Columbia University men's basketball coach Joe Jones has brought team to 6-1 record this season; photos (M)

Columbia Coach Revives Winning Attitude

Matt Lee and Ted Lee article explores what constitutes a good knife; selection is determined by individual preference having to do with tactile sensations and size of user's hand, among other things; photos (M)

When a Knife Is the Gleam in a Cook's Eye

New York Mets newly-acquired pitcher Pedro Martinez has colorful reputation that hits on nearly every extreme, from childlike and sensitive to tempermental and aloof, and Mets are preparing to handle his unpredictability; photo (M)p

Enigmatic or Endearing, Martínez Is Never Dull

Despite hours of confrontational interviews by the White House counsel, Alberto R. Gonzales, the Bush administration failed to get a full picture of the legal and ethical problems of Bernard B. Kerik, its nominee for homeland security secretary, a government official said on Tuesday.    In addition, the White House did not consult with the one person in the West Wing who knew the most about Mr. Kerik's background, Frances Townsend, because Ms. Townsend, President Bush's adviser on homeland security and a former federal prosecutor in New York, was under consideration for the position herself, said the official, who would speak only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.  

Missteps Cited in Kerik Vetting by White House

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column contends that fans should not demand loyalty from players like Pedro Martinez, who left Boston Red Sox for New York Mets, when teams like Red Sox do not show loyalty to their players, coaches and staff; photo (M)0

For the Red Sox, Loyalty Is a Dish Not Served at All

Palestinian public television modifies usual villification of Israelis and Jews in aftermath of Yasir Arafat's death, with sudden talk of reconciliation and more neutral descriptions of Israeli soldiers that parallel overall improvement in political climate; new PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas has spoken out against incitement, although archival scenes of violence have been less frequent on television in last year as audiences wearied of gory images; analysts on both sides note more moderate tone and more talks about social and political issues after four years of violence (M)

On the Air, Palestinians Soften Tone on Israelis

Peter Applebome column on decision by Maplewood, NJ, school board to ban all Christmas music from winter concerts at its schools; many protest, including some national conservative groups; some residents say that in diverse area program focused on Christmas would have to exclude or offend many others; other residents, including some non-Christians, feel that there is way to make it work as long as people are not made to feel uncomfortable (M)

It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Yesteryear

Regis Philbin, host of morning talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, comments on being chosen to substitute for Dick Clark as host of the TV coverage of New Year's Eve in Times Square; Philbin, 73, has become kind of television everyman; Clark is recovering from a stroke; photo (M)

Ringing Clark Out, Ringing Philbin In

World Business Briefing | Europe: Britain: NWD Shares Plunge On Forecast

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leading figure on list of 228 candidates submitted by powerful Shiite alliance, may emerge as Iraq's most powerful political figure, and one with close ties to Iran's ruling ayatollahs; photo; Hakim founded his party during years in exile in Iran and its military wing fought alongside Iranianis during Iran-Iraq war; US and Sunni-dominated Jordan and Saudi Arabia have stark concerns about Iranian influence if Hakim and Shiite associates come to pomer, although some experts point out that Iraqi clerics are generally wary of religious government; Iraqi and US officials also say ethnic and cultural divisions that have carved deep historical fissures militate against Iraq becoming client state of Iran; there are also bitter rivalries among Iraqi Shiites themselves, including tension between religious and secular groups (M)

Iraqi Campaign Raises Question of Iran's Sway

Commerce Department sets import duties of 21.2 percent on most softwood lumber imported from Canada (S)

World Business Briefing | Americas: Canada: Duties Set On Lumber

Combined Sprint and Nextel Communications company will be competing against much larger rivals, Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless, both of which are owned by regional Bell telephone companies that have more money and more services to sell to consumers who like one-stop shopping; Sprint and Nextel will make formidable number 3 player in wireless market; they will have 39 million subscribers, just 7 million fewer than market leader Cingular; Nextel's popularity with small businesses complements Sprint's power in consumer market; new company is expected to be led by Sprint's chief executive Gary D Forsee; photo (M)

For Sprint and Nextel, a Battle With Titans

Federal Reserve raises federal funds rate on overnight loans by quarter point, to 2.25 percent, and reiterates its intention to raise borrowing costs as 'pace that is likely to be measured'; bank maintains its assessment of inflation and economic growth, again declaring that 'upside and downside risks' on both fronts are still 'roughly equal'; graph; photo (M)

Fed Panel Lifts Rates and Says More Increases Are Probable

New York Knicks defeat New Jersey Nets, 87-79; photos (M)9

The Knicks Make It Seem Like Old Times

Roberta Smith Critic's Notebook column on impact on art world of judge's decision to let Barnes Foundation move its masterworks collection of modernist paintings from Merion, Pa, to Philadelphia; holds gains may ultimately outweigh losses; photos (M)

Does It Matter Where This Painting Hangs?

 Time Warner Said to Settle Investigations of AOL  Time Warner is set to announce that it has reached settlements with the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission in their inquiries of America Online.    Time Warner is expected to pay $500 million to $600 million to settle all civil and criminal charges with the two agencies. [Page A1.]    New Challenges for the F.D.A.  Each year, the Food and Drug Administration approves many medical devices, including high-risk products like emergency defibrillators. Experts say they believe the growing use of defibrillators in public places is likely to create new challenges for the F.D.A. [A1.]    Double-Digit Growth at G.E.  Jeffrey R. Immelt, left, the chief executive, said General Electric expected profit to increase 13 percent to 17 percent next year and double-digit earnings growth to continue into the ''foreseeable future'' as its revamped portfolio of faster-growing businesses drives future sales. Mr. Immelt took over General Electric from John F. Welch Jr. in 2001 only to see earnings growth erode as the economy plunged into a recession. [C4.]    U.S. Trade Deficit Rises 9%  The United States trade deficit widened 9 percent in October, to $55.46 billion, partly because of higher oil prices. [C4.]    United Reaches a Deal With Pilots  United Airlines reached a tentative agreement with its pilots' union on additional wage and benefit concessions. [C2.]    Fiat and G.M. Unable to Agree  The standoff between General Motors and Fiat over the terms of a 2000 partnership moved a step closer to the courtroom. [C4.]    Split Decision for BlackBerry Maker  An appeals court upheld a finding of patent infringement against Research In Motion, but struck down part of the ruling and sent it back to a lower court for further proceedings. Shares of Research In Motion, which makes the BlackBerry device, soared more than 10 percent on the news, but ended the day down. [C9.]    Health Costs for Retirees Up 25%  Retirees who receive health benefits from their former employers saw premiums jump an average of 25 percent this year. [A27.]    U.S. Says Rigases Owe $2.5 Billion  The government wants John and Timothy Rigas held liable for $2.533 billion. [C2.]    Air China Is Trading in London  Air China will be the first Chinese company to trade on the London Stock Exchange in four years. Market Place. [C9.]    Stocks Rally After Rate Increase  Stocks rallied after the Fed increased interest rates. The Dow Jones industrials gained 38.13 points, to 10,676.45. The S.&P. 500 jumped 4.70 points, to 1,203.38, and the Nasdaq composite rose 11.34 points, to 2,159.84. [C9.]    France and Germany Get Reprieve  The European Commission gave France and Germany a year to bring down their budget deficits. [World Business, Section W.]  

BUSINESS DIGEST

Time Warner is expected to announce a settlement with the Justice Department in its investigation of advertising deals between America Online and smaller Internet companies that may have allowed America Online to exaggerate its growth, an official close to the case said yesterday. The announcement could come as early as today.    The company may also announce a tentative agreement with the enforcement division of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is conducting a separate investigation into accounting irregularities at America Online, the official said. Time Warner is expected to pay $500 million to $600 million to settle all civil and criminal accusations with the two agencies.   

Settlements Seen in U.S. Inquiries Into Time Warner

European Commission freezes threat of fines against France and Germany, granting two biggest economies in euro zone extra year to bring down their bloated budget deficits; decision will help heal relationship between European Union's executive arm and finance ministers of member states, which has been tense since commission first tried to punish France and Germany year ago for failing to play by budget rules; Joaquin Almunia, economic and monetary affairs commissioner, says France and Germany must make structural changes, not quick fixes; photo (M)

France and Germany Get Deficit Reprieve

New York City Board of Elections spent close to $2 million over last four years for chauffeurs to drive home workers who work after 9 pm; has recently signed contracts valued at about $6 million with two transportation companies to provide rides for next four years; board says actual expense would most likely be only about $2 million; received criticism for it performance during 2004 presidential election; critics say money should be spent on new equipment and employee training; board has 300 full-time emloyees; other agencies that provide transportation to their workers include Management and Budget Office, which spent $17,000 on transporting its 250 employee in 2003, and Law Department, which budgets $165,000 for transportation of its 1,200 employees (M)

Election Board Spends Millions on Car Services

Report noted on first charges against former members of Saddam Hussein's government

Hussein Aides Due in Court

World Business Briefing | Asia: India: Air Deccan Raises $40 Million

World Business Briefing | Asia: Japan: Sony and Samsung Sign Patent Deal

Fifth Avenue co-op in New York City that removed nest of red-tailed hawk known as Pale Male agrees to request by Audubon Society to help hawks rebuild; crowd of demonstrators outside building becomes more restless; Lincoln Karim, engineer, is arrested on charges that he harassed resident Paula Zahn, newscaster, and her family, endangering her child by stalking him and telling him his parents would pay for this; actress Mary Tyler Moore, who lives in building, intervened on behalf of Karim, but was not aware of nature of charges; photos (M)

Co-op to Help Hawks Rebuild, but the Street Is Still Restless

Hollywood Ending in Case of the Purloined Medals

Howard Dozier, subway worker flagging trains to get them to slow down in work areas, is struck by train in Brooklyn; train running on express track hits him while he is picking up flags at conclusion of job; incident is first accidental death of subway worker in 2004; photo (M)

Worker Killed by Subway on Tracks in Brooklyn

Vassal Abago Bagobagan Gadoengin was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Nauru.

December 15, 2004

Headlines from December 15, 2004

Columbia Coach Revives Winning Attitude

When a Knife Is the Gleam in a Cook's Eye

Enigmatic or Endearing, Martínez Is Never Dull

Missteps Cited in Kerik Vetting by White House

For the Red Sox, Loyalty Is a Dish Not Served at All

Billboard 200

MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups Presents: Collision Course

How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

Breakaway

Encore

Street's Disciple

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for December 15, 2004