Milestones

STEPPING DOWN. MOMOFUKU ANDO, 95, culinary entrepreneur who in 1958 invented instant ramen noodles, a convenience-store staple and a $10 billion industry worldwide; as chairman of Nissin Food Products Co.; in Osaka. Ando was inspired to start his food business by the privations of the country's post-World War II depression. "I was sure the world could be peaceful only after having enough food," he said last week. He will continue to advise the company as founding chairman once his resignation is effective June 29.

SURRENDERED. 172 ETHNIC HMONG, who have lived on the run from Laotian troops for...