Some automakers are working on technologies that will make cars safer for pedestrians, such as warning signals that respond to heat sensors that detect pedestrians nearby; other safety technologies noted; drawing (M)

Making Cars Safer for Pedestrians

New York Jets and center Kevin Mawae prepare to face Cincinnati Bengals in season opener; photo (M)

Mawae Planted Firmly at Center of Jets' Universe

Gretchen Morgenson article on proxy votes of mutual fund managers in light of new disclosure requirements deplores big fund companies that cast votes with executives and against views of most investors on expensing of stock options; cites potential conflicts of interest when funds sell services to corporations in which they also hold stock (M)

A Door Opens. The View Is Ugly.

Crowds gather in Lower Manhattan, at Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania to remember and mourn those lost in terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001; at 8:46 am, same moment that first plane hit north tower, families of those who died at World Trade Center begin ceremony that includes descent seven stories into the earth, perhaps for last time as construction rapidly proceeds on once-barren site; descent is followed by four moments of silence, to mark impact of each plane and collapse of each tower, and recitation 2,749 names; at sunset, two powerful shafts of light temporarily restore silhouette of fallen towers to city's skyline; crowds at trade center site and at rituals elsewhere are smaller than in previous years, indication that--at least for some--time is easing sense of grief; photos (M)

Rituals of Grief, on a Day Eased Only by Time

Profile of Intel Corp focuses on company's future and whether president-chief operating officer Paul S Otellini, heir apparent to chief executive Craig R Barrett, who will step down in May, can transform company; holds assuming board promotes Otellini to top spot, he will face daunting task of reinventing Intel; says Intel's main foe is saturated personal computer market; photos (M)

Can Mr. Chips Transform Intel?

Three major respositories of New York's past are Museum of City of New York, New-York, Historical Society and South Street Seaport Museum; comment on question of whether museums could fulfill their mision more powerfully if they were united; photos (M)

The Future of the Past

George Vecsey Sports of The Times column discusses Svetlana Kuznetsova's victory over Elena Dementieva to win her first Grand Slam at US Open at age 19 (M)

In the Right Place at the Right Time

Article in series The Great Divide, examining widening gap between China's urban rich and rural poor, focuses on Huai River basin, vast system of waterways that has become grossly polluted waste outlet for thousands of factories in central China; 150 million people live in Huai basin, many of them peasants now threatened by water too toxic to touch, much less to drink, and by rising rates of cancer; one of biggest polluters is Lianhua Gourmet Powder Co, China's largest producer of flavor-enhancer monosodium glutamate, whose political influence is so vast that environmental regulators who have tried to challenge company have done so in vain; 10th anniversary of government's promise to clean up Huai has become major embarrassment for Communist Party; over $8 billion has been spent to improve basin, but regulators have concluded that some areas are more polluted than ever; map; photos (M)

Rivers Run Black, and Chinese Die of Cancer

President Bush and his top advisers have received intelligence reports in recent days describing a confusing series of actions by North Korea that some experts believe could indicate the country is preparing to conduct its first test explosion of a nuclear weapon, according to senior officials with access to the intelligence.    While the indications were viewed as serious enough to warrant a warning to the White House, American intelligence agencies appear divided about the significance of the new North Korean actions, much as they were about the evidence concerning Iraq's alleged weapons stockpiles.   

Atomic Activity in North Korea Raises Concerns

Frank Rich column explores impact of Vietnam War on presidential campaign: says both candidates are trying to change focus, Pres Bush to avoid quagmire of analogies to Iraq, and Sen John Kerry to avoid referendum on his own Vietnam history; notes documentary Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry will open in US on Oct 1 and is likely to provide fodder for anti-Kerry forces; warns that Vietnam will continue to resonate with voters and reflect current situation in Iraq (M)

Coming Soon: Kerry's 'Apocalypse Now'

Members of Iraq's merchant class are targets for kidnappers, robbers roam their cargo routes and their lives have narrowed to speedy commutes between offices and homes. Many wonder if the danger is too great for them to stay.   

For Now, Merchants Bet on the New Iraq

New York Yankees defeat Baltimore Orioles, 5-2; photo (M)

Hernández Continues to Pitch Like the Ace of Pinstripes

 Storm Skirts Jamaica And Heads for Cuba  Jamaica avoided a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan as the storm, with 145-mile-an-hour winds, veered off and continued toward Florida, with the Cayman Islands and Cuba immediately in its sights. With more than a dozen deaths in Jamaica, the toll from the storm surpassed 50.   PAGE 32    Battling in a Swing State  Everything seemed to be in place for a powerful run by John Kerry in Ohio after Labor Day. Yet polls suggest that Mr. Kerry has actually lost ground.   PAGE 27

INSIDE

When Alexandra Rigas graduated from Fordham University this spring, she hoped that her college internships at CosmoGirl and Nickelodeon might attract the attention of a New York media or public relations company.     But instead of networking and customizing her résumés for potential employers, Ms. Rigas, 22, simply posted her résumé on several Internet job boards and answered online ads. The only response she received was from an Army recruiter -- a path that she had no interest in pursuing.   

Web Can Help, but a Job Hunt Still Takes Lots of Hard Work

Medicare emerges as volatile election issue, as Democrats vow to roll back sharp increase in premiums and Bush campaign seeks to blame lawmakers, including Sen John Kerry, for rise; if Congress does not intervene by passing legislation, premiums will rise in January to $78.20 month, 56 percent incrase over premiums in 2001; Democrats and AARP, group representing older Americans, say higher costs strengthen case for importing inexpensive drugs from Canada, move adamantly opposed by White House, Republican leaders in Congress and drug companies; Republicans had hoped to emphasize new law signed by Pres Bush in December that adds drug benefits to Medicare program, but law has met mixed reviews; photo (M)

Medicare Costs Are New Focus for Candidates

Origins of baseball remain shrouded in mystery, with no agreement on when or where game was first played; it was once officially asserted that game was invented in Cooperstown, NY, in 1839, and later that it was in Hoboken, NJ, in 1846; now, library clerk has unearthed document dating to 1791 that banned playing of baseball near church in Pittsfield, Mass; historians also trace versions of game back to 13th century and to variety of locations around world; drawing; photo; map of places in Northeastern United States where findings point to modern baseball's beginnings (M)

Baseball's Origins Ain't Found Till They're Found

Lisa Belkin Life's Work column on Ann Crittenden's new book If You've Raised Kids, You Can Manage Anything, which explores overlapping skills of parenting and work; drawing (M)

Parenting Can Create Better Employees

Rising real estate prices throughout New York City are in

Moving Out, Seeking the Next SoHo

Now You See It, Now You Don't

Rate of chronic depression seems to be high among stock brokers and traders, condition some experts say is related more to grinding pressures of rapidly changing industry than to market fluctuations; relatively few brokers and bankers appear to be seeking professional help to cope with pressure; Alden M Cass, psychologist who coaches traders and brokers on dealing with psychological travails of their profession, comments; graphs of data on brokers; drawing; photo (M)

Depression, a Frequent Visitor to Wall St.

Studios Breaking 7-Figure Barrier

Mel Gibson's film Paparazzi has outraged some real paparazzi and other celebrity photographers, who say it reinforces negative, outdated image; they and picture editors say real-life paparazzi have become more restrained in recent years, forced to confirm to legal restrictions and market that prefers stars caught in everyday situations to scandalous shots; hold film fails to distinguish between stalker-type photographers who try to catch stars unawares and 'event specialists;' photos (M)

They Shoot Paparazzi, Don't They?

Death toll for US troops in Iraq has reached 1,000, and polls have registered steady increase in number of Americans who believe war is not worth it; military experts and historians say that support for war is likely to remain steady; say Sept 11 and belief among many Americans that fighting in Iraq is part of global conflict against terrorism have made war seem much more crucial to nation's security than Vietnam War; photo (M)

How Many Deaths Are Too Many?

Trading Spouses, Wife Swap and Desperate Housewives, TV programs about married women, have made their debuts in fall season; photo (M)

In Search of Our Next Big Topic of Conversation

Svetlana Kuznetsova defeats Elena Dementieva, 6-3, 7-5, to win US Open; photos (M)

September 12, 2004

Headlines from September 12, 2004

Making Cars Safer for Pedestrians

Mawae Planted Firmly at Center of Jets' Universe

A Door Opens. The View Is Ugly.

Rituals of Grief, on a Day Eased Only by Time

Can Mr. Chips Transform Intel?

Billboard 200

Live Like You Were Dying

Happy People/U Saved Me

Straight Outta Ca$hville

Welcome Back

Now 16

Historical Context for September 12, 2004