August 15, 1999

Gov George W Bush triumphs in straw poll of nearly 25,000 Iowans, nonbinding but high profile test of Republican Presidential field; Steve Forbes, multimillionaire publisher, places second, establishing himself as force that Bush may have to reckon with during primary season; Elizabeth Dole ranks third, quieting critics who say her campaign is flagging after impressive debut; Gary Bauer, former head of Family Research Council, places fourth, ahead of Patrick J Buchanan, conservative commentator; former Gov Lamar Alexander of Tennessee places sixth, disappointing showing given amount of time he has spent in Iowa over last four years; former Vice Pres Dan Quayle places eighth, behind Alan Keyes, radio talk show host; he is followed by Sen Orrin Hatch, recent entrant in race, and Sen John McCain, who did not campaing in Iowa, calling straw poll a 'sham'; photo (M)

Andrew Porter assesses changes at 65-year-old Glyndebourne opera festival in Lewes, Eng, under new general director Nicholas Snowman and as chairman Sir George Christie, prepares to turn over duties to son, Augustus; describes things that have not changed at venerable festival; photos (L)

Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers plans to add five floors to 12-story former jewelry manufacturing loft at 130 West 46th Street in Manhattan and turn it into 200-room hotel; photo (S)œ

Japan begins to confront child abuse, problem many Japanese did not believe existed in their country; long recession and record unemployment have undermined stability in the home and strained Japan's unusually strong families; in addition to economic pressures, divorce rates and remarriages are rising, which experts say has led to abusive behavior by some stepparents; efforts by doctors, lawyers and welfare workers, as well as recent newspaper campaign, have raised awareness; lawmakers are considering relaxing rigid laws that give considerable power and autonomy to families and parents; statistics suggest rise in child abuse, although experts are uncertain whether more is actually occurring or whether more instances are now being reported; photos (M)

Castle Senior Living is opening 62-apartment rental building on Manhattan's East Side for people with Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders; it will provide meals, social activities, housekeeping and personal and medical care in addition to housing (S)