1.   Long criticized as dinosaurs, bankers and financial executives are pleasing millions of consumers by rolling out convenient new services, such as on-line banking products and supermarket branches.

2.   Some members of the police force, long criticized for being untrustworthy, have graduated from bribes to notorious killings that have scandalized the city this year.

3.   Long criticized as ineffectual and unassertive, the league is trying to reassert its role by resuming annual summits as a way to resolve regional debates and unify Arabs.

4.   The WHO, long criticized for not acting against these threats, will help begin to fill the gap, said CDC infectious disease expert Dr. Ruth Berkelman.