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   December 18, 2001   QUOTE OF THE DAY "We feel like we're seeing a lot more first-time scared-to-death homeless. And we're looking at working homeless, not just welfare homeless."  LIANE RAMIREZ, who works with families in Sacramento.   TolkienArchives Examine the World of J. R. R. Tolkien - This sponsored feature includes articles from the New York Times archives, slide shows of Tolkien's artwork, multimedia presentations from New Line Cinema, weekly trivia quizzes and more.    Explore Tolkien Today .     NATIONAL New Wave of the Homeless Floods Cities' Shelters  With unemployment rising and housing costs still high, cities around the country are experiencing a sudden wave of homelessness.   U.S. Approves Timber Sale, Prompting Court Challenge  The Bush administration cleared the way for a gigantic sale of trees, prompting environmental groups to go to court.   Elephant Trainer on Trial in an Abuse Case  One of the biggest stars of the Ringling Brothers circus went on trial on charges that he abused an elephant.     MORE NATIONAL NEWS   Advertisement    Stay Informed About Today?s Current Events!  At Audible, you can download and listen to the  hottest books covering today?s current events...start with Germs or Holy War, Inc. or any one of our thousands of selections. Act now and take your first selection  for just $1.95. Listen anywhere, anytime - on your commute, while you exercise. This special offer is available only from Audible - act now!    [IMAGE]   INTERNATIONAL Al Qaeda Fleeing Toward Pakistan, U.S. Officials Say  Hundreds of Al Qaeda fighters have fled from the caves of Tora Bora, and Osama bin Laden may be among them, according to United States intelligence officials.   One War, Differing Aims  In Tora Bora, the United States is focusing on the capture or killing of Osama bin Laden while Afghan forces are concerned with recovering territory.   U.S. Again Placing Focus on Ousting Hussein  With Muslim backing, the option of taking the war against terrorism to Iraq has gained significant ground in recent weeks, according to administration officials.     MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS    BUSINESS With Seats Empty, Airlines Cut Fares to Bargain Levels  Airlines desperate to fill seats in the economic downturn that deepened after Sept. 11 are cutting some fares to levels not seen in years.   U.S. Criticizes Trans-Atlantic Air Alliance  The Justice Department urged transportation officials to reject a proposed alliance between   American Airlines and British Airways unless the two carriers sell some landing and takeoff rights.   When Failure Paves the Way for Success  So far this year, the Nasdaq 100-stock index has fallen 30 percent. But the number of QQQ shares outstanding has leaped 41 percent.     MORE BUSINESS NEWS    TECHNOLOGY When Failure Paves the Way for Success  So far this year, the Nasdaq 100-stock index has fallen 30 percent. But the number of QQQ shares outstanding has leaped 41 percent.   Amgen-Immunex Deal Spurs Forecasts About Others  Amgen's $16 billion acquisition of Immunex is the largest of a spate of acquisitions sweeping the biotechnology industry and portending a change in the structure of the industry.   Priceline and AOL Form Alliance  Priceline.com, the name-your-own-price Internet company, entered into a travel marketing alliance with America Online.     MORE TECHNOLOGY NEWS    POLITICS Lobby Groups Find Congress in Giving Mood  Congress is dispensing last-minute favors before it adjourns, and lobbyists have lined up with requests.   Move in Congress Would Relax a New Disclosure Law  Representative Bill Thomas is trying to loosen requirements intended to shed light on certain tax-exempt groups.   Parties Press Effort to Pass Stimulus Plan  Republicans and Democrats headed into the final steps of their negotiations over an economic recovery package.     MORE POLITICS NEWS    SPORTS Rams Earn a Playoff Spot  The St. Louis Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints with deep throws from Kurt Warner, nifty runs by Marshall Faulk and big hits on defense.   Yanks Sign White and Mull Wells Bid  The Yankees signed Rondell White to a two-year, $10-million deal that was formally completed on Monday. They continue to talk with the free-agent David Wells.   Houston Arena Manager Sends Apology to Knight  The Houston arena manager who accused Texas Tech Coach Bobby Knight of abusive behavior apologized for confronting Knight.     MORE SPORTS NEWS    ARTS From Virginia to Louisiana, a Building Boom for Museums  New art museums, or large additions to existing ones, are being planned, built and opened in more than a dozen Southern cities.   Enron's Fall Reverberates in Houston's Arts World  The spectacular collapse of Enron has derailed an ambitious effort to create a major corporate art collection.   Finally, a Fuss for Prokofiev, Both Uptown and Down  Prokofiev appears to have become the   poor relation among the great 20th-century   Russian composers.     MORE ARTS NEWS    NY REGION Church Lawsuit Tries to Stop Police From Ejecting Homeless  Twenty to 30 people sleep at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church amid expensive stores and hotels.   Bloomberg Is Changing Strategies on U.S. Aid  The mayor-elect is lobbying for financial aid, but the current mayor said New York doesn't need more money.   Hospital Layoffs Loom in Nassau After a Budget Vote  About 400 workers will be laid off under the budget adopted by the Nassau Health Care Corporation.     MORE NY REGION NEWS    OP-ED  The Hidden Enemies   By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF  Long after Osama bin Laden is buried, after a new government is presiding over Afghanistan's   reconstruction, land mines will continue to haunt this country.   Death by Guru   By PAUL KRUGMAN  Enron sold lots of things, but above   all it sold itself: it crafted a self-portrait that business gurus loved.   Mullah Omar's Martyrdom Operation   By MICHAEL GRIFFIN  The Taliban and their dreams are about to disappear.     MORE OP-ED  NEWS    Contribute to The Neediest Cases Fund Make an online donation this Holiday Season to The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund to help thousands of people.   Donate now    About This E-Mail You received these headlines because you requested The New York Times Direct e-mail service. 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