July 18, 2002

Samyuktha Verma, star of Indian movies who is on tour of US, and her family are taken into custody for several hours of questioning by joint terrorism task force at LaGuardia Airport after American Trans Air Flight 204 from Chicago is escorted by two fighter jets to airport after passenger on flight became alarmed by behavior of members of group and alerted flight attendant; Verma's father Ravi says what occurred was comedy of errors worthy of most ingenious screenwriters of Bollywood, India's film industry (M)

Though Tiger Woods is favored to win British Open, shortness of course at Muirfield could level playing field for rest of competitors; photo (M)

Brazil's central bank lowers its crucial interest rate to 18 percent from 18.5 percent, dropping its anti-inflationary posture and saying it believes inflation next year will remain below its 4 percent target (S)

Americans Express Concern On Corporate Tug on Bush Americans worry that President Bush and his administration are too heavily influenced by big business, fear that Mr. Bush is hiding something about his own corporate past and judge the economy to be in its worst shape since 1994, the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll shows. The survey suggests that the unfolding disclosures about corporate misconduct and inflated earnings hold considerable peril for the White House and Mr. Bush's party in this Congressional election year. [Page A1.]

Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is program designed to foster computer skills, collaboration and leadership; program began in 1993 with grant from Intel to establish 'clubhouses' where children with limited resources turn their own ideas into games, Web pages and other technologically advanced applications; program is making effort to narrow so-called digital divide by not only providing access to equipment, but fostering more active involvement with and knowledge of technology; photos (M)