March 15, 2003

Friends and colleagues of undercover New York City Detectives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews say two, fatally shot in gun sting operation on Staten Island, knew risks of working in Firearms Investigation Unit; their backgrounds detailed; six arrests have been made in connection with killings; photo (M)

New York City subway tokens will be sold for last time on Apr 12, and will not be accepted for subway after May 4, when fare increases take effect; bus fareboxes will still accept token together with 50 cents through end of year; death of token has been planned, gradual demise, set in motion in 1994 when first electronic turnstile was installed and MetroCards came into use; photo (M)

New York Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras pitches five shutout innings in 3-0 victory against Tampa Bay Devil Rays; photo (M)

Pres George Bush, following several days of negotiations with British Prime Min Tony Blair, promises to adopt long-deferred peace plan for Palestinian state as soon as Palestinians choose new prime minister; says, during statement in White House Rose Garden, 'there can be no peace for either side in the Middle East unless there is freedom for both;' Blair, moments later, hails Bush's announcement as showing 'obligation of even-handedness' on eve of possible war against Iraq; photo (M)

Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, comes under increased pressure to reduce interest rates when Fed's monetary policy committee meets on March 18; drumbeat of bad news -- loss of 308,000 jobs in February, greater-than-expected slump in retail sales and surge in oil prices to nearly $40 a barrel before easing back -- has heightened fears that economy is suffering from more than just war jitters and has increased speculation among investors that Fed may lower interest rates; Greenspan photo (M)