The prospect of Supreme Court vacancies is worrying some conservatives, legal experts say, because Republican presidents appointed the three jurists who are considered most likely to retire - Rehnquist, 72; Stevens, 76; and O'Connor, 66.

Election Will Steer Nation’s Judicial Direction

WASHINGTON – The outcome of tomorrow’s presidential election could affect the nation’s judicial system well into the next century. Legal experts believe that as many as three Supreme Court justices could retire in the next four years, allowing the next president to give an ideological tilt to the nation’s highest court.

Defense Merger Takes Flak

WASHINGTON – Officials from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman said yesterday they expected the Justice Department to attempt to block a $12 billion merger of the defense companies if antitrust concerns cannot be resolved.