US and Britain joining forces in bank misbehavior cases
It seemed to be a thumb in the eye of the U.S. Justice Department. Britain last week criminally charged a former Barclays employee suspected of trying to manipulate global interest rates, even though the authorities in London were aware that the employee had been assisting U.S. prosecutors in a related investigation for more than a year.
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KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s acting interior minister issued a warrant Monday for the arrest of former President Viktor Yanukovych, accusing him of mass killing civilian protesters in demonstrations last week.
A return to chilly weather
Many of us abandoned our hats and gloves this weekend as sunny skies and southerly winds brought Boston a much-needed respite from the cold. Sunday’s high temperature was recorded at 52°F (11°C) — the warmest temperature Boston’s seen since February 2nd!
For the Supreme Court, a case poses a puzzle on the EPA’s authority
WASHINGTON — In trying to decide whether the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority under two programs to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources like power plants, the Supreme Court on Monday faced what Justice Elena Kagan called “the conundrum here.”
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Ford has found a new software partner to power its in-car entertainment and communications systems, making plans to drop technology from Microsoft in favor of software from BlackBerry.
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MOSCOW — The two sides in what is developing into an East-West clash over Ukraine hardened their positions Wednesday, with Russian officials denouncing what they called a coup by right-wing extremists, even as the United States and Europe threatened to impose sanctions on those responsible for the violence that has erupted in the capital, Kiev, and spread to other cities.
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Google is taking steps to expand Fiber, its ultrahigh-speed Internet service, to as many as 34 cities in nine metropolitan areas.
North and South Koreans meet in emotional family reunions
SEOUL, South Korea — Lee Beom-ju, 86, had little to say at first.
Facebook to buy messaging startup in $16 billion deal
Facebook said Wednesday that it would acquire WhatsApp, a messaging startup, for $16 billion in cash and stock.
Spurred by lawsuit, New York to limit solitary confinement
New York state has agreed to sweeping reforms intended to curtail the widespread use of solitary confinement, including prohibiting its use in disciplining prisoners under 18.
A brief thaw
The month of February has featured long stretches of below-average temperatures, but yesterday’s high temperature, as recorded by the weather station on the roof of Building 54, was 49.2°F. This was the first temperature above 45°F recorded since February 2. The brief thaw continues today with the passage of a warm front, before a cold frontal passage tonight will initiate a gradual cooling trend through the weekend. The precipitation associated with these frontal passages will be rain, and there is even a chance of thunderstorms. With the amount of snow still on the ground and snow-clogged storm drains, it could be quite messy out. Watch out for giant puddles as you step off the curb! Unfortunately for those longing for spring, next week features a return to below average temperatures in the 20°Fs and 30°Fs, but it is too soon to tell we will be adding to the 22.5” of snow received in February before the month is out.
Scrutiny in California for educational software in schools
A leading California lawmaker plans to introduce state legislation Thursday that would shore up privacy and security protections for the personal information of students in elementary through high school, a move that could alter business practices across the nearly $8 billion education technology software industry.
European Union imposes sanctions in Ukraine crisis
BRUSSELS — Brushing aside Russian criticism, the European Union agreed Thursday to go ahead with sanctions that include travel bans and asset freezes imposed on those deemed responsible for the fatal escalation of violence in Ukraine.
U.N. panel: North Korean leader could face trial
GENEVA — A United Nations panel has served notice to Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, that he may be personally held liable in court for crimes against humanity committed by state institutions and officials under his direct control.
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WASHINGTON — Sens. Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn, two Republican leaders facing primary challenges, knew they would take an immediate political hit from the Republicans’ Tea Party wing by voting to clear the way for a debt-limit increase. They also knew that their willingness to cast that vote would enhance their party’s chances of gaining a majority in the Senate next year.
Nobel winner’s frank advice to China’s leadership
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A. Michael Spence won the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics in 2001 for esoteric research on how people make decisions when critical information is hard to obtain. But by that time, after more than a decade and a half as an academic dean at Harvard and Stanford, many of Spence’s colleagues had begun referring to him as a “former economist.”
More snow, then warmer weather this week
Last weekend, areas just outside of Boston received as much as a foot of snow. Since then, temperatures have remained below freezing, allowing plowed snow to accumulate in snowbanks and along roadsides. This week, much of that snow should melt. This afternoon and tonight Cambridge will experience one more snowstorm — the same one that has already caused thundersnow and ice throughout the Midwest. However, tomorrow the temperatures will rise into the 40s and remain above freezing for the rest of the week, with rain showers on Wednesday afternoon and Friday.
Little optimism as Iranian nuclear talks reconvene
VIENNA — Talks with Iran over a permanent agreement on its nuclear program begin Tuesday in Vienna, but there is little immediate optimism over a negotiation that is expected to last up to a year.
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Houston has a long way to go before its air is safe to breathe, despite a decades-long effort to scrub the skies of lung-damaging smog, the latest science suggests.
In Kansas, right joins left to halt bill on gays
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A bill that would have allowed individuals to refuse to provide business services to same-sex couples in Kansas because of religious beliefs met a surprising and quick end last week when conservative senators sided with liberal advocates in saying the measure promoted discrimination.