B-4, D-2, K-1, M-1, M-8. At times yesterday, the courtroom debate about the law that created a new civil service system for the Defense Department sounded like the judges and lawyers were playing Battleship, the game where opponents use a grid to target and sink ships.	Awoman in a rural South Asian village receives a loan of about $250 to buy a dairy cow. She milks the cow, sells the milk and improves her standard of living while repaying the loan. In much of the world, this is microfinance.	Matt Cardillo's parents were nearing retirement, and he didn't have a clue about their plans. He was only in his early 30s, but with a son on the way and a mortgage to pay, he couldn't help being concerned about their future financial stability.
Attempts by competing Indian and Brazilian steelmakers to acquire a big British-Dutch producer, the Corus Group, turned into a bidding war on Monday.	Hotels have become miniature malls, putting a price tag on nearly whatever you see, hear, taste, touch and smell during your stay.	An era in advertising will end Dec. 31 when Edward H. Meyer, 80, head of the worldwide agency now known as the Grey Global Group, retires.