Americans last year donated $260.3-billion to charitable organizations, including colleges and universities, an increase of 2.7 percent after inflation, according to estimates scheduled to be released today in a report, “Giving USA,” that provides an annual tally of American philanthropy. About half of the $15-billion increase from 2004 - some $7.4-billion - was given in response to three natural disasters: the Indonesian tsunamis, the Gulf Coast hurricanes, and the earthquake in Pakistan. The report suggests, however, that the disasters did not cause people to cut back their giving to other causes last year.

Scott Haltzman, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior, discusses the societal obstacles faced by stay-at-home fathers.

A series of events organized by Brown University and the Rhode Island Rochambeau Commission commemorated the role the French played in the American Revolution. This wire service story was distributed to member media throughout New England.

Penalty kicks in soccer games have attracted quite a bit of academic interest because they provide an ideal situation for checking some of the predictions of game theory. Ignacio Palacios-Huerta, professor of economics, is among those conducting such research. This article also ran in the International Herald Tribune.

Brown University and the Rhode Island Rochambeau Commission hosted a symposium, "France and the American Revolution," and historical reenactments marking the 225th anniversary of Gen. Count de Rochambeau's march to Yorktown, Va.