His plan projects sharp reductions in the U.S. military presence in Iraq by the end of 2007, with the first cuts coming this September.

U.S. General in Iraq Outlines Troop Cuts

Warren E. Buffett's NetJets company, which peddles fractional ownerships in private jets, has endured a bumpy financial ride.

Buffett's Baby Is Taking a Bumpy Ride

Keeping veteran rockers on the road is getting
harder every year.

Iron Man Slows, and So Does the Industry

A recent ruling makes it seem that the S.E.C. wants shareholders to be stuck in a Soviet-style regime as far as director elections are concerned.

Soviet-Style Proxies, Made in the U.S.A.

Small towns are becoming flashpoints in the ethanol bonanza that is reshaping rural America's economic base.

Boom in Ethanol Reshapes Economy of Heartland

The two governments are tightening relations on several fronts as power shifts away from the Sunni to Shiites.

Wary of U.S., Syria and Iran Strengthen Ties

In a country with millions of poor who are passionate about soccer, the game is on display amid privation.

In Brazil, Unpaved Path to Soccer Excellence

He fought 100 bouts and sparred with Joe Louis. But his biggest achievement was the New Bed-Stuy Boxing Center, and all the kids he saved from the streets.

Their Requiem for a Heavyweight

Six months in, there is little I don't like about my Saab sedan, but the new SportCombi model is causing a bit of buyer's remorse.

Thank You, Saab. May I Have Another?

His eyes occasionally welling with tears, Andre Agassi announced at Wimbledon that the end of his tennis career is near.

Agassi Says He'll Retire After U.S. Open

In a district drawn to strengthen black voting, residents are debating a white politician's campaign for Congress.

In Shirley Chisholm's Brooklyn, Rancor Over White Candidacy

The Q7, Audi's first S.U.V., arrives this month and Audi expects it, in its first year, to be its second-biggest seller.

So Late to the S.U.V. Party, but So Smartly Dressed

A former I.B.M. systems expert secures financing for a small business.

Cleaning Up, or at Least Hoping To

Four decades ago, the architect John Portman turned the hotel lobby into a soaring pleasure dome. Today, his influence can be seen in new hotels from Dubai to Shanghai.

The Kubla Khan of Hotels

An examination of Richard A. Grasso's payout shines a light on flawed governance practices and clashing egos at the New York Stock Exchange.

The Winding Road to Grasso's Huge Payday

The decision by the Republican House leadership to defy the president over passage of an immigration bill amounted to a rebuke of Mr. Bush.

Bush's Immigration Plan Stalled as House G.O.P. Grew More Anxious

In the British reality series "The Play's the Thing," more than 2,000 submissions are whittled down to one play that will have its premiere at a West End theater.

'The Play's the Thing,' an Amazing Race to Opening Night

In the Rockaways hamlet of Arverne, some roads have vanished, scheduled to be replaced by houses and stores and lawns big enough for badminton.

Waiting for High Tide

Argentina moved into the quarterfinals with a victory on Maxi Rodríguez's goal in the 98th minute of the first extra-time game in the tournament.

Argentina Scores Overtime Knockout

"Love," Cirque du Soleil's ambitious fantasy tribute to the band, offers classic Beatles tunes in extraordinarily crisp sound.

Beatles in Vegas Against Long Odds

The relationship between a playwright and his brother follows the arc of the culture war raging over gay rights.

Gay Brother, Straight Brother: It Could Be a Play

Allan Kozinn article describes new Cirque du Soleil show Love at Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, its ambitious fantasy tribute to The Beatles; co-producer is Apple, company Beatles started to oversee their creative interests, which usually says no to any requests to use Beatles material; show features new mixes of Beatles standards on five-channel surround system which provides pristine quality and fine definition of sound; photos (L)

Street Level column on development boom in once all-but-forgotten Arverne section of Rockaway Peninsula; 2,300-house development called Arverne-by-the-Sea is being built and merchants are beginning to open shops; longtime residents and newcomers comment; photo (M)

TIRED of high real estate prices? Consider the alternative.     ''I got that one for six,'' said Jack Lewis, a real estate investor, pointing to a trim Victorian with steep gables and a front porch.  

The City the Boom Passed By

Frank Bruni article notes that Whole Foods will no longer sell live lobsters, saying that keeping them in crammed tanks for long periods does not demonstrate proper concern for animal welfare; holds that more Americans are mulling nutritional, environmental and ethical implications of their diets, but these concerns are riddled with intellectual inconsistencies and prompt infinite questions; photo (M)

It Died for Us

Jaap Penraat was a Dutch resistance fighter during the Second World War.

June 25, 2006

Headlines from June 25, 2006

U.S. General in Iraq Outlines Troop Cuts

Buffett's Baby Is Taking a Bumpy Ride

Iron Man Slows, and So Does the Industry

Soviet-Style Proxies, Made in the U.S.A.

Boom in Ethanol Reshapes Economy of Heartland

Billboard 200

Decemberunderground

Taking The Long Way

New Joc City

Laugh Now; Cry Later

High School Musical

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for June 25, 2006