THE BAFFLING SEMILEPTONIC BRANCHING RATIO OF B-MESONS

The apparent pp between the measured and the expected value for the se mileptonic branching ratio of B mesons has become more serious over th e last year. This is due to the improved quality of the data and to th e increasing maturity of the theoretical treatment of nonperturbative corrections. We discuss various theoretical options to reduce the semi leptonic B branching ratio; among the more spectacular resolutions of the apparent puzzle is the possibility of an unorthodox enhancement in nonperturbative corrections or even of an intervention by ''New Physi cs''. Phenomenological implications of such scenarios are pointed out.