September 14, 2005

Pentagon's race called Grand Challenge involving robotic vehicles will be held on Oct 8; driverless, computer-controlled Volkswagen Touareg, known as Stanley, is being prepared by Stanford University computer scientists Sebastian Thrun and Michael Montemerlo; winner of race will receive $2 million; Thrun says his goal is just not winning race but advancing robotics as science and explore applications ranging from aids for elderly to basic advances in intelligent computerized systems; photos (M)

Federal Reserve survey finds blacks were about three times as likely as whites to borrow through more expensive 'subprime' mortgages last year regardless of income levels; report, based on data collected from 8,853 lenders, is Fed's first attempt to look for evidence of racial and ethnic discrimination in booming business in exotic mortgages sand subprime lending; among low-income home buyers, about 39.2 percent of blacks but only 12.9 percent of whites took out high-priced mortgages, which Fed defines as loans with interest rates about two percentage points higher than those for 'prime' customers with good credit; means about $3,000 extra in annual interest payments for buyers of $200,000 last year; Mortgage Bankers Association chief economist Douglas Duncan says report shows little evidence of racial or ethnic discrimination; Dean Baker, co-director of Center for Economic Policy Research, says discrimination is reason person goes to subprime lender in first place (M)

Exhibit of ancient Persian art at British Museum challenges version of history favoring Greek point of view and aims to highlight Persia's place in among early civilizations; photos (M)

Pres Bush says he bears responsibility for any failures of federal government in response to Hurricane Katrina and suggests he is unsure if nation is adequately prepared for another catastrophic storm or terrorist attack; says hurricane exposed 'serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government;' responds to questions during White House appearance with Iraqi Pres Jalal Talabani; photo; statement by Bush, who resists acknowledging mistakes, suggests how shaken his presidency is by political fallout and sets stage for administration to pivot from storm relief to major rebuilding effort; Bush to address nation from Louisiana and speak at prayer service in Washington; response to storm is likely to delay his legislative agenda until next year (M)

Corporate good will in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been overwhelming; Chronicle of Philanthropy says corporate donations stand at $312 million and counting; many companies are tapping their particular realms of expertise, and in contrast to government's initial response, have applied hallmark speed and efficiency to process of sending in goods and services; corporations are rising to challenge out of spirit of charity bujt also to burnish their image; money spent not only rebounds in good will but also serves to publicize company's products or business; donations from various companies detailed; photos (M)