November 16, 2003

Revelations about abuses by some mutual funds are raising problems for 401(k) plan sponsors, which have entrusted some $690 billion to mutual funds; some have already dropped funds managed by Janus Capital and Putnam Investments, which have been implicated in scandal, and others weigh similar moves; graph of plan assets; photo (M)

Wiring of America for broadband Internet access represents huge opportunities and risks for companies large and small competing for monthly access fees from tens of millions of households and businesses; competition pits giant cable companies against telephone companies and both against growing number of small entrepreneurs who want to use wireless technology to bypass telecommunications infrastructure; about 14 percent of American households have broadband, paying $30 to $60 a month; graph of growth in broadband access; photos (M)

Article by Marine Corps Reserve Corporal David C Botti, who has recently returned to his adopted city of New York after serving four months in Iraq; recalls his move to New York just month before being called to active duty, his experiences in Iraq, his return to city and how his life changed after bomb destroyed building in Nasiriyah where he had lived; photos (L)

Ohio State University defeats Purdue University, 16-13, in overtime; photos (M)

Congressional leaders announce agreement on bill to help millions of elderly people buy prescription drugs, biggest expansion of Medicare since program was created in 1965; Bush administration promises to help push bill through Congress, where it faces opposition from some conservatives and many Democrats; bill injects competition and market forces into Medicare and establishes new mechanism to hold down costs; Sen Edward Kennedy denounces parts of bill that would give private health insurers larger role, and says bill tilts in favor of right-wing agenda; Rep Dennis Hastert touts bill as having support of seniors' organizations, including AARP; drug benefits would start in 2006; details of legislation noted; photo (M)