IHT Quick Read: Nov. 6

NEWS Amid corruption scandals and the appearance of excessive lobbying, the European Parliament has become a symbol of how institutions designed to build a united Europe have faltered. James Kanter reports from Brussels.

Vigilante groups are emerging in Cairo to make protecting women - and shaming the do-nothing police - a cause, combating a longstanding problem in Egypt. Kareem Fahim reports from Cairo.

Conflicting accounts emerged on the death toll in Syria from a car bomb near the central city of Hama, with rebels reporting dozens of soldiers dead and the government saying just two civilians were killed. Neil MacFarquhar reports from Beirut, Lebanon.

President François Hollande of France received a challenge on Monday from a report he himself commissioned, as an expert panel called for a “competitiveness shock” to a country falling behind in the global economic race. David Jolly reports from Paris.

In the biggest sign yet of a strong recover y for Toyota Motor, the automaker raised its full-year profit forecast on Monday, shrugging off a sales decline in China brought about by a territorial spat between Japan and China. Hiroko Tabuchi reports from Tokyo.

ARTS Move over, “Singin' in the Rain.” Here comes “The Bodyguard” and “Viva Forever!” Not to mention “The Book of Mormon.” After a musical drought, the West End is primed for a deluge. Matt Wolf on London theater.

The painter Francesco Guardi failed to gain a significant support for most of his career, but an exhibition in Venice shows how he now ranks among the best artists of his time. Roderick Conway Morris writes from Venice.

FASHION In a surprising move reflecting the rivalry between two French luxury titans, PPR announced on Monday the departure of Balenciaga's star designer, Nicolas Ghesquière, who joined the house when he was 25, was made creative director in 1997 and succeeded in bringing a hip and modern sensibility to the revered but dusty brand. Suzy Menkes reports.

SPORTS The PowerShare Series is using retired tennis stars like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras to bring new events to several United States cities, including some abandoned by top-level tournaments. Nicholas McCarvel reports.