July 5, 2002

New York Yankees newly acquired outfielder Raul Mondesi hits first home run as Yankee, while shortstop Derek Jeter is injured after breaking up double play at second base; photos (M)

Article surveys music albums released from around world during year; photos (L)

The pressure on the Pentagon to plan for a war on Iraq underscores the failure of diplomacy and covert operations to dislodge Saddam Hussein. News analysis, Page A6.

Residents of City Park, scrappy New Rochelle, NY, neighborhood of modest homes and factories, continue to face uncertain future, 18 months after Swedish furniture maker Ikea withdrew plans to build superstore there in face of fierce local objection; officially, City Park remains blighted area--meaning it can still be demolished and redeveloped by city; many families have moved away; others have stayed put, despite lingering suspicions that another large-scale development may force them out; city officials appear to be taking more hands-off approach, drafting zoning and design ordinances that would encourage private developers to work with what is already there; photos; map (M)

Three firefighters and three young girls were killed in Gloucester City, N.J., near Philadelphia, when a roof collapsed during a blaze, pinning a team of rescuers under a shower of bricks, flaming wood and debris.

New lobbying coalitions sprout almost every day on Capitol Hill to try to influence everything from electricity policy to bankruptcy law to health care legislation; but rising popularity of such coalitions goes beyond simply a desire to influence policy; thanks to loophole in federal lobbying law, some companies and individuals--especially those pursuing controversial or potentially embarrassing causes--are using coalitions to conceal their identities; Repr Lloyd Doggett, Texas Democrat, notes that you can have unpopular causes such as tobacco interest or one of those corporations that have renounced its American citizenship hide their interests through this device; Congressional Research Service examines lobbyist registration forms, Congressional testimony and media databases and finds 135 lobbying coalitions for which it could find only limited information or none at all (M)

Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa is on pace to hit 60 or more home runs in season for fourth time; photos (M)

France's business elite has reclaimed Vivendi Universal with ouster of Jean-Marie Messier and naming of French industrialists Claude Bebear and Henri Lachmann to pivotal positions on its board; news of that Bebear and Lachmann will head newly created board committees on finance and strategy is generating real buzz among shareholders, many of whom think that two men will play decisive roles in shaping Vivendi's future (M)

Law firm of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood chose to move its 600 lawyers and other workers over Independence Day holiday weekend from temporary offices on Third Avenue to new permanent offices on Seventh Avenue at 51st Street after law firm's five floors of offices in World Trade Center were destroyed; photo (M)

Serena Williams will face her sister Venus tomorrow in the Wimbledon women's final. In defeating Amélie Mauresmo in straight sets yesterday, Serena took the No. 1 world ranking from Venus, who advanced with a straight-set victory over Justine Henin. This will be the third all-Williams final in four tennis majors.

Floyd Norris column on US economy holds investors have not abandoned 'old economy' solid companies, no matter what accounting scandals or market averages seem to say; says scanndals are important, but they reflect what happened during different time; adds new news is of reform efforts and of economy--old economy--that has enought strength to keep growing; graph (M)

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column contends that Venus and Serena Williams dominate women's pro tennis Tour; sisters will meet in Wimbledon final; photos (M)