November 29, 2002

Vote by United Mechanics Raises Odds of Bankruptcy United Airlines' mechanics rejected a proposed package of wage and benefit concessions, forcing the two sides back to the bargaining table as the world's second-largest airline struggles to avert bankruptcy. The rejection comes as United is facing a critical Monday deadline for making a $375 million payment on debt backed by aircraft. United officials said yesterday that they would decide on Monday whether to make the payment, or take advantage of a 10-day grace period. [Page A1.]

Article on road trip along State Route 118 through remote Big Bend Country of West Texas and hiking trip through Big Bend National Park; photos; maps (M)

Selena Roberts Sports of The Times column contends that college coaches are forced to guess how to punish NCAA violations, as Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden did in suspending quarterback Adrian McPherson for his involvement in stolen and forged check incident; holds that better structure within NCAA would lift burden from coaches and make rules more consistent; photo (M)

Phillip Noyce's film Rabbit-Proof Fence tells story of three Australian girls taken from Aborigine mothers; photo (S)

Anne Midgette report on adapting Chicago Lyric Opera's production of A View From the Bridge for performance by Metropolitan Opera; photos; William Bolcom's 1992 work for Chicago company is based on Arthur Miller play; Dennis Russell Davies will conduct at Met, with Catherine Malfitano in starring role (M)

Critics say Newark (NJ) Mayor Sharpe James is seeking to punish those who supported his opponent Cory Booker in mayoral election; examples cited of those who have been object of James's wrath; both critics and political analysts say they James's extraordinary power in city where he is not just mayor, but also state senator, has effectively chilled political discourse; most people are afraid to discuss James openly; James denies he has tried to punish the disloyal; photos (M)

Terrorists, in coordinated attacks on Israelis in Mombassa, Kenya, fire shoulder-launched missiles at crowded Israeli passenger jet, missing target, minutes before three suicide bombers detonate blasts at Israeli-owned hotel; blasts kill bombers and at least 9 Kenyans and 3 Israelis and wound dozens more; Israeli and Kenyan officials see possible Al Qaeda involvement; Bush administration warns it is premature to blame Al Qaeda; 150 heavily armed Israeli commandos help evacuate some 283 Israeli tourists, including 18 wounded; Pres Bush deplores violence in Kenya and Israel; maps; photos (M)

Article describes hitting deer on Taconic State Parkway, which resulted in nearly $4,000 worth of damage to car; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says 8,570 deer were reported hit by cars in 2001, nearly two-thirds of them in October, November and December; Cornell University study concludes that only one out of six deer accidents is reported; drawing; photo (M)

Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, strapped for cash despite big toll hike, will erect contribution boxes near sidewalk entrances to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to spur public donations; has shelved proposal to charge pedestrians and bicyclists to cross bridge; photos (M)

Iowa University awaits bowl selections, unsure where team will play; photos (M)

New York Crime Still Falling Many experts are baffled as crime continues an 11-year decline in New York City while it rises elsewhere across the country. PAGE B1

Many business lobbyists insist that impending federal tax reductions must benefit corporations and stimulate business spending; growing number of business and political leaders want to funnel more money to lower- and middle-income taxpayers in effort to generate more demand for goods and services; photo (M)