Possibility of Large Final State Interaction Phases in Light of B \to K\pi and \pi\pi Data

The newly observed ${\bar{B}}^0\to {\bar{K}}^0{\pi }^0$ mode is quite sizable while ${\pi }^{-}{\pi }^{+}$ is rather small. Data also hint at $\pi^-\pi^0 \gtrsim \pi^-\pi^+$. Though consistent with zero, central values of CP violating asymmetries in $K^{-}{\pi }^{+,0}$ and ${\bar{K}}^0{\pi }^{-}$ show an interesting pattern. Taking cue from these, we suggest that, besides $\gamma\equiv {\rm arg} (V_{ub}^*)$beinglarge,therescatteringphase$\delta$in$K\pi$and$\pi\pi$modesmaybegreaterthan$90^\circ$. If this is true, not only the above trends can be accounted for, one would also find $\pi^0\pi^0 \sim \pi^-\pi^{+,0}$,andtheCPasymmetryin$\bar B^0$vs\mathrm{.}$B^0 \to \pi^-\pi^+$ could be as large as -60%. These results can be tested in a couple of years.