October 14, 2004

Austi

F.D.A. Clears Chip Implant For Medical Identification Federal regulators have cleared the way for a Florida company to market implantable chips that would provide easy access to individual medical records. Applied Digital Solutions, based in Delray Beach, Fla., said that its devices could save lives and limit injuries from errors in medical treatment. The approval is expected to expand a debate over a technology that has alarmed privacy advocates and fueled fears about tracking of people using such tags. [Page A1.] O'Reilly and Producer Trade Suits A producer for the Fox News Channel filed a lawsuit against Bill O'Reilly, its biggest star, accusing him of sexual harassment. Hours earlier, Mr. O'Reilly had filed a suit against the producer claiming that she and her lawyer had tried to extort money from him. On his talk show last night, Mr. O'Reilly said, ''There comes a time when enough is enough.'' [C10.] Oil and Gas Prices Continue Climb Crude oil for November delivery rose $1.13, to $53.64 a barrel, equaling the record closing price reached Monday. Gasoline futures surged, while heating oil futures rose 3.1 percent to a record. [C13.] Stocks Drop on Energy Concerns A climb in oil prices trumped positive earnings news, sending stocks lower. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 74.85 points, to 10,002.33. The S.&P. 500-stock index declined 8.19 points, to 1,113.65, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 4.64 points, to 1,920.53. [C13.] Merck Says New Drug Is Safe Merck, which recalled its painkiller Vioxx because of a link to heart disease, said short-term studies had shown its planned successor pill, Arcoxia, to be safer. [C4.] New Contract for Screenwriters The union for Hollywood screenwriters struck a deal for a three-year agreement with studios and producers. It provides no increase in an important area for the guild, residual payments for DVD's. [C8.] When Advertisers Get Together The presidential race and Howard Stern were among the topics at the Association of National Advertisers. Stuart Elliott: Advertising. [C8.] S.E.C. Is Investigating Chiron The Securities and Exchange Commission has started an informal investigation of disclosure practices at Chiron, whose British plant producing flu vaccine was shut down last week. The shutdown cut the winter's supply of flu vaccine for Americans nearly in half. Congress is also looking into what the Food and Drug Administration knew about problems at the Chiron plant. [C12.] McDonald's Says Profit Rose In a preliminary report, McDonald's said its third-quarter earnings rose more than expected, citing strong sales and lower taxes. [C13.] Don't Underestimate Nordic States The Nordic countries dominate the top ranks of a list of the most competitive economies in the world, and a new listing of the best places to do business. [C3.] A Gray Wave in Franchising The franchising world is attracting a flood of middle-aged and elderly people who are looking to start a business but are reluctant to do a lot of planning. Small Business. [C6.] The Science of Voter Turnout Getting out the vote is an expensive job. A new book looks at which methods are most effective. Economic Scene: Alan B. Krueger. [C2.]

Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson book The Last Season: A Team in Search of its Soul discusses Jackson's strained relationship with guard Kobe Bryant, which was exacerbated when Bryant was accused of sexual assault last season; photo (M)

Highlights of private collection of Charles Ryskamp, director emeritus of Frick Collection and Pierpont Morgan Library; Ryskamp's own collection includes old-master prints and drawings; photos (M)

The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, is selected as finalist in nonfiction category; fiction finalists were all female, including first-time novelists Sarah Shun-lien Bynum for Madeleine Is Sleeping and Christine Schutt for Florida; award winners will be announced on November 17; photo (M)