June 25, 2002

Trial of former New York City Police Officer Charles Schwarz on civil rights and perjury charges begins; Abner Louima testifies about incident in Brooklyn police station, when officers sodomized him with broken broomstick; Schwarz's attorney Ron Fischetti focuses on discrepancies in various versions Louima has given at different stages of case and calls Louima liar; prosecutors say defense's attack on Louima is attempt to distract jury from clear evidence that Schwarz participated in attack; chronology of case noted; photo (M)

George Vecsey Sports of The Times column contends that Brazil national team is and always will be dominant force in World Cup soccer, as team prepares for semifinal match against Turkey; photo (M)

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and Wendel Investissement enter into exclusive negotiations to buy Legrand for 3.7 billion euros ($3.6 billion) from Schneider Electric; European Union blocked Scheider's acquisition of Legrand last year; Schneider is appealing ruling; any deal with Kohlberg Kravis and Wendel is contingent on outcome of that case; decision is expected this fall (S)

World Trade Organization approves second investigation into tariffs that US has ordered on steel imports; inquiry, requested by China, Norway and Switzerland, will be made by same panel of trade experts that will investigate first complaint, which was sought by European Union, Japan and South Korea (S)

Working overnight and all day, crews created fire breaks that with a shift in wind, helped protect the town of Show Low from the worst forest fire in Arizona history and the biggest in the nation this year.