Hundreds marched through Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, wailing in grief for dozens of worshippers killed in Friday's attack.

Iraqis Mourn Victims of Mosque Bombing

Although tests of an immune stimulant in monkeys showed no significant trouble, all six human subjects nearly died.

British Rethinking Rules After Ill-Fated Drug Trial

Dan Barry About New York column on George Cook, itinerant living on Bowery who turned himself into federal marshals, revealing his true identity as Gerald Geller and confessing his role in 1971 bank robbery at Atlantic Bank on Herald Square; Geller has advanced heart disease, and need for medical attention played part in decision to turn himself in, but he says he also wants to clear his record before he dies; photos (M)

Unburdening a Sick and Guilty Heart

New Orleans Hornets player Chris Paul is averaging 16.4 points and 8 assists per game this season, to help lead team to 37-38 record; photos (M)(

Playing Way Beyond His Years

New York Mets defeat Florida Marlins, 9-3; photos (M)0

As Trachsel Plays Ace, Mets' Lineup Looks Kingly

New York Power Authority's peak load management program, which allows nonemergency use of diesel-powered backup generators to cut peak power demand before blackouts threaten, has come under scrutiny; generators, largely unfiltered diesel engines, contribute far more to air pollution than do conventional power plants; trade-off of reliable power at cost of dirtier air is at heart of debate in Albany; Dept of Environmental Conservation is working on draft regulation that would limit number of generators under tougher emissions standards; federal prosecutors are looking at role of backup generators in spill of 231 million gallons of raw sewage into Hudson River during New York City blackout in 2003; photos (M)

Relieving the Power Grid, Dirtying the Air

New York Post is cooperating with federal investigation into whether Jared Paul Stern, contributor for Page Six gossip column, tried to extort money from billionaire Ronald W Burkle; several people involved in investigation say Stern has been captured on video recording demanding $100,000 payment and monthly stipend of $10,000 from Burkle in return for keeping negative information about him out of paper; say Stern named Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax films, and Ronald O Perelman, chairman of Revlon, as being among those who have had their coverage on page finessed; Stern is suspended pending outcome of investigation; photos (M)

In Page Six Inquiry, Gossip Swirls Around Gossips

Unusual group of people, including bodybuilder Justin Leonard, retired psychiatrist Stephen Barrett and John T Reed, author of books on real estate investing and football coaching, has created Web sites that try to educate consumers about pitfalls of infomercials; experts comment on ways in which infomercials hook viewers into buying goods, services and get-rich-quick schemes; photo (M)

Words to Live By in Infomercial World: Caveat Emptor

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports US work force expanded by 211,000 jobs in March and jobless rate dipped to 4.7 percent, suggesting economy has picked up speed; Pres Bush, claiming credit, cites increase in hiring as evidence of economic resurgence fueled by his tax cuts, which he is pressing Congress to extend; photo; graph (M)

Job Growth Was Solid Last Month

Test of new type of stimulant for immune systems that almost killed six men in Britain has sent shock waves through research world and caused regulators to rethink procedures for testing new drugs; men received TGN1412, which had never before been tried in humans; British government is convening international panel of experts to consider what necessary changes to clinical trials may be required for such novel compounds; Parexel International, which contracts with drug makers to test new medicines, and drug's manufacturer, TeGenero AG, say they complied with all regulatory requirements and conducted trial according to approved protocol (M)

Chad Campbell takes second-round lead at Masters Tournament; photos (M)6

Campbell Has Lead, Crenshaw Has His Caddie

Dave Anderson Sports of The Times column discusses Phil Mickelson's decision to use two drivers at Masters Tournament; photo (M)0

Drive, He Said, So Mickelson Uses Two

New Jersey Gov Jon S Corzine announces that he will ask State Supreme Court to freeze financing for poorest school districts, those known as 'Abbott districts,' because of budgetary constraints; as result of earlier school-financing lawsuit, Abbott v Burke, court had ordered state to give these 31 districts enough financial aid to bring them up to spending levels of wealthiest districts; as state's financial problems have increased, state had frozen level of financing for all but Abbott districts and Corzine's proposal would now ask them to live under same restrictive spending guidelines as others until comprehensive new school-financing formula is reached (M)

Corzine Wants Poor Schools to Make Do With Less Aid

 U.S. and Europeans Cut Aid To Hamas-Led Government  The United States and the European Union announced that they would halt payments to the Hamas-led Palestinian government but that some aid would flow to the Palestinian people through the United Nations and other independent organizations.   PAGE A6    Flaws in Rush to Rebuild Iraq  The State Department has produced a draft planning document saying that after any future conflicts, the United States should not immediately begin a major rebuilding program, as was tried in Iraq.   PAGE A7    Strong Jobs Growth in March  The country added 211,000 jobs in March, the 31st consecutive month that the work force has expanded. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.7 percent.   BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1    Tennessee Tornadoes Kill 11  At least 11 people were killed and 60 were injured as thunderstorms unleashed a wave of tornadoes across northern and central parts of Tennessee.   PAGE A11    Ruling for 'Da Vinci' Author  A British judge ruled that Dan Brown did not steal the idea for his book ''The Da Vinci Code'' from an earlier book.   THE ARTS, PAGE B9    THIS WEEKEND    And on the Piano  A rare look at Condoleezza Rice, accomplished pianist. Until college she intended to pursue music professionally. Now the secretary of state and four friends gather regularly to play chamber music.   ARTS & LEISURE

INSIDE

Government's new Medicare Part D program, touted as helping to provide prescription drug coverage for older Americans, has posed new complications for at least 10,000 Medicare patients who had been getting free cancer medicines in pill directly from manufacturers or through special programs run by insurance companies; Medicare has always covered injecttable drugs given in hospitals or doctors' offices but oral cancer drugs, which cost up to $4,000 a month, are now bound by rules requiring Medicare enrollees to pay $3,600 in out-of-pocket costs each year; added pressure is coming from drug makers that have begun restricting charitable free-drug programs; photo (M)

Drug Plan's Side Effect Is Severe

Senate's effort to pass immigration legislation collapses, and lawmakers go home for two-week recess to face voters who are as deeply divided on issue as Congress has proven to be; deal was derailed less than 24 hours after senators celebrated bipartisan agreement that would have given most illegal immigrants chance to become citizens, created temporary guest worker program and tightened border security; creators of proposal say they had support of as many as 70 senators, but they were unable to resolve secondary disputes over amendments and other technical issues; photos (M)

Blame and Uncertainty as Immigration Deal Fails

Three suicide bombers kill at least 71 people and wound 140 at Baratha Mosque in Baghdad; Shiite and Sunni leaders call for restraint, fearful that attack would unleash wave of sectarian violence; explosions took place after mosque's head imam, Sheik Jalaladeen al-Sagheir, delivered speech demanding that Prime Min Ibrahim al-Jaafari step down; mosque is main religious stronghold of Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Iranian-backed party that leads Parliament's major Shiite bloc; attack appears to be work of jihadists aligned with Sunni-led insurgency; US Amb Zalmay Khalilzad says that if unified government is not formed soon, sectarian war could erupt in Iraq and that such war could engulf entire Middle East; photos (M)

Scott Shane analysis holds that acccusation that Pres Bush, through Vice Pres Dick Cheney, authorized I Lewis Libby Jr to fight back against critics of war in Iraq by discussing classified pre-war intelligence estimate comes at awkward time for administration; notes that for months, Bush and his top aides have campaigned against leaks of classified information as danger to nation and as criminal acts; says Libby's acccount, describing Bush's approving Cheney's request in 2003 that Libby, then vice president's chief of staff, share reports on Iraqi weapons with Judith Miller, reporter then with New York Times, bares behind-the-scenes details that usually do not emerge until long after administration has left office; Bush photo (M)

For President, First a Leak; Now, a Jam

Rep Alan B Mollohan has used his powerful seat on House Appropriations Committee to funnel $250 million into five nonprofit organizations that he set up; organizations have diverse missions but form cross-pollinated network in former coal capitals of north central West Virginia; National Legal and Policy Center in Falls Church has filed complaint with federal prosecutors that questions whether taxpayer money helped fuel parallel growth in Mollohan's personal fortune; his most ambitious effort is $103 million headquarters building for Institute for Scientific Research, organization he created that is in disarray; case has led several Republican leaders to call for Mollohan's removal from House ethics committee; graph; map; photos (M)

Congressman's Special Projects Bring Complaints

Analysts warn that gasoline prices, fueled by strong demand, limited growth in supplies and instability in some leading oil-producing nations, could jump higher when driving season begins; Americans say they may adjust to increasingly higher prices by making fewer leisure trips, carpooling and buying or renting more energy-efficient cars but reality is that high prices seem to have had little impact on driving habits; photos (M)

Now in the Rearview Mirror: Low Gasoline Prices

Jewish Theological Seminary is poised to appoint new leader at critical time when Conservative Judaism faces dwindling membership and divisive issues related to homosexuality; search committee has reportedly chosen Stanford University Professor Arnold Eisen; appointment by seminary will play profound role in determining movement's ultimate decision on whether to allow gay rabbis and same-sex unions; although his views on social issues are largely unknown, Eisen has reputation as intellectual and expert on contemporary Judaism, and would draw supporters across Jewish theological spectrum; photo (M)

Jewish Group Expected to Fill Chancellor Post

 INTERNATIONAL   A3-7    Suicide Bombers Kill 71 At a Major Shiite Mosque  Three suicide bombers, including at least one who appeared to be a woman, killed at least 71 people and wounded at least 140 at the main mosque of the most powerful Shiite political party in Iraq.   A1    Amid recriminations within the Bush administration over its reconstruction program in Iraq, the State Department has produced a document saying that in future conflicts the United States should establish a secure and stable environment before starting a rebuilding program.   A7    U.S. and Europe Bypass Hamas  The United States and the European Union announced that they would halt payments to the Hamas-led Palestinian government but that aid would flow to ordinary Palestinians through the United Nations and other independent organizations.   A6    An Israeli airstrike on a car carrying Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip killed six people and wounded about a dozen, Palestinian security officials said.   A6    Ill-Fated Drug Trial Roils Britain  A test of a new type of stimulant for immune systems that almost killed six people in Britain has sent shock waves through the research world and caused regulators to rethink procedures for testing new drugs.   A1    Nuclear Monitor to Visit Iran  Mohamed ElBaradei, the director of the United Nations' nuclear monitoring agency in Vienna, will visit Iran to conduct high-level talks on the country's nuclear program, a senior agency official said.   A4    Brazil Space Program Criticized  Brazil fulfilled a longstanding ambition last month when it sent its first astronaut into space, but national pride over the voyage has been mixed with criticism of the cost of the launching and of weaknesses in the country's space program.   A3    NATIONAL   A8-11    Senate Goes Into Recess Without an Immigration Bill  The Senate's effort to pass immigration legislation collapsed, and lawmakers went home for a two-week recess to face voters who are as passionately divided on the issue as Congress has proven to be.   A1    Kerry Criticizes Bush Policies  Senator John Kerry made a slashing attack on the Bush administration, comparing it to the faltering government in Iraq and equating its war strategy with its planning for Hurricane Katrina.   A11    Efforts on Archdiocese Stall  Efforts to change the Archdiocese of Boston in the wake of the clergy sexual abuse crisis have been hampered by diminished resources, according to a report issued by an independent panel.   A11    Mother Spared by Insanity Plea  A mother charged with murder for cutting off her baby daughter's arms in what her lawyers portrayed as a religious frenzy was found not guilty by reason of insanity.   A11    Earmarks Draw Scrutiny  Amid an explosion of lawmakers slipping pet projects into federal spending bills over the past decade, one West Virginia congressman exploited his powerful perch on the House Appropriations Committee to funnel some $250 million into five nonprofit organizations of his own founding, prompting questions of whether any of that taxpayer money helped fuel his personal fortune.   A1    Religion Journal   A8    SCIENCE/HEALTH    Wind Farm Bill Fails  A Senate-House conference committee has approved a measure that would effectively kill a proposal for the first large offshore wind farm in the United States, in Nantucket Sound south of Cape Cod, Mass.   A9    NEW YORK/REGION   B1-6    A Column of Scandals In a Scandal of Its Own  The New York Post is cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation into whether a longtime contributor to the Page Six gossip column tried to extort money from a California billionaire, according to a spokesman for The Post.   A1    Seminary to Pick Chancellor  The Jewish Theological Seminary, the flagship institution of Conservative Judaism in America, appears close to having a new leader at a pivotal period when the movement is struggling with dwindling membership and whether to become more accommodating to gay Jews.   B1    SPORTSSATURDAY   D1-7    Chad Campbell Leads Masters  At the Masters, 54-year-old Ben Crenshaw, left, stood five shots behind the leader, Chad Campbell. Campbell shot a five-under-par 67 and held a three-shot lead over Vijay Singh (74), Fred Couples (70) and Rocco Mediate (73).   D1    OBITUARIES   C10    Maggie Dixon  A women's basketball coach who last month guided Army to its first N.C.A.A. tournament, she was 28.   C10    ARTS   B9-19    'Da Vinci Code' Author Cleared  A High Court judge ruled that Dan Brown did not steal the idea for his stratospherically successful thriller, ''The Da Vinci Code,'' from an earlier book, and he cleared Mr. Brown's publisher, Random House, of accusations of copyright infringement.   B9    BUSINESS DAY   C1-9    Work Force Grew In March  The nation's work force grew by 211,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.7 percent, the government reported, suggesting that the economy has picked up speed and is likely to keep growing in the months ahead.   C1    Medicare and Cancer Drugs  As a result of the new Medicare drug program, thousands who take pills to fight cancer have found themselves with new bills to pay for their essential medicines.   C1    Gas Prices Continue Climb  Gasoline prices have soared in recent weeks, reaching a national average of $2.61 a gallon for regular gasoline, 36 cents more than at this time last year, according to AAA.   C1    The Secrets of Infomercials  Americans spent more than $8.5 billion last year on products advertised on infomercials, and a few Web sites try to reveal their secrets.   B1    Business Digest   C2    EDITORIAL   A12-13    Editorials: Trading up in China; know when to hold 'em; the blowup in Baltimore; political animals bite fat cats.    Columns: Maureen Dowd, John Tierney.    Bridge   B18  Crossword   B17  TV Listings   B19  Weather   B20

News Summary

Robert Davis, Republican Party leader in Buffalo, endorses Kathleen Troia McFarland over former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer in primary bid for United States Senate seat held by Hillary Rodham Clinton (M)

Embattled G.O.P. Candidate Is Endorsed by Buffalo Leader

New York City transit workers' union lawyers argue that Metropolitan Transportation Authority's request to indefinitely suspend automatic payroll deductions of member dues would cripple union and possibly put it out of business; suspension is one sanction under consideration by State Supreme Court in Brooklyn in connection with December, 2005 transit strike; union's attorneys have asked for hearing with Justice Theodore T Jones (M)

Transit Union Lawyers Fight Bid to Restrict Collection of Dues

April 7 article about Morgan Stanley's hiring of top investment banker Robert A Kindler referred incorrectly to his existing contract with J P Morgan Chase

Corrections

Gerard Kornelis van het Reve was a Dutch writer. He started writing as Simon Gerard van het Reve and adopted the shorter Gerard Reve in 1973. Together with Willem Frederik Hermans and Harry Mulisch, he is considered one of the "Great Three" of Dutch post-war literature. His 1981 novel De vierde man was the basis for Paul Verhoeven's 1983 film.

April 8, 2006

Headlines from April 8, 2006

Iraqis Mourn Victims of Mosque Bombing

British Rethinking Rules After Ill-Fated Drug Trial

Unburdening a Sick and Guilty Heart

Playing Way Beyond His Years

As Trachsel Plays Ace, Mets' Lineup Looks Kingly

Billboard 200

3121

High School Musical

Back To Bedlam

The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties

In My Own Words

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for April 8, 2006