IHT Quick Read: Nov. 3

NEWS Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks Friday on developing a nationwide strategy on renewable energy with the governors of Germany's 16 states, at a time when energy prices are rising and the opposition is critical of her government's efforts. On the federal side, there is no single leader for the project to increase reliance on renewable energy to at least 35 percent by 2020; the Social Democratic Party has pounced on the weakness in the Merkel government's signature project ahead of national elections next year. Melissa Eddy reports from Berlin.

Last year, as many foreigners left Japan for fear of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear accident, Donald Keene, a New York-born scholar of Japanese literature, went the other way: He announced that he would apply for Japanese citizenship to show his support. The gesture made Dr. Keene, 90, a folk hero, and seems to have finally brought him the one thing that eludes many Westerners who make their home in Japan: accepta nce. Martin Fackler reports from Tokyo.

A European economic report Friday confirmed a continuing slowdown in the euro zone's factories, even as Washington reported data indicating a moderate improvement in the American economy. David Jolly reports from Paris.

ARTS Marie-Agnès Gillot is the first in-house female dancer to be given the chance to choreograph for the Paris Opera Ballet; her new piece, “Sous Apparence,” which opened Wednesday, shares a program with a major work by Merce Cunningham, enough to make far more seasoned choreographers quake. Roslyn Sulcas reports from Paris.

As China's soaring economy brings about a transformation of the market for Chinese art, a porcelain show at Eskenazi, the leader in Chinese art from the late second millennium B.C. to the 15th century, uncharacteristically deals with a more recent period. Souren Melikian reports from London.

SPORTS The four leading men in tennis have divided up the best of the 2012 l oot, but one big prize remains: The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, which begin Monday in London, which are behind only the four Grand Slam tournaments when it comes to clout. Christopher Clarey reports.

In late September, Lewis Hamilton surprised the world of Formula One when he announced that he would leave McLaren for Mercedes, severing a special relationship with a team he has described as his family. Although the 24 Formula One drivers who are preparing to race in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday seek job security like any other company employee, it is likely that none envision staying with the same team throughout their career. Few drivers with long careers have done so. Brad Spurgeon reports.