News In Brief

The US

Bosnia's rival factions were on the verge of an agreement yesterday as the US extended a morning deadline to later in the day. A number of issues remained unresolved following night-long talks that broke before dawn. Also, Croatia and Serbia agreed to immediately release all detained persons, and a special commission will try to determine the status of those missing, Croatia's state radio said yesterday.

Hi ho, hi ho, it was off to work for 800,000 federal workers yesterday after a fiery budget impasse was doused by Republicans and the White House Sunday. Both agreed to temporary spending measures to keep the government operating through Dec. 15, at which point the government could be shut down again. And both claimed victory. The White House agreed to a balanced budget within seven years; Republicans agreed the budget would provide adequate funding for Medicare, education, and the environment. White House chief of staff Panetta said yesterday the GOP will need to make deep cuts in its proposed $245-billion tax cut. (Story, Page 1.)

The Dow Jones passed the record 5000 mark yesterday, just nine months after it leaped beyond the 4000 mark.

After hinting for months, Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum said yesterday she will not seek a fourth term in order to pursue other challenges, including ''being a grandmother.'' Kassebaum, daughter of the late Gov. Alf Landon, pledged during her 1978 campaign not to serve more than 12 years in the Senate. (Story, Page 3.)

Boeing Co. workers are expected to cast votes today on a contract that could end a 45-day strike affecting more than 32,000 workers. Machinist union leaders Sunday unanimously recommended the riveters, painters, and electricians approve the contract. The strike began in a dispute over job security, medical benefits, and pay.

Rep. Enid Waldholtz's husband is to appear in court tomorrow to determine if he will testify before a federal grand jury investigating bank fraud allegations. Also, two-thirds of her district polled said she should step down at the end of her term, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Sunday. About half of those polled said she is to blame for her financial troubles and knew about campaign and personal money problems for some time.

The holidays should be a bit more hassle-free: Airport security in the US is being relaxed - starting this week - after parking bans and car inspections were imposed last month due to concern about terrorist attacks. But make sure you have some identification handy: Airport security will still be checking it.

CBS defended its decision to order ''60 Minutes'' to pull an interview with a disgruntled tobacco executive, saying that although the story was sound, it posed ''significant legal risks.'' The statement, CBS's first extensive comment on the decision, came in a staff memo by News Division President Eric Ober.

Everyone, it seems, needs an 800 number: Catalogue companies, big businesses, even individuals, have snapped up nearly all of the 7.8 million 800 numbers. So a new ''888'' toll-free prefix is set to debut in March. But those racing to get in line for 888 numbers are awaiting FCC rulings on, among other issues, whether a company can sign up for an 888 number that replicates another firm's 800 number - thereby possibly stealing its business. FCC rulings are expected early next year.

Who's in, who's out? Newt Gingrich said yesterday it's ''very, very unlikely'' he will run for president in 1996, although he plans to discuss it with his daughters over Thanksgiving. Also, all the other GOP hopefuls were in Florida at the straw poll last weekend - except Senator Specter, whose fund raising has been flagging. Specter explained, ''I wanted to save the plane fare .... Air travel is very expensive.'' He is widely expected to drop out of the race soon.

The World

President Lech Walesa lost the Polish presidential election to former Communist official Alexander Kwasniewski, according to unofficial ballot results compiled yesterday by the state news agency. Kwasniewski won 51.72 percent of the vote, nearly 650,000 more votes than Walesa, who led Poland out of Communist domination. (Stories, Pages 1 and 8.)

Pakistani police detained 13 Egyptians for questioning after Sunday's bombing of Egypt's Embassy in Islamabad, a senior Pakistani minister said yesterday. Western diplomats said Pakistan has a difficult road pursuing Islamic militants without offending religious groups. Meanwhile, Egypt decided to tighten security at its other embassies.

Syria is interested in restarting peace talks with Israel, US envoy Dennis Ross reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Sunday. Ross is trying to arrange an unprecedented meeting between Peres and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al -Sharaa at a Barcelona conference next week. Separately, Yitzhak Rabin's confessed assassin, Yigal Amir, was reportedly trained by Shin Bet, the secret service agency, for duty in Latvia. And Shin Bet may have had an informer among Amir's friends, though he did not warn the agency of Amir's plans.

Rebah Kebir, the exiled leader of Algeria's outlawed Islamic Salvation Front, yesterday proposed direct talks with President Liamine Zeroul to find ''a solution that could lead to peace and stability'' in strife-torn Algeria. Kebir called Zeroul a valid negotiator. Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Alain Juppe said Algeria's presidential elections must be followed by general elections and a dialogue with all parties accepting democratic rule.

For the first time in five years, Sri Lanka's Army fought its way into the Tamil rebel stronghold of Jaffna, military officials said yesterday. But analysts said the capture of Jaffna will not end the rebels' 12-year battle for a homeland.

Israel and the EU signed a key trade and cooperation accord yesterday in Brussels. The accord includes participation in research and development programs. And France accused 10 of the 15 EU nations of betraying European solidarity by voting at the UN to condemn France's nuclear tests.

OPEC, at a winter meeting starting today in Vienna, is expected to work at preventing oil prices from sliding further, rather than seek to improve them, Qatar's oil minister said yesterday. (Story, Page 9.)

Jordi Pujol was reelected premier of Catalonia, Spain's economic powerhouse. Catalonia enjoys a great degree of self- government under Spain's 1978 constitution. Pujol's party, however, lost the majority status they held in Parliament since 1978, slipping from 70 to 60 seats in the 135-seat Parliament.

Britain offered new proposals yesterday in Northern Ireland's troubled peace talks, and Ireland refused to divulge the details. The offer came a day after Irish leader Gerry Adams asked Britain to name a date for unconditional round-table talks. And Irish songwriters Van Morrison (left) and and Bono of U2 (right), attended a rally Sunday to bolster waning support for a referendum to legalize divorce in the Catholic state. The referendum has split the nation.

Leaders of Zaire, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda will meet in Cairo, Egypt, next week to discuss ways to the end ethnic conflict in Rwanda and Burundi, former US President Jimmy Carter said yesterday.

Scandal-hit Daiwa Bank said yesterday it would cut its international assets by more than half, or $26.7 billion, under a restructuring plan ordered by Japanese authorities. And a special committee met yesterday to look for ways to make the massive US military presence less disturbing to Okinawans.

Etcetera

Microsoft's Bill Gates maps a vision for the future. As computers and televisions become one, viewers would be able to paste their faces on Vivien Leigh's body in ''Gone With the Wind.'' Gates, whose book hits stores Friday, also foresees digital dollars replacing paper money and leaner corporations in which computers supplant workers.

Disney's latest foray into American culture: building subdivisions - a whole string of them to be called ''Celebration.'' Some 5,000 people went to a drawing Saturday near Orlando, Fla., vying to be the first residents. Homes will sell for $180,000 to $895,000. And Disney World is just 10 minutes away.

In order to protect students' self-esteem, one Chinese school has banned teachers from using some abusive phrases, the China Daily says. They include: ''You'll never amount to anything,'' and ''I'm ashamed of having a student like you.''

Who would you most want to deliver your mail? Mel Gibson was Americans' top choice, says a Postal Service poll. Santa Claus and Cindy Crawford tied for second.

Gobblers Galore

Number of turkeys produced in the US annually: 300 million

Average amount of turkey meat each US citizen gobbles up every year: 18.3 pounds Change since 1991: -1 pound

Average price of a 16-pound turkey: $12.68 In his new book ''The Road Ahead'' (Viking),

r Change since last year: +$0.67

Average natural life span of a turkey: Two decades

Average age most US turkeys attain: 2 years

Ratio of Americans who prefer white meat to dark meat: 2-1

Countries that prefer dark meat: Chile, Israel, Mexico, Japan

The top US turkey marketer: Butterball Turkey Inc.

The number for the Agriculture Department's Meat and Poultry Hotline, which answers all manner of turkey-cooking questions: 800-535-4555.

- AP and The American Farm Bureau Federation

'' The power of the federal government [and] the might of the Constitution ... [are] poised to make sure that if you go to Hooters, your chance to have a waiter is not denied.''

- Speaker Newt Gingrich, criticizing the government's recommendation that the restaurant chain hire men as waiters.