January 19, 2004

Lawyer Says Account Holds Parmalat Funds An Italian lawyer provided new details about a Bank of America account in New York that he said holds 7 billion euros missing from the company. The lawyer, Carlo Zauli, said Italian banks transferred the money to a Bank of America branch in New York for Calisto Tanzi, Parmalat's former chairman, and some of his closest associates. Parmalat said that Bank of America denied its branch had the account but that it would investigate. [Page C2.]

ON THE TRAIL -- Tracking the candidates in their last Iowa blitz. PAGE A15 A PRECINCT'S PART -- People take their politics seriously in Council Bluffs. PAGE A13

Analysis: Conrad M Black, press baron, makes deal to sell controlling interest in Hollinger International without consulting his board of directors; move further enrages members of company's special committee, which sues Black, and of executive committee, which removes him as nonexecutive chairman; Black has been accused of directing millions of dollars in unauthorized payments to himself and others; deal for control of Hollinger will probably complicate ability of board to recover money it is seeking from Black and its investigation, which is being led by former SEC chairman Richard C Breeden; Black owns 73 percent voting interest in Hollinger International and 30 percent economic interest through company he controls; Breeden has already made stinging comments about Black's assertions that special payments were authorized by board; sale of Hollinger International to company owned by David and Frederick Barclay, plus board's lawsuit and Black's removal as nonexecutive chairman, effectively ends his involvement in company he began in late 1960's; photo (M)

Utility Workers Union of America and Entergy Corp agree on new four-year contract to avert walkout at Indian Point 3 nuclear power plant after federal mediator is brought in (M)

Sharon Waxman Reporter's Notebook column on this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in light of unflattering new book, Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the Rise of Independent Film by Peter Biskind; highlights some of 137 films in festival, including comedy Garden State written and directed by and starring Zach Braff; photos (M)