News In Brief

The US

With donations for Oklahoma City bombing victims at $10 million and counting, charities are trying to coordinate how the money should be spent. Funds initially went to provide for the immediate needs of victims, but as donations continue to flow in, the talk has turned to long-term programs, including scholarships for children of the victims. Oklahoma Governor Keating said he wants to raise another $200 million to cover all losses, including damage to businesses and lost wages not covered by insurance.

John Deutch, the new head of the CIA, said he wants to use more undercover operations against terrorist states. He told Newsweek magazine the agency should be more "forward leaning" about using covert action against countries such as Iran.

Hollywood artists fought back against GOP attacks on sex and violence in America's entertainment industry, saying the attacks are a threat to First Amendment rights. Senator Dole said the issue is one of moral responsibility. The GOP's main target, Time Warner, reportedly is considering backing off its defense of controversial rap lyrics. The company said it would launch a drive to develop standards for distribution and labeling of potentially objectionable music.

During a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, conservative talk-show host G. Gordon Liddy said Americans should defy any government attempt to take away their weapons. The rally was sponsored by the Committee of 1776, a coalition of groups against gun control and what it sees as a curtailment of its constitutional rights. Authorities said the rally drew 1,000 people.

Dr. Henry Foster probably has enough Senate support to win confirmation as surgeon general if his nomination is brought to the floor and there is no filibuster, Senator Dole said. Dole reiterated that he wants to talk to Foster before deciding whether to allow a full Senate vote.

A federal advisory commission will recommend reducing legal immigration by one-third and reshuffling visa priorities to speed up the admission of spouses and children of legal aliens, the New York Times said. The proposals are to be presented to Congress later this month.

The Minnesota Supreme Court May 31 declined to review a case against several Christian Scientists in the 1989 death of an 11-year-old boy whose mother relied on Christian Science treatment through prayer instead of conventional medicine. The court gave no reason for declining to review the case, which has the effect of letting stand a recent decision by the state's Court of Appeals. In April, the Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned a $9.15 million punitive-damages award against The First Church of Christ, Scientist, publisher of this newspaper, brought by the boy's father Douglass Lundman. The three-judge panel let stand a $1.5 million award against the boy's mother and stepfather, Kathy and William McKown, and against a Christian Science practitioner and nurse. Mr. Lundman's attorney, Jim Kaster, said a decision will be made soon on whether to file a petition asking the US Supreme Court to hear the case.

After a campaign notable more for negative tactics than issues, Denver's first black mayor, Wellington Webb, and the first woman within reach of becoming mayor, Councilwoman Mary DeGroot, were virtually deadlocked heading into today's election. (Story, Page 3.)

Hurricane Allison's major impact will be on Florida's panhandle, where it was expected to make a landfall yesterday, but its effects were being felt in Alabama and southern Georgia, where it triggered tornadoes.

An abortion protest group's challenge to a picketing ban survived the Supreme Court. The justices let stand an appeals court ruling blocking enforcement of a ban in Ohio. The high court also ruled that a federal law that gives defendants credit for the time they spend in "official detention" before being sentenced to prison does not apply to anyone released on restrictive bail in that interim.

In an offer that would be the biggest software takeover ever, IBM yesterday offered to buy Lotus Development Corp. for $3.3 billion.

The World

Croat forces pushed vigorously toward the rebel Serb "capital" of Knin, causing the Serbs there to appeal to the UN. Some 3,000 civilians fled their homes in the Srebrenica enclave in eastern Bosnia as Serb forces attacked Dutch peacekeepers in the UN-designated "safe area." Serb forces also continued to shell Sarajevo. On the diplomatic front, talks in Belgrade to woo Serbian President Milosevic to further abandon his Bosnian Serb allies were going slowly. In Paris, Russian President Yeltsin said he would step up pressure on Belgrade to help win freedom for peacekeepers held hostage by the Bosnian Serbs. US Defense Secretary Perry said a search-and-rescue effort was continuing for an American pilot shot down by a Bosnian Serb missile. (Stories, Page 1.)

Israel was to take its first steps yesterday toward withdrawing troops from the West Bank by beginning to build new bases to replace those in Palestinians towns. Attacks by Arab militants have delayed the move. Israel arrested 45 Islamic militants suspected of planning a car bombing in Jerusalem. Germany's Chancellor Kohl, Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, and King Hussein of Jordan met in Jordan where two dams are to be built to provide more water for Jordan. The EU is helping fund the project.

Japan unveiled secret parliament records from before and during World War II that include plans to "strike south" in Asia to British Malaya and Dutch East Indies for natural resources. South Korean Prime Minister Hong Koo hit claims by former Japanese Foreign Minister Watanabe that Japan took over the Korean Peninsula "peacefully" in 1910. Watanabe later retracted his remark.

EU Trade Commissioner Brittan asked the US and Japan not to cut trade deals that exclude Europe. He reiterated that the EU opposes punitive auto tariffs against Japan. (Story, Page 8.)

Russians forces reportedly have taken the mountain town of Vedeno, a symbol of Chechen resistance to Moscow's domination for more than a century.

Turkish Prime Minister Ciller, strengthened by success in weekend mini-elections, will press for a more-liberal constitution and for a customs union with the EU.

US Marines will hold joint exercises with Ukrainian marines in the Black Sea next month. The exercises reflect a growing military relationship between the US and Ukraine. (Story, Page 6.)

More than 3,000 Vietnamese refugees fled a camp near Kuala Lumpur but most returned after talks with UN officials. They are facing repatriation to Vietnam because they have not been classified as political refugees.

In talks with the US on a nuclear pact, North Korea pushed for $1 billion in added demands, further complicating the drawn-out negotiations.

Nigeria was to start a trial of alleged coup plotters. Lagos released a list of suspects that did not include former military ruler General Obasanjo. Earlier, former US President Carter intervened on the part of the retired general, Nigeria's only military ruler to have turned over power to civilians voluntarily.

The Americas are making progress in plans to have a free-trade area by 2005, US Secretary of State Christopher said. Christopher was in Haiti for a gathering of 34 foreign ministers from the region. He also met with Haitian President Aristide and took part in a ceremony in which 360 young Haitians became the first graduates of a new police academy.

Hutu militiamen and Tutsi-led Burundi troops continued to battle outside Burundi's capital. A peace mission pressed the Hutus and Tutsis to accept a deal.

Etcetera

The musical "Sunset Boulevard" dominated the Tonys, winning seven prizes, including best Broadway musical and top acting honor for its star, Glenn Close. "Love! Valour! Compassion!" was chosen best play. "Showboat" won five awards. (Story, Page 13.)

When the management of the La Scala opera in Milan, Italy, announced an orchestra strike had canceled the performance of "La Traviata," the audience booed. Conductor Richard Muti stepped forward to say he would play the score himself, at the piano. It was an unprecedented event at the world-famous opera house.

Radio Free Europe is leaving Munich, Germany. The station and its sister, Radio Liberty, are moving to less-expensive quarters in Prague.

NASA has received several suggestions on how to chase away woodpeckers that damaged insulation on the shuttle Discovery's fuel tank. Put rubber snakes on the tank, one urged. Another person suggested bright lights or ultrasonic blasters.

Top 10 Video Rentals

1. "Forrest Gump," (Paramount)

2. "The Shawshank Redemption," (Columbia TriStar)

3. "Quiz Show," (Hollywood)

4. "Terminal Velocity," (Hollywood)

5. "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," (Columbia TriStar)

6. "The Specialist," (Warner)

7. "Hoop Dreams," (New Line)

8. "Stargate," (Live)

9. "Ed Wood," (Touchstone)

10. "Only You," (Columbia TriStar)

- Billboard Publications Inc.

"Yes, the votes are there."

- Senator Dole, who said surgeon general-nominee Foster probably has enough Senate support if a vote is allowed