On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
In 2001, the world population was approximately 6,254,936,459 people[†]
2001Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Canadian actress[†]
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is a Canadian actress. She rose to prominence for her leading role as high school student Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever (2020–2023). She played voice roles in the Pixar film Turning Red (2022), and the animated series My Little Pony: Make Your Mark (2022–2023) and My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale (2022–2024).
2001Samuel Abraham Goldblith, American lieutenant, biologist, and engineer (born 1919)[†]
Samuel Abraham Goldblith was an American food scientist. While involved in World War II, he studied malnutrition, and later was involved in food research important for space exploration.
2001William X. Kienzle, American priest and author (born 1928)[†]
William Xavier Kienzle was an American priest and later writer.
Taiwan's third-largest cellular operator, KG Telecommunications, withdraws application to provide so-called third-generation mobile-phone services because it does not think it can make money from venture (S)
On Pro Football column profiles Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson; photo (M)
Dave Anderson Sports of The Times column says New York Mets have made good trades, but pitching rotation is suspect; notes records of current pitchers; photo (M)
Yen falls against dollar for 11th straight day as Japan systematically nudges currency lower; has lost nearly 7 percent of its value in Dec alone as Japan tries to fight its way out of recession by devaluing its currency; China and South Korea are urging Japan to halt yen's slide; graph of value of yen; photos (M)
Floyd Norris column on record $56.1 billion loss posted by JDS Uniphase and implications of new accounting rule that will force companies to quickly write off mergers that have gone bad; notes JDS Uniphase wrote off over $51 million in bad acquisitions and investments even though it never had $50 billion in cash to lose; holds loss reflects its use of its own overvalued stock to buy overpriced companies; graph (M)
More on Pages B4-5: A Radical's Journey A Terrorist Vortex Borderless Rebels Transnational Mix
Some New York City restaurateurs that generally plan gala celebrations on Dec 31 decide to close early due to dearth of reservations on first New Year's since Sept 11 attack; while half-million people are expected to crowd into Times Square, many say mood is more somber than in past years and expect to celebrate less raucously; photo (M)
Hong Kong exports fall for ninth consecutive month in November as slump in United States, Japan and other overseas markets reduces orders for Chinese goods; exports fall 11.3 percent in value from year earlier, to 120.2 billion Hong Kong dollars ($15 billion) (S)
E.E.O.C. Sues Allstate In Discrimination Case After 15 months of unsuccessful negotiations to settle accusations that Allstate discriminated against its agents, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the insurer. The suit centers on a decision made by Allstate to convert its agents into independent contractors. Those who wished to remain were required to agree not to sue the company. Agents who did not become contractors were dismissed and given the choice of rejoining as contractors or leaving the company. Many of them then filed complaints. [Page A1.]
Overview of events in war on terrorism and in Afghanistan, as criticism of American bombing grows in Afghanistan, officials in several European countries admit they failed to pick up early warning signals from Islamic terrorist cells in their own cities, and Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani pledges that entire 16-acre site of World Trade Center attack will be preserved as memorial (M)
Van driven by Sidney Weinstein lurches wildly out of control, plowing through intersection crowded with commuters and shoppers and crashing into bus, Herald Square, New York City; six pedestrians are killed and at least nine others hurt; police, who had ordered Weinstein to move illegally parked vehicle, say van apparently shot off accidentally; emergency vehicles clog area, bringing traffic to standstill for two hours; photos (M)
Plan by Argentina's new government to create emergency currency is running into opposition as details emerge showing it is backed only by promises; growing doubts lead to long lines outside banks, as middle-class Argentines seek to obtain dollars or pesos before system goes into effect; depositors unable to withdraw money demonstrate outside Buenos Aires bank, blocking main shopping street for several hours; photo (M)