Related papers: On Puzzles and Non-Puzzles in B -> pi pi, pi K Dec…

We discuss the theoretical interpretation of the $B\to\pi K$ system in the light of new data. Using the branching ratio and direct CP asymmetry of $B^0_d\to\pi^-K^+$, the picture of the direct CP violation in $B_d^0\to\pi^+\pi^-$ could be…

Recently, we developed a strategy to analyse the B -> pi pi,pi K data. We found that the B -> pi pi measurements can be accommodated in the Standard Model (SM) through large non-factorizable effects. On the other hand, our analysis of the…

The recent observation of B_d -> pi^0 pi^0 at the B factories with a surprisingly large branching ratio represents a challenge for theory, and complements the amazingly small B_d -> pi^+ pi^- rate. We point out that all puzzling B -> pi pi…

We investigate allowed regions in observable space of B --> pi K, B_d --> pi^+pi^- and B_s --> K^+K^- decays, characterizing these modes in the Standard Model. After a discussion of a new kind of contour plots for the $B\to\pi K$ system, we…

The $B\to\pi K$ decays with significant electroweak penguin contributions show a puzzling pattern. We explore this "$B\to\pi K$ puzzle" through a systematic strategy. The starting point, which is essentially unaffected by electroweak…

We analyse the B -> pi pi, pi K modes in the light of the most recent B-factory data, and obtain the following new results: (i) the B0 -> pi+ pi-, pi- K+ modes prefer gamma=(74+-6)deg, which - together with |V_ub/V_cb| - allows us to…

The recently observed direct CP violation in $B_d \to K^+ \pi^-$ has raised suggestions of possible new physics. A robust test of the standard model vs. new physics is its prediction of equal direct CP violation in $B_s \to K^- \pi^+$…

Using isospin relations, we predict the Standard-Model correlation between S_{pi^0 K_S}=(sin 2beta)_{pi^0 K_S} and A_{pi^0 K_S}, the mixing-induced and direct CP asymmetries of B^0-> pi^0 K_S. The calculation uses flavour SU(3) only to fix…

The measured B -> pi pi, pi K branching ratios exhibit puzzling patterns. We point out that the B -> pi pi hierarchy can be nicely accommodated in the Standard Model (SM) through non-factorizable hadronic interference effects, whereas the B…

The difference between the CP asymmetries of the $B^0 \to K^+ \pi^-$ and $B^+ \to K^+ \pi^0$ decays has been recently confirmed with an evidence larger than $5\sigma$'s. We discuss it as a possible signal of new physics associated with new…

We summarize a recent strategy for a global analysis of the B -> pi pi, pi K systems and rare decays. We find that the present B -> pi pi and B -> pi K data cannot be simultaneously described in the Standard Model. In a simple extension in…

The Standard-Model interpretation of the ratios of charged and neutral B-> pi K rates, R_c and R_n, respectively, points towards a puzzling picture. Since these observables are affected significantly by colour-allowed electroweak (EW)…

The CP asymmetry in $B^0\to K^+\pi^-$ is expected to be similar to that in $B^+\to K^+\pi^0$. The experimental data however show $\sim 5\sigma$ difference between the two, leading to the so called $\Delta {A}_{K\pi}$ puzzle. Employing sum…

We update the profile of the CKM matrix. The apex (rhobar,etabar) of the Unitarity Triangle is given by means of a global fit. We propose to include therein sin2alpha from the CP-violating asymmetries in B0->rho+rho-, using isospin to…

The LHCb collaboration has recently reported the first observation of CP violation in the penguin-dominated $B^0_s\to K^-K^+$ decay and further new measurements, indicating differences between the direct CP asymmetries of both the $B^0_s\to…

We have recently shown that the large direct CP violation observed in the decay B^0 -> pi^+ pi^-, and the enhanced branching ratio for B^0 -> pi^0 pi^0, can be understood by invoking a small mixing of the pi pi system with the dominant D…

Based on the most recent data in charmless B decays including the very recently reported large direct CP violations, it is shown that the weak phase gamma can well be extracted without two-fold ambiguity even only from two decay modes…

Direct CP violation in B^0-> K^+\pi^- decay has emerged at -10% level, but the asymmetry in B^+ -> K^+\pi^0 mode is consistent with zero. This difference points towards possible New Physics in the electroweak penguin operator. We point out…

We present the new and updated $BABAR$ measurements of CP-violation studies for many $b\to s $ penguin decay modes. We report the first observation of mixing-induced CP-violation in $B^0 \to \eta ^{'} K^0$ with a significance (including…

Over the last two decades, $B \to \pi K$ modes have received a lot of attention. They are particularly interesting since the main contribution to these decays comes from QCD penguin topologies. Furthermore, electroweak penguin amplitudes…