September 18, 1998

Autos on Friday column assesses the new Maseratis; photo (M)

Article in series Dead Zones describes plight of Zambian children orphaned by AIDS and often cast out by relatives to fend for themselves; in 1997 alone, AIDS orphaned 1.7 million children, more than 90 percent of them in sub-Saharan Africa; photos; demographic map; UN says that Zambia, which has never embraced birth control, has highest proportion of orphans in world, estimated 23 percet of all children under 15; Lukasa has more than 90,000 children on streets, and even those with relatives are often the last to get food, shoes and schooling, and suffer beatings and sexual abuse; harsh lives of several abandoned children described (L)

Number of affluent black professionals are moving to Harlem, snatching up and restoring fine old brownstones and looking to bring in amenities they enjoy downtown; falling crime rates, relatively low housing prices and signs of economic renewal are factors, but intangible lures are Harlem's storied place in black consciousness and new generation's idealism and changing sensibility about integration; Howard Sanders says he has Harvard degree and job at high-powered investment firm and does not need to live next to white people; Darren Walker mentions fascination with Harlem of legend; Dr Michael Jones hopes to be role model for children and to open restaurant-jazz club; Sherman Edmiston recalls moving from Park Slope ten years ago; Monique Greenwood says she decided her child could get good education in public school's gift program; photos (M)

Analysis of recent statement by Pres Clinton that hinted at global interest rate cuts and testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan before House Banking Committee that there is no coordinated effort among world's central banks to cut interest rates; questions whether world is relying on four leaders--in Japan, in Germany, in US and in Russia--who see unfolding world economic crisis in very different terms, and are each holding on to power by a thread (M)

Rep Charles E Schumer's victory in New York's Democratic primary for Senator is being overshadowed somewhat by Monica Lewinsky case in Washington; Schumer is one of most prominent Democrats on House Judiciary Committee, which is debating whether to release public videotapes of Pres Clinton's grand jury testimony in case; Schumer is longtime ally of Clinton's, and has viewed his association with President as political benefit; now Schumer is missing Judiciary Committee debates so he can savor his victory and begin campaigning for general election against Sen Alphonse M D'Amato; D'Amato has made clear that he will try to make most of Schumer's predicament with Judiciary Committee (M)