Study finds a growing student debt load
A report released Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York renews concerns about the growing debt load of college students and graduates.
Afghanistan talks are embittered after Quran burnings
KABUL, Afghanistan — The United States and Afghanistan appeared to make no headway here Monday in high-level negotiations on a long-term strategic partnership that have been embittered somewhat by the Quran burnings last month. Elsewhere, further violence left three people dead, including two children killed in a suicide attack on the main NATO military base where the Qurans were desecrated.
Shorts (left)
BAGHDAD — When Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki rounded up hundreds of former Baathists, accused the vice president of running a hit squad and threatened to use the apparatus of state to target other top Sunni leaders, some rivals and critics said that al-Maliki’s authoritarian streak had finally antagonized enough of Iraq’s political class to jeopardize his hold on power.
As fighting rages, Syria votes on a new Constitution
BEIRUT — As fighting churned on in major cities on Sunday, Syria held a referendum on a new constitution, an offer of reform that critics have dismissed as too little too late and Western leaders called a farce.
Thousands join anti-Kremlin protest in Moscow
MOSCOW — Thousands of anti-Kremlin protesters donned white ribbons and held hands along Moscow’s 10-mile ring highway on Sunday, demonstrating the resilience of the protest movement and continued dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin a week before he is to run in a crucial presidential election.
Multibillion dollar trial for BP’s Gulf oil spill delayed until next week
NEW ORLEANS — The civil trial over the United States’ biggest oil spill has been delayed for a week as efforts to settle the multibillion-dollar litigation intensify.
Shorts (right)
As same-sex marriage supporters celebrate victories in Washington and Maryland this month, they are keeping a wary eye on New Hampshire, where lawmakers may soon vote to repeal the state’s 2-year-old law allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed.
Germany backs $175 billion aid plan for Greece
BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany managed to keep her strategy for attacking Greece’s debt problems on track with a victory in Parliament Monday, but was able to win the vote only with the help of opposition parties.
President of Ecuador to pardon four in libel case
CARACAS, Venezuela — Declaring victory over what he called a “media dictatorship,” President Rafael Correa of Ecuador said Monday that he would pardon three newspaper executives and a columnist who were sentenced to three years in prison in a libel case.
Breezy day to precede potential snow on Thursday
The abnormally warm and dry weather that has characterized this winter season has continued this week, with temperatures upwards of 51°F recorded yesterday on the roof of the Green Building. However, after a breezy day today, a developing storm system to the west could bring wintry weather for the second part of the week. A low pressure system currently developing over the Central Plains will bring moisture and precipitation over New England tomorrow night, and temperatures could be cold enough to support snow through the day on Thursday.
Shorts (left)
J.K. Rowling, the British author whose Harry Potter fantasy series ignited a passion for reading in millions of children around the world, is emerging from a five-year publishing hiatus with a new novel — this time for adults.
Wounded journalists appeal for evacuation from Homs
PARIS — A French reporter wounded in the Syrian government’s bombardment of Homs made a video appeal on Thursday for a cease-fire and evacuation for urgent medical attention.
Shorts (right)
BEIJING — The first official talks between the United States and North Korea since the coming to power of the youthful new North Korean leader were “serious and substantial,” the senior U.S. negotiator said Thursday, and would extend into a second day.
Rain today, colder days ahead for this weekend
The weather these past two days given us a taste of spring. The high temperatures yesterday and Wednesday were 15°F and 17°F above the normal 40°F, respectively. That warmth, however, will not last, as temperatures will struggle to reach 40°F tomorrow in association with a shortwave moving through. While this shortwave is expected to bring several inches of snow to areas of central and western Massachusetts and New Hampshire, here in Cambridge we are primarily expected to receive rain. The rain should begin to taper off in the afternoon, ending by 8 p.m. or so. Following the passage of this system, high pressure will build into the region, keeping the weekend dry with seasonable temperatures. However, tomorrow could be quite breezy following the departure of the low pressure, so it could feel a bit colder than the forecasted high of 43°F.
Bank of America breaks with Fannie Mae, can turn to other buyers
Bank of America said Thursday that it would no longer sell new mortgages to Fannie Mae, underscoring tensions in a fight between two giants of the home loan market over billions in losses in the housing bubble.
Seven Marines killed in helicopter collision during training exercise
LOS ANGELES — Seven Marines were killed Wednesday night when two helicopters collided during training exercises in the desert along the California-Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday.
Obama sends apology as Afghan protests rage
KABUL, Afghanistan — The potential scope of the fallout from the burning of several copies of the Quran by U.S. military personnel this week became chillingly clear on Thursday as an Afghan army soldier turned his gun on NATO troops, killing two, while a crowd nearby protested the desecration of the Muslim holy book.
Settlement talks pick up ahead of BP oil spill trial
NEW ORLEANS — Nearly two years after the oil rig explosion that killed 11 people and spilled millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the myriad plaintiffs suing BP and other companies over the disaster are about to get their day in court.
Shorts (right)
BRUSSELS — After months of tense negotiations, eurozone finance ministers worked deep into the night Monday to try to agree on a second giant bailout to bring Greece back from the brink of default, subject to strict conditions and in exchange for yet more severe austerity measures.
Mexico and US agree on oil and gas development in Gulf
WASHINGTON — The United States and Mexico reached agreement Monday on regulating oil and gas development along their maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico, ending years of negotiations and potentially opening more than a million acres to deepwater drilling.