November 19, 2002

NASA-sponsored workshop on asteroid hazards cultivates many new ideas on how to avoid what many scientists believe is an inevitable, but not imminent, asteroid collision with earth; rather than using nuclear blast solution employed in recent films about subject, scientists are leaning toward slower, safer, way to impact asteroid's trajectory; one unique idea, presented by University of Arizona scientist Dr Joseph Spitale, theorizes that asteroids can be nudged from their path by changing their color, as color directly effects ability to absorb light and therefore heat; scientists agree we should be studying methods to avert asteroid collisions, but more importantly we should be developing better detection and tracking systems to ensure decades to counter any asteroids threatening earth; photos, diagrams (L)

Brazilians watch nervously as annual inflation rate creeps back up to double digits again, in large part because real has fallen sharply against dollar this year; much of what Brazil exports is priced globally in dollars, so economy as whole is benefiting from exchange-rate shift; but for consumers, it can be very bad news, felt directly in higher prices for imported good and indirectly in domestic goods because producers can charge higher prices in reals and still be competitive internationally in dollar terms; photo of Luiz Inacio Lua da Silva, who takes office as president on Jan 1 (M)

Clyde Haberman NYC column discusses competitive culture surrounding New York City's elite private pre-schools; holds that such competition sometimes causes some parents, like stock analyst Jack B Grubman, to use questionable tactics to assure spots for their children (M)

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp returns to profitability in half-year ended in September, earning 33.2 billion yen ($274 million) after loss last year that was seven times that (S)

Officials in Imperial Beach, Calif, refuse bar fishermen from using bows and arrows to snare fish around local pier popular among swimmers and surfers, despite repeated protests from surfers and lifeguards; fishermen are prohibited from aiming more than 20 feet from pier, but consider target zone to extend about 30 yards away; say they need extra room to get clean angle; swimmers and surfers occasionally find themselves staring up at hunting arrow; photos (M)