Britain braces for more Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants
LONDON — When Poland and seven other formerly Communist nations joined the European Union in 2004, Britain threw open its jobs market earlier than required to welcome tens, even hundreds, of thousands of new workers born behind the Iron Curtain.
HSBC net profit fell due to record fine for settling laundering charges
LONDON — HSBC, Britain’s biggest bank, said Monday that its net profit fell 17 percent last year because of a record fine to settle money laundering charges and changes related to the value of its debt.
Massacre of Syrian soldiers raises risk of widening conflict
BAGHDAD, Iraq — More than 40 Syrian soldiers who had sought temporary safety in Iraq from rebel fighters along the border were killed Monday in an attack by unidentified gunmen as the Iraqi military was transporting the soldiers back to Syria in a bus convoy, the government said. At least seven Iraqis were also reported killed in the attack, which appeared to be the most serious spillover of violence into Iraq since the Syrian conflict began two years ago.
National Severe Weather Preparedness Week
NOAA and FEMA mark National Severe Weather Preparedness Week from March 3 to March 9. Prepare an emergency supply kit, sign up for severe weather alerts, and share warnings and plans with your peers; it could save your life! Primary threats in Massachusetts include floods, severe thunderstorms, blizzards, hurricanes, and tornadoes. For more information, visit the National Weather Service website.
Kerry criticizes Iran, Russia for shipping arms to Syria
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the Syrian opposition is capable of properly handling the military support it receives.
Repetitive weather patterns ahead
In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays a weatherman who is stuck in a loop, seemingly doomed to repeat the same day of his life over and over again.
Shorts (right)
Breathe a tiny sigh of relief, if not exactly contentment: the U.S. economy grew just barely in the last quarter of 2012.
Japan to begin restarting idled nuclear plants, leader says
TOKYO — Japan will begin restarting its idled nuclear plants once new safety guidelines are in place later this year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday, moving to ensure a stable energy supply despite public safety concerns after the Fukushima disaster.
Criticism aside, Michelle Obama plans new PE project
CHICAGO — Michelle Obama announced the name of the best picture via satellite for the Academy Awards ceremony in order to promote the arts among children, her principal constituency, she said in an interview on Thursday. And if people did not like it, she added, that does not bother her.
Shorts (left)
BRUSSELS — The man who represents the 27 leaders of the European Union warned Thursday of widespread opposition to steps that may be necessary to keep Britain as a member of the bloc.
In a first, experiment links brains of two rats
In an experiment that sounds straight out of a science fiction movie, a Duke neuroscientist has connected the brains of two rats in such a way that when one moves to press a lever, the other one does, too — most of the time.
Voting law decision could sharply limit scrutiny of rules
WASHINGTON — If the Supreme Court strikes down or otherwise guts a centerpiece of the Voting Rights Act, there will be far less scrutiny of thousands of decisions each year about redrawing district lines, moving or closing polling places, changing voting hours or imposing voter identification requirements in areas that have a history of disenfranchising minority voters, voting law experts say.
Riots in Bangladesh follow death sentence for Islamic leader
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Violent clashes between angry mobs and security forces erupted across Bangladesh on Thursday, leaving at least 35 people dead, after a special war crimes tribunal handed down a death sentence to a fundamentalist Islamic leader for crimes against humanity committed 42 years ago, during the country’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
South Korean president warns North against nuclear pursuits
SEOUL, South Korea — The country’s new president, Park Geun-hye, was sworn into office Monday, facing far more complicated fissures both within South Korea and with North Korea than her father did during his Cold War dictatorship, which ended with his assassination 33 years ago.
Shorts (right)
LAGOS, Nigeria — A French family kidnapped last week on the Cameroon-Nigeria border appeared on a video posted on YouTube Monday, with one of the hostages and a gunman claiming that the family is being held by Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.
Republicans sign brief in support of gay marriage
WASHINGTON — Dozens of prominent Republicans — including top advisers to former President George W. Bush, four former governors and two members of Congress — have signed a legal brief arguing that gay people have a constitutional right to marry, a position that amounts to a direct challenge to Speaker John A. Boehner and reflects the civil war in the party since the November election.
Shorts (left)
ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Talks between Iran and six world powers over its nuclear program resume here on Tuesday after a break of eight months, but there is a general atmosphere of gloom about their prospects for success, even if narrowly defined.
Obama urges Congress to find compromise on budget cuts
WASHINGTON — With automatic budget cuts set to hit by the end of the week, President Barack Obama on Monday again warned of dire consequences and urged Congress to find a way to compromise in the next four days.
Blizzard in Great Plains brings Tech great rains
The same winter storm that yesterday brought blizzard conditions to parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas will reach our area tomorrow. However, warm temperatures will likely preclude us from experiencing similar conditions, as most of the precipitation is expected to fall as rain. Still, the weather will be relatively unpleasant during the storm, with gusty winds accompanying rain that will become heavy at times. Furthermore, the track of the storm will cause its effects to linger for the remainder of the week. Fortunately, sunshine should return in time for Saturday and Sunday.
Senate set to test support for vote on Defense nominee Chuck Hagel
WASHINGTON — The Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to cut off debate on the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, testing whether there is support for a final vote to confirm President Barack Obama’s embattled nominee.