Pakistan Is Said to Pursue Role in Afghan Talks With U.S.. The offer, aimed at preserving Pakistan’s influence once U.S. forces leave Afghanistan, is a departure from Pakistan’s previous reluctance to approach the Taliban.

Philosopher Left to Muse on Ridicule Over a Hoax. The Frenchman Bernard-Henri Lévy cited a thinker who never was, and has yet to hear the end of it.

Books of The Times: A Nice Guy in a Perfect Baseball World. James S. Hirsch’s biography of Willie Mays is the first written with the baseball great’s participation.

East Coast Braces for Another Storm. Officials said that New York City schools would be closed on Wednesday, as the mid-Atlantic region prepared for another powerful storm.

A Calculus of Writing, Applied to a Classic. Zachary Mason, author of the critically praised first novel “The Lost Books of the Odyssey,” is a computer scientist eager to understand “thought with computational precision.”

Books of The Times: A Nice Guy in a Perfect Baseball World. James S. Hirsch’s biography of Willie Mays is the first written with the baseball great’s participation.

Media Talk: Kindle Books in Snack Sizes. FT Press is selling stripped-down, 1,000- to 2,000-word versions of books, for $1.99, and a new series of essays of about 5,000 words, for $2.99.

Nets G Devin Harris Sidelined Against Cavaliers. CLEVELAND (AP) -- Devin Harris' shoulder injury will keep him out of the New Jersey Nets' game against Cleveland.

Pakistan Is Said to Pursue Role in Afghan Talks With U.S.. The offer, aimed at preserving Pakistan’s influence once U.S. forces leave Afghanistan, is a departure from Pakistan’s previous reluctance to approach the Taliban.

The Pour: Hungarian Dry Whites? Forge Ahead. Best known for lavishly sweet wines, Hungary is also making dry whites again, and some are stunningly delicious.

A Federal Effort to Push Junk Food Out of Schools. To fight obesity, legislation would ban candy and sugary beverages, and many schools would be required to offer more nutritious fare.

Media Talk: For New and Healthy Recipes, a Magazine Turns to Leftovers. The editor of Health said cost concerns did not drive the decision to recycle recipes from Real Simple.

One Bowl = 2 Servings. F.D.A. May Fix That.. The F.D.A. may update serving sizes for foods like chips, cookies and ice cream to reflect how Americans really eat.

Goodluck Jonathan Addresses Nigeria. After being appointed Nigeria's acting president, Goodluck Jonathan spoke to the people.

Canada Finally Has the Nerve at the Olympics. A country characterized by modesty is going all out in an effort to win the most gold medals in the Vancouver Games, the third Olympics held in Canada.

Giant Killers Again? Spiders Need Strong Finish. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The results suggest that with a few weeks left in the regular season, Richmond has done what it needs to do to be in the NCAA tournament conversation.

Tennessee Tech-Austin Peay Game Postponed. CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The men's basketball game between Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay, scheduled for Tuesday night, has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.

Canada Finally Has the Nerve to Pursue Olympic Supremacy. A country characterized by modesty is going all out in an effort to win the most gold medals in the Vancouver Games, the third Olympics held in Canada.

Pro-Chavez Lawmakers Plan to Punish Dissidents. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Legislators allied with President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday they plan to adopt rules that will punish any lawmaker who abandons the socialist leader.

As Champions March In, Their City Parties Even Harder. Two days after their first Super Bowl victory and in the midst of Mardi Gras season, a raucous parade honors the Saints.

A Studio Head Slowly Alters the ‘Warner Way’. Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Brothers Pictures, has quietly become one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. He may soon become more so.

Nevada Casinos Win $6.86M on Super Bowl Bets. LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Gambling regulators say Nevada casinos won almost $6.9 million on this year's Super Bowl as bettors wagered $82.7 million on the NFL title game.

Studio Tied to Saints Dispute Ordered Liquidated. NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A judge is ordering into liquidation a defunct Louisiana movie studio tied to a $1.7 million dispute with New Orleans Saints players and coaches.

Television Review | 'Faces of America': Genealogy for a Nation of Immigrants. “Faces of America,” beginning on Wednesday on PBS, is a four-part series, hosted by the Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.. that traces the family roots of celebrities.

Arts, Briefly: CBS Comedies Win. The comedy lineup on CBS led Monday night’s ratings as “Two and Half Men” delivered the evening’s largest audience with 17.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen’s estimates.

Last Chance: Friends for Whom Space Was the Place. A fascinating show pairs examples of works by the New York painters and friends Philip Pearlstein and Al Held.

Television Review | 'Faces of America': Genealogy for a Nation of Immigrants. “Faces of America,” beginning on Wednesday on PBS, is a four-part series, hosted by the Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.. that traces the family roots of celebrities.

A Calculus of Writing, Applied to a Classic. Zachary Mason, author of the critically praised first novel “The Lost Books of the Odyssey,” is a computer scientist eager to understand “thought with computational precision.”

Music Review: A Sondheim-Tinted Perspective on Life. Stephen Sondheim’s songs reflect the far-sighted musical and psychological perspectives of Barbara Carroll, who turned 85 on Jan. 25 and is still going strong.

Freeze-Frame Flamenco Hints at the Mystique of a Fast, Fiery World. In time for New York’s annual Flamenco Festival, which starts on Thursday, a photography exhibition has just opened.

Philadelphia Orchestra’s Ticket Sales Add to Woes. The Philadelphia Orchestra suffered unexpectedly weak ticket sales in the fall.

Music Review | Kathleen Battle: A Certain Uncertainty, With Lieder and Gospel. Waiting for a recital by the soprano Kathleen Battle to begin on Monday night at Carnegie Hall felt a bit like riding an unfamiliar roller coaster for the first time.

Theater Review | 'Dog and Wolf': Genocide’s Many Horrors, With a Romantic Subplot. Catherine Filloux’s unpretentious one-act is often entertaining but definitely off balance.

Edmonton's AHL Affiliate to Be Located in Oklahoma. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Pro hockey will return to Oklahoma City starting next season -- and at a higher level.

Funeral Mass Held for Son of Maple Leafs GM. CANTON, Mass. (AP) -- Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and an advocate for gay rights, was remembered Tuesday for his compassion and courage four days after his death in a car crash on a snowy Indiana road.

Generation B: The Virtues of a Slow-Moving Dad. An older fathers’ group enjoys the ability to control their time in a way they never could as young men.

USVI Issues Warrant for Missing Real Estate Agent. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Dozens of irate clients in the U.S. Virgin Islands are scrambling to recover at least $2.5 million from a missing real estate agent who is a mother of six.

Canadian Police Looking Into Cold Cases. TORONTO (AP) -- Authorities say they will look into unsolved murder and sexual assault cases after charging the commander of Canada's largest Air Force base with the murder of two women and the sexual assault of two others.

A Glance at Developments 28 Days After Haiti Quake. A look at the latest developments in Haiti on Tuesday, 28 days after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the capital, Port-au-Prince:.

Relatives in Eastern Cuba Say Woman Has Turned 125. HAVANA (AP) -- Relatives in eastern Cuba claim to have held a 125th birthday party for a woman named Juana Bautista de la Candelaria Rodriguez, but it is not clear if she is really that old.

Property Values: What You Get for ... $500,000. A four-bedroom contemporary with an office in Wallingford, Pa., and a three-bedroom adobe in Albuquerque.

On Location: In Turkey, Keeping the Antique Intact. Stein-Gunnar Sommerset bought a 100-year-old wooden house on Buyukada, an island near Istambul.

House Hunting in ... Poland. In Poland, Lodz’s property values rose at a slower pace than those in other major cities like Warsaw and Krakow.

Square Feet: New Jersey, Home of the Servers. Commercial real estate is experiencing a boom in data center construction, especially in New Jersey, thanks to its proximity to New York’s financial companies.

Square Feet: Learning to Live Without Walls. Grey dispensed with almost all private offices and hired a workplace psychologist to help employees adjust.

Unorthodox. Ciliates - single-celled organisms and February's Life-form of the Month - engage in all kinds of peculiar sexual activity.

A Studio Head Slowly Alters the ‘Warner Way’. Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Brothers Pictures, has quietly become one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. He may soon become more so.

Airgas Formally Rejects Air Products' Bid. Airgas on Tuesday formally rejected a $5.1 billion takeover offer from its rival, Air Products, saying the proposal "significantly undervalues" the industrial gases company.

More Criminal Charges Filed Against Rajaratnam. Federal prosecutors brought new charges against Raj Rajaratnam in the Galleon Group insider trading case on Tuesday, expanding the number of stocks that they say were traded based on inside information.

Lynx Star Augustus Says She'll Be Ready for Season. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Lynx star Seimone Augustus is on track to start the WNBA season.

Spurs G Hill Apologizes for Nude Photos. SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill is apologizing for nude pictures of himself that were recently posted online.

Ancient Rules Dock America’s Cup Boats. The America's Cup boats stayed idle Tuesday, following rules that call for an off day after a racing day, even if that racing day was canceled.

Tar Heels Trying to Regain Control of the Season. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- When North Carolina hosts rival Duke on Wednesday night, the Tar Heels will find themselves in a position few could have imagined to start the season.

Pugnacious Loser in Ukraine Remains Curiously Silent. Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko remained out of sight on Tuesday and provided no strong hints about whether she would concede or try to overturn the results.

Europeans Discuss Aid for Greek Debt. The specifics of any bailout remained unclear and officials played down reports that Germany and France had already agreed on a rescue plan for Greece.

First Noel: Jackets Interim Coach Embraces the Joy. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Since becoming the interim head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets a week ago, Claude Noel (CLOAD' no-EL') has made the transformation from popular assistant to respected head coach.

Haiti Raises Earthquake's Death Toll to 230, 000. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Haiti's government has raised the death toll for the Jan. 12 earthquake to 230,000 from 212,000 and says more bodies remain uncounted.

Pugnacious Loser in Ukraine Remains Curiously Silent. Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko remained out of sight on Tuesday and provided no strong hints about whether she would concede or try to overturn the results.

Music Review: A Sondheim-Tinted Perspective on Life. Stephen Sondheim’s songs reflect the far-sighted musical and psychological perspectives of Barbara Carroll, who turned 85 on Jan. 25 and is still going strong.

Philadelphia Orchestra’s Ticket Sales Add to Woes. The Philadelphia Orchestra suffered unexpectedly weak ticket sales in the fall.

Music Review | Kathleen Battle: A Certain Uncertainty, With Lieder and Gospel. Waiting for a recital by the soprano Kathleen Battle to begin on Monday night at Carnegie Hall felt a bit like riding an unfamiliar roller coaster for the first time.

Last Chance: Friends for Whom Space Was the Place. A fascinating show pairs examples of works by the New York painters and friends Philip Pearlstein and Al Held.

Freeze-Frame Flamenco Hints at the Mystique of a Fast, Fiery World. In time for New York’s annual Flamenco Festival, which starts on Thursday, a photography exhibition has just opened.

An Annual Report on One Man's Life. Nicholas Felton started collecting data about himself in 2005 to create an annual report about his life. Five years later, the project continues and now includes a service to help others quantify their lives, too.

Saints to March at Last in New Orleans. Tuesday's Super Bowl victory parade for the New Orleans Saints, which will roll through their home city at 5 p.m. Central time, will be a hybrid homecoming celebration and Mardi Gras parade.

Globetrotters Show That Ice Is No Obstacle. Proven winners on hardwood courts, aircraft carriers, arena roofs and bull rings, the Harlem Globetrotters on Tuesday added outdoor ice rinks to their list of places where they have beaten the Washington Generals.

Haiti Parents Testify They Gave Kids to Americans. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- A lawyer for 10 U.S. missionaries detained in Haiti says parents of the children they're suspected of kidnapping told a judge they freely handed over their kids.

Recovering Ad Markets Lifts Disney Results. The ad revenues helped to flat results in the quarter at Disney’s parks and studio division.

Coca-Cola Posts Strong Profit on Emerging-Market Sales. Coca-Cola relied on strength overseas to counter a weak North American market that has experienced high unemployment and low consumer confidence.

O Canada! Considering the Impact of Hosting the Olympics. Lesson Plan | Exploring the image of and information about Canada, as host country of the 2010 Olympic Games.

Philanthropy Fill-In. Fill in the missing words in this article about one woman's creative idea for giving.

Europeans Discuss Aid for Greek Debt. The specifics of any bailout remained unclear and officials played down reports that Germany and France had already agreed on a rescue plan for Greece.

Galleon Defendants Ordered to Turn Over Wiretaps. U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff has ordered Raj Rajaratnam and other defendants in the Galleon Group insider trading case to turn over wiretap recordings to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has brought a parallel civil complaint against Mr. Rajaratnam and other individuals.

Recovering Ad Markets Lifts Disney Results. The ad revenues helped to flat results in the quarter at Disney’s parks and studio division.

Coca-Cola Posts Strong Profit on Emerging-Market Sales. Coca-Cola relied on strength overseas to counter a weak North American market that has experienced high unemployment and low consumer confidence.

Bundesliga Head Says WCup Security a Concern. NEW YORK (AP) -- The head of the Bundesliga says Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was only admitting what many think privately when he cited security in South Africa as an issue ahead of this year's World Cup.

Square Feet: Learning to Live Without Walls. Grey dispensed with almost all private offices and hired a workplace psychologist to help employees adjust.

Globetrotters Play Game on Ice Rink in New York. NEW YORK (AP) -- The Harlem Globetrotters have a new way to beat the Washington Generals -- on ice.

Canada to Take Injection Site Case to Top Court. OTTAWA (AP) -- Canada's government says it will appeal a British Columbia court ruling that sanctioned North America's first safe injection site for drug users.

Argentina's Kirchner Leaves ICU After Surgery. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner was out of intensive care Tuesday after emergency surgery on an important artery feeding blood to his brain.

Two Men and Their Trans-Atlantic Taxi Swap. Two collectors, one in England and one in Queens, swap vintage Checker and black cabs, but they’ve never met.

Opel’s Strategy Has Fewer Jobs and Less Capacity. Opel, G.M.’s European unit, says it plan to become profitable by 2012 by cutting its work force by 8,300 while introducing many new models.

Snowboard Videos: Send Us Your Tricks. Contribute your videos to the New York Times' snowboard Trick Library by uploading onto YouTube.

Chechen Leader Drops Libel Suits. Ramzan A. Kadyrov, backed down from a conflict with human rights defenders and journalists on Tuesday, withdrawing several libel suits at the request, aides said, of his mother.

Square Feet: New Jersey, Home of the Servers. Commercial real estate is experiencing a boom in data center construction, especially in New Jersey, thanks to its proximity to New York’s financial companies.

Canon Improves Entry-Level Rebel D.S.L.R.. Canon improves the features of its starter D.S.L.R. cameras with the new EOS Rebel T2i, and adds four new PowerShot point-and-shoot models to its lineup.

Google Tries to Get Some Good Buzz. A new social-network aggregator, Google Buzz, begins its rollout this week.

Carpetbagger: Indie Film Distributor Gets New Life. New Yorker Films' catalog of more than 400 foreign and independent titles, including works by Jean-Luc Godard, Bernardo Bertolucci, Federico Fellini and Akira Kurosawa, has a new owner.

Really?: The Claim: 3-D Movies Can Induce Headaches and Sickness. Can 3-D movies like “Avatar” cause motion sickness?

Square Feet: New Jersey, Home of the Servers. Commercial real estate is experiencing a boom in data center construction, especially in New Jersey, thanks to its proximity to New York’s financial companies.

Square Feet: Learning to Live Without Walls. Grey dispensed with almost all private offices and hired a workplace psychologist to help employees adjust.

Chechen Leader Drops Libel Suits. Ramzan A. Kadyrov, backed down from a conflict with human rights defenders and journalists on Tuesday, withdrawing several libel suits at the request, aides said, of his mother.

Man’s Story of Survival Four Weeks After Haiti Quake Confounds Doctors. Evans Moussignac was discovered severely dehydrated but without traumatic injuries in the rubble of a market in Port-au-Prince on Monday night.

Iran Unleashes Wave of Arrests of Dissidents, Analysts Say. Iranian security officials were believed to have arrested as many as 1,000 people in the past two months, a rights group said.

New European Leadership Takes on Economic Hurdles. The European Parliament voted a new European Commission into power, endorsing Jose Manuel Barroso for a second five-year term as its president.

6 NHL Teams to Open 2010-11 Season in Europe. NEW YORK (AP) -- Six NHL teams will open the 2010-11 season in Europe, the fourth straight year the league will begin play overseas.

Gaborik's Knee Cut by Skate in Rangers Practice. GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Rangers star Marian Gaborik has left practice after being cut on the right knee by goalie Henrik Lundqvist's skate.

Iran Unleashes Wave of Arrests of Dissidents, Analysts Say. Iranian security officials were believed to have arrested as many as 1,000 people in the past two months, a rights group said.

Home Fires: Shaking All Over. A U.S. veteran’s visit to Cambodia’s killing fields rattles both body and mind.

New European Leadership Takes on Economic Hurdles. The European Parliament voted a new European Commission into power, endorsing Jose Manuel Barroso for a second five-year term as its president.

China Overtakes Germany as Top Exporter. Chinese exports amounted to $1.2 trillion in 2009, while German exports totaled $1.1 trillion, or €797 billion, the German Federal Statistical Office said.

Man’s Story of Survival Four Weeks After Haiti Quake Confounds Doctors. Evans Moussignac was discovered severely dehydrated but without traumatic injuries in the rubble of a market in Port-au-Prince on Monday night.

Uruguay Floods Prompt More Than 5, 000 to Evacuate. MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) -- Flooding in Uruguay has swamped roads and homes, forced thousands to evacuate and cut power and water service.

China Overtakes Germany as Top Exporter. Chinese exports amounted to $1.2 trillion in 2009, while German exports totaled $1.1 trillion, or €797 billion, the German Federal Statistical Office said.

A Charitable Use for Leftover Gift Card Funds. Instead of letting unused gift card funds go to back to merchants and banks, one entrepreneur is trying to introduce a general-purpose gift card whose leftover funds can be donated to charity.

Google Offers Phone Help for Nexus One Owners. After mounting complaints about the lack of customer support for the Nexus One, Google is offering a phone hotline.

Google Gets More Social With Buzz. Google's Buzz service, which ties into Gmail, is another way for people to tell others what they're doing, thinking and feeling.

Riding a Hurricane, Peterson Finds a Safe Landing. The freestyle aerialist Jeret Peterson found his way back into the air by taking time to find a firm footing for his personal life.

New European Leadership Takes on Economic Hurdles. The European Parliament voted a new European Commission into power, endorsing Jose Manuel Barroso for a second five-year term as its president.

Could Now Be the Time to Buy a New Toyota?. Toyota appears to be offering more generous incentives to spur vehicle sales, according to Edmunds.com.

New European Leadership Takes on Economic Hurdles. The European Parliament voted a new European Commission into power, endorsing Jose Manuel Barroso for a second five-year term as its president.

App of the Week: Weather for Everyone. The Weather Underground mobile Web site works on most any Web enabled phone, and on a smartphone you can set it up to work like an app.

Samsung Gets the AMOLED Out. Reports are that the Korean brand will bring devices with AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) displays to market in the next year.

Global Soccer: Two Returning Stars Find a Warm Welcome. Robinho and Roberto Carlos both shone as they played again in Brazil. These are significant homecomings. Brazilian fans deserve to see their fine performers in the flesh,

Review: Natalie Dessay Reprises 'La Sonnambula' at the Opéra Bastille. Ms. Dessay sings the melodies ravishingly, with beguiling tone, supple phrasing and lovely vocal colors.

On the London Stage: First the Doldrums, Then Death. Two plays — “Really Old, Like Forty Five” and a revival of Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” — have mixed success in relaying prickly problems of everyday life.

Canadian Air Force Commander Charged With Murder. The commander of Canada's largest air base, who once flew dignitaries around the country, was charged with murder in the deaths of two women and the sexual assault of two other women.

2nd German Traveler Camps Out in Brazil Airport. BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) -- A German man who went to Brazil for a woman he met on the Internet has been camping out in an airport for more than a month after thieves took all his money and possessions, authorities said Tuesday.

German Church Faces Child Abuse Charges. The Roman Catholic Church faces yet another child abuse scandal, this time in Pope Benedict XVI’s native Germany.

German Church Faces Child Abuse Charges. The Roman Catholic Church faces yet another child abuse scandal, this time in Pope Benedict XVI’s native Germany.

Letter from Europe: New Inroads on Swiss Bank Secrecy. The Swiss are shocked again, this time over the German decision to buy a list of some 1,500 possible tax cheats saved on a disc lifted from a Swiss bank. But maybe the Swiss should think first before crying foul.

McIlroy Has Sore Back, Will Play Match Play. LONDON (AP) -- Rory McIlroy has stretched ligaments in his lower back, although it is not expected to affect his play or keep him from the Match Play Championship next week in Arizona.

On the London Stage: First the Doldrums, Then Death. Two plays — “Really Old, Like Forty Five” and a revival of Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” — have mixed success in relaying prickly problems of everyday life.

Leading Off: Vancouver’s Warmth Welcomes Arrivals. Snow and winter are in short supply as Olympians arrive in Vancouver for the Winter Games.

Bob Knight Named Trine University's Grad Speaker. ANGOLA, Ind. (AP) -- Former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight will return to the state this spring to be the commencement speaker at Trine University.

On the Road: A List No Hotel Wants to Be On. This year’s lists singled out the 10 "dirtiest" hotels in each of six regions — the United States, Asia, Canada, France, Italy and Britain.

Frequent Flier: A Chef’s Ingredients, and His Hopes, Run Afoul of a Border Inspection. In the travels of the chef Susur Lee, recipe ingredients raise red flags for airport security agents.

Expecting a Greek Bailout, Wall Street Rises. Stocks climbed on hopes that European officials will come through with some sort of assistance for Greece to handle its debt and keep the crisis from spreading.

Head of U.K. Market Regulator Confirms His Departure. The announcement that Hector Sants will leave his post this summer comes ahead of a general election whose outcome could diminish the role of the Financial Services Authority.

China Report Shows More Pollution in Waterways. China revealed that water pollution in 2007 was more than twice as severe as official figures that had long omitted agricultural waste.

Dozens Buried in Afghan Avalanches. Deadly avalanches buried hundreds cars along a high mountain pass that links Afghanistan’s capital to its north, killing at least two dozen people.

Two Men and Their Trans-Atlantic Taxi Swap. For more than a decade, Ray Tomkinson of Manchester, England, and Alvaro Gallego of Queens have traded vintage Checker and black cabs. But they have never met.

Tuesday Reading. How much Americans really spend on services like Internet and cable, the price of an in-flight pillow and blanket and other consumer-focused items from Tuesday's Times.

Sinatra Song Often Strikes Deadly Chord. The murders of people warbling “My Way” in karaoke bars have spawned urban legends about the song and left Filipinos groping for answers.

Businesses Reduced Inventories in December. Wholesale inventories were reduced 0.8 percent in December; economists had expected an increase of 0.5 percent.

Shock May Make Move Without 2 All-Stars. TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Two of the top scorers for the Detroit Shock may not be making the move to Oklahoma next season.

Salt Lake City Journal: Project Renews Downtown, and Debate. A $1 billion Mormon church-financed redevelopment project and a wave of recent church purchases in Salt Lake City have put a new focus on the line between culture and economics.

Developer Is Accused of Fleecing Investors. Adam Hochfelder, a onetime real estate mogul, was charged with taking $2.5 million from clients and friends for hotel deals he never made.

Video Game Review | Dante’s Inferno: You Read It in Class; Now You Can Play It on Your Console. Dante’s Inferno, the video game, is more reminiscent of the God of War games than it is of the “Divine Comedy,” the epic poem that inspired it.

EBay Asks Its Users for Help Building New Search Tools. EBay is rolling out new search tools on Garden by eBay, a new site where eBay will seek feedback from buyers and sellers on new products that it is developing.

Mobile Data Traffic Expected to Surge. Mobile data traffic is expected to increase 39-fold in the next five years, according to a new report from Cisco Systems.

Improving on the Hip Replacement. Dr. Patrick Meere of New York University Langone Medical Center joins the Consults blog to answer readers' questions about hip replacement.

Thirty Knots, With the Wind at Your Wings. The sailboats competing in the America’s Cup are the fastest ever built but about as delicate as a house of cards.

For New Orleans, Victory Is About More Than Football. NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - To many residents of this storm-battered city, the New Orleans Saints carried more than a trophy when they came home on Monday after winning the first Super Bowl in their 42-year history.

Americans Jailed in Haiti Plead for More Help From U.S.. The 10 American Baptists detained in Port-au-Prince on child trafficking charges say the United States government could be doing more on their behalf.

Nigerian Parliament Names Acting President. The Nigerian Parliament Tuesday voted to make Vice President Goodluck Jonathan the acting president of Africa’s most populous nation, filling a power vacuum.

East Coast Braces for Another Storm. The second major snowstorm in less than a week was churning towards Washington and New York on Tuesday.

Overseas Sales Give McDonald’s a Lift in January. Sales for the restaurant chain rose 2.6 percent in the month but dropped slightly in the United States.

Pulte Homes Narrows Loss. The homebuilder reported heavy charges in the fourth quarter that were partly offset by a tax gain. It also reported increases in orders and completed sales for the quarter.

Warner Music Group Posts $17 Million Loss. Muted consumer spending in the United States and declining compact disc sales hurt first-quarter results at the company.

Philippine Clan Patriarch Charged in November Killings. Prosecutors in the Philippine capital on Tuesday indicted the patriarch of a powerful political clan and 196 others in the November massacre of 57 people.

Coca-Cola Profit Climbs on Rising Global Sales. Earnings rose to $1.54 billion as the world’s largest soft drink maker sold 5 percent more beverages worldwide.

Dozens Buried in Afghan Avalanches. Deadly avalanches buried hundreds cars along a high mountain pass that links Afghanistan’s capital to its north, killing at least two dozen people.

Americans Jailed in Haiti Plead for Help From U.S.. The 10 American Baptists detained in Port-au-Prince on child trafficking charges say the United States government could be doing more on their behalf.

China Report Shows More Pollution in Waterways. China revealed that water pollution in 2007 was more than twice as severe as official figures that had long omitted agricultural waste.

Philippine Clan Patriarch Charged in November Killings. Prosecutors in the Philippine capital on Tuesday indicted the patriarch of a powerful political clan and 196 others in the November massacre of 57 people.

European Markets Rise, Expecting Help for Greece. Indexes climbed on hopes that European officials will come through with some sort of assistance for Greece to handle its debt and keep the crisis from spreading.

Coca-Cola Profit Climbs on Rising Global Sales. Earnings rose to $1.54 billion as the world’s largest soft drink maker sold 5 percent more beverages worldwide.

Molson Coors Profit Rises on Tax Benefits. The brewer more than doubled its fourth-quarter earnings because of favorable tax benefits even as it sold fewer beers.

Opel’s Strategy Includes Fewer Jobs and Less Capacity. Opel, the European unit of General Motors, says it will invest $15 billion in restructuring that includes a raft of new models like the battery-powered Ampera.

S.E.C. Enforcers Focus on Avoiding Madoff Repeat. Robert S. Khuzami, the head of enforcement, must restore confidence that the S.E.C. can police Wall Street.

Peppers Doesn't Want Long-Term Deal With Panthers. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Julius Peppers no longer wants a long-term contract with Carolina, saying the Panthers have ignored him this offseason.

Editor Reviewing China Quake Deaths Sentenced. An editor who had been working on a report on the deaths of thousands of children killed in school collapses in the 2008 earthquake was sentenced to 5 years for subversion.

Nigerian Parliament Names Acting President. The Nigerian Parliament Tuesday voted to make Vice President Goodluck Jonathan the acting president of Africa’s most populous nation, filling a power vacuum.

Editor Reviewing China Quake Deaths Sentenced. An editor who had been working on a report on the deaths of thousands of children killed in school collapses in the 2008 earthquake was sentenced to 5 years for subversion.

E.C.B. Chief Cuts Short Trip to Attend Summit on Debt Crisis. Jean-Claude Trichet is returning early from Australia to attend a meeting of European leaders, amid speculation over possible action to ease the debt crisis in several countries.

Opel’s Strategy Includes Fewer Jobs and Less Capacity. Opel, the European unit of General Motors, says it will invest $15 billion in restructuring that includes a raft of new models like the battery-powered Ampera.

Nigerian Lawmakers Empower Vice President. Nigeria’s National Assembly has empowered Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to take over for the ill and absent president of oil-rich Nigeria until his return.

A World of Words Reinvented in Pictures. The initial print runs for a graphic-novel adaptation of “Twilight” and a new graphic novel by Janet Evanovich are staggering.

UN Slams Haitian Hospitals for Charging Patients. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- The United Nations has warned that it will cut off shipments of free medicine beginning immediately to any Haitian hospitals that it finds are charging patients.

E.C.B. Chief Cuts Short Trip to Attend Summit on Debt Crisis. Jean-Claude Trichet is returning early from Australia to attend a meeting of European leaders, amid speculation over possible action to ease the debt crisis in several countries.

Dealbook Column: Shareholders Deciding a Dividend. The dividend, which private equity firms routinely paid to themselves until the economy turned against them, is back.

SAS to Issue Shares, Cut Jobs After Posting Loss for 2009. SAS, the Scandinavian airline group, said Tuesday that it would issue new shares to raise capital and cut 700 jobs after reporting a loss for 2009.

Nigerian Lawmakers Empower Vice President. Nigeria’s National Assembly has empowered Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to take over for the ill and absent president of oil-rich Nigeria until his return.

Toyota Details Recall of 2010 Prius for Brake Problems. The worldwide recall will affect about 437,000 units of the 2010 Prius and other hybrid models, according to the company’s filing.

Wife of Arrested Former Presidential Candidate in Sri Lanka Fears for His Safety. The wife of former army commander General Sarath Fonseka said that she has not been able to find her husband since he was arrested on Monday, for what the army said were military offenses.

UBS Returns to Profit but Clouds Linger. UBS posted its first quarterly profit in over a year Tuesday, but customers continued to pull money out of the bank, sending its shares down.

Japan Airlines Decides to Stick With American Airlines. The Japanese carrier said Tuesday that it will stay in the Oneworld alliance, rejecting an overture by Delta Air Lines of the rival SkyTeam group.

SAS to Issue Shares, Cut Jobs After Posting Loss for 2009. SAS, the Scandinavian airline group, said Tuesday that it would issue new shares to raise capital and cut 700 jobs after reporting a loss for 2009.

Britain's Top Financial Regulator to Step Down. Hector Sants announced Tuesday that he planned to step down, surprising the markets and casting doubt over the future of the Financial Services Authority as well as broader banking reform.

Toyota Details Recall of 2010 Prius for Brake Problems. The worldwide recall will affect about 437,000 units of the 2010 Prius and other hybrid models, according to the company’s filing.

Sri Lanka Arrests Defeated Candidate, Raising Fears for His Safety. The wife of former army commander General Sarath Fonseka said that she has not been able to find her husband since he was arrested on Monday, for what the army said were military offenses.

Britain's Top Financial Regulator to Step Down. Hector Sants announced Tuesday that he planned to step down, surprising the markets and casting doubt over the future of the Financial Services Authority as well as broader banking reform.

What Have You Been Taught About Sex and Abstinence?. Student Opinion | Does sex education affect students' decisions about sex?

News Quiz | February 9, 2010. See what you know about the news of the day.

A 'Dance of Beauty and Death'. 6 Q's About the News | What makes driving through the Kabul Gorge a "complicated dance of beauty and death"?

NBA Standings. All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division.

Ducks Snap Kings' Nine-Game Winning Streak. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Although the longest winning streak in the Los Angeles Kings' history finally was stopped by their closest rivals, they hope the momentum from that confidence-building run will extend all the way into the spring.

NHL Standings. All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division.

European Union Prepares for Economic Crisis Meeting. José Manuel Barroso’s economic agenda risks being overwhelmed by the debt crisis that has swept across the Continent.

Germany Is Chastised for Stance on Nuclear Arms. The German government’s effort to remove American nuclear weapons has been sharply criticized by a former leader of NATO, who said the move was driven more by populist sentiment than any long-term strategic goal.

UBS Returns to Profit but Clouds Linger. UBS posted its first quarterly profit in over a year Tuesday, but customers continued to pull money out of the bank, sending its shares down.

Toyota Details Recall of 2010 Prius for Brake Problems. The worldwide recall will affect about 436,000 units of the 2010 Prius and other hybrid models, according to the company’s filing.

Iran Is Said to Begin Nuclear Enrichment. Brushing aside international threats of stricter sanctions, Iran reportedly began enriching its uranium on Tuesday.

In Northern Iraq, a Vote Seems Likely to Split. In Nineveh Province, a parliamentary election considered crucial to Iraqi unity is highlighting conflicts among ethnic and religious groups.

World Briefing | Middle East: Saudi Arabia: Rights Group Hires Lawyer in Child-Marriage Case. The state human rights body has hired a lawyer to review the case of a girl whose mother sought her divorce from an 80-year-old man.

World Briefing | Middle East: Egypt: Police Arrest 3 Top Figures of a Powerful Opposition Group. The police arrested three top figures of the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s most powerful opposition group, as part of a continuing crackdown since the group recently chose new leadership.

World Briefing | Middle East: Yemen: Qaeda Affiliate Urges Joint Blockade of Red Sea. The Yemen-based wing of Al Qaeda called Monday for a regional holy war and a blockade of the Red Sea to cut off shipments to Israel.

Ducks' Getzlaf Sprains Left Ankle. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf sprained his left ankle during the second period of Anaheim's game against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night.

Immigrants Claim Wal-Mart Fired Them to Provide Jobs for Local Residents. Ten West Africans have filed federal complaints accusing Wal-Mart stores in Colorado of discrimination.

World Briefing | Africa: International Judges Dismiss Charges Against a Sudanese Rebel. International judges said there was not enough evidence to try a Sudanese rebel leader on charges that he played a key role in the killing of 12 African Union peacekeepers in Darfur in 2007.

In City Real Estate, Old Clans Are Shrewd Again. Some families with deep roots in Manhattan kept their heads a few years ago when the market for skyscrapers and other big projects overheated.

U.S. Officials Plan $78.5 Million Effort to Keep Dangerous Carp Out of Great Lakes. Addressing a threat that has grown increasingly tense throughout the Midwest as genetic material from the fish was found in Lake Michigan.

Japan Airlines Decides to Stick With American Airlines. The Japanese carrier said Tuesday that it will stay in the Oneworld alliance, rejecting an overture by Delta Air Lines of the rival SkyTeam group.

Asian Markets Mixed After Wall Street Decline. Markets in Asia were mixed Tuesday following Wall Street’s decline on lingering worries about high European debt levels.

Nissan Returns to Profit and Lifts Forecast. Nissan said it returned to profit in the third quarter from a year earlier and raised its annual forecast.

French ‘Identity’ Debate Leaves Public Forum. The prime minister moved a contentious debate over “national identity” to a group of experts, ending the debate in its public form.

European Union Prepares for Economic Crisis Meeting. José Manuel Barroso’s economic agenda risks being overwhelmed by the debt crisis that has swept across the Continent.

Germany Is Chastised for Stance on Nuclear Arms. The German government’s effort to remove American nuclear weapons has been sharply criticized by a former leader of NATO, who said the move was driven more by populist sentiment than any long-term strategic goal.

K. Skubiszewski, Polish Minister, Dies at 83. Mr. Skubiszewski, Poland’s first foreign minister after Communism, helped the country chart a pro-Western course.

World Briefing | Europe: Vatican: Child Abuse Condemned. Pope Benedict XVI on Monday condemned the abuse of children by members of the clergy.

Politicus: Few Signs of Turnabout in Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing a record public debt of about $136 billion, projections of faint economic growth, and a report of sinking industrial productivity.

Analysis: Dueling Priorities as the Knicks Rebuild,. The Knicks’ present is gloomy, their future uncertain, and their short- and long-term goals in clear conflict. Call it an unfortunate but necessary side effect of rebuilding.

Bryant Unsure About Playing in All-Star Game. LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant isn't sure if he'll play in this weekend's NBA All-Star game in Dallas because of his sore left ankle.

Lakers Down Spurs For Second Win Without Kobe. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers pulled together to win their second straight contest without Kobe Bryant with a 101-89 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Terry Leads the Mavericks Past Warriors, 127-117. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Jason Terry scored a season-high 36 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 127-117 on Monday night.

Kaman Gets All - Star Call In Place Of Injured Roy. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has been named to the Western Conference All-Star team in place of injured Portland guard Brandon Roy, the Clippers said on their website on Monday.

Lakers Beat Spurs 101-89 Without Bryant, Bynum. LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Pau Gasol had 21 points and 19 rebounds to lead five players in double figures, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 101-89 Monday night without injured Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum.

South Carolina State Defeats Howard 77-64. ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) -- Arsenio Williams tallied his first career double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds to help South Carolina State defeat Howard 77-64 on Monday night.

Goal: In Midst of Recession, Bundesliga Thrives. The German Bundesliga wants the world to know that even in these trying economic times, it is solvent — a soccer island in that exudes diligence, growth and smart management.

Iran Is Said to Begin Nuclear Enrichment. Brushing aside international threats of stricter sanctions, Iran reportedly began enriching its uranium on Tuesday.

China Lists $9.6 Billion in Shares of U.S. Companies. The China Investment Corporation bought more than $9 billion worth of shares in companies like Bank of America and Apple.

'The Cove' Breaks Into Japan. The filmmakers may have moved one step closer to their goal of stopping the dolphin slaughter that the documentary depicts.

World Briefing | The Americas: Canada: Air Force Official Charged. The commander of the largest air force base in eastern Canada has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two women from eastern Ontario and with the sexual assault of two others.

World Briefing | Asia: Kashmir: Avalanche Kills Soldiers. At least 15 Indian soldiers were killed after an avalanche smashed into a military training camp near the country’s disputed border with Pakistan on Monday, the army said.

World Briefing | Middle East: Saudi Arabia: Rights Group Hires Lawyer in Child-Marriage Case. The state human rights body has hired a lawyer to review the case of a girl whose mother sought her divorce from an 80-year-old man.

World Briefing | Middle East: Yemen: Qaeda Affiliate Urges Joint Blockade of Red Sea. The Yemen-based wing of Al Qaeda called Monday for a regional holy war and a blockade of the Red Sea to cut off shipments to Israel.

World Briefing | Middle East: Egypt: Police Arrest 3 Top Figures of a Powerful Opposition Group. The police arrested three top figures of the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s most powerful opposition group, as part of a continuing crackdown since the group recently chose new leadership.

World Briefing | Africa: International Judges Dismiss Charges Against a Sudanese Rebel. International judges said there was not enough evidence to try a Sudanese rebel leader on charges that he played a key role in the killing of 12 African Union peacekeepers in Darfur in 2007.

World Briefing | Europe: Vatican: Child Abuse Condemned. Pope Benedict XVI on Monday condemned the abuse of children by members of the clergy.

National Briefing | West: California: Engineer Is Sentenced for Espionage. Dongfan Chung, who was convicted of passing space shuttle secrets to China, was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison.

World Briefing | Asia: Japan: Official Says He’ll Keep Job. Japan’s most influential political leader, Ichiro Ozawa, said that he would keep his formal job as the No. 2 leader of the governing Democratic Party after prosecutors decided not to charge him in a financing scandal.

TV Sports: Super Bowl Dethrones ‘M*A*S*H’ as Most-Watched Show in History. Sunday’s Super Bowl eclipsed the final episode of “M*A*S*H” to become the most watched television show in history.

Keeping Score: Saints’ Risky Decisions Were Both Calculated and Crucial. Saints Coach Sean Payton had the numbers on his side when making three aggressive play calls during the Super Bowl.

Shuttle Blasts Off for Space Station. It was the second attempt to launch the Endeavour, 24 hours after Sunday’s attempt was scrubbed because of clouds over the launching pad.

U.S. Officials Plan $78.5 Million Effort to Keep Dangerous Carp Out of Great Lakes. Addressing a threat that has grown increasingly tense throughout the Midwest as genetic material from the fish was found in Lake Michigan.

Pakistani Military Retakes Key Town in Tribal Belt From Taliban. The military has retaken the town of Damadola, in the Bajaur area, where the army has been fighting militants for more than a year, officials said.

Japanese Split on Exposing Secret Pacts With U.S.. Agreements on U.S. bases and allowing nuclear-armed ships in Japanese ports date from the 1960s and 1970s.

Burmese-American Awaits Verdict in Myanmar Case. Nyi Nyi Aung, a naturalized American citizen, gave up a comfortable life near Washington to campaign for democracy for his native Myanmar.

Chinese Advocate of Quake Victims Sentenced Over E-Mails. A Chinese activist who sought to document shoddy construction that he contended had contributed to deaths in China’s devastating 2008 earthquake has been sentenced to five years in prison for subversion.

China Lists $9.6 Billion in Shares of U.S. Companies. The China Investment Corporation bought more than $9 billion worth of shares in companies like Bank of America and Apple.

National Briefing | West: California: Engineer Is Sentenced for Espionage. Dongfan Chung, who was convicted of passing space shuttle secrets to China, was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison.

World Briefing | Asia: Japan: Official Says He’ll Keep Job. Japan’s most influential political leader, Ichiro Ozawa, said that he would keep his formal job as the No. 2 leader of the governing Democratic Party after prosecutors decided not to charge him in a financing scandal.

World Briefing | Asia: Kashmir: Avalanche Kills Soldiers. At least 15 Indian soldiers were killed after an avalanche smashed into a military training camp near the country’s disputed border with Pakistan on Monday, the army said.

Developer Is Accused of Fleecing Investors. Adam Hochfelder, a onetime real estate mogul, was charged with taking $2.5 million from clients and friends for hotel deals he never made.

Second Wave of Snowfall Is in Forecast. While they dig out from a huge snowstorm, road crews across the Mid-Atlantic states may be faced with having to dig out all over again after another heavy snowfall forecast for Tuesday.

Goal: In Midst of Recession, Bundesliga Thrives. The German Bundesliga wants the world to know that even in these trying economic times, it is solvent â€" a soccer island in that exudes diligence, growth and smart management.

Keeping Score: Saints’ Risky Decisions Were Both Calculated and Crucial. Saints Coach Sean Payton had the numbers on his side when making three aggressive play calls during the Super Bowl.

World Briefing | The Americas: Canada: Air Force Official Charged. The commander of the largest air force base in eastern Canada has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two women from eastern Ontario and with the sexual assault of two others.

On Health Bill, G.O.P.’s Road Is a New Map. Republicans this month will bring President Obama a set of ideas and a more modest health care plan.