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NEW YORK — A man who prosecutors said was an overseas operative of al-Qaida during the years following the Sept. 11 attacks was charged in Brooklyn with a host of terrorism charges, in the latest example of a foreigner accused of acts of terrorism abroad being extradited to American courts.
Cyberattacks freeze South Korean computer networks
SEOUL, South Korea — Computer networks running three major South Korean banks and the country’s two largest broadcasters were paralyzed Wednesday in attacks that some experts suspected originated in North Korea, which has consistently threatened to cripple its far richer neighbor.
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SYDNEY — The embattled prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, was fighting for her political life Thursday after she accepted a public demand for a leadership ballot put forward by a senior lawmaker from her ruling Labor Party, who said that the party’s only hope of prevailing in upcoming elections was to return to office the man Gillard deposed in a 2010 party coup.
Document shows Abbas’ desire to resume Israeli talks
CAIRO — President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority is so eager to return to peace talks with the Israelis that he may soften his demand that Israel’s president publicly pledge to halt construction of new settlements on Palestinian land before such negotiations can resume.
Fed to maintain stimulus efforts despite jobs growth
WASHINGTON — Employment has been increasing at a healthy clip for the last few months, but the Federal Reserve is not ready to relax just yet.
Obama warns Syrians on use of chemical weapons
JERUSALEM — Showing solidarity with Israel’s growing concern about chemical weapons in neighboring Syria, President Barack Obama stated bluntly Wednesday that if an investigation he had ordered found proof that the Syrian military had used such weapons it would be a “game changer” in U.S. involvement in the civil war there.
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Adrian Nastase, the former Romanian prime minister, will be released early from prison after serving nine months of a two-year term for corruption, a Bucharest court ruled Monday.
Use of generics produces a drop in drug spending
Spending on prescription drugs nationwide has been slowing for years because of the increasingly widespread use of low-cost generics. But in 2012, something unheard-of happened: Money spent on prescription drugs actually dropped.
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Saying that “gay rights are human rights,” Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former secretary of state and potential 2016 presidential candidate, has endorsed same-sex marriage.
11th-hour Cyprus bailout incites turmoil in Europe
BRUSSELS — The plan to rescue the tiny European country of Cyprus, assembled in overnight talks in Brussels, was itself the product of European dysfunction and has left financial regulators, German politicians, panicked Cypriot leaders and a disgruntled Kremlin thrashing out a bailout package that left virtually all the parties outraged.
In Vatican, infallibility is no guarantee of clout
VATICAN CITY — An Italian industrialist tried to curry favor by donating $100,000 worth of truffles. A Mercedes-Benz executive hoped for an audience to suggest improvements to the Popemobile. But in the final years of the papacy of Benedict XVI, others sent very different messages, desperate for the pope’s ear.
Winter storm precedes arrival of spring
A coastal storm will bring a wintry mix of precipitation to New England today on the last full day of winter. The precipitation will begin as snow in the early morning hours, and continue through sunrise. Snowfall will be moderate to heavy at times, leading to an accumulation of 3 to 6 inches through mid-morning. At that point, the precipitation will change briefly to sleet (falling ice pellets), before changing over to a cold rain for the remainder of the day. While the changeover to rain will likely lessen the hazard associated with this winter storm, the early snowfall could put a damper on the morning commute. At the time of this writing, the National Weather Service had issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Boston/Cambridge area, which was to be in effect until 11:00 a.m. today.
Republicans reflect on 2012 performance in blunt report
WASHINGTON — In a sweeping self-critique of the party’s 2012 election efforts, Republican leaders on Monday unveiled a set of proposals aimed at convincing younger voters, ethnic minorities and women that they have a home in the party, even if they do not agree with all of its positions.
Spring not here yet
After some spring-like weather earlier this week, temperatures have cooled down and will remain slightly below average for the foreseeable future. While in the past Boston has recorded highs in March above 70°F, the mean high temperature is 46°F. This weekend will bring temperatures around freezing, with scattered clouds and chances of precipitation.
Ieng Sary, former Khmer Rouge official, dies at 87
Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister of the Khmer Rouge who was one of three elderly leaders on trial on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, died Thursday in a hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he had been taken from his holding cell. He was 87.
To aid Syria rebels, France urges end to arms embargo
BRUSSELS — France, joining Britain, is urging its European Union partners to meet this month and end an arms embargo on Syria, to allow weapons to be sent to the opposition there.
US says Greek executive evaded sanctions on Iran
The United States blacklisted a Greek business executive and 14 of his companies Thursday, accusing them of conspiring with Iran to acquire eight large petroleum tankers used to transport Iranian oil to unwitting foreign customers in defiance of Western economic sanctions.
Netanyahu prepares to accept new government coalition
JERUSALEM — After six weeks of struggle, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared close Thursday night to finalizing a new governing coalition that may make significant changes on domestic issues like religious pluralism but is likely to be paralyzed on the Middle East peace process.