July 23, 2003

Federal Judge John G Koeltl dismisses charges that lawyer Lynne F Stewart supported terrorism by helping Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman direct terrorist operations in Egypt from his US jail cell; lets stand lesser charges that she lied to and defrauded federal government; finds terrorism count unconstitutionally vague, saying new antiterrorism law invoked by Atty Gen John Ashcroft cannot apply to lawyer acting for client; photo (M)

George Vecsey Sports of The Times column discusses Lance Armstrong's coach Chris Carmichael, who admits that though Armstrong is overall leader in Tour de France, he is showing signs of age; map; photo (M)

US troops, acting on tip from Iraqi, surround house in Mosul and kill Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay in ferocious shootout after men inside refuse to surrender; photos; map; bodies are flown to Baghdad and identified; Gen Ricardo Sanchez says they were physically recognizable and 'multiple sources' were used to confirm identities; two other bodies taken from house may be Qusay's teenage son Mustapha and Uday's bodyguard; retired Iraqi general living nearby says others may have escaped; Sanchez says $15-million reward for each of sons will be paid, possibly to house's owner who neighbors say was seen sitting calmly in US vehicles near scene; US soldier is killed and second wounded in ambush north of Baghdad; Red Cross reports technician killed near Hilla (M)

Pfc Jessica D Lynch, whose ordeal as wounded prisoner of war in Iraq made her symbol of American bravery, is welcomed home to tiny town of Elizabeth, West Virginia; photos; she appears before television cameras, still confined to wheelchair, and reads statement regretting loss of fellow soldiers in March 23 ambush; 20-year-old Lynch will continue rehabilitation programs and look at college programs (M)

Investa, Australian listed property trust, raises its bid for Principal Office Fund, Principal Group associate that controls 12 major office Australian office buildings, to 2 billion Australian dollars ($1.3 billion) from 1.8 billion and pushes back extended date to Aug 4; says it has raised its stake to 21 percent of fund (S)