December 6, 2002

Annual Army-Navy football game has become more symbolic than relevant to college football schedule, but now as US moves closer to war with Iraq, battle on field is strangely prescient; photos (M)

Analysis: United Airlines' descent from highly profitable airline--and world's largest--few years ago to one on cusp of bankruptcy involves far more than salaries and other costs; industry statistics and many analysts say what separates United from its peers who are still solvent may be its struggle to bring in new revenue even more than its inability to contain costs; chart; photo (M)

Fiat, Italy's largest manufacturer, receives government approval to cut as many as 8,100 jobs as it seeks to stem losses at its carmaking unit; unions protest proposal, signaling that there will be more of strikes that have roiled Fiat and Italy since company announced reductions in October (S)

Ben Brantley reviews revival of musical Man of La Mancha, written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, directed by Jonathan Kent; Brian Stokes Mitchell stars; photos (M)

Highly contagious gastrointestinal virus that has afflicted hundreds of people on three cruise ships in last two months is now reported aboard Oceana; outbreaks of Norwalk-like virus, more than in recent years, create mystery for federal health officials and rattle passengers and cruise lines; tight quarters of ships provide ideal conditions for germs, rapid turnaround times make it difficult to eliminate them, and affected passengers loath to spend vacations in cabins may infect others, as may crew members working while ill; Dr Megan Murray, consultant for Holland America in outbreaks on four voyages, says illnesses may reflect many outbreaks now occurring on land; $11-billion cruise industry hs rebounded strongly since being hit by fears of terrorism; lines report no drop in bookings but company stocks have fallen sharply in recent days; Amsterdam and Disney Magic each canceled cruises for intensive disinfecting, but there is no reliable test to detect virus on surfaces and at least 23 strains of Norwalk virus can infect people; viruses are spread by 'fecal-oral route,' as when infected people do not wash hands after using toilet and then touch other people, food or common surfaces; photo; ship diagram; lastest outreak is on Oceana, new ship on its third cruise; passengers are all from Britain and some apparently got virus before boarding in Florida (L)