Interior Dept. Proposes Expansion of Oil and Gas Drilling Along U.S. Coasts
The Bush administration on Monday proposed leasing out millions of acres along the coasts of Alaska and Virginia to oil and gas drillers, a move that would end a longstanding ban on drilling in those environmentally sensitive areas.
Wal-Mart Violated Workers’ Rights Over Labor Unions, Report Finds
In its first study of how an American company treats its workers, Human Rights Watch asserted Monday that Wal-Mart’s aggressive efforts to keep out labor unions often violated federal law and infringed on its workers’ rights.
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Gov. Timothy M. Kaine of Virginia closed a loophole Monday in the state’s gun laws that allowed a mentally disturbed Virginia Tech student to buy the guns used in a shooting rampage this month that left 33 dead at the university.
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Climate scientists may have significantly underestimated the power of global warming from human-generated heat-trapping gases to shrink the cap of sea ice floating on the Arctic Ocean, according to a new study of polar trends.
U.S. Commander Charged With Aiding Iraqi Detainees at Prison
The American military has charged a top commander at its main detention center here with nine violations of military law, including “aiding the enemy,” a rare and serious accusation that could carry a death sentence.
The Rumble of Spring
You’ve probably noticed the change in the weather recently as we’ve been on one crazy roller coaster ride, going from stinging ice pellets to downright balmy weather in less than two weeks. Spring seems to have missed its layover in Boston, but these wild swings from day to day are very characteristic of the temperamental nature of the season. Gradients between cold and warm air masses can become very sharp. For instance, on Tuesday there was a blinding snowstorm in the foothills of Colorado where some places received almost two feet of snow and tornadic thunderstorms were spinning on the high plains less than 100 miles to the east.
Researchers Connect Seven New Genes to Adult–Onset Diabetes
Researchers said Thursday that they had identified seven new genes connected to the most common form of diabetes — the latest result of an intensifying race between university researchers and private companies to find genes linked to a range of diseases.
Chief Exec. of Siemens Resigns in the Midst of Widening Corporate Scandal
The embattled chief executive of Siemens, Klaus Kleinfeld, said Wednesday that he would step down when his contract expired in September, the latest casualty in a widening corruption scandal that has shaken corporate Germany.
Putin Suspends Arms Treaty To Contest U.S. Defense Plans
President Vladimir V. Putin said Thursday that Russia would suspend its compliance with a treaty on conventional arms in Europe that was forged at the end of the Cold War, opening a fresh and intense dispute in the souring relations between NATO and the Kremlin.
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Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. is bringing MySpace.com to China, a latecomer that is betting it can overcome that handicap by competing unconventionally as a start-up.
Public Agrees Global Warming Is a Problem, Remains Split on Actions
Americans in large bipartisan numbers say the heating of the earth’s atmosphere is having serious effects on the environment now or will soon and think that it is necessary to take immediate steps to reduce its effects, the latest New York Times/CBS News poll finds.
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The House on Wednesday narrowly approved a $124 billion war spending bill that would require U.S. troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq by Oct. 1, setting the stage for the first veto fight between President Bush and majority Democrats.
Russia Cool to U.S. Request For Cooperation on Missile Defense
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pressed the Kremlin's top leaders on Monday to accept a detailed new plan for cooperation on missile defense in Europe that he said would make Russia a full partner in the American effort by sharing information, jointly developing new technology, and even combining the two countries' defensive radar systems.
Senators Discuss College Attack Prevention Following Massacre
Lawmakers began weighing ways Monday to prevent more tragedies on college campuses in a hastily convened Senate hearing a week after the shootings in Virginia. The hearing explored the adequacy of campus' mental health resources, security plans and communications systems.
Cooldown Coming
After a rainy and raw few weeks, the summer-like weather of the past few days has been a most welcome diversion. Yesterday was the first day with above-80°F (27°C) weather in Boston since October 9 of last year. While today will again be mild (though not as warm as yesterday), the second half of the week will be nowhere near as pleasant as the past three days.
Gonzales' Testimony Praised By Bush Despite Rep. Criticism
President Bush on Monday said that the congressional testimony of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales last week, roundly panned by members of both parties, "in a way increased my confidence in his ability to do the job."
Wolfowitz Hires Big-Name Lawyer For World Bank Position Defense
Paul D. Wolfowitz, signaling anew that he will fight for his job as World Bank president, has enlisted a prominent lawyer who defended President Bill Clinton against accusations of sexual misconduct to help convince the bank's board that Wolfowitz has done nothing to justify being ousted.
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There is no connection between abortion and an increased risk for breast cancer, scientists reported Monday in a large study.
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Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday that he had reassured Israel about a planned major American arms sale to Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf countries, saying that the sale would not threaten Israel's military superiority and that it is necessary to counter the threat from Iran.