have stepped up efforts to unseat Saddam Hussein in last effort to avoid necessity of full-scale invasion; photo (M)

Usher, whose rhythm-and-blues tunes emphasize details instead of generalizations, headlined a show Friday night at Jones Beach. Besides his hit songs, he brought along a bed, a baseball bat, a bikini-clad dancer and his bravado. The bill also included Faith Evans and Nas.

IVillage, network of Web sites for women, is introducing own brands of vitamins and so-called nutraceutical supplements; plans to offer range of other products aimed at women; chief executive Douglas W McCormick comments on plans to supplement lagging ad revenues with sales; photo (M)

Center-Right Wins France The final round of French elections gave President Jacques Chirac and his center-right government a strong mandate, weakening both Socialists and the far right. PAGE A4 Thumbs Down From Sharon Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel told his cabinet that conditions were not right for a provisional Palestinian state, which President Bush is considering proposing. PAGE A8