As she approached her 80th birthday, Lee Zegar decided she would stop renting and buy herself what she really wanted, a one-bedroom apartment.

The Now-or-Never Apartment

Ten years after the Sept. 11 attacks, any consensus that existed about the appropriate role of religion in public ceremonies marking a monumental American trauma has fallen apart.

Omitting Clergy at 9/11 Ceremony Prompts Protest

Republicans and Democrats are no longer fighting over whether to tackle the popular entitlement programs — Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security — but how to do it.

A Bipartisan Move to Tackle Benefits Programs

The Mainland Regional High School football team in New Jersey is preparing for its season opener while dealing with the deaths of four players.

For High School Team, a Loss That Goes Beyond Any Game

The departure of Jürgen Stark, described as the European Central Bank’s chief economist, brought the discord over the response to Europe’s sovereign debt crisis into full view.

A Setback for the Euro Zone

Paul McCartney and Peter Martins’s new ballet, “Ocean’s Kingdom,” will have its debut at City Ballet later this month.

Hands-On Brand Name Composer For a Ballet

The new 1 Series M Coupe, which BMW calls the spiritual successor to the original M3, is as quick as the current M3 coupe, handles almost as well, consumes far less fuel and costs about $13,000 less.

A Rowdy New Addition to the BMW M Family

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner warned that headwinds from Europe’s deepening debt crisis risked exacerbating problems in the United States.

Europe Is Urged to Take Bolder Action on Debt

More New Yorkers are selling their apartments jointly with a neighbor’s apartment, as potential combinations and at a higher price.

Combine and Conquer: Your Place and Mine

Rob Ryan, the twin of Rex and a son of Buddy, wants to be a head coach in the N.F.L., but, for now, he must settle for being the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.

Another Ryan Awaits His Star Turn

Animal Planet’s newest show, “Bad Dog!,” focuses on models of naughtiness, forsaking reform efforts in favor of reveling in the bad behavior.

So, This Is Man’s Best Friend?

The dismal economy is the main reason many companies aren’t hiring, and few executives think President Obama’s plan will change that.

Employers Say Jobs Plan Won’t Lead to Hiring Spur

There’s the reality TV version of “Jersey Shore” and then there’s life without the quotation marks — quiet beaches, breezy porches and yes, beer and bikinis.

Snooki Slept Here. So Did I.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 in the Ford F-150 translates to a truck that has more power, hauls more weight and has a higher towing capacity than the standard engine.

Huffs and Puffs and Tows Heavy Trailers

In NBC’s new series “Up All Night,” Maya Rudolph plays the childless boss of a new mother trying to balance her job and her life at home. In her own life, Ms. Rudolph balances her career with her husband and three children.

Juggling a Comedy Series About Juggling Life’s Tasks

The word “authentic” is being uttered everywhere and perhaps losing its original meaning, joining the ranks of “awesome.”

Authentic? Get Real

Don’t whine about the treatment at Gym Jones. After all, you asked for it.

The Cult of Physicality

Rafael Nadal dominates Andy Roddick in a three-set victory setting up a semifinal matchup with Andy Murray, who beat John Isner.

Roddick Exits With an Empty Tank

What is Indochine’s secret for its long success — famous guests or its checkerboard floors?

At Indochine the Buzz Just Keeps Buzzing

Sports stars aren’t any more prone to make financial mistakes than anyone else, but their fame puts those errors in the spotlight.

Financial Lessons From Sports Stars’ Mistakes

Magazine editors try to make their covers about the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks distinctive but in good taste.

Magazine Covers on a Topic Known All Too Well

Very different exhibitions at the School of Visual Arts, the International Center of Photography and MoMA PS1 together form an unexpectedly illuminating progression.

Three Ways to Look Back, None Easy

At the Toronto film festival, George Clooney defended his new movie, “The Ides of March.”

A Movie About Scandalously Familiar Politicians

The Labor Department is conducting a broad investigation of wages and overtime paid by the residential construction industry.

U.S. Is Investigating Wages Among Residential Builders

The ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., were shut down as a violent dispute between port workers and the owner of an export terminal in Longview, Wash., spread.

September 9, 2011

Headlines from September 9, 2011

The Now-or-Never Apartment

Omitting Clergy at 9/11 Ceremony Prompts Protest

A Bipartisan Move to Tackle Benefits Programs

For High School Team, a Loss That Goes Beyond Any Game

A Setback for the Euro Zone

Billboard 200

The R.E.D. Album

Watch The Throne

21

What Matters Most

Hell On Heels

Historical Context for September 9, 2011