January 21, 2003

Surprising new discoveries are showing that cells contain army of RNA snippets that do much more than act as DNA's messengers; are helping to refine and even up end prevailing genetic theories; have shown that tiny RNA snippets with two strands instead of usual one can be used to shut off specific genes; technique, known as RNA interference, is being widely used to discover functions of genes; doctors hope it can also be used for medical treatment; diagrams; photo (M)

Article traces successful career of theater stage designer John Lee Beatty, who has created sets for new productions of Dinner at Eight and Tartuffe; interviews; photos (M)

Clyde Haberman NYC column on Rev Al Sharpton's annual commemoration of Martin Luther King Day; contends Sharpton is using day as platform for his presidential aspirations (M)

Sean (P. Diddy) Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy, is struggling to get deal to house his Bad Boy Entertainment label; Combs ended 10-year joint venture with BMG's Arista Records, which is owned by Bertelsmann, last summer; Combs had hoped to sign $100 million deal when he left Arista, but offer he has gotten is $10 million for three years from Universal Music Group's Universal/Motown Records, which is owned by Vivendi Universal; negotiators close to Combs say offer from Universal to market, promote and distribute his label is closer to $50 million over three years, and deal has taken long to complete because Combs insists on full ownership; music industry analysts say Combs has lost his touch and he is shopping his label at time when record companies are hemorrhaging money and cutting back on what they pay label executives; photo (M)

Tough Labor Talks Ahead Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg insists that he will not grant raises to New York City's unions without productivity increases, a demand that has workers worried and union leaders reluctant to cooperate. PAGE B1 Pressed on Flag Promise Sonny Perdue, the new Republican governor of Georgia, is being sorely pressed on a campaign promise he made to hold a referendum on returning the Confederate battle cross to the state flag. PAGE A14