IHT Quick Read: Jan. 9 NEWS In Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, places that were once Taliban strongholds have been transformed by the American troop surge that brought tens of thousands of marines three years ago. But there is little faith in the government's ability to maintain those security gains once the Americans leave, and many assume that the Taliban will return. Alissa J. Rubin reports from Loy Bagh, Afghanistan. Unemployment in the euro zone rose to a new high in November, according to data released Tuesday that also showed that the troubles in the 17-nation currency bloc were straining its strongest member, Germany. Melissa Eddy and David Jolly report from Berlin and Paris. President Barack Obama's inner circle, it appears, will be dominated by men well into his second term. And from the White House down the ranks, his administration has significantly exceeded the Bush administration in appointing women but has done no better than the Clinton administration, according to an analysis of personnel data by The New York Times. Annie Lowrey reports from Washington. A surge in sales of one of Australia's most popular brands of infant formula has led to barren shelves in baby aisles, and even rationing of baby food in some retail outlets. But the run on formula is not the result of a local baby boom - instead, it is being attributed to Chinese visitors, apparently concerned about domestic food safety standards, who are believed to be buying in bulk and carrying it home. Matt Siegel reports from Sydney. More than a year and a half since the nuclear crisis in Japan, much of Japan's post-Fukushima cleanup remains primitive, slapdash and bereft of the cleanup methods lauded by government scientists as effective in removing harmful radioactive cesium from the environment. Hiroko Tabuchi reports from Nahara, Japan. In the remote Sakha-Yakutia region of Siberia, the wolf population is growing by leaps and bounds - so much so that the governor has declared a state of emergency, though wildlife experts said the move was largely symbolic. Andrew E. Kramer reports from Moscow. ARTS Armed with digital technology, hundreds of Cuban filmmakers are laying the foundations of an independent movie industry outside the state apparatus that has defined Cuban cinema for much of the Castro era - and still, much to the frustration of some filmmakers, controls access to the island's movie theaters. Victoria Burnett reports from Havana. SPORTS What a striking couple Lionel Messi and Abby Wambach cut at the world player of the year gala in Zurich - and what a striking difference in their fortunes.