News stories from Saturday May 26, 1979

Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:

Egyptians gave a tumultuous welcome to President Anwar Sadat when he arrived in El Arish for ceremonies celebrating the return of the Sinai capital to Egypt.Egypt has grand plans for the Sinai Peninsula, predicting that after its return by Israel in three years, the desert will bloom to produce lush crops, an abundance of coal, oil, natural gas and a population of two million. The land is being touted as a panacea for Egypt's problems. [New York Times] Gasoline prices have soared across the country by an average of 15 cents a gallon so far this year despite controls, and appear likely to continue rising, according to government and industry sources. The average price of a gallon of gas in the United States is now 81.47 cents a gallon. [New York Times] The reasons why the DC-10 crashed at O'Hare International Airport Friday are being investigated. Six teams of specialists set up by the National Transportation Safety Board began combing the wreckage of the American Airlines jet, looking for clues to explain why the plane was unable to fly with its remaining two engines. Examination of the cockpit recorder showed the device stopped recording as the plane's engine flew off the left wing. [New York Times] Charges that herbicides poisoned people across the country are growing. Three decades after the Green Revolution that introduced the widespread use of chemicals to increase crop yields, a new revolution is underway and it may set legal precedents, leaving the government and the chemical industry open to massive damage claims. [New York Times] Environmental regulations will cost jobs at United States Steel plants in western Pennsylvania, the company says. Its agreement to comply with federal air and water quality regulations will cost $400 million and new equipment will require less manpower, according to the company. Many plant workers oppose the federal rules. [New York Times] The legacy of Rockefeller charities is enormous. The recent deaths of two Rockefeller brothers, John D. Rockefeller III and former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, have been followed by disclosures that the Rockefeller Brothers Fund made more than $75 million in commitments to help insure the future of 20 of its major causes. But the intent in most cases was that the fund would be ending its major support of these causes, leaving them to make their own way. [New York Times] Holiday traffic was light on most highways, although gasoline seemed readily available for those willing to endure lines, high prices and limits. Officials in the New York region predict many gas stations will be closed for lack of supplies. [New York Times] Support for the Palestinian cause at the Mideast talks was promised by Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. Mr. Vance told Egypt and Israel that the U.S. plans to make a major effort to convince the Palestinians that it is working for them at the negotiating table. [New York Times] A Soviet pledge to ease emigration was received, second-hand, by Soviet Jewish dissidents. There was no confirmation of the pledge, which included the promise to limit the waiting period and to release the last 12 activists serving prison or labor-camp sentences for various offenses. [New York Times] A U.S. envoy will go to Morocco to discuss the Mideast political situation and the growing strains In Moroccan-American relations. Defense Department officials said President Carter is sending the Deputy Secretary of Defense, in response to a request from King Hassan II of Morocco. [New York Times]