The long-held belief that gambling will thrive during a period of economic difficulty as people see it as their only way out is being put to a test in Las Vegas and other U. S. cities where games of chance proliferate. As credit tightens and Americans lose their homes and jobs, gambling their last dollar away has become less of an option for many. This has led to casinos' revenues dipping for the eighth consecutive month in August. The peak was a 16 percent income reduction in May, which has slowed down to 7. 4 percent in August.

A Harlem teenager who was throwing eggs from a New York City rooftop as part of a prank died from injuries sustained after falling six stories while trying to jump between the roofs of two buildings. David Diaz, 19, was found lying in the courtyard between the two buildings bleeding heavily. He died at the hospital.

A German farmer who lost his two arms in an accident six years ago went public Wednesday with two new arms transplanted to him in the first surgery of its kind. Karl Merk, 54, showed his arms, which were supported by a special corset attached to his shoulders, at the teaching hospital of the Technical University here. He was with the doctors who performed the 15-hour transplant from July 25 to 26.

An Illinois man is suing a priest for stealing his wife. Stephen Crane is suing on the grounds that he and his wife, Maureen, went to see the priest, Christopher Floss, at their church for marital counseling.

Robbie Williams says he was visited by an alien just after he'd written a song about extraterrestrial beings. The "Angels" singer - who is fascinated by intergalactic beings and goes on UFO spotting camping trips - claims a strange light flew into the Los Angeles recording studio where he was working and then went back out again as he looked on in amazement.