April 6, 2003

David Edelstein discusses 1999 David O Russell movie Three Kings, which takes place just after end of first Gulf War; says 'brilliant' film is 'most caustic anti-war movie of this generation'; director Russell says when he made film he felt abandonment of Iraqi people; he points to hypocrisy of US intervention and calls Pres George W Bush's actions scandalous; photos (L)

Overview of day's events in Iraq war (S)

Members of armored battalion of Army's Third Infantry Division describe looping drive through center of Baghdad, blistering gantlet of death and destruction that they say engulfed civilians as well as Iraqi fighters; Maj Gen Buford C Blount III says there was no attempt at occupation, simply a show of force to answer reports on Iraqi television that Americans had become bogged down in fighting around city's international airport and farther south; photo; map (M)

Michael R Gordon analysis of US Army's audacious drive through streets of Baghdad; says it was intended to demonstrate to residents that American military is at gates of city and determined to operate inside, as well as to test mettle of Iraqi defenders and clear path for similar forays in future (M)

Information Min Muhammad Said al-Sahhaf and other senior Iraqi officials remain defiant in face of display of American military might in center of Baghdad, asserting that Iraqi soldiers and suicide bombers have 'crushed' American troops at Baghdad's international airport and broken American advance on capital into isolated pockets that were surrendering to relentless Iraqi attacks; seem unwilling, after years of unquestioning fealty, to provide any interpretation of military events that might prejudice Saddam Hussein's claim to be embodiment of Iraq's invincibility; bravado is reinforced by film shown for two days on television in which man identified as Hussein visits neighborhood in Western Baghdad and is cheered by ordinary citizens; photo (M)

Frank Rich discusses current plethora of celebrities announcing positions against Pres George W Bush and Iraq war; interview with Michael Moore, who used Oscar ceremonies to send anti-war message to broad audience; notes that contrary to White House claims, entertainers' rhetoric has not resulted in loss of sales or audience; photo, drawing (L)

Gretchen Morgenson column scores bill approved by House to lift ban that has barred investment bankers who sold company's securities during three years before it entered bankruptcy from advising company during bankruptcy; notes Securities Industry Association and Financial Services Roundtable spent $10.5 million lobbying for change; Arthur Levitt, former Securities and Exchange Commission head, scores bill; cites potential conflicts of interest; graph of investment banking fees (M)

Kansas University defeats Marquette University, 94-61, to advance to finals of NCAA basketball tournament; photos (M)

Israeli Offer on Peace Plan Israel will propose changes to the peace plan known as the ''road map,'' and is prepared to walk away from talks if they are rejected, a top aide said. PAGE A23

Jon Pareles reviews new album by music group White Stripes; photos (M)

Failings of New Jersey's foster care system are underscored by case of Shakeem Spaights, who entered system when he was only a few months old, was placed in succession of eight foster homes and died in April 1999, at age 4, in care of 74-year-old woman whose impaired mobility and diminished mental sharpness were a concern to child welfare agency; Shakeem was placed with woman, Ann Worrell, who already had four young children in her care, 33 days before his death; Worrell waited over an hour before calling for help when boy struck his head while doing back flips on couch; agency determined she was negligent and eventually removed her as foster parent; according to one caseworker, Shakeem wound up in Worrell's home simply because there was no other appropriate home to put him in; photos; timeline of events in Shakeem's short life (L)

Sec Donald Rumsfeld's warning to Syria and Iran not to commit 'hostile acts' on Iraq's behalf draws approving reaction from Pres Bush, reflecting his team's year-long private descriptions of confrontation with Saddam Hussein as demonstration conflict; aides insist they have no intention of making Iraq first of series of preventive wars, but also suggest that leaders from Syria to North Korea may be getting the message (M)