In an international city of more than eight million souls, “The Real Housewives of New York City” documents the lives of five white socialites who juggle Hamptons estates and charity balls.

Being a Housewife Where Neither House Nor Husband Is Needed

Many schools in New York City are experimenting with monetary incentives to promote learning.

Next Question: Can Students Be Paid to Excel?

After a long malaise, CNN is finally getting its swagger back, in large part from high ratings from this year’s presidential race.

Presidential Primaries Lift CNN

Investors and analysts have urged a breakup of Citigroup, saying the company has become too unwieldy to be managed effectively.

Assurances From Citigroup, but Skepticism on Wall Street

As it scrambles to avoid defeat in its battle with Microsoft, Yahoo may try to seek more time to find other partners or persuade Microsoft to raise its offer.

Yahoo Looks at New Way to Survive

The recent case of Daniella, the 6-month-old baby believed to have been abandoned in a cab, has raised the question of what options overwhelmed new parents do have.

Parents in Crisis Have Many Options for Giving Babies Haven, Officials Say

When the latest monthly employment report comes out this week, politicians will be quick to point out that joblessness remains low by historical standards, but the figures can be misleading.

Unemployed, and Skewing the Picture

Barack Obama holds the delegate lead, but Hillary Rodham Clinton showed she can win the big states.

In 2 Battlegrounds, Voters Say, Not Yet

A hard-to-find abnormality in the colon is more common than previously thought, researchers say.

Easily Overlooked Lesions Tied to Colon Cancer

William Bolcom’s Eighth Symphony writes out the poetry of William Blake in capital letters. Its four movements, as played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on Monday evening, think big in every way.

Blake’s Text Writ Large and Loud by Bolcom

Kei Igawa retired all six hitters he faced in the Yankees’ 2-0 victory on Tuesday, throwing his first three pitches for balls and then 14 of his last 16 for strikes.

Yankees Say They Have Time to Wait for Igawa to Catch Up

A three-country dispute highlights the fact that Colombia is increasingly seen in Venezuela as an American proxy.

Colombia Is Flashpoint in Chávez’s Feud With U.S.

Two projects aimed at transforming swampy expanses into massive entertainment and retail complexes are plagued by economic, political, geological and structural problems.

Delay, Turmoil and High Costs Plague Meadowlands Projects

Mary-Louise Parker gives a bold, stylized performance in tune with the dreamy spirit of Sarah Ruhl’s beguiling new comedy.

A Nagging Call to Tidy Up an Unfinished Life

Larry Borger has been a practicing arborist since the Great Depression.

A Skyline That Sways in the Breeze

The only place outside France where Guy Savoy, the great French chef, operates a restaurant is the neon-lit Nevada desert.

8. Restaurant Guy Savoy

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s victories over Barack Obama in Ohio and Texas gave her a chance to soldier on. John McCain claimed the G.O.P. nomination.

Big Wins for Clinton in Texas and Ohio; McCain Clinches Race as Foe Concedes

After an author confessed to making up her memoir, the focus turned to her publisher and the news media.

Tracking the Fallout of (Another) Literary Fraud

The last ball Brett Favre threw was intercepted by Giants cornerback Corey Webster. It now belongs to Greg Gadson, a United States Army lieutenant who lost his legs in May while serving in Iraq.

Last Pass by Favre: A Special Gift

Queens firefighters are being sent out faster, but, critics say, confusion in communicating details via radio to trucks on the road has hampered response times and cost lives.

Experiment in Queens Speeds Firefighters, and Draws Criticism

If you live in the United States and like spicy tuna rolls, Puerto Rican roast pork or Thai noodles, there is a good chance you are eating, and enjoying, MSG.

Yes, MSG, the Secret Behind the Savor

The case of Anthony Pellicano, the onetime sleuth-to-the-stars who is accused of eavesdropping, has a D-list of no-name defendants but big names may be called to testify.

Hollywood on Edge of Its Seats as Wiretapping Trial Is Set to Start

Deeper issues aside, both “The Ancient Americas” at the Field Museum in Chicago and “Exploring the Early Americas” at the Library of Congress in Washington display impressive objects. 

Two New Shows Cast Light and Darkness on Early Cultures in the Americas

In his 17 seasons, Brett Favre earned three M.V.P. awards, a bevy of records and a reputation as a crowd-pleaser.

Packers’ Quarterback Favre to Retire From N.F.L.

David Lee and Nate Robinson are both eligible to sign lucrative contract extensions this summer. But will financial security be enough for them to stay with the dysfunctional Knicks?

When Knicks Look at Future, the Future May Look Away

Joseph Weizenbaum was a German-American computer scientist and a professor at MIT. He is the namesake of the Weizenbaum Award and the Weizenbaum Institute.

March 5, 2008

Headlines from March 5, 2008

Being a Housewife Where Neither House Nor Husband Is Needed

Next Question: Can Students Be Paid to Excel?

Presidential Primaries Lift CNN

Assurances From Citigroup, but Skepticism on Wall Street

Yahoo Looks at New Way to Survive

Billboard 200

Sleep Through The Static

As I Am

Back To Black

Kidz Bop 13

Step Up 2: The Streets

Notable Deaths

Historical Context for March 5, 2008