July 24, 2004

Grupo Jovenes New York, rehabilitation center in Corona, NY, offers no comforts to soften bumpy ride to sobriety; rather, it is cramped house that serves mostly Hispanic population trying to break cycle of alcohol and drug addiction; spartan setting is considered key to success; center is free and no newcomer is turned away, but all are carefully screened and go through rigorous initiation period; photos (M)

Two candidates sharing same or similar name is growing problem in New York City politics; some incumbents charge that second candidate siphons votes from better-known candidate, making way for third to emerge; examples cited; rash of similar candidacies has produced state law that mandates two candidates with same name be listed with number beside name; law also states that in case of identical names, candidate can petition Board of Elections to inculde short biographical profile; photo (M)

Dow Drops Below 10,000 In a Continuing Slump The Dow Jones industrial average closed below 10,000 for the first time since mid-May and the Nasdaq composite index dropped to its lowest level since October as earnings disappointments and concerns about the economy undermined investor confidence. The market has fallen about 4 percent in the last five weeks, and there is little optimism for a rally. BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1 From TV to Campaign Trail Jerry Springer, master of outrageous syndicated television, is flirting with a run for governor in Ohio in 2006, when the race to replace Bob Taft will be wide open. PAGE A7

California's Insurance Comr John Garamendi denies request by Anthem and WellPoint Health Networks to merge in what he describes as his 'final decision'; says deal is bad for policyholders and health care consumers in California; decision does not necessarily scuttle deal, because analysts say that Garamendi's office has jurisdiction over only small fraction of California operations of two companies, which between them operate in dozen other states; decision prolongs udertainty over exactly when and how merger can be completed; photo (M)

Petroleos de Venezuela is once against one of world's greatest producers of oil seventeen months after antigovernment strike crippled production; its giant refining arm is talking of adding two refineries to three already operating in US; company says it is embarking on strategy, heavily dependent on foreign oil companies, to nearly double production by 2009; Petroleos de Venezuela's new earnings have been siphoned from exploration and production and being used to finance social revolution long promised by Pres Hugo Chavez's 5 1/2-year-old government to extricate country from its malaise and ease life for poor; spending spree is increasingly important as Aug 15 recall referendum nears, and successful, tool for solidifying support for Chavez; recent polls show Chavez could squeak to victory; oil company's new role has raised eyebrows among oil executives and in Washington, which has long counted on Venezuela as one of four big exporters of oil to US and which has been hoping company will help curtail reliance on Middle Eastern crude; charts; photos (M)