Future Pope attempted to get fuller inquiry in abuse case
VIENNA – As Pope Benedict XVI has come under scrutiny for his handling of sexual abuse cases, both his supporters and his critics have paid fresh attention to the way he responded to a sexual abuse scandal in Austria in the 1990s, one of the most damaging to confront the church in Europe.
South Korean Defense Minister cites torpedo attack in warship sinking
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea’s defense minister on Sunday said a torpedo attack was the most likely cause for the sinking of a South Korean warship that killed at least 40 sailors last month, a statement that inched the country closer to placing blame on North Korea and added urgency to the question of how the South might respond.
April showers please bring the weekend
The same low pressure system that caused a deadly tornado outbreak in the southeastern United States over this past weekend is responsible for the presence of rain showers in the Boston area this morning. While this storm is not expected to cause severe weather this far north, it will leave clouds and rain hanging around until a cold front sweeps through the area later today. The frontal passage will lead to windy conditions and plummeting temperatures this evening as it ushers in a mass of cold Canadian air. However, the cold spell will be short-lived, as sunshine will return for the end of the week, returning springlike temperatures in time for the upcoming weekend.
Dealing with the dangers of coal
Earlier this year, in the subterranean workplace of a southern West Virginia coal mine, methane kept building up because of a lack of fresh air. Odorless, explosive, this natural gas must be dispersed from where miners work, and yet it became such a familiar presence at the mine called Upper Big Branch that entire sections had to be evacuated four times this year alone.
For bankers, a routine deal is an $840 million mistake
LONDON — To the bankers here, it looked like a chance to make a quick $7 million — risk free.
Shorts (left)
NEW ORLEANS <i>— </i>An oil rig burning out of control in the Gulf of Mexico sank Thursday morning, with 11 workers still missing and authorities fearing a potential environmental disaster.
U.S. faces choice on new weapons for fast strikes
WASHINGTON — In coming years, President Barack Obama will decide whether to deploy a new class of weapons capable of reaching any place on Earth from the United States in less than an hour and with such accuracy and force that they would greatly diminish America’s reliance on its nuclear arsenal.
Cancer fight for Linda Griffith: unclear tests for new drug
Linda Griffith was at a conference in Singapore in early January when she felt a lump in her breast. She assumed it was nothing — a cyst. And anyway, she had no time for it. She was returning on a Sunday night and the next Tuesday morning was leaving for a conference in Florida.
Shorts (right)
As many as 400,000 nonprofit organizations are weeks away from a doomsday.
Sun shifts to clouds, rain
After yesterday’s thunderstorms and downpours of rain, a cold front passed through the area, bringing drier air behind it. Today, we get to enjoy it with mostly sunny skies as high pressure builds in the region. There will likely be a few clouds given leftover moisture, but the skies will clear more through the afternoon. The high for this afternoon will be around 63°F (17°C) and the winds will be 10–15 mph mostly from the northwest. Tonight should also be clear with lighter breezes still from the northwest. Enjoy Saturday, as similar conditions will remain in place during the daylight hours: sunny skies and spring-like temperatures. Beginning Saturday evening, the next weather system starts to make itself seen. Winds shift and come from the southwest, bringing warmer air and clouds with it. The various weather models are not yet agreeing as to the timing and amount of the Sunday’s potential rain. As I write this, the bulk of the rain is predicted to be to our south, and any rain that we do will likely be light. Accumulations will be probably less than 0.10”. Conditions will be cooler and wetter into the beginning of next week, so enjoy today’s sun!
Shorts (left)
PARIS — A dark and spectacular volcanic cloud shrouded much of northern Europe on Thursday, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights as it drifted at high altitude south and east from an erupting volcano in Iceland. The shutdown of airspace was one of the most sweeping ever ordered in peacetime, amid fears that travel could continue to be delayed days after the cloud dissipates.
Immigrants earn higher wages in workplace, analysis finds
ST. LOUIS — After a career as a corporate executive with her name in brass on the office door, Amparo Kollman-Moore, an immigrant from Colombia, likes to drive a Jaguar and shop at Saks. “It was a good life,” she said, “a really good ride.”
Rain returns, again
The last week and a half of weather has been quite variable. After record highs last Wednesday, the past week has seen seasonal temperatures and with the exception of last Friday, has been relatively dry. Unfortunately, that trend will not continue this weekend. The high pressure that has been providing us with sunshine the last few days has been pushed out to sea by a low pressure system coming down from Ontario, Canada. The front associated with this system will bring us cool temperatures and rain showers today, with highs 10-15°F below normal.
Kyrgyzstan’s president departs, and security forces begin to make arrests
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — The deposed president of Kyrgyzstan resigned and left the country for neighboring Kazakhstan on Thursday under an agreement brokered by Russia, regional leaders and the Obama administration. Within hours, security forces swooped in to arrest one of his brothers and a political ally.
Investment firm agrees to settle N.Y. pension case
The investment firm founded by Steven L. Rattner, the politically connected financier who went on to lead President Barack Obama’s automobile industry task force, has agreed to pay $12 million to settle allegations that it paid kickbacks to win lucrative business from the New York State pension fund.
Crash inquiry is focusing on decision to land Polish jet
MOSCOW — Investigators examining the crash of the Polish president’s plane appeared Sunday to be focusing on why the pilot did not heed instructions from air traffic controllers to give up tryintg to land in bad weather in western Russia.
Shorts (right)
Just as Apple’s iPhone shook up a complacent cell phone industry, the company’s iPad is provoking PC makers and non-PC makers — to fight back with new devices.
China supports sanctions against Iran’s nuclear activity at summit
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama secured a promise from President Hu Jintao of China on Monday to join negotiations on a new package of sanctions against Iran, administration officials said, but Hu made no specific commitment to backing measures that the United States considers severe enough to force a change in direction in Iran’s nuclear program.
Protesters appear to gain in Thailand’s growing political crisis
BANGKOK — The battle of wills between the Thai government and tens of thousands of protesters barricaded in the streets of Bangkok appeared to turn in favor of the protesters on Monday, when the country’s army chief shunned a military solution to the crisis and the prime minister’s party suddenly and unexpectedly faced the prospect of dissolution.