January 6, 2004

Michiko Kakutani reviews book The Havana Room by Colin Harrison; photo (M)

Federal Judge Sidney H Stein says Purdue Pharma, maker of highly profitable painkiller OxyContin, delibately misled federal officials to win patents protecting its drug; ruling helps clear way for cheaper generic version and could lead to more lawsuits; decision comes in response to suit brought by Purdue against Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, which filed application to sell generic version of OxyContin; Purdue Pharma to appeal (M)

New York Knicks president Isiah Thomas makes first big move since his appointment, trading Antonio McDyess, Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Maciej Lampe and Milos Vujanic to Phoenix Suns for Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway and Cezary Trybanski; photos (M)

National Institute of Standards and Technology, replaying tragic events of 9/11, studies various components of World Trade Center fire and subsequent collapse; recreation of fire in Marsh & McLennan office on 96th floor of north tower, where plane impacted building, described; article holds that such recreations along with computer models and various tests will likely lead to new structural safety recommendations; institute investigation leader Dr S Shyman Sunder holds that research on effects of heat and blast on structures is unprecedented; steel's behavior described; early conclusions about effects of wind along with impact and fire on steel structure are discussed; photos; drawings; graph (L)

US International Trade Commission gives preliminary approval to steep antidumping duites on imports of industrial color additive from China and India that is used in paints, plastics and printing ink; case was brought by Sun Chemical of Cincinnati and Nation Ford Chemical of Fort Mills, SC; Sun is subsidiary of Tokyo-based Dainippon Ink and Chemical(S)