News Currents

UNITED STATES The Supreme Court yesterday reaffirmed its ban on officially sponsored worship in public schools by prohibiting prayers at graduation ceremonies. MIDDLE EAST

Libya offered Tuesday to permit a UN-sanctioned court to try two Libyans for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

In the steepest drop since December, new orders for "big ticket" manufactured goods fell an unexpectedly sharp 2.4 percent in May, the government said yesterday. President Bush called for lower interest rates to boost the economy.... Lloyd's of London yesterday reported 1989 losses of $3.82 billion, the worst in its 300-year history.... Japan's Nikkei Stock Average resumed its fall yesterday after a one-day respite. It closed down 253.32 points, at 15,853.67.... UPI was purchased Tuesday for $3.95 millio n cash by Middle East Broadcasting Centre Ltd., a London-based company owned by Saudi businessmen. ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Taiwan and Russia will jointly explore the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea in the first scientific cooperation project between the two countries, a Taiwanese official said yesterday.... Japan's Fair Trade Commission has demanded that all the staffs of 66 construction companies it accused of bid-rigging swear not to repeat the offense. Officials said it was the first time the commission had taken such a step.... Japan will send a mission to Cambodia next week to see how it can take part in UN peaceke eping operations, an official of the prime minister's office said yesterday.