January 20, 2005

Ben Brantley reviews Theater Royal Bath production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, directed by Sir Peter Hall; his daughter Rebecca Hall stars; photo (M)

Pretrial filings in case of Sheik Mohammed Ali Hassan al-Moayad, who was originally accused of funneling millions of dollars to Al Qaeda, suggest prosecutors are pursuing different, even pared-down case; Atty Gen John Ashcroft personally announced terrorism-financing charges against Yemeni sheik in 2003, including charge that he personally delivered $20 million to Osama bin Laden; new filings indicate that allegations about Al Qaeda and ties to bin Laden have faded in importance, and that prosecutors may not even mention supposed $20 million delivery to bin Laden; instead, trial is expected to focus on sheik's ties to Hamas, group labeled terrorist organization by United States government, but that also has charitable operations; connection to Hamas was mentioned when original charges were filed, but drew far less attention than Al Qaeda references; prosecutors still believe sheik has Al Qaeda connections, but they are hampered by fact that their main informer, Mohamed Alanssi, has exhibited bizarre behavior, including setting himself on fire outside White House in Nov; it was Alanssi who spoke of Moayad's ties to Al Qaeda, but prosecutors now suggest they may not call him to stand; photo (M)

George Vecsey Sports of The Times column discusses New York City's plans for new stadium on Manhattan's West Side, which city seems overly eager to begin considering International Olympic Committee will not choose 2012 Olympic Games host city until July (M)

New York Times/CBS News poll taken on eve of Pres Bush's second inauguration finds most Americans say they do not expect economy to improve or American troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by time Bush leaves White House, but do expect him to succeed in changing Social Security system, plan many voice reservations about; poll finds 43 percent of respondents expect most forms of abortion to be illegal by end of his second term, given his expected appointments to Supreme Court; nearly 60 percent of respondents say they are generally optimistic on eve of his swearing-in about next four years, but clear majorities disapprove of his management of economy and war in Iraq; this conflicting portrait of nation's view of him was evident throughout his re-election campaign; nearly 80 percent, including majority of those who say they voted for Bush, say they do not believe he can overhaul Social Security, cut taxes and finance war in Iraq without increasing budget deficit, despite Bush's promises to contrary; findings suggest Bush does not have broad popular support as he embarks on what White House has signaled would be extraordinarily ambitious second term; charts (L)

Since Martha Stewart was convicted in March, the stock in the company she founded has nearly tripled and her value as a marketing tool appears to have grown. Article, Page C1.