August 6, 2002

Buyer for Hospitals Agrees To Change Its Practices Under pressure from Congress, Premier, a company that helps about a quarter of the nation's hospitals buy drugs, medical devices and other supplies, has agreed to change the way it does business. Premier has agreed to contract with more companies, stop investing in supply companies and limit how much money it accepts from companies that receive contracts. Negotiators are trying to reach a similar agreement with another buying group, Novation. [Page A1.]

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column contends that New York Mets should have spent more money on acquiring solid starting pitchers instead of on veteran fielders that have not produced; photo (M)

Deaths of illegal Mexican immigrants from drowning or searing summer heat while trying to cross border into US reaches record levels in more unguarded but desolate deserts of Arizona and eastern California; 67 migrants died in June along southwest border, barely habitable land that covers most of southern Arizona, and 52 since October 2001 in mountainous El Centro sector of border, which includes vast Imperial Desert; deaths could outpace 2001 record of 95 fatalities; rising toll is more remarkable because illegal immigration from Mexico has fallen 29 percent, largely because of faltering US economy and tighter security; map; photo (M)

Taiwan's stock market falls sharply in response to deteriorating relations with China; graphs (M)

Iraq Rebuffed The United Nations said it would not send weapons monitors to Iraq unless Baghdad agreed to abide by rules on conducting inspections, and Congressional leaders refused an invitation to visit. PAGE A9 Alibi for a Microbe Pfiesteria piscicida, a marine microbe blamed for killing fish and endangering humans, may be innocent on both counts, some scientists say. SCIENCE TIMES, PAGE F1

Profile of and interview with design architect David Rockwell, who comments on his design for set of new Broadway musical Hairspray; photo (M)

Sakhalin, verdant island in Russian Far East, in Sea of Okhotsk, is eastern frontier of expansion of Russian oil industry; it is also Russia's first open door for foreign oil developers; vast reserves of natural gas and oil and location of island--just north of energy-hungry markets of Japan and Korea--have drawn multinational companies like Royal Dutch/Shell Group, ExxonMobil and BP; photos; maps (M)

Interpublic Group of Companies says that it will postpone release of second-quarter earnings by a week, sending company's stock tumbling nearly 24 percent (M)

Rubin G Weser, 80-year-old retiree, has been trying unsuccessfully to get into law school of City Univ of New York since 1991; in 1997 he sued in federal court, claiming discrimination because he is white, male, and Jewish; when federal judge ruled against him, he appealed; he will appear before US Court of Appeals for Second circuit to state his case; Kristin Booth Glen, dean of law school, defends school's recordagainst charges of discrimination; school's lawyers will lean heavily on decision in case handed down by Judge Raymond J Dearie; judge noted Weser's very low board scores, and observed that Weser had not attended any classes to get his undergraduate degree decade ago, instead getting 'life experience credits' in subjects such as Yiddish language and movies; photo (M)

Article on Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, housed in landmark Carnegie Mansion on East 91st Street, which is gaining attention because of recently discovered and previously unknown Michelangelo drawing and significant personnel changes being undertaken by new director Paul Thompson; photo (M)

British manufacturing has its worst decline in more than 22 years in June; decline put at 5.3 percent (S)

Rising voter concern about nation's future, driven by unsteady economy and unrest on Wall Street, stirs nervousness among some Republicans and lifts confidence among Democratic leaders that party can capture control of House in November elections; Republicans note considerable obstacles facing Democrats, but express concern about gathering election climate some argue could favor what once seemed improbable Democratic quest; factors in perceived shift include increasing numbers of Americans who believe nation is heading economically in wrong direction, slight but steady erosion in popularity of Pres Bush and rising disapproval of Congress over last month; senior Republican strategist says map has changed and that House is in much more competitive environment (M)