Head to the Beach
My advice to you: head to the beach if you can. Today and tomorrow will be very hot and humid, making the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean feel downright pleasant. Watch out for possible thunderstorms, some of which could be severe. If you plan to be outside, drink plenty of water to prevent heat exhaustion and remember the sunscreen. Sunday’s forecast shows some relief from the heat, and a passing high pressure system will ensure a sunny day.
Senate Approves New Lobbying Constraints, Bans Private Gifts
The Senate gave final approval Thursday to a far-reaching package of new ethics and lobbying rules, with an overwhelming majority of Republicans and Democrats agreeing to better police the relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists.
Palestinian Militants Killed in Gaza During Israeli Incursion
At least 11 Palestinian militants were killed in airstrikes and armed clashes during an Israeli army incursion into central Gaza on Thursday, Palestinian medical officials said. It was one of the bloodiest days for Hamas since it took control of the Gaza Strip three weeks ago.
Health Care Becomes a Major Issue in Presidential Campaigns
There is no better measure of the power of the health care issue than this: Eighteen months before Election Day, presidential candidates in both parties are promising to overhaul the system and cover more — if not all — of the 44.8 million people without insurance.
Domenici Breaks With President, Republican Support For War Fades
Support among Republicans for President Bush's Iraq policy eroded further Thursday as another senior lawmaker, Sen. Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, broke with the White House just as congressional Democrats prepared to renew their challenge to the war.
Four Muslims Convicted After Failed U.K. Terrorist Attempt
Even as investigators tried to untangle the complicated web of connections among the suspects in last week's failed car bombings, four Muslim men were convicted of terrorist offenses in two separate trials in Britain on Thursday.
Shorts (right)
With the parliament and the Cabinet barely able to function, some senior political figures in Iraq's government have begun reaching out to try to address a long-stagnating list of legislation seen as crucial to the country's future.
Shorts (left)
In what may be one of the costliest consumer warranty repairs in history, Microsoft announced Thursday that it would spend up to $1.15 billion to fix failing Xbox 360 game machine consoles.
Get Lucky This Weekend!
While watching fireworks on Wednesday night, the revelry was kept in check by a band of frontal precipitation that passed during the festivities. Now, though, as we head away from the 4th and toward the weekend, the future is bright.
Which Way the Wind Blows
This time of year, one can often figure out how warm or cold it will be based only on whether the wind is blowing from the ocean. The water is still a chilly 55°F (13°C) in Boston Harbor. If there is no sunshine and a strong wind out of the east, as there was last Wednesday when it felt more like the beginning of April than mid-June, our air temperature will be very close to the water temperature in the harbor. If instead of clouds we have the strong June sun, the marine air will absorb heat from the sun-drenched ground as it moves towards campus, resulting in afternoon temperatures near a comfortable 70°F (21°C). With the prevalence of more clouds than sun today, we’ll likely fall short of 70°F (21°C), but it will still be warmer than the past couple of days.
US May Leave Gaza to Hamas, Supporting Fatah in West Bank
Bush administration officials said Thursday that they had been discussing the idea of largely acquiescing in the takeover of Gaza by the militant Islamic group Hamas and trying instead to help the Fatah party of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, retain its stronghold in the West Bank.
Clintons Sell Millions in Holdings To Escape Any Political Liability
Concerned that their personal finances might become a political liability once again, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton in April sold the millions of dollars of stocks held by their blind trust after becoming aware that those investments included oil and pharmaceutical companies, military contractors and Wal-Mart, among others, their aides said Thursday.
151–45 Vote Shuts Down Amendment To Outlaw Same-Sex Marriage in MA
Same-sex marriage will continue to be legal in Massachusetts, after proponents on Thursday won a months-long battle to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Shorts (left)
A federal judge refused Thursday to delay the start of the prison sentence for I. Lewis Libby Jr. in the CIA leak case while he appeals his conviction, meaning he could be ordered to surrender within two months.
Shorts (right)
Violence increased throughout much of Iraq in recent months, despite a security crackdown in Baghdad that at least temporarily reduced sectarian killings there, according to a quarterly assessment of security conditions issued Wednesday by the Pentagon.
US Pushes Missile Defense in EU Despite Putin’s Proposal
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates made clear Thursday that the United States would not alter plans to deploy parts of a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, despite an unexpected proposal by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to use a radar base in Azerbaijan instead.
As Bounty of Low Rates Fades, Leaner Times May Be Imminent
The unusually low interest rates of the last three years have been an enormous boon to almost every corner of the U.S. economy.
China to Revise Its Regulations To Better Food and Drug Safety
Responding to growing international concerns about tainted food and counterfeit drugs, China has announced that it is overhauling its food- and drug-safety regulations and will introduce nationwide inspections.
Protestors Foil Some Security Measures at Summit Meeting
They lurked in the woods, 50 strong, wearing black hoods and bandannas, and wielding tree limbs. At a signal given by one of their number, they sprang forward and threw their debris across a road here, creating a barricade that brought traffic to a screeching halt.
FDA Issues Its Strictest Health Warning on Two Diabetes Drugs
The government's top drug regulator told a packed House hearing Wednesday that the agency had recently decided to put the agency's most serious safety warning on two diabetes drugs — Avandia and Actos — whose health risks have become a focus of congressional concern.