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)

S.E.C. Examines Tenet For Stock Price and Billing Tenet Healthcare, one of the nation's largest for-profit hospital chains, said that the Securities and Exchange Commission was conducting an informal inquiry into the drastic fall in its stock and how it told investors about its Medicare billing practices. The S.E.C. met with executives to discuss how Tenet told investors of the issues. Regulators are also looking into the unusually high trading volume in the stock. The company said it was cooperating with the inquiry and did not know whether regulators would open a formal investigation. Market Place. [Page C14.]

Footlights column; Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibits Impressionist paintings bequeathed by Janice Levin; Long Wharf theater revives Eugene O'Neill play Mourning Becomes Electra; third annual Django Reinhardt Festival opens at Birdland; Museum of Modern Art, Long Island City, presents concert in memory of composer Earle Brown; photos (S)

Tens of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel are stored in half-dozen buildings in Manhattan, posing potentially lethal hazard in event of accident or terrorist attack; city's Buildings and Fire Departments are investigating fuel tanks because of similarities to situation at World Trade Center, where thousands of gallons of burning fuel may have contributed to towers' collapse after September 11 terrorist attacks; are trying to determine whether owners and tenants of buildings violated fire and building codes by installing dozens of fuel tanks in 1990's for huge backup generators and air conditioners; rcent discover of at least eight tanks on upper floors of TriBeCa tower discussed; city officials are examining whether current fire and building codes governing construction standards, as well as fuel storage in urban areas, are adequate in light of new realities (M)

Anthony Tommasini reviews Metropolitan Opera production of Beethoven's Fidelio, conducted by James Levine; photos (S)

Medicare Accord Delayed The Justice Department is holding up a settlement of hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicare claims filed by a hospital company because of concern that the deal may be too favorable to the company. PAGE A24 Patient Transfers Assailed Gov. James E. McGreevey of New Jersey criticized the Pataki administration for sending psychiatric patients to nursing and adult homes in his state and ordered an investigation. PAGE B1

Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid is questioned for allowing quarterback Donovan McNabb to stay in game after sustaining ankle injury on third play; photo (M)

Singapore government reports that Singapore economy has retreated again, three months after emerging from its worst recession in nearly four decades; though country's gross domestic product was 3.9 percent higher in third quarter than it it was in abysmal third quarter of 2001, output nonetheless fell sharply from second quarter of 2002--contraction of 10.2 percent at annual rate; chart; photo (M)