Among the advantages Republicans hold as they seek to control Congress, one thing is missing: surprise. Unlike in 1994, there will be no sneak attacks.

Voter Anger No Surprise to Democrats This Time

The Mets’ volatile closer returned to Citi Field after a two-game suspension and pitched for the first time since his arrest early Thursday on charges that he assaulted the grandfather of his 11-month-old twins.

Francisco Rodriguez Apologizes in Return to the Mets

Far-flung flooding, drought and heat are reviving the question of whether global warming is to blame.

In Weather Chaos, a Case for Global Warming

A congressman wants to eliminate the dual roles played by big mortgage servicers.

In This Play, One Role Is Enough

With school budgets shrinking, parents are asked to provide cleaning products as well as crayons and scissors.

Scissors, Glue, Pencils? Check. Cleaning Spray?

Martin Kaymer of Germany topped Bubba Watson in a three-hole playoff after Dustin Johnson was penalized two strokes and knocked out of contention.

A Penalty and a Playoff Cap a Wild P.G.A.

The commander of American and NATO forces said he did not come to Afghanistan to preside over a “graceful exit.”

Petraeus Opposes a Rapid Pullout in Afghanistan

“The Big C” on Showtime works because most of the writing is strong and believable, and so is Laura Linney, who rarely sounds a false note.

It’s Hello Cancer, Goodbye Inhibitions

“The Expendables,” an ensemble action film starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone, took in an estimated $35 million in ticket sales and beat out “Eat Pray Love.”

Muscular ‘Expendables’ Enlivens Battle for Studio

With “Freedom,” Jonathan Franzen has completed his own transformation from a sharp-elbowed, apocalyptic satirist into a kind of 19th-century realist.

A Family Full of Unhappiness, Hoping for Transcendence

Internet access via satellite tends to serve the underserved. With new technology, the providers hope to upgrade their service at lower cost.

Tapping the Web, 22,000 Miles Up

Bernadette Peters, a Stephen Sondheim specialist, is the new Desirée in the revival of his “Little Night Music.”

Broadway’s New Desirée, Learning as She Goes Along

Disney’s planned acquisition of Playdom will add sorority, bar, vineyard and mobster-themed games to the company’s roster.

Entering a Sorority’s Forbidden Precincts

New albums by Brian Wilson, John Mellencamp, Trace Adkins, Esperanza Spalding and Boris & Ian Astbury.

Fun, Fun, Fun With Porgy, Bess and George

Groups that saw Google as a top ally in the fight for net neutrality see its proposal with Verizon as a retreat.

Google Plan With Verizon Disillusions Some Allies

The Practical Traveler column on Aug. 1, about ways to avoid high phone bills when traveling abroad, referred imprecisely to a Boingo Wireless plan for travelers who sign up for a $7.95 monthly fee. While the fee for that service, called the Boingo Mobile plan, includes Wi-Fi access for smartphones and mobile devices in hotels, restaurants, airports and more in over 70 countries, it does not provide access for computers. (A $59 plan called Boingo Global includes Wi-Fi access for both mobile devices and computers.)

Corrections

The following tax-exempt fixed-income issues are scheduled for pricing this week.

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week

Those who are afflicted with chronic conditions are less likely to have Internet access, but “cyberchondriacs,” those who look for health information online, are an ever-growing group.

Less Web Access Among Chronically Ill

How to Dress Well takes the 1990s R&B that inspires him and squeezes it, chops it and squeezes it dry.

Paying Tribute in Deep Shadow

A start-up wants to modify low-power smartphone chips to run servers, the computers in corporate data centers. If successful, it would undermine Intel’s server-chip juggernaut.

Start-Up Aims to Slay Chip Goliath

The International Body Music Festival, which focused on using the body as an instrument, was a concert with little to do with choreography or the art of theater.

You Are Your Own Instrument — Slap-Happy at Lincoln Center

Reports this week include July figures for the Producer Price Index, housing starts, and industrial production and capacity utilization.

Economic Reports This Week

The conductor Osmo Vanska and the pianist Antti Siirala performed at Avery Fisher Hall on Friday, during the Mostly Mozart Festival.

Finnish Conductor and Pianist Give Mozart a Rigorous Workout

The dancing began early at Bachata Fest, a gathering of several leading acts in the Dominican romantic style.

August 15, 2010

Headlines from August 15, 2010

Voter Anger No Surprise to Democrats This Time

Francisco Rodriguez Apologizes in Return to the Mets

In Weather Chaos, a Case for Global Warming

In This Play, One Role Is Enough

Scissors, Glue, Pencils? Check. Cleaning Spray?

Billboard 200

Nightmare

Recovery

Teflon Don

My World 2.0

Thank Me Later

Historical Context for August 15, 2010