June 7, 2003

Ismail Abu Shanab and other leaders of militant Islamic group Hamas break off talks with Palestinian Prime Min Mahmoud Abbas on cease-fire with Israel; cite his speech at meeting with Israel demanding end to armed uprising and expressing compassion for Jewish suffering, interviews; Abbas supporters say Hamas seeks to exploit unpopular speech, drafted by Bush administration, to oust help oust him; photo (M)

Recent ruling by New York State's highest court, after years of contentious litigation, that David Pullman's neighbors in Manhattan co-op have right to force him to sell his shares in building and move out has triggered debate about tenants' rights and power of co-op boards; case serves as reminder of how one neighbor can affect dozens of lives and of how compromise is needed in co-op buildings; dispute began with Pullman's complaints about noise; he comments, interview; photo (M)/

American and British intelligence analysts with direct access to evidence dispute claims that trailers found in Iraq in Apr and May were part of biological warfare program, interviews; say they were more likely intended for other purposes; charge evaluation process was damaged by rush to judgment; Central Intelligence Agency reaffirms stand (M)

NBC Sports wins auction for United States media rights to 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games with record $2 billion bid, augmented by nearly $200 million deal for General Electric, NBC's parent, to become worldwide Olympic sponsor; is already set to pay $1.5 billion form 2006 and 2008 games; International Olympic Committee president Dr Jacques Rogge says IOC intentionally held auction before host cities were chosen; table of television deals (M)

Wal-Mart Stores announces it will partially veil covers of women's magazines Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Glamour in response to customer concerns about provocative headlines printed on covers; move follows company's decision in May 2003 to discontinue offering men's magazines Maxim, Stuff and FHM for similar reason; new packaging, which will be used in 2,800 stores, allows magazines' title and center area to be viewed but obscures text on either side of cover; pho to (M)