Progress told in CWA strike against Nynex

NEW YORK (AP) Progress was reported yesterday in talks to end astrike by 40,000 phone workers in New York, the last part of thecountry where large numbers of local phone company employees remainedoff the job.

The only other strike continuing yesterday involved 1,000employees of US West Direct, the publishing arm of Denver-based USWest Inc. Phone workers elsewhere in the country have reachedsettlements or agreed to continue working during negotiations.

The phone workers, represented by the Communications Workers ofAmerica, walked …

Cubs Beat Reds 6-0, Near Lead

CINCINNATI - Carlos Zambrano says his latest run is the best one of his career. He's having a pretty good time at the plate, too.

Zambrano became the majors' first 14-game winner and finished with three hits to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 Sunday.

"I think this is the best stretch I've ever had," said Zambrano, who has won four straight and seven of his last eight. "I feel confident and comfortable. I've been hitting my spots and throwing more strikes. My arm slot feels good."

Derrek Lee homered for the third time in four days for Chicago, which finished a 4-2 trip and moved within a half-game of NL Central-leading Milwaukee - the Cubs' …

Officials look into new HIV case in porn industry

State health officials are looking into the latest HIV case reported in California's multibillion-dollar porn industry, fearing that reckless practices on film sets might be raising the risk of new infections.

It was revealed this week that a woman tested positive for HIV immediately after making an adult film. The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health is attempting to identify the filmmaker, at which point a formal investigation would begin.

"Our concern is that we need to quickly get to the employer so that we can work with them to change their practices to ensure the proper safety measures are being taken to prevent the additional spread …

FDA Panel Begins Nicotine Hearings

WASHINGTON An advisory committee to the Food and DrugAdministration on Monday opened an investigation into theaddictiveness of nicotine as a step toward possible FDA regulation ofthe nicotine level of cigarettes.

The Drug Abuse Advisory Committee heard testimony that smokerswho used a nicotine nasal spray to wean themselves off cigarettesalso had difficulty stopping use of the spray.

Today, the panel of outside medical experts will hear testimonyon the relationship of nicotine and smoking.

FDA Commissioner David Kessler has asked Congress to spell outhis authority to regulate cigarettes as a drug, hinting that if heacted it could be to gradually ratchet …

World Features Digest

Below is a list of feature stories that The Associated Press plans to move in the coming week. Questions about the stories may be addressed to the North America Desk supervisor in New York at 212-621-1650 (fax 212-621-5449) or e-mail amidesk(at)ap.org or to individual bureaus in your country or region.

We will update this digest daily, adding new features as available. Feature stories that moved in the previous three days are included at the bottom for editors who may not have seen them.

NEW:

US-CHINA-MILITARY RIVALRY

PUBLIC MEDIA-INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

HOMES-RIGHT-NAMING FURNITURE

FASHION-BEAUTY-SECRET INGREDIENTS

FASHION-RODARTE …

Israel to pump diesel to Gaza for power plant

The Israel military says 1 million liters of diesel will be pumped Wednesday to the Gaza Strip to power its electricity plant.

The plant supplies one-third of Gaza's electricity, and Gaza officials said it was in danger of shutting down later Wednesday if fuel weren't supplied.

One million liters is enough to power the plant …

Don't add to security hassles

You would think people would know better than to take weapons,live animals and even spiders through airport security.

But officers are still having to stop people with …