February 6, 2004

Attack on Shiite Reported Attackers tried to kill the Iraqi spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, according to some accounts, but the American military could not confirm such an attack. PAGE A13 Vaccinations Urged for Birds Three international health organizations urged countries in Asia where avian influenza is spreading to consider large-scale vaccination programs for healthy birds. PAGE A9

Connecticut University women's basketball team defeats Tennessee University, 81-67; photo (M)

Royal Dutch/Shell reports disappointing year-end results and production forecasts while its embattled chmn and chief exec, Sir Philip Watts, says he intends to stay on; Shell has been on defensive since it said on Jan 9 that its proven reserves are 20 percent less than previously reported; Shell says fourth-quarter net income fell 19 percent from year earlier, to $1.88 billion; photo (M)

Antonio Sanguino is one of number of former Marxist rebel fighters in Colombia who now lead Nuevo Arco Iris, or New Rainbow, socially minded business model that channels money from business enterprises into social programs; he says he believes market can generate wealth, which benefits people in long run; survival of Arco Iris, along with similar but smaller programs run by former rebels, is crucial in country that is trying, through two-pronged strategy of military offensives and disarmament negotiations, to sideline three armed insurgencies; Nuevo Arcos owns hotels, agricultural brokerage firm, has built 600 homes and other ventures; photos (L)

Deutsche Bank, emerging from top-to-bottom overhaul of its operations, announces ambitious new profit target; but news of brief flirtation with Citigroup overshadows optimistic outlook; Financial Times reports that Deutsche Bank had broached, then ended talks, about deal with Citigroup because of Deutsche Bank chief exec Josef Ackermann's worries about its political fallout in Germany; talk of a merger comes at awkward time for Deutsche Bank, given that Ackermann is on trial on charges of improper bonus payments; photo (L)